Occupational Therapy Commons^™

The Perceived Benefits Of Belonging To A Community Organization For People With Parkinson's Disease (Pwpd): An Ethnographic Study, Alexis Fortes, Mary Ann Smith, Karen Aranha, Kelli Cabrera

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Persons with Parkinson’s (PwPD) seek to age in place and slow the functional decline that comes with the disease process. Membership in community-based and fitness programs provides a social safe environment that significantly impacts an individual’s psychological well-being and occupational independence. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) supports and promotes partnering with community organizations that promote and valuemaintaining occupational independence for community dwellers.

Objective: This study investigated the perceived benefits of belonging to a community organization that supports health management and well-being for PwPD.

Methods: A qualitative ethnographic study used immersive participant observation, and conducted two …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Providing Gender-Affirming Care For Transgender And Gender Diverse Individuals, Anna Rhodes, Mary A. Smith, Kristin Willey

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

There is limited information, education, and training available on providing care for the transgender and gender-diverse population, and many healthcare providers lack the specific knowledge needed to provide adequate, culturally competent care. A needs assessment was conducted to better understand what healthcare practitioners wanted to know regarding this topic, as well as what trans and gender-diverse individuals wanted their healthcare practitioners to know about their care. This needs assessment was anonymous and answers were not published. The responses were analyzed by the author to identify themes and develop learning objectives for the creation of educational materials. Five educational modules were …

Evidence Based Practices To Guide Practitioners On Providing Racially Informed Care (Ric): A Scoping Review, Veronica Ajose, Angela Labrie Blackwell, Charae Mcconnell

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

All forms of racism impact the health, well-being, safety, and occupations of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). There is a gap in Occupational Therapy (OT) curricula and literature on how practitioners should address the issue of racism. This presentation presents the background, problem, purpose, methods, results, and implications for occupational therapy practice for a scoping review that sought to review sought to identify and synthesize interventions that align with Racially Informed Care (RIC).

The Occupation Of Surfing By Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color Communities As A Form Of Resistance, Emily Robleza, Karen Park

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This study explores the concept of resistance through a qualitative research study by focusing on the occupation of surfing by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. The concept and acts of resistance have seldom been discussed in occupational science literature in addressing these communities' barriers. The frameworks include occupational justice, postcolonialism, and collective occupations that provide a layout of why and how current grass-roots efforts of communities marginalized from a meaningful activity utilize the meaningful activity as a vehicle for liberation. Eight participants were interviewed to understand their individual experiences in surfing in Southern California. Themes include Race, Class, and …

Leisure Exploration For Individuals Recovering From Substance Use Disorder, Laura Head, Susan Macdermott Otd, Otr/L

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder often report feeling the desire to fill their time with meaning and that time they spent misusing substances was unfulfilling. This poster provides background on what a substance use disorder is and the effects it may have on a person's life. It also dives into the methods used to create, propose, and implement a creative expression group for homeless transitional-aged youth, 18-25, and an exercise group for individuals in recovery from SUD. Finally, this poster discusses the implications of implementing and maintaining programs occupational therapist lead programs in community mental health settings.

Enhance The Use Of Arts, Crafts, And Creative Expression Within Ot Practice, Genevieve England, Susan Macdermott

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Through the evolution of occupational therapy, the presence of arts and crafts within the profession has decreased. It is a possibility that the cause stems from lack of exposure to crafts, decreased craft related coursework within OT school programming, as well as the shift towards medical model-based OT interventions. The purpose of this project was to gain an understanding of arts and crafts and/or creative expression within OT practice in order to create an effective program.

A Dance Program Focused On Health Promotion, Nadalie Valdez, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project aimed to develop a dance program focused on health promotion, with the intent to encourage physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being. In response to the rise in childhood obesity and associated comorbidities, especially among underserved communities, the goal of this project was to provide opportunities for children of all backgrounds to establish healthy habits and routines.

Transforming Perspectives: Identifying And Addressing Disparities In Sexual Health Education In Occupational Therapy Education Programs, Devon C. Wilson

MOT Student Capstones

This capstone project aims to address the lack of sexual health education in Occupational Therapy (OT) curricula and improve OT practitioners' ability to address sex and sexuality in 5 their practice. The research sought to understand the practices and attitudes of OT educators and educational programs in the United States concerning sexual health and sexuality within their curriculum. The study employed a survey-based approach, gathering data from a diverse group of OT educators and program directors through an online platform before and after participating in an educational presentation on the subject matter. The results revealed positive views of sex and …

Addressing Psychosocial Client Factors In People With Cancer: An Occupational Therapy Guidebook, Hannah Marlette, Steven M. Gerardi, Tiffany Bystra

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

People with cancer have an increased risk of impaired occupational engagement and occupational performance due to the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial impacts of cancer and cancer treatment (Duker & Sleight, 2019; Pergolotti et al., 2016; Polo & Smith, 2018).

