Campus Location
Abilene Campus (Residential)
Date of Award
12-2025
Document Type
OTD Capstone
Department
Occupational Therapy
Degree
OTD
Faculty Advisor
Melinda Underwood
Site Mentor
Stephanie Phelps
Capstone Coordinator
Leslye Morris
Specialization
Program Development
Focus
Education
Abstract
This doctoral capstone project examined the need for occupational therapy (OT) services among individuals diagnosed with cancer and cancer survivors. Evidence indicates that cancer-related fatigue, decreased participation, and diminished quality of life are common challenges following different types of cancer treatment. Occupational therapy addresses these issues through occupation-based interventions, fatigue management education, energy conservation strategies, and activities that promote strength, stability, and social participation. Nevertheless, a gap persists in the utilization of OT services within oncology treatment care. Over a 14-week period, this project implemented group-based interventions to enhance the quality of life and engagement among cancer survivors affiliated with Strength For Life, a community-based nonprofit organization. The project aimed to expand available resources and strengthen the organization’s capacity to serve its participants. A Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT-G) pre- and post-survey design was utilized to measure participants’ perceived knowledge, support, and access to resources related to quality of life. Data analysis revealed improvements in understanding of occupational therapy’s role and an overall increase in perceived support and resource utilization. Findings underscore the potential for group-based OT interventions to enhance quality of life outcomes in oncology rehabilitation. Continued research is recommended to evaluate further the long-term effects and frequency of such programs within community and clinical settings.
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