Life Sciences Commons^™

A157: The Effect Of Whole-Body Vibration Therapy On The Motor Abilities Of Patients With Sarcopenia, Haixia Wang, Mingjie Hu, Guangxin Wang, Xin-An Zhang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Purpose: The highly morbid condition known as sarcopenia affects middle-aged and elderly people and is characterized by a progressive loss of whole-body muscle mass accelerated by aging. It is also accompanied by a decline in muscle strength and physiological function. These weakening functions manifest as impaired physical movement, increased risk of falls, disability, lower quality of life, and even death. Sarcopenia is progressively emerging as a new public health issue in China with a quickly aging population, making it vital to investigate effective exercise therapies for sarcopenic patients. Methods: Sixty sarcopenic patients (aged 60-75) from a local hospital in northeast …

Super Parents: Preliminary Findings Of A Group-Based Parenting Intervention, Jens E. Jespersen, Cara D. Bosler, Ruth S. Slocum, Jennifer Hays-Grudo, Jerry Root, Laura Hubbs-Tait, Amanda Sheffield Morris

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Super Parents is a group-based, Extension-led parenting program developed to enhance the parent-child relationship. Implemented by trained Head Start staff using the train-the-trainer model, this effort is achieved by teaching positive parenting practices, increasing parents’ knowledge of child development, instructing parents in activities and exercises for enhancing their child’s executive function skills, and encouraging the use of mindfulness techniques in parenting. The specific aims of our study were to evaluate the program's effectiveness among parents of young children ages 0 to 5 by examining changes in parenting attitudes, mindfulness, executive function, parenting efficacy, stress, and child behavior. Through the use …

Development Of An Intervention For Improving Food Acceptance Of People With Hearing Loss, Sara Esther Jarma Arroyo

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hearing loss, defined as the partial or total inability to hear sound in one or both ears, is the most common sensory deficit in adults to date. Approximately 15% of American adults aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing. The impact of hearing loss may be profound, with consequences for the social, functional, and psychological well-being of the person. Surprisingly, very little attention has been paid on whether auditory loss can significantly impact consumers’ sensory perception and overall enjoyment of food. There were four objectives of this dissertation study. Chapter 1 aimed to determine the impacts of hearing loss …

Experimental Research On The Teaching Mode Of Cooperation And Competition In Physical Education, Xuelin Pang, Zhengze Zhang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

There are great differences in skill levels among students in the class. It should be the focus of our work to improve students to the greatest extent through teaching, gradually narrow the gap between individuals, and improve the overall teaching quality. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the teaching mode of cooperation and competition. The research group conducted two rounds of teaching experiments in Harbin Engineering University. The first round of experiments adopted an equal group pre-test and post-test experimental design. Solomon’s four group design was used in the second round of experiment. The …

Effect Of Exercise Intervention On Social Ability Of Adhd Children, Haoye Shen, Xiaozan Wang, Meiyuan Chen, Xizhe Bai, Xinyue Mao, Hao Li, Yiang Yuan

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

The incidence rate of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is 7.25% in China. The main symptoms are attention deficit laxation, behavior impulsivity, social disorder and so on. Children aged 3-6 are in the golden age of social ability development. Therefore, if ADHD children at this age do not get correct and effective interventions, it will have a far-reaching impact on their social ability. In order to explore new intervention measures for ADHD children and improve their social ability, this study will intervene ADHD children through sports intervention, so as to provide theoretical and experimental basis for improving their social ability. …

Analysis Of Urbanization And Climate Change Effects On Community Resilience In The Rio Grande Valley, South Texas, George Atisa, Alexis Racelis

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Disruptive development events have tested and will continue to test community resilience as people work to balance healthy living, economic growth, and environmental quality. Aspects of urbanization, if not designed and guided by healthy living strategies, convert natural areas into built environments, thus reducing the diversity of plant and animal species that are the foundation of resilience in communities. In this study, we attempted to answer the following question: What are the most effective ways to ensure that ongoing urbanization and climate change do not negatively affect ecological services and community resilience in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV)? The region …

The Effectiveness Of Facebook As A Social Network Intervention To Increase Physical Activity In Chinese Young Adults, Patrick W.C. Lau, J. J. Wang, Lynda B. Ransdell, Lei Shi

Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction: Facebook, one of the worlds' most popular online social networks, is easy to access and cost-effective. Its use to enhance individual's physical activity (PA) participation should be examined. This research reviews the effectiveness and successful features of Facebook for influencing PA behaviors in young adults (Study 1), and empirically examines the efficacy of the features purported in increase PA via a Facebook intervention (Study 2).

