Occupational Therapists’ Consideration Of Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity When Working With Adolescents: An Exploratory Study, Kristin Willey

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background: A review of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (AOTA, 2020) and scholarly literature within healthcare fields, including occupational therapy, discuss the contextual issues of occupational justice and health disparities in situations when sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) are not considered as part of the occupational therapy process.

Purpose: This study explored if occupational therapists (OTs) considered a client’s SOGI when providing services to an adolescent. Subsequent research questions were: do OTs perceive that SOGI influences adolescents’ occupations, and do OTs perceive gaps in their knowledge related to SOGI?

Theoretical Framework: This research project was based on …

Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Of The Value Of Collaboration With School-Based Occupational Therapists, Jennifer Edick

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Literature review coupled with needs assessment data indicated that collaborative practices between teachers and occupational therapists might not be happening consistently and may be in need of improvement. Further research is needed to determine elementary teachers’ perceptions of the value of collaboration with occupational therapists in order to ensure maximum benefit for the students.

Purpose: This Capstone Project focused on identifying elementary teachers’ perceptions of the value of collaboration with occupational therapists and validating the need for improved occupational therapy supports in the school environment.

Theoretical Framework: This Capstone Project was guided by the National Interprofessional Competency Framework (NICF), …

Get The Wiggles Out: Sensory Paths A Motor-Based Intervention To Decrease Out-Of-Seat Events In Preschool Children With Special Needs., Teresa Ludwig

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Sensory Paths are sensory motor-based interventions that will provide opportunities for teachers to incorporate structured movement into the natural classroom routine, such as before circle time, to help the children in their classes be ready for learning by increasing attention and decreasing out of seat events.

This single subject A-B-A design project, rooted in the Ecology of Human Performance framework, explored providing structured sensory motor-based opportunities prior to circle time throughout the classroom day to decrease interfering behaviors in the classroom, such as out of seat behaviors and improve attention during circle time.

The results indicate that the Sensory Paths …

How Does Intraprofessional And Interprofessional Collaboration Impact The Use Of Occupation-Based Practice In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Stedmon D. Hopkins

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Research shows that there are many barriers to the implementation of occupation-based practice amongst occupational therapy practitioners. One barrier that requires a more in-depth review is the process of interprofessional and intraprofessional collaboration amongst staff in skilled nursing facilities.

Purpose: The purpose of this research project was to examine how interprofessional and intraprofessional collaboration influence occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistant’s ability to provide occupation-based practice in skilled nursing facilities.

Theoretical Framework: The frameworks utilized throughout this study included the National Interprofessional Competency Framework and the Occupational Therapy Intervention Process Model (OTIPM).

Methods: This study utilized a …

Parental Educational And Engagement Through Positioning And Play, Gaile E. Seay

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: This project is to increase the confidence of parents/caregivers via education about their infants that may not otherwise be provided by other health care professionals. This project also provides early intervention to the infants in efforts to facilitate their maximum development through proper positioning for sleeping and play. Purpose: The purpose of this project was a parental education class for parents/primary caregivers of babies ages 0-6 months. They were educated about their child’s development, and how to engage their baby through play and positioning for optimal cognitive, communication, and social-emotional development. This class and project sought to enhance parents’ …

An Interprofessional Learning Experience With Occupational Therapy Assistant And Physical Therapist Assistant Students Through A Simulated Educational Environment, Brooke Gentry

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study is to explore if occupational therapy assistant students demonstrate increased perceived confidence and communication skills. This was completed through interprofessional interactions during a simulated lab-based case with physical therapist assistant students. The perceived confidence and communication are measured through a pre and post survey using the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS). Each student completed the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS) pretest prior to the event. The students underwent an educational lecture, lab demonstrations, and training for the performance of the practical application. The students participated in a simulated patient experience of …

Assistive Technology In Transition Programming For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Jennifer L. Veenendall

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Individuals with intellectual disabilities are employed at lower rates than those without disabilities and evidence supports the use of assistive technology (AT) to improve vocational outcomes for this population. This preliminary study investigated the impact of AT training among special educators in secondary transition programming. The results provide useful information that can be used to guide decisions regarding additional training and interventions to build capacity in quality AT service delivery for young adults transitioning into work roles within this program. Successful implementation of person-centered AT problem-solving and decision-making could positively impact the integrated employment options and opportunities for young adults …

Examining Cognitive, Social And Teaching Presence In A Virtual Professional Continuing Education Workshop, Christina Bretz

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Due to COVID 19, there has been an increase in opportunities for online learning due to the reduction of in-person trainings. As occupational therapist practitioners, we have a responsibility to complete our professional continuing education and maintain our skills proficiently, whether those trainings are in-person or virtually. Therefore, the effectiveness and quality of professional training should not decrease when the delivery system is switched from in person to online.

