Digital Commons Network^™

Grand Forks At 150: The First Fifty, Nikki Berg Burin

Digital Press Books

2024 marks the 150th anniversary of white settlers platting the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota which in 1874 opened the townsite of Grand Forks to legal settlement. While the city of Grand Forks wasn’t officially incorporated until 7 years later, 2024 nevertheless begins a period of reflection on the history, the present, and the future of the city.

As part of this effort to think about the legacy of the founding of Grand Forks, the University of North Dakota Department of History and American Indian Studies collaborated with the Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission to produce a series of …

Aerocom: Winter 2024, John D. Odegard School Of Aerospace Sciences

Aerocom: John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences Alumni Magazine

No abstract provided.

Stroke Rehabilitation Through The Continuum Of Care: Integrating Evidence And Occupation-Based Practice, Emily L. Geissler

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to provide patients with knowledge on the rehabilitation process and practitioners with a resource to assist in implementing occupation and evidence-based practice in stroke rehabilitation throughout the continuum of care.

Methodology: A literature review was conducted using articles, textbooks, and expert opinions regarding evidence-based and occupation-based interventions within stroke rehabilitation. The author partnered with a midwestern healthcare agency to experience stroke rehabilitation as an occupational therapy practitioner across the continuum of care. Through a needs assessment, it was found patients lack knowledge regarding the rehabilitation process and that practitioners lack knowledge of …

Sensory Home Programming Handouts, Taylor Ann Koopmeiners

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Sensory processing is the way the brain and nervous system receive sensory information (Star Institute, 2023). When there are difficulties with processing sensory information, it is called Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Consequently, the inability to process sensory input results in affected motor and behavioral responses (Star Institute, 2023. This creates difficulty in participating in necessary tasks such as activities of daily living (ADLs), social participation, and school (Lane et al., 2019; Star Institute, 2023). Occupational therapists address these challenges by providing sensory activities in therapeutic sessions and as part of home programming (Gabriele, 2020). The goal of this scholarly …

An Occupational Therapy Approach To The Cumulative Trauma Disorder Of Trigger Finger: A Case Report, Makenzie Lynn Kroupa

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: The purpose of this product is to focus on furthering exposure to cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) of the upper extremity (UE) through the development of a case report. This will further explore treatment methods, therapy progression, and management for diagnoses that are associated with repetition and the overuse of the UE. The client of focus possesses the UE CTD of trigger finger as the primary diagnosis but has several concurrent conditions. This increases the complexity of the case since the client must navigate the symptomatology of UE CTDs to engage in occupational performance.

Case Presentation: The client was selected …

The Distinct Role: A Toolkit To Promote Occupational Therapy Services For Palliative Care Patients In Acute Care Hospitals, Kailey Ann Squier

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Each year, 56.8 million people receive palliative care services and experience significant impacts overall quality of life. Occupational therapy is well-equipped to maximize engagement in meaningful activities and improve overall quality of life for this population. Despite evidence supporting the unique value of OT, it has had many barriers limiting the ability to expand into palliative care effectively. There is a need to provide education and increase resources to occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) in palliative care. The purpose of this scholarly project was to increase the understanding of OTs’ role in palliative care and promote increased OT services within …

Breaking The Barrier To Leisure Engagement In Long-Term Care Facilities To Enhance Residents’ Health, Well-Being, And Quality Of Life, Callie M. Kleindl

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Breaking the Barrier to Leisure Engagement in Long-Term Care Facilities to Enhance Residents’ Health, Well-being, and Quality of Life

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to promote leisure engagement for residents with dementia in long-term care (LTC) facilities to enhance their overall health, well-being, and quality of life (QOL).

Methodology: A thorough literature review supported the need for increased leisure engagement in LTC facilities for residents with dementia. Chronic conditions, such as dementia, impact a resident’s ability to engage in meaningful occupations which leads to occupational deprivation. In addition, a decline in leisure engagement has been found …

An Intergenerational Program Approach To Support Successful Aging And Decrease Social Isolation In Nursing Home Residents, Mariah Herring

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose As older adults transition to nursing facilities, their involvement in community activities diminishes, impacting their physical health, cognitive abilities, and social engagement (Lowry et al., 2012; Serrat-Graboleda et al., 2010). Evidence suggests that utilizing intergenerational programs in nursing facilities can effectively reduce social isolation, enhance quality of life for residents, and support academics and social skills in preschool students (Gustavsson, 2015; Lowry et al., 2012; Mondaca et al., 2018; Pillemer et al., 2022; Tak et al., 2015). This scholarly project aims to support successful aging and decrease social isolation in nursing facilities through the development of occupation-based psychomotor activities …

Primary Reflex Testing And Integration Guide For Parents And Providers, Abby Jessen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Parents are often unaware of the signs and characteristics of retained reflexes making it difficult to identify if there is a problem (Grigg et al., 2018). Once a problem is identified parents are frequently uninformed of the effects primary reflexes can have on a child’s development and how to foster integration (Grigg et al., 2018). Therefore, demonstrating a need for parent and provider education to support reflex integration amongst the pediatric population. The purpose of this project was to educate parents and providers on retained primary reflexes in