Scholarship and Open Access Repository
Not a member yet
1330 research outputs found
Sort by
The Impact of Social Participation Through Adaptive Sports on Quality of Life in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury
Get PDFThis project researched and explored how socialization through adaptive sports in this case impacts the perception of quality of life among individuals who have sustained a spinal cord injury.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2025/1059/thumbnail.jp
Opening the Outdoors: Experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Adults in Outdoor Occupations to Support Mental Health
Get PDFThis mixed methods study explores the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) adults in exploring and engaging in outdoor occupations to support mental health. Through 15 survey responses and 2 semi-structured interviews, data was collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and reflective thematic analysis. The findings revealed three overarching themes: Barriers to Outdoor Occupations, Facilitators to Encourage Participation, and Personally Experienced Benefits. Participants explained how outdoor activities contribute to improved mental health, emotional regulation, and a sense of holistic well-being. By addressing the gap in research on nature-based occupations within BIPOC communities, this study highlights the need for occupational therapists to develop culturally responsive, community-based interventions that promote accessibility, inclusion, and mental health support through nature. The study also emphasizes the need for advocacy, representation, and program development to expand access to meaningful outdoor engagement for underserved populations.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2025/1062/thumbnail.jp
Maternal Carbohydrate-controlled Diets and the Impact on Neonatal Hypoglycemia Rates
Get PDFPractice Problem: Neonatal hypoglycemia has a profound impact on the diabetic maternal infant dyad and their families. The practice problem negatively affects the quality of care offered by healthcare providers, while also imposing a financial burden on the healthcare system that extends well beyond the perinatal period.
PICOT: In term infants born to diabetic mothers (P), does a regular carbohydrate-controlled diet given at least 8 hours prior to birth (I) in comparison to a clear liquid carbohydrate-controlled diet (C) reduce the incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia at two hours of life(O) across an 8-week period(T)?
Evidence: A medical nutrition diet, such as a regular carbohydrate-controlled diet, and is considered the first line treatment of diabetes during pregnancy.
Intervention: This project supported the implementation of regular carbohydrate-controlled diets for diabetic mothers during the labor process when clinically appropriate.
Outcome: Regular carbohydrate-controlled meal administration within 8 hours of delivery resulted in a 37% decrease in neonatal hypoglycemia when comparing these two diet options.
Conclusion: Any infant that develops neonatal hypoglycemia is at risk for associated negative sequalae that pose both short- and long-term risks. Making the nutritional needs of diabetic mother a priority had a considerable impact on decreasing neonatal hypoglycemia rates
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Adults With Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities: An Educational Video-Series for Caregivers
No full textCaregivers of people with IDD do not have sufficient resources to assist in preparing their care-recipients to deal with the adult developmental stage of intimacy versus isolation. The purpose of this project was to create an educational video-series for caregivers of people with IDD on how to help their care-recipients successfully achieve the psychosocial developmental stage of intimacy versus isolation.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2025/1075/thumbnail.jp
Promoting Occupational Balance for High School Student-Athletes Transitioning to College
Get PDFThe purpose of this proposal is to outline my vision of my capstone project focused on the transition of high school athletes to their first year of collegiate sports while maintaining occupational balance. The average high school student who is beginning their transition into their first year of college can find this journey to be difficult and come with a lot of new responsibilities. There are changes within their current roles, routines, and habits that affect their ability to be successful within the first year of college, which can result in not returning to the college or university the second year (Van Rooij et al., 2017). First-year college athletes experience occupational imbalance during their transition from high school sports to college sports. This imbalance can result in collegiate athletes prioritizing their athletic participation rather than their responsibilities for their academics (Dos Santos et al., 2020).
The second phase of the capstone project includes the creation of the occupational-based program. Within this 5-module program, students met during their scheduled times for their Individual Graduation Plans (IGP) that were conducted with their assigned counselor or with their scheduled meeting with other stakeholders, such as a college advisor. Module 1 included a fact sheet about occupational therapy (OT) to ensure that the participants understand OT\u27s scope of practice and role within the high school population. Module 2 included resources on how to manage social and emotional stress. Module 3 included time management and scheduling skills and resources. Module 4 included college preparation resources and skills that were needed, and Module 5 included extracurricular activities and clubs that students can participate in to prepare for certain majors in college.
