Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Enhancing Independence: A Home Environmental Safety Program For Stroke Survivors, Ka'iulani-Joy Genevieve Conlu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Stroke is a common cause of physical limitations, leading to decreased independence and participation in daily activities. Individuals post-stroke transitioning from inpatient to outpatient care typically do not receive in-person home safety recommendations to decrease environmental challenges and improve overall well-being. Methods: Participants were recruited conveniently during the inpatient and outpatient care process at Post Acute Medical (PAM) Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Henderson. The Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST) was administered to identify environmental hazards and to guide individualized home safety recommendations. Participants will complete a questionnaire before and after the program within 14 weeks to …

Assessing Chatgpt As A Health Information Tool: Clinical Accuracy And Readability Of Responses To Stroke-Related Questions Queried In Spanish And English, Joanna Logue

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Objective

Latino populations have some of the highest rates of stroke (Simonetto et al., 2023) yet are utilizing in-person healthcare less frequently due to heightened fears and existing barriers to access (Vargas et al., 2019) (Silberberg, M., et al., 2018). Therefore, Latino stroke survivors may be turning to AI for stroke-related healthcare advice. However, current AI chatbots are primarily trained on English-language data (Park, 2024), which may introduce language bias when queried in other languages. The purpose of this project was to evaluate whether ChatGPT can serve as a reliable health information tool for Spanish-speaking individuals by comparing the accuracy …

Variation In Rehabilitation Related Durable Medical Equipment Use And Cost Among Stroke Survivors: A Retrospective Analysis Of Medicare Beneficiaries, Madison Gersper

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Title: Variation in Rehabilitation-Related Durable Medical Equipment Use and Cost Among Stroke Survivors: A Retrospective Analysis of Medicare Beneficiaries.

Purpose: In the US, stroke is a leading cause of disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Stroke survivorship is expected to rise significantly in the coming years (Feigin et al., 2024; Martin et al., 2025), resulting in a large number of people with disabilities who rely on Rehabilitation-Related Durable Medical Equipment (RR-DME) for daily living. However, there is limited published research on equipment access and costs.

The overall objective of this study was to identify predictors of access to …

Reducing Inter-Rater Discrepancies During Administration Of The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (Copm) Within An Interdisciplinary Research Team, Julia E. Moore

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Background: Consistent administration of outcome measures is essential for producing reliable research data, particularly in stroke rehabilitation where client-centered goals guide intervention (Kelly-Hayes, 2004). The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is widely used to evaluate self-identified occupational performance goals; however, variability in administration among research team members may introduce inter-rater discrepancies and bias in data collection (COPM) (n.d.). Within the Medical University of South Carolina Stroke Recovery Research Center, inconsistent COPM administration was identified during analysis of data and informal interviewing from an ongoing study. Informal interviews were conducted with 7 occupational therapists experienced in neurorehabilitation to identify barriers to …

Shift In Caregivers Occupations For Patients With Cerebrovascular Accidents, Hannah M. Ninan, Zeida Gutierrez

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone is to research the impact of assuming the caregiver role for individuals recovering from a CVA on the caregivers’ occupations and their occupational balance. Acquiring this information allows for a deeper understanding of its impacts and informs the implementation of support strategies and interventions to mitigate burnout within the first year of caregiving.

Post-Stroke Depression (Psd) And Occupational Therapy (Ot) Intensity: A Retrospective Medicare Claims Analysis, Lauren H. Allen

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Purpose: Post stroke depression (PSD) is the most frequent and burdensome mental health complication following a stroke, affecting approximately one third of survivors. Examining how PSD relates to outpatient occupational therapy (OT) utilization may help identify gaps in post-stroke mental health care and reveal whether current billing practices adequately capture OT services.

Project Goals: This project aimed to determine whether an early PSD diagnosis predicts outpatient OT treatment intensity and describe patterns of OT billing related to mental health, including mental health current procedural terminology (CPT) code use and CPT code distributions.

Site: This project was conducted in collaboration …

Enhancing Stroke Recovery: A Proposal To Implement Self-Efficacy Strategies In Rehabilitation, Ariana M. Allen, Elliott P. Mcneely

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Self-efficacy is a critical predictor of rehabilitation success in stroke survivors, influencing motivation, therapy adherence, and functional recovery. This study will investigate the current use of structured self-efficacy enhancement programs (SEEPs) by healthcare professionals in post-stroke rehabilitation settings. Guided by Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory, this proposal outlines a study that will include a comprehensive literature review and suggestions for further research. It will explore the frequency and methods of SEEP use, including goal setting, motivational feedback, and graded task planning. Data would be analyzed through descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings are expected to identify usage patterns, barriers, and opportunities to …

Promoting Healthy Diet Adherence Using A Multisensory Approach For Post-Stroke Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Stacey Myers, Yuki Asakura Strempek, Sarah Kaster, Clare Hall

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Introduction: Evidence supports a healthy diet for secondary stroke prevention; however, programs to implement nutrition education remain inconsistent. This study assessed the feasibility and efficacy of using a multisensory approach called the “Hands-on Training” program (HOT) to improve healthy diet adherence among patients rehabilitating after stroke.

