Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Supporting The Parents Of Transition Aged Students With Autism, Miguel Duran

OT Doctoral Capstones

The present capstone project sought to develop and implement an 8-week parent support program for the parents of transition aged youths diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder residing within the Socorro Independent School District. The parent support group included the topics of preparing for the transition process, state and local resources, and identifying caregiver strain for the first half of the program. The latter half of the program consisted of self-care and leisure activities for the parents to address levels of caregiver strain. The goal of the program was to identify potential changes in three areas: caregiver strain, perceived levels of …

Bright Futures: A Transitional Resource Guide​, Leslie Ayala

OT Doctoral Capstones

Bright Futures: A Transitional Resource Guide (BF) is a caregiver-informed collection of personal narratives shared by 15 caregivers of children with Down syndrome (DS), designed to promote preparedness, advocacy, and connection through storytelling and peer-recommended resources during key life transitions, including starting school and entering adulthood. Professionally published on the DS Coalition for El Paso website, BF was developed in collaboration with a software developer and funded by a grant from the College of Health Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso, ensuring long-term, public accessibility.

Goals of BF:

• Disseminate trusted resources and lived experiences among caregivers of …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Postnatal Mental Health: An Eight-Week Postpartum Program, Paola Quiroz

OT Doctoral Capstones

Postpartum mental health includes various conditions such as postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression amongst others (Barbic Skye et al., 2021). Rates of postpartum depression (PPD) have been increasing in recent years, impacting mothers, children and entire families by changing the way a mother interacts with others (WHO, 2024). Postpartum mothers face unique challenges when transitioning into motherhood resulting in increased maternal stress and ultimately leading to PPD or PPA. Although rates of PPD and PPA are increasing, there is limited research involving non-pharmaceutical treatment options for new mothers.

Occupational therapy (OT) plays a vital role in maternal mental health because …

Reclaiming Control: A Self-Management Education Program For Cancer Survivors, Monica Elisa Gutierrez

OT Doctoral Capstones

Cancer survivors face physical, emotional, and cognitive side effects after cancer treatment which negatively affects their quality of life (QOL).

A remote 6-week self-management program was implemented to educate survivors on how to manage these challenges. Comparison of pre- and post-program surveys demonstrated increased confidence in managing side effects after participation in the program, indicating that self-management interventions can effectively enhance survivors’ symptom management skills. The Self-Management Program is effective in empowering cancer survivors, improving self-efficacy, and enhancing QOL.

Problematic Technology Use: An Education Program, Elijah Duran

OT Doctoral Capstones

There is a growing body of research on problematic technology use and its impact on children with autism. Studies have shown that excessive or unbalanced use of technology may contribute to challenges in mental health and social functioning for this population (Ang et al., 2018; Cerniglia et al., 2017; Ezeh et al., 2021; Hoge et al., 2017; Kawabe et al., 2016; Small et al., 2020; Yucelyigit & Aral, 2018). However, there is limited research on how this issue is being practically addressed. Children with autism, who are already at higher risk for developing problematic behaviors with technology (Normand et al., …

Pasos Seguros: Investigating The Impact Of Latin Dance And Fall Prevention Education On Fall Risk In Older Adults, Noelia De La Rosa

OT Doctoral Capstones

Introduction: Falls are a leading cause of injury and mortality among older adults, posing a significant public health concern worldwide. By participating in fun, culturally relevant, and recreational fall prevention interventions, older adults are more likely to be motivated and stay engaged in fall prevention educational programs.

Methods: Pasos Seguros (confident steps) provided six weekly 60-minute sessions at the UTEP Rehab Sciences Complex, each including 45 minutes of chair-supported Latin dance instruction (cumbia, bachata, salsa) followed by 15 minutes of fall prevention education (home safety, medication effects, and emergency preparedness) through the UTEP Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Results: A paired-samples …

Strength-Based Peer Mentoring To Empower Independence For Adults With Autism, Annmarie De La Rosa

OT Doctoral Capstones

Adults with autism face disproportionately high rates of unemployment or underemployment, limited engagement in post-secondary education, and restricted opportunities for social participation. This is largely due to the abrupt discontinuation of services after high school—often referred to as the “service cliff” (Roux, 2015). The loss of structured supports can result in a decline in functional independence, increased mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, and heightened social isolation (Chun et al., 2023; Schiltz et al., 2021).

