Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Practices Commons^™

Facilitating Occupational Participation In Older Adults With Chronic Pain, Emily K. Ruesch

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This capstone project developed doctoral-level clinical skills in the management of chronic pain. This capstone project also implemented a six‑week chronic pain management program for independent community‑dwelling older adults at Dow Rummel Village. Eleven adults aged 50–95 participated in weekly 45‑minute group sessions addressing adaptive equipment use, graded exercise, energy conservation, nervous system regulation, stress management, and sleep hygiene. Seven participants completed pre‑ and post‑intervention measures using the Brief Pain Inventory–Short Form and the Pain Self‑Efficacy Questionnaire. A paired samples t‑test assessed changes in pain severity, pain interference, and self‑efficacy. Results demonstrated a decrease in pain severity (t(6) = −3.96, …

The Readiness Reset: Sleep, Stress, And Pain Management For Tactical Performance, Lauren Fried

Tactical & Occupational Performance Conference

Tactical professionals operate in high-demand environments where sleep disruption, chronic stress, and persistent pain are often normalized, but these factors significantly affect readiness, resilience, and long-term performance. This session explores how sleep, stress, and pain interact at the physiological and neurological levels to influence decision-making, recovery, injury risk, and operational effectiveness in first responders and military personnel.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how nervous system regulation, circadian rhythms, and pain perception affect both physical and cognitive performance under stress. Drawing on current research and applied human performance principles, this session highlights practical, field-applicable strategies that tactical professionals and …

Therapeutic Qualities And Applications Of Clay In Expressive Arts Therapy: A Literature Review, Julia Caruso

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review investigates the therapeutic qualities and clinical applications of clay within the framework of expressive arts therapy (ExAT), with particular focus on sensorimotor, somatic, and developmental interventions. Drawing upon the expressive therapies continuum (ETC), this review synthesizes emerging research highlighting clay's kinesthetic and tactile properties as key mechanisms for facilitating emotional expression, accessing unconscious material, and promoting psychological resilience. Evidence is presented for specialized therapeutic modalities such as clay art therapy (CAT) and Clay Field Work, which engage the body-mind connection to support trauma integration and emotion regulation. Findings demonstrate that clay's inherent adaptability and sensory richness allow …

The Lasting Legacy Of Dr. Fritz Smith And Dr. Aminah Raheem: Founders Of Zero Balancing And Soul Lightening/Insight Acupressure, Deanna Waggy Otr

Journal of Transformative Touch

Dr. Fritz Smith and Dr. Aminah Raheem were pioneers in the field of holistic bodywork. Their innovative techniques, Zero Balancing (ZB) and Insight Acupressure (formerly Soul Lightening International), helped shape integrative medicine practitioners around the globe. Their marriage not only symbolized a personal union but also a professional synergy, with their complementary therapies offering a yin-yang approach to mind-body healing. Their legacy continues through the many practitioners trained in Zero Balancing and Soul Lightening/Insight Acupressure and the various organizations that uphold their commitment to research, education, and professional standards.

Effectiveness Of Mind-Body Therapy Techniques In The Management Of Chronic Pain, Esha Sharma, Kalyna Leshchuk, Maria Cox, Kaitlyn Koo, Emily Sarett, Sarah Chen

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

In this review, we aim to determine whether mind-body therapies—defined here as mindfulness meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)—can effectively improve pain management in adults with chronic lower back pain, particularly when compared to standard opioid treatments alone or used in conjunction with them. Our hypothesis posits that mind-body therapies serve as valuable supplements to current opioid-based treatment plans, potentially improving not only pain outcomes but also overall quality of life and psychological well-being.

By synthesizing findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, this review builds on existing literature by narrowing the treatment scope and …

Biopsychosocial-Based Exercise Model For Rheumatic Diseases Via Telerehabilitation: A Case Series With A One Year Follow Up, Nazlı Elif Nacar, Nur Banu Karaca, Zeynep Irem Bulut, Erkin Oguz Sarı, Senem Bulut, Yavuz Yakut, Sevim Oksüz, Sedat Kiraz, Edibe Unal

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This study aims to examine the sustainability of the biopsychosocial exercise performed by telerehabilitation on individuals with rheumatic disease, with and without supervision, and investigate the effect of the biopsychosocial-based exercise model on biopsychosocial status, general health status, and anxiety-depression levels of individuals. Method: Twenty patients with rheumatic diseases performed a biopsychosocial-based exercise model Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach via telerehabilitation with physiotherapist-supervised and unsupervised exercises who continued for three sessions per week for 12 months. Outcome measures were Health Assessment Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach -Biopsychosocial Questionnaire. Patients were assessed at baseline, 3rd, …

