Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Occupational Therapy Led Data Analysis And Intervention Development For Injury Prevention In Automotive Manufacturing, Bailey N. Thompson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

A capstone project and ALE at Toyota's Georgetown, Kentucky plant focused on hand injury prevention through program analysis.  Work related injuries remain one of the biggest concerns for companies as it results in reduced quality of life for employees and economic burden. Data analysis revealed that new hires were disproportionately affected by hand injuries. This led to three key deliverables. First, a hand risk assessment tool was developed to evaluate injury risk per process, preventing new hires from being assigned to high-risk tasks consecutively while building skills. Second, a hand strengthening program was created to support new hires as they …

Early Intervention: The Importance Of Regulation & Therapy In The Nicu And Early Childhood, Acey Page

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with T.J. Samson Pediatric Rehabilitation Services in Glasgow, Kentucky, with a focus on the ACOTE areas of education and advocacy. The purpose was to promote the importance of early intervention through the development of a website for therapists, healthcare providers, and caregivers. The website serves as a resource to support evidence-based pediatric therapy practices in the outpatient clinic and the NICU at T.J. Samson Community Hospital. Key topics include the effects of pain and stress in infancy, regulation, occupational therapy-based strategies, and advocacy for pediatric therapy services. A literature review highlighted that …

Optimizing Recovery Following Thumb Cmc Arthroplasty, Madison E. Poole

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project was completed at Lexington Clinic Orthopedics Hand Surgery and focused on developing evidence-based educational resources to support occupational therapy practice in hand surgery rehabilitation. The primary project involved creating a comprehensive Home Exercise Program (HEP) and patient education handout for individuals following Thumb Carpometacarpal (CMC) Arthroplasty, along with practitioner-focused educational materials to enhance consistency in postoperative care and patient education. The project was developed through collaboration with an orthopedic hand surgeon and was guided by current literature on hand therapy, splinting, edema management, sensory re-education, and functional recovery. Resources were designed to improve patient understanding of the …

Enhancing Continuity Of Care: The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Cardiac Rehabilitation, Bailey Conley

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project was completed within an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation setting and focused on the ACOTE areas of clinical practice skills, program development, education and advocacy. The purpose of the project was to promote the role of occupational therapy in cardiac rehabilitation while developing resources to support continuity of care following discharge. Project goals included increasing awareness of occupational therapy's role in cardiovascular health, supporting patient self-management, and creating educational resources to facilitate long-term engagement in heart-healthy behaviors and meaningful daily activities. A review of the literature identified cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, while …

I Am God's Masterpiece: Ministry For Adults With Idd, Sydney Wheeler

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

Adults with IDD, or Intellectual and Developmental Delays, face challenges to participate in leisure and social activities within their communities, often due to a lack of programs, facilities, and staff to accommodate them. Non-traditional settings, such as local churches, are rising to meet the need but feel unexperienced and unprepared to serve these individuals. This project was based at a local church in Southeast KY, which recognized its inability to connect with this population in its current state. The project goal was to develop a ministry targeted to adults with IDD, and other disabilities, along with their caregivers through faith-based …

Injury Prevention For Farmers In Rural Areas, Kelsie Johnson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone was completed with Greenup County Farm Bureau in Greenup, Kentucky. Greenup County Farm Bureau advocates for and supports local farmers through education and community outreach. The purpose of this capstone was to reduce the risk of work-related injuries among farmers by providing evidence-based injury prevention education, promoting safer work practices, and increasing awareness of occupational therapy's role in agricultural health. The goals of the Capstone and Applied Leadership Experience were to develop and implement educational workshops, create sustainable educational resources, and collaborate with the practice site to improve community health and safety. A needs assessment, literature review, discussions, …

Where Healing Meets The Horse: Designing An Educational Website For Enabling Equines, Amanda Young

