Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Initiating Metformin, To Prevent Or Delay Type Ii Diabetes, In Patients With Prediabetes, Kelsey K. Abraham, Jeanie Mchugo

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The purpose of this literature review is to explore metformin’s role in the treatment of patients with prediabetes within the primary care setting. The efficacy of metformin versus lifestyle modifications will be compared as well as metformin, as adjunctive therapy, to lifestyle modifications. Along with efficacy, a systematic analysis will examine the three above mentioned therapies regarding diabetes risk reduction. Lastly, this review will examine the safety and tolerability of metformin, specifically in patients with prediabetes. The data presented shows evidence that lifestyle modifications are first line treatment for prediabetes while metformin use should be reserved for those who fail …

Use Of Marijuana In Those With Anxiety And Depression, Heather Flaa

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The purpose of this research and literature review was to compare the use of marijuana to SSRIs in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms.

• This literature review searched databases Cochrane, PubMed, Clinical Key, PsycINFO, and DynaMed Plus from the year 1990 and on. Keywords: cannabis, marijuana, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

• Many meta-analyses show SSRIs continue to be first line treatment in those with anxiety and depression in reducing symptoms.

• Patients with marijuana use showed an increased odds ratio of developing anxiety and depression or increasing symptoms in several studies.

• No studies …

Comparison Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Materials And Risk Of Rupture/Reinjury In Young Athletes, Matt Hockert

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The anterior cruciate ligament tear is a standard surgical injury seen with young athletes competing at elite, amateur, and recreational capacities. The purpose of this literature review is to determine the rehabilitation guidelines and risks associated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, as well as determining the role of rehabilitation in graft rupture. This literature review also serves to determine if graft choice for surgical repair plays a role in an increased risk of rupture or reinjury. This literature review used various online databases, including Dynamed, Cochran, and PubMed, with the utilization of MeSH terms listed below in “keywords” in order …

Cannabis Effectiveness On The Motor Symptoms Of Parkinson’S Disease, Austin Fridrich

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Fueled by news media reports, cannabis use has been ever growing in popularity for the treatment of both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using cannabis to treat the motor symptoms and levodopa-induced dyskinesia of PD. In this literature review electronic databases were searched and included PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, DynaMedPlus, Cochrane Library, Academic Search Premier, and Clinical Key. A variety of keywords and mesh terms, as listed below, were used to define a set of literature. There were 16 studies chosen for review that …

Catheter Ablation Of The Accessory Pathway In The Asymptomatic Patient With Wolff-Parkinson-White, Erin B. Mondry

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The purpose of this research and literature review was to analyze the safety and efficacy associated with invasive catheter ablation of the accessory pathway, in comparison to risk of sudden cardiac death and malignant arrythmias in non-ablated, asymptomatic individuals with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW). In this review, five databases were searched including CINAHL, Clinical Key, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Dynamed Plus. Both keyword and mesh terms were used to define a set of the literature discussing Wolff-Parkinson-White, ventricular preexcitation, radiofrequency catheter ablation, and sudden cardiac death. Works chosen for review were published from 2009 to 2019, and included surveys, case control studies, …

Mat Effectiveness For Oxycodone Vs Heroin In Opioid Use Disorders, Casey Myklebust

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Opioid use disorder is a major epidemic in the United States. • Rural areas suffer the most with limited resources available for treatments options. • A limited number of providers participate in MAT programs due to a negative stigma. • Project Echo was developed to spread awareness and information about MAT to educate providers and healthcare facilities about the needs of opioid use disorder patients that are not being met. • Buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone are the FDA approved medications to assist in MAT. • Medication assisted treatment is a long-term commitment to successfully maintain sobriety. • Medication alone is …

Hpv Vaccine In Adolescents: How To Increase Uptake, Natasha Richsesin

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that affects both males and females of all ages. An HPV vaccine was created to help protect against harmful infections caused by the virus.

• This literature review focuses on the relationship between the HPV vaccine and its low uptake from untoward events, misinformation surrounding the vaccine, and different education methods. PubMed, Clinical Key, and Cochrane electronic databases are used for the literature review. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, and articles utilized were based on the age of the population being 11 to 29 years old, the HPV vaccine’s involvement …

Methamphetamine: Potential Risk Factor For Neurodegenerative Conditions, Katelyn Sarlette

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Methamphetamine use is a relevant problems in many communities. While it has many adverse health effects, it may also contribute to the development of the neurodegenerative conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson’s disease (PD).

• A literature review was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Clinical Key, and DynaMed. Literature found included high quality systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analysis.

