Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Foundational Curriculum To Engage Students In The Occupation Of Cooking, Brooke Mehus, Karen Park

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The reason for this project is that adolescents are not being provided with the knowledge surrounding cooking and meal preparation from their household, secondary schooling systems, and/or a lack of culinary programs resulting in a decrease in independence and life skills. Therefore, an additional program needs to be implemented in order to address these barriers.

The purpose of this project was to develop a program to enhance participation of adolescents in the occupation of cooking emphasizing life skills, safety, confidence, and knowledge within the kitchen. The program was completed at The Winston School which had an existing culinary arts program; …

Leisure Activity And Social Participation Group Therapy To Address Geriatric Depression Symptoms, Austin Brown, Keegan Mckay, Lisa Griggs-Stapleton, Rene Wren

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project involved the creation of a group therapy program that used leisure activity and social participation to address geriatric depression.

Occupational Therapy For Sleep Dysfunction: An Education Course For Students And Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Hayley Shank, Mary Smith, Emily Frank

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Sleep disorders are the second most frequent complaint, after pain, in individuals with chronic illness; the healthcare field is considering this an epidemic. Research suggests there is an insufficient amount of awareness and education regarding treating sleep dysfunction among occupational therapy students and practitioners. The purpose of this capstone project was to create an OT education course for OT students and practitioners to utilize when addressing sleep dysfunction with their clients and caregivers. Results of my course support the capstone problem statement; that there is an insufficient amount of awareness and education regarding the treatment and management of sleep dysfunction …

Development And Implementation Of An Outcome Measure For Move Inclusive Dance, Morgan Sondergeld

OTD Capstone Projects

Due to the need for increased funding at MOVE Inclusive Dance, an outcome measure was created and piloted to display program efficacy. This outcome measure with collected data will illustrate to stakeholders and grant committees the value of MOVE Inclusive Dance. Furthermore, a revised sensory protocol was created to ease student transition from classroom to stage through the use of visuals and strategies. Lastly, an organized document was created for the owner of MOVE Inclusive Dance to continuously apply for grants over the coming years with increased ease.

An Examination Of The Occupational Impact On Family Life Having A Child In Competitive Sports, Kelsey Hamilton, Karen Park, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone research project was to examine the impact of having a child in competitive sports has on the performance patterns of a family. As youth sports culture intensifies in America, it is important to provide an occupational therapy perspective on this aspect of life. A mixed methods research study was conducted with twenty-seven parents of children in competitive team sports. Survey and semi-structured interviews provided insight into the lived experiences of families with a child in competitive sports.

Developing Evidence Based Protocols To Enhance Occupational Therapy Treatment Of The Upper Extremity, Alexandra Ross

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project consisted of the creation of a rehabilitation protocol booklet of 27 diagnoses pertaining to the upper extremity. This poster goes into detail of the protocol creation and development process, and provides examples of protocols for different diagnoses.

Abundant Life Adventure Club Youth Program: Positive Youth Development Through Outdoor Recreation And Adventure, Gabriela Swiecki

OTD Capstone Projects

This Capstone project was completed as a collaborative effort with another OTD student and through a partnership with Abundant Life Adventure Club (ALAC). ALAC is a Nashville based organization that focuses on curating outdoor adventures and experiences for Black adults. The focus of this project was on the creation of outdoor programming for urban-dwelling youth, specifically middle schooler, using the principles of positive youth development. The result is a complete digital program guide. The guide includes objectives to address each theme, discussion questions and statements, a lesson plan template, and an activities list to pair with a theme. Using this …

Occupational Therapy And Animal Assisted Therapy: Advocacy For The Field & Best Practice, Mackenzie E. Vanderbloomen

OTD Capstone Projects

There are many ways to incorporate animal assisted therapy (AAT) into occupational therapy (OT) practice, including facilitating client motivation, participation, companionship, addressing activities of daily living (ADLs) including grooming, bathing, feeding, and dressing, as well as the role of pet caretaker as an instrumental activity of daily living (IADL). While the values and goals that guide both AAT and OT seem to align in various ways, literature speaking to this unique blend of therapy and the benefits it has on client outcomes and work environment are limited. To highlight gaps in knowledge, and to inform suggestions for field advancement, a …

