Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Expecting Better When You’Re Expecting: Empowering Mothers Through Occupational Therapy, Ann K. Landreville

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The maternal health crisis of the United States presents an opportunity to improve the level of care provided to the maternal population. A new standard of care must be established, going beyond decreasing maternal mortality and morbidity rates, but instead working to promote the health and well-being of mothers. While many well-recognized health professionals currently play a role on the interdisciplinary care team for postpartum mothers, occupational therapists are emerging in this field, proving they have a vital role in providing services that addresses the current gap in care. Many professions largely address physical health; occupational therapists have a holistic …

An Occupational Therapy Approach To Chronic Condition Self-Management, Makayla Marie Tucker

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background Chronic health conditions often lead to decreased engagement in valued occupations, habits, roles, and routines secondary to the effects of the diagnosis (Lorig et al., 2020). This community project aims to explore occupation-based intervention approaches to assist adults in self-managing their chronic conditions. Additionally, the project aims to fill the gap in healthcare to improve healthcare professionals’ collaboration to improve clients’ health outcomes. Occupational therapy’s role in health management may include developing habits and management strategies for nutrition, physical activity, medications, stress and coping, and improving social skills for problem solving and communication. A literature review and informal interviews …

Supporting Clients And Caregivers Of Full-Time Wheelchair Users At Risk For Pressure Injuries, Jessica Lynn Wetzel

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Supporting Clients and Caregivers of Full-Time Wheelchair Users at Risk for Pressure Injuries

Purpose: Wheelchair users are classified as a population at a great risk for developing pressure injuries due to their decreased sensation and extensive time seated on bony prominences (Mervis & Phillips, 2023). Affecting around three million adults each year in the United States alone, the number of pressure injuries is a cause for concern (Mervis & Phillips, 2023). More severe pressure injuries can cause sedentary lifestyles, further leading to occupational deprivation of the individual experiencing them. Although there are many strategies to prevent pressure injury formation, …

Improving Occupational Performance For Survivors Of Sex Trafficking: An Executive Functioning Program, Riley P. Thomas

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: In 2021, the U.S. reported 10,360 human trafficking cases, of which 7,499 or 72% were explicitly identified as instances of sex trafficking (National Human Trafficking Hotline, 2021). Sex trafficking is “a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion” (National Human Trafficking Hotline, n.d., para. 1). Due to survivors of sex trafficking being exposed to dehumanizing and traumatic events, this may impact the ability to participate and engage in daily activities related to an individual's executive functioning and life skills. The purpose of this scholarly project was to analyze …

Enhancing The Service Delivery For Adolescents Using The Mental Health Continuum Through Occupational Therapy, Jadalyn Lane Wagner

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to understand how occupational therapy services can enhance the quality of mental health services for adolescents and across the life span. The materials developed provide occupational therapy practitioners resources to demonstrate their unique value and role within the interdisciplinary teams and settings within the mental health continuum of care.

Methodology: The Model of Human Occupation was utilized to organize the literature review that led to the creation of the materials (O’Brien, 2017). Reviewing the literature with the model allowed for a thorough understanding of the needs of adolescents with mental illness, the …

Assistive Technology Accessibility And Usability: A Toolkit For Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Erin Siebenaler

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Assistive technology (AT) plays a vital role in the health, well-being, independence, and quality of life of individuals with a broad range of occupational challenges (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2016; Grajo & Boisselle, 2018; World Health Organization, 2023). Occupational therapists (OTs) and other AT providers can influence the accessibility and usability of AT; however, providers face barriers with limited access to training and evidence-based practice, impacting their confidence in providing AT services (Demain et al., 2013; Dishman et al., 2021; Long et al., 2007; Manship et al., 2023). These barriers can cause feelings of incompetence and reluctance to recommend …

Utilizing Occupation-Based Activities To Support Participation In Educational Tasks Within The General Education Classroom, Molly Van Drehle