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This Capstone and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) was completed with Enabling Equines, a nonprofit organization providing hippotherapy and therapeutic riding services in rural Eastern Kentucky. The primary ACOTE focus area was Education, with additional emphasis on Advocacy and Clinical Practice. The purpose of this project was to develop a sustainable educational website to increase community awareness, advocate for the role of occupational therapy in equine-assisted interventions and improve access to information about hippotherapy and therapeutic riding. A needs assessment conducted with the site mentor and organizational members identified the lack of an online presence as a significant barrier to community …

Designing Inclusions: Strategies For A School Multi-Sensory Room, Sarah K. Barker

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of the ALE and Capstone Project was to address the predetermined need for a sensory room in Bullitt East High School stated by the ECE Department Chair. My project focused on education, advocacy, and program development by promoting neurodiverse inclusion and increasing awareness of occupational therapy among staff and the community. A needs assessment and SWOT analysis confirmed the value of creating a sensory room and identified an appropriate location within the school. Students will learn to regulate their emotions in a safe and controlled environment, improve focus and regulation, practice self-advocacy skills, further develop motor skills, and …

Mental Health In Inpatient Rehabilitation, Kayla M. Minor

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project was completed at Frazier Neurorehabilitation Institute in Louisville, Kentucky, to address mental health in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. My primary ACOTE focus area was program and project development, with additional emphasis on education and advocacy related to mental health awareness. The purpose of this project was to create an online mental health toolkit that provides occupational therapists with resources to address mental health concerns with patients and caregivers during sessions. The online mental health toolkit consists of 11 main topics containing approximately eight interactive and educational pages in each folder to support therapeutic intervention. The literature …

Caring For Your Child With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Emma H. Overstreet

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project took place in collaboration with UK Pediatric Therapies and UK NEMO Clinic in Lexington, KY. This project focused on the ACOTE areas of Program Development, Education, and Advocacy, with the goal of determining a need for caregivers and children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), and to develop a comprehensive educational resource to fill the gap and meet this need. DMD is a progressive neuromuscular disease that impacts motor function in boys. As the disease progresses, motor function becomes increasingly impacted, resulting in decreased functional independence. A needs assessment, literature review, observation of evaluations and doctors appointments, discussions …

Ot For The Future: Promoting Occupational Therapy Careers Among High School Students, Audrey C. Hale

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Ot Student Engagement Through Universal Design For Learning, L. Addie Asher

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project took place at Eastern Kentucky University in the Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy Department with a primary ACOTE focus area on education. The goal was to address student engagement and accessibility by improving utilization of department resources. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) was the chosen framework to develop this project. UDL empowers learners by removing barriers and providing flexibility in how students engage with content and demonstrate knowledge (CAST, 2021). Universal Design principles were also utilized as this project included both virtual and on-campus components. Project elements were intentionally designed to consider diversity in student skills, preferences, …

Enhancing Parent And Caregiver Education Through Accessible Therapy Resources In A Pediatric Outpatient Setting, Megan E. Huff

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This Capstone and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) was completed in collaboration with Bluegrass Pediatric Therapies, a pediatric outpatient clinic in Winchester, Kentucky. The project addressed ACOTE focus areas of education and advocacy by improving caregiver education to promote treatment carryover and family engagement. A literature review, needs assessment, clinical observations, and interdisciplinary collaboration identified opportunities to strengthen caregiver education. Evidence highlighted the importance of family-centered education and demonstrated that health literacy, educational attainment, and socioeconomic factors influence caregivers' understanding, confidence, and ability to implement therapy recommendations. These findings emphasized the need for accessible, evidence-based educational resources. The primary objective was …

Fall Prevention In An Alf, Kara D. Mckeehan

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My capstone project is an educational program for an assisted living facility (McCready Manor) in Richmond, Kentucky. My primary ACOTE focus area is education about fall prevention utilizing a fall prevention binder and personalized HEPs. Falling is the number one concern of the older adult population that not only affects physical factors but mental, social, and psychological factors hindering the individuals’ overall independence. Therefore, fall prevention education is vital. Within this facility, many residents have risk factors that increase their risk of falling, including unsteadiness on feet, muscle weakness, low vision, and balance deficits. Since there is very little education …

