Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Occupational Therapy Program For Pace Center For Girls, Natalie Vish

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

An occupational therapy handbook was created for future occupational therapy students and occupational therapy assistant students to utilize when completing fieldwork rotations at Pace Center for Girls. The handbook was created to address core occupations through a trauma-informed and gender-sensitive perspective. An occupational therapy program utilizing mindfulness and sensory-based approaches at Pace Center for Girls may provide alternative and effective solutions for this at-risk female adolescent population as literature reveals that survivors of complex trauma often do not respond to traditional psychiatric treatment approaches.

Strategies For Enhancing Racially Diverse Student Satisfaction In Graduate-Level Occupational Therapy Programs, Kolbí L. Holmes, Christina Kane

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

A survey investigated satisfaction levels of racially diverse, graduate-level OT students at NSU and strategies for enhancing student satisfaction to ultimately meet the OT profession’s diversity goals. Overall, racially diverse students were satisfied with their OT program experience and identified diverse faculty and scholarship opportunities as desired resources needed for continuation in OT programs.

Distinguishing The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Breast Cancer Care Continuum, Hannah S. Townsend

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The aggregate number of women who have either concluded BC treatment or are undergoing BC treatment totaled approximately 3.8 million women in January 2022 (BreastCancer.org, 2022). Incredible advances have been made in the pharmacological, technological, and surgical treatments of cancer along with a better understanding of the pathophysiology of cancer, but the statistics demonstrate a growing population of individuals with cancer and individuals surviving cancer (Bluethmann, 2016). The coinciding aging of the baby boomer generation results in a population of cancer survivors that demands more supply of services than were previously needed (Bluethmann, 2016). The present size of the population …

Exploration In Mental Performance For Division 1 Sec College Football Student Athletes, Alex Burgdorf

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The stigma surrounding mental health in sports has made intervention difficult. “There is a need for various actors to provide more effective strategies to overcome the stigma that surrounds mental illness, increase mental health literacy in the athlete/coach community, and address athlete-specific barriers to seeking treatment for mental illness” (Castadelli-Maia et.al 2019). The athletes in the football program at the University of Tennessee face more pressure today than ever in history. They have their class schedule, practice and training every day, and meetings with their position coaches. Now, with the introduction of name, image, and likeness (NIL) allowing players to …

Gaining Experience In Academic Setting Of Entry-Level Doctoral Program, Conner Hansen

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Worked with faculty advisors to develop activities and assignments within the OTD 8271: Interventions 1: Psychosocial and Community course for students to guide their interactions with children volunteers from A Kid’s Place (AKP). The pre-existing relationship with AKP allowed for the incorporation of hands-on activities to increase the excellence of education, confidence in clinical skills, and quality of practitioners entering the field.

Clinical Skills And A Quick Reference Guide For Critical Care, Kayla Mccarty

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Multifactorial Fall Prevention Program Development And Implementation Within An Assisted Living Facility, Makenzie King

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of Support Groups For Stroke Patients, Wendy H. Rosario

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Occupational Therapy's Role In Home Health, Irving Noche

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

My capstone experience was completed at CORE Health Company in Riverside, California under a privately owned home health care (HHC) staffing company. CORE Health provide in-home Occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) services for the adult and the older adult (ages 65 and over) population. Clients under private insurance, Medicare, hospice, or workers compensation can qualify to receive services. CORE Health proudly serves the Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. My site mentor for this capstone experience was Afshin Juybari, founder CEO of CORE Health and faculty mentor is Christina Kane, Ed. D., MS, OTR/L. I explored the Accreditation Council …

Clinical Practice Skills And The Development Of A Visual Perception Screening Tool For Inpatient Settings, Annie J. Mehl

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Reducing Caregiver Burden In Spinal Cord Injuries And Disorders (Sci/D), Heather Berto

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The following capstone project focused on the exploration of clinical and community-based resources that help reduce caregiver burden in the adult spinal cord injuries and disease (SCI/D) population. In order to best serve the chosen population, this capstone project aimed to help adults with SCI/D and their caregivers have access to resources that assist with handling adjustment, learning independent living skills, and navigating their relationship with one another, while ultimately taking into consideration their specific mental health needs.

