Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Inner Blueprint: Unlocking Your 24/7 Potential, Mackenzie Zurcher, Becky King

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Inner Blueprint is a trauma-informed, occupation-based intervention designed to address the complex needs of adolescent girls with histories of trauma, substance use, and mental health conditions. Grounded in occupational science, the program emphasizes the integration of brain function, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and hormonal influence to promote self-awareness, resilience, identity development, self-worth, and functional independence. The intervention incorporates manualized content delivered through interactive group activities, reflective exercises, and routine-based skill building to support gains in emotional regulation, self-concept development, and daily life performance. A central therapeutic emphasis is placed on enhancing interoceptive awareness and empowering participants to recognize that their …

Program For Caregivers Caring For Children With Juvenile Arthritis, Elizabeth M. Lette-Fortune, Mary Jan Greer, Lee Ann Hoffman

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone program aims to educate and support children with juvenile rheumatic diseases (JRDs) and their caregivers, addressing the lack of educational resources available for families. The program conducted a needs assessment, developed targeted educational content, and covered topics such as flare management, treatment options, and caregiver support. The initiative was evaluated for its effectiveness in improving caregiver knowledge, reducing stress, and enhancing the quality of life for children with JRDs.

An Ot Web-Based Program For Assessing And Treating Vision Deficits In Tbis, Brooklynn Bycott, Rebecca King, Jaimee Fielder

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project supported occupational therapists in addressing vision deficits associated with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) through a web-based educational program. The program focused on assessment strategies, intervention techniques and strategies, and caregiver education. Guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance model and the Occupational Adaptation frame of reference, the project promoted occupational engagement and improved quality of life for individuals with vision deficits associated with TBIs and their caregivers by increasing clinicians’ confidence and knowledge.

Nourishing Skills: Online Education Materials For The General Pediatric Feeding Therapist, Hannah Cox

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Innovations in OT Symposium: Transforming Possibilities into Practice

Introduction: There has been a rise in pediatric feeding difficulties, with up to 50% of typically developing children and 89% of children with developmental disabilities having a variation of feeding difficulties (Benjasuwantep et al., 2013). With occupational therapy (OT) being a field of practice that addresses activities of daily living and developmental milestones, it is imperative that providers are prepared to treat this population. Methods: Four REDcap surveys were completed by stakeholder groups to determine knowledge gaps and training methodology amongst pediatric therapy providers (Harris et al 2009, 2019). With 233 survey responses, results were gathered nationwide (123 clinicians, 39 …

Occupational Therapy Assessment & Intervention In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit At Shawn Jenkins Children’S Hospital, Lauren G. Murphy

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

BACKGROUND: There is a current lack of literature and evidence to supply neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) occupational therapists with appropriate standardized assessments and interventions. This project aims to explore at which age occupational therapy services will be most beneficial and widely accepted by NICU team members. Goals of this project include understanding current best occupational therapy practices, providing the NICU with the most up to date research and outcomes of interventions and assessments on the high risk neonatal and pediatric populations, improving communication and collaboration skills to engage with all NICU team members, and leading educational sessions about evidence …

The Empowerment Through Assistive Devices: A Program For Older Adults Post-Stroke And Their Caregivers, Gillian L. Cole, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project aimed to develop a holistic and sustainable educational program for post-stroke adults using mobility devices in long-term care at CC Young. The program was to empower stroke survivors to regain independence, enhance their quality of life, and reduce caregiver burden by focusing on functional mobility, safety, caregiver support, device adherence, and multiple other factors that increase functional independence and safety. The program achieved significant outcomes through in-depth training, consistent education, feedback incorporation, and ongoing follow-up. Device usage rates were notably increased, helping participants continue using mobility aids effectively and consistently. Additionally, the program played a critical role …

Increasing Access To Adequate Care For Low-Resource Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Breanna A. Culver, Rebecca King

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Exploring and understanding the barriers to accessing adequate neurodivergent affirming care for autistic children and their families. Taking steps to decrease financial barriers, poor health literacy, and lack of available resources by developing a non-profit organization that will increase access to adequate care for these families. Participating in community outreach to raise awareness of and education about autism spectrum disorder in the local community of Corsicana, Texas on the needs of the autistic community.

