Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Supporting Students’ Sensory Needs: A Guidebook For Educators Using Sensory Closets, Emmy L. Bishop

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Occupational therapy practitioners can provide holistic, client-centered care that considers each student’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act considers occupational therapists to be specialized instructional support personnel (Pfirman et al., 2023). Pfirman et al. (2023) demonstrated the need for school-based programming and how interdisciplinary teams can help with prevention and wellness. As occupational therapists, we can bridge the mental and behavioral health needs and the skills the students need to be successful in school and life. Literature also showed occupational therapists work as instrumental and beneficial for therapy teams in providing sensory interventions. …

Enhancing Engagement: Integrating Sensory-Based Strategies For Students With Emotional Behavior Disorders In Genereal Education Classrooms, Hailey Boline

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: This scholarly project aims to develop and implement a toolkit designed to support teachers and paraprofessionals in managing the sensory, behavioral, and educational needs of students with Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD) and those who have experienced childhood trauma in general education classrooms. By integrating occupational therapy techniques and sensory-based interventions into classroom settings, this project seeks to enhance students' ability to self-regulate, ultimately improving academic engagement and social participation.

Methods: A multi-phase approach guided by the Ecology of Human Performance Model (EHP), beginning with a comprehensive literature review to identify best practices in sensory-based interventions for students with EBD …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Working With Children With Complex Medical Needs, Maci Layne Bakken

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Children with medical complexity (CMC) spend a lot of time in various medical facilities due to their conditions. One of the medical facilities available to families in the Midwest is a respite and hospice home for medically complex children. There are only three other homes like this in the United States. Due to symptoms of their conditions, functional limitations in skill development, and decreased opportunities to engage in the occupation of play, these children can experience occupational deprivation and decreased quality of life. At this specific respite and hospice home, there are many volunteers who sacrifice their time to …

Developing A Nursing Early-Intervention Bundle To Decrease The Prevalence Of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome, Aneesha Biju

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) has become an increasingly recognized challenge in critical care as more patients survive prolonged mechanical ventilation and lengthy ICU stays. Although lifesaving interventions support recovery from the primary illness, many patients develop new or worsened physical, cognitive, or psychological impairments after discharge. These complications often limit independence, slow recovery, and create long-term burdens for both patients and families. Research shows that early, consistent nursing interventions, such as delirium prevention, early mobility, mental health support, and family communication, can reduce the risk of PICS. The absence of a unified and standardized approach results in inconsistent practices and …

The Impact Of Nurse-Led Distraction Techniques On Pain And Anxiety During Cancer Treatment In Pediatric Oncology Patients: Examining Virtual Reality And Play Therapy, Alexis Abalos

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Children undergoing cancer treatment often experience pain and anxiety during procedures such as port access or peripheral catheterization. Nurse-led distraction techniques, including virtual reality and play therapy, have emerged as promising non-pharmacologic interventions to reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric oncology patients. Existing data from primary and secondary research articles reveal the effectiveness of virtual reality and play therapy on reducing pain, anxiety, and psychosocial distress in pediatric oncology patients receiving cancer treatment. This study proposes a quasi-experimental design involving 90 pediatric oncology patients aged 6–12 years diagnosed with leukemia. Participants will be placed in a nurse-led VR distraction, play …

Nourishing Knowledge: Optimizing Therapist And Family Education In The Implementation Of The Sos Feeding Approach, Aidyn C. Keller

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This ALE/capstone project aimed to bridge the knowledge gap between families, caregivers, and therapists during a 12-week feeding program at a local outpatient pediatric facility in Louisville, KY. The goal was to promote carryover of SOS-based strategies at home and boost caregiver confidence in implementing them. Dr. Kay Toomey, founder of the SOS Approach to Feeding, developed an evidence-based framework for children with feeding difficulties, following the developmental sequence of feeding skills from oral motor and sensory perspectives. The program incorporated resources from Dr. Toomey, including physical documents and links for additional materials for families and professionals.The project focused on …

Maternal Health Advocacy, Savanah Jones

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone, conducted at Sunny Day Therapy, aligned with the ACOTE advocacy domain and aimed to raise awareness of occupational therapy’s (OT) unique role in maternal health—a critical need as maternal mental health concerns affect 1 in 5 U.S. women (Postpartum Support International, 2023) and OT remains underutilized in this area. Addressing literature-identified gaps in emotional regulation, daily function, and maternal-infant co-occupations (Sepulveda, 2019), the 14-week project developed and disseminated evidence-based educational materials, social media campaigns, and outreach initiatives to support maternal self-regulation, physical health, and well-being during the perinatal and postpartum period. Deliverables included flyers on self-regulation, postpartum ergonomics, …

