Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Self-Reported Confidence Of Dpt Students In Assessing And Treating Different Body Regions Within Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Practice, Scott W. Lowe, Jennifer Wiley

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Introduction

This study examined Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) students' self-reported confidence in assessing and treating musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions based on body regions. We hypothesized that there would be identifiable differences in self-perceived confidence across the different body regions. Most literature assessing DPT students' readiness for clinical practice has come from the perspective of educators and clinicians, whereas student perspectives have not been reported.

Methods:

The study is a descriptive, observational online survey.  Participants were final-year DPT students in the United States. Participants rated their comfort level in assessing and treating patients with MSK complaints, both in general and specifically …

Online Decoding Of Rat Self-Paced Locomotion Speed From Eeg Using Recurrent Neural Networks, Alejandro De Miguel, Nelson Totah, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective. Accurate and reliable neural decoding of locomotion holds promise for advancing clinical applications such as rehabilitation and prosthetic control, as well as for understanding neural correlates of action. Recent studies have demonstrated successful decoding of locomotion kinematics across species in motorized treadmill settings. However, efforts to decode locomotion speed directly and continuously in more natural contexts—where pace is self-selected rather than externally imposed—are scarce, and those that exist generally achieve only modest accuracy and require intracranial implants. Here, we aim to decode self-paced locomotion speed non-invasively and continuously using cortex-wide electroencephalography (EEG) recordings from rats. Approach. We introduce an …

The Bent Clinician: How Dental Work Is Reshaping Your Spine - And What To Do About It, Kelly Davis Pt, Dpt, Faaompt, Mt

New Orleans Dental Association News

Musculoskeletal disorders affect somewhere between 64 and 93 percent of dental professionals over the course of their careers. Neck pain, shoulder aches, low back fatigue — these aren’t just the cost of doing good work. They are predictable patterns that, with the right understanding, you can absolutely change.

Benefits Of Pet Friendly Work Environments On Physical, Mental, And Social Health Of Office Workers: A Systematic Review, Ahmed Radwan, Jenna Keeman, Tristan Hunzinger, Owen Wilson, Shayla Seymour

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Background: Pet-friendly workplace initiatives are increasingly common, yet the empirical evidence for benefits to office workers’ physical, mental, and social health is scattered and heterogeneous.

Objective: To synthesize evidence on health-related outcomes associated with pet-friendly work environments for office and desk-based workers, and to appraise the current level of evidence.

Methods: A PRISMA-guided systematic search (2014–2024) was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, OVID, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts and full texts, extracted data, and appraised study quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklists. Outcomes were coded and synthesized narratively within three domains: physical, mental, …

The Vision-Enhanced Occupational Engagement Program, Zakoria Q Fox Mcelroy, Rebecca King

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Low vision is a significant concern among older adults and can affect independence, mobility, safety, social participation, and overall quality of life. As the aging population continues to grow, understanding the challenges experienced by older adults with low vision is increasingly important for improving supportive services and promoting healthy aging.

Purpose: This capstone project examined the experiences and needs of older adults living with low vision, with a focus on how vision loss and environmental factors may influence daily functioning, independence, and participation in meaningful occupations.

Methods: A multi-method needs assessment was completed to identify the needs of residents …

Fostering Inclusion: Supporting Children With Hearing Loss In Social Interactions, Danielle Kaletta, Mary Jan Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project provided an open-access online program for caregivers of children with hearing loss to facilitate social engagement. Qualitative methods were used to conduct a needs assessment and identify areas of concern, barriers, and limited resources that affect participation in social activities. Based on the needs assessment, a 6-module website was created and published. Occupational therapy-based evidence, research, interventions, and best practices were compiled and adapted to target identified areas. Participants reported overall favorable feedback, stating an increase in knowledge, confidence, and participation.

Implementing A Sensory-Informed Protocol For Fall Prevention In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Riley R. Scholberg, Amy Lyons-Brown, Elizabeth Force

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project developed and implemented a sensory-informed admission protocol to support fall prevention at a skilled nursing facility. The development of this protocol aimed to improve the early identification of vision and hearing impairments and integrate sensory considerations into resident care planning and fall prevention. Participants included newly admitted residents and interdisciplinary staff members from rehabilitation, nursing, and administration. Methods included administering the Screening for Severe Dual Sensory Loss (SDSL), reviewing resident characteristics and fall-related indicators, educating staff on sensory-informed care, and developing practical resources to support consistent screening, documentation, and intervention. Expected outcomes included increased staff knowledge, improved …

A Program To Address Anxiety And/Or Add/Adhd In Children With Cerebral Palsy To Improve Social Participation, Victoria Shaw, Mary Jan Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this project was to develop a program for children with cerebral palsy, who experience anxiety and/or ADD/ADHD, that will promote their social participation during play activities. The program lasted for 14 weeks and had two participants, within those 14 weeks, several objectives were accomplished. These objectives include the administration of the needs assessment, implementation of the program modules, pre- and post-interviews with the caregivers and staff, and the finalization of the program. The expected outcome from the program was to determine the effectiveness of the different program modules increasing interactions with peers by decreasing anxiety and improving …

A Hand Therapy Quick Reference Guide: Supporting Level Ii Fieldwork Experiences ​, Raven I. Gammage, Rebecca Caudrillier, Mary Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Occupational therapy students often begin Level II hand therapy fieldwork with limited preparation. This capstone project developed an evidence-informed Hand Therapy Quick Reference Guide to support students and clinicians with foundational knowledge and clinical resources. Following implementation, feedback from hand therapists, fieldwork educators, and students indicated the guide was organized, practical, and applicable across clinical settings. The guide has the potential to improve fieldwork preparedness and support successful entry into hand therapy practice.