• Literature supports that METH use has several major neurotoxic effects resulting in physical and cognitive deficits. There is minimal available evidence evaluating METH use as a risk factor for ALS although, they do share …

Low-Dose Naltrexone For Treatment In Crohn’S Disease And Fibromyalgia, Hannah R. Tkach

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The United States has experienced a dramatic increase in opioid abuse and overdoses, leading to a national epidemic. Contributing to this epidemic is the use of opioid therapy for complex chronic inflammatory and neuropathic conditions that remain difficult to treat. Many traditional treatments are ineffective or have intolerable side effects, forcing providers to utilize opioid therapy as a last resort. Recently, there is increased interest in the use of partial opioid antagonist naltrexone to treat Crohn’s disease and fibromyalgia. Previous research suggests the potential for naltrexone to provide analgesic effects when administered in low doses via its unique interaction with …

Sexism, Gender Identity, And Psychological Well-Being: Examining Women’S Reactions To A Social Identity Threat, Wendy Nicole Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

For women, sexism is an unavoidable experience and perceiving one’s self as a victim of sexism can have detrimental effects on psychological well-being. However, situational factors, such as level of sexism, and individual differences in gender-related beliefs can influence whether women attribute negative experiences and outcomes to sexism and the degree to which they are impacted by sexism. The current two-part study examined how women responded to sexist feedback depending on the level and target of sexism, as well as individual differences in gender identity and endorsement of sexism. The impact of sexist feedback on women’s psychological well-being was also …

Understanding Well-Being Among Black Female Student Activists Attending Predominantly White Institutions: A Narrative Inquiry Approach, Stephen Grey

Theses and Dissertations

As engagement in activism continues to increase on campus and nationally, a paucity of research exists on the experiences of Black student activists attending PWI and their well-being. Narrative inquiry was utilized in this study to better understand the lived experiences of two Black student activists. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with both participants to gain in-depth narratives of their experiences engaging in activism on PWIs. A narrative thematic approach was used to analyze the results. The findings suggested that the Black student participants experienced benefits (increased sense of belonging and racial cohesion) and consequences (activist burnout and decreased academic performance) …

Self Me: An Examination Of Social Media Usage On The Self-Authorship Of College Students, Sherry Lawdermilt

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of social media usage on the self-authorship of college students. Social media as a means for social interaction has become a constant in the life of young adults. At a time when students have traditionally established their own beliefs and identity and begin to move towards self-authorship, these social mediums have become a venue for students to look to others for a definition of who they are or who they want to be. Current literature on college students’ use of social media has focused on the relationship between social media usage and online social behavior, …

Auditory Consonant Trigrams: Construct And Criterion Validity Update, Katharine Elizabeth Lindberg

Theses and Dissertations

The Auditory Consonant Trigrams (ACT) has historically been used in research and clinical settings as a measure of working memory ability, though previous research has failed to identify the precise cognitive processes and abilities measured by the task. The ACT total score (ACT T) has been shown to be sensitive to numerous clinical neurological and psychological populations (i.e., TBI, ADHD, MS, MDD). Alternatively, little is known about the ACT perseveration score (ACT P), the current study aimed to identity the ACT T and ACT P’s relationships to other neuropsychological measures and their clinical utility within diverse clinical/neurological presentations. In a …

Student Affairs At Rural Higher Education Institutions: The Impact Of Place On Professional Identity, Lisa Anne Samuelson

Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between professional socialization factors of rural student affairs professionals and their level of professional identity is the central question in this study. The study explores this question using a non-experimental survey design. The study utilizes the instrument the Student Affairs Professional Identity Scale developed by Wilson, Liddell, Hirschy, and Pasquesi (2015). Participants in the study include student affairs professionals currently employed at rural institutions as designated by U.S. Census data. The study examines the relationship between socialization factors: professional influences, professional development influences, and professional engagement activities; and; professional identity constructs: community connection, values congruence and career contentment. …

Case Judgments And Juror Perceptions Of The Stereotypical Defendant, Mariah Sorby

Theses and Dissertations

Stereotypes and prejudice have been shown to bias information processing and decision making. There are physical traits that are stereotypically associated with criminals, i.e. tattoos, dark skin-tone, facial untrustworthiness, Afrocentric facial features. These features have been shown to influence verdict decisions and sentencing outcomes. However, there is a paucity of research investigating the additive effects of these features while also considering individual levels of prejudice and egalitarian views. The current research aimed to investigate the effects of several combinations of features on defendant verdict, sentencing, and criminal appearance ratings, rather than assessing the features in isolation, while controlling for prejudice …

Parental Practices And Home Environmental Influences On Children’S Physical Activity In A Controlled Lab Setting: An Observational Study, Tia Klein

