Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Epilepsy Simulation: Educating Occupational Therapy Students On Epilepsy And Community Resources, Cambria Grissom Tolar

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder, affecting every 1 in 26 individuals during their lifetime. Individuals with epilepsy frequently experience barriers to employment, transportation, healthcare access, social participation, and more that influences occupational participation and quality of life. Despite the fact these factors fall under occupational therapy’s role and scope, many OT students do not receive adequate education about epilepsy, how to treat someone with epilepsy, and how to navigate community resources. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop and implement an epilepsy simulation that allows OT students to experience the everyday challenges faced by …

Sipping With A Purpose: Empowering Adults Of All Abilities Through Job Training And Work Skills While Enhancing Social Participation, Shelby Russell

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The "Sipping with a Purpose" doctoral capstone project addresses an urgent societal need by bridging the employment gap for adults with IDD, a demographic experiencing an over 80% unemployment rate. Out of 41 local day center participants at The Learning Center (TLC) in Northeast Arkansas, only four are currently employed. This reveals a critical deficit in opportunities for local adults to build the work skills, independence, and self esteem that they desire far beyond a paycheck. To address primary employment barriers such as a lack of vocational skills and fears about disability benefit loss, this functional business provides simulated and …

Beyond The Birth: An Occupational Therapy Approach To Postpartum Support And Advocacy, Ashlei Aweis

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of this capstone was to address identified gaps in maternal healthcare through the development of three occupational therapy resources: a postpartum wellness workshop, the Occupational Balance Screening Tool, and the “It’s Beyond Birth” educational podcast series. Together, these deliverables were designed to promote maternal health education, support occupational balance, and provide practical strategies that help mothers successfully navigate the transition into motherhood.

Advocating For Access: Empowering Children With Disabilities Through Meaningful Connections To Durable Medical Equipment (Dme), Maddyson Lamb

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Access to appropriate DME is vital; without it, children face severe occupational deprivation – the prolonged restriction from participating in meaningful daily activities. Furthermore, when families struggle to secure equipment due to high costs, it deepens the occupational deprivation across the entire family. Ultimately, managing these ongoing needs along a continuum is crucial to long-term health. However, families frequently face severe funding delays and systemic barriers when trying to acquire these vital resources. The purpose of the doctoral capstone was to utilize the PEO model to identify environmental restrictions and advocate for the necessary DME by having developed a multifaceted …

Melodies & Memories: An Occupational Therapy-Based Music Program For Individuals With Dementia, Adrianna Mcentire

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the doctoral capstone experience was to develop and implement Melodies & Memories to use music interventions to improve quality of life, social participation, cognitive functioning, emotional and behavioral regulation, and physical functioning while providing personalized, client centered care through the use of music.

Empowering Middle School Students Through A Life Skills Enrichment Program, Kaitlyn Peavy

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Occupational therapy practitioners are uniquely positioned to support this development through occupation-based opportunities that foster meaningful participation and functional independence. The purpose of the doctoral capstone project was to develop an evidence-informed, occupation-based life skills enrichment program that promotes independence, occupational participation, and future readiness for middle school students through structured, hands-on learning experiences.

Occupational Therapy's Role In Burn Rehabilitation, Hallie Poff

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Current literature identifies the need for enhanced burn-specific competencies and standardized, patient-friendly discharge resources to improve long-term functional outcomes and occupational participation beyond the hospital setting. Together, these findings highlight the need to advance burn-specific clinical skills while improving the consistency and accessibility of patient resources and education.

Cultivating Participation: Developing An Evidence-Based Farm-Based Sensory Integration Protocol For A Pediatric Occupational Therapy Clinic, Katelyn Childers

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop a comprehensive, evidence-informed farm-based sensory integration framework that translates current evidence into practical clinical resources to support therapist education, caregiver engagement, and consistent implementation of occupation centered intervention at Zion Therapy Services.

Sibstars: Empowering Siblings Through Support, Education, And Advocacy, Abbey Edrington

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

A primary needs assessment conducted through parent and sibling surveys supports these findings and identifies concerns related to anxiety, peer difficulties, uncertainty regarding future caregiving roles, and limited access to sibling-specific support services. Findings additionally reveal discrepancies between parent perceptions and sibling-reported experiences, highlighting the need for increased family awareness and sibling-focused interventions. Therefore, the purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Project was to develop and implement SibStars, a community based sibling support and education program designed to promote peer connection, coping skills, self-advocacy, emotional wellness, and occupational participation among siblings of individuals with IDD through family-centered, occupation based approaches.

