Digital Commons Network^™

Effect Of Vestibular Adaptation Exercises On Chronic Motion Sensitivity, Danah Alyahya

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Dizziness is one of the most common complaints reported to primary care physicians. It is often associated with vestibular dysfunction and typically impacts postural stability. Motion sickness, or motion sensitivity, is stimulated by abnormal spatial orientation and is a common symptom related to dizziness and postural instability. The main cause of the motion sensitivity is aberrant sensory input from the visual, vestibular and somatosensory systems. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of vestibular adaptation exercises on postural stability in young healthy adults with subjective awareness of chronic motion sensitivity.

Methods: Fifty healthy male and female …

Soft-Sediment Deformation And Dune Collapse In The Navajo Sandstone, Colby Ford

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The Canyon Overlook Trail of Zion National Park follows an outcrop of Navajo Sandstone, which displays a uniquely well-exposed assemblage of features associated with failure of the lee face of a large eolian dune, and run-out over an expanse of interdune sediments downwind of that bedform. Exposed features include dramatic folds in the interdune succession and a stacked series of thrust sheets incorporating both interdune and overlying dune deposits. Thrust surfaces display consistent strikes, parallel to those of undeformed foresets, and incorporate zones of brittle failure and fluid deformation, including folds overturned in the direction of foreset dip. These features …

Behavioral Assessment And Referral For Patients With Cardiovascular Disease, Sarah June Sadeghi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most frequent cause of death in the United States. CVD affects more than a third of the U.S. population translating to approximately $431.8 billion in direct and indirect costs (Rosamond et al., 2007 as cited in Hunter et al., 2009). Given the significant rates of mental health issues exhibited in cardiovascular patients coupled with the lack of standard screening practices of psychosocial risk factors implicated in cardiovascular disease, the introduction of adequate assessment and referrals to mental health providers could substantially benefit health outcomes of patients.

The aims of this project are to: 1) provide …

Online Psychoeducational Therapy For Chronic Pain, Cynthia Marie Nakoski

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The pain experience consists of many factors including biological, psychological, social and spiritual that can exacerbate and perpetuate it, often leading to chronic pain. Provision of an online psychoeducational course, inclusive of social networking capabilities, offers remote access to invaluable information for the enhancement of self-efficacy in the treatment of chronic pain. The focus of this doctoral project was the creation of a website that includes pain management lessons comprised of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Family Therapy, and Spirituality modules. The website incorporates psychometrics, automated course tracking, and social network components allowing for research reporting, self-paced interactive …

A 3d Radiographic Evaluation Of Crestal Bone Changes Around Immediately Loaded Endosseous Implants, Keerthi Senthil

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this clinical investigation is to evaluate and compare the 3-dimensional radiographic crestal bone changes around 4 immediately placed and loaded implants supporting full arch fixed mandibular prosthesis in 2 groups of patients. The Test group comprises of patients with failing mandibular teeth needing extraction. ( due to caries, periodontal disease, fractures or prosthetic reasons).The Control group comprises of patients with a fully edentulous mandible presenting for fixed implant supported prosthesis with at least 6 months after the last extraction or bone grafting procedure. Stereolithographic bone model obtained from the patient’s DICOM files was used to fabricate the …

High-Resolution Correlation Of A Time-Bounded Unit Of The Pisco Formation, Peru, Daniel J. O'Hare

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Correlation of beds in the Pisco Basin across significant distances is problematic and has not yet been effectively achieved. I chose to examine an interval bounded by two time markers, an 40Ar/39Ar-dated white tuff at the base and an 40Ar/39Ar-dated tuff couplet at the top. This interval was chosen because of the continuity and excellent exposure of the tuff beds at six distinct locations in a linear transect 30 km long. Correlation of units was achieved through 40Ar/39Ar dating, lithology, sedimentary structures, and magnetic susceptibility. The vertical and lateral variability in lithology, fossil assemblages, structures, and sequences was examined in …

Getting To The Doctor: Bpss Factors Of Health Care Utilization In Fragile Families, Veronica P. Kuhn

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The number of fragile families where a child is born to unwed parents has increased greatly over the past half-century and now represents a diverse population in the United States (Ventura, 2009). These families, who are predominantly African American and Hispanic (Hummer & Hamilton, 2010) and are more likely to live in poverty and experience poorer health, face significant barriers to access and utilize health care services (De Marco & De Marco, 2009; Williams, 2008). Limited research exists on how these facets of the illness experience might differ for fragile families whose resources are limited prior to illness. The Biopsychosocial …

To A Better Understanding Of Professional Practice: Provider Decision-Making When Delivering Hiv Services, Carizma Amila Chapman

