Occupational Therapy Commons^™

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Bladder And Bowel Management For Individuals With Spinal Cord Injuries: An Educational Video Series, Julia Ryan

Student Capstone Papers

Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are uniquely positioned to support individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in developing effective bowel and bladder management (BBM) routines. However, most existing literature approaches BBM from a medical perspective, offering limited guidance on how to translate occupation-based strategies into OT practice. This lack of discipline-specific resources contributes to reduced confidence among generalist practitioners and hinders the consistent implementation of BBM interventions across inpatient and community settings. To address this gap, a nine-part educational video series was developed to enhance OT practitioners’ knowledge, clinical reasoning, and confidence in delivering BBM interventions for clients with SCI. The …

Developing Independent Living Skills In People With Intellectual Or Developmental Disabilities: A Guide For Direct Support Professionals, Nigel Yeo Mr.

Student Capstone Papers

Over one percent of the world has intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). Many of these people lack the living skills needed to live independently. Direct support professionals (DSPs) are people who provide daily assistance, care, and support to improve the wellbeing and quality of life among people with IDD. DSPs often have minimal training to perform their role, especially in support of the development of independent living skills. Independent living skills are adaptive behavioral competencies related to self-sufficiency, with focus on conceptual skills such as language abilities, social skills including interpersonal and social problem-solving, and practical skills that relate to …

Evolving Move Inclusive Dance's Evaluation System, Taylor L. Nock

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with MOVE Inclusive Dance in Nashville, Tennessee. MOVE Inclusive Dance is a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals of all ability levels to learn life skills through dance. The aim of this project was to promote goal setting for each dancer, and to develop manageable systems for evaluation data and progress monitoring. Goals promoted occupational therapy-based skills such as independent sensory regulation, social participation, memory, and sustained attention. The project involved creating a web-accessible platform to easily input dancer progress and implementing suggestions from staff as they utilized the platform. Efficient data …

Road To Recovery: Reboot Recovery, Brooke Gephart

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with REBOOT Recovery, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing trauma healing through faith-based, peer-led courses. The purpose of this project was to create content to aid the participants and the leaders of REBOOT to overcome trauma and improve their well-being. Life guides were created to address feelings of anxiety and depression, substance use disorder, and provided education on implementing coping skills to help improve their daily functioning. Educational content was developed for leaders regarding the complexities of overcoming trauma for autistic people and highly sensitive people, to best equip leaders to assist …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Care Of Informal Caregivers Of People With Dementia: A Concept Analysis, Ashley M. Taylor

Student Capstone Papers

Informal caregivers (care partners) are people, such as family members, who provide care to those who cannot care for themselves, including people with dementia (PwD). Care partners assist PwD in their daily occupations, often without training. Caring for PwD can lead to emotional, physical, financial, and occupational challenges for care partners. Occupational therapy (OT) has a role to play in the care of PwD. However, if clinicians do not operate from a dyadic model, care partners’ needs may be overlooked. Problem: Although addressing the care partner dyad is important to the delivery of OT, the role of OT in the …

Air Travel Experiences Of Families With Autistic Children, Tiffany Pham, Karen Park

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This mixed-methods research design aimed to understand families' experiences traveling by plane with autistic children to identify supports, needs, challenges, and barriers that influence participation and well-being. Although air travel offers significant benefits for families and their children, including promoting personal growth, strengthening communication and bonding, reducing stress, and improving the overall quality of life and life satisfaction across many domains, families with autistic children face significant challenges due to sensory and environmental barriers that make the experience stressful and unpredictable. Findings highlight a need for autism-informed policies, training among airport and airline staff, sensory-friendly spaces, and extended support to …

Supporting Occupational Identity In Senior Collegiate Athletes, Kara Montilla, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Capstone project designed to support the transition of retired collegiate athletes by promoting occupational identity and mental well-being. Built upon occupational therapy theories, the program addresses key challenges such as loss of routine, social reintegration, and identity development post-sport. It incorporates goal setting, time management strategies, and group discussions to foster self-exploration and resilience. The project aims to build a supportive environment that empowers athletes to thrive beyond their athletic careers.

Influence Of Collectivist Cultural Values On Occupational Roles And Mental Health Of First-Generation College Students, Guenne Sarmiento, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

First-generation college students (FGCS) from collectivist backgrounds often encounter unique challenges as they navigate academic duties alongside familial responsibilities. These challenges are influenced by collectivist cultural values (CCV), which prioritize family ties, community cohesion, and collective well-being. This capstone project utilizes the Kawa Model to illustrate the supportive and unsupportive factors in the lives of these students, examining how cultural expectations, occupational roles, and mental health intersect. It emphasizes the critical role of occupational therapy in unraveling and addressing these complexities.

