Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Bridging The Gap: Addressing Educational And Psychosocial Needs In Cancer Care At Gilda’S Club Middle Tennessee, Hayden Goode

OTD Capstone Projects

Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee is a nonprofit organization that provides psychosocial support to individuals and families impacted by cancer. This project aimed to address educational and psychosocial needs through two targeted initiatives grounded in health promotion, client-centered care, and community engagement. The first initiative focused on improving awareness of pelvic floor health in men affected by cancer. An accessible educational handout was developed to increase understanding of pelvic floor anatomy, common symptoms, toileting norms, and available resources, including pelvic floor therapy. The second initiative involved facilitating an expressive arts workshop for Gilda’s Club members to explore the lived experience of …

Investigating Best Practices In Diagnostic Reasoning And Differential Diagnosis: Implications For Occupational Therapy, Frank Czuba Drot, Otr/L, Laila Atra-Yassin Ots, Cassidy Green Ots, Shaylynn Krause Ots, Stephanie Petersen Ots, Alisa Robinson

Research Days

Diagnostic Reasoning and Differential Diagnosis (DD) are increasingly vital in occupational therapy (OT) practice as direct access legislation expands evaluative responsibilities for occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs). Despite this need, little research has explored how OTPs understand and apply diagnostic reasoning in clinical contexts. This study examined processes, strategies, and perceived barriers and facilitators influencing OTPs’ engagement in diagnostic reasoning and DD across diverse settings. A national online survey of licensed OTPs collected quantitative and qualitative data on knowledge, confidence, training, interprofessional collaboration, and clinical behaviors. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, weighted analyses, z-scores, and thematic analysis. Results …

Expert Insights: Identifying Knowledge Gaps In Driver Rehabilitation And Community Mobility Beyond Acote Standards, Luther King, Madysen Gaus, Arthur Katzmann, Lia Shomaly, Keniya Smith, Tina Tindall

Research Days

Driver rehabilitation is an underrepresented specialization within occupational therapy despite its critical role in supporting individuals with physical, cognitive, or visual impairments to drive safely and maintain community mobility. The literature reveals limited inclusion of driver rehabilitation in OT curricula, minimal fieldwork exposure, and scarce driver rehabilitation programs, resulting in fewer certified specialists. Barriers to program development include insufficient funding, lack of institutional support, and limited equipment access. Consequently, new graduates lack knowledge, confidence, and competence in this specialty area, reducing service availability for clients who rely on driving for independence and participation. Addressing these gaps through enhanced education, fieldwork …

Occupational Justice In The Classroom For Children With Developmental Disabilities: A Program For Child-Led Play Interactions, Rayah Kassis, Cynthia Haynes

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Play and education are important occupations in students’ lives; however, there is a lack of resources in schools to enhance social and communication skills that impact occupational engagement for children with developmental disabilities. The purpose of this capstone project is to develop and provide resources to registered behavioral technicians (RBTs) that will inform them about how to use child-led principles to enhance the social and communication skills of students with developmental disabilities so that the students can meet their occupational roles in school and play participation.

Building The Foundations For School Success: Regulation, Social-Emotional Learning, And Pre-Handwriting Supports In A Reggio Inspired-Preschool, Allyson San Roman

OTD Capstone Projects

The goal of this capstone project was to develop evidence-based activities and resources to support student regulation, social-emotional learning, and pre-handwriting skills within a Reggio-inspired preschool setting. A needs assessment conducted through classroom observations, informal data collection, and collaboration with educators identified a need for developmentally appropriate strategies to support regulation and social-emotional learning, with an emphasis on proactive approaches to promote foundational skills and prevent the emergence of challenging behaviors. Additional observations revealed a need for increased opportunities to support fine motor and pre-handwriting development. Capstone deliverables  included social-emotional learning lessons, regulation strategies for students, and supports for early …

The Power Of Play: Enhancing Caregiver Engagement In Play-Based Development Through Educational Gym Signage At We Rock The Spectrum - Franklin, Elise Yeager

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through partnership with We Rock the Spectrum - Franklin. We Rock the Spectrum is a network of indoor sensory play gyms that provide children of all abilities with the opportunity to play, develop sensory and motor skills, and engage in social interaction in a supportive environment. The purpose of this project was to develop guided play experiences that educate caregivers on the benefits of play and offer practical play ideas. Evidence-based gym signage was developed for various equipment and areas of the gym, providing key information, suggestions, and QR codes for further resources. Additional …