Methods: In Study 1, PubMed, Medline, SPORT Discus, ERIC, and Embase were searched for articles that identified successful features and effectiveness of Facebook PA interventions published between January 2005 and February 2022. In Study …

Effects Of A 4-Week Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Intervention On Psychological And Performance Variables In Student-Athletes: A Pilot Study, Samantha R. Weber, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Eva V. Monsma, Shawn M. Arent, Toni Torres-Mcgehee

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of a 4-week biofeedback intervention on coherence, psychological, and performance variables in collegiate student-athletes. METHODS: Thirteen student-athletes were randomly assigned to the intervention (one weekly biofeedback session for 4-weeks) or control group (no sessions). Data were collected at pre and post-intervention using weekly averaged coherence scores, psychological measures for depression, arousal, stress, resiliency, and performance outcome measures. RESULTS: A 3 (Time) x 4 (Week average) repeated measures ANOVA was independently conducted to examine differences between time and weekly coherence average for coherence scores. No significant differences were found for “at rest”, pre, or post-practice coherence …

Examining Youth Conceptualizations Of Water Safety Behaviors Among Participants In A Learn-To-Swim Program, Austin R. Anderson, Kristina R. Anderson, William D. Ramos, Angela K. Beale-Tawfeeq

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Drowning represents a leading cause of unintentional deaths among children. Concomitantly, while formal swim instruction often incorporates water safety practices, the efficacy of these messages remains largely unexplored. This qualitative-based study sought to evaluate how youth apply learned water safety concepts when posed with a hypothetical aquatic scenario. Semi-structured interviews, augmented by use of a visual illustration prompt, were conducted with 29 participants of a youth Learn-to-Swim (LTS) program. Interviews assessed participants’ expressed water safety behaviors and were coded based on emergent themes. Findings indicated that most participants were able to identify a “struggling” swimmer in the dramatized illustration. When …

Tactical Circuit Training Improves Blood Pressure And Vascular Health More Than Resistance Training, Kelly C. Mclaughlin, Avery N. Perez, Stephanie Donahue, Deborah L. Feairheller

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(3): 1320-1333, 2021. Exercise training is known to reduce CVD risk factors; however, in tactical populations, like veterans and firefighters, the effects of different forms of exercise such as tactical circuit training (CT) or conventional resistance training (RT) is unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare changes in various CVD risk measures after 4-week tactical CT or RT programs. Thirty-seven firefighters (20 CT, 17 RT), 35% of whom were veterans, participated. Pre- and post-intervention measures included body fat (BF%), carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT), central and brachial BP, and indices of …

Alterations To The Brain Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Jacqueline Mader

Honors Projects

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) have been labeled as a modern-day epidemic, increasing exponentially with the advancement of technology and society. Gaining a better understanding of the cognitive paths, including the chemical and electrical signals of the brain, neural correlates, and possible interventions for TBI patients allows for the best possible outcome for every patient, and allows for the further advancement of care. By revising and reassessing the ways in which TBIs are categorized and described the prognosis for recovery paints a more realistic view for each individual patient case. The symptoms and impairments that may occur post-injury can be monitored …

Small Studies, Big Decisions: The Role Of Pilot/Feasibility Studies In Incremental Science And Premature Scale-Up Of Behavioral Interventions, Michael William Beets, Lauren Von Klinggraeff, Robert G. Weaver, Bridget Ryan Armstrong, Sarah Burkart

Faculty Publications

Background: Careful consideration and planning are required to establish “sufficient” evidence to ensure an investment in a larger, more well-powered behavioral intervention trial is worthwhile. In the behavioral sciences, this process typically occurs where smaller-scale studies inform larger-scale trials. Believing that one can do the same things and expect the same outcomes in a larger-scale trial that were done in a smaller-scale preliminary study (i.e., pilot/feasibility) is wishful thinking, yet common practice. Starting small makes sense, but small studies come with big decisions that can influence the usefulness of the evidence designed to inform decisions about moving forward with a …

