Document Type

Presentation -- MUSC Only

Publication Date

2025

Faculty Mentor

Corey Morrow

Abstract

Spasticity is a highly complex neuromuscular impairment, which can make it a particularly difficult topic for caregivers to fully understand and manage without appropriate support and education. This capstone project was completed at a pediatric outpatient therapy clinic under the mentorship of an occupational therapist who specializes in neuro-related conditions. Following a clinical needs analysis, this project was designed to address a specific need: the limited availability of clear, accessible educational resources related to spasticity for caregivers.

The purpose of the project was to increase access to spasticity-related education by developing multimodal resources that rehabilitation therapists could easily distribute to caregivers The project had two primary goals: (1) to obtain advanced knowledge about pediatric spasticity and best practices for creating healthcare educational resources, and (2) to design sustainable and informative tools that support caregivers in understanding and managing spasticity in their child. The materials were intentionally written in clear, jargon-free language to ensure caregivers of all health literacy levels could understand and apply the information.

The final deliverables included a series of educational handouts and videos. These resources were reviewed and piloted at the clinic, where feedback was collected from participating caregivers. Project outcomes indicated that 100% of caregivers reported increased confidence and competence in understanding spasticity. They also expressed feeling better equipped to support their child’s needs at home using the knowledge provided.

This project highlights the value of accessible, family-centered spasticity educational tools in outpatient pediatric settings and supports occupational therapists in their role as educators and advocates for caregiver empowerment.

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