Unraveling Physiologic Mechanisms In Passive And Active Mechanoreceptor Stimulation, Halah Khan, Braden Ashcraft

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

The Effectiveness Of Massage Gun Treatment Combined With Passive Stretching In Reducing Non-Specific Lower Back Pain, Yudik Prasetyo, Sabda Husain As Shafi, Fatkhurahman Arjuna, Atikah Rahayu, Mohd Izwan Bin Shahril, Mohad Anizu Mohd Nor, Edwin Onyango Otieno

Jurnal Keolahragaan

Non-specific lower back pain is a common condition characterized by strain, muscle spasms, or weakness of the paraspinal muscles, particularly the multifidus muscle, which affects adjacent musculature such as the gluteus, hamstrings, and quadriceps. This study aimed to investigate whether massage gun treatment combined with passive stretching could reduce non-specific low back pain in patients experiencing subacute and chronic phases of this condition. This pseudo-experimental research employed a one-group pretest-posttest design with three treatments. Participants were selected using purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria: suffering from non-specific low back pain, willingness to participate, and age between 20 and 65 years. …

Feldenkrais And Music Informed Listening: A Neurophenomenological Perspective On Autism, Arona Primalani

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Phenomenologists identify the subjective body and its felt-senses as the basis for human development and consciousness, including mental health. Several mental health disorders, when viewed from a phenomenological perspective, share common symptomology related to varying extents of fractured selves, which in turn hinders dynamic interaction between individuals, their actions, and their relationships with their social and material worlds. Autism is one such condition. Hence, I created an intervention to investigate how listening, which foster subjective and intersubjective experiences, lies at the heart of somatic and arts-based interventions. This thesis, first, begins with a summary of the presenting symptoms observed in …

Outpatient Fall Prevention In Ambulatory Adults 65 Years Old And Over, Dorothy L. Osborne-White

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: In the United States (U.S.), falls are the leading cause of injury among adults 65 and over, resulting in 36 million falls yearly (Moreland et al., 2020). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023), one in four older adults experiences a fall each year. Falls are the world's second most prominent cause of accidental deaths (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults (Moreland et al., 2020).

Methods: A quality improvement project that included a fall bundle was implemented in a primary clinic. A …

Prosthetic Attention In Upper Limb Loss: User Experiences, Clinical Perceptions, And Developing Candidate Items, Tanu Bhargava

Theses and Dissertations

The human hand is a powerful tool essential for performing a range of tasks from simple to complex, and it plays a crucial role in social interactions and environmental engagement. Upper limb (UL) loss disrupts these functions and significantly impacts daily life. Prosthetic devices can partially restore these abilities and improve quality of life, but they lack the intuitive control and sensory feedback of natural hands. Consequently, operating a UL prosthesis requires substantial attentional demands, a factor that potentially contributes to high rates of device dissatisfaction and disuse. For UL prosthesis users, managing attentional resources is critical to efficiently controlling …

“Too Pretty To Be Brain Injured” Dance Movement Therapy And Women With/Recovering From Traumatic Brain Injury: A Literature Review, Cathy Patricia Hall

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The objective of this literature aims to first, elucidate the history of the exclusion or absence of women in research examining traumatic brain injury (TBI). Second, in reviewing more recent published research examining women and traumatic brain injury, trends indicate women are prone to injury at increasing rates to men, due to biological sex, physiological makeup, and different etiologies. Finally, this literature review endeavors to examine published dance/movement therapy (DMT) research, and recommendations, for suggested interventions to apply to women with traumatic brain injuries and common comorbid diagnosis of depression, and PTS. Unique challenges this population experiences. In doing so …

The Impact Of Boxing Exercise On The Quality Of Life In People Living With Parkinson's Disease, Jen Baker

Master of Science in Nursing Final Projects

This integrative review aimed to explore the effects of boxing exercises on the quality of life (QOL) of people with Parkinson’s Disease (PwP). Boxing exercise programs are popular in the Parkinson’s Disease (PD) community. Decreasing motor symptoms tends to be a primary focus in exercise and PwP. However, non-motor symptoms are a side effect of PD that varies amongst individuals and can impact QOL. Understanding the effects of boxing, especially on non-motor QOL, can support practitioners when prescribing specific exercise modalities for PwP. An integrative review with the search of PUBMED, CINAHL, and MEDLINE was performed, and the methodology of …

Incorporating Poi As A Therapeutic Modality For Preschool Aged Children In The Care Clinic, Danielle Zirkle

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Examining State Of Flow And Its Future In Dance/Movement Therapy: A Literature Review, Rachael A. Cohen

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper analyzes State of Flow, the definition codified by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and analyzes how Flow as a concept has developed in current psychological and artistic research, alternative therapies, and mainstream medias. This paper also views existing Dance/Movement Therapy frameworks such as Body-Mind Centering and Kestenberg Movement Profile to see how Csikszentmihalyi’s definition could integrate into current Dance/Movement Therapy practice, as well as looks at Laban Movement Analysis and its future in Dance/Movement Therapy. This thesis also examines how gender and neurodivergence may impact how one can experience State of Flow.

