Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Importance Of Optimizing Engagement In Early Childhood Classrooms: The Development Of An Evidence-Based Teacher Resource Kit, Elizabeth G. Campbell

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Doctoral Capstone Project: The Importance of Optimizing Engagement in Early Childhood Classrooms: The Development of an Evidence-Based Teacher Resource Kit

Background

Preschool classrooms play a critical role in preparing children for future academic and social success. Engagement in daily learning activities and appropriate classroom behaviors are essential for school readiness, yet many preschool-aged children struggle with sustained participation due to environmental, sensory, and developmental factors (Zubler et. Al.. 2022). Teachers are often the first to observe these challenges but may lack practical strategies and resources to support children effectively. Occupational therapy emphasizes participation in meaningful occupations, making it well-suited to …

Implementation Of Standardized Volunteer Training Protocol To Support Executive Functioning Outcomes In Therapeutic Riding, Sydney R. Cornwell

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Executive functioning (EF) skills including inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, are essential for successful participation in daily occupations. Therapeutic riding (TR) programs offer a unique environment where cognitive, sensory, and motor systems can be engaged simultaneously. Limited research, however, exists on how occupational therapy (OT) principles targeting EF can be systemically integrated into TR settings. This quality improvement project was conducted at a nonprofit therapeutic riding program serving children and adults with psychological, emotional, physical, and cognitive challenges. The purpose of the project was to enhance the structure, consistency, and therapeutic values of the riding sessions by introducing and …

Implementation Of A Classroom-Based Sensory Regulation Toolkit To Enhance Participation In Students With Severe Disabilities, Camryn R. Woods

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Students with severe and multiple disabilities often experience sensory processing differences that can adversely impact their ability to engage, participate, and regulate within the classroom environment. Educators frequently report feeling underprepared to address sensory needs and implement effective, practical strategies to support these students. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop and implement a classroom-based sensory regulation toolkit within a specialized educational setting serving students with significant physical and cognitive disabilities.

The primary goals of the project were to (1) increase teacher knowledge and confidence in recognizing sensory processing patterns, (2) provide accessible, evidence-based strategies to support …

Reducing Inter-Rater Discrepancies During Administration Of The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (Copm) Within An Interdisciplinary Research Team, Julia E. Moore

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Background: Consistent administration of outcome measures is essential for producing reliable research data, particularly in stroke rehabilitation where client-centered goals guide intervention (Kelly-Hayes, 2004). The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is widely used to evaluate self-identified occupational performance goals; however, variability in administration among research team members may introduce inter-rater discrepancies and bias in data collection (COPM) (n.d.). Within the Medical University of South Carolina Stroke Recovery Research Center, inconsistent COPM administration was identified during analysis of data and informal interviewing from an ongoing study. Informal interviews were conducted with 7 occupational therapists experienced in neurorehabilitation to identify barriers to …

Enhancing Workplace Readiness Through Social Skills Training For Adults With Idd, Caroline Crowe

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often experience barriers to employment related to limited opportunities to develop and practice professional social skills within supportive environments. This capstone project aimed at enhancing workplace readiness among adults with IDD by implementing a structured social skills training program focused on professional communication. The program was conducted at a day center for adults with IDD and served 10–15 participants seeking employment opportunities, with staff involvement to support sustainability.

A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating informal staff interviews, participant observations, weekly skill demonstration scoring, and post-intervention surveys completed by both participants and staff. The …

Program Development Of Incorporating Dance Therapy Into Occupational Therapy Practice For Sensory Regulation In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Taylor Briske, Keisa Boykin, Katherine O'Hara

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this project was to develop and implement a program to educate occupational therapists on how to effectively integrate dance therapy as an intervention to address sensory regulation in children with autism.

Bridging The Gap: Advocating For Improved Integrated Occupational Therapy Services In Prosthetic Care, Sarah A. Paddock, Keisa Boykin, Cheryl Sheffield

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This advocacy project focused on advocating for increased OT services in prosthetic care from pre-amputation to post-amputation.

Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living (Iadl) Education To Support Role Transition For Teen Mothers In Underserved Communities, Ayanna Johnson, Lakeisa Boykin, Jessica De Brun

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project focuses on researching the unique challenges faced by teenage mothers in low-socioeconomic communities and developing occupation-based strategies to support their transition into motherhood. The aim was to enhance their independence and effectiveness in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), such as child-rearing, home and financial management, community engagement, and meal preparation.

