Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Occupational Therapy Transition Services, Olivia G. Cooper

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Transition services include training in daily living, social, cognitive, and vocational skills that align with occupational therapy’s (OT’s) scope of practice. However, occupational therapy (OT) is minimally represented in transition services. This doctoral capstone project (DCP) aims to contribute to the development and expansion of an outpatient, hospital-based transition program for adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Group programming in this setting is a unique and feasible environment to provide services for skill-building opportunities that also emphasize caregiver involvement. This program offers a solution to the gap in OT services for adolescents and young adults with …

Accessing Outdoor Recreation For Persons With Physical Disabilities (Pwpd), Molly Lindquist, Mary Smith, Emily Brent

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

To contribute to a website that would be a one-stop location for PWPD who wish to engage in sports and outdoor recreational activities.

Applying Occupation-Centered Coaching For Caregivers Of Children With Disabilities, Ali S. Gregory, Mary A. Smith Phd, Otr/L, Mary E. Godman Otd, Ms

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Statement of the problem: Caregivers of children with disabilities (CWD) experience stress, mental health conditions, sleep disruption, and fatigue leading to decreased occupational engagement and family community participation.

Purpose Statement: This project applied Occupation-Centered Coaching with a family-centered approach to promote caregiver empowerment, advocacy for mental health services, and family community participation.

Health Club: The Pursuit For A Diverse Healthcare Team, Michelle Ariana Morales, Angela Labrie Blackwell, Erik Perez

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Currently, the ethnic and racial demographics of occupational therapy students do not reflect the US’ diverse populations due to a general lack of awareness about occupational therapy (OT) amongst diverse high school students (HSS). Many factors serve as common barriers amongst diverse, minority communities, limiting students’ exposure to and knowledge about health professions, such as OT. To address these barriers, Health Club is a six-week, high school afterschool program designed to raise awareness about healthcare professions where ethnically and racially diverse populations are commonly underrepresented. Health Club uses lessons consisting of fundamental healthcare knowledge to provide HSS with opportunities to …

Analysis Of Non-Kinship Foster Parent Training Needs And Their Support Of Foster Youth: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Mackenzie King, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville, Amy Paul-Ward

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster discusses the training needs of non-kinship foster parents and how they support the youth in their care. A quantitative survey was used to find relationships between experience fostering and foster parent preparedness or desire for additional training. The survey also included a section for participants to write down their training needs; themes from this question are found on the poster. The poster further discusses future recommendations and implications for OT practice in working with this population.

Nursing Education On Pediatric Feeding Therapy, April Ng

Nursing | Student Research Posters

No abstract provided.

Interventions For Care Partners Of Adults With Dementia: A Systematic Review, Makenzie Kay Homan, Azia Marie Ourada, Reannon Taylor Rieber, Grace Delaney Tynan

Student Systematic Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Interventions for Care Partners of Adults with Dementia: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE: It is estimated that 8.5 million people are informal care partners for people with dementia (Friedman et al., 2015), which is a challenging role associated with emotional strain, anxiety and depression, increased care partner burden, poorer quality of life (QoL), financial strain, and lack of support (Hellis & Mukaetova-Ladinska, 2023). It is important for occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) to use the most effective interventions that can be implemented to preserve informal care partners’ health, wellbeing, and quality of life (QoL) (Hellis & Mukaetova-Ladinska, 2023). The purpose of this …

Occupational Therapy Interventions That Influence Quality Of Life Of Care Partners Of Children With Developmental Disabilities: A Systematic Review, Alaina Akey, Maggie Alsup, Madison Cockerill, Sydney Wondra

Student Systematic Reviews: Occupational Therapy

TITLE: Occupational Therapy Interventions that Influence Quality of Life of Care Partners of Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE: In the United States, 1 in 6 children have one or more developmental disabilities (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Children with developmental disabilities require a higher level of care and support in comparison to their typically developing peers (Akyurek et al., 2023). Due to this increased need for assistance, care partners may experience greater psychological, physical, social, and financial hardships that can impact their overall quality of life (Murphy et al., 2006). Although the scope of occupational …

Occupational Therapy Feeding Interventions In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review, Karly Boehm, Lindsey Brechbill, Johana Cedillo, Sara Mengler, Allyson Thomas

Student Systematic Reviews: Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Bowel Cleanout Prior To Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Implantation: Effects On Acute Post- Operative Gastrointestinal Complications, Amanda Lindenberg, Brittni Walton, Sathya Vadivelu, Matthew J. Mclaughlin

