Digital Commons Network^™

Does Endometrial Scratching Increase Live Birth Rates For Women Undergoing Ivf?, Caitlyn Kratzer

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Endometrial Scratching Increases Live Birth Rates for Women Undergoing IVF?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three randomized control trials (RCTs) published between 2010 and 2017.

DATA SOURCES: All three RCTs were discovered using PubMed. Studies were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on applicability to the clinical question.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: In all three articles, the main outcome that will be reviewed is live birth rate. This was measured by the number of live births per embryos transferred divided by the total number …

Is Exercise Effective In Improving The Cognitive And Behavioral Executive Functions In Children Diagnosed With Adhd?, Cara Scatena

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Is exercise effective in improving the cognitive and behavioral functions in children diagnosed with ADHD?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized control trials (RCTs). All three of these studies were published between 2011 and 2016.

Data Sources: All three of the RCTs were found using PubMed. All of the studies were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on their relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: The outcome measured in these studies is the measurable improvement in executive functions related to the effects of …

Is Aquatic Therapy An Effective Treatment For Reducing Fatigue In Adult Females Living With Ms?, Hanna L. Ozarski

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine, “Is aquatic therapy an effective treatment for reducing fatigue in adult females living with MS?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2015 and 2018.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were published in English peer reviewed journals and were discovered on PubMed using selective search criteria. Studies were chosen based on their relevance and competency to answer the clinical question proposed.

Outcome Measured: The main outcome of focus in each of the articles selected for this review was fatigue reduction. Outcomes were measured …

Is Perioperative Intravenous Lidocaine A Sufficient Adjunct To Traditional Opioid Therapy At Decreasing Post-Operative Pain In Male And Female Patients Ages 18-75 Following A Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy?, Desiree Malacusky

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

 OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine “Is perioperative intravenous lidocaine a sufficient adjunct to traditional opioid therapy at decreasing post operative pain in male and female patients ages 18-75 following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy?”

STUDY DESIGN: A review of three randomized control trials (RCTs) that were peer reviewed and published in English after 2015.

DATA SOURCE: All articles were published in peer reviewed journals and were researched using PubMed and EBSCO databases. Studies were selected based on their ability to answer the question posed in the objective, and if the researched outcomes were patient oriented.

OUTCOMES: The …

Does The Application Of Kt Tape Decrease Pain In Chronic Low Back Pain?, Jordan Vitelli

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Does the application of KT tape decrease pain in chronic low back pain?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2018 and 2019.

Data Sources: The three RCTs were published in English in peer reviewed journals and obtained from PubMed. The studies were selected based on their relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: The outcome measured within all three RCTs was pain intensity using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS scoring ranges from 0 to 10, defining 0 as no pain …

Does The Use Of Docosahexaenoic Acid (Dha) Supplementation Decrease The Rate Of Cognitive Decline, As Measured By The Adas-Cog Scale, For Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease?, Erin C. Nakamura

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does the use of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation decrease the rate of cognitive decline, as measured by the ADAS-Cog scale, for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2010 and 2018.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were published in English into peer reviewed journals and discovered via PubMed. The studies were selected based on relevance and ability to answer the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: Cognitive function is the outcome measured using the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale- …

Is Cryoanalgesia An Effective Supplemental Method Of Post-Thoracotomy Pain Management?, Jency Boyce

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this EBM review is to determine if cryoanalgesia is an effective addition to pain management protocols for patients post-thoracotomy.

Study Design: This EBM review examines three randomized controlled trials.

Data Sources: Data was gathered from the three studies found on PubMed and EBSCOhost. Each study was published in a peer reviewed journal, in English between 2010 and 2021.

Outcome Measured: The outcome measured was pain reported by patients using a visual analag scale (VAS). Two studies utilized a 0-10 scale and the third a 0-100mm scale.

Results: In the study by Sepsas et al. it was …

Does Biofeedback Increase Gait Velocity In Children With Cerebral Palsy?, Kara L. Steck

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does biofeedback increase gait velocity in children with cerebral palsy (CP)?”.

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized control trials (RCTs) published between 2014 and 2019.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were found using PubMed. Each article was published in English in peer reviewed journals and selected based on their applicability to the clinical question, provide a new technique in CP rehabilitation, and include patient-oriented outcomes (POEMS).