Purpose: This study addressed professional continuing education for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and Pre-K thru 5th grade teachers in a virtual environment. The primary purpose of this study was …

The Role Of Rehabilitation Services In Managing Delirium In The Icu: A Retrospective Chart Review, Veronique Munier

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background: The onset of delirium during a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) is considered a sign of complication and is associated with increased risk of mortality and longer stays. Monitoring for delirium and incorporating early rehabilitation services (occupational therapy and physical therapy) are considered promising, evidence-based strategies to manage delirium.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess current practices for 1) delirium monitoring and 2) rehabilitation intervention as part of delirium management. The study verified the rate of delirium monitoring using standardized assessments, prevalence of delirium, the interval between admission to the ICU and …

Interdisciplinary Collaboration In The Homecare Setting, Erica J. Arndt

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Communication among interdisciplinary team members is a key component in providing quality care to patients. In the homecare setting, there are unique challenges to ensure effective communication occurs.

Purpose: To compare perceived interdisciplinary collaboration and work engagement between a team of homecare clinicians who were involved with identifying why critical clinical and social information is not communicated with a team of homecare clinicians who were not involved

Theoretical Framework. The Person Environment Occupation Performance (PEOP) model provided the theoretical framework for this project.

Methods. A quasi-experimental interrupted time series design with an intervention and control group was used. The …

Occupational Therapy: The Supports And Barriers To Practice, Tammy Lane

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: The United States population is aging due to advances in healthcare and the aging of the “baby boomers generation” and the rate of aging is set to be the next public health challenge (Quarterman, 2017). Purpose: To address the unique nature of providing skilled therapy services in rural communities. To gain insight into the recruitment and retention of occupational therapists to rural communities. Theoretical Framework: The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) (Kielhofner,2008) theory explains how occupations motivate participants in their environments supported by habits and roles in which they engage. Methods: Quantitative design using a descriptive method research approach …

Ace: A Recipe For Occupational Competence, Brittany J. Miller

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Adverse childhood experiences are increasing in society and the lack of knowledge surrounding the condition from the adults who frequently interact with them is concerning. This concern lays the foundation for the development of a targeted approach to pediatric intervention by occupational therapists. The problem this capstone project addresses is expanding the understanding of how adverse childhood experiences mirror other common conditions as well as the need for more competent and confident occupational therapists in identifying and treating children with adverse childhood experiences.

An Exploration Of Financial Management Programming For Residents In One Homeless Shelter: A Qualitative Institutional Case Study, Amy M. Heiser

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Introduction: Homelessness affects the economy, societies, and individuals’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Occupational therapy is a holistic profession that works with all populations across the lifespan. Financial management is a life skill that many Americans struggle with. Evidence on financial management skill development within homeless shelters and occupational therapy is sparse. Occupational justice is a theoretical framework that supports the right for residents in a homeless shelter to have direct interventions toward skill development, such as education in financial management. Methods: This institutional case study explored a homeless shelter to gain knowledge of real-life program phenomena, with focus on …

Best Practice For Teaching Manual Therapy Techniques To Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Deana K. Jackson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Abstract

Occupational therapy practitioners do not always know how to treat the painful shoulder and this may be due to a lack of education regarding manual therapy. This research project is designed to determine the best practice for teaching manual therapy techniques to occupational therapy providers by providing an in-service to teach new knowledge and skills regarding manual therapy to improve patient care by reducing client shoulder pain. Three types of learning styles were used which include: behaviorist theory, constructivism, and active learning strategies. The design was a two-tailed T test with a pretest/posttest to evaluate knowledge of the participants …

Promoting Writing Development In Preschoolers, Claudia M. Ortiz

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Providing extended opportunities for early writing and early literacy for preschool children into the lessons will enhance their writing skills. Purpose: The purpose of this capstone was to examine the effectiveness of providing a structured early writing plan to the preschool children to promote writing development and early literacy skills.