The Use Of Mobility And Medication On Patient’S Perception Of Pain In Hospitalized Patients With Chronic Back Pain Benchmark Study, Katherine E. Zaske Merenda Mrs., Katherine Merenda

MSN Capstone Projects

According to Boss & Huether, twenty-nine percent of Americans have been diagnosed with chronic low back pain (CLBP). This pain can affect every part of their lives leading to lost wages and decreased quality of life. CLBP is an issue experienced by many hospitalized patients. These patients may not be able to mitigate their pain as they normally would due to safety protocols in hospital settings. Exercise or mobility has been shown to decrease a person’s perception of pain. The importance of exercise and mobility in a hospital setting to help decrease a patient’s perception of pain needs further research. …

Improving Occupational Engagement: An Occupation-Based Virtual Program For Caregivers Of Individuals With Dementia, Betsabel Garcia, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville, Lisa Schubert

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Dementia is a progressive disorder that affects many people worldwide including informal caregivers of individuals with dementia (Harrison et al., 2019). Every year, more than 16 million Americans provide more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care for family and friends with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias (CDC, 2019). As a result, many informal caregivers experience higher levels of caregiver burden, depression, and anxiety (Amato et al., 2021; Raj et al., 2021; Walter & Pinquart, 2020). This causes an occupational imbalance in caregivers' ability to meet their needs and those of their loved one. Leisure is within occupational therapy's …

Biostimulation With Low-Level Laser Therapy And Its Effects On Soft And Hard Tissue Regeneration. Literature Review, Anida Maria Babtan, Aranka Ilea, Claudia Nicoleta Feurdean, Sabino Ceci, Berate Pula, Sebastian Candrea, Daniela Azzollini, Fabio Piras, Luigi Curatoli, Alberto Corriero, Assunta Patano, Francesco Valente, Maria Elena Maggiore, Antonio Mancini, Delia Giovanniello, Ludovica Nucci, Rossella Elia, Adina Sirbu, Nausica Bianca Petrescu, Codruta Mirica, Andrea Galderisi, Filippo Cardarelli

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Objective. Low-Level Laser Therapy encourages the healing process, reduces inflammation and pain. The aim of this study is to identify the impact of Low-Level Laser Therapy on tissue regeneration with special attention to hard tissues and to compare the effect of several wave lengths in the proliferation and differentiation of cells. Methods. The keywords used were “bone regeneration”, “laser therapy”, “photobiomodulation” OR “bio-stimulation”, “Low-Level Laser therapy” OR “LLLT”, “osteoblast proliferation” AND “differentiation”. Results. The bio-stimulation with Low-Level Laser Therapy also seems to interfere with the osseous integration of implants, by increasing its adherence on the bone-implant surfaces. Evidence has shown …

Abundant Life Youth Program: Promoting Positive Youth Development Through Outdoor Experience, Elizabeth Robinson

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project was completed in collaboration with Abundant Life Adventure Club, a Nashville based organization that promotes wellness through curated outdoor adventures for Black individuals. This project coordinated with that of another capstone student in the creation of a comprehensive youth program aiming to promote positive youth development in an outdoor setting for urban-dwelling youth. A literature review was performed to inform the choice of themes and content for the curriculum, which included increasing exposure to nature as well as discussion of developmentally relevant content. The outcome of the research and planning for this curriculum is a digital resource …

Narrative Review - Optimal Occupational Therapy Experience, Kaylee G. Clay

Honors College Theses

This narrative review examines factors associated with optimal occupational therapy experiences, including patient perspectives of occupational therapy, cost-effectiveness, use of practices, organization, and patient involvement/experiences. The information found within this review provides information to those interested in creating the most optimal experiences for their occupational therapy patients.

Developing An Educational Foundation For Incorporating Animal Assisted Interventions Into Rehabilitation Settings, Chandni Vyas

OTD Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone experience was to identify and fill the need for standardized education in the field of occupational and physical therapy regarding the implementation of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) into treatment. Working with Belmont University Professor, Dr. Christi Williams, PTT, DPT, OCS, Cert MDT, a course describing the foundations of AAI in practice was created to provide occupational and physical therapy practitioners with a standardized educational course for incorporating therapy animal teams into client-centered interventions. The course was piloted on students in both fields, and a feedback survey was utilized to learn about the attitudes regarding the appropriateness …

Addressing Als Caregiver Needs: An Occupation-Based Caregiver Education Program, Kylee Hall, Helen Carey, Lauren Webb, Lisa Griggs-Stapleton

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This program adds a new component to the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s already established online educational programs. The foundation had a program for people living with ALS but did not have a program for caregivers prior to this project.

