Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Mealtime Mastery: A Quality Improvement Project For Pediatric Feeding Therapy, Jada D. Cunningham

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Among the pediatric population, feeding problems are common. Feeding challenges can be addressed by several professions including occupational therapists. The purpose of this capstone is to conduct a quality improvement project of feeding evaluation forms while also gaining clinical practice skills at Piller Child Development in Phoenix, Arizona. A needs assessment determined the feeding evaluation form, feeding parent questionnaire, and feeding report template would benefit from being updated. A thorough literature review was completed to analyze current feeding assessments being used across multiple fields of healthcare. To determine the validity of the feeding evaluation, interviews were conducted with practitioners employed …

Implementing An Art-Based Occupational Therapy Program To Enhance Mental Health And Well-Being For Domestic Violence Survivors, Kameron A. Sievert

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Domestic violence significantly impacts the mental health and well-being of survivors and their children, often leading to disruptions in engagement and performance of occupations. This capstone project aimed to address these challenges by developing a therapeutic craft-based occupational therapy program at a domestic violence shelter. The program was guided by the following theories: Person-Environment-Occupation Model, Recovery Framework, and Trauma-Informed Care Distinct to Occupational Therapy. Current literature and a needs assessment at the site revealed gaps in therapeutic programming and child-related resources. Adult-specific and family-oriented program sessions were designed to facilitate opportunities for self-expression and building coping skills, with modifications made …

Occupational Therapy Intervention Program Addressing Mental Health For Student Athletes Navigating Transition And Recovery, Taylor K. Pfrommer

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This capstone project aimed to develop and evaluate an occupation-based mental health program for student-athletes navigating the transitions in and out of sports. Guided by the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), Occupational Adaptation (OA), and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), intervention sessions contained six one-on-one sessions focused on identity reformation, building adaptive responses, and restructuring a meaningful routine. A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate outcomes from two participants using the Brief-COPE, Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS), Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), satisfaction surveys, and thematic analysis of qualitative feedback. Results indicated growth in self-awareness and emotional expression for both participants. Participant …

Advancing Postpartum Mental Health Services At White River Health, Hannah Crowl

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This doctoral capstone project focused on addressing gaps in postpartum mental health care by developing two complementary resources: a comprehensive mental health assessment tool (Maternal Occupational Mental Health Assessment - MOMHA) and an educational manual, both grounded in CBT principles and framed within the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 4th edition (OTPF-4).

Structured Physical Activity In A Preschool, Rachel Heard

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The Doctoral Capstone Project consists of creating program resources to implement structured physical activity in a preschool setting. The resources consist of a program manual and Pre-K activity toolkit. Each activity offers age-appropriate physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development, promoting the child’s overall growth. Each deliverable incorporates the Occupational Adaptation Theory by providing modifications in order to allow each child to reach relative mastery based on their abilities.

Tackling Concussions: Occupational Therapy’S Role In Concussion Care, Skylar Campbell Wilkins

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Project is to identify and advocate for occupational therapy’s role in concussion care and support its inclusion in multidisciplinary treatment. This was achieved through collaboration with other professionals, evidence-based research, identifying the needs of teenage athletes during recovery, and demonstrating OT’s value in concussion management.

Wildly Inclusive: A Sensory Inclusive Initiative At The Memphis Zoo, Brianna Jernigan

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of this doctoral capstone project is to address the need by applying occupational therapy principles to advance sensory inclusivity at the Memphis Zoo. Through the Wildly Inclusive program, efforts were created to foster a more supportive environment, encouraging meaningful participation and improving the quality of life for individuals with sensory processing differences.

Enhancing Accessibility Awareness In Arkansas State Parks, Kathryn Jones

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The project caption focuses on conducting in-depth environmental assessments of natural and man-made structures within all Arkansas State Parks to identify potential areas of success or barrier for individuals with disabilities interested in visiting the state parks.

Occupation-Based Hand Therapy Protocols Program, Logan Gilbertson

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The Doctoral Capstone Project consists of creating an Occupation-based Hand Therapy Program that consists of site - specific common upper extremity injury descriptions, surgeon biomechanical protocols, benefits of the types of treatments and modalities, and occupation-based home exercise programs. The program will help therapists provide occupation-based treatments and home exercise programs to improve their clients’ occupational outcomes while also meeting the surgeon’s biomechanical outcomes.

Reaching For More: Advancing Holistic Ot In An Outpatient Therapy Facility, Libby Hembrey

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Project was to explore and enhance the integration of occupation-based interventions (OBIs) in outpatient therapy for individuals recovering from upper extremity injuries. The project aimed to promote more client-centered, meaningful therapy sessions that align with the values and goals of the profession.

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Farm-Based Therapy, Casey Mcnair

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Farm-based therapy can be a beneficial intervention for occupational therapists to utilize in practice, promoting client outcomes. Skills can be further developed within the pediatric population through occupations such as social participation, education, play, and leisure, utilizing farm-based therapy.