Tethered Oral Tissues (Tots) And Occupational Therapy (Ot), Tori Gray

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project and ALE focused on Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) and their connection to Occupational Therapy (OT), highlighting how TOTs impact more than just feeding by affecting sensory regulation, posture, and overall development. Through observation, research, and hands-on experience, I explored OT’s role in identifying and treating TOTs. I created an evidence-based educational infographic for local physician and dental offices to advocate for increased OT involvement and tracked patient referrals to assess its impact. Literature review revealed that while TOTs are commonly linked to lactation and speech, their broader effects on motor coordination, sensory processing, and posture are underrecognized. …

Empowering Mothers: Addressing Postpartum Depression In The Nicu Through Occupational Therapy, Maggie Cloyd

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) addressed the elevated risk of postpartum depression (PPD) among mothers with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Completed at Norton Women’’s and Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY, the project focused on leadership and advocacy, aiming to raise awareness of maternal mental health, highlight occupational therapy’s role, and create educational infographics for both NICU mothers and staff.A needs assessment was conducted through informal staff discussions, observation, and an anonymous survey distributed to NICU mothers. Mothers reported emotional distress, guilt, isolation, and limited involvement in infant care. Research supports that NICU …

In-Depth Exploration Of Ot In An Alf, Madison J. Jones

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My Capstone project focused on occupational therapy’s role in maintaining independence for individuals living in an assisted living facility (ALF) through advocacy, education, and hands-on experience. My goal throughout the project was to reach out to friends, family, and residents living in this retirement community to inform them about OT and the role OT can have to maintain their independence through physical activities, cognitive activities, and meaningful occupations. Different education and advocacy events were created and completed during the project to reach out to the residents and staff members about therapeutic services offered to support aging in place. My Capstone …

Building Clinical Expertise: An Occupational Therapy Student-Centered Guide To Foundational Orthotic Fabrication Concepts And Splint Patterns, Belinda Cheng

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this doctoral capstone was to support student learning in hand therapy by developing a student-centered educational guidebook that introduces fundamental orthotic fabrication concepts and provides visual splint pattern tutorials in an accessible and comprehensive format. Splint pattern development is a foundational step in orthotic fabrication that helps students comprehend how 2D designs translate into 3D orthoses. To enhance clinical skills through direct practice opportunities, this resource features detailed splint pattern modules for 10 commonly fabricated orthoses, each accompanied by background information and model images, while the orthotic educational content promotes self-directed learning by guiding students to understand …

Sensory Toolkits For Self-Regulation In An Inclusive Summer Camp, Ashley A. Edwards

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project focused on increasing sensory regulation support for participants at Camp Hooray hosted at Extra Special People (ESP), a nonprofit organization serving individuals with disabilities of all ages. To address sensory processing challenges in an inclusive summer camp setting, I developed and distributed portable sensory toolkits and provided staff education on their use. Each toolkit was a drawstring bag containing noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, sunglasses, visual prompts for deep breathing, and other items designed to offer calming or alerting input in moments of dysregulation. I collaborated with staff to identify needs, secured donations, sourced materials, and created an educational …

Advocating For And Improving Kota Membership, Hunter Robinson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project took place remotely with mentorship provided by Dr. Allen Keener, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ATP. The primary ACOTE focus area of this project is advocacy. The goals of my capstone include identifying why OT professionals either do or don’t attain and maintain KOTA membership, advocating for the importance of OT professionals to gain membership to their state OT association, identifying factors/trends that may contribute to an increase or decrease in membership rates among various state OT associations, and using knowledge gained throughout this project, help to improve KOTA membership rates. State occupational therapy associations across the country are …

Long Story Short: Addressing Health Literacy In The Acute Care Setting, Madeline K. Ebright

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project targeted patient and family education in the acute care setting. The primary goals were focused on understanding what education was already being provided and what improvements can be made to educational methods. The primary problem that was addressed through a literature review and needs assessment was a lack of physical resources available. Five core resources were then created across three different departments in order to improve the overall system of health education in the acute care setting and consequently improve patient health literacy. To evaluate the efficacy of the resources they were provided to patients and practitioners …

Adverse Childhood Experiences In The School System, Hollie Hedrick

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

Through my ALE, focused on education in Boyd County Public Schools, I implemented trauma-informed interventions to support students affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). My goals were to help children develop emotional and sensory regulation skills, educate school staff on how to support students navigating trauma, and raise awareness of the lifelong impact of ACEs and the value of therapeutic services. ACEs—such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction—can disrupt childhood development and lead to poor long-term health and increased need for medical and educational services. It is crucial that professionals help students process and manage these experiences. I delivered 1:1 …

Enhancing Occupational Therapy In The Acute Care Setting: Educating Clinicians, Expanding Resources, And Strengthening Documentation, Elizabeth Biggs

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My doctoral capstone project was completed in the acute care setting at University of Kentucky HealthCare. The goal was to elevate occupational therapy’s role by addressing documentation practices, assessment use, and discharge planning. I focused on equipping clinicians with tools and education to improve service quality, efficiency, and OT visibility in discharge processes.

