Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Non-Pharmacological Interventions Impacting Quality Of Sleep, Stephanie Grome

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone/ALE project was a quality improvement project completed at E.C. Shaw Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. The primary ACOTE focus area was health promotion and wellness, emphasizing the role of occupational therapy in improving sleep as an essential occupation that supports overall health, productivity, and quality of life. The goal was to determine participants’ current sleep satisfaction and determine what, if any, non-pharmacological interventions impact sleep quality among adults working full time jobs.

The literature review identified the importance of quality sleep and explored several pharmacological interventions and interventions specific for conditions.However, minimal evidence exists examining non-pharmacological factors for …

Play For All: An All-Inclusive Playground For Manchester, Ky, Tiheya Marcum

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My Doctoral Capstone and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) focused on designing an evidence-based, all-inclusive playground for Rawlings and Stinson Park in Manchester, Kentucky. Guided by the ACOTE focus areas of advocacy, education, and program development, the project aimed to improve equitable access to meaningful play for children of all abilities while promoting occupational justice within a rural community. A comprehensive needs assessment and SWOT analysis identified strengths, barriers, and opportunities related to inclusive recreation. Findings highlighted community support for park improvements, occupational therapy's emphasis on occupational justice, limited knowledge of inclusive playground design, and financial and infrastructure challenges. These results …

Workplace Wellness: Ergonomics And Injury Prevention, Makenzie Vorbeck

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This Capstone project, Workplace Wellness: Ergonomics and Injury Prevention, was completed in a local retail jewelry store as part of an Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) with a primary focus of health promotion and wellness as outlined by ACOTE Standards. This project aimed to address the high risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) among jewelers and sales staff due to prolonged static postures, repetitive hand movements, and improper workstation set-ups.

The primary goals of my project were to 1) improve participant knowledge of ergonomic principles and injury prevention strategies, 2) enhance knowledge of proper body mechanics and workstation set-up, and 3) …

Ot At Work: Engineering Better Bodies For Better Manufacturing, Gracie Johnson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project was completed at Manchester Tank, a manufacturing facility, and focused on the ACOTE areas of Education and Program Development. The Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) aimed to reduce workplace ergonomic risks, promote musculoskeletal injury prevention, and increase awareness of occupational therapy's role in manufacturing. A needs assessment including an employee pre-survey, workplace observations, employee feedback, and a review of current literature identified opportunities to improve ergonomic practices and employee knowledge related to work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) prevention.

In response, ergonomic evaluations were conducted within the facility, and evidence-based recommendations were developed to improve workstations and job tasks. …

Increasing Older Adult's Participation/Engagement In Their Meaningful Iadls In Long-Term Care Facilities, Allison L. Hedges

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My doctoral capstone and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) were completed at Telford Terrace, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Richmond, Kentucky. My capstone focused on education and program analysis, with the goal of increasing participation in meaningful instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) among older adults, particularly those with memory-related diagnoses. This was accomplished by educating staff on activity adaptations and environmental modifications while incorporating resident feedback into activity planning.

Following a needs assessment, literature review, and stakeholder interviews, I identified barriers to participation, including limited staffing, varying resident interests, and differences in physical and cognitive abilities. To …

Eku Os/Ot Pediatric Population Video Library, Heaven L. Taylor

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this Doctor of Occupational Therapy capstone project was to develop the EKU Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Pediatric Population Video Library, an educational resource designed to enhance occupational therapy education through in class video instruction. Completed virtually in collaboration with site mentor Dr. Leslie Hardman, OTD, OTR/L, the project addressed the limited opportunities students often have to observe authentic pediatric occupational therapy sessions before entering clinical practice.

Research supports the use of video-based learning as an effective educational strategy for improving students clinical reasoning, and understanding by providing exposure to real-world occupational therapy practice. In response to …

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

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

As a student in the classroom setting, it can become very difficult to expand clinical reasoning and analytic skills using theoretical scenarios and clients. Real-world individuals/clients allow the student to see how certain principles, frameworks, or techniques are truly applicable and how to adapt to each scenario as is often in occupational therapy. The purpose of this project is to increase analysis skills in future occupational therapy practitioners by beginning to create a video library about activities of daily living and OT's role or lack of thereof in adults. Goals included expanding access to real-world learning opportunities to connect classroom …

Build Wellness: A Life Learning Series, Sydny B. Terry

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My capstone project was completed with Build Inclusion, a non-profit based in Lexington, to develop the Build Wellness series. This series focused on program development and community-based practice for teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The primary ACOTE focus areas addressed through this project included program development, advocacy, education, and leadership.

