Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Can Tango Help Improve Quality Of Life For Patients With Parkinson’S Disease?, Laila Adams

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not tango can help improve the quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s Disease.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three peer-reviewed primary studies published between the years of 2013 and 2015.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized control trials and one non-randomized control trial evaluating if tango can improve the quality of life for patients who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Sources were selected from PubMed and Google Scholar based off of the relevance to the clinical question and outcomes being patient oriented.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured …

Is Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Able To Decrease The Number Of Relapses In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis?, Justin K. Balliet

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not mesenchymal stem cell therapy decreased the number of relapses in patients with multiple sclerosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized controlled trials from 2006-2016.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized control trials and one case series were found searching PubMed. The randomized control trials compared the number of relapses of patients undergoing stem cell therapy against placebo and anti-inflammatory treatment (IV methylprednisolone and oral prednisone). The case series compared the number of relapses patients experienced before and after stem cell therapy.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Clinical outcomes included the number …

Does Hydrotherapy Improve Health-Related Quality Of Life (Hr-Qol) In Adult Men And Women With Multiple Sclerosis (Ms)?, Cassandra A. Barker

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not hydrotherapy improves health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in adult men and women with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Study Design: Review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2012-current, all in the English language.

Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), all of which evaluate the effectiveness of hydrotherapy compared to a control group that was asked either not to change their exercise habits or to participate in land-based activities. All studies were found using PubMed and Embase.

Outcomes Measured: Each of the three articles analyzed the …

Is Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy An Effective Treatment For Refractory Ibs?, Kimberly N. Angelina

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is gutdirected hypnotherapy an effective treatment for refractory IBS?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies, one of which was published in 2012 and two in 2013.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one case study published in peer-reviewed journals analyzing the effects of gut-directed hypnotherapy (GHT) on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms were found via PubMed and Cochrane databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: IBS symptoms including abdominal pain, abdominal distention, more or less frequent stools, looser or harder stools, diarrhea, and constipation were …

Does Musical Therapy Increase Reading Ability In Children Aged 8-10 That Are Diagnosed With Dyslexia?, Kyle N. Brim

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not, “Does musical therapy increase reading ability in children aged 8-10 that are diagnosed with dyslexia?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies, published between 2013 and 2016. Articles were selected based on outcomes measured and relevance to the objective.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one non-randomized control trial were found using PubMed. These studies analyzed how music training affected the reading ability in children with dyslexia or severe reading impairments.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Main outcomes assessed were word accuracy measured with the …

Is Spinal Cord Stimulation An Effective Therapy To Treat Severe Lower Extremity Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy That Has Lasted Over One Year And Has Not Responded To Medical Therapy?, Eleni Brecht

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is spinal cord stimulation an effective therapy to treat severe lower extremity painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy that has lasted over one year and has not responded to medical therapy?”

Study Design: A review of two RCTs and one case series published in English in 2014.

Data Sources: Two RCTs and one case series found via PubMed that evaluated the benefit of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) versus best medical treatment (BMT) to treat severe painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN).

Outcome(s) Measured: The amount of pain a patient …

Is Physical Activity Effective In Reducing The Gastrointestinal Symptoms Associated With Irritable Bowel Syndrome?, Lindsay K. Chandler

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not physical activity is effective in reducing the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome in adults 18 years of age and older.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary randomized controlled trials from peer reviewed journals published between 2008-2015.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials were found using PubMed and Cochrane.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: All three studies measured irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) gastrointestinal symptom severity using self-reported questionnaires including the irritable bowel syndrome severity scoring system (IBS-SSS) and the Birmingham IBS Symptom Questionnaire.

RESULTS: Kavuri et …

Is Hippotherapy Effective In Reducing The Fall Risk In Patients Diagnosed With A Stroke?, Danny Diaz

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not hippotherapy is effective in reducing fall risk in patients diagnosed with a stroke.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) between 2006-recent.

DATA SOURCES: Three non-blind RCTs published and obtained from PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Each RCT measured balance by either using the Berg Balance Scale or the Bio Rescue (an analysis system with biofeedback).

RESULTS: All three articles found that hippotherapy significantly improved the balance of patients diagnosed with a stroke, when compared to the traditional physical therapy treatments of treadmill walking, …

Is Epidermal Growth Factor Vaccine Also Known As Cimavax-Egf More Effective At Improving Survival Than Best Supportive Care Or Other Therapies In Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?, Jera Delibashi

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not Epidermal Growth Factor Vaccine also known as CimaVax-EGF is more effective at improving survival than best supportive care or other therapies in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Study Design: Systematic review of two randomized control trials (RCTs) and one observational/before and after study published after the year 2007.

