Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Identifying Barriers To Successful Transition For Foster Adolescents To Adulthood, Madi Wood

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

For the Doctoral Capstone project, an Independent Living Skills Program was developed for Northeast Arkansas foster adolescents consisting of life skills modules, a mentorship module, and community partnerships. The Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance Model (PEOP) was used to guide the project.

Improving Health, Well-Being, And Quality Of Life Of Older Adults With Alzheimer’S Disease Residing In Assisted Living Facilities, Allison Landreth

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the doctoral capstone project was to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life among residents with Alzheimer’s by addressing common barriers to their leisure and social participation found within the literature and during the needs assessment conducted at the site.

Enhancing Rehabilitative Services For The Spinal Cord Injury Population In Northeast Arkansas, Emily Nichols

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The student promoted occupational justice by enhancing the spinal cord injury population’s access to quality care services in an inpatient rehabilitation facility.

Beyond Rehabilitation: Exploring The Field Of Occupational Therapy And The Transformative Impact Of Care, Sierra C. Fox

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

As a profession that implements unique approaches to empower people of all ages and abilities to actively participate in activities that are meaningful to them, occupational therapy is an essential service for providing holistic healthcare (Darawsheh, 2018). As an undergraduate approaching graduation, the process for applying to graduate school programs has finally begun, and it has become obvious the lack of public knowledge there is regarding the profession. Even among other healthcare professionals, there is often an inadequate understanding of the field, which can be problematic and result in patients not being referred to receive the services that may benefit …

Restoring Meaning Through Leisure: Exploring The Benefits Of Leisure-Focused Occupational Therapy For Individuals With Neurological Diagnoses, Elizabeth Rose Stoutland

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

There are limited findings in occupational therapy literature on leisure, despite being a highly meaningful area of occupation that has implications for both physical and mental health. This poster describes an occupational therapy Capstone experience in adaptive sports and inpatient rehabilitation at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center related to leisure restoration. The student investigated the role of occupational therapy in restoring leisure and recreation for individuals with neurological conditions and achieved the following main goals: (Goal 1) to gain skills in adaptive recreation for individuals with neurological conditions, and (Goal 2) to determine how leisure exploration can be implemented in …

The Importance Of Preferred Meaningful Occupations For Children With Medically Complex Conditions, Kaylee S. Schmit

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children with medically complex conditions experience limitations in their ability to engage in preferred meaningful occupations. Additionally, when these children are in the hospital setting, the environment poses another barrier to accessing preferred meaningful occupation opportunities. This capstone project aimed to explore how preferred meaningful occupations could be utilized with children with medically complex conditions in the pediatric inpatient setting. The literature and needs assessment indicated the need for preferred meaningful occupations to be used as a motivator and a way to target specific skills a patient wanted to regain. With the focus of occupational therapy on return to occupation …

Occupational Therapy Services In Pediatric Mental Health, Hallie Jerome

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children and youth experiencing mental health concerns often have limited or decreased engagement in meaningful occupations. Additionally, children and youth who experience mental health concerns at an early age are more likely to experience negative health outcomes such as poor occupational engagement, academic achievement, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), maltreatment/abuse/neglect, family and peer conflict/rejection, low self-esteem, early substance use, and many others impacting their overall health and well-being. My capstone project aimed to administer occupation-based interventions in a pediatric mental health program while I advance my skills working with an interdisciplinary team. The literature and needs assessment indicated a need for …

Incorporating Occupation-Based Activities Into Treatment For Adolescents With Substance Use Disorders To Increase Self-Efficacy, Brea E. Westberg

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

In 2022, over 48.7 million people aged 12 and older reported having a substance use disorder in the past year. Adolescents are increasingly becoming involved in substance use behaviors that impact their lives daily. There is limited evidence for providing mental health interventions, including those provided by occupational therapy practitioners, to adolescents with SUDs within the substance use treatment setting. Self-efficacy is an important part of the substance use recovery process. Therefore, the purpose of the capstone project was to determine the effects on self-efficacy after incorporating occupation-based activities into programming for adolescents in treatment for SUDs. The Model of …

