Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Advocating For The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Addressing Ptsd In Veterans: A Video Series, Ralei Wine, Keisa Boykin

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this project is to further advocate for occupational therapy with veterans who experience PTSD through a video series. The intent is to educate veterans about the role of occupational therapy and encourage engagement in meaningful occupations to increase quality of life.

Occupational Therapy For Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder: An Educational Video Series, Habiba Ali, Steven M. Gerardi

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FNSD) is a complex condition that significantly disrupts occupational performance, identity, and participation. Despite the important role occupational therapy plays in addressing these challenges, many practitioners report uncertainty about how to apply occupation-based models- particularly the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO)- to guide treatment. This capstone project developed a seven-part educational video series to increase practitioner confidence and provide clear, evidence-informed strategies for assessment, intervention planning, and client-centered reasoning. Videos cover essential topics such as OT’s role in FNSD, psychosocial contributors, brain–body connections, functional retraining, and adapting interventions across settings. Hosted on YouTube for accessible dissemination, …

Enhancing Quality Of Life In Adults In Long-Term Care Through Work-Related Peer-Led Learning, Geraldine Esparza, Rebecca King Otd

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Younger adults residing in long-term care (LTC) institutions face numerous challenges related to identity, engagement, social interactions, mental health, and overall quality of life. This doctoral capstone project developed and implemented a peer-led, work-related intervention program designed to promote mental health, enhance occupational engagement, and improve the quality of life for younger adults residing in long-term care facilities. A 14-week program, comprising an occupational profile, needs assessment, role selection, and two trials of peer-led meaningful work activities, was completed by five participants, aged 29 to 63. The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) served as the foundation for a qualitative program …

A Program For The Occupational Needs Of Women With Urinary Incontinence In Independent/Assisted Living Facilities, Blair Riddell, Rebecca King

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a multimedia educational program for women with UI living in an independent living facility(ILF)/assisted living facility (ALF) to foster engagement in health management behaviors for enhanced overall quality of life.

Equine-Based Occupational Therapy To Develop Social And Emotional Skills In Adolescents: An Educational Video Series, Annabeth Dorris, Steven Gerardi, Angela Blackwell

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Adolescents experience rapid physical, emotional, and social changes that often challenge self-regulation and social-emotional skill development. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are equipped to address these needs through a variety of ways, like equine-based occupational therapy (EBOT), yet resources on this setting remain limited. This capstone project developed an educational video series to guide OT practitioners in using equine-based occupations to promote social-emotional learning (SEL) skills in adolescents, targeting self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The seven videos were posted to YouTube for easy access. This resource serves as a tool OT practitioners can use for knowledge and …

Regain Confidence Postpartum: A Guide For Pelvic Floor Health​, Taylor Jackson, Mary Jan Greer, Donna Carver

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction can disrupt daily occupations such as toileting, hygiene, mobility, sexual health, sleep, and infant care. These challenges often reduce confidence and limit participation. Although pelvic floor issues are common, occupational therapy has not been widely recognized in this emerging area, leaving a gap in functional, client-centered support.

This capstone project developed Regain Confidence Postpartum: A Guide for Pelvic Floor Health, an occupation-focused resource designed to help postpartum individuals understand pelvic floor dysfunction and return to meaningful routines. A needs assessment was completed through clinical observation, discussions with providers at Purely Pelvic Floor, and a review …

Program For Teachers To Address The Needs Of Students With Adhd, Ashton R. Wagner, Wendy Tremaine, Dr. Mary Jan Greer, Phd, Otr

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The capstone project focused on supporting teacher participants from Eden Gardens Fundamental Magnet Elementary by providing practical strategies to address students who struggle with attention, regulation, and daily classroom routines. After completing a needs assessment, it was clear that many teachers faced similar challenges, including difficulty with transitions, staying on task, and responding when students became overwhelmed. To address this, created an OT-led teacher-training program that uses the PEOP model and focuses on simple, practical strategies teachers can implement right away. This included visual cues, sensory and movement supports, and minor changes to the classroom setup. As teachers began using …

Bridging Sensory Processing And Community Integration For Adults With Idd: A Bilingual Approach, Stephanie J. Newman, Cynthia Haynes

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The capstone project included creation, implementation, and evaluation of an educational program. The program provided education for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their respective caregivers. The educational materials included development and implementation of educational workshops of sensory processing strategies in the community, work, and social settings for adults with IDD and bilingual home programs created for caregiver education. The program was evaluated through pre- and post-surveys administered to caregivers to demonstrate changes in knowledge of sensory processing strategies, as well as client assessments administered to assess changes in client understanding of sensory strategies.

