Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Peer-Mediated Art Program For Secondary Education Students: An Occupation Based Approach, Kjersten B. Sievers

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The purpose of this 14-week capstone project was to explore the impact of a peer-mediated art program on the social and occupational experiences of students with disabilities. This program was designed and implemented to promote inclusion of students with disabilities by providing an opportunity to interact with typically developing peers within their school-context. The 7-week peer-mediated art program was embedded into a startup peer-program at a high school. A total of 10 participants (4 from special education) were recruited to complete the study. Students met for three 45-minute sessions and one 90-minute session each week as part of the program’s …

Occupational Therapy Services In Pediatric Mental Health, Hallie Jerome

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children and youth experiencing mental health concerns often have limited or decreased engagement in meaningful occupations. Additionally, children and youth who experience mental health concerns at an early age are more likely to experience negative health outcomes such as poor occupational engagement, academic achievement, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), maltreatment/abuse/neglect, family and peer conflict/rejection, low self-esteem, early substance use, and many others impacting their overall health and well-being. My capstone project aimed to administer occupation-based interventions in a pediatric mental health program while I advance my skills working with an interdisciplinary team. The literature and needs assessment indicated a need for …

Animal-Assisted Therapy In An Outpatient Pediatric Occupational Therapy Setting, Peyton N. Stolle

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The use of animals to assist in the healthcare industry has been around for some time now, however, only recently have those in the occupational therapy industry begun looking at the effects that it would have on patients within their scope of practice. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has various uses, and recent studies have shown that the use of dogs within a healthcare setting can greatly increase patient motivation and well-being. However, prior literature shows that there are limited studies on the effects of AAT in a pediatric occupational therapy (OT) setting, specifically an outpatient setting. My capstone project aimed to …

Inclusive Sports Environments: Youth Gymnastics Coaches’ Perceptions On Promoting Inclusivity For Autistic Athletes, Alec D. Sheaffer

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Despite the positive physical, psychological, and social benefits of sports, children with disabilities participate in sports at a lower rate than their typically developing peers. Partnerships between occupational therapists and youth sports providers can facilitate inclusive sports environments that enable equitable access to sports for all children.

Purpose: The purpose of the Capstone Project was to explore youth gymnastics coaches’ perceptions on inclusive sports participation following an educational module.

Theoretical Framework. The occupational justice framework (Townsend & Wilcock, 2004) guided the development of the project through the view that equitable participation in preferred occupations is an individual right.

Methods. …

The Efficacy Of An Educational Toolkit To Enhance Knowledge Of Pediatric Reflux Management Among Occupational Therapists, Kelly Cullerton

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This manuscript describes a quality improvement project completed by a student in the University of Nevada Las Vegas Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. The project tests the efficacy of an educational toolkit for occupational therapists staffed at an acute care hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, to increase their perceived knowledge of and ability to educate families on conservative management techniques for pediatric reflux management. Results indicate that the toolkit demonstrated efficacy in achieving this objective. The toolkit provided useful staff education and parent handouts for the occupational therapists to utilize in patient care as appropriate. This project’s ultimate aim was to …

Measuring Outcomes Of Occupational Therapy Facilitated In Natural Settings With Young Children, Amie Smith, Deepak Dale, Brinda Saini, Zoe Peters, Amanda Laccone

Occupational Therapy | Graduate Capstone Projects

To date, there is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of Occupational Therapy (OT) services delivered outside in nature. This study explored the benefits of OT intervention in Natural Settings (NS) for children by examining development in the areas of self-regulation, social skills, sensory processing, confidence, and motor skills. A quantitative, quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was used in this study. Researchers partnered with a local outpatient OT clinic that offers an 8-week outdoor program. Seven children and their parents were recruited and participated in the study. A modified version of the COPM and two BOT-2 subtests, along with a novel log …

Asynchronous Online Telehealth Training: Occupational Therapist’S Perceptions Of Knowledge And Confidence, Breanna L. Campbell

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Telehealth was not a typical practice in occupational therapy prior to the pandemic (Allen-McHugh & Schleg, 2022; Douglass et al., 2023; Wittmeier et al., 2022). Understanding OT clinician knowledge and confidence in the delivery mode has progressed as a result (Allen-McHugh & Schleg, 2022; Douglass et al., 2023; Soba et al., 2022; Wittmeier et al., 2022). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an asynchronous online training module in increasing self-reported knowledge and confidence in occupational therapy clinicians utilizing telehealth with the pediatric population. A pre-experimental pre-posttest quantitative design was used to measure therapist’s perceived knowledge …

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.