Eku Os/Ot Adult Population Video Library, Abigail E. Coffey

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

Developing clinical reasoning and analytical skills can be challenging when learning is limited to theoretical case studies. Exposure to real-world clients allows occupational therapy students to observe how clinical principles and interventions are applied while adapting to each individual's unique needs. The purpose of this project was to begin developing a video library demonstrating activities of daily living (ADLs) and occupational therapy's role with adults to strengthen students' clinical reasoning and connect classroom instruction with authentic practice experiences. This project also addresses a gap in the literature regarding the use of real-world learning experiences in occupational therapy education.

A survey …

Cns Regulation And Neuroprotection In The Nicu/Picu, Kelly D. Wheatley

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

Infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) experience numerous stressors, including painful medical procedures, excessive sensory stimulation, disrupted sleep, limited positive sensory experiences, and separation from caregivers. These factors can negatively affect central nervous system (CNS) development, self- and co-regulation, neurobehavioral organization, feeding, and long-term occupational performance. Despite growing evidence supporting neuroprotective and developmentally supportive care, accessible educational resources are needed to promote consistent implementation among healthcare providers, volunteers, and families.

The purpose of this capstone project was to increase awareness and application of CNS regulation and neuroprotective care principles within the …

Promoting Workplace Wellness Through Occupational Therapy, Fischer R. Proffitt

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project was completed at London Country Club in London, Kentucky, and focused on the ACOTE areas of Education, Leadership, and Program Development. The purpose was to promote workplace wellness and occupational balance among Pro Shop staff through ergonomic education, injury-prevention strategies, stress-management interventions, and workflow improvements.

A needs assessment was conducted through private staff interviews, a workplace wellness questionnaire, direct observation, and a review of literature related to occupational therapy, ergonomics, and workplace wellness. Findings revealed prolonged standing, repetitive lifting, physical discomfort, moderate-to-high workplace stress, and opportunities to improve ergonomics, workflow efficiency, and employee wellness supports. These …

Empowering Teachers Through Knowledge, Resources, And Strategies For Sensory Regulation And Handwriting Success, Natalie A. Ossege

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My doctoral capstone project was completed at Woodfill Elementary School within Fort Thomas Independent Schools under the ACOTE focus areas of education and program development. The purpose was to develop educational resources that increased elementary educators' understanding of occupational therapy concepts related to handwriting development and sensory regulation while supporting student participation, engagement, and academic success.

A needs assessment identified teachers' desire for greater knowledge of occupational therapy services and practical classroom strategies for handwriting and sensory regulation. Limited access to occupational therapy consultation, due to one occupational therapist serving the entire district, further emphasized the need for sustainable educator …

Improving Access To Therapeutic Knowledge: Caregiver Education For Children With Cerebral Palsy In Vietnam, Hallei N. Bittlinger

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My doctoral capstone was completed at Hope Therapy Center (HTC), located in Da Nang, Vietnam through a virtual applied leadership experience. The primary ACOTE focus area for my capstone project included education and leadership. The primary goal of this capstone includes sustainably improving the knowledge and skills required for intervention planning for children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Related goals include, developing training resources for HTC staff to review to understand CP and the effect it has on occupational performance, as well as providing virtual consultations for the current client caseload to enhance current practices and provide evidence-based interventions into the …

From Bump To Baby: A New Parent Role Preparation Webinar, Emma K. Ward

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this Capstone project is to alleviate some of the stress and fear associated with the transition to parenthood through the development of a parental role preparation webinar that educates new and expecting parents on how to effectively care for and support the development of their child. The primary area of focus for the project is Education, and the project site is the Haven Care Center in Danville, Kentucky. A SWOT analysis and discussions with Haven Care staff indicated a need for educational materials that focus on caregiver skill development, understanding and responding to infant cues, infant developmental …