Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Do New Mothers In Their First-Year Postpartum Feel Prepared To Return To Daily Occupations?, Kim Rose, Jane L. Donat, Cedrica Durham, Bianca Haddock, Danyl Litumbe, Julia Otoski, Katsia Renaud

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Purpose: Our research aimed to explore if new mothers felt prepared to return to their daily lives and the role occupational therapy could have in helping prepare women to transition into their new role as mothers. Previous literature has found that limits to occupational engagement and occupational balance have adversely affected the well-being of new mothers.

Methods: This sequential, exploratory mixed methods study employed the RedCap survey platform to collect demographic information, information regarding women’s birth experience and to obtain consent. Twenty-two women who filled out the survey met the inclusion criteria, and ten were selected to proceed with the …

Benefits Of Multisensory Rooms In Schools To Control Behaviors In Children With Disabilities, Kye Smith, Cassandra Nelson

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project explores the benefits of implementing multisensory rooms in schools to manage challenging behaviors in children with disabilities. Conducted at the Barack and Michelle Obama Ninth Grade Center in Lancaster, TX, the program involved participants aged 13-15 diagnosed with disabilities. A comprehensive needs assessment identified gaps in behavior management and overstimulation challenges. The program was designed using evidence-based strategies, including the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, and incorporated techniques such as the Take Five Breathing Strategy, deep pressure input, chair yoga, and meditation.

Through pre- and post-surveys with students, parents, and teachers, the study evaluated the program's impact on functional independence …

Pre-Sleep Routines Affecting Sleep In Adults, Diana Navarro, Rebecca King, Cassandra Nelson

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project examines the impact of pre-sleep routines on adult sleep quality, emphasizing the role of consistent habits, reduced technology use, and stress management. A six-week intervention incorporating evidence-based strategies such as sleep hygiene education, environmental adjustments, and relaxation techniques was conducted. Results revealed significant improvements in sleep quality, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and enhanced physical and emotional well-being among participants. These findings highlight the importance of tailored pre-sleep routines in addressing sleep disorders and provide a foundation for broader implementation and future research.

Occupational Disruption In Graduate Students: Literature On The Effects Of Financial Strain And New Responsibilities Of Graduate School On Mental Health, Emilee Armstrong, Samantha Edwards, Arianna Z. Cook

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

This exploratory paper examines the intricate phenomenon of occupational disruption among graduate students, in an attempt at investigating the effect of financial strain and newly acquired responsibilities during graduate school on mental health. The research question guiding this exploration is centered on understanding the specific occupational disruptions experienced by graduate students, particularly those arising from financial strain and newly acquired occupations inherent in graduate school. The methodology involves a systematic search of pertinent literature across three databases, including The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT), Google Scholar, and the National Institute of Health (NIH). Preliminary findings from the literature review …

Benefits Of Occupation-Based Outdoor Physical Activity To Mental Health, Jessica S. Eady, Kayleigh E. Hollywood

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

This paper examines the benefits of occupation-based outdoor physical activity as an intervention for individuals with mental health conditions to increase their psychological well-being. We conducted a focused review of the literature to support the participation in physical activity, if any within the lives of people with mental health concerns. We utilized the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) framework to understand and to determine the relevance of this review to find support in incorporating outdoor physical activities in occupational therapy interventions. We propose that engaging in outdoor recreation can facilitate meaningful occupational engagement and subsequent identity development which may potentially …

Individualized Sensory Based Functional Activity Program For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disability With A Co-Morbidity Of A Mental Health Condition, Dakota Laporte, Cynthia Haynes, Rebekah Jarrar

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This Program was designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have a co-occurring mental health condition. This program was designed based on the individual's sensory needs to improve occupational performance in their lives. This capstone project filled a knowledge gap by creating a sensory based activity program for individuals with IDD and mental health conditions. Its primary goal was to educate participants about their sensory needs and integrate these into functional activities to improve occupational performance.

