Digital Commons Network^™

Utilization And Costs Of Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, And Peritoneal Dialysis Among Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease (Esrd) In The United States, Andres Mauricio Garcia Sierra

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition that requires access to renal replacement therapies (RRTs) to enable patients to live. The use of such therapies has been continuously researched due to the high cost to payers and their patients. This dissertation aimed to analyze the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of renal replacement therapies in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and document cost trends and analyze possible inequalities in access to these therapies. Based on an integrated health risk management (IHRM) model, this study examined patient characteristics associated with renal replacement therapies in ESRD patients through a pooled cross-sectional study …

Social Determinants Of Chronic Kidney Disease In The Black American Community: A Systematic Review, Addea Coleman

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This systematic review aims to examine the relationship between the social determinants of health that significantly impact the prevalence and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) amongst Black Americans. The Black American population has the highest prevalence of CKD in the United States, while concurrently possessing prominent genetic risk factors for this chronic disease. The social determinants: healthcare quality and access (extended to account for health behaviors), social and community context, and economic stability were specifically assessed in this review. Key terms were utilized to search electronic databases PubMed and Web of Science, which yielded 470 unduplicated articles. Twenty-nine articles …

Time Until Subsequent Pregnancy After Intrauterine Fetal Demise And Early Infant Death Based On Grieving Strategies, Gertride Delhomme

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the coping strategies of families and childbearing women after intrauterine fetal demise and early infant death. The secondary purpose is to examine the effect of grieving strategies after intrauterine fetal demise compared to early infant death on time until subsequent pregnancy in women of childbearing age. A literature review exploring parental grief and coping strategies to cope with loss and its effect on the subsequent pregnancy was conducted from various online databases. All reviewed articles in the analysis indicated that coping strategies consist of a diverse number of mechanisms during the bereavement …

The Mental And Dental Repercussions Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea And Its Treatments, Emily E. Mcgoohan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between dental and mental health. To dive deeper into seeing this connection, patients with sleep apnea will be asked to share their experiences with the treatments for sleep apnea and how it had affected their mental or dental health.

Observing The Relationship Between Physical Activity, Overall Health, Anxiety, And Sleep, Brianna Chicas

Honors Undergraduate Theses

College students' mental health has been researched for some time. In particular, the correlation between physical activity and mental health symptoms has been researched. The study examines the relationship between physical activity and anxiety, sleep, and overall health. College undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida took an online survey that measured all of these variables. A Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess correlations. Positive correlations were found between anxiety and sleep, anxiety and social desirability, sleep and social desirability, and strength training and vigorous physical activity. Negative correlations were found between overall health and physical activity, overall …

Long Term Effects Analysis Of Children Exposed To Postpartum Depression, Asheria Foster

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore and understand any correlation between a mother having postpartum depression and her now college-level child having a mental illness. The research question posed for this study was: Is there a correlation between maternal postpartum depression and the development of mental illnesses in college students? Studies have shown that there is a correlation in early childhood development, but there are deficits when it comes to long-term follow-up. Data for this study was collected via online surveys on SONA UCF. The results from the Chi-square test imply a strong association (p = .007) at …

Benefits Of A Family-Based Judo Program For Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jeslin George

Honors Undergraduate Theses

A diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can impact the entire family. Parents of children with ASD reportedly have greater stress levels, family conflict, financial concerns, and poor health habits than parents of neurotypical (NT) children. While many parent-focused interventions have been developed, these interventions focus on parent training and child behavior outcomes rather than the health and well-being of the parents. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of a 15-week family judo program on physical and psychosocial health in parents of children with ASD. A total of 18 parents of children with ASD participated in a weekly …

Evaluation Of The Violence And Stigmatization Against Children With Disabilities: A Literature Review, Nmesoma Ozougwu

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Violence and Stigmatization against children with disabilities are critical public health issues. Children with disabilities are a vulnerable population as they are exposed to various forms of discrimination and violence globally. The forms of abuse include, but are not limited to, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The experiences of Children with disabilities are massively undocumented and there is also a lack of existing literature addressing the issue. The abuse and violence against children with disabilities are also underreported specifically in cultures where this abuse is socially accepted. There are gaps in the literature regarding the condition of children with disabilities …

The Effect Of Educational Versus Recreational Screen Time On Depression Levels Among University Students, Gage Guettler

