Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

55-Word Stories: Insight Into Healthcare, Nancy E. Krusen

Translational Science in Occupation

Narrative medicine and health humanities focus on arts, ethics, and clinical practice. Many health education programs incorporate creative activities to facilitate learner self-awareness and insight. We include them to address programmatic themes of professional growth and translational science.

Physical Activity Levels In First-Year University Students, Jerealya Cogdell

Honors College Theses

The purpose of this study is to see if physical activity (PA) is affected for students since transitioning from high school to their first semester in college. The study was conducted by asking questions pertaining to PA via an online survey through the platform Qualtrics. It will be administered to students at Georgia Southern University. However, only the data from freshmen students that meet specific criteria will be accounted for in this study. The data will be analyzed using Chi-squared to determine how PA is affected due to this transition. The data will compare the results from high school senior …

The Hero’S Journey Through Therapy: A Literature Review, Rylee Blake

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The Hero’s Journey (Campbell, 1949) is a common narrative structure throughout ancient mythology and modern storytelling which describes the transformation of a hero through a journey of trials and represents the experience of psychological healing throughout various cultures. Because of the ancient and common nature of this structure and the psychological importance of personal narrative and storying even from an early age (Boyd, 2018; Klees, 2016), this thesis hypothesizes that a client’s experience throughout psychotherapy will follow the stages of the Hero’s Journey and that invoking this structure within the therapy room, particularly for drama therapists, will empower clients toward …

Expressive Therapies And Resiliency – Resistance In Mental Health: A Literature Review, Gabrielle Lopez

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This review evaluates the current literature on psychological resistance amongst human service professionals experiencing burnout and the effect of Expressive Arts interventions on resiliency. Concepts include identifying the main symptoms, risk factors, causes, and treatments for burnout in education faculty, medical staff, and clinicians. Qualitative, quantitative, and meta-analysis studies are included to identify the most prevalent intervention frameworks for reducing stress including Arts-Based and Mindfulness-compassion based techniques. The effectiveness of Arts-based tools on strengthening identity, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and meaning-making in combating burnout is presented. Based on analysis of the literature, the author proposes a three-step intervention framework for utilizing …

An Eye-Opening Capstone: A New Perspective On Occupation-Based Treatments For Neurologic-Based Visual Deficits, Katlyn J. Knakmuhs

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The purpose of this 14-week capstone experience was to gain hands on in depth clinical experience working with individuals post neurologic injury, specifically post-concussion, who were experiencing a visual perceptual deficit. Additionally, the focus of this capstone was to implement occupation-based skills and activities into therapy sessions for individuals experiencing those visual perceptual deficits post-concussion. This capstone experience took place at the Sanford Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and was completed under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist who is a certified brain injury specialist. Eight individuals post-concussion with visual perceptual deficits who were patients of …

Implementing The Copm To Create Occupation-Based Interventions In Outpatient Adult Rehabilitation, Kelcee A. Bacon

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Worldwide, people continue to live longer, with the number of people over the age of 60 predicted to double by 2050; many of those people also have chronic diseases that could benefit from rehabilitation services. Outpatient rehabilitative services, including occupational therapy, have increased occupational performance, strength, mobility, and coordination for those diagnosed with musculoskeletal or neurological conditions. This capstone focused on three components: 1) in-depth clinical practice using occupation-based assessments and interventions with the adult population, 2) understanding the administrative roles of private practice therapists, and 3) creating educational materials to increase knowledge and skills surrounding outpatient occupational therapy for …

Empowering Pregnancy And Postpartum: Supporting Motherhood Through Occupational Therapy Education, Alison Drexler

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

During pregnancy and postpartum, women are at increased risk for physical and psychological health concerns due to the changes and challenges that come with the transition. The purpose of this 14-week capstone was to develop and implement educational sessions using occupational therapy concepts and integrate them into a community parenting program to ease the transition during the perinatal period. It also aimed to advocate for the role of occupational therapy in pregnancy and postpartum. Methods included preparing and sharing supplemental educational materials, developing and implementing occupation-based sessions, creating a folder of resources, and developing a manuscript advocating for occupational therapy …

