Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Treatment Dosage On Cognitive-Linguistic Outcomes Of Patients With Aphasia: An Investigation Of Three Service Delivery Models, Adele J. Derendinger

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This study addresses the gap in literature by directly comparing the effectiveness of Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programs (ICAPs) and modified ICAPs (mICAPs) to usual care service delivery models for people with aphasia. Through a prospective study design, cognitive-linguistic function change scores across different service delivery models were examined. The findings reveal significant within-group improvements in cognitive-linguistic function for participants in ICAPs, with some improvement seen in mICAPs and usual care conditions. Intensive models demonstrated greater improvement compared to non-intensive usual care models, particularly evident in the Western Aphasia Battery – Revised and the Boston Naming Test – Second Edition. …

Perspectives Of Utilizing Pharmacogenomics To Inform Tobacco Cessation: Survey Results From An American Indian Community, Madeline Lousie Davies

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Pharmacogenomics research has predominantly focused on populations of European ancestry, limiting the application for diverse populations such as American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities. Our community-centric study aims to understand perspectives of utilizing pharmacogenomics to guide tobacco cessation in an AIAN community using a survey with qualitative and quantitative components. We assessed participant (n=273) tobacco usage and cessation history, pharmacogenomics knowledge, and perceptions of utilizing pharmacogenomics in the context of tobacco cessation. We found that the majority of participants (92%) were aware of risks associated with tobacco usage and believe it to be a problem within their community (76%). …

The Influence Of Intensive Treatment In A Cohort Model On Psychosocial Well-Being Of Patients With Aphasia: An Investigation Of Patients’ Quality Of Life Across Three Service Delivery Models, Helena Riley

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Aphasia, a common communication disorder following a stroke, significantly impacts psychosocial wellbeing and quality of life. Despite advancements in rehabilitation frameworks, traditional impairment-based interventions prevail, leaving gaps in addressing holistic needs. This study aims to compare patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) between intensive comprehensive aphasia programs (ICAP), modified ICAPs (mICAPs) and individual usual care (UC) service delivery models for aphasia intervention. Eighteen participants with aphasia were broadly recruited for this study. Each completed a series of PROMs pre-and post-treatment examining psychosocial wellbeing, communicative participation, and health related quality of life. Results indicate that intensive programs show potential for greater gains in …

Perspectives On Using Pharmacogenomics To Guide Tobacco Cessation: Survey Results From An American Indian Community, Daniela Mariana Wall

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Pharmacogenomics research has predominantly focused on populations of European ancestry, limiting the application for diverse populations such as American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities. Our community-centric study aims to understand perspectives of utilizing pharmacogenomics to guide tobacco cessation in an AIAN community using a survey with qualitative and quantitative components. We assessed participant (n=273) tobacco usage and cessation history, pharmacogenomics knowledge, and perceptions of utilizing pharmacogenomics in the context of tobacco cessation. We found that the majority of participants (92%) were aware of risks associated with tobacco usage and believe it to be a problem within their community (76%). …

Supervised Cancer Rehabilitation: Applications For Utilizing Existing Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Facilities For Cancer Patients And Survivors, Nancy A. Condit

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Currently, the NIH reports there are approximately 18 million Americans with a history of cancer. Cancer statistics are projected to rise to 22.1 million by 2030. In addition to cancer, cardiovascular diseases are globally the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. The body of research in this area clearly demonstrates that greater amounts of physical activity correspond with a lower risk of cancer recurrence and all-cause mortality, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Exercise rehabilitation success in cancer patients, both during and after treatment, is limited by several barriers, including the lack of facilities, trained personnel and financial resources. In response to …

Three-Dimensional Visualization And Mechanical Assessment Of The Human Running Gait, John A. Leske Ii

