Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Facilitating Engagement In Meaningful Occupations Through Nature-Based Experiences, Sydney Johnson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Many children, especially those living in urban areas, are spending less time in nature than ever before which is decreasing their engagement in meaningful occupations such as sleep, play, education, social participation, and activities of daily living. Interacting with nature can improve children’s emotional regulation, development, attention span, mental health, and overall well-being. It is important that children have access to nature and its benefits to ensure they are reaching their full potential in life. One method to improve children’s access to nature is providing them with nature-based activities that can be modified or adapted for those living in …

The Role Of Advocacy And Occupational Justice In Increasing The Accessibility Of Parks For Parents With Disabilities, Nathan Burke-Tan

Doctoral Projects

The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to address ongoing accessibility barriers experienced by adults with disabilities, particularly those in caregiving roles, in public parks and playgrounds in the greater San Diego region. Although many parks meet the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), research shows that caregivers with disabilities continue to encounter obstacles that limit safe, meaningful participation in community spaces (Dalpra, 2022; Fernelius, 2017; Firkin et al., 2024; Movahed et al., 2023; Ogletree et al., 2020; Prellwitz & Skar, 2007). These persistent gaps indicate a need for stronger advocacy and clearer public awareness of …

Grounded In Experience: A Collaborative Approach To Resource Development For Adults With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Morgan Kam

Doctoral Projects

Background: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a complex connective tissue disorder that significantly affects daily occupations, participation, and quality of life, yet early support for individuals pursuing or newly receiving a diagnosis remains limited. Occupational therapy (OT) is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through interventions that promote self-management and functional engagement.

Purpose: This project aimed to develop an experience- and evidence-informed educational resource for individuals undergoing or newly receiving an EDS diagnosis, while increasing awareness of OT’s role in managing this chronic, multisystemic condition.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach integrated qualitative insights from interviews, online support groups, and practitioner feedback. A …

Family-Level Impacts Of Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy For Children With Disabilities: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Pilot Study, Emily Canigiula

Doctoral Projects

Equine-assisted occupational therapy (EAOT) has been shown to enhance functional, social, and quality-of-life outcomes for children with disabilities (McDaniel Peters & Wood, 2017; Prieto et al., 2022). While child-focused outcomes are well documented, significantly less is known about how EAOT participation may influence caregivers and the broader family unit, as existing research largely prioritizes individual outcomes over family experiences (Peters et al., 2017; Tan & Simmonds, 2018; Trzmiel et al., 2019; Xiao et al., 2023). Emerging qualitative studies suggest potential family-level impacts including family engagement, reduced parental stress, and enhanced feelings of pride, empowerment, and connection (Kalmback et al., 2020; …

Bridging Gaps With Occupational Therapy: The Unique Role Of Occupational Therapy In Women’S Day Shelters, Alex Sato

Doctoral Projects

Homelessness is a multifaceted, complex issue that we face as a society. Mainstream services provided to homeless or vulnerable populations tend to focus on housing and basic services. While these are essential and meaningful, literature suggests there is a lack in trauma and self-care support (Marzana et al., 2023; Milaney et al., 2020). Looking through an Occupational Therapy (OT) lens, there are a multitude of ways the profession can provide holistic care. Current OT service provision within this population most commonly focuses on obtaining and maintaining housing and addressing the survival occupations these individuals may be engaging in (Cunningham & …

Applying Occupational Empowerment Principles In A Life Skills Program For Unhoused Transitional-Aged Youth: Feasibility And Early Outcomes, Eriza Navarro

Doctoral Projects

The purpose of this occupational therapy doctoral capstone project was to address a gap in community-based services for unhoused transitional-aged youth (TAY) by promoting life skill acquisition and supporting participation in meaningful activities in order to enhance self-efficacy. This project aimed to design, implement, and evaluate a structured occupation-based life skills program that builds upon existing services at a local drop-in center. The program incorporated life skill education and activity-based, experiential interventions tailored to meet the needs and learning styles of the population. Methods included conducting a needs assessment, developing the program curriculum, and piloting the 6-week program consisting of …

Promoting Participation And Self-Efficacy Among Youth With Disabilities In Community-Based Vocational Education, Allison Hollender