A Program Based On Meaningful Occupations To Improve Perceived Health And Well-Being For People Experiencing Homelessness, Annika Overgaard

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Individuals experiencing homelessness face a variety of barriers to occupational performance and participation, thereby negatively impacting their quality of life, health, and well-being. Occupational therapists are uniquely qualified to address the health and well-being needs of individuals experiencing homelessness due to their holistic client-centered approach, their efforts in promoting occupational participation, and providing opportunities for occupational empowerment. Occupational therapy with this population is a growing area of practice, and there is a lack of literature focusing on interventions related to meaningful occupations. My capstone project aimed to create a meaningful occupation-based program for individuals experiencing homelessness at a drop-in day …

Pediatric Trauma-Informed Care And Implications For Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Quaneka Hoskin-Chase

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Occupational therapy practitioners are provided a wealth of knowledge through school and professional fieldwork experiences to understand and skillfully address the needs of children who have been exposed to trauma. Therapists are competently prepared to provide holistic and client-centered care that is dedicated to meaningful and volitional engagement (Lynch et al., 2021). However, many therapists still lack the confidence and awareness of their role related to trauma-informed care in the pediatric environment (Piller, 2022). Trauma compromises each domain of occupation (Lynch et al., 2021). As early intervention specialists, the lack of responsiveness to children’s trauma can have devastating and enduring …

Seated Athletes' Motivation For Participation In Wheelchair Sports: A Qualitative Study, Audrey Lynn Miller

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose for this phenomenological design qualitative analysis was to gain an understanding of the perspectives of seated athletes’ motivation for participation in adapted athletics and argues that there is a component of seating that affects motivation. Occupational therapists build client interventions using meaningful occupations. This study aimed to increase awareness of adapted athletics impact on occupational performance. There was a gap in the literature for qualitative research exploring the lens of adapted sports participation through the perspective of seated athletes. This study utilized one-time individual semi-structured interviews with five participants that currently participate on a wheelchair court sports team …

Feasibility Of An Occupation-Based Intervention Manual For Outpatient Hand Clinics, Mia Moralez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose

The purpose of this quality improvement study was to determine the usefulness of an Occupation-based Intervention Manual (OBI) for hand therapists in Southern Nevada and if the utilization of the OBI manual supported client-centered outcomes regardless of diagnosis, age, or population.

Methods

Convenience sampling was used, and five participants met the inclusion criteria in the twelve-week study. Pre-interview questionnaire responses from the therapists were used to develop the OBI manual content and corresponding Utilization Tracker. Post-interview questionnaire responses were used to determine the application and outcomes of the OBI manual. Descriptive statistics, frequency distribution, and thematic analysis were used …

Enhancing Resources For Individuals Diagnosed With Parkinson’S Disease In Northeast Arkansas, Tinsley Clark

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The doctoral capstone experience and project aim to provide the same holistic approach to all PD clients to ensure that every client’s needs are being met to improve occupational performance and QOL. The literature strengthens the need for the Doctoral Capstone project to address disease-specific interventions, interprofessional collaboration, and access to local resources such as support groups and a disease-specific boot camp program.

Forming The Foundation For Success In Occupational Therapy Doctorate Students, Danielle Harris

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Create a preparatory bootcamp for incoming occupational therapy doctorate students to provide education on studying methods, coping strategies, stress management, occupational balance, and mindfulness practices to prepare students and promote their success within the occupational therapy doctorate program.

Farm Chores For Life Skills: A Farm Based Therapy Program, Katelyn Murphy

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the doctoral capstone project is to advocate for farm-based therapy services through the development of an evidence-based farm-based therapy program.

Bucks For Better Mental Health: Supporting Community College Students, Ansley Simmons

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The main project for the doctoral capstone project was to create a professional development course to educate faculty and staff on how to best support student mental health on campus.

