Digital Commons Network^™

Is Gabapentin Effective In Reducing Pain In Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain?, Sophia Zientek

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not gabapentin is effective in reducing pain in women with chronic pelvic pain.

STUDY DESIGN: A review of three randomized, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) that were peer reviewed and published in English after 2016.

DATA SOURCE: All articles were published in peer reviewed journals and were researched using PubMed, Alt HealthWatch, AMED, and CINAHL. Studies were selected based on their ability to answer the question posed in the objective, and if the researched outcomes were patient oriented.

OUTCOMES: The assessed outcome is pelvic pain. It is measured by …

Does Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (Eswt) Reduce Pain In Patients Diagnosed With Kellgren-Lawrence Grades Ii Or Iii Knee Osteoarthritis Compared To Placebo Eswt?, Sophia R. Martonick

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Does extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) reduce pain in patients diagnosed with Kellgren-Lawrence grades II or III knee osteoarthritis compared to placebo ESWT?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in peer-reviewed journals between 2013-2020

Data Sources: All articles were published in peer reviewed journals and researched using AltHealthWatch, AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE and Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Sources within EBSCOhost and PubMed. Studies were selected based on how well they answered the clinical question and if they discussed patient-oriented outcomes.

Outcome Measured: A reduction …

Does Erenumab Reduce Monthly Migraine Frequency From Baseline In Adults With Episodic Migraines?, Rachel M. Pitman

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Does erenumab reduce monthly migraine frequency from baseline in adults with episodic migraines?”

STUDY DESIGN: An EBM review of three double blind, RCTs (randomized control trials) that were published in peer reviewed journals.

DATA SOURCE: The three studies were found on PubMed, published after 2011, and chosen based upon the ability to answer the patient-oriented outcome and objective.

OUTCOMES: All studies used the same criteria from the self- reported diaries: “Migraine days were defined as the onset, continuation, or recurrence of a qualified migraine headache for at least 30 …

Are Medical Clowns Effective In Reducing Pain In Pediatric Patients Undergoing Procedures In The Ed?, Olivia N. Goncerz

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine, “Are medical clowns effective in reducing pain in pediatric patients undergoing procedures in the ED?”

Study Design: A systematic review of two randomized controlled trials (RCT) and one Quasi RCT published between 2015 and 2016.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were discovered using PubMed, published in English, peerreviewed journals, and selected based on their applicability to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: The outcome measured in all articles was pain. Young patients utilized pain scales with facial images, such as the Wong-Backer Scale or Faces Pain Scale – revised, whereas …

Does Whole-Body Vibration Therapy Improve Gross Motor Function In Patients 21 Years Old Or Younger With Cerebral Palsy?, Jordyn Walker

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine if whole-body vibration therapy, when used as an adjuvant to conventional physical therapy, improves gross motor function in patients aged 21 or younger with cerebral palsy (CP).

Study Design: A systematic review of two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one case series published between 2015 and 2022.

Data Sources: The research was published in peer-reviewed journals and accessible through a search using PubMed. Studies were selected based upon a more recent date of publish and their ability to gauge gross motor function by using a patient-oriented outcome measure.

Outcomes: …

Is Vitamin D An Effective Add-On Therapy For Decreasing Migraine Frequency In Adults?, Jazmin Conway

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Is Vitamin D an effective add-on Therapy for Decreasing Migraine Frequency in Adults”

Study Design: A review of two randomized controlled trials and a placebo-controlled double-blind study that were peer-reviewed and published in English after the year 2011.

Data Sources: All articles were obtained using PubMed, Alt HealthWatch, AMED and CINAHL Plus. Articles were selected based on their relevance to the topic, ability to answer the question posed, and having outcomes that were patient oriented.

Outcome measured: A change in migraine frequency using headache diaries and migraine questionnaires, is …

Does Acupuncture Help Reduce Headache Intensity In Patients Who Have Migraine Without Aura?, Hannah S. Hults

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does acupuncture help reduce headache intensity in patients who have migraine without aura?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) all published between 6/29/2016 and 2022.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were peer-reviewed articles published in English on PubMed. Each article was relevant to the clinical question and had patient-oriented outcomes that included headache intensity.