Doctoral Projects

Occupational therapy, with its focus on participation, contextual adaptation, and strength-based practice, is uniquely suited to support the growth and inclusion of youth in transition (Angell et al., 2018; Cahill et al., 2020; Carroll et al., 2025). Research indicates that transitional-aged youth (TAY) with disabilities, ages 14-24, are less likely to graduate from high school, pursue postsecondary education, or live independently (BLS, 2024; Cheng & Shaewitz, 2022; Cook et al., 2015). These disparities are compounded by occupational deprivation, or limited opportunities for meaningful participation, which can negatively impact long-term self-efficacy and belonging (Arbesman & Logsdon, 2011; Cahill et al., 2020). …

From Silos To Synergies: How To Enhance Interdisciplinary Collaboration Among Graduate Students, Jennifer Jimenez

Doctoral Projects

Interprofessional education (IPE) is essential for preparing collaborative healthcare practitioners, yet opportunities at San José State University (SJSU) have been limited, inconsistent, and largely dependent on individual faculty initiative. This capstone project aimed to strengthen IPE at SJSU by assessing institutional capacity and developing feasible, sustainable strategies to enhance exposure and participation across health-related programs. Guided by the Person–Environment–Occupation–Performance (PEOP) model and adult learning theory, the project combined a needs assessment, literature review, and partnership with the Healthy Development Community Clinic (HDCC) to create an instructor implementation guide and student introductory modules for HDCC service-learning onboarding. An IRB-approved mixed-methods faculty …

A Guide To Falls In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Sarah Ghione

Doctoral Projects

Approximately one in four older adults experiences a fall each year in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024b; Kakara et al., 2023). Among those residing in nursing homes for either short-term rehabilitation or long-term care, the risk of falls is doubled (Acker & Janssen, 2017; Shao et al., 2023). The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop an educational resource aimed at enhancing staff education and fall prevention efforts within a single nursing home, supporting the facility’s goal of reducing fall rates. Methods included a needs assessment, observational experiences, resource development, and the …

The Impact Of Social Participation Through Adaptive Sports On Quality Of Life In Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury, Mikayla Martin, Zeida Gutierrez

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project researched and explored how socialization through adaptive sports in this case impacts the perception of quality of life among individuals who have sustained a spinal cord injury.

Autistic Young Adults' Experiences And Recommendations For Strength Training, Ashlyn Barry, Justin A. Haegele, Daniel Schaefer, Kristen A. Pickett, Luis Columna

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Strength training can be a beneficial form of physical activity (PA), but little research has examined how autistic individuals experience it or what makes programs accessible and supportive. Therefore, the purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to explore autistic young adults’ experiences with strength training, and (2) examine their recommendations for designing programs that meet their needs. Thirteen autistic young adults (ages 22–25) participated in semi-structured interviews about their strength training experiences and preferences for program design. A qualitative descriptive approach with a constructivist lens guided reflexive analysis. Participants described key factors that influenced their participation in strength training, …

Development Of Sexual Health Curriculum For West Virginia University’S Occupational Therapy Program, Abigail Jeske

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sexual health is a fundamental aspect of well-being and quality of life and impacts everyone regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation, and is relevant throughout an individual’s lifespan. Occupational therapists have a valuable role in addressing sex concepts with patients; however, a lack of education and comfort level have been identified as barriers to practitioners addressing the concepts in clinical practice. This Doctoral Capstone Experience aims to answer how the topic of sexual health can be integrated into a lifespan curriculum in formal occupational therapy education. A sexual health curriculum was created and integrated into seven different classes that …

Facilitating Independence: Developing A Hands-On Life Skills Program For Youth In Residential Treatment, Shayna Rexrode

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Life skills competency in adolescence can be an important predictor of success in adulthood. Educational and training programs focused on life skills can help youth develop the skills that they need to live independently. Though occupational therapy literature surrounding these types of programs is limited, occupational therapy practitioners are qualified to provide intervention in life skills based on the profession’s scope of practice.