The data was collected and gathered through a series of informal surveys and interviews of Chester High School (CHS) students, staff, and the surrounding community. The findings of the results show the need for and importance of occupational therapy to provide a more organized, structured, holistic approach for student-athletes during their transition from high school to college and achieving occupational balance and harmony during this transition. The results from the needs assessments were analyzed and assisted with creating the 5 modules for this program, which included a fact sheet about OT, resources to manage social and emotional stress, time management and scheduling skills, college preparation resources and tips, and lastly, extracurricular activities and clubs. This project emphasizes the focus on providing an occupational-based program to assist the transition of high school athletes to their first year of collegiate sports while maintaining occupational balance.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2025/1078/thumbnail.jp
Educational Use of Artificial Intelligence in Doctor of Health Sciences Programs
No full textIntroduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) has gained increased attention in higher education with the identification of several strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats regarding its utility. The aim of this study was to ascertain how doctoral programs in health sciences utilize AI as academicians and instructors.
Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to all Association of Doctoral Programs in Health Science (ADPHS) members on the mailing list (n=51), with n=19 (37.3%) voluntarily responding.
Results: The findings revealed both enthusiasm and caution regarding the use of AI in doctoral health sciences education, reflecting similar broader trends identified in the literature. Despite institutional policy gaps and implementation challenges, 83% of respondents reported using AI, with 69% expressing high confidence.
Discussion: Institutional support and guidance are essential for the integration of AI into educational practices. By adopting a proactive, mission-driven approach to policy and practice, higher education can set an example for the responsible development and use of AI in teaching and learning
Regain Confidence Postpartum: A Guide for Pelvic Floor Health
No full textPostpartum pelvic floor dysfunction can disrupt daily occupations such as toileting, hygiene, mobility, sexual health, sleep, and infant care. These challenges often reduce confidence and limit participation. Although pelvic floor issues are common, occupational therapy has not been widely recognized in this emerging area, leaving a gap in functional, client-centered support.
This capstone project developed Regain Confidence Postpartum: A Guide for Pelvic Floor Health, an occupation-focused resource designed to help postpartum individuals understand pelvic floor dysfunction and return to meaningful routines. A needs assessment was completed through clinical observation, discussions with providers at Purely Pelvic Floor, and a review of current evidence. The assessment identified limited awareness of the role of occupational therapy and a need for accessible and functional education and intervention strategies.
The guidebook content covers topics such as understanding your pelvic floor, signs of pelvic floor dysfunction, anatomy, psychosocial impacts, mindfulness practices, coping strategies for fear and anxiety, self-care and leisure, returning to meaningful activities, occupational disruption and social considerations, social and community scenarios, goal setting (Mom 101), activity sample tracking, physical recovery, healthy posture habits, Kegel exercises, pool noodle relaxation, and strategies for comfort, highlighting the growing role of occupational therapy in pelvic floor health and providing practical tools to support postpartum recovery and participation.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2025/1005/thumbnail.jp
Occupational Therapy\u27s Role in Maternal Health: Empowering Mothers Experiencing Postpartum Depression and Anxiety Through Education On Child Development
No full textTo empower mothers experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety by strengthening their maternal knowledge and self-efficacy in supporting their baby’s development through an occupational therapy-based educational program.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2025/1012/thumbnail.jp
Redesigning Beauty: Promoting Universal Design for Upper Extremity Deficits
No full textThe purpose of this capstone project is to research and identify barriers individuals with upper extremity deficits face when participating in personal hygiene and grooming tasks and to use this information to advocate for individuals with upper extremity deficits by promoting inclusive design, educating consumers, and informing beauty manufacturers on the importance of implementing a universal design component to allow products to be more accessible.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2025/1015/thumbnail.jp
A Golfer\u27s Guidebook for Prevention and Intervention for Golf Injuries
No full textThe purpose of this capstone project was to create a guidebook for golfers who can be at increased risk for medial epicondylitis focused on prevention and intervention strategies to support productivity, leisure participation, and self-care.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2025/1021/thumbnail.jp