Occupational Therapy Commons^™

How To Support Adolescents Affected By Aces: An Advocacy Guide, Hallie Longtin

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to create a trauma-informed guide for educators within a school setting to be used to support adolescents effected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). 1 in 6 adults reported experiencing four or more types of ACEs, and 5 of 10 leading causes of death are associated with ACEs (CDC, 2022). ACEs can negatively impact adolescents in various ways, including cognitively, physically, and socially. These negative impacts affect adolescent’s overall well-being and leads to difficulty with engagement in several occupations. Due to their traumatic experiences and the various impacts, adolescents within a school setting are …

Bridging The Gap: A Comprehensive Discharge Guide, Ashley Marie Mutziger

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Much attention is paid to clients while they receive services, but after they have met their goals and are ready for their next steps, they can perceive a lack of support and feelings of uncertainty. Returning home from any healthcare setting can be a time of uncertainty for clients. There are many questions to be answered and potential unknowns surrounding the discharge processes. Literature shows there is a need for improving discharge practices to promote client understanding and follow-through to end the treatment experience with the confidence that the client has the tools and resources necessary to be successful in …

The Effects Of Retained Primitive Reflexes On Students’ Occupational And Academic Performance In The School Setting, Molly Banks

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Primitive reflexes (PR) are survival responses necessary for infants’ health and safety and are the foundation for higher motor skills (Desorbay, 2013). While they usually integrate a year after birth, there are instances when these reflexes stay retained. The retention of PRs often indicates a higher probability of a disruption/delay in motor and cognitive-emotional development. This disruption/delay can be observed in a school setting and can negatively impact a student’s academic performance and behavior in school. There is significant research on the impact of retained primitive reflexes (RPR), but there is a gap in research about effectively implementing reflex integration …

Occupational Therapy Program Development For Group Threatment For Outpatient Pediatric Clinics: Technology Management, Amy Lynn Fust Shaver

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem Statement: Children and adolescents are experiencing difficulty managing the technology in their lives as evidenced by excessive technology use leading to negative effects on their occupational performance. The overuse of technology is associated with a variety of problems, especially for growing children and adolescents, including shorter sleep duration, reduced scholastic achievement, musculoskeletal concerns, obesity, and exacerbated symptoms of depression and anxiety (Gerwin, 2017; Glover, 2021; Gwynette, 2017).

Description of Product: To address these issues, a group treatment program was developed for outpatient pediatric clinics focused on helping children and their families benefit from the use of technology without experiencing …

Pathway Through Nature: A Nature-Based Occupational Therapy Program To Support Adolescent Mental Health, Danielle Grace Halstead

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Pathway Through Nature: A Nature-Based Occupational Therapy Program to Support Adolescent Mental Health

Background: Adolescent mental health conditions have risen 13% between 2007-2017, with increased rates of untreated and unrecognized mental health challenges (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021; WHO, n.d.). Primary challenges include anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, stress, coping skills, and self-identity (Kim, 2021; Magson et al., 2021; Rapee et al., 2019). Decreased access to professionals within the mental health field have presented as a barrier to combat the rise of the challenges listed above (Asher & De Silva, 2017). Nature-based therapy provides services within the most natural context …

Inclusivity In Usa Swimming: A Sport For Every Ability, Ellie Anne Roche

Occupational Therapy Capstones

There is a significant need for youth with disabilities to increase their participation in meaningful activities such as sport. However, several barriers exist which limit participation for youth with disabilities within sport including a lack of education for coaches on disability inclusion, non-accessible facilities, and lack of awareness regarding sport-related accommodations. The purpose of this project was to identify methods in which the USA Swimming (USA-S) organization could better support the inclusion of athletes of all abilities outside of disability-only sports programs. Through a literature review guided by the EHP framework, the author identified benefits of disability-inclusive sports teams as …

Parent & Caregiver Education And Support: A Product To Support Families Of Childrn With Senosry Processing Difficulties, Jaslyn Robb Seeley

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose Parent and caregiver collaboration, participation, education, and training has shown to improve therapeutic outcomes for the child receiving therapy services for sensory processing and integration challenges (Lin, Lin, & Yu, 2018; Miller-Kuhaneck & Watling, 2018; Schoen, Miller, & Flanagan, 2018; STAR Institute, 2021). However, parent education and training are often minimally conducted or lacking altogether in the therapeutic process (Gee & Peterson, 2016; Miller-Kuhaneck & Watling, 2018). This product was created with the purpose of enhancing parent and caregiver knowledge about sensory processing difficulties and to increase follow-through of sensory strategies across contexts, such as at home and school, …

