Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Training And Thickening Skills Among Food Service Professionals In Early Intervention Day Treatment Facilities, Keelin G. Fullen

Student Theses and Dissertations

Dysphagia, defined as impaired swallowing, affects children and is often treated by modifying food textures and thickening liquids before consumption. Early intervention day treatment (EIDT) facilities serve children with developmental delays and medical conditions that may require food modification such as thickened liquids. Inaccuracies in thickened liquid consistency have been documented in multiple professions, leading to potential negative health implications for the consumer. This study aimed to evaluate food service providers in EIDT facilities and the implementation of thickened liquids plans, training factors, and the accuracy of liquid thickening. Using interviews with five administrators (n=5) and observation of thickened liquid …

Enhancing Provider Knowledge With Phq-9 Education, Laurette Abunaw

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression represents a significant public health concern that often remains undiagnosed or untreated, primarily due to insufficient systematic screening in primary care settings. The lack of standardized screening tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) elevates patient risks, increasing symptom severity, increasing suicide rates, and delaying interventions. Research studies show that a significant number of individuals with depression go untreated for long durations, with primary care settings recognizing only a small percentage of cases. The PHQ-9 is an effective tool for assessing and monitoring depression in a primary care setting, leading to early detection of symptom severity. Clinical practice …

Nourishing Movement: Nutrition For Parkinson's Wellness, Alexa E. Shever

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was conducted in collaboration with Bridges for Parkinson's, an organization designed to connect people living with Parkinson's Disease to a community that engages them in a specialized fitness program that helps them rediscover hope and joy and connect them to other resources to improve overall quality of life. The primary objective was to understand the lived experience of individuals with PD and develop PD specific nutrition education and programming for PD fighters and their care partners to use in fighting back against PD. The specific nutrition topics in the education and programming include Whole Foods, Hydration, …

Supporting Occupational Identity In Senior Collegiate Athletes, Kara Montilla, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Capstone project designed to support the transition of retired collegiate athletes by promoting occupational identity and mental well-being. Built upon occupational therapy theories, the program addresses key challenges such as loss of routine, social reintegration, and identity development post-sport. It incorporates goal setting, time management strategies, and group discussions to foster self-exploration and resilience. The project aims to build a supportive environment that empowers athletes to thrive beyond their athletic careers.

Influence Of Collectivist Cultural Values On Occupational Roles And Mental Health Of First-Generation College Students, Guenne Sarmiento, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

First-generation college students (FGCS) from collectivist backgrounds often encounter unique challenges as they navigate academic duties alongside familial responsibilities. These challenges are influenced by collectivist cultural values (CCV), which prioritize family ties, community cohesion, and collective well-being. This capstone project utilizes the Kawa Model to illustrate the supportive and unsupportive factors in the lives of these students, examining how cultural expectations, occupational roles, and mental health intersect. It emphasizes the critical role of occupational therapy in unraveling and addressing these complexities.

A Program To Empower Neurodivergent Individuals And Their Caregivers To Advocate For Individualized Sensory Needs And Prepare For Medical Appointments, Eden Singh, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga, Valerie Schlieder

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Neurodivergent individuals frequently experience sensory processing challenges that can limit participation in healthcare. This project aimed to develop a program that equips neurodivergent individuals and their caregivers with the tools to understand sensory processing, advocate for individualized needs, and effectively prepare for medical appointments. Guided by occupational therapy theory and frameworks, the program includes caregiver education, interactive activities, and accessible resources focused on sensory regulation and advocacy. This project emphasizes the role of occupational therapy in promoting equitable and person-centered healthcare experiences.

Occupational Impact Of Losing A Parent At A Young Age, Hailee Litchfield, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of children who faced the death of a parent before the age of 18. With an emphasis on the specific occupational impact that resulted directly after the loss and then further into adulthood, 5 themes arose from the participants' responses. Unexpected roles changes, fear of loss, lack of support, loss of meaning, and family traditions lead to the identification of varying occupations, environmental factors and performance patterns that were impacted in some way. The results of this study highlight the need for more equipped, accessible and age appropriate bereavement services, as well as …

Culturally Competent Diabetes Management Guide For African Immigrants, Bryce Hunderman

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Abstract

Background: Culturally competent care is a cornerstone in medicine to address health disparities and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. Suboptimal diabetes management was noted within a federally qualified health center in the Midwest along with a lack of culturally competent diabetes education available for African immigrants. The research question for this project is: Will a culturally appropriate diabetes management guide that addresses barriers to diabetes management improve African immigrant’s understanding and abilities to manage diabetes within a federally qualified health center in the Midwest?

