Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Ot And Lactation Consulting: More Than Just A Baby's Breast-Friend, Cara N. Reynolds

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

Over the course of 14 weeks, I developed clinical skills related to infant feeding, including—but not limited to—anatomy, conditions that interfere with feeding, maternal health concerns, and the importance of an interdisciplinary approach. I gained insight into each discipline's unique role by job shadowing at various lactation clinics. I observed PTs, SLPs, RNs, craniosacral therapists, and interviewed a nutritionist. Many of the centers I visited expressed a desire to one day incorporate an OT into their practice, which was encouraging.

With this knowledge, I created an informational binder to leave at the Kentucky Breastfeeding Center (KBC) for future OT students. …

Providing Leisure Opportunities To Support Mental Health & Quality Of Life For Oncology Patients In Acute Care:, Allison Adkins

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this project was to make leisure activities accessible to patients in acute care and to explore the benefits it may have on patients' mental health and quality of life. One study found there to be a high prevalence of mental health problems among older adults with 36% having no prior mental health problems (Goldberg et al., 2012). Additionally, psychiatric disorders have been shown to affect at least 30–35% of cancer patients during all phases of the disease trajectory (Caruso & Breitbart, 2020). Research also suggests that active engagement in leisure activities helps older adults maintain functioning in …

Enhancing Experiences Of Children With Special Needs And Volunteers In Church Classrooms, Anna Corado

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this ALE project was to support volunteers working with children with special needs and enhance the experience of children with special needs in church classrooms at Fern Creek Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Volunteers were provided with education and training regarding sensory equipment and strategies to utilize within the classrooms. Changes to the environment were made including creation of a sensory room and adaptations to the classrooms to better support children’s sensory needs. The confidence of volunteers working with children with special needs was measured through a post-survey following the implementation of education and training. This capstone …

Facilitating Engagement And Well-Being In Older Adults Through Personalized Background Music, Anna Heady

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project explores personalized background music as a client-centered intervention to enhance engagement, emotional well-being, and quality of life for older adults in a senior living community. Conducted at Treyton Oak Towers in Louisville, KY, the project integrated meaningful music into daily leisure and social activities. Key goals included building rapport with residents and staff, assessing residents’ functional needs, planning and adapting activities, and incorporating music preferences to support participation and enjoyment. Older adults in long-term care often experience cognitive decline, low motivation, and limited engagement in meaningful occupations. Literature supports music’s ability to stimulate memory, enhance mood, and …

Integrating Sensory Strategies In The Classroom Setting: A Field Guide, Abigail Walcott

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

During my 14-week capstone project, I worked alongside St. John Vianney Catholic School, an early education and K-8 school to develop a program to target identified needs of students related to sensory challenges and emotional regulation skills to improve participation in school-based occupations. My primary ACOTE focus area was program development, and I worked to assess classroom needs and develop a program that could be implemented in the traditional classroom setting. My goals for this capstone project were to observe and discuss with my site mentor to assess classroom needs, to research and to create an evidence-backed program guide for …

Bridging Theory To Practice: An Evidence-Based Training Program For Implementing Animal-Assisted Therapy In Appalachian Clinical Settings, Lauren Kessler

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

No abstract provided.

The Use Of Sensory Interventions For Stress Management In College Students, Cassidy Cain

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

For my doctoral capstone, I partnered with the Student Success Center (SSC) at Eastern Kentucky University and the director of the SSC, Dr. Ashley Sweat, to explore the connections between commonly used occupational therapy sensory intervention techniques and stress management for college students. The focus of my project is education and program development for the Student Success Center. In my literature review, I identified stress as one of the largest contributors to students not returning to college. The Student Success Center provides services for students who are already at a high risk of not continuing their college education. Based on …

Promoting Social-Emotional Learning In Pre-K Students, Hailey Dawn Turner

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

During my doctoral capstone and applied leadership experience, I partnered with Eastern Scholar House, a child development center at Eastern Kentucky University serving children ages 0–5. The primary ACOTE focus area was education, with an emphasis on educating Pre-K teachers and parents on social-emotional learning (SEL) and strategies to support its development in both the classroom and home settings. Project goals included gaining hands-on experience with SEL, understanding its impact on well-being, collaborating with an interprofessional team, and providing educators with practical SEL resources. A literature review and needs assessment highlighted the benefits of SEL in improving behavior, academics, and …

Ability At Bat: Adaptive Sports For Individuals With Disabilities, Jamison B. Watson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

No abstract provided.

