Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Prevention Of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (Suid), Natalie Ryan Mcfarren

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Each year, 3,700 infants die from SUID; this equates to about ten infants per day. SUID is an umbrella term that covers three separate subcategories: suffocation and strangulation in bed, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and unknown (Cribs for Kids, 2026). Suffocation and strangulation in bed is the only subcategory that is 100% preventable with safe sleep practices, while the risk of SIDS can be decreased by adhering to safe sleep guidelines. While the prevalence of SUID has decreased since the 1992 Back to Sleep campaign, current data indicate a plateau, if not a slight increase, in SUID cases …

Family-Centered Programming For A Rural Midwest Emergency Shelter: An Occupational Lens, Ariel Kathryn Tix

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: After a period of decline in homelessness, a startling trend reversal occurred between 2023 and 2024; there was a 39% increase in families experiencing homelessness in the United States (de Sousa & Henry, 2024). Rural homelessness is less visible and often looks different from urban homelessness, which presents challenges that require a different approach (Brott et al., 2019). Individuals experiencing homelessness have challenges in every area of occupation and could benefit from novel strategies and resources. Challenges include parenting, accessing medical care, obtaining permanent housing, community mobility, and meaningful routine development (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020; Brott et al., …

Occupational Therapy In Rural North Dakota Schools To Enhance Transition Planning, Kyra M. Schwartz

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Access to services does not guarantee participation. Youth with disabilities, particularly in rural communities, continue to experience disparities in postsecondary outcomes related to employment, education, and independent living. While transition services are available, barriers related to awareness, coordination, and usability limit effective engagement. These challenges highlight a gap between service availability and access within rural systems and contribute to reduced participation outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop an occupational therapy– informed, advocacy-driven approach to improve access to and navigation of transition services for youth with disabilities in rural communities.

Methodology: A multi-method, iterative approach …

Digging Into Prevention: An Occupational Therapy Based Work-Related Upper Extremity Injury Prevention Program For Extraction And Mining Industries, Karli Teresa March

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Extraction and mining industries, which play a significant role in the economic structure of Sweetwater County, Wyoming, consistently report some of the highest rates of work-related injury. Upper extremity based musculoskeletal injuries are particularly common and often lead to significant impairment and/or surgical intervention, impacting productivity, increasing lost-workdays, and contributing to long-term health outcomes. These injuries are often due to a dynamic interaction of personal, contextual, and task-based factors including fatigue, level of experience, organizational procedures and policies, repetitive motions, sustained forceful exertions, awkward positioning, and vibration exposure. Current prevention efforts are often reactive rather than proactive, with interventions …

From Play To Pressure: Understanding Early Sports Specialization Through An Occupational Lens, Kiley Jade Washnieski

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Youth sport participation plays a significant role in the daily lives of children ages 6-12 (Lee et al., 2018). Participation in organized sports can offer numerous benefits; however, the expectations surrounding youth sports have evolved over time. Increased emphasis on early specialization has intensified training demands and performance pressures placed on youth athletes during critical developmental years (Brenner et al., 2019). Although occupational therapy is well positioned to address both the physical and psychosocial demands of youth sport participation, the profession’s role within this context remains underexplored (Bulan et al., 2025).

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was …

Empowering Caregivers: An Occupational Therapy-Informed Educational Program For Dementia Care In Rural Communities, Maria Lynn Johnson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Hospitalization presents significant risks for individuals with dementia, including increased behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD), delirium, functional decline, and reduced occupational engagement (Boltz et al., 2023; Teichmann et al., 2019; Zwingmann et al., 2020). Acute care environments are often overstimulating, unfamiliar, and task-oriented, which can exacerbate cognitive impairment and contribute to caregiver distress. Despite strong evidence supporting nonpharmacological, occupation-based interventions, structured engagement opportunities are rarely integrated into acute care workflows (Burgdorf et al., 2023; Faeder et al., 2023). This doctoral capstone project aimed to develop occupation-based dementia activities for use during hospitalization while equipping formal and informal caregivers with …

Quality Of Life Of Individuals Residing In Senior Living Facilities, Meagan R. Danda

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Formal caregivers play an essential role in supporting residents’ physical, emotional, and social needs which contribute to overall health and well-being (Spilsbury et al., 2024). Due to these responsibilities, caregivers need to be properly equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform clinical duties with confidence. The purpose of this scholarly project is to develop a product that increases caregiver confidence by providing caregivers with occupational therapy informed education. By enhancing caregivers’ knowledge and skill set, this product may contribute to a supportive environment that fosters resident engagement in meaningful occupations and promotes improved quality of life (QoL) …

