Digital Commons Network^™

Examination Of Covid-19 And The Spanish Flu Of 1918, Caden A. Striegle

Honors Projects

COVID-19, for many across the globe, has been a pandemic the likes of which has never been seen before. It has caused many aspects of life to change in order to adapt to the new limitations and cautions brought about by the global spread of a novel virus. However, almost exactly 100 years prior, a strain of the H1N1 influenza virus also known as the Spanish Flu of 1918, similarly uprooted life for millions of people around the globe. These two pandemics, while similarly leading to great disruption of global health, had many differences in the demographics impacted as well …

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Effects Of Covid-19, Evan Guo

Honors Projects

The evaluation of an adult's health status consists of several entities. These factors can include physical, mental, and emotional health in an individual's history contributing to their overall health. When studying such factors, some researchers emphasize the importance of recognizing events experienced during a person's childhood that affect their development, and therefore, their adult health status. Today, as people continue adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in regulation of standards for socialization, it is becoming apparent to healthcare researchers how these new modifications are highly impactful to the development of children and adolescents. When studying the various factors that …

Osteopathic Treatments For Soft Tissue, Joint, And Head-Related Pain, Emerson K. Linsley

Honors Projects

The article examines how osteopathic manipulations can help in the treatment or management of pain associated with soft tissue, joint, and head-related injury or disease.

Ableist Ideologies Stifle Neurodiversity And Hinder Inclusive Education, Marie Adrienne R. Manalili

Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture

This paper makes the case that ableist ideologies hinder trends towards inclusion on a broader global scale and beyond Anglo-American standpoints, as evidenced by key literature and legislations on inclusive education. I also discuss the issues, challenges, and dilemmas generated by these ableist ideologies in my professional context as an autistic speech-language therapist from the Philippines. I conclude with my reflection on how practitioners can help change the trajectory towards emancipatory inclusive practices that are informed by the neurodiversity paradigm. To respect the preference of the communities and the intersection of identities I represent, this paper uses inclusive identity-first language …

Women’S Human Right To Healthcare Senior Project, Madison Rosol

Honors Projects

Healthcare is denied to people around the world and women experience this human rights violation more often than men (Ewerling et al., 2018). This study was designed to investigate whether this is more evident in certain systems of healthcare by conducting a cross-sectional survey of people in the United States, the Dominican Republic, and Canada. These countries were selected because each of them has a unique healthcare system. The responses from the survey were analyzed and coded for common themes and converted to quantitative data. From this data, it was concluded that Canada rated the worst in healthcare overall but …

Systematic Review Of The Association Between Cultural Competence And The Quality Of Care Provided By Health Personnel, Amanda Skipworth

Honors Projects

The purpose of this research project is to determine if a relationship exists between cultural competence and the quality of care administered by health care professionals. Challenges with providing care begin to arise when cultural barriers limit the provider’s ability to provide adequate care. In the past, many professionals have struggled with how to approach patients from diverse backgrounds and this discomfort continues to grow. With minority populations in the United States rapidly growing, it is largely beneficial for these professionals to understand and be aware of the varying cultures seeking medical care. To address the research question, a systematic …

The Interactions Between Oral Biofilms, Antibiotic Resistance, And Dentistry, Maxine Taylor

Honors Projects

Antibiotic resistance is a pressing concern that demands further action to reduce and develop new countermeasures. Antibiotic resistance impacts all fields of health and medicine, including dentistry. Many of the preventive and restorative dental procedures are due to a bacterial cause. Knowledge of oral biofilm development mechanisms and the interactions and relationships between oral microbiota is necessary to combat the spread of antibiotic resistance and develop more effective dental treatments. Exploring how the oral microbiomes and their treatments impact the health of the rest of the body is another important consideration since dentistry is part of the general healthcare system. …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived-Experiences Of Families Transitioning To Permanent Housing, Ellie Olsen, Samantha Ruhe, Ellen Brown, Courtney Zanni