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis had two goals; 1) the development of an anatomically accurate visualization tool capable of illustrating high-speed 3D kinematic data, and 2) to rigorously evaluate the accuracy and capacity of the visualization tool by measuring the joint moments, net extensor muscle forces, and effective mechanical advantage in a group of sprinters running across the range of human speeds. Our visualization tool successfully integrates these complexities, pinpointing a location within 1.3 mm in a volume of 0.87 m x 2.00 m x 1.98 m, and accurately reproduces the observed movement trajectories of the subject's anatomical landmarks. Our approach was successful …

Voices Of The Often Unheard: The Environmental Impacts Of Catastrophic Wildfire Events On Individuals With Developmental Disabilities, Mary Madison Mckenzie

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The Thomas Fire for a time was the largest wildfire in California history, burning 281,893 acres and destroying 1,063 structures. Within three years, the August Complex Fire, at 1,032,649 acres, almost quadrupled that record. Climate related disasters such as these have impelled social science researchers to heed calls for a paradigm shift in understanding the risks climate change poses to the social world, in particular, disaster risks for vulnerable groups. Existing research tends to focus on disasters such as hurricanes, featuring risks for vulnerable populations by race, class, and/or individuals with disabilities in general, but not for individuals with developmental …

Equitable Pharmacogenetic Testing Implementation For Rural And Underserved Populations, Shayna Killam

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Pharmacogenetic testing has potential to transform healthcare, yet implementation strategies have been limited to major academic medical centers serving metropolitan communities and large health systems. In contrast, rural, community-based health systems are slow to implement these advances, threatening to exacerbate existing healthcare disparities for rural populations. A majority of Montanans live in rural areas, with unique challenges in providing access to pharmacogenetics.

We have established partnerships with three clinical sites who serve rural, underserved populations including American Indian, pediatric, and low socioeconomic status patients. We conducted a needs assessment for pharmacogenetic testing implementation by interviewing 48 key stakeholders. Interview questions …

The Syndemic Landscape: A New Paradigm For Montana Suicide Prevention Grounded In Agricultural Renewal, Emory Chandler Padgett

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Montana has had one of the highest suicide rates in the nation for half a century, and since 2000, it has risen almost 50%. Despite suicide’s alarming persistence in the state, there has been minimal academic study of suicide or mental health specifically in Montana, so this thesis attempts to answer a few questions: Why does Montana have such a high suicide rate? Is there something culturally, historically, or socially unique about Montana that contributes to suicide? Are current prevention efforts helpful, harmful, or lacking? Could a consideration of culture and land benefit an understanding of suicide in Montana? What …

Role Of Morphological Awareness In Language And Literacy In Children With And Without Developmental Language Disorder, Melissa Phelan

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Past research has shown phonological awareness is highly correlated with language and literacy success in children with and without Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), but a less examined area of language and literacy is morphological awareness. Delayed morphology in children with DLD has been studied extensively in spoken language, but relatively little in written language in the DLD population. This study explored two research questions: 1) Is morphological awareness related to language and literacy success in children with and without DLD, and 2) Is morphological awareness impaired for those children with DLD and dyslexia similarly to that of phonological awareness. A …

Parent And Child Characteristics Impacting Identification Of Children With Developmental Language Disorder (Dld), Sarah E. Floyd

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Purpose: Previous research has shown that children with developmental language disorder (DLD) and dyslexia are under-identified in the general population. Parent or caregiver concern is a primary referral tool for these conditions, but may fail to accurately align with the actual presence of a disorder. The purpose of this study was to examine child and parent characteristics related to a child’s likelihood of receiving a diagnosis of DLD.