This capstone project focused on the development and evaluation of a new life skills program, the Life Skills Practice Program, at a residential treatment facility for youth with substance use and behavioral diagnoses. Stakeholders at the facility …

Manualized Interventions For Individuals Experiencing Or At-Risk For Adverse Life Experiences, Sierra P. Mcnicol

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Occupational practitioners have a role in providing holistic and client-centered care to promote occupational performance, engagement, and satisfaction through occupations. Many individuals are impacted in the engagement of occupations secondary to adverse life experiences that have caused mental distress, difficulties in cognitive processing, limited social support, and disruptions in social determinants that have made accessing services complicated. Purpose: Due to the increased likelihood of individuals who have experienced adverse life experiences experiencing occupational distress and performance limitations, the capstone student aimed to develop an understanding of adverse life experiences, provide insight into the needs of the population, and develop …

Empowering Caregivers Through Occupational Therapy: A Comprehensive Approach To Adolescent Mental Health Education, Shannon Grace Ring

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: This scholarly project aimed to create an evidence-based toolkit for caregivers of adolescents currently completing partial hospitalization programming (PHP). Adolescents enrolled in PHP have experienced severe disruption in their daily functions. Adolescent mental illness is a public health concern due to its prevalence, early onset, and the impact it can have on individuals, families, and communities (Ghandour et al., 2019). Mental health disorders during adolescence can affect development by interfering with the ability to function in daily settings and achieve social, emotional, cognitive, and academic milestones (Ghandour et al., 2019). Many adolescents are also exposed to risk factors, including …

Technol-Ot And Creativity: Implementing Occupational Therapy (Ot) And Assistive Technology (At) Into Art And Music For Adults With Disabilities, Camille Alexandra Aquino, Aarti Subramanian, Austin Yee, Joshua Darrin Montano, Angelica-Kjristen Antonio

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Background: Assistive technology (AT) holds the potential to enhance independence and participation among individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disorders (IDD) and physical disabilities. AT supports for adults with these disabilities remain limited in community settings after they transition out of the K–12 educational system. Addressing this gap requires collaborative, client-centered approaches to implementing effective AT solutions.

Purpose: This project aims to assess and address the AT needs of Marin Ventures (MV), an adult engagement day program, and seeks to develop and implement sustainable AT applications to enhance creative expression and communication for MV clients.

Methods: A needs assessment was conducted …

Exploring The Synergy Of Executive Functions And Sensory Processing In Shaping Occupational Participation, Isabella Aguirre, Kaitlin Mulvaney, Sophia Zertuche

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

This study adds to the available literature on the relationship between executive functions (EF) and sensory processing (SP), and their combined effect on occupational participation (OP) in children aged 5-12 years. Understanding the nature of this relationship holds the key to identifying factors shaping a child's ability to engage effectively in daily life activities. The research team hypothesized that children with stronger EF and more efficient SP will demonstrate higher levels of OP, while those with challenges in either or both domains may experience limitations to effectively engage in daily activities. Participants consisted of parents of 26 children aged 5 …

Impact Of Sensory Diets On Occupational Performance, Kyndra Holloway, Cassandra Howard, Makena Collin, Princess Pillos

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

This study investigates the impact of individualized sensory diets on children’s occupational performance in daily life. Sensory diets are structured, child-specific interventions designed to facilitate improved sensory processing by integrating activities into established routines. They involve a tailored home program plan, consistent application, and interventions aligned with the child’s specific sensory needs (Wilbarger, 1995).Using a multiple single-case study design, this research examined the outcomes of sensory diets prescribed alongside direct occupational therapy (OT) services for four white male children aged 3 years, 11 months to 5 years, and 8 months with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Participants were recruited through Developmental FX (DFX) …

Increasing Awareness Of Occupational Therapy For College Students At Dominican University Of California, Joshua James King Ng, Connor Efstathiu, Audrey Nakashima, Rylee Sarasua, Katie Szoboszlay

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Background: This project is the third iteration of the Occupational Therapy (OT) college student program at Dominican University of California aiming to promote OT Coaching services for students while enhancing occupational engagement in daily activities, and overall well-being. Occupational therapists play a distinctive role in postsecondary education (AOTA, 2013).The second iteration of the OT college student program (2022–2023) prioritized collaboration with the school’s Student Success Center (SSC) and on-campus Integrative Coaches (ICs) who played a pivotal role in streamlining client referrals and enhancing the program outcomes. During their time with the program, this group was able to flagship a program …

