Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Creating An Occupational Therapy Based Preschool Curriculum, Taelor Gartman

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This doctoral capstone project is geared toward creating and implementing an occupational therapy-based therapy program for the preschool population at Kids-A-Cat-A-Me daycare in Trumann, Arkansas. The goal of the project was to implement key principals from occupational therapy to children in early childhood development. Exposing the children to fine motor skills, gross motor skills, handwriting skills, and play skills on a daily basis allows them to practice and master age-appropriate skills. Exposure to the developmental skills aims to prevent maladaptive behaviors, while promoting growth and development.

Leaders Create Leaders: A Transformational Perspective, Kyra Wright

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The doctoral capstone experience aims to assess and facilitate new hires' professional and clinical reasoning skills to ensure they provide high-quality care and succeed within the organization. Participants will understand transformational leadership theory and how it aligns with occupational therapy. Participants will understand how transformational leadership principles can be applied to leadership roles. Participants will be able to understand the implications of fostering transformational leadership within the workplace.

Health Management Program For Homeless Veterans, Rileigh Smith Daniels

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

In the United States, it's clear that homelessness within the veteran population is rampant, with programs only slowing the growing number, not decreasing it. The inclusion of health management skills within the homeless veteran community can help reduce homelessness and prolong life satisfaction within this population. Access to health care, nutrition management skills, and social promotion and maintenance can help decrease homelessness within the homeless veteran population by providing the health management skills needed to obtain occupational balance. By implementing occupational therapy’s role and scope within health management skills, the hope is that homelessness within the veteran community will decrease …

Leap 2.0: Theatre As A Therapeutic Modality For Adults With Special Needs, Sydnie Walker

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the multi-week theatre workshop is to help adults with special needs experience increased quality of life and daily functioning by facilitating the development of skills in social participation, leisure participation, and community engagement through the collaborative theatre process.

Developing Meaningful Leisure Activities For Residents In An Assisted-Living Facility, Mabry Watson

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Ultimately, residents’ engagement in leisure activities within assisted living facilities are crucial to increase their overall quality of life, self-esteem, and longevity. The lack of activity coordinators not providing resident-centered activities promotes the need for meaningful leisure activity programs to decrease occupational deprivation. Occupational therapists’ primary obligation is to promote independence within assisted-living facilities and any client they are presented with. OTs determine what their clients identify as meaningful to them in their daily occupations. They have a unique perspective on health and wellness, allowing them to design programs that focus on the benefits of providing meaningful and productive occupations …

Suicide Prevention In The Adolescent And Young Adult Population, Marlee June Stepp

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Suicide is a complex topic and requires a multi-discplinary approach. Various health professionals need to be involved in the training and care of suicide prevention. There is a lack of standardized approach in medical schools to properly train students in suicide prevention. Advocacy, awareness, and evidence-based training are needed.

Educating Healthcare Professionals On Burnout Risk Factors, Effects, & Interventions, Rian Thomas

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Purpose: Address the occupational phenomena of burnout through the intervention of education by making aware the risk factors of obtaining it, its effects on an individual, and interventions that can combat it. Program Development: Utilized evidence based resources to create an educational module to present to the staff and healthcare workers of the site. The module included risk factors that increase the chances of obtaining burnout, the effects of burnout on an individual, and interventions that have been proven to have positive effects on combating burnout.

Improving Health Outcomes Of Families: An Agency-Wide Database To Support Parental Education, Savannah Williams

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Project was to increase access to parent and child education in order to improve the health outcomes of families in Arkansas. The agency-wide database is a program that provides access to educational and informative resources to be utilized when working with families. A quality improvement evaluation, paired with critical review of a SWOT analysis, was conducted to enhance understanding of the site’s current resources. Resources within the database were modified, acquired from outside sources, or created utilizing evidence to support content.

Nurturing Neonates: Navigating The Nicu, Paige Lunceford

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Nurturing Neonates is a caregiver education program designed to provide occupation-based, health literate, and multi-modal education to caregivers of infants in the NICU. The program is designed to occur in conjunction with hospitals housing Level I-IV NICUs, serving as an extension of care to neonates through education of their caregivers to facilitate safe and developmentally-appropriate care following the transition to home.

