Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Thriving Through Occupation: Enhancing Occupational Participation For Cancer Survivors, Leslie B. Martinez

OT Doctoral Capstones

Cancer survivors often experience decreased participation in meaningful occupations, along with physical, mental, emotional, and financial challenges (Newman et al., 2024). This capstone project developed an educational series to promote engagement in meaningful occupations and provide strategies to combat the negative physical and mental effects of cancer and treatment. Four classes covering various health topics, including cancer-related fatigue, cognitive impairment, mental health, and nutrition, were implemented for cancer survivors at the Rio Grande Cancer Foundation. The classes included an educational portion in which participants were introduced to each topic, followed by interactive learning activities designed to promote the application and …

Promoting Social Participation In Pediatric Behavioral Health, Desirae Gomez

OT Doctoral Capstones

Children receiving behavioral health services may experience challenges with social participation, including difficulty communicating, forming friendships, and engaging with peers. A needs assessment identified a need for more opportunities to develop social skills and support emotional well-being within an outpatient behavioral health setting. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop and implement an occupational therapy-driven social participation program that promoted social engagement, coping skills, emotional expression, and interpersonal skills among children receiving behavioral health services. Weekly group workshops were implemented using evidence-informed, occupation-based activities, such as art and emotional expression, social stories, board games, and collaborative activities. Pre- …

Navigating Child Development: A Toolkit For Bridging Knowledge And Strengthening Caregiver Confidence, Kristen Sarai Martinez

OT Doctoral Capstones

Children involved in the child welfare system are at increased risk for trauma, prenatal substance exposure (PSE), adverse childhood experiences, and developmental challenges that may affect participation and well-being. A needs assessment conducted at CASA of El Paso identified a need for practical resources to strengthen advocates’ knowledge and confidence related to child development, trauma-informed care, PSE, play-based strategies, and communication with caregivers. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop and implement an evidence-based occupational therapy toolkit and educational workshop to increase CASA advocates’ knowledge, confidence, and skills in supporting children and families. The project included a …

Playing In The Zones: Enhancing Executive Function And Self-Regulation Through Play-Based Interventions, Armando Martinez

OT Doctoral Capstones

Executive function (EF) and self-regulation (SR) are essential skills that support children’s participation in school, play, and everyday occupations. Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and developmental delays may experience difficulties with working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and emotional regulation. A need was identified for a structured, evidence-informed therapy resource addressing EF and SR within pediatric practice. The purpose of the project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a group program integrating the Zones of Regulation to support EF and SR in children. The program was implemented at an outpatient pediatric clinic with children ages 6-11 …

Reimagining Occupational Justice Beyond Anthropocentrism: A Humane Education Approach To Occupational Therapy Education, Macy Sutton

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Occupational therapy positions itself as a holistic, justice-oriented profession, yet many of its theories, practices, and educational standards reflect Eurocentric values and assumptions. Even occupational justice, the disciplinary concept specifically concerned with advancing a more just world, is steeped in coloniality. Critical scholars have increasingly critiqued particular oppressive structures embedded in the field, such as ableism and white supremacy; however, anthropocentrism remains largely unchallenged. In the occupational justice literature, anthropocentrism operates primarily through omission; that is, animals are absent from most scholarly works. This gap is significant because anthropocentrism contributes to prejudice, oppression, and discrimination not only toward animals and …

Driving Monitoring Of People With Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementia Using Global Positioning System Technology, Julia A. Ferris

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Occupational Resilience (Part 1): Origins And Significance To Health And Well-Being, Bernard A. Muriithi, Jyothi Gupta

Occupational Therapy Faculty Scholarship

Occupational resilience (OR) is a novel concept emerging in occupational therapy and occupational science, with significant implications for the field. However, its definition is still evolving and needs clarity and consensus. In this article, we offer a definition inspired by the real-life experiences of refugee immigrants who have been resettled in the United States of America (USA). We define OR as the ability to persist in an occupation, where the duration and intensity of engagement are the essential contributors. Therefore, we propose that three elements, occupation, intensity, and duration, constitute the nature of OR and shape how occupation impacts health, …

Occupational Resilience (Part 2): Toward A Cross-Culturally Relevant Measure Of A Novel Construct, Bernard A. Muriithi, Milan Bimali

Occupational Therapy Faculty Scholarship

Occupational resilience (OR) refers to an individual’s ability to persist in performing an occupation, with the duration and intensity of engagement determining resilience for each occupation. It is a key determinant of both the manner and the extent to which occupations influence health; therefore, it is a promising construct with several potential applications. There are currently no validated OR measures; which problematizes its application. Three considerations were made in designing the Occupational Resilience Measure (ORM 1.0) and evaluating its potential as a cross-culturally relevant measure of OR: 1) the findings of a published study of lived experiences of refugees from …