Best Practices For Toilet Training Children With Disabilities, Sara Kne, Gabriela Gonzalez, Jorge Medina

Occupational Therapy Evidence Projects

This research project was conducted in collaboration with Paige Kensil, OTR/L and Erica Petru, OTR/L at Little Fin Therapies. Through discussion with Paige and Erica, we determined that there was a need to examine the effectiveness of various toilet training interventions for children with disabilities. Therefore, a systematic review of the literature was conducted on strategies and interventions for toilet training focused on promoting independence of children between the ages of 2-18 years old with disabilities. The literature review yielded a total of 20 research articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Ten toileting interventions were examined in these articles for children …

Gross Motor Interventions Support Play Engagement In Children With Developmental Delays: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Olivia Beaulieu, Olivia Dains, Carlena Ebersole, Brooke Heaney, Chase Lees, Taylor Lennartson, Greta Silvernagel, Sara Stuckey, Amanda Way, Hinako Yokokura

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

The overall focus of each of case scenarios are related to assessment or interventions that are related to Choosing Wisely Campaign items 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10. Case scenarios were developed related to each initiative with clientele and conditions across the lifespan in various practice settings. Practice settings included school district, outpatient pediatric, primary care, skilled nursing facility, work rehabilitation, and acute care.

Effects Of Seat And Axle Position On Pain, Pathology, And Independence In Pediatric Manual Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injury, Hannah Frank

Theses and Dissertations

Manual wheelchair (MWC) users with spinal cord injury (SCI) rely heavily on their upperextremities to complete daily occupations. Due to repetitive shoulder use during wheelchair mobility and propulsion, MWC users are at greater risk of shoulder pain and shoulder pathology, and thus decreased independence, and lower quality of life. The relative fit of the wheelchair and its parameters are critical and can further impact the user’s propulsion biomechanics. Parameters such as seat angle and axle position may put the user in detrimental shoulder positions for longer periods of time, impacting health outcomes even more. Although the effects of wheelchair setup …

The Psychosocial And Physical Effects Of Therapeutic Horseback Riding For Children With Cerebral Palsy, Karen M. Pratt

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Participation in specialized adapted activities such as therapeutic horseback riding (THR) is critical for children with cerebral palsy (CP) as they are at increased risk for lower habitual physical activity levels, social exclusion and mental health conditions. The benefits of THR for children CP are unclear despite positive anecdotal evidence. Purpose: The aim of the study is to explore the effects of THR participation for children with CP across multiple domains of health (psychological, social and physical) from the children themselves. Specifically, this study explored overall wellbeing including mental health, perceived independence, social inclusion and presence of fatigue and …

Advocating For The Field Of Occupational Therapy In A Childcare Setting, Nicole K. Leinhart

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Significant physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development occurs during the first five years of life; many children spend time in the childcare setting during this crucial time of development. Appropriately meeting the needs of children is important for healthy growth and development throughout an individual’s life. Working in collaboration with the childcare staff, occupational therapists are beneficial when working with the pediatric population. With their extensive knowledge, expertise, and training in human development, as well as the physiological, psychological, social, and emotional needs of individuals throughout the lifespan, occupational therapists improve the children’s engagement and success within a childcare setting. …

Profile Of Pediatric Assessments Selected In Occupational Therapy Practice And The Influence Of Occupation-Based Assessments On Clinical Practice, Alysha Skuthan

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Occupational therapy practice is intended to reflect the core construct of occupation throughout all aspects of service delivery. In pediatricoccupational therapy, there is insufficient evidence examining regularly selected assessment tools and the occupational constructs ofselected assessment tools. A mixed methods research study was conducted to examine the most regularly selected assessment tools by pediatric occupational therapists and the resultant effects on service delivery specific to goal writing, intervention planning, length oftreatment, materials used in practice, and the context of service delivery among other practice outcomes generated by therapist participants. The primary assessment tools utilized by pediatric occupational therapists reflected a …

Upper Extremity Kinematics And Pain Outcomes During Activities Of Daily Living In Pediatric Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Olivia Yanez Wilwert

Theses and Dissertations

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of heritable connective tissue disorders, consisting of thirteen different subtypes. Among the thirteen, Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is the most common. Individuals with this condition present with frequent joint instability that results in ongoing subluxations and dislocations. Secondary diagnoses of this condition include chronic pain, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The diagnostic process of hEDS is convoluted by the lack of a genetic identifier (Malfait et al., 2017). Individuals with hEDS are often not diagnosed until later in adulthood, leaving their adolescent life full …

Biomechanical Analysis Of Stroke Patterns And Functional Outcomes In Pediatric Manual Wheelchair Users, Paige Louise Aschenbrener

