Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Road Ahead: An Occupational Therapy Manual To Infant Development For Parents In The Nicu, Nicole Suzuki-Uyeno

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Occupational therapists have been collaborating with the parents of our tiniest patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for quite some time. They have a wealth of information and expertise in the area on infant development and parent education. Admitting a baby to the NICU is a shock for most parents and can take a toll on a family. The role of the occupational therapist is to help educate the family and to provide the tools to safely take care of their baby and to smoothen the transition from the hospital to home.

In the NICU, the OT has …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In The Holistic Management Of Chronic Pain, Megan K. Rodahl

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Chronic pain is a common yet debilitating condition, affecting over 1 in 5 adults in the United States (Dahlhamer et al., 2018) and limiting participation in valued occupations (Duenas et al., 2016). Despite its prevalence, chronic pain tends to be dismissed in the healthcare system and many clients begin to lose hope in recovery (National Guideline Centre, 2021). To address current deficits healthcare and education, this capstone project examines occupational therapy’s role in the holistic treatment of chronic pain. To explore this, a wide variety of client-centered interventions were used to treat clients with chronic pain conditions. Progress was assessed …

Expanding The Role Of Occupational Therapy For Oncology Patients: A Focus On Tumor- And Blood-Based Cancers, Erika N. Clark

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Tumor and blood-based cancer diagnosis rates are increasing rapidly in the United States. To improve survivorship, treatment practices are constantly evolving, however, patients are often left to face the consequences of survival. With decreased range of motion, strength, and ability to participate in desired activities, patients may experience a decrease in overall quality of life. Through a holistic lens, occupational therapists are well suited to address the diverse needs of cancer patients through the duration of their cancer treatments. Unfortunately, occupational therapy remains a widely underutilized service for this population. This capstone experience worked to address this gap by expanding …

Exploring Occupational Therapy In Perinatal Care: Promoting The Mental Health And Well-Being Of Women During And After An Unplanned Pregnancy, Sydney M. Korn

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Unplanned pregnancy can have a significant effect on the health and well-being of both the mother and her child. Those who experience an unplanned pregnancy are two times more likely to experience maternal depression or stress than those who plan their pregnancies which can negatively impact the mother-infant bond. This capstone sought to explore occupational therapy’s role within perinatal care, specifically addressing the mental health needs of women in unplanned pregnancies by collaborating with already established programs at a pregnancy resource center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and incorporating the principles of occupational therapy. It explored the use of modules …

Incorporating Trust-Based Relational Intervention In Occupational Therapy To Address Mental Health Needs Of Elementary Students, Maci K. Stouffer

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Background. The rate of children experiencing mental health issues is increasing exponentially. Many mental health conditions could be successfully treated in childhood, yet they are overlooked, with only half of the diagnosed cases treated and many others undiagnosed. Youth spend much of their day in school. Therefore, their mental health must be addressed within this setting. Purpose. This capstone project aimed to develop and implement a trauma-informed, occupation-based intervention program for elementary students. Equipping students with self-regulation skills, teaching appropriate calming strategies, and providing opportunities to practice the main components of building healthy relationships. The school staff was educated on …

Supporting The Role Of Professional Caregivers In Long-Term Care: Education, Training, And Caregiver Mental Health Interventions That Promote Dementia Care Excellence, Katelyn A. Nelson

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The purpose of this capstone experience was to create a dementia caregiver education program to support caregivers in their role of caring for individuals with dementia. The first four weeks of the capstone experience were spent at Emerald Crest in Burnsville, MN, learning from an occupational therapist with more than 13 years of experience. Advanced knowledge was gained through engaging in OT evaluation and intervention sessions, completing two dementia certifications, interviewing staff members to highlight the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, and applying theory to practice. Knowledge was then synthesized, applied, and built upon to create a training manual for the …

Developing A Resilience Program For Occupational Therapy Students, Sienna Guzman, Jenna Lazo, Rachel Thompson, Madisson Walker

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Developing resilience in healthcare students is recognized as a valuable endeavor and programs at the university level exist for students in healthcare fields including medicine and nursing; however, there are no current programs for occupational therapy students (Delany et al., 2015). Research has shown that occupational therapy students experience high levels of stress that can lead to burnout (Everly et al., 1994). To address this programming gap, we developed and piloted a resilience program for occupational therapy students at Dominican University of California consisting of three components: 1) a self-compassion workshop, 2) a resilience website, and 3) a community building …

Exploration Of Occupational Barriers Of At-Promise Youth With Photovoice, Francis Bie, Brianna Baisch, Quyntz Ellenwood, Kerry Krohn, Iliana Santellan

