Award Date

5-15-2026

Degree Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Department

Brain Health

First Committee Member

Sharon Jalene

Number of Pages

73

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this project was to develop an evidence-informed aquatic therapy toolkit aimed at improving occupational therapy practitioners’ self-efficacy in planning aquatic interventions for individuals with neurological injuries.

Methods: This project utilized a quality improvement approach, involving the development of a toolkit, an in-service educational training, and a hands-on skills session. Practitioner self-efficacy was measured using a modified General Self-Efficacy Scale, which was administered before and after the educational training and hands-on skills session. Guided reflections and feedback from occupational therapy practitioners were also utilized to evaluate self-efficacy and the applicability of the toolkit.

Outcomes: Participation in the educational and in-water training sessions was associated with increased self-efficacy in recommending, planning, and implementing aquatic therapy for patients with neurological injuries. Guided reflections indicated that the toolkit was clear, relevant, and practical for clinical use, but there was a desire for additional hands-on practice.

Conclusion: This quality improvement project demonstrated that a structured, evidence-informed toolkit combined with an educational presentation and in-water training can enhance occupational therapy practitioners’ self-efficacy and knowledge regarding aquatic therapy for neurological rehabilitation. While limited by a small sample size and time constraints, these outcomes may guide ongoing training and future quality improvement efforts. Future initiatives should consider incorporating multiple training sessions and a long-term follow-up to evaluate sustained changes in self-efficacy.

Keywords

aquatic therapy; hands-on training; in-service presentation; inpatient rehabilitation; neurological injuries; occupational therapy; self-efficacy; toolkit

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy

File Format

PDF

File Size

8300 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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