Qualitative Review Of Educational Interventions For Improving Physical Activity Behaviors In Older Asian Americans In The United States, Raisa Kabir, Manoj Sharma, Sayeda Tazim Zaidi, Chia-Liang Dai

Spectra Undergraduate Research Journal

Physical activity (PA) provides numerous health benefits and minimizes chronic diseases and mental health issues, especially in older adults. The national survey data indicated that only 27.3% to 44.3% of older adults meet the recommended PA guidelines of 150 to 300 minutes/ week. There is limited data on PA behavior among older Asian American (AA) adults as very few to no local/national surveys have targeted these marginalized subgroups. This comprehensive review aims to identify existing PA intervention strategies and to update current knowledge on the effectiveness of these interventions to improve PA behavior among aging AA in the US. The …

Designing Educational Newsletter Interventions: An Example That Supported Grandfamilies’ Physical Wellness Needs, Priscilla Brenes, Mary Meck Higgins

The Journal of Extension

Effective newsletters have theory-based content and designs tailored to their readers and offer limited-cost community-level approaches to providing helpful, relevant, and engaging information. In accordance with this, we offer an example of a newsletter intervention that supported grandfamilies’ physical wellness needs. Six issues of a brief mail-delivered newsletter were sent yearly for up to 5 years to low-income custodial grandparents. In evaluating the newsletter, most respondents reported reading it, discussing its information, and having greater awareness, knowledge, and motivation or confidence regarding wellness recommendations. Furthermore, 91% described improving 1 or more of their grandfamilies’ cooking, eating, or physical activity practices.

The Joy Of Cooking With Ots: A Visual Guide, Sarah Baker

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Access to the full guide found here: https://mixam.com/share/60bf9e1ed250502f2e67534e

Occupational therapy (OT) is an allied healthcare profession that is uniquely situated at the intersection of art and science. OT seeks to improve quality of life by addressing occupations, or daily activities that are meaningful and purposeful (Nelson, 2014). In order to accomplish these goals, occupational therapists (OTs) must use design thinking through the lens of evidence-based practice. This artistic creativity paired with well-researched scientific findings mimics the visual nature of this guide, which prioritizes this need for alternative representation of the sciences.

This visual guide focuses on the interconnectivity of culture, …

Effects Of Mind–Body Exercises On Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis, Gao Xia Wei, Lin Yang, Kellie Imm, Paul D. Loprinzi, Lee Smith, Xiangyang Zhang, Qian Yu

Faculty and Student Publications

© Copyright © 2020 Wei, Yang, Imm, Loprinzi, Smith, Zhang and Yu. Background: Mind–body exercises (MBEs) have been widely accepted as a complementary therapy for the patients with low exercise tolerance. Currently, the number of experimental studies investigating the effect of MBEs for improving symptoms in people with schizophrenia is increasing. However, results are inconsistent. Methods: We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the effects of mind–body exercises on schizophrenia. Seven electronic databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials [CENTRAL], CNKI and Wangfang) were screened through October 2019 and risks of bias of included studies were …

Causality In Microbiomes, Md Musfiqur Rahman Sazal

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Mechanistic Model And Therapeutic Interventions For Covid-19 Involving A Ras-Mediated Bradykinin Storm, Michael R. Garvin, Christiane Alvarez, J. Izaak Miller, Erica T. Prates, Angelica M. Walker, B. Kirtley Amos, Alan E. Mast, Amy Justice, Bruce Aronow, Daniel Jacobson

Horticulture Graduate Research

Neither the disease mechanism nor treatments for COVID-19 are currently known. Here, we present a novel molecular mechanism for COVID-19 that provides therapeutic intervention points that can be addressed with existing FDA-approved pharmaceuticals. The entry point for the virus is ACE2, which is a component of the counteracting hypotensive axis of RAS. Bradykinin is a potent part of the vasopressor system that induces hypotension and vasodilation and is degraded by ACE and enhanced by the angiotensin1-9 produced by ACE2. Here, we perform a new analysis on gene expression data from cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from COVID-19 patients that …

