Pediatrics Commons^™

Educating Parents To Reduce Negative Screen Time To Promote Children’S Play, Anna Groden, Cassandra Nelson

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This program will consist of educating caregivers and educators on the ever growing topic of screen time and how to handle it in the current digital world. As screen time and device use continues to grow, parents need the help of an occupational therapist to help promote a healthy use of screen time and to incorporate it into play. Providing caregivers and educators with evidence-based information and interventions is imperative to helping parents navigate proper technology use. An occupational therapist will have the unique ability to help promote balanced screen time use and allowing for healthy play.

Exploring The Relationship Between Hand Grip Strength And Handwriting Proficiency, Chloe Fields, Rebecca King

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Handwriting remains essential for a child's academic performance despite the rise of technology in classrooms, but overuse of digital tools can hinder the development of essential hand muscles and fine motor skills. This capstone project explores the relationship between handwriting proficiency, hand grip strength, and the impact of excessive technology use on young students.

Navigating Life After The Nicu: A Developmental Guide For Preterm And High-Risk Infants And Toddlers, Reagan Lachaussee, Mary Jan Greer Phd, Otr, Theresa Mensi

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Premature and medically fragile infants are at high risk for developmental delays and benefit from ongoing support. Parents often feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to support their child’s development at home. This project addressed gaps in caregiver education and support by developing the PEARLS Program (Promoting Early Achievements, Resilience, and Life Skills), a practical resource tailored to the needs of families and healthcare providers.

A needs assessment and provider feedback guided the program’s development, identifying challenges such as information overload, confusion around corrected age, and feeding difficulties. The PEARLS Program empowers families with digestible, actionable resources, including …

Making An Easy Return To School After An Extended Illness Diagnosis, Ashlyn Eads, Mary Jan Greer, Julie Boykin

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster provides information on the capstone program created at a pediatric site. This program addresses how play-based therapy can help children with an extended illness transition back into the school setting. Both the children and their caregivers need support before, during, and after the return to school. The goals of this program were to educate caregivers on how to advocate for their child for positive outcomes, provide caregivers with resources to promote successful transition to school, provide play-based strategies for children addressing handwriting, social Skills, upper body strength, education, fine Motor Skills, and provide the site and caregivers with …

Utilizing Pupper, A Social Robot Dog, To Increase Happiness And Improve Mood In Pediatric Patients Of A Cardiac Step-Down Unit, Angela Feng Wu

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective The usage of social robots in pediatrics is an emerging field of study. Preliminary research shows that they are effective at improving the psychosocial well-being of pediatric patients. This quality improvement project focuses on Pupper, a newly developed quadruped social robot dog, and its ability in improving mood and happiness in pediatric patients of a cardiac step-down unit. Aim The aim of this project is to increase average mood scores of pediatric cardiac patients aged 3-25 years by 50% from their baseline of 3.75 to 5.63 on a six-point scale within a one-month time frame. Methods Before intervention and …

Benefits Of Multisensory Rooms In Schools To Control Behaviors In Children With Disabilities, Kye Smith, Cassandra Nelson

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project explores the benefits of implementing multisensory rooms in schools to manage challenging behaviors in children with disabilities. Conducted at the Barack and Michelle Obama Ninth Grade Center in Lancaster, TX, the program involved participants aged 13-15 diagnosed with disabilities. A comprehensive needs assessment identified gaps in behavior management and overstimulation challenges. The program was designed using evidence-based strategies, including the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, and incorporated techniques such as the Take Five Breathing Strategy, deep pressure input, chair yoga, and meditation.

Through pre- and post-surveys with students, parents, and teachers, the study evaluated the program's impact on functional independence …

How An Athlete’S Injuries Affect Their Caregiver, John-Luke Taylor, Susan Macdermott

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this proposal was to explore the experiences that caregivers face when their child recovers from a sports injury and needs physical rehab.

