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MiOTA Fall Conference 2026
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Toward Objective Measurement of Stress in Parent-Child Co-Occupational Participation Using Wearable Technology
Saturday October 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Mosel (50)
Children who have experienced trauma often struggle to participate in occupations due to regulation and behavioral challenges. As a result, these children may be difficult to parent, and caregiver stress is often high. Occupational therapy addresses regulation, co-occupation, and the parent-child relationship to improve quality of life for this population. However, objective measures that capture changes in internal constructs such as stress have largely been unavailable.


New noninvasive wearable technology may provide a valuable resource for measuring constructs such as stress. This poster highlights the use of the Empatica, a device that measures electrodermal activity, an indicator of sympathetic nervous system function. The background and methods of a study examining whether electrodermal activity measured by the Empatica correlates with parents’ subjective ratings of stress and ratings of a child’s regulation will be described. Participants will also have the opportunity to observe the device in action during real-time data capture.


Goemans, A., Buisman, R.S.M., van Geel, M. et al. (2020). Foster Parent Stress as Key Factor Relating to Foster Children’s Mental Health: A 1-Year Prospective Longitudinal Study. Child Youth Care Forum 49, 661–686. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-020-09547-4   


Perry, B. D. (2009). Examining child maltreatment through a neuro development lens: Clinical applications of the neuro sequential models of therapeutics. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 14, 240–255. doi: 10.1080/15325020903004350   


Campanella S., Altaleb A., Belli A., Pierleoni P., Palma L. A Method for Stress Detection Using Empatica E4 Bracelet and Machine-Learning Techniques (2023). Sensors, doi: 10.3390/s23073565.
Speakers
avatar for Tricia Foster

Tricia Foster

Associated Professor, Western Michigan University
Tricia Foster, PhD, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist and Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at Western Michigan University. Her research, clinical, and teaching interests intersect in the area of supporting young children’s engagement and participation in their home... Read More →
avatar for Alice Christopher, Ann Jordan, Birch Watkins, Claire Gourlay, Ellie Lundy, Emma Libby, Goldyn Graham, Kristina McNellen,

Alice Christopher, Ann Jordan, Birch Watkins, Claire Gourlay, Ellie Lundy, Emma Libby, Goldyn Graham, Kristina McNellen,

students, Western Michigan University
Students in the Occupational Therapy Program at Western Michigan University
avatar for Michelle Ann Suarez

Michelle Ann Suarez

Professor, Western Michigan University
 Michelle Suarez, PhD, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist and  Professor of Occupational Therapy at Western Michigan University. Her research, clinical, and teaching interests include pediatric mental health and behavioral health including regulation, feeding, social skills and... Read More →
Saturday October 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Mosel (50)
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