Process Evaluation Of An Email-Based Walking Program With Extension Educators, Elizabeth A. Richards, Stephanie Woodcox

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This study evaluated the implementation process of an email-based walking program from the perspectives of program deliverers. Twenty-four Extension Educators participated in the process evaluation. We used an online survey to examine the perceptions of the implementation process of Get WalkIN’, a twelve-week email-based walking program. Educators agreed that the provided program training and recruitment materials were sufficient for successful program delivery. Program implementation involved sending emails to program participants at least weekly. Educators also agreed that the program was easy to deliver and took twenty minutes or less to implement each week. Strengths and areas for program improvement are …

Piloting A Smartphone-Based Sedentary Behavior Reduction Intervention For Adults With Overweight Or Obesity: Take A Stand 4 Health, Chelsea Larsen

Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have shown a relationship between sedentary behavior as an independent and novel risk factor for high blood pressure. However, most of the evidence comes from cross-sectional and experimental studies, with only a few studies examining whether blood pressure is improved in individuals participating in a behavioral intervention. None of these studies utilized mHealth approaches, which hold potential for behavioral interventions, and none have focused on individuals with hypertension as a part of their target population. Therefore, the purpose of the dissertation was to 1) Examine the efficacy of a smartphone-mediated multi-component sedentary behavior reduction intervention for individuals …

Healthful Nutrition As A Prevention And Intervention Paradigm To Decrease The Vulnerability To Environmental Toxicity Or Stressors And Associated Inflammatory Disease Risks, Bernhard Hennig, Pan Deng

Superfund Research Center Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Nutrition, Behavior Change And Physical Activity Outcomes From The Pears Rct—An Mhealth-Supported, Lifestyle Intervention Among Pregnant Women With Overweight And Obesity, Kate M. Ainscough, Eileen C. O'Brien, Karen L. Lindsay, Maria A. Kenneally, Elizabeth J. O'Sullivan, Orna A. O'Brien, Mary Mccarthy, Giuseppe De Vito, Fionnuala M. Mcauliffe

Articles

Background: Diet quality and physical activity positively impact pregnancy outcomes among women with obesity, but successful lifestyle interventions require intense clinician time. We aimed to investigate the impact of a behavioral-lifestyle intervention (PEARS) supported by a smartphone app among pregnant women with overweight and obesity, on nutrient intake, behavioral stage-of-change and physical activity.

Methods: Pregnant women (BMI 25–39.9 kg/m2, measured, n = 565) were randomized at 15.6 weeks' gestation to the intervention (n = 278), or a control group (n = 287) (ISRCTN29316280). The intervention was grounded in behavior-change theory. Participants received nutrition (low glycaemic index and healthy …

Effectiveness Of Wellness Programming To Improve Health And Fitness Metrics In Rural Firefighters, Macy Weeks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Worksite wellness programs are an excellent option to help promote health and wellness among employees. However, there is little research discussing these benefits among firefighters. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a wellness program to improve or maintain health and fitness metrics in rural, career firefighters over a 9-month period. Methods: Thirty-six firefighters from a department in southeast Georgia participated in this wellness program. All health and fitness metrics tested were recommended by the National Fire Protection Agency. The wellness program that took place over 9-months provided basic tools and knowledge regarding exercise …

Nutritional Strategies For Nurses In A Fast Paced Occupation, Zachary Christman

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The foundation of the medical system are the nurses and certified medical assistants. Their personal health condition affects how well diseases and other medical conditions are handled. This article will begin with an overview of the eating behavior of nurses. Three different interventions which have been shown effective in a fast paced workplace are presented in order to improve the health of nurses and certified medical assistants. The first intervention is organizational changes that would increase the amount of time nursing staff have to eat. The second is the use of a messenger bag delivery system to provide needed food, …