Oral Hygiene Education For Patients And Staff In An Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting, Cassandra L. Madsen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Individuals recovering from a stroke or hip fracture may have comorbidities, medication side effects, and symptoms that can decrease independence with self-care tasks and lead to a decline in oral health (DeBiase & Austin, 2003). Poor oral health has been associated with systemic infections, diabetes, aspiration pneumonia, and other comorbidities that negatively impact overall health and recovery from illness or injury (Danckert, Ryan, Plummer, & Williams, 2016). Few patients are aware of the importance of oral care and its impact on overall health. Even fewer patients are aware of the importance of oral care after stroke or hip fracture and …

Bringing Peace To The River: Establishing Support Groups For Survivors Of Loss By Suicide, Allison Emily Mcgauvran

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project is to expand program services within a collaborating agency to establish a virtual support option for survivors of suicide loss in North Dakota and Minnesota, with an aim of reaching survivors in rural areas. Furthermore, a hopeful outcome of this project is bringing attention to the occupational impacts those who have lost a loved one face.

Methods: The Kawa Model was selected as the guiding theoretical framework for this project. A two-tiered literature review was conducted to examine the influence of loss by suicide on occupational engagement in daily life. The review revealed …

Building Life Skills And Reducing Recidivism, Kassandra Severson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: In the United States, about two-thirds of incarcerated women who have been released back into the community after they have served time, are re-arrested (Gordon, 2018). This scholarly project was created to help decrease the recidivism rates amongst the female population. Even though there are still more males incarcerated than females, female prisons population have increased 700% both on the state side and locally (Cowan, 2019). The purpose of developing Putting Together the Puzzle of Life is to illustrate the role of occupational therapy in the treatment of incarcerated individuals to reduce recidivism rates amongst the female population.

Methods: …

Sex, Drugs, & Rockin’ Referrals: An Interprofessional Guide For Young Adults With Cancer, Nicole Cathryn Merchlewicz

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Sex, Drugs, & Rockin’ Referrals: An Interprofessional Guide for Young Adults with Cancer

Introduction According to the National Cancer Institute (2020), about 89,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs) ages 15-39 are diagnosed with cancer each year, accounting for about five percent of all cancer diagnoses in the United States. It is common for AYAs to be diagnosed with pediatric cancers yet receive treatment in a setting that is dedicated either children or older adults. Due to unique developmental milestones that occur during adolescence and young adulthood, the models of care for pediatric or older adult patients do not meet …

A Product To Aid Adolescents In Re-Integration To In-Person Education And Social Activities During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kristin Nicole Thompson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted individuals in several ways. “Home confinement can have negative effects on mental health and lifestyle behaviors including social participation and life satisfaction” (Ammar et al., 2020). Unfortunately, adolescents are more vulnerable than adults in regard to mental health problems during a lockdown because of the transitional life phase they are going through (Waters et al., 2021). Additionally, transitioning back to in-person education and social activities can become difficult for the adolescent population due to the mental health challenges and other various effects brought about by mandated isolation. A needs assessment and comprehensive literature review were …

Enhancing Occupational Performance Outcomes For Individuals With Orthopedic Injuries That Includes Psychosocial Well-Being Considerations In Occupational Therapy, Tyler Stecher

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Approximately one-third of people who sustain any type of acute orthopedic injury experience depression, one-quarter experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and up to one-half have anxiety up to 10 years after the initial injury (Breazeale et al., 2021; Muscatelli et al., 2017). These psychosocial factors can have negative impacts on clients’ everyday life and occupations such as participation in social activities, return to work, and limit independence in daily activities (Vincent et al., 2018). Occupational therapists are often responsible for evaluating and providing intervention for individuals with upper extremity orthopedic injuries; more than 85% of certified hand therapists are occupational …

