Arkansas State University

Department of Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program
OTD 7271 Capstone Preparation I

Student Name: Libby Hembrey

Purpose: The purpose of the assignment is to enhance students’ knowledge of the capstone area
research and theory and A-State OTD curriculum design.

Directions: Use online resources, books, colleagues, peers, content experts, etc. to explore three
possible doctoral capstone ideas for research and/or theory development. The doctoral capstones
must relate to the A-State OTD Curriculum Threads and/or curriculum outcome measures.

Due Date: Upload a completed copy to Canvas by 110:00 a.m. on October 24, 2023

Concept I

Population: (identify a population you would be interested in gaining in depth knowledge on,
2 pts.)

Older adults in the lower Mississippi Delta with Huntington’s Disease.

Research and/or Theory: (For the population identified, explain a capstone project you
would be interested in developing that will advance your research or theory development
skills beyond an entry level OT, 2 pts.)

I would be interested in researching the effects of mental health support groups on individuals
with Huntington’s Disease to improve participation and performance in ADL’s and IADL’s.
Those with Huntington’s Disease experience an array of emotions related to their disability
that include irritability, anger, lack of motivation, decreased drive, and suicidal thoughts. If
their mental health is disrupted, then their occupations are impacted more than what they
already are due to their deficits. Researching the effects of a support group that addresses their
mental state will seek to understand if they would benefit from those sessions to help increase
participation, performance, and function in therapy. Individuals with Huntington’s know their
disease is going to continue to progress which takes a toll on them mentally. Seeing their
deficits when completing tasks that were simpler before their diagnosis can all impact how
they view therapy as potentially a waste of time, but as occupational therapists we know that it
is more important to put quality of life over quantity, so we want to make their time full of
engagement in activities that brings meaning back to their lives.

Occupational-Therapy Outcome: (Identify an occupational-therapy related outcome/goal

for the research or theory development concept using the OTPF4, 2 pts.)

A-State Curriculum and Outcome Measure: (Identify and explain the A-State curriculum
 Arkansas State University
Department of Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program
OTD 7271 Capstone Preparation I

or outcome measure the research or theory development concept relates to, 1 pt.)

Settings: (Identify two settings where you would be interested in serving the population,
provide rationale, 2 pts.) Note: Please provide the name of the site

Mentor: (Based on your population and setting, explain the needs required of a mentor, 1 pt.)

Concept 2

Population: (identify a population you would be interested in gaining in depth knowledge on,
2 pts.)

Older adults with Huntington’s Disease in the lower Mississippi Delta.

Research and/or Theory: (For the population identified, explain a capstone project you
would be interested in developing that will advance your research or theory development
skills beyond an entry level OT, 2 pts.)

Determining the outcomes of SaeboReJoyce training and use as an intervention for individuals
with Huntington’s Disease. Individuals with Huntington’s experience involuntary movements,
rigidity, impaired balance, and difficulty focusing on tasks. Saebo ReJoyce is usually used for
those who have experienced a CVA, but it can be used for any neurological disorder. By
researching the outcome of this device, I would hope to find that clients with Huntington’s
could also benefit from it as well since they also have impaired motor function of their upper
extremities, tight muscles, and decreased ability to concentrate. This device could also
potentially increase their social participation, outlook on therapy sessions, and mood during
therapy. It is a way to address their deficits with an occupation-based intervention since the
device has a variety of settings and options to choose from when interacting with different
clients.

Occupational-Therapy Outcome: (Identify an occupational-therapy related outcome/goal

for the research or theory development concept using the OTPF4, 2 pts.)
 Arkansas State University
Department of Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program
OTD 7271 Capstone Preparation I

A-State Curriculum and Outcome Measure: (Identify and explain the A-State curriculum
or outcome measure the research or theory development concept relates to, 1 pt.)

Settings: (Identify two settings where you would be interested in serving the population,
provide rationale, 2 pts.) Note: Please provide the name of the site

Mentor: (Based on your population and setting, explain the needs required of a mentor, 1 pt.)

Concept 3

Population: (identify a population you would be interested in gaining in depth knowledge on,
2 pts.)

Research and/or Theory: (For the population identified, explain a capstone project you
would be interested in developing that will advance your research or theory development
skills beyond an entry level OT, 2 pts.)

Occupational-Therapy Outcome: (Identify an occupational-therapy related outcome/goal

for the research or theory development concept using the OTPF4, 2 pts.)

A-State Curriculum and Outcome Measure: (Identify and explain the A-State curriculum
or outcome measure the research or theory development concept relates to, 1 pt.)

Settings: (Identify two settings where you would be interested in serving the population,
provide rationale, 2 pts.) Note: Please provide the name of the site
 Arkansas State University
Department of Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program
OTD 7271 Capstone Preparation I

Mentor: (Based on your population and setting, explain the needs required of a mentor, 1 pt.)