Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Reimagining Clinical Education: Interprofessional Simulation And Clinical Skill Readiness In Nursing And Occupational Therapy Curricula, Gretchen Johnson, Linda Barnett, Lori Aaron-Brija, Emily Berkowitz

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: As the healthcare landscape evolves, education for health professionals must prepare future practitioners to meet emerging challenges and navigate diverse care settings. Integrating interprofessional education (IPE) opportunities within healthcare curricula supports the development of essential clinical skill competencies and collaboration across multiple disciplines. The Clinical Skill Readiness interprofessional model prepares students for successful clinical rotations by integrating assessment and skill development. Students develop vital interprofessional skills, with specific emphasis on communication, professionalism, and role clarity, all of which are essential for effective practice in a collaborative clinical setting. Methods: Nursing and occupational therapy students participated in timed treatment sessions …

Best Practices For Supporting Occupational Therapy Students With Disabilities During Clinical Education: Results From A Three-Round Delphi Study, Courtney Gohean, Katie Mclaughlin, Aster Harrison

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Disabled occupational therapy students face systemic barriers in clinical education. Although legal mandates require reasonable accommodations, implementation is often inconsistent, and few standardized guidelines exist for fieldwork education. This study is aimed at establishing best practices for supporting occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students with disabilities during fieldwork.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A three-round Delphi study was conducted with a panel of 30 experts, including disabled occupational therapy students, disabled occupational therapy practitioners, academic fieldwork coordinators (AFWCs), fieldwork educators (FWEs), disability services staff, and researchers. In Round 1, participants answered open-ended questions about challenges, accommodations, and environmental supports. Responses …

The Forgotten Adl: An Educational Program Addressing Personal Hygiene And Grooming For Older Adults​, Ashlee D. Moten, Becky King

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Some older adults have difficulty completing personal hygiene and grooming tasks independently and require assistance from an informal caregiver. However, informal caregivers often become stressed and overwhelmed due to limited educational resources and support available. These tasks include all oral, skin, nail, and hair care, such as brushing hair, applying deodorant, clipping nails, or brushing teeth (AOTA, 2020). OTs can help develop interventions to enhance participation in personal hygiene and grooming tasks. The purpose of this capstone project was to create an educational program to equip older adults and their informal caregivers with strategies for participating in personal hygiene and …

Enhancing Mental Health Support For Motor Vehicle Accident (Mva) Survivors Through Occupational Therapy (Ot)-Led Support Groups, Emma K. Gooden Ms

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project, completed during a 14-week Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) with Georgetown-Scott County EMS (GSCEMS), focused on the ACOTE target areas of Program Development and Advocacy by creating an evidence-based, trauma-informed, occupational therapy support group curriculum for motor vehicle accident (MVA) survivors. A literature review and needs assessment identified a significant gap in post-crash care, as many survivors experience long-term psychological challenges—including PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of driving, and disruptions in daily roles—despite care often emphasizing physical rehabilitation over emotional recovery. Drawing from observations of GSCEMS Peer Support and Critical Incident Stress Management meetings, current evidence, and ongoing …

Program Development: Integration Of Occupation In Adaptive Fitness, Havyn A. Isaac, Lakeisa Boykin

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project was a program development and implementation of an adaptive fitness program for individuals with physical disabilities that integrates occupation. This was done to bridge the gap between adaptive fitness and occupational therapy and highlight the role of occupational therapy in adaptive fitness settings. A needs assessment and activity analysis were completed and used to develop the weekly sessions throughout implementation. The implementation phase was over 6 weeks, with 3 sessions a week. Each week had an occupational focus that was identified and broken down with the activity analysis. The program highlighted the role of occupational therapy in adaotive …

Supporting Occupational Engagement And Regulation For Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis, Robert E. Oehl 3rd, Zeida Gutierrez

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Children diagnosed with pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) can face cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms. The symptoms they experience can be barriers to participation in occupations and activities of daily living. For occupational therapy, there is very limited resources for pediatric MS specifically, and it is almost an unknown diagnosis. Occupational therapy in management can help ensure that children reach their developmental milestones in mobility, grasp, social, cognitive, and academic circles. This capstone project was meant to improve awareness and comprehensive treatment and resources through program development. The capstone experience resulted in a project featuring a webinar about pediatric MS and …

