Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects

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https://hdl.handle.net/1805/23238

This collection includes capstone projects authored by doctoral students in the Department of Occupational Therapy.

If you are an OTD student and need access to upload your project, please contact the IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship (digschol@iupui.edu).

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 142

Tier 1 Interoception Interventions in an Elementary School
(2024-05) Oleshchuk, Oksana; Wasmuth, Sally; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Miller, Kari
Interoception, or the perception of one’s internal body signals, is a building block for emotion regulation and may be protective against adverse health experiences. Interoception is not innate but is rather a skill that must be learned as a person ages. While elementary schools tackle many facets of development, there are minimal interventions to address interoception. The main site is an elementary school in a high poverty neighborhood that offers a large amount of support to students in many areas but did not have any formal interoception interventions. This capstone project developed a tier 1 interoception intervention, piloted the intervention, educated teachers on interoception, and presented the intervention to staff members to address continued use of the intervention. The program that developed was a 6-session program implemented over 6 weeks adapted from The Interoception Curriculum: A Guide to Developing Mindful Self-Regulation for use in the inclusion general education elementary classroom. The program showed weak quantitative evidence but strong qualitative evidence showing the program was successful at addressing interoception in the participating classrooms by increasing body awareness, vocabulary for expressing needs and emotions, and increasing related communication. Along with the success of the pilot intervention, facilitators and barriers to continued implementation were found and analyzed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Facilitators to future implementation were found to include the innovation, the compatibility, resources and connections in the inner setting, and the need of the individuals. Barriers to success included structural characteristics of the inner setting and the capability and motivation of implementing individuals. This project details the development of a tier 1 interoception intervention for elementary school students.
Promoting Family Engagement in a Community Setting for Children Impacted by the Substance Use Disorder of a Family Member
(2024-05) Greenwell, Conner; Belkiewitz, Johnna; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; McFadden, Rachel
Individuals caring for children impacted by the substance use disorder of a family member are often less able to participate in valued occupations, specifically social participation, and they lack a community in which they feel supported and understood. The capstone student collaborated with Camp Mariposa Aaron’s Place in Indianapolis, IN and Mitchell, IN, with the purpose of promoting family and peer engagement for caregivers of children who attend this program. The student identified a gap in current research on how to best support caregivers of children affected by the substance use disorder of a family member. The main component of this project was evaluation and further development of Camp Village Council, a support program for family members of children who attend Camp Mariposa Aaron’s Place. The student created an intervention binder, educational modules, and educational handouts to promote connectedness between group members and to provide caregivers with an improved ability to carry over what kids are learning at camp into the home. Another component of this project was supplemental programming of family events to promote family engagement. Overall, results suggest that groups facilitated by the student and materials created by the student had a positive impact on the Camp Village Council participants and program as a whole. Results were mixed on the impact of supplemental programming.
Development of Resources to Improve Sensory Regulation in the Classroom
(2024-04-26) Rizzo, Hannah; Hess, Pamela; Hess, Pamela; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; N/A, N/A
The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop and provide sensory based resources to teachers, occupational therapists, and families throughout a large Florida school district to improve student regulation. Through the needs assessment, it was discovered that the school system had a goal to decrease maladaptive behavior and suspensions. To support this goal, four resources were created; a teacher’s handbook to sensory processing and regulation, a sensory pathway that students can utilize for regulation, newsletters for families on sensory processing and activities to support development, and a list of equipment to purchase to support the creation of a sensory library. Trainings were provided to teachers on how to utilize the handbook created.
Pediatric Recreation and Staff Education: Disability and Diversity Inclusive Education on Play and Leisure at a Pediatric Residential Services Facility
(2024-04-24) VanBuskirk, Allyssa; Wasmuth, Sally; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; None, None