Through clinician interviews, workflow observations, and review of discharge trends, I identified challenges in documentation standardization, assessment clarity, and OT involvement in discharge planning. Literature supported these findings, highlighting how such issues reduce OT’s impact on patient outcomes.

In response, I developed three key deliverables using clinician …

From Symptom To Source: Unraveling The Upper Limb Puzzle, Kara Burton

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this ALE project was to bridge the gap in literature by creating a comprehensive evaluation program to assist in identifying differential diagnoses based on symptoms presented. Following ACOTE’s focus areas of program development and clinical practice, this project aimed to improve diagnostic accuracy and clinical reasoning through the creation of an evidence based evaluation program. It guides therapists through a systematic evaluation process, especially when symptoms are complex or diagnoses are unclear. Providing clinicians with a structured chart focusing on symptom overview, mechanism of injury, clinical presentation, special testing, and potential differential diagnoses. On site therapists and …

Kentucky Occupational Therapy Foundation, Hannah Mitchell, Hannah Mitchell

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

For my Capstone and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE), I partnered virtually with Eastern Kentucky University and the Kentucky Occupational Therapy Foundation (KOTF), focusing on advocacy and development in alignment with ACOTE standards. The project’s goal was to promote occupational justice by increasing access to OT education through the creation of a targeted scholarship. Guided by my mentor, Dr. Colleen Schneck, and the KOTF board, we identified financial barriers as a significant issue for aspiring occupational therapy professionals. Our needs assessment showed a lack of OT-specific scholarships for students at varying educational levels. To address this, we developed a scholarship for …

3d Printed Adaptive Technology, Mackenzie Polster

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

For my Capstone experience, I worked with Hancock Health in the outpatient department in Greenfield, IN. My primary ACOTE focus areas were program development (creating 3D printed adaptive technology (AT) for patients) and education (educating about benefits of 3D printing for functional use). Project goals included: educate occupational therapists and patients about 3D printed AT benefits, create 3D printed AT for patients, assess 3D printed AT from patient perspective, and assess relevance of 3D printed AT from OT perspective. There is limited existing research of 3D printing being used for AT. 3D printing often is dismissed due to vendors utilizing …

The Effectiveness Of Vivistim On Ue Function Post Chronic Ischemic Stroke, Chelsea G. Tucker

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this capstone project was to learn about a new technology, Vivistim, as it enhances upper extremity function post chronic ischemic stroke through vagus nerve stimulation paired with repetitive task-specific therapy. This project took place at UK Healthcare Outpatient Neurorehabilitation at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. The AOTA/ACOTE focus areas for this project included education and clinical practice. Specific goals included to learn about the role of occupational therapy in the outpatient neurorehabilitation setting, research background information for case study including ischemic stroke, motor relearning, vagus nerve stimulation, and Vivistim technology, gather observations for case study, …

Program Analysis And Development In A Kentucky Specialty Court Program, Brooke Mahanna

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone was completed with a Specialty Court program within Kentucky. The focus was education and advocacy for occupational therapy (OT) in a setting that currently lacks these services. The goals included identifying OT's role in substance use treatment, especially for justice-involved individuals and developing OT-informed resources to support holistic care and wellness.

Substance use negatively impacts personal, social, and occupational participation (Doğu & Özkan, 2023; Sadaqat et al., 2023). OT’s focus on quality of life is an approach shown to improve long-term outcomes. Lack of OT services in the project setting highlights a gap in holistic care for program …

Empowering Veterans Through Access: Development Of A Comprehensive Resource Guide, Lindsey Perkins

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

For my Capstone and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE), I partnered with the EKU Office of Veterans Affairs, an academic support setting serving student veterans. The ACOTE focus areas were Education and Program Development. The project aimed to create a comprehensive Veterans Resource Guide to help veterans navigate healthcare, education, employment, and community reintegration services. A needs assessment revealed a lack of centralized resources to support student veterans, aligning with literature indicating that over 48% of veterans struggle with transitioning to civilian life (Parker et al., 2019). Challenges include mental health, social isolation, and occupational barriers (Krigbaum et al., 2020), with …

Dynamic Movement Intervention (Dmi): Understanding Occupational Therapy's Role In Pediatric Gross Motor Development, Katarina Porter