Dens Invaginatus Prevalence In Maxillary Lateral Incisors In Egyptian Population: Cone Beam Computed Tomography 3-Dimensional Analysis, Marwa Ezz, Sherif Heidar, Mahinaz Reda Abdelhamed

Dentistry

Introduction: Dens invaginatus also called dens in dente is frequent developmental anomaly, most commonly affect maxillary lateral incisors. It can create an inflammatory and microbial pathway that may compromise pulp vitality. Once detected, intervention must be planned. Aim of the study : This study investigated Dens invaginatus prevalence in maxillary lateral incisors in Egyptian population and its categorization according to Oehlers classification using CBCT. Materials and Methods This study assessed 296 cone beam computed tomography scans including a total number of 592 maxillary lateral incisor. Two experienced examiners: an oral and maxillofacial radiologist and an endodontist, inspected Dens invaginatus in …

Understanding Post-Nicu Caregiver Mental Health And Occupational Participation: Implications For Healthcare Practice, Emily S. Knight

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone project explored the mental health challenges experienced by caregivers following their infant’s discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the resulting impact on occupational participation. Using a mixed-methods design, data was collected through an anonymous survey of 46 post-NICU caregivers, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative responses. Findings revealed that caregivers commonly experienced significant mental health concerns, including stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, particularly within the first year following discharge. Although results demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in mental health over time, many caregivers reported limited access to mental health resources and professional support. Importantly, the study …

From Missed To Measured: Understanding And Elevating Functional Cognition In Occupational Therapy, Taylor Card, Zeida Gutierrez, Gordon Giles

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Functional cognition is critical to occupational performance but is often inconsistently assessed in occupational therapy practice. This mixed-methods study explored practitioners’ perspectives, assessment practices, and barriers across clinical settings. Findings revealed a reliance on observation over standardized, performance-based assessments, despite strong recognition of its importance. Barriers included time constraints, limited resources, and role ambiguity. Results highlight a gap between current practice and evidence-based approaches, supporting the need for increased education and improved access to practical assessment tools.

Shift In Caregivers Occupations For Patients With Cerebrovascular Accidents, Hannah M. Ninan, Zeida Gutierrez

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone is to research the impact of assuming the caregiver role for individuals recovering from a CVA on the caregivers’ occupations and their occupational balance. Acquiring this information allows for a deeper understanding of its impacts and informs the implementation of support strategies and interventions to mitigate burnout within the first year of caregiving.

Grade School Population With Autism And The Development Of Social Emotional Skills, Sabrina Cheney, Cynthia Haynes

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose was to create and evaluate the efficacy of an occupational therapy informed program that addressed social skills, promoted emotional well-being, and fostered a sense of belonging for grade school students with ASD by enhancing communication, interaction, and relationship-building skills.

Meeting The Needs Of Students With Low Vision Or Blindness: A Resource Guidebook Through The Occupational Therapy Lens, Zoe E. Wilson, Keisa Boykin

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this project is to develop a guidebook and educational tools to support the academic and social participation needs of students with visual impairments. These tools are intended to help address common challenges children with low vision face in school including difficulties accessing classroom materials, participating in group activities, and keeping up with academic expectations. The guidebook will include evidence-based strategies such as the use of low-vision aids, optical devices, and activity-based supports shown to improve quality of life for children with low vision. By providing practical resources, this project aims to enable educators and occupational therapists to …

Promoting Safety And Community For Dancers, Lauren Tribeck

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with MOVE Inclusive Dance in Nashville, Tennessee. MOVE Inclusive Dance is a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals of all ability levels to learn life skills through dance. The primary goal of this project was to promote safety for dancers and improve MOVE’s community outreach. The project included creating an injury prevention and body mechanics handbook that the studio would be able to keep for their dancers, parents, and teachers to access. A new framework of dance classes for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, and Dementia was created to allow MOVE to promote why …

Nashville Dolphins: Where Swimmers Are Built Beyond The Water, Makenzie Hendley

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Nashville Dolphins. The Nashville Dolphins offer free swim lessons and swim team programs for children and adults with disabilities. The organization serves over 300 swimmers each season and the programs are entirely run by volunteers. The focus of this project was to assist in develop programming and water safety resources. Deliverables provided to the organization include a 10-week swim curriculum for the Little Phins program, a new safety card with the Nashville Dolphins information, and list of schools and local swim teams for potential future partnerships.

