Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Sensory's Role In The General Education Classroom, Grace Sievert

OT Student Capstones

Background. Sensory processing significantly impacts students’ ability to learn successfully in educational environments (Little et al., 2017). Classroom sensory strategies have been shown as an effective method to regulate student’s sensory systems, promoting academic success through improved participation and attention (Dean et al., 2018). Academic faculty are the ideal candidates to provide sensory strategies to the general student population, yet these roles typically lack sensory education (Budd & Rehling, 2014). Occupational therapists are in a prime position to provide academic faculty with sensory education due to their expertise in sensory processing, their responsibility to provide professional development to educators, and …

Leisure Education Program For Older Adults At Beatitudes Campus, Kendall Morrissey

OT Student Capstones

As individuals age they may experience a decrease in quality of life that impacts their overall health and well-being. One way to improve quality of life in older adults it through leisure activities that can provide a sense of purpose, autonomy, and roles or routines within their lives. The purpose of this doctoral capstone experience and report is to enhance older adult’s leisure competence through to improve leisure satisfaction and overall quality of life. The occupational therapy capstone student developed a five-session Leisure Education Program for residents at a continuing care retirement community, Beatitudes Campus. Using an occupational therapy point …

Low Vision And Dementia, Anna Bradner

OT Student Capstones

Low vision and dementia are highly common among older adults. Individuals with these conditions often experience decreased ability to perform daily tasks safely and independently due to the functional implications of visual and cognitive decline. This leads not only to decreased participation in meaningful activities but also to an increased dependence on a caregiver. Over time, these caregivers can experience a perceived strain, or caregiver burden, that affects not only their own health but also the health of the individual they are caring for. Occupational therapists can provide skilled services to address the needs of older adults with low vision …

Novel Occupational Therapy Treatment In The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Aegia Mari Baldevia

OT Student Capstones

Millions of children are hospitalized in the United States each year. Hospitalization can negatively impact the child, their family, and their education. Occupational therapy can be used to target the family unit in coping and engagement in meaningful occupations in the hospital setting. The magazine photo collage has been used in the past to target coping and social interaction, but there is limited evidence of its use in occupational therapy in the hospital setting. This project aimed to explain the experience of families in creating and using the magazine photo collage in occupational therapy in the hospital setting. In this …

Understanding The Role Of Ot In Infertility, Jordan Swarztrauber

OT Student Capstones

Infertility is prevalent in the United States, affecting approximately 16% of couples. Those affected by infertility often seek Assistive Reproductive Technology (ART) treatments to help them conceive. Past literature has found that ARTs have negative effects on those undergoing treatments in their occupations, routines, habits, and mental health. Although it is commonly known in the medical literature, there is a dearth of research and clinical support for individuals who are experiencing disturbances in the above-described areas, leaving a gap in care for individuals who are undergoing ARTs. The present research study consists of 13 in-depth qualitative interviews, which gather data …

Dance As A Sensory-Based Occupation To Improve Regulation Skills In A Pediatric Population, Anna Seedall

OT Student Capstones

Dance is integrated into every culture. There are several psychosocial, cognitive, and physical benefits to dancing. The sensory system is highly involved in dance. Further, many children have difficulties with sensory processing and regulation. There are finite programs outside of therapeutic services to address this gap in utilizing sensory strategies. Limited research has been conducted to determine if dance is an effective approach for improving sensory regulation. A 10-week program was designed for eight participants, ages 4 to 8 by an occupational therapy doctoral student. The program utilized the Alert Program®, breathing techniques, yoga positions, tactile input, proprioceptive input, and …

Maximizing Prehabilitative Care For Breast Cancer: Program Evaluation And Quality Improvement In Outpatient Therapy, Aedan Collins

OT Student Capstones

Background. Individuals with breast cancer experience side effects and impairments from the disease and treatments that impact their physical, cognitive, neurological, emotional, and social health. Breast cancer-related psychosocial issues are most prevalent right after diagnosis. Services prior to receiving breast cancer treatment or surgery are termed prehabilitation (prehab) and have been shown to improve patient outcomes. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners play an important role in the rehabilitation of patient with cancer and can contribute to prehab services.

Methods. This was a program evaluation and quality improvement project that used data collected during prehab evaluations for breast cancer to create supplemental …

The Effect Of The Safe And Sound Protocol On The Emotional Regulation Of Children: The Caregiver Experience, Brooklyn Gratzer

OT Student Capstones

Introduction: Emotional regulation is a complex process that develops throughout one's lifetime. Emotional dysregulation can be due to an individual’s unbalanced physiological state leading the vagus nerve into a “fight or flight” mode (Auditory Processing Center, 2022). The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) targets the autonomic nervous system through filtered music to improve social-emotional functioning by bringing safety to the nervous system.