Theses and Dissertations

Approximately 88,0000 manual wheelchair (MWC) users are under the age of 21 in the United States (Kaye, LaPlante, & Kang, 2000). More than half of pediatric MWC users with spinal cord injury (SCI) report shoulder pain later in life and are at higher risk for developing upper extremity (UE) overuse injuries (Vogel & Zebracki, 2015). During MWC propulsion, a stroke pattern is the path the hand follows with respect to the pushrim (Boninger et al., 2002). Current clinical guidelines for adults recommend sole use of the semicircular stroke pattern as best practices because a MWC user is able to spend …

Developing Educational Resources To Support The Use Of The Hippotherapy Evaluation And Assessment Tool, Emily Peoples

Student Capstone Papers

The Hippotherapy Evaluation and Assessment Tool (HEAT) was created in 2011 with the goal of creating an assessment specific to this therapeutic intervention and effectively tracking client progress. Based on the current literature of client progress during hippotherapy intervention, four domains of scoring were created: Static Posture, Dynamic Motor Behavior, Sensory Processing, and Psychosocial/Behavioral. Over the years, many thesis studies have been conducted to confirm the reliability and validity of the HEAT. However, further dissemination was required as many therapists had not yet heard of the tool. A doctoral capstone project was completed in 2019-2020 to create a training program …

Holistic Home Modification: Developing A Client-Centered Approach To Home Assessments And Quality Of Life Measures, Maggie Little

OTD Capstone Projects

This project is an appraisal of home assessments and quality of life measures in order to find the best fit for pediatric populations and their caregivers.

The Impact Of Mobile Media On The Fine Motor Development Of Students Entering Into The Educational System, Bernadette H. Needham

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The prevalence of mobile technology has greatly increased in our society over the last ten years. As COVID-19 continues to impact our society, the long-term impact of mobile media continues to be a concern with the movement to remote learning. The purpose of this research is to examine the parent’s perspective of increased mobile media usage at a young age on the development of fine motor skills needed for participation in kindergarten. The literature that was reviewed indicates that currently no definitive understanding of the impact of increased mobile media is known. The research was guided through decision making based …

Caregiver Perspectives On Telehealth: A Service Delivery For Occupational Therapy, Rebecca Johnston

Student Capstone Papers

Telehealth; also known as telerehabilitation, telecare, telemedicine, teletherapy, and telepractice; is an emerging healthcare service that is utilized in various healthcare facilities with a span of ages, conditions, and locations (World Federation of Occupational Therapy [WFOT], 2014). Telehealth utilizes information and communication technologies to deliver services to a patient when the healthcare provider is not in the same location (WFOT, 2014). Telehealth can provide an online platform for evaluations, consultations, monitoring, supervision, and intervention with patients and other professionals (WFOT, 2014).

Telehealth is an emerging method of delivering occupational therapy (OT) services to various populations, including: children and youth; productive …

Exploring The Connections Between The Presence Of Developmental Trauma And Clinical Reasoning: The Lived Experience Of Pediatric Occupational Therapists, Gwendolyn R. Blake, Briar E. Plantinga, Julie Shafer

Pediatrics

Background: Developmental trauma is a current issue facing the nation. It adversely affects participation in occupations across the lifespan. This paper examines how the clinical reasoning of practicing pediatric occupational therapists changes when treating clients who have experienced developmental trauma.

Methods: A phenomenological approach was applied using multiple cases. Four individuals, who identified as working with clients with developmental trauma, were interviewed using a series of semi-structured and open-ended questions on their experience treating these clients.

Results: Narrative transcripts were reviewed by the authors and organized into themes of performance patterns of the therapist and the context of developmental trauma …

An Analysis Of The Developmental Enrichment Of The Seattle Children's Playgarden, Caitlin Koob

Honors Theses

This paper analyzes the opportunities for developmental enrichment, as provided by the Seattle Children’s PlayGarden, from the perspective of occupational therapy. The PlayGarden, located in Seattle, Washington, is an inclusive playground, preschool, and summer camp that promotes inclusion of children with disabilities. The analysis highlights each area of occupation, as identified in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, and discusses the garden’s contribution to facilitate growth in those specific skills (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2014). The intentionality of the design and program structure advocates for children to maximize their independence in activities of daily living, despite the play-based approach. …

Examining The Benefits Of Educating Caregivers About Tummy Time In The Acute Care Setting, Alexandra L. Turner

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: This project addressed providing parents with education on tummy time in the acute care setting. This is based on a gap in the literature on occupational therapy (OT) services in the acute care setting.