When Robots Join The Care Team: A Pilot Study Of Social Robots In Inpatient Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Nora Mizell, Rebecca Ozelie

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Children may experience anxiety while hospitalized. This may act as a barrier to participation in occupational therapy (OT) sessions and diminish the benefits of OT. Therefore, occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) must provide interventions that support mental health and engagement during pediatric hospitalization. This study explored the feasibility of using social robots as OT intervention to reduce anxiety and support engagement in therapy in children admitted to an acute inpatient rehabilitation facility (AIR).

Methods: Participants included four children ages 5-10, admitted to an urban AIR facility. Each participant interacted with a social robot during three, 30-minute occupational therapy sessions. A …

Fostering Inclusion: Supporting Children With Hearing Loss In Social Interactions, Danielle Kaletta, Mary Jan Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project provided an open-access online program for caregivers of children with hearing loss to facilitate social engagement. Qualitative methods were used to conduct a needs assessment and identify areas of concern, barriers, and limited resources that affect participation in social activities. Based on the needs assessment, a 6-module website was created and published. Occupational therapy-based evidence, research, interventions, and best practices were compiled and adapted to target identified areas. Participants reported overall favorable feedback, stating an increase in knowledge, confidence, and participation.

Advocacy For Inclusive Play In South Dallas: Expanding Access For Children In Underserved Areas, Aryanna Fellows, Mary Jan Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project aimed to advocate for more inclusive and accessible playgrounds for children of all abilities in underserved communities in South Dallas. Guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) Model, the project evaluated playground accessibility and identified environmental barriers that limit participation for children with disabilities. Methods included a community needs assessment, playground observations using a standardized accessibility assessment tool, surveys, and stakeholder collaboration. Participants included community members, caregivers, organizational stakeholders, and children who utilize local playgrounds. Findings were synthesized to develop evidence-based recommendations and educational resources to support future playground improvements. The expected outcomes included increased awareness of inclusive playground …

Navigating Concussion Recovery: An Educational Module-Based Approach To Strengthening Occupational Therapist Confidence And Effectiveness In Concussion Rehabilitation, Alejandra Abella, Wendy Tremaine

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly known as concussion, presents with complex physical, cognitive, visual, vestibular, and emotional symptoms that can significantly affect an individual's ability to participate in meaningful daily occupations. Although occupational therapists play an essential role in concussion rehabilitation, many clinicians report that confidence in evaluating and treating this population develops primarily through years of clinical experience rather than structured education. Inconsistent exposure to concussion cases and limited access to current evidence-based resources contribute to variations in clinical confidence and practice.

Purpose: The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop and implement a comprehensive …

Occupational Therapy’S Role And Impact In Cancer Prehabilitation: A Scoping Review, Abbey Rancour, Averi Haas, Emily Peckham, Kate Reimer, Kylie Mccaskill

Masters Projects

Background:

Oncology prehabilitation aims to optimize patients’ physical and psychosocial function before cancer treatment, yet the specific contributions of occupational therapy (OT) remain underexplored.

Objective:

This scoping review aims to map and synthesize the existing literature describing the role and reported benefits of OT within oncology prehabilitation programs.

Methodology:

Following Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) scoping review framework and guided by the PRISMA-ScR checklist, three databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science) were searched. Search terms included preoperative exercise, prehabilitation, neoplasms, and cancer. Articles were screened by two independent reviewers, and data were charted and analyzed descriptively and thematically.