Masters Theses

There is limited support and resources available for homeless individuals, resulting in limited opportunities to engage in meaningful occupations, therefore decreasing these individual's overall sense of well-being, social interactions, and health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact family-centered interventions have on the lived experiences of families as they transition to permanent housing. The Occupational Self-Assessment (OSA) was used to determine important areas of occupation and was used to develop three intervention sessions. Case study methods were used and data was collected during the final interview session. Two main themes were identified: “Empowerment” and “Resolution.” This …

Virtual Reality In Healthcare: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Wyatt Mead, Alexandra Harnica, Marion Marxer, Trent Paveglio

Culminating Experience Projects

Abstract

Object: There is limited research about how virtual reality is used in therapeutic settings and how specifically occupational therapy finds it valuable, when in the OT process to use VR, and across what setting and diagnosis it is utilized in. This descriptive study design is intended to determine when practitioners utilize VR during the OT process, what their aims are for using it, the types of VR systems being utilized, as well as anecdotal comparison of outcomes using VR versus other therapy modalities. To further explore this, qualitative one on one interviews will be conducted with practicing Occupational Therapists …

A Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Retrospective Planning Study Of Left Sided Chest Wall Treatments With And Without Bolus, Telly J. Armstrong

Culminating Experience Projects

Introduction

VMAT planning techniques have been used more to treat difficult‐to‐plan post‐mastectomy cases. The primary advantage of VMAT is the better performance at intermediate-high dose sparing and mean heart dose, without sacrificing target coverage. The location of the chest wall leads to clinical target volumes (CTV) adjoined to the skin which would generate a planning target volume (PTV) located outside the body. To overcome these limitations a virtual bolus is used during optimization. The purpose of the study is to evaluate if a VMAT technique without a bolus, with 5 mm virtual bolus, or 1 cm virtual bolus provides better …

Computational Analysis Of Bshc, An Enzyme Responsible For Antibiotic Resistance In Firmicute Bacteria, Matthew R. Martin

Student Summer Scholars Manuscripts

Bacillithiol is a compound synthesized by certain gram-positive bacteria called firmicutes, such as B. Subtilis. This compound is used to protect the bacterium from oxidative stress and establish antibiotic resistance. There are three enzymes in the synthesis pathway of bacillithiol: BshA, BshB, and BshC¹.BshC, unlike the other two, has a potentially novel mechanism that is not yet well understood. This enzyme is a putative cysteine ligase, however the ligand that donates the cysteine is unknown. The structure of BshC has been previously solved and has a unique dumbbell shape suggesting a hinging motion. Previous Small Angle X-ray Scattering …

Does Epa Cause A Decrease In Inflammation Of Bend.3 Cells Through Ffar4?, Clay J. Weidenhamer

Masters Theses

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease initiated by low and oscillatory shear stress on the endothelium. The inflammatory process recruits leukocytes to the vessel wall by expression of the adhesion molecule VCAM-1. Activation of the NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway is responsible for the increase in VCM-1 expression. Omega 3 FAs, such as EPA, reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by decreasing this inflammatory response. The pathway by which omega 3 FAs is proposed to inhibit inflammation includes activating FFAR4 to decrease NF-κB activation thereby reducing expression of adhesion molecules. We hypothesized that treatment of endothelial cells with 30 μM EPA would decrease …

A Qualitative Dosimetric Comparison Of Helical Tomotherapy, Coplanar Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy, And Non-Coplanar Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy For Radiotherapy Of Centrally Located Brain Tumors, Robert Hayward

Culminating Experience Projects

Abstract Introduction The purpose of the work is to see if there is a dosimetric benefit to using one treatment modality over another when treating centrally located brain tumors. These modalities include helical tomotherapy, non-coplanar VMAT, and coplanar VMAT. Methods Thirty plans were created from ten previously treated patient’s datasets. All patients were planned using a simultaneously integrated boost with a PTV54 and PTV 60. The conformity index and homogeneity index were compared for targets. Dose maximums and means were compared for critical structures between the plans and modalities. Results A significant difference was found for the conformity index for …

A Dosimetric Study On Photon Beam Energies With And Without A Flattening Filter In Sbrt Treatments For Prostate Cancer, Alexis F. Puruleski

Culminating Experience Projects

Purpose: The role of radiation therapy in managing prostate cancer has developed and improved greatly throughout the years. The purpose of this study was to analyze a newly developing method of treatment practices with two different therapy energies.

