Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Is Aquatic Therapy Effective In Improving Motor Activity In Patients With Parkinson’S Disease?, Kayla F. Argudo

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not aquatic therapy is effective in improving motor activity in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three English language primary studies, one of which published in 2011 and two in 2017.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized control trials (RCT); two single blind and one controlled, open-pilot trial published in peer-reviewed journals analyzing if aquatic therapy is effective in improving motor activity in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Articles were found on PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome measured was motor activity using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease …

Are Binaural Beats Effective At Reducing Anxiety In Patients Undergoing Medical Intervention?, Cory German

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not binaural beats are effective at reducing anxiety in patients undergoing medical intervention.

Study Design: Literature review of three English peer-reviewed studies, published on or after January 1, 2008.

Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were found using a search via the Cochrane Collaboration. These studies were selected based on relevance to binaural audio being used for reduction of anxiety and that the outcomes mattered to patients.

Outcomes Measured: The outcomes addressed in this study include patient anxiety levels preand post-operatively. Outcomes were measured using the …

Are Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections Effective At Reducing Pain In Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis?, Jessica Sebastian

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “platelet-rich plasma injections are effective at reducing pain in adults with knee osteoarthritis?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of two double-blind, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one single-blind randomized controlled trial published after 2015. All studies were published in English.

DATA SOURCES: The two double-blind randomized controlled trials and one single-blind randomized controlled trial were found via PubMed. All sources were published in peer-reviewed journals and were chosen based on their relevance to the clinical question.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Pain reduction was the outcome measured in all …

Is Bimatoprost Effective In Increasing Satisfaction In Patients At Least 12 Years Old With Eyelash Hypotrichosis?, Crystal Boyer

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not bimatoprost 0.03% improves satisfaction in patients at least 12 years old with eyelash hypotrichosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three multicenter, double-masked, randomized, parallel group studies, all published in English between 2015 and 2016.

DATA SOURCES: All three studies used in this review were researched via PubMed and were published in peer-reviewed journals.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Patient satisfaction was measured using the Eyelash Satisfaction Questionnaire (ESQ) in all three studies.

RESULTS: Wirta et al. (J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8:11–20.) found a statistically significant relationship between bimatoprost 0.03% and …

Are Foot Orthoses Effective At Reducing Pain In Adults With Foot Osteoarthritis?, Jacob T. Kemmerer

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Are foot orthoses effective at reducing pain in adults with foot osteoarthritis?”

STUDY DESIGN: A review of two randomized controlled trials and one case series from peer-reviewed journals published between 2010 and 2016.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized controlled trials and one case series were found using PubMed.

OUTCOME MEASURED: Reduction of the subject’s foot pain was the patient-oriented outcome measured in each of these three articles. The subject’s pain was scored on a Likert scale and evaluated at baseline and at 12 weeks to assess their …

Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Effective In Decreasing The Severity Of Distress In Abnormal Auditory Perception Of Sound?, Samantha Crago

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective review is to determine whether or not cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in decreasing the severity of distress in abnormal auditory perception of sound.

STUDY DESIGNS: Review of two randomized controlled trials and one open trial, published in the English language in 2008, 2014, and 2017.

DATA SOURCES: The three studies used in this review were published in peer-reviewed journals, in English and found in PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Decrease in severity of distress by the patient after receiving treatment. Recording methods included the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90-R), The Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI), …

Do Resistance Training Exercises Help Improve Symptoms Of Depression Or Depression Scores?, Michalia Humphrey

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not resistance training exercises help improve symptoms of depression and/or depression scores.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized control trials (RTCs), all published from 2009 to present and all written in the English language.

DATA SOURCES: Data sources included peer reviewed articles that were published on PubMed and were selected based on their relevance to the research question and patient outcomes measured.

OUTCOME MEASURED: The clinical outcome of depression symptom improvement with resistance training exercises was measured in these studies using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression …

Do Schroth Exercises Improve Quality Of Life For Patients With Idiopathic Scoliosis?, Lindsay N. Drubel

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Schroth exercises improve quality of life for patients with idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of two randomized controlled trials and one case series published between 2015 and 2016 which present patient-oriented evidence.

DATA SOURCES: The articles chosen for this review were found using the PubMed Database.

