Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Daring To Be Different: Promotion Of Child Development And Family Wellness In A Cash-Based Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practice, Kylee Withrow

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Providing optimal support for a pediatric client requires a family-centered, relationship-based approach from occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs). A child’s developmental challenges often impact family relationships, routines, and community-based occupational participation. OTPs are in a unique position to use their holistic lens and expansive training to support families beyond direct, 1:1 intervention. There is also a growing collection of evidence supporting developmental models, instead of behavioral approaches, to support children with development and occupational challenges and cultivate a lasting impact. This project explored how family education, community events, and the application of DIRFloortime® in a pediatric cash-based clinic could adequately support …

S.M.A.R.T. Program Implementation To Promote Engagement And Participation In A School Setting, Emily Mickelson

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The purpose of this capstone project is to educate educational professionals on multi-sensory approaches and to implement the Stimulating Maturity Through Accelerated Readiness Training (S.M.A.R.T.) program to increase students’ engagement in academic learning. This project used pre- and post-tests to determine baseline knowledge. The occupational therapy student participated in S.M.A.R.T. training, and the junior kindergarten students participated in eight-weeks of S.M.A.R.T. program implementation. The students’ pre- and post-test assessments were completed by the students one-week pre-intervention and following eight weeks of program implementation. The educational professionals’ pre- and post-test assessments were completed by the kindergarten teachers before and after receiving …

Promoting Social, Emotional, And Behavioral Development For Children In A School Setting Using Targeted Occupational Therapy Intervention, Mykenzie N. Hall

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children who have experienced trauma often have poor emotional regulation skills which can lead to peer rejection, decline in engagement at school, and poor academic performance. Occupational therapists have the knowledge and skills to create a client-centered approach when working with children who have experienced trauma. This emotional regulation program is guided by a trauma-informed care approach and a public health approach to mental health. The program consisted of 59 students between transitional kindergarten and 5th grade meeting in small groups once a week for 30 minutes over 11 to 12 weeks. The sessions included activities related to emotional regulation …

Your Mind Matters: Promoting The Wellbeing Of The Parent-Child Dyad Through Family Education, Mckayla A. Becker

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The bond between a parent and child can be impacted by a parent’s mental wellbeing. Disruptions in their ability to parent, trauma, or exacerbation of mental health symptoms can lead to negative parenting styles (Mak et al., 2020). Previous literature suggests resilience building and supportive education has been effective in promoting parent-child wellbeing (Sell et al., 2021). The purpose of this capstone experience is to promote parent-child wellbeing through family education. The student implemented a six-week course titled “Your Mind Matters” and created parent educational handouts to support parent-child wellbeing. The project used two standardized assessments the Parental Sense of …

Promoting Wakefulness To Increase Occupational Engagement In Military Service Members Experiencing Insomnia Following Mtbi, Leah N. Myers

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Sustaining a traumatic brain injury of any severity is associated with an extremely high prevalence of insomnia. Military service members, being exposed to hazardous equipment and conditions, are one of the most likely populations to sustain sleep concerns following TBI. This student capstone project aimed to support military service members experiencing sleep disturbances due to TBI through direct advanced clinical skill attainment, Light Therapy program development, and by initiating research and clinic resource creation relating to shift work and sleep. To target this population, the project was completed at the Fort Carson Intrepid Spirit Center in Colorado where outpatient concussion …

Occupational Therapy’S Role As A Member Of An Interdisciplinary Feeding Team For Children With Sensory Processing Differences, Emily G. Bruinsma

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Considering the high prevalence of pediatric feeding disorders and the increased need for occupational therapists trained to work with children with feeding challenges, this project sought to provide a better understanding of the key components of a feeding therapy program. These components include caregiver involvement, use of an interdisciplinary team, interventions aimed at sensory integration, and the inclusion of family-centered and motivating interventions. The Sensory Integration theory was used to guide this project by providing an understanding of the various ways individuals can receive and respond to sensory information. There were three primary goals for this capstone project, including developing …