Parent Perceptions Of Modified Toy Cars Influence On Play For Children With Disabilities: A Case Study, Taylor Brown, Angela Labrie Blackwell, Erik Pérez, Karen Aranha

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Play is a crucial childhood occupation because it facilitates the growth of various developmental skills. Children with disabilities (CWD) often exhibit intrinsic factors that can prevent them from participating in meaningful childhood occupations, such as play. Mobility play is a specific type of play that refers to any means for the child to explore and move around their environment, which can be accessed through the use of commercially available toys, including motorized toy cars. However, these commercially available toys are not always accessible to this population due to their unique presentation that hinders performance and participation in the desired and …

Adapting Classroom Activities To Increase Social Engagement, Ivie Hacker, Mary Jan Greer Ph.D., Otr

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone program focuses on enhancing the development of children with disabilities through adaptive play strategies. It aims to create a supportive, engaging environment that accommodates the unique needs of children on the autism spectrum. By incorporating individualized play techniques, the program promotes social, emotional, and cognitive skills, fostering greater communication, creativity, and physical coordination. The project explores the role of adaptive play in improving social interactions, reducing sensory sensitivities, and building self-confidence, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being and development of children with autism.

Occupational Impact Of Urinary Incontinence, Hannah Case, Karen Park

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone project was to conduct a research study to identify if children with UI encountered occupational impacts due to their condition, as well as their caregivers. Twelve caregivers participated in an online survey investigating the occupational impact (supports, barriers, and limitations) of being a caregiver to a child who encounters UI. The survey addressed how their child’s UI affects various occupations. The findings indicate a significant impact on leisure participation and home management. The qualitative data was acquired through unobtrusive methods, including narratives, blogs, and lived experiences, to provide the perspective of how UI affects children. …

Exploring The Benefits Of Blazepod Technology Through An Occupational Therapy Lens, Carson Bryan, Cynthia Haynes

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

BlazePod technology is an intervention used successfully in Physical Therapy (PT) to address motor coordination deficits, however, there is limited evidence that OTs can successfully use it as a preparatory intervention with individuals who have motor coordination and cognitive deficits and are unable to independently complete everyday occupations such as dressing, bathing, toileting, etc.

The focus of this project was to provide evidence that supports how the occupational therapy profession can utilize BlazePod technology as a preparatory intervention tool to address motor coordination and cognitive deficits that in turn will enhance ADLs and IADLs.

Development Of A Sensory-Based Intervention Manual For Educators, Bralie Dent, Zeida Gutierrez

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project focused on the development of an educational manual on sensory processing disorder (SPD) for educators. The manual was created as a resource to enhance teachers' understanding of SPD and confidence in implementing sensory-based interventions and accommodations in the classroom for students who have sensory processing difficulties.

Perbedaan Pengaruh Media Edukasi Terhadap Kepatuhan Orang Tua Anak Cerebral Palsy Untuk Melaksanakan Home Program, Khabib Abdullah, Ichsanul Amalia, Aji Sukma Wijaya

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition of movement and function disorders in children that requires continuous physiotherapy. One factor in the successful development of children with CP is the existence of a home program/independent therapy carried out by parents at home. In providing the home program, physiotherapists at YPCP Surabaya gave leaflets to parents. However, this was less effective because it was easily damaged, so the home program media was replaced with video. The effectiveness of both in increasing parental compliance in carrying out the home program every day is not yet known. Objective: to find out the difference in …

Occupational Therapy In Stroke: A Case Study Using The Bobath Frame Of Reference And Task Oriented Approach, Reza Nur Arsyi, Afifah Fadhilah Nursyam, Muhammad Luthfi, Hermito Gidion, Ayleen Alicia Kosasi, Erna Faryza Mohd Poot, Rosilah Wahab, Nur Atiqah Azman

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Stroke is a sudden neurological disorder caused by vascular injury to the brain, leading to significant functional limitations. This case study examines the use of occupational therapy interventions, specifically the Bobath and Task Oriented approaches, for a 43-year-old male with left hemiparesis to enhance independence in motorcycling. The patient experienced various limitations, including vestibular function, range of motion, muscle tone and strength, postural control, and fine motor skills. Using the Ashworth scale and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) for assessment, occupational therapy interventions showed progress in several aspects, although the primary goal has not yet been fully achieved. This …

Terapi Latihan Pada Fase Satu Pasca Operasi Rekonstruksi Ruptur Anterior Cruciate Ligamentum Sinistra, Aunike Arum Meta Wurgani, Irawan Wibisono

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a surgical procedure involving the grafting of the ACL using tendon tissue. This procedure aims to restore knee stability and joint fixation following an ACL injury. Post-ACL reconstruction often leads to complications such as pain, edema, reduced range of motion, and muscle weakness. The physiotherapy program in this case aims to evaluate the effects of physiotherapy interventions, including quadriceps setting, hamstring setting, straight leg raise (SLR), heel slide, ankle pumping, bridging, and prone hang exercises, in reducing edema and pain, as well as improving the range of motion and muscle strength in the knee …

