Occupation-Based Hand Therapy Protocols Program,
2025
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
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.
Bridge & Bloom: Empowering Adults With Intellectual Disabilities Through Activities Day Camp,
2025
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
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.
Tackling Concussions: Occupational Therapy’S Role In Concussion Care,
2025
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
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.
Restoring Connection: Promoting Social Participation & Mental Wellness In A Rural Assisted Living Facility,
2025
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
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.
Reaching For More: Advancing Holistic Ot In An Outpatient Therapy Facility,
2025
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
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.
Care For The Carer: A Program For Caregivers & Their Loved One,
2025
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
Care For The Carer: A Program For Caregivers & Their Loved One, Luke Allen
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones
The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Project is to reduce the burden experienced by dementia caregivers due to unmet physical, mental, and social needs. To meet this objective, CAREpackages with resources pertinent to dementia caregiving, with accompanying Dementia Difficulty educational videos will be delivered to families from low socio-economic backgrounds in the Northeast Arkansas community.
Bridging The Gap Between Occupational Therapy & Animal-Assisted Therapy (Aat),
2025
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
Bridging The Gap Between Occupational Therapy & Animal-Assisted Therapy (Aat), Aspen Campbell Smith
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones
The Doctoral Capstone Project involves developing advocacy resources to support occupational therapy practitioners in the ethical, safe, and effective integration of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) into clinical practice. The tools aim to increase practitioner awareness, support ethical decision-making, and promote client-centered, evidence-based animal-assisted therapy services.
Impaired Mental Health In Adolescents: Socioeconomically Challenged Geographic Locations,
2025
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
Impaired Mental Health In Adolescents: Socioeconomically Challenged Geographic Locations, Brittany E. Kunkel
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones
This capstone project aligns occupational therapy strategies with the environmental, social, and institutional contexts that shape adolescent mental health, enabling holistic and culturally responsive interventions that address not only individual needs but also broader systemic influences.
Preparing Young Learners: Using Occupational Therapy To Promote Kindergarten Readiness At The Ymca.,
2025
University of South Dakota
Preparing Young Learners: Using Occupational Therapy To Promote Kindergarten Readiness At The Ymca., Zoey Eastman
Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations
This capstone project aimed to enhance kindergarten readiness skills in preschool-aged children through the implementation of a school-based occupational therapy program at a YMCA child care center. The primary objective was to support children's developmental progress across multiple domains critical for school success. Over a 14-week period, developmentally appropriate, play-based activities were integrated into the classroom routine, specifically targeting fine motor skills, emotional regulation, sensory processing, and executive functioning—key areas linked to kindergarten readiness. Standardized assessments, including the Denver II Developmental Screening Tool and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), were utilized to monitor each child’s growth and identify areas …
Exploring Occupational Therapy's Role In Seating And Mobility And Assistive Technology Services In Adults With Neurological Conditions,
2025
University of South Dakota
Exploring Occupational Therapy's Role In Seating And Mobility And Assistive Technology Services In Adults With Neurological Conditions, Kathryn R. Larsen
Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations
Assistive technology has the potential to have a positive impact on quality of life in those living with neurological conditions (Arbesman & Sheard, 2014; Soofi et al., 2017). The purpose of this capstone project was to allow the student to gain advanced clinical practice skills the areas of assistive technology and seating and mobility, to serve adults with neurological conditions, and to address gaps in service provision. The project was completed at an inpatient rehabilitation facility where the student participated in wheelchair evaluations, assistive technology clinic, and muscular dystrophy association clinic. Corresponding objectives and deliverables were created for each area …
Utilizing Trauma-Informed Universal And Targeted Occupational Therapy Interventions In A School Setting,
2025
University of South Dakota
Utilizing Trauma-Informed Universal And Targeted Occupational Therapy Interventions In A School Setting, Maciah L. Nobles
Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations
This project aimed to provide Tier 1 and Tier 2 trauma-informed occupational therapy interventions to a rural elementary school. Project components included implementing the “Just Right!” Sensory Curriculum (Wiggins & Wild, 2020) with students grades preK-6th, education to staff about trauma-informed classroom strategies, development of a sensory room for the elementary school, and creation of centers to be used in the classrooms. Key findings included a significant decrease in hyperactivity/inattention (p=0.00) on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, a 1.13 point average increase in staff members’ knowledge of trauma-informed classroom strategies on a 5-point Likert scale, and students reporting increased understanding …
Early Intervention For Adulthood: Occupational Therapy’S Vital Role In Secondary Transition Services,
2025
University of South Dakota
Early Intervention For Adulthood: Occupational Therapy’S Vital Role In Secondary Transition Services, Carolyn A. Blatchford
Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations
Transition to adulthood is an essential stage of development, especially for those with disabilities. Occupational therapy practitioners are qualified to play a vital role in a young adult’s transition to adulthood within school settings, yet the majority of therapists are not serving transition-aged youth. This capstone utilized the Zarrow Institute on Transition & Self-Determination, specifically the “ME! Lessons for Teaching Self-Awareness & Self-Advocacy” and “TAGG Lesson Plans” lessons as a programming intervention foundation within a school-based setting to support transition-aged young adults currently served by the school district’s special education program, and classified as in a regular classroom at least …
