Digital Commons Network^™

Postpartum Depression Protocols In A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Benefits And Outcomes, Myrnnda Miller

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This capstone project aimed to reduce postpartum depression symptoms in mothers with infants admitted to the University Medical Center (UMC) of Southern Nevada’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by integrating early screening with occupation-based, trauma-informed support. The intervention combined the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for early detection with occupational therapy–facilitated maternal support sessions, providing emotional validation, education, and strategies for coping and parent–infant bonding. Guided by Trauma-Informed Care and Backwards Design frameworks, the project prioritized maternal safety, empowerment, and confidence. A paired sample t-test was conducted to compare pre and posttest EPDS scores and showed that the participant’s EPDS …

Movement-Based Program To Support Quality Of Life For Adults With Down Syndrome, Jillian Sanalila

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This doctoral project focused on the development, implementation, and evaluation of a community-based movement program designed to support quality of life (QoL) among adults with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities at GiGi’s Playhouse Las Vegas. Adults with Down syndrome often experience significant health and participation disparities that negatively impact quality of life. These disparities include reduced physical activity, limited opportunities for social engagement, and barriers to engagement in meaningful occupations. Grounded in occupational therapy principles, this project introduced a structured intervention integrating dance, Pilates, and yoga to promote physical, emotional, and social well-being. A program development design …

Examining Demographic And Contextual Differences In Stress-Related Sport Interference Among U.S. Collegiate Sport Participants, Heather Tran

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Collegiate athletes experience a range of stressors that may interfere with sport performance; however less is known about how stress-related sport interference varies across demographic groups and contexts. Guided by the transactional model of stress and coping, this study examined differences in stress-related sport interference by gender, race/ethnicity, and year in school, as well as across situational contexts (training, competition, and life outside of sport). Data were drawn from a secondary dataset of 288 collegiate sport participants who completed the Sport Interference Checklist (SIC). Independent samples t-test and analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to examined demographic differences, and a …

Examining The Effects Of Tailored Ergonomic Interventions On Reducing Musculoskeletal Disorders For Taxi Drivers, Amal Youssouf

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Taxi drivers are frequently exposed to prolonged sitting, whole-body vibration, limited rest opportunities, and psychosocial stressors, placing them at increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This can be mitigated with the use of ergonomics, which changes one's environment to match an individual's needs within the context and demands of the job. Although ergonomics is a recognized area of occupational therapy (OT) practice, current research is limited to office-based or computer-related settings, leaving a gap in OT-led ergonomic interventions tailored for professional drivers. This capstone project aimed to determine whether OT-based ergonomic strategies, along with an ergonomic checklist as a guideline …

Proceedings Of The 18th Indonesian Occupational Medicine Update (Iomu) 2026 - Occupational Medicine Without Borders: Emerging Risks, Evolving Workforces, And Inclusive Collaboration, Indonesian Association Of Occupational Medicine Specialists (Perhimpunan Kedokteran Okupasi Indonesia / Perdoki)

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

This Supplemental Issue of the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia (OEMJI) compiles the scientific abstracts presented at the 18th Indonesian Occupational Medicine Update (IOMU) 2026, convened in Surabaya, Indonesia, from 15 to 17 May 2026. The IOMU has matured into the most prominent annual scientific platform of the Indonesian occupational medicine community, hosted by the Indonesian Association of Occupational Medicine Specialists (Perhimpunan Kedokteran Okupasi Indonesia / PERDOKI). Since its inception, the conference has served as a meeting point where clinicians, academics, industrial hygienists, regulators, employers, and worker representatives gather to translate emerging scientific evidence into …

College Of Fine Arts Outreach And Health Promotion For Injury Prevention: A Service Learning Project, Andrea Bejaran-Choto, Emily Horner, Marlene Quirarte, Shaye Robles, Dora Segura, Duc Tu, Trevor Williams

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: This community-based academic initiative targeted a significant deficiency regarding rehabilitative care and wellness assets for Southern Nevada's fine arts practitioners. Despite possessing trauma frequency rates similar to those of collegiate-level athletes, this demographic lacks sufficient infrastructure for health support. The endeavor sought to bolster the University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Fine Arts (CFA) and the regional performance art sector utilizing the UNLV College of Fine Arts Physical Therapy Clinic (CFA-PTC).