Cultivating Connections: Empowering Agricultural Community Members Through Collaborative Care, Kearyn E. Nelsen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Agriculture and mental health – two words not typically used in the same sentence; however, considering the rate of suicide among those working in the agriculture profession is significantly higher than the general population, the need for both awareness and action is critically important. Despite a lack of research specific to occupational therapy and the agricultural population, occupational therapists on an interprofessional healthcare team are uniquely positioned to serve this population. Interprofessional collaboration is essential when serving agricultural community members, whose needs involve a complexity of physical, mental, social, and environmental factors, each impacting the overall health and well-being …

Pathways To Participation: Enhancing Inclusion For Individuals With Idd, Katie Koxlien

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) continue to experience barriers to meaningful community participation despite policies promoting inclusive community-based services (Friedman, 2017). Sensory sensitivities, difficulty with transitions, and overstimulating environments frequently limit engagement and increase anxiety or behavioral responses when appropriate supports are not present (Bagatell et al., 2022; Dean et al., 2018; Tint et al., 2017). Research indicates that inclusion requires intentional programming that incorporates structured supports, consistent routines, and opportunities for meaningful engagement (Edwards et al., 2021; Hall, 2016).

Methods: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a week long sensory exploration camp for …

Determining Driving Ability Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Shauna M. Corrigan

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be a severe injury that causes lasting effects such as visual changes, challenges with concentration and memory, and problems with coordination and balance (Centers for Disease Control, 2024). This can impact an individual’s ability to safely return to the valued occupation of driving. Occupational therapists will commonly assess an individual’s ability to return to drive following a TBI, but they experience challenges in doing so due to a lack of standard method in assessing one’s safety while operating a motor vehicle (Baker et al., 2015; Tamietto et al., 2006; Classen et al., 2009; …

Optimizing Healthy Aging: A Preventative Approach To Support Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Jada Welke

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Healthy aging is a complex and multidimensional process influenced by physical, cognitive, psychosocial, environmental, and lifestyle factors across the lifespan. Increasing evidence from researchers suggests that many health care systems continue to rely on reactive models that address decline only after functional limitations emerge. Preventive interventions initiated in midlife have the potential to significantly influence long-term health outcomes, independence, well-being, and quality of life. As a result, there is growing recognition that multidimensional, proactive screening and intervention should begin earlier, before age-related conditions become clinically significant.

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to address this need through …

Introduction Of Occupational Therapy Into A Suburban Supportive Housing Organization, Madeline Kuntz

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Abstract: Unhoused individuals experience compounded barriers beyond housing access and are often underserved within occupational therapy practice. This doctoral capstone project partnered with a nonprofit residential program to develop a research-informed onboarding manual grounded in the holistic occupational therapy framework, Model of Human Occupation (MOHO, O’Brien, 2017). The manual was designed to clarify expectations of the supportive housing program, address diverse resident needs, and promote independence as the organization expands. Development was informed by a comprehensive literature review and informal needs assessment of the organization, identifying anticipatory barriers and supports commonly experienced prior to program entry. Key areas of need …

Expanding Access To Hand Therapy In Rural Wyoming Through Telehealth, Cheyenne Rose Thompson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Individuals living in rural Wyoming experience significant barriers to accessing specialized hand therapy services, including geographic isolation, limited availability of certified hand therapists, and inconsistent healthcare infrastructure, resulting in delayed rehabilitation and reduced functional outcomes (Hirth et al., 2022; Rural Health Information Hub, 2025). Although telehealth has emerged as a potential solution to improve access, challenges related to clinician training, safety, and adaptation of interventions to virtual environments persist (Feldhacker et al., 2022; Morris, 2024). The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop an evidence-based telehealth hand therapy program to improve access to upper extremity rehabilitation services in rural …

Occupation-Based Transition Planning Guide For High School Students With Disabilites., Kelsey Milleson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: The transition from high school to adulthood is a critical period influencing independence, employment, and community participation for students with disabilities (Carroll et al., 2025; Rosner et al., 2020). Despite mandates under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), many students experience poor postsecondary outcomes, including limited employment and increased reliance on caregivers (Benson et al., 2021; U.S. Department of Education, 2020). Effective transition planning should begin early, be individualized, and emphasize real-world skill development such as daily living, vocational skills, and self-advocacy (Cleary & Persch, 2020). However, school-based programs often lack consistency, structure, and performance-based outcome measures, reducing …