A Hand Therapy Quick Reference Guide: Supporting Level Ii Fieldwork Experiences, Raven I. Gammage, Rebecca Caudrillier, Mary Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Occupational therapy students often begin Level II hand therapy fieldwork with limited preparation. This capstone project developed a Hand Therapy Quick Reference Guide to support students and clinicians with foundational knowledge and clinical resources. Evaluative feedback from hand therapists, fieldwork educators, and students indicated the guide was organized, practical, and applicable across clinical settings. The guide has the potential to improve fieldwork preparedness and support success in hand therapy practice.

Acute Intermittent Hypoxia And Acute Intermittent Hypercapnic Hypoxia Elicit Cortico-Diaphragmatic Plasticity In People With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury, Alysha Bogard, Michela Mir, Tommy Sutor, Jessica Dunn, Kathryn Cavka, Arian Vistamehr, Hannah Snyder, Joseph Welch, Jayakrishnan Nair, Gina Brunetti, Gordon Mitchell, Emily Fox

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty Papers

Respiratory impairment is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after spinal cord injury (SCI), highlighting the need for interventions that improve breathing function. In people with SCI, acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) elicits respiratory motor plasticity and improves inspiratory function. However, in uninjured people facilitation of corticospinal diaphragm motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude occurs only when AIH is combined with mild hypercapnia (acute intermittent hypercapnic hypoxia; AIHH). It remains unclear whether AIHH similarly enhances diaphragm corticospinal excitability after SCI. We tested the hypothesis that AIHH increases diaphragm MEP amplitude and reduces MEP onset latency in individuals with chronic SCI, whereas …

Implementing The Walking Impairment Questionnaire For Peripheral Artery Disease Screening And Referral, Lisa Doyle

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity, mortality, and lower extremity amputation. At a Level 1 veterans medical center, the absence of a standardized screening and referral process contributed to delayed identification of symptomatic PAD and underutilization of supervised exercise therapy (SET). Between August 2024 and July 2025, only four veterans completed SET despite a large high-risk population, demonstrating a significant gap in evidence-based recommendations and clinical practice.

Aim of the Project: The aim of this project was to improve patient outcomes by standardizing screening for symptomatic PAD using the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) to …

Empowering Domestic Violence Survivors Through Community-Based Self-Regulation Suppor, Xen Gabrielle O. Advincula

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Purpose: Program development of trauma-informed, occupation-based resources and program and incorporating OT-related principles to support occupational balance and engagement of survivors of DV and IPV

Goal: Enhance and support the staff’s capacity and understanding of OT-scope in community settings and incorporation of OT-focused self-regulation strategies

Outcome: Increase the staff’s confidence levels of knowledge on the scope of OT within community-based settings and OT-related strategies to support self-regulation levels

An Epilepsy Community Collective Towards Occupational Justice And Empowerment, Tyler Debuty

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Underutilization of epilepsy-specific resource programs, lack of public awareness about epilepsy, limitations in community belonging, and implications for self-management programs aimed towards improving quality of life and reducing the burden of care during the transition into adulthood and throughout the lifespan for people with epilepsy.

Improving Quality Of Life For Informal Caregivers Of Post-Stroke Survivors: Implementing Preventative, Advocacy And Educational Strategies, Joann Bennett

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Stroke recovery extends beyond hospital discharge, yet community-dwelling stroke survivors and their informal caregivers often have limited access to continued education, wellness resources, and community-based support.

This gap contributes to caregiver burden, reduced occupational participation, and decreased quality of life.

Amplifying Parental Well-Being: Ot-Informed Support For Families Of Children With Hearing Loss, Joelle Barth

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Despite the many demands placed on parents of children diagnosed DHH, limited support exists to specifically address their mental health needs

Bridging Gaps In Spanish-Speaking Individuals In Rural Areas About Parkinson’S Disease, Fabiola Barajas Velasco

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Provide education and bring awareness of Parkinson’s disease in rural areas through educational trainings and community outreach, specifically those close in contact with farmworkers or farmworkers themselves.

Occupational Therapy Approaches To Mitigating Cancer-Related Fatigue (Crf): A Scoping Review And Practice Framework, Brooke Carson

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Goal: Improve knowledge and competence in CRF management through evidence-based education to improve CRF interventions in oncology rehabilitation

Outcome: Increased confident and application of evidence based CRF intervention strategies, leading to improved functional performance and occupational engagement for individuals experiencing CRF

Promoting Mental Health Awareness, Advocacy, And Occupational Justice For First-Generation College Students, Gilberto Duran Garcia

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

First Generation College Students (FGCS) face a high prevalence of mental health concerns

Stress, anxiety, depression, financial burden, cultural expectations, imposter syndrome, pressure to meet expectations, fear of the unknown, lack of guidance, and lack of preparedness

Enhancing New Mother's Mental Health And Confidence After Discharge, Breana De La Cruz

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

New mothers lack guidance, education and resources for common postpartum complications resulting in a decreased overall wellbeing in the postpartum period.