Digital Commons Network^™

In Vitro Vs. In Vivo Studies On The Interaction Of Natural Products With The Gut Microbiota: The Example Of Stw 5, Olaf Kelber

Oxford ICSB

Background: Recent evidence suggests that natural products can modulate microbiome composition, offering health benefits. This study evaluates the effects of STW 5 (Iberogast) on microbiota in functional dyspepsia (FD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) through a comparison of in vitro and in vivo data. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and other scientific databases to collate data on STW 5's impact on the gut microbiome at phyla and genera levels. Results: In vitro studies demonstrated an increase in Enterococcus and a decrease in Clostridium and Bacteroides. Further in vitro research confirmed an increase in Firmicutes and a …

A Historical Analysis Of The Development Of Childbirth In The U. S., Kristen Montgomery, Kayleigh Berg Bsn, Rn, Emily Greer Bsn, Rn, Marsha Hedgecough Bsn, Rn, Emma Holden Bsn, Rn, Halle Ingle Bsn, Rn, Alexis Tolbert Bsn, Rn

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Purpose: The purpose of this project is understand the historical development of childbirth from early documentation of birth in the home to modern day obstetrics, where most deliveries occur in the hospital. Approximately 3.5 to 4 million births occur each year in the U. S.

Aims: The aim of this study is to understand the historical development of childbirth in the U.S. with a particular emphasis on maternal autonomy. Depending on the amount of materials available, the research may be limited to the Appalachian Region.

Methods: Using a historical method, materials were located that traced the trajectory of childbirth from …

Occupational Therapy For Maternal Pelvic Floor And Mental Health: A Holistic Approach To Recovery, Diana S. Theodore

Student Capstone Papers

Maternal pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is highly prevalent yet often underrecognized in occupational therapy practice, despite its significant impact on mental health, daily function, and quality of life. Many postpartum women experience symptoms such as urinary incontinence, pain with intimacy, and pelvic organ prolapse, which are frequently normalized or left untreated. Occupational therapy practitioners often have limited training in addressing the complex relationship between pelvic floor function and maternal mental health, contributing to gaps in care. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a comprehensive handbook for occupational therapy students and practitioners integrating pelvic floor function and maternal …

Supporting Independence In Adults With Down Syndrome Through Parent Education And Program Development At Gigi’S Playhouse, Kristen Powlas

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with GiGi’s Playhouse Nashville, a non-profit organization that provides free educational and therapeutic programming for individuals with Down syndrome across the lifespan. The primary focus of this project was to design and implement a full semester of curriculum for the GiGi Prep adult education program, with an emphasis on developing foundational skills to support increased independence and participation in daily life.

Course content was delivered through an occupational therapy lens and included topics such as communication, emotional regulation, money management, coping strategies, self-advocacy, job skills, and independent living skills. In addition to …

An Injury Prevention Program For Musculoskeletal Injuries, Kima Esters, Rebecca King

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Musculoskeletal injuries pose a significant risk to occupational performance, participation, and overall well-being due to resulting functional deficits. Occupational therapists play a crucial role in managing these impairments and promoting independence to reduce the risk of reinjury, psychological symptoms, and long-term physical limitations while supporting re-engagement in activities of daily living and meaningful occupations. This injury prevention program focused on educating and training healthcare professionals in prevention and management strategies, including postural awareness, work simplification, ergonomics, adaptive equipment, mental health strategies for stress and anxiety management, and sleep preparation to improve patient outcomes and overall quality of life.

Community-Based Program To Support The Occupational Needs Of Middle Eastern Refugee Women Transitioning Into Western Society, Zuha A. Mohammad, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Middle Eastern refugee women resettling in Western societies often experience barriers that disrupt participation in meaningful occupations, including language barriers, unfamiliar systems, financial challenges, and social isolation. These challenges can limit independence and community participation during the resettlement process. Occupational therapy is well-positioned to address these barriers through culturally responsive, occupation-based interventions.