Description: The initiative focused on three essential objectives: (1) augmenting student consciousness and utilization of therapeutic care at the CFA-PTC, (2) broadening health-related guidance for the artistic …

Assessing The Reliability And Minimal Detectable Change Of Frontal Plane Projection Angles During Functional Tasks In Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain, Isabella Keefer, Derrick Smith, Brendan Yawn

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis: Single-limb dynamic weight-bearing tasks are frequently used to evaluate lower extremity and trunk movement patterns in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP). These individuals frequently exhibit abnormal frontal plane projection angles (FPPAs) at the trunk, pelvis, and lower extremities, indicative of altered movement patterns such as knee valgus, pelvic drop, and lateral trunk lean. While test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change (MDC) values for various FPPAs have been established in pain-free individuals, comprehensive data for individuals with PFP remain limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate test-retest reliability, as well as the standard error of measurement (SEM) …

An Occupation-Based Protocol For Mobile-Gaming Ergonomics, Lan Doan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The increasing prevalence of mobile gaming has introduced unique ergonomic challenges that may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). The purpose of this feasibility study was to evaluate the practicality and preliminary effectiveness of an ergonomic protocol designed to improve posture, reduce pain, and maintain gaming performance among mobile gamers. A pre-post design was implemented with two participants aged 18–34 years. The six-week intervention included ergonomic education, postural training, scheduled breaks, and targeted stretching and strengthening exercises. Quantitative data on gaming performance using Call of Duty Mobile Scores, pain assessed through the Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire …

Developing A Health Education Program For Adults Reentering The Community After Incarceration, Tiffany Ayame Kinugawa-Larsen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Justice-impacted adults often experience challenges in confidently managing their health due to limited autonomy, disrupted health routines, and limited access to health education during incarceration. Studies have shown that incarcerated adults have a higher likelihood of developing chronic health issues, yet have limited access to resources that promote health and well-being after release from incarceration. Given that health management falls within the scope of occupational therapy (OT), the profession is positioned to promote health and well-being by applying OT principles that emphasize individualized, holistic care tailored to a justice-impacted population during community reintegration. A 5-week health education program grounded in …

The Contribution Of Psychophysiological Stress Factors On Muscle Cramp Susceptibility, Lauren D. Levine

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs) are painful phenomenon that involves involuntary muscle spasms occurring during physical activity or directly after. 1 The landscape of the research on EAMC etiology has expanded from focusing on a single prevailing cause (e.g., hydration status) to a more holistic approach of how numerous factors contribute to the onset of neuromuscular fatigue, and the significance of each factor in those who suffer from EAMC. Following the multifactorial theory of cramp pathophysiology, this research sought to advance the knowledge of cramp susceptibility by investigating if there is a relationship between common psychophysiological factors like high anxiety, sleep …

Exploring Lifestyle Habits Between Gamers And Non-Gamers: A Survey-Based Approach, Janavi Sathappan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Video gaming is a prevalent and meaningful occupation for a growing number of young adults, yet its relationship to health behaviors is inconsistent and unclear in literature. This cross-sectional survey-based study examined the differences in nutritional pattens, sleep hygiene, and physical activity between self-identified gamers and non-gamers in a sample of young adults aged 18-34. Recruitment occurred primarily through the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and associated networks. Participants were asked to complete the Mini Eating Assessment Tool, Sleep Hygiene Index, and the International Physical Activity- Short Form. Data was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests and Pearson’s chi-square tests, and …

Exploring Health Insurance’S Role In Chronic Disease Management Among Hispanics, Romelyn Dones

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This qualitative study examined how insured non-English- and English-speaking Hispanic adults perceive the role of health insurance in the management of chronic disease. Chronic conditions remain a leading cause of morbidity in the United States, and although prior research suggests that insurance coverage improves access to care, it does not always enhance how individuals understand or utilize support for chronic disease management. Limited research has explored how individuals with chronic conditions interpret the role of insurance in their daily self-management practices, particularly among Hispanic populations. Guided by Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use, this study explored how contextual, enabling, …