Methods: Within a large, 5-year, longitudinal study, kindergartener performance on a battery of speech, language, and literacy measures was examined to identify children with and without DLD and possible risk of dyslexia. …

College Athletes And Alcohol Use: The Need For Effective Prevention/Intervention Programs, Paige M. Craig

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The literature review investigates the relationship between alcohol and college athletes. College athletes are a high-risk drinking group; alcohol use amongst collegiate athletes is a major concern due to the consequences associated with use. It is important to review student-athlete behavior and influences that contribute to alcohol use in order to design a program that effectively prevents use and intervenes use when it occurs. Results from original articles were used to support the need for effective prevention/intervention programs for this population based on the severity and frequency of use, negative effects of alcohol, and lack of effective prevention/intervention programs. Coaches, …

Binegative Minority Stress, Psychological Processes, And Disordered Alcohol Use: Disparities Among Sexual Minority Womxn, Kinsie Jean Dunham

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Sexual minority womxn (i.e., woman-identified persons) tend to report more harmful alcohol use and more negative alcohol use outcomes than heterosexual women—a pattern not consistently observed in man-identified populations. Further, bisexually-oriented, hereafter called nonexclusively-oriented, womxn (NOW) report more negative alcohol use outcomes and meet criteria for alcohol use disorder at higher rates than both lesbians and heterosexual women (or exclusively-oriented womxn; EOW). These disparities require further investigation to explicate the antecedents and mechanisms impacting alcohol use for this at-risk population. This project examines the incremental negative effects of binegativity as a specific minority stressor and antecedent of disordered alcohol use. …

Programmatic Desensitization Of The Cough Reflex In Patients With Refractory Chronic Cough, Emma Bozarth Dailey

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Aim: The purpose of this blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial was to determine the potential of treating refractory chronic cough (RCC) using a progressive desensitization model paired with behavioral cough suppression.

Methods: Twelve adults with chronic cough who had failed behavioral cough treatment enrolled in and completed the study. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment (n=8) or placebo group (n=4). The study consisted of three phases. During Phase I, participants completed baseline testing, including cough sensitivity testing with capsaicin, the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), urge-to-cough-testing, and 24-hour cough frequency testing. During Phase II, participants practiced behavioral cough suppression …

Hear Me Roar, Abigail R. Seethoff

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Hear Me Roar, a compilation of personal essays interspersed with short forms, grapples with the nuances of compliance versus autonomy in the context of the male gaze, beauty standards, and pop culture. The collection also explores what it means to treasure something—another person, an object—and how to express and deepen that affection.

Missoula Prescription Produce Program: Lessons Learned 2015-2017, Harley Fredriksen

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The Missoula Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Produce program (MFVPP) started in 2015 as a partnership between Garden City Harvest (a Missoula, MT food-security non-profit) and the Providence Endocrinology Center (a local health clinic focused on diabetes care). MVFPP allows physicians, physician assistants, and dieticians to prescribe fresh produce to their patients. Patients must be of low income and suffer from chronic disease. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of the MFVPP to lead to improved biometric measurements for patients. This paper also discusses the program’s limitations and complications and aims to chart a path forward for …

Examining Injury Trends In Wildland Firefighters To Develop An Injury Screening Assessment Pilot Project, Isabella Grace Callis

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Fire suppression is an arduous profession that poses many work hazards and risks for wildland firefighters (WLFF) on a daily basis. One of the major threats to WLFF health on the line is musculoskeletal injury. Injury on the fire line and during personal training inhibits WLFF from performing their job to their full capacity. Currently there are no prevention strategies utilized to reduce the number of injuries this tactical population is experiencing. By accurately tracking injuries in WLFF, development of prevention strategies could assist in reducing the cost of injuries, maintain overall health in WLFF, and decrease work-related disability.

A …

Patient Perspectives Of An Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program For Stroke Survivors, Anya A. Leyhe, Catherine A. Off, Carolyn R. Baylor, Jenna R. Griffin, Kirsten W. Murray

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Introduction: Persons with aphasia (PWA) who participate in intensive comprehensive poststroke language rehabilitation programs make a variety of significant investments. While intensive aphasia programs and intensive comprehensive aphasia programs (ICAPs) are becoming increasingly prevalent across health care settings, patient perspectives of ICAPs have not been explored. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine patient perspectives about the experience of participating in an ICAP at the University of Montana. The primary research question of this study was: “what is it like to be a PWA in an ICAP?” Methods: Researchers used an interpretive phenomenological approach to conduct …

Effect Of Potato-Based And Prepackaged Sports Supplement Products On Muscle Glycogen Recovery And Exercise Performance In Trained Males And Females, Shannon Kelly Flynn

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Purpose

Research has elucidated the impact of post exercise carbohydrate nutrition and environmental conditions on muscle glycogen re-synthesis. However, research has minimally considered the implications of glycogen recovery in females and has focused on commercial sport nutrition products. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of varied mixed macronutrient feedings on glycogen recovery and subsequent exercise performance in both sexes.