Increasing Resources And Meaningful Participation For A Successful Community Reentry, Lindsay A. Molloy

OTD Capstone Projects

Dismas House is an approved Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC), 501(c)(3) non-profit residential re-entry program serving men who are returning to the community from Tennessee prisons and county jails. The purpose of this capstone experience is to work with the residents of Dismas House by supporting them as they face barriers reentering society after incarceration. Dismas House offers services under their "Four Pillars of Programming", which includes basic needs, health & well-being, life skills, and legal support. These four pillars were taken under consideration when creating resources and implementing new programming for the residents. Outcomes of this project included creating …

Evidence Based Resource Creation: Building Knowledge And Supporting Curriculum Rationale For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities At Friends Life Community, Ruth D. Jones

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project was completed in collaboration with Friends Life Community (FLC), a nonprofit, community-based day program that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A comprehensive needs assessment revealed a gap in evidence-based research supporting the purpose and impact of FLC’s daily curriculum. Additionally, there was a need for custom outcome measurement tools to better capture the growth and progress of program participants. In response, the focus of this capstone was to develop an educational resource tailored for multiple stakeholder audiences, including FLC staff, parents/caregivers, board members, and donors. The goal of the resource was to reinforce the …

Making Moves: Magnifying The Move Inclusive Dance Professional Development Workshop 2025, Abigail G. Smith

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with MOVE Inclusive Dance in Nashville, Tennessee. MOVE Inclusive Dance is a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals of all ability levels to learn life skills through dance. The aim of this project was to create a full-scale professional development program for special education teachers to learn how to incorporate movement into their classrooms. An occupational therapy-based handout was created using evidence-based research and provided to all workshop participants. The project involved planning and executing the workshop, while also providing participants with resources to learn more about to importance of movement in …

An App-Based Education Course Empowering Coaches To Support Neurodivergent Athletes, Caroline Morton, Karen Park

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Neurodivergent children face significant barriers to participation in youth sports due to a lack of coach education and inclusive practices, which limits access to the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional benefits of recreational activities. This doctoral capstone project aimed to address these barriers through the development and implementation of CoachAbility, an app-based educational course designed to equip youth sports coaches with neurodiversity-affirming approaches. The course includes interactive modules, scenario-based quizzes, and downloadable resources covering key areas such as sensory processing, communication, emotional regulation, inclusion, family collaboration, and motor skill development. Participating coaches at KidStrong Carlsbad completed the course over four …

Opening The Outdoors: Experiences Of Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color (Bipoc) Adults In Outdoor Occupations To Support Mental Health, Jasmine Reynoso, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This mixed methods study explores the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) adults in exploring and engaging in outdoor occupations to support mental health. Through 15 survey responses and 2 semi-structured interviews, data was collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and reflective thematic analysis. The findings revealed three overarching themes: Barriers to Outdoor Occupations, Facilitators to Encourage Participation, and Personally Experienced Benefits. Participants explained how outdoor activities contribute to improved mental health, emotional regulation, and a sense of holistic well-being. By addressing the gap in research on nature-based occupations within BIPOC communities, this study highlights the need …

Discovering The Cultural Impacts On Asian American, Pacific Islander (Aapi) Occupations From Adolescent Experiences, Jasmine Chew, Karen Park

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Among the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) population, there is a gap in mental health (MH) utilization and seeking support for anxiety and depression (Wu et al., 2021). Adolescents experience a higher risk for self-isolating behaviors and struggle to find appropriate support (Ai et al., 2022; Santos & Kawabata, 2023). Based on cultural and socio-political contexts, what is the occupational impact on AAPI adolescents? How do cultural factors impact the utilization of community-based MH services?

Method: A convergent mixed methods study of unobtrusive data (n = 14), surveys (n = 29), and interviews (n = 4) was …

Exploring The Benefits Of Nature-Based Occupations And Transition Into Retirement, Kelly Gorton, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster outlines a doctoral capstone project that explores how nature-based occupations can support older adults transitioning into retirement, addressing their unique needs and improving their overall quality of life. The transition into retirement can be a challenging time, often accompanied by anxiety, loss of routine, and social isolation. Nature-based occupations offer significant benefits, such as improved mood, reduced stress, a sense of purpose, and increased social engagement. This poster emphasizes the importance of understanding older adults' attitudes and behaviors toward nature-based occupations to maximize their benefits. It also examines how occupational therapists can integrate nature-based interventions to help older …

Lived Experience Of Caregivers Of Individuals Labeled With Schizophrenia, Nicolette C. Hamilton, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of the capstone project was to explore the experience of caregivers of an individual labeled with schizophrenia and create educational materials beneficial to caregivers at partnering site. Caregivers of individuals labeled with schizophrenia can face mental health concerns, such as anxiety, stress, or depression, which may or may not be due to the demands of being a caregiver. The occupational impact of these mental health concerns is noted in literature, but the potential for occupational therapy to address these occupational concerns has not been identified for this caregiver population specifically. The purpose of the project was to learn …

