The occupational therapy capstone is a culminating experiential course which allows the doctoral student to enhance skills in advanced clinical practice, scholarship, administration, leadership, advocacy, program and policy development, education, or theory development. The field experience may occur in a traditional or non-traditional site, and the student is expected to perform in-depth skills in their area of focus.

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Capstone Presentations from 2024

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Implementing the COPM to Create Occupation-Based Interventions in Outpatient Adult Rehabilitation, Kelcee A. Bacon

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Say Neigh to Poor Health: Exploring the Impact of Equine Assisted Services on Children's Health, Courtney S. Barrus

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Your Mind Matters: Promoting the Wellbeing of the Parent-Child Dyad through Family Education, McKayla A. Becker

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Filling the Gap: Educating Caregivers and Patients Post Stroke in an Acute Care Setting, Gabrielle A. Blecke

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Play, Splash, Ride: A Multidimensional Approach to Occupational Therapy Intervention for Sensory Processing Difficulties, Britney A. Bradwisch

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Occupational Therapy’s Role as a Member of an Interdisciplinary Feeding Team for Children with Sensory Processing Differences, Emily G. Bruinsma

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Sensory Processing Difficulties in Children Born Preterm and The Needs of Their Families, Shelby J. Buie

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Enhancing Resident Engagement: Optimizing Meaningful Occupations in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Drew J. Couch

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Promoting Life Skills Through an Occupation-based Program for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System, Maggie L. DeJong

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Empowering Pregnancy and Postpartum: Supporting Motherhood Through Occupational Therapy Education, Alison Drexler

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A Community Re-Integration Mental Health Occupational Therapy Program for Veterans at the Sioux Falls Veterans Affairs Hospital, Holly M. Forrester

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Promoting Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Development for Children in a School Setting using Targeted Occupational Therapy Intervention, Mykenzie N. Hall

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Exploring Occupational Therapy’s Role in Childcare Settings, MaKayla Hamling

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Facilitating Community Integration Following Inpatient Rehabilitation: The Importance of Caregivers, Alysa N. Jensen

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Occupational Therapy Services in Pediatric Mental Health, Hallie Jerome

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Incorporating Music into Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Abby Kays

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An Eye-Opening Capstone: A New Perspective on Occupation-Based Treatments for Neurologic-Based Visual Deficits, Katlyn J. Knakmuhs

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S.M.A.R.T. Program Implementation to Promote Engagement and Participation in a School Setting, Emily Mickelson

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Promoting Wakefulness to Increase Occupational Engagement in Military Service Members Experiencing Insomnia Following mTBI, Leah N. Myers

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A Program Based on Meaningful Occupations to Improve Perceived Health and Well-being for People Experiencing Homelessness, Annika Overgaard

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Occupational Therapy Intervention to Promote Recovery of Individuals Impacted by Human Trafficking and Service Provider Well-being, Carlyn J. Paxton

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Quality of Life and Well-Being of Breast Cancer Patients While Following a Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Surveillance Protocol, Madisen L. Prasek

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The Importance of Preferred Meaningful Occupations for Children with Medically Complex Conditions, Kaylee S. Schmit

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A Peer-Mediated Art Program for Secondary Education Students: An Occupation Based Approach, Kjersten B. Sievers

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Nature-Based Occupational Therapy as an Innovative Approach in Facilitating Children’s Development, Surekchha Siwakoti

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Animal-Assisted Therapy in an Outpatient Pediatric Occupational Therapy Setting, Peyton N. Stolle

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Restoring Meaning through Leisure: Exploring the Benefits of Leisure-Focused Occupational Therapy for Individuals with Neurological Diagnoses, Elizabeth Rose Stoutland

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Incorporating Occupation-Based Activities into Treatment for Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders to Increase Self-Efficacy, Brea E. Westberg

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Daring to be Different: Promotion of Child Development and Family Wellness in a Cash-Based Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practice, Kylee Withrow

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Healing Horses: An Occupational Therapy Approach in an Equine Environment, Ashlyn Renee Yoder

Capstone Presentations from 2023

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Physical and Psychological Impacts of Burn Injuries on the Pediatric Population and Their Families: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Sadie E. Anderson

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Mobile Munchies: An Occupation-Based Transitional Skills Program for Adolescents, Reilly S. Dujmovic