Methods

8 males and 8 females participated in a crossover study. Subjects completed a 90-minute cycling glycogen depletion trial then rested for 4 hours. Two carbohydrate feedings (1.6 g . kg-1) of either sport supplements or potato-based …

Assessing The Impact Of A Yoga Intervention On Sleep In Female Veteran And Non-Veteran College Students, Erica Forzley

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Early sleep research in the 1970’s reported that sleep problems were due to cognitive and physiological arousal (Kennedy, 2014; Ong, Ulmer, & Manber, 2005). Recent research suggests that in addition to arousal, maladaptive beliefs and attitudes contribute to sleep problems (Kennedy, 2014; Ong et al., 2005). Techniques to decrease cognitive and physiological arousal include exercise, relaxation techniques, and talk therapy (Kennedy, 2014; Ong et al., 2005. To address maladaptive attitudes and beliefs mindfulness and acceptance techniques such as yoga are recommended (Kennedy, 2014; Ong et al., 2005). Untrue beliefs about how much sleep is needed and a tendency to avoid …

In Case Of Emergency: Local Medical Services And Emergency Air Transportation In Southeast Alaska, Kourtney B. Johnson

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Alaska, often referred to as “The Last Frontier”, is a vast, geographically diverse and sparsely settled landscape. Although many popular reality shows tend to exaggerate and dramatize life in Alaska, they do point to an important fact: when an emergency occurs, or someone experiences serious health complications, immediate access to sufficient medical services may not be available. Much of the state’s population faces barriers to accessing needed medical care due to large distances between communities and limited road networks due to coastal locations or challenging terrain.

Using Penchansky and Thomas’s five components of Access Theory (1981), this thesis explores factors …

The Effect Of Female Priming On Male Betta Splendens, Susan Greene

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Male betta fish are naturally aggressive to attract a mate and defend a territory. This makes them a good model for studying aggression and choice behavior. This study looked at male Betta splendens aggressive nature when impacted by priming with a female and exposure to the SSRI drug fluoxetine. Males in the study received a prime before each choice trial, and the latency for each choice was measured and analyzed. We found no significant differences for preference for a mirror versus a non-mirror trail, or latency for choice for the mirror. However, a significant effect was found for fighting data, …

Evaluation Of A Web-Based Performance Program For Wildland Firefighters, José M. Peña Cueto

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Introduction: In an effort to increase work capacity and reduce occupational injury rates and mortality rates among wildland firefighters, a web-based performance program named The Black was developed. The training program was designed to provide evidence-based training specific to wildland firefighters’ needs.

Purpose: A formative and process evaluation of the program was conducted to study the user rates, and user’s attitudes and preferences regarding the program during the pilot of its first phase.

Methodology: A sequential mixed-methods design was utilized for this evaluation. Qualitative interviews were conducted with firefighters who attended an introductory seminar. Interview data was utilized by program …

The Psychological And Physiological Effect Of Performing The Primal Reflex Release Technique On Female, Division I Collegiate Athletes, Erika K. Vichcales

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Anxiety is a cognitive, behavioral, and physiological reaction to stress, and athletes have an increased risk being in a high-stress environment. One of the effects of increased stress on the body is a condition known as central sensitization (CS) where the central nervous system amplifies sensory input across many organ systems causing a pain response in normally non-painful areas or hypersensitivity to stimuli. The Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT) is a manual-therapy approach for evaluating and relieving musculoskeletal pain in patients, and is meant to facilitate a “neural reboot” of a hyper-aroused nervous system. The purpose of this study is …

