Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Making Moves: Magnifying The Move Inclusive Dance Professional Development Workshop 2025, Abigail G. Smith

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with MOVE Inclusive Dance in Nashville, Tennessee. MOVE Inclusive Dance is a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals of all ability levels to learn life skills through dance. The aim of this project was to create a full-scale professional development program for special education teachers to learn how to incorporate movement into their classrooms. An occupational therapy-based handout was created using evidence-based research and provided to all workshop participants. The project involved planning and executing the workshop, while also providing participants with resources to learn more about to importance of movement in …

An App-Based Education Course Empowering Coaches To Support Neurodivergent Athletes, Caroline Morton, Karen Park

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Neurodivergent children face significant barriers to participation in youth sports due to a lack of coach education and inclusive practices, which limits access to the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional benefits of recreational activities. This doctoral capstone project aimed to address these barriers through the development and implementation of CoachAbility, an app-based educational course designed to equip youth sports coaches with neurodiversity-affirming approaches. The course includes interactive modules, scenario-based quizzes, and downloadable resources covering key areas such as sensory processing, communication, emotional regulation, inclusion, family collaboration, and motor skill development. Participating coaches at KidStrong Carlsbad completed the course over four …

Opening The Outdoors: Experiences Of Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color (Bipoc) Adults In Outdoor Occupations To Support Mental Health, Jasmine Reynoso, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This mixed methods study explores the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) adults in exploring and engaging in outdoor occupations to support mental health. Through 15 survey responses and 2 semi-structured interviews, data was collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and reflective thematic analysis. The findings revealed three overarching themes: Barriers to Outdoor Occupations, Facilitators to Encourage Participation, and Personally Experienced Benefits. Participants explained how outdoor activities contribute to improved mental health, emotional regulation, and a sense of holistic well-being. By addressing the gap in research on nature-based occupations within BIPOC communities, this study highlights the need …

Discovering The Cultural Impacts On Asian American, Pacific Islander (Aapi) Occupations From Adolescent Experiences, Jasmine Chew, Karen Park

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Among the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) population, there is a gap in mental health (MH) utilization and seeking support for anxiety and depression (Wu et al., 2021). Adolescents experience a higher risk for self-isolating behaviors and struggle to find appropriate support (Ai et al., 2022; Santos & Kawabata, 2023). Based on cultural and socio-political contexts, what is the occupational impact on AAPI adolescents? How do cultural factors impact the utilization of community-based MH services?

Method: A convergent mixed methods study of unobtrusive data (n = 14), surveys (n = 29), and interviews (n = 4) was …

Family-Centered Care In Pediatric Oncology, Olivia B. Hope, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga Otd, Otr/L

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Pediatric cancer is a medical condition defined by the development of cancerous cells in children and adolescents. Play is a child’s job; it creates a sense of belonging, fills their internal desire to participate in various environments, and allows them to develop sensory, motor, and cognitive skills. The PEOP model further structured this study by providing a comprehensive framework that considers the interactions between the child, their environment, and their occupational participation. This research project used a qualitative, exploratory design to understand how play-based interventions may enhance FCC in the pediatric oncology setting. Thematic analysis was utilized to create five …

Exploring The Benefits Of Nature-Based Occupations And Transition Into Retirement, Kelly Gorton, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster outlines a doctoral capstone project that explores how nature-based occupations can support older adults transitioning into retirement, addressing their unique needs and improving their overall quality of life. The transition into retirement can be a challenging time, often accompanied by anxiety, loss of routine, and social isolation. Nature-based occupations offer significant benefits, such as improved mood, reduced stress, a sense of purpose, and increased social engagement. This poster emphasizes the importance of understanding older adults' attitudes and behaviors toward nature-based occupations to maximize their benefits. It also examines how occupational therapists can integrate nature-based interventions to help older …

Employee Wellness In Acute Mental Health Settings – An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Ethan Gross, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster outlines a doctoral capstone project focused on addressing the holistic factors influencing patient recovery and well-being in acute mental health settings. A comprehensive needs assessment was conducted to identify knowledge gaps, sources of staff stress, and environmental barriers impacting occupational performance. Findings informed the development of a staff-focused program aimed at mitigating stressors and enhancing therapeutic engagement. In addition, a report will be created with evidence-based recommendations for physical environment modifications to support both patient and employee well-being and occupational participation

Live Music Events: The Lived Experiences For People With Disabilities, Miya Y. Rodriguez, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Live music events present barriers to people with disabilities, limiting participation and full engagement at these events. This capstone project aimed to understand the lived experience of people with disabilities at live music events. A mixed methods research study and optional interview to gather data were used. Through thematic analysis, three themes were presented: physical barriers, more than just music, and the lack of education on invisible disabilities. These outcomes from the research express additional accommodations centered around physical barriers, an understanding that there are more occupations at these events besides just the music, and a need for more inclusion …