This Capstone project aimed to address the unmet post-secondary needs of young adults with autism by implementing a peer mentoring program grounded in …

“The Estrada Protocol”: A Mindfulness Approach To Rehabilitation, Krysten Estrada

OT Doctoral Capstones

Although there are numerous resources that effectively address the physical aspects of elbow injuries in baseball players, limited research explores athletes’ mental recovery. This fourteen-week Capstone Experience at Border Therapy Services in El Paso, Texas, focused on creating and implementing “The Estrada Protocol,” a mindfulness rehabilitation plan aimed at supporting both the physical and psychological needs of baseball players recovering from elbow injuries. Working closely with site supervisor and subject matter expert Mark Scott and his staff, the researcher led meetings, educational sessions, and athlete interviews, while administering pre- and post-readiness assessments. Initial results yielded limited familiarity with the protocol, …

Occupational Therapy Interventions For Health, Safety, & Wellbeing In Farmers And Ranchers With Disabilities: ​ A Systematized Review, Trinity Edwards, Lauren Klone, Madilynn Edwards, Emily Morse, Danielle Westmark, Stacy Smallfield, Molly Whitlow

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Objective: This systematized review synthesizes evidence on occupational therapy (OT) interventions that enhance health, safety, and participation of agriculture workers with disabilities, advancing evidence-based, context-specific approaches in OT practice.

Abstract: Background: Farmers and ranchers have higher rates of injury, disability, and chronic conditions than the general population. These challenge their health and lifestyle (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2024; Miller & Aherin, 2018; Desai et al., 2022).

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of interventions within the scope of OT at improving safety, health, and well-being amongst agricultural workers with disabilities.

Design: We performed a systematized review of peer-reviewed …

Exploring Perceptions Of Occupational And Physical Therapy Faculty Of Entry-Level Graduate Programs Post Covid-19: A Mixed Methods Study, Chelsea S. Reji, Anne M. Moscony, Dianna Lunsford

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study aimed to explore graduate-level occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) faculty’s perspectives on their academic responsibilities, well-being, and the needs of students following the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers hypothesized that a decrease in job satisfaction and overall well-being would be evident, indicating burnout syndrome in the faculty participants. A mixed-methods approach was utilized. Potential participants were recruited from websites of graduate-level OT and PT programs via email. Participants were included if they were currently teaching in a graduate-level OT or PT program, teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, and working full-time. Data were collected through Google Forms from …

Interventions To Improve Community Mobility In Autistic People: A Systematized Review, Sydney Maddox, Jada Ford, Heather Olson, Danielle Westmark, Stacy Smallfield, Molly Whitlow

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Importance: Community mobility (CM) enables access to locations outside the home, allowing participation in work, leisure, and social environments. Autistic adults have reported less access to public transportation and driving than the general population (Wilson et al., 2021), impacting their community participation, life satisfaction, and likelihood of employment and further education (Egilson et al., 2016, Song et al., 2022, Wilson et al., 2021). Occupational therapists can support autistic people by providing interventions to increase CM.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve CM in autistic people.

Methods: We collaborated with a medical librarian to conduct a systematic review …

Interventions To Improve Functional Use Of Hemiplegic Upper Extremity Post-Stroke: A Systematized Review, Brieana R. Dean, Sarah N. Wamsley, Halle Clary, Max W. Granstrom, Danielle Westmark, Bridgette Quinn, Stacey Smallfield, Molly Whitlow

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Purpose: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability with upper limb hemiplegia, significantly limiting participation in daily life (Lee & Howe, 2024; Long et al., 2020). This systematized review was conducted to address interventions within the scope of OT used to improve functional use of hemiplegic UE for adults post-stroke. Design: A systematized review protocol was used with inclusion criteria of full-text, English-language articles addressing rehabilitation interventions for hemiplegic UEs post-stroke containing participants ranging from ages 18-85. A medical librarian at the McGoogan Health Sciences library conducted a search across multiple databases for articles meeting the criteria for the …