Theses and Dissertations

There has been a rise of obesity in children, adolescents, and adults over the past decades. This rise in obesity has led to many health concerns such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, some cancers and depression. Physical activity [PA] has been shown to decrease these risks and aid in positive growth and development for children and adolescents. The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between parental and child PA in a controlled lab experiment. The secondary aim was to examine parental practices (physical and social home environment) and their influences on children’s PA in a controlled …

Elementary And Secondary Teachers’ Perceptions Of Native American Students’ Academic Performances In North Dakota, Andrew Younkam Mangwa

Theses and Dissertations

Low academic performance among Native American students has been a problem for several decades. Some researchers like Bradbury et al. (2012) have studied issues related to education, but have not targeted elementary and secondary school students’ academic performances. More needs to be done, specifically on Native American students’ academic achievements, to understand the problem and provide data that could potentially ameliorate the situation. Data on state assessments from North Dakota’s Department of Public Instruction has shown low academic performances for students from kindergarten through 12th grades in school districts with high Native American student enrollments (Insights.nd.gov, 2018). This quantitative study …

Development Of The Conflict Management Skills Beliefs Scale, Christina Anne Bancroft

Theses and Dissertations

The present study explored the development and initial validation of measure of conflict management, a skill often taught in school-based social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. There is a gap in existing scales that measure conflict management skills for children and adolescents. The scales that do exist for children or adolescents (CONFLICTALK, Kimsey & Fuller, 2003; Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory [CRSI], Bonache et al., 2016) often measure conflict styles rather than skills, do not have a theoretical basis, and or have limited norming information or are normed on populations (and languages) outside of the United States.

Our purpose was to develop and …

Therapeutic Use Of Self: Continuing Education For Occupational Therapy Practitioners And Students, Jessica Anderson, Hannah Halbakken

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Only half of occupational therapy students graduating from occupational therapy programs feel sufficiently trained in therapeutic use of self (Taylor, Lee, Kielhofner & Ketkar, 2009). There are also many healthcare trends that make forming the therapeutic relationship difficult (Moreno, Delgado, Leyva, Casanova & Montes, 2019). The purpose of this scholarly project was to enhance the knowledge and skills of occupational therapy practitioners and students regarding therapeutic use of self. A literature review was completed with information regarding therapeutic use of self, rapport, the Intentional Relationship Model (Taylor, 2008), empathy, cultural competence, healthcare barriers and trends, and current training available for …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy With The Foster Care System: Implementation Of Routine Screening Procedures, Sydney Gayton, Hannah Merges

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Children in foster care are considered an at-risk population for developmental delays, due to their life experiences (Fraser et al., 2017; Jacobsen et al., 2013; Mueller et al., 2010; Oral et al., 2016; Ryan et al., 2017; Wade et al., 2017). The purpose of this scholarly project was to identify the needs of these children specifically in the regions of the University of North Dakota’s Occupational Therapy Program’s campuses. The campuses are located in Grand Forks, North Dakota and Casper, Wyoming. Currently, there is an increase of children entering the foster care systems in ND and WY (Casey Family …

Fostering Needs First: An Otr’S Guide To Evaluation For Individuals Transitioning Out Of Foster Care, Paige Melby, Meagan Flom

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Fostering Needs First: An OTRs guide to evaluation

Background: Individuals transitioning out of foster care (ITF) are experiencing occupational, personal, and environmental barriers, affecting their ability to maintain independent living. Specific barriers to independence experienced by this population include high rates of homelessness, increased rates of poverty, and increased mental health disruptions (Gomez, Ryan, Norton, Jones, & Galan-Cisneros 2015; Lee & Morgan, 2017; O’Neal, 2015).

Purpose: The purpose of this product is to establish the role for occupational therapy in the foster care system, specifically in the transition out of services and into independent living. This product aims …

Occupational Therapy: Addressing Mental Health Needs In Permanent Supportive Housing, Jessica Drady, Drew Mapes

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Occupational Therapy: Addressing Mental Health Needs in Permanent Supportive Housing

Introduction: The availability and implementation of occupational therapy services in supportive housing are limited. According to Schultheis (2018), out of the 550,000 people in America who experienced homelessness on a given night in 2017, 1 in 5 had a mental illness. Choy-Brown, Padgett, Smith, and Tiderington (2016) found that 92% of individuals with mental illness stated that secure housing was the foundation of their recovery. When housing acts as a cornerstone to recovery, it is important, as occupational therapists, to capitalize on the opportunity and resources stable housing provides …

Culturally Responsive Care For American Indians And Alaskan Natives: An Online Training Module For Occupational Therapists, Dayton Bender, Penelope Yoosook

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The unique profession of occupational therapy (OT) values cultural aspects when working with clients, therefore it is crucial for practitioners to be aware of various cultural backgrounds to provide greater culturally sensitive and client-centered services. The objective of this scholarly project was to create an educational opportunity for occupational therapists (OTs) who work in communities with a notable population of American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) through the use of an e-learning module designed to increase culturally competent care. Currently, there is limited literature suggesting the existence of such educational materials regarding this population, including online learning modules. This project was the …

Occupational Gearing For Child Rearing: Occupational Therapy’S Role In Helping New Mothers Succeed After Giving Birth, Alana Grabarkewitz, Lydia Swanson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to provide occupational therapists with access to an educational website that helps fill the current gaps in care for mothers and advocates for the occupational therapy profession to contribute to a mother’s care team.