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Utilizing Occupation-Based Activities to Support Participation in Educational Tasks within the General Education Classroom

Background: The rise of technology usage has decreased the number of hands-on activities children participate in, impacting significant life skills (Caramia et al., 2020; Dadson et al., 2020; Gaul & Issartel, 2016; Genevieve et al., 2018; Lin et al., 2017). This trend has impeded children's ability to develop and strengthen the necessary skills to complete school-related tasks (Caramia et al., 2020; Dadson et al., 2020; Gaul & Issartel, 2016; Genevieve et al., 2018; Lin et al., 2017). Performing hands-on tasks builds fine motor skills, which …

Addressing Classroom Behaviors Through Sensory-Informed Design And Instruction To Support Performance And Participation, Monicah Nyakoe

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: In the United States, students spend a significant portion of their day within the school setting. The school environment, rich with sensory experiences, can either bolster or hinder a student's success and behavior. Research has indicated that unaddressed sensory needs may lead to disruptive behaviors and reduced educational engagement and participation. The purpose of this project was to empower educators with the understanding and tools to identify sensory needs and to shape sensory-supportive environments, ensuring students can thrive to their fullest potential in their educational occupations.

Method: The Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model was the theoretical framework that guided this project. …

Supporting Interoceptive Learning Across Environments: A Guide For Educators And Caregivers, Jamie M. Steinhoff

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Children aged four to six experience rapid brain development, advancing language skills, and understanding of the human body (Schaan et al., 2019). This developmental stage highlights the importance of educators and caregivers teaching interoception to improve preschool-aged children's occupational engagement and emotional regulation. Children lacking developed interoceptive skills may encounter difficulties regulating their emotions, impacting activities such as play, social participation, education, and health management (Arnold et al., 2019). This product was developed to offer caregivers and educators a comprehensive understanding of interoception through a handbook and training sessions containing strategies, exercises, tools, and activities to facilitate interoceptive development …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy To Support Engagement In Activities For Adults Throughout The Cancer Continuum, Alexis Brolsma

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: More than 18 million people currently living in the United States have received a cancer diagnosis sometime throughout their lives. Advancements in treatment for cancer are increasing the livelihood of those surviving cancer, but there are lasting challenges. More than 40% of individuals within the cancer continuum continue to experience performance challenges with their daily tasks. Occupational therapy can target these challenges, but this profession is underutilized within cancer care. The purpose of this project was to increase awareness of occupational therapy’s role in cancer care, educate providers, and create a resource to address the needs of the cancer …

Supporting Occupational Performance For Children With Cancer, Rachel Elise Koenig

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this doctoral experience was divided into two categories: a) advanced clinical practice and b) needs assessment and completion of project. The advanced clinical practice objectives were to implement evidence-based evaluations and interventions to children with cancer, collaborate with parents and interprofessional team members, and adhere to safety precautions for children with cancer. The project-based objectives focus was to translate knowledge to practice by aiding in the transition process of children with cancer when leaving the hospital.

Method: The primary author completed a literature review of best practices for children with cancer prior to their arrival on-site. …

Engage As You Age: An Interprofessional Toolkit To Increase Meaningful Activity In Long-Term Care Facilities, Annah Greenmyer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Engage as You Age: An Interprofessional Toolkit to Increase Meaningful Activity in long-term care Facilities

Background: When making the major life transition of moving into a long-term care facility, older adults have an increased chance of experiencing negative mental health symptoms. During this life transition, older adults may experience loss of self-efficacy, because of the shift from their preferred roles and activities. When older adults do not engage in their preferred activities and/or roles, they may experience loss of motivation or energy which can eventually lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. For residents in rural long-term care facilities, …

Navigating The Wheelchair Recommendation Process: A Preventative Approach For Rural Providers, Kelsey M. Rajewsky

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Navigating the Wheelchair Recommendation Process: A Preventative Approach for Rural Providers