OUTCOME MEASURED: The outcome measured was patient reported scoliosis specific quality of life, which includes patient reported changes in pain. This outcome was assessed through the Scoliosis Research Society 23 questionnaire, the Scoliosis Research Society 22r questionnaire, and …

Does Crizotinib Work Better In Reducing The Chest Pain Of Alkpositive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Compared With Chemotherapy?, Qian Sun

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this EBM review is to determine whether or not crizotinib works better in reducing the chest pain of ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients compared with chemotherapy.

Study Design: This paper evaluates three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which were all published in peer-reviewed journals in English after 2013.

Data Sources: Three RCTs comparing the efficacy of crizotinib in reducing the chest pain in ALKpositive non-small cell lung cancer patients with chemotherapy including pemetrexed and docetaxel. Articles were selected via PubMed based on the outcomes of the studies mattered to patients (POEM).

Outcomes Measured: The European …

Does Mdma-Assisted Psychotherapy Result In Symptom Improvement In Adults With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd)?, Nicole Ulrick

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not MDMAassisted psychotherapy (MAP) results in symptom improvement in adults with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Study Design: Systematic review of three randomized control trials (RCTs) published between 2017 and 2018.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals found via PubMed. Each analyzed the effect of MAP on PTSD symptom severity.

Outcomes Measured: The primary outcome in all three studies was PTSD symptom changes. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-IV) and NEO PI-R Personality Inventory (NEO) were used to assess symptoms before …

Does The Use Of Ultrasound Guidance For Proper Iud Placement Reduce Pain In Women?, Christy M. Herrera

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the use of ultrasound guidance for proper intrauterine device (IUD) placement reduces pain in women.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of two randomized control trials and one cohort study published between the years 2016 and 2017.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized control studies and one cohort study evaluating if ultrasound guidance for IUD placement will reduce pain in women. Using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Database, studies were selected based on relevance to the clinical topic and whether they included patient-oriented outcomes.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome measured in …

Is Acupuncture Therapy Effective In The Improvement Of Symptoms Of Insomnia In Adults?, Mariana Tolosa Tourem

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not acupuncture therapy is effective in the improvement of symptoms of insomnia in adults.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials published in 2017 and 2018.

DATA SOURCES: Articles published in peer-reviewed journals using PubMed Database.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome measured was the patients’ decrease in insomnia symptoms through the use of self-administered questionnaires such as the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and through a sleep diary.

RESULTS: The studies by Yin, Gou, Xu, et al. (Sleep Med. 2017;37:193-200. …

Is Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Effective In Treating Shoulder Tendonitis?, Madison H. Day

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not extracorporeal shock wave therapy is effective in treating shoulder tendonitis.

STUDY DESIGN: This review paper analyzes two, double-blind, randomized control trials (RCTs) and one retrospective cohort study. The population included adults with calcified or non-calcified shoulder tendinitis. The intervention was extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). The groups receiving ESWT in the RCTs were compared to those receiving placebo probes.

DATA SOURCE: Each article was a primary research design published in English after 2015 in peer-review journals.

OUTCOMES: The outcomes measured were patient-oriented evidence that matters, including …

Is Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy An Effective Treatment For Improving Pain In Adults With Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome?, Allegra Ondrejka

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an effective treatment for improving pain in adults with medial tibial stress syndrome.

Study Design: Systematic review of two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and a cohort study published in peer-reviewed journals from 2010-2017, all in the English language.

Data Sources: Two randomized controlled trials found through PubMed and a cohort study found through Google Scholar.

Outcomes Measured: Pain was measured using a numerical rating scale (0-10) and visual analog scale (VAS).

Results: Study by Newman et al. (J Sci Med Sport. …

Is The Ketogenic Diet Effective For Treatment In Controlling Seizures In Children With Epilepsy?, Chloe A. Lavell

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the ketogenic diet is an effective treatment in controlling seizures in children with epilepsy.

Study Design: Review of three randomized control trials (RCTs) published in the year 2016.

Data Sources: Three RCTs were selected using Medline, PubMed, and Academic Search Premier. Studies were selected that reviewed the ketogenic diet (KD) in controlling seizures in children with epilepsy. All articles were chosen according to date of publication, relevance of topic, effect on quality of life, and patient-oriented evidence that matters (POEM).

Outcomes Measured: Seizure diaries and various …

Is Curcuma Effective For The Management Of Osteoarthritis Knee Pain?, Katherine Grinberg

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is Curcuma effective for the management of osteoarthritis knee pain?”