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Despite the amount of people currently using technology and the overwhelming amount of data already presented on the topic of how technology affects a person's mental health, there seems to be little information on how the different types of activities on the different types of screens affect university student's mental states. This research study examined the amount of time that a University of Central Florida (UCF) student spends on what was defined as educational activities in front of screens and what was defined as recreational. The definitions of what is educational and what is recreational screen time came from a …

Comparison Of Health-Related Quality Of Life Trajectories In Older Breast Cancer Patients And Noncancerous Controls Over Ten Years, Maria Eduarda De Azevedo Daruge

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The adverse effects of cancer treatment on health-related quality of life (HRQL) are the primary concern of elderly women diagnosed with breast cancer. The interplay of transient and progressive functional impairments caused by cancer therapies, alongside the accelerated physical declines associated with the normal aging process, are all negatively correlated to HRQL. This study compared the HRQL trajectories between cases and controls for ten years after diagnosis. The cancer group included 1467 women (age ≥ 65), diagnosed with primary breast cancer, registered in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry, and completed the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS) …

The Influence Of Genetics, Insulin Resistance, Oxidative Stress, And Energy Deficit On Migraine, Victoria Dm Maldonado Llinas

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The pathomechanism of migraine attacks is not understood well, however, is currently believed to be a brain disorder. Migraine is a multifactorial disorder that needs to be investigated in multiple research areas to shed light into its mechanism and find ways to treat it effectively. Migraine episodes come from one or many things at the same time, and such vary from person to person. However, sufficient evidence in recent studies show there is a strong relationship between genetics with patients having specific genes that may be responsible for the disease or a genetic sequence passed down through generations in families, …

The Associations Among Racial Discrimination, Perceived Stress And Birth Satisfaction Among Black Women, Amanda De La Serna

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The purpose of this dissertation research was to examine the associations among experiences of racial discrimination, perceived stress and birth satisfaction among Black women, and to examine the mediating effect of perceived stress on the association of experiences of racial discrimination with birth satisfaction among Black women. The first manuscript is an integrative literature review which evaluates prior research of the association of stress with birth satisfaction, with consideration to studies that included Black women in their samples. This review revealed a need for further research evaluating stress and birth satisfaction specific to Black women. The second manuscript examines the …

Optimizing Biomechanical Models: Estimation Of Muscle Tendon Parameters And Ankle Foot Orthosis Stiffness, Sepehr Ramezani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The complexity of the human musculoskeletal system presents challenges in accurately identifying its characteristics, particularly due to the presence of redundant actuators on a single joint. Non-invasive measures are necessary to overcome these challenges. Optimization algorithms have emerged as a crucial tool to advance subject-specific musculoskeletal modeling allows a more realistic representation of biomechanical behaviors, enhancing our understanding of human movement and enabling better clinical decision-making. Furthermore, optimization algorithms play a vital role in customizing rehabilitation and assistive devices, such as orthoses and prostheses. The current ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) stiffness measurement methods require bulky, complex designs, and often permanent modification …

Therapeutic Gardening And Its Effects On Depressive Symptoms In Dementia Care, Shannon E. Norton

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Aim: To present a literature review of the positive effects and overall reduction of depressive symptoms that an intervention such as therapeutic gardening has on individuals living within memory care facilities.

Background: As most humans age, they often lose abilities or skills that they have had for their entire lives (e.g. driving, grooming, toileting, seeing and/or hearing). By implementing programs that involve therapeutic garden therapy, individuals with dementia who are at greater risk for clinical depressive symptoms may find that this alternative approach improves their symptoms.

Methods: A comprehensive, electronic, literature search in the CINAHL database was completed and included …

The Psychological Impact Of An Intensive Care Admission On Survivors Of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome And Covid-19 Ards, Leah K. Shinn

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background:

With the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an influx of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), an inflammatory lung condition. ARDS survivors are at high risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to intensive care unit (ICU) medical treatments/procedures. They are known to have traumatic memories triggered by their sensorium months to years after being discharged from the ICU. One study found that 23% of ARDS survivors experienced long-term PTSD symptoms 2-3 years after hospital discharge (Bienvenu et al., 2018). Unknown is whether there are similarities in the memories and sensory triggers of PTSD amongst ARDS and …

Exploring The Impact Of Cultural Background Among Asian And Non-Hispanic White Populations On Organ Donation, Doyoung Ahn

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: The demand for organ donation is increasing but there is always a lack of organ donor supply. To receive an organ donation, specific criteria must be met. Matching criteria between the donor and the recipient is critically important. The likelihood of having a capable organ increases when the donors and recipients have the same ethnicity. However, the number of organ donors differ significantly based on ethnicity.