An Eye-Opening Capstone: A New Perspective On Occupation-Based Treatments For Neurologic-Based Visual Deficits, Katlyn J. Knakmuhs

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The purpose of this 14-week capstone experience was to gain hands on in depth clinical experience working with individuals post neurologic injury, specifically post-concussion, who were experiencing a visual perceptual deficit. Additionally, the focus of this capstone was to implement occupation-based skills and activities into therapy sessions for individuals experiencing those visual perceptual deficits post-concussion. This capstone experience took place at the Sanford Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and was completed under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist who is a certified brain injury specialist. Eight individuals post-concussion with visual perceptual deficits who were patients of …

Implementing The Copm To Create Occupation-Based Interventions In Outpatient Adult Rehabilitation, Kelcee A. Bacon

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Worldwide, people continue to live longer, with the number of people over the age of 60 predicted to double by 2050; many of those people also have chronic diseases that could benefit from rehabilitation services. Outpatient rehabilitative services, including occupational therapy, have increased occupational performance, strength, mobility, and coordination for those diagnosed with musculoskeletal or neurological conditions. This capstone focused on three components: 1) in-depth clinical practice using occupation-based assessments and interventions with the adult population, 2) understanding the administrative roles of private practice therapists, and 3) creating educational materials to increase knowledge and skills surrounding outpatient occupational therapy for …

Healing Horses: An Occupational Therapy Approach In An Equine Environment, Ashlyn Renee Yoder

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Aim: This project focused on the development of advanced clinical skills of OT-based hippotherapy in a pediatric setting and program development of the Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center. Information was gathered from primary and secondary sources to promote student skill acquisition, client goal progress, and parent-caregiver education of at-home interventions.

Objective: Goals focused on gaining knowledge and competencies of OT-based hippotherapy, key clinical information, and interdisciplinary roles. The purpose of this project was to highlight the impact of staff responsibilities and OT-based hippotherapy on physical and cognitive deficits.

Method: OT hippotherapy session observation and facilitation, extensive literature review, and multidisciplinary interviews …

Examining The Differences In Functional Outcomes For Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury After Acute Rehabilitation And Subacute Rehabilitation: A Review Of The Literature, Michael Rangel, Ashley Kakkanatt

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major causes of morbidity in the US [1-4]. Studies suggest TBI patients’ enrollment in a rehabilitation program strongly predicts social reintegration. The structure and outcomes of inpatient rehabilitation programs, including acute and subacute rehabilitation, are not well-delineated [5-7].

DESIGN

A structured review of current literature was conducted. Articles were screened using the search string: (post-traumatic brain injury OR post-TBI OR traumatic brain injury OR TBI) AND (acute rehabilitation OR subacute rehabilitation) AND (outcomes OR functional outcomes) NOT (outpatient OR outpatient populations) NOT (pediatric OR pediatric populations). Articles were limited to 1990 …

How Does The Integration Of Wearable Sensor Technology Into Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Impact Functional Outcomes In Stroke Patients?, Kylon T. Coombs, Shikhar Manchanda, Cheryce Daniel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

A literature review was done to assess effectiveness of wearable sensors in stroke rehabilitation. There is a scarcity of clinical trials evaluating their effectiveness from a clinical standpoint. Wearable sensors present an opportunity to collect patient data objectively outside of clinical settings, allowing a more comprehensive analysis of patient rehabilitation in the future.

A search of PUBMED and Scopus was conducted. Keywords “Stroke Rehabilitation”, “Wearable Sensor”, and “Upper Limb” were used to find articles. Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed, and not limited to research within the U.S. Two independent reviewers completed the screening of articles, selecting articles that fit the criteria …

Art-Based Occupational Therapy For Adolescents With Mental Health Conditions, Sarah Helm