Data Sources: All articles were published in English in peer reviewed journals and were searched for personally by me, the author, via PubMed and Embase. Articles selected were only those that were published after 2007, were relevant to …

Are Long-Term Antibiotic Treatments Safe And Effective In Treating Patients 16 And Older With Disseminated Lyme Disease?, Madison E. Brown

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not long-term antibiotic treatments are safe and effective in treating patients 16 and older with disseminated Lyme disease?

Study Design: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in peer reviewed journals between 2010-2014, all English language.

Data Sources: The three randomized controlled trials were found using PubMed.

Outcomes Measured: Two of the studies measured quality of life using RAND-36 Health Status Inventory. The third study measured patients’ symptoms using a visual analogue scale.

Results: All three studies found no significant change in the quality of …

Is Acupuncture (Including Electroacupuncture) Beneficial On The Quality Of Life In Patients With Parkinson’S Disease?, Yoo Yuong Chon

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is acupuncture (including electroacupuncture) beneficial on the quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease?”

Study design: Systematic review of three primary studies published in 2015 and 2016

Data sources: Two randomized control trials and one non-randomized control trial were chosen through PubMed to study the effects of acupuncture (including electroacupuncture) improving the quality of life and activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Outcome(s) measured: The outcomes were measured by using two types of questionnaires: A 39-item Parkinson Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) to measure …

Are Biofeedback Techniques Effective In Reducing Stress In The Workplace?, Ryan Field

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not biofeedback techniques are effective in reducing stress in the workplace.

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one containing a 28 day trial extension, published in peer reviewed journals from 2011-2012, all in the English language.

Data Sources: All studies were found using PubMed. Outcomes measured: All three studies measured stress reduction through biofeedback techniques using subjective patient questionnaires.

Results: All studies showed that biofeedback techniques were effective in reducing workplace stress compared to the control. Manocha et al. made a further …

Is Electronically-Delivered Cognitive Therapy Effective In Producing Remission From Clinical Depression In Postpartum Women By 15 Weeks After Start Of Treatment?, Christina M. Cotellese

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not, “Is electronically-delivered cognitive therapy effective in producing remission from clinical depression in postpartum women by 15 weeks after start of treatment?”

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

DATA SOURCES: All studies were published in peer-reviewed journals found via the use of PubMed and Embase.

OUTCOME(S) MEASURED: The outcome measured was active or remissive diagnosis of postpartum depression. This was measured using either the SCID-IV to determine DSM-IV diagnosis or the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale.

RESULTS: Three randomized controlled trials were …

Does The Use Of Integra®, An Artificial Dermal Substitute, Improve Patient Scar Quality In Burn Injuries?, Yanni Eboras

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Integra® improves patient scar quality compared to standard autograft-allograft technique or splitthickness skin graft (STSG).

Study Design: Selective EBM review of two randomized controlled trials and one retrospective study.

Data Sources: All studies were published in peer-reviewed journals found on PubMed.

Outcome(s) measured: The main outcome measured is patient scar quality, further defined by scar pigmentation, pliability, height, irregularity, vascularity, range of movement, softness, appearance, sensation, dryness, itch, and sweating.

Results: The study by Lagus, et al found that STSG had better scar outcomes than Integra® …

Are Cox-2 Inhibitors Such As Celecoxib And Parecoxib Effective In Reducing Post-Tonsillectomy Pain?, Shelby Ginsburg

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine where or not “Are Cox-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib and parecoxib effective in reducing post-tonsillectomy pain?”

Study Design: Review of three double blind randomized controlled trials (RTC). Data Sources: All studies were published in peer-reviewed journals found via the use of PubMed.

Outcomes Measured: Patients were divided into two groups: those who received the Cox-2 inhibitor and those who received the placebo, in order to measure postoperative pain using patient or parent reported journals or diaries, questionnaires, and various pain scales (CHEOPS, and WP24HR with VAS).

Results: Two out …

Does The Use Of Probiotics Treat Abdominal Pain In Children Between The Ages Of 4 And 18 With Irritable Bowel Syndrome?, Victoria Gonzalez

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the use of probiotics treat abdominal pain in children between the ages of 4 and 18 with irritable bowel syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN: Systemic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published after 2007, all English language.