Purpose: The purpose of this literature review was to explore the impact of cultural background and education among the Asian and non-Hispanic White population on organ donation and how it impacts individuals' decisions …

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome In Survivors Of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Ards) And Covid-19 Ards: A Descriptive Study, Sara Hassan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is an umbrella term for the long-term physical, cognitive, and mental health conditions survivors live with long after an ICU discharge. Mental health conditions experienced by survivors include anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and COVID ARDS who were on a ventilator are particularly at risk of developing long-term mental health conditions.

Study Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the severity of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in adult survivors of these two ARDS conditions (COVID ARDS; ARDS) who were admitted to intensive care units …

The Effects Of Kangaroo Care On The Stress Levels Of Parents In The Nicu, Niyati Sishodia

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Parents of NICU patients have high stress levels compared to other populations, which negatively impact their mental health. The kangaroo care (KC) method has been used for its numerous benefits for infants, but not as widely studied for its impacts on parental stress. The purpose of this integrative literature review is to examine and synthesize the existing evidence regarding kangaroo care and its impact on the stress levels of NICU parents.

Methods: A literature search was conducted utilizing CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE, and APA PsychInfo databases to identify relevant articles. Articles were included if they were published …

Education Interventions And Preeclampsia Knowledge Among Pregnant Women, Shantel Mir

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Aim: The aim of this literature review was to explore the impacts of educational interventions integrated into antenatal care on knowledge of preeclampsia among pregnant women. Background: Preeclampsia has remained one of the leading causes of preventable maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. A lack of patient education and awareness of preeclampsia may lead to missed opportunities for diagnosis and preeclampsia complications. Methods: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE, and Education Full Text (H.W. Wilson) databases were utilized. Literature specifically focusing on preeclampsia educational interventions among pregnant women were considered. Results: There were eleven articles that fit the criteria …

Relationship Between Patient Race And Provider Communication, Kristin M. Marino

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Health disparities by race in the United States have been persistent over decades and one possible reason for that could be that physicians are communicating differently with different races. The purpose of this study was to systematically review literature regarding the relationship of patient race/ethnicity with physician-patient communication. The overall project of which this is a part is a mixed methods review, but my part of the study involved only studies using observational data such as audio and video recordings of physician-patient encounters. This study investigated research that compares physician communication with patients across a wide range of ethnic groups, …

Interventions To Alleviate Guilt In Family Caregivers Of Patients Receiving Hospice Or End-Of-Life Care: A Scoping Review, Kyla N. Huelle

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This scoping review contains a literature analysis regarding interventions used by health care workers to alleviate guilt in caregivers of patients during end-of-life care. During end-of-life care, many transitions and decisions are made that add to the burden of caregivers. Family caregivers experience many physical, financial, and emotional stressors during the journey of end-of-life care, and this can result in guilt. Feelings of guilt can lead to poorer health outcomes and coping in family caregivers and should be addressed by health providers. In this scoping review, a literature search was conducted using various key terms like "guilt," "hospice," "end-of-life care," …

The Efficacy Of Treatment Of Symptoms Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome And Associated Health Risks Using Insulin Sensitizers: A Meta-Analysis, Isabella J. Wong

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is common among women of reproductive age (ages 15-49), and it can put patients at higher risk for diseases such as type II diabetes or coronary heart disease. While the mechanisms behind PCOS are poorly understood, it is diagnosed using two characteristics: hyperandrogenism and anovulation. Once diagnosed, many patients are also tested for insulin resistance (IR). While IR is thought of as a symptom of PCOS, this study will examine the effects of treatment of IR to manage symptoms of PCOS rather than treatment of hyperandrogenism. This meta-analysis used data from studies previously published by searching …

The Relative Contribution Of Health-Care Points Of Service To Overall Patient Satisfaction At A University Health Center, Jay M. Parikh

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Throughout the process of receiving healthcare, a patient is affected by several factors and processes. To just name a few, how long a patient must wait at the clinic, how friendly the front desk is, how the nurse treats the patient, how effective the physician is with his or her communication, what the cost of a patient's healthcare is, and how clean the clinic is all affect the patient's experience. When clinics excel in these factors, it promotes a favorable relationship between the patient and the clinic. Patients trust the healthcare provider and desire to continue attending that clinic when …