Using Drama Therapy To Foster Peer Support Among Nurse Leaders, Chyela Rowe

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study explored the use of drama therapy to support the social-emotional experiences of nurse leaders at a mid-sized regional hospital system in the Southeastern United States. Nurse leaders have experienced profound changes to their work environments in recent years and burnout has been at an all-time high among healthcare workers globally. Organizational supports for nurses and nurse leaders are both inadequate to meet the needs and under-resourced. The research questions explored 1) whether the drama therapy peer support initiative improved outcomes and 2) whether there was a significant relationship between measures, and 3) what nurse leaders described as facilitators …

Eco-Interoception: What Plants, Fungi And Protista Have Taught My Body, Sara Riley Dotterer

Art Theses and Dissertations

To me, ecology is the relational, full-body awareness that I am made up of and deeply connected to everything around me; and for better or worse, this is reciprocal. I form ecotones, an ecological transitional zone between two ecosystems, with the world around me. I use this ecotonal lens to blur binaries and dissolve boundaries between me and the world “outside my body.” During my Masters of Fine Arts at Southern Methodist University, I have continuously explored and represented the lives of various more-than-human species outside of my body, including plants, fungi and protista through an ecotonal lens. Although these …

Enacting Stories: Discovering Parallels Of Narrative And Expressive Therapies, A Literature Review, Zoe Reddig

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review will analyze the use of narrative therapy (NT) techniques, dance/movement therapy (DMT) techniques, and expressive therapy (ET) techniques in an effort to distinguish where theoretical parallels exist between these methods of counsel. Narrative therapy is a postmodern framework of counseling that assists clients in resisting damaging stories that have been embedded through bioecological systems of exposure throughout development. Narrative therapy structures its philosophy through processes of externalization and deconstruction, and encourages the process of reframing or re-authoring one’s personal self-narrative. At their core, DMT and ET already utilize components of foundational NT practices, through processes of enactment, …

Burnout In Medical Assistants In Primary Care: Can Mindfulness Be A Solution?, Natalee D. Calais

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Burnout is described as feelings associated with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization of patients, and a loss of sense of personal accomplishment and it is unique to healthcare workers. Current research highlights this condition among physicians, nurses, and mid-level providers; however, insufficient research exists regarding the effects of burnout on medical assistants. Research led to mindfulness as a possible solution defined as an intentional regulation of attention and awareness of the present moment. This project sought to see if mindfulness practices could be utilized to mitigate the effects of burnout in medical assistants. It was hypothesized that mindfulness could be a solution. …

Comparative Effectiveness Of Jade Stone Mobilisation, Non-Abrasive Cupping, And Manual Drainage Technique In Subjects With Chronic Sinusitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Monali Gandhi, Peeyoosha Gurudut Dr.

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Sinusitis in recent times has been known as one of the major causes for reduced quality of life and work absenteeism. Chronic sinusitis being one of the health hazards affecting QOL of subjects of any age and gender requires a specific therapeutic intervention. Clinical trials that can demonstrate the effectiveness of manual therapy intervention in sinusitis cases are lacking. Hence, this study aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of three manual therapy techniques in subjects with chronic sinusitis. Method: The current study is a prospective, parallel arm, randomised clinical trial performed at physiotherapy OPD, tertiary health …

Sensory Integration For Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv), Nadien Albanna

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Since the start of the global pandemic, stay-at-home orders forced IPV survivors to stay in the home with abusers, increasing the risk of abuse, and the impact of psychological trauma. (Bright et al., 2020). Occupational therapists are trained professionals in incorporating sensory-based strategies to focus on the somatic manifestations experienced by the body from trauma and can help to regulate physiological and psychological responses through sensory stimuli (Mcgreevy & Boland et al., 2020). The development of this project sparked an opportunity to publish a new framework to introduce the role of sensory integration in treating survivors of intimate partner violence …

Analysis Of Zero Balancing Case Studies Through An Occupational Therapy Lens, Deanna Waggy Otr, Msa, Czb, Csla

