Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

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 …

Expanding Awareness Of Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Education For Perinatal Women, Cassandra Mcneil

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

For my doctoral capstone project, I partnered with PT Solutions Outpatient Therapy in Lexington, Kentucky with mentorship from an occupational therapist specializing in pelvic health therapy. The primary ACOTE focus areas were advocacy and education to support increased awareness of the benefits of outpatient pelvic health therapy services for perinatal women. This project aimed to educate, advocate, and increase awareness of perinatal pelvic health therapy by reaching the following goals: Understand occupational therapy’s role in pelvic floor therapy for perinatal women through evidence-based practice, clinical observation of pelvic floor therapy sessions, and hands-on clinical practice, advocate pelvic floor therapy to …

Using The Background Of Occupational Therapy To Argue Our Role In Stress Management: Proposed Lines Of Inquiry, Klaire M. Gowins

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this ALE presentation is to present research in support of the development of the Student Stress Management Center (SSMC) at EKU. The researchers’ long-term proposition, beyond the scope of this poster, is to effectively communicate to various audiences the importance and occupation-based characteristics of a Student Stress Management Center for students within the higher education setting. In preparation for that goal, this poster reviews scholarly literature relevant to the field of occupational therapy and its philosophical roots to lay groundwork for clarifying whether and how a revised articulation of the philosophical base is needed, relative to the …

Ot For Independence: A Shelter-Based Approach, Joshua A. Dotson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This Capstone project was conducted at the Clark County Homeless Coalition in Winchester, Kentucky, focusing on supporting individuals experiencing homelessness through occupational therapy (OT). The main objective was to understand shelter staff roles and clients’ occupational needs while helping clients engage in meaningful activities to improve their quality of life and independence. Research showed a strong need for OT services among homeless and mentally ill populations, with client-centered, choice-based interventions proving most effective. Tools like the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) informed the approach, though outcome measurement was limited by inconsistent client participation. Nonetheless, the COPM guided meaningful goal-setting. Informal …

From Foundation To Future: The Kota Story, Lynn Duncan M.Ed, Otd

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

I worked with the Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association (KOTA) in partnership with Eastern Kentucky University’s Special Collections and Archives for my Capstone Project and Applied Leadership Experience, with an emphasis on advocacy. KOTA plays an essential role in advocating for its members by focusing on community networking, research, advocacy, legislative affairs, and education (Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association, 2025). Research indicates the importance for professional associations to safeguard records, however several challenges include managing the volume of materials, selecting a cataloging system, ensuring easy retrieval, maintaining secure storage, and addressing concerns about sustainability (Brown, 2013). The needs assessment revealed disorganized physical …

A Lifestyle Redesign®-Informed Approach To Substance Use Recovery, Alexis Lemaster

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) took place at Enrich, a nonprofit in Richmond, Kentucky, that supports individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). The primary ACOTE focus area was program development. The goal was to design a sustainable Lifestyle Redesign (LRD)-informed program to help men in recovery build healthy routines, navigate life transitions, and engage in meaningful activities. Additional goals included educating staff on occupational therapy’s (OT) role and integrating LRD principles into existing services. A needs assessment—including observations, a review of Enrich’s sober living objectives, and four interviews with individuals in recovery—revealed disruptions in daily routines, emotional regulation, …

Making Waves In Occupation: Advancing Ot Practice Through Aquatic Therapy, Maria E. Luciano

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project focused on enhancing the role of occupational therapy (OT) in aquatic therapy through education, advocacy, and clinical practice. Conducted at a YMCA pool in Richmond, KY, the project aimed to increase OT practitioner competence and confidence in delivering aquatic therapy to adults and older adults. Primary goals included developing an educational plan to support occupational performance for aquatic therapy participants, creating a website with OT-specific aquatic therapy resources, and equipping OT students with guidance on entering this nontraditional practice area. A literature review revealed a lack of OT-specific aquatic therapy resources despite evidence supporting its benefits. …

Enhancing Postpartum Care Through Occupational Therapy: Supporting Program Growth, Expanding Resources, And Strengthening Practice, Breanna Hamrick

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

During my doctoral capstone, I partnered with Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska to support the recent addition of occupational therapy services on the hospital’s mother/baby unit. The project focused on program development and education to address the unique needs of postpartum women in the acute care setting and advocate for OT’s role in this emerging area.