This capstone project developed and implemented a community-based program designed to support Middle Eastern refugee women during early resettlement. The program focused on key areas including system navigation, financial literacy, home safety, stress management, self-advocacy, and community engagement. Educational sessions and practical activities were used to promote skill …

Advancing Athletic Recovery: The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Sports Medicine, Hannah E. Oakerson, Rebecca King, Rebecca Caudrillier

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project aimed to assess whether an occupation-based educational program could improve recovery engagement, self-efficacy, and quality of life in athletes following sports-related injuries. An Athlete Recovery Guidebook was designed, implemented, and evaluated within an outpatient sports medicine setting. The guidebook provided structured education on recovery routines, symptom management, and health habits, while supporting integration into daily life. Findings from pre- and post-surveys and qualitative feedback suggest improvements in recovery knowledge, confidence, body awareness, and overall quality of life following program implementation.

Rhode Island Right To Life: Veritas Grant Funded Internship Summer 2025, Ekaterina Rau

Biology Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Representation Of Active Girls, Women, And Female Athletes In Low Energy Availability Research: A Review, Ahnna E. Faust, Alexis V. Viehl, Melissa T. Lodge

Health Sciences Student Scholarship

More female athletes are participating in sports today than ever before, yet they remain underrepresented in sport and exercise science (SES) research. According to a 2021 review, 34% of SES research participants are females and just 6% of studies used female-only designs. Female athletes are also at an increased risk for low energy availability (LEA), or a mismatch between energy intake and exercise energy expenditure. However, the representation of women in research related to LEA remains unclear. PURPOSE: This study aimed to (a) evaluate the representation of girls, women, and female athletes in LEA research, and (b) explore methodological characteristics …

As A Component Of Aseptic Technique, Bunsen Burners Do Not Decrease Deposition Of Microbe-Containing Particulates, Kate Devincent, Ariana Carretta, Vanessa Colina, Imani Laporte, Tyler Oung, Hannah Gavin

Health Sciences Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Using Lean Body Mass To Calculate Resting Metabolic Rate Across Gender Identities, Kara Dixon, Liza Goetcheus, Brett R. Ely

Health Sciences Student Scholarship

Accurate estimate of resting metabolic rate (RMR) is important for tailoring nutrition support in clinical settings. Metabolic rate is often calculated using the Harris-Benedict equations, which estimate metabolic rate using separate equations for men and women. PURPOSE: This study aims to develop a more inclusive, single predictive equation based on lean body mass instead of gender. METHODS: Six healthy individuals (Age: 22±5; BMI: 22.3±0.7) underwent assessment of resting metabolic rate (RMR) using indirect calorimetry, and full-body dual energy x-ray absorptiometry to measure lean body mass. RMR was divided by lean body mass to examine the relationship between muscle mass and …

The Impact Of Exercise In The Heat On Lactation Performance In Lactating Women, Elizabeth G. Helsley, Olyvia Bendza

Health Sciences Student Scholarship

PURPOSE: to determine whether acute exercise in the heat alters 24-hr breastmilk production and composition among lactating women. METHODS: Seven participants (34±5yrs, 163.7±4.8cm, 66.7±3.0kg, 25.0±14.2 weeks postpartum) completed the study. Participants were eligible if they were breastfeeding (6-week to 12-month infants), aged 18-45 years old, and delivered between 37 and 42 weeks. The study was a randomized, crossover design with three visits: 1) baseline and metabolic heat production testing; 2) acute exercise in the heat (HOT; 36°C, 40% relative humidity[RH]), and 3) acute exercise in a thermoneutral environment (THERM; 20°C, 20%RH). Participants walked for 60 minutes at 8 watts per …

From Data To Action: Enhancing Public Health Communication & Information Dissemination, Ryan Hayden, Devon Donovan

Health Sciences Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Restoring Moral Imagination: A Pilgrimage Of Ethical Formation In Prelicensure Nursing, Hannah Dube, Francesca Kearns

Student Posters & Conference Presentations

No abstract provided.

Simulation-Enhanced Ethics Education: An Interdisciplinary Strategy To Strengthen Ethical Awareness And Communication, Sophia Calle

Student Posters & Conference Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Quality Of Care In Hospital Settings, Sophia Callahan

Health Sciences Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Decreasing Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection Through Reinforcement Of Hand Hygiene Compliance In A Rehabilitation Unit, Gloria Ihenwe

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to decrease the CAUTI rate among adult rehabilitation patients with indwelling catheters from 40% to 1% through improved staff hand hygiene (HH) compliance and to increase hand hygiene compliance from 45.24% to 60.47% within 3 months. The secondary aim is that staff will report self-improvement in hand hygiene knowledge and technique.