Promoting Wakefulness To Increase Occupational Engagement In Military Service Members Experiencing Insomnia Following Mtbi, Leah N. Myers

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Sustaining a traumatic brain injury of any severity is associated with an extremely high prevalence of insomnia. Military service members, being exposed to hazardous equipment and conditions, are one of the most likely populations to sustain sleep concerns following TBI. This student capstone project aimed to support military service members experiencing sleep disturbances due to TBI through direct advanced clinical skill attainment, Light Therapy program development, and by initiating research and clinic resource creation relating to shift work and sleep. To target this population, the project was completed at the Fort Carson Intrepid Spirit Center in Colorado where outpatient concussion …

Promoting Social, Emotional, And Behavioral Development For Children In A School Setting Using Targeted Occupational Therapy Intervention, Mykenzie N. Hall

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children who have experienced trauma often have poor emotional regulation skills which can lead to peer rejection, decline in engagement at school, and poor academic performance. Occupational therapists have the knowledge and skills to create a client-centered approach when working with children who have experienced trauma. This emotional regulation program is guided by a trauma-informed care approach and a public health approach to mental health. The program consisted of 59 students between transitional kindergarten and 5th grade meeting in small groups once a week for 30 minutes over 11 to 12 weeks. The sessions included activities related to emotional regulation …

Occupational Therapy’S Role As A Member Of An Interdisciplinary Feeding Team For Children With Sensory Processing Differences, Emily G. Bruinsma

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Considering the high prevalence of pediatric feeding disorders and the increased need for occupational therapists trained to work with children with feeding challenges, this project sought to provide a better understanding of the key components of a feeding therapy program. These components include caregiver involvement, use of an interdisciplinary team, interventions aimed at sensory integration, and the inclusion of family-centered and motivating interventions. The Sensory Integration theory was used to guide this project by providing an understanding of the various ways individuals can receive and respond to sensory information. There were three primary goals for this capstone project, including developing …

Filling The Gap: Educating Caregivers And Patients Post Stroke In An Acute Care Setting, Gabrielle A. Blecke

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Background: According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2022), every 40 seconds someone in the United States experiences a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), also known as stroke. A recent study suggests that 63% of these individuals will need informal caregiving from family, friends, or loved-ones throughout their rehabilitation process in order to safely transition home. Research suggests that patients and caregivers post stroke are not receiving enough education to prevent concerns such as caregiver burden, decreased caregiver wellness, and decreased patient outcomes, all which are within the scope of occupational therapy. Methods: Experiences at MyMichigan Midland Hospital drove …

Facilitating Community Integration Following Inpatient Rehabilitation: The Importance Of Caregivers, Alysa N. Jensen

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Community integration (CI) is a significant benchmark for successful rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The purpose of this capstone was to utilize occupational therapy assessments, interventions, and resources to support patients and their caregivers during the transition from the clinical setting to the community. Methods included assessment and intervention for patient function, cognition as it relates to burden of care, patient discharge statistics, development and implementation of caregiver resources, and semi-structured caregiver interviews. The outcomes of this project indicate that although TBI survivors are discharging home, they continue to require substantial caregiver support. Outcomes also indicate that there is …

Play, Splash, Ride: A Multidimensional Approach To Occupational Therapy Intervention For Sensory Processing Difficulties, Britney A. Bradwisch

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Sensory processing disorder affects between five and 16.5 percent of the population and up to 90% of individuals with disabilities. Occupational therapists are equipped to treat sensory processing difficulties using occupation-based, sensory-based, and client-centered interventions. There is limited evidence on how occupational therapists can use multiple intervention environments including typical sensory gyms, aquatic therapy, and equine-assisted therapy to specifically target sensory processing. Therefore, the purpose of the capstone project was to explore the effectiveness of multiple occupational therapy interventions for children with sensory processing difficulties. The capstone project focused on advanced clinical practice while incorporating education and program development to …

