Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Do New Mothers In Their First-Year Postpartum Feel Prepared To Return To Daily Occupations?, Kim Rose, Jane L. Donat, Cedrica Durham, Bianca Haddock, Danyl Litumbe, Julia Otoski, Katsia Renaud

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Purpose: Our research aimed to explore if new mothers felt prepared to return to their daily lives and the role occupational therapy could have in helping prepare women to transition into their new role as mothers. Previous literature has found that limits to occupational engagement and occupational balance have adversely affected the well-being of new mothers.

Methods: This sequential, exploratory mixed methods study employed the RedCap survey platform to collect demographic information, information regarding women’s birth experience and to obtain consent. Twenty-two women who filled out the survey met the inclusion criteria, and ten were selected to proceed with the …

Benefits Of Multisensory Rooms In Schools To Control Behaviors In Children With Disabilities, Kye Smith, Cassandra Nelson

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project explores the benefits of implementing multisensory rooms in schools to manage challenging behaviors in children with disabilities. Conducted at the Barack and Michelle Obama Ninth Grade Center in Lancaster, TX, the program involved participants aged 13-15 diagnosed with disabilities. A comprehensive needs assessment identified gaps in behavior management and overstimulation challenges. The program was designed using evidence-based strategies, including the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, and incorporated techniques such as the Take Five Breathing Strategy, deep pressure input, chair yoga, and meditation.

Through pre- and post-surveys with students, parents, and teachers, the study evaluated the program's impact on functional independence …

Pre-Sleep Routines Affecting Sleep In Adults, Diana Navarro, Rebecca King, Cassandra Nelson

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project examines the impact of pre-sleep routines on adult sleep quality, emphasizing the role of consistent habits, reduced technology use, and stress management. A six-week intervention incorporating evidence-based strategies such as sleep hygiene education, environmental adjustments, and relaxation techniques was conducted. Results revealed significant improvements in sleep quality, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and enhanced physical and emotional well-being among participants. These findings highlight the importance of tailored pre-sleep routines in addressing sleep disorders and provide a foundation for broader implementation and future research.

Occupational Disruption In Graduate Students: Literature On The Effects Of Financial Strain And New Responsibilities Of Graduate School On Mental Health, Emilee Armstrong, Samantha Edwards, Arianna Z. Cook

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

This exploratory paper examines the intricate phenomenon of occupational disruption among graduate students, in an attempt at investigating the effect of financial strain and newly acquired responsibilities during graduate school on mental health. The research question guiding this exploration is centered on understanding the specific occupational disruptions experienced by graduate students, particularly those arising from financial strain and newly acquired occupations inherent in graduate school. The methodology involves a systematic search of pertinent literature across three databases, including The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT), Google Scholar, and the National Institute of Health (NIH). Preliminary findings from the literature review …

Benefits Of Occupation-Based Outdoor Physical Activity To Mental Health, Jessica S. Eady, Kayleigh E. Hollywood

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

This paper examines the benefits of occupation-based outdoor physical activity as an intervention for individuals with mental health conditions to increase their psychological well-being. We conducted a focused review of the literature to support the participation in physical activity, if any within the lives of people with mental health concerns. We utilized the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) framework to understand and to determine the relevance of this review to find support in incorporating outdoor physical activities in occupational therapy interventions. We propose that engaging in outdoor recreation can facilitate meaningful occupational engagement and subsequent identity development which may potentially …

Individualized Sensory Based Functional Activity Program For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disability With A Co-Morbidity Of A Mental Health Condition, Dakota Laporte, Cynthia Haynes, Rebekah Jarrar

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This Program was designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have a co-occurring mental health condition. This program was designed based on the individual's sensory needs to improve occupational performance in their lives. This capstone project filled a knowledge gap by creating a sensory based activity program for individuals with IDD and mental health conditions. Its primary goal was to educate participants about their sensory needs and integrate these into functional activities to improve occupational performance.

Powerful Families Podcast: The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Family Education Of Mental Health Conditions And Substance Use Disorder, Wessleigh Holloway, Cynthia Haynes

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Mental health conditions and SUD significantly impact family members emotionally and physiologically, yet these effects are often insufficiently recognized and addressed (Delaney, 2023). Existing education programs focus on individuals in recovery, leaving families without the necessary knowledge and skills to support their loved ones effectively, resulting in feelings of powerlessness and confusion. This capstone project created an education program to equip family members of individuals with SUD or mental health challenges with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate addiction and recovery effectively. The program focuses on improving understanding of SUD, fostering healthier coping mechanisms, strengthening family trust, and enhancing …

Occupational Therapy Education And Advocacy For Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease, Francis Green, Cynthia Haynes

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that profoundly affects individuals' daily lives. While occupational therapy (OT) has been shown to enhance independence, motor function, cognitive health, and emotional well-being for individuals with PD, awareness and understanding of these services remain limited among patients and caregivers. This capstone project sought to address this gap by developing and distributing tailored educational materials. Weekly handouts, supported by in-person discussions, were designed to raise awareness of OT’s role and provide actionable strategies for managing PD symptoms. Surveys conducted throughout the project provided valuable feedback on the educational materials created, ensuring the materials' …

Use Of Creative Outlets To Impact Quality Of Life For Individuals With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Andria Burden, Helen Carey, Zeida Gutierrez

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) profoundly impacts quality of life by limiting participation in meaningful activities. This mixed-methods study explored the role of creative outlets in enhancing quality of life for individuals with ALS. Quantitative data from the ALS-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire-Short Form (ALSSQOL-SF) and qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews revealed key themes of adaptation, purpose, community, and quality of life. Findings indicate that creative outlets foster self-expression, social connection, and cognitive engagement while reducing isolation. Recommendations include integrating tailored creative activities into occupational therapy (OT), emphasizing group settings and early introduction to promote adaptability and community-building. This study underscores …

Awakening The Senses: Family-Centered Education On Sensory Stimulation For Children In The Icu, Kylie Pinson, Cynthia Haynes

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Awakening the Senses: Family-Centered Education on Sensory Stimulation for Children in the ICU. This project was designed to educate family members and healthcare providers on the sensory stimulation for children in the ICU, mainly focusing on patients with Traumatic Brain Injury. Educational handouts were created along with sensory bins highlighting all 5 senses.