A needs assessment was completed to determine caregiver needs and materials for caregivers were developed based on the needs found. The materials developed were implemented with ten caregivers to determine effectiveness and outcomes before launching the program to the general public.

Teaching And Supplemental Material Development For Belmont University's Otd Neuroscience Course, Jessica Van Ryzin

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project focused on the development of the neuroscience curriculum with Belmont School of Occupational Therapy. Agency needs included strategies and materials to supplement student understanding in particularly difficult lessons. Project goals ranged from identification of difficult content areas to development of a variety of materials. Using research and stakeholder suggestions, a variety of materials were developed to address diverse learning styles and needs. Feedback was gathered on all learning materials to assess effectiveness and make necessary changes. In all, four case studies, two lectures, two labs, two worksheets, one instructor resource on research findings, and a series of …

Nobody Likes Busy Work: Tilting An Ota Program's Curriculum, Sarah Parkinson

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Nashville State Community College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. The college is currently transitioning from The Adult Learning Theory to Bloom’s Theory and the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) method. This project aimed to modify learning materials to assist the OTA program with the transition using specific stakeholder feedback to guide adjustments and assignment design in line with ACOTE standards.

Promoting The Benefits Of Therapy Dogs In Healthcare Settings Through Children's Literature, Angela Bozik

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone experience was completed in partnership with Dr. Christi Williams, PT, DPT, OCS, Cert. MDT. Dr. Williams has a mission to educate others of all ages on the benefits of animal-assisted interventions in a wide variety of settings - most notably, healthcare settings. The primary focus of this project was to create a children's book to teach others about how therapy dogs can be incorporated into a wide variety of healthcare settings in more ways than just petting the dog. It is the hope that through this book more families and healthcare professionals will be inspired to register …

The Parkinson's Wellness Project: An 8-Part Educational Video Series, Samantha L. Stevenson

OTD Capstone Projects

The Parkinson’s Wellness Project is an 8-part educational video series created by Samantha Stevenson, a student in Belmont University’s Doctorate Program in Occupational Therapy. Purpose: This project was created to benefit all persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their care partners who attend Rocksteady Boxing (RSB) in Franklin/Nashville, TN. Methodology: The student conducted research to identify the salient issues experienced by people living with PD. The issues were then synthesized into 8 separate categories including the following: facial expression, mental health, sexual health, self-care, sleep, diet and nutrition, meditation, and postural alignment. Experts in the healthcare field produced specialized content …

Acute Kidney Injury Contributes To Worse Physical And Quality Of Life Outcomes In Survivors Of Critical Illness, Kirby P. Mayer, Victor M. Ortiz-Soriano, Alborz Kalantar, Joshua Lambert, Peter E. Morris, Javier A. Neyra

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Objectives: Survivors of critical illness and acute kidney injury (AKI) are at risk of increased morbidity. The purpose of this study was to compare physical, emotional, and cognitive health in survivors of critical illness with and without AKI.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of adult (≥ 18 years old) survivors of critical illness due to sepsis and/or acute respiratory failure who attended follow-up in a specialized ICU Recovery Clinic. Outcomes were evaluated during 3-month visit and comprised validated tests for evaluation of physical function, muscle strength, cognitive and emotional health, and self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Descriptive statistics …

Illuminate Academy Kindergarten Market Research And Shine Shop, Shauna Rocha

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed through a partnership with Illuminate Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. Illuminate Academy is a not-for-profit alternative to a public or private school for children with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities. One of the primary foci of this project was to develop a kindergarten market research guide comparing Illuminate Academy with other inclusive kindergarten programs as a resource for the agency as well as current and prospective families in Middle Tennessee. Another primary focus of this project was to create social media and marketing materials for Illuminate Academy’s Shine Shop, a transition service that provides students …

Educational Guides To Assistive Technology And Digital Literacy For Older Adults And Caregivers, Cheney D. Hess

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project consisted of the development of a variety of educational resources to assistive technology and digital literacy for older adults and caregivers to aid this population in the process researching, selecting, and accessing assistive technology.