Associations Between Father–Mother Food Parenting Practices And Children’S Dietary Intake, Brian K. Lo, Natalie Grafft, Mariane Helen De Oliveira, Sebastien Haneuse, In Young Park, Alejandra Cantu-Aldana, Katherine W. Bauer, Rebekah Levine Coley, Jorge E. Chavarro, Kirsten K. Davison, Jess Haines

Human Genetics Publications

Objective: To examine whether the number of parents using high levels of structure or coercive control food parenting practices is associated with children’s dietary intake.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of father–mother dyads from the Fathers & Families cohort study. Fathers and mothers independently reported their food parenting practices and child’s dietary intake. Multivariate logistic regression models estimated associations between the number of parents (0, 1 or 2) using high structure or coercive control practices and children’s intake of fruit, vegetables, fast food and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), adjusting for demographics and recruitment site.

Setting: United States

Participants: 474 father–mother dyads with a …

Impact Of Travel Time To Health Facilities On Perinatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review With Narrative Synthesis And Meta-Analysis, Sanam Roder-Dewan, Marwa Ramadan, Paul Ouma, Alexander Manu, Emelda A. Okiro, Natalie Strobel, Bibian N. Robert, Emily Odipo, Peter M. Macharia, Anthony Danso-Appiah, David C. Goodman, Queen Dube, Gagan Gupta, Hema Magge, Karen Edmond

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Evidence-based global guidance on safe travel time for small or sick newborns who require transfer to health facilities after birth is lacking. A two-hour threshold is frequently cited in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), while 30 minutes is commonly used in high-income countries (HICs). Although these thresholds are widely referenced, their empirical basis and consistency across levels of newborn care and journey types have not been systematically examined. This study synthesises the evidence linking travel time and perinatal outcomes. Methods: We conducted a systematic review with narrative synthesis and meta-analysis to assess the impact of travel time or distance …

The Association Between Sarcopenia And Functional Outcomes After Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty In Elderly Patients With Displaced Femoral Neck Fracture. Structural Equation Modeling., Sanzhar Artykbay, Stephen J. Kerr, Saran Tantavisut

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Sarcopenia is an underrecognized condition that may impair recovery after hip fracture surgery in older adults.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of sarcopenia on functional outcomes and hip muscle strength in elderly individuals with femoral neck fractures while accounting for other potential confounding factors through a structural equation model (SEM).

Methods: Between January 2023 and October 2024, a prospective cohort study at a tertiary university hospital enrolled patients aged 60 and older undergoing bipolar hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures. Functional recovery was evaluated at 3-months follow-up using the Barthel Index (BI), Short Physical Performance Battery …

Discharge Rates From Pediatric Emergency Departments Against Medical Advice Can Be Reduced By Improving Service Quality, Sounira Mehri, Josef Finsterer

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Prevalence And Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns Of Nosocomial Bacteria Across Different Units At King Faisal Complex Hospital, Taif, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia, Nahed Hawsawi, Renad N. Al-Jaiud, Layal L. Khyyat, Kholoud Alsulimany, Manhal Shabat

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: Nosocomial infections significantly impact patient morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. To determine the prevalence, bacteriological profiles, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and resistance distribution of pathogens causing nosocomial infections at King Faisal Medical Complex, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2023 and March 2024 at different hospital units following ethical approval. Samples (n = 667) were collected from patients (both genders; all ages) exhibiting infection symptoms ≥ 48 h post-admission and pre-antibiotic administration. Bacterial identification involved culture, Gram staining, and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using the Phoenix100 system. Results: Of 667 patients, …

A Retrospective Cohort Study Of Uterine Cancer Epidemiological Analysis And Age-Based Disparities In Saudi Arabian Population Across 32 Years, Sallwa M. Alshehre, Mohammad A. Althubiti

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the burden of uterine tumour in Saudi Arabia during the past 32 years (1990–2021), with an emphasize on the prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Knowing these patterns strengthen the national aims of cancer control under Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Vision 2030. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using data retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database. The work included population from Saudi Arabia between 1990 and 2021 and tested standardization age-specific metrics, involving uterine tumour incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs. Results: Uterine tumour cases raised from 507 in 1990 to 6,366 …

Seroprevalence Of Hepatitis B And Hepatitis C In Patients Hospitalized In Palliative Care Service, Meryem Betos Koçak, Burcu Güler