Methods: A culturally competent diabetes management guide for African immigrants was created. We …

Implementing A Six-Week Intermodal Expressive Arts Therapy Program For Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease: A Practitioner-Based Perspective, Sara Adams

Expressive Therapies Theses

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects motor function, emotional well-being, and social engagement. While traditional rehabilitation approaches emphasize physical therapy and medication management, emerging research highlights the potential of creative arts therapies in addressing the multidimensional challenges of PD. This thesis explores the implementation of an intermodal expressive arts therapy intervention designed to support individuals with PD through dance, music, drama, and visual arts. Conducted over six weeks within a community support group in Nova Scotia, the program included guided visualization, Brain Dance exercises, creative movement, drama-based activities, and reflective art-making. A qualitative, practitioner-based method was used, …

Implementing A Standardized Colorectal Cancer Screening Protocol To Enhance Screening Rates In A Primary Care Setting, Sam Terranova

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant health concern in the United States, ranking third in incidence and mortality among all cancers. Despite established screening guidelines, adherence often falls short in primary care settings. This quality improvement project aimed to enhance CRC screening rates in a Midwest primary care practice through implementation of a standardized screening protocol. The intervention was two-fold and consisted of the routine ordering of fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kits to eligible patients and the use of electronic health record (EHR)-based patient reminders. Screening completion rates were monitored over a four-month period and compared to pre-intervention rates from …

The Benefits Of Leukocyte Depletion Filters For Blood Product Administration During Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Scoping Review, Amber J. Helms

Student Works

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a critical component in cardiac surgery, enabling surgeons to perform complex procedures while maintaining systemic perfusion, oxygenation, and a bloodless field. Despite advancements in the CPB circuit design, prime solutions, and management strategies, complications such as inflammatory responses, coagulopathy, and organ dysfunction remain common. Therefore, identifying best practices that optimize perfusion parameters and improve patient outcomes is paramount.

Despite the best efforts, every patient has an inflammatory response to CPB, and it is not unusual to receive a blood product transfusion during CPB. A leukocyte depletion filter (LDF) is a device used in blood transfusions …

Utilization Of Zinc As A Supplemental Treatment To Prostate Cancer, Cony Cs Chow, Vishal Ahuja, Luis Mangiafico

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Prostate cancer remains as a significant contributor to mortality among men worldwide, and despite advancements in treatment, there is still a need for adjunct therapies that could assist in mitigating the progression of this disease. Zinc is an essential trace element which plays a crucial role in the function of the prostate and has shown signs of influencing the development of prostate cancer. This prospective study will aim to evaluate the effects of zinc supplementation on the progression of prostate cancer through a controlled experimental design. Participants will include patients who are diagnosed with prostate cancer (stages 1-3) and will …

Teachers’ Knowledge Of Pediatric Voice Disorders And Their Attitudes Toward Children With Voice Disorders, Hannah G. Hopper

Student Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This study aims to observe elementary school teachers’ knowledge and attitudes of voice disorders in children. Method: Seventy-nine elementary school teachers electronically completed the survey on Qualtrics. Results: The results of this study support the theory that teachers have limited knowledge of voice and voice disorders and that children with abnormal voices are rated less favorably than their peers with normal voices. In addition, it was found that teachers' knowledge does not correlate with their attitudes toward pediatric voice samples. Conclusion: Data from the current study reveal that teachers have limited knowledge and often do not view children equally …

Students In Healthcare Professions: Their Knowledge Of Speech-Language Pathology, Savannah Hicks

Student Theses and Dissertations

This research provides insight into interprofessional collaboration between healthcare students and advocates for speech-language pathology (SLP) by highlighting the necessity to increase the awareness of SLPs’ responsibilities and interprofessional education across all disciplines throughout college education. Specifically, healthcare professionals need to have a complete understanding of what type of care patients are receiving or who they may need to be referred to. In this research study, healthcare students completed a survey to determine their knowledge of speech-language pathology and the amount of collaboration with SLPs. The qualitative results were analyzed with coding, which created a thematic analysis. The results revealed …

Speech-Language Pathology And Counseling: Confronting Communication And Swallowing Disorders At The End Of Life, Samuel Parker Wooten