Methods: This pilot randomized controlled study was conducted at an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Stroke patients were randomly assigned to either an experimental group who received HOT or a control group who received conventional education. The HOT group received real-time meal choice coaching, a healthy meal preparation experience, and additional written education. The Mediterranean Eating …

Caregiver Training Program For Optimal Recovery Of Neuro Accidents: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Bennie L. Huitt Jr., Jennifer Featheringham, Cassandra Nelson

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Caregivers of individuals recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or experiencing onset of dementia often are provided limited education and support after discharge, negatively impacting confidence and recovery outcomes. The Caremaster program was designed to bridge the educational gap between occupational therapists in the clinical setting and caregivers in the home settings through accessible online modules, support groups, and in-person demonstrations. Module topics included understanding neuro accidents and role of the caregiver, returning home (transition and adaptation), ADLs and Mobility, returning to roles, and social reintegration. This program aims to guide future development of scalable, community-based caregiver education that …

Enhancing Caregiver Support: Tailored Education For Families Of Veterans With Polytrauma, Riley J. Pullen

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Home-Based Stroke Rehabilitation: Virtual Reality For The Elderly?, Joseph C. Moschella, Liam H. Kerrick

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Stroke remains the leading cause of long-term disability, especially within the elderly population. Nearly 50 percent of stroke survivors never achieve full independence post-stroke. This literature review examines the capability of virtual reality (VR), as home-based continuation of stroke rehabilitation for elderly patients. VR has the potential to improve motor recovery, increase independence, and reduce healthcare costs for stroke survivors. A comprehensive literature review has been conducted following the PRISMA guidelines to evaluate VR therapy compared to conventional post-stroke therapy. VR rehabilitation demonstrated improvements in motor ability, however it did not demonstrate significantly superior improvements when compared to conventional therapy. …

The Empowerment Through Assistive Devices: A Program For Older Adults Post-Stroke And Their Caregivers, Gillian L. Cole, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project aimed to develop a holistic and sustainable educational program for post-stroke adults using mobility devices in long-term care at CC Young. The program was to empower stroke survivors to regain independence, enhance their quality of life, and reduce caregiver burden by focusing on functional mobility, safety, caregiver support, device adherence, and multiple other factors that increase functional independence and safety. The program achieved significant outcomes through in-depth training, consistent education, feedback incorporation, and ongoing follow-up. Device usage rates were notably increased, helping participants continue using mobility aids effectively and consistently. Additionally, the program played a critical role …

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.

What About Participation? Using Key Form Mapping To Emphasize Community Participation In Stroke Survivors, Sarah E. Humphrey

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this MUSC Occupational Therapy (OT) Doctoral Capstone project was to determine if stroke survivors demonstrate participation gains resulting from Rasch-derived, patient-spectice practice, i.e., “keyform mapping,” program by evaluation participation at 3 levels. Approximately 50% of stroke survivors have participation restrictions that may impact their engagement with fulfilling, meaningful activities. This is a secondary analysis of data collected from a stroke rehabilitation RCT parent study which tested the effect of a tailored. task-practice program using Rasch-derived keyform map of the individual’s FMA-UE item responses. Participation levels were evaluate by the Activity Card Sort Low-Demand Leisure and Social Acitivites …

Speech-Language Pathology And Occupational Therapy Students’ Perceptions Of An Interprofessional Stroke Workshop: A Mixed Methods Analysis, Casey Keck, Ashley Lankford, Danika Pfeiffer, Alexandra Durfee, Rachel Guilfoyle

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Stroke rehabilitation often necessitates coordinated intervention services; however, few studies have examined stroke-based interprofessional education (IPE) interventions for graduate speech-language pathology (SLP) and occupational therapy (OT) students. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine graduate SLP and OT students' interprofessional collaboration competence before, immediately, and several months after participating in an IPE stroke workshop. Participants were 38 SLP and 14 OT students who took part in a 2-hour case study workshop, completed an online survey, and participated in a 1-hour virtual focus group. Four months later, students were asked to complete the survey again to assess the …

Open Doors Rehab: Student-Led Courtesy Occupation-Focused Stroke Rehabilitation Clinic, Caitlin Scully

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025

Experiencing a stroke is a life altering event. Effects range from minimal to severe, but nonetheless survivors are put in a position where they need to understand their health and how to move forward (Wolf et. al., 2009). Nagaraja et. al. (2022) draws attention to the issue that survivors who are not eligible for inpatient services are often discharged home with a home exercise program and no clinical or therapy follow- up. This creates a gap in the stroke recovery continuum of care, putting survivors at even more risk for additional health risks and complications. The need for stroke rehabilitative …