Background: Wheelchair procurement is a complex process that begins with patients seeing their physician for a prescription and guidance on where to go for step two. It is this critical second step that can make the difference for someone receiving a basic wheelchair meant for short-term use, or a referral to a practitioner specializing in seating and wheeled mobility. While getting to a physician's office can be challenging for all wheelchair users, a rural wheelchair user experiences additional barriers such as limited resources available locally, culture, and difficulties …

Increasing Quality Of Life And Well-Being Among Older Adults Living In An Assisted Living Facility Through Engaging In A Wellness Program., Hannah Steckler

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The focus of this scholarly project was to create a group protocol to increase the quality of life and well-being of older adults living in an assisted living facility (ALF). Furthermore, it promotes increased engagement in meaningful activities to combat health disparities and provide education on various areas of wellness. Older adults' quality of life and well-being are impacted when residing in an ALF due to decreased engagement in wellness activities (Bartley et al., 2018; Morgan et al., 2016). Furthermore, risk factors and health disparities increase among the older adult population, which causes a negative impact on everyday routines …

Addressing Burn Scarring And Contractures While Measuring Range Of Motion, Josie F. Sylte

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: In the community of healthcare professionals that work with individuals who have survived a burn injury there has been a shift in the way that range of motion (ROM) is being measured taking into consideration the use of cutaneous functional units (CFUs), multi joint movements, and burn scarring and contractures (Parry et al., 2019). Working with a burn intensive care unit therapy team a need was identified to address therapist education and the integration of revised positioning for measuring ROM following a burn injury and throughout the rehabilitation process.

Method: To determine the needs of the burn facility a …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Addressing The Mental Health Of Transitioning Postsecondary Students, Katie Koxlien, Amorelle Upton, Kiley Washnieski

Critically Appraised Topics

There is an increasing concern for mental health in university students transitioning to postsecondary education. For the purposes of this study, we were concerned with the overall mental health of university students, not specific to diagnosed mental illnesses. Mental health is “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community” (World Health Organization, 2022, para. 1). This may impact the individual’s ability to function on a daily basis and interact with others within their educational setting. The role of a student …

Examining The Efficacy Of Music-Applied Therapies On The Upper Extremity Of Post-Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Haley Galvis

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide, due to an interruption of blood flow to the brain, which ultimately results in necrotic cell death. This pathological cascade has ramifications in neurological motor, sensory, and behavior deficits. Recent research has used a therapeutic application of music as a vehicle to improve motor function of post-stroke patients. Music-supported therapy is a newer class of music therapy that works to improve motor function through a standardized program of keyboard and drum exercises, and it is continuing to be integrated into the field of rehabilitation.

This study aims to search areas …

Establishing Guidelines For Implementing Electronic Hand Hygiene Monitoring Systems, Olaoti Opaleye

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in hospitals threaten patient safety and quality of care, which leads to increased healthcare costs. Despite national and state-level progress in hand hygiene compliance (HHC), the 2022 CDC annual report on HAIs highlighted ongoing concerns for standard infection ratios (SIRs) and called for improved HHC to reduce HAIs. Many hospitals use trained observers to collate HHC data; their audits are limited and often skewed by the Hawthorne Effect (HE) and observer bias, resulting in inaccurate HHC data. This project aimed to create guidelines for implementing electronic hand hygiene monitoring systems (EHHMSs) to help hospital inpatient units adopt …

Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy: The Effects Of Art Media On Mindfulness And Stress Reduction In College Students, Isabella Sziraczky

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

This mixed-methods, mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) study explores how different art media and tools affect mindfulness and stress reduction in university students. Undergraduate and graduate university students (N = 11) were recruited to participate in the single-session art therapy study. Participants engaged in a brief mindfulness exercise, known as a body-scan meditation, followed by 20 minutes of art-making. The students who volunteered to participate in this study were randomly assigned to one of two groups — collage or acrylic paint — which determined the media they used for the MBAT portion of the study. Data was collected from students before …