Promoting Occupational Balance For High School Student-Athletes Transitioning To College, Angilea Foster, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this proposal is to outline my vision of my capstone project focused on the transition of high school athletes to their first year of collegiate sports while maintaining occupational balance. The average high school student who is beginning their transition into their first year of college can find this journey to be difficult and come with a lot of new responsibilities. There are changes within their current roles, routines, and habits that affect their ability to be successful within the first year of college, which can result in not returning to the college or university the second …

Lived Experience Of Caregivers Of Individuals Labeled With Schizophrenia, Nicolette C. Hamilton, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of the capstone project was to explore the experience of caregivers of an individual labeled with schizophrenia and create educational materials beneficial to caregivers at partnering site. Caregivers of individuals labeled with schizophrenia can face mental health concerns, such as anxiety, stress, or depression, which may or may not be due to the demands of being a caregiver. The occupational impact of these mental health concerns is noted in literature, but the potential for occupational therapy to address these occupational concerns has not been identified for this caregiver population specifically. The purpose of the project was to learn …

Exploring The Lived Experience Of Growing Up With A Neurodivergent Sibling, Madison Hall, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Neurotypical siblings of neurodivergent children often experience unique roles, responsibilities, and emotional challenges within their family systems, yet their needs are frequently overlooked in service delivery models. This mixed methods study explored the lived experiences of individuals who grew up with neurodivergent siblings, focusing on the occupations, routines, and play experiences that shaped their development. Four themes emerged through thematic analysis of survey responses and semi-structured interviews: (1) play as a reconstructed experience, (2) role imbalance in daily life, (3) environmental influences on occupational engagement, and (4) navigating emotional demands. Findings highlight the need for occupational therapists to include neurotypical …

Promoting Participation In Preferred Leisure Activities At Bridges For Parkinson's, Amy J. Griffin

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with Bridges for Parkinson’s, a local nonprofit offering specialized fitness classes for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. The goal of this project was to promote participation in preferred leisure activities, including pickleball, golf, and hiking, and provide education to care partners. Programming was developed with adapted preparatory exercises and activities corresponding to leisure activities in fitness classes. Clients were provided with the opportunity to participate in leisure activities at an off-site location at the end of the week. Participants engaged in pickleball, golf, and hiking while socializing with others with …

From Data To Impact: Integrating Research, Data Analysis, And Data Visualizations To Shape The Future Of Stroke Rehabilitation, Abigail Mcnaughton

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

This capstone project highlights the essential role of research in advancing occupational therapy (OT) practice and underscores the importance of data analysis and visualization in enhancing the communication and dissemination of research findings. Grounded in the Myers and Lotz Framework for Evidence-Based Practice and the CO-OP approach to problem-solving, the experience was structured around three core pillars: (1) gaining hands-on experience as a research therapist, (2) conducting in-depth data analysis, and (3) creating effective data visualizations to support scientific communication.

As a research therapist, I contributed to two ongoing studies: the Cognitive Priming (Cog-P) study and the Patient Quality Rating …

Critical Time Intervention For People Experiencing Homelessness At Room In The Inn, Kristen N. Hocklander

OTD Capstone Projects

Room In The Inn is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization serving people experiencing homelessness in Nashville, Tennessee. Their services include a day center where participants have access to essential needs, classes through Hope University, the lunch program, transitional and permanent housing, the winter shelter program, and guest house and recuperative care beds. The purpose of this capstone experience was to collaborate with Room In The Inn staff and participants to increase efficiency from intake into the guest house to housing readiness. Room In The Inn’s services were presented in a flow chart and prioritized based on participants’ levels of …

After-School Program For Teens With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Hayden E. Davis

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Introduction: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 36 children have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (CDC, 2023) with 31% of children with ASD having an Intellectual Disability (ID) (Autism Speaks, 2023), and 1 in every 700 babies are born with Down Syndrome (CDC, 2023b). According to the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (Shattuck et al, 2011) nearly 40% of individuals with ASD after exiting high school were not receiving any services, such as occupational therapy, case management, medical assessments, etc. The purpose of this capstone is to implement an after-school program for teens with Intellectual and Developmental …

Raising Awareness Of Visual Impairments And The Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid (Naveg), Molli Wilkins

OTD Capstone Projects

Blind Early Services Tennessee (BEST) is a nonprofit organization providing early intervention services to children with visual impairments and their families. Through a partnership with BEST, this doctoral capstone project aimed to raise awareness of visual impairments and promote the use of the Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid (NAVEG). The NAVEG is a validated, non-invasive screening tool designed to identify neurological risk for Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) in infants. The project aimed to educate healthcare providers and establish partnerships with Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), to ultimately increase early referrals to ophthalmology and early intervention services. A secondary focus of …