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCT) published in 2009, 2014, and 2016.

DATA SOURCES: Three RCTs studies were found using PubMed. All articles were published in reviewed journals and selected based on correlation to topic choice, date of publication, and evaluation of POEMs.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) is a questionnaire that evaluates hip and knee osteoarthritis. The questions are divided into 3 subscales: pain, stiffness, …

Is Low-Level Laser Therapy Effective For Pain Reduction In Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain?, Eric D. Dipasquale

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not lowlevel laser therapy is effective for pain reduction in patients with chronic low back pain.

STUDY DESIGN: Two randomized controlled trials published in 2010 and 2017 and one nonrandomized placebo-controlled clinical trial published in 2018.

DATA SOURCES: Sources were written in English and published in peer-reviewed journal articles comparing low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to groups consisting of a combined laser therapy regimen or placebo in patients with chronic low back pain, found using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Low back pain was assessed using the visual analog scale …

Is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Effective For Preventing Relapse Of Depression In Adults?, Katelynn S. O’Brien

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is effective for preventing relapse of depression in adults.

Study Design: Review of three English-language randomized controlled trials published between 2014 and 2015.

Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals comparing mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to comparable treatment options found via PubMed.

Outcomes measured: Outcome measured was presence or absence of relapse of major depressive episodes in adults determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV.

Results: Kuyken et al. found that there was not a statistically significant difference in the …

Is Ketamine Effective In Reducing Depressive Symptoms In Adults With Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder?, Andrew J. Suplicki

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not ketamine is effective in reducing depressive symptoms in adults with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.

Study Design: A systematic review of 3 randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trials performed in or after the year 2016.

Data Sources: All 3 studies published in peer-reviewed journals found on PubMed and Cochrane Collection.

Outcome Measures: The studies utilized quantitative scales, either the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS) or Hamilton Depression Rating Scales (HAMD) for the POEM, depressive symptoms.

Results: George et al. (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2017;25(11):1199-1209. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2017.06.007) did show significant …

Is Mirror Therapy An Effective Treatment For Reducing Pain Associated With Phantom Limb Syndrome In Unilateral Amputees?, Alex E. Pinto

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine if “Mirror therapy is an effective treatment for reducing pain associated with phantom limb syndrome in unilateral amputees.”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized controlled trials published between 2017 and 2018, with selection based on patient-oriented outcomes and contributing to development of an answer to the clinical question.

DATA SOURCES: All three randomized controlled trials were found using searches within PubMed, published in English in peer-reviewed journals.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Each randomized controlled trial assessed changes in severity of pain using a survey known as the visual analog scale, where …

Is Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Effective In Decreasing Symptoms Of Anxiety For Individuals With Anxiety Disorder?, Ezinne Ifi

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 effective in decreasing symptoms of anxiety for individuals with anxiety disorder?”

STUDY DESIGN: A selective review of three peer-reviewed, randomized control trials published after 2008.

DATA SOURCES: All three randomized control trials were published in the English language and were selected from peer-reviewed journals via the PubMed Database based on their relevance to the clinical question posed above and if they included patient-oriented outcomes (POEM).

OUTCOMES MEASURED: All articles analyzed the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in decreasing symptoms of anxiety …

Is A Modified Dialectical Behavior Therapy (Dbt) Regimen Effective In Reducing Ptsd Symptom Severity In Adult Women With Comorbid Ptsd And Bpd?, Caroline H. Kearney

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “a modified dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) regimen is effective in reducing PTSD symptom severity in adult women with comorbid PTSD and BPD?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one case study published in English between 2013-2015.

DATA SOURCES: Two RCTs and one case study found via PubMed and Google Scholar evaluated the benefit of a modified dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in reducing PTSD symptom severity in patients with comorbid PTSD and BPD.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: PTSD Symptom severity was measured via the Clinician- …

Is Oral Zinc Supplementation Effective In Reducing Mortality Rate In Neonatal Sepsis?, Abigail R. Smucker

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is oral zinc supplementation effective in reducing mortality rate in neonatal sepsis?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of one randomized, double blind, controlled trial, one randomized controlled trial and one randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial published in English between 2013 and 2018.