Building Foundations Together: Occupational Therapy In A Private School Setting, Avery Tidwell

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with the Battle Ground Academy Early Learning Center in Franklin, Tennessee, and focused on educating preschool teachers and parents on child development and the value of occupational therapy in supporting early childhood outcomes. This project highlighted the benefits of integrating therapy services within a private school setting while emphasizing collaboration between stakeholders in order to promote carryover between classroom and home environments. Key components included the development of a teacher handbook and staff education program, implementation of a monthly parent education series, and delivery of a presentation to high school students to …

Stars Program: Where Every Mind Shines With Hope And Purpose, Haleigh R. Robinette

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Dr. Sue Iliff at Belmont University to support the development and promotion of the Succeeding, Thriving, and Resilient Students (STARS) program, a new and upcoming initiative on Belmont’s campus. STARS is an evidence-informed initiative designed to support neurodiverse, degree-seeking undergraduate students experiencing challenges in executive functioning, academic skills, social communication, or independent life management. STARS will offer support through individualized academic coaching, structured peer mentoring, and targeted skill-building workshops. The focus of this project was to create a comprehensive program proposal based on evidence derived from similar programming, current research literature, …

Growing Sensory Education And Resources At Gbe Alliance, Kelsey Gardner

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Global Behavior Education Alliance (GBE Alliance) to bring together occupational therapy and applied behavior analysis to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This project was designed with the GBE Alliance mission at the forefront, providing research-based, comprehensive care to meet individual needs. The goal of this project was to educate staff and families on sensory systems, regulation, and supporting children through play. Key outcomes included a motor station with guided activities to target each aspect of the sensory system, break time spaces with tools to increase regulation, sensory room designed …

Through The Gills: Translating Neurorehabilitation Principles Into An Adaptive Aquatic Game And Caregiver Toolkit For Children And Adolescents With Acquired Brain Injuries, Elizabeth J. Blincoe

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Background: An acquired brain injury (ABI) can result in motor, cognitive, and emotional impairments that limit participation and quality of life in children and adolescents (Pappadis et al., 2023). Caregivers often report difficulty supporting recovery and promoting functional carryover following discharge (Pappadis et al., 2023). Aquatic therapy is an evidence-based intervention shown to improve mobility, balance, and activities of daily living following brain injury (Curcio et al., 2020). Access to pediatric aquatic occupational therapy remains limited in communities.

Purpose: This doctoral capstone project was completed in a community-based wellness setting. The purpose was to develop and implement a caregiver-guided adaptive …

Promoting Self-Regulation And Classroom Participation Throughsocial-Emotional Learning Interventions At A Title 1 Elementary School, Emma L. Hidalgo

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

This capstone project aimed to promote self-regulation and classroom participation through social-emotional learning (SEL) interventions in a Title 1 public elementary school serving children from low-income households. Students in this setting often experience an increased array of home life stressors, leading to an decreased ability to have an environment outside of the school setting that provides opportunities for SEL.  (Hodgkinson et al., 2017). SEL provides a framework through which students develop skills in emotional management, goal setting, and social awareness, which are critical for academic and life success (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning [CASEL], 2020; Jones et al., …

The Implementation Of The Neonatal Eating Outcomeassessment To Evaluate Oral Feeding Skills In The Nicu, Katelyn J. Roloff

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

The Implementation of the Neonatal Eating Outcome Assessment to Evaluate Oral Feeding Skills in the NICU

Katelyn Roloff, OTDS; Stacie Forehand, OTR/L; Brooke Mulrenin PhD, MOT, OTR/L

Division of Occupational Therapy, Medical University of South Carolina

Approximately 80% of preterm infants develop oral feeding difficulties during their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization (Pineda et al., 2020). Preterm infants often demonstrate inadequate feeding readiness, poor arousal/state regulation, physiological instability, and poor oral motor reflexes, all essential for independent feeding (Grabill et al., 2023; Pineda et al., 2020). Common feeding assessments rely on non-standardized clinical observation, have limited ability to track …

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 …

Cortical Visual Impairment (Cvi) In Children: An Educational Video Series For Caregivers, Melody Brown, Zeida Gutierrez