The goal of Build Wellness: A Life Learning Series was to educate, empower, and encourage teens and young adults with IDD to confidently navigate adulthood and participate more independently in their communities. Specific goals included increasing knowledge of life skills topics, promoting confidence and self-efficacy, …

Developing A Developmentally Appropriate Fine Motor Curriculum For Pre-K Sunday School, Allison E. Casey

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Capstone project was completed in a Sunday school program serving preschool-aged children. The purpose of the project was to develop a year-long craft curriculum that promotes fine motor skill development through engaging, developmentally appropriate activities while providing volunteers with easy-to-use resources that integrate with weekly Bible lessons.

A needs assessment, classroom observations, discussions with church leaders and volunteers, and a review of current literature identified limited opportunities for fine motor skill practice within the Sunday school program. In response, a curriculum was developed consisting of four crafts per month, each including supply lists, step-by-step …

Bringing Awareness And Education To Rural Areas About The Role Occupational Therapy (Ot) Has In Infant Care, Makenzi Richwald

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project focused on education and advocacy. The aim of my capstone project was to provide education to parents of eastern Kentucky (KY) about what Occupational Therapy (OT) can address with infants aged 0-18 months. I saw a gap in knowledge in the eastern KY community about what OT could do for infants and wanted to address this. Through my research, consultation with my mentors, and collaboration with the occupational therapists at my site (BPT) I discerned 14 areas of development and/or common reasons of needed referral for OT services by this age group. These educational materials aimed to …

Improving Feeding Outcomes: Occupation-Based Feeding Interventions From Nicu To Outpatient Pediatrics, Bailey Ciardelli

OTD Capstones

A researcher from an entry-level doctorate program examined gaps in feeding and sensory-based care for premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and outpatient pediatric feeding setting. The Improving Feeding Outcomes project aimed to improve feeding readiness, sensory regulation, and caregiver confidence through the development of occupation-based, family-centered interventions. This report evaluates the implementation of evidence-based resources, including caregiver education handouts, a NICU staff training presentation, a caregiver tummy time group, and a standardized infant feeding assessment tool integrated into outpatient pediatric therapy practice. These interventions were designed to address gaps in OT-led infant feeding and sensory care, …

Bridging Clinic To Home: The Development Of A Caregiver Education Program To Support Home Carryover Of Feeding Interventions, Rachel Adams

OTD Capstones

Abstract

Objective Caregivers of children with pediatric feeding disorders or difficulties face stressful emotions within the context of feeding. There is an identified gap in pediatric outpatient occupational therapy and the educational resources they provide to caregivers related to feeding. To address this, the capstone project aimed to develop and integrate an evidence-based caregiver education program into the capstone site’s feeding therapy model to make a more well-rounded and all-inclusive feeding therapy program. Methods Two caregiver surveys were sent out along with a staff survey to identify the needs of the site and the caregivers of the clients and to …

Empowering Women Through Surf Therapy: A Trauma-Informed Facilitation Toolkit, Ashlie Steppe

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Women who have experienced trauma often face challenges with emotional regulation, sense of safety and daily functioning. Additionally, one in three women experience trauma throughout their lifetime and this can lead to difficulty with connection, body awareness, and engagement in meaningful activities. A local non-profit surf therapy organization was established to provide women with a supportive community and meaningful, nature-based activity to promote healing and connection. The purpose of this quality improvement capstone experience was to address and develop a sustainable trauma-informed wellness toolkit to support facilitators in delivering structured wellness activities within the program. The toolkit specifically addressed key …