Powerful Families Podcast: The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Family Education Of Mental Health Conditions And Substance Use Disorder, Wessleigh Holloway, Cynthia Haynes

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Mental health conditions and SUD significantly impact family members emotionally and physiologically, yet these effects are often insufficiently recognized and addressed (Delaney, 2023). Existing education programs focus on individuals in recovery, leaving families without the necessary knowledge and skills to support their loved ones effectively, resulting in feelings of powerlessness and confusion. This capstone project created an education program to equip family members of individuals with SUD or mental health challenges with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate addiction and recovery effectively. The program focuses on improving understanding of SUD, fostering healthier coping mechanisms, strengthening family trust, and enhancing …

Occupational Therapy Education And Advocacy For Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease, Francis Green, Cynthia Haynes

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that profoundly affects individuals' daily lives. While occupational therapy (OT) has been shown to enhance independence, motor function, cognitive health, and emotional well-being for individuals with PD, awareness and understanding of these services remain limited among patients and caregivers. This capstone project sought to address this gap by developing and distributing tailored educational materials. Weekly handouts, supported by in-person discussions, were designed to raise awareness of OT’s role and provide actionable strategies for managing PD symptoms. Surveys conducted throughout the project provided valuable feedback on the educational materials created, ensuring the materials' …

Use Of Creative Outlets To Impact Quality Of Life For Individuals With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Andria Burden, Helen Carey, Zeida Gutierrez

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) profoundly impacts quality of life by limiting participation in meaningful activities. This mixed-methods study explored the role of creative outlets in enhancing quality of life for individuals with ALS. Quantitative data from the ALS-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire-Short Form (ALSSQOL-SF) and qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews revealed key themes of adaptation, purpose, community, and quality of life. Findings indicate that creative outlets foster self-expression, social connection, and cognitive engagement while reducing isolation. Recommendations include integrating tailored creative activities into occupational therapy (OT), emphasizing group settings and early introduction to promote adaptability and community-building. This study underscores …

Awakening The Senses: Family-Centered Education On Sensory Stimulation For Children In The Icu, Kylie Pinson, Cynthia Haynes

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Awakening the Senses: Family-Centered Education on Sensory Stimulation for Children in the ICU. This project was designed to educate family members and healthcare providers on the sensory stimulation for children in the ICU, mainly focusing on patients with Traumatic Brain Injury. Educational handouts were created along with sensory bins highlighting all 5 senses.

Effects Of Simultaneous Smartphone Texting And Auditory Stimulation On Gait, Sebastian Herrera Vargas

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

More often than not, pedestrians around busy college campuses, business parks, and shopping malls are seen walking while using their phones and listening to music or having earphones in. Activities on pedestrians’ phones that captivate them more and require higher cognitive processing demonstrated a higher detriment to their gait kinematics than less cognitively complicated activities (Brennan and Preloff, 2021). This study aims to establish whether or not gait parameters are affected by walking while engaging in cognitively demanding activities such as texting and listening to green noise. Green noise is a deviation from white noise, which amplifies the mid-range frequencies …

Remotely Delivered Yoga Therapy For Chronic Pain: A Case Study, Patience Kaltenbach, Laura Edoff, Marlysa Sullivan, Steffany Moonaz

Journal of Applied Yoga Studies

Many people seek yoga as a complementary therapy for the management of chronic pain. Barriers to maintaining care for chronic pain conditions include pain with movement, fear of exacerbating symptoms, limited resources for long-term care plans, and a lack of individualized self-management instruction. In this case study, the yoga therapist implemented an integrative framework to address the needs of a client impacted by fibromyalgia primarily using video-conferencing software. This adaptive approach demonstrates the feasibility and potential benefits of remote yoga therapy for chronic pain, including improved adherence, long-term pain management, and self-efficacy for maintaining quality of life initiated by client-motivated …

Effect Of Yoga Therapy For Managing Migraine: A Case Series, Andrea Moran, Lori Rubenstein Fazzio

Journal of Applied Yoga Studies

Migraine is a common disabling primary headache disorder. It is characterized by symptoms lasting 4-72 hours, headache with unilateral location, pulsating quality, moderate or severe intensity, aggravation by routine physical activity, and association with nausea and/or photophobia and phonophobia. In this case series four females in the age range of 25-57 presented complaints of migraine headaches affecting their everyday lives. Additionally, they reported emotional challenges accompanying chronic pain due to migraine headaches such as stress, sleep deprivation, and anxiety. An online eight-week yoga therapy program was given for the management of migraine headaches. This program included lifestyle modifications, postures, breathing …

A Comparative Study Of Yoga And Stoicism For Achieving Mental Well-Being, Dr. R K Roshni Raj Lakshmi, Mr. Puyam Robinchandra Singh

Journal of Applied Yoga Studies

Background: The ideal way of life is a question perused upon by many thinkers. Western philosophy as well as Indian philosophy has dwelled on this. A common thread can be seen running through philosophical schools of stoicism and yoga. Evidence can be seen in both schools of philosophy to prove this similarity. The concepts of stoicism like the dual powers leading to creation, concept of eudemonia, restraint of sense organs and control of desire find their equivalent concepts in yoga texts. It can be thus, concluded that stoicism can be seen intertwined in yoga philosophy.

Aim of the philosophical study: …

A Philosophical And Spiritual Design For Prenatal Yoga Courses, Tia A. Arriola

Journal of Applied Yoga Studies

Fear and anxiety dominate much of the global birth culture, whereby approximately 80% of pregnant women report worrying with regard to the natural risks of childbirth (Rublein & Muschalla, 2022). This leads to increased rates of antenatal stress and postpartum depression. These psychosocial responses present risk factors for adverse developmental and health outcomes for the fetus, newborn, mother, and family (Shakarami et al., 2021). In the Western context, the overwhelming response is to increasingly medicalized childbirth, which, while offering life-saving support, may also pose its own set of adverse risks for mother and infant. Therefore, alterative and complementary approaches that …

Impact Of For-Credit Mindfulness Course On Student Resilience, Engagement, And Mental Health, Linda Yaron Weston

Journal of Applied Yoga Studies

This paper highlights the impact of a university for-credit introductory mindfulness course. Research compiled from student reflections, surveys, and interviews revealed that it had a notable impact on personal growth and development, including the capacity to navigate challenges, manage difficult emotions, and build resilience. This enhanced student learning, decision making, engagement, and connection to themselves, others, and the world around them. Course pedagogy and curriculum are included here alongside a narrative account of student experiences in the course. These findings indicate a promising practice for schools to include well-being supports in the student experience.

Exploring The Role Of Yoga In Improving The Quality Of Life Among Patients Diagnosed With Schizophrenia And Intellectual Disability, Laura Tolbaños-Roche

Journal of Applied Yoga Studies

Background and objectives

There is large evidence of the positive effect of yoga in mental health disorders, mainly anxiety and depression. However, the studies on the role of yoga in schizophrenia and intellectual disability are sparse and inconclusive. The objective of this study is exploring the role of a specific yoga intervention, based on the Gitananda Rishiculture Asthanga Yoga Tradition, in improving the quality of life (QoL) of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and intellectual disability in a mental health institution of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain).

Methods

Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (n=5) and patients diagnosed with intellectual disability (n=4) …

Editors' Note, Dr. Lori Rubenstein Fazzio, Dr. Meena Ramanathan, Dr. Praseeda Menon

Journal of Applied Yoga Studies

Welcome message from the editors.

6th Annual Occupational Therapy Program Research Conference, Kelly L. Taylor Otd, Ms, Otr/L, Cbis

Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Occupational Therapy Program RESEARCH CONFERENCE

6TH OT COHORT | CLASS OF 2025

OT Program Student Presentations Graduate Students from the Class of 2025

Age-Related Differences In Behavioral Outcomes Of Bimanual Functional Motor Tasks In Children And Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy: A Scoping Review, Hubert D. Gascon, Sahian Alicia Maldonado Numata, Sandrine Emond, Samuel Nemanich, Maxime T. Robert

Occupational Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Aim: The objective of this review is to determine age-related differences in behavioral outcomes of bimanual motor tasks in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Method: This review followed the 6-stage Joanna Briggs institute methodology. The embase, EBSCO CINAHL, and PubMed databases were searched on May 2024. we included studies that employed instrumented measures to assess bimanual tasks in individuals with CP aged between 3 and 19 years.Results: Twenty-eight studies were included after full-text screening. This review reported on 544individuals with CP. Bimanual tasks were grouped in seven categories and their varying complexities were listed and analyzed. There are …

Clinical Utility Of Opencap Motion Analysis In Lower Limb Prosthesis Users, Sarahi Fernandez Leon

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

The use of prosthetics has gradually increased due to various diseases, and it is estimated that 35-40 million people are prosthetic/orthotic users, with the number estimated to increase to two billion by 2050. Mobility has been determined to be a strong predictor of quality of life. There are various ways to measure mobility and predict outcomes in lower-limb amputees (LLA), such as self-report and performance-based measures. However, these come with many limitations, showcasing the need for quantitative measures of gait parameters to allow for better development of prosthetic components. Motion analysis tools are expensive and time consuming, but an inexpensive, …

Concomitant Epidural And Longitudinal Anterior Spinal Artery Contrast Spread In A Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection (Tfesi), Philip J. Koehler Iii, Paul M. Kitei, David S. Stolzenberg, Elaine H. Hatch

Rothman Institute Papers

A 78-year-old female with a remote history of L3-4 decompression and fusion presented with several months of low back and radicular leg pain. MRI revealed moderate L2-L3 spinal canal stenosis, ligamentum flavum infolding, moderate bilateral foraminal stenosis, and a grade I retrolisthesis. A right sided L2-L3 TFESI was performed using multiplanar fluoroscopic imaging with a subpedicular supraneural approach. During live iodinated contrast injection, imaging revealed concomitant epidural and central arterial contrast spread. The needle was retracted and repeat live fluoroscopic imaging demonstrated no vascular uptake. Desired epidural and nerve root contrast spread remained in place with repeat still imaging. Dexamethasone …

A Comparison Of Vestibular Function In Young Adult Musicians And Non-Musician Peers, Alexandria W. Greene, Ashley G. Flagge, Nicholas S. Stanley

Ashley Flagge Publications

Purpose: The majority of college-level musicians exceed the daily recommended noise dose level during instrumental practices and performances, although less than one-third report wearing hearing protection while playing their instruments. Although the hazardous effects of music on the auditory system have been established, even in young adult musicians still early in their musical careers, the effects of music on the vestibular system are still unclear. The purpose of the present study was to examine vestibular/balance differences between young adult musicians and non-musicians to determine the effects of music exposure on the vestibular system.

Method: Young adult participants aged 18-27 years …

Advocating For Occupational Therapy Intervention With In-House Athletics, Jatia Littles, Cynthia Haynes

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Occupational therapists (OT) have the opportunity to work with athletes by outsourcing through orthopedic centers with professional leagues such as the National Football League (NFL) (Jobs in Sports, 2022) but rarely do you see OTs within the sports complex working in-house. Although many studies go into great detail on the benefits of occupational therapy during the rehabilitation process, there are only a limited number of studies that explore occupational therapy intervention in athletics (Andreas et al., 2021). This project designed and implemented an occupational therapy-focused advocacy project that involves informing interprofessional sports faculty on the benefits of OTs being a …

Short-Term And One-Week Follow-Up Of Dry Needling Effects On Shoulder Range Of Motion And Strength With Asymptomatic Individuals, Mark Hecimovich

Master of Science in Kinesiology

Dry needling, a subcutaneous treatment intervention using fine filiform needles, is growing in popularity amongst manual therapists and is used in treating myofascial trigger points, pain, range of motion, and strength, albeit with limited research. This research aimed to measure the effect of dry needling on the shoulder, its impact on external rotation, and abduction range of motion and strength with an asymptomatic cohort of individuals. It is hypothesized that dry needling on a cohort of healthy individuals will not influence both range of motion and strength.

This study consisted of a convenience sample of 20 university students aged 20 …

Perceived Patient-Centered Care In Marching Band Artists, A L. Merrill, Z K. Winkelmann, N A. Uriegas

Bakerman Student Research Awards

Objective: Approximately 27,000 college marching band (MB) artists in the United States could benefit from access to healthcare services and patient-centered clinicians. The purpose of this study was to explore HCPs MB artists have access to and their perceptions of patient-centered care (PCC). Methods: We used a cross-sectional web-based survey of MB artists (n=751, age=20±8 years). MB directors from 242 colleges were emailed a survey link to forward to MB artists. Participants indicated which HCPs they could access. Those who reported no access or unsure were prompted to describe what they would do if an injury or illness occurred. Participants …

An Occupational Therapy Educational Guidebook For Participating In African American Hair Care, Kyra Mann, Lakeisa Boykin

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This educational guidebook offers resources for occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) to support African American hair care during Activity of Daily Living (ADL) interventions. The materials aim to enhance OTPs' awareness, knowledge, and confidence, fostering inclusive and effective approaches to improve participation and success in these tasks.

Propulsion Patterns And Joint Kinematics In Experienced And Inexperienced Wheelchair Users, Alexander J. Ginter

2024 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

There are many ways to propel a wheelchair, including four main propulsion patterns. However, there are no definitive criteria for a “correct” form. This study investigated differences in wheelchair propulsion between experienced and inexperienced wheelchair users to determine any differences in propulsion patterns, joint kinematics, or speed between the two groups, indicating what contributes to a more mature form. Subjects were recorded pushing a wheelchair for twenty feet, then each video was analyzed using Kinovea, a software for tracking body movements. There will be differences in the propulsion patterns between the two groups, and inexperienced users will push more frequently …

Investigating The Impact Of Mindfulness Practice On Quality Of Life And Anxiety Levels In College Students, Ope L. Oyeyemi

2024 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Anxiety disorders are becoming more common among college students, seriously affecting their academic performance and overall well-being. This study sought to investigate how current mindfulness practices and willingness to engage in mindfulness relate to psychological outcomes in college students. Participants (N=432) were students ≥ 17 years old recruited from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Analyses compared differences in levels of anxiety, quality of life, depression symptom severity, cognitive dysfunction, and stress based on participant self-reported willingness to engage and current time spent engaging in mindfulness practices. It is expected that students who currently engage in more mindfulness will …

A Machine Learning Approach To Multifactorial Modeling Of Episodic Memory Performance, Evan Fletcher, Marianne Chanti-Ketterl, Emily Hokett, Yi Lor, Umesh Venkatesan, Paola Gilsanz, Rachel Whitmer, Ruijia Chen, Kristen George, Zvinka Zlatar

Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Papers

BACKGROUND: Neurocognitive health is influenced by multiple modifiable and non-modifiable lifestyle factors. Machine learning tools offer a promising approach to better understand complex models of cognitive function. We used extreme gradient boosting (XG Boost), an algorithm of decision-tree modeling, to analyze the association between 15 late-life lifestyle and demographic factors with episodic memory performance. METHOD: Our dataset consisted of 2247 participants from the KHANDLE and STAR cohorts. Participants included 841 men and 1406 women, an ethnoracial diversity of 413 Asian, 987 Black, 349 Latinx, and 496 White adults with age range 54-90 (mean = 74). XG Boost models of continuous …