Following a literature review and needs assessment, the project identified a significant gap in postpartum OT services—only 84 of 2,158 U.S. hospitals currently offer these services (Pelvic Health Network, n.d.). High readmission rates from postpartum complications such as infection, preeclampsia, and cardiovascular issues …

Occupational Balance In Relation To Therapist Threshold, Caroline Crump

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My Capstone/Applied Learning Experience took place at Foundation Hand and Physical Therapy in Richmond, Kentucky. The primary ACOTE focus areas that were used within my study was Education, Research and Clinical Practice. The goal of this research was to investigate any correlations between occupational balance and therapist threshold in the outpatient rehabilitation setting. It was important to be able to investigate both Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists to determine factors that related to a clinician’s personal occupational balance and therapist threshold. These factors were able to be addressed by this study through further researching the ways clinicians view occupational balance …

Building Awareness, Access, And Advocacy Through Kham's Klub, Morgan E. Guidry

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

During my doctoral capstone and applied leadership experience, I partnered with
Kham’s Klub, a nonprofit in Richmond, Kentucky, whose mission is to empower and
elevate families with autism. The project's primary ACOTE focus area is program
development, education, and advocacy within a community-based setting. The aim of this project was to strengthen the organization’s capacity to promote early diagnosis, provide support for inclusive environments at Kham’s Klub events and cultivate donor and community engagement. Through literature review and collaboration with the founders/CEO of Kham’s Klub Non-profit for Autism there were gaps revealed in caregiver understanding of autism, limited community participation, …

Safe Patient Handling Training For Radiologic Technologists In Acute Care, Dana Newland

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project took place at the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital where I worked closely with the quality and safety director of the UK’s Department of Radiology. The purpose of this project was to develop educational resources to educate radiology staff regarding safe patient handling when performing daily activities such as patient transfers and patient positioning to reduce staff injuries and prevent patient falls. Additional goals consisted of how to safely handle a falling patient and the implementation and use of gait belts within the radiology department. After reviewing the department’s staff injury data and developing a …

The Art Of Belonging: Group Interventions For Social Engagement In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Grace Perry

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This Capstone project focused on developing a group art-based therapy program for older adults in a skilled nursing facility (SNF), aiming to enhance social engagement and quality of life through weekly creative sessions. Activities were inclusive and adaptable, supporting residents with physical and cognitive impairments. The program included a binder of weekly activity plans, supply lists, adaptive strategies, and conversation prompts. Over nine weeks, sessions were held twice weekly with 4–6 residents per group. Completed artwork became meaningful keepsakes often displayed in residents’ rooms. Participation, engagement, and feedback were tracked throughout. The experience fostered significant personal and professional growth, deepening …

Promoting Inclusion: Creating A Sensory Space In A Local Church, Ashleigh N. Dotson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project took place at a local church, The Creek, in London, KY. Specifically, this project took place within the Kid’s church area. The ACOTE focus areas for this project were program development, education, and advocacy. The goals of this Capstone/ALE project were to learn more about and better understand the sensory system and how it works; to create a sensory room for children with disabilities who may need to regulate their sensory system; to create resources and educational guides for adults and volunteers who may be in the sensory room to guide them on the appropriate ways to …

Feeding Futures: Empowering Families Through Pediatric Feeding Therapy, Hannah Grace Wesley

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project, completed at Marshall Pediatric Therapy, focused on developing structured, accessible resources to support caregiver engagement and improve consistency in pediatric feeding therapy, aligning with ACOTE’s emphasis on program development. Caregivers often feel overwhelmed by the fast pace of sessions and struggle to recall and implement strategies at home, where most feeding takes place (Carpenter & Garfinkel, 2021). To address this, I conducted a needs assessment, literature review, therapist interviews, and a SWOT analysis to guide the development of resources that improve carryover and caregiver confidence. Deliverables included a structured home program with a developmental feeding continuum, weekly …

The Impact Of Professionalism Education And Formative Feedback In Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students Utilizing The Abbreviated Cpi Feedback Form In The On-Campus Clinic Environment, William L. Scott