Addressing Pediatric Executive Function Through Nature-Based Occupational Therapy In Central Ohio, Morgan Mahan

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Outdoor settings present unpredictable challenges that require children to simultaneously use inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility in ways that mirror real-world contexts. This continuous adaptation to changing environmental demands supports the generalization of skills across settings. Despite this potential, no nature-based pediatric occupational therapy program previously existed to effectively address executive function deficits. To address this gap, the Nature Explorers Program was developed, consisting of a theoretical foundation and practical application. The Nature-Based Executive Function Frame of Reference (NBEF) was developed to guide the assessment and treatment of executive function within a nature-based setting, and the Nature Explorers …

Meeting The Needs Of Individuals With Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Through Occupational Therapy, Tianna Matthews

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a relatively new and complex disorder that results in a significant impact on one’s overall health, well-being, and quality of life. The research study was designed to address practitioner knowledge and confidence gaps as they relate to ARFID care by assessing whether an educational in-service could increase pediatric healthcare practitioners’ knowledge of ARFID, confidence with treating ARFID, and their understanding of OT’s role on an interdisciplinary ARFID team.

Building Bridges: A Culturally Inclusive, Education-Based Program For A Pediatric Outpatient Therapy Clinic, Sarah Morgan

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Project is to develop and implement a culturally inclusive, education-based program, to address current gaps in pediatric outpatient occupational therapy and to allow the population to overcome challenges inhibiting their occupational adaptation and occupational fulfillment.

Mindful Music Lessons: Exploring Emotions Through The Creation Of Music, Shelton Jones

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Despite research categorizing mental health and occupational therapy as emerging, many intervention techniques from CBT principles remain applicable and fall within the scope of OT. The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Project was to develop a healthy coping strategy by implementing a music-based therapeutic program that promotes symptom management, emotional regulation, social participation, and overall health and wellness among military service members

Development Of An Ergonomic Education Program At The Nestlé Usa Production Facility In Nea, Virginia Smith

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

A review of the literature, needs assessment findings, and collaboration with site stakeholders identified opportunities to strengthen ergonomics education, improve occupational health literacy, and support a more comprehensive approach to workplace ergonomics through the development of evidence-based resources. The purpose of the doctoral capstone project was to develop the Nestlé Ergonomics Program by applying the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model to create evidence-based ergonomic resources that increase workplace ergonomics education, promote occupational health literacy, and reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among employees at the Nestlé USA Production Facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Fostering Development Through Participation In A Gymnastics-Based Occupational Therapy Program, Alex Theisen

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of implementing a gymnastics-based OT program is to incorporate gymnastics-based movement into interventions that support and enhance each client’s progress toward their unique OT goals, address deficits affecting occupational performance, and increase participation through play-based interventions. The purpose of the doctoral capstone project is to expand knowledge of population needs to develop and facilitate the implementation of a gymnastics-based pediatric occupational therapy program that will promote participation and safety while meeting the individual needs of clients.

Enhancing A Trauma-Informed Reintegration Framework Through Occupation-Based Program Development For Adolescent Survivors Of Human Trafficking In Northeast Arkansas, Faith Welch

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the doctoral capstone was to enhance Hope Found's existing trauma informed reintegration framework through the development of an occupation-based framework. The enhanced framework focused on integrating developmentally responsive intervention planning, educational programming, implementation guidance, resource organization, documentation recommendations, and outcome measurement strategies to strengthen trauma-informed service delivery and support community reintegration for adolescent survivors of human trafficking and exploitation.

Cortical Plasticity Following Peripheral Nerve Injury In The Upper Extremity, Samah Gassass

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) in the upper extremity results in significant sensorimotor impairment. Nearly 40-50% of patients affected by PNI fail to restore normal hand and arm function and recovery remains variable. Recovery related cortical plasticity is recognized as an important factor, though its relationship to meaningful outcomes remains unclear. This dissertation examined how cortical activity patterns relate to functional recovery after PNI through a systematic review and three subsequent cross-sectional studies.

The systematic review of multimodal neuroimaging studies on cortical plasticity after upper extremity nerve transfer found that good recovery is generally linked to restoration of contralateral or typical …

Advancing Occupational Therapy Practice: Evaluating A Continuing Education Module To Support The Integration Of 3d Printing Into Clinical Care, Sophia Wilkes, Rebecca Ozelie

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

This study aimed to evaluate whether a continuing education module could improve occupational therapy practitioners’ perceived knowledge, awareness, confidence, and clinical utilization of 3D printing in occupational therapy practice, while also examining how access to resources may influence implementation A 14-week cross-sectional pre–post design was used with occupational therapy practitioners participating in a one-hour educational session followed by a three-week trial of 3D printer access. Participants completed pre- and post-surveys assessing perceived knowledge, awareness, and confidence, and maintained a utilization log to track clinical use.