Methods: The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effect of the SSP on emotional regulation in children through the caregivers perspective. Participants were chosen if their child had difficulties with emotional regulation. They completed a caregiver …

Discharge To Success: A Life Skills Manual Developed By Ots For Transitioning Individuals With Smi From Forensic Hospitals, Kelsie Cooper

OT Student Capstones

This research project examined the development of and staff training using a discharge manual aimed at improving transition outcomes for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) within a forensic psychiatric setting. The manual, tailored to the needs of patients at Arizona State Hospital (ASH), addresses barriers to community reintegration through the provision of occupation-based interventions and resources. Occupational therapists (OTs) played a central role in the project, emphasizing the importance of meaningful activities in promoting independence and well-being among individuals with SMI in an effort to reduce recidivism. Interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals underscored the holistic approach to mental health …

Exploring Advanced Technology In The Outpatient Adult Neurorehabilitation Clinical Setting, Cynthia Burhop

OT Student Capstones

Background: Occupational therapists have access to many advanced technological devices that can aid in enhancing patients’ functional occupations. Such devices can be very costly and beneficial to the profession at large however they are not being used to their fullest potential. Barriers surrounding the usage of advanced technology can include a lack of therapist training, a lack of confidence in skills required to operate the devices and being uninformed on the benefit that technology can have on the client’s functionality. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify and reduce the barriers surrounding the usage of the neurosensorimotor integrator …

The Effects Of A Training Module On Ot's Self-Efficacy In Montessori Settings, Raquel Crowe

OT Student Capstones

Background. The Montessori method is a non-traditional education setting that uses child-directed learning with practical life materials to foster natural learning patterns in students. Montessori students have been shown to display increased cognitive, academic, and psychological skills that continue to impact an individual through their adulthood. Due to the traditional ways of the Montessori method, related services, such as occupational therapy (OT), are not always viewed as a valuable addition to a student’s learning environment. Lack of familiarity and education regarding the Montessori method may impact the self-efficacy an occupational therapist has when providing services to Montessori students. Methods. A …

A Client-Centered Life Skills Education Program For Enhancing Successful Integration Among Newly Arrived Refugee And Asylum Seeking Afghan Women, Irene Kwangaba

OT Student Capstones

Introduction. Refugees and asylum seekers are subsects of immigrants who are forcibly displaced from their home environments. They face unique challenges after immigrating that prohibit their ability to acclimate to their new environments, such as language barriers, role and identity changes, and a lack of social support. This capstone project explores the effects of a ten-week client-centered life skills education program on integration into their newfound communities for refugees and asylum seekers. Methods. Three participants who identified as refugees or asylum seekers seeking services at the community partner for this project, Matthew House, were included. All participants were from …

Canine Animal Assisted Therapy: Educating Otp And Students, Anna Medel

OT Student Capstones

Canine animal assisted therapy demonstrates health benefits throughout numerous populations and healthcare environments. Unfortunately, there is limited literature and resources available regarding how to utilize canine animal assisted therapy within the profession of occupational therapy. The capstone project proposed the following question due to the limited resources available: within the profession of occupational therapy, would an educational course on how to utilize an animal assisted therapy canine increase the knowledge, confidence, and interest of use within the profession? An educational workshop, Canines in Occupational Therapy, was developed throughout the 12-week capstone experience and administered on March 30th, 2024, at A.T. …

Healthy Living After Cancer: A Community-Based Program To Improve Exercise And Nutrition In Cancer Survivors, Czarina Banzon

OT Student Capstones

Persevering through cancer treatment is an uphill battle, but continuing survivorship for the rest of their lives becomes the biggest challenge for cancer survivors. Concerns in survivorship include side effects from cancer treatment, fear of recurrence, and returning to previous roles and routines. Additionally, survivors must maintain their health and well-being through exercise and nutrition. Occupational therapists possess the necessary skill set to create programming for cancer survivors that is relevant and realistic. They can take side effects from treatment into consideration and offer personalization of goals and maintenance strategies. Furthermore, occupational therapists can offer simple alternatives to maintaining a …

The Impact Of Individualized Exercise Programs On Athlete's Perception Of Performance In Winter Adaptive Sports, Kiley Foster

OT Student Capstones

Background: Historically, people with disabilities have faced barriers to participating in meaningful occupations like adaptive sports. Despite the positive effects of adaptive sports, sport-induced injury can impede an individual’s functional independence. This capstone project aimed to evaluate the impact of individualized exercise programs on athletes’ perception of performance in winter adaptive sports, with a focus on injury prevention.

