The occupational therapy program at Cleveland State prepares students to address population-health issues in the community through the capstone process. Students collaborate with a local site to design a capstone experience. After working on site for 14 weeks, the student completes an individual capstone project to demonstrate synthesis and application of knowledge gained. These posters highlight the accomplishments of the occupational therapy doctoral students at Cleveland State University.
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Promoting skill development, inclusion, and participation by implementation of activity-based sensory-enriched programs for children
Amanda Pearson 2024
Both neurotypical and neurodivergent children need more opportunities to engage in activity-based programs to promote overall development. We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym is an OT-based facility designed for children of all ages and abilities. This facility promotes socialization... (read more)
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Empowering Fall Prevention: Development and implementation of Volunteer Peer Liaison Program Manual
Marissa Poalson 2024
This capstone project addressed the community's lack of knowledge and training in fall prevention strategies by developing and implementing a volunteer peer liaison fall prevention manual. The manual outlined guidelines and provided training to support participants of the fall... (read more)
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Enhancing Hospice Care: Integrating altered engagement in occupations through the dimensions of doing, being and becoming
Heather Raible 2024
Evidence demonstrates engagement in occupation at the end of life is perceived as insignificant and disregarded, therefore, often absent from care. My capstone identified new avenues for facilitating meaningful engagement in occupations that fulfilled individual needs and desires during... (read more)
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Occupational Therapy Program Fostering the Development of School Readiness Skills in Refugee Children
Grace Reminder 2024
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)- Cleveland offers programming and services that help immigrants, refugees, and uprooted individuals transition to life within the United States. Refugee children face challenges with socialization, mental health, and experience a great deal... (read more)
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Using the Nintendo Switch as an exercise modality to increase the enjoyment, motivation, and determine feasibility of the use of exergaming in community-dwelling older adults
Monica Samboa 2024
About one-fourth of older adults are inactive. Exergaming can provide older adults with physical activity to increase their well-being. The capstone focus was to examine feasibility of the Nintendo Switch as a home exercise modality for older adults and... (read more)
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Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Perspectives on Pain Management Following Spinal Cord Injury
Helen Saul 2024
This capstone was done in collaboration with MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute and Cleveland State University. This qualitative study explored the role of occupational therapy in pain management for individuals with spinal cord injuries. The specific strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats... (read more)
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Life Skills and Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Kara Stults 2024
This capstone included the development and implementation of a 5-week life skills program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Beyond the Challenge. This program focused on improving self-determination and life skills for these adults to increase independence... (read more)
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AI and Mobile App Utilization for Hand Therapy among Patients with Lower Socioeconomic Status
Olivia Trickett 2024
Background: The capstone project aims to enhance upper extremity rehabilitation in underserved communities by creating educational resources for practitioners on mobile app usage. Methods: Conducted interviews with a hand therapist, and conducted a literature review on mobile app usage... (read more)
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Addressing Burnout Among Caregivers of People with Spinal Cord Injury
Rachael Vance 2024
This capstone, completed at Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, involved the implementation of a 6-week occupational therapy program to address the mental health needs of veterans with spinal cord injury. As part of this program, a needs... (read more)
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Occupational Therapy and Human Trafficking Recovery: A Novel Educational Model
Jacklyn Voytko 2024
Human trafficking recovery frequently fails to address the complex needs of survivors. Occupational therapy is uniquely qualified to meet those needs, but is commonly overlooked. This capstone involved the development of an evidence-based educational model, emphasizing trauma-informed and culturally... (read more)
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Student-athletes and their hidden opponent: Assessing and supporting student-athlete mental health and well-being
Dena Wenzinger 2024
Suicide is now the second most common cause of death among college athletes in the United States. This capstone involved conducting an in-depth needs assessment of the mental health resources in the Athletics Department at Cleveland State University. There... (read more)
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Parkinson’s Disease and Occupation Focused Wellbeing
Ashley Adamczewski 2023
This capstone was completed at InMotion™, a community wellness center that serves individuals with Parkinson's disease. The purpose was to advocate for occupational therapy services in the community as preventative care and educate InMotion™ clients on how occupational therapy... (read more)