Characterization Of The Effect Of Exercise Dose And Integrative Nonpharmacological Therapies In The Treatment Of Chronic Pain, Anna M. Polaski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chronic pain includes debilitating conditions affecting large populations of people throughout the world. These diseases are further complicated by comorbid psychological disorders which make chronic pain conditions difficult to treat. Nonpharmacological treatment options have more recently become an important mainstay of effective therapies and are currently being used to supplement or replace traditional pharmacological treatment methods. Exercise-based therapies in particular are of interest due to their demonstrated success in reducing pain symptoms as well as improving psychological outcomes. Dose is an important factor in being able to effectively prescribe treatments in the context of specific exercise interventions and specific pain …

The Relationship Between Maternal And Obese Children’S Daily Physical Activity., Shelby J. Foote, Alexandra Venezia, Darby J. Winkler, Keith R. Losche, Danielle D. Wadsorth

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(5): 1302-1314, 2019. This study examined the effects of maternal influence on child’s daily physical activity. Participants consisted of eight families; parents (n = 9) and obese children (n = 10). Families were asked to attend exercise sessions at a university laboratory for 10 weeks. Daily physical activity was measured with a MovBand 3 which is a wrist worn accelerometer that records physical activity as moves. Linear mixed-effects models were used to predict daily physical activity over time and child physical activity as a function of parent physical activity on a day-to-day basis. …

Incorporating Technology Into The Icook 4-H Program, A Cooking Intervention For Adults And Children: Randomized Controlled Trial, Sarah Colby, Lauren Moret, Melissa D. Olfert, Kendra Kattelmann, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Kristin Riggsbee, Magen Payne, Ainsley Ellington, Cary Springer, Chelsea Allison, Sanearlda Wiggens, Rochelle Butler, Douglas Mathews, Adrienne A. White

Health and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Families who cook, eat, and play together have been found to have more positive health outcomes. Interventions are needed that effectively increase these health-related behaviors. Technology is often incorporated in health-related interventions but is not always independently assessed.
Objective: The objective of this study was to describe challenges and facilitators to incorporating technology into the iCook 4-H intervention program.
Methods: Dyads (n=228) composed of children (mean 9.4, SD 0.7 years old) and an adult primary meal preparer (mean 39.0, SD 8 years) were randomly assigned to a control (n=77) or treatment group (n=151). All treatment group dyads participated in …

Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment For Parts, Ground, And Msc Poultry Product Including Intervention Analysis And Exploration Of Enterobacteriaceae As An Indicator Organism In Poultry Processing, Leigh Ann Parette

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Samples collected at five different large bird poultry processing facilities over a period of 7 months from prescald to post debone locations were enumerated for Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella spp., and Campylobacter spp. and the results were used to create Quantitative Microbial Risk Analyses (QMRA) models for parts, ground, and mechanically separated chicken (MSC) products. Sensitivity analyses indicated the points in the process at which reductions would be most advantageous to the endpoint and simulation models were run to test reductions required to meet the current USDA performance standards.

These data were analyzed to determine the reductions from one node (location) to …

A Mobile-Based Intervention For Obesity Prevention Among Female College Students In Saudi Arabia: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Abeer Hussain Alssafi

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

College students transitioning from adolescence into early adulthood may encounter new stresses, which may lead to unhealthy weight-related behaviors and weight gain. Students gain approximately 4-9 pounds during their first 2 years in college. Health behaviors in this population pose an increased risk because they tend to persist into adulthood. In Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, student obesity is on the rise. About 24% of female college students were overweight or obese in Saudi Arabia in 2015. This dissertation describes the development of a mobile intervention program using Instagram and a self-tracking app to minimize the risk of overweight/obesity …

Interventions For Afterschool Programs To Decrease The Likelihood Of Childhood Obesity, Anna R. Boyd, Lauren E. Hendricks, Elexus T. Morton, Kayleigh S. Phillips, Corie Vanarsdale, Msn

Nursing Undergraduate Work

This systematic research review (SRR) looked at the epidemic of childhood obesity and subsequent complications. Afterschool programs (ASPs) were targeted as a key area where children spend many hours each day and, therefore, an ideal place for obesity interventions. The purpose of this SRR was to search the current benefits ASPs can have on decreasing the risk and prevalence of childhood obesity and to answer the research question, "What are nursing interventions within ASPs that decrease the risk of obesity in children in the United States of America?" Childhood obesity influences nurses in many areas, including inpatient hospitals, schools, and …