Dissertations

Problem

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) developed the Clinical Performance Instrument (CPI) to assess the professional behaviors required for a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student to be considered "entry level" in their clinical training. Feedback from our clinical partners has indicated that, historically, students from the Andrews University DPT program have scored lower than students from other programs in several areas of the CPI during their clinical experiences. According to subjective reports from our clinical partners, these areas included safety, professional behavior, accountability, communication, and critical thinking. These five areas have been the focus of our efforts in …

Exploring The Role Of Bingocize® Workshops In Enhancing Health And Well-Being In Older Adults, Kaitlyn Gray

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

As the population of older adults grows, the need for better health and well-being also grows, making it necessary to implement effective strategies for healthy aging to improve the length and quality of life of older adults (CDC, 2024). This study evaluates the effectiveness of a Bingocize^® Workshop in improving the physical health of older adults. Bingocize^®, a unique program combining bingo with exercise, is designed to increase physical activity. Eleven (11) participants aged 68.55 ± 6.235 attended a ten-week workshop, two times per week focusing on physical exercises tailored to their abilities. The primary objective was …

Leveraging Clinical Standards To Improve The Translational Relevance Of Therapies For Experimental Spinal Cord Injury, Aaron L. Silverstein

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

Efforts to improve treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) often use animals to develop effective therapeutics, intending to improve the survival and the quality of life of persons with SCI. Over half of all SCIs in the United States occur at the cervical level and often cause locomotor deficits and life-threatening breathing dysfunction. Thus, my dissertation is focused on this important patient population.

After beginning with a description of translational research and surveying SCI from a clinical standpoint, I turned to describe experimental models of cervical SCI and more detailed neuroimmunological findings relevant to my work. Then, I conducted a …

Alterations In Whole Muscle Quality And Physiological Cross-Sectional Area Measured With Quantitative Mri Following Acl Injury, Meredith K. Owen, Lauren Richardson, Darren L. Johnson, Moriel H. Vandsburger, Thorsten Feiweier, Katherine L. Thompson, Christopher S. Fry, Peter A. Hardy, Brian W. Noehren

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that there are morphological and physiological changes to the vastus lateralis after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. However, it is unclear whether these alterations are limited to just the vastus lateralis or are more representative of widespread changes across the thigh musculature and/or if these changes precede reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to determine T1ρ relaxation time, a measure of extracellular matrix organization in muscle, and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) for muscles of the quadriceps and hamstrings of the ACL-deficient and contralateral limbs soon after ACL injury.

Methods: T1ρ and diffusion …

Effects Of An Active Ankle Exoskeleton On The Walking Biomechanics Of Healthy Men, Sridevi Nagaraja, Jose E. Rubio, Junfei Tong, Aravind Sundaramurthy, Anup Pant, Meredith K. Owen, Michael A. Samaan, Brian W. Noehren, Jaques Reifman

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Active lower-body exoskeleton devices can decrease the energy requirement of the human body by providing mechanical assistance to lower-body muscles. However, they also alter gait kinematics and kinetics, and it is not well understood whether such alterations are detrimental or beneficial to the human body. In this pilot study, we investigated the impact of walking with an ankle exoskeleton device on the biomechanics of men while carrying a heavy load. We collected computed tomography images and motion-capture data for five young, healthy men who walked 5 km (∼60 min) with a 22.7-kg load, with and without an active ankle exoskeleton …

Transforming The Athlete Through Occupational Therapy-Facilitated Mentorship Programming, Cecelia D. Simons

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There is a high prevalence of role strain experienced among collegiate athletes with increased attention and awareness surrounding its impact on the transition out of sport and into the next phase of their lives. Many colleges and universities throughout the United States have developed career readiness programs focused on mental health, career transitions, and resilience training preparation for life after sport. However, these programs are often delivered in a group format, making it difficult to provide individualized support to student-athletes. This project elaborated on the role occupational therapy serves in both program development and the transition out of sport. This …

Blood Flow Restriction, Tendon Hypertrophy, And Strength Gain In The Biceps Brachii, Tonya M. Parker, Samuel Corbin, Matthew R. Feeback, Bailey Wilks, Andrew Lowe, Noelle Kaminski

Open Access Publishing Support Funded Articles

Introduction: Blood flow restriction (BFR) can improve muscular strength under lower loads versus traditional resistance training. Little research has been completed on the upper extremity and almost no targeted research on BFR and the tendon. Therefore, we aim to investigate the effects of BFR on the biceps brachii muscle and tendon compared to traditional resistance training.