Theoretical Framework. The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) guided this study. Methods. This quasi-experimental research measured the emerging writing and early literacy levels of a selected group of 12 preschool students. The Learning Without Tears (LWT) Pre-k Assessments, the Readiness & Writing, and the Language & Literacy were used …

Fieldwork Educator Preparedness: A Study Examining The Effect Of An Online Learning Module On The Perceived Preparedness Levels Of Fieldwork Educators, Breanna Chycinski

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research project was to compare how the implementation of a learning module, titled The Fieldwork Educator Competency Module altered the perceived level of preparedness of occupational therapy (OT) practitioners related to their role as a fieldwork educator (FWEd) for Level II OT students. A quantitative, pre-experimental, one group pretest-posttest research design was used. All components of the research took place in an online, virtual setting. Participants were OT practitioners who were eligible to be a Level II FWEd. Results indicate a positive change for at least one participant for each question of the survey. The largest …

The Impact Of Mobile Media On The Fine Motor Development Of Students Entering Into The Educational System, Bernadette H. Needham

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The prevalence of mobile technology has greatly increased in our society over the last ten years. As COVID-19 continues to impact our society, the long-term impact of mobile media continues to be a concern with the movement to remote learning. The purpose of this research is to examine the parent’s perspective of increased mobile media usage at a young age on the development of fine motor skills needed for participation in kindergarten. The literature that was reviewed indicates that currently no definitive understanding of the impact of increased mobile media is known. The research was guided through decision making based …

Occupational Therapy Support In The Kindergarten Classroom Through Rti Tier I Interventions: Kindergarten Teachers’ Perceptions Of Need, Robyn R. Scarlett

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Known for the protection it affords children with disabilities, the federal statute, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 2004, also provides Local Education Agencies (LEA) funding to support general education students that may be at risk of or are demonstrating difficulty within their educational programming. Response to Intervention (RtI) is one such framework commonly used in school districts around the country to provide multi-tiered support to at-need general education students to facilitate their successful participation in their academic programming. The purpose of this study was to learn what occupational-therapy performance skills kindergarten teachers saw as areas of concern in children …

The Impact Of Parent Education With Augmentative And Alternative Communication, Kirsta Von Hellens

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Communication is an essential part of who we are, as we participate in our occupational roles, even for those who utilize augmentative and alternative communication. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the impact of a parental training program, as parents utilized a communication device, in order to increase the number of opportunities for their child to engage with and participate with at home and in the community. This project utilized the Human Activity Assistive Technology and the Person, Environment, Occupation, and Performance model. A descriptive mixed methods case study with a sequential exploratory design was used in this …

Occupational Engagement In Adults Under Age 65 Living In Skilled Nursing Facilities (Oea-Snf), Rebecca A. King

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Adults under age 65 living in skilled nursing facilities is a growing population and lack of occupational engagement in skilled nursing facilities is well documented. There is also a documented lack of training programs for skilled nursing facility staff to appropriately care for this population’s occupational needs. Occupational Therapists are uniquely qualified to educate and train skilled nursing facility staff in the occupational engagement needs of this group. Purpose: There is a lack of documented research regarding adults under age 65 living in skilled nursing facility and training programs for staff that care for this group. To …

Determining The Effect Of Target Education On Students’ Cultural Responsiveness And Performance During Standard Patient Interactions, Rebecca Mojica

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

There is limited available data about the level of cultural responsiveness skills in occupational therapy students. The purpose of this capstone project was to ascertain the impact of target specific training in cultural diversity on students’ perception of cultural responsiveness, and on their performance during simulated patient interactions. The overreaching framework for this capstone project was the conceptual model for culturally responsive care. This capstone project followed a one group pretest and post-test quasi-experimental design. Participants consisted of second-year students enrolled in an entry level master occupational therapy program at a large urban public university. The pre and post-test self-assessment …

The Impact Of Cooking Groups On One Individual's Transition To Independent Living, Alison Garcia

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The goal of occupational therapy in inpatient psychiatric settings is to develop independent living skills and restore normative life roles vital for leading a fulfilling life in the least restrictive environment. In one psychiatric hospital, cooking groups are an essential intervention and environment in which to develop these skills and roles. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to describe OT cooking group programing in one inpatient psychiatric setting, understand one client’s experience with cooking groups and illustrate how her participation in these groups led to a successful transition to independent living. This study was guided by the transformative …

What Stops Some Occupational Therapy Practitoners From Providing Fieldwork Education?, Jacqueline S. Schafer-Clay