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Over the last several decades an abundance of research has been conducted on HIV/AIDS. These studies have focused on the infection, impact of the disease on the health and quality of life of people living with the infection, and on treatment effectiveness. However, limited studies are available that explore the experiences of providers delivering HIV/AIDS services. Research demonstrates that providers have an important impact on treatment, shaping not only patient retention, but also treatment adherence. The critical role HIV/AIDS providers have in shaping treatment makes understanding provider experiences a pertinent area of inquiry to understand HIV/AIDS care. In this study, …

Dialectical Behavior Therapy And Adolescent Patient Treatment Dropout, Danessa Mayo

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Attrition in mental health treatment is an area of concern among the adolescent population, especially with patients engaged in deliberate self-harm. The purpose of this study was to examine the treatment attrition rate for adolescents with deliberate self-harm in an adapted dialectical behavior therapy intensive outpatient program. A total of 141 adolescents previously enrolled in the program were available for the study. Results demonstrated a 31.9% dropout rate. Graduates indicated greater improvement of overall distress from baseline to post-treatment than dropouts. Dropouts attended an average of 12 treatment sessions. Several factors were examined to identify potential predictors of patient treatment …

Executive Functioning Outcomes Among Self-Harming Adolescents Receiving Dbt-A, Alphonso A. Smith

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Changes in WM, GM, and neural activation in networks involving the PFC underlie the development of EFs during adolescence; however, adolescents with DSH have impaired EFs in the areas of inhibition, emotion regulation, shifting, and interpersonal functioning. DBT-A has been shown to be effective in treating these youth and the skills of mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and “walking the middle path” are suited to treat their impaired EFs. As such, this study examined EF changes in adolescents receiving DBT-A and discussed implications for treatment and brain-behavior relationships. Ninety-three adolescents from a 16-week DBT-A program for DSH were …

Paternal Depression In The Peripartum Period: An International Delphi Study, Cassidy J. Freitas

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This dissertation aims to reach consensus on the defining factors of Paternal Peripartum Depression (PPPD) as well as identify research priorities through the Delphi method. Peripartum Depression is a major health issue for parents and their children. Fathers are at risk for peripartum depression due to the changes in identity, relationship, and biology they face during their transition to parenthood. A father’s mental health plays an intimate role in the overall health and outcomes of his family, but up until this point has been significantly overlooked. Due to the paucity of research and lack of clear consensus on the identifying …

Executive Dysfunction Is Predictive Of Clinical Symptomatology In 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Chinonyere Kemdirim Bello

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

By adulthood, 25%- 30% of individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22qDS) develop a psychotic disorder, often schizophrenia, and it is not understood why. Given the known genetic etiology of this disorder and the greatly elevated risk for development of schizophrenia, this group offers the possibility of defining a seemingly homogenous maturational pathway to psychosis. Neurocognitive deficits have been increasingly recognized as an important dimension of schizophrenia, particularly in the executive domain. Thus, we assessed multiple aspects of executive cognition in 22qDS, in order to: 1) characterize performance across this domain as compared to age-matched healthy controls; and 2) determine whether …

Comparison Of Text Analysis Programs For Identification Of Emotional Expression, Michelle Mcdonnell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Studies have show that written emotional expression assists in the recovery and alleviates the pain associated with traumatic experiences, cancer diagnoses, and chronic illnesses. Written interventions have been developed to utilize this emotional coping approach. Unfortunately, evaluation of participants and patients written text is time consuming and subjective to the coder. Researchers have developed computational text analysis programs in an attempt to find an alternative to human coders for text analysis. The current study will utilize data from previous research performed by Owen et al., (2005) entitled Randomized Pilot of a Self-Guided Internet Coping Group for Women With Early Stage …

Becoming An Ally: Multi-Family Group Therapy Pilot With Low-Income Families, Julie Virginia Estrella

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The increasing demand for couple and family therapists (CFT) in integrated health care settings requires CFTs to learn to effectively serve low-income families. Resilience literature suggests that building families’ resilience and social support directly impacts a family’s chances for socioeconomic mobility. Multi-family group therapy (MFGT) offers an effective vehicle for increasing resilience and social support. This dissertation examines the link between family resilience and poverty and presents an ecological, solution-focused, family resilience lens applied through a pilot MFGT program, Bouncing Forward Family (BFF) Groups, for low-income families. This dissertation includes two publishable papers, and the first focuses on the BFF …

The Assessment Of Malingering Within Forensic Populations, Caroline Mary Katherine Carr