Chronic Care Connections: Occupational Therapy In Rural, Primary Care,
2025
University of South Dakota
Chronic Care Connections: Occupational Therapy In Rural, Primary Care, Jayden Renee Bormann
Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations
Rural healthcare faces a unique set of challenges including fewer primary care providers compared to urban areas, (Dobis & Todd, 2022). Occupational therapy has become more frequently part of the staff in a primary care clinic. An occupational therapy practitioner brings a unique perspective to the care of clients in a holistic manner and looking at the client from their specific context to create specific goals (Koverman et al., 2017; Donnelly et al., 2014). If a client with a chronic condition receives individualized care from an occupational therapist as part of their primary care visits, they may experience improved self-efficacy …
Serving Rural America: Occupational Therapy's Role In Agriculture,
2025
University of South Dakota
Serving Rural America: Occupational Therapy's Role In Agriculture, Kaiya R. Gieseke
Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations
Occupational therapy can provide a vast variety of roles to individuals in the agricultural industry. Although there is a lack of knowledge regarding the topic of occupational therapy in agriculture, there is room for research to be conducted and relationships to be made. The profession’s role in being involved in the agricultural industry is largely unexplored. The purpose of this 14-week capstone project was to advocate and educate on occupational therapy’s role in agriculture. Additionally, this project worked to create a program for individuals involved in agriculture to promote preventative care and lifestyle management. A variety of goals and objectives …
Mind Over Matter: A Theory-Based Approach To Enhancing Functional Cognition With Occupational Therapy,
2025
University of South Dakota
Mind Over Matter: A Theory-Based Approach To Enhancing Functional Cognition With Occupational Therapy, Amanda Marx
Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations
Functional cognition is comprised of an individual’s performance skills and patterns to result in successful completion of an occupation (Giles et al., 2020). Functional cognitive deficits are prevalent across various client populations and diagnoses of neurological, psychosocial, and/or developmental etiology (AOTA, 2019). Literature has shown metacognitive strategy training and individual- and group-based mindfulness practice promotes improvements in functional cognition and prevents decline in occupational performance (Ahn et al., 2017; Borujeni et al., 2019; Nagelkop et al., 2021; Reitano et al., 2023). This capstone project utilized theoretical principles from the Multicontext Approach and Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance theories to complete …
Making A Splash: Exploring The Effectiveness Of Aquatic Occupational Therapy For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder,
2025
University of South Dakota
Making A Splash: Exploring The Effectiveness Of Aquatic Occupational Therapy For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Avery Brockberg
Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations
According to the American Psychiatric Association, autism spectrum disorder is one of the most common developmental disabilities in the world. Approximately 90% of children with ASD experience atypical sensory processing which can lead to increased difficulties in daily occupations including play, academic activities, feeding, self-care, and sleep. Aquatic therapy (AT) is an effective intervention that has a role in addressing social, emotional, physical, and sensory needs in children with ASD. There is limited research on the role of occupational therapy in providing AT for children with ASD. The purpose of this capstone was to evaluate the effectiveness of aquatic occupational …
Bridging Theory And Practice: Aquatic Occupational Therapy For Functional Rehabilitation In Parkinson’S Disease,
2025
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
Bridging Theory And Practice: Aquatic Occupational Therapy For Functional Rehabilitation In Parkinson’S Disease, Chelsea L. Tate
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones
The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Experience and Project is to develop a theoretical framework and supporting program to guide the application of aquatic interventions specific to Parkinson’s disease treatment, while highlighting the therapeutic benefits that can be integrated into occupational therapy practice. The framework and program focus on improving overall physicality, cognitive, and functional performance for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Roadwell: An Occupational Therapy-Based Telehealth Platform To Improve Wellness Among Over-The-Road Truck Drivers,
2025
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
Roadwell: An Occupational Therapy-Based Telehealth Platform To Improve Wellness Among Over-The-Road Truck Drivers, Phylecia G. Mason
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones
This doctoral capstone project aimed to design and implement RoadWell, a mobile wellness platform usingthe Person–Environment–Occupation–Performance (PEOP) model, to improve occupational performance and well-being. RoadWell addresses the interaction between the person, environment, and occupation by delivering real-time, evidence-informed strategies that meet drivers where they are—in their real work environments, doing real work.
Rooted In Play: Empowering Development Through Nature-Based Occupational Therapy,
2025
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
Rooted In Play: Empowering Development Through Nature-Based Occupational Therapy, Nicole Roper
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones
The doctoral capstone project included advocating for the use of outdoor play by identifying and emphasizing the benefits of occupational therapy (OT) involvement within nature-based therapy for pediatric patients and creating nature-based therapy recourses for caregivers and occupational therapists.
More Than A Crown: Creating Leaders And Connecting Communities,
2025
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
More Than A Crown: Creating Leaders And Connecting Communities, Grace Addison Ross
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones
More than a Crown is a doctoral capstone experience (DCE) that promotes community integration for girls with intellectual disabilities by enhancing their leadership skills. Participants engage in a six-week leadership program that focuses on developing the following skills: confidence, poise, creativity, self-exploration, conversation, and active listening.