The Effectiveness Of Vivistim On Ue Function Post Chronic Ischemic Stroke, Chelsea G. Tucker

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this capstone project was to learn about a new technology, Vivistim, as it enhances upper extremity function post chronic ischemic stroke through vagus nerve stimulation paired with repetitive task-specific therapy. This project took place at UK Healthcare Outpatient Neurorehabilitation at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. The AOTA/ACOTE focus areas for this project included education and clinical practice. Specific goals included to learn about the role of occupational therapy in the outpatient neurorehabilitation setting, research background information for case study including ischemic stroke, motor relearning, vagus nerve stimulation, and Vivistim technology, gather observations for case study, …

Effectiveness Of Immersive Virtual Reality Combined With Task-Specific Training On Hemiplegic Arm Function Following Stroke: A Single Case Series Study, Rahsaan J. Holley

Theses and Dissertations

Motor recovery of the arm following a neurological injury is a common goal of the rehabilitation process for individuals impacted by the condition . Due to the long-term functional implications of impaired arm movement, individuals are often trained to use compensatory strategies to complete functional tasks without incorporating the weakened limb. While compensatory strategies offer stroke survivors the opportunity to regain a level of independence, such approaches fail to directly address the underlying causes of the disability (i.e., limited range of motion, decreased strength, poor coordination, motor planning difficulties) which can unfortunately result in long-term impairment and functional disability.

Motor …

Effectiveness Of Using Soft Exosuit In Stroke Case To Improve Walking Speed And Endurance, Aditya Denny Pratama, Rakha Shidqi Widyadhana

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Stroke is a clinically defined syndrome of acute, focal nerve discharge caused by vascular injury (infarction, hemorrhage) of the central nervous system. Punches can cause damage to the brain and affect a person's ability to walk, balance and coordinate movements. Impaired gait is common in stroke cases, often resulting in poor recovery of mobility and inability to carry out daily activities without assistance. One of the interventions that can be used is a soft exosuit. This method can help overcome walking problems in stroke patients where soft exosuits are used to increase walking speed and walking endurance. The purpose of …

The Impact Of Client Education Videos On Stroke Rehabilitation: An Educational Video Series, Sydney Ellis, Lesley Khan-Farooqi Phd, Otd, Otr

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Stroke is one of the leading causes of severe disability and death in the United States. During the initial stage of recovery, clients receive stroke education to learn about what their new reality looks like after discharge; however, many clients feel that the education provided, although appreciated, was not inclusive to all individuals and only occurred one time. This led to difficulties in knowledge retention and acquisition. Although there is a plethora of educational resources available there seems to be a lack of carryover and understanding of information obtained from these resources, this leaves the client wondering how they can …

Occupational Therapy In Stroke: A Case Study Using The Bobath Frame Of Reference And Task Oriented Approach, Reza Nur Arsyi, Afifah Fadhilah Nursyam, Muhammad Luthfi, Hermito Gidion, Ayleen Alicia Kosasi, Erna Faryza Mohd Poot, Rosilah Wahab, Nur Atiqah Azman

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Stroke is a sudden neurological disorder caused by vascular injury to the brain, leading to significant functional limitations. This case study examines the use of occupational therapy interventions, specifically the Bobath and Task Oriented approaches, for a 43-year-old male with left hemiparesis to enhance independence in motorcycling. The patient experienced various limitations, including vestibular function, range of motion, muscle tone and strength, postural control, and fine motor skills. Using the Ashworth scale and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) for assessment, occupational therapy interventions showed progress in several aspects, although the primary goal has not yet been fully achieved. This …

Filling The Gap: Educating Caregivers And Patients Post Stroke In An Acute Care Setting, Gabrielle A. Blecke

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Background: According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2022), every 40 seconds someone in the United States experiences a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), also known as stroke. A recent study suggests that 63% of these individuals will need informal caregiving from family, friends, or loved-ones throughout their rehabilitation process in order to safely transition home. Research suggests that patients and caregivers post stroke are not receiving enough education to prevent concerns such as caregiver burden, decreased caregiver wellness, and decreased patient outcomes, all which are within the scope of occupational therapy. Methods: Experiences at MyMichigan Midland Hospital drove …

Pain Management Series For Stroke: Identifying Teaching Methods To Increase Clinical Self-Efficacy For Occupational Therapy Doctoral Students, Apasara Jittprasert

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose

Post-stroke pain has been identified as a significant challenge for individuals experiencing a stroke. Occupational therapists play a crucial role in the complex treatment of post-stroke pain but often face challenges due to a lack of self-efficacy in implementing treatments for stroke-related pain. This project’s purpose was to,1) to identify which teaching methods are effective for increasing clinical self-efficacy in doctoral occupational therapy students for implementing pain management treatment for individuals’ post-stroke and 2) to increase reported clinical self-efficacy levels among these students following the completion of a pain management educational program for stroke pain.