Recreation is vital for promoting physical, social, and mental health for children through play and leisure. Children with disabilities face obstacles to recreation that can negatively impact their overall well-being, but caregiver intervention can improve these challenges. Children at a community residential facility experienced decreased recreational participation with staff due to low schedule adherence, language and cultural differences, and poor knowledge on recreation. The purpose of the capstone project was to address these barriers through employee education, training, and development of disability and diversity-inclusive activities in order to improve staff proficiency and engagement in recreation. Preliminary surveys completed by 31 workers yielded baseline data on their demographics, learning styles, and viewpoints on recreation. This information was used to create project materials including educational handouts, activity ideas, and equipment guidelines the student and staff could utilize for recreational engagement. Implementation challenges hindered initial project delivery and shifted the focus toward the creation of educational presentations for employees at the site. A learning survey given to 14 new hires and four recreation staff at these presentations evaluated the project’s effectiveness in improving knowledge and motivation for recreational engagement. Pre- and post- test data analyzed through paired t-tests found overall improvement in new and current workers’ knowledge, motivation, and confidence in recreation after presentations. Additionally, employees at the site reported greater engagement in recreational areas by the conclusion of the project. These findings demonstrate the capstone project increased competency, education, and participation in recreation for staff with children at the site.
Caregiver Burnout Prevention at a Midwest Parkinson's Foundation
(2024) Goyke, Madison; Bednarski, Julie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Williams, Kim
Parkinson’s Disease is a rapidly growing neurological condition that can affect participation in everyday activities. As more individuals become diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, the number of those caring for people with Parkinson’s Disease also increases. Caregivers can become susceptible to caregiver burnout, which is a stress that accumulates over time, produces a negative outlook on caregiving, and affects many areas of one’s life. Literature suggests that key areas to caregiver burnout prevention are daily care hours, education on disease, social support, and mindfulness. Through a needs assessment of a midwest Parkinson’s organization, a gap was identified between where the organization wanted to be with caregiver burnout prevention and where it was. The goal of this capstone project was to equip the organization with caregiver burnout prevention resources and strategies to promote caregiver health, well-being, and quality of life. Based on the needs assessment, two educational sessions were created and delivered to participants at three caregiver support groups over the topics of mindfulness, medication management, Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT), and respite. Program outcomes were measured via pre- and post- surveys, and this data was analyzed through independent t-tests. There was a statistically significant difference with a large effect size for mindfulness, medication management, and respite educational sessions. Outcomes suggested that caregiver confidence and satisfaction in applying burnout prevention strategies greatly increased following the educational sessions.
Advanced Clinical Skills and Educational Resources in Pediatric Feeding
(2024-04-26) McIntyre, Velvet; Nguyen, Elizabeth; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Miller, Taylor
Pediatric feeding difficulties are becoming more prevalent within the scope of occupational and speech therapy. After conduction of a needs assessment and thorough literature review, it was evident that an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic lacked caregiver involvement and limited educational resources. The purpose of this capstone project was to create evidence-based feeding resources to educate caregivers on different milestones and strategies to implement within the home environment in order to decrease parental stress, decrease the overall impact their child’s feeding difficulties had on the caregiver’s daily life, and improve occupational performance for children with feeding issues. Three pre- and post-assessments were utilized to measure the effectiveness of feeding therapy and the educational resources. Overall, the occupational performance for children with feeding issues improved by 21.5 points, the parental stress levels decreased by 7%, and the overall impact their child’s feeding difficulties had on the caregiver’s daily life slightly decreased. Keywords: occupational therapy, pediatric feeding, pediatric feeding disorder, feeding difficulties
Supporting the Unmet Needs of Mothers in Breast Cancer Survivorship: Integrating Occupational Therapy into an Urban Outpatient Cancer Center Rehabilitation Program
(2024) Langemeier, Jessica; DeRolf, Annie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Blount, Sarah; Novales, Mary Stephanie
