Occupational Therapy Commons^™

The Impact Of Habit Formation On Healthcare Workers: An Occupational Therapy Approach To Well-Being, Hillary Littlefield Msot, Otr/L

All Student Scholarship

Occupational therapists have an opportunity to act as consultants in their healthcare systems to provide education, resources and guidance to interdisciplinary team members. This concept aimed to provide evidence to support an occupational therapy-based program focused on incorporation of healthy habits and routines into one’s daily life as a means to improve nursing altruism, quality of life and perception of one’s successes and value in their occupation. Pre- and post- survey data was utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of an occupational therapy-based initiative that provided 1:1 and group coaching to a population of acute care nurses as an evaluation of …

Mindfulness For Middle School Students Receiving Adapted Physical Education Services: Quality Improvement Program, Kaila Mangrum

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Middle school students with disabilities are often isolated from their peers with decreased opportunities for participation, struggle with social emotional regulation, and self-efficacy. This has been evident among students with various disabilities who are from various age groups receiving special education services including adapted physical education (APE). Research has shown mindfulness amplifies learning and promotes a positive environment that supports children’s overall wellbeing. This quality improvement project focused on developing an occupational therapy centered mindfulness program to enhance social participation, self-efficacy, and social-emotional regulation. Data collection occurred pre and post program from specialized program teacher assistants (SPTAs) using the School …

Decreasing Work-Related Injuries Among Working Adults In Labor Intensive Fields, Calin Clark

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Developing the Doctoral Capstone Health and Wellness Program Manual consisted of formulating of a ready-to-work screening tool and utilizing it to formulate client-centered, diagnosis-specific intervention plans. The intervention plans address many factors, including decreasing the risk of work-related injury and improving occupational performance through education, proper body mechanics, ergonomics, rest/sleep strategies, and any other resources they might need. The Health and Wellness Program Manual includes the ready-to-work screening tool and diagnosis-specific intervention plans focusing on improving the health and wellness of the working adult. To promote health and wellness, the objectives of the Doctoral Capstone project were to 1.) increase …

Enhancing Resources For Individuals Diagnosed With Parkinson’S Disease In Northeast Arkansas, Tinsley Clark

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The doctoral capstone experience and project aim to provide the same holistic approach to all PD clients to ensure that every client’s needs are being met to improve occupational performance and QOL. The literature strengthens the need for the Doctoral Capstone project to address disease-specific interventions, interprofessional collaboration, and access to local resources such as support groups and a disease-specific boot camp program.

Enhancing Rehabilitative Services For The Spinal Cord Injury Population In Northeast Arkansas, Emily Nichols

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The student promoted occupational justice by enhancing the spinal cord injury population’s access to quality care services in an inpatient rehabilitation facility.

Improving Health, Well-Being, And Quality Of Life Of Older Adults With Alzheimer’S Disease Residing In Assisted Living Facilities, Allison Landreth

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the doctoral capstone project was to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life among residents with Alzheimer’s by addressing common barriers to their leisure and social participation found within the literature and during the needs assessment conducted at the site.

Forming The Foundation For Success In Occupational Therapy Doctorate Students, Danielle Harris

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Create a preparatory bootcamp for incoming occupational therapy doctorate students to provide education on studying methods, coping strategies, stress management, occupational balance, and mindfulness practices to prepare students and promote their success within the occupational therapy doctorate program.

Farm Chores For Life Skills: A Farm Based Therapy Program, Katelyn Murphy

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the doctoral capstone project is to advocate for farm-based therapy services through the development of an evidence-based farm-based therapy program.

Bucks For Better Mental Health: Supporting Community College Students, Ansley Simmons

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The main project for the doctoral capstone project was to create a professional development course to educate faculty and staff on how to best support student mental health on campus.

Identifying Barriers To Successful Transition For Foster Adolescents To Adulthood, Madi Wood

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

For the Doctoral Capstone project, an Independent Living Skills Program was developed for Northeast Arkansas foster adolescents consisting of life skills modules, a mentorship module, and community partnerships. The Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance Model (PEOP) was used to guide the project.

Can Occupational Therapy Take A Hit? A Guide To High-Intensity Training In Stroke Rehabilitation, Jared Demke

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: Stroke has been considered a leading cause of functional impairment (Tsao et al., 2022). Recent evidence has supported a treatment approach that increases dosage (Scheets et al., 2021). High-intensity training (HIT) has shown promising evidence for functional recovery poststroke (Crozier et al., 2018). There have been minimal programs related to Occupational therapy (OT) and HIT have been created (Lamoureux, 2023). This doctoral capstone focused on program development of the OT-based HIT program. Theoretical frameworks included the Model of Human Occupation and Motor Learning Theory to provide a foundational structure.