DATA SOURCES: All three studies were gathered from peer-reviewed journals and found using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Patient mortality rate, defined as during hospitalization for treatment for Mehta el al. (Indian Pediatr. 2013;50(4):390-393. doi: S097475591200127 [pii]), within 1 month of birth for Newton et al. (Indian J …

Is Psilocybin An Effective Treatment To Reduce Depression And Anxiety In Cancer Patients With A Diagnosis Of An Anxiety Disorder, Mood Disorder, And/Or Stress Disorder?, Brooke Reichenbach

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not psilocybin is an effective treatment to reduce depression and anxiety in cancer patients with a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, mood disorder, and/or stress disorder.

Study design: Systematic review of three cross-over randomized placebo-controlled trials published in peer reviewed journals between 2010-2016.

Data sources: All articles were published in English and were selected from Cochrane Collaboration and PubMed based on if they were relevant to my clinical question and included patient-oriented outcomes (POEMs).

Outcomes measured: Outcomes measured included self-reported anxiety and depression via the State-Trait Anxiety …

Is Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Effective For Reducing Pain & Symptom Severity In Adults With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?, Emily Latimer

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Is platelet-rich plasma injection effective for reducing pain & symptom severity in adults with carpal tunnel syndrome?”

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of two randomized controlled trials and one nonrandomized controlled trial to analyze the overall effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections as a management for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). All three articles were published in peer-reviewed journals after the year 2016.

DATA SOURCES: These two RCTs and one non-RCT were found using Pubmed and were selected based on their year of publication, population of individuals with mild to moderate …

Is Spironolactone An Effective Method For Reducing Lesion Count In Individuals With Acne Vulgaris?, Alana M. Waters

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is spironolactone an effective method for reducing lesion count in individuals with acne vulgaris?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three English language studies published after 2009 in peer-reviewed journals, including two randomized, controlled trials and one retrospective cohort study.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized, controlled trials and one retrospective cohort study that evaluated spironolactone as a treatment for acne vulgaris were found using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Reductions in total lesion counts (TLC).

RESULTS: All three studies supported the efficacy of spironolactone in reducing lesion counts in …

Is The Use Of Dry Needling In One Or More Active Myofascial Trigger Points In The Trapezius Muscle Effective In Decreasing Pain In Adults?, Alexandria Kwapinski

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the use of dry needling in one or more active myofascial trigger points in the trapezius muscle is effective in decreasing pain in adults.

Study Design: Review of three randomized control trials.

Data Sources: All articles were published in English between 2014 and 2016. Articles were obtained from peer-reviewed journals and databases using Cochrane Collaboration and PubMed.

Outcomes: The outcome measured was level of pain using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The VAS asked participants to rate their pain on a scale of 0 (no pain) …

Is Vitamin D An Effective Treatment Method In Reducing Mortality In Patients Who Have Cardiovascular Disease?, Teira Pendleton

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not vitamin D is an effective treatment method in reducing mortality due to cardiovascular disease.

STUDY DESIGN: A review of two double blind, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one randomized open-label study published in the English language after 2008. The articles compared oral, intramuscular, or oil drops of vitamin D to a placebo group.

DATA SOURCES: One double-blind randomized controlled trial, one randomized control trial that was not blinded, and one randomized open-label study were found using PubMed, Medline, Embase, or Cochrane. The articles were selected based …

Are Probiotics Effective In Improving Quality Of Life In Adults With Irritable Bowel Syndrome?, Lauren O. Bruce

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective evidence-based medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not probiotics are effective in improving quality of life in adults with irritable bowel syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) written in the English language, published between the years 2016 and 2018.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials were published in peer-reviewed journals and found using PubMed and GoogleScholar databases.

OUTCOME(S) MEASURED: All three of the included studies measured the quality of life in adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) utilizing the self-reported IBS-QOL questionnaire.

RESULTS: Each of …

Is Yoga Therapy Effective In Reducing Chronic Lower Back Pain In Adults?, Stephen G. Osowski

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is yoga therapy effective in reducing chronic lower back pain in adults.”

Study Design: Systematic review of 2 randomized controlled trials (RCT), 1 randomized clinical trial, published after January 2017, and in English language.

Data Sources: Both RCTs and the randomized clinical trial were published in peerreviewed journals, found through the PubMed database, and were selected based on relevance to the clinical question and if outcomes were patient oriented (POEMS).

Outcome(s) measured: All 3 studies measured pain, using a variety of pain measurement scales such as …