Results:

A …

The Impact Of Youth Sport On Occupational Balance: A Survey Study, Sean Jones

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Youth sport has been highly researched, exploring both positive and negative health impacts (Adetunji & Akendutire, 2017; Brengtsson et al., 2025; Conway, 2024; Hoffman et al., 2022). Despite the high prevalence of youth sport participation, and variability of health-related outcomes, there has been no research regarding the impact youth sport participation has on occupational balance, an occupational therapy concept that has been linked with overall health and well-being (Park et al., 2021). A mixed-methods, cross-sectional survey study was used to gain better insights into the impact youth sport participation may have on occupational balance. A sample size of 466 Nevada …

Effectiveness Of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy On The Quality Of Life Of Adults With Dementia: A Secondary Analysis, Evelyn Airam

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This secondary analysis study evaluated the effectiveness of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) on quality of life (QoL), depressive symptoms, and cognitive function in 108 community-dwelling older adults with cognitive impairments, including dementia. Outcomes involved Quality of Life (QoL) measured by the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease (QoL-AD), symptoms of depression by the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), and cognitive function using the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS). After the CST, significant improvements were observed in QoL (p = .004), depressive symptoms (p = .002), and cognitive function (p < .001), with small effect sizes. Additionally, a significant interaction between sex and dementia diagnosis status was found in predicting cognitive changes, suggesting that the relationship between dementia diagnosis and cognitive improvement differs by sex. No between-group differences were found for QoL or depression. Findings support CST as a multidimensional, non-pharmacological intervention that improves cognitive, psychological, and social outcomes. Although effects were small, consistent improvements are clinically meaningful given the progressive nature of dementia. This study extends existing literature by demonstrating CST’s effectiveness in a community-based setting and reinforces its alignment with occupational therapy’s emphasis on participation and holistic care. Results highlight the need for early intervention and expanded access to CST programs to enhance quality of life in this population.

Addressing Sleep Health In The Fire Service: A Sleep Hygiene Education Program, Alyssa Elizabeth Neal

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This capstone project implemented an occupational therapy sleep hygiene program tailored to the unique occupational demands of Las Vegas Fire and Rescue (LVFR) firefighters. Guided by the Occupational Adaptation theory and the CALMS Framework, this project conceptualized sleep as a meaningful occupation essential to health, safety, and functional performance. The project’s aim was to assess the feasibility of a sleep hygiene program designed for the fire service using standardized measures, including the Sleep Hygiene Index. The methodology incorporated a structured educational session focused on educating firefighters on the importance of sleep, modifying routines and environments to support restorative sleep, implementing …

The Impact Of Language-Concordant Diagnosis Education On Discharge Readiness For Spanish-Speaking Patients, Jorge Noel Perdomo Rodriguez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Current language service practices fail to meet the needs of Spanish-speaking patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) resulting in decreased satisfaction with care, understanding of diagnosis education, and increased risk of post-discharge health disparities. Language-concordant care has been found to improve patient satisfaction with care and increase quality of transition from hospital to home. Research on language-concordant OT care is scarce and current studies suggest that language discordance leads to decreased quality of OT care for Spanish speakers. Problem: Language discordance leads to poor understanding of OT’s role and decreases patient-centered care for Spanish-speaking patients. Purpose: This project aimed …

Identifying Well-Being Factors For At-Risk Young Adult Women: A Scoping Review, Carolina A. Quinonez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose

This scoping review has systematically explored and mapped the range of literature that pertains to the influences of well-being for at-risk young adult women, to inform occupational therapy practice, guide future research, and enhance the knowledge of holistic well-being.

Methodology

Four online databases, including Google Scholar, were searched to identify publications, in the past 20 years, on relevant data for at-risk women and their well-being levels. Data was tracked using a PRISMA-ScR diagram with guidance from JBI protocol.

Results

There were 39 studies that met all the inclusion criteria. The studies were categorized into the types of well-being and …

Examining The Effects Of Tailored Ergonomic Interventions On Reducing Musculoskeletal Disorders For Taxi Drivers, Amal Youssouf

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Taxi drivers are frequently exposed to prolonged sitting, whole-body vibration, limited rest opportunities, and psychosocial stressors, placing them at increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This can be mitigated with the use of ergonomics, which changes one's environment to match an individual's needs within the context and demands of the job. Although ergonomics is a recognized area of occupational therapy (OT) practice, current research is limited to office-based or computer-related settings, leaving a gap in OT-led ergonomic interventions tailored for professional drivers. This capstone project aimed to determine whether OT-based ergonomic strategies, along with an ergonomic checklist as a guideline …