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Welcoming Wellness: A Health Promotion and Chronic Condition Prevention Program Rooted in the Foundations of Occupational Therapy, Karlee G. Duncan

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Occupational Therapy's Role in Helping Individuals in the US Justice System Transition from Incarceration to the Community, Kathryn E. Foster

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The Relevance of Sensory-based Intervention in Improving Occupational Performance in Pediatrics, Jasmine M. Fritzemeier

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Restoring Identity for the Homeless: Exploring Occupational Therapy Services for Unhoused Populations, Christina E. Geistfeld

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The Role of Occupational Therapy in Meeting Mental Health Needs of College Students in the South Dakota Regental University System, Molly J. Graesser

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Occupational Therapy in Family Education: Fourth Trimester Wellness to Kindergarten Readiness, Gabrielle Madeline Hagen

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Occupational Therapy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) & Implementation of the Test of Infant Motor Performance, Juliana C. Keane

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Occupation-Based Sexual Health Education for Adolescents with Disabilities, Elizabeth J. Klocke

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Promoting Social-Emotional Development in Preschool Children using a Trauma Informed, Sensory Integrative Approach, Sarah M. McGoldrick

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An Occupational Therapy Program for Improving Caregiving Performance and Satisfaction with Performance among Caregivers for Individuals with Neurological Conditions, Andrea Marie Molus

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Sensory Integration: Improving Participation, Behavior, and Learning in Individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder, Brooklyn K. Osborne

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Treating Cognition Through Occupational Performance in Individuals With Neurological Disorders in Home Health, Alcina J. Park

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Interdisciplinary Approaches to Pediatric Aquatic-Based and Land-Based Therapy, Danielle E. Scheck

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Improving Residents' Access to Occupational Therapy Services in Long-Term Care Facilities: A Screen for Declining Performance in Activities of Daily Living, Amy N. Scheidecker

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Kids and Canines: PAWSitively Impacting Occupational Therapy Outcomes, Jessica M. Simon

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Promoting Participation and Engagement in Meaningful Activities Amongst Residents at a Long-Term Care Facility, Tanner Steineke

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Promoting Successful Discharges From Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Units Among Older Adults, Melissa A. Tweet

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Relaxation as an Intervention for Military Service Members Experiencing ANS Dysregulation Following mTBI, Tori Julianne VanVelzen

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Addressing the Needs of Parkinson’s Disease Care Partners, Jenna Wall

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Promoting Sleep Hygiene for Individuals Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease: Occupational Therapy’s Distinct Role, Hunter O. Wookey

Capstone Presentations from 2022

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The Typical Toddler: Diet and Approaches to Picky Eating, Carissa Adams

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Understanding Advocacy for Promoting Occupational Engagement among Individuals with Disabilities, Rebecca L. Benson

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Enhancing Life: Promoting Meaningful Interventions to Support Individuals with Dementia, Keelan N. Blasius

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An Occupation-Based Approach to Empower Individuals Experiencing Homelessness, Sydney L. Bodensteiner

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Promoting Mental Health of Middle and High School Students Using Universal and Targeted Strategies, Alyssa E. Brown

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Occupational Therapy in Oncology Care: Methods for Treating Cancer-Related Fatigue, Marissa Emberly Cardenas

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Expanding the Role of Occupational Therapy for Oncology Patients: A Focus on Tumor- and Blood-Based Cancers, Erika N. Clark

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Occupational Therapy’s Role in Sensory Play Education in Daycare Setting, Bianca K. Claussen

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Occupational Therapy’s Role in Music Student Health, Katie Ericsson

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Promoting Occupational Therapy Involvement in End-of-Life Care Through Advocacy and Education, Macey Genzlinger

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Mending the Mind: Exploring the Role of Occupational Therapy for Executive Dysfunction Post-Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury, Shannon E. Hegland

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Meeting Mental Health Needs of Parents Caring for Children with Disabilities by Facilitating Occupational Balance and Well-being, Emily J. Heumiller

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Exploring Occupational Therapy in Perinatal Care: Promoting the Mental Health and Well-Being of Women During and After an Unplanned Pregnancy, Sydney M. Korn

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Hula as a Protective Factor that Improves the Quality of Life to Those Who Dance in a Hula, Pepper T. Lum-Lung

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Impact of Stigma on Students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Implications for School-Based Occupational Therapists, Sidney M. McReynolds Mrs.

