Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Relationship Between Traumatic Brain Injury And Post-Traumatic Epilepsy: A Review, Alayna Nelson

PCOM Capstone Projects

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), traumatic brain injury (TBI) is considered a major public health problem in the United States. Each year, 2.53 million Americans, including 812,000 children, document a TBI-related emergency room visit (CDC, 2020). TBI is a disruption in the brain’s normal function, caused by a bump or blow to the head or by penetrating head injury (CDC, 2020). These injuries range in severity and can cause damage to one or multiple areas of the brain (Oleksii et al., 2019). Mild TBI, often used synonymously with concussion, comprises more than 90% of TBI …

Incorporating Adverse Childhood Experiences In Medical Student Trauma-Informed Training, Mary Catherine Minke

PCOM Capstone Projects

One of the emerging fields in public health has become how behavior and personal experiences shape the health experience. Particularly, there is interest in understanding how the environment that one lives in changes one’s biology, causing disease, and how interventions can combat this change. A 1998 study conducted by the CDC and Kaiser Health first characterized negative household environments that suffered from dysfunction or abuse and showed how this could be a leading cause of death in adults (Vincent, et al., 1998). Researchers termed these Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Since that time, additional studies have found that those who suffered …

Does Light Therapy Improve The Quality Of Life For People With Acne?, Montana W. Banks

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does light therapy improve the quality of life for people with acne?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three peer-reviewed primary studies published between the years of 2016 and 2018. All articles were published in the English language and in peer-reviewed journals.

DATA SOURCES: One pilot study, one multicenter, randomized, split-face control study and one single-blind, randomized, split-face study evaluating if light therapy can improve the quality of life (QOL) of people with acne. Sources were selected from PubMed and Cochrane based off of the relevance …

Is Apremilast 30mg Effective In Lowering Dlgi Scores In Patients With Plaque Psoriasis In 16 Weeks Of Therapy?, Hunter N. Dennard

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is Apremilast 30 mg effective in lowering DLQI scores in patients with plaque psoriasis in 16 weeks of therapy?”

Study Design: Review of three randomized, blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials published between the years 2013 and 2016.

Data Sources: All studies were published in peer-reviewed journals that were located using PubMed database searches.

Outcome Measured: The DLQI is a 10-item questionnaire that assesses the impact of skin disease on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) over the previous week. Scores for each item range from 0 (not at …

Does The Ligasure Vessel Sealing System Provide Benefit In Mortality In Regards To Hepatic Resections?, Samantha M. Kleiber

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not using the LigaSure device provides any benefit in morality in patients undergoing hepatic resection surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language randomized control trials published in 2007, 2009 and 2012.

DATA SOURCES: Data sources obtained for this review primary studies published in peerreviewed journals, found using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Patient mortality, defined as death within 30 days of the surgical procedure.

RESULTS: The study done by Doklestic and et al had 3 patient mortalities occur. The deaths occurred on post op days three, four and …

Is Music Therapy Intervention Effective In Decreasing Pain After Standard Wound Care In Hospitalized Burn Patients?, Lindsay King

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective evidence based medicine review is to determine whether or not music therapy intervention is effective in decreasing pain after standard wound care in hospitalized burn patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review compiling data from three randomized controlled trials in 2016, all in the English language.

DATA SOURCES: After a thorough search of PubMed and Cochrane, three pertinent studies were found to include in this review. The selected studies were evaluated to assess the effectiveness of music therapy in decreasing pain after wound care in hospitalized burn patients.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Decrease in pain symptoms were measured …

Is Electroacupuncture Effective In Improving Quality Of Life For Women With Urinary Incontinence?, Shelby Kaminsky

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective evidence based medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not “Is electroacupuncture effective in improving quality of life for women with urinary incontinence?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of 3 peer-reviewed studies published between the years of 2014 and 2017.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized placebo-controlled studies and one comparative study evaluating if electroacupuncture (EA) and/or the use of tolterodine improves the quality of life and therapeutic effects of those with urinary incontinence (UI). Sources were selected from PubMed and Cochrane Library based off of their relevance to the clinical question and the outcomes …

Is Intranasal Oxytocin An Effective Treatment For Reducing Disruptive Behavior In Individuals With Prader-Willi Syndrome?, Anna C. Maraia

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not intranasal oxytocin is an effective treatment for reducing disruptive behavior in individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a systematic review of two randomized controlled crossover trials and one randomized controlled pilot study, all of which were double-blind and placebo-controlled. All articles were peer-reviewed, written in English and published between 2011 and 2016.