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The current literature review examines the assessment of malingering in adult forensic populations with a focus on recent applications of measures for identifying feigned psychiatric symptoms. Although a large amount of research on malingering assessment exists, such a review is needed given the limited research on factors that increase an individual’s ability to malinger successfully and evade detection. This review also serves as a guide to help clinicians select the most appropriate assessment measures which may vary across cases. Clinical implications of malingering assessment and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Treatment Outcomes Of Patients With Unilateral Class Ii Malocclusions: A Cbct Study, Brent Leggett

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of Class II (Cl II) subdivision patients, to quantify the change in TMJ complex, and mandibular length after treatment was accomplished. Materials and Methods: Records of consecutive patients who sought orthodontic treatment at Loma Linda University (LLU) were screened. Only patients with dental Cl II subdivision that had completed treatment with pre- (T1) and post-treatment (T2) cone beam computed tomograms (CBCTs) available were evaluated for changes in the TMJ complex position related to Foramen Rotundum (TMJ-FR), joint spaces and mandibular length (condylion to genial tubercles). Comparisons were made between …

Predictors Of Placement Satisfaction For Foster Youth, Shereen Mcfarlane

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Youth in the foster care system are often removed from their biological families because of challenges to their safety and wellbeing and are often at risk for further placement disruption and poor socio-emotional development. Placement stability is a crucial component to establishing permanency and placement satisfaction might be a contributing factor. This study uses an ecological framework to explore the impact of the foster youth’s ecosystem, such as the foster child, foster parent, child welfare worker, and the placement environment on placement satisfaction. This quantitative study uses secondary data to determine the predictability of these factors on placement satisfaction of …

Physical Therapy After Triangular Fibrocartilage Injuries And Ulnar Wrist Pain, Mohamed A. Abdelmegeed

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: The ulnar side of the wrist has been referred to as the “black box” of the wrist because of its complex structures and sophisticated anatomy, disorders at this anatomical site have been compared to those of low back pain

Purposes: The purpose of this study was to apply the Brief International Classification of Functioning (ICF) Core Set for Hand Conditions to the physical therapy outcome measures, and to evaluate the contribution of these measures to overall health in subjects with ulnar wrist pain. A secondary purpose was to investigate the effect of wrist orthotics and strengthening exercise on …

Comparison Of Maxillary Anterior Teeth Width To Facial Dimensions Among Three Races, Ewa Parciak

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Dental esthetics and tooth proportions have become increasingly relevant in dentistry, as the cosmetic demands of patients increase. Determining the appropriate esthetic dimensions of the maxillary anterior teeth is an important aspect in fixed and removable prosthodontics. The proportion of facial structures and the relationship between facial measurements and natural teeth could provide additional guidance in selecting denture teeth as well as in determining ideal teeth size for fixed restorations. There have been many publications on this topic, however, the subjects in these studies have been mostly selected from the Caucasian race. With the increasing diversity of the American population …

Elections Have Consequences: Moral Value Foundations Ensure Gridlock Through The Ballot Box, Gregory John Regts

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In the midst of unprecedented partisan polarization in the voting public and congressional gridlock in Washington, research in moral psychology has implicated reliance on differing moral value foundations between liberals and conservatives as a determinant of partisan divides. While Moral Foundations Theory (MFT) research has highlighted the effect of moral values on a variety of issues, little research has explained their effect on psychological factors and voting behavior related to fiscal concerns. Guided by Betancourt’s integrative model for studying culture, psychological factors, and behavior, the present study investigated the extent to which socially shared moral value foundations influence psychological reactions …

Use Of An Enhanced Engagement Approach To Increase Engagement In An Online Support Group, Ketlyne Sol

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Online support groups (OSGs) are potentially useful resources for individuals with chronic health problems who often face challenges in receiving desired support from similar others. Barriers such as limited mobility, time, distance, and desire for anonymity limit access to this support in traditional face-to-face groups. However, engagement in OSGs are well documented to have low user activity, despite the barriers they help to overcome. Several reasons for this low engagement are discussed. Study into engagement is limited by the fact that there are many different ways of measuring engagement, which are not consistent across studies. Furthermore, interventions to specifically improve …

Morphological Changes In Alveolar Bone Following Orthodontic Space Closure, Ninette Hacopian

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Changes occurring in anterior alveolar bone following orthodontic tooth movement are controversial. Some research has shown that orthodontic tooth movement results in the adaptation of cortical bone; others have shown that it results in dehiscence and fenestrations.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the alveolar bone changes around maxillary anterior teeth following orthodontic space closure.