6th Annual Occupational Therapy Program Research Conference, Kelly L. Taylor Otd, Ms, Otr/L, Cbis

Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Occupational Therapy Program RESEARCH CONFERENCE

6TH OT COHORT | CLASS OF 2025

OT Program Student Presentations Graduate Students from the Class of 2025

Age-Related Differences In Behavioral Outcomes Of Bimanual Functional Motor Tasks In Children And Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy: A Scoping Review, Hubert D. Gascon, Sahian Alicia Maldonado Numata, Sandrine Emond, Samuel Nemanich, Maxime T. Robert

Occupational Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Aim: The objective of this review is to determine age-related differences in behavioral outcomes of bimanual motor tasks in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Method: This review followed the 6-stage Joanna Briggs institute methodology. The embase, EBSCO CINAHL, and PubMed databases were searched on May 2024. we included studies that employed instrumented measures to assess bimanual tasks in individuals with CP aged between 3 and 19 years.Results: Twenty-eight studies were included after full-text screening. This review reported on 544individuals with CP. Bimanual tasks were grouped in seven categories and their varying complexities were listed and analyzed. There are …

Advocating For Occupational Therapy Intervention With In-House Athletics, Jatia Littles, Cynthia Haynes

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Occupational therapists (OT) have the opportunity to work with athletes by outsourcing through orthopedic centers with professional leagues such as the National Football League (NFL) (Jobs in Sports, 2022) but rarely do you see OTs within the sports complex working in-house. Although many studies go into great detail on the benefits of occupational therapy during the rehabilitation process, there are only a limited number of studies that explore occupational therapy intervention in athletics (Andreas et al., 2021). This project designed and implemented an occupational therapy-focused advocacy project that involves informing interprofessional sports faculty on the benefits of OTs being a …

An Occupational Therapy Educational Guidebook For Participating In African American Hair Care, Kyra Mann, Lakeisa Boykin

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This educational guidebook offers resources for occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) to support African American hair care during Activity of Daily Living (ADL) interventions. The materials aim to enhance OTPs' awareness, knowledge, and confidence, fostering inclusive and effective approaches to improve participation and success in these tasks.

How An Athlete’S Injuries Affect Their Caregiver, John-Luke Taylor, Susan Macdermott

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this proposal was to explore the experiences that caregivers face when their child recovers from a sports injury and needs physical rehab.

Parent Perceptions Of Modified Toy Cars Influence On Play For Children With Disabilities: A Case Study, Taylor Brown, Angela Labrie Blackwell, Erik Pérez, Karen Aranha

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Play is a crucial childhood occupation because it facilitates the growth of various developmental skills. Children with disabilities (CWD) often exhibit intrinsic factors that can prevent them from participating in meaningful childhood occupations, such as play. Mobility play is a specific type of play that refers to any means for the child to explore and move around their environment, which can be accessed through the use of commercially available toys, including motorized toy cars. However, these commercially available toys are not always accessible to this population due to their unique presentation that hinders performance and participation in the desired and …

The Benefit Of Creative Arts-Based Interventions For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Marissa Patrick, Zeida Gutierrez

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that significantly affects emotional regulation, social communication, and executive functioning. Addressing emotional regulation in children with ASD is essential for enhancing mental health, quality of life, and functional independence in occupations such as social participation. Despite evidence supporting the use of creative arts-based interventions to improve mental health, limited research exists on their specific application for emotional regulation in this population.

This project aimed to implement and evaluate a creative arts-based intervention program designed to improve emotional regulation skills in children with ASD within occupational therapy (OT) practice. Conducted over five weeks …

Occupation-Based Programming For An Addiction Recovery Program, Mckenna Howard, Susan Macdermott Otd, Otr/L

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Addiction can impact engagement in many different occupations and occupational therapists can assist in returning to engagement in meaningful occupations. This capstone project focused on creating occupation-based programming for an addiction recovery program. This program aims to enhance engagement, skills, and confidence in daily occupations to promote overall well-being during recovery.

The Efficacy Of Occupation-Based Caregiver Education On Primitive Reflex Integration In Children With Asd, Alexis Cinotti, Cynthia Haynes

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone research improved the delivery of care regarding caregiver education in children with autism spectrum disorder and retained primitive reflexes. The purpose of this project was to generate resources for occupational therapy practitioners that provide caregiver education on primitive reflex integration interventions that directly correlate with specific ADL’s their child has difficulty with and how to incorporate these exercises in the home environment. Occupational therapy practitioners lack educational resources for caregivers of children diagnosed with ASD to explain the importance and impact of primitive reflex integration on participation in meaningful ADL’s and promote adherence to home exercise programs, implementing …

Understanding The Perceptions Of Technology In Homes For Aging In Place, Jinelle Abugan, Amy Lyons-Brown Ms, Otd, Otr/L, Molly Wuebker Otd, Otr/L, Actcp

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this study is to understand the thoughts and experiences of technology in homes and the use of technology-based home modifications to help individuals with participation and performance in daily activities. The education of perceptions of culture in homes will be supported by faculty, OTs, professional designers, about the need to explore culture in technology for home modifications aging in place.