Posters

Background: Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pumps have been used for management of spasticity and dystonia There is limited data on immediate post-operative complications such as GI adverse events after surgery for ITB pump related procedures. This study aimed to compare patients who underwent a pre-operative bowel cleanout to those who did not and the relationship with post-operative nausea, vomiting and constipation requiring an escalation of their bowel regimen. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Pediatric acute care hospital. Participants: All patients who underwent new ITB pump and/or catheter placement from January 2015-December 2022. Interventions: Preoperative bowel clean out. Main Outcome Measure: Quantity …

A Case Report Of A 48-Year-Old Female With Cauda Equina Syndrome In The Setting Of Disseminated Mrsa Infection, Aimee Lambeth, Sarah Eickmeyer, Stephanie Fortune

Posters

To present an interesting case of cauda equina syndrome due to disseminated MRSA, where inpatient EMG was useful in diagnosis and treatment planning.

Effectiveness Of Occupational Therapy Interventions To Enhance Occupational Performance For Survivors Of Domestic Abuse: A Systematic Review, Mackenzie R. Post, Aubrianna Hohensee, Taylor Fisher, Amanda Malashock

Student Systematic Reviews: Occupational Therapy

TITLE: Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Interventions to Enhance Occupational Performance for Survivors of Domestic Abuse: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE: An average of 20 people per minute experience domestic abuse in the United States (Black et al., 2011). People who experience abuse have poor physical and mental health outcomes which can include depressive symptoms, substance use, developing chronic disease, chronic mental illness, and injury (Coker et al., 2002). Occupational practitioners are equipped to address this issue because they have specific training on life skills, lifestyle management, adaptive coping strategies, time management, and personal values, which can help minimize the negative health …

Occupational Therapy Interventions To Improve Functional Cognition In Older Adults After Stroke: A Systematic Review, Brady A. Harrison, Alexa A. Preissler, Emilea R. Rogers, Allison D. Singh

Student Systematic Reviews: Occupational Therapy

PURPOSE Cerebral vascular accidents (CVA) are a leading cause of cognitive impairment in the United States, and 80% of CVA survivors experience new or worsening impairment (Knight-Greenfield et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2021). Functional cognition is vital to an individual’s participation in occupations that are necessary and meaningful to them. Occupational therapy practitioners play a unique role in addressing functional cognition through intervention planning and implementation. The purpose of this study is to understand the most effective occupational therapy interventions addressing functional cognition in older adults post CVA.

DESIGN We conducted a systematized review of articles pertaining to occupational …

International Response Of Occupational Therapy To The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Report From The Global Occupational Therapy Think Tank (Gottt), Khader A. Almhdawi, Mette Andresen, Farrukh Chishtie, Ursula Costa, Daniel Cezar De Cruz, Natalie Gätz, Kristine Haertl, Moses Ikiugu, Judity Parker Kent, Kinsuk Maitra, Madison Medina, Janet Elizabeth Njelesani, Regi Robnett, Franklin Stein, Verena Tatzer, George Tomlin, Siska Vandemaele, Chih-Huang Yu

Global Occupational Therapy Think Tank

No abstract provided.

Bridging The Gap From New Graduate To Practicing Occupational Therapist: An Educational Resource In Orthopedics, Rachel Carlson, Helen Carey, Kaylee Munch, Lisa Choe

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

OT is pivotal in the rehabilitation and recovery of individuals with orthopedic conditions (Nelson, 2010). However, as a new graduate occupational therapist, there is limited support as they make the transition to clinical practice (Turpin et al., 2021). New graduates receive support through professional mentorship and peer support but are often focused on the safe practice of basic skills rather than on best practices (Opoku et al., 2021). New graduates would feel more confident in clinical judgment and decision-making with additional support from mentors and accessible up-to-date resources (Adam et al., 2013). Purpose: Develop an accessible resource for new occupational …

Healthy Seniors: Supporting Chronic Condition Management Through Educational And Motivational Materials., Megan Wiggs, Helen Carey

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Within the United States, the older adult population is rising and facing a growing number of chronic conditions (Mirza et al., 2020). Chronic conditions are associated with an increase in hospitalizations, functional decline, and healthcare spending. Largely, chronic conditions are managed under primary care physicians and treatment is not put into place until an exacerbation and hospitalization occurs (Mirza et al., 2020). Thus, a cruel cycle is created in which an individual undergoes functional decline, worsening of the condition, and decreasing quality of life and well-being. The older adult population wishes to age in place and manage their health; however, …