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Numerous circumstances affect the quality of life of youth including a higher risk for poverty, social exclusion, discrimination, mental health challenges and/or stigma, which effects their ability to engage in occupations (Iwasaki, 2014, p. 317). Through highlighting how photovoice has been utilized in the past with under-represented groups, we wanted to address occupational injustices faced daily by “At-promise” youth. Through utilizing participatory-led research, we wanted to further empower youth to be advocates in their community. Our research aim was to utilize Participatory Action Research and photovoice as a guide for at-promise youth to explore occupational injustices, how to understand the …

A Virtual View Of Occupation: Transactionalism In Mmorpgs, John Miklos, Alex Nold, Shasta Rice, Amanda Flores

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

To date, most research on massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) has focused on the effects playing MMORPGs has on players’ health and wellness. The virtual environment of MMORPGs has yet to be explored as a space where meaningful occupations occur. This qualitative study explored the virtual environment using a transactional perspective in order to define the qualities of virtual worlds, how transactional relationships operate more clearly within these virtual worlds to construct occupational meaning, and subsequently to provide a foundation of qualitative data to support future research including virtual worlds. The sample included six MMORPG players with experience playing …

Utilizing Emotional Intelligence To Cultivate Occupational Therapy Students' Leadership Skills, Talina Minasian

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Emotional intelligence (EI) education is a crucial component to facilitating professional and leadership skills. Strengthening emotional competence through training and education can support clinician success. The healthcare sector is complex and presents many challenges and emotionally demanding circumstances. Sharpening emotional intelligence skills can provide tools for students, practitioners, and leaders to effectively respond and rise above difficult situations. There is a strong need for healthcare programs to supplement their curriculums with EI learning.

This doctoral project explored the benefits and impact of integrating emotional intelligence education into a leadership course for entry-level occupational therapy (OT) students. Using current literature, a …

The Occupational Therapy Approach To Pain Treatment: A Pain Curriculum, Rosalee Howell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

It is within the scope of the occupational therapy profession to treat patients experiencing pain. The holistic approach used to assess and treat patients to improve functional performance is vital in treating pain. The focus is to decrease the detrimental impact of pain on the patient’s mental health, enhancing their ability to function in social and vocational roles. However, education is not adequately addressed in occupational therapy programs and is vital in preparing clinicians to meet the patient’s needs effectively.

This Doctoral Capstone was developed to highlight the importance and the benefit of education in preparing clinicians to treat patients …

Evaluating The Use Of Nintendo Labo As A Rehabilitation Tool, Jacob Colwell, Logan Suiter, Amanda Wells

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Serious gaming is the practice of using video games, either commercial or specifically designed, for physical rehabilitation. Serious games have emerged in the last decade as a way to increase patient involvement in rehabilitation, increase the likelihood of patients continuing treatment after progress stalls, and generally increase mental health during treatment. However, the current literature has not kept pace with the evolution of technology and therefore the use of next-generation consoles for serious gaming is underdeveloped.

The Nintendo Switch could provide new avenues for serious gaming because of the advanced sensing ability of its controllers (Joy-Cons) and the engaging ways …

Implementing Environmentally Informed Occupational Therapy In Clinical Practice Settings, Chelsea A. Heilbrun

MOT Student Capstones

Anthropogenic environmental decline and associated climate change is causing negative health and wellness and consequently occupational injustices. As human activity continues to be the largest contributing factor to environmental degradation, sustainability practices are essential now more than ever to remediate ecological damages for the health, wellbeing, and occupational justice of current and future generations. Occupational therapy (OT) is an occupation-based profession and therefore implies a focus on human activity with an underlying responsibility to promote environmental sustainability. OT practitioners have a unique ability to support client engagement and participation in ecosystem conservation and sustainability. The purpose of this paper was …

Independent Study Curriculums For Adult Students With Idd At Lipscomb University - Ideal, Megan Roman

OTD Capstone Projects

Independent study curriculums targeting independent living skills for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities attending the Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb (IDEAL) program. The curriculum was created using the constructivism model and social cognitive theory for an active approach to learning that promotes self-efficacy in independent living skills to facilitate student success within the program and upon their transition into the community.

Advocacy And Collaboration To Promote And Enhance Services Provided By Ability App, Callie Emerson

OTD Capstone Projects

This poster details advocacy effort made to promote Ability App to healthcare students in Bloomington, Indiana in hopes of increasing accessibility for individuals with disabilities, educating future healthcare professionals, and encouraging individuals in Bloomington to use Ability App.