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project focused on the development and dissemination of educational video series designed to increase awareness and understanding of CVI among parents, caregivers, and professionals. The project aimed to improve knowledge of CVI, support caregiver confidence in advocacy, and highlight the importance of coordinated care for children with CVI. Overall, the results of this project indicate that the video series was effective in increasing participant-reported understanding of CVI, confidence in supporting children, and awareness of available resources and interdisciplinary coordination. These findings support the use of accessible, video-based educational resources as a valuable tool for caregivers of CVI, and …

Promoting Reintegration Across Home And School Environments For Pediatric Burn Survivors Through A Mental Health Toolkit For Children, Caregivers, And Educators, Ashtan Goodwin

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Objective:

Pediatric burn injuries affect physical recovery, emotional well-being, social participation, and school reintegration. Mental health needs are often under-addressed, particularly for caregivers and educators supporting children post-injury. Pediatric burn patients are three times more likely to develop psychiatric conditions than uninjured individuals, with disorders such as PTSD emerging years after the injury (Duke et al., 2018). The purpose of this project was to address gaps in mental health support and resources for pediatric burn survivors and their support systems.

Methods:

A mixed-methods approach was used through a pre-survey and interviews with burn care team members. The pre-survey was distributed …

Finding A Home Away From Home: An Accessible Hotel And Short-Term Rental Guide, Atley E. Livingston

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Travel has become a significant part of today’s social culture, allowing individuals to connect with family and friends, explore new environments, and engage in meaningful experiences. However, many wheelchair users report that traveling is often frustrating, inequitable, and difficult. To better understand the limitations of travel on this population, a needs assessment was conducted through a collaboration with a nationwide organization that supports the wheelchair community. Participants identified travel accommodations and the barriers they present as a major limitation to travel. The purpose of this capstone project is to analyze lodging and housing accessibility through the lens of the population, …

Understanding Preeclampsia In High-Altitude Bolivia: Clinical Profiles And Development Of Culturally Appropriate Resources, Katie J. Dace

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

INTRODUCTION: Pregnant women in Bolivia face unique health risks compared to women in other countries due to living at an altitude of 3,600 meters above sea level (12,000 feet). Current local interventions do not fully meet the needs of mothers as evidenced by high maternal mortality rates. Additionally, there is a lack of local research initiatives and educational materials. This capstone project aims to contribute to both these gaps with the development of culturally appropriate educational materials and by laying the foundation for further research on preeclampsia in La Paz, Bolivia.  METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was taken to gather the …

The Impact Of Sensory Modulation Through Multi-Sensory Stimulation Within Dementia Day Centers, Kristin Hood

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Dementia is a growing global health concern, with prevalence expected to double every 20 years as the population ages, and approximately 6.7 million individuals in the United States currently living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (Cheng, 2017; Akincigil, 2024). Individuals with dementia commonly experience behavioral and psychological symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, pacing, withdrawal, and decreased engagement in meaningful activities, creating challenges for care staff and caregivers.

The purpose of this capstone project was to design and implement a multi-sensory stimulation room (MSSR) within a day program serving community-dwelling adults with dementia. The project aimed to provide a client-centered, …

Supporting Emotional Wellness After Neurologic Injury: Development Of A Workbook To Improve Self-Awareness And Healthy Habits, Erin L. O'Donnell

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Emotional challenges such as depression, anxiety, loss of identity, and reduced motivation are common after neurologic injury and can hinder rehabilitation and daily functioning (Guo et al., 2022; Villa et al., 2018; Raggi et al., 2024). However, traditional rehabilitation often emphasizes physical recovery, with fewer accessible interventions targeting emotional wellness. This capstone project addresses this gap by developing and evaluating an emotional wellness workbook to support recovery, incorporating evidence that lifestyle factors like exercise can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety (Carek et al., 2011). Guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model (Bass et al., 2024), this quality …

Supporting Educators Through Executive Function Education And Tier 1 Regulation Strategies In The Classroom, Sarah Robbins

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Early support for students to develop strong executive functioning skills is crucial, as these abilities are linked to lifelong success, well-being, financial stability, and overall quality of life (Diamond, 2013). A needs assessment conducted via REDCap revealed that while educators were generally familiar with executive function, they reported limited access to resources, reduced confidence in implementing strategies, and time constraints within the classroom.