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

A critical fieldwork shortage exists for the profession of occupational therapy and an evidence gap was found; literature with practitioners who do not provide fieldwork education was missing. The purpose of this capstone project was to identify the barriers that stop some occupational therapy practitioners from providing fieldwork education and what benefits and supports may motivate these same individuals to become fieldwork educators. A quantitative descriptive and correlational study with an online survey design, with 25 closed ended questions was distributed through snowball sampling across the United States. Responses were received from 42 states plus the District of Columbia. There …

Incorporating Meaningful Occupations Of Students With Moderate To Severe Intellectual Disabilities Into Structured Learning Experiences With Transition Planning At A Public School System, Catherine Gardner

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to learn from stakeholders how to identify meaningful occupations of students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities and how to incorporate them into their structured learning experiences in school to help them prepare for adult life upon graduation at 21 years old. The project also sought to explore how to involve the students and their families in the process of identifying meaningful occupations.

The Impact Of An Occupation Based Parkinson Caregiver Program On Caregiver's Quality Of Life, Jennifer L. Labonte

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The goal of the study was to enhance the PD patient’s caregiver’s ability to provide quality care to meet the ever changing needs of a neurodegenerative medical condition along with enhancing quality of life indicators of the caregiver. The community based program covered 7 topics over 4 consecutive weeks. The project design was an experimental one group pre and posttest design. The outcome measurement tool was the Parkinson Caregiver QOL Index. Data was analyzed utilizing a paired t-test for individual questions and the total score on the Parkinson Caregiver QOL Scale. No statistical significance was found between pretest and posttest …

Parental Self-Efficacy Of The “Unexpected Parent”, Cinthia L. Arbogast

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Research focused on the “unexpected parent” is limited. This population of parent is increasing in frequency.

Purpose: The purpose of this capstone study was to provide support to unexpected parents. The study focused on the area of establishing and maintaining routines and consistency as a means to decrease negative behavior in order to improve parental selfefficacy. With improved skills and perceived improved abilities, the aim of this study was to improve this performance of this group of parents during their participation in the occupation of parenting.

Theoretical Framework. The theory driving this research is the occupation-based model called the …

Examining The Benefits Of Educating Caregivers About Tummy Time In The Acute Care Setting, Alexandra L. Turner

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: This project addressed providing parents with education on tummy time in the acute care setting. This is based on a gap in the literature on occupational therapy (OT) services in the acute care setting.

Purpose: The purpose of this research project was to conduct a pilot study to examine the benefit of educating parents of infants in the acute care setting on providing tummy time as a developmental education measure.

Theoretical Framework: The occupational therapy practice theory, of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) supports the holistic supporting of families, in their role as a parent, to meet the …

The Home Health Aide Experience: Opportunities For Occupational Therapy, Julia Mindlina

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Introduction: Home health aides undergo significantly increased physical stress in their work with minimal support which may contribute to decreased satisfaction with a home health aide position (Czuba et al., 2012). Providing frequent assistance with hands-on self-care tasks and transfers has been correlated with an increased occurrence of physical injury (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2010). Occupational therapists have specialized skills in task-adaptation, environmental modification, and proper body mechanics that can assist home health aides in maximizing their client’s function and decreasing risk of injury such as back strain. However, little is known about how home health aides …

Person-Environment Interactions: The Psychological Implications Of Behaviors, Confidence, And Self-Efficacy In Falls Management., Lisa S. Roberson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Strong evidence supports medication review and management, health and safety education, and home modifications as a holistic approach to falls prevention. Current research demonstrates that individual interventions reduce the risk of falls yet do not statistically reduce the number of falls (Gallo, Stelmach, Frigeri, & Ahn, 2018). The problem this Capstone project addressed was the limited psychological considerations, awareness of behaviors, confidence, and self-efficacy, as they relate to falls prevention. These psychological factors have not been previously studied in a single study.

Purpose: To determine the relationship or significance of psychological considerations as they relate to fall prevention. Increase …

The Impact Of Education On Implementation Of Mirror Box Therapy Across Occupational Therapy Practice Settings, Nicole Y. Larue

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Mirror box therapy has been found to be effective in changing motor and sensory outcomes in patients with cerebrovascular accident (CVA). It has many benefits to use for occupational therapists such as ease of use, ease of transportation, capability to be used across practice settings, and ability to be incorporated into conventional therapy treatment. However, therapists included in this study may not have been using the intervention due to lack of knowledge or availability of the intervention equipment.

The purpose of this capstone project was to determine the impact education would have on occupational therapists’ attitudes and behaviors towards the …