Methods: Two recurring High Country Adaptive Sports athletes participated. They provided consent to engage in a 10-week individualized home exercise program (HEP) prior to the 2024 ski season. They completed a pre-survey at the initial meeting and a post-survey upon completion of …

Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy In Occupational Therapy Graduate Students, Marisa Lamb

OT Student Capstones

This capstone aims to measure entrepreneurial self-efficacy in students enrolled in occupational therapy (OT) programs across the nation by sending an online survey. Occupational therapy’s profession has expressed a need for more entrepreneurs within its field. Further research into the factors that contribute to the lack of entrepreneurship in OT was performed and are described. The factor in which this capstone focuses is the first of its kind as there were no studies that have directly targeted OT graduate students as a population to measure entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE). By reporting on data representative of national demographics, this capstone seeks to …

The Impact Of Vision Training On Visual Perceptual Skills In Male Soccer Players, Mackenzie Watterson

OT Student Capstones

Background. Athletic performance is one of the most visually demanding activities an individual can participate in. Due to the physically and cognitively demanding nature of soccer, it is imperative to take a deeper look into how visual-perceptual skills impact overall athletic performance. If an athlete’s visual system does not correctly receive messages from environmental stimuli, overall athletic performance may suffer. For an athlete to function at their highest performance possible, it is essential to focus on improving visual-perceptual skills.

Methods. A mixed methods approach was used to determine the impact of vision training on visual perceptual skills in male soccer …

Community Education To Postpartum Parent About Pelvic Health, Rebecca Downs

OT Student Capstones

There is a lack of literature about whether pregnant and postpartum parents receive enough support and education about common pelvic floor conditions and treatment options. This lack of support can delay or stop them from knowing they have pelvic floor dysfunction, as well as seeking services to treat their pelvic floor dysfunction. This project provided pelvic floor education focused on bladder health, bowel health, and sexual health to pregnant and postpartum parents. The objective of this pelvic health education program was to increase pelvic floor knowledge in pregnant and postpartum parents, which would empower them to seek pelvic floor therapy …

Nourish To Flourish: An Educational Program For Caregiver Involvement With Children Who Have Developmental Delay, Rhea Florez

OT Student Capstones

Caregivers of children with additional needs often experience high rates of burnout, stemming from limited time, lack of knowledge about child development and/or diagnoses, and elevated stress levels. This burnout can result in decreased caregiver follow-through on addressing a child’s needs or interventions in the home environment. This project aimed to bridge the gap between parents and increase their follow-through in the outpatient setting for children diagnosed with developmental delay and/or additional needs by providing a 10-week educational program. A mixed-methods approach was used with a pre-intervention and post-intervention using the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC) to measure parental …

Mindfulness In Motherhood, Kenzi Kuemper

OT Student Capstones

The postpartum period is a vital healing window for new mothers who are undergoing serious physical, psychological, and hormonal changes. The current United States healthcare system fails to provide guidance and assistance for the role changes that occur in motherhood that impact daily habits, routines, and goals of women and their children. A substantial lack of education exists for healthcare professionals working with pregnant and postpartum women, by women themselves, and by society as a whole. Serious musculoskeletal, psychological, and social concerns commonly arise for many women after giving birth. The purpose of this capstone project was to attempt to …

Effects Of An Occupation-Based Social And Life Skills Session On The Strength Of Intimate Partner Violence Victims’ Generalized Self-Efficacy Beliefs, Sierra Moes

OT Student Capstones

Background: Prior research has identified occupational therapy as a profession poised to provide interventions to enhance the recovery of intimate partner violence victims. The present study aimed to implement a program to affect the generalized self-efficacy beliefs of intimate partner violence victims residing in Autumn House Emergency Crisis Shelter.

Methodology: The Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale was administered before and after a total of seven individual/group sessions to a sample of adults residing at the shelter over the course of the occupational therapy program. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing a one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and paired T-test Cronbach’s alpha to establish whether the …

Life Skills Intervention For Formerly Incarcerated Individuals At Maricopa Reentry Center, Dalenna Bellum

OT Student Capstones

The rates of incarceration quickly rose in the United States in the late 1900’s in response to change in legislation in favor of more tough on crime movements and policy. In addition to these movements and other social, environmental, and demographic factors, certain groups of individuals faced increased risk for incarceration and increased challenges before, during, and after incarceration. The purpose of this doctoral capstone experience and report is to explore challenges during community reentry after incarceration that can lead to re-arrest, or recidivism. This is a crucial time because without the appropriate tools, resources, and supports, the individual is …

Effect Of A Wilderness Rafting Trip On Disability Identity With Those Who Have Physical Disabilities, Kathryn Bauer

OT Student Capstones

Background: Disability identity is a concept that can occur when one focuses their identity and purpose on their disability. This can be positive or negative and have direct effects on one’s quality of life. Several studies have found that being in the wilderness has improved one’s self-perception, community, and goals for the future. This project aims to measure, after going on a 12-day rafting trip in the Grand Canyon, if there is any change on one’s disability identity, as well as to analyze accessibility for those with physical disabilities.