Cross-Sectional Analysis Of The Relationship Between Adherence To The Mediterranean Diet And Mental Wellness, Gabrielle A. Jasmin

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a well-known healthy dietary pattern that continues to be recommended by literature due to its benefits of preventing chronic diseases and enhancing the overall health of the general public. With an abundance of literature focusing on the physical health benefits of MD, this study aimed to assess whether there is an association between adherence to MD and mental wellness, specifically levels of depression and anxiety. A random sample of 100 participants consented to complete an online survey to assess their adherence to MD and levels of depression and anxiety through the validated questionnaires of 14-item …

A Conceptualisation Of Resilience Among Cancer Surviving Employed Women In Malaysia, Melati Sumari, Nordinah Mohd Kassim, Nor Safatul Aznin A.Razak

The Qualitative Report

This study examines the experiences faced by employed female cancer survivors when developing resilience. We used a phenomenological approach to understand these experiences and challenges. A total of ten participants with different types of cancer participated in this research, which was carried out using semi-structured interviews. Social media was used for triangulating the data collected. The meanings of resilience were monitored through the particpants’ social media accounts (namely, Facebook and Instagram) from the time of diagnosis until they returned to work. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Five themes emerged from the data collected: (a) resilience through painful experience, (b) …

Iadls In Acute Care, Taylor Brownlie

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Reducing The Fear Of Falling Through A Novel Fall Prevention Education Group, Eloise K. Palm

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

For older adults with fall risk or a history of falling, would novel fall prevention education reduce the fear of falling and enhance confidence in self to improve engagement in desired occupations? This capstone project was centered around answering that question. The setting this took place in is an inpatient rehabilitation hospital with the older adult patient population. Specifically, this includes stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cardiac, orthopedic, and generally deconditioned patients. The proposed focus area being program development.

A focus on program development was demonstrated through assessing a patient’s fear of falling (FOF) at evaluation via the …

Needs-Assessment Questionnaire Development Through The Interviews Of Mothers Post Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu) Discharge: A Qualitative Study, Cierra Robinson

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Current literature shows a gap in documenting the experiences and needs of mothers after being discharged home from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (Lakshmanan et al., 2019). However, the literature that does exist suggests, following discharge from the NICU, parents and caregivers of infants' report feelings of stress and anxiety and lower levels of competence in caring for their infants (Lakshmana et al., 2019; Lee et al., 2019). There are discharge programs in existence that focus on providing services and resources for mothers, however, there is a lack of exposure, resources, introduction of programs to healthcare practitioners, and a …

Implementation Of Basic Life Skills And The Effectiveness Of A Cooking Group, Meghan Cote

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The culminating project for this doctoral capstone experience (DCE) assessed the need to implement a cooking group within the inpatient rehab setting at Lakeland Regional Hospital for adults reintegrating into the community. The focus area identified for this DCE is program development. The component of program development consists of a cooking group with a pre and post-survey for active participants to complete. The purpose of the survey will determine each participant's viewpoints on their current capabilities before and after participating in one cooking group, along with their views of the outcome of the cooking group as a means of beneficial …

Resources For Parents Of Children With Feeding Issues, Miranda Gutierrez

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Occupational therapy provides a client-centered approach to enhance engagement in valued life occupations. Activities of daily living, specifically eating and swallowing, fulfills basic physiological needs and creates a social relationship between a parent and/or caregiver and their child. Stress associated with caring for children with feeding difficulties can physically and emotionally strain the family. There is a greater need for opportunities to learn more about managing feeding and eating issues in children, especially with varying presentations across multiple conditions seen in the pediatric setting. The outcome of this capstone final culminating project included online evidence-based resources and general advice from …

Developing Educational Resources For Hand Therapy Clinicians, Gabrielle M. Dannunzio

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

My capstone project involved the development of a toolkit to implement evidence-based practice (EBP) for practitioners working in the outpatient hand therapy setting, while gaining experience working in this setting. This project was completed with the focus areas of education and clinical practice skills. The population served was occupational therapy practitioners who are working in the hand therapy setting and are seeking resources to maintain their EBP. The goals that were achieved included developing resources for clinicians specific to certain diagnoses and treatments to make EBP more accessible, and improving clinical practice skills for future certification in hand therapy.

Wellness And Longevity Program For Adults And Older Adults, Oliver D. Fay

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

There are many areas of practice to choose from in the field of Occupational therapy (OT). OT has an incredibly diverse career path, with new opportunities being created every day. I completed my doctoral capstone experience at Iridium Enterprises with Dr. Aaron Green, who has a wealth of experience in business and entrepreneurship. My ACOTE focus areas were administration and program development. I wanted to learn how a business was properly developed and managed from the ground up.