Outcome Measured: The outcome measured was gait velocity before and after treatment using Tekscan software, 3D motion analysis …

Do Probiotics Decrease Depressive Symptoms In Patients With Low Mood?, Kaitlyn Talt

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine, “Do probiotics decrease depressive symptoms in patients with low mood?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three double blind, randomized control trials (RCTs) published between 2016 and 2019.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were found using PubMed and published in English in peer-reviewed journals. The articles were chosen based on their attention to patient-oriented evidence that matters (POEMS) and their relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: All three articles utilized either the Beck Depression Index (BDI) and/or the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) to measure the severity of …

Does High-Flow Oxygen Therapy Decrease The Length Of Hospital Stay In Pediatric Patients With Bronchiolitis When Compared To Standard Oxygen Therapy?, Liann N. Tran

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

 OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine, “Does high-flow oxygen therapy decrease the length of hospital stay in pediatric patients with bronchiolitis when compared to standard oxygen therapy?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). All studies were published in the English language after 2014.

DATA SOURCES: All articles were found using PubMed, CINAHL, Alt HealthWatch, AMED. All articles were published in peer-reviewed journals.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: A reduction in length of hospital stay, in terms of the number of days, was the outcome measured in all three studies. This is defined as the …

Does The Use Of Blinatumomab Improve The Overall Survival Rate In Adults With Relapsed/Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?, Julia Colangeli

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review paper is to determine whether or not, “Does the use of blinatumomab improve the overall survival rate in adults with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia?”

Study Design: A systematic review of two RCTs and one case-based series were utilized. All studies were published between 2014-2019.

Data Sources: The two RCTs were found through PubMed and the case-based series was obtained through CINAHL Plus. All the studies were published in peer-reviewed journals.

Outcomes Measured: The main outcome measured in all the studies was overall survival. Both RCTs defined overall survival as the time from …

Does Spaced Retrieval Therapy Help Improve Quality Of Life For Individuals With Dementia?, Simone E. Fleary

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systematic EBM review is to determine “Does Spaced Retrieval Therapy Help Improve Quality of Life for Individuals with Dementia?”

Study Design: A systemic review of three peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCT) published in English between 2016-2017.

Data Sources: All peer-reviewed articles were selected using PubMed. All articles were published in English and selected based on relevance to the clinical question. Exclusion criteria excluded studies with combined intervention methods.

Outcome Measured: Assessment of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) was determined using the IADL task score assessed by the recruiter. Improvement of hyperphagic behavior assessed by …

Does Dance Therapy During Active Labor Reduce Labor Pain?, Sarah E. Naber

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Does dance therapy during active labor decrease labor pain?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of two randomized control trials and a cohort study that were published in English between 2014 and 2020.

DATA SOURCES: Three studies were obtained from PubMed, Alt HealthWatch, and AMED. They were all published in peer-reviewed journals and chosen based on their relevance to the clinical question proposed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The main outcome measured in all three studies is pain during active labor. Pain was measured in all studies using the visual analog scale (VAS). …

Is Cryotherapy With Exercise Therapy More Effective Than Exercise Therapy Alone In Reducing Symptoms Associated With Ankylosing Spondylitis?, Michelle Hand

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systematic EBM review is to determine “Is Cryotherapy with Exercise Therapy More Effective than Exercise Therapy Alone in Reducing Symptoms Associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis?”

Study Design: A comprehensive review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Data Sources: PubMed database was used to find all three articles referenced in this review. Each article was published in a peer-reviewed journal and published after 2010.

Outcome Measured: The outcome considered for this review was subjective reduction in disease activity measured using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) which consists of 6 questions regarding clinical manifestations of …

Is Platelet Rich Plasma (Prp) Injection An Effective Therapy In Improving Patient Functional Outcomes And Decreasing Pain Postoperatively In Adults With Meniscal Repairs?, Paige A. Foschi

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine: “Is platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection an effective therapy in improving patient functional outcomes and decreasing pain postoperatively in adults with meniscal repairs.”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2018 and 2019.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were discovered using PubMed, AMED, CINAHL Plus, and Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Source. The articles were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on applicability to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: Patients’ pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the …

Does Atomoxetine Improve Inattentiveness In Adults With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?, Sarah Defelice

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review of three composite studies is to determine whether or not atomoxetine improves inattentiveness in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Study Design: A systematic review of three blinded randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2011 and 2021.

Data Sources: Research was gathered from PubMed and Embase in December 2020-February 2021 for the three RCTs, and supplemental articles were found in September through November 2021 from PubMed. All three RCTs were published in English and found in peer-reviewed journals and were chosen based on their relevance to the topic question.

Outcome Measured: A …

Does Administration Of An Anterior Suprascapular Nerve Block Improve Post-Operative Pain And Reduce Opioid Consumption When Compared To Traditional Interscalene Nerve Plexus Block In Adults Undergoing Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery?, Tyler Trobetsky

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does administration of an anterior suprascapular nerve block improve post-operative pain and reduce opioid consumption when compared to traditional interscalene nerve plexus block in adults undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery.”

Study Design: A review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English between 2017-2020.