The Importance Of Preferred Meaningful Occupations For Children With Medically Complex Conditions, Kaylee S. Schmit

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children with medically complex conditions experience limitations in their ability to engage in preferred meaningful occupations. Additionally, when these children are in the hospital setting, the environment poses another barrier to accessing preferred meaningful occupation opportunities. This capstone project aimed to explore how preferred meaningful occupations could be utilized with children with medically complex conditions in the pediatric inpatient setting. The literature and needs assessment indicated the need for preferred meaningful occupations to be used as a motivator and a way to target specific skills a patient wanted to regain. With the focus of occupational therapy on return to occupation …

Determining The Concurrent And Predictive Validity Of The Repetitive Step Test In Individuals With Parkinson's Disease, Rachel Wells, Evan Callahan, Jacob Greco, Harold L. Merriman, Kurt Jackson

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: The Repetitive Step Test (RST) assesses rapid stepping capability in anterior lateral (AL) and posterior lateral (PL) diagonal directions. This study’s goal was to determine the predictive validity of the RST to identify fallers with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). A secondary objective was to determine concurrent validity of the RST to other established tests. It was hypothesized that those who completed fewer steps with the RST would be more likely to fall and that the RST would predict falls at least as well as the other balance tests.

Materials and Methods: 13 subjects (8 F, 5 M; mean age 70.2 …

Efficacy Of Curl Up Task As Abdominal Exercise Program For Diastasis Recti Abdominis, Wendy Chorny, Betsy K. Donahoe-Fillmore, Rio Harrelson, Laney Hulbert, Jessica Westerfield, Mary I. Fisher

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: The separation between the rectus abdominal muscles caused by a widening and thinning linea alba, called diastasis recti abdominis (DRA), contributes to impairments in strength of the abdominal and trunk muscles. DRA is most frequently observed during pregnancy and may recede after childbirth but can be present at 12 months or later after giving birth. The purpose of this study was to determine if a focused 12 or 24 week exercise program improves inter-rectus distance and abdominal strength in women who have given birth.

Number of Subjects: Forty-eight women 27-49 years (mean 37 years) were randomized into a 12 …

Effectiveness Of A Talocrural Joint Mobilization On Restricted Dorsiflexion: A Time Series Intervention Analysis, Carly Archambeau, Ceili Kacmarcik, Camryn Yacks

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Restricted ankle dorsiflexion (DF) mobility is a common musculoskeletal impairment. For intervention, ankle joint mobilizations are often utilized to address restricted DF. Interestingly, no studies have investigated the short-term effect duration of a joint mobilization intervention on restricted DF. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to observe the initial effectiveness and effect duration of a DF mobilization treatment. DF measures included both a static inclinometer-based weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT) as well as dynamic 3D motion capture-based peak ankle DF during a forward step down (FSD) task. We hypothesized that both measures would increase post-mobilization and fade to baseline …

The Use And Accuracy Of Millimeter Wave Radar And Machine Learning For Gait Classification And Monitoring, Mubarak Alanazi, Abdullah Alhazmi, Vamsy Chodavarapu, Kurt Jackson, Meghan Brown, Kara Gnau, Shannon Thiel

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/hypothesis: The ability to monitor human activity remotely may be useful in providing telerehabilitation and measuring real-world rehabilitation outcomes. Current methods of activity monitoring have significant limitations (cost, privacy, ease of use) that can limit their benefit and widespread use. Recent advances in machine learning (ML) and millimeter wave radar (MWR) have allowed for the development of a cost effective and simple way to monitor human movement continuously and remotely while maintaining reasonable privacy. The purpose of this study was to test the ability of ML and MWR to accurately classify and monitor different types of human activity including different …

An Artificial Intelligent Millimeter Wave Radar System For Human Activity Recognition And Monitoring, Abdullah Alhazmi, Vamsy Chodavarapu, Kurt Jackson, Cameron Djukic, Jennifer Jaszek, Anna Brown