DATA SOURCES: All three randomized controlled trials were found on PubMed and were selected based on relevance to the proposed clinical question.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Main outcomes measured were duration with and without abdominal pain, severity of pain, postprandial swelling, belching-abdominal distention, difficulty in defecation, urgent defecation, and feeling of incomplete …

Can Curcumin Be Effective In Managing And Preventing Major Complications For Type 2 Diabetics Or Even Prevent The Onset Of Type 2 Diabetes In Pre-Diabetics?, Anna Goryachkovsky

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not curcumin can manage and prevent major complications for type 2 diabetics or even prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes in pre-diabetics.

Study Design: Review of two English articles and one English/Italian article. Two were double-blinded, randomized control trials (RCTs) and one was a controlled, therapeutic protocol registry in which subjects were allowed to choose to be in the experimental group. All were published after 2012.

Data Sources: Both RCTs and the controlled, registry study were found through PubMed.

Outcomes measured: This review assessed whether curcumin …

Does Photodynamic Therapy Improve The Survival Rate Of Patients With Unresectable Cholangiocarcinoma?, Tyler C. Hafer

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not photodynamic therapy improves the survival rate of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.

Study Design: Systematic review of two randomized controlled trials and one retrospective cohort study published in 2014, 2014, and 2016.

Data Sources: Two randomized controlled trials and one retrospective cohort study examining photodynamic therapy in patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.

Data sources were found using PubMed and EBSCOhost.

Outcome(s) Measured: Overall survival and progression free survival were measured in patients who underwent photodynamic therapy for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma. Each study analyzed overall survival using a Kaplan-Meier survival …

Is Memantine A Safe And Effective Treatment For Alzheimer’S Disease In Patients Over The Age Of 50?, Stephanie Hoarau

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not memantine is a safe and effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease in patients over the age of 50.

STUDY DESIGN Systematic review of two randomized controlled trials published in 2006 and 2013 and one randomized controlled trial pooled analysis published in 2014.

DATA SOURCES Two randomized controlled trials and one pooled analysis were obtained using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED Efficacy of memantine as compared to control groups based on cognition, behavior, and adverse events. These were measured using Severe Impairment Battery (SIB), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and Behavioral Pathology …

Is Topical Eflornithine An Effective Adjunctive Therapy In Reducing Unwanted Facial Hair In Women Diagnosed With Hirsutism?, Jasmine Jordan

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not topical eflornithine is an effective adjunctive therapy in reducing unwanted facial hair in women diagnosed with hirsutism.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from peer reviewed journals, published in 2006, 2007 and 2016.

DATA SOURCES: The studies analyze the effectiveness of eflornithine in women with hirsutism and were found using PubMed, Embase and Medline.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Reduction of unwanted facial hair was measured through hair counts done at 0, 1, 3 and 6 months, Physician Global Assessment which considered hair length, density …

Is Acupuncture An Effective Adjunct Therapy In Improving Quality Of Life Outcomes Of Women, 18-25 Years Old, With Clinically Diagnosed Disordered Eating?, Margaret Hornbake

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this EBM is to determine whether or not acupuncture can be used as an adjunct therapy in improving quality of life outcomes in women, 18-25 years old, with a clinically diagnosed eating disorder.

STUDY DESIGN: Systemic review of one randomized cross-over pilot study published in 2010, one randomized controlled trial published in 2013, and one pilot randomized controlled trial published in 2014, all published in the English language

DATA SOURCES: Data sources for this review were articles published in peer-reviewed journals using PubMed Database.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured include patient response to treatment and improvements …

What Are The Effects Of Curcumin, Whether Alone Or In Conjunction With Alternative Therapy, On Major Depressive Disorder?, Preeti Jain

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not curcumin, whether alone or in conjunction with alternative therapy, has an effect on Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Study Design: Systematic review of 3 primary studies, published between 2013 and 2016.

Data Sources: Three randomized control trials (RCT), two of which were double blind. These studies were found using Cochrane Systematic Reviews and PubMed.

Outcomes Measured: Outcome for all three articles are symptomatic changes of MDD. The outcomes measured were Patient-Oriented Evidence that Matters (POEMS) and were assessed using various self-rated tools.

Results: All three studies demonstrated …

Is Curcumin Effective In Reducing Pain In Arthritis Patients?, Julie C. Lando

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the selective EBM review is to determine whether or not, “Is curcumin effective at reducing pain in arthritis patients?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three, double blind, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), published between 2012 and 2014, all in English language. The articles compared oral curcumin to visually matched placebo or accepted standard treatment.