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study was conducted to gain a better understanding of how speech-language pathologists (SLP) prepare for and provide professional counseling to those at the end-of-life stage. Participants in this study consisted of SLPs from northeast Arkansas with at least three years of experience providing counseling in an English-speaking setting to individuals at the end-of-life stage. Interviews were conducted using Zoom software, where they were recorded and then transcribed via a speech-to-text transcription service. The data were then analyzed by the primary investigator to determine themes and attitudes regarding professional counseling at the end of life. The results of the …

Agricultural Farmers' Perceptions Of Farm-Related Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, Charlene Phillips

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to assess Arkansas farmers’ hearing health, perceptions, and knowledge of noise-induced hearing loss and the use of hearing protection devices. Three questions were formed to outline the primary focus areas of the current study. The following questions are outlined: What is the hearing health of farmers in Arkansas? What are the attitudes of farmers in Arkansas toward noise-induced hearing loss and the use of hearing protection devices? What is the knowledge level of farmers in Arkansas regarding noise levels, noise exposure, and harmful effects of noise-induced hearing loss? Ninety-six Arkansas farmers electronically completed a thirty-question survey on …

The Caregiver Perspective Of The Speak Out!® Program, Caitlyn Marie Moore

Student Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological qualitative study aims to explore the perspectives of caregivers of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) participating in the SPEAK OUT!® program and to assess its potential to alleviate some aspects of caregiver burden. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with six caregivers. These results highlighted overarching themes of program benefits, caregiver challenges, and caregiver rewards while expressing challenges with the program. Caregivers mentioned that the participants had challenges with inconsistent practice and resistance to applying the skills they learned from the program daily. While caregivers did perceive benefits and no adverse changes due to the SPEAK OUT!® program, …

Increasing Resources And Meaningful Participation For A Successful Community Reentry, Lindsay A. Molloy

OTD Capstone Projects

Dismas House is an approved Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC), 501(c)(3) non-profit residential re-entry program serving men who are returning to the community from Tennessee prisons and county jails. The purpose of this capstone experience is to work with the residents of Dismas House by supporting them as they face barriers reentering society after incarceration. Dismas House offers services under their "Four Pillars of Programming", which includes basic needs, health & well-being, life skills, and legal support. These four pillars were taken under consideration when creating resources and implementing new programming for the residents. Outcomes of this project included creating …

Evidence Based Resource Creation: Building Knowledge And Supporting Curriculum Rationale For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities At Friends Life Community, Ruth D. Jones

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project was completed in collaboration with Friends Life Community (FLC), a nonprofit, community-based day program that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A comprehensive needs assessment revealed a gap in evidence-based research supporting the purpose and impact of FLC’s daily curriculum. Additionally, there was a need for custom outcome measurement tools to better capture the growth and progress of program participants. In response, the focus of this capstone was to develop an educational resource tailored for multiple stakeholder audiences, including FLC staff, parents/caregivers, board members, and donors. The goal of the resource was to reinforce the …

Making Moves: Magnifying The Move Inclusive Dance Professional Development Workshop 2025, Abigail G. Smith

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a 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 aim of this project was to create a full-scale professional development program for special education teachers to learn how to incorporate movement into their classrooms. An occupational therapy-based handout was created using evidence-based research and provided to all workshop participants. The project involved planning and executing the workshop, while also providing participants with resources to learn more about to importance of movement in …

Neural Patterns Of Self-Efficacy And Resulting Changes After Cognitive Rehabilitation In Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Emma N. Tribbey

Theses

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) often leads to cognitive impairments, which can significantly affect recovery outcomes. Although there are many different interventions available for individuals with mTBI, evidence-based research has indicated that cognitive rehabilitation programs can lead to significant improvement in psychological symptoms as well as psychosocial and vocational functioning in mTBI. Additionally, clinical research has identified a construct, self-efficacy, or the belief in one's capacity to achieve goals, that may play a critical role in further improving cognitive rehabilitation outcomes. Current research examining self-efficacy and cognitive rehabilitation in mTBI has found that higher self-efficacy is associated with greater treatment …

Animal-Assisted Therapy With Children In Hospitals And Schools: A Systematized Review, Tantine Kendig

LSU Master's Theses

It has been demonstrated that animals can offer humans significant health benefits. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a growing form of therapy used in various settings to enhance the health of children, encompassing both physical and mental wellness. The challenges of hospitalization and the school environment have been shown to pose different challenges for children, such as an increase in anxiety, stress, depression, and others that have the potential to affect their mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy, specifically dog-assisted therapy, on children in hospital and school settings by conducting a …

