Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Achieving The Best Of All: Program Development For Adults And Preschoolers With Down Syndrome At Gigi's Playhouse, Samantha Wu

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was conducted through partnership with GiGi’s Playhouse Nashville, a non-profit organization that offers free, educational programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families throughout the lifespan. The project concentrated on the establishment and facilitation of two programs: GiGi University and Leaps and Bounds. GiGi University is an adult learning program targeting life skills advancement related to communication, career, physical and mental wellness, money management, and kitchen competency. Leaps and Bounds is a play-based program targeting the development of preschool readiness skills through motor and sensory activities. The goal of both programs is to promote achievement …

Heart Attack To Hypoxic Ischemic Brain Injury, Tiffany M. Tafoya, Evelyn Pinto, Jessica Cordova

Client Educational Handouts

Occupational therapist play a huge role in the rehabilitation and well-being of individuals who suffer brain injuries. Decline of cognition, endurance, balance, and short-term memory loss are areas an occupational therapist can address in therapy. Therapy will help the individual become more independent and regain function.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Morgan E. Fambro, Kendahl Schlosser, Carmen H. Ausserer

Client Educational Handouts

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder often caused by genetic predisposition combined with environmental factors. ASD can be present in many different forms and severity levels. On the mild end of the spectrum people are often able to enter into mainstream education and integrate into the workplace with the use of therapeutic learned skills to improve their social skills. On the more severe end of the spectrum, autistic people may never learn functional social skills or ways to communicate. These barriers can be challenging for the autistic person and their family. It is a disorder that is lifelong. Treatments …

Database Of Video Games And Their Therapeutic Properties, Tyler Brinkman, Steven M. Gerardi, Kaitlyn Jones

Spring 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

A capstone project poster presentation showcasing the development of an online database that catalogs commercially available video games and their therapeutic properties to serve as a tool to facilitate video game use as therapeutic media in occupational therapy practice.

The Effectiveness Of Training Interventions On Parent Participation In The Iep Process, Sandra E. James

MOT Student Capstones

The Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA) was designed to ensure that qualifying families receive a free appropriate public education and related services for their eligible children with disabilities. For school age children, special education includes the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that outlines the supports the school will provide to 4 each eligible student to promote participation in their education. Parents and caregivers are mandated to be equal members with school staff on their child's IEP team to develop a program that will optimize their child's capacity to succeed in school. Research into parent IEP involvement demonstrates low …

Effects Of Caregiver Education On Emotional Regulation In Foster And Adopted Children, Cassie Lorraine Ice

MOT Student Capstones

There is a large demographic of American children that are in foster care or have been adopted. These children experience occurrences of adversity than children living with their biological families, including issues such as high conflict, housing instability, family isolation, abuse and neglect, and inadequate attachments with caregivers. The trauma from these factors affects the child's emotional regulation skills, leading to deficits in their social, emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Caregivers of children with emotional regulation dysfunction often feel ill-equipped to handle their child's behaviors and emotional disturbances. Caregivers often report a poor mental state, affecting time management skills, daily …

Preventative Education To Promote Safe Aging In Place, Ellyn Lovgren, Chelsey Mayhew, Sarah Ours

MOT Student Capstones

The process of aging independently and safely in the comfort of one's own living environment is known as aging in place. It is imperative to acknowledge the changing needs of the older adult as the natural aging process occurs to support safe aging in place. Many older adults do not often receive appropriate training to age in place safely until falls or disabilities have already begun to occur. It is hypothesized that providing preventative education before the likelihood of falls and disabilities arise will provide a knowledge base of customizable strategies to support physical needs to age in place independently …

Implementation Of Client-Centered Instrumental Music To Improve Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms Of Clients With Dementia During Activities Of Daily Living, Jantzen Cranford

MOT Student Capstones

Preferred music is a powerful tool for improving behavioral and psychological symptoms of clients with dementia during activities of daily living. This approach involves personalized 3 play lists comprised of instrumental music known to be meaningful to the clients. Administering client-centered instrumental music is advantageous because it requires little training, materials, and set up. Once a suitable patient has been identified, comprehensive training and education should be provided by a treating healthcare worker. An in-service was subsequently delivered to educate adult daycare clinicians on the benefit of client centered music for addressing behavioral and psychological symptoms of clients with dementia …

Education Improves Knowledge And Awareness Of Childhood Trauma For Occupational Therapy Practitioners And Other Individuals Within The Community, Kortnee Loving

MOT Student Capstones

Childhood trauma has been linked to biological structural changes in the brain that impact its function and stress response that can cause psychological and physiological harm. There is an increased need to promote early awareness and its prevalence to help change the trajectory. This research examines the impact of childhood trauma and its impact on the quality of life for the victims and educate on the effectiveness of trauma-informed approaches in early developmental care through adulthood by occupational therapists. To conduct this research, a literature review was produced to gain information on childhood trauma and evidenced-based interventions to treat it. …