Methods: A needs assessment was performed at the Saint George …

Developing A College Readiness Skills Program Aimed At Improving Self-Efficacy For Foster Youth In Academic Settings, Natasa Janjusic

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The proposed work focused on the development and feasibility of a project aiming to introduce college readiness skills to youth who were in the foster care system in order to increase their perception of self-efficacy in an educational setting. With this increase in self-efficacy, foster youth who are generally disadvantaged when attaining and completing a college degree can have the skills necessary to combat this barrier. The project involved the development of contents of the program and the procedures performed at Bamboo Sunrise Foster Care Agency, where this Capstone project was carried out. Participants in the program consisted of three …

Improving Occupational Therapy Student Utilization Through A Community Engagement Program For Individuals With Dementia, Andrew Stevenson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The contents of this doctoral project include an introduction to some of the difficulties people with dementia face in regard to engaging in the community, and how that may impact their health. It goes on to support how occupational therapists (OTs) have the skills to provide treatment addressing this issue but have faced difficulty entering settings such as memory care. A literature review demonstrates some of the positive benefits that can result from providing people with dementia opportunities for community engagement and reveals some of the difficulties associated with providing quality dementia care. This helps to explain the purpose of …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Developmental Programming At Early Childhood Education And Childcare Centers: A Qualitative Study, Alexis N. Foehrkolb, Jenna Lenhart, Hayley Woods, Madison Wetzel, Breanna Adkins, Sueann R. Woods

Graduate Student Scholarship

This research study aimed to discover what strategies of developmental programming are integrated into early childhood curriculum, whether occupational therapy had a role in the formation of the guidelines, and the importance of early intervention on child development. A case study with ethnographic methods was used, including observations and interviews, to gain an understanding of how sociocultural phenomena affect rural childcare centers in Morgantown, West Virginia. Data was collected and coded into 14 themes, and then analyzed by student researchers. Results from interview data found that daycare teachers are given the choice to follow provided lesson plans or individualize their …

Navigating Improvement For A Master Of Occupational Therapy Program: Enhancing Content For A Mental Health Course, Emily Markovicz

Capstone Projects

Education is the forefront to the field of occupational therapy. As occupational therapists advocate for the significance of their profession, it is expected to grow further. In recent decades, the research of many health professions have increasingly explored the impact of trauma. As occupational therapy evolves to address this public health concern, more research, increased integration into occupational therapy curriculum, and clear practical guidelines are necessary. Considering the mental health risks stemming from adverse life events, the complexities of mental health conditions should remain a crucial part of occupational therapy education, ensuring that students are well-prepared to deliver optimal care …

The Effect Of An Occupational Balance Educational Module On Life Satisfaction And Occupational Balance For University Students, Unique Bowden

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Engaging in a variety of occupations daily can support university students in feeling a sense of balance and satisfaction in their lives. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an occupational balance education module on improving the life satisfaction and occupational balance of university students ages 18-22 in a public university in the southwest region of the United States. Five participants were recruited using convenience sampling from a student support services program. A four-part education module was provided using a one-group pretest posttest quasi-experimental design, which included education on occupational balance, barriers and supports to occupational balance, strategies to …

Occupational Therapy-Led Tai Chi: Elevating Perceived Competence In Daily Activities Among Semi/Fully Retired Adults, Lester Buenviaje

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This doctoral capstone project explored the impact of a Tai Chi intervention led by the occupational therapy student researcher, on self-perceived competence and engagement in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) among semi/fully retired adults at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Using the Occupational Self-Assessment (OSA) questionnaire, the project measured changes in participants' confidence and abilities before and after the participation of the Tai Chi program.

The Tai Chi intervention was a six-week Tai Chi program designed to accommodate the physical and cognitive capabilities of semi-retired and retired adults. This program not only …

Improving Patients’ Readiness For Discharge: The Development Of An Occupation-Based Group Therapy Protocol In Inpatient Rehabilitation, Valerie Cheng

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The literature showed a lack of studies involving occupation-based group therapy in an inpatient rehabilitation setting, with notable barriers including lack of time, space, and equipment. The barriers lead occupational therapists (OT) to pursue an impairment-based approach, steering away from occupation-based approaches, which is what makes up the core of OT. Current literature is also limited to patients' perceptions of discharge readiness, with most research primarily concentrated on clinicians' perspectives. This 14-week capstone experience will include developing an occupation-based group therapy protocol for inpatient rehabilitation that will be implemented at Dignity Health Rehabilitation Hospital. Through conducting occupation-based group therapy in …

Sens"Ability" Coaching: Inspire And Empower Parents With Occupational Performance Coaching Using Dunn’S Model Of Sensory Processing – A Manualized Education Program For Clinicians, Kelby Christian

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: The current literature found a need for improved collaboration styles and programs that can adapt to the needs of the various mental health diagnoses. This capstone project focused on creating a manualized education program called SensABILTY Coaching, which aims to improve clinicians’ confidence in educating caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on Dunn’s Model of Sensory Processing using principles of Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC). Improving clinicians' confidence increases positive reactions and enhances caregiver and clinician collaboration. This capstone project outlines the benefits of using the principles of OPC intervention styles and sensory-based strategies for their effectiveness when …

Perceptions Of A Community-Based Playgroup To Promote Caregiver Knowledge Of Resources And Prevention Of Developmental Delays In A Rural Setting, Chesnee Clingman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

For children living in rural communities, the likelihood of having a developmental delay substantially increases compared to children living in urban areas (Weglarz-Ward et al., 2019). This can be due to a lack of access to resources, limited education, and geographical isolation. Despite the rising trend of developmental delays among rural children, there is a noteworthy lack of early intervention resources for both the child and their family. This trend of minimal resources is demonstrated in Lincoln County, Nevada. Using an occupational therapy lens, a community-based playgroup program was developed for residents in Lincoln County. Community-based playgroups involve a structured …