Staying In The Game: Understanding The Impact Of Gaming On Musculoskeletal Health And Occupational Performance, Sereniti A. Forkey Dr, Zeida Gutierrez

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone is to examine the physical demands that gaming places on the musculoskeletal system and to gain a deeper understanding of gamers’ habits and behaviors. The goal of this project is to explore the population within its context, including psychosocial impacts and the potential need for intervention. By doing so, this research aims to provide valuable insights to both gamers and clinicians, supporting and enhancing occupational performance in gaming.

Educating Early Childhood Educators On Creating A Sensory Inclusive Classroom, Maryah Booker, Zeida Gutierrez, Maureen Fischer

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone paper focuses on educating early childhood educators on sensory processing, helping them understand its impact on their students’ classroom activities, and equipping them with sensory-based strategies to support children with sensory differences, allowing them to thrive in a classroom environment.

Improving The Quality Of Life Of Adults With Visual Impairments Through An Occupational Therapy Lens, Vanessa R. Patel, Rebecca King, Jaimee Fielder

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Adults with visual impairments often experience decreased independence, safety concerns, and reduced confidence in daily occupations, particularly during meal preparation. This capstone project aimed to develop and implement an occupation-based educational program to support safe and independent cooking for adults with visual impairments. A needs assessment was conducted at Envision Dallas, resulting in a program focused on meal preparation and the use of adaptive strategies. The program consisted of twelve structured lessons delivered through a combination of individual sessions and group-based instruction. Outcomes were measured using pre- and post-session questionnaires, informal observation, and participant and family feedback. Results indicated improvements …

Improving Rest And Sleep For Hospitalized Individuals: An Occupation Based Approach, Margaret R. Greene, Lakesia Boykin

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Design and create an educational program for occupational therapy practitioners working within hospital environments, patients, and occupational therapy students on evidence grounded, occupation-based sleep activities to use with patients in inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. The educational program will contain modules focusing on the importance of sleep for overall health, how sleep impacts recovery, common environmental and personal factors impacting sleep, and interventions to help improve patient sleep. These educational modules and interventions will focus on the specific client and environmental factors within the occupational therapy scope of practice (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020).

Occupational Therapy's Role In Maternal Health: Empowering Mothers Experiencing Postpartum Depression And Anxiety Through Education On Child Development, Phoebe Spernal, Keisa Boykin

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

To empower mothers experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety by strengthening their maternal knowledge and self-efficacy in supporting their baby’s development through an occupational therapy-based educational program.

Educating High School Advisors On The Benefits Of Life Skills Education Prior To Post-Secondary Transition, Noble H. Steenbergen, Zeida Gutierrez

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

To develop and provide a viable life skills program to high school educators, with the intent to educate students on life skills and reduce mental health problems during post-secondary transition

A Golfer's Guidebook For Prevention And Intervention For Golf Injuries, Brianna A. Martinez, Lesley Khan-Farooqi Phd, Otd, Otr

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone project was to create a guidebook for golfers who can be at increased risk for medial epicondylitis focused on prevention and intervention strategies to support productivity, leisure participation, and self-care.

2024 Impetus Platform Presentation Abstracts

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

2024 Impetus Poster Presentation Abstracts

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Identifying Barriers And Creating Resources To Improve Participation In Competitive Adaptive Rock Climbing, Amy C. Griswold, Susan Macdermott

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this project was to (1) identify barriers to participation in competitive adaptive rock climbing for adults with a physical disability and (2) create and distribute virtual educational resources to meet identified barriers. The need for this project was highlighted by athlete and coach self-report of limited ability to engage in competitive adaptive rock climbing, also known as paraclimbing. The sample consisted of 108 adaptive athletes, adaptive rock-climbing coaches, staff members in rock climbing gyms, and volunteers at adaptive rock-climbing events. Participants anonymously completed a ten-minute mixed methods virtual survey using Microsoft Forms. Thematic and inferential statistical analyses …