Resilience Programming For Occupational Therapy Students: A Mixed-Methods Exploration, Meghan Shellooe, Jalina Madriaga, Valerie Perez, Gabriela Velazquez

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Occupational therapy students and practitioners experience high levels of stress due to classroom and professional demands which can lead to burnout. Resilience is found as a protective factor against stress and burnout. Resilience can be defined as the different ways systems work together to achieve better results than expected, after experiencing adversity. Concepts related to resilience include social connection, self-efficacy, and mindfulness. Research done on resilience programming for students has been shown to support students in navigating the hardships of college. Resilience programming has been found to be effective for occupational therapists in the workplace during high work demands. However, …

Evidence-Informed Teaching Practices Across Faculty Terminal Degree Categories, Steven D. Taff, Meredith Gronski, Yejin Lee, Ashley Stoffel, Theresa Carlson Carroll, Jenica Lee, Carolyn M. Baum

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Many faculty spend a considerable proportion of their time and effort in teaching, yet intentional preparation for this important responsibility is rare. Currently, there exists no standard guidance for which content areas or competencies are necessary for quality educator development as they perform the various faculty roles. In this descriptive study, we surveyed 334 occupational therapy/ occupational therapy assistant (OT/OTA) faculty from across the United States using a 53-item instrument that explored to what degree do OT/OTA faculty use and document evidence-informed teaching practices and if the use of evidence-informed teaching practices differs across faculty terminal degree category (entry-level occupational …

Student Psychosocial Well-Being And Burnout During Level Ii Fieldwork: An Explanatory Mixed Methods Analysis, Grace V. Perry, Katherine F. Varughese, Yongyue Qi, Cary Moore, Vanessa D. Jewell

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence fieldwork educator support has on stress, burnout, and self-efficacy, and examine how both students and fieldwork educators support student psychosocial well-being and protective factors during Level II fieldwork (FWII). An explanatory sequential mixed method design was used, including a student cross-sectional survey (n=129) followed by one student (n=5) and two fieldwork educator focus groups (n=12). Outcome measures utilized for the cross-sectional survey included the Perceived Stress Scale, self-developed Perceived Fieldwork Educator Support Questionnaire, Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, and New General Self-Efficacy Scale. Results showed that statistically significant correlations existed among perceived …

Evaluating Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Education And Practice: A Qualitative Swot Study In The Philippines, Paolo Miguel P. Bulan, Janice A. Rojas, John Ray O. Suerte, Nikki Y. Pestaño, Maria Menierva G. Lagria, Cristito P. Dimitiman Jr., April Grace A. Chiongbian, Frances Vince E. Dimitiman, Martina Nicole A. Ligutom, Debbie Rose D. Cabañero, Jay Arr M. Sale

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy education plays a pivotal role in equipping professionals to meet the dynamic demands of healthcare systems. This study evaluated the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (BSOT) program at Velez College in the Philippines, utilizing a qualitative analysis framework to explore its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) as perceived by educators, students, alumni, and practitioners. Findings highlight the program’s robust generalist curriculum, strong community-based partnerships, and interprofessional collaboration opportunities. However, challenges such as limited access to standardized assessment tools, high educator turnover, and insufficient specialization opportunities were identified. Notably, emerging demands in mental health and holistic care …

Barriers And Facilitators Of A Sense Of Belonging Among Occupational Therapy Students And Faculty: A Qualitative Study Using The Ecology Of Human Performance Framework, Sabina Khan, Elizabeth Deluca-Berg, Kersten Laughlin, Jacqueline Achon, Khalil Mrabe, Christianah Edema

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

A sense of belonging significantly influences both student engagement and faculty motivation. The objective of this study was to identify the barriers and facilitators of a sense of belonging among students and faculty of an occupational therapy department. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with fifty-one students and ten faculty recruited via non-random purposeful sampling. Data were collected through focus group discussions with students and semi-structured interviews with faculty. Both the focus group discussions and interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed by a professional transcription service. Inductive coding was used to identify initial themes, which were then deductively mapped to the …