Navigating Improvement For A Master Of Occupational Therapy Program: Enhancing Content For A Mental Health Course, Emily Markovicz

Capstone Projects

Education is the forefront to the field of occupational therapy. As occupational therapists advocate for the significance of their profession, it is expected to grow further. In recent decades, the research of many health professions have increasingly explored the impact of trauma. As occupational therapy evolves to address this public health concern, more research, increased integration into occupational therapy curriculum, and clear practical guidelines are necessary. Considering the mental health risks stemming from adverse life events, the complexities of mental health conditions should remain a crucial part of occupational therapy education, ensuring that students are well-prepared to deliver optimal care …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Developmental Programming At Early Childhood Education And Childcare Centers: A Qualitative Study, Alexis N. Foehrkolb, Jenna Lenhart, Hayley Woods, Madison Wetzel, Breanna Adkins, Sueann R. Woods

Graduate Student Scholarship

This research study aimed to discover what strategies of developmental programming are integrated into early childhood curriculum, whether occupational therapy had a role in the formation of the guidelines, and the importance of early intervention on child development. A case study with ethnographic methods was used, including observations and interviews, to gain an understanding of how sociocultural phenomena affect rural childcare centers in Morgantown, West Virginia. Data was collected and coded into 14 themes, and then analyzed by student researchers. Results from interview data found that daycare teachers are given the choice to follow provided lesson plans or individualize their …

Comparing Children’S Engagement In Storybook Reading With And Without Access To Aac With A Literacy Supportive Feature, Brooke Zimmerman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This thesis evaluates the effects of comparing children’s engagement in storybook reading with and without access to high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with a literacy supportive feature. Literacy skills are a fundamental cornerstone for engagement in the lives of young children. Among these skills, the ability to decode words, or phonetically sound them out, plays a pivotal role in the acquisition of literacy. Proficiency in literacy also broadens the communication capabilities of individuals with developmental disabilities who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods. However, existing AAC technologies currently fall short in adequately strengthening literacy development, particularly …

Increasing Self-Efficacy With Menstrual Management For Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness Using The Inclusive “U N Me” Education Program, Edellene Ignacio

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of the study was to increase self-efficacy with the occupation of menstrual management in young adults experiencing homelessness using the "Understanding and Navigating Menstrual Experience" or "U N ME" program. The objectives of this study were a reported increase in self-efficacy with menstrual management, the development of the U N ME program, and to promote the spread of accurate information to other menstruators in the community.

This study was a convergent parallel mixed-method study rooted in a phenomenological approach. The intervention featured four weekly workshops featuring education, group discussion, and an activity to tie the topic of the …

Developing A College Readiness Skills Program Aimed At Improving Self-Efficacy For Foster Youth In Academic Settings, Natasa Janjusic

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The proposed work focused on the development and feasibility of a project aiming to introduce college readiness skills to youth who were in the foster care system in order to increase their perception of self-efficacy in an educational setting. With this increase in self-efficacy, foster youth who are generally disadvantaged when attaining and completing a college degree can have the skills necessary to combat this barrier. The project involved the development of contents of the program and the procedures performed at Bamboo Sunrise Foster Care Agency, where this Capstone project was carried out. Participants in the program consisted of three …

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 …

The Feasibility Of High-Intensity Training To Improve Self-Control And Occupational Participation In At-Risk Adolescents, Tashia Kaplan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose

Adolescence is a challenging time navigating self-control and decision-making, creating vulnerability to developing poor habits and unhealthy behaviors. This feasibility study aimed to determine if a high-intensity training program (HIT) would improve self-control, health-related behaviors, and healthy occupational participation in at-risk adolescents in the Real Talk Youth Impact Program (Real Talk), measured by the Occupational Experience Profile (OEP).

Methodology

Three at-risk adolescent were recruited via convenience sampling from Real Talk to participate in a twelve-session HIT intervention, one participant completed all sessions. Researchers used a quasi-experimental exploratory sequential mixed-methods design to examine self-control, health-related behaviors, and occupational participation measured …

The Impact Of Habit Formation On Healthcare Workers: An Occupational Therapy Approach To Well-Being, Hillary Littlefield Msot, Otr/L

All Student Scholarship

Occupational therapists have an opportunity to act as consultants in their healthcare systems to provide education, resources and guidance to interdisciplinary team members. This concept aimed to provide evidence to support an occupational therapy-based program focused on incorporation of healthy habits and routines into one’s daily life as a means to improve nursing altruism, quality of life and perception of one’s successes and value in their occupation. Pre- and post- survey data was utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of an occupational therapy-based initiative that provided 1:1 and group coaching to a population of acute care nurses as an evaluation of …

