Occupational Therapy Doctorate capstone projects (MU)

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https://hdl.handle.net/10355/106461

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    Implementation of Every Moment Counts (recess and cafeteria program) effect on a rural school district.
    (2025) Walk, Skylar; Bolton, Tiffany; Cook, Melanie
    Social emotional learning (SEL) during unstructured times such recess and lunch can play a vital role in student development, but often these environments are overlooked. Children need opportunities to create positive social connections at school to increase their social and emotional development needed for lifelong relationship. Loneliness, isolation, acting out, and self-doubt can be a result of children's social needs being unmet (McNamara, 2017). The cafeteria and recess environments provide the highest opportunity for socialization within the school environment. Often math, science, and literacy instruction take precedent over social opportunities, but creating a healthy balance between these areas fosters a lifestyle that promotes feelings of happiness, social connectedness, autonomy, and fulfillment (McNamara, 2017). As discussed, recess and the cafeteria are opportunities for social development, but these environments help children develop intellectual constructs and cognitive understanding through interactive experiences. The development of these skills can increase the carryover from recess and cafeteria environments into the classroom leading to increased success in academics. Social development has been delayed because of the COVID-19 social isolation, which emphasizes the importance of building these skills in elementary students within the school environment. The findings aim to contribute to the literature on social emotional learning and physical activity, providing evidence for the benefits of incorporating structured social activities into daily school routines.
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    Adaptive gaming : capstone experience
    (2025) Tegethoff, Andrew; Pifer, Gina; Janes, Bill
    Currently, playing video games or "gaming” is a widely popular activity across many populations and especially in youth and young adult populations (Howarth, 2022). Many play simply recreationally, however, studies have found that gaming also serves to benefit psychosocial aspects of one’s life. Studies have revealed that many use gaming to stay socially connected or as a tool to cope with stress (Emerson et al., 2021; Iancovides & Merkler, 2019). However, those with physical and/or cognitive disabilities often experience barriers to participating in gaming due to difficulty with operating a standard gaming controllers or difficulty in utilizing accessibility settings (Scope, 2021). This Doctoral Capstone Experience aids in further developing the current adaptive gaming program at the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou), to promote the well-being and inclusivity of those facing barriers through the creation of an accessible webpage and video series dedicated to adaptive gaming equipment training and education.
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    Enhancing a work rehabilitation program for injured United States Postal Service (USPS) workers
    (2025) Westlund, Lindsey; Henderson, Whitney; Munson, Victoria
    The rehabilitation of injured United States Postal Service (USPS) workers is a critical issue, given the high incidence of work-related injuries that significantly impact the workers' health and efficiency of postal services. The capstone project addressed the need for an enhanced work rehabilitation program at Peak Performance Health Care, which aimed to facilitate improved return-to-work outcomes and work readiness of USPS employees. The purpose of the capstone project was to develop job-specific interventions and ensure that clinic staff are trained to support these efforts. A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized Return-To-Work (RTW) Checklist and revised work rehabilitation protocol. Quantitative outcomes measured included pain levels, confidence in work ability, lifting capacity, and work status. On average, results demonstrated a 32.36 percent reduction in pain, a 46 percent increase in confidence, and a 214.4 percent improvement in lifting capacity among participating patients. Quantitative feedback from patients and staff highlighted improvements in patient engagement, stratification, and team collaboration. Findings suggest that the integration of tailored, occupation-based interventions within a structured rehabilitation protocol can significantly enhance functional outcomes and work readiness among USPS workers.
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    Mind Flex : a high intensity exercise class with cognitive interventions for people
    (2025) Weaver, Meg; Bolton, Tiffany; Spanjer, Blake
    Those with Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative condition, most often present with motor and non-motor symptoms. Occupational therapists treat individuals with Parkinson's to work on their physical well-being, cognition, independence in occupations, quality of life, and social participation. The purpose of this doctoral capstone experience was to design Mind Flex, an eight-week high intensity cycling exercise program with cognition interventions at the Parkinson's Exercise and Wellness Center. Seven participants were chosen for this project. The MoCA and a semi-structured questionnaires were used as primary outcome measures to evaluate general cognition before and after participants took part in the Mind Flex classes. The average MoCA pre-intervention score was 23/30 and the average MoCA post-intervention score was 22/30. All cognitive domain averages from the semi-structured questionnaire increased, indicating a higher confidence regarding completing cognitive tasks. The qualitative responses were analyzed for concurrent themes between fighters and the site mentor. The Mind Flex exercise plans were provided to the Parkinson's Exercise and Wellness Center for continued use and improvement of participants' symptoms because of Parkinson's Disease.
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    Exploring the expansion of occupational therapy's role within foster care transitions
    (2025) Thomas, Juliet; Pifer, Gina; Wagner, Ashley; Martin, Lisa
    Each year, thousands of youth aging out of the United States foster care system face numerous challenges as they transition to independent living, suddenly expected to navigate adulthood with limited access to resources, education, and essential life skills. This capstone project aimed to explore existing service gaps for transition-aged youth at FamilyForward, an organization focused on supporting families and children, during this critical period. A qualitative research study was completed, utilizing semi-structured interviews, to assess service gaps and needs within the transitional period of aging out within FamilyForward's foster care program. The semi-structured interviews were completed with six foster care service providers within the FamilyForward organization. A thematic analysis of the interview data revealed six overarching themes highlighting identified gaps within the transitional period. The gaps identified were: skills gap and lack of exposure, support systems for youth, autonomy of youth, collaboration, rural specific barriers, and education about occupational therapy (OT). These findings demonstrate a match between the identified gaps within this organization, and the scope of OT, indicating a need for expanded OT services within this population. In response, a program proposal was developed to guide the expansion of OT services at FamilyForward. This proposed expansion aims to proactively support youth before they age out of foster care, helping them address and build skills necessary for a successful transition to adulthood.