A World Of Connection: Asd, Morgan M. Gayton

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a diagnosis that affects many school-aged children (CDC, 2025). Autistic children can have more difficulties engaging with both their peers and their families, which can lead to a lack of social participation. A World of Connection: ASD was a doctoral capstone project centering on social participation for autistic youth. The project blended the capstone student’s expanded knowledge in performing arts with their education in Occupational Therapy to create a 4-part capstone experience. A scoping review targeting the question “what are the most effective performing arts methods to enhance the social participation of autistic children” yielded 9 …

Little Minds, Big Emotions, Marissa Fattorusso

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Little Minds, Big Emotions is a doctoral capstone project designed to support the development of emotional regulation skills in preschool-aged children through the areas of program development, education, and clinical skills development. Emotional regulation is an essential component of children' s participation, social interactions, and overall well-being, yet many young children experience difficulties identifying emotions and using effective calming strategies. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop and implement a developmentally appropriate, play-based emotional regulation curriculum for preschool children while also providing educational resources for caregivers. This program was implemented three days a week for 14 weeks at …

The Hidden Process Of Student Placements: Perspectives From Slp, Ot, And Pt Coordinators, Almara Jane Sidney Hutchinson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This comparative multi-case study examined the unseen processes behind clinical placement planning in allied health education. Clinical placements are essential to preparing students in speech-language pathology (SLP), occupational therapy (OT), and physical therapy (PT); however, little research has explored how Directors and Coordinators of Clinical Education (DCE/CCEs) navigate the complex decision-making involved in planning these experiences. Guided by Greco and Myers’ (2024) framework conceptualizing placement planning as an interaction between process and experience, this study explored how coordinators described their planning processes and the role of student-centeredness within them.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 DCEs/CCEs representing SLP, OT, and …

First Steps: Supporting Infant Development And Family Bonding, Katana M. Evans

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

First Steps: Supporting Infant Development and Family Bonding is a capstone project that was developed to bring awareness to the importance of development within the first few months of life, as well as exploring occupational therapy’s role with this population. The project focused on areas of program development, education, and clinical skill development, which were all developed following the completion of a scoping review. Educational materials, including a video library, were created for families to continue to access materials following the completion of the experience. These videos covered topics including safe sleep, milestones, tummy time, and more. Additionally, two sessions …

Rheumatic Resilience: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Shannon N. O'Donnell

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Rheumatic conditions affect nearly one in four adults in the United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.) and are characterized by chronic, often progressive symptoms, requiring long-term self-management. Despite this need, accessible and non-pharmacological resources remain limited. The capstone project, Rheumatic Resilience: An Occupational Therapy Approach, was developed to address this gap by promoting sustainable symptom management strategies through programming and education, while increasing awareness of occupational therapy (OT)’s role in chronic pain management. This project focused on areas of program development, education, clinical practice, and advocacy. A 10-week, in-person program based on Lifestyle Redesign principles was …

Holistic Healing Through Horses: An Evaluation Of Interdisciplinary Collaboration In Equine-Assisted Services And Associated Pilot Program, Catherine M. Balestrini, Kathleen Hughes-Butcher

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Holistic Healing through Horses: An Evaluation of Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Equine-Assisted Services and Associated Pilot Program was an occupational therapy doctoral capstone project conducted through Misericordia University. This project involved the implementation of equine-assisted services to improve occupational capabilities of physically disabled community-dwelling adults and research related to interdisciplinary collaboration in the equine-assisted service industry. The education component of this capstone disseminated information regarding safe techniques and procedures for volunteers involved in the Holistic Healing through Horses program. The program component of Holistic Healing through Horses involved 12 weekly sessions designed to target goal areas of the respective participants. Progress …

Let's Go Play: Creating Adaptive Play Opportunities For Children, Haleigh J. Merriman

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Children experiencing chronic conditions or life-threatening diseases are at a significantly greater risk of having poor mental health, with symptoms including anxiety, depression, aggression, physical impairment, and problems with academics and socialization (Nijhof et al., 2018). The Let’s Go Play project focuses on program development and education to provide children with disabilities opportunities to play. Play is an important occupation that children engage in. Play is a way that children learn new things, including developing resiliency, overcoming challenges, cooperating, and negotiating with others in a social sense. This program includes weekly video modules on hospital play and switch-adapted toys. This …