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this capstone experience was to complete an advanced clinical practice in Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) and to explore the role of occupational therapy in pediatric gross motor development at Marshall Pediatric Therapy in Lexington, Kentucky. As part of this project, an educational brochure was developed to inform parents and practitioners about the benefits of DMI for children with gross motor delays. Additionally, a student guide was created to link DMI exercises to pediatric developmental milestones and to highlight their relevance to occupational therapy. This capstone experience allowed me to advance my understanding of pediatric gross motor development, …

Exploring The Benefits Of Occupational Therapy In Women's Health, Makayla Witt

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The primary goal of this ALE presentation was to educate healthcare providers, patients, and staff on occupational therapist’s contributions to women’s health. In collaboration with Dr. Byram Ratliff at Sterling Women’s Health, I explored the role of occupational therapy in individualized women’s care. Initial research revealed a lack of awareness regarding how occupational therapy can support women through different life stages. This project involved shadowing my site mentor to understand clinic workflows, then assessing baseline knowledge of occupational therapy using an online survey completed by patients, staff, and providers. Survey results identified limited awareness of occupational therapist’s role, prompting the …

Increasing Referrals To Ot Breastfeeding Specialists Through Accessible Education, Kameron Grigsby

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This project aimed to educate mothers and healthcare providers about the role of occupational therapy (OT) in infant feeding, with the goal of increasing occupational performance satisfaction by promoting appropriate referrals to OT lactation specialists. A significant gap exists in understanding the distinction between other healthcare professionals and OT roles in infant feeding, and the literature lacks detailed OT interventions to support mothers during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding struggles. To address this, I conducted a patient survey to guide the creation of a pamphlet outlining OT’s role in feeding and developed a presentation demonstrating OT interventions for both providers and mothers. …

Cmc Arthritis And Splinting, Andrea Nantz

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project and applied leadership experience was on CMC arthritis and splinting. The primary focus area of this capstone experience was clinical practice and education. There are multiple different interventions that can benefit individuals with CMC arthritis such as splinting, joint protection/modifications, and exercise. The problem this capstone project solved for my clinical setting is helping patients implement joint protection, modifications, splint wear, as well as providing information on why custom orthotics are more effective. I evaluated the effectiveness of my project through a survey given to CMC arthritis patients and verbal feedback from patients after they read through …

Promoting Diagnosis Education Access In Hand Therapy, Juan J. Torres

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project took place at KORT Downtown Hand Center, focusing on creating educational materials to help enhance patient understanding of their diagnosis, increase access to these resources, and increase my overall knowledge in hand therapy. A literature review revealed that low health literacy contributes to increased hospitalizations and inadequate health management, more so for non-English speakers. To address this, I created educational handouts in both English and Spanish for five common diagnoses seen in this setting: Lateral Epicondylitis, Medial Epicondylitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, and Distal Radius Fractures (Post-Operative). At the start of this capstone, I created …

Filling The Gap: Ot’S Role In Addressing Emotional Barriers In Vestibular Rehab, Gabby P. Cordas

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project explored the emotional and behavioral barriers that impact vestibular rehabilitation, and how occupational therapy can help fill that gap. It took place at UK Outpatient Therapy at Cardinal Hill, where physical therapy leads vestibular care. However, many patients struggle with anxiety, avoidance, and frustration that interfere with progress. My goal was to observe those patterns, clarify OT’s role, and create practical tools to support more holistic care.

Research shows that psychiatric comorbidities are common in vestibular disorders—especially episodic conditions like vestibular migraine and Ménière’s disease. Emotional responses such as fear, self-doubt, and withdrawal can worsen symptoms and …

Closing The Gap In Ot Practices: Hospice And Palliative Care, Karly French

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this Capstone project and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) was to explore the perspectives of family members and caregivers of individuals who received hospice or palliative care and to advocate for increased occupational therapy (OT) involvement in these settings. Conducted entirely online under the supervision of Dr. Allen Keener, the project focused on the ACOTE areas of research and advocacy. A thorough literature review revealed that while OT is known to be beneficial in end-of-life care, it is often underutilized. Most existing research reflects the views of healthcare providers, with minimal representation of caregiver perspectives. To address this …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Mental And Behavioral Health, Claudia Robertson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this capstone was to promote preparedness of occupational therapy (OT) students for mental and behavioral health practice through the creation of a learning module. This project was completed in collaboration with the University of Kentucky College of Nursing Behavioral Health and Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) research team. Recently, OT students reported a perceived lack of preparedness for level II fieldwork (Bergstresser-Simpson et al., 2023). The literature review and SWOT analysis highlighted a gap between the needs of the mental and behavioral health populations and OT student preparation for level II fieldwork. Though the …