Purpose: The purpose of this research project was to conduct a pilot study to examine the benefit of educating parents of infants in the acute care setting on providing tummy time as a developmental education measure.

Theoretical Framework: The occupational therapy practice theory, of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) supports the holistic supporting of families, in their role as a parent, to meet the …

Living With Fragile X Syndrome: Occupations As An Outcome Measure In A Clinical Trial, Theresa Chase, Ty Duong, Ana Baldinger, Kaylee Gothelf

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of semi-structured interviews as an outcome measure in a clinical trial for children with fragile X syndrome (FXS). A qualitative approach was used to analyze twenty-five parent interviews with children with FXS who participated in a double-blind medication trial. Each participant received either sertraline or a placebo. The aim of this research was to assess differences in occupational functioning in the sertraline group and placebo group, that may not have been detected with the use quantitative outcome measures alone. Results showed greater improvements in the sertraline group in areas of …

Implementing The Weefim System In Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation, Chelsea Ratilainen

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

This project was designed to achieve an unmet criteria in the accreditation process for the outpatient pediatric rehabilitation program at a local, community hospital in the greater Bay Area. The clients range from 6 months old to 20 years old with functional disabilities. The Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) requires that applicants demonstrate outcome measure data over a 6 month time period. During the self-evaluation process this was noted to be a deficiency in the department’s efforts. The WeeFIM system was chosen as the first tool to implement in the department. This is a functional improvement measurement …

The Effect Of Occupational Therapy Play-Based Interventions On Cooperative Behavior In Elementary School Aged Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Shaunna Kelder, Jennifer E. Langill, Carol A. Reiss, Nicole F. Socia

Pediatrics

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of occupational therapy practitioners regarding the effect play-based interventions have on cooperative behaviors in elementary school aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While occupational therapy practitioners use a variety of interventions involving play to enhance skills related to social, self-regulation and communication, the concept of how play affects cooperative behavior, specifically in children with ASD, has not been readily identified. This qualitative research project utilized an anonymous survey to collect the perceptions of occupational therapists (OT) and certified occupational therapy assistants (COTA). The intent of the survey was to …

The Use Of Sensory Spaces In Schools, Syeda S. Mahmood, Erin E. Mallekoote, Ashley Rister

Pediatrics

Objective: This mixed methods continuing line of inquiry was conducted in order to identify how occupational therapists (OTs) report that sensory spaces are being used in Michigan public school settings. This includes who uses the spaces, what purpose the space serves, and the training that individuals utilizing the spaces have received.

Methods: A link to a survey, which was adapted from Abbot, Wills, and Hanert (2015), was posted on the Michigan Alliance of School Physical and Occupational Therapists’ (MASPOT) listServ and Michigan Occupational Therapy Association’s (MiOTA) facebook page in June of 2016 in order to recruit participations. The …

Use Of Active Video Gaming In Children With Neromotor Dysfunction: A Systematic Review, Robert Manzanares, Lisa Popescu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Purpose: Active video games (AVG) are gaining popularity as a strategy for improving motor function in children with neurologically-based movement disorders, but there is no consensus regarding AVG’s utility or effectiveness in this population. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine current evidence on the use of AVG to improve motor function in children 2-17 years of age with neurologically-based movement disorders. Methods: Authors followed standard criteria for systematic review conduct and rating quality of evidence including the PRISMA checklist. Databases searched were Scopus, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and CINAHL. Systematic reviews, randomized control trials, or …

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Systematic Review Of Occupational Therapy Interventions, Meredith L. Aja, Katie L. Cole, Trenton S. Warning

Pediatrics

Background: The purpose of this systematic review is to describe the current role of occupational therapy (OT) in the treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). JIA is an umbrella term that encompasses six subtypes of the disease. JIA is one of the most common childhood chronic diseases and can be accompanied by symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and loss of function, as well as psychosocial impacts. JIA participants generally receive pharmacological treatment, but less commonly receive therapeutic interventions to help reduce symptoms. Individualized treatment plans are necessary for clients with JIA due to the diverse nature of the disease. …

The Experiences Of The Parents Of Children Undergoing Occupational Therapy Intervention For The Occupation Of Feeding, Michael A. Coldiron

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Occupational therapy practitioners practice under the values of client-centered care and cultural sensitivity. This valuates the role of the occupational therapy practitioner in pediatric feeding intervention pertaining to diverse diets. The problem is that there is a lack of research into the experiences of individuals who consume a diverse diet as they undergo occupational therapy intervention for the occupations of feeding and eating. The purpose of this study was to enable individuals with diverse diets to self-report these experiences. Participants were questioned on the challenges they encountered and detailed questions regarding the types of experiences they face. The study was …