Identifying, Organizing, And Prioritizing Ideas On How To Support The Entangled Relation Between Theory And Practice In Occupational Therapy Education: A Group Concept Mapping Study, Rina Juel Kaptain, Jacob Østergaard Madsen, Anna Marie Lassen, Kristina Tomra Nielsen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Transfer of learning from an academic setting to clinical practice and vice versa represents a challenge. The aim of this study was therefore to identify, organize, and prioritize ideas on how to support the entangled relation between theory and practice in occupational therapy (OT) education. To gain broad perspectives on the topic, Group Concept Mapping (GCM) was applied among OT students, lecturers, and fieldwork educators. GCM included six phases: Preparing (formulating a focus prompt), Generating ideas (brainstorming based on focus prompt: “To support the relation between theoretical and practical elements in the OT program there is a need for.. …

Pitch It Big: Cultivating Entrepreneurism Through Use Of An Innovative Competitive Business Plan And Presentation, Margaret (Peggy) Grill, Erin Epley

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This educational innovation aimed to explore the effectiveness of a student assignment titled ‘Pitch it Big,’ designed to enhance understanding of the business aspects outlined in the accreditation standards for occupational therapy programs. Limited research evidence exists for business education related to occupational therapy. Working in self-chosen groups based on their targeted area of interest, students collaboratively wrote a business plan for a fictitious occupational therapy business or product invention. Students then participated in a competition modeled after the popular television program Shark Tank, where they pitched their business proposals to a panel of experts acting as judges. The panel …

Professionalism…What Is It Anyway? Researching And Communally Defining An Elusive Social Construct In Occupational Therapy Programs, Carol Lambdin-Pattavina

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

For its entirety, the profession of occupational therapy’s understanding of and approach to the development of professionalism in occupational therapy students (OTS) has remained relatively static and based largely on a White, Western, and male-dominated understanding of professionalism and how it manifests in academic environments. This understanding and approach are highly problematic in that it does not take into account the kaleidoscope of cultural differences that require occupational therapy practitioners to show up in different ways based on the needs and preferences of clients, communities, and populations. This research qualitatively analyzed existing documents containing references to professionalism utilized in one …

Exploring The Teaching Methods And Approaches Used By Australian Educators To Teach Occupation, Melanie J. Roberts, Barb Hooper, Bernadette Sebar, Jim Woodburn

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy education standards for teaching occupation are inconsistently applied and there is a lack of evidence to inform teaching practice in Australia. This qualitative study explored what teaching methods and approaches Australian occupational therapy educators used in their classroom, and why those methods were used. The research was completed in two phases: narrative inquiry guided Phase I where educators were interviewed about the methods and approaches used to teach occupation. In Phase II video-reflexive ethnography was implemented, where a video recording of teaching was used as a prompt for a reflexive discussion about the educator’s teaching approaches. The interviews …

Play’S The Thing: How Do Occupational Therapy Programs Teach About The Occupation Of Play?, Lisa Raymond-Tolan

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Engaging in play constitutes a fundamental theoretical concept and skill set emphasized in occupational therapy (OT) education. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), play is a key occupation and a core context for development and learning. However, there is a paucity of evidence about if and how entry-level OT programs are effectively teaching students about play as a central occupation, and the demands of OT education can make it difficult for OT students to observe children in real life play during their didactic coursework, particularly in unstructured play environments. This pilot descriptive study surveyed 59 pediatric faculty, program …

Factors Influencing Reflection And Self-Assessment Of Simulation Performance: Comparing Student And Preceptor Ratings, Kaitlin R. Sibbald, Diane E. Mackenzie

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Simulation with simulated patients is increasingly used in occupational therapy. Ensuring the debrief component meets student needs to develop their self-assessment skills for participating in a self-regulating profession is essential. This explanatory mixed-methods research sought to explore factors contributing to accurate and inaccurate self-assessment of simulation performance for novice occupational therapy learners in a part-time introductory fieldwork course. Self-ratings and preceptor-ratings of performance on eleven simulation objectives were compared for sixty-five novice occupational therapy students. Factor analysis was used to explore contributors to differences in ratings between students and preceptors. Students’ written plus-delta debrief reflections were analyzed to explore what …