MOT Student Capstones

Pediatric and adolescent mental health disorders have a significant impact on occupational performance. This may include difficulty in social situations, decreased ability to engage in selfcare tasks, difficulty problem solving, or difficulty during mealtime. Occupational therapy practitioners can address occupational performance in this population through art-based activities to improve emotional and sensory regulation. Research shows that visual art activities can improve emotional expression, sensory regulation, abstract thinking, communication, and self-esteem. Art-based activities can include textile crafts, painting, drawing, making things with clay, or coloring. A presentation and activity booklet were created to share the impact of art-based occupational therapy on …

Incorporating Music Into Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Abby Kays

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Music in therapy research currently focuses on the role of music therapy in children with behaviors, mood, and social/communication difficulties. However, limited research exists on the role of music in occupational therapy. The purpose of the capstone project was to use music-focused occupation-based interventions with children to improve social/communication skills, mood, and behaviors at a pediatric outpatient clinic. A literature review was completed on the objectives listed above to determine the need of the project. The theoretical foundation of the project is the Ecology of Human Performance Model, focusing on the unique contexts of each child. Music was used in …

Promoting Life Skills Through An Occupation-Based Program For Youth In The Juvenile Justice System, Maggie L. Dejong

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Youth who have experienced trauma are at risk for negative developmental changes to their brain, which may lead to poor health outcomes, involvement in the juvenile justice system, and early death. This population may experience a lack of occupational engagement, decreased self-regulation strategies, and difficulty forming life skills that are necessary for carrying out everyday tasks. Having trauma-informed awareness in the contexts of these individuals is essential when providing care and meeting their needs. The doctoral capstone project aimed to promote life skills through an occupation-based program for youth in the juvenile justice system. Current literature supports the need for …

Sensory Processing Difficulties In Children Born Preterm And The Needs Of Their Families, Shelby J. Buie

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children who are born preterm frequently experience sensory processing difficulties due to their underdeveloped brains and the atypical early sensory experiences that are associated with increased medical needs. These factors impact the development of a child’s sensory system, which ultimately influences how a child participates in daily activities. Having a child born preterm that requires increased medical attention causes stress on the family. Increased stress and a decrease in mental health can disrupt the parent-child bond. This project aimed to provide sensory-based occupational therapy treatment sessions to children who were born preterm to improve their sensory processing skills. Furthermore, the …

Animal-Assisted Therapy In An Outpatient Pediatric Occupational Therapy Setting, Peyton N. Stolle

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The use of animals to assist in the healthcare industry has been around for some time now, however, only recently have those in the occupational therapy industry begun looking at the effects that it would have on patients within their scope of practice. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has various uses, and recent studies have shown that the use of dogs within a healthcare setting can greatly increase patient motivation and well-being. However, prior literature shows that there are limited studies on the effects of AAT in a pediatric occupational therapy (OT) setting, specifically an outpatient setting. My capstone project aimed to …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Promoting Occupational Participation And Well-Being, Kallie Alexander

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone project is to enhance occupational participation and well-being of persons living with ALS and care partners and address barriers to occupational justice through physical, social, and psychosocial needs.

Lets Get Connected: Promotion Of Technology And Social Interaction For Older Adults, Sarah Brown

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Occupational therapists play a crucial role in helping individuals engage in activities they need and want to do. As the number of older adults continues to increase the need for older adult focused interventions are required to meet that demand. Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, influencing how we communicate, manage healthcare, and grocery shop. Equipping older adults with the necessary skills and knowledge to use technology is a vital aspect of occupational therapy, essential for maintaining their autonomy and quality of life.

Enhancing Adaptive Recreation, Abby Bruff

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Project is to utilize occupational therapy’s role and scope by using a holistic approach to address personal and environmental contexts that enhance participation for individuals with disabilities. Educational training modules were created to foster competence and confidence for non-healthcare professionals working with individuals with disabilities. The OTD student gained knowledge and understanding of barriers to adaptive recreation through a systematic review of literature, professional communication, observation, and surveys.

A Respite Care Program For Caregivers Of Children With Disabilities, Abby Kincade

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The capstone project was developed and implemented at the capstone site and provided to the caregiver and care recipient population as a Parents Night Out: Respite Night.