Jump To Box Kombinasi Core Plank Knee To Elbow Terhadap Power Otot Tungkai, Maya Triyanita

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Leg power training is defined as a movement to get the jump in athletes doing the maximum jump smash. Badminton requires leg muscle explosive power because it is the muscle's ability to overcome loads and with a high speed of contraction. This study aims to determine differences in the effect of jump to box training, a combination of core plank knee to elbow on increasing leg power in badminton athletes. This study used an experimental design method with a pre-test and post-test design. The treatment group was given the Jump To Box Combination Core Plank Knee To Elbow exercise. The …

Bowel Clean Out Prior To Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Implantation: Effects On Acute Post-Operative Gastrointestinal Complications, Amanda Lindenberg, Sathya Vadivelu, Brittni Walton, Matthew J. Mclaughlin

Research Days

Background: Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pumps have been used for management of spasticity and dystonia There is limited data on immediate post-operative complications such as GI adverse events after surgery for ITB pump related procedures. This study aimed to compare patients who underwent a pre-operative bowel cleanout to those who did not and the relationship with post-operative nausea, vomiting and constipation requiring an escalation of their bowel regimen.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Pediatric acute care hospital.

Participants: All patients who underwent new ITB pump and/or catheter placement from January 2015-December 2022.

Interventions: Preoperative bowel clean out. Main

Outcome Measure: Quantity …

How Psychological And Nonpharmacological Treatment Modalities Reduce The Disease Burden Of Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes In Pediatrics, Aalia Narvel, Sabrina Gmuca

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The prevalence of pediatric chronic musculoskeletal pain ranges from 8.5% to 40%.¹ This literature review examined the treatment of amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS), which is a general term that represents a spectrum of pain disorders for patients who may not satisfy specific diagnostic criteria.² Specifically, sources were analyzed to compare the efficacy of individual components in the nonpharmacological, interdisciplinary treatment of AMPS against pain medications. These components included cognitive behavioral psychotherapy (CBT), physical therapy (PT), as well as occupational therapy (OT). There is limited information that assesses these components individually, but there is ample evidence that when …

Bal-A-Vis-X Intervention To Improve Upper Limb Coordination In Children With Disability: A Pilot Study, Marta Boot, Zoe Clark, Kyla Hill, Mckenzie Stefanoff, Betsy Donahoe Fillmore, Trisha Renner, Bo Slutz, Mary I. Fisher

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Balance/Auditory/Vision exercises (Bal-A-Vis-X) consists of a series of exercises using sand-filled bags and racquet balls. Most of the exercises are completed while standing on a rocker board and heavily rooted in rhythm. The rhythmic patterns are utilized to facilitate focused concentration, crossing midline, motor planning, right/left awareness, eye-hand coordination, balance, bilateral coordination, body and spatial awareness. Only a few published studies have explored Bal-A-Vis-X as an intervention in therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of Bal-A-Vis-X to improve upper limb coordination in children with motor delays.

Number of Subjects: Fifteen children with motor delays …

Fine Motor Integration For Children With Special Needs And Low Tone, Iliana V. Blancas, Rebecca King

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The topic of focus will be a Fine Motor Integration Program for Children with Special Needs and Low Tone and provide students, parents, teachers, and therapists a resource to aid with the development of these skills. This program hopes to establish the development of the fine motor skills at an early age to reduce the issues that arise later within the school years that stem from lack of fine motor skills within this population.

A Program To Help At Home: Social Skill For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Naomi Solomon, Mary Jan Greer, Justine Faghihifar

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) typically presents in early childhood with delayed or abnormal functioning and according to the CDC (2022), 1 in 44 children have been diagnosed across all demographics. With these high prevalence rates, occupational therapy can be an asset in ASD through a client-centered approach. The problem is the lack of generalization of skills used in the clinic to the home environment to develop and maintain social skills in children with ASD for social participation. This capstone used program development to demonstrate the impact group sessions have on social skills for a child diagnosed with autism by …

Best Screening: Introducing The Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid To Nicus In Tennessee, Gabrielle Sledge