The Level Of Heel Pain And Footwear Characteristics And The Duration Of Its Use Among Allied Healthcare Interns At Silliman University, Jeroen Rustam Z. Agustin Ptrp, Jamaica Fe V. Duran, Rhonna Ann O. Duran, Philip Elmerson D. Ebarle, Vincent Al Beethoven G. Felisilda, Charity Gulahab, Andrea Wynn M. Lacnit, Raymond B. Esperida Phd, Mspt, Ptrp¹

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between heel pain and specific footwear characteristics, as well as the duration of footwear usage, among allied healthcare interns at Silliman University. Heel pain, a common condition exacerbated by prolonged standing and walking, is particularly prevalent in healthcare professionals and students. Despite existing literature suggesting footwear as a contributing factor, the relationship between footwear characteristics—heel height, sole thickness, and insole material—and heel pain, especially in healthcare interns, remains underexplored. This study contributes to the field of healthcare ergonomics by highlighting the complexity of heel pain etiology and emphasizing the need for a …

Outcomes Of A Strength- And Power-Focused Exercise Program In An Adult With Multiple Comorbidities Due To Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Report, Frances Rom Lunar, Jeffrey Ralph Luces, Kyla Tan, Mark Gorgon, Eunice Gerona, Abbeygail Abella, Edward Gorgon

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. People with multiple significant comorbidities are commonly excluded from clinical trials of exercise and therefore less is known regarding the outcomes in this population. This case report describes the outcomes of strength- and power-focused exercise training in an adult with multiple comorbidities.

Methods / Case description. A 40-year-old male with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus resulting in stage 5 chronic kidney disease and left-sided below-knee amputation underwent a four-week program that consisted of four clinic-based and eight self-supervised exercise sessions. The design of the exercise training program was guided by principles of muscle power training while also informed by the …

Covid-19 Infection Prevention And Control Guidelines Of Philippine Physical Therapy Association (Ppta) And Rehabilitation Department Of Select Hospitals In The Philippines: Impact On Infection Trend, Ghiester Marc T. Estrellado, Venize Edanne F. Montecillo, Cristina Faye C. Panopio, Alexandra Marie V. Amistoso, Raymond M. Tosoc

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: There is a paucity of evidence supporting the need for setting up hospital COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines for Physical Therapists (PTs) that meet global standards. This study aimed to determine the consistency of IPC guidelines among different rehabilitation departments of hospitals within Region IV-A and the Philippine Physical Therapy Association’s (PPTA) recommendations with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) IPC guidance document. It also compared the hospitals’ consistency scores with the trend of infected PTs per month.

Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional survey, an online checklist was developed and validated to examine the consistency of the IPC …

Expanding Occupational Therapists’ Role In Youth Adaptive Sports: A Comprehensive Guidebook, Alexandria K. Lannoo, Lesley Khan-Farooqi

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Children with disabilities are less likely to participate in adaptive sports or physical activity than typically developing children, despite the proven benefits adaptive sports provide for physical, social, and emotional well-being. Adaptive sports can be modified to accommodate a variety of ability levels and can improve quality of life (QoL) of children with disabilities through enhanced mobility, social participation, and self efficacy. However many occupational therapists (OTs) underutilize adaptive sports within their practice and are unaware of their role in promoting participation and of resources within their community. Guided by the Synthesis of Child, Occupational Performance, and Environment in Time …

An Ot-Based Program For The Hispanic Community, Ruby Vargas, Cassandra Nelson

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Hispanic older adults experience significant health disparities, including higher rates of functional limitations and limited access to rehabilitation services due to language and cultural barriers. Guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, this doctoral capstone implemented the Step by Step program across multiple community sites to improve health literacy, independence, and awareness of occupational therapy (OT). The program delivered bilingual, culturally tailored education, ADL-based strategies, and fall prevention activities. Needs assessments and pre/post surveys indicated increased confidence in daily activities, improved understanding of OT’s role, and greater engagement in health-promoting behaviors. Findings support community-based, culturally responsive OT programs as effective in …

Use Of Motivational Interviewing To Increase Compliance In Therapy To Improve Work And Education Preparation For At-Risk And Underserved Youth, Javon Smith, Jan Greer, Sean Tory