Breast cancer survivorship is a chronic condition that disrupts a mother’s physical and psychosocial abilities to participate in meaningful activities; yet, rehabilitation to address her needs is rarely considered. This study examined how the integration of occupational therapy (OT) into a cancer center rehabilitation program might address the broad impact of a mother’s breast-cancer diagnosis, and its treatments, on the role of parenting, activity participation and QOL. Methods: Needs analysis; informal interviews; formal surveys; rehabilitation and oncology provider education; protocol and program development for target population; development of screening tools to address unmet needs; and resource development to facilitate referral to OT providers. Results: Mean pre- and post-education scores were calculated for each group and scores compared with an unpaired t-test. Responses indicated rehabilitation practitioners were significantly more confident after education on the physical and psychosocial disease impacts, and how outpatient OT services might address related limitations (>2.0 mean score improvement vs baseline and p<0.001 for all). Oncology navigation pre- and post- education session responses indicated a significantly increased level of confidence in the benefits of OT (p < 0.05) for the population, and a slightly increased likelihood of referral for OT services (p = 0.08). Clinical implications: Oncology and rehabilitation providers must be willing and able to consider the wide-ranging impacts of breast cancer on a mother, including the influence on her ability to cope and participate in meaningful activities. Comprehensive oncology rehabilitation programming that includes OT is necessary to meet a mother’s needs, promote participation, and improve QOL. Providers must increase referrals to rehabilitation, including OT, to provide maximal benefit to breast cancer survivors with children in the home.
Effects of Intergenerational Trauma on Motherhood Post Incarceration: Implications for Occupational Therapy Services During the Reentry Process
(2023-05) Fischer, Keeley S.; Annie, DeRolf; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Vest, Breea
Community reentry is the process of reintegrating individuals who have been incarcerated back into society. It is a challenging process that requires a multitude of resources to be successful. Unfortunately, individuals who have been released from jail or prison lack the necessary resources for successful reentry. Individuals with justice system involvement commonly face external barriers such as discrimination in housing, employment, and education. Common internal barriers include negative or limiting personal beliefs, roles, and habits. For mothers who have been incarcerated, the community reentry process can be particularly difficult, facing unique challenges related to their role as caregivers. Judgment and stigma from society, along with mothers often bearing the primary responsibility for the care and well-being of their children, often results in increased difficulty securing stable housing, employment, and access to resources required for the care and provide for their children.
Addressing Sensory Processing Differences Through Implementation of Education and Resources at a Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Clinic
(2024-04-26) Rager, Carson; Van Antwerp, Leah; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Raches, Christine
Neurodevelopmental disabilities impact one in 36 children in the United States; sensory processing differences impact 90 percent of these individuals. Sensory processing differences in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities can impact performance in their desired occupations, roles, and routines. This doctoral capstone project sought to implement training and resources related to sensory processing to improve education and competence of the clinicians at a Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disability (LEND) clinic in Indianapolis, IN. The project involved creation of four training modules that discussed various aspects of sensory processing, educational resources related to sensory processing, and handouts to assist in parent education. Project efficacy was evaluated via pre/post survey with quantitative and qualitative responses completed by clinicians at the Indianapolis LEND clinic. Quantitative results were inconclusive, due to insufficient amount of post-survey responses; however, qualitative results indicated that the clinicians found the trainings to be beneficial and impactful in their practices.
IU Occupational Therapy Doctorate Students’ Perceived Experiences on CarFit Training
(2024-04-26) Instenes, Haley; Bednarski, Julie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Breeden, Lori
This paper describes the Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE) by providing an overview of a comprehensive initiative focused on integrating CarFit training into the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) curriculum at Indiana University. CarFit is a program designed to optimize vehicle safety features and enhance driver comfort, for older adults, addressing the pressing concerns surrounding their increased vulnerability to injuries while driving. This initiative stems from the recognition of occupational therapists’ role in promoting older adult driver safety and aligns with the IU OTD program's mission of socially responsive healthcare, leadership, and advocacy. The project aims to equip second year OTD students with the necessary skills and knowledge to participate in CarFit events, assess older adult drivers' needs, and provide personalized recommendations to enhance their driving experience. Evaluation methods include a post-survey to assess students' perceptions and learning outcomes. Results from the post-survey indicate students provided high responses in areas associated with CarFit being beneficial to the older adult population, understanding the purpose of CarFit, real life experiences increasing their confidence as a therapist, and CarFit being beneficial to receive certifications while in school. There were more neutral results towards continued CarFit education and event participation. With the overall results of the capstone indicating favorable outcomes for CarFit within the curriculum. The completion of this project resulted in CarFit being added to the curriculum in the Older Adults class for the upcoming year, 2025.

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