DATA SOURCES: The three articles used in this systematic review were found in PubMed based on their relevance to the objective of the study, the inclusion of patient-oriented problems and published within …

Does Aerobic And Resistance Exercise Reduce Fatigue In Men With Prostate Cancer?, Rachel L. Metz

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not aerobic and resistance exercise reduces fatigue in men with prostate cancer.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCT’s) published in peer reviewed journals between 2013-2017.

DATA SOURCES: Data sources obtained for this review were found in using PubMed and Cochrane Library and chosen based on their relevance to the clinical question and if they included patient oriented evidence that matters (POEMS).

OUTCOMES MEASURED: All three studies measured the effect aerobic and resistance exercise has on fatigue in men with prostate cancer undergoing androgen …

Is The Combined Oral Contraceptive Treatment Of 150 Mcg Levonorgestrel And 30 Mcg Ethinyl Estradiol Effective In Preventing Bothersome Unscheduled Uterine Bleeding?, Brandi L. Parker

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective evidence-based medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not the combined oral contraceptive treatment of 150 mcg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol is effective in preventing unscheduled uterine bleeding.

Study Design: Review of two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one post hoc analysis, published after 2014 all in the English language.

Data Sources: Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one post hoc analysis, all of which evaluate the efficacy of the combined oral contraceptive (COC) treatment of 150 mcg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol in preventing bothersome unscheduled uterine bleeding. In …

Is Radioembolization A Safer Treatment Than Chemoembolization In Patients With Primary Liver Cancer (Hcc)?, Tram Vu

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not radioembolization is safer treatment comparing to chemoembolization in patients with primary liver cancer (HCC)

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary randomized controlled studies published between 2014 and 2016.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials (RCT) were found using PubMed and Medline database.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Eligible patients were randomly selected and divided into two groups: one group received radioembolization with Y-90 (TARE Y-90) while the other group received chemoembolization (TACE). Adverse events after post treatment were recorded and compared between TARE Y-90 and TACE.

RESULTS: …

Is Music Therapy Effective At Reducing Pain In Fibromyalgia Patients?, Amanda M. Vicznesky

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

The objective of this selective evidence based medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not music therapy is effective at treating pain in fibromyalgia patients.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a systematic review of three primary studies that were peer-reviewed published between the years of 2013-2016.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized control trials and one cross-control study evaluating if music therapy is affective at treating pain in fibromyalgia patients. Data sources obtained for this review were found using PubMed Database.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome measured was the effectiveness of music therapy at reducing pain in fibromyalgia patients. Outcomes were measured via …

Is Virtual Reality For Acute Pain Reduction In Adolescents Undergoing Burn Wound Care Effective?, Michelle Wood

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the use of virtual reality (VR) is an effective method of pain reduction in adolescents undergoing burn wound care.

STUDY DESIGN: Includes a review of two English based randomized controlled trials, and one English based descriptive exploratory study. These studies were published in 2007-2014.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized control trials (RCT’s) and one exploratory study were found searching PubMed database. Both the random control trials and the exploratory study compare the use of virtual reality interventions against either medical management only or a combination of medical …

Does Secukinumab Improve Self-Reported Quality Of Life In Patients With Moderate-To-Severe Ankylosing Spondylitis When Taken Regularly?, Ryan Yenovkian

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not secukinumab improves self-reported quality of life in patients with moderate-to-severe ankylosing spondylitis when taken regularly.

Study design: A systematic review of three randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs), published in peer-reviewed journals between 2013 and 2015, all in the English language. Data sources: All three studies were found and accessed on PubMed.

Outcomes measured: Patient quality of life was assessed in all three studies using the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire and reported as mean change from baseline. ASQoL is scored from 0-18 with a higher …

Is Tribulus Terrestris Effective At Increasing Sexual Desire In Adult Women Suffering From Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder?, Trevene T. Bell

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective evidence-based medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not Tribulus terrestris is effective at increasing sexual desire in adult women suffering from hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

Study Design: Review of three randomized controlled trials published in 2014, 2016, and 2017; selection was based on their relevance to the clinical question and on their patient-oriented outcomes.

Data Sources: Three peer-reviewed primary studies comparing the use of Tribulus terrestris to placebo in the treatment of HSDD were found on PubMed. Outcome(s) Measured: For each trial, patients were divided into either Tribulus terrestris treatment or …

Are Anti-Pd-1/Pd-L1 Monoclonal Antibodies Effective In Prolonging Overall Survival In Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?, Sara Bintner

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies are effective in prolonging overall survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Study Design: A systematic review and data analysis of three randomized control trials (RCTs) published after 2010. The studies were located in English written peer reviewed journals.