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

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Patient reported pain level, as measured by visual analog scale (VAS) score.

RESULTS: …

Does Herbal Medicine Have An Effect On The Cognitive Function Of Patients With Mild To Moderate Alzheimer’S Disease Over The Age Of 50?, Melissa Liebman

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective evidence based medicine review is to determine whether or not “herbal medicine has an effect on the cognitive function of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease over the age of 50”.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three double-blind, randomized control trials published between 2003 and 2015. All studies were published in English language in peer reviewed journals.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized control trials were found via PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured include changes in Alzheimer’s symptoms based upon a neurologist, improvement of Alzheimer’s symptoms based on ADAS-cog and CDR-SOB clinical rating scale, and …

Are Tnf-Α Inhibitors Infliximab And Certolizumab Pegol Effective In Treating Adults With Psoriatic Arthritis (Psa) Or Psa Patients Who Have Previously Failed Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (Dmard) Therapy?, Matthew B. Louis

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether TNF-α inhibitors Infliximab and Certolizumab pegol are effective in treating adults with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) or PsA patients who have previously failed disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy

Study Design: Review of three randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials published after 2006.

Data sources: Three articles were found on PubMed and chosen based upon patient oriented outcomes relevant to the patient population. The population study was adults with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and patients with PsA who failed prior DMARD therapy. Infliximab and certolizumab pegol were analyzed for treatment efficacy. …

Is Wet Cupping Effective In Decreasing Persistent Nonspecific Low Back Pain In Adults?, Emily C. Marshall

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is wet cupping effective in decreasing persistent nonspecific low back pain in adults?”

Study Design: Review of 3 RCTs published between 2009- current, all in the English language.

Data Sources: Three RCTs analyzed the effectiveness of wet cupping on the reduction of persistent nonspecific low back pain (PNSLBP) compared to a control group using other various analgesic therapies. All studies were found on EBSCOhost and were selected based on relevance to the question and being a POEM.

Outcomes measured: All of the articles analyzed the effectiveness …

Can A Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation Program Have A Positive Impact On The Quality Of Life Of Adults With Multiple Sclerosis (Ms)?, Megan Leise

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not virtual reality based rehabilitation programs have a positive impact on the quality of life of people with MS.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of 2 randomized control trials (RCTs) and one randomized control cross over pilot study written in English, two of which were published in 2013 and one in 2016.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized control trials (RCTs) and one randomized control cross over pilot study, all three non-blind, published in peer-reviewed journals found via PubMed.

OUTCOME MEASURED: Quality of life was measured via Falls Efficacy Scale- International, …

Does Pre-Operative Exercise Improve Quality Of Life, Compared To Patient Education Alone, In Patients With Hip Osteoarthritis (Oa) While Awaiting Total Hip Arthroplasty (Tha)?, Laura Ann Mccann

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not pre-operative exercise improves quality of life, compared to patient education alone, in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) while awaiting total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Study Design: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in peer-reviewed journals between 2015 and 2016, all in the English language.

Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials were found using PubMed.

Outcomes Measured: The change in ADL (activities of daily living), recreational function, and pain were measured in all trials using self-reported patient questionnaires (WOMAC) and a variety of physical activities …

Is Daily Supplementation With Omega-3 Fatty Acids Effective In Reducing The Severity Of Dry Eye Syndrome In Adult Patients?, Julie A. Laureni

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not daily supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids is effective in reducing the severity of dry eyes in adult patients with dry eyes syndrome (DES).

Methods: Three randomized controlled trials are included in this review that were published in 2013, 2016 and 2017.

Data sources: The author of this paper performed the research as well as selected the articles for review by conducting searches on PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library.

Outcomes: The outcome measured is the severity of dry eyes symptoms measured subjectively by each patient through a …

Do Oral Probiotics In Conjunction With Fluconazole Reduce Symptoms Among Patients Suffering From Vulvovaginal Candidiasis?, Kayla Mcdaid

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Do oral probiotics in conjunction with fluconazole reduce symptoms among patients suffering from vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC)?”

Study design: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials published in 2009 and 2012.

Data sources: Three randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals comparing the effects of fluconazole in conjunction with probiotics in the treatment of VVC. Data sources found using Embase, EMBScohost, and CINAHL

Outcomes measured: Outcomes were measured based on patients reporting of: decrease in dysuria symptoms at 5-7 days post treatment, resolution of abnormal odorless cheese …