A substantial literature review was completed to gather information about difficulties mothers encounter and how occupational therapy can assist mothers with the difficulties. To find reliable and trustworthy information on what issues and conditions a mother may experience and how occupational therapy can help mothers, various search engines were used. The findings from the literature review were used to …

An Allen's Cognitive Levels Training Program For More Comprehensive Interprofessional Care, Ashton Hudspeth, Colton Peltier

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this product was to create a quick reference guide with a corresponding in-service training to be used by the treatment team within the physical rehabilitative settings in order to address comorbid cognitive diagnoses in a consistent manner.

• 10-30% of all new hospital admissions have been estimated to experience delirium, or a disruption in the person's cognitive abilities (Ahmed, Leurent, & Sampson, 2014)
• Individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment had a 17-39% increase in the rate of hospitalizations (Callahan et al., 2015)
• 20-60% of clients who receive anesthesia for surgery experience delirium or some residual cognitive deficit …

Occupational Therapy Best Practice Addressing Anxiety-Related Behaviors: Extending Strategies Into The Classroom, Hannah Burks, Kristen Kilian-Weides

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project was to develop a product, created by occupational therapists, for teachers and support staff that offers behavioral management strategies for students demonstrating anxiety related behaviors in the classroom. Research conducted by Nash, Schlösser, and Scarr (2016) revealed that teachers reported feeling underprepared to not only identify anxiety presenting in the classroom, but also to manage these disruptive behaviors resulting from anxiety. Thus, the product, titled Tips for Teachers, was developed to address this need and to increase collaboration between occupational therapists, teachers, and support staff.

The hierarchical approach utilized in the current behavioral management system …

Exploring A Best-Practice Approach For Preventing Challenging Behavior In Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Mckenzie Ramsey Gehring, Kimberly Harmelink

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose This scholarly project was created to provide pediatric occupational therapists with a best-practice approach to address challenging behavior by focusing on its prevention while establishing consistency throughout the clinic.

Methodology An extensive literature review was performed using eight search databases and combinations of six primary search terms as well as original works by key scholars and researchers. The results of this literature review suggested the need for a best-practice approach to both protect occupational therapists and their clients during interventions related to challenging behavior and to provide guidance as to how to format a consistent approach toward challenging behavior …

Filling The Gap: A Caregiver Guide For Children Transitioning Out Of Early Intervention, Parker Hoey, Marissa Rahlf

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Achievement of developmental milestones are a key part of a child’s continuous development throughout childhood. There is a gap in developmental intervention during the transition period that takes place as a child is exiting early intervention. This gap may be extended if the child is exiting into no further services. Currently there are minimal resources for caregivers of children exiting early intervention to implement at home with their child in order to keep them on track developmentally. Based on an in-depth literature review, it has been found that caregivers would benefit from a resource to address the gap between services …

Operationalizing Leisure As A Therapeutic Modality In Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Web-Based Resource, Elizabeth Hauck, Summer Miller

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose

Residents in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are experiencing depression and occupational deprivation and have limited opportunities to engage in meaningful activities (Causey-Upton, 2015). The purpose of this scholarly project is to address the health, well-being, and quality of life of residents in SNFs by creating an evidence-based, model-driven, accessible resource for occupational therapy (OT) practitioners to promote the use of occupation-based interventions using leisure as a therapeutic modality.

Methodology

The results of a thorough literature review supported the need for a resource for OT practitioners. Literature supporting engagement in occupation-based interventions, especially leisure, to enhance physical, mental, and emotional …

Hand Therapy Outcomes: Therapists’ Perceptions Of Occupation-Based Interventions In Practice, Cheyenne Hanson, Molly Maudal

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: It is well known that hand therapists frequently use biomechanical-based interventions in their treatment of upper extremity injuries and pathologies. There is a push to return to the occupational therapy profession’s roots of occupation-based practice, which has recently been further reinforced with the introduction of the American Occupational Therapy’s (AOTA) Choosing WiselyⓇ Initiative (Gillen et al., 2019). Hand therapy is one area in which occupation-based practice could become more prevalent. This study will enhance the existing research on occupation-based hand therapy through the use of focus group interviews with occupational therapists who have a majority of their caseload classified …