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/hypothesis: The ability to monitor human activity remotely may be useful in providing telerehabilitation and measuring real-world rehabilitation outcomes. Current methods of activity monitoring have significant limitations (cost, privacy, ease of use) that can limit their benefit and widespread use. Recent advances in machine learning (ML) and millimeter wave radar (MWR) have allowed for the development of a cost effective and simple way to monitor human movement continuously and remotely while maintaining reasonable privacy. The purpose of this study was to test the ability of ML and MWR to accurately classify and monitor different types of human activity including falls. …

Wrist Flexor And Extensor Tendon Stiffness During Functional Grip: A Pilot Study, Kristin Stein, Matthew Stephens, Camryn Yacks, Harold Merriman, Joseph Day

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) quantifies muscle stiffness, a mechanical muscle property that is known to influence muscle function. Gripping is an important functional task and relies on the synergistic actions of the wrist flexors and extensors. To date, there are no studies to quantify tendon stiffness as measured by SWE during a functional task like gripping. The purpose of this study was to quantify differences between resting and submaximal gripping stiffness of the common wrist flexor (CFT) and common wrist extensor tendons (CET). Secondly, we aimed to compare tendon stiffness values between the flexor tendon and extensor tendons …

Altering The Lower Limb Kinetic Chain: Reliability And Minimum Detectable Change Of Total Support Moment, J Barrios, R Cloud, M Gorski, A Grieshop, A Kinney

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: 3D joint kinetics are routinely studied in various lower limb musculoskeletal conditions. Often, a condition affecting a joint is associated with altered kinetics at that same joint, such as knee osteoarthritis being associated with reduced knee flexion moments. However, these same-joint alterations may also contribute to altered comprehensive movement patterns of the entire limb in a synergistic manner. A lower limb biomechanical metric that represents this multi-joint kinetic chain synergy is the total support moment (TSM). Indeed, TSM has been found to be altered in knee osteoarthritis, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and partial meniscectomy. Despite this, psychometric studies are …

Ehealth Cancer-Related Fatigue Intervention Single Arm Study, Anne Fleischer, Samantha Gelhaus, Emily Flohre, Caroline Frazee, Mary I. Fisher, Carrie Pickering

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Cancer related fatigue (CRF), a sense of physical, emotional and cognitive tiredness not relieved by rest, negatively affects function. Prevalence is reported to be 59-100% throughout the care continuum. Exercise and psychosocial interventions are supported as effective treatment options, yet barriers to personalized care include time and distance to travel for care. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of personalized exercise prescribed by physical therapy (PT), and occupational goal setting and tasks prescribed by occupational therapy (OT) on physical function.

Number of Subjects: 16 adults with cancer and fatigue ≥4/10.

Materials and Methods: Over …

Bal-A-Vis-X Intervention To Improve Upper Limb Coordination In Children With Disability: A Pilot Study, Marta Boot, Zoe Clark, Kyla Hill, Mckenzie Stefanoff, Betsy Donahoe Fillmore, Trisha Renner, Bo Slutz, Mary I. Fisher

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Balance/Auditory/Vision exercises (Bal-A-Vis-X) consists of a series of exercises using sand-filled bags and racquet balls. Most of the exercises are completed while standing on a rocker board and heavily rooted in rhythm. The rhythmic patterns are utilized to facilitate focused concentration, crossing midline, motor planning, right/left awareness, eye-hand coordination, balance, bilateral coordination, body and spatial awareness. Only a few published studies have explored Bal-A-Vis-X as an intervention in therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of Bal-A-Vis-X to improve upper limb coordination in children with motor delays.

Number of Subjects: Fifteen children with motor delays …

A Comparison Of Clinical Measures Between Front And Back Court National Basketball Association Players, Philip A. Anloague, Brooklyn Keaton, Noah Monaghan, Brianna Pittenger, Angelica Scanland, Claire Slamka, Destiny Sunberg, Brett Williams

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare select clinical measures between front and back court players to establish normative values in these populations. We hypothesized that there would be differences between front and back court players for select clinical measures.