The involvement of occupational therapy (OT) in the care of people with cancer remains limited, resulting in a finite amount of literature on OT interventions to address this population (Pergolotti et al., 2016). The primary focus of OT for people with cancer has been on physical client factors and interventions, and people with cancer report that their psychosocial factors are being …

Occupational Therapy For Perinatal Women: An Online Educational Course, Rachel Killorin, Steven M. Gerardi, Sabina Khan

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

A freely accessible website and online educational course was developed to inform occupational therapy practitioners and maternal healthcare professionals about the role that occupational therapy has on the perinatal healthcare team. Perinatal Occupational Therapy. https://www.perinataloccupationaltherapy.com/

Addressing Psychosocial Client Factors In People With Cancer: An Occupational Therapy Guidebook, Hannah Marlette

Student Capstone Papers

People with cancer experience a variety of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial impacts that affect their quality of life, occupational performance, and occupational engagement. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are well-equipped to address these impacts, however, OT is an underused service in the cancer population, resulting in a limited amount of literature addressing OT interventions in cancer care. OT interventions in the literature are focused on addressing an individual’s physical client factors. The focus on physical client factors is causing people with cancer to report that their psychosocial client factors are not being addressed. The literature demonstrates that OT practitioners do not …

Education And Training For Clients And Caregivers Related To Assistive Technology, Tristin Jones, Lisa Griggs-Stapleton, Lee Ann Hoffman

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Education and training are extremely important element when prescribing assistive technology of any kind. Often, clients and caregivers return home with unanswered questions related to said devices. For the client to return home and be successful appropriate and adequate education and training is required for both the client and caregiver. The goal of this project was to ensure that clients returning home experienced increased independence and decreased assistive technology abandonment. This poster presentation outlines the benefits of increased education and training prior to discharge throughout an occupational therapy capstone program.

Lymphedema Management For Those Living With Spinal Cord Disorders To Address Caregiver Burden, Nia L. Bolen-Daniels

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The following capstone project focused on the creation of a booklet that identified the needs determined by caregivers and providers. The booklet includes beneficial resources to aid in reducing caregiver burden for those with spinal cord injuries (SCI) with lymphedema needs with a concentration of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) population. This capstone project’s primary goal was to understand the caregiver’s perspective and their needs to assist with any gaps identified to further aid them and their providers.

Accommodated Gymnastics Program For Atypically Developing Children, Ashtin Callahan

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Incorporating An Occupational Therapy Perspective In A Pediatric Early Developmental Clinic, Olivia Mahoney

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Clinical Research Capstone At The National Institutes Of Health Clinical Center, Deborah J. Kofsky

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Dynamics Of A Full-Time Academician: Teaching, Scholarship & Service, Jalissa Nicole Black

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Academia by definition is “an environment or community concerned with pursuing research, education, and scholarship” (Oxford Languages, n.d.). In higher education, such as graduate-level studies, academia is a system fostering the growth in knowledge and practicality of students aiming to be of professional standing, however, academia from a full-time faculty member standpoint is to also be a life-long learner and pursuer of knowledge as well. My doctoral capstone experience (DCE) took place under the guidance of Christina Kane, EdD, MS, OTR/L, a full-time faculty member at Nova Southeastern University where she acts as Doctoral Capstone Coordinator, Academic Professor, and Advisor …

Ot's Role In Facilitating Successful Role Transition For Informal Caregivers Of People Living With Dementia, Kiyatta Freeman, Monica Watford, Evyline Chioma

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The aim of this capstone project was to identify education and training needs for family caregivers of individuals living with dementia and create an educational workshop based on these identified needs. This workshop is a dementia training course focused on education on the dementia diagnosis and effective care strategies to promote occupational participation and safety for the care recipient and the caregiver. The aim is to improve care competency, reduce stress, and facilitate role transition.

Women’S Health Occupational Therapy And Quality Of Life As Related To Pregnancy-Induced Dysfunction, Megan Ramirez, Lisa Griggs-Stapleton, Jemila Medley

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The following project explored the understanding of Urinary Incontinence (UI) by those experiencing the condition. An educational website was created to assist with the education of those experiencing UI while pregnant. The website was made available to the public via links and social media.

The Importance Of Addressing Sleep As An Occupation Within Assisted Living Communities, Brittany Kiattitananan, Kendra Orcutt, Lisa Griggs-Stapleton

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Around 40-70% of older adults have difficulty sleeping (Sheth & Thomas, 2019). This poster presents an occupation-based sleep intervention program developed for residents of an assisted living community and serves to inform OT practitioners on addressing sleep in their own practice.