The Implementation Of Animal Assisted Therapy In Adult Neurological Rehabilitation,
2024
Belmont University
The Implementation Of Animal Assisted Therapy In Adult Neurological Rehabilitation, Rachel Camilleri
OTD Capstone Projects
This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Pi Beta Phi Rehabilitation Institute at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The focus of this project was to develop animal assisted therapy interventions that could be utilized amongst occupational therapy practitioners with the clinic’s facility dog in an effort to increase utilization of animal assisted therapy. The process for this project required a thorough review of the literature on animal assisted therapy and neurological rehabilitation, conversations with current and past facility dog teams to learn about their work, and trialing animal assisted therapy activities in patient sessions. The outcome of this …
Education And Advocacy For Universal Design And Accessibility In Housing,
2024
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Education And Advocacy For Universal Design And Accessibility In Housing, Apisara Vairojanakich, Amy Lyons-Brown, Molly Wuebker
Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium
In the United States, there is a lack of adequate numbers of universally designed and accessible houses in the housing market for the older population and people with disabilities. Many barriers, such as financial support and lack of knowledge for housing-related professionals, can prevent this population from participating in home occupations. The project developed educational products, including the universal design housing experience booklet, universal design housing checklist, and universal design blueprints. These products were delivered through the blog post on Uncurbed LinkedIn website. The needs assessment was conducted to provide the guidelines for the chapters in the booklet and checklist. …
Promoting Participation In Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease Through The Development Of Accessible Occupation-Based Resources,
2024
Belmont University
Promoting Participation In Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease Through The Development Of Accessible Occupation-Based Resources, Kelly Struthers
OTD Capstone Projects
This doctoral capstone project was completed through partnership with Rock Steady Boxing Music City, a non-profit organization that provides boxing classes for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and other motor-related disorders. The purpose of this project was to understand the participatory barriers that are common within the Parkinson’s disease community and develop solution-oriented resources in response to these barriers. All developed resources were intentionally created to maximize accessibility and explored areas such as driving, fatigue, caregiving, and memory. These resources were compiled and distributed to the “fighters” of Rock Steady Boxing via an in-person “OT Corner” bulletin board, the weekly …
Supporting Adolescent Parents Involved In Younglives,
2024
Belmont University
Supporting Adolescent Parents Involved In Younglives, Rachel Fister
OTD Capstone Projects
This doctoral capstone project focused on creating educational tools and resources for adolescent caregivers, volunteer mentors, and staff associates involved in YoungLives. YoungLives is a branch of the non-profit outreach organization YoungLife, that supports adolescent/teen parents and expecting mothers worldwide. The goal of this project was to supply accessible and user-friendly resources for the population to gain knowledge on pediatric topics such as child development, age appropriate milestones, sensory processing, as well as activities to promote occupational skills. The project outcomes resulted in a guidebook and deliverables for education and training purposes, a social media platform for nationwide connection and …
Providing Sensory Integration Education And Transition Tools For The Tennessee Baptist Children’S Homes,
2024
Belmont University
Providing Sensory Integration Education And Transition Tools For The Tennessee Baptist Children’S Homes, Thuy-Duong D. Huynh
OTD Capstone Projects
This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with the residential department of the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes, a state-wide ministry that cares for children whose families are in crisis. There were two primary focuses for this project: (1) providing sensory integration education to house parents and (2) creating tools to ease transitions. Outcomes included a presentation and training on sensory integration, a booklet with easily accessible sensory integration information, a local activity guide for day visits with families, and a routine schedule of home visits to ease transitions.
Awareness And Advocacy For The Needs Of Nfl Athletes: A Qualitative Study,
2024
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Awareness And Advocacy For The Needs Of Nfl Athletes: A Qualitative Study, Bianca Castro, Susan Macdermott
Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium
The presentation delves into understanding, investigating, and supporting the occupational needs of NFL athletes. Through thorough research and analysis, it was revealed that these athletes face distinct challenges and demands in their professional and personal lives, specifically in wellness, quality of life, and lifestyle balance. The study results provide knowledge and abilities to address and advocate the unique needs of NFL athletes. The evidence strongly emphasizes the advantages and benefits of occupational therapy services in non-traditional settings such as sports.
