Digital Commons Network^™

Program Evaluation Of A Community-Based Door-Through-Door Medical Escort Service, Lauren A. Martin

Gerontology Institute Publications

This report summarizes the program evaluation findings of a Boston-based organization’s Medical Escort program. This “door-through-door” service strives to provide medical transportation, physical assistance, and emotional support to elders on their way to the doctor’s office, during medical appointments and on the way back home again. By offering added assistance the program attempts to remove environmental barriers associated with access to health care. This evaluation combines previously collected program statistics with surveys (32) from program volunteers and phone interviews (78) with recipients.

Perceived Stigma Among Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Treatment: A Prospective Randomised Trial Comparing An M-Dot Strategy With Standard-Of-Care In Kenya, Susan Kaai, Sandra Bullock, Avina Sarna, Matthew Chersich, Stanley Luchters, Scott Geibel, Kishorchandra Mandaliya, Marleen Temmerman, Naomi Rutenberg

Population Health, East Africa

HIV and AIDS remain highly stigmatised. Modified directly observed therapy (m-DOT) supports antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence but little is known about its association with perceived stigma in resource-constrained settings. In 2003, 234 HIV-infected adults enrolled in a two-arm randomised trial comparing a health centre-based m-DOT strategy with standard self-administration of ART. Data on perceived stigma were collected using Berger's HIV stigma scale prior to starting ART and after 12 months. This was a secondary analysis to examine whether perceived stigma was related to treatment delivery. Perceived stigma scores declined after 12 months of treatment from a mean of 44.9 (sd=7.6) …

Variability Of Syntactic Complexity In Persons With And Without Multiple Sclerosis, Kristin Diane Bjorkman

Theses and Dissertations

Several recent studies have suggested that persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) have diminished syntactic complexity. A greater variability in responses to a variety of tasks has also been noted for persons with MS. However, naturalistic data on syntactic complexity and the complexity's variability in persons with MS have not been examined. In the present study, 8 volunteers with MS (age 18-70 years) and 10 adults without MS participated in both a 15-minute conversational language sample and a sentence completion task in two different sessions. No significant differences were found between groups on any measure, and variability within the groups was …

Medical Education Digest, Vol. 12 No. 4 (July/August 2010), Nova Southeastern University

Medical Education Digest

No abstract provided.

A Functional Polymorphism In The Hmgcr Promoter Affects Transcriptional Activity But Not The Risk For Alzheimer Disease In Swedish Populations., Lina Keller, Charlotte Murphy, Steve Meaney

Articles

Variations in genes associated with cholesterol homeostasis have been reported to modify the risk of developing Alzheimer disease (AD). To date there have been few investigations into variations in genes directly involved in cholesterol biosynthesis and AD. We investigated the influence of the -911C>A polymorphism (rs3761740) in the hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR) gene promoter on basal and regulated transcription, plasma cholesterol levels and the association with AD. Under in vitro conditions the A allele was found to be significantly more responsive to SREBP-2 mediated regulation than the C allele. In an age and sex matched case-control study, the genotype …

The Future Health Care Workforce Of Older Americans, Richard G. Stefanacci Do, Mgh, Mba, Christine A. Arenson Md, Barney S. Spivack Md, Facp, Agsf, Cmd

Population Health Matters (Formerly Health Policy Newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Hp Newsletter March 2010 Dowload Full Pdf

Population Health Matters (Formerly Health Policy Newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Battery And Abuse In The Elderly: A Forensic Analysis, Amy Y. Carney Phd, Mfs, Np

Dissertations

Elder abuse is a recognized social problem in the United States. First labeled as "granny battering" and originally studied under the umbrella of family violence, maltreatment of the elderly has received more funding and research in recent years. Multiple aspects of elder abuse have been examined in the literature including measures for detection, assessment, and documentation. Although studies have examined the circumstances surrounding abuse as well as theories of causation and characteristics of the abuser and the abused, studies of the relationship between the abuser and the abused are less well documented. The purpose of this research was to examine …

Self-Efficacy And Educational Interventions In Heart Failure: A Review Of The Literature, Karen S. Yehle, Kimberly Plake

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to better understand how to structure educational interventions for heart failure patients to improve their self-efficacy for self-care behaviors.