The Power Of Connection: Evidence-Based Strategies For Supporting Learners With Autism At Illuminate Academy, Sloan E. Sylvan

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Illuminate Academy, an alternative educational program serving children with autism and developmental disabilities. The project aimed to provide evidence-based support for the organization’s classroom strategies and improve communication of these approaches to families and staff. Key outcomes included the development of a parent-friendly, evidence-based overview of Illuminate Academy’s core strategies, highlighting their role in supporting regulation, engagement, and participation. A concise literature synthesis was created to reinforce these approaches, focusing on sensory processing, co-regulation, play, and participation. Additional contributions included observing a learner during a classroom transition and developing individualized supports …

Bridging Movement Science And Clinical Care: Advancing Evidence-Based Scoliosis Care Through Professional Education And Outreach Initiatives, Megan B. Tenery

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Spiral Spine Pilates (SSP), a Pilates studio specializing in scoliosis that serves clients from adolescents to older adults. SSP offers virtual and in-person private lessons, group classes, teacher training, and a scoliosis-focused retreat. These services are designed to educate individuals with scoliosis and movement practitioners on evidence-based, functional correction movements that support daily living. The primary objectives of this project were to expand SSP’s educational and community reach through the development of a new Pilates certification, an educational email series, a health and wellness podcast, and other outreach efforts. The primary …

Empowerment Of Patients Through Sexual Wellness Programming, Carly M. Busby

OTD Capstone Projects

Abstract:

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Dr. Jenny Archer with Archer Physical Pelvic Floor Therapy. This project highlights empowerment of Dr. Archer and her team through administrative tasks and empowerment of clientele through education materials. The primary deliverable of my project is a six week ‘course,’ addressing pelvic pain through evidence-based therapy practices. Other deliverables include education materials that cover an expanse of pelvic floor and pregnancy related topics. The prominent goal of this capstone project was empowerment through education.

Advocating For Children And Youth With Special Healthcare Needs Through Development Of A Sustainable Ambassador Program At The Center For Courageous Kids.Pdf, Alexandria West

OTD Capstone Projects

Children and youth with special healthcare needs (CYSHCN) often benefit from community-based programs that promote participation, social engagement, and psychosocial well-being. The Center for Courageous Kids (CCK) is a nonprofit medical camp dedicated to providing empowering camp experiences for children with disabilities or lifelong illnesses and their families at no cost. During this doctoral capstone experience, a needs assessment identified limited structured university outreach, decreased volunteer awareness, and the need for improved long-term volunteer recruitment and advocacy efforts.

The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a sustainable ambassador program designed to increase community engagement, strengthen advocacy efforts, and …

Enhancing Family Centered Care, Participation, And Well-Being In The Nicu, Abigail Schweickhardt

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Background

Caregiver mental health is often overlooked or not addressed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). When diving into the literature, themes of anxiety, stress, depression and PTSD are reported from NICU caregivers. A metanalysis study reported many caregivers received short discharge notices, and NICU staff deemed caregivers competent in using their child’s medical equipment after a 15-minute brief. The short notices and lack of knowledge in medical equipment causes caregivers to not feel confident in taking care of their infant (Padratzik, 2022). To help improve caregiver mental health, the family centered care model is the gold standard. Caregivers …

Holding Hope: Empowering Parents Through Perinatal And Nicu Palliative Care, Huntington N. Cotten

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Families receiving perinatal and neonatal Palliative Care (PC) services can experience significant emotional and practical challenges while caring for a child with medical complexities. The Care Companion, a family centered, educational resource, was created in response to survey findings indicating that rehabilitation therapists (OT, PT, and SLP) encountered challenges in providing PC services, followed by site‑specific insights that highlighted additional gaps in family support, education, and parent–infant bonding. This Occupational Therapy (OT) Capstone project was completed within a large academic pediatric medical center providing interdisciplinary PC services to families whose infants have been diagnosed with serious, life‑limiting conditions. The purpose …

Parental Awareness And Response To Cyberbullying: A Qualitative Study Of Nigerian Parents, Adaobi Jennifer Iloakasia, Nneka Anthonia Obumse

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The problem of cyberbullying has been gaining momentum in modern society because of the dynamic development of digital technologies and the extensive use of social media by adolescents. This paper thus examined the parental cognition and reaction to cyberbullying of Nigerian parents with a particular emphasis on Anambra State. The research design in the study was a qualitative one, based on a phenomenological approach to reflect the experiences of parents. Purposive selection of parents with children in secondary schools was done (30 parents). The collection of data was done via semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the …