Evaluating Accessibility In Tn State Parks, Ashley C. Phillips

OTD Capstone Projects

During this Capstone experience, I partnered with Tucker's House and the TN State Parks to evaluate the efficacy of the State Park ADA Assessment tool. After modifying the assessment tool, I evaluated the three most visited state parks in TN and made suggestions on how to improve accessibility of the parks.

Home And Environmental Modifications And Community Resources For Individuals With Visual Impairment, Kimberly Mclaughlin

OTD Capstone Projects

Tucker's House is a non-profit organization that provides home and environmental modifications as well as assistive devices to families in Middle Tennessee that have a child with a disability. This doctoral capstone project focused on developing resources the organization can provide to individuals with low vision, visual impairment or blindness as well as their families/caregivers. The resources created include family intake forms, adaptive devices and durable medical equipment lists, community resources, general strategies, and smartphone/technology accessibility guides all related to increasing safety, participation in daily living tasks, and independence for individuals with visual impairment.

Promoting Participant And Community Participation At Saddle Up!, Savannah R. Macisaac

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project was completed through partnership with Saddle Up!, in Franklin, Tennessee. Saddle Up! is a nonprofit adaptive barn providing children and youth with disabilities the opportunity to grow and develop through therapeutic, educational, and recreational activities with horses. The primary focus of this project was to create a volunteer training manual for operating the mechanical lift. The deliverable was a PowerPoint which bridged the gap between instructor and volunteer knowledge. It included step by step instructions, as well as education on how to best support participants during the lift process. The secondary focus of the project was educating …

Therapeutic Rock Climbing And Its Impact On Children And Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Abigail S. Miller

MOT Student Capstones

Rock climbing is an activity that incorporates physical, mental, social, and emotional abilities due to the environmental and personal components involved with each climbing challenge. The aspects of this sport support the development of foundational skills essential for independent living and occupational engagement. This research suggests that participation in therapeutic rock climbing is effective in improving motor planning, social engagement, sensory processing, and self-regulation skills for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An educational in-service was implemented to 14 professionals including occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and adults who engage daily with children and teens with ASD. Each participant …

Exploring Occupational Therapy's Role In An Adaptive Sport/Leisure Community-Based Program And The Experience Of Participating In Sports With Cognitive And Physical Disability, Henry Grady Iii

MOT Student Capstones

Occupational therapy is defined by the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework Domain & Process, 4th edition, as the therapeutic use of everyday life occupations with persons, groups, or populations for the purpose of enhancing or enabling participation (AOTA, 2020). This simply proclaims, occupational therapist uses everyday activities to create or restore a person's identity as identified by occupation. Engaging people with disability in active meaningful occupations (adaptive sports), through limiting barriers, occupational therapist have a role in adaptive sports programs. Meaningful physical activity is essential for sustaining a healthy lifestyle for people with disabilities and the way to address this is …

Creating A Safe Environment: The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Utilizing Sensory-Based Approaches In A Community Engagement Center, Leah Forsythe

MOT Student Capstones

ReVive Center for Housing and Healing provides occupational therapy services in an engagement center model to clients experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in Chicago, IL, which creates opportunities as well as reveals challenges when supporting clients. One such challenge is promoting clients' well-being and occupational performance when clients experience chronic stress and trauma in their daily lives. This paper examines the effectiveness of providing training centered on trauma-informed design and sensory-based approaches to staff and students at the ReVive. The author presented an in-service training to ReVive's staff and students in March 2022, presenting information on trauma-informed design and approaches …

Dancing With Dementia: Using Dance And Movement To Combat The Negative Effects Of Occupational Deprivation In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Mikenzi R. Rivenbark

MOT Student Capstones

As human beings, it is natural to crave interaction with others and to engage within our surrounding environments. Unfortunately, individuals with dementia often lose their ability to independently access and participate within their environment; resulting in occupational deprivation. Occupational deprivation is seen frequently in residents with dementia within a skilled nursing facility (SNF) as they are often left disengaged and seated idle within the facility. Occupational deprivation can lead to psychological and physical illnesses, it can also enhance the progression of dementia, and result in premature death. The use of dance and movement with these residents can provide them the …

Benefits Of Farm-Based Occupational Therapy Interventions In Improving Fine Motor And Gross Motor Skill Development In Children At Risk For Early School Failure, Kasie S. Trivett