Promoting Workplace Safety Within An Industrial Setting, Jordan Profit

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The Doctoral Capstone Project aimed to develop the Workplace Safety program at Post Consumer Brands to improve overall safety and promote health and wellness among industrial workers. The program promotes health and wellness, injury prevention, and mental health.

Improving Postpartum Care Through Occupational Therapy, Madison Savage

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The present study aimed to determine the potential role of occupational therapy in caring for women during their postpartum period. The study also aimed to discover the current goals of the practitioners and the needs of postpartum women.

Aging In Place Safely: The Impact Of Home Modifications, Noel Walters

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the capstone project is to advocate for and educate community dwelling older adults in the Columbus, Ohio area to safely age in place and remain independent to avoid institutionalization.

Say Neigh To Poor Health: Exploring The Impact Of Equine Assisted Services On Children's Health, Courtney S. Barrus

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Background: Currently, in the United States, one in six children has a developmental disability (CDC, 2022). According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (2021), developmental disabilities negatively influence an individual's ability to solve problems, social skills, life skills, ability to form relationships, and ability to learn. Equine-assisted services are a group of services, including hippotherapy and adaptive riding, which have been shown to have a positive impact on physical, emotional, and social deficits (Haig & Skinner, 2022; Helmer et al., 2021; Madigand et al., 2023; Zoccante et al., 2021). Methods: The capstone was completed in two steps. …

Exploring Occupational Therapy’S Role In Childcare Settings, Makayla Hamling

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This study focused on exploring the occupational therapist's role in childcare settings. The program development, observations, and hands-on activity allowed for first-hand experience of the role occupational therapists could play in a daycare setting. Incorporating meaningful participation, education, and environmental modifications were a part of this study. The study was conducted in Northeast Nebraska, with a total of 31 participants.

Early detection is key to addressing developmental delays in many areas (play, social, leisure, dressing, eating, etc). Developmental screenings can assist caregivers and specialists in knowing and understanding how a child is developing compared to his or her same-aged peers. …

Occupational Therapy And Accessible Air Travel, Katie Cunningham

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The Doctoral Capstone Project consists of developing a program reference guide directly related to promoting health and wellness in individuals with disabilities who travel to ensure autonomy, safety, inclusion, and occupational opportunity through self advocacy. The evidence-supported travel accessibility quick reference guide will promote safe travel and enhance knowledge to individuals with disabilities. This will help bridge the lack of facilitators for traveling with a disability.

Back To The Basics: Integrating Biomechanical Frame Of Reference Into The Arkansas State University Otd Curriculum, Krysta Nash

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the doctoral capstone project was to increase OTD student learning in the Biomechanical Frame of Reference evaluation and intervention process.

Nature-Based Occupational Therapy: Promoting Functional Skill Development In Children, Darcie Gibson

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the doctoral capstone project was to enhance health and wellness for children by utilizing aspects of the natural environment to promote functional skill development.

Promoting An Inclusive Learning Environment For Children With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities At Childcare Centers, Mehak "Mickey" Rajani

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the doctoral capstone project is to see how well early intervention centers promote a successful and inclusive learning environment for children with IDD through the nurturing competence of childcare providers. Thereby, a successful program can be created for childcare centers to enhance the quality of life for everyone at the center to flourish and succeed beyond the status quo.

Decreasing Work-Related Injuries Among Working Adults In Labor Intensive Fields, Calin Clark

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Developing the Doctoral Capstone Health and Wellness Program Manual consisted of formulating of a ready-to-work screening tool and utilizing it to formulate client-centered, diagnosis-specific intervention plans. The intervention plans address many factors, including decreasing the risk of work-related injury and improving occupational performance through education, proper body mechanics, ergonomics, rest/sleep strategies, and any other resources they might need. The Health and Wellness Program Manual includes the ready-to-work screening tool and diagnosis-specific intervention plans focusing on improving the health and wellness of the working adult. To promote health and wellness, the objectives of the Doctoral Capstone project were to 1.) increase …