Yoga As Occupational Therapy Intervention For Individuals With Upper Extremity Injuries, Dina Mu Nickoson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the leading cause of disability in the U. S. representing more than half of the chronic conditions of people over 50 years old (United States Bone and Joint Initiative, 2020), costly financially (Yelin, Weinstein, & King, 2016) and detrimental to the physical and psychosocial well-being of people (Andrawis, 2018). Most occupational therapy practitioners follow pre-set intervention protocols using repetitive rote exercise to treat individuals with upper extremity MSDs (Strohman, 2007). The treatment is not an optimal method because disability caused by upper extremity injuries is greatly associated with depression, catastrophic thinking, and decreased quality of …

Educating The Interprofessional Team And Family About Sensory Challenges Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder May Experience, Delanie Vitosh

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often demonstrate difficulties processing and interpreting sensory input experiencing over-responsiveness or under-responsiveness to sensory stimulation (Autism Speaks, n.d.). A sensory education program was created to educate the interprofessional team and families about sensory challenges children with ASD experience and what strategies can be used to prevent or decrease the number of outbursts caused by over-stimulation, under-stimulation, and their potential impact on participation in meaningful occupations. Based on the literature review, non-compliance with home programs is a major factor negatively affecting therapeutic outcomes (Rone-Adams, Stern, & Walker, 2004). However, Koegel, Bryan, Su, Vaidya, and …

Rural Community Park Accessibility, Ashleymarie Patricia Hirdler

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Rural Community Park Accessibility

Background: Play is a primary occupation for children and is critical for development (Yogman et al., 2018). School readiness and relationships with others can be impacted when opportunity for play is limited. Play also benefits adults by reestablishing their passion for activities and reducing stress responses to everyday events (Yogman et al., 2018). Lynch et al. (2019) found that when playgrounds were not accessible, children and parents with disabilities felt odd and experienced increased stress due to limited opportunities. It is important for children and their families to have access to accessible parks and spaces …

Occupational Therapist’S Role In Addressing The Psychological Impacts Of Pain In Clients With Upper Extremity Conditions, Shivangi Patel

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background & Purpose: The experience of pain is different for every client (Felman, 2020). There are various ways to feel and describe the pain (Felman, 2020). A maladaptive response to pain has been associated with increased pain and physical limitations in clients with upper extremity pain (Verhiel et al., 2019). Upper extremity impairments can result in the disruption of many activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014). Clients with upper extremity pain often resort to maladaptive coping strategies, such as catastrophic thinking (Verhiel et al., 2019). The most common psychological factors related …

Secondary To Post-Secondary Education Transition: A Guide For Self-Advocacy And Self-Determination, Karleen T. Vonkrosigk

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Post-secondary transitions encapsulate the stage of life between high school and adulthood where adolescents transition to college, technical school, work, or other options (Palmon et al., 2017). It is not uncommon for students to lack the skills and strategies needed for self-advocacy and self-determination, which are crucial to success throughout adulthood (Palmon et al., 2017). Upon reviewing current literature, it was identified that supportive transition services begin to diminish after secondary education ends (Kramer, 2015). A product that helps guide and support individuals transitioning to post-secondary education is beneficial and needed.

Methodology: Extensive research was completed through a literature …

Addressing The Recreation And Social Participation Gap In Children With Disabilities: Program Development Of A Recreational Summer Camp, Benjamin Isaac Germolus

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Recreation, social participation, and leisure are important occupations of children, however, children with disabilities participate in them less frequently and more often with parents when compared to their typically developing (TD) peers (Lin, 2020; Schreuer et al., 2014; Solish et al., 2010). Therapeutic summer camps have been shown to reduce these disparities in participation while achieving positive functional gains (Flynn et al., 2019; Guest et al., 2017; Kaboski et al., 2015; Petersen et al., 2020; Sakzewski et al., 2015; Sterman et al., 2016; Walker et al., 2010; Yang et al., 2021). However, few summer camp programs are available for occupational …

Functional Cognition In Long-Term Care: Implementing Allen’S Cognitive Level Screen, Sarah Janean Schumacher

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Functional Cognition in Long-Term Care: Implementing Allen’s Cognitive Level Screen

Purpose: It is motivating to many individuals to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. As we age, there is a shift to balancing needed support while maintaining independence. According to Allen (1991), cognition is the number one factor affecting an individual’s ability to live independently. Within long-term care, specifically assisted living facilities, cognitive screening processes are in place to measure one’s cognition, however, often the tools in place do not measure functional cognition (Stewart, O’Riley, Edelstein, & Gould, 2012). The purpose of this scholarly project …