Exploring The Lived Experience Of Growing Up With A Neurodivergent Sibling, Madison Hall, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Neurotypical siblings of neurodivergent children often experience unique roles, responsibilities, and emotional challenges within their family systems, yet their needs are frequently overlooked in service delivery models. This mixed methods study explored the lived experiences of individuals who grew up with neurodivergent siblings, focusing on the occupations, routines, and play experiences that shaped their development. Four themes emerged through thematic analysis of survey responses and semi-structured interviews: (1) play as a reconstructed experience, (2) role imbalance in daily life, (3) environmental influences on occupational engagement, and (4) navigating emotional demands. Findings highlight the need for occupational therapists to include neurotypical …

After-School Program For Teens With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Hayden E. Davis

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Introduction: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 36 children have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (CDC, 2023) with 31% of children with ASD having an Intellectual Disability (ID) (Autism Speaks, 2023), and 1 in every 700 babies are born with Down Syndrome (CDC, 2023b). According to the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (Shattuck et al, 2011) nearly 40% of individuals with ASD after exiting high school were not receiving any services, such as occupational therapy, case management, medical assessments, etc. The purpose of this capstone is to implement an after-school program for teens with Intellectual and Developmental …

Promoting Safe Caregiving For Parents With Cognitive And Intellectual Challenges At Nurses For Newborns, Jaimie Thomison

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Nurses for Newborns of Tennessee. Nurses for Newborns is a nonprofit organization that provides critical healthcare services to infants, new mothers, and expecting mothers who experience a wide range of medical, economic, environmental, and social risks. Registered nurses serve families using an evidence-informed, home visiting model. The aim of this project was to increase support for new mothers who have cognitive or intellectual challenges by providing resources and training staff on how to best serve these clients. The resources included customizable visual schedules, a safe sleep checklist, sensory modifications for …

Examining Content Validity Of Home For Life Design Home Assessment For Home Safety And Accessibility, Debra K. Lindstrom, Jade Nguyen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Older adults aging in place face daily challenges in functional mobility and increased fall risk. Home environments lack accessibility and safety features that promote safety, independence, and longevity. Quality home assessments that are reliable, valid, and efficient are necessary to help determine the safety and accessibility of the built environment for persons aging in place.

Method: A mixed-method study was conducted to determine if the Home for Life Design (HfLD) Home Assessment is a valid assessment for measuring safety and accessibility in the home. Eight experienced occupational therapists completed a Content Validity Index (CVI) and qualitative interview …

Patient-Generated Graphs To Measure Pain And Fatigue In Persons With Neuralgic Amyotrophy, Renske Mj Janssen, Jos Ijspeert, Jan T. Groothuis, Nens Van Alfen, Alexander Ch Geurts, Maud Jl Graff, Tanya L. Packer, Edith Hc Cup

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Patients with neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) often experience limitations in daily activities because of pain and fatigue. Visual analogue graphs with a 24-hour x-axis can be used to rate pain and fatigue severity during a typical day. This study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the visual analogue graphs in patients with NA.

Method: Eight patients completed pain and fatigue graphs on three moments to examine inter-rater and test-retest reliability using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs). Concurrent validity (n = 47) was tested by determining correlations between mean pain graph scores and numerical rating scale for pain (NRS-pain) and …

Influence Of A Disrupted Practice Context On Occupational Therapists' Clinical Reasoning: A Qualitative Study, Perrine Vermeulen, Joseph-Omer Dyer, Marie-Christine Hallé, Marjorie Gingras, Anne Mingant, Manon Parisien, Annie Rochette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Clinical reasoning in occupational therapy involves integrating client factors, professional knowledge, and practice context to guide decision-making. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health care contexts, potentially affecting therapists' reasoning. This study explored the factors that influenced occupational therapists' clinical reasoning during this crisis.

Method: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured remote interviews with 11 occupational therapists in Quebec, Canada. The 60-min interviews, realized in 2021 and 2022, were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed inductively to identify reasoning-related themes. Deductive analysis involved coding text segments based on the 14 domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework. Transcripts were coded by …

A Survey-Based Quantification Of Imposter Phenomenon In Occupational Therapy, Dina Prisco, Siobhan Walsh

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Imposter phenomenon is a professional issue that negatively affects health professionals’ performance and well-being. This study examined imposter phenomenon’s prevalence in occupational therapy (OT). Researchers hypothesized that imposter phenomenon is prevalent in OT, more so in underrepresented groups. The rate of imposter phenomenon throughout OT was quantified and rates between demographic groups compared.