Safety Of Healthcare Workers In Acute Care During Patient Mobilization: A Systematized Review, Lina Al Azzawi, Peyton Collier, Delaney Ehlers, Ruby Kulovitz, Danielle M. Westmark, Stacy Smallfield, Molly Whitlow

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Abstract synopsis

Evidence shows that low-tech aids and lifting equipment promote safe patient handling in acute care, with the most consistent support found for lifting equipment in reducing worker injuries. There was mixed evidence to support ergonomic training.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify interventions within the scope of occupational therapy that enhance safety during patient mobilization for healthcare workers in acute care settings.

This systematized review of safe patient handling interventions included peer-reviewed studies that target healthcare worker safety during patient mobilization in acute care settings.

A medical librarian performed searches in Medline, CINAHL, and Scopus. …

Exploration Of Occupational Therapy's Consultative Role For Social Emotional Development In The Rural Childcare Setting, Katherine M. Conley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Little research has been conducted investigating the consultative role of occupational therapy (OT) in childcare, especially their role in supporting the social and emotional development of children aged 1 – 5 years. This project takes place in a rural childcare setting where a needs assessment found gaps in classroom routines' functionality, the accessibility of center-wide age-appropriate resources, and the use of social and emotional supports in the classroom. The occupational therapy doctoral student utilized the coaching model, evidence-based research, and the foundations of occupational therapy with the intention to improve teachers’ confidence in implementing social and emotional content in the …

Development Of Sexual Health Curriculum For West Virginia University’S Occupational Therapy Program, Abigail Jeske

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sexual health is a fundamental aspect of well-being and quality of life and impacts everyone regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation, and is relevant throughout an individual’s lifespan. Occupational therapists have a valuable role in addressing sex concepts with patients; however, a lack of education and comfort level have been identified as barriers to practitioners addressing the concepts in clinical practice. This Doctoral Capstone Experience aims to answer how the topic of sexual health can be integrated into a lifespan curriculum in formal occupational therapy education. A sexual health curriculum was created and integrated into seven different classes that …

Supporting The Social Emotional Needs Of Preschoolers, Giorgi Morrone

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Social-emotional competence is a prerequisite to school performance and participation in daily tasks. Children in West Virginia face social and emotional barriers including the effects of the opioid epidemic leading to children placed in foster care, born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, and being exposed to toxic stress in the home environment. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted children's social-emotional functioning due to isolation periods. Social-emotional programming can improve children's well-being, school performance, relationships, and outcomes later in life. Occupational therapy practitioners can use data-driven decision-making and relationship-centered practice to develop group-based, health-promotion social-emotional programming in the preschool setting. The purpose …

Improving Postpartum Outcomes Through Therapeutic Individual And Group Occupational Therapy Sessions In Hospitalized Antepartum Patients, Melissa C. Learish

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Extended hospitalization in the postpartum period is occasionally medically indicated due to a variety of diagnoses, but can pose challenges to the psychosocial well-being of pregnant women, such as social isolation, anxiety, alteration of normal life routines, and less preparation for postpartum life. In acute care settings, however, maternal management tends to focus on physical stabilization rather than holistic maternal care, including opportunities for emotional support, occupational engagement, and postpartum planning. This doctoral capstone project was designed to assess the effect of individualized and group-based occupational therapy interventions for antepartum women who have been hospitalized for extended periods of time, …

Improving Hospital Discharge Readiness Among Caregivers Of Children With Complex Medical Needs, Megan M. Bruce

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Advancements in medicine and technologies have led to an increase in the population of children living with complex and chronic health conditions. Children with medical complexities (CMCs) and their caregivers frequently have challenges navigating home life after transitioning from hospital to home-based care. A 14-week doctoral capstone project was conducted at Dayton Children’s Hospital to improve caregiver readiness for hospital discharge. Project participants included caregivers of CMCs (n = 6) admitted to the hospital and pediatric acute care occupational therapists (n = 4). The Pediatric Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale – Long Form (Peds-RHDS) was used as a pre-and post-intervention …

Providing Health Providers Best Practice Strategies When Working With The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Population: A Continuing Education, Noah L. Epperson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Healthcare training has improved over the years. However, many healthcare providers are having a difficult time understanding the culture and the needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOH) community. Continuing Education (CE) programs can be designed to improve cultural awareness to help close the gap by educating healthcare providers on the community’s culture, effective communication strategies, use of assistive technology, American Sign Language (ASL), and accommodations such as interpreters.

