Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Enhancing Occupational Engagement And Wellness In Middle-Aged And Retired Adults Through Movement And Mindfulness Program Development, Erin J. Harvey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Occupational imbalance and a diminished sense of purpose are common challenges faced during middle age and the transition into retirement. These issues can contribute to increased burnout, decreased participation in meaningful activities, and an overall decline in health and well-being. Occupational therapy is well-equipped to address these concerns through comprehensive and holistic, occupation-based wellness programs that promote healthy routines and engagement in meaningful roles. This doctoral capstone project involved developing and implementing two community-based wellness programs tailored to different populations. The first program included self-paced wellness modules for middle-aged adults, aiming to encourage healthy lifestyle habits, enhance coping skills, and …

Strategic Transition Planning And Post-Graduation Preparedness For Students In Secondary School, Kelsey Renae Armentrout

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The transition period between high school and post-graduation life can be a challenging time for many students. Young adults may follow different paths, including going into the workforce or attending post-secondary education, as well as learning how to navigate life skills such as paying bills, buying a house or a car, applying for jobs, obtaining insurance, and occupations within the adult life stage. While young adults may learn about these things throughout their high school career, it is likely that the feelings of unpreparedness are continuously relevant. The purpose of this DCE is to develop and implement learning modules for …

Effectiveness Of Occupational Therapy-Inspired Educational Sessions For Mothers Accessing Women, Infants, And Children (Wic) Services, Samantha Annette Merew

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This doctoral capstone project examined the effectiveness of occupational therapy (OT)-inspired group and one-on-one educational sessions designed to support the emotional, mental, and social well-being of pregnant and postpartum mothers accessing Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services in Onslow County, North Carolina. Grounded in the Model of Human Occupation and Cognitive Behavioral Frame of Reference, the program aimed to address gaps in holistic maternal health support, particularly among low-income and at-risk populations. Eight structured group sessions and five one-on-one sessions were developed, implemented, and evaluated, focusing on topics such as stress management, emotional regulation, self-care, role transition, and self-advocacy. A …

Bridging The Sensory Gap With Occupational Therapy: Program Development For Sensory Integration In Inpatient Rehabilitation For Adults With Central Nervous System Injuries, Callie Marie Honaker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Objectives: This project aimed to identify sensory processing deficits in adults with central nervous system injuries and to inform the development of sensory-informed program components in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. Participants: A total of 76 adults admitted with diagnoses including cerebrovascular accident, brain injury, and spinal cord injury were included. Methods: A structured sensory screening and mental health questionnaire were administered and compared to prescreening admission documentation and PHQ-9 scores. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses were conducted. Results: Sensory impairments were highly prevalent, with participants demonstrating an average of three impairments across the sensory domains. Proprioceptive, tactile, and visual deficits …

Impact Of Occupational Therapy Within The Rosenbaum Family House: How Program Development Supports Health And Well-Being For Caregivers And Care Recipients, Zaccardi P. Muniz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Healthcare hospitality houses (HHH) are designed to accommodate patients and caregivers receiving medical treatment far from home. The Rosenbaum Family House (RFH) acts as the HHH adjacent to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia. The RFH offers amenities that meet the basic needs of guests; However, there is an opportunity for occupational therapy-based program development to help further assist caregivers and care recipients both inside and outside the RFH. During the doctoral capstone experience (DCE), a three-phase project was developed to support the health and well-being of guests and WVUMedicine clients through group programming, resource guide development, and …

Exploring The Role Of Occupational Therapy In A Pediatric Specialty Care Office, Sierra Leigh Hays

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: The role of OT in primary and specialty care clinics is a rising area of interest in the field. There are also many multidisciplinary clinics that OTs can be or are apart of. This study aims to evaluate the consulting role of OT in primary and specialty care clinics, as well as to evaluate data collected by an OT in a pediatric brachial plexus and peripheral nerve clinic. Methods: The first objective was focused on analyzing functional outcomes, using the Active Movement Scale (AMS), of children following neurosurgery or onabotulinum toxin A injections. This was a retrospective study with …

Type 2-Low Asthma: Epidemiology, Multiomics, And Emerging Therapies, Philip Mendez, Alanis Rosado, Juan Carlos Cardet

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Purpose of Review

Type 2-low (T2-low) asthma, characterized by low blood and sputum eosinophils and low fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), remains a major unmet need because of frequent corticosteroid insensitivity and a lack of targeted therapies. This review summarizes recent advances in its epidemiology, multiomics, and therapeutic landscape.