The Role Of Auditory Sensory Support In Community Participation For Children With Autism, Shelly Daniel

MOT Student Capstones

Children with autism spectrum disorder frequently have hyper-responsive reactlons to auditory stimuli from the environment when they are participating in community activities with their family. When these reactive behaviors become difficult to manage, participation in community activities tends to decrease. Occupational therapy practitioners need quality evidence-based information and strategies to effectively provide intervention to help mitigate these over-responsive reactions and help families increase their satisfaction during community participation. The purpose of this capstone project was to investigate potential causes of auditory hypersensitivity, define how maladaptive behavioral responses can deter family participation in community activities, and formulate supportive strategies to help …

Identification And Treatment Of Tongue And Lip Ties: Occupational Therapy's Role As It Relates To Oral Motor Function In The Pediatric Population, Anna Hoyt, Chelsea Stone, Rachel Walker

MOT Student Capstones

Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners have a valuable role in the treatment of tongue and lip ties. The literature revealed that tongue and lip ties are associated with feeding difficulties in infants and children. Common challenges identified are difficulty with latching, reflux, poor weight gain, gagging, choking, difficulty with managing different textures, misalignment of teeth, social difficulty, and frustration for the child and parent. Additionally, surgical correction for tongue and lip ties is controversial because there are no clear guidelines for treatment. Standardized, functional oral motor assessments for diagnosing and treating tongue and lip ties are limited. Research states the most …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Stress Management In The Older Adult And Geriatric Population During Transition Services, Lebria J. Walcott-Brown

MOT Student Capstones

Many older adults and individuals of the geriatric population transition from their living environments to a facility to receive medical and rehabilitation services due to an injury. illness, or change in functional status. Engagement in transition services can be life-altering and stressful for any individual but has been found to impact older adults and the geriatric population profoundly. Although there is an immense amount of research regarding stress. stress management. older adults, and the geriatric population. there is little information on the impact of stress and occupational therapy's role in managing stress among the older adult and geriatric population during …

Educational Modules Promoting Neurodiversity-Affirming Sensory Interventions, Deanna Bourgeois, Mary Smith, Gina Benavente

Spring 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Neurodivergent children often experience differences in sensory processing and self-regulation. Traditional sensory-based interventions are frequently used by occupational therapy practitioners (OTP) and caregivers to address dysregulation. Sensory-based interventions are strengths-based but not always neurodiversity-affirming. There are few educational resources available that promote neurodiversity-affirming sensory interventions.

The purpose of this project was to create self-paced educational modules to teach neurodiversity-affirming sensory interventions promoting children's self-regulation. The student investigator developed virtual educational modules and piloted them with OTP, occupational therapy students, and caregivers during the capstone experience. The participants engaged with the modules and also submitted responses to pre-and post-surveys. Based on …

Regaining Quality Of Life Painting Pet Portraits, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Tina Primer, an artist based in Illinois, provided the cover art for the Spring 2023 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Wriggly” is an 11” x 14” painting made from acrylic on stretched canvas. After a debilitating stroke, Tina began using art as therapy. When the strength in her dominant hand did not return, painting pet portraits provided the motivation to do things differently. Tina’s playful use of color and attention to detail capture each pet’s unique personality. Discovering a new way to paint improved Tina’s quality of life.

Empowering Children And Families With Food Allergies: An Innovative Role For Occupational Therapy, Salma H. Bachelani, Meredith P. Gronski, Kelly A. Carlson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Food allergies (FAs) have far-reaching implications regarding occupational participation. Children with food allergies and their families experience impacts on their daily life activities. The current standard of care for FAs fails to adequately address the wide-ranging barriers to participation in home, school, and community environments. This study used a mixed-method design to examine the impacts of FA on the needs of children and families affected by FA. Eighteen parents of children with FAs and six health care providers of children with FAs were interviewed; the parents also completed two questionnaires to identify the level of impact of FA on areas …

Understanding The Doctoral Capstone Coordinator Position: A Unique Faculty Role In Occupational Therapy Education, Hannah L.W. Harris, Anne F. Kiraly-Alvarez, Paula J. Costello, Bernadette Schmeltz

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The doctoral capstone coordinator (DCC) position is a required faculty position in U.S. entry-level OTD programs, but there is limited information about this role. This descriptive study aimed to explore the demographics of DCCs; their required workload, tasks, and responsibilities; and the supports available to DCCs. The researchers administered an online survey and analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The results revealed much variability in DCCs’ experiences, workloads, and responsibilities across OTD programs. Of the DCCs survey, 74.0% previously held leadership positions in academia or clinical practice before taking the role, and 60.5% of the DCCs worked …

Perceptions Of The Delivery Of Group And Individual Writing Telehealth Interventions For Students 7 To 12 Years Of Age Using Two Virtual Platforms: A Pilot Study, Denise K. Donica, Lauren Turbeville, Taylor Whaley, Sarah Woodlief

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Existing evidence supports occupational therapy’s (OT) role in improving handwriting skills; however, evidence is limited regarding the delivery of virtual intervention.