Method: This study used an exploratory, survey-based research design. Survey sections included informed consent, demographics, and the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS). The CIPS measured rates of imposterism. Analyses of variances and independent group t-tests were performed to identify significant differences between groups. Inclusion criteria …

D.A.D.S. Club: Pilot Study Outcomes Of A 5-Week Parenting Program For Fathers In Recovery From Substance Use Disorder, Oaklee Rogers, Kristin Riordan, Elaina Corbin, Shannon Forman, Kara Grace Zahariades, Andrea Clemens, Keely Mcdowell

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Over 44 million adults have a substance use disorder, with approximately two million children living with a parent with this disorder. Approximately 40% to 60% of men who receive treatment have a child under 18 years of age. However, most parenting programs are developed and implemented for mothers with addiction, leaving fathers without this fundamental knowledge and skills.

Method: A pilot study using a longitudinal interventional study was conducted to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of an occupational therapy-developed program for fathers in recovery. Pre and post surveys, including the Parenting Sense of Competence, were collected from the …

Perspectives Of School-Based Occupational Therapists, Hannah Smiles, Charlie Mechling, Steven D. Taff, Lauren E. Milton

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: In the United States, schools are the second largest employer of occupational therapists (AOTA, 2020a). While research on school-based topics exist, to date there is no comprehensive study on school-based occupational therapy (OT) practice. The purpose of this study was to describe current implementation of the school-based OT process and better understand perspectives of school-based occupational therapists.

Methods: This descriptive study consisted of a researcher-developed survey with open- and close-ended demographic and practical questions related to the school-based OT process. A convenience sample of school-based occupational therapists were recruited with a snowball recruitment strategy via email and …

Enhancing Trauma-Informed Care Through The Creation Of Motivational Interviewing Training For Staff Of A Homeless Shelter For Lgbtq+ Young Adults, Olivia R. Ming

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral project was completed in collaboration with Nashville Launch Pad (NLP), a nonprofit homeless shelter serving LGBTQ+ young adults and their allies, ages 18–26, in Middle Tennessee. The primary aim of the project was to develop and implement a staff training program that covered several key areas: an introduction to motivational interviewing and its practical application in all 3 NLP settings; an overview of occupational therapy (OT) and its relevance within this setting; the impact of trauma on the body and brain; compassion fatigue; sensory processing differences; and how developmental milestones can be disrupted by trauma, substance use, and …

Educating Ots On The Benefits Of Virtual Reality With Post-Stroke Rehab, John Nacion, Zeida Gutierrez

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project focused on educating occupational therapists (OTs) about the benefits and applications of virtual reality (VR) in post-stroke rehabilitation. The primary goal was to increase therapists’ knowledge, confidence, and willingness to integrate VR into clinical practice. The project included the development of educational resources such as informational handouts, guidebook, and pre-and post-surveys to assess changes in therapists’ attitudes and understanding of VR. By bridging knowledge gaps, the project aimed to enhance patient engagement and improve rehabilitation outcomes.

Supporting Elementary Educators Through A Nervous System Regulation And Social-Emotional Learning Skills Workshop Intervention: An Musc Capstone Project, Lily Morgan

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Teachers have a great influence on developing children’s emotional intelligence, regulatory capacity, and occupational engagement. These professionals also happen to report some of the highest rates of stress, mental health challenges (Agyapong, B. et al, 2022), and burnout (Xie, M., et al, 2022). Providing teachers with education and support on nervous system regulation, social-emotional learning skills, and related topics can improve their ability to manage job stress, enhance modeling and interactions with students, and improve their quality of life. This project aimed to enhance knowledge, provide access to resources, and serve to support elementary educators at an inner-city school in …

Developing A Scheduling Method For Animal-Assisted Therapy In Acute Rehabilitation, Abbegayle Sutterfield

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) provides meaningful benefits in rehabilitation, including reduced anxiety and improved motivation and physical outcomes (Burres et al, 2016, Denzer-Weiler & Hreha, 2018). However, barriers such as inconsistent scheduling and limited clinician experience hinder implementation in fast-paced healthcare settings. This project took place at a large inpatient acute care hospital where therapy staff sought to integrate AAT more effectively into rehabilitation sessions.

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop a sustainable scheduling method to facilitate coordination between therapy staff and volunteer animal-handler teams. Goals included improving interdisciplinary communication, enhancing patient engagement through AAT, and creating …

Combating The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Self-Esteem And Emotion Regulation: An Art-Based Intervention Program, Kaileigh Kirk, Cynthia Haynes

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster presents an art-based intervention program developed and designed to positively impact self-esteem and emotion regulation in children with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) through evidence-based intervention activities and group discussions. This program was created with the hopes of expanding occupational therapy's knowledge and utilization of potential interventions for children with ACEs.