Recent findings

T2-low inflammation is highly prevalent, affecting approximately 14%-39% of adults with current asthma and up to 60% of children. Its pathogenesis reflects complex non-T2 mechanisms, including IL-17 signaling, innate immune activation through IL-1β and IL-33, and neutrophilic inflammation. Heterogeneity is further shaped by systemic factors such as obesity and …

P38 Mapk Is Involved In Epigenetic Regulation Of Fibrotic Genes In Replication Induced Senescence In Lung Fibroblasts, Shan Zhu, Jennifer Q. Zhou, Kan Wang, Ming-Lei Guo, Yan Sanders

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Fibroblast activation is essential for tissue repair following injury; however, prolonged activation drives pathological fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive and age-associated lung disease, is characterized by aberrant fibroblast activation, with increasing evidence implicating senescent and near-senescent fibroblasts in its pathogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. In this study, we investigated whether histone modification is involved in TGF-β1 treated lung fibroblasts and contributes to the fibrotic phenotype. Human IMR90 lung fibroblasts at low and high population doubling levels (LPDL and HPDL), as well as primary IPF fibroblasts, were used in this study. In response to TGF-β1, both …

Regulation Creations: A Trauma-Informed Resource Addressing Sensory And Socio-Emotional Childhood Challenges, Meagan Noel Barnes Pearson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Trauma is ubiquitous and can negatively impact many life outcomes. Though trauma can occur across the lifespan, particular emphasis has been placed on the outcomes of experiences that occur in childhood. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), as coined by Felitti et al. (1998), pertain to traumatic events that occur before the age of 18, and the correlation between the number of ACEs and poor health outcomes is significant. Children can begin demonstrating unfavorable symptoms upon becoming exposed to trauma. Current literature has illustrated particular differences in sensory systems and social skills for young children. These challenges can lead to hardship …

Effect Of Active Music-Based Intervention Conducted By Music Therapists Or Medical Professionals On Reducing Agitation In Patients With Dementia: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Jian-Jia Huang, Yu-Hsuan Chen, Yun-Chen Chung, Yu-Peng Huang, Yu-Cheng Pei

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Music-based interventions (MI), including music therapy and music medicine, have been proposed to reduce agitation in patients with dementia, yet evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews remains inconsistent. Moreover, the efficacy of MI may vary by method and professional involvement, which has not been fully examined. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of active MI conducted by music therapists or medical professionals on agitation in patients with dementia compared with those of general therapy (GT). RCTs published between January 1, 2010, and July 31, 2021, were identified from MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library. Study quality …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Supporting Neurodiverse Individuals In The Workplace, M'Kenna J. Henson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and focused on the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) areas of education and program development. The project involved developing a nationally-accessible asynchronous continuing education e-course, The Role of Occupational Therapy in Supporting Neurodiverse Individuals in the Workplace, to increase occupational therapy (OT) practitioners' and students' knowledge of neurodiversity, workplace inclusion, and evidence-based employment supports.

Current literature highlights significant barriers to employment for neurodivergent individuals. Approximately 20% of people are neurodivergent, yet nearly 80% of neurodiverse adults are unemployed, demonstrating the need for greater …

Acute Changes In Muscle Thickness And Perceptual Responses Following Different Applications Of Blood Flow Restriction, Anuj J. Prajapati

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The use of blood flow restriction (BFR) allows for reductions in exercise intensity without compromising muscular adaptations that are typically only manifested during high-load non-BFR exercise. There exist, however, several ways to implement BFR and there is a lack of information regarding which application may be beneficial over another. The purpose of this investigation was to examine acute changes in muscle size and perceptual responses following different pressure applications of BFR (i.e., continuous BFR [cBFR], intermittent during sets BFR [iBFR_sets], and intermittent during rest BFR [iBFR_rest]) relative to an unrestricted condition (i.e., nBFR). Participants completed cBFR, …

Relationships Between Quadriceps Neuromuscular Function And Time From Surgery Following Acl Reconstruction Are Sex-Specific, Tatiana Restrepo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is associated with persistent quadriceps dysfunction, including muscular weakness and altered spinal and cortical excitability. While recovery has been widely studied, most investigations focus on isolated domains and fixed postoperative time points. Emerging evidence suggests females often experience slower or less complete quadriceps recovery compared to males, yet the time-dependent nature of these sex-specific outcomes remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to examine whether relationships between time since ACLR and quadriceps neuromuscular outcomes differ by sex across muscular, spinal, and cortical domains. Adults aged 18–35 with a history of primary, unilateral ACLR were …

Empowering Staff And Caregiver Through Occupational Therapy Education And Leadership At Hope Therapy Center, Natalie K. Antle