Fieldwork Remediation Program: Enhancing The Professional Competency Of P3 Otd Students, Megan Ellison

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project addresses a critical gap between classroom learning and clinical readiness in Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students preparing for Level II Fieldwork (FW). While clinical reasoning and knowledge-based skills are emphasized in training, professional behaviors—such as ethical communication, conflict resolution, and clinical interaction—are often underdeveloped yet essential to success in practice. These "gray-area" skills are typically learned through experience and are difficult to teach directly.

The project, designed for the Eastern Kentucky University OTD Program, aimed to improve student readiness and success in fieldwork through a virtual remediation module focused on self-reflection, professional identity, and effective communication …

Effects Of Push-In Occupational Therapy Services In Kindergarten On Writing Foundations, Heather A. Hyndman

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: According to the Compensation & Workforce Survey, 24.89% of occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) work in schools (AOTA, 2023). This researcher has worked in a public-school setting for over 20 years, and her caseload continues to grow each year, doubling in the past 10 years. Handwriting difficulties account for most referrals for this researcher.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to determine if an occupational therapy (OT) led fine motor intervention small group along with push-in occupational therapy services during literacy instruction would improve kindergarten students’ handwriting.

Theoretical Framework: Motor learning theory is applicable to teaching handwriting. This …

Occupational Therapy Practitioner Perspectives On Leadership In Everyday Practice: A Descriptive Qualitative Study, Mary E. Spores

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Leadership is a topic of interest for rapidly evolving healthcare professions and a cornerstone of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Centennial Vision. The history of leadership in the profession has a robust foundation and yet calls to action for leadership in the profession remain focused on traits, behaviors and transformative processes. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are positioned to be leaders of change with the use of leadership influence however, practitioner views on their enactment of leadership in everyday practice are sparse in the literature.

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to capture the perspectives of …

Perceptions Of School-Based Occupational Therapists Regarding The Access To Educator Credential Pathways In Kentucky, Jill Edlin

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: In Kentucky public schools, occupational therapists are employed as classified staff without access to educator credential pathways. This study explores occupational therapist’s perceptions of how those state-level structures impact recognition, collaboration, leadership, and day-to-day practice within the educational system context. Purpose: This qualitative descriptive study examines school-based occupational therapists’ perceptions of how the absence of educator credential pathways influences their professional practice, collaboration, and leadership in Kentucky public schools. Research objectives focus on describing Kentucky school-based occupational therapists’ perceptions of leadership opportunities as shaped by state educator credentialing. Objectives also focus on exploring how credentialing influences interprofessional collaboration with …

Exploring Stress Management Spaces Using Sensory Engagement On College Campuses: A Scoping Review, Karen R. Puckett

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: College students experience high levels of stress, with associated negative outcomes such as poor mental and physical health. In response, colleges and universities have explored the use of stress management spaces designed to address and promote improved mental health and wellbeing, but evidence regarding the most effective design and impact of these spaces is limited.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to conduct a scoping review of the available literature related to stress management in higher education settings. The research questions are: What are the characteristics and design features of these spaces, and how do stress management spaces …

Implementing Visual Supports Through Vocational Training Modules For Students Preparing To Exit School-Based Services, Kaitlynn Karthan

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Unemployment and underemployment remain persistent barriers for autistic and developmentally disabled individuals, with up to 75% of autistic adults in the United States experiencing difficulty obtaining or maintaining meaningful work. To address this disparity within school-based transition services, this capstone project evaluated the effectiveness of video modeling as an instructional method for vocational skill acquisition among seven young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DD). Grounded in the Occupational Justice framework, this study utilized a quantitative pretest–posttest–follow-up quasi-experimental design to measure accuracy and task completion time on two vocational tasks: rolling silverware and filling condiment cups. …

Systems Evaluation Supporting Feeding Program Development, Marquetta Moore

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Prior to the development of a feeding therapy program, a system evaluation was completed in an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic. Changes were implemented to support the program, while planning and the initial phases of the feeding therapy program began.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to enhance daily clinic operations and initiate the development of a feeding therapy program, with a focus on establishing evidence-based, family-and child-centered care.

This capstone project addressed the following objectives:

1. Assess clinic systems to identify strengths and weaknesses as well as threats and opportunities while evaluating existing processes that may impact program …

Addressing Fine Motor Skills In Kindergarten Through Embedding Occupational Fine Motor Skills In Classrooms, Mary L. Hesterwerth

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Fine motor and visual–motor delays are becoming more common among young children, driven by the shift from traditional physical play to screen time and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues are particularly concerning for kindergarten students, whose academic demands for handwriting and classroom participation are increasing despite their limited prior school experience.