Promoting Safe Caregiving For Parents With Cognitive And Intellectual Challenges At Nurses For Newborns, Jaimie Thomison

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Nurses for Newborns of Tennessee. Nurses for Newborns is a nonprofit organization that provides critical healthcare services to infants, new mothers, and expecting mothers who experience a wide range of medical, economic, environmental, and social risks. Registered nurses serve families using an evidence-informed, home visiting model. The aim of this project was to increase support for new mothers who have cognitive or intellectual challenges by providing resources and training staff on how to best serve these clients. The resources included customizable visual schedules, a safe sleep checklist, sensory modifications for …

The Center For Courageous Kids Universally Designed Pre-Recorded Dance Program, Amanda L. Parsley

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was created to serve the children, families, and volunteers at The Center of Courageous Kids in Scottsville, KY. The Center for Courageous Kids (CCK) is an accessible medical camp that provides children with serious illnesses the opportunity to attend camp at no cost. This allows the campers to have fun, create community and escape their everyday challenges. The camp hosts weekend retreats for families throughout the school year and offers population-specific week-long independent camps during the summer. Due to the structure of the camp, it relies heavily on volunteers to operate. With that in mind, this …

Advancing Scoliosis Care Through Pilates Training, Certification, And Outreach Initiatives, Jaryn Toms

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Spiral Spine Pilates (SSP), a Pilates studio specializing in scoliosis that serves clients from adolescents to older adults. SSP offers virtual and in-person private lessons, group classes, teacher training, and a scoliosis-focused retreat. These services are designed to educate individuals with scoliosis and movement practitioners on evidence-based, functional correction movements that support daily living. The primary objective of this project was to expand SSP’s educational reach through the development of new Pilates training, certifications, and outreach efforts. The primary outcome included the creation of an online certification program eligible for continuing …

Impact Of A Case-Based Learning Module: Integrating Authentic Treatment Videos, Electronic Documentation, And Hands-On Simulation, Emily Martin

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

INTRODUCTION: Developing student confidence and competence is essential for effective fieldwork preparation in occupational therapy (OT) education. Educators use diverse instructional methods to foster clinical readiness, including case-based learning (CBL), video cases, documentation practice, and simulation. CBL enhances critical thinking, clinical reasoning, self-awareness, and confidence. With advancements in technology, video CBL has become more accessible, using authentic patient videos to promote higher-level clinical reasoning, documentation, and communication skills, especially when paired with complementary learning activities. CBL video cases offer a logical opportunity to incorporate structured documentation training, an area in which health professions students often report feeling underprepared. Simulation …

An Exploration Of The Use Of Tier I Occupational Therapy Services In An Elementary School, Emilee Schumacher

Honors Theses

This project aimed to explore how and to what extent school-based occupational therapists implement Tier 1 interventions within an elementary school setting. The research involved conducting interviews with occupational therapists and observing their interactions with students to better understand the scope and nature of the services they provide. During the project, several Tier 1 services were identified, with a particular focus on addressing fine motor skills, social-emotional development, and gross motor skills. Several benefits of implementing tier 1 services in the school setting were identified. The challenges school-based occupational therapy practitioners face when implementing Tier 1 services in the elementary …

Modern Creativity Thriving Through The Roots Of Occupational Therapy, Kelly Allen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Peace, a client artist at Corvilla, provided the cover art for the Spring 2025 issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). This untitled artwork is a mixed-media painting featuring a vase of daisies, hand-drawn by Peace, which was engraved into reclaimed wood with a CNC machine, painted, and hand-sanded to reveal the image through the contrast of paint and wood. This and many other artworks are produced daily and sold in the storefront of the organization. Corvilla’s art program, Studio Five9, echoes the earliest models of arts and crafts workshops found in rehabilitation facilities in the early 20th …

Empathy In Occupational Therapy: A Call For Reflection, Razan Hamed, Vikram Pagpatan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Empathy is a building block in health care professions and it has been studied for decades in social and medical sciences given its significant role in health care outcomes and client satisfaction. In a climate where societies are congested with ideological conflicts, sociopolitical issues, racism, microaggressions, and bias, we must reflect on how we are preparing our students and future occupational therapists to be empathetic communicators and clinicians. We must also capture the evolution of empathy in new generations of occupational therapy students in the era of sociopolitical change, telehealth practices, and remote learning. Empathy decline is a documented trend …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Supporting Persons With Cognitive And Communication Impairment In Acute Hospital Settings, Molly Bathje, Carole Schwartz, Carly Ebert, Allison Harvey

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

It is estimated that 10.9% of adults in the United States live with a cognitive disability and 10% experience communication disorders. When hospitalized, people who have co-occurring cognitive and communication impairments (CCI) experience more hospital-related complications, longer lengths of stay, and higher risks for readmission and mortality. Co-occurring CCI refers to people who are hospitalized for a primary condition who also have a pre-existing or hospital acquired CCI.