Examining Injury Data Reporting Practices Among Wildland Firefighters, Erin M. Boggs

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Wildland Firefighter (WLFF) Crews lack an injury surveillance program to collect information on non-traumatic and traumatic injuries. Tactical athletes including: police, military and structural firefighters all have a variety of collection systems in place for injury data collection. The lack of injury data prevents WLFF crews from identifying high-risk environments, implementing injury prevention programs, and improving the overall quality of care on the job. Over the last several decades the recent rise in wildfire occurrences and wildfire suppression costs creates a need for healthy and strong individuals in the field. The cost of firefighter salaries and medical care can be …

Sex Education In Montana Schools: An Assessment Of The Needs Of Sexual And Gender Minority Youth, Elizabeth A. Redinger, Annie Sondag

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Youth are particularly vulnerable to infection from HIV and STIs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youth between the ages of 13 and 24 accounted for about 26% of all new HIV transmission cases in the United States in 2010, In young MSM specifically, there was a 22% increase in new infections from 2008 to 2010 (CDC, 2015). Education is one of the factors that plays a role in sexual health practices starting in high schools, yet in Montana there is no clear set of guidelines as to what is covered during sex education classes in the …

Concussion Knowledge Of Missoula Youth Hockey Participants And Their Parents, Samantha Riordan

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Abstract:

Background: The Dylan Steigers Protection of Youth Athletes Act (DSPYAA) was passed by Montana legislature in 2013 which calls for mandatory concussion education of coaches, parents, and athletes. This law only applies to school sponsored sports, excluding those involved in youth sports organizations (YSO), such as youth hockey.

Hypothesis: Participating youth athletes and parents will not be able to identify signs and symptoms of a concussion and will not be able to identify future consequences of a poorly managed concussion.

Study Design: Cross sectional survey. Level of Evidence: Level 4

Methods: A descriptive questionnaire, Concussion Knowledge in Youth Sports …

Reviewing The Use Of Injury Screening Assessments And Identifying Risk Of Injury, Riley A. Kenney

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Lower extremity injures account for over half of reported sports related injuries with the ankle and knee being the most commonly injured joints. The majority of non-contact injuries related to these two joints can potentially be prevented through individualized prevention programs. Biomechanical injury screening has the potential to identify the risk factors associated with injury and allows the implementation of targeted rehabilitation strategies to combat the identified deficits. There is substantial need for screening assessments that are practical and accurate for the clinical athletic trainer. This literature reviewed examined the dorsiflexion lunge test, Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y-Balance Test, Star …

Caregiver Perspectives: A Phenomenological Study Of Group Education During An Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program, Maggie Colstad

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits of a caregiver education, training, and wellness program to improve caregiver outcomes in the context of aphasia rehabilitation. Eight caregivers participated in one-hour group treatment sessions across four weeks as part of an intensive comprehensive aphasia program. Information about stroke and aphasia was provided in a didactic format, and facilitative communication strategies were discussed and practiced using Kolb’s (1984) experiential learning cycle model. This qualitative study adhered to Moustakas’ phenomenological approach. Participant post-treatment interviews were transcribed and coded for themes relating to their experiences throughout the treatment program. Caregivers described …

Concussion Policy Development At The Ymca Of Missoula, Keith Forkin

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This professional paper addresses the implementation of concussion policy for the YMCA of Missoula. Specifically, evaluating concussion policy throughout the United States and determining key aspects of implementation. Evaluating the role of all people who that are influenced by concussion policy is imperative to developing a sound policy. Athletes, parents, coaches and health care providers each play essential roles when considering the effectiveness of policy implementation. While exploring varying concussion policies and research, this professional paper recognizes each of these essential aspects and incorporates them into the final Concussion Policy by the YMCA of Missoula.