Results indicated a statistically significant increase in perceived knowledge and awareness of 3D printing following …

Belonging And Whole Person Formation In Graduate Education: A Conceptual Framework For Student Flourishing, Cynthia Hickman

Papers

Graduate students experience substantial academic, personal, and professional demands that can negatively affect well-being and persistence. For students enrolled in professional programs, belonging may develop within two overlapping communities: the academic institution and the emerging profession. Institutional and professional belonging can provide connection, support, engagement, and opportunities for identity and professional development. This paper synthesizes literature on these two forms of belonging and proposes a conceptual framework describing their potential relationship with whole-person formation and flourishing. Whole-person formation extends graduate education beyond knowledge acquisition and professional competence to include development across interconnected dimensions of the person. Within the proposed framework, …

Fieldwork Educators' Perspectives On Occupational Therapy Students Addressing Sexuality And Intimacy: Expectations, Supports, And Barriers, Elizabeth Deluca-Berg

Student Dissertations

Sexuality and intimacy are recognized as meaningful occupations within occupational therapy practice; however, they remain inconsistently addressed in clinical care. Previous research has identified limited educational preparation as a contributing factor to occupational therapists' discomfort and lack of confidence in addressing these occupations. Although classroom instruction provides foundational knowledge, Level II fieldwork serves as the primary setting in which students apply knowledge within authentic clinical environments. Despite the central role of FW educators in facilitating students' professional development, little research has explored how they prepare OT students to address sexuality and intimacy during fieldwork. The purpose of this basic qualitative …

Enhancing Mental Health Support For Motor Vehicle Accident (Mva) Survivors Through Occupational Therapy (Ot)-Led Support Groups, Emma K. Gooden Ms

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project, completed during a 14-week Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) with Georgetown-Scott County EMS (GSCEMS), focused on the ACOTE target areas of Program Development and Advocacy by creating an evidence-based, trauma-informed, occupational therapy support group curriculum for motor vehicle accident (MVA) survivors. A literature review and needs assessment identified a significant gap in post-crash care, as many survivors experience long-term psychological challenges—including PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of driving, and disruptions in daily roles—despite care often emphasizing physical rehabilitation over emotional recovery. Drawing from observations of GSCEMS Peer Support and Critical Incident Stress Management meetings, current evidence, and ongoing …

Anatomy Of Success: Unveiling Key Resources For A Stand-Alone Occupational Therapy Anatomy Course, Annika Knuth, Sophia Wilkes, Julia Huber, Graci Leineberg, Rebecca Ozelie

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

Anatomy is a complex curriculum involved in occupational therapy education. This study aimed to investigate occupational therapy (OT) students’ perceived usefulness of resources offered in a stand-alone anatomy course within their program. A survey was administered to 284 OT students enrolled in accredited programs who had completed a stand-alone anatomy course. The survey assessed the resources available, their usage, and the perceived benefit to students' learning. Results indicated that open labs and teaching assistants were perceived as the most valuable resources for student success, while print/electronic textbooks and office hours were perceived as the least beneficial. These findings suggest that …

Restoring Control: How Occupational Therapy Improves Quality Of Life And Pelvic Pain, Taryn Ritchie

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project was completed at PT Solutions Physical Therapy LLC in Lexington, KY. This project focused on women seeking and receiving pelvic health therapy for pelvic pain. The goals the capstone were to increase awareness of pelvic health Occupational Therapy and evaluate the impact of therapy on QoL and participation in ADLs and IADLs. The capstone also aimed to expand knowledge and increase competence of medical professionals and clients regarding pelvic health therapy. Lastly, the capstone intended to create deliverables that can be utilized for education purposes. Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause debilitating symptoms such as pelvic pain, dyspareunia, …

Parents’ Perceptions Of Aai’S Effect On Social Interaction & Communication For Individuals With Asd And/Or Adhd​, Alexis E. Morris, Zeida Gutierrez

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This research study will investigate the impact of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) on social interaction and communication skills of children or young adults formally diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on self or parent/caregiver report.