Restoring Connection: Promoting Social Participation & Mental Wellness In A Rural Assisted Living Facility, Madison Rogo

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The Doctoral Capstone Project highlights the important role of occupational therapy in addressing emotional well-being and promoting occupational justice within rural assisted living facilities.

Fostering Holistic Practice In The Outpatient Setting With Upper Extremity Impairment, Montanna Tapper

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the doctoral capstone project is to develop a program that improves psychosocial challenges faced by clients with upper extremity injuries or conditions. The program is designed to be implemented by occupational therapists in the outpatient setting and aims to increase holistic practice with this population by broadening focus past the physical impairment by addressing psychosocial factors.

Bridge & Bloom: Empowering Adults With Intellectual Disabilities Through Activities Day Camp, Peyton Summers

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The Doctoral Capstone Project consist of developing a six-week day camp, available one day a week, for adults with intellectual disabilities residing in local group homes, ICFs, and family homes. Through the development of Bridge & Bloom Summer Day Camp, participants were provided the opportunity to engage in enriching and meaningful activities, showcasing various avenues of hobbies, leisure activities, and leadership, vocational, and social-emotional skills. The goal of this Doctoral Capstone Project was to empower every participant through engaging, hands-on experiences that celebrate individual differences and help foster a sense of purpose.

Occupational Therapy For Older Adults Grieving Non-Death Loss, Zoe Sloas

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

An occupation-based grief support group was developed through literature review, enhancing therapeutic skills, and inter and intra professional collaboration through employing grief-specific occupational therapy interventions with the older adult population.

Home-Based Stroke Rehabilitation: Virtual Reality For The Elderly?, Joseph C. Moschella, Liam H. Kerrick

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Stroke remains the leading cause of long-term disability, especially within the elderly population. Nearly 50 percent of stroke survivors never achieve full independence post-stroke. This literature review examines the capability of virtual reality (VR), as home-based continuation of stroke rehabilitation for elderly patients. VR has the potential to improve motor recovery, increase independence, and reduce healthcare costs for stroke survivors. A comprehensive literature review has been conducted following the PRISMA guidelines to evaluate VR therapy compared to conventional post-stroke therapy. VR rehabilitation demonstrated improvements in motor ability, however it did not demonstrate significantly superior improvements when compared to conventional therapy. …

Quality Of Affected Upper Extremity Use During A Ride-On Toy-Based Training Program In Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study, Megan Carlmark

Honors Scholar Theses

Unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) is a subtype of cerebral palsy that impacts movement and coordination on one side of the body. This condition often leads to reduced use of the affected upper extremity in daily tasks. This pilot study explored the feasibility and potential of a joystick-operated ride-on-toy training program as an engaging home-based and play-based intervention to promote affected upper extremity use in children with UCP. Five children from a larger sample of 15 children with a diagnosis of UCP between the ages of 3 and 8 years old were used as data for this thesis. This study included …

Fieldwork Remediation Program: Enhancing The Professional Competency Of P3 Otd Students, Megan Ellison

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project addresses a critical gap between classroom learning and clinical readiness in Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students preparing for Level II Fieldwork (FW). While clinical reasoning and knowledge-based skills are emphasized in training, professional behaviors—such as ethical communication, conflict resolution, and clinical interaction—are often underdeveloped yet essential to success in practice. These "gray-area" skills are typically learned through experience and are difficult to teach directly.

The project, designed for the Eastern Kentucky University OTD Program, aimed to improve student readiness and success in fieldwork through a virtual remediation module focused on self-reflection, professional identity, and effective communication …

Occupational Therapy Fellowship Curriculum Design: A Framework And Curriculum Mapping, Sydney Mitchell

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Innovations in OT Symposium: Transforming Possibilities into Practice

Objective. There is little published research on occupational therapy (OT) fellowships and varying levels of understanding around fellowships. The purposes of this IRB-exempt capstone were to identify stakeholder perception of OT fellowships, create a neurologic OT fellowship to bridge the gap in access to this training in the Southeast, and apply a conceptual framework during development. Methods. Anonymous surveys and semi-structured interviews were used to identify stakeholder needs for the curriculum. Methods focused on curriculum outline, development of one educational lesson, and incorporating formative and summative assessments. Five volunteers rated the module on usability and overall experience. The curriculum was …

Identifying Predictors Of Student Success During Occupational Therapy Level Ii Fieldwork, Melissa R. Foster

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The training paradigm for new occupational therapy (OT) practitioners includes both didactic classroom learning and clinical fieldwork experiences in order for them to establish clinical competency. However, many students struggle with the theory-to-practice gap of translating classroom knowledge to clinical experiences. When students struggle in this manner, it causes stress for all stakeholders involved, including the fieldwork educator, clinic managers, OT program faculty, as well as the student.

This study aims to avoid this stress by identifying predictors of student success by analyzing data from recent graduates of the University of Arkansas/University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences OT program through …