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Valparaiso University

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Telehealth And Its Impact On The Management Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Melissa N. Toulios May 2023

Telehealth And Its Impact On The Management Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Melissa N. Toulios

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is a growing epidemic that affects millions of people throughout the world. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has created many new challenges, including access to health care for treatment of chronic diseases, such as diabetes (Robson & Hosseinzadeh, 2021). Telehealth has offered a promising approach to improve the management of diabetes(Bellman, 2021). People with diabetes are less likely to manage their diabetes through the usual care because of risk of contracting COVID-19 (CDC, 2022). The purpose of this EBP project was to evaluate the effectiveness of T2DM management through a telehealth approach. This project has addressed …


A Prescription For Diabetes Self-Management Education: Best Practice For Persons With Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus, Ashley J. Milcarek May 2023

A Prescription For Diabetes Self-Management Education: Best Practice For Persons With Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus, Ashley J. Milcarek

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) programs have been shown to improve patient outcomes and lower hemoglobin A1c (Hgb A1c) levels in those who are diagnosed with type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, these programs are often underutilized and have low referral rates, despite the known benefits (Powers et al., 2020). The purpose of this patient-centered EBP project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a patient-driven questionnaire, completed by patients with T2DM during routine office visits, in increasing the percentage of patients referred to DSMES by their provider. Specifically, this project addressed the following PICOT question: In adults who have …


Meditation-Type Exercise For The Management Of Chemotherapy Related Cognitive Impairment In Breast Cancer Patients, Christine Cain May 2023

Meditation-Type Exercise For The Management Of Chemotherapy Related Cognitive Impairment In Breast Cancer Patients, Christine Cain

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), or “chemobrain”, is one of the most troublesome side effects of chemotherapy (Dijkshoorn et al., 2020). Ongoing CRCI may negatively affect relationships, confidence, sleep, fatigue, anxiety, and the ability to return to work activities leading to a decreased quality of life (Johns et al., 2016; Gokal et al., 2018). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to assess the efficiency of a meditation-type exercise intervention, chair yoga, on decreasing perceived cognitive impairment (PCI) in breast cancer patients. The PICOT question for this project was: In breast cancer patients with chemotherapy related cognitive impairment (P), …


The Effect Of Implementing Behavioral Counseling For Elevated Ldl Levels, Blake L. Hansen May 2023

The Effect Of Implementing Behavioral Counseling For Elevated Ldl Levels, Blake L. Hansen

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Hyperlipidemia is a key risk factor in cardiovascular mortality, and is prevalent in approximately 38% of American adults (CDC, 2022b). Cholesterol levels are intensified by unhealthy lifestyle choices, which means a change in lifestyle behaviors could prevent cardiovascular related deaths (WHO, 2022). The PICOT question for this project was: In adults aged 20 years or older in the primary care setting who have elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (P), does the implementation of behavioral counseling on lifestyle modifications (I) compared to current practice (C) decrease LDL levels (O) over a 10- to 12- week period (T)? Fourteen participants from a …


Walking Is Worthy: Walking For Hypertension, Ashleigh Y. Peterson May 2022

Walking Is Worthy: Walking For Hypertension, Ashleigh Y. Peterson

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Elevated blood pressure (BP), or hypertension (HTN), can cause a cascade of detrimental effects to the body. It is associated with increased risk of stroke, angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, end-stage renal disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysms (Whelton et al., 2018). HTN is also a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the United States’ (U.S.) leading cause of death in men and women (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [USPSTF], 2020). The PICOT question for this project was: does an eight-week (T) structured walking program utilizing a smartwatch for step counts and …


Efficacy Of A Mobile Application In A Chronic Kidney Disease Population, Jennifer R. Zamora May 2020

Efficacy Of A Mobile Application In A Chronic Kidney Disease Population, Jennifer R. Zamora

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with high healthcare costs, poor health outcomes and low quality of life (Donald et al., 2018). The US CKD prevalence is 15%, costing Medicare $79 billion in 2016 (United States Renal Data System, 2018). Self-management could reduce CKD burden (Jeddi, Nabovati, and Amirazodi, 2017). Mobile technology offers a low-cost, ease-of-access platform for chronic disease self-management (Whitehead & Seaton, 2016), potentially slowing disease progression and improving health outcomes (Jeddi, 2017). The purpose of this project was to utilize a CKD-specific mobile application, CARELogiQ, to facilitate symptom management; increasing patient satisfaction and decreasing hospitalizations and ER …


Living Sweet: A Multi-Functional Mobile-Phone Application Strategy For Adults With Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Chantel K. Anderson Apr 2020

Living Sweet: A Multi-Functional Mobile-Phone Application Strategy For Adults With Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Chantel K. Anderson

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), one of the most common chronic diseases, is increasing worldwide, and once diagnosed, lifetime self-management is critical to maintain glycemic control (Vermeire et al., 2005; American Diabetes Association (ADA), 2018). Management of T2DM has been acknowledged as challenging due to the need for strict lifestyle adaptations. From a public health perspective, uncontrolled diabetes leads to increased healthcare costs, secondary complications, and ultimately severe disabilities (ADA, 2018). The purpose of this evidencebased practice (EBP) project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a diabetes-specific mobile health application (MHA) on glycated-hemoglobin (HbA1C), self-care perception (SCP), and self-care behaviors …


Effect Of Lifestyle Modifications On Blood Pressure And Bmi In Overweight Or Obese Adults With Primary Hypertension, Mariska Vandenbergh Apr 2020

Effect Of Lifestyle Modifications On Blood Pressure And Bmi In Overweight Or Obese Adults With Primary Hypertension, Mariska Vandenbergh

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Hypertension (HTN) and obesity contribute to poor cardiovascular outcomes which can be managed with diet and exercise lifestyle changes. In addition, self-awareness (SA) of eating patterns can be a useful tool to promote adherence to lifestyle changes. The purpose of this project was to determine the effect of lifestyle education, the DASH diet, and tools to increase SA for adult clinic patients who were overweight with hypertension. The REAP and PIH tools were utilized to increase patients’ SA of their diagnosis and current dietary habits. A literature search over five databases was conducted and analyzed thoroughly. National guidelines strongly recommend …


The Effect Of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring And Self-Titration On Achieving Blood Pressure Targets, Katina A. Varner May 2019

The Effect Of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring And Self-Titration On Achieving Blood Pressure Targets, Katina A. Varner

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

One-third of U.S. adults over the age of 20 are hypertensive, with an estimated cost of $47.5 billion in direct medical expenses and increased individual CVD risk (CDC, 2018). Routine office visits afford primary care providers a means of managing hypertension; however, time constraints limit the ability to accurately assess and track BP in most patients (Jung, 2015). The purpose of this project was to determine if implementation of HBPM and an algorithm for selftitration of antihypertensive medications increased the number of participants at guideline recommended BP goal over a 90-day period. The Health Promotion Model provided the theoretical framework …


Use Of Smartphone Application To Facilitate Weight Loss And Promote Accountability In Obese And Overweight Patients, Angela M. Turner May 2019

Use Of Smartphone Application To Facilitate Weight Loss And Promote Accountability In Obese And Overweight Patients, Angela M. Turner

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

In 2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published a National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) on obesity from 2011 through 2014. From the survey, it was determined that the prevalence of obesity in the U.S. was 36% in adults and 17% in young adults/children (Ogden et al., 2015). Lifestyle modifications including moderation of caloric intake and increased exercise have been shown to be effective for both prevention and treatment of obesity. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project involved the design, administration, and evaluation of a technology-assisted weight loss intervention to address the health problem of …