Children with ASD and ADHD experience deficits in communication and social participation that limit engagement in meaningful childhood occupations and peer relationships, highlighting the need for alternative, motivating intervention approaches. Animal-assisted interventions may provide a supportive and engaging environment that promotes emotional regulation, joint attention, and social reciprocity, and communication by enhancing participation in daily occupations.

The hypothesis for this study …

Developing Comprehensive Resources For Caregivers: Facilitating The Transition Of Nicu Patients To Home Care, Taysha M. Gonzalez, Cynthia Haynes

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This doctoral capstone project developed a comprehensive, occupational therapy-informed NICU Caregiver Transition Toolkit to support families as they transition from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to home. The project used clinical observations at the AdventHealth Daytona Beach NICU and AdventHealth Orlando NICU Graduate Clinic, a review of evidence-based literature and existing caregiver education materials, and interdisciplinary collaboration to identify caregiver education needs and guide toolkit development. Educational materials were created in English and Spanish using caregiver-friendly language, visual supports, step-by-step instructions, and QR-code access to digital resources. Draft materials were reviewed by occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, and other …

Aquatic Therapy And Its Impact On Perceived Caregiver Strain, Amanda J. Carter, Cynthia Haynes, Katherine O'Hara

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently experience sensory dysregulation that significantly impairs their participation in daily occupations and increases caregiver strain (Lawson et al., 2020; Passarello et al., 2022). Although aquatic therapy has shown promise in improving sensory processing, motor skills, and social participation, there is limited research examining its specific impact on the caregivers’ ability to provide support at home (Butzman et al., 2022; Caputo et al., 2018; Güeita-Rodríguez et al., 2021).

This study is a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental pre/post-design. This study sought to investigate the impact of six weeks of aquatic therapy intervention on sensory regulation and its …

Program Development: Integration Of Occupation In Adaptive Fitness, Havyn A. Isaac, Lakeisa Boykin

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project was a program development and implementation of an adaptive fitness program for individuals with physical disabilities that integrates occupation. This was done to bridge the gap between adaptive fitness and occupational therapy and highlight the role of occupational therapy in adaptive fitness settings. A needs assessment and activity analysis were completed and used to develop the weekly sessions throughout implementation. The implementation phase was over 6 weeks, with 3 sessions a week. Each week had an occupational focus that was identified and broken down with the activity analysis. The program highlighted the role of occupational therapy in adaotive …

Belonging & Whole Person Formation In Graduate Education: A Conceptual Framework For Student Flourishing, Cynthia L. Hickman

Posters

Graduate students experience substantial academic, personal, and professional demands that can negatively affect well-being and persistence. For students enrolled in professional programs, belonging may develop within two overlapping communities: the academic institution and the emerging profession. Institutional and professional belonging can provide connection, support, engagement, and opportunities for identity and professional development. This paper synthesizes literature on these two forms of belonging and proposes a conceptual framework describing their potential relationship with whole-person formation and flourishing. Whole-person formation extends graduate education beyond knowledge acquisition and professional competence to include development across interconnected dimensions of the person. Within the proposed framework, …

From Overwhelmed To Empowered: An Emotional Regulation Program To Enhance Social Participation In Young Women With Autism And Adhd, Daisy Lee, Angela Labrie Blackwell Phd, Otr, Jessica Hale

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

From Overwhelmed to Empowered is a program developed an occupation-based emotional regulation program for young adult women with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the transition to adulthood. The purpose of the project was to address the need for interventions that support emotional regulation as a foundation for meaningful social participation, independence, and successful role engagement.

The project involved the development and pilot implementation of an eight-week program consisting of weekly 60-minute group sessions and individualized coaching sessions. Program content focused on emotional awareness, mood and motivation, cognitive strategies, anxiety management, sensory regulation, communication, healthy boundaries, and …

Integrating Oncology Into Entry-Level Physical Therapist Curricula, Shana Harrington, Christopher M. Wilson, Morgan Zaranec, Lori Boright

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Print issue available for $25.

Background: Cancer and its treatments commonly result in adverse effects that impair function, well-being, and quality of life, necessitating access to skilled physical therapists (PTs). Although oncology is an essential component of physical therapist practice, entry-level education in cancer rehabilitation has historically been limited. In 2025, the Essential Competencies for Physical Therapy Entry-Level Education in Oncology were developed through a mixed-methods, modified Delphi process, establishing 19 competencies across six domains and defining minimum expectations for new graduates. To support translation of these competencies into academic curricula, a practical implementation resource was needed.

Purpose: To …