Promoting Cultural Arts Access Through Sensory-Friendly Theatre,
2023
Dominican University of California
Promoting Cultural Arts Access Through Sensory-Friendly Theatre, Chanelle Bautista, Alyssa Cho, Jazmine Cunanan, Ariana Marino, Miko Ramos
Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects
Children with sensory processing differences have “reduced participation in recreational and community activities compared to children with both typical development and other developmental disabilities” due to their difficulties with social communication, and strict social settings (Giserman-Kiss et al., 2020). Sensory-friendly theatre programs aim to dismantle social participation barriers for individuals with sensory processing differences by creating a relaxed theatre experience that includes preparatory materials, environmental modifications, and specialized training (Umeda, 2017). We implemented a pilot sensory-friendly performance of Willy Wonka, Jr. in collaboration with youth actors at the Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley, CA on February 13th, 2022. Approximately 80 …
Mental Health Educational Program For Law Enforcement Officers,
2023
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
Mental Health Educational Program For Law Enforcement Officers, Elizabeth Allen
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones
A mental health educational program was created to educate corrections officers on various mental health diagnoses, psychiatric treatments , mental health law, cultural sensitivity, and deescalation skills. The purpose of the program was to enhance mental health knowledge in corrections officers and increase the health and wellness outcomes of the inmates. Mental health resources given at the end of the program could be utilized by the inmates after leaving the facility and by the corrections officers if they required services, as well.
Development Of Life Skills Training Modules For Adolescents With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities,
2023
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
Development Of Life Skills Training Modules For Adolescents With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Nicole Jones
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones
The purpose of the capstone project was to develop occupation-based life skills training modules to increase self-efficacy, self-advocacy, role competency, and well-being of transition-age youth to promote better outcomes throughout the transition process into adulthood. The life skills training modules were developed at diverse learning levels and implemented at Camp BOLD to meet the needs of adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Feasibility Of A Large-Amplitude Aquatic-Based Exercise Occupational Therapy Program For Individuals With Early Parkinson’S Disease,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The Feasibility Of A Large-Amplitude Aquatic-Based Exercise Occupational Therapy Program For Individuals With Early Parkinson’S Disease, Brigitte Baker
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Purpose: The purpose of this research was to determine if a 4-week aquatic-based, large-amplitude exercise program would increase strength and coordination for occupational performance in areas of activities of daily living (ADLs) and mobility in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) stage I-II, functional mobility as measured by Timed Up and Go test, and quality of life as measured by PDQ-39 in relation to occupational engagement.Methodology: Recruitment was through capstone placement site, Hands on Rehab, 7921 Professional Circle, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, in which a signed EAA was on file. Informed Consent was reviewed by the student-clinician as well as the …
Driving And Community Mobility: An Online Educational Program For Generalist Occupational Therapy Practitioners,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Driving And Community Mobility: An Online Educational Program For Generalist Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Gerard Blanco
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Driving is an important daily activity that often goes unnoticed, yet it enables individuals to engage in crucial tasks such as grocery shopping, going to work, and participating in social activities. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners must recognize and address the significance of driving in their daily routines to promote clients' independence and fulfillment. However, despite being well-equipped to assist clients with driving-related issues, many practitioners avoid or neglect this area of occupation. A reluctance to addressing driving and community mobility (DCM) can arise from a lack of confidence, available resources, support, or fear of losing a client's trust. These barriers …
Promoting Early Detection In Primary Care: Program Evaluation Of The Dementia Care Aware Program In Orange County,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Promoting Early Detection In Primary Care: Program Evaluation Of The Dementia Care Aware Program In Orange County, Ennah Cabading
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
The aging population is growing quickly, raising concerns about the increasing numbers of those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, as age is the common risk factor for acquiring the disease. The increase in the elderly population may influence higher healthcare costs and the need for more healthcare professionals like primary care professionals. However, primary care professionals face challenges meeting this population's demands due to the lack of training, confidence, and understanding of dementia care. A new California initiative called Dementia Care Aware aims to support primary care professionals by offering training, tools, and resources to increase early detection and …
An Immersive Virtual Reality Treatment Learning Module For Unlv Occupational Therapy Students,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
An Immersive Virtual Reality Treatment Learning Module For Unlv Occupational Therapy Students, Paolo Castro
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Virtual reality refers to the technology used to create multi-sensory, three-dimensional environments its users can interact with. Occupational therapists may find virtual reality-based therapy appealing as it allows them to access many virtual environments and tasks that would be difficult to recreate in traditional settings. Despite literature suggesting their willingness to use it in practice, there is an evidence-to-practice gap caused by low self-efficacy and knowledge of how to operate and apply it. The author created a learning module for occupational therapy students to see how it affects perceived clinical competency. The results of the learning module showed statistically significant …