OTD Capstone Projects

Blind Early Services Tennessee (BEST) is an early intervention agency that serves children ages 0-5 with visual impairments across Tennessee. BEST serves over 200 children and families across the state offering early intervention (BEST Start), parent empowerment (BEST Advocate), and family support (BEST Together) programming. The purpose of this project was to assist in the implementation of an early identification initiative (BEST Screening) using the Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid (NAVEG). The NAVEG is a newborn vision screening shown to identify neurological risk for visual impairments. The long-term goal of this program is to promote the screening and early identification …

Childhood Cancer Survivorship: Navigating A New Normal In Middle Tennessee, Karli M. Beaumont

OTD Capstone Projects

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in partnership with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center offers REACH for Cancer Survivorship, a pediatric cancer survivorship clinic. REACH provides a full range of follow-up care designed to meet the physical, emotional, and practical needs of survivors and continuous surveillance of deleterious effects of cancer and its treatments. The purpose of this project was to meet population and agency needs through research of long- and late-term sequela while advocating for occupational therapy’s role in the oncology population through the proactive therapy and prospective surveillance models. The process of creating this project included synthesizing the literature, …

Every Moment Counts (Emc): Understanding School Stakeholder Perceptions Of Positive Mental Health Promotion In The Elementary School Setting. A Preliminary Report., Madeline Malooly, Angela Blackwell, Lauren Thomas

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

For children and adolescents, the prevalence of psychological disorders associated with mental illness continues to rise in North America and is now considered to be the leading cause of disability for this population (Bitsko et al., 2022). It was estimated that between 25 and 50% of adult mental illnesses could be prevented through early intervention and preventative measures in childhood (Kim-Cohen et al., 2003). In an effort to address mental health promotion in schools, Dr. Susan Bazyk founded and created EMC, which is a “multi-pronged mental health promotion initiative to help all children to be mentally healthy in order to …

Occupational Therapists' Perception Of Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders & Sleep In Pediatric Outpatient Settings, Carina Jimenez, Susan Macdermott, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The capstone investigates pediatric occupational therapists' views on managing sleep issues in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. It highlights gaps in education and resources and emphasizes the need for evidence-based interventions. Findings emphasize the importance of enhancing occupational therapists' role in addressing sleep challenges for improved family well-being, advocating for more comprehensive education and support systems.

Occupational Impact Of Caregivers In Pediatric Palliative Care, Lezlye Ramos, Karen Park, Jazminne O. Arteaga

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this study is to understand the occupational impact for caregivers who had a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition who had received pediatric palliative care. A lack of understanding of occupational therapy’s role in end-of-life care ultimately underutilizes and under-prepares occupational therapists to work in this practice area. Becoming a medical family caregiver, neglecting personal needs and desires becomes a norm having a in-direct effect on physical and psychological health and well-being. Findings from this study suggest that it is reasonable to infer that occupational participation among caregivers is influenced by finding time for self and …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy For Mothers With Children Who Have Had A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu) Stay, Reagan Mclendon, Cynthia Haynes

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This study examined the occupational needs of mothers with a child who required a NICU stay and illustrates the potential roles of occupational therapy for this population.

Promoting Parental Competence When Transitioning From The Nicu To Home: A Coaching Intervention, Vanessa Chavez, Angela Labrie Blackwell

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This handbook aims to improve the support system for families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by developing a coaching intervention that empowers parents, improves their confidence, and provides necessary home care skills.

A Qualitative Study On Mother's Occupational Engagement After A Nicu Experience, Rachel Garcia, Mary Ann Smith, Julie Heftie Ms, Otr/L

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Mothers who are “at-risk” for complications during pregnancy have an increased probability for mental health conditions following delivery, adversely affecting their engagement in motherhood occupations. This qualitative study identifies how best to address the needs of “at-risk” pregnant women. Through the process of conducting semi-structured interviews with women who have experienced NICU with their babies, and interviews with healthcare practitioners working in the NICU, their narrative addresses what approaches would support women while they are going through their “at-risk” pregnancies to assist them with the transition to their occupational roles as mothers and promote bonding with their baby.

Self-Regulation And Sensory Processing Education Program For Educators, Julianne Mendivil, Tina G. Bhakta, Angela Blackwell

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Children with low self-regulation skills may face many challenges in the classroom environment that can impact their performance in school-based activities. As teachers play a vital role in the development of young children, this educational program aims to improve teacher competence (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) in applying sensory processing and self-regulating concepts to the school environment.