Methodology

This project recruited …

Can Occupational Therapy Take A Hit? A Guide To High-Intensity Training In Stroke Rehabilitation, Jared Demke

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: Stroke has been considered a leading cause of functional impairment (Tsao et al., 2022). Recent evidence has supported a treatment approach that increases dosage (Scheets et al., 2021). High-intensity training (HIT) has shown promising evidence for functional recovery poststroke (Crozier et al., 2018). There have been minimal programs related to Occupational therapy (OT) and HIT have been created (Lamoureux, 2023). This doctoral capstone focused on program development of the OT-based HIT program. Theoretical frameworks included the Model of Human Occupation and Motor Learning Theory to provide a foundational structure.

Methods: A needs assessment was performed at the Saint George …

Respite Care And Relief For Brain Injury Survivors And Their Caregivers, Sydney Bradley

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed through a partnership with Neuro Therapy Nashville. Neuro Therapy Nashville (NTN) is an outpatient interdisciplinary clinic that provides services to brain injury survivors including stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s, etc. Their mission is work in collaboration with patients to regain as much normal function as possible and return to better, more productive lives through a positive, hopeful and expectant environment. The primary purpose of this project was to create and develop three different programs to provide respite and relief for the brain injury survivors and their caregivers. The process of the project involved collaboration with …

Use Of Medication Management Strategies To Increase Medication Compliance In Person’S Who Have Suffered A Stroke, Mason Pace, Rebecca King

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The provided research provides education to increased independence in person with stroke for the occupation of medication adherence. Various exercises and education provided in the research to increase independence in persons with stroke.

An Occupational Therapy Approach To Improving Adl/Iadl Performance In Diabetic Adults With Stroke And Upper Extremity Pathologies, Halle Thomas, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone presentation depicts the impact of diabetic management with an occupational therapy approach on upper extremity motor function for the adult stroke population. This program utilizes dietary management, a home exercise program, and task modification strategies to improve ADL and IADL performance.

What Is Task-Oriented Training? A Scoping Review, Erin Halford, Samantha Jakubiszak, Kassidy Krug, Amanda Umphress

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

Task-Oriented Training (TOT) is an proven stroke rehabilitation intervention with significant evidence-based research that supports its effectiveness. The absence of a clear definition has led to variability in research reporting and subsequent confusion with practical implementation. A consistent definition seeks to remedy this ambiguity to facilitate knowledge translation. The objective of this study was to determine a comprehensive definition of TOT that encapsulates previous definitions and descriptions in the literature. In order to derive this definition, a two stage scoping review process was conducted across four databases searching for articles on the use of TOT in adult stroke rehabilitation therapy. …

Dance Intervention For Stroke Rehabilitation: Restoring Occupational Performance Through Creative Movement, Olivia Paige Allen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Thousands of individuals are affected by cerebral vascular accidents, (CVA), also known as strokes in the United States each year, (CDC, 2023). Cerebral vascular accidents are one of the leading causes of death among the elderly population in the U.S. each year, (NIH et al., 2023). The deficits caused by a CVA can be global, from hemiparetic limbs and sensory loss to psychosocial impacts on an individual and their support system. In occupational therapy, the goal is to regain as much function and independence as possible for the individual who has experienced a CVA. Although many evidence-based intervention tools are …

Examining The Delivery Mode Of Mental Practice In Reducing Hemiparesis: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Teresa M. Green, Nicole M. Fromm, Farida Sita Gayle, Jinna Lee, Wanyi Wang, Asha K. Vas

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Mental Practice (MP) is an effective intervention to address upper extremity (UE) hemiparesis post-stroke. However, parameters for the delivery mode of MP have not been defined. Therefore, this study's purpose was to define delivery mode parameters by comparing the effectiveness of audio-guided and video-guided MP.

Method: Eighteen participants, < 1-month post-stroke, with UE hemiparesis were randomized to a MP, repetitive task practice (RTP) or control group. The MP groups performed audio-guided or video-guided MP, 5x/week. The RTP group physically performed the functional tasks. The control group received traditional stroke rehabilitation. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE) and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) were used to assess change in UE hemiparesis.

Results: Wilcoxon signed-rank test demonstrated audio MP increased FMA-UE scores from pretest (Mdn = 34.0, Mean = 34.0, SD =9.56) to posttest (Mdn = 49.0, Mean = 49.6, SD =7.5), p = .042, r = .64. Similar improvement in FMA-UE scores was found with traditional therapy. Audio MP decreased WMFT …