Purpose: The project aimed to develop a CE program that helped healthcare providers learn effective communication strategies, assistive devices, and accommodations for the Deaf and HOH community. Additionally, …

Enhancing Vocational Services Through Support Of Direct Care Staff For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Katelyn D. Cardwell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This mixed-method cohort study focused on supporting direct support professionals through burnout education modules. Burnout is a psychological phenomenon characterized by mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion in response to chronic stress in the workplace. Direct support professionals (DSP) provide services that include independent living and vocational skill education to adults with intellectual disabilities. Burnout has negative impacts on work quality, efficiency, and can led to high turnover rates. This project aimed to provide DSP’s with resources to mitigate the risk of burnout. The study utilized semi-structured interviews to help guide the development of education modules for staff. Based on findings …

Sensory Integration In The Intensive Care Unit Environment, Kara M. Lee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Those admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) commonly experience deficits in areas linked with cognition, mental health, and physical functioning (Rapolthy-Beck et al., 2023). Delirium is the most common complication among individuals who are mechanically ventilated, which can be associated with adverse outcomes, including increased mortality, cognitive decline, and decreased functional outcomes (Martinez et al., 2017). The primary purpose of the capstone project was to create a sensory-based program for patients admitted into the ICU. The program aimed to enhance the quality and consistency of care, ultimately reducing the prevalence of delirium. By doing so, it seeks to improve …

Facilitating Independence: Developing A Hands-On Life Skills Program For Youth In Residential Treatment, Shayna Rexrode

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Life skills competency in adolescence can be an important predictor of success in adulthood. Educational and training programs focused on life skills can help youth develop the skills that they need to live independently. Though occupational therapy literature surrounding these types of programs is limited, occupational therapy practitioners are qualified to provide intervention in life skills based on the profession’s scope of practice.

This capstone project focused on the development and evaluation of a new life skills program, the Life Skills Practice Program, at a residential treatment facility for youth with substance use and behavioral diagnoses. Stakeholders at the facility …

Manualized Interventions For Individuals Experiencing Or At-Risk For Adverse Life Experiences, Sierra P. Mcnicol

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Occupational practitioners have a role in providing holistic and client-centered care to promote occupational performance, engagement, and satisfaction through occupations. Many individuals are impacted in the engagement of occupations secondary to adverse life experiences that have caused mental distress, difficulties in cognitive processing, limited social support, and disruptions in social determinants that have made accessing services complicated. Purpose: Due to the increased likelihood of individuals who have experienced adverse life experiences experiencing occupational distress and performance limitations, the capstone student aimed to develop an understanding of adverse life experiences, provide insight into the needs of the population, and develop …

Effectiveness Of A Cumulative Pediatric-Based Practical Examination At Increasing Student Perceived Competence And Confidence In Working With Pediatric Populations, Nicholas J. Passarelli

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Current literature highlights the importance of utilizing practical examinations and actual patients and covering vast pediatric content within occupational therapy curricula. The needs assessment conducted within The West Virginia University Division of Occupational Therapy revealed that the division currently employs all three of these factors within their curriculum, however a gap presented in the combination of these three factors together. This project aimed to diminish this gap through the development, implementation, and execution of a pediatric practical examination, utilizing actual pediatric patients, to determine whether the examination is effective in increasing student perceived competence and confidence in working with pediatric …

Occupational Therapy Using Cbt To Improve Work Productivity In Schizophrenia: A Case Study, Artha Nisa Thohiroh Triyantari, Reza Nur Arsyi, Muhammad Luthfi, Ayleen Alicia K, Hermito Gideon, Zulfa Khoirunisah, Putri Dirgantara, Purnama Betty R. Sitorus