Data sources: Three RCTs, which evaluated the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies, including nivolumab and pembrolizumab, as first and second or consecutive line therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC compared to cytotoxic agents. The studies utilized were found in EBSCO host …

Is The Use Of A Fresh-Frozen Allograft More Effective Than A Hamstring Autograft In Preserving Functional Knee Ability Post-Surgery In Acl Reconstruction?, Carly E. Black

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the selective EBM review is to determine whether or not, “Is the use of fresh-frozen allograft more effective than a hamstring autograft in preserving functional knee ability post-surgery in ACL reconstruction?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two randomized control trials (RCTs) and one prospective randomized study published between 2011 and 2016, all in English language. The articles compared allograft tendon versus autograft tendon when undergoing ACL reconstructive surgery.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized control trials (RCTs) and one prospective randomized study were found using PubMed, NCBI, and Cochrane databases. All articles were published in reviewed journals and selected …

Does Botulinum Toxin A Injections Into The Pelvic Floor Muscles Of Women With Chronic Genitopelvic Pain And Vaginal Spasm Improve Pain And Sexual Functioning?, Emily R. Broadbent

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this evidenced based medicine review is to determine whether or not botulinum toxin A injections into the pelvic floor muscles of women with chronic genitopelvic pain and vaginal spasm improve pain and sexual functioning.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two double blind randomized controlled trials and one case series from peer reviewed journals published between 2006-2011.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized controlled trials and one case series were found using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: All three studies measured pain and sexual functioning using selfreported surveys including the visual analog scale for pain, Female Sexual …

Is There A Greater Statistically Significant Difference In The Clearance Or Partial Clearance Of Anogenital/Genital Warts When It Comes To Combination Therapies That Include Cryotherapy Versus Cryotherapy Alone?, Erika Burbano

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine if there is a statistically significant difference in using combination therapies that include cryotherapy vs. cryotherapy alone in the clearance of genital/anogenital warts.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three peer reviewed primary studies that were published between 2009-2014.

DATA SOURCES: Review of a double-blind placebo-controlled study, a single-blinded randomized controlled study, and a randomized clinical comparative study from 2011. All sources were selected from PubMed based on the applicability to the clinical question and how accurately they answered the question regarding the patient population

OUTCOMES: The outcomes of investigation …

Does Sertraline Decrease Depression In Patients Who Suffered A Traumatic Brain Injury (Tbi)?, Christina Costantino

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does sertraline decrease depression in patients who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI)?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English between 2009-2016.

DATA SOURCES: One RCT and two double-blind, placebo-controlled, RCTs found via PubMed evaluated the benefit of the antidepressant drug, sertraline (Zoloft), in decreasing depression in patients who suffered a TBI.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Main outcomes were measured using the DSM-IV, Hamilton Rating Score for Depression (HAM-D)6 , Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)6 , and the Life-3 quality of life (QOL)6 , …

Do Adults Undergoing Minimally Invasive Quadriceps-Sparing Total Knee Arthroplasty Have Less Of A Risk Of Developing A Postoperative Deep Venous Thrombosis As Compared To Patients Undergoing A Standard Medial Parapatellar Total Knee Arthroplasty?, Jessica Cataldo-Ramirez

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Do adults undergoing minimally invasive quadriceps-sparing total knee arthroplasty have less of a risk of developing a postoperative deep venous thrombosis as compared to patients undergoing a standard medial parapatellar total knee arthroplasty?”

STUDY DESIGN: A review of one case series published in 2007 and two randomized controlled trials published in 2014.

DATA SOURCES: Primary literature found in PubMed that compared the surgical outcomes of minimally invasive quadriceps-sparing total knee arthroplasty to standard medial parapatellar total knee arthroplasty.

OUTCOME MEASURED: Postoperative deep venous thrombosis development.

RESULTS: …

Does Acupressure Help To Reduce Symptoms In Individuals Receiving Chemotherapy?, Gabriele Cuna

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective for this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not acupressure can help to reduce symptoms in individuals receiving chemotherapy.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three peer-reviewed primary studies published between the years of 2007-2014.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized control trials evaluating if acupressure can reduce nausea and vomiting symptoms in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Sources were chosen from Google Scholar and PubMed based on their relevance to the clinical topic.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes that are measured in the articles are chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. Two of the articles measured these patient oriented outcomes …

Is Lifitegrast 5.0% Ophthalmic Solution Effective In Improving Eye Dryness And Safe, In Terms Of Ocular Adverse Effects, In Adults 18 Years Or Older With Dry Eye Disease?, Aubrey E. Cole

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not lifitegrast 5.0% ophthalmic solution is effective in improving eye dryness and safe, in terms of ocular adverse effects, in adults 18 years or older with dry eye disease (DED).