Methods: A computer search of the literature from 1966 through May 2009 was conducted, yielding 84 manuscripts. All manuscripts were reviewed in relation to the search criteria, resulting in 12 articles that were evaluated.

Results: Each of the reviewed studies utilized an intervention plus education to improve self-efficacy. Self-efficacy was a primary outcome for seven of the studies, and a secondary outcome for five on the …

Annual Report, Western Kentucky University College Of Health & Human Services, Dr. John Bonaguro, Dean, Wku College Of Health & Human Services

College of Health & Human Services Publications

No abstract provided.

Potret Pembangunan Prasarana Kesejahteraan Sosial: Profil Prasarana Pelayanan Kebutuhan Dasar Dan Pembangunan Ekonomi Di 45 Kabupaten/Kota Di Pulau Jawa, Sofyan Cholid

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

No abstract provided.

Upaya Perlindungan Anak Melalui Pelatihan Keluarga Miskin Dengan Anak Yang Tereksploitasi Secara Ekonomi Maupun Anak Yang Beresiko Untuk Tereksploitasi Secara Ekonomi, Isbandi Rukminto Adi, Ety Rahayu, Sari Viciawati

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

This article describes the effort in protecting children in need of special protection, especially to the family who have children in risk of being economically exploitated or children who have been economically exploitated by their parents. The problems of these children occur because they cannot access the basic services for them. This happened not only because the limited services from the government, but this could also happened because of the family life-style or the process of child rearing undertaken by their parents. Therefore this article describes the efforts in improving the resiliciency of poor family with children in the risk …

Kajian Pengembangan Indikator Prilaku Hidup Bersih Dan Sehat Untuk Meningkatkan Sekolah Sehat, Wisni Bantarti

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

No abstract provided.

Pemahaman Gender Mainstreaming Pada Perempuan Kader Partai Dan Ibu Nyai Pesantren Di Wilayah Banten, Bunda Sri Sugiri

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

No abstract provided.

Pilot Study On Pet Therapy And Quality Of Life, Kathy L. Vanvoorhis

Nursing Masters

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines quality of life (QOL) as an individual’s perception of his or her position in life in the context of their culture and value systems in relation to their goals and expectations. The goal of this pilot study was to determine how pet therapy can influence QOL of residents in assisted living facilities. To measure the anticipated change in QOL, each participant in the experimental group was required to complete the WHO Quality of Life brief questionnaire, WHOQOL-BREF, before the initiation of the pet therapy program and after the session, for a total of two …

Praeger, Susan Second Interview For The Miami Valley College Of Nursing And Health Oral History Project, Donna M. Curry, Pam Namenyi, Susan Praeger

Wright State University - Miami Valley College of Nursing and Health Oral History Project

Donna Miles Curry and Pam Namenyi interviewed Susan Praeger about the BEACON program at Wright State University College of Nursing and Health. Dr. Praeger discussed her interest in creating the BEACON program as well as its history.

Medical Education Digest, Vol. 12 No. 2 (March/April 2010), Nova Southeastern University

Medical Education Digest

No abstract provided.

Falls In The Community Dwelling Elderly With A History Of Cancer, Sandra L. Spoelstra, Barbara Given, Alexander Von Eye, Charles W. Given

Peer Reviewed Articles

BACKGROUND: Falls place older adults at risk for injuries, resulting in functional decline, hospitalization, institutionalization, higher healthcare costs, and decreased quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined community-dwelling elderly to identify if individuals with a history of cancer fall at a higher rate than those without cancer, and if the occurrence of falls was influenced by individual characteristics, symptoms, or function.

METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study, in 2007, examining 7,448 community-dwelling elderly 65 years or older in a state in the Midwest. Fallers were identified based on a diagnosis of cancer, age, sex, race and ethnicity, poor vision, …

Quality Of Life, Religious/Spiritual Coping, Demoralization And Depression In Heart Failure Patients, Terry Larsen Phd, Rn, Cns

Dissertations

Background: Research suggests that the heart failure (HF) population is particularly vulnerable to depression. Other factors may also affect quality of life such as religious/spiritual coping, and demoralization. Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to examine factors that predict health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with heart failure. Specific Aims: (1) to examine level of religious/spiritual coping, spiritual distress, demoralization, depression and HRQoL among adults with heart failure; (2) to examine the relationships of religious/spiritual coping, spiritual distress demoralization, depression and selected demographic variables (age, gender, race/ethnicity and length of living with HF) with HRQoL. Methods: …

Predictors Of Depressive Symptomatology In Family Caregivers Of Wom-En With Substance Use Disorders Or Co-Occurring Substance Use And Mental Disorders, David E. Biegel, Shari Katz-Saltzman, David Meeks, Suzanne Brown, Elizabeth M. Tracy

Social Work Faculty Publications

This study utilized a stress-process model to examine the impact of having a female family member with substance use or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders on family caregivers' depressive symptomatology. Participants were 82 women receiving substance abuse treatment and the family member providing the most social support for each woman. Greater caregiver depressive symptomatology was predicted by greater care recipient emotional problems, less care recipient social support, and poor caregiver health. Implications of findings for treatment and future research are discussed

Nonlinear Oscillations In Pain Prediction Accuracy: A Dynamical Systems Approach To Understanding Daily Pain Prediction, Howard A. Tennen

UCHC Articles - Research

Dynamical systems modeling was used to analyze fluctuations in the pain prediction process of people with rheumatoid arthritis. 170 people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis completed 29 consecutive days of diaries. Difference scores between pain predictions and next-day pain experience ratings provided a time series of pain prediction accuracy. Pain prediction accuracy oscillated over time. The oscillation amplitude was larger at the start of the diary than at the end, which indicates damping toward more accurate predictions. State-level psychological characteristics moderated the damping pattern such that the oscillations for patients with lower negative affect and higher pain control damped more quickly …

The Effects Of Opposition And Gender On Knee Kinematics And Ground Reaction Force During Landing From Volleyball Block Jumps, Gerwyn Hughes, James Watkins, Nick Owen

Kinesiology (Formerly Exercise and Sport Science)

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of opposition and gender on knee kinematics and ground reaction force during landing from a volleyball block jump. Six female and six male university volleyball players performed two landing tasks 1) an unopposed and 2) an opposed volleyball block jump and landing. Knee kinematics were recorded by a 12 camera motion analysis system (120 Hz) and ground reaction force was recorded by a force platform (600 Hz) during landing. The results showed a significant effect for level of opposition in peak normalized GRF (p = .04), knee flexion at ground …

Com Outlook Winter 2010, College Of Osteopathic Medicine

COM Outlook

No abstract provided.

Women Bound To Be Active (Year 3 & 4): Can A Book Club Help Women Overcome Barriers To Physical Activity And Improve Self-Worth?, Jennifer L. Huberty, Jamie Vener, Lynda Ransdell, Laura Schulte, Melissa A. Budd, Yong Gao

Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Little progress has been made toward increasing physical activity (PA) in women. This study aimed to determine if an 8-month theory-based book club intervention (Women Bound to Be Active) was effective in increasing: (a) self-worth, (b) benefits relative to barriers to PA, and (c) PA in women (n=51). Findings suggested a book-club was effective for improving: self-worth, the benefits relative to barriers to PA, and possibly participation in PA. This is an innovative model to help women become more active and learn skills that may enable them to be active on their own long after a PA program has ended.