Subjects: 326 Rostered National Basketball Association (NBA) players participated. Subjects were divided into two groups, frontcourt (n=132) and backcourt (n=194) and were excluded if they were not cleared to participate in pre-season training at the time of data collection.

Methods: Data was collected by a single rater during training camp. Inclusion criteria included non-injured players who were cleared …

Acl Bracing: Is It Still Being Done Clinically And Does It Influence Confidence And/Or Biomechanical Performance During A Drop Vertical Jump?, Bailey Watson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures account for 60% of sports-related injuries and the gold standard for treatment is surgical intervention to replace the damaged ligament to restore function of the ACL. Braces are typically used to return to previous physical activity levels; however, there are no clear guidelines on their utilization. Beyond the physical consequences of undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery, the psychological component is often ignored.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to better understand the impact of knee bracing on both biomechanical factors and confidence following ACL reconstruction. Two aims comprise the overarching purpose; the first is …

Cannabidiol (Cbd) And Resistance Training: Does Cbd Attenuate Acute Pain?, Guillermo Pacheco

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

INTRODUCTION: Resistance training (RT) is an advantageous form of physical activity for health and performance benefits; these benefits are maximized when done strenuously. However, strenuous RT can induce acute inflammatory pain which can lead to delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Common analgesics like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can block protein synthesis, so other alternatives are needed for exercise and athletic communities to maintain physiological adaptations. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid with purported anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and analgesic properties. One of the main reasons for the use of CBD in exercise is pain alleviation; however, research in humans is limited. Therefore, the …

Restoring Meaning Through Leisure: Exploring The Benefits Of Leisure-Focused Occupational Therapy For Individuals With Neurological Diagnoses, Elizabeth Rose Stoutland

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

There are limited findings in occupational therapy literature on leisure, despite being a highly meaningful area of occupation that has implications for both physical and mental health. This poster describes an occupational therapy Capstone experience in adaptive sports and inpatient rehabilitation at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center related to leisure restoration. The student investigated the role of occupational therapy in restoring leisure and recreation for individuals with neurological conditions and achieved the following main goals: (Goal 1) to gain skills in adaptive recreation for individuals with neurological conditions, and (Goal 2) to determine how leisure exploration can be implemented in …

Promoting Life Skills Through An Occupation-Based Program For Youth In The Juvenile Justice System, Maggie L. Dejong

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Youth who have experienced trauma are at risk for negative developmental changes to their brain, which may lead to poor health outcomes, involvement in the juvenile justice system, and early death. This population may experience a lack of occupational engagement, decreased self-regulation strategies, and difficulty forming life skills that are necessary for carrying out everyday tasks. Having trauma-informed awareness in the contexts of these individuals is essential when providing care and meeting their needs. The doctoral capstone project aimed to promote life skills through an occupation-based program for youth in the juvenile justice system. Current literature supports the need for …

Incorporating Music Into Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Abby Kays

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Music in therapy research currently focuses on the role of music therapy in children with behaviors, mood, and social/communication difficulties. However, limited research exists on the role of music in occupational therapy. The purpose of the capstone project was to use music-focused occupation-based interventions with children to improve social/communication skills, mood, and behaviors at a pediatric outpatient clinic. A literature review was completed on the objectives listed above to determine the need of the project. The theoretical foundation of the project is the Ecology of Human Performance Model, focusing on the unique contexts of each child. Music was used in …

Sensory Processing Difficulties In Children Born Preterm And The Needs Of Their Families, Shelby J. Buie

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children who are born preterm frequently experience sensory processing difficulties due to their underdeveloped brains and the atypical early sensory experiences that are associated with increased medical needs. These factors impact the development of a child’s sensory system, which ultimately influences how a child participates in daily activities. Having a child born preterm that requires increased medical attention causes stress on the family. Increased stress and a decrease in mental health can disrupt the parent-child bond. This project aimed to provide sensory-based occupational therapy treatment sessions to children who were born preterm to improve their sensory processing skills. Furthermore, the …