Background

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are common preventable healthcare-associated infections. Inconsistent HH compliance among direct care staff remains a common challenge and can contribute to infection risks and transmission of microorganisms

Methodology

The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) quality improvement model guided the implementation …

Health Is Where The Huddle Is, Lyndsey Anthony, Anna E. Komistek, Philip C. Pritchett, Emma K. Swanson

SPARK Symposium Presentations

“Health is Where the Huddle Is”

Huddles are an evidence-based strategy to facilitate a culture of safety within nursing teams. A review of 158 huddle studies found that 44.3% reported improved clinical outcomes and 24.3% showed fewer medical errors when huddles were implemented (Pimentel et al., 2021). Currently, a local hospital’s 13-bed ICU lacks an effective system for nursing staff to huddle due to staffing constraints and the absence of monitor technicians, creating safety concerns when nurses leave monitors unattended. This project aims to implement an effective, nurse-led shift huddle that maintains continuous patient monitoring while also strengthening patient safety …

Chemical And Pharmacological Mechanisms Of Calcium Oxalate Stone Inhibition: Citrate, Thiazides, And Emerging Therapies, Grace Tidwell

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney stone formation has prompted the development of a variety of pharmacological therapies designed to reduce the risk of crystallization by chemically modifying a patient’s urinary composition and thereby reducing urinary supersaturation of stone-forming ions. This paper reviews key drug classes that inhibit CaOx crystallization, such as citrate supplements, which bind calcium and increase pH levels within the urine, and thiazide diuretics, which act on the kidneys to increase calcium reabsorption into the bloodstream. In addition, the use of polyphenol-based compounds and gut microbiome therapies is examined for their potential roles in stone prevention. Ultimately, by focusing …

Cisplatin Chemotherapy Shown To Decrease Heart Rate In Daphnia Magna​, Cody Woten, Andrea Florian

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Although chemotherapies are widely used for cancer treatment, they pose side effects of cardiotoxicity. Cisplatin is a chemotherapy that binds covalently to DNA and causes cross-links that prevent further replication. However, limited data suggest that cisplatin may cause arrhythmias and acute myocardial infarction, likely due to oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species in mitochondria of the heart. Daphnia magna are effective models for assessing cisplatin cardiotoxicity because their transparent bodies allow direct observation of the heart, and heart rate can be easily measured under a microscope. We aim to determine whether cisplatin chemotherapy causes cardiotoxicity in vivo using D. magna. …

A Treatise On Tool Development: The Arthroscope’S Cultural, Technological, And Metascientific Translation, Montgomery F. Waterer

Honors Theses

The arthroscope was a revolutionary development in the fields of medicine, engineering, and ethics. There are many valuable lessons to be learned from the story of its development and translation that are relevant to the future of medicine and society. Beginning with a brief description of the tool’s design, this paper will examine a period within the history of the arthroscope. This window contains multiple innovators and ends with the life and work of Dr. Robert Jackson. In examining the relevant historical facts of its development, this paper will then briefly address the importance of sports medicine in the development …

Optimizing Performance And Preventing Injury: The Role Of Ot In Powerlifting, Anastasia N. Espinosa, Cassandra M. Nelson, Jaimee Fielder

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Powerlifting is a high-intensity sport associated with increased risk of injury, particularly in community-based gym settings where structured education on recovery, injury prevention, and training strategies is limited. This capstone project aimed to develop and implement a Performance and Wellness Program to support safe and sustainable participation in powerlifting. A program development approach was used, including a needs assessment through surveys, questionnaires, and observation to identify gaps in training, recovery, and self-management practices. The program was delivered through structured, self-directed modules and supported by a digital manual to promote long-term use. Findings from post-program surveys indicated improvements in athlete confidence, …

Improving Pneumococcal Immunization Counseling In Children With Systemic Lupus Erythematous, Sarah Dettmann

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Background: Pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) face elevated risk for invasive pneumococcal disease, yet fewer than 10% are estimated to be current on pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) recommendations.

Local Problem: This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to develop and implement a standardized pneumococcal immunization screening and counseling process in a pediatric rheumatology clinic.

Method: Three consecutive PDSA cycles guided implemention across a nine-week intervention period using a pre-post quasi-experimental design.