An Activity Program For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Rebecca Wright, Keisa Boykin

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are characterized by onset in the developmental period and include both intellectual and adaptive functioning deficits in conceptual, social, or practical domains that limit functioning in one or more areas of daily life (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). Occupational therapists provide interventions for individuals with IDD however there are gaps surrounding occupation-based leisure and recreation activities (Kalijaca, et al 2019). Purpose: The purpose of this project is to create an activity program for individuals with IDD to increase participation and performance in leisure and recreation …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy And The Use Of Physical Agent Modalities And Occupational Therapy Interventions To Decrease Pain Associated With Endometriosis To Provide Increased Occupational Performance In Leisure Activities, Ciara Autumn Pearce, Keisa Boykin

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Endometriosis is a condition that can affect women of reproductive age (Kalaitzopoulos et al., 2021). This condition causes endometrial-type tissue to grow outside of the uterus (Kalaitzopoulos et al., 2021). Women diagnosed with endometriosis often have difficulty participating in their daily responsibilities and leisure activities. In a study completed by Lozano-Lozano et al., 2021, 22.6% of women reported limitations in at least one activity of daily living and instrumental activity of daily living. Other limitations include incontinence, meal preparation, leisure activities, and household chores (Mundo-López et al., 2020). Symptoms of endometriosis often include chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, sexual dissatisfaction, and …

Program Development Of Incorporating Mindfulness-Based Practices Within Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Sarah Cottone, Zeida Gutierrez, Katie O'Hara

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project will address the limited literature and provide treatment results on the effective use of mindfulness exercises in pediatric occupational therapy for improved self-regulation. Purpose: This program aims to educate the pediatric clinic on the benefits of mindfulness and to develop mindfulness-based exercises to implement within pediatric occupational therapy sessions for self-regulation treatments. The purpose of the mindfulness exercises was to show efficient, effective, and noninvasive approaches to regulate a child’s emotions and sensory system.

Establishing A Transformative Social Emotional Learning Evaluation Plan To Support All Students Within A Targeted School District, Tia Coleman, Angela Blackwell, Tiffany Lee

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Social and emotional learning (SEL) refers to the process through which individuals acquire social and emotional competencies (Geesa et al., 2022). This capstone project aimed to enhance education by developing a transformative SEL evaluation plan in a school district. The school district presented a commitment to fostering SEL but recognized the need for more targeted and transformative actions. This initiative arises from the acknowledgment that the existing SEL program did not meet the district's specific needs of inclusivity and equity, potentially impacting overall student performance, participation, and well-being. To address this gap, the district incorporated insights from occupational therapy practice …

A Occupational Therapy Guidebook For Teachers On Sensory Processing And Sensory Integration, Kaitlyn Stanley, Keisa Boykin, Heidi Woolley

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Children with sensory processing (SP) challenges find simple classroom tasks overwhelming and can present with deficits in behavior management, emotional regulation, and occupations due to the inability to self-regulate the sensory input from their environment. In addition, deficits in SP may impact a child's ability to maintain engagement and participation in the learning process. If these SP needs are not met through the school, the child lacks the adequate tools to be successful in learning, which is considered occupational injustice (AOTA, 2020). By providing teachers with the adequate educational tools to understand sensory processing and sensory integration (SP-SI), identify and …

Advocating For The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Burn Population, Jordan Faircloth, Keisa Boykin

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

In 2018, around 450,000 individuals in the United States (U.S.) suffered from severe burn injuries (ABA, 2018). The largest burn center in the U.S. is the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital, located in Augusta, Georgia. This location is where the capstone experience was completed. Individuals who suffer from severe burns are at risk for developing contractures. Scar contractures can impact an individual during ADL participation, limiting their independence and causing a disruption in daily routine, habits, and roles (Oosterwijk et al., 2017). Five main components of scar management focus on compression gear, sun protection, appropriate positioning/splinting to …

Building Resilience To Treat Trauma And Improve Social Participation With Youth In Foster Care, Rachel Greene, Keisa Boykin, Dana Madalon

