IRB Number

#25-1101-101

Date of Award

Spring 4-10-2026

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Zeida Gutierrez, Ph.D., MHS, OTR/L

Medical Subject Headings

Emotional Regulation, Child, Disabled children, Occupational therapy, Vestibular system

Abstract

This capstone project is a mixed-methods research study that aimed to identify the impact of vestibular system stimulation on emotional regulation in children with disabilities. Throughout this research study, swing use was used as vestibular stimulation to identify its effectiveness in improving emotional regulation in children with disabilities. The study was conducted over the course of six weeks in a school-based setting.  The results of this research study are indicative that using a swing as a vestibular input is an effective intervention to manage emotional regulation in children with disabilities. Utilization of linear swinging at the beginning of occupational therapy sessions helps children with maintain emotional regulation throughout the rest of the sessions, as indicated by lower average OASS scores in the participants and reduction of maladaptive behaviors in the behavioral observation checklist.

Comments

Capstone project submitted to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Occupational Therapy.

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