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: Patients receiving palliative care often have complex comorbidities and frequent healthcare exposure, which may place them at risk for blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, data on the seroprevalence and prognostic impact of these infections in palliative populations remain limited. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV markers in patients hospitalized in a palliative care unit and to assess their association with mortality. Methods: This retrospective study conducted on 545 adult patients a tertiary palliative care unit between 2018 and 2024. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, nutritional support, mobility, …

Artificial Intelligence In Dialysis Therapies: Applications In Hemodialysis And Peritoneal Dialysis For Managing Infectious Diseases And Complications, Waleed H. Mahallawi

Saudi Medical Journal

This narrative review synthesizes evidence from a systematic literature search (2019–2025) on artificial intelligence (AI) applications in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis for managing infections and complications. Dialysis patients face infection rates 100-fold higher than the general population and sepsis mortality exceeding 35%. The AI, utilizing machine learning algorithms such as XGBoost, deep neural networks, and explainable AI tools, revolutionizes care through precise diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics. Key models demonstrate high accuracy in predicting bloodstream infections (area under the curve [AUC] 0.914), classifying peritonitis (F1 0.93), detecting SARS-CoV-2 (AUROC 0.82), and forecasting mortality (AUC 0.979). Therapeutically, AI guides antibiotic stewardship, reducing …

Contribution Of Interleukin-6 (Il-6) To Body Defense And Healing In Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Hasrah Junaidi, Annis C. Adi, Soedarsono Soedarsono, Soetjipto Soetjipto, Chatarina U. Wahyuni, Fariani Syahrul, Mahmudah Mahmudah, Zakiyuddin Zakiyuddin, Iskandar Arfan, Abdullah A. Mamun, Rubia Sari

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To examine the contribution of IL-6 to host defense and healing in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Pulmonary tuberculosis continues to pose a significant global health challenge, with disease outcomes determined by complex host–pathogen interactions. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine, has been implicated in immune regulation and tissue recovery during TB, but its specific role is not fully established. This review aimed to examine the contribution of IL-6 to host defense and healing in pulmonary TB. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Medline following PRISMA guidelines, covering publications from 2015 to 2025. …

Overweight And Obesity Among Southeastern Nigerian Lecturers And Its Association With Absenteeism And Presenteeism, Ezenwa Victor Ejikem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Black Maternal Mental Health: Counseling Considerations For Prenatal Depression And Anxiety, Morgan Renee Williams

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

The maternal mortality rate of Black women in the United States is four times higher than white women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). The CDC defines a maternal death as “the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy… but not from accidental or incidental causes” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024, para. 1). This statistic is a consequence of the inequality within and outside of the American healthcare system (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2020). For the purposes of this research, Black women are defined as any women …

From Evidence To Practice: Improving Diabetic Patient Outcomes By Increasing Statin Utilization, Elizabeth Mcfalls

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention in patients with diabetes is essential, as heart disease remains the leading cause of death within this population (American Diabetes Association, n.d.). The purpose of this evidence-based project is to improve patient outcomes by enhancing adherence to statin therapy. A thorough literature review yielded 246 pieces of moderate-to-high-quality evidence; of these, eight articles were appraised in detail and selected for project inclusion. The strongest evidence identified four meaningful interventions. Thus, a multimodal approach was indicated for this project. This included addressing barriers to therapy, creating practice nudges, implementing a shared decision-making (SDM) tool, and utilizing clinical …

Be Prepared For Your Nurse Practitioner Clinical Readiness Exam, Elizabeth Heavey, Renee Biedlingmaier, Colleen Burgoyne, Carnel C. Jackson

Milne Open Textbooks

This text contains case studies and review questions for nurse practitioner students; focusing on the 3Ps of nurse practitioner education (Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Physical (Health) Assessment) to help NP students prepare for their clinical courses and pass their clinical readiness exam.  It includes cases commonly seen in entry-level NP practice.  In addition to the three individual sections of the text that focus on cases applying content from each of the distinct courses (Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment), we included summative case studies at the end of the book that connect all three areas in a single case. Because these three …