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Childhood trauma is classified by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that caused the trauma. An ACE is a traumatic event that an individual has observed from birth to 18 years old (Atchison & Suarez, 2021). ACEs include but are not limited to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, and neglect. ACEs also include household dysfunctions such as domestic violence, divorce, incarceration of family, substance abuse, food scarcity, poverty, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Building resilience promotes healthy coping skills, the ability to trust and engage with support systems, and the prevention of retraumatization (Bethell et al., 2017). Trauma and resiliency are invertedly related, …

Advocating And Educating The Role Of Occupational Therapy For Adaptive Swim Lessons Among Children With Autism, Charlotte Leonard, Zeida Gutierrez, Jon Edenfield

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of death for children ages 5-14 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). Children with autism are 160x more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers (Autism Society of Florida, n.d.). Many parents and caregivers put protective layers in place such as locks, gates, and fencing. However, children with autism are known to wander from safe spaces. According to the Autism Society of Florida (n.d.) children with autism are naturally drawn to water due to its ability to ease sensory needs. Brenner …

An Occupational Therapy Assessment Guide For People With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Cynthia Sakian, Steven M. Gerardi

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster presents development of an occupational therapy assessment guide tailored for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder. Motivated by the lack of standardized assessment protocols in the field, the initiative seeks to mitigate inconsistencies among occupational therapy practitioners and propel advancements in treatment. Key objectives include a comprehensive review of pertinent literature on occupational therapy and posttraumatic stress disorder, identification of functional impairments associated with the disorder, and the formulation of an assessment framework. Rooted in the Model of Human Occupation, the guide underscores the significance of volition, habituation, performance capacity, and environmental influences, accommodating individual preferences and disruptions while …

Neurofeedback Within The Scope Of Occupational Therapy With Clients With Substance Use Disorder: A Scoping Review, Aundrea Culliver, Mary Ann Smith, Steven M. Gerardi, Colin Ross

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a problematic pattern of use of a substance or substances, leading to impairments to health, social function, and control of a substance. This negatively affects everyday activities of daily living, and occupation performance that causes a disruption to physical, mental, and social health.

Now, Neurofeedback is a noninvasive biotherapy that uses audio or video feedback to reinforce healthy brain function. This type of intervention usually works by having a patient listen to music and putting electrodes on a patient’s head that pick up negative or positive brain activity or waves. And if the negative activity …

The Occupational Needs Of Military Spouses During Deployments, Sin Hye Lee, Amy Lyons-Brown

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Purpose: This research delves into the occupational needs of military spouses during deployments, investigating how deployments influence their well-being and occupational performance. This study aims to increase awareness and advocate for military spouses by gaining greater insight into their lived experiences during deployments.

Methods: A mixed-methods research design - 40 participants for the survey and 6 interviewees. The survey was guided by the SAMHSA's eight dimensions of wellness and a modified Role Checklist to identify the impact of deployments on wellness and role participation. The interview was based on a modified MOHOST assessment tool to explore the impact on occupational …

Stimulant Medication Use In Children/Adolescent Athletes With Adhd Reduce The Recovery Time Of Concussions And Traumatic Brain Injury, Matthew Lee

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Capstone Presentations (Center City)

Introduction

• Concussions and TBIs are well-known injuries occurring 30-50 million times a year worldwide and are commonly seen in sports.¹ The majority of TBIs are mild yet still have the potential to cause lifelong detrimental effects.
• Short- and long-term complications include difficulty thinking, difficulty concentrating, changes in emotions and personality, decreased memory and sensation, and may lead to depression and dementia.²
• Especially in children and adolescents who are undergoing brain development.
• There are no known prophylactic medications, however, some studies have indicated that sympathomimetic drugs, MPH, may be neuroprotective in the setting of TBIs.
• The purpose of this …

Form, Function, And Meaning Of Hiking In Bipoc Communities, Karen Rosales, Karen Park

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster presentation is about understanding the form, function, and meaning for hiking in BIPOC communities. This study used a mixed methods approach to obtain quantitative data through a survey and qualitative data through an interview. Through the use of an Occupational Science approach this study aimed to capture the lived experience of those participating in hiking. Understanding the knowledge of individuals occupations is beneficial for Occupational Therapist when working with versatile populations to understand their motivation and culture.

Empower: A Self-Regulation Program For Youth In Residential Foster Care, Cristina Eversole, Angela Labrie Blackwell, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster describes how the development and implementation of a self-regulation program, EMPOWER, utilized interventions such as mindfulness exercises, creative arts, sound/music therapy, and sensory grounding techniques to help youth in residential foster care enhance occupational engagement and quality of life.