The Lens Of Farmers: Understanding Culture To Improve Occupational Therapy Care, Allison Marie Stephani

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Accessible healthcare is essential for farmers due to their limited available time and hazardous job duties (Hildebrand et al., 2019; Hopkins et al., 2023; Salmon et al., 2025; U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2023). Due to the high incidence of injuries that occur within the profession, it is crucial that farmers seek appropriate healthcare services to address these concerns. However, a significant barrier for seeking healthcare assistance is the limited cultural competence among healthcare professionals in understanding the unique needs within farming communities (Gordon et al., 2024; Hildebrand et al., 2019; Hopkins et al., 2023; Purc-Stephenson et al., 2024). The …

Biomechanical Correlations Between The Pogo Hop Test And Running In Recreational Runners, Matt Klein, Brandon Kuske, Alex Gonzalez, Kealani Ontai, Jared Miller, Taylor Beachy, Jakob Lawrence, Robin Dorociak

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

The Problem

48.31 million Americans participated in running in 2023, with an injury incidence of 40.2% ± 18.8%

Objective biomechanical criteria for return to running (RTR) remain underdeveloped

Single-leg hop tests are among the most commonly used functional screens despite limited biomechanical validation for their correlation to running 2, 8, 10, 12, 14

The Biomechanical Rationale

Running propulsion depends on cyclical joint moments and positive power at the ankle, knee, and hip through rapid stretch-shortening cycles, a demand maximal discrete hop tests do not replicate ⁹

Repetitive single-leg pogo hopping shares the submaximal, rhythmic, cadence-dependent loading pattern of running 5, …

Influences Of Ankle Strength And Power On Gait Characteristics, Clinical Outcomes, And Social Measures Of Health In Healthy Older Adults, Tyson Barrington, Wesley Clawson, Carleigh Delapp, Kylie Hull, Brecken Rudy, Christen Johnson, Gabe Haberly, Ruth Holloran

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

What factors lead to satisfactory living for older adults?

Can clinicians utilize these factors to generate successful outcomes with their patients?

Clinicians often examine muscle strength, muscle power, balance, and gait speed to assess functional capacity

No current literature investigating the importance or correlation of these measures • Purpose: Explore the relationships between plantarflexion strength and power, gait speed, and social participation in healthy older adults

Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Education For Spanish Speakers Assessing Empowerment Through Education: Preliminary Findings, Tess Swake, Kira Negrete, Marisela Trenado-Alba, Erika Benitez, Alessandra Peraza-Aguillón

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

The Problem: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) disproportionately impacts the US Latinx population, who experience up to a 1.8x higher rate of urinary incontinence, yet they face significant language and cultural barriers in healthcare.

The Gap: Current Spanish educational materials often exceed recommended reading levels, and published research on pelvic health physical therapy tailored for primary Spanish speakers is non-existent.

The Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of accessible Spanish-language materials (text, graphics, and video) in empowering patients by improving their knowledge of pelvic anatomy, common conditions, and baseline health.

Closing The Gap: How Does Same-Day Pt Access Transform Primary Care?, Lupita Alegria, Rosario Huerta-Cardenas, Seth Kobata, Madeline Melone, Champ Robertson, Rebecca Dobler

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

The evolution of physical therapy (PT) in a primary care setting represents a significant shift in musculoskeletal (MSK) management. While successfully utilized within the military and specific veteran health organizations, widespread adoption in the civililian sector is hindered by concerns regarding feasibility and sustainable reimbursement.

This study examines a novel implementation of primary-care PT at the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center in Newberg, OR. By utilizing a capitated payment model—rather than traditional fee-for-service—this research seeks to determine the operational feasibility of embedded PT services and their efficacy in optimizing patient-centered outcomes.

A special thank you to the Virginia Garcia Memorial …

Does Stance Width Influence Isoperception During Lower Extremity Loading, Emily Elwell, Cade Kooch, Andrew Meszaros

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Definition: Isoperceptual Manifold (IPM) is the combination of sensory inputs that covary to achieve a single perceptual goal

• → e.g. to hold a cup: perception from 3 fingers combine into a singular perceived force.

Background: IPM known to exist in upper extremities,¹ but IPM has not been examined in lower extremity (LE) loading.

Theory: IPM influenced by stance width might contribute to postural control instability^2,3