Exploring the Benefits of BlazePod Technology through an Occupational Therapy Lens

BlazePod technology is an intervention used successfully in Physical Therapy (PT) to address motor coordination deficits, however, there is limited evidence that OTs can successfully use it as a preparatory intervention with individuals who have motor coordination and cognitive deficits and are unable to independently complete everyday occupations such as dressing, bathing, toileting, etc. The focus of this project was to provide evidence that supports how the occupational therapy profession can utilize BlazePod technology as a preparatory intervention tool to address motor coordination and cognitive deficits that in turn will enhance ADLs and IADLs.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonessummer2024/1038/thumbnail.jp

An Occupational Therapy Guide to Promoting Social and Emotional Health Among Youth in a Post Covid-19 Era

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a significant rise in mental health challenges among children and adolescents, impacting their daily performance and overall well-being. These psychosocial effects underscore an urgent need for comprehensive support from educators, parents, and communities to effectively address the increasing mental and behavioral health issues among young individuals. The purpose of this project was to implement a program that would improve the social and emotional health of youth and adolescents, as well as to educate educators and parents. By fostering resilience and promoting mental well-being among youth and adolescents, the program\u27s initiatives seek to mitigate the pandemic\u27s adverse effects and contribute to overall positive mental health.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonessummer2024/1042/thumbnail.jp

Evidence Based Practice Change to Incorporate a Standardized Process Checklist for Fecal Microbiota Therapy (FMT) to Increase Staff Adherence

Practice Problem: Staff adherence to new procedures is crucial for ensuring patient safety, maintaining quality care, reducing risks and liabilities, and fostering a positive organizational culture that supports continuous improvement. Having a procedure done safely for patients infected with C.diff provides an overall benefit to the healthcare system. PICOT: In an endoscopy lab staffed with nurses and surgical technicians (P), does the implementation of a new standardized process of administering FDA approved Fecal Microbiota Transplant Therapy (I) compared to the current process (C), increase staff adherence to the process (O) over 12 weeks(T)? Evidence: Leadership, supervision, and organizational culture are crucial for promoting adherence to guidelines, while factors such as lack of knowledge, lack of confidence, organizational climate, and forgetfulness contribute to non-adherence. Direct observation proved invaluable in bridging the gap between perceived and actual actions, while workplace culture holds sway over compliance with procedures. Intervention: Fecal microbiota therapy is recommended for preventing Clostridioides difficile infection recurrence, administered as an enema without sedation or bowel prep, unlike traditional options. A stepwise process was established to ensure proper execution, including creating a checklist to aid endoscopy unit staff who will assist in the procedures. Outcome: Nurses generally adhered closely to the checklist, with one nurse at 75% adherence. Feedback was provided to improve infusion pace for optimal results, and overall staff adherence exceeded the 70% threshold, with 74% adherence. Even though no statistical significance was calculated, clinically, the checklist was an important tool to utilize when training nurses for the first time or when refreshing someone who hasn’t done a procedure in some time. Conclusion: This DNP project aimed to establish a standardized process with a checklist for treating CDI, emphasizing the crucial role of nursing staff adherence in delivering safe, effective, and high-quality patient care

Use of Medication Management Strategies to Increase Medication Compliance in Person’s Who Have Suffered a Stroke

The provided research provides education to increased independence in person with stroke for the occupation of medication adherence. Various exercises and education provided in the research to increase independence in persons with stroke.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1046/thumbnail.jp

The CI-ASD Program: Implementation of Contextual Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder (CI-ASD) with Latino Families (Preliminary Report)

Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience sensory processing differences that affect their participation in daily activities and routines. Autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children in the U.S. However, Latino children are diagnosed two years later than white children. Latino families still have the greatest disparities in accessing ASD resources throughout the U.S. compared to white families. The lack of ASD services and resources led to decreased parental self-efficacy, quality of life, and increased child behavioral problems. Contextual Interventions Adapted for Autism Spectrum Disorder (CI-ASD) are an emerging intervention for occupational therapy (OT) practitioners. Recent literature shows improvement in child participation and parental self-efficacy when combining sensory processing knowledge with a coaching approach within a family-centered context. While some evidence supports the application of CI-ASD in improving children\u27s participation and promoting a sense of efficacy, this intervention has not been implemented within the Latino Community. The purpose of this capstone was to examine the following research questions: Does CI-ASD increase the quality of life in Latino Families? Does CI-ASD promote Latino parenting sense of efficacy? Does CI-ASD promote children\u27s participation in Latino family activities and routines?https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1072/thumbnail.jp

Exploring Healthy Occupations for Adolescents at Risk for the Juvenile Justice System

Many youth who are at risk for the juvenile justice system are likely to have spent some time in the foster care system or child welfare system. This population is often found lacking in social skills and/or life skills that contribute to the difficulties with independent living. Occupational therapy practitioners can provide independent life skills training, such as cooking/meal prepping, budgeting, and job exploration as well as providing healthy leisure outlets to promote a successful transition into adulthood. This program aims to promote the development of skills this population requires for successful independent living as an adult such as basic living skills as well as fostering healthy habits and routines. Many of those in this population have been in foster care long-term and are likely to age out of the foster care system; so, those who do find themselves aging out of this system have been shown to feel unprepared for life and face challenges financially, socially, and psychologically throughout their transition into adulthood. By determining the needs of this population, while factoring in environment, upbringing, and mental health concerns, this project will help facilitate a more seamless transition into adulthood and foster healthy habits.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1064/thumbnail.jp

Occupational Therapy’s Opportunity to Impact Care at the End of Life

Navigating and managing the end of life can be difficult. The focus of occupational therapy in care at the end of life is to aid the patient and caregiver through these challenges by facilitating improved safety, comfort, and quality of life through the participation in meaningful occupations. Despite the ways that occupational therapy benefits these patients, occupational therapy involvement in care at the end of life is misunderstood, under-researched, and underutilized. There is a general lack of awareness regarding this topic and a stigma that occupational therapy focuses only on rehabilitation and therefore does not belong in care at the end of life. To combat these issues, there needs to be additional education and training for all healthcare professionals, including occupational therapy practitioners, about occupational therapy’s role in care at the end of life. Occupational therapy professionals in this area of practice must strive to educate others and advocate for their role to improve the understanding of this practice area and thus positively impact more patients and families

Occupational Engagement in Recreational Sports for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: An Employee Guidebook

An employee guidebook to help increase occupational engagement within recreational sports for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing population in the Austin, TX area.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1006/thumbnail.jp

Occupation-Focused Aquatic Therapy for Stroke Survivors

This capstone project explores the impact of aquatics-based occupational therapy on stroke survivors\u27 quality of life. A needs assessment was performed at an outpatient aquatic physical therapy clinic, and an aquatic program was developed based on stroke survivors\u27 unmet physical, social, mental, and occupational needs.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1039/thumbnail.jp

Training Summer Camp Counselors to Understand and Address the Unique Needs of Campers with Disabilities: A Video Series

This poster outlines a video series created for a specific camp in North Texas. The population this camp serves is youth and young adults with mental and physical disabilities.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1055/thumbnail.jp