Outcome Measured: Headache intensity was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) in all three RCTs. The VAS is a scale from 0-10 with correlating cartoon faces …

Is Intuitive Eating Effective In Improving Eating Related Attitudes And Behaviors In Adult Women?, Haley C. Delligatti

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Intuitive Eating (IE) is effective in improving eating related attitudes and behaviors in adult women.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

DATA SOURCES: PubMed was utilized to find three randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Results were filtered by English language, published after the year 2011, and with adult female participants.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome of significance is eating related attitudes and behaviors, as measured by the Intuitive Eating Scale (IES). An older, 27-Item IES was utilized in one study, while the newer 21-Item …

Does Non-Invasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation (Nvns) Improve Migraine Headaches In Adult Patients?, Gavin T. Heard

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation (nVNS) improve migraine headaches in adult patients?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2011 and 2022.

DATE SOURCES: The studies were found in PubMed and were published in English peer-reviewed journals. The studies were selected based on if they contributed information toward the clinical question.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Migraine symptom reduction was measured based on patient reported change in migraine pain and frequency from baseline.

RESULTS: The Diener et al. study found that utilizing nVNS …

Is Mindfulness- Based Stress Reduction (Mbsr) More Effective Than Standard Care In Reducing Anxiety In Breast Cancer Survivors With A Diagnosis Of Stage 0 – Iii Breast Cancer?, Emma Poulshock

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “is mindfulness- based stress reduction (MBSR) more effective than standard care in reducing anxiety in breast cancer survivors with a diagnosis of Stage 0 – III breast cancer?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized control trials (RCT).

DATA SOURCES: All three RCTs were published in English and taken from peer-reviewed journals using PubMed. The articles were published between 2012-2021.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome measured included reduction in anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and POMS total mood disturbance (and its subscale of anxiety).

RESULTS: In the …

Are Hip Exercises Effective At Reducing Patellofemoral Pain?, Danielle Dillenbeck

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Are Hip Exercises Effective at Reducing Patellofemoral Pain?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English after 2011.

Data Sources: All three studies were selected from peer reviewed journals on PubMed based on their relevance to the clinical question and having patient oriented outcomes.

Outcome Measured: The outcome measured was reduction in patellofemoral pain and this was measured through the Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS). Scores range from 0-100 with lower scores indicating greater pain and disability. The mean change from baseline was …

Do Ranibizumab Intravitreal Injections With Laser Therapy Improve Visual Acuity In Diabetic Retinopathy Patients Better Than Monotherapy Of Intravitreal Ranibizumab Injections?, Daniel P. Sawtelle

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not combination therapy of intravitreal ranibizumab injections plus laser photocoagulation increases best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in adults with diabetic retinopathies better than monotherapy of intravitreal ranibizumab injections.

Study Design: This EBM literature review assesses the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab injections in combination with laser photocoagulation by measuring best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in patients with diabetic retinopathies and compares it to monotherapy of ranibizumab injections. All sources are published primary literature sources that have been subjected to scrutiny in peer reviewed journals.

Data Sources: Three randomized …

Is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (Tens) Therapy To The Pelvic Region Effective In Alleviating Menstrual Pain In Adolescent And Young Adult Females With Primary Dysmenorrhea?, Cindy Lin

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy to the pelvic region effective in alleviating menstrual pain in adolescent and young adult females with primary dysmenorrhea?”

Study Design: A systemic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2011 and 2022.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were discovered using PubMed, CINAHL, AMED, Academic Search Premier, and Alt HealthWatch. The articles were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on applicability to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: A reduction in intensity of menstrual pain was …

Does Administration Of Prehospital Plasma Improve Survival Rates In Injured Adults At Risk For Hemorrhagic Shock?, Carly Belko

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether administration of prehospital plasma will improve survival rates in injured adults at risk for hemorrhagic shock.

Study Design: A systematic review of two randomized controlled trials (RCT) and one retrospective cohort study

Data Sources: All three studies were identified using PubMed and selected based on their ability to answer the clinical question while including patient-oriented outcomes (POEMs). All articles were peer-reviewed, published in English, and published on or after 2011.

Outcomes Measured: The outcomes addressed were survival rates, calculated using mortality rates based on if the patient was …

Is Transcutaneous Supraorbital Nerve Stimulation Effective For Reducing The Number Of Monthly Migraine Days In Adults?, Bergen I. Kassoff

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is transcutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation (TSNS) effective for reducing the number of monthly migraine days in adults?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2011 and 2021.