Speech-Language Pathologists' And Speech-Language Therapists' Role Working With Youth In The Juvenile Justice System, Maria Cuza

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intent of this thesis is to examine and provide insight into how speech-language pathologists and speech-language therapists (SLP/SLT) in Australia (AUS), the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA) work with youth in the Juvenile Justice System (JJS). Currently, many youth involved in the JJS struggle with language barriers and need proper services to overcome them. Studies have shown that an SLP/SLT positively affects young people in the system. This study aimed to examine the demographic, educational, and occupational backgrounds of SLPs/SLTs working with youth in the JJS and the services provided to these youth by …

The Relationship Between Evening Screen Time Use And Objectively Measured Sleep Outcomes In U.S. College Students, Donya Sedaghat

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Research suggests that elevated levels of screen time in the evening can negatively impact sleep outcomes (sleep duration, quality, and latency). Yet, there is a lack of evidence exploring if this relationship exists in college students. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between evening screen time use and objectively measured sleep outcomes in US college students. College students (N = 29) junior or senior standing in a Health Sciences major were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Participants wore accelerometers on their wrist for 24hr/day for seven days to capture sleep duration, efficiency, awakenings, and …

High Medicaid Nursing Homes: What Nursing Home And Resident Characteristics Are Associated With Covid 19 Cases?, Abigail A. Cobbina

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The coronavirus pandemic exposed the systemic issues faced by nursing homes with a higher percentage of Medicaid residents. By using the Brown University's Long-Term Care focus facility-level data and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data, the study examines the association between the nursing home and resident characteristics with Covid-19 cases in high-Medicaid nursing homes. Fifty-eight facilities in Florida were identified as having residents whose primary support was Medicaid. The findings from the study suggest a higher proportion of Medicaid residents, for-profit status, and chain affiliation status, were associated with a higher prevalence of Covid-19 cases among nursing home …

Utilizing Bloodless Medicine To Decrease Infection Rates In Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Literature Review, Samantha Saint Fort

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Aim: To determine if a significant relationship exists between bloodless medicine practices and decreased infection rates in oncology patients following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation by performing a literature review.

Background: It is not uncommon for healthcare professionals to encounter Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) seeking medical treatment in the acute care hospital setting and outpatient clinics alike. However, JW's pose a unique challenge to healthcare providers. Their refusal of blood transfusions makes them a population of interest within the medical community. The refusal of blood transfusions also poses a serious challenge to successful treatment in oncology JW patients, and many hospitals will …

Characterization Of Multiphase Complex Coacervate Droplets, Lindsey Rush

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intracellular environment of eukaryotic cells has been found to have membrane-less organelles, which form through liquid-liquid phase separation.^1,2 The membrane-less organelles within the cell can be modeled with multiphase complex coacervates that are formed through the combination of two liquid polyelectrolyte complex coacervates, which are individually made up of a pair of one positively charged polymer and one negatively charged polymer.^3,4 Membrane-less organelles in a eukaryotic cell have been found to aggregate from liquid to solid in neurological disorders and during the aging process⁵, and investigation into the factors affecting aggregation of multiphase complex coacervates …

Factors That Lead To Poor Oral Health In Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jaskiran Kaur Bains

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Maintaining dental health is vital as it contributes to the psychological well-being of an individual and the overall systemic health through preventing chronic diseases. Unfortunately, poor oral health has been identified as a common trend in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There is limited research regarding the barriers that result in rates of increased dental manifestations in patients with ASD compared to neurotypical individuals. This study strived to identify the barriers that contribute to poor oral health in individuals with ASD in order to establish interventions to break those barriers and improve overall dental health in the Autism community. …

Exploring Risk Factors Associated With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptomatology In Police, Lori Camacho

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Mental health outcomes, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in police have become more of a concern for law enforcement administrators, peers, family and friends. Using culture as a theoretical framework, the current cross-sectional, convergent mixed methods study explored the relationship between personal cumulative exposure to different types of critical incidents and likelihood of reporting PTSD symptoms in a sample of officers (n=71) from one municipal police department. This study also examined how personal cumulative exposure to different types of critical incidents and likelihood of reporting symptoms of PTSD may be moderated by the degree of perception of social support from …