Methods: This retrospective study pulled patient data from the facility’s treatment planning system database who had primary prostate cancer treated to the prostate bed. Each patient was planned for the same treatment technique with two different beam energies, 6X and 6FFF (flattening filter free).

Results: A two-sample t-test was done to compare means of the max doses to the bladder, rectum, and …

A Quantitative Investigation Of The Impact Roll Has On The Percent Change In Position Of Breast Phantoms Of Various Volumes, Clayton N. Young

Culminating Experience Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of phantom size and level of roll on the percent change in position and percent of planned treatment volume (PTV) receiving prescription dose of breast phantoms. Due to their non-rigid physical properties, breasts being treated for radiation therapy are vulnerable to positional variability following a roll adjustment. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans are commonly used to verify anatomical breast position, but they are not always reacquired after a roll correction is made. Treating a volume at a different position has the potential to compromise the intended dose distribution. Factors …

Dosimetric Evaluation Of Fixed Jaw And Jaw Tracking Vmat Treatment Plans For Prostate Cancer With Involved Pelvic Nodes, William Rios

Culminating Experience Projects

Intro

A mechanical limitation of modern linacs affecting the quality of radiotherapy treatments of large tumor volumes is the travel length of multicollimator leaves. Considering this limitation, research was carried out to evaluate the dosimetric differences between a split-field fixed-jaw volumetric arc radiotherapy (SF-FJ VMAT) technique and a jaw tracking VMAT (JT VMAT) technique for the treatment of prostate cancer with involved lymph nodes.

Methods

Plans for 16 patients treated with the same dose regimen were created using both techniques. Initial JT-VMAT plans were planned with two arcs to encompass the entire tumor volume without jaw restrictions and jaw tracking …

Bladder And Rectal Dosimetric Doses Upon Magnetic Resonance Imaging Integrated Into Tandem And Ovoid Brachytherapy Treatment Planning, Courtney Raney

Culminating Experience Projects

Abstract

Introduction

Brachytherapy is a common treatment for women that have cervical cancer. Patients can experience many side effects when receiving intracavitary treatment. Using more advanced imaging techniques such as MRI in the treatment planning process may be able to help reduce some of these side effects to the organs at risk and give patients an overall better quality of life during treatment and after treatment is complete. This study was performed to see if MRI has an impact in reducing these side effects to women undergoing these treatments.

Methods

This study is a retrospective chart review of 20 patients …

Comparison Of Hybrid, Imrt And Vmat Techniques For Treating Right Lung Cancer- A Scientific Review, Ana V. Cash

Culminating Experience Projects

Abstract

Introduction

Lung cancer is considered one of the most common cancers in the United States, with the second most common type of lung cancer located in the right lung²⁴. Providing a more aggressive approach to treatments while meeting the needs of the patients would positively impact outcomes. Working in Radiation Oncology since 2013 as a radiation therapist and now a Medical Dosimetrist I seek to compare the efficacy of IMRT, VMAT and hybrid IMRT/VMAT techniques in the treatment of right lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the hybrid plan would be superior …