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that often impairs an individual's social and occupational functioning, including productivity-related activities. Patients with schizophrenia frequently face challenges in maintaining employment or running an independent business due to cognitive and emotional disturbances affecting their adaptive skills. This single-case study integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into occupational therapy to enhance productivity in a schizophrenia patient through an entrepreneurial activity—independently opening a coffee shop. The study subject is a 50-year-old male diagnosed with schizophrenia undergoing psychosocial rehabilitation at RSJ Dr. Soeharto Heerdjan. The CBT-based intervention was designed to develop adaptive thinking patterns and occupational skills through …

Enhancement Of Functional Ability In Supraspinatus Tendinitis Using Ultrasound And Isotonic Exercise: Case Study, Tu Lidya Ike Putri, Christabelle Aurelia

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Supraspinatus tendinitis is an inflammation of the supraspinatus tendon caused by the supraspinatus muscle tendon overlapping with the caput longus bicep tendon so that friction and repetitive pressure occur over a long period of time and result in damage to the supraspinatus muscle tendon and supraspinatus tendinitis occurs. Characterized by complaints of pain around the shoulder followed by limitation of motion in the shoulder joint. The clinical question arises "can the application of ultrasound and isotonic exercise reduce pain and functional ability improvement?". To be able to answer this question, an evidence search was conducted on 3 data bases, namely …

Perbandingan Konservatif Fisioterapi Dengan Core Stability Exercise Pada Kasus Nyeri Punggung Bawah, Angria Pradita, Nurul Halimah

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

ABSTRACT: Low back pain is a major complaint caused by multifactorial conditions. The most common factors of low back pain complaints are due to age, occupation and gender. This study aims to compare the differences in therapeutic effects of conservative physiotherapy with the provision of electrotherapy, namely; microwave diathermy combined with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), core stability exercise techniques and a combination of electrotherapy with core stability exercise (CSE). This type of research is quasi experimental with a pre-post test design in a population of 90 low back pain patients who seek treatment at the Physiotherapy clinic. By using …

Effectiveness Of Using Soft Exosuit In Stroke Case To Improve Walking Speed And Endurance, Aditya Denny Pratama, Rakha Shidqi Widyadhana

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Stroke is a clinically defined syndrome of acute, focal nerve discharge caused by vascular injury (infarction, hemorrhage) of the central nervous system. Punches can cause damage to the brain and affect a person's ability to walk, balance and coordinate movements. Impaired gait is common in stroke cases, often resulting in poor recovery of mobility and inability to carry out daily activities without assistance. One of the interventions that can be used is a soft exosuit. This method can help overcome walking problems in stroke patients where soft exosuits are used to increase walking speed and walking endurance. The purpose of …

Is Functional Training Functional? A Systematic Review Of Its Effects In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Chiung-Ju Liu, Wen-Pin Chang, Yun Chan Shin, Yi-Ling Hu, Jane Morgan-Daniel

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: Age-related decline in physical and cognitive capacity increases older adults' risk of disability, long-term care placement, and mortality rate. Functional training, which uses activities of daily living or simulated movements to complete activities as the intervention medium, could be more effective than rote exercise, which uses repetitive movements without added purpose, in preventing late-life disability in older people. With a growing number of studies in this area, systematically studying the effect of functional training is needed. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the effects of functional training on the outcomes of activities of daily living, physical …

Increasing Awareness Of The Effectiveness Of Occupational Therapy In Cancer Rehabilitation, Aaliyah Parson, Zeida Gutierrez

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Many cancer survivors are faced with functional limitations when engaging in meaningful occupations due to side effects such as anxiety, pain, fatigue, weakness, nausea, etc. from receiving cancer treatments which can impact their quality of life. Occupational therapy has a significant role in supportive care for cancer survivors by providing occupation-based interventions that focus on maximizing function and mitigating functional decline. However, occupational therapy is underutilized in cancer care due to patients' lack of awareness of the role of OT and how it can improve quality of life after receiving cancer treatment. Therefore, this capstone project took place in Tallahassee, …