Acquired Brain Injury: A Vision Screening Protocol For Occupational Therapists,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Acquired Brain Injury: A Vision Screening Protocol For Occupational Therapists, Sebastian Cheung
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Occupational therapists have a unique set of skills that allow them to assess individuals with an acquired brain injury who have visual impairments. However, it is frequently neglected in practice owing to a lack of confidence, knowledge, or training. There is a need for a vision screening protocol that will help occupational therapists learn more about visual impairments in adults with an acquired brain injury (ABI) and feel more confident in their ability to identify them. This quality improvement capstone project was a feasibility study and consisted of a sample size of N = 6, utilizing a one group pretest-posttest …
Addressing Vision Impairments Following Neurological Injuries: A Vision Protocol For Occupational Therapists,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Addressing Vision Impairments Following Neurological Injuries: A Vision Protocol For Occupational Therapists, Dyrin Cordero
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Vision impairments have a high prevalence in adults with a stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI), potentially affecting up to 90% of this population. However, these impairments are often overlooked during the rehabilitation process due to a lack of education and training provided to occupational therapists (OTs). Limited research also contributes to no standardized best practice guidelines for OTs to follow (Aravich & Troxell., 2021). This issue is important to occupational therapy practitioners because vision impairments negatively affect a person's capacity for recovery, quality of life, safety, and mental health (Berger et al., 2016). Occupational therapists aim to utilize holistic …
The Efficacy Of An Educational Toolkit To Enhance Knowledge Of Pediatric Reflux Management Among Occupational Therapists,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The Efficacy Of An Educational Toolkit To Enhance Knowledge Of Pediatric Reflux Management Among Occupational Therapists, Kelly Cullerton
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
This manuscript describes a quality improvement project completed by a student in the University of Nevada Las Vegas Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. The project tests the efficacy of an educational toolkit for occupational therapists staffed at an acute care hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, to increase their perceived knowledge of and ability to educate families on conservative management techniques for pediatric reflux management. Results indicate that the toolkit demonstrated efficacy in achieving this objective. The toolkit provided useful staff education and parent handouts for the occupational therapists to utilize in patient care as appropriate. This project’s ultimate aim was to …
Feasibility Of The Every Moment Counts Initiative At A Southern Nevada Elementary School,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Feasibility Of The Every Moment Counts Initiative At A Southern Nevada Elementary School, Amber Lee Eddy
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Over the past 20 years, multiple legislative acts have been passed mandating support and services for the mental health needs of children and youth in schools; however, Nevada continues to rank last for the provision of such services. Children and youth who are mentally healthy are more likely to be successful in their homes, schools, and communities (Arbesman et al., 2013). Those who have increased mental health needs are more at risk for developmental and long-term consequences that jeopardize overall health and wellness, not to mention the immense effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children and youth. With …
Utilizing An Interdisciplinary Approach: Education Of Early Progressive Mobility Protocol In The Icu/Acute Setting,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Utilizing An Interdisciplinary Approach: Education Of Early Progressive Mobility Protocol In The Icu/Acute Setting, Mary Ashley Galan-Gornal
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Early Progressive Mobility (EPM) was used more frequently in an interdisciplinary approach to improve patient outcomes. The aim is to create a protocol that takes an interdisciplinary approach and makes use of early progressive mobility. In the acute setting, occupational therapists are equipped to promote quality of life and independence both, during and after hospitalization, which is critical for early mobilization being beneficial for patients who are able to participate in therapy.This Doctoral Capstone project was aimed at demonstrating the value of occupational therapists in the intensive care unit (ICU)/acute setting by utilizing EPM in …
Increasing Self-Perceived Competence In Performing Independent Living Skills Among Unhoused Youth And Young Adults,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Increasing Self-Perceived Competence In Performing Independent Living Skills Among Unhoused Youth And Young Adults, Stacie M. Gomez
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Purpose: The aim of this project is to determine if the development and implementation of an independent living skills workshop would improve the perceived competence of unhoused youth in performing independent living skills.Methods: The Casey Life Skills Short Assessment was used as a pre-test and post-test. It was found that unhoused young adults generally scored low on finding affordable housing, budgeting, banking skills, education training, and feeling a sense of pride in their lives. A four-week independent living skills program was designed and implemented, which included workshops focused on identified needs. The data was analyzed using a Paired Samples t-Test …
Nonpharmacological Pain Management Of Adult Patients In The Burn Unit: An Interdisciplinary Toolkit Through The Occupational Therapy Lens,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Nonpharmacological Pain Management Of Adult Patients In The Burn Unit: An Interdisciplinary Toolkit Through The Occupational Therapy Lens, Taylor Harrison-Merrill