Study Design: Systematic review of three primary double-blinded, randomized placebocontrolled trials that were published in peer-reviewed journals between 2014-2017.

Data Sources: Studies were obtained through the PubMed database based on relevance to the clinical question and evaluation of patient-oriented outcomes.

Outcomes Measured: Efficacy of lifitegrast treatment was measured based on the eye dryness …

Does Adjuvant Therapy With Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) Improve Joint Tenderness In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis?, Eileen Fauteux

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not adjuvant therapy with Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) improves joint tenderness in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of 3 double-blind, randomized controlled trials from 2010- 2017.

DATA SOURCES: Three peer-reviewed journal articles written in English were found using PubMed. Articles were selected based on their relevance to the question and whether the outcome measured was patient-oriented evidence that matters.

OUTCOME(S) MEASURED: All articles analyzed the effectiveness of adjunctive treatment with omega-3 fatty acids on the improvement of joint tenderness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. …

Is Low-Level Laser Therapy (Lllt) Effective In Reducing Pain And Ulcer Size In Diabetic Patients With Foot Ulcers?, Corey J. Elmer

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is an effective therapy in reducing pain and ulcer size in diabetic patients with foot ulcers.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from peer reviewed journals, published in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

DATA SOURCES: The studies compare the effectiveness of LLLT versus conventional wound treatment in reducing pain and ulcer size in diabetic patients with foot ulcers. All studies were found using PubMed and CINAHL Plus.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Pain as perceived by the patient, measured by visual analog …

Is Honey, As Adjunctive Therapy, Effective In Alleviating Nasal Allergy Symptoms?, Arielle N. Ditzel

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether honey used as adjunctive therapy is effective in alleviating nasal allergy symptoms.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a systematic review of three randomized controlled trials published between 2010-2013, all in the English language.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials, which studied the effects of honey used as adjunctive therapy for the relief of nasal allergy symptoms, these were obtained using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome of each study was a patient reported decrease in the number of days and the severity of nasal allergy symptoms including: sneezing, itching, nasal …

Is Amitriptyline Effective In Reducing Headache Days In Pediatric Patients With Migraines And Chronic Headaches Compared To Topiramate, Propranolol, Or No Treatment?, Megan N. Hall

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is amitriptyline effective in reducing headache days in pediatric patients with migraines and chronic headaches compared to topiramate, propranolol, or no treatment?”

Study design: Systematic review of two randomized control trials (RCTs) and one case series published in peer-reviewed journals in English after 2007.

Data Sources: Two RCTs and one case series were found using PubMed.

Outcome(s) Measured: Headache frequency was measured using a headache diary or calendar. A secondary objective included headache severity that was measured using a ten-point scale or …

Are Probiotics Effective In Reducing Symptoms Of Atopic Dermatitis?, Samuel H. Kim

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not probiotics are effective in reducing symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

STUDY DESIGN: Selective EBM review of three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials published after 2009, all English language.

DATA SOURCES: All three studies were published in peer-reviewed journals found on PubMed and selected based on relevance to the proposed clinical question.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The main outcome measured was the percentage change in SCORAD index to determine severity of atopic dermatitis before and after trial through objective and subjective findings. Additional outcomes included DLQ index which was evaluated via …

Is Intranasal Ketorolac Both Safe And Effective In Reducing Acute Postoperative Pain For Patients Over 18 Years Of Age That Require Inpatient Hospitalization?, Courtney Koukal

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not intranasal ketorolac is both safe and effective in reducing acute postoperative pain for patients over 18 years of age that require inpatient hospitalization.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were used, all are from 2008 to present and all are in the English language.

DATA SOURCES: Data sources include articles that were published on both PubMed and Cochrane databases and were selected based on their relevance to the research question as well as patient measured outcomes.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Outcomes measured include efficacy …

Are Plasma Rich Platelets More Effective In Decreasing Chronic Lower Back Pain As Compared To Epidural Injections In Young Adults?, Linda M. Leones

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not PRP injections are more effective in decreasing chronic lower back pain as compared to epidural injections in young adults.

Study Design: Systematic review of three English language randomized controlled trials (RCTs), all published after 2012.

Data Sources: Two double-blind RCTs and one randomized open blinded end point (PROBE), which analyzed the effectiveness of PRP and epidural injections in young adults with chronic lower back pain. All studies were found using PubMed.

Outcome(s) Measured: Each of the articles analyzed the pain relief and function ability stated by …