Increased Interleukin-6 Activity Associated With Painful Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy In Women After Breast Cancer Treatment, Angela R. Starkweather

School of Nursing Publications

Accumulating evidence suggests that neural-immune interactions are involved in the development of painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, particularly through the increased release of proinflammatory cytokines. The purpose of this study was used to evaluate levels of interleukin [IL]-6 and IL-6 receptors in women with breast cancer after the conclusion of chemotherapy who either had painful symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN group, ) or did not experience CIPN symptoms (Comparison group, ). CIPN participants had significantly higher levels of IL-6 and soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R) compared to women without CIPN symptoms ( for both). In addition, soluble gp130, which blocks the IL-6/sIL-6R …

Aging And The Behavioral Problems Of Brain Injury, Paul F. Aravich, Marylin Copeland

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. List the various classes of brain injury.

2. Identify cognitive and emotional problems as among the most common and disabling complications of brain injury.

3. Assess challenges to successful aging with a brain injury.

4. Examine the consequences of inadequate systems of care for the challenging behaviors produced by brain injury.

Consumer-Directed Health Insurance Vs. Managed Care: Analysis Of Health Care Utilization And Expenditure Incurred By Employees In A Rural Area, Cecilia M. Watkins, J. White, D. Duncan, D. Wyant, T. Nicholson, J. Khubchandani, C. Lakshminarayana

Public Health Faculty Publications

Consumer-Directed Health Plans (CDHPs) are proposed as an option to control healthcare costs. No research has addressed their applicability in rural settings. This study analyzes three years (2003–2005) of healthcare expenditure and utilization incurred by two employers and a national carrier providing data from a rural state, Kentucky. The study included two measures of expenditures (health care and prescription drugs) and three measures of utilization (physician visits, hospital admissions, and hospital inpatient days). In general, the CDHP successfully controlled the growth of medical costs. These findings suggest that CDHPs may be a viable alternative benefit structure for rural employers.

The Role Of Employment Status, Work Disruption, Leisure, And Resources In The Mental Health Of Demenita Caregiving Daughters, Lisa Jones Ficker

Wayne State University Dissertations

Employment has been consistently identified as a role strain among dementia caregivers. This study sought to examine the patterns and context of employment and work disruption among dementia caregiving daughters and learn the extent to which work disruption influences mental health through hypothesized reductions in financial resources and leisure activities. This study was a cross-sectional design that extracted data of 486 daughter caregivers from a dataset that gathered information from Caucasian, African American, and Latina dementia caregivers at six research sites across the nation.

Results indicated that caregiving daughters who were employed reported the lowest number of depressive symptoms and …

Synapse, Alabama Health Libraries Association

Synapse - Newsletter of ALHeLa

This is the Winter, 2010 edition of the ALHeLa newsletter - Synapse.

Contents include:

• President's Column
• Alabama Health Libraries Association - 2009 Executive Committee
• News from around the state
• Robert Avant Award Student Essay
• Membership News
• ALHeLA disaster preparedness virtual meeting
• Executive Committee meting minutes

Bidirectional Interference Between Speech And Postural Stability In Individuals With Parkinson's Disease, Christopher Dromey, Eon Jarvis, Stuart Sondrup, Shawn Nissen, K. Bo Foreman, Leland E. Dibble

Faculty Publications

Because people frequently talk while engaged in other activities, and because Parkinson's disease (PD) is known to diminish multi-tasking performance, we examined dual task interference between speaking and postural stability in 9 individuals with PD, 7 age-matched and 10 healthy young controls. Participants repeated a target utterance and performed a rise to toes task in both single and dual task conditions. Diphthong transitions were measured from audio recordings and postural variables reflecting planning, coordination, and stability were derived from a multi-camera motion capture system and force plate recordings. Thus, sensitive measures of both control groups for the isolated postural task, …