Every Moment Counts (Emc): Understanding School Stakeholder Perceptions Of Positive Mental Health Promotion In The Elementary School Setting. A Preliminary Report.,
2024
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Every Moment Counts (Emc): Understanding School Stakeholder Perceptions Of Positive Mental Health Promotion In The Elementary School Setting. A Preliminary Report., Madeline Malooly, Angela Blackwell, Lauren Thomas
Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium
For children and adolescents, the prevalence of psychological disorders associated with mental illness continues to rise in North America and is now considered to be the leading cause of disability for this population (Bitsko et al., 2022). It was estimated that between 25 and 50% of adult mental illnesses could be prevented through early intervention and preventative measures in childhood (Kim-Cohen et al., 2003). In an effort to address mental health promotion in schools, Dr. Susan Bazyk founded and created EMC, which is a “multi-pronged mental health promotion initiative to help all children to be mentally healthy in order to …
Navigating Dysautonomia: A Workbook For Empowered Living,
2024
Belmont University
Navigating Dysautonomia: A Workbook For Empowered Living, Madison Thornton
OTD Capstone Projects
Dysautonomia Support Network (DSN) is a nonprofit organization composed of volunteers who have a passion for serving the population of individuals with dysautonomia. Dysautonomia is a complex and often debilitating disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature control. Those living with dysautonomia face a myriad of challenges ranging from chronic fatigue and dizziness to gastrointestinal issues and cognitive impairment. The unpredictability of symptoms can significantly impact daily life, leading to feelings of frustration, isolation, and helplessness. However, amidst these challenges lies the potential for empowerment and transformation. …
Fighting Against Parkinson's: A Collection Of Occupation-Inspired Workouts For Rock Steady Boxing,
2024
Belmont University
Fighting Against Parkinson's: A Collection Of Occupation-Inspired Workouts For Rock Steady Boxing, Landis Llewelyn
OTD Capstone Projects
This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Rock Steady Boxing in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Rock Steady Boxing provides group workout classes for all stages of Parkinson’s disease with a focus on improving quality of life through empowering individuals to fight back against Parkinson’s. The purpose of this project was to analyze various occupations deemed as difficult by the participants of Rock Steady Boxing in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and create workouts directly targeting the skills needed to successfully perform these occupations. These workouts were implemented into classes at Rock Steady Boxing and modified to accommodate a wide range …
Encouraging Participation For Trainees At Autism Career Training,
2024
Belmont University
Encouraging Participation For Trainees At Autism Career Training, Sydney L. Stahl
OTD Capstone Projects
This doctoral capstone project was completed with Autism Career Training (ACT), a non-profit organization that teaches vocational skills to young adults with autism. The purpose of this project was to improve the participation of ACT trainees in all aspects of programming. To do this, various strategies; social activities; and community networking were implemented. Strategies to improve classroom participation, social conversation, and address sensory needs were developed and incorporated, along with a sensory profile assessment. Social activities were introduced, and partnerships were started with various employers in the community. An activity analysis was done per each job position available at these …
Mental Health And Wellness Programming For Adults With Down Syndrome,
2024
Belmont University
Mental Health And Wellness Programming For Adults With Down Syndrome, Chloe Samter
OTD Capstone Projects
This capstone project was completed in partnership with GiGi’s Playhouse located in Brentwood, TN. GiGi’s Playhouse is a non-profit organization that offers free programming for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. The focus of this project was addressing the mental health and wellness of adults with Down syndrome. The goal of this project was to provide meaningful lessons and activities for participants to learn about mental health, coping strategies, and emotional exploration. Participants had the opportunity to learn and practice meditation, mindfulness, self-advocacy, healthy relationships, creative expression, and more. Participants completed The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) as a …
Living With Chemo Brain – Tips And Tricks To Improve The Quality Of Life For Individual’S Diagnosed With Cancer,
2024
Belmont University
Living With Chemo Brain – Tips And Tricks To Improve The Quality Of Life For Individual’S Diagnosed With Cancer, Jamie Brown
OTD Capstone Projects
This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Gilda’s Club of Middle Tennessee, a non-profit organization focused on creating a sense of community and support for individuals who are impacted by cancer. The focus of this project was to develop a resource for members that addressed executive functioning changes that occur with chemo brain with a goal of making it both applicable and user friendly. The deliverable sought to provide members with basic tips and tricks for improving their quality of life. Utilizing an occupational lens, this manual contains practical strategies to address decreased memory, cognitive fatigue, processing …
Fashion For All: An Exploration Into Adaptive Fashion,
2024
Belmont University
Fashion For All: An Exploration Into Adaptive Fashion, Morgan F. Harrison
OTD Capstone Projects
The purpose of this doctoral capstone was to educate future clothing designers on the adaptive/inclusive clothing market and the need for further exploration into accessible, fashion forward clothing. This project was completed through a partnership with O’More College of Architecture and Design at Belmont University. The goal of this project was to provide students with an introspective look at the interface of fashion and disability. This was achieved by creating case studies based on interviews with individuals with various disabilities regarding their relationship with clothing. The result of this project was a recorded lecture that included demographics, available adaptive clothing …
Occupational Therapy After Breast Cancer Treatment: A Guidebook For Hispanic Women,
2024
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Occupational Therapy After Breast Cancer Treatment: A Guidebook For Hispanic Women, Katarina Tauran, Mary Smith Phd, Ms, Otr/L, Lesley Khan-Farooqi Phd, Otd, Otr/L
Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium
This project aims to understand the needs of Hispanic women post-breast cancer treatment and offer a guidebook with educational resources in both English and Spanish.