MOT Student Capstones

This capstone project aimed to research and educate the directors at Bright Start, an early intervention program, on the benefits of farm-based occupational therapy in developing fine motor and gross motor skills in children at risk for early school failure. Recent studies have raised concerns regarding the inadequate motor skills observed in school-aged children entering kindergarten. This study examined the benefits of farm-based occupational therapy in addressing fine motor and gross motor delays in early school-aged children. This project employed an extensive literature review, a needs assessment to survey the opinion of kindergarten teachers on their students' level of fine …

Help Me Heal: Enriching The Environment For The Acute Care Stroke Population, Mary Kate Young

MOT Student Capstones

Environmental enrichment to increase patient participation and prevent further medical complications is not a new concept, but one that is in its infancy in the hospital setting. This paper sought to compile the current data of enriching the environment for patients with neurological deficits, and how it can be applied to the acute care setting. Methods used were a needs analysis of occupational therapists, and an in-service and educational handout to gather data from nursing staff. Through the presentation of the in-service and handout, and analyzing the results from the pre and post-test, there was an increase in understanding the …

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Comprehensive Interventions To Enhance A Patient's Quality Of Life, Kristine Nguyen

MOT Student Capstones

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a multifaceted pain condition that is seemingly disproportionate in time or degree to the usual course of an initial trauma and/ or a surgery timeline. It can be difficult to initially identify CRPS because symptoms can range, and it is difficult to clearly understand it as some people develop CRPS while others with similar trauma do not. As the aging population increases, there will be an increase in the incidence of chronic conditions, including CRPS. The lack of physiological and neurological knowledge about CRPS, and mindset of therapists in an orthopedic outpatient setting towards …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Community Integration For Sex Trafficking Victims, Georgia Brooke Thigpen

MOT Student Capstones

Human trafficking is currently one of the largest global issues, affecting an estimated 35.8 million people using various forms sexual corruption and exploitation for financial gain, resulting in modem-day form of slavery (Gorman, & Hatkevich, 2016). Women who have sustained traumatic sexual abuse continue to fall victim to their traffickers even long after they have been rescued and rehabilitated. Sex trafficking victims are more likely to have lower levels of education, difficulty finding and maintaining a job, and trouble accessing their communities. Although a plethora of research exists on both past and present statistics of sex trafficking victims, there is …

The Benefits Of Martial Arts For Children And Adolescents With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd), Renee M. Peacock

MOT Student Capstones

It has been well-established that youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often peer-rejected and rated by parents, teachers, and observers to have poor social skills, when compared to typically developing peers. One solution to these problems is the provision of a positive outlet such as martial arts. The participation in martial arts offers children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) year-round physical activity, discipline, increased focus, self-efficacy, self-regulation skills, positive coping skills and empathy and respect towards others which can carry over into their home, school, and community life. These important aspects are closely related to the services …

Educating Occupational Therapy Practitioners On The Benefits Of Animal Assisted Therapy In Teaching Social-Emotional Skills, Rachel Shepherd

MOT Student Capstones

Developing a program designed to educate occupational therapy and speech therapy practitioners on emerging therapeutic methods to teach social and emotional skills to children and adolescents. Emphasis will be on the importance of children and adolescents learning social emotional skills to positively relate to family and peers and manage their emotions and self-regulate to facilitate success in academic and social situations. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the evolution of social skills, communication skills, and emotional recognition that are important for children develop. These skills are an important indicator of academic success. improve ability to form relationships or interact with others, and …

Cognitive-Behavioral Educational Program Increasing Independent Living Skills For Adolescents With Mild Intellectual And Developmental Delays, Stephanie Parks

MOT Student Capstones

In this exploratory study, participants were provided with information on transitioning into adulthood, IDD, life skills, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to increase their awareness of evidence-based techniques that can be successfully implemented to assist adolescents with IDD as they transition into adulthood. Data was collected for this project using a pre-survey, and an educational video followed by a post-survey. Once the pre-survey was completed, the participants were directed to watch an educational video followed by completing a post-survey. The results indicated a statistically significant correlation between eight paired t-tests that were completed between the pre-survey and post-survey. Teachers reported an …

Educating Social Workers: Decreasing The Gap Of Children In Foster Care Who Need Occupational Therapy And Who Are Receiving Occupational Therapy Services, Sydney Boyles

MOT Student Capstones

Children in the foster care system have multiple increased risks including social-emotional delays, mental health concerns, academic delays, and more. Although these are all areas that the field of Occupational Therapy (OT) can address, there is a gap in the number of children in the foster care system who could benefit from OT services and who are receiving OT services. This paper explores the potential role OT services could have for children in the foster care system. To explore this potential, I used a needs assessment, pre-survey, and post-survey focused on pediatric OT with a group of social workers in …