The Effect Of Oncolytic Viruses In Aiding Cancer Immunotherapy, Anushka Singh

Honors Projects

Oncolytic viruses are known as genetically engineered viruses or ones that can be found in nature, that are used to selectively reproduce in cancer cells and kill them without harming the normal and healthy cells. Oncolytic viruses have been considered an effective form of immunotherapy and offer a new approach for cancer treatment. Only one oncolytic virus has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA, which is T-Vec (talimogene laherparepvec). This is a second-generation oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Another oncolytic virus has been approved only in China in 2005, which is called …

A Comparative Study Between Conventional Vmat-Total Body Irradiation (Tbi) And Vmat Simultaneous Integrated Marrow Boost (Sib) Tbi To Determine Dosimetric Feasibility In Pediatric Patients, Candace R. Ray

Culminating Experience Projects

Introduction

Total body irradiation (TBI) plays a critical role in the myeloablative conditioning regimen for stem cell transplantations due to its ability to deliver dose to all tissues including sanctuary sites, giving an opportunity for cure in children suffering a relapse of leukemia. VMAT-TBI techniques have become the standard practice, but toxic doses to organs at risk (OARs) can lead to long-term complications, particularly in children who are living longer as cure rates improve. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) TBI technique to deliver a sufficient dose to the marrow, …

A Dosimetric Comparison Using Physical And Biological Objectives On Targets And Organs At Risk, Whitnee Hallford

Culminating Experience Projects

Abstract

Introduction

The purpose of the present work was to determine if the use of biological-based objectives on target volumes and critical structures in the optimizer could produce a superior plan when compared to using only physical objectives for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer with insertion of SpaceOAR Hydrogel.

Methods

Three planning techniques were created and compared retrospectively for 10 different radiation therapy patients using Varian Eclipse treatment planning system utilizing volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment planning. Each technique used different planning objectives including dose volume (DV) objectives, target generalized equivalent uniform dose (gEUD) objectives, and a combination of …

Evidence-Based Recommendations For Assistive Technologies For Safety In Dementia Care, Lee A. Diener

Culminating Experience Projects

A Quality Improvement (QI) project in a Midwestern Continuing Care Residential Community (CCRC) was designed to examine the evidence-base of four assistive technology platforms marketed as safety platforms as means to improve outcomes for older adults residing in memory care environments. Using the Evidence-Based Design Model Socio-Technical Systems Theory, survey data and observational data collected from the organization were considered with respect to the evidence-base supporting each technology. Ten organizational priorities derived from collected data were used to develop an Evidence-Based Assistive Technology Fitness score for each of the AT platforms reviewed. This methodology provides a means to evaluate planning …

The Effectiveness Of The Schroth Method In Treating Idiopathic Scoliosis In Pre-Adolescent, Adolescent And Adult Patients: A Retrospective Chart Review, Dave Bancuk, Jacob Nutter, Jessica Ramos

Culminating Experience Projects

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a spine condition affecting 1-3% of the adolescent population in the United States. Of this group, approximately 0.5% require surgical intervention to correct the curvature.This results in approximately 29,000 surgeries performed in the United States each year on adolescents to treat AIS. This represents a considerable financial burden along with the risk of surgical complications, so exploring conservative alternatives to surgical treatment is a worthwhile area of research. The literature is lacking on the conservative treatment of scoliosis regarding the Schroth Method as a primary intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine …

Evaluating The Caprini Risk Assessment In An Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility, Alissa Payne, Kelsey Boersma, Sarah Nechuta

Culminating Experience Projects

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is an often underdiagnosed disease that can be life threatening for individuals. Currently, the best practice approach to assess the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients within a rehabilitation hospital is unknown. We examined how well the Caprini risk assessment (CRA) score predicts VTE events (deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE)) within an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Between January 2015 and October 2020, VTE events, the CRA Score, and risk factors were collected from a chart review conducted at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (MFB) among 3,091 patients. Results from the unadjusted logistic regression model …

Adult Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome: Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Current State Of Practice, Megan Eisses, Megan Hicks, Megan Mitchell, Sabrina Vanderklipp

Masters Theses

BACKGROUND: Persistent post-concussion syndrome (PPCS) is a complex diagnosis involving symptoms that affect nearly all domains of occupational therapy (OT) for adults. Currently, there is a lack of clarity in PPCS symptoms and diagnosis criteria, as well as little research reflecting the best practice patterns of OT practitioners treating adults with PPCS. This study’s primary purpose was to conduct a survey to understand OT practitioners’ current state of practice for adult patients with PPCS, as well as their current knowledge of PPCS.