Data Sources: All three articles used are peer-reviewed RCTs that were discovered using PubMed. The articles were evaluated and selected based on their ability to answer the proposed clinical question.

Outcome Measured: All three articles measured and compared post-operative pain using numerical …

Is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (Tens) An Effective Treatment For Pain Caused By Knee Osteoarthritis?, Zuhra Nassery

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “is TENS an effective treatment for pain caused by knee osteoarthritis?”.

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2012 and 2019.

Data Sources: All RCTs were discovered utilizing PubMed. The articles were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on applicability and pertinence to the clinical question as well as the incorporation of patient-oriented outcomes.

Outcome Measured: Knee pain was the outcome measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), which requires participants to draw a mark between the …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Special Education: A Case Study, Megan Cercone

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this research project is to explore the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on special education by evaluating the experiences of one child with disabilities who attends public schools. METHODS: A semi-structured interview was conducted with the two parents of the child, who has physical disabilities and an IEP through his school, meaning he receives special education services through intervention teachers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists. The interview was recorded and transcribed, and then interview transcripts were evaluated to identify themes in the subjects’ responses regarding their child’s experience with public education during the pandemic. …

Physical Activity For Adl Performance In Older Adults With Dementia: A Systematic Review, Clancy Hesseltine, Josiah Heun, Murphy Porter, Sam Wyrick, Stacy Smallfield, Molly Whitlow

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

PURPOSE: An estimated 5.8 million people in the United States live with dementia. By the year 2060, this number is expected to climb as high as 14 million people (CDC, 2019). Performance and participation in activities of daily living (ADLs) is a primary goal of occupational therapy. Exercise intervention is an occupational therapy approach for individuals with dementia that will increase ADL performance (Giebel et al., 2015). The present study examined the effects of physical exercise to maintain or improve activities of daily living performance for adults with dementia.

DESIGN: This systematic review of systematic reviews examined whether physical activity …

Occupational Therapy Interventions For Adls In Adults Post-Tbi With Visual Symptoms: A Systematic Review, Connor Jarman Bs, Olivia Vander Haar Bms, Lauren Wobken Bs, Stacy Smallfield Drot, Msot, Otr/L, Bcg, Faota, Molly Whitlow Phd, Mph

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

PURPOSE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and injury in the United States. In fact, it is estimated that 1.5 million Americans experience them every year (CDC, 2022). Visual impairments may be a symptom following TBI (Richman, 2014). This affects an individual’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, hygiene, and functional mobility, including the reading required for these activities. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize the evidence and intervention options within the scope of occupational therapy for adults post-TBI experiencing visual symptoms.

DESIGN: We conducted a systematic review …

Effectiveness Of Functional Cognition Intervention For Adults With Traumatic Brain Injuries: A 
Systematic Review, Lauren Mccormick, Madison Otte, Delaney Hill, Emily Leahy, Stacy Smallfield, Molly Whitlow

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Purpose: An estimated 5.3 million Americans are living with a permanent disability due to having a traumatic brain injury (TBI) (CDC, 1999). A common deficit seen in this population includes impaired functional cognition, which is the ability to use and integrate thinking and processing skills to complete complex instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) (Giles et al., 2017). Occupational therapy practitioners support individuals post-TBI by creating and implementing occupation-based interventions during rehabilitation to optimize functional cognition and improve individuals' ability to complete IADLs. This study aims to identify the effectiveness of interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice …

Occupational Therapy Interventions To Optimize Functional Use Of The Upper Extremity After Peripheral Nerve Injury: A Systematic Review, Shayleigh Clarkson, Allison Fisher, Sean Mcfadden, Payton Swanson, Molly Whitlow, Stacy Smallfield

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

PURPOSE: Peripheral nerve injuries are a distinct group of injuries that are commonly caused by motor vehicle accidents, falls, industrial accidents, household accidents, and penetrating trauma (Kamble et al., 2019). A peripheral nerve injury can affect an individual’s daily occupations and routines due to unrelenting pain, loss of sensation, and/or burning sensations. Peripheral nerve injuries can result in motor loss and subsequent muscle imbalance which can create functional loss (Chae et al., 2020). The purpose of this systematic review was to provide occupational therapists with evidence supporting the use of interventions to increase the functional use of the upper extremity …

Initial Steps For Integrating Academic Electronic Health Records Into Clinical Curricula Of Physical And Occupational Therapy In The United States: A Survey-Based Observational Study, Stephen C. Burrows, Lola Halperin, Eric C. Nemec, Wendy Romney

Healthcare Informatics Faculty Publications

Training programs must be designed to prepare physical and occupational therapy students for using Electronic Health Records (EHR) and interprofessional collaboration. This report aims to describe physical and occupational therapy students' perceptions of integrating Academic EHR in their Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curricula in the College of Health Professions, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, the United States. A paper-based case approach to PBL was adapted by creating patient cases in an Academic EHR (AEHR). Students were asked to complete chart reviews and review provider notes to enhance their learning. An online survey was conducted to determine their perceptions of using AEHR …

Knee Braces And Foot Orthoses Multimodal Treatment Of Medial Knee Osteoarthritis, Xavier Robert-Lachaine, Yoann Dessery, Étienne L. Belzile, Philippe Corbeil

Études primaires

Background

Knee braces and lateral wedge foot orthoses are two treatment options recommended for medial knee osteoarthritis, but the combination of both of them could further improve their effectiveness.