Adapting As Pioneers: A Phenomenological Study Of First-Batch Medical Students In A New Medical Faculty, Hilma Tsurayya Ifitahurroza, Tisnalia Merdya Andyastanti, Anditri Weningtyas, Rosalie Aurellie Wibowo, Callysta Neysa Yusangka

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Entering medical faculty is inherently demanding for first year student and the challenges are amplified for first-batch students in newly established faculties. These students must navigate academic, social, and professional adaptation simultaneously with evolving institution systems. Understanding their adaptation is essential to support success and resilience. This study aimed to explore the adaptation experiences of first-batch medical students in their first year in a new medical faculty. A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted in September 2024 with seven first-year students at the Faculty of Medicine, State University of Malang, established in 2023. Participants …

Planning For The Transition To Adulthood: Parent Perspectives On The Planning Process And Experiences Of Young Adults With Fragile X Syndrome, Leonard Abbeduto, Jessica Klusek, Julie Lounds Taylor, Angela John Thurman

Faculty Publications

Objectives Relatively few young adults with fragile X syndrome (FXS) meet the normative expectations of adulthood, although there is heterogeneity in this regard. The present study examined the preparation for the transition to adulthood experienced by young adults with FXS and their parents.

Methods Thirty-nine young adults with FXS and their primary caregiving parents participated. Those with FXS were in their last year of, or had recently left, high school or a formal transition program. Parents completed surveys about the formal transition planning process. We examined the role of the young adults’ adaptive behavior skills in transition planning.

Results Among …

Risk Factors Affecting Functional Outcomes Of Traumatic Brain Injury Patients During Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Rehabilitation, Arturo Olazabal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health concern associated with long-term disability and high healthcare utilization. Evidence guiding post-acute rehabilitation for medically complex TBI populations remains limited, particularly in long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) settings serving medically unstable patients. This study examined clinical and system-level factors associated with functional rehabilitation outcomes among adults with moderate-to-severe TBI in LTACHs. Guided by the Socioecological Model, recovery was conceptualized as interactions across individual, clinical, and organizational levels. This dissertation included three manuscripts using cross-sectional logistic regression and CMS Section GG measures. In Manuscript 1, longer time from injury to LTACH admission …

Review Of The Hemodynamic Effects Of Nitroglycerin Use In Acute Myocardial Infarction Subtypes, John Charles

Research Day

Background: Nitroglycerin (NTG) is a medication commonly used for chest pain, often administered in prehospital settings during acute myocardial infarctions (AMI). Current guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommend avoiding NTG in suspected right ventricular myocardial infarctions (RVMI).

Objectives: Review the hemodynamic effects of nitroglycerin in acute myocardial infarction subtypes to reevaluate the validity of its contraindications.

Method: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched, yielding five publications that retrospectively analyzed the effects of NTG on blood pressure (BP) in AMI.

Results: Recent evidence suggests that NTG does not cause a harmful hemodynamic …

Taking A Punch Out Of Medical Imaging: Creating An Affordable 3d Printed Boxers Fracture Hand Model For Radiographic Education., Tanner Leisten, Tyler Greer, Erick Moberg, Joshua Krech, Robert Brockman

Research Day

The most common hand fracture occurs in the fifth metacarpal, and is known as a “boxer’s fracture.” These fractures typically result from direct trauma from punching an object with a closed fist, falls, or motor vehicle accidents. Boxer’s fractures are diagnosed using X-rays to confirm the injury and assess severity. However, extensive bruising and tissue swelling often hides the characteristic depression of the metacarpal head, making clinical evaluation challenging. This project aims to create a low-cost, 3D-printed hand model featuring a boxer’s fracture that can be molded and X-rayed. The model will provide medical students and professionals with an affordable …

Ot’S Role In Promoting Independence And Employment Readiness Skills For Adults With Intellectual Or Developmental Disabilities (Idd), Grace Tompkins, Cynthia Haynes

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project is a six-week program that addresses OT's role in work readiness skills for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) who are living independently in Jacksonville, Florida. This program consisted of six group sessions with topics including social participation, time management, stress management, financial management, personal hygiene, and executive functioning.

Bridging The Unemployment Gap For Individuals With Developmental Disabilities: An Educational Program, Desiree Polite, Cynthia Haynes

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Improving work readiness skills for individuals with developmental disabilities to increase work/volunteer opportunities.