An Ot Program Manual For Ipv Survivors Living In Transitional Housing, Mccall Cowart, Rebecca King

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project aimed to address the financial instability and employment challenges experienced by female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) residing in transitional housing. Grounded in the Occupational Adaptation model, the project involved the development and implementation of a client-centered job readiness and money management program tailored to the unique needs of this population. A comprehensive literature review identified critical barriers to economic independence among IPV survivors, including economic abuse, lack of education, and limited access to resources. Through collaboration with the YWCA of Palm Beach County’s Harmony House, a six-week program was delivered, incorporating lessons on budgeting, financial …

Interprofessional Education Program For Parkinson's Disease Care Considerations, Jennifer Nunez, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Research suggests that having interprofessional education for disease-specific care can improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. This program focused on providing a basic IPE program to rural hospital staff of various disciplines on the care considerations for individuals with Parkinson's Disease when they are hospitalized. Using an occupational therapy vantage point, the program was created to address increasing occupational performance for healthcare workers and individuals with Parkinson's Disease. Topics included in the program were motor symptoms, non-motor symptoms, medication management, mobility and ADLs, cognition, mental health, sleep, dietary patterns, dysphagia, and voice.

Utilization Of Digital Platforms To Enhance Usability And Knowledge For Fieldwork Educators; Increasing Access To The Intentional Fieldwork Education Model (Ifwem), Patrick C. Lewis

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Fieldwork education plays a pivotal role in shaping student outcomes in occupational therapy programs. The effectiveness of fieldwork education is significantly influenced by the fieldwork educator's communication style, teaching approach, learning preferences, competency, self-efficacy, and level of preparedness. The Intentional Fieldwork Education Model (IFWEM) and its associated IFWEM course provide an evidence-based framework designed to enhance fieldwork educators’ competency, self-efficacy, and preparedness prior to student fieldwork. In collaboration with the creators of the IFWEM, efforts were made throughout this capstone project to increase the usability, availability, and accessibility of the current IFWEM course. This project aimed to create a more …

Supporting Families And Providers Of Children With Low Vision/ Cvi Through Comprehensive Resource And Website Development, Alexandria D. Mcdonald

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) is the most prevalent cause of visual impairment in children. Children with CVI face unique challenges that significantly affect their development and participation in daily life. This capstone project aimed to support both therapists and families of children with CVI by fostering a deeper understanding of the condition and enhancing access to evidence-based resources. Guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, the project focused on identifying existing gaps in available materials, then addressing them through the creation of tailored resources and the development of a comprehensive, user-friendly website.

Deliverables included a digital resource library/website with over 40 …

Empowering Future Practitioners: Using Constructivist Learning Strategies To Teach Occupational Therapy’S Role In Oncology Rehabilitation, Erin L. Latimer

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

This capstone project developed educational materials on occupational therapy’s role in oncology rehabilitation for first-year OT students at an accredited program. The deliverables included a lecture and lab session, guided by the constructivism theory and 5 Es educational model, to integrate foundational oncology content into early curricula. By addressing this gap, the project aims to better prepare future OTs to serve cancer survivors. Goals included enhancing students’ knowledge of oncology’s continuum of care and improving clinical reasoning during evaluations. Students completed a Pre-Quiz (testing general oncology/pathophysiology knowledge), Post-Quiz (lecture-specific questions), and Post-Survey (34 respondents). Results showed strong comprehension, with one …

Social Program For Adults Living In Group Homes, Kailee Oram, Mary Jan Greer

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs) living in group homes have lower quality of life outcomes, particularly for the domain of social inclusion, compared to adults with IDDs who live alone or with family. This capstone experience aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a social program for this population to promote community engagement and interpersonal relationships. The 8-week social program was planned for participants living in group homes led by Trinity Services in suburban IL. A needs assessment included interviews with clients and staff about supports and barriers to social participation and ideas for community activities. The program was …

Early Intervention Pediatric Adaptive Sports Program, Emily Horsley, Cassandra M. Nelson

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This doctoral capstone focused on developing a community-based program to improve access to pediatric adaptive sports for children with physical disabilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area. A needs assessment of families, occupational therapists, and recreational therapists revealed significant gaps in awareness and accessibility of entry-level adaptive sports programs. In response, a multi-component program was developed, including a centralized resource website (DFWAdaptiveSports.com), an educational outreach initiative for families and providers, and a six-week introductory adaptive sports curriculum. Guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, the program aims to increase participation, promote social and motor development, and reduce barriers to community-based recreation …

Daily Routine Redesign To Optimize Occupational Performance For Individuals With Cancer During And Post-Treatment, Summer M. Mazade, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Cancer and cancer treatment impacts individual's ability to participate in daily activities due to the symptoms or side effects that they experience. With advancements in cancer screenings and treatments, there is a growing population of those living with long term side effects that lower their quality of life. A program was developed to redesign cancer survivors' daily routine based on their symptoms and priorities to increase occupational performance in activities of daily living. The program showed a positive impact on the lives of cancer survivors' daily lives.