Research question

The aim was to evaluate whether the combination of lateral wedge foot orthoses with two types of knee brace enhances the biomechanical effects and pain relief during the stance phase of gait while maintaining comfort.

Methods

Ten patients with medial knee osteoarthritis were fitted with a standard valgus brace, an unloader brace with valgus and external rotation functions, and 7° lateral wedge foot orthoses. The pain relief, comfort, kinematics …

Risk-Targeted Behavioral Activation For The Management Of Work Disability Associated With Comorbid Pain And Depression: A Feasibility Study, Michael J.L. Sullivan, Timothy Wideman, Nathalie Gauthier, Pascal Thibault, Tamra Ellis, Heather Adams

Études primaires

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility and impact of a risk-targeted behavioral activation intervention for work-disabled individuals with comorbid pain and depression.

Methods

The design of the study was a single-arm non-randomized trial. The sample consisted of 66 work-disabled individuals with comorbid pain and depression. The treatment program consisted of a 10-week standardized behavioral activation intervention supplemented by techniques to target two psychosocial risk factors for delayed recovery, namely, catastrophic thinking and perceptions of injustice. Measures of pain severity, depression, catastrophic thinking, perceived injustice, and self-reported disability were completed pre-, …

Stay At Work After A Period Of Disability Due To An Occupational Injury: A Complex Process Marked By Social Exchanges, Alexandra Lecours, Marie-José Durand, Marie-France Coutu, Charles Groleau, Roxanne Bédard-Mercier

Études primaires

Purpose Rooted in a social exchange lens, this study aimed to explore the interactions between the factors influencing stay at work after a period of disability due to an occupational injury. Methods Based on a descriptive interpretative research design, interviews with 15 participants (i.e., representatives of workers, workplaces, insurers, and the health care system) were conducted to gather their perspectives about stay at work. Qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis. Results Ten different factors interacting together and influencing stay at work were identified. These factors prevail either during stay at work or previously. They are either related to the …

The Price Of “Normal”: Masking In The Autistic Community, Phyllis Elizabeth Holloway

Online Theses and Dissertations

The Autistic community has a rich history that often includes poor mental health outcomes due to the increased stress and anxiety surrounding the push to have “normal” social skills. On Twitter, many autistic people utilize a hashtag to connect with others in the online Autistic community. This qualitative study analyzes the Twitter hashtag, #ActuallyAutistic, to understand masking and camouflaging from the autistic point of view. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to perform this analysis. The themes found emphasize the need for professionals to increase their understanding of the Autistic community’s value and contributions. By improving the ability of non-autistic …

The Development Of A Well-Being Program For Occupational Therapy Graduate Students, Stacy Smallfield, Emma Burry, Kelsey M. Lawrence, Kathy M. Yang, Katherine M. Chin, Hannahmarie Klute

Journal Articles: Occupational Therapy

High levels of stress among occupational therapy graduate students have led to the adoption of unhealthy coping habits such as poor nutrition, little exercise, and disrupted sleep. In response, many institutions have explored programming and even curricular changes to support student well-being. However, very few are built upon a strong theoretical foundation to address holistic well-being. Therefore, this paper describes how logic modeling was used to develop a student well-being program based on Facilitating Learning and Occupational Well-Being Using Research-Based Initiatives for Student Health (FLOURISH), a theoretical approach rooted in the Person-Environment-Occupation Performance Model. A well-being program delivered via a …

Cardiopulmonary And Cancer Rehabilitation, Erica E. Braig, Aubree L. Osier

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

For this capstone project we are helping with the first phase of a 4-phase curricular/outreach program designed to train students (undergraduate and graduate in a peer-mentoring fashion) about professional work in Exercise Rehabilitation for Cardiopulmonary and Cancer Patients. Step 1 includes helping to develop the programmatic approach to testing students as a stand-in for clinical patients. This hands-on approach includes participating in the actual clinical equipment, procedures, and logistics used in modern clinical facilities. Because this program is being developmed in an existing laboratory space that is being repurposed as the Cardiopulmonary and Cancer Rehabilitation Laboratory, our work includes curating …