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Evaluating A Concern For Falling Among People With A Lower Extremity Amputation, Kristin Elizabeth Nugent

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of these studies was to evaluate a concern for falling (CFF) among people with a lower extremity amputation (PLEA). Study 1 evaluated relative and absolute test-retest reliability of five standardized scales which have not been previously evaluated among PLEA. Twenty-two participants completed Study 1, an online survey that was administered twice. Study 2 assessed the inter-relationship of the multiple dimensions in a CFF using nine standardized scales of measurement and open-ended questions, and the association on quality of life (QOL). Forty-eight participants completed Study 2, a onetime online survey. Study 1 provided support for the reliable use of …

Exploring The Effects Of The Cycling Without Age Program On Older Adults Living In Long-Term Care, Victoria Cotnam

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The Cycling Without Age program, offered in long-term care homes around the world, allows residents to experience the feeling of a bike ride in the trishaw as a volunteer pedals the electrical bike. The purpose of this pragmatic observational study was to measure the effects of an existing program in a Canadian long-term care home on residents’ happiness, quality of life, pain and functional status (using Resident-Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set 2.0). A convenience sample of 39 residents participated in two groups, a biking group (n=23) and a strolls group (n=16) over the period of 12 weeks. Findings show that …

Measuring Quality Of Life In Patients With Rotator Cuff Disorders, Rochelle Furtado

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Rotator cuff disorders (RCDs) are a common musculoskeletal problem with a higher prevalence in women and after the age of 60. Due to the increasing need for patient-centered care, researchers have been directed towards the use of patient reported outcomes (PROs) to evaluate the progress of patient recovery, as the experience varies across individuals.

Recently, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index was reduced in items to create the shortened version of the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (Short-WORC). However, the Short-WORC’s psychometrics have yet to be evaluated. Therefore, this mixed-methods thesis aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Short-WORC …

Impact Of Feeding Tube Status On Health Outcomes For Individuals With Oropharyngeal Cancer, Nedeljko Jovanovic

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Abstract

This study investigated differences in outcomes related to health, swallowing, and quality of life (QoL) for individuals with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) receiving either radiotherapy (RT) alone, or concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Differences were assessed based on whether patients received a feeding tube (FT group) or not (NFT group). Measures including the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN), M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), and weight were collected for 126 individuals at baseline, and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. Data were analyzed to identify potential prognostic differences between the groups, …

Longitudinal Evaluation Of Patient Concerns After Surgery For Head And Neck Cancer, Isabel Wozniczka

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the longitudinal effects of shoulder and neck mobility, strength, and quality of life (QOL) following neck dissection (ND) surgery and identify the concerns of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. ND is one of the standard procedures for treating HNC, which results in many complications and dysfunctions that can have an effect on a patient’s QOL.

The study had 27 eligible HNC participants who underwent ND, of which eight participated in the shoulder range of motion (ROM) and strength and 12 participated in the QOL patient-reported outcomes analysis. The …

Perception Of Fatigue In Individuals Diagnosed With Head And Neck Cancer, Grace Scott

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Head and neck cancer (HNCa) presents numerous challenges secondary to treatment. While there is substantial clinical awareness to the range of challenges demonstrated in this population, information on the impact of fatigue in recovery and rehabilitation is limited. This study investigated the degree of perceived fatigue in those treated for HNCa. The study was a cross-sectional, self-report, survey design. Adult participants (n=55) completed a series of four validated questionnaires. Two validated measures specific to fatigue (FSI and MFI-20) and two quality of life measures (EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC-QLQ-H&N35) were administered. Correlational analysis revealed an inverse relationship between fatigue and measures of …

Body Image And Quality Of Life: An Exploration Among Individuals With Head And Neck Cancer, Melissa M. Nash

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: One of the most distressing aspects of head and neck cancer (HNC) is the potential for physical disfigurement. Such changes may impact one’s body image (BI) with a secondary potential to impact long-term functioning; hence, changes in perceived BI may be seen as a critical component that influences post-treatment quality of life (QOL).

Methods: Forty participants completed 4 validated questionnaires during regular clinical follow-up visits.

Results: Perception of BI image does influence perception of QOL following HNC treatment(s), yet perceptions are highly individualized. Gender related differences are notable on BI questionnaire scores.

Conclusions: Data suggest that efforts to …

A Pilot Study To Investigate Concerns In Patients Undergoing Neck Dissection Surgery, Daniel Sundar Raj Arulananda Doss

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Abstract:

This study investigates concerns in patients undergoing neck dissection surgery. Forty patients were recruited at Pre-surgery, Discharge and 1-month Post-surgery. The Patient Concerns Inventory - Level of Importance questionnaire (PCI-LOI), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Neck Dissection Impairment Index (NDII) and the University of Washington - Quality of Life questionnaire (UWQOL) were used.

The study identified "Anxiety" at Pre-surgery and "Appearance" at Discharge and 1-month Post-surgery as the important patient concerns. Patients’ concerns were found to change over time. Support for cross-sectional convergent validity of the PCI-LOI was evidenced by significant correlations between the PCI-LOI and the UWQOL …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Arthroscopic Surgery To Conservative Management Of Femoroacetabular Impingement, Heather C. Klaus

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) who undergo arthroscopic hip surgery experience similar outcomes at two years post-operative with respect to physical function, pain, and health related quality of life, compared to similar patients who receive conservative management, including medication and physiotherapy. This thesis is an interim analysis of ten participants who are six-months post-randomization. METHODS: Participants were randomized to either operative treatment (6) or conservative treatment (4), and completed general and region specific quality of life questionnaires, including the Hip Outcome Score (HOS), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS), Non-Arthritic Hip Score …