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

At-risk and underserved youth often face barriers to educational attainment, employment, and psychosocial well-being, which can limit their long-term occupational engagement. This doctoral capstone project implemented an eight-week, occupational therapy–informed program at R.I.S.E. Homes in Las Vegas, Nevada, integrating the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) frameworks. The program aimed to enhance life skills, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and career readiness among youth in transitional living. Using a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, sessions combined didactic instruction, interactive activities, and role-play to foster skill acquisition and self-efficacy. Outcomes were measured through pre- and post-program self-assessments and qualitative feedback from …

Empowering Independence: Strategies For Safe Aging In The Home And Community For The Older Adult Population, Madelyn Rashford, Becky King, Keegan Mckay

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project created an occupational therapy–based guidebook to promote safe aging in place for community-dwelling older adults. The guidebook includes fall prevention exercises, home safety strategies, and community resources to support independence in daily activities. Implementation showed increased safety awareness and confidence, reinforcing occupational therapy’s role in fostering independence and quality of life.

The Professional And Occupational Identities Of Nicu Occupational Therapists, Lindsay M. Marquardt, Karen Park

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Occupational therapists in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provide specialized care, including infant positioning, feeding, handling techniques, and anticipatory guidance. While the American Occupational Therapy Association has outlined the role, little research has explored how therapists perceive their own occupational and professional identities in this highly specialized setting. This study explored the perspectives of NICU occupational therapists to better understand how their roles and identities are shaped within the NICU environment. A mixed-methods descriptive design was used. Data was collected through an electronic survey including Likert-scale and open-ended questions, with optional 30-minute follow-up interviews. Snowball and convenience sampling were …

Addressing Psychosocial Barriers To Participation In People Experiencing Homelessness: An Occupational Therapy Workshop, Preston E. Bender

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone project addressed the critical gap in occupational therapy education and practice regarding the psychosocial needs of people experiencing homelessness. Despite the occupational therapy profession’s emphasis on holistic, person-centered care, many occupational therapy practitioners and occupational therapy students report feeling a lack of self-efficacy and preparedness to navigate the complex psychological, social, and systemic barriers that hinder occupational participation among this population. This capstone project aimed to address the perceived unpreparedness among clinicians through the creation of an 8-hour interactive educational workshop. The workshop is grounded in the Model of Human Occupation and informed by the Bridging the Transition …

The Professional And Occupational Identities Of Nicu Occupational Therapists, Lindsay M. Marquardt, Karen Park

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Occupational therapists in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provide specialized care, including infant positioning, feeding, handling techniques, and anticipatory guidance. While the American Occupational Therapy Association has outlined the role, little research has explored how therapists perceive their own occupational and professional identities in this highly specialized setting. This study explored the perspectives of NICU occupational therapists to better understand how their roles and identities are shaped within the NICU environment. A mixed-methods descriptive design was used. Data was collected through an electronic survey including Likert-scale and open-ended questions, with optional 30-minute follow-up interviews. Snowball and convenience sampling were …

Culturally Responsive Occupational Therapy Treatment Guide For African-American And Hispanic People With Eating Disorders, Desere N. Cooper

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone project addressed the critical need for a culturally responsive approach to occupational therapy in the treatment of African-American and Hispanic with eating disorders (EDs) in the United States. Although EDs impair physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning, these communities often encounter systemic barriers such as cultural stigma, food insecurity, and inadequate assessment tools rooted in Eurocentric norms—that contribute to underdiagnosis, limited access to care, and poorer outcomes. The central issue addressed was the absence of clear, culturally relevant guidance for occupational therapy practitioners working with these underserved populations. The project was informed by a comprehensive literature review and synthesis …

Increasing Implementation Of The Comfortable Cafeteria Program To Promote School-Age Children’S Mental Health And Well-Being, Reinecka Mondesir, Angela Labrie Blackwell Phd, Otr

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Every Moment Counts (EMC) is a positive mental health promotion initiative that offers several initiatives to create inclusive environments that support student participation and emotional well-being throughout the school day. Comfortable Cafeteria, part of EMC, fosters positive mealtime experiences supporting peer interaction, emotional regulation, and inclusion. Many SBOT practitioners lack the resources to implement Comfortable Cafeteria, despite its benefits. This capstone project addresses the need for practical tools to help school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) practitioners integrate the Comfortable Cafeteria program into daily practice. Using the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, the project developed and disseminated an interactive, evidence-based video …