Method: This pilot study reviewed the use of a virtual interprofessional writing program for five children 7 to 12 years of age that addressed both handwriting (OT) and spelling (speech-language pathology) skills. The program included eight weekly sessions using Microsoft Teams (first four sessions) and Cisco WebEx (last four sessions). A parent survey consisting of 14 questions was conducted to gauge overall satisfaction with the program as well as learn about platform preferences. In addition, the …

The Effect Of Alternative Seating On School Function And Task Behavior In A Second-Grade Classroom, Julie H. Hunley, Stephanie Beisbier, Cynthia Clough

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of alternative seating (KidsErgo chairs) on second-grade students’ attention and task behavior/completion skills during academic instruction and work time.

Method: The quasi-experimental two-group pretest/posttest study included 24 students in one urban parochial school classroom. A subset of students was identified for close momentary time sampling of classroom behaviors while all students were assessed with the behavior/task completion subtest of the School Function Assessment (SFA).

Results: SFA scores improved in the students with low baseline SFA scores (LSFA), but not in the students with high baseline SFA …

Novice And Expert Observer Accuracy Of The Threshold Wheelchair Skill: A Pilot Eye-Tracking Study, Diane E. Mackenzie, R. Lee Kirby, Cher Smith, Zainab Al Lawati, Eric Lee, Sorayya Askari

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Moving a wheelchair over a low threshold is an entry-level mobility skill. Observation is critical to the assessment and training of this skill. The primary objective of this exploratory pilot study was to determine if a difference between novice and expert visual attention allocation pattern was linked to the accuracy of rating skill performance and decision confidence.

Methods: Twelve expert occupational therapists and nine non-expert occupational therapy students observed 30 first-attempt recordings of able-bodied persons learning the low threshold skill. Randomized recordings included 10 recordings from each rating group of “pass,” “pass with difficulty" (pwd), and “fail.” …

Identifying Grasp And Pinch Patterns In Ceramic Interventions: Video Analysis Of Adults Completing Ceramic Activities, Jeanine Beasley, Amber Chapman, Brianne Halliwill, Allison M. Mann, Kaitlyn S. Spalding, Jennifer K. Fortuna, Dianna Lunsford, Madeline Kaczmarczyk

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupation-based interventions are effective in hand rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to identify the grasp and pinch patterns used during specific ceramic activities for rehabilitative interventions.

Method: A convenience sample of 59 videos with 38 subjects were taken of adults without hand dysfunction completing various ceramic activities. Elementary Grasp Actions (EGA’s) were analyzed to identify the different grasps and pinch patterns.

Results: The EGA’s occurred 279 times across 12 ceramics activities. The EGA’s with the highest frequencies include nonprehensile, pinch, and lateral pinch. Nonprehensile was the most frequently used grasp used by the left …

Satisfaction With Customizable 3d-Printed Finger Orthoses Compared To Commercial Silverring™ Splints, Natasha Irani, Rebecca Ozelie

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Emerging research primarily supports 3D-printing as a customizable, replicable orthosis option. However, more research emphasizing orthotic users’ viewpoints is necessary to address challenges with orthotic wear adherence and satisfaction.

Method: Forty persons were recruited at an academic medical center. After wearing each orthosis for 8 hr (or as long as tolerated), the participants completed post-satisfaction surveys to measure satisfaction with different aspects of both orthoses worn.

Results: Forty participants (21 females, 19 males, mean age = 24.98 years) were enrolled in the study. Satisfaction scores (N = 40) were not statistically significant for 3D-printed orthoses compared …

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation For Infants With Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy: A Pilot Study, Denise Justice, Kate Wan-Chu Chang, Lynnette T. Rasmussen, Lynda J-S Yang

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Biceps recovery is a critical determinant for treatment decision-making in patients with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP). One treatment intervention used by therapists is neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), but its use remains controversial. This study’s aim was to determine the effect and safety of NMES on biceps function in infants with NBPP compared to standard therapy.

Methods: In this pilot, randomized controlled study, patients were randomized to the NMES treatment or control/sham group. Inclusion criteria were infants 3 to 9 months of age with a confirmed diagnosis of NBPP and biceps weakness, without other comorbidities. The parents …

A Program To Improve The Quality Of Life Of Caregivers Of Older Adults With Chronic Conditions: A Pilot Study, Lori Reynolds, Brandi Buchanan, Shannon Crabtree, Elton Bordanave

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Among the nearly 41.8 million family caregivers of older adults 50 years of age and older in the United States, only 30% of caregivers report receiving the education, resources, and support they need to feel competent in their role. Many existing programs focus on dementia-related caregiving, and programs are needed to address the caregiving needs of individuals with chronic conditions.