The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to enhance educators understanding and confidence in implementing strategies and techniques to address executive function challenges in the classroom. This project involved the development and delivery of educational resources …

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 …

The Importance Of Optimizing Engagement In Early Childhood Classrooms: The Development Of An Evidence-Based Teacher Resource Kit, Elizabeth G. Campbell

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Doctoral Capstone Project: The Importance of Optimizing Engagement in Early Childhood Classrooms: The Development of an Evidence-Based Teacher Resource Kit

Background

Preschool classrooms play a critical role in preparing children for future academic and social success. Engagement in daily learning activities and appropriate classroom behaviors are essential for school readiness, yet many preschool-aged children struggle with sustained participation due to environmental, sensory, and developmental factors (Zubler et. Al.. 2022). Teachers are often the first to observe these challenges but may lack practical strategies and resources to support children effectively. Occupational therapy emphasizes participation in meaningful occupations, making it well-suited to …

Implementation Of Standardized Volunteer Training Protocol To Support Executive Functioning Outcomes In Therapeutic Riding, Sydney R. Cornwell

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Executive functioning (EF) skills including inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, are essential for successful participation in daily occupations. Therapeutic riding (TR) programs offer a unique environment where cognitive, sensory, and motor systems can be engaged simultaneously. Limited research, however, exists on how occupational therapy (OT) principles targeting EF can be systemically integrated into TR settings. This quality improvement project was conducted at a nonprofit therapeutic riding program serving children and adults with psychological, emotional, physical, and cognitive challenges. The purpose of the project was to enhance the structure, consistency, and therapeutic values of the riding sessions by introducing and …

Implementation Of A Classroom-Based Sensory Regulation Toolkit To Enhance Participation In Students With Severe Disabilities, Camryn R. Woods

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Students with severe and multiple disabilities often experience sensory processing differences that can adversely impact their ability to engage, participate, and regulate within the classroom environment. Educators frequently report feeling underprepared to address sensory needs and implement effective, practical strategies to support these students. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop and implement a classroom-based sensory regulation toolkit within a specialized educational setting serving students with significant physical and cognitive disabilities.

The primary goals of the project were to (1) increase teacher knowledge and confidence in recognizing sensory processing patterns, (2) provide accessible, evidence-based strategies to support …

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 …

Enhancing Workplace Readiness Through Social Skills Training For Adults With Idd, Caroline Crowe

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often experience barriers to employment related to limited opportunities to develop and practice professional social skills within supportive environments. This capstone project aimed at enhancing workplace readiness among adults with IDD by implementing a structured social skills training program focused on professional communication. The program was conducted at a day center for adults with IDD and served 10–15 participants seeking employment opportunities, with staff involvement to support sustainability.

A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating informal staff interviews, participant observations, weekly skill demonstration scoring, and post-intervention surveys completed by both participants and staff. The …

Program Development Of Incorporating Dance Therapy Into Occupational Therapy Practice For Sensory Regulation In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Taylor Briske, Keisa Boykin, Katherine O'Hara

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this project was to develop and implement a program to educate occupational therapists on how to effectively integrate dance therapy as an intervention to address sensory regulation in children with autism.

Bridging The Gap: Advocating For Improved Integrated Occupational Therapy Services In Prosthetic Care, Sarah A. Paddock, Keisa Boykin, Cheryl Sheffield

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This advocacy project focused on advocating for increased OT services in prosthetic care from pre-amputation to post-amputation.

Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living (Iadl) Education To Support Role Transition For Teen Mothers In Underserved Communities, Ayanna Johnson, Lakeisa Boykin, Jessica De Brun

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project focuses on researching the unique challenges faced by teenage mothers in low-socioeconomic communities and developing occupation-based strategies to support their transition into motherhood. The aim was to enhance their independence and effectiveness in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), such as child-rearing, home and financial management, community engagement, and meal preparation.

Understanding Post-Nicu Caregiver Mental Health And Occupational Participation: Implications For Healthcare Practice, Emily S. Knight

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone project explored the mental health challenges experienced by caregivers following their infant’s discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the resulting impact on occupational participation. Using a mixed-methods design, data was collected through an anonymous survey of 46 post-NICU caregivers, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative responses. Findings revealed that caregivers commonly experienced significant mental health concerns, including stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, particularly within the first year following discharge. Although results demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in mental health over time, many caregivers reported limited access to mental health resources and professional support. Importantly, the study …