METHOD: This research project involves a cross-sectional design, mixed methods, 23-question survey that was distributed to OT practitioners …

Strategies For Preventing And Treating Opioid Use Disorder And Overdose – A Literature Review, Ian M. Degram

Honors Projects

The use of prescribed and illicit opioids in the United States is still a major contributing factor to overdose deaths nationwide. Two out of every three overdose deaths in 2018 were related to chronic opioid use (Division (DCD), 2018). Continual research has been conducted over the last decade in an attempt to reduce the negative impact that opioid analgesics have on public health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated prescription guidelines, and in 2018 Congress addressed a proposal for a multi-step plan to reduce the stigma surrounding opioid use disorder. This article addresses these policies, as …

Best Practice In Dementia Communication: Determining The Effectiveness Of Pre-Recorded, Presentation-Based Learning For Cnas Working In Residential Care Facilities, Mary Kate Hoeve

Masters Theses

The dramatic increase in the aging population and predicted rise in individuals diagnosed with a dementia-related disorder in the next 30 years has sparked an increase in the exploration of gerontology and best practice in dementia care (Curyto & Vriesman, 2016). Additionally, each person living with dementia spends less than two percent of their day engaging in social communication with a care worker (Ward et al, 2005). With a significant increase in the development of dementia-related disorders and minimal social interaction, understanding the manifestations of dementia and methods of effective communication between individuals with dementia-related disorders and direct care workers …

Improving Handover Process For Stroke Patients Transferring From Emergency Department To Interventional Radiology: A Quality Improvement Project, Megan Buchman

Doctoral Projects

Background: A standardized handover process is needed for stroke patients transferring from the Emergency Department to Interventional Radiology.

Local Problem: Emergency Department and Interventional Radiology had different handover processes.

Methods: A quality improvement project was conducted in a large Magnet® designated midwestern health system. Participants included emergency department and interventional radiology nurses and stroke patients. Pre/post-quality and post implementation measures were obtained.

Interventions: The interventions included utilizing a standardized handover tool between departments, calling report prior to patient transfer, and turning in handover tool following stroke case to ensure compliance. Two cycles of the Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycle were completed.

Results: No …

“Warm Handoff” To Increase Enrollment In A Maternal Infant Health Program, Samantha Worthem

Doctoral Projects

Introduction: In a Midwest Health Department’s (HD) Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP), infant death rate has been on a steady incline at 4.8 deaths per 1,000 in 2019 (Michigan Department of Community Health, 2020). Implementation of a “warm handoff” between the local HD and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) was created to increase enrollment and visits. During warm handoffs, health care providers work together within the same setting to provide evaluation and care to patients and clients (Musselman et al., 2018).

Methods: This program evaluation reviewed data retrospectively from March 31 to September 30, for 2019 and …

Enteral Nutrition Protocol For Pediatric Burn Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Margaret Tepe

Doctoral Projects

Objective: This quality improvement project was conducted to determine the efficacy of an enteral feeding protocol to improve nutrition supplementation in pediatric burn patients.

Methods: Non-ICU patients with >10% total burn surface area requiring enteral nutrition supplementation were fed within 12 hours of admission or with the first sedated dressing change, whichever took place first. Pre (n = 3) and post (n = 5) implementation of the enteral feeding protocol data were obtained. Data were collected via chart audit and survey.

Results: Patients and nurses had similar characteristics; and nurses had similar nutrition practices. Total intake of calories (93.8%) and …