Materials and Methods: Cone beam computed tomograms (CBCTs) of non-growing patients who received orthodontic treatment with bilateral maxillary premolar extraction were evaluated. Only patients with at least 5 degrees of changes in maxillary incisor (U1) to palatal plane angle were included …

The Lived Experience Of Aging: Listening To The Oldest-Old, Julia A. Pusztai

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Although embraced as desirable by most, living into very old age is largely unexplored as a distinct season of life, with increased, varied, and cumulative changes during a unique time of vulnerability and frailty. The purpose of this study was to listen to the oldest-old, and to explore their lived experience of growing old. This hermeneutic phenomenology study examines the experience of finding meaning and living with losses and gains in advanced old age. This study design included three separate interviews one month apart with participants over 85 years of age. Purposive sampling resulted in 13 participants, 5 being male …

Program Evaluation And Guideline Development For Psychological Treatment Of The Adolescent And Young Adult Population With Cancer, Kayla R. Kraich

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer population suffers from many unique medical and mental health challenges. Both medical, psychological and support services play an important role in the lack of improvement in survival rates of this population. The purpose of this project was to identify the unique mental health challenges and treatment needs of the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology population and to evaluate current oncology programs available to this population at Loma Linda University. The project provides guideline recommendations for implementing a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate AYA oncology program at Loma Linda University.

Music Listening As Therapy, David M. Rosenblatt

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Music is a universal phenomenon and is a real, physical thing. It is processed in neural circuits that overlap with language circuits, and it exerts cognitive, emotional, and physiological effects on humans. Many of those effects are therapeutic, such as reduced symptoms of physical and mental ailments. Music is the result of the elements rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, dynamics, and form. Rhythm is the focus of pop music, and melody is the focus of classical music. The mind perceives and organizes music in learned, consistent ways in order to generate predictions and extract meaning. There are perceptual laws and information …

Developing Dyadic Measurements In Marriage And Family Therapy: The Dyadic Supervision Evaluation, Adrian Avila

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study applies integrative developmental theory and a common factors approach in evaluating and describing how Marital and Family Therapy trainee’s progress in mastering the core competencies set forth by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) through the process of clinical supervision. More specifically, this project evaluates the internal reliability, construct validity, and predictive validity of the Dyadic Supervision Evaluation (DSE). The important role and influence of clinical supervision as well as the next steps for validating and evaluating dyadic, developmental, core competencies and common factors measurements in clinical supervision are discussed.

Breast Cancer Patients' Perspectives On The Helpfulness Of Supportive Offerings, Renee Lauren Jarvis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Research suggests that breast cancer patients seek and benefit from social support that they view as helpful. Previous qualitative studies have explored overtly negative behaviors by family and friends in some depth. Several quantitative studies have explored how support that is viewed as unhelpful constrains, hinders coping, and causes distress to breast cancer patients. The current study differs from previous studies in that it provides an exploration of the perceived helpfulness of support provision that is well-intended. This study employed a phenomenological approach based on the interpretivist lifeworld perspective. It was conceptualized within the postmodern paradigm which draws from the …

A Needs Assessment Of Caregiving Parents To Children With Substantial Disabilities, Liza Maria Garcia

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Parents who have a child with substantial disabilities have two distinct roles, parent and caregiver. This study sought to understand how parental and caregiver roles require distinct skills, attitudes, and behaviors that are affected by the concept of parental ambiguous loss. Using boundary ambiguity as a predictor of ambiguous loss, this study quantitatively explored levels of ambiguous loss experienced by caregiver parents. Results showed that ambiguous loss, as exhibited through boundary ambiguity positively correlated with levels of depression, and anxiety, but was negatively correlated with levels of parental efficacy, parental satisfaction and familial/friend social support. The results of this needs …

Effect Of Diamond Bur And Root Canal Irrigants On Retention Of Fiber Posts, Rami Jekki

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Esthetic glass fiber-reinforced posts are being used more often. The most commonly reported complication associated with these posts is debonding. Dentine conditioning with solutions such as EDTA or MTAD results in removal of smear layer and might improve the retention of posts to root canal dentin. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cleansing the post space with MTAD or EDTA on the bond strength of glass fiber-reinforced posts, when a diamond roughening instrument is used prior to cementation with self-adhesive resin cement. Forty-five (n=15) extracted human premolar teeth were sectioned at the cemento-enamel junction …

Cross-Cultural Adaption And Psychometric Properties Testing Of The Arabic Anterior Knee Pain Scale, Abdullah S. Alshehri

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFP) is a common condition affecting the musculoskeletal system and has a tendency of becoming chronic and is problematic in the affected people. It is the commonest cause of anterior knee pain. In over 2/3 of the patients affected it has been successfully treated through the use of rehabilitation protocols which are designed in pain reduction and returning the functionality to an individual. Many cases of patellofemoral pain syndrome can be avoided only if a clinician can make a pre-diagnosis. Preparation Screening Evaluation testing done by a certified athletic trainer can also help in prevention of this …