Implications Of Pelvic Floor Health For Postpartum Women Within A Crossfit Setting, Chamy D. Keough

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the capstone was to gain valuable experience in an emerging practice area and create a comprehensive pelvic health program to increase social and emotional support perceived by new mothers, address new physical limitations experienced and advocate for new mothers within a CrossFit setting.

Developing Activities That Promote Social Participation For Dementia Residents Residing In Assisted Living Facilities, Rebecca Northcutt

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Project is to create and implement a social participation program of activities to address and enhance the health and wellness and social needs of the dementia residents residing in the Liberty Park assisted living facility.

Informed Women: Addressing The Education Needs Of Women In The Perinatal Period, Allison Claire Shirley House

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Current educational materials utilized at White River Health are comprehensive, however could be overwhelming to women experiencing the stress that can be associated with the changes that follow birth and being a parent to a newborn. Women report that after receiving educational materials, they lack preparedness for the perinatal and do not feel competent in self or infant care. Following the review of current materials, it was determined that the use of web-based, virtual education in an easily accessible format and created to be health literate could improve the health of women and their children in the perinatal period. Further, …

Sensory Integration In The Classroom: Meeting Children’S Needs Through Educational Programming For Teachers, Hannah Irvin

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The Doctoral Capstone promotes health and wellness for children by addressing their sensory needs and allowing them to fulfill their role as a student. The client-centered approach adds value to the profession by advocating for school-aged children to be able to meet their sensory needs and using occupational therapy expertise to deliver education on the importance of fulfilling sensory needs for children. Sensory integration in the classroom allows a child to meet their sensory needs and fulfill their role as a student in their natural environment, which is different from other professions.

Inpatient Physical Therapy Management Of Patient With Post-Operative Quadriparesis Following Posterior Cervical Lamenectomy And Fusion: A Case Report, Kayla A. Christopherson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Spinal hemangioblastoma are benign tumors that compress the surface of the spinal cord. Surgical resection of the hemangioblastoma with a posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion technique is one treatment option. This form of treatment can lead to poor outcomes such as post-operative quadriparesis although rare. The following case study depicts physical therapy interventions use to treat a patient with post-operative quadriparesis for posterior laminectomy and fusion of C6-T2.

Case Description: The patient was a 77-year-old female with complex past medical history and multiple comorbidities. She received inpatient physical therapy for 31 days before transferring to …

Conservative Outpatient Physical Therapy Management Of Patient With Atraumatic Anterior Sternoclavicular Joint Subluxation: A Case Report, Fallon N. Hill

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Atraumatic Anterior Subluxations of the Sternoclavicular Joint (SCJ) are a rare upper extremity injury that may cause range of motion (ROM) and strength deficits to the shoulder joint due to pain and feelings of instability. There are a variety of approaches for management as with SCJ subluxations, but atraumatic anterior displacements respond mostly to conservative management or masterly neglect.

Case Description: The patient was a 63-year-old female with an atraumatic anterior subluxation of her right side. The patient did not qualify for surgical or physician intervention and was referred to physical therapy for conservative treatment and pain …

A Golf Fitness Program To Develop Clinical Skills In Student Physical Therapists: A Program Proposal, Development And Recommendations For Implementation., Derek Ferebee

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

PROBLEM: Golf is a fast-growing sport that is played by people all around the world of all ages and skill levels. The complexity of the golf swing and varying skill levels of participants leads to increased risk for injury. Acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries can occur to the lumbar spine, shoulders, wrists, and elbows. The injuries are common among amateur, intermediate, and professional golfers. Studies show that the overall rate of injury in golfers is 15-20%. This is a surprisingly high amount of injuries for a low-impact sport. Physical therapists are an important healthcare provider for individuals with musculoskeletal injuries. …

A Case Report Of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Jonathan Tyre

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a medical condition with no known cause. Incidence of this condition is 1 to 2 per 100 000 people in the United States. Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a condition in which a person’s immune system attacks the person’s nervous system and demyelinates nerves in a person’s body.