DATA SOURCES: All sources were obtained from PubMed, published in English in peer reviewed journals, and selected based on relevance to the clinical question.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: A reduction in the number of monthly migraine days was the outcome measured in all three studies and was determined by the mean change from baseline from …

Are Omega-3 Supplements An Effective Treatment In Reducing The Number Of Aphthous Ulcers In Patients With Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis?, Alicia Martin-Conyers

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Are omega-3 supplements an effective treatment in reducing the number of aphthous ulcers in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2014 and 2021.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were discovered using PubMed. The articles were published in English in peer-reviewed journals. Articles were selected based on their relevance to the clinical question and if they included patient-oriented outcomes.

Outcome Measured: Number of aphthous ulcers after six months was the outcome measured in all three …

Does Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation Continue To Reduce Knee Pain In Adult Patients With Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis At Six Months After Treatment?, Samantha K. Spata

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation continue to reduce knee pain in adult patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis at six months after treatment?”

STUDY DESIGN: A review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2018 and 2021.

DATA SOURCES: All three RCTs were published in peer-reviewed journals and researched using PubMed. Studies were selected based on relevance to the clinical question.

OUTCOMES: All three RCTs measured knee pain as the primary outcome via the 10-point VAS pain scale or the 11-point NRS pain scale. Chen et …

Does Dapoxetine Increase Duration Of Sexual Intercourse In Men With Premature Ejaculation When Compared With Oral Ssris?, Nathan E. Violette

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to determine, “Does dapoxetine increase duration of sexual intercourse in men with premature ejaculation when compared with oral SSRIs?”

Study Design: A systemic review of two RCTs and one non RCT published between 2014 and 2020.

Data Sources: All three articles were researched using PubMed. The articles were published in peer reviewed journals and selected based on their validity and relevance to the clinical question, as well as including pertinent patient-oriented outcomes.

Outcome Measured: All three studies measured intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) using the stopwatch method (timing of intravaginal penetration to …

Is Stem Cell Injection An Effective Method For Reducing Pain In Adults With Chronic Discogenic Back Pain?, Noelle T. Phounsavath

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systemic review is to determine “Is Stem Cell Injection an Effective Method for Reducing Pain in Adults with Chronic Discogenic Back Pain?”

Study Design: A systemic review of two randomized control trials and one case study published between 2015 and 2021.

Data Sources: All three studies were discovered using PubMed. The articles were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on applicability to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: A reduction in pain severity was the outcome measured in all three studies using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Scores ranged from 0-100 with higher …

Does Mindful Breathing Reduce Negative Symptoms In Palliative Care Patients?, Katelyn Steenvoorden

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “does mindful breathing reduce negative symptoms in palliative care patients?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three non blinded randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English between 2011 and 2021.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were discovered using PubMed. The articles were published in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on relevance to the research question.

Outcome Measured: The change in negative symptoms after mindful breathing was measured differently in each study. In one study, patients rated their suffering 0-10 using a pictogram. In a second study, …

Is Intravenous Ketamine Efficacious For Symptom Reduction In Adults Diagnosed With Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?, Cassandra H. Mckenna

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not intravenous ketamine is efficacious for symptom reduction in adults diagnosed with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.

Study Design: A systematic review of two randomized controlled trials (RCT) and one case series published between 2014 and 2021.

Data Sources: All three studies were discovered using PubMed. The articles were published in English, in peer-reviewed journals, and selected based on their relevance to the clinical question, inclusion of patient-oriented outcomes, and recency.

Outcome Measured: The outcome of reduction in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity was measured in each …

Are Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonists Effective In Reducing Heavy Menstrual Bleeding In Women With Uterine Fibroids?, Joanna Burton

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Are gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists effective in reducing heavy menstrual bleeding in women with uterine fibroids?”

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from 2018-2021.

DATA SOURCES: The studies were found using PubMed. All resources were published in peer-reviewed journals in the English language. Each study was selected based on its relevance to the clinical question.

OUTCOME MEASURED: In each RCT, the outcome of reduction in menstrual bleeding was measured. In Schlaff et al. and Carr et al. a chemical analysis of blood …

Does Preoperative Therapy Improve Function In Postoperative Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty?, Ethan A. Carey

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not using “preoperative therapy can improve function in postoperative patients undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty?”