Journal of Transformative Touch

Does Zero Balancing positively impact occupational performance? This is a question many Occupational Therapists (OTs) ask when discerning if Zero Balancing (ZB) is an evidence-based treatment modality. Case studies from the book Experiencing the Power of Zero Balancing: Case Studies of Journeys to Health and Wholeness (Quarry & King, 2016) were reviewed and compared to the Occupational Therapy domain of practice to show clear evidence that each case study had a positive impact on occupational performance. A comparison chart shows a direct link between the occupational categories and documented evidence of improved occupational performance through practitioner observation and client feedback …

The Therapeutic Benefits Of Attunement Through Lindy Hop, Sarah Trowbridge

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Dance/movement therapy (DMT) was developed as a tool to aide in therapeutic healing. A foundational aspect of DMT is attunement, the emotional/kinesthetic connection between two people that allows for meaningful and healing bonds to emerge. Lindy Hop is a partnered dance that fosters an environment of attunement, as it is accessed both subconsciously and consciously. This research explores Lindy Hop as a possible method of therapeutic treatment. The literature indicates the physiological need for attunement and how safety plays a key role in strengthening senses of self-identity, nervous system development, and worldview. Four experienced Lindy Hoppers were recruited to engage …

The Ot Well-Being Summit 2021, Deanna Waggy Otr

Journal of Transformative Touch

The OT Well-Being Summit empowers occupational therapists and other holistic practitioners around the globe to have confidence with holistic health and wellness skills for their therapy practice. The OT Well-Being Summit brings together 11 occupational therapists who share holistic health and wellness strategies and tools that you can use in your integrative medicine practice today with the confidence (and evidence) to use them. The OT Well-Being Summit is an online self-paced course with 12 hours of information and insights to give you the confidence to move forward in areas related to holistic health, wellness, and prevention. https://tinyurl.com/t9cc6afp

The Prevalence Of Musculoskeletal Injuries Within The Center For Wellness In The Arts At Marshall University, Colin John Wakeman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: The demands on successful performing artists are two-fold. First, they have to perform at a high skill level for their specific art, such as theater, marching band, dance, and color guard. Second, they need to achieve the aesthetic demands of their discipline. Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries can impact either or both of these elements and affect their overall performance. If MSK injuries are not addressed early in a performer’s career, they can develop into chronic problems that take performers out of rehearsals, practices, and performances.

Purpose: This epidemiological study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MSK injuries within …

The Efficacy Of Yoga As An Adjunctive Therapy To Standard Multidisciplinary Care In The Treatment Of Female Patients Presenting With Cognitive Eating Disorder Symptoms, Cassidy Nagle

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: Current treatment of patients exhibiting cognitive eating disorder symptoms is standard multidisciplinary care (SMDC) involving behavioral therapy, medical management and dietetics. Because these symptoms often persist or relapse despite treatment, research has begun to explore adjunctive therapies like yoga for this population. This review will explore seven studies in order to analyze the effect of yoga (I) on cognitive eating disorder symptoms (O) in teenage and adult females (P) when added to SMDC compared to symptom reduction with SMDC alone (C).

Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Academic Search Ultimate and Google Scholar starting November 2018. Seven …

Rhythmic Movements And Feeling States, Melanie Johnson

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study was conducted to test the validity of a theoretical framework in developmental psychology of body movement analysis, the Kestenberg Movement Profile (KMP). Motor patterns associated with needs and foundations for affect expression, the tension flow rhythms (TFRs), were examined. Recent research examined the validity of the TFRs in nonclinical adults and found preliminary support for some of the KMP’s assumptions associating smooth (indulging) rhythms with indulgent affects and sharp (fighting) movements with assertive or aggressive affects. This study aimed to test the TFRs associated with the first two years of development—the sucking, biting, twisting, and strain/release rhythms. The …

Moving Beyond Cardio: The Value Of Resistance Training, Balance Training, And Other Forms Of Exercise In The Management Of Diabetes, Marni J. Armstrong, Sheri R. Colberg, Ronald J. Sigal

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Traditionally, aerobic training has been a central focus of exercise promotion for diabetes management. However, people with diabetes have much to gain from other forms of exercise. This article reviews the evidence and recommendations on resistance, balance, and flexibility training, as well as other, less traditional, forms of exercise such as yoga and Tai Chi.

Perceived Benefits Of Yoga Participants Enrolled In Different Yoga Styles, Jennifer Lovas

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

Yoga affects the lifestyles of many individuals ranging from child and teen to senior. The Yoga Centre studios in San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande provide a variety of classes conducive to the yoga practice for all ages and levels. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived benefits of participants enrolled in different styles of yoga at the Yoga Centre. The 163 participants completed the survey using self-administered and electronic questionnaires distributed in January of 2011. Stress relief was the highest perceived benefit. Most participants started yoga for health and fitness reasons and most were fearful of …