Interventions: A multicomponent strategy was employed, including a PCV decision algorithm, EHR Smart Phrase, PCP referral template, and patient education brochure.

Results: Pre-implementation PCV counseling was documented …

The Role Of Vitamin B9 In Modulating Autism Symptoms In Children, Sarah Roeser

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

The prevalence of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has risen significantly over the past five decades, now affecting approximately 1 in 31 children. This literature review examined whether folinic acid, compared with other forms of vitamin B9 (synthetic folic acid, dietary folate, and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate), modulates ASD symptoms including verbal communication, motor skills and social interaction, particularly in children positive for folate receptor alpha autoantibodies (FRAAs). A thorough search of PubMed, Google Scholar, Nature, and ScienceDirect, primarily from 2015–2026, identified five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one meta-analysis evaluating folinic acid at standardized doses of 2 mg/kg/day with a maximum dose of …

Implementing A Nutrition Screening, Education, And Risk Reduction Framework In Optometric Care To Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy In Adults With T2dm, Juliana M. Varanelli

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of preventable vision loss among adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), driven largely by chronic hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Despite strong evidence supporting the role of nutrition in modifying these risk factors, nutrition screening and counseling are not routinely integrated into optometric care. This project aimed to develop a practical, evidence-based framework to incorporate nutrition screening, patient education, and referral pathways into comprehensive optometric practice to support prevention and reduce the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy.

This project involved a literature review of peer-reviewed research and clinical guidelines related to …

Seeing Surgery Differently: The Role Of Virtual Reality In Pediatric Care, Bob Underwood, Mark Ryan

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

Virtual reality is changing how pediatric surgeons plan procedures, educate care teams and help children and families better understand what to expect. In this episode, Mark Ryan, MD, pediatric surgeon, discusses how virtual reality is being used in pediatric surgery today, its impact on patient experience and surgical planning and what pediatricians should know as this technology continues to evolve.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Creating A Sensory-Inclusive School Environment For Children, Kendall L. Keeton, Cassandra Nelson, Justine Faghihifar

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This mixed-methods program development capstone project aimed to assess whether structured sensory supports improve academic engagement and student behavior in the school setting. A sensory pathway, calm corner, and sensory toolkit were designed, implemented, and evaluated within an elementary school. A digital manual was also created to facilitate staff education and long-term sustainability of the program. Findings from pre- and post-surveys and observation suggest potential improvements in academic engagement, student behavior, and staff knowledge following program implementation.

Language Barriers In The Healthcare System, Gulten Altunbulak, Rebecca King, Lee Ann Hoffman

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Language barriers in healthcare negatively impact quality of care, patient satisfaction, and health equity, particularly among individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). This capstone program aimed to develop and implement an occupational therapy communication protocol to address language barriers in a skilled nursing facility. A mixed-methods approach was used, including a pre-survey of staff, post-implementation interviews, and observational feedback to evaluate communication practices, interpreter use, and staff confidence. A total of 25 staff members completed the pre-survey, with additional insights gathered through interviews and observations following implementation. Interventions included staff education on interpreter services and culturally responsive care, along with …

Development Of A Mental Health Program For Work Rehabilitation, Vannida M. Nguyen, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Work-related injuries often result in decreased work performance and extended recovery time. This can lead to mental health challenges and a risk of re-injury. Typical work rehabilitation focuses on physical recovery while overlooking psychosocial factors. This capstone project developed a wellness program to support emotional wellness and improve return-to-work (RTW) outcomes. The program incorporated educational content, coping strategies, and interventions targeting emotional wellness for injured workers receiving physical therapy. Occupational therapy has the ability to address both physical and psychosocial factors and increase interdisciplinary efforts during work rehabilitation. Improved confidence reflected in the self-reported RTW-SE scores suggests that occupational therapy …

Life Skills For Individuals In A Juvenile Detention Center, Carrington Brown, Rebecca King, Jaimee Fielder

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project involved developing, implementing, and evaluating a life skills program for justice-involved youth in a juvenile detention setting. Guided by a needs assessment, the program targeted financial literacy, job readiness, professionalism, and soft skills through structured sessions incorporating education, interactive activities, and group discussions. Findings from pre- and post-surveys and qualitative feedback indicated improved knowledge, confidence, and readiness for community reintegration, supporting the value of rehabilitative, occupation-based programming.