Study Design: A review of three double-blinded randomized control trials (RCT) that were peered reviewed after 2014

Data Source: All articles were published in peer-reviewed journals and were researched using PubMed. Studies were selected based on their ability to answer the question posed in the objective, and if the researched outcomes were patient oriented.

Outcomes: Assessed outcomes were either from a Timed Up and Go test or Stair Climbing Test.

Results: Joaquin Calatayud …

Is Tranexamic Acid Effective In Reducing Postoperative Blood Loss In Adult Patients With Lumbar Degenerative Disease Who Are Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery?, Natalie L. Cervelli

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is tranexamic acid effective in reducing postoperative blood loss in adult patients with lumbar degenerative disease who are undergoing posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgery?”

STUDY DESIGN: A review of two double-blinded randomized controlled trials (RCT) and one RCT.

DATA SOURCES: All articles were peer-reviewed and published in English between 2017-2020. They were found through PubMed and chosen based on ability to answer the objective.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome measured in all articles was the objective amount of blood loss in mL contained in drainage output through …

Is The Use Of A Port As Opposed To A Picc More Effective In Improving Quality Of Life In Patients Receiving Chemotherapy?, Nicholas Coia

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is the use of a PORT as opposed to a PICC more effective in improving quality of life in patients receiving chemotherapy?”

Study Design: Review of three randomized control trials (RCTs) including one monocentric RCT, one two-centre RCT, and one multi-centered RCT.

Data Sources: All articles were published in English and taken from peer-reviewed journals using PubMed. All articles were published between 2014-2020 and chosen based on their relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: The outcome measured was quality of life (QoL). The studies used …

Does Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate (Vyvanse) Reduce The Weekly Incidence Of Binge Eating In Adults With Binge Eating Disorder?, Krista L. Helveston

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse) reduce the weekly incidence of binge eating in adults with binge eating disorder?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials published between 2015 and 2017.

Data Sources: All articles were obtained from PubMed and were published in peer-reviewed journals, in the English language. They were selected based on their applicability to the clinical question, credibility, and if the researched outcomes were patient oriented.

Outcomes Measured: The number of binge eating days per week was the outcome measured, with …

Does The Use Of Aromatherapy Massage Reduce Agitation In Elderly Patients With Dementia?, Nicole A. Frinzi

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does the Use of Aromatherapy Massage Reduce Agitation in Elderly Patients with Dementia?”

Study Design: A systematic review of two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and one cohort study published between 2010 and 2020.

Data Sources: All studies were discovered using PubMed. The articles were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: The outcome measured was a reduction in agitation symptoms. Outcomes were measured through the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI). A similar scale was used among all …

Is The Use Of A Sustained-Release Intracanalicular Dexamethasone Depot An Effective Treatment For Pain Reduction Following Cataract Surgery?, Camille D. Montgomery

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is the use of a sustained-release intracanalicular dexamethasone depot an effective treatment for pain reduction following cataract surgery?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) all published between 2015 and 2019.

Data Sources: Two RCTs were discovered using PubMed, and one RCT was discovered using Semantic Scholar. The articles were published in peer-reviewed journals in the English language and selected based on relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: Absence of pain at day 8 following cataract surgery was a primary outcome …

Is Extended-Release Amantadine Effective At Treating Levodopa- Induced Dyskinesia In Parkinson’S Disease Patients?, Maegan M. Mendoza

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: "The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine "Is extended-release amantadine efficacious in treating levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease patients?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCT's) that were peer-reviewed and published in English after 2010.

Data Sources: All data sources were discovered in PubMed, NLM Catalog, EMBASE, and CINAHL. All articles were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on applicability to the clinical question and whether the outcomes were patient-oriented.

Outcome Measured: The primary outcome measure was a change from baseline in the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale total scores …

Is Rimegepant An Effective Treatment For Acute Migraine Pain In Adults?, Hanson S. Wright

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is rimegepant an effective treatment for acute migraine pain in adults?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three, peer-reviewed randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCT’s).

DATA SOURCES: All studies were obtained from PubMed and were published in English in peer-reviewed journals between 2014-2019. The articles were selected based on their relevance to the clinical question posed in the objective and their inclusion of patient oriented outcomes.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The main outcome being assessed in all articles was freedom from pain. The absence/presence of pain was self-reported by patients …