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Interdisciplinary care is the standard for individuals admitted to a burn unit, yet there is a lack of uniform education among different professionals regarding pain management (Kuhlmann & Tallman, 2022). Occupational therapists offer a unique and holistic lens to pain management by using nonpharmacological interventions to reduce patients’ perception of pain (American Burn Association, 2017; Nielson et al., 2022). The purpose of this quality improvement doctoral capstone was to apply this occupational lens in an educational toolkit designed for the interdisciplinary team that addressed nonpharmacological pain management for adults in the burn unit; effectively closing the knowledge gap across disciplines …
Increasing Foster Parent Awareness Of An Occupation-Based Approach To Child Well-Being,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Increasing Foster Parent Awareness Of An Occupation-Based Approach To Child Well-Being, Taylar Hirte
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Foster parents are an integral part of the child welfare system. They provide temporary care to children who otherwise cannot stay in their homes. They are required to be state or county licensed and each licensing agency has their own requirements including varying hours of training. The literature indicates foster parents do not receive enough training to feel prepared and confident to care for children with increased mental health, behavioral, school-related, cognitive, and peer relationship challenges that foster children often experience (AOTA, 2017; Lotty et al., 2020; Paul-Ward et al., 2014; Smith, 2022).The purpose of the present capstone project was …
Perceived Usefulness, Ease Of Use, And Satisfaction Of A Swaddle Bathing Educational Guide Among Parents/Guardians Of Nicu Premature Infants,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Perceived Usefulness, Ease Of Use, And Satisfaction Of A Swaddle Bathing Educational Guide Among Parents/Guardians Of Nicu Premature Infants, Makenzie Leigh Hogbin
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
The current availability of high-quality and comprehensive educational resources made available to parents and guardians with infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is limited in terms of content and provision. Additionally, there exists a plethora of information regarding the impact of the sensory environment on premature and critically ill infants as well as interventions to mitigate these effects that are not efficiently conveyed to their families. Previous research asserts that consistency with the application of sensory interventions with these infants bodes well for positive outcomes, leading one to believe that caregivers may benefit from learning these strategies so …
Effectiveness Of A Workshop For Improving Awareness And Identification Of Racial Microaggressions Among Occupational Therapy Faculty And Students,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Effectiveness Of A Workshop For Improving Awareness And Identification Of Racial Microaggressions Among Occupational Therapy Faculty And Students, Hannah Kalegzabher
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
As a professor or student in occupational therapy (OT), an important role is advocating for students and clients. Taking action is important to practice and promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) within the profession. This quality improvement project aimed to determine the effectiveness of a racial microaggression workshop for OT, OT assistant (OTA) students, and faculty to improve awareness and ability to identify racial microaggressions to support Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). Participants were recruited by convenience sampling through email to members of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) and COTAD-Educators (COTAD-ED). The workshop was …
Assistance Dog Considerations: A Lecture For Occupational Therapy Students,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Assistance Dog Considerations: A Lecture For Occupational Therapy Students, Kayla Kinney
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Assistance dogs can mitigate the effects of an individual’s disability. Occupational therapists consider the whole being when providing interventions through the individual’s meaningful occupations to improve health, well-being, and quality of life. Occupational therapists can make referrals or become a valuable team member for clients who wish to explore assistance dogs as an assistive technology option to improve physical, mental, and psychosocial considerations for increased independence in their clients. Few occupational therapy practitioners are educated about the benefits and disadvantages of the partnership between assistance dog and handler. Therefore, they are unable to adequately recommend assistance dogs for their clients, …
A Pilot Program To Inform High School Students About Allied Healthcare Professions,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
A Pilot Program To Inform High School Students About Allied Healthcare Professions, Nhu Mac
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
The literature revealed the lack of diversity in the workforce, limited recruiting and retention methods, and lack of exposure to these professions as the contributions to the shortage and demand for the profession of occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), and speech- language pathology (SLP). As a result, the fourteen-week program to inform high school students about OT, PT, and SLP roles in the community and public health was implemented at Desert Pines High School in Clark County School District (CCSD) to see if it would influence their perceived attitudes, knowledge, beliefs, and the likelihood of pursuing these careers. Using …
An Ergonomic Approach For Esport Athletes: The Potential For Less Injury And Increased Occupational Performance,
2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
An Ergonomic Approach For Esport Athletes: The Potential For Less Injury And Increased Occupational Performance, Nicholas Nalic Pierides Jr.
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
The purpose of developing the case study was to determine the satisfaction of implementing an ergonomic protocol tailored to esport athletes in addition to tracking improvements in performance through KovaaK’s tracking trainer while reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries. Occupational therapists are trained to assess individuals with a holistic lens while treating the deficits that prevent them from living a meaningful life. Occupational therapists advise ergonomically correct positioning for their clients to decrease the risk of injury and to optimize the person’s performance. There is a need for an ergonomic protocol tailored to esport athletes because of the increase …