Biopsychosocial Occupational Therapy Interventions For Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – A Pilot Manuscript, Cinthia Hartman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Occupational therapists (OTs) have an essential role in the treatment of upper extremity Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in outpatient therapy settings. Occupational therapy (OT) guidelines and research focus treatment on the Budapest Criteria’s biological signs and symptoms. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) now recognizes CRPS as a primary chronic pain condition and not an autonomic disorder, as it was thought to be in the past. This recognition, along with the psychological and social impacts of the condition, highlight the need for updated OT treatment interventions incorporating a biopsychosocial model. Combining evidence-based CRPS OT interventions for …

The Impact Of Educating Interprofessional Healthcare Workers On The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Cardiac Acute Care Setting, Jennifer L. Taosuvanna

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The acute care setting has been a vastly growing practice area for the occupational therapy profession. Occupational therapists assist clients in the acute care setting with activities of daily living retraining and functional transfer training to increase independence. Each client demonstrates a different discharge course from the acute care setting and occupational therapists play a key role in assisting the clients the most appropriate rehabilitative setting. All professionals in the acute care setting work cohesively to provide clients with the best outcome.

The doctoral project explored the importance of interprofessional healthcare worker education about occupational therapy practices in the acute …

Mindfulness For Middle School Students Receiving Adapted Physical Education Services: Quality Improvement Program, Kaila Mangrum

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Middle school students with disabilities are often isolated from their peers with decreased opportunities for participation, struggle with social emotional regulation, and self-efficacy. This has been evident among students with various disabilities who are from various age groups receiving special education services including adapted physical education (APE). Research has shown mindfulness amplifies learning and promotes a positive environment that supports children’s overall wellbeing. This quality improvement project focused on developing an occupational therapy centered mindfulness program to enhance social participation, self-efficacy, and social-emotional regulation. Data collection occurred pre and post program from specialized program teacher assistants (SPTAs) using the School …

Promoting Positive Dementia Attitudes Through Occupational Engagement: The Development Of A Dementia Awareness Program For Community Older Adults, Cynthia Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: This capstone project explored the effects of adding occupational engagement into a dementia awareness program on attitudes toward dementia among community-dwelling older adults, aiming to challenge dementia myths and promote an inclusive environment through occupational therapy perspectives. Methods: This project used a pre-test, post-test design with convenience sampling to develop and assess a dementia awareness program based on insights from Silverado Red Rock Memory Care Community and participation from members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the program. Changes in positive attitudes toward dementia were measured using the Dementia Attitudes …

Occupational Therapy-Led Development Of Life Skills Coaching Course On Resources For Educational Attainment To Foster Independent Living Among Youth Aging Out Of Foster Care, Joana Naguit

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This capstone project focused on addressing the competence of foster youth in their independent living skills, particularly, educational attainment skills. Delivered in a blended learning format, a life skills coaching course focused on educational attainment resources was proposed to address the long-term challenge of poor educational attainment among foster youth at Bamboo Sunrise, a specialized foster care agency in Henderson, NV. Participants completed brief didactic work in the form of video and PowerPoint lectures followed by the evaluation of their comprehension and skills through questionnaires and competencies. Competency evaluations simulated hands-on workshops structured weekly to promote skill mastery and application …

Providing Parent Education On School-Based, Social-Emotional Learning Programs To Increase Parents’ Self-Efficacy For Managing Aversive Behaviors, Cerena Obra

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

There is limited evidence on the imperative role that caregivers play in social-emotional learning development for effective social-emotional learning program implementation despite their crucial influence on childhood development. This doctoral project explored the effects of parent education for two school-based, social-emotional learning program techniques on caregivers’ self-efficacy in managing aversive behaviors. This doctoral project discusses aversive behaviors, social-emotional learning, the Zones of Regulation and Friendzy social-emotional learning programs, caregiver education, and caregiver self-efficacy. This project highlights the importance of including caregivers in effective school-based social-emotional learning programs by exploring caregivers' self-efficacy when provided education on school-based social-emotional learning techniques.