Through this experience, I learned how to methodically approach market research and how to narrow in on a business idea. Our goal …

Clinical Practice Skills In Executive Function Within Acute Care, Jasmine Lake

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Postpartum And Pediatric Education Program For Mothers, Lacie T. Ellithorpe

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

My capstone experience included the focus area(s) of Clinical Practice Skills and Education. The aim of this capstone project was to create an ergonomic education program to address new motherhood and their occupations of health management and maintenance, sleep and rest, breastfeeding and other baby care, community mobility, and leisure. My Capstone Mentor was Dr. Kari Rasmussen, OTD, OTR/L. Becoming a new mother is considered a major life event, due to significant role changes that impact a mother’s everyday occupations. The population I served was new and expectant mothers in order to provide ergonomic education as they relate to the …

Enhancing Physician Perspectives Of Skilled Occupational Therapy Services For Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Valerie S. Trinidad

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

This Capstone Project, with a focus in research, sought to identify a relationship between self-reported functional performance and participation restriction as described by satisfaction with one’s execution or participation in a described occupation. A correlational study design was employed under the mentorship of Dr. Thomas Decker, EdD, OTD, OTR/L who oversaw all IRB processes, documentation, study development and deployment, as well as co-authored and provided mentorship for creation of a publishable manuscript of this project. The established Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and the newer Keele Assessment of Participation (KAP) were the two outcome measures of focus for surveying …

Exploring The Knowledge And Perception Of The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Concussion Management In An Interdisciplinary Sports Medicine Center, Courtney J. Leiter

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to identify the need for occupational therapists (OTs) in the management of sport-related concussion symptoms and work to educate and advocate for the field to be included as a part of an interdisciplinary concussion care team. The primary focus was to determine support for the use of interdisciplinary educational (IPE) demonstrations to educate health care professionals and graduate students on the scope and services OTs can offer within concussion care. A pre-post survey was utilized to evaluate the agreement levels on the use of an IPE demonstration to increase knowledge and perception of the …

Doctoral Capstone Culminating Project: Addressing Language Barriers To Parent Education In Pediatric Outpatient Settings, Agnes M. Valentin

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Attempting To Close The Evidence-Practice Gap In Physical Activity Intervention Research: Strategies And Outcomes Of A Co-Creative Qualitative Study, Andrew Powell, Charlotte Coward

The Qualitative Report

It is argued that a gap exists between research evidence and “real-world” physical activity (PA) intervention practice. One potential way to aid the translatability of evidence in this field is for researchers to work actively with the public health practitioners and organisations that run PA interventions to engage in co-creative research. This paper reports the process and strategies used to underpin research co-creation during a recent qualitative PA intervention study, and the outcomes of the co-creative approach from the perspective of the public health organisation involved in the research in terms of providing them with translatable evidence. A range of …

Evaluating The Relationship Between Short- And Long-Term Neural Adaptations To Motor Skill Acquisition And Retention, Federico Iacoangeli

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Attempting to understand the neurophysiological underpinnings of learned behaviors and the process of learning itself has yielded interesting findings relating to what happens in the brain and across the nervous system when learning a new skill. The nervous system displays several structural, functional and neurochemical adaptations to motor learning which have been highlighted through the use of neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI, EEG and TMS. This review attempts to outline the neural adaptations governing the acquisition and retention of motor skills, as well as build a timeline for these adaptations following Fitt’s model of motor learning (Fitts and Posner 1967). …

Trait Anxiety In Mixed Martial Artists, Julian Pino, Olivier Van Hauwermeiren, Jordan Kwamanakweenda, Corey Peacock, Jaime Tartar

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

ABSTRACT

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a hybrid combat sport incorporating techniques from boxing, wrestling, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Muay Thai (Thai boxing), and other disciplines. Having only been deemed a competitive sport in 1993 by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), not a lot of research has been done on these athletes. Research done so far on other areas of athletics has shown that personality traits can predict various cognitive, affective, and behavioral outcomes. Furthermore, elevated levels of Trait Anxiety have been shown to deteriorate non-MMA athletes’ overall performance in high-pressure situations. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of …

Coping Strategies For Inner Conflicts Between Gay Bear Identity And Health Concerns, Chichun Lin, Darren D. Moore

The Qualitative Report

Gay bear refers to a burly gay man with a hirsute body and face. Chinese gay bear men are highly homogeneous and strictly emphasize a uniform bear appearance; however, obesity is an obvious health issue in this population. This study aims to explore the Chinese gay bear men's inner conflicts between bear identity and health concerns. Eleven Chinese gay bear men including four Taiwanese, two mainland Chinese, two Hong Kong, two Malaysian, and one Singaporean were interviewed. The study used a thematic analysis approach and found three coping strategies including (a) Eat healthy but maintain a minimal bear standard; (b) …

The Lived Experience Of Postpartum Anxiety During Covid-19: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Walker Ladd Phd, Jenny De Decker

The Qualitative Report

The experience of pregnancy and postpartum anxiety disorders results in adverse birth outcomes and the disrupted development of infants and children. Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated pregnant and postpartum women as more vulnerable to COVID-19 (CDC, 2021), and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders rates have increased. However, research regarding the lived experience of women with postpartum anxiety (PPA) during a global pandemic remains lacking. Using van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenological research method, we interviewed eight women self-identifying as having had PPA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis revealed five themes describing the lived …