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Investigating the Impact of Parkinson’s Disease on IADL Performance, Emphasizing the Need for Earlier Diagnosis and the Value of Timelier Occupational Therapy Intervention, Brittney N. Moser

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Occupational Therapy and Continuous Care: Pediatric Rehabilitation for Children with Medically Complex Conditions and Severe Burns, Elise M. Mueller

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Supporting the Role of Professional Caregivers in Long-Term Care: Education, Training, and Caregiver Mental Health interventions that Promote Dementia Care Excellence, Katelyn A. Nelson

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Application of Ergonomics in Healthcare through Environmental Adaptations, Johnny Nguyen

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OT Entrepreneurship: Perceived Challenges & Resources, Gunnar Daniel Olson

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Occupational Therapy’s Role in The Holistic Management of Chronic Pain, Megan K. Rodahl

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The Aquatic Environment as a Tool for Facilitating Sensory Processing and Regulation, Christian Schneider

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Promoting Engagement in a School Setting, Jordyn M. Sippel

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Promoting Inclusive Play and Social Skills Development in Sioux Falls and Harrisburg, South Dakota, Madison C. Snelling

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Incorporating Trust-Based Relational Intervention in Occupational Therapy to Address Mental Health Needs of Elementary Students, Maci K. Stouffer

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Occupational Therapy Education to Support Families Affected by Huntington's Disease and Their Care Team, Morgan R. Weber

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Rehabilitation Through Reintegration: Supporting Survivors of Stroke, Alexander T. Wiemann

Capstone Presentations from 2021

Occupational Therapists’ Role in Supporting Students with Reading Disabilities, Tania Alexander

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Advanced Practice in Aquatic Therapy: Exploring Occupational Therapy in an Aquatic Environment, Brenna K. Barash

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An Occupation-Based Program for Fostering Healthy Life Skills among Youth in the Juvenile System, Shelby E. Beckman

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Virtual Reality and Its Impact as an Intervention on Meaningful Occupations for Individuals with Mental Health Diagnoses, Alison S. Benson

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Bathrooms, Incontinence, and Withholding OH MY: Occupational Therapy’s Role in Pediatric Constipation Management, Erin J. Buse

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Complex Conditions of the Hand: A Resource for Rural Therapists, Jay D. Cooper

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Exploring Dance-Based Occupational Therapy Interventions Among Children and Adolescents with Disabilities and Special Needs, Amy J. Davis

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Exploring Occupational Therapy with Athletes Using Principles of Lifestyle Redesign® to Support Academic Success and Life Balance., Michaela M. Dendinger

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An Occupational Therapy Program to Enhance Academic Performance Among Children in the School System Using American Sign Language, Amy N. Dragoo

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Creating Inclusive Classroom Environments Through Education and Coaching, Leah Hagen

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Promoting Social and Emotional Development in Preschool Children through TBRI® Nurture Group©, Sydney P. Harris

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Musculoskeletal Conditions and Performance Anxiety Among Musicians: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Vitoria Heier

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Improving Quality of Life among Individuals with Neurocognitive Disorders using Occupational Therapy and a Sensory Integration Approach, MaKenzie K. Johnson

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Supporting Caregivers and Survivors of Stroke in their Journey through Stroke Recovery via Telehealth Services, Keri Kamphoff

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Developing Skills Utilizing Assistive Technology in Occupational Therapy: From Entry-Level to Tech-Savvy, Konner W. Kielman

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Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hand Therapy and Application of the Occupational Adaptation Model, Noah R. Kottke

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Complementary and Integrative Approaches for Occupational Therapy Practitioners: An Educational Experience, Wanda Kay Lauer

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Advocating for the Field of Occupational Therapy in a Childcare Setting, Nicole K. Leinhart

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Empowering Occupational Therapy Practitioners through Virtual Education on Seating and Wheeled Mobility, Jane A. Loscheider

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Supporting the Holistic Treatment of Adults with Upper Extremity Injuries: Bridging the Gap Between the Clinic and Classroom, Stephanie W. McClung

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Refocusing on Fine Motor: Increasing Accessibility to Fine Motor Resources in a Virtual World, Robin R. McLey