Applying Self-Compassion And Stress Management Techniques To Increase Healthy Behaviors Among Women At The New Beginnings Center, Payton Knupp

OTD Capstone Projects

The New Beginnings Center is a nonprofit organization that serves as an empowerment program for women from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Nashville area. Current curriculum includes a 12-week program focused on nutrition, exercise, and positive lifestyle changes that provide a holistic approach to long-term behavior change and a lasting support system. The objective for this project was to provide updated programming based on current research and relevant topics for the population, utilizing the cognitive behavioral frame of reference to facilitate behavior change, reframing negative and distorted thinking into healthy and productive habits. The subjects of the two workshops focused on …

Coaching For Independent Living Skills In Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities At Friends Life Community, Ashley G. Raby

OTD Capstone Projects

Friends Life Community is an organization that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Nashville, TN. They provide a day program, drama therapy, social clubs, career coaching, and life coaching. The life coaching program is an individualized service provided to clients who are striving to become more independent in life skills. This project focused on creating resources and assessments to aid in the coaching process. Resources were created in the following categories: activities, cleaning, hygiene and routines, nutrition and exercise, and budgeting.

Promoting Community Accessibility Through Advocacy And Networking With The Ability App, Chloe C. Moore

OTD Capstone Projects

Promoting Community Accessibility Through Advocacy and
Networking with The Ability App Networking with The Ability App

Vehicle Modification Resources For Families Of Tucker’S House, Heather Ribolla

OTD Capstone Projects

• Tucker's House is a nonprofit providing construction, retrofitting, and home accessibility services for families of children with disabilities
• Mission: To create safer, more accessible homes and environments for children and young adults with disabilities
• Vision: For every child with disabilities to feel at home

Promoting Occupational Well-Being Through Program Development At Rock Steady Boxing, Meredith F. Maines

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed through a partnership with Rock Steady Boxing (RSB), a non-profit organization which aims to provide hope to people with Parkinson’s Disease and strives to improve quality of life. The goal of this project was to create resources for RSB that support business growth and promote occupational well-being amongst participants. Resources include updated intake assessment forms, workout templates, and an organized Google Drive for storage and dissemination of resources.

Burnout Solutions Through Wellness And Outdoor Adventure, Cassidy Bizzell

OTD Capstone Projects

For this doctoral capstone project I partnered with Abundant Life Adventure Club, a wellness company that curates group travel and outdoor events for Black professionals and entrepreneurs to experience the connection and self-care needed to thrive in life and work. The purpose of this project was to determine the club’s points of service, show the club’s effectiveness of providing burnout solutions, and support the mission for Abundant Life Adventure Club to expand membership and provide nature-based wellness interventions to Black professionals and entrepreneurs. Through research and collaboration, I created a member survey to determine the effectiveness of the club in …

Promoting Client-Centered Learning And Education Of Teenage Mothers, Katie R. Hartline

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Nurses for Newborns, a nonprofit organization that sends registered nurses to the homes of families who have a greater risk of infant mortality. By delivering prenatal/postnatal care, education, infant developmental assistance, educational resources, community resources, and facilitating long-term plans with the families, Nurses for Newborns takes active measures to prevent child abuse, neglect, and infant mortality. This project was driven by the organization’s need to increase engagement, participation, and learning outcomes by their teen mother clientele. The primary focus of this project was to create a client-specific booklet to promote …

Developing Resources To Promote Proficient Telehealth Service Delivery And Increase Knowledge About Making Changes To A State’S Practice Act, Cassandra M. Howe

OTD Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to provide up-to-date resources for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapy students about legislative updates to the Tennessee occupational therapy practice act regarding the emerging area of telehealth practice. The pandemic was a catalyst for further legitimizing telehealth and telemedicine as a method of occupational therapy service delivery to be included in a state’s practice act as well as, being worthy of payment parity. The Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association(TNOTA) seeks to provide their constituents with timely, meaningful resources to assist in guiding practice and providing exemplary OT services. The TNOTA Telehealth …