Adolescents Undergoing Back Surgery & Caregiver Support Needed Before & After Surgery, Kayla R. Jaacks, Mary Jan Greer, Lee Ann Hoffman

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Adolescents with spinal conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, or fractures may require surgical intervention, with spinal fusion being the most common procedure. While these surgeries can significantly improve outcomes, parents and caregivers often feel unprepared for the responsibilities and emotional demands that follow. This lack of knowledge and support can lead to caregiver stress, feelings of isolation, and unmet self-care needs, highlighting the urgent need for better education and resources.

Balanced Bliss: Promoting Leisure Participation In A Daytime Homeless Shelter, Timarie Delony, Shelby Osborne, Angela Labrie Blackwell

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Opportunities to engage in leisure activities are limited for individuals experiencing homelessness who attend daytime homeless shelters (Palimaru et al., 2023). The purpose of this capstone project was to develop and implement a leisure participation program for homeless individuals attending daytime shelters, addressing the gap in leisure exploration and participation. The program was structured around an 8-week timeframe, with weekly thematic focuses on physical, social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, intellectual, financial, and occupational wellness.

The program consisted of one-hour sessions, four times a week, incorporating 32 structured activities designed to encourage engagement in diverse leisure pursuits. To support ongoing wellness, weekly …

Simulated Adventures: Occupational Therapy's Role In Outdoor Participation, Erica Martinez, Rebecca King

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Access to outdoor leisure activities remains limited for individuals with disabilities due to barriers such as transportation challenges, functional limitations, and social/psychological constraints. These limitations significantly reduce opportunities for participation in outdoor recreation, which has been proven to enhance the overall quality of life. This capstone program aims to address these challenges by supporting the special abilities community in developing transferable skills necessary for meaningful engagement in outdoor activities. The program emphasizes emotional regulation, social participation, health promotion, and safety education while enhancing the quality of life. Through this program, participants develop essential skills for engaging in outdoor activities by …

Aquatic Therapy In Neurorehabilitation, Alexis Poe, Rebecca King, Caitlin Boyd

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Healthcare workers and their patients have seen the benefits of aquatic therapy (AT), but education is lacking (Marinho-Buzelli, 2023). Research suggests that AT can improve fatigue and balance for people with an acquired brain injury (Bhatnagar et al., 2019). These findings highlight the need to enhance occupational therapy (OT) education and implementation of AT in clinical practice.

A Comprehensive Diabetes Symptom Management Program For Independent Living Facilities, Brooke A. Foster, Mary Jan Greer

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project aimed to support older adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) and pre-diabetes in independent living facilities through a comprehensive symptom management program. Implemented at Coastal Heights Senior Living in Costa Mesa, California, the program focused on improving overall education and self-management of DM symptoms, emphasizing foot care, physical activity, and nutrition. Using a client-centered approach and the Person-Occupation-Environment-Performance model, participants engaged in group and individual sessions over an eight-week period. Outcomes showed an increased understanding of DM, improved self-care behaviors, and enhanced ability to manage symptoms independently, supporting aging in place and promoting overall wellness.

Sleep Program For Individuals With Sleep Issues In A Counseling Center, Adrian Flye, Rebecca King

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Sleep is essential for rest, restoration, and the ability to perform everyday occupations. Sleep provides numerous health benefits when an individual receives adequate sleep. Unfortunately, many individuals sleep poorly due to work demands, childcare responsibilities, and health-related issues. An inconsistency in sleep can negatively impact an individual’s physical and mental health and overall quality of life. The purpose of this project was to develop a sleep program that provides a counseling center with strategies to help improve sleep quality in individuals with sleep issues.

Preventing The Strain: An Educational Program To Address Upper Extremity Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders In The Beauty Industry, Stacy Bello, Rebecca King

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The program aims to enhance the safety and health of beauty professionals by addressing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD). The educational program seeks to reduce injuries in the beauty industry by teaching ergonomic practices and joint protection strategies, which include the development of seminars targeted at cosmetology and esthetics students, as well as working professionals, with a strong emphasis on understanding body mechanics and ergonomic principles. Feedback from beauty professionals highlighted common WRMSD conditions and the critical need for preventative education and advocacy for care. The educational program strives to create a safer working environment that benefits beauty service providers throughout …

Educational Development Program For Caregivers Of Acquired Brain Injury, Kaylan Griffin, Rebecca King

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Acquired brain injury (ABI) disrupts normal brain function and often requires caregivers to assist with daily tasks. One-third of ABI caregivers experience burnout and psychological distress within a year of the injury, primarily due to decreased confidence, education, and social support. This burnout can significantly affect caregivers' emotional, social, financial, physical, and spiritual well-being. The purpose of the proposed capstone is to aid in preventing caregiver burnout and burden by empowering caregivers through education.