Method: A pilot study using a mixed methods design was conducted with eight participants. The pre and post. measure, Adult Carer Quality of Life (AC-QoL), and post program individual interviews were conducted.

Results: Six of the …

Education And Perceptions Of Post-Therapy Maintenance Programs In Long-Term Care: A Mixed Methods Exploratory Study, Laura S. Novak, Vanessa D. Jewell, Michael Gerg, Andrea Thinnes

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupational therapists develop maintenance programs (MPs) for long-term care (LTC) residents to optimize participation in everyday activities. The purpose of this study was to examine nursing professional attitudes and knowledge of MPs and to evaluate the effectiveness of an occupational therapist-led in-service.

Method: Nursing staff (n = 20) attended the in-service, completed a pre and posttest, and completed interviews (n = 5). We used an exploratory sequential mixed methods design with a one-group quasi-experimental design for the quantitative portion and a descriptive qualitative approach for the interviews.

Results: The results indicated significantly increased knowledge regarding MPs, …

Occupational Therapists' Perspectives On Nursing Home Culture And Addressing The Psychosocial Needs Of Residents: Mixed Methods Design, Nayeli Mendoza, Mikayla C. Wandersee, Divya Sood

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore occupational therapists’ perspectives on the culture change movement to address the psychosocial components of care among nursing home residents and identify supports and barriers to implementing the culture change movement.

Methods: We used a sequential explanatory mixed methods design. Electronic surveys were completed by 102 occupational therapists who work in nursing home facilities. Three focus groups were conducted via conference call with occupational therapists (n = 9). The survey was analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Focus groups were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Seventy-four of survey …

Imposter Phenomenon: The Occupational Experiences Of First-Generation College Students, Karen Mccarthy, Kevin Chavez, Krysta Gastelum, Javier Gomez, Jacqueline Salas, Yashi Severson, Jamie Zabat

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: First-generation college students (FGCS) represent an underserved population navigating higher education. There is a current gap in the literature regarding the interaction of occupational experiences, imposter phenomenon (IP), and FGCS. The purpose of this study is to use grounded theory to explore the occupational experience of IP among FGCS enrolled in a four-year university in California.

Method: This research is a qualitative study using grounded theory. Data was collected through a screening survey and interview with 11 participants who identified as FGCS.

Results: Thematic analysis generated five themes: (a) emotional aspects of IP, (b) collectivism, (c) balance, (d) communities …

Shared Concepts Guiding The Practice Of A Community Occupational Therapy Program Serving Youth With Psychosocial Challenges, Chi-Kwan Shea, Nancy Jackson, Marianna Ayers Sordille

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupational therapy services to youth with trauma experiences and mental health challenges may follow unique practice concepts that deserve to be explored and illuminated. The study aimed to explore and identify shared concepts that have been guiding the occupational therapy practice of a community-based program serving the youth population.

Method: The qualitative study analyzed data from transcripts of one-on-one interviews with occupational therapists who serve youth clients in the community-based program. Using a grounded theory qualitative approach, the analysis aimed to highlight unique concepts that the occupational therapists employed in their day-to-day practice with youth who experience …

Initial Validity And User Experience Of A Dynamic Assessment Of Occupational Performance For Transitional Age Youth, Christine Haworth, Genevieve Cyrs, Chi-Kwan Shea

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The Double OT (DOT) assessment is occupation-based and dynamic, designed with a client-centered format requiring skill demonstration. It was developed to support youth transitioning into the workplace. This research intended to analyze initial validity and users’ experience.

Method: This study includes qualitative and quantitative analyses of data collected from surveys from 169 client participants (APs) and 30 recipient participants (ARRs) from eight sites in the USA and Europe. AP were 14­ to 25 years of age and engaged in residential, educational, and vocational settings. The ARRs comprised partners who had received DOT assessment summaries about APs with …

Promoting Equity For Women In Medical Journal Editing, Allison Chamberlain Miller, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

An Exploratory Study Of Aquatic Walking On Symptoms And Functional Limitations In Persons With Knee Osteoarthritis: Part 1, John M. Coons, Brandon Grubbs, Vaughn W. Barry, Ryan T. Conners, Sandra Stevens

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This paper represents Part 1 of a study that explored the effects of an underwater treadmill (UT) walking program on pain and function in adults with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), numerical rating scale (NRS), timed up-and-go (TUG), and 10-m walk were assessed in 6 adults (62.7 ±14.2 years) who participated in an 8-week (3x/wk) UT walking intervention based on the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease (WWE) program. Walking pace was self-selected, and walking duration of each session was increased from 10 to 45 minutes throughout the study. Knee pain and function were …