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My doctoral capstone was completed with Hope Therapy Center (HTC), a pediatric clinic in Da Nang, Vietnam that is part of a Christian-based nonprofit organization providing free therapy services to children with disabilities and their families. This project focused on the ACOTE areas of education and leadership. It was informed by a previous experience at HTC where I observed a need for additional staff education, caregiver support, and sustainable occupational therapy resources. Those observations guided the development of my capstone and helped ensure the project addressed the clinic's greatest needs.The purpose of this capstone was to strengthen staff knowledge of …

The Effect Of In-Game Cervical Exercises On Shoulder Internal Rotation Range Of Motion And External Rotator Strength In Baseball Pitchers, Vincent Ceasrine, Christine Ferraro, Jason K. Grimes

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background

Consensus is lacking regarding the underlying cause of two prevalent risk factors for shoulder and elbow pain in overhead throwing athletes: loss of shoulder internal rotation (IR) range of motion (ROM) and strength of the external rotators (ER). Consideration of cervical spine contribution may have important implications for rehabilitation and coaching of overhead throwers.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of performing active cervical retraction and retraction with extension exercises between innings of pitching a simulated game on shoulder IR ROM and ER strength following completion of the game.

Study Design

Randomized controlled study …

Planning A Clinical Practice Guideline Revision For A Core Set Of Outcome Measures In Adults Undergoing Neurologic Physical Therapy, Part 1: Assessing Dissemination And Scholarly Uptake, Jennifer Moore, Jane E. Sullivan, Marghuretta D. Bland, Wendy Romney, Elizabeth Anderl, Zeynep Gulen Erkoc, Kristen Potter

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Introduction

Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) facilitate evidence-based decision-making and standardising care, yet their dissemination and scholarly uptake vary widely. The Core Set of Outcome Measures for Adults With Neurologic Conditions Undergoing Rehabilitation CPG (Core Set) has been broadly referenced within neurologic physical therapy. As the next revision approaches, understanding its scholarly influence, citation patterns, and published feedback is essential. This study evaluated the dissemination and use of the Core Set across the peer-reviewed literature and identified areas for refinement.

Methods

A medical librarian conducted comprehensive searches of Web of Science, CINAHL, and Scopus to identify peer-reviewed English-language articles citing the …

Bridging The Gap: A Resource Toolkit To Support Clients Beyond Discharge, Kaleigh G. Williams

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone was completed at The Medical Center–Franklin, a rural critical access hospital offering outpatient, acute, and post-acute rehabilitation services. The project aligned with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) focus areas of Leadership, Education, and Advocacy through the development of a Resource Toolkit to support caregivers, clients, and rehabilitation specialists during hospitalization and discharge planning.Through discussions with stakeholders regarding social determinants of health and occupational justice, a need for improved access to community resources was identified. In response, a comprehensive toolkit was developed containing more than 60 resources focused on client education, caregiver support, …

Simulated Traffic Stops For Neurodiverse Drivers, Addie Wilson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The goal of this capstone project was to create a simulated traffic stop event for neurodiverse drivers to decrease anxieties and promote positive interactions with local law enforcement. This project was completed under the ACOTE standards of project development and clinical skills, and in collaboration with the University of Kentucky Driving Rehabilitation Program and a Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist. Previous simulated traffic stops have been completed specifically for the ASD population and showed improvements in anxiety and understanding of traffic stops. Additionally, resources like the Blue Envelope Program have been implemented across the country to allow for interactions between autistic …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Health, Wellness, And Community Engagement In Rural Texas, Maggie Hall

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) and Doctoral Capstone was completed at Colston Physical Rehabilitation & Wellness Center in Kingsville, Texas. The primary ACOTE focus areas addressed were advocacy and education. This capstone aimed to explore community perspectives on health and wellness while identifying gaps in health knowledge and access to community resources and streamline acute care evaluations to minimize readmission rates.

A needs assessment was conducted through community health and wellness questionnaires, stakeholder collaboration, and review of local demographic and health data.  Kingsville, TX is a rural community with higher-than-average rates of poverty and obesity. Findings revealed a need for …

I Am God's Masterpiece- Inclusive Vacation Bible School For Adults With Disabilities, Chelsea Lee M. Beverly

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

A SWOT analysis revealed a substantial need of local events for adults with IDD, therefore, the goal of this capstone project was to host an event promoting inclusivity in rural communities and offering opportunities for meaningful engagement in social participation and leisure activities in diverse populations. I specifically focused on the community impacts of this project, what the needs were for this area, and how this could benefit the community now and in the future. This event was held on June 6, 2026 from 10am-3pm. Participants were offered engagement opportunities through completing crafts, participating in worship, interactive Bible lessons, outdoor …