Diagnostic Utility Of Chest Radiographs In Children With Clinically Diagnosed Pneumonia As Per The Kenya Basic Paediatric Protocol, Ivy Waruguru Wakahora

Master of Medicine in Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology

Introduction; Pneumonia causes significant morbidity and mortality in children globally, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis. While chest radiographs have traditionally been the gold standard for diagnosis, recent international guidelines discourage their routine use in paediatric community acquired pneumonia (pCAP). Despite this, chest radiographs are still regularly acquired for pneumonia diagnosis, resulting in practice variations and imaging overutilization. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic utility of chest radiographs in children with clinically diagnosed pneumonia as per the Kenya Basic Paediatric Protocol (KBPP).

Materials and methods: Data was retrospectively reviewed of 159 paediatric patients at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi …

Improving Patient Safety And Continuity Of Care By Educating Nurses About Standardized Handoffs In The Post-Anesthesia Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Project, Remi Dos Santos

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Effective communication during patient handoffs is crucial for ensuring patient safety and continuity of care. The I-PASS handoff tool has been identified as an effective method to standardize communication and reduce errors during these critical transitions.

Local Problem: In the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) of a hospital in New England, the lack of standardized procedures for nurse handoffs posed a risk to patient safety and care quality.

Methods: A quality improvement project was conducted using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle to implement and evaluate an educational intervention aimed at improving PACU nurses' proficiency with the I-PASS handoff tool. Pre- and …

Role Of Edaravone Nanosuspension In Preterm Labor And Birth Outcomes, Sruthi Sarvepalli

Theses and Dissertations

Annually, preterm birth (PTB) affects fifteen million infants, posing a significant risk of infant mortality and lifelong disability. Among various triggers, it is well-established that infection-associated oxidative stress and inflammation can induce preterm labor. There is no FDA approved medication for the prevention of PTB except tocolytics which provide marginal benefit at a later stage. Scarcity of therapeutic intervention and unmet medical need propelled us in investigating a novel drug molecule. Our current research is focused on investigating the potential of Edaravone (EDA), an FDA-approved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory medication, in delaying preterm labor and improving neonatal outcomes. Our goal is …

Effectiveness Of Education-Based Programs And Preventative Strategies On Oral Health Outcomes For Older Adults In Rural Communities: A Critically Appraised Topic, Meagan Barnes Pearson, Abby Ellenberger, Becca Valdez

Critically Appraised Topics

Elderly adults in rural populations are facing difficulties with oral health due to accessibility difficulties, lower socioeconomic status, and decreased OHL. Limited research has been conducted on occupational therapy interventions within this specific occupational domain, or with this particular population. This CAT investigates the positive impacts oral health education programs that incorporate preventative strategies have on the oral health outcomes of the aging population living in rural locations when implemented by occupational therapists alongside an interdisciplinary team.

Contexts Contributing To Burnout And Potential Coping Strategies To Support Work-Life Balance And Health Management Among Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Nora Duren, Kearyn Nelsen, Jada Welke

Critically Appraised Topics

The focus of this critically appraised topic paper is the aspects of burnout that occupational therapy (OT) practitioners face in a professional capacity, as well as environmental and personal contexts (AOTA, 2020) that have been shown to reduce the intensity of burnout within the profession. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), context can be described as the “broad context that encompasses environment and personal factors” (p. 36). “Environmental factors are aspects of the physical, social, and attitudinal surroundings in which people live and conduct their lives” (AOTA, 2020, p. 36). Additionally, the AOTA defines personal factors as the …

The Role Of Occupational Therapists Working With Adults With Substance Use Disorder In Rural Areas, Kyra M. Jessen, Jackie M. Middendorf