Sense Of Belonging And Professional Identity In Acute Care Occupational Therapists: A Phenomenological Study, Shania Marion D. Novilla

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) play a crucial and demanding role in acute care, addressing complex diagnoses and facilitating safe discharge; however, the fast-paced biomedical environment often pressures them to compromise their occupation-based philosophy, potentially leading to professional burnout and low retention rates. Although professional identity (the self-perception of one's role) and a sense of belonging (feeling valued and connected) are recognized as correlated concepts vital for professional resilience, this relationship remains critically underexplored within the acute care OT population. Guided by the Occupational Adaptation Model (Schkade & Schultz, 1992), this qualitative study explores how experienced occupational therapists working in an …

Improving Occupational Performance In Vision Neurorehabilitation, Catherine Lentsch

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Visual dysfunction affects up to 90% of individuals with traumatic brain injuries and up to half of stroke survivors, significantly impacting independence in daily occupations. This capstone project, conducted at Nebraska Methodist Hospital, aimed to improve clients’ occupational performance and enhance occupational therapy vision neurorehabilitation through advanced clinical skill development and the development of resources. The project involved the evaluation and treatment of eleven neurological patients across inpatient and outpatient settings. Guided by Warren’s Hierarchy of Visual Perceptual Skills and Toglia’s Dynamic Interactional Approach, the project emphasized stabilizing foundational visual skills before progressing to higher‑level visual-perceptual tasks and used near …

Fragile Patients, Intentional Care: Nonpharmacological Pain Management Treatment Approaches In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu), Kristie A. Moeller

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The aim of this project was to increase clinical skills in a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and explore how nonpharmacological occupational therapy (OT) interventions impact pain management in the NICU for a variety of patients. Due to the increasing rates of admissions to the NICU and the impact that pain has on child development there was a clear need to gain skills to create interventions that would minimize the effect on infant development (Martin & Osterman, 2025; Pineda et al., 2025). The needs assessment revealed the need for occupational therapists (OTs) role in nonpharmacological pain management to …

Making The Write Connections: Cursive & Body Schema Development, Angelina Kelley

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed at Middle Tennessee Christian School (MTCS) to address handwriting and fine motor needs across grade levels. Teachers identified a need for structured, classroom-friendly strategies to support students with dyslexia, attention challenges, and early pre-writing readiness.

The project included two components: development of a multi-sensory cursive handwriting curriculum for elementary students and implementation of a classroom-based Mat Man pilot study for preschool and transitional kindergarten students. The cursive curriculum emphasized color-coded stroke pathways, motor-based letter grouping, guided practice, repetition, and classroom application. Teacher-ready materials included laminated visual supports, portable letter cards, lesson plans, and digital …

Developing Inclusive, Evidence-Based Curriculum And Educational Resources For Neurodiverse Learners, Cristina N. Cinca

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with Wildflower Learning Center in Nolensville, Tennessee, a non-traditional educational program offering group academic classes within an inclusive and supportive learning environment for children with disabilities, neurodiverse learners, and neurotypical peers in grades 3–8. Wildflower Learning Center utilizes an interdisciplinary model that supports academic, social, language, and functional skill development through group-based instruction. The primary goal of this project was to develop an inclusive, evidence-based curriculum aimed at enhancing students’ interoceptive awareness through structured lesson plans, engaging activities, and supportive educational resources. A comprehensive 14-week brain class curriculum was created in both digital …

Nutrition And Meal Preparation Programming And Development At E.L.I.'S House, Kara E. Nienhaus

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with E.L.I.’s House in Franklin, Tennessee. E.L.I.’s House is a nonprofit organization that exists to help women and their children thrive after trauma. The desired outcome of this project was to create programming to provide education and life skills training to participants, and to develop manageable systems for grocery shopping and nutrition in the site handbook. Goals promoted occupational therapy-based skills such as meal preparation, nutrition management, cognitive flexibility, and task sequencing. The project involved creating a house recipe book with balanced meals, accessible information on basic nutritional needs for adults …