Purpose: This Capstone project aimed to evaluate the effects of an occupational therapist-led training workshop for kindergarten teachers, focusing on how it helps integrate fine motor activities into daily bellwork routines. The main research question was whether this Tier 1, classroom-based strategy could enhance students’ fine …

Navigating The Future Of Ot Education: Student Insights On Integrating Course-Specific Ai Chatbots, Laura E. Landon, Nicole Grames, Maggie Gannon, Addison Jarus, Annie Trezza

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education has garnered much attention, prompting educators to thoughtfully examine its implementation within their curricula. This study explores the perceptions of occupational therapy (OT) students regarding the future integration of a novel, course-specific Anatomy AI chatbot: an innovative tool uniquely developed by our internal team to provi¬¬¬de personalized support and resources tailored specifically to the anatomy curriculum. The researchers sought to understand the desired features of a course-specific Anatomy AI chatbot and the factors that influenced student willingness to adopt this technology in their learning experience. Findings revealed that 79% of participants …

Assessing The Impact Of High-Fidelity Simulation Experiences On Student Confidence In A Controlled Academic Environment, Jillian K. Pindar, Peyton Belton, Madison Griffin, Abbi Hancock, Lucero Limones, Kristi Self, Elizabeth K. Schmidt

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

A quasi-experimental one group pretest-posttest design was utilized with 19 first-and-second-year doctoral occupational therapy students at a university in Tennessee to evaluate confidence, performance, benefits, challenges, and recommendations from an acute care simulation experience. Student confidence was evaluated using a researcher-developed survey immediately before and after a high-fidelity simulation using a pre-programmed mannequin and standardized script. A performance assessment evaluated students' skills during the simulation. The post-test survey included open-ended questions on perceived benefits, challenges and recommendations. Overall, students demonstrated increased confidence in vital sign monitoring and modification (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate), medical equipment identification, and safe patient …

Enhancing Intraprofessional Collaboration In Occupational Therapy: Evaluation Of An Online Course For Canadian Ot And Ota Students, Teresa R. Avvampato, Dianna Fong-Lee, Mark Hall, Marcia Finlayson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

An environmental scan conducted in 2022 highlighted a need for enhanced preparation for collaboration between occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) in Ontario, Canada. In response, an online course was developed to disseminate knowledge needed for effective OT-OTA intraprofessional collaboration (IntraPC) in the Canadian context. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the online course to improve perceived preparedness among Canadian OT and OTA students for OT-OTA IntraPC. Participants were Master’s-level OT students and diploma-level OTA students studying in Canada (N = 136), who were invited to complete the course by their program instructors. …

Perceptions Of Occupational Therapy Student Fieldwork Readiness In The Acute Care Setting, Jackie Dusing, Lisa Borrero, Elizabeth Horrall Stith, Kristina Watkins

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy student readiness for Level II fieldwork is necessary for preparing novice clinicians and is challenging to assess, as it requires applying didactic knowledge in real-world clinical settings. There is currently a gap in the literature regarding student perceptions of their readiness for Level II fieldwork, especially in the acute care setting. The aim of this qualitative study is to better understand Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students’ perceptions of readiness for Level II fieldwork in an acute care setting. This basic interpretive qualitative research study utilized a purposeful sampling with students completing their Level II fieldwork in various …

Fieldwork Supervision, Motivation And Competency Among Norwegian Community-Based Occupational Therapists, Even E. Edvardsen, Tore Bonsaksen, Sissel Horghagen, Cathrine Arntzen, Unni Sveen, Astrid Gramstad, Ruca E. K. Maass, Linda Stigen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapists’ supervision of students remains a critical component during occupational therapy education. This study aimed to examine supervision practice, motivation, and competency among community-based occupational therapists in Norway, exploring organizational and personal factors associated with formal and perceived supervision competency, willingness to serve as fieldwork educators, and collaboration with educational institutions. A cross-sectional survey was distributed among occupational therapists in community-based practice in Norway. A total of 617 occupational therapists participated in the study. Free-text responses were thematically analyzed and interpreted. Differences between fieldwork educators and non-fieldwork educators’ training, recency of being fieldwork educators, willingness to assume the role …

Impact Of A Virtual Support Program On Student Success In Neuroscience And Neuroanatomy Courses: Opportunities And Challenges, Abbigail Kubiak, Sue A. Sisto, Janice Tona

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

We investigated the outcomes of a novel neuroscience and neuroanatomy support program (NSP) developed and implemented in the pre-professional phase of an accredited Bachelor of Science/ Master of Science occupational therapy (OT) program. This research demonstrates the potential of targeted small group tutoring as an effective means to promote student success and retention. Modeled after Response to Intervention programs, we used a three-tiered approach to support student success. All students received standard lecture content (Tier 1). Students who desired extra help attended an optional recitation (Tier 2) and students who received a score of 70% or lower on one or …