Novel Paradigm For Assessing Vestibular Perception In Children, Nicole Kirk

Dissertations, 2020-current

While objective vestibular reflexive testing has been heavily researched, there are few studies analyzing subjective vestibular perception and to date no progress has been reported on motion perception in children. It is unknown if children perceive motion like adults creating a need for research comparing these age groups for thorough clinical profiles. This study adapted an adult psychophysics protocol for school-aged children and collected data on ten typically developing children and ten healthy adults. Participants rotated at various peak velocities and frequencies in a rotary chair and were asked to report their spatial orientation (i.e., how far around they rotated) …

Stimulant Medications And Bone Health, Christine M Swanson, Julie H Wolfe, Chadi A Calarge

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose of review: This review summarizes the potential impact of stimulant medications on bone health, to raise awareness and optimize their safe use.

Recent findings: Stimulant medications can impair bone health through inadequate nutrient/calorie intake and stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates bone metabolism. However, their use decreases fracture risk in younger populations ([Formula: see text]25 years old) with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), likely through reductions in impulsivity and injury. Special care may be needed when fractures occur while using these medications, as recent data suggest psychostimulants are associated with impaired fracture healing. Prescription and non-prescription use of …

The Effectiveness Of An Educational Program On Young Swimmers Water Consumption And Dry Land Exercises, Maria Thibodeaux, Shelby Bay, Maddie Hoyt, Elizabeth Starns, Elizabeth Nix

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

OBJECTIVE/CONTEXT Although shown to improve performance, many young swimmers are reluctant to participate in dry land exercises.¹ They are also more likely to become dehydrated than their non-swimming counterparts, suggesting they are not adequately hydrating during activity and throughout their day.² Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of a four-week educational program on dry land exercises and water consumption.

Behavioral Science Applications In Collegiate Athlete Nutrition And Sleep: A Scoping Review, Maryam Yuhas, Katherine M. Kidwell, Olivia Moskuna, Rajib Mandal, Jessica L. Garay

Nutrition - All Scholarship

Nutrition and sleep are key health behaviors supporting athletic performance. Collegiate athletes in the United States (U.S.) are at high risk of insufficient dietary intake and nightly sleep given the competing demands of elite sports and academics. Researchers have developed interventions to improve collegiate athletes’ sleep and nutrition, either individually or collectively. However, progress in understanding how best to create sustained behavior change in this population has been slow. This may be due to the lack of application of behavioral science principles such as lack of a guiding theory, effective strategies, and consideration of implementation contexts. This scoping review takes …

Implementation And Effectiveness Of An Enhanced Recovery Protocol For Children Undergoing Surgery: The Enrich-Us Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomized Trial, Mehul V Raval, Yao Tian, Willemijn Schäfer, Salva N Balbale, Mallory N Perez, Martha-Conley E Ingram, Alison Lehane, Charesa J Smith, Gwyneth A Sullivan, Audra J Reiter, Andrew Hu, Johanna M Borst, Sarah C Blake, Sharron Close, Teaniese L Davis, Bonnie S Essner, Kurt F Heiss, Lynn W Huang, Erin Wymore, Deysi Paniagua-Perez, Kirsty M Engelhardt, Peter M Graffy, Julie K Johnson, Craig W Lillehei, Brian W Gray, Seth D Goldstein, Scott S Short, Samir R Pandya, Janice A Taylor, Christopher Gayer, Adam B Goldin, Matthew M Boelig, Kristy L Rialon, Tim Jancelewicz, Aaron M Lipskar, Mubeen Jafri, Elisabeth T Tracy, Matthew T Harting, Jason P Sulkowski, P Benson Ham, Kaveh Vali, Robert A Cina, David T Schindel, Saleem Islam, Erin A Teeple, Sohail R Shah, Ankush Gosain, David H Rothstein, Megan A Brockel, Jillian Chown, Jane L Holl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance: Despite evidence that enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) improve outcomes in adults undergoing surgery, adoption for pediatric populations has lagged.

Objective: To assess the implementation and clinical effectiveness of a consensus-based ERP for pediatric patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.

Design, setting, and participants: A prospective type 2 hybrid implementation-effectiveness, stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized by entry date into implementation phase, trial of pediatrics patients, 10 to 18 years of age, undergoing elective GI surgery at 18 US sites from September 2019 to June 2024.

Interventions: Sites were randomized into 3 groups, each spending at least 9 months in a control phase, with …