Precision Education In Health Sciences Education: A Call-To-Action For Developing An Interprofessional Strategy, Arvie Vitente, Jennifer Bosworth, Robert Sweet, Rebecca Cozzi, Christopher Galloway, Piotr Szczurek, Melanie Obispo-Young, Eron Bozec, Erica Brkovic, Tina Bobo, Jennifer Lubinski

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. Growing learner diversity, expanding biomedical knowledge, and rapid clinical digitization have exposed the limits of on-size-fits-all health sciences training. Competency-Based Education (CBE) has sharpened the focus on outcomes, yet many programs still move learners through fixed sequences, infrequent assessments, and retrospective remediation. Precision Education (PE) offers a complementary, data-enabled approach that uses learning analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and continuous feedback loops. Embedded within CBE, PE converts competencies from static milestones into dynamic trajectories that can be measured, visualized, and adjusted in real time across the curriculum. This abstract highlights the need for an interprofessional strategy to design, fund, and …

Feasibility And Function Of A Tilt-In-Space Wheelchair Insert For Low Resource Settings (Development Of The Open Tilt Base), Luke Mcauley, Karen Menard

Student Capstone Papers

The ability to move and be mobile is a basic part of human function. For those without the muscle control and/or strength to attain and maintain the posture necessary for basic movement and mobility a device is necessary to support them and provide them with the highest level of independence possible. This type of device comes at a significant cost and need for highly customizable products which are difficult to obtain in most situations, but especially in Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC). The product discussed in this paper is designed to provide a cost effective solution for those in need of a …

From Evidence To Action: A Rapid Review To Support Acute Care Ot Guidelines For Heart Failure Self-Care, Alan K. Cook, Ms, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Heart failure (HF) significantly affects individuals’ ability to perform daily activities and sustain quality of life, with disproportionate impact on older adults and marginalized populations due to structural inequities embedded in Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). Although self-care is central to HF management, occupational therapy (OT) remains underrepresented in acute care HF intervention research and clinical guidelines. This doctoral capstone project conducted a rapid review, following Cochrane Rapid Review methodology, to inform the development of preliminary Acute Care Occupational Therapy Clinical Practice Guidelines for Heart Failure Self-Care and Health Management. A comprehensive search of MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, and Scopus, developed …

A Mixed Methods Exploration Of Autistic Adults' Leisure Experiences, Sevia Raelson, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Introduction: Across ages and populations, leisure participation is essential to humans and associated with improved well-being, and both mental and physical health (Bishop-Fitzpatrick et al., 2017; Coster & Khetani, 2008; Lapa, 2013). The American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA] formally defines leisure as intrinsically motivating, non-obligatory, self-chosen, and enjoyable activities done in one’s free time (AOTA, 2020). Leisure participation trends for autistic populations are better understood in pediatric populations than adults, but studies rely on neurotypically defined leisure activities. Given the differences between neurotypical and neurodivergent brains, it is likely that leisure activities are experienced differently by autistic adults; thus, …

Assistive Technology Transitions From School To Adult Life For Students With Intellectual Disability: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Madeleine Clements, Ms, Otr/L, Atp

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Introduction
In the United States, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates that schools consider assistive technology (AT) during transition planning for students with intellectual disability (ID) as they move from school to adult life (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004). AT can improve outcomes for adults with ID across multiple areas, including vocational, daily living, and communication (Johnson et al., 2023; Morash-Macneil et al., 2018). However, AT is often underutilized by adults with ID (Boot et al., 2017; Alshamrani et al., 2025). The Quality Indicators Assistive Technology (QIAT)-Transition framework provides best practice guidelines, in the form of six quality …

Exploring Outcomes For Patients With Spinal Cord Injuries Participating In A Day Treatment Program, Christina Kane, Alexa Chappell, Kristen Frack, Sarah Salluom, Brittany Meurs

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Purpose: This study explored program outcomes of the Brooks Spinal Cord Injury & Related Disorders Day Treatment Program in Jacksonville, Florida. By examining secondary data, using both the Self-Reported Functional Measure (SRFM) and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure–III (SCIM-III), researchers determined the change between admission and discharge scores in both patient- and therapist-reported outcomes of self-care skills. This study also studied if a correlation existed between the SRFM (patient-reported) and SCIM-III (therapist-reported) outcomes.