‘Mama May I?’: A Comprehensive Guide To Inform Occupational Therapy Practitioners For The Wellness Of Black Pregnant Women,
2024
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
‘Mama May I?’: A Comprehensive Guide To Inform Occupational Therapy Practitioners For The Wellness Of Black Pregnant Women, Tavia Williams, Angela Blackwell, Aminee Alexander
Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium
Black women are facing a decline in well-being because health providers do not understand how pregnancy impacts them differently than other race in the United States. This population is dying at a rate 3-4 more times than white, Asian, and Hispanic women. These deaths are preventable as many stem from racism and bias in medicine (Markin & Coleman, 2023). Historically, occupational therapists have not been included in the care of pregnant women due to the exclusive team of obstetric providers, doulas, and midwives (Rost et al., 2023). Because the United States primarily utilizes the medical model for perinatal healthcare, pregnant …
Developing Healthy Routines In Adults With Serious Mental Illness Living In Supportive Housing: A Caregiver Guidebook,
2024
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Developing Healthy Routines In Adults With Serious Mental Illness Living In Supportive Housing: A Caregiver Guidebook, Mckenna Kuhlman, Angela Blackwell, Lacey Spark
Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium
Serious mental illness (SMI) are mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders that result in serious functional impairment limiting daily participation in activities. (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], n.d.-a). Adults living with serious mental illness (SMI) often experience unhealthy or maladaptive routines and often lack the support to build these routines. Supportive housing provides a stable home for adults with SMI to build healthy routines while receiving specialized treatments. In supportive housing organizations, there is a need for caregiver resources to support the individual's healthy routine obtainment. This capstone project developed a five-step caregiver guidebook to help adults with SMI build …
Occupational Harmony In Night Shift Nurses Since 2020,
2024
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Occupational Harmony In Night Shift Nurses Since 2020, Janelle J. Magpayo, Karen Park
Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium
This capstone project explores the experiences of night shift nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and how these experiences impact their occupational harmony. Using a mixed-methods approach including online surveys and interviews, this study identifies themes such as the importance of rest and sleep, the impact of the pandemic on occupational well-being, and the significance of leisure activities. The findings emphasize the need for nurses to balance various aspects of their lives to enhance their well-being within their environments.
Integrating Nature-Based Occupational Therapy In Traditional Clinical Settings: Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences,
2024
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Integrating Nature-Based Occupational Therapy In Traditional Clinical Settings: Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences, Renee Duong, Karen Park
Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) refer to traumatic situations that a child may face during the early developmental stages of life (Felitti et al., 1998). According to research, the detrimental effects of adversity and emotional distress may contribute to poor outcomes in adulthood. Research has shown that exposure to adversity can change a child's molecular and genetic system and influence the development and functioning of their neurological, immune, and endocrine systems. There is a significant public health concern considering the long-term implications of adverse childhood experiences on an individual's overall well-being (Boullier & Blair, 2018). This project aims to conduct a …
Occupational Therapy's Role In Supporting Individuals With Down Syndrome Through An Employment Program,
2024
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Occupational Therapy's Role In Supporting Individuals With Down Syndrome Through An Employment Program, Jenny Rossopoulos, Susan Macdermott
Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium
This poster presents the implementation of an existing employment program, EmployAble to a new group of individuals with Down syndrome. The presentation outlines the methods, program design, and curriculum. Additionally, this capstone project aims to explore the support mechanisms for individuals with disabilities in the workplace and the education of employers regarding inclusive employment practices.
The Occupational Performance Of Student-Athletes Post-Concussion: A Guide For Coaches And Athletic Trainers,
2024
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
The Occupational Performance Of Student-Athletes Post-Concussion: A Guide For Coaches And Athletic Trainers, Baylee A. Felts, Mary Ann Smith, Danielle Cade
Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium
Concussions are a rising concern amongst the sports community. Student-athletes with concussions can exhibit deficits in physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and visual-perceptual abilities (Centers for Disease Control, 2019). Occupational therapists are equipped to address the impacts of those deficits to improve occupational engagement and performance but are often overlooked in concussion management teams (Finn, 2019). A concussion management team typically consists of coaches, athletic trainers (ATs), physicians, and sometimes physical therapists, depending on the severity of the concussion. Due to growing concern and continued research, the concussion management team must be current with new information. Coaches and ATs may not keep …