Critically Appraised Topics

This critically appraised topic paper focused on the availability of occupation-based interventions for adults (18 years and older) faced with substance use disorders in rural areas. The main factors to consider in this scenario were the population of rural areas, substance use services in rural areas, and the role of occupational therapy. The U.S. Census Bureau did not directly define rural but instead considered rural to be any area that is not urban, while urban areas were considered to have more than 50,000 people and urban clusters were stated to have between 2,500 and 50,000 people (U.S. Department of Agriculture, …

State Politics And Stress Amongst Lgbtq+ Students At Florida’S Private Colleges: A Psychological And Normative Analysis, Alise Fortune

Honors Program Theses

The recent wave of anti-LGBTQ+ politics and policies in Florida pose potential risks to the mental health and well-being of Florida’s LGBTQ+ students. The present study surveyed LGBTQ+ students attending private colleges in Florida to measure their self-reported stress levels in comparison to non-LGBTQ+ students, the level at which they believed specific sources of stress contributed to their stress levels, their level of distress upon experiencing discrimination, their sense of sexual identity distress, and their awareness of and involvement in advocacy against Florida’s anti-LGBTQ+ bills. Survey results suggested that anti-LGBTQ+ politics in Florida and the personal lives (social and family …

Dance Intervention For Stroke Rehabilitation: Restoring Occupational Performance Through Creative Movement, Olivia Paige Allen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Thousands of individuals are affected by cerebral vascular accidents, (CVA), also known as strokes in the United States each year, (CDC, 2023). Cerebral vascular accidents are one of the leading causes of death among the elderly population in the U.S. each year, (NIH et al., 2023). The deficits caused by a CVA can be global, from hemiparetic limbs and sensory loss to psychosocial impacts on an individual and their support system. In occupational therapy, the goal is to regain as much function and independence as possible for the individual who has experienced a CVA. Although many evidence-based intervention tools are …

Human Cell Modeling Of Cdkl5-Deficiency Disorder With Patient-Derived Organoids And Hd-Mea, Alyssa Paynton

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is an X-linked disorder that leads to severe cognitive impairments as well as infantile epilepsy. The only FDA approved therapy helps to reduce seizure frequency, however there are currently no cures approved. While murine models have proven useful in characterizing CDD, there are limitations due to differences in brain structure and development across species that may lead to the reported lack of spontaneous seizures in the mouse, a hallmark in humans affected by this disorder. By the utilization of patient-specific iPSCs generated into cerebral organoids, a more comprehensive and in-depth analysis into rare neurological disorders, such …

The Effect Of Interval Time On Time To Exhaustion During High Intensity Interval Training Running In Recreational Male Runners, Abraham Castrejon

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

High Intensity interval Training (HIIT) in running prescription can be applied in a variety of different ways, but HIIT prescription lacks specificity and efficiency in determining what duration of interval is optimal for improved aerobic performance. The purpose of this study was to test different HIIT protocols with a 1:1 ratio active: recovery intervals of 2:2 minute (Protocol 1), 4:4 minute (Protocol 2) and a continuous run trial (CRT). Seven recreational male runners (Age= 23.1 ± 3.4 yr, Height= 1.80 ± 0.1, Weight= 75.8 ± 9.6) performed a maximal oxygen consumption test (60.5 ± 4.9 ml/kg/min) with a graded exercise …

How Phonological And Syntactic Overlap Impact Cognate Processing Speeds In Bilinguals, Ella Marie Peterson

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

This paper investigates individuals who are proficient in two languages (bilinguals) and the speeds at which bilinguals process cognates (words with comparable form and meaning across languages). This paper cites two ongoing experiments: The Language Identification (LID) task and the Self-Paced Listening (SPL) task. Findings from the LID suggest that phonological overlap in cognates facilitates bilingual language processing speeds, when cognates are presented in isolation. Findings from the SPL suggest that syntactic overlap in cognates also facilitates bilingual language processing speeds, when cognates are presented in sentences. These findings are significant in that the tasks present cognates to participants in …