Safe Lift System: In-Bed Repositioning Assistive Device, Mariah Sparkman, Cassandra Nelson, Lee Ann Hoffman

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Bedridden patients require frequent repositioning toward the head of the bed. The current Safe Lift System prototype was revised and surveyed to address the gap in effective methods for in-bed repositioning of this patient population and to improve its efficacy in meeting the needs of bedridden patients, caregivers, and healthcare staff members.

An Ot Program For Amputation Individuals And Their Caregiver, Ashley Hradecky, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Amputation individuals and their caregivers currently lack sufficient education regarding residual limb management, limb positioning, mental health, and phantom limb pain. These gaps in health management skills ultimately result in relationship strains, technology abandonment, and decreased independence. The goal was to develop and implement an educational program for new amputation individuals and their caregivers targeting these topics. Six pairs successfully completed this four-week program, with each pair responding to pre and post surveys. Interventions included lower extremity positioning, prosthetic care management, residual limb management, mirror therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and tactile point discrimination. When comparing the pre and post …

Poderosas: A Program To Meet The Occupational Needs Of Latina Women, Alana Govea, Mary Jan Greer, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Many women who have immigrated from Mexico and other Latin American countries and who have experienced some form of sexual trauma, sexual violence, sexual abuse, or sex trafficking have unmet occupational needs as they adjust to their lives in the United States. Limited research and resources are available to address these needs. A culturally sensitive program was curated to identify and meet the occupational needs of these women. Three themes that encompassed their primary occupational needs included the need for social participation and connection, the need for emotional and mental health promotion and maintenance, and the need for security and …

Exploring The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Collegiate Athlete Mental Health Care: A Concept Analysis, Jacquelyn Arnett, Lesley Khan-Farooqi

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Adverse mental health outcomes in collegiate athletes are on the rise in the United States, prompting concerns about the impact of external surroundings on their well-being. Occupational therapy (OT) is a profession that specializes in environmental- and occupation-centered intervention, approaches to mental health care not currently being utilized in collegiate athlete populations. Despite these potential benefits, OT practitioners (OTPs) are not an established member of the care team in current athlete mental health care structures, likely because many stakeholders do not understand the unique services OTPs can offer. Walker and Avant’s eight-stage concept analysis was employed to examine the role …

Facilitating Student Advancement: A High School Toolkit For Developing Professional Skills, Makenzie J. Mccain

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Innovations in OT Symposium: Transforming Possibilities into Practice

Objective:

As students transition from high school to their next step, they are expected to demonstrate a different and often higher level of professional skills to successfully navigate their new roles. Existing research identifies these skills as highly valuable in industry and education, however there is a gap in research and resources that focus on high school students developing these essential skills. This quality improvement project focused on the development of a toolkit to fill this gap, providing an explicit, student-centered resource for professional skill development.

Methods:

The development of the Professional Skills Student Toolkit utilized established theoretical frameworks and …

Thriving Beyond Barriers: A Wellness Guide For Athletes And Coaches, Sydnie Allen, Ots, Lesley Khan-Farooqi, Phd, Otd, Otr, Emily Andersen, Otd, Otr

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project addressed gaps in knowledge and skills among athletes and coaches regarding the social, physical, and environmental dimensions of wellness, which impact participation, health, quality of life, and overall wellness. The purpose was to create a wellness guide focused on the social, physical, and environmental dimensions of wellness, which may inhibit participation, health, quality of life, and overall wellness while fostering social inclusion and accommodating individual abilities to reduce injury risk and promote motivation. Though research on occupational therapy (OT) in sports is limited, emerging studies highlight the importance of participation for long-term independence. Environmental barriers like accessibility issues …

Preparing Adults With Intellectual Disabilities For External Employment And Increased Occupational Engagement, Ann B. Barwick

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Intellectual disabilities refer problems within intellectual and adaptive functioning. In the United States, 6.5 million people have an intellectual disability (Schaepper). Adults with intellectual disabilities face many challenges throughout life. Employment is one of those challenges for a multitude of reasons including communication skills, discrimination, feelings of underappreciation, etc (Special Olympics). Only 21-44% of adults with intellectual disabilities are employed. There are services to help these individuals including occupational therapy, transition service counselors, and vocational rehab. Yet, the majority remains unemployed.

A doctoral capstone project was completed and presented in collaboration with a dog bakery whose mission is to provide …