The Association Between Visit-To-Visit Variability In Risk Factors And Incident Cvd: A Post-Hoc Analysis Of The Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis, Abderrahim Oulhaj, Abubaker Suliman, Malak Bentaleb, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Rachid Bentoumi, Stephen J. Sharp, Harald Sourij

All Works

Our aim is to investigate the association between visit-to-visit variability of nine risk factors and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a large multi-ethnic population cohort study. We used the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort. We included individuals with no previous history of CVD, with at least three repeated measurements on each risk factor including total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, non-HDL, triglyceride, Chol/HDL ratio, Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), Systolic Blood Pressure (DBP), and Body mass index (BMI). Visit-to-visit variability was estimated via the variability independent of the mean (VIM). A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the association between …

04.21.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

ORED Stakeholder Meetings

SEC Travel Grants

An App-Based Education Course Empowering Coaches To Support Neurodivergent Athletes, Caroline Morton, Karen Park

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Neurodivergent children face significant barriers to participation in youth sports due to a lack of coach education and inclusive practices, which limits access to the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional benefits of recreational activities. This doctoral capstone project aimed to address these barriers through the development and implementation of CoachAbility, an app-based educational course designed to equip youth sports coaches with neurodiversity-affirming approaches. The course includes interactive modules, scenario-based quizzes, and downloadable resources covering key areas such as sensory processing, communication, emotional regulation, inclusion, family collaboration, and motor skill development. Participating coaches at KidStrong Carlsbad completed the course over four …

Opening The Outdoors: Experiences Of Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color (Bipoc) Adults In Outdoor Occupations To Support Mental Health, Jasmine Reynoso, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This mixed methods study explores the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) adults in exploring and engaging in outdoor occupations to support mental health. Through 15 survey responses and 2 semi-structured interviews, data was collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and reflective thematic analysis. The findings revealed three overarching themes: Barriers to Outdoor Occupations, Facilitators to Encourage Participation, and Personally Experienced Benefits. Participants explained how outdoor activities contribute to improved mental health, emotional regulation, and a sense of holistic well-being. By addressing the gap in research on nature-based occupations within BIPOC communities, this study highlights the need …

Discovering The Cultural Impacts On Asian American, Pacific Islander (Aapi) Occupations From Adolescent Experiences, Jasmine Chew, Karen Park

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Among the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) population, there is a gap in mental health (MH) utilization and seeking support for anxiety and depression (Wu et al., 2021). Adolescents experience a higher risk for self-isolating behaviors and struggle to find appropriate support (Ai et al., 2022; Santos & Kawabata, 2023). Based on cultural and socio-political contexts, what is the occupational impact on AAPI adolescents? How do cultural factors impact the utilization of community-based MH services?

Method: A convergent mixed methods study of unobtrusive data (n = 14), surveys (n = 29), and interviews (n = 4) was …

Family-Centered Care In Pediatric Oncology, Olivia B. Hope, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga Otd, Otr/L

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Pediatric cancer is a medical condition defined by the development of cancerous cells in children and adolescents. Play is a child’s job; it creates a sense of belonging, fills their internal desire to participate in various environments, and allows them to develop sensory, motor, and cognitive skills. The PEOP model further structured this study by providing a comprehensive framework that considers the interactions between the child, their environment, and their occupational participation. This research project used a qualitative, exploratory design to understand how play-based interventions may enhance FCC in the pediatric oncology setting. Thematic analysis was utilized to create five …

Exploring The Benefits Of Nature-Based Occupations And Transition Into Retirement, Kelly Gorton, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster outlines a doctoral capstone project that explores how nature-based occupations can support older adults transitioning into retirement, addressing their unique needs and improving their overall quality of life. The transition into retirement can be a challenging time, often accompanied by anxiety, loss of routine, and social isolation. Nature-based occupations offer significant benefits, such as improved mood, reduced stress, a sense of purpose, and increased social engagement. This poster emphasizes the importance of understanding older adults' attitudes and behaviors toward nature-based occupations to maximize their benefits. It also examines how occupational therapists can integrate nature-based interventions to help older …

Employee Wellness In Acute Mental Health Settings – An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Ethan Gross, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster outlines a doctoral capstone project focused on addressing the holistic factors influencing patient recovery and well-being in acute mental health settings. A comprehensive needs assessment was conducted to identify knowledge gaps, sources of staff stress, and environmental barriers impacting occupational performance. Findings informed the development of a staff-focused program aimed at mitigating stressors and enhancing therapeutic engagement. In addition, a report will be created with evidence-based recommendations for physical environment modifications to support both patient and employee well-being and occupational participation