Pitch It Big: Cultivating Entrepreneurism Through Use Of An Innovative Competitive Business Plan And Presentation, Margaret (Peggy) Grill, Erin Epley

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This educational innovation aimed to explore the effectiveness of a student assignment titled ‘Pitch it Big,’ designed to enhance understanding of the business aspects outlined in the accreditation standards for occupational therapy programs. Limited research evidence exists for business education related to occupational therapy. Working in self-chosen groups based on their targeted area of interest, students collaboratively wrote a business plan for a fictitious occupational therapy business or product invention. Students then participated in a competition modeled after the popular television program Shark Tank, where they pitched their business proposals to a panel of experts acting as judges. The panel …

Exploring The Teaching Methods And Approaches Used By Australian Educators To Teach Occupation, Melanie J. Roberts, Barb Hooper, Bernadette Sebar, Jim Woodburn

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy education standards for teaching occupation are inconsistently applied and there is a lack of evidence to inform teaching practice in Australia. This qualitative study explored what teaching methods and approaches Australian occupational therapy educators used in their classroom, and why those methods were used. The research was completed in two phases: narrative inquiry guided Phase I where educators were interviewed about the methods and approaches used to teach occupation. In Phase II video-reflexive ethnography was implemented, where a video recording of teaching was used as a prompt for a reflexive discussion about the educator’s teaching approaches. The interviews …

Intentional Grouping: Impacts On Cognitive And Social Presence In A Hybrid Classroom, Bridget Scheidler, Kelly Layne, Marian Gillard, Barbara M. Doucet

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Hybrid learning models in healthcare education often present challenges related to reduced cognitive and social presence. This study explores the impact of intentional grouping of students, using Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) scores, on cognitive and social presence in a hybrid Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Over four seven-week terms, students were grouped intentionally based on their LASSI scores, which measured anxiety, motivation, and test strategies. Quantitative data were collected using the Community of Inquiry survey, and qualitative data were gathered from open-ended questionnaires. Student responses revealed that consistent intentional grouping improved perceived work quality, time management, and relationship …

Culturally Sensitive Mentorship In Occupational Therapy Education, Janet Njelesani, Shanteria Watson, Amanda Gahlot, Ayesha Ahmed, Grace Kim

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Mentorship provides crucial support and guidance for students, significantly influencing their academic and professional success. Mentorship experiences can vary considerably, with students from historically underrepresented groups facing racism, discrimination, and a lack of opportunities in their professional development. Despite the recognized need for culturally sensitive mentorship, there is a lack of literature within occupational therapy that focuses on the mentoring experiences of students from historically underrepresented groups. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring occupational therapy students’ mentoring needs and experiences to inform the future development of culturally sensitive mentoring programs. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey, the study collected …

Temporal Occupational Patterns Amidst Covid-19: A Comparative Analysis Of Occupational Therapy Graduate Students’ Self-Reports, Amanda C. Jozkowski, Julie M. Werner, Meagan Downey

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study employed a qualitatively-driven mixed method approach to exploring temporal occupational patterns among occupational therapy graduate students in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collected from cohorts in 2021 and 2022 were contrasted with those previously reported for 2019 and 2020, highlighting how these patterns evolved over time. Notable changes in time use were identified between the 2021 and 2022 cohorts. In 2022, students reported increased time spent in class and in driving/community mobility, while their time dedicated to physical activity, health maintenance, and family interactions declined. The analysis revealed the complexity of students' time use due …

Predictors Of Nbcot Examination Pass Rates: The Role Of Gpa, Gre, And Otke Scores In Occupational Therapy Education, Sherri Powers, Lori Eggers Saxby, Christopher Mecklin

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Given the critical role of National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification in occupational therapy (OT) practice, this study examined predictors of NBCOT examination success to inform program improvement. Analyzing data from 59 Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) graduates at a single institution over the course of three years (2020–2022), a retrospective design with logistic regression assessed undergraduate grade point average (GPA), prerequisite GPA, within-program GPA, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and pre- and post- Occupational Therapy Knowledge Examination (OTKE) scores as predictors of first-attempt NBCOT pass rates. Of 58 students with reported outcomes, 56% passed …

Improving Self-Regulated Learning Among Occupational Therapy Students, Pola Ham

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Many occupational therapy students, particularly first-generation students, face significant academic and social challenges in higher education that affect their self-regulated learning (SRL). SRL involves goal setting, self-monitoring, strategy implementation, and reflection. The rigorous academic demands, combined with the unique challenges experienced by many first-generation students, exacerbate these difficulties, particularly in developing SRL skills, which are essential for academic and professional success. While first-generation students often lack these skills due to a variety of factors, many occupational therapy students also struggle to develop these skills, regardless of background. This narrative review examines the role of SRL in occupational therapy education and …