Participants: Data from 49 participant records were collected in 2022-2023, with 42 participants data qualifying for this study.

Methods: Using secondary de-identified data, statistical analyses were conducted …

Occupational Participation Among Children With Neurodivergent And Related Conditions: A Mixed Methods Study, Shirish Lala, Darian Amacker, Anne Martens, Alexa Rodefeld, Danielle Toth, Elyssa Wider

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Background: This study explored occupational engagement of children with neurodivergent and related conditions in home, school, and community settings. Children aged 6 to 16 years and their caregivers were recruited to investigate how occupational engagement differs across contexts.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach assessed quantitative data from 51 participants using a modified version of the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation. Qualitative data were collected from 6 semi-structured interviews. The Model of Human Occupation and its components of volition, habituation, and performance capacity, including environmental factors, informed the research process and methodology. Engagement among children with neurodivergent diagnoses is shaped by …

Sexuality And Sexual Activity Of Adults 21 To 35 Years With High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mariana D'Amico, Aisha N. Maldonado, Gina Fuentes, Andrea Meston

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Purpose

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) report having less sexual experience and engaging in fewer social-sexual behaviors when compared to those without ASD. The purpose of this study is to discover how the quality of sexual education has impacted individuals with high-functioning ASD (HFASD) engagement in sexual activity.

Methods

This qualitative phenomenological study used semi-structured interview questions based on the purpose of the study and identified research questions. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants.

Results

Findings indicated that female adults with HFASD received inconsistent and incomplete sexual education impacting their sexual experiences, safety, and quality of life. All …

Initial Validation Of The Scale Of Occupational Disruption, Ricardo Carrasco, Abigail S. Aquino, Genesis Avalos-Medina, Desiree Thomas, Samira Osman

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Background

Occupations are meaningful activities that humans perform in daily
life. Individuals may experience a disruption in their occupations because of a life-
altering event. Currently, there are no instruments that measure the severity of
occupational disruption. Retrospective and current data were collected to
standardize and establish the reliability of the Scale of Occupational Disruption.

Methods

Social media flyer responses and retrospective data provided data for
232 participants who completed the scale through REDCap. Only 189 participants
qualified for inclusion due to incomplete responses.

Results

A Cronbach’s alpha revealed acceptable internal consistency reliability (a=0.87), meaning that items
measure the same …

Impact Of Interprofessional Collaboration On Nurses And Occupational Therapists In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Beverly Murphy, Marissa Casamento, Abigail Fleming, Anna Gomolski, Camryn Labrador

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Purpose

This study explores the impact of interprofessional collaboration (IPC) between nurses and occupational therapists (OTs) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It investigates the process of collaboration and stakeholder perceptions of interprofessional teamwork. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of IPC in the NICU setting, specifically between nurses and OTs, and to identify barriers that might hinder optimal collaboration.

Methods

A single survey instrument was distributed via social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn) and completed by 47 participants (21 Nurses, 26 Occupational therapists). The survey, created using REDCap, included scaled items …

Perspectives Of Occupational Therapy-Led Caregiver Education On The Quality Of Life Of Caregivers Of Stroke Survivors, Yu Hsiang Liang-Paultre, Stefani Costanzo, Alaunte Major, Krisyadlee Mercado Lugo, Olivia Schrader

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Purpose

Occupational therapy plays a vital role in equipping caregivers with the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals recovering from a cerebrovascular accident. Caregiver training provided by occupational therapy practitioners helps families manage post-stroke care and reduce the risk of secondary complications. This study explored caregivers’ perspectives on occupational therapy-led education, focusing on the type, quality, and perceived effectiveness of training before discharge.

Methods

Originally designed as a mixed-methods study, the research was modified to a qualitative design after hurricanes affected recruitment. Using a phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with caregivers of individuals who had a cerebrovascular accident …

Stress Management And Working Mothers, Mariana D'Amico, Ashley Ndip

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Abstract

Purpose: Explore evidence-based interventions to manage stress for working mothers.

Method: A scoping review was undertaken to explore and synthesize the evidence supporting occupational therapy interventions for working mothers. Select keywords were used individually and combined in EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Scopus, CINHAL, Cochrane Library Systematic Reviews, PsycINFO, PubMed, PEDro.

Results: After reviewing the 14 identified articles, eight were removed for not meeting criteria, leaving six for synthesis. Four articles were at Level IV evidence, and two articles were qualitative. Social support extended family and mindfulness training were found to be helpful as reported by working mothers.

Conclusion: There …