Occupational therapists make important contributions to interprofessional care teams for persons with disabilities in hospital settings. This article explores the complexity of individual- and system-level factors contributing to poorer health outcomes for …

Accessibility Status To Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services: Views From Health Care Providers At A Rehabilitation Hospital In Rwanda, Jean Claude Tuyishime, Lizahn Gracia Cloete, Jerome Peter Fredericks

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupational therapy is a growing profession in Rwanda. Since the commencement of the occupational therapy training program at the University of Rwanda in 2014, accessibility to newly established occupational therapy services in Rwanda is unknown. This study aimed to explore health care providers’ views on access to pediatric occupational therapy services at a rehabilitation hospital in Rwanda.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative design with an interpretive descriptive approach was used. Purposive sampling was employed to select a sample of 10 health care providers working at an orthopedic and rehabilitation hospital in Rwanda. The semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, followed by verbatim …

Personal Narrative As Pedagogy: A Model For Socially Responsive Narrative-Based Education In Occupational Therapy, Johnna Belkiewitz, Sally Wasmuth

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The practice of occupational therapy relies on the collection and analysis of life narratives to provide responsive client-centered care. As developing holistic practitioners, occupational therapy students are taught to consider these shared stories within a larger context of historical and societal systems by acknowledging such factors as social determinants of health. Case studies are a frequently used tool to teach these skills; however, evidence supports that the identities of these educational stories’ authors can influence which perspectives are shared and, ultimately, impact developing occupational therapists’ perpetuation of or opposition to existing systems of oppression. Critical Race Theory and qualitative methodology …

Exploring The Relationship Between Preadmission Grade Point Average And Selected Occupational Therapy Program Outcomes, Robyn Wu, Jason Straub

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Grade point averages (GPAs) are often considered in admissions to occupational therapy programs, but the predictive value of GPAs has not been well-studied. The current study investigated if preadmission GPAs predicted whether students passed all occupational therapy program coursework and the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam on the first attempt. We analyzed 419 records of students who had matriculated in a master’s or doctoral occupational therapy program between 2010 and 2019. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine the effects of the independent variables science GPA and overall GPA on non-passing grades and on NBCOT …

Occupational Therapy’S Role For Gender-Affirming Genital Surgeries: Metoidioplasty And Phalloplasty, Adam Steuer, Kaysen Walker

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This article explores the new surgical population of gender-affirming surgery, specifically genital surgeries of phalloplasty and metoidioplasty for transgender and gender-diverse people. There are established perioperative rehabilitation guidelines for nearly all other surgeries. A growing population of people is seeking gender-affirming health care that includes genital surgery. This article reviews the guidelines set forth by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care, Version 8, explores the occupational needs of this population, as well as provides suggestions for future versions of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, version 4, to provide more inclusive language for the unique needs …

Examining Content Validity Of Home For Life Design Home Assessment For Home Safety And Accessibility, Debra K. Lindstrom, Jade Nguyen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Older adults aging in place face daily challenges in functional mobility and increased fall risk. Home environments lack accessibility and safety features that promote safety, independence, and longevity. Quality home assessments that are reliable, valid, and efficient are necessary to help determine the safety and accessibility of the built environment for persons aging in place.

Method: A mixed-method study was conducted to determine if the Home for Life Design (HfLD) Home Assessment is a valid assessment for measuring safety and accessibility in the home. Eight experienced occupational therapists completed a Content Validity Index (CVI) and qualitative interview …

Evaluation Of An Occupational Therapy Intervention In Prisons To Prepare Incarcerated Individuals For Successful Community Reentry, Dalenna Bellum, Sue Dahl-Popolizio, R. Curtis Bay, Angela Zhu, Jeremiah Fine, Bruce Kotter, Abbey Glenn, Rebecca L. Wolf

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Literature suggests that to reduce recidivism and facilitate successful community reintegration, incarcerated individuals need life skills training before release. This study evaluated the effectiveness of such an occupational therapy (OT) program.

Methods: We provided and evaluated a 12-session pilot OT program with incarcerated men providing life skills education for community reentry. We used forced-choice and open-ended questions with pre/post Employee Self-Assessment Tool (ESAT), assessing interpersonal, self-management, analytical skills, and skills used in an organization, and Life Skills Program Daily Surveys (LSDS) assessing participants’ perceptions of program effectiveness.

Results: Ninety-three of the residents participated; 69 completed …