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Pediatric Occupational Therapy Kits for Cuyahoga County Families
Shiri Akrish 2023
Pediatric occupational therapy kits were provided to families of children ages 3-5 served by Family Connections of Northeast Ohio. Kits were used to accessibly educate families on occupational therapy services. Each kit included a developmental milestone checklist, follow-up resources,... (read more)
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Implementing a Health and Nutrition Program in Schools to Promote Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Justine Anderson 2023
y program aims to address obesity by educating faculty, children, and parents on proper nutrition and exercise to provide kids with the resources to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Students participated in groups incorporating fun ways to exercise, learning about... (read more)
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Sexuality and intimacy support for individuals with IDD: A study of Ohio county services
Emmy Baldwin 2023
Individuals with development and intellectual disabilities face barriers to participating in activities related to relationships and sexual well-being. This capstone focused on surveying Ohio county organizations to determine what services are available to support individuals in navigating sexuality and... (read more)
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Modification of the Comfortable Cafeteria Program to Foster the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities
Abigail Barnette 2023
The purpose of this capstone was to design and implement a modified lunch program that fits the distinct needs of students with low-incidence disabilities within Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The final product included modified lesson plans and materials that... (read more)
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How Can Occupational Therapy Enhance Existing Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Summit County, Ohio?
Mary Barrett 2023
This capstone project focused on the role of occupational therapy in substance use disorder treatment. While working at Cleveland State University a needs assessment of the services available in Summit County was conducted. The final project was the development... (read more)
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The importance of a self-determination integrated transition-to-work program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A program development plan
Carissa Bellino 2023
This capstone experience was completed at Beyond the Challenge, an adult day program for young adults with Down Syndrome. The goal was advocating for the need to address "soft skills" for successful employment. The final outcomes was the development... (read more)
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Addressing mental health for veterans with spinal cord injury
Colleen Bentler 2023
This capstone was completed at the Cleveland VA Medical Center and included the development and implementation of a 6-week mental health program for veterans with spinal cord injuries. The program provided veterans with resources and positive coping strategies to... (read more)
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Occupational Therapy's Value in a Campus Support Program for Former Foster Youth
Autumn Blatt 2023
This capstone focused on students at Cleveland State University's Pratt Center, which provides support for students with a history in foster care. Capstone activities included implementing workshops focused on important life skills and psychosocial development. The final product was... (read more)
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Sensory Processing versus Behaviors in Preschool-Aged Students
Megan Brugnone 2023
The capstone was completed at Sutter Park Preschool. After careful observation and research, checklists were created to help teachers and OTs identify the differences between sensory preferences and behaviors in students (3-6 years old). Teachers were given information to... (read more)
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Incorporating "Occupation" into Evaluations and Treatments for the Hand and Upper Extremity Population
Kaelyn Cantrell 2023
This capstone was at the Cleveland clinic Hand Therapy Department. It focused on exploring, identifying and creating ways to enhance the use of occupation into evaluations and interventions for individuals with hand and other upper extremity conditions. This was... (read more)
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Well Mind, Well Life: A Mental Wellness Program for LGBTQ Young Adults
Michelle Casey 2023
This capstone was in partnership with the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. It included the development of a peer-led program for queer-identifying young adults to promote mental wellness. Free resources have been provided to the site to enhance... (read more)
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The Development of an Inclusive Post-Secondary Program at Cleveland State University: Doctoral Capstone Project
Riley Chiu 2023
This capstone was focused on the development of an inclusive post-secondary program for students with intellectual disabilities, the Reciprocal Inclusion Student Experience Program at Cleveland State University. Activities included designing courses on career development, independent living, and self-determination for... (read more)
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Occupational therapy within the Senior Community: Low Vision's Influence on Social Participation
Erin DiFranco 2023
This capstone focused on the impact of low vision on social participation within the senior community at Ohio Living. Activities were provided to enhance social participation in the facility by educating staff on low vision resources that will make... (read more)