Methods: Randomized controlled trial of healthy participants over seven weeks of completing bicep curls. Participants were randomly allocated to the BFR or control group (C). Ultrasound measurement of the tendon occurred at baseline, midpoint, and completion of study, while adjusted one repetition maximum (Adj1RM) …

"You Sure Feel Like You're Alone, Kind Of Flailing Away Out There": Family Caregiver Perspectives Of Caring For An Individual With Glioblastoma Multiforme, Christy Muasher-Kerwin, Abby Baumbach, Yujun Liu, M. Courtney Hughes

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Objectives

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer. Family caregivers of individuals with GBM must navigate a wide range of their care recipients’ physical, cognitive, and psychosocial deficits to provide effective care, which is both mentally and physically demanding. This study aimed to investigate the perspectives of family caregivers of GBM patients about the barriers and challenges they encounter when providing care to their care recipients. Methods

Nineteen current and former family caregivers for individuals with GBM participated in semi-structured interviews from October 2023 through January 2024. We conducted interviews virtually and used applied …

Home Activity Resources In Senior Activity Centers, Skylar B. Hayes

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Due to the growing population of older adults in both our local community and in the world, the need for promotion of healthy aging is essential. The literature shows that community support and resources are critical to aging in place, which helps maintain independence as older adults age. A doctoral capstone project was conducted to address the need for support and resource to increase the quality of life of senior citizens attending community day centers. The project goals were to design and implement educational resources that increase older adult’s overall level of activity physically, cognitively, and socially. Through a mixed …

Perceived Unmet Needs And Barriers To Services Associated With Traumatic Brain Injury In Rural Populations, Megan M. Bruce

Graduate Student Scholarship

This study investigated unmet needs of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and of their caregivers living in rural communities. The objective of this research study was to identify occupational therapy’s role and intervention priorities for individuals with TBI and their caregivers in rural settings. Descriptive statistics were generated from quantitative survey responses obtained from 84 community-dwelling individuals with TBI and 40 caregivers ranging in age from 18 to 80 years. The most identified “barriers” were poor awareness of the ways to receive services (TBI Survivors = 65%, Caregivers = 61%), inadequate professional/provider knowledge about available supports and services (TBI …

Enhancing Stroke Rehabilitation: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Clifford Gordon, Olu Oyesanmi, Marc Kallins, Rahul Mhaskar, Sanjiv Tewari, Lisa Gramong, Kristy Ellison-Snow, Cynthia Koski

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Automated Thermo-Mechanical Therapy For Immediate Relief In Chronic Non-Specific Lower Back Pain (Cnslbp): A Randomized Controlled Trial, Kyle V. Donnery

Dissertations and Theses

Objective: Chronic non-specific lower back pain (cNSLBP) is a prevalent and disabling condition, imposing a substantial socioeconomic burden due to high healthcare costs and productivity losses, with limited accessible and effective long-term treatment options. Automated Thermo-mechanical Therapy (ATT) is a promising, non-drug intervention that leverages innovative technical advances to provide multimodal pain relief, offering accessibility and low-cost delivery. This study tested ATT for immediate pain relief in individuals with cNSLBP in a single-session, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Forty participants with cNSLBP were randomly assigned to receive either active ATT (n=20) or control ATT (n=20) in a 40-minute session. The …

The Association Between Pain Sensitivity And Low Energy Availability, Sleep, Mental Health, And Stress In Female Endurance Athletes, Taylor R. Moler

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The disruption of certain physiological functions due to low energy availability (LEA) in female endurance athletes is a prominent concern. This condition resulting from LEA has been described as Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), which can include alterations in metabolism, menstrual function, bone deposition and resorption, mental well-being, and more. The goal of this study was to determine whether pain sensitivity was associated with LEA, sleep, mental health, and stress in female endurance athletes. Participants completed a demographic survey, the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4), and …