Case Description: The patient is a 64-year-old male who received physical therapy services following a diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The condition came on with insidious onset and the patient had no signs or symptoms prior to his diagnosis. The patient was evaluated and treated by my clinical …

Case Report Of A 42-Year-Old Male Affected By Plantar Fasciitis, Jenna Baumgartner

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Plantar fasciitis is an irritation of the plantar fascia that causes increased pain and inflammation of the area. Plantar fasciitis affects nearly 1 in 10 people in their lifetime with a high likelihood of reoccurrence. There can be multiple causes but physical therapy (PT) can be crucial for the reduction of pain and return of function. Due to high likelihood of reoccurrence, it is the goal to give patients the tools that they need to self-treat when they experience another bout of plantar fasciitis.

Case Description: The patient was a 42-year-old male who had pain in …

The Effects Of Blood Flow Restriction On Electromyography Activity Of Proximal And Distal Upper Extremity Musculature, Nicole Mazour, Lauren Savageau, Michael Leonhardt, Samuel Helgeson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose/Hypothesis: Blood flow restriction therapy (BFR) has become a popular means of strength training and intervention used by physical therapists, athletic trainers and body builders. BFR allows for high intensity resistance training at a low intensity training level. It has been shown that BFR increases muscular hypertrophy and strength due to the vascular occlusion that occurs during BFR application. When performing BFR a pressurized tourniquet cuff is applied to the proximal portion of the selected limb. Individuals complete exercise between 20-40% of their 1 repetition maximum (RM) while utilizing the BFR cuff for improvements in muscular strength. Most BFR …

Outpatient Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient With Right Hamstring Strain Injury: A Case Report, Tina M. Belgarde

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Hamstring injuries are the most common muscle strains in competitive sports. Insufficient rehabilitation may be attributed to a high occurrence of recurrent hamstring injuries in athletes. This case study evaluates the effectiveness of physical therapy following a Grade 2 right hamstring injury and discusses the outcomes experienced by the patient.

Case Description: The patient was a 51-year-old Caucasian female athlete who received 6 outpatient physical therapy treatments. She presented with a Grade 2 right hamstring injury after hearing a pop while competing in a tennis tournament.

Interventions: The therapy provided emphasized the use of …

Memory In Motion: Dance And Movement Therapy In Older Adults With Alzheimer's And Related Dementia, Ashley Picard

Senior Honors Projects

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is caused by progressive neurodegenerative changes in the brain that alters one’s memory, attention, and language. As cognitive function decreases, people with dementia experience deficits in mobility, resulting in muscle stiffness and rigidity that debilitates their personhood. Therefore, an appropriate approach that creates a stimulating, pressure-free environment to encourage those with Alzheimer’s to move can help them have a renewed quality of life, positive behavior changes, and decreased anxiety. More specifically, incorporating dance-based exercises that utilize rhythmization, cognitive integration, social inclusion, and improvisation can be a holistic and practical approach …

Viability Of Equine Assisted Activities And Therapies For Individuals With Developmental Disorders: A Systematic Review, Faith Pinson

Honors Theses

The objective of this review is to determine whether Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) are a viable form of therapy for people with various developmental disorders. A viable form of therapy is one that is more beneficial than traditional forms of therapy that already exist, as traditional therapies may be generally less expensive and have plentiful research to support their use). In order to be beneficial, EAAT would need to yield improved results when either compared side by side with traditional therapy or used as a complementary therapy with traditional therapy. In this systematic review, the included studies examined the …

Immobilization And Its Effects On Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury., William H. Gregory

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Recovery, or rather the failure to recover, is a perplexing issue of spinal cord injury that is currently being investigated. This issue becomes more puzzling when investigating models in which spinal cord injury (SCI) is studied. There appears to be greater functional recovery experienced by animals within these models after injury as compared to patients in the clinical setting. While many things could contribute to this disparity, one difference that stands out when comparing the basic research model and clinical experience of SCI is the inactivity and limb disuse after the injury. This same level of immobility is rarely accounted …

Occupational Therapy In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu) & Implementation Of The Test Of Infant Motor Performance, Juliana C. Keane