Flip For Function Professional Development Workshop Curriculum & Staff Education Resource, Danielle R. Olsen

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Flip for Function, an adaptive gymnastics program that promotes confidence, participation, and inclusion for children with diverse developmental needs. A needs assessment identified a gap in consistent, evidence-informed training resources to support instructors in understanding how various diagnoses impact movement, regulation, sensory processing, and participation. The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive professional development guidebook and staff training resource grounded in occupational therapy principles. Deliverables included diagnosis-specific content (e.g. ADHD, Autism, Down syndrome, and sensory processing differences), activity adaptations, coaching strategies, and family education handouts to support home …

Building Resilience Through Doing: A Strengths-Based, Family-Centered Program For Military-Connected Families And Parents With Disabilities, Angelina Campbell, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Resilience is often conceptualized as an individual trait that someone is born with or an outcome; however, this capstone project examined resilience as a dynamic process developed through participation in meaningful occupations within family contexts. This project explored the experiences of military-connected families and parents with disabilities to understand how contextual factors influence participation and adaptive capacity. A participation- and strength-based, family-centered intervention was developed and implemented with the school’s pro bono clinic, integrating principles of occupational therapy, including occupational adaptation and client-centered practice.

Findings indicated that resilience emerged through repeated engagement in meaningful activities, supported by relational safety, identity …

Barriers Of Animal Assisted Therapy, Taylor Blanchard, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This study employs a mixed-methods design, integrating online surveys, semi-structured interviews, and clinical observations to examine the use of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) within occupational therapy practice. The primary objectives are to characterize the demographics of occupational therapists and therapy animals engaged in AAT, identify barriers to its implementation, and evaluate the resources currently available to support practitioner knowledge and competency. By addressing these areas, the study seeks to clarify existing gaps in education and practice, with the broader goal of strengthening the evidence base and enhancing the accessibility, consistency, and impact of AAT in occupational therapy.

Building Foundations Together: Occupational Therapy In A Private School Setting, Avery Tidwell

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with the Battle Ground Academy Early Learning Center in Franklin, Tennessee, and focused on educating preschool teachers and parents on child development and the value of occupational therapy in supporting early childhood outcomes. This project highlighted the benefits of integrating therapy services within a private school setting while emphasizing collaboration between stakeholders in order to promote carryover between classroom and home environments. Key components included the development of a teacher handbook and staff education program, implementation of a monthly parent education series, and delivery of a presentation to high school students to …

Growing Sensory Education And Resources At Gbe Alliance, Kelsey Gardner

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Global Behavior Education Alliance (GBE Alliance) to bring together occupational therapy and applied behavior analysis to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This project was designed with the GBE Alliance mission at the forefront, providing research-based, comprehensive care to meet individual needs. The goal of this project was to educate staff and families on sensory systems, regulation, and supporting children through play. Key outcomes included a motor station with guided activities to target each aspect of the sensory system, break time spaces with tools to increase regulation, sensory room designed …

Improved Child Participation And Performance At Saddle Up!, Maya Pakulski

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project was created in partnership with the staff at Saddle Up! in Franklin, TN. Saddle Up! is a PATH accredited non profit organization that offers hippotherapy, adaptive riding and various horsemanship lessons and opportunities for children and youth with various disabilities to learn and engage with horses. The primary goal of this project was to address a need for improved child and family participation in various aspects of lessons and therapy sessions. The focus was to develop a functional communication and visual schedule system that was accessible and easily understood by all staff. This system included a wide …

Building Caregiver Capacity: Sensory Processing Education And Practical Strategies For Supporting Children In Residential Care, Karissa J. Varner

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through partnership with the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes Brentwood. Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes is an organization with 3 campuses across Tennessee with the purpose of providing Christ-centered homes for children in hard places through compassionate on-campus homes. The goal of this project was to create informative and practical resources for staff to increase knowledge and confidence in supporting the children in their care. Two live staff trainings were conducted, introducing trauma-informed sensory processing and advocacy. Additionally, a 25-page evidence-based resource guide was developed, detailing sensory processing supports and occupational therapy strategies to assist house …