Method: Six participants with physical disabilities were included. All …

Effects Of Physical Activity, Play And Mindfulness-Based Interventions On Emotional Regulation And Emotional Awareness Skills In Adults With Developmental Disabilities At A Day-Time Assistance Program, Aaron Arndt

OT Student Capstones

Background: According to literature, deficiencies in emotional regulation and emotional awareness skills are more prevalent among adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities. Limited research shows promising support that the use of noninvasive treatments such as exercise, and play can promote emotional well-being among this population. This project aims to better understand the benefits of physical activity, play, and mindfulness-based interventions on emotional regulation skills in adults with developmental disabilities who attend a day-time assistance program.

Method: This 14-week capstone project was conducted at Lauren’s Institute for Education’s Adult Day Treatment (DTA) program. The occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) student developed and implemented …

Impact Of The Level Of Parental Involvement In Occupational Therapy Services On Patient Outcomes For Children Ages 0-3 In The Outpatient Setting, Lauren Hackl

OT Student Capstones

This project aims to analyze the relationship between parent involvement in OT services and patient outcomes for children ages 0-3 in the outpatient setting. This project involves both therapist and parent interactions with the administration of surveys over the span of a 14-week period to measure parental involvement. Standardized assessment scores were used throughout the project to measure patient outcomes. The implementation of this project can help parents understand the importance of their involvement in occupational therapy services both inside the clinic and at home and how it can increase patient outcomes and child development.

A Cognitive Protocol For Individuals With Concussion, Faith M. Urbanik

OT Student Capstones

Background: Concussions have been identified in the literature to cause impairments in several cognitive domains. Limited research exists for cognitive interventions for occupational therapists (OTs) working with concussions and post-concussion syndrome (PCS) using a bottom-up approach that targets domains of cognition. This pilot study responds to these shortcomings by identifying and implementing evidence-based treatment options for OTs working with individuals with concussion and PCS to mitigate associated cognitive deficits. Method: The researcher included participants, ages 18 years or older, who are three days’ to six months’ post-concussion with concussions or PCS in this study. The researcher administered a cognitive protocol …

Pilot Study For Use Of The Spurgeon Methodtm Of Breast Massage After Mastectomy, Cynthia L. Veazey

OT Student Capstones

Importance: Reduced range of motion of the shoulder and chronic pain negatively affect the ability to complete daily activities and the mental and physical quality of life for women after breast cancer surgery. Objective: To assess the results over time of the Spurgeon MethodTM of breast massage after breast cancer surgery in improving shoulder range of motion and performance of activities of daily living. Design: Mixed methods pilot study performing the Spurgeon MethodTM protocol with participants once a week for six weeks. Setting and Participants: The setting was The Caring Place, a nonprofit program managed by the Nevada Childhood Cancer …

Video-Based Educational Module To Support Adaptive Gaming Services, Kendyl Zimmer

OT Student Capstones

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

1. Improve access to adaptive video gaming technology 2. Mitigate abandonment of the technology

METHODS

Over 14 weeks, the student designed and created an educational video-based module in collaboration with AzTAP. The process included:

• Conducting research on current accessible gaming technology
• Identifying video topics that would be useful to the community
• Writing the script for each video
• Editing and adding subtitles

PROJECT OUTCOME

To evaluate the module’s effectiveness in meeting the objectives, four AzTAP staff members watched the complete module and responded to a qualitative follow-up questionnaire comprised of six questions

Implementing An Aging In Place Program With Emphasis On Home Safety And Accessibility For Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Erin K. Richardson

OT Student Capstones

The baby boomer generation is the largest and most diverse population to ever age in America’s history. By the year 2030, the baby boomer population will reach 65 and older (American Counts Staff, 2019). Meaning every 1 in 5 individuals in the United States will be over 65 within the next decade (Rural Health Information Hub, n.d.). The Census Bureau projects that older adults are expected to outnumber children under 18 for the first time in America’s history by the year 2034 (American Counts Staff, 2019). For this reason, the National Alliance for Caregiving (2020) advocates for more policies, funding, …

The Effectiveness Of Sensory Interventions On Social Participation, Morgan Holcom

OT Student Capstones

Sensory integration is among the most frequently used treatment approaches in pediatric occupational therapy (Schoen et al., 2019). Approximately 5%-16% of children in the United States experience sensory integration dysfunctions and that percentage increases in children with disabilities (Flanagan et al., 2019; Matsushima & Kato, 2013; Randell et al., 2019; Reynolds et al., 2011; Schaaf et al, 2018; Smith Roley et al., 2015). Children with sensory integration dysfunction have been found to experience disruptions in their everyday occupations, including social participation (Lane et al., 2019). To address such deficits, both sensory integration and sensory-based interventions have increasingly been used to …