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Current literature identifies the recognizable value of occupational therapy within the NICU; however, not all NICUs utilize therapy services. The purpose of this project was to highlight the role of occupational therapy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and implement the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) within this setting through a variety of goals, objectives, and produced deliverables. Als’ Synactive Theory of Development and the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) Model guided this capstone project. In addition to in-depth clinical practice, education and program development were the methods utilized to achieve the project’s goals. The results of this project further support …

Promoting Sleep Hygiene For Individuals Diagnosed With Parkinson’S Disease: Occupational Therapy’S Distinct Role, Hunter O. Wookey

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease are more likely to experience sleep performance issues which significantly contribute to poorer health outcomes and earlier institutionalization (Bollu, 2017). Though the field of occupational therapy acknowledges the importance of sleep for overall health and wellbeing, the profession’s role in improving sleep outcomes is largely unexplored. The purpose of this 14-week capstone project was to promote better sleep hygiene practices for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, this project sought to advocate for the profession of occupational therapy’s distinct role in sleep management. A variety of goals and objectives were achieved through completion of this project, …

Addressing The Needs Of Parkinson’S Disease Care Partners, Jenna Wall

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that can affect all aspects of life, requiring individuals with this condition to require support from a care partner. The extensive support PD care partners provide impacts their health and well-being resulting in an increased prevalence of negative health outcomes. Furthermore, these care partners do not receive adequate support which only compiles the effect of caregiving. The main goals of this capstone project were the development and implementation of a 4-week PD care partner support protocol, the creation of an electronic resource, and improving community awareness about PD and PD care partner needs. …

The Relationships Among Proprioception, Balance, And Cognitive Perception Of Body Awareness In College Students, Courtney Helmick

Honors College Theses

Introduction: Proprioception is an important physiological function that is essential for activities of daily living as well as exercise and sport performance. Integration of proprioceptive signals plays a key role in both static and dynamic balance. Previously, researchers have assessed the relationship between balance and proprioception, however, the effect of cognitive perception of body awareness has not previously been included in this research. The aim of this pilot study was to explore the relationships among lower extremity proprioception, dynamic balance, and cognitive perception of body awareness in college students.

Methods: Nineteen apparently healthy college students (age 21.26 ± 1.10 years, …

Neonatal Therapists' Perceptions Of Using Integrated Collaborative Care In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Sarah J. Elkington

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Occupational therapists (OTs), physical therapists (PTs), and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who have advanced clinical knowledge in gestational and infant development can work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) as neonatal therapists (NTs). NTs apply their developmental expertise, therapeutic use of self, and client-centered training to create individualized goals for infants and families amid a complex, critical care medical setting. Each discipline (OT, PT, and SLP) brings a unique professional perspective and their own empirical knowledge to the NICU. Researchers have made efforts to capture work trends of NTs as they relate to direct patient care; however, researchers have also recognized …

The Psychometric Properties Of The Modified Fear Of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire In Parkinson’S Disease And Older Adults, Billy La, Arturo Aldaco, Ashley Haller

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background/purpose: The Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire (FFABQ), developed in 2011 to measure fear of falling avoidance behavior, has good evidence for reliability and validity. However, a recently modified version (mFFABQ) is theorized to be easier to understand for those completing the questionnaire because the Likert responses are more logical in completing the item stem. The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the mFFABQ in adults with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and older adults aged 60-90 years. Methods: Thirty-nine participants (age 72.21 ± 9.5; 29 men, 10 women) diagnosed with PD (diagnosis …

Developing A Physical Therapy Initial Evaluation Screening Tool For A Multidisciplinary Clinic For Adults With Down Syndrome, Isabella Russell, Alvin Lacap, Francis Lacap

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: Down syndrome (Ds) is a chromosomal condition that can result in intellectual disability, as well as structural or functional disorders impacting the nervous, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. As individuals with Ds age, they can have an increased number of comorbidities that impact their health. Physical therapy can play an important role in managing many of the comorbidities adults with Ds have. Therefore, there is an increased need for physical therapists to efficiently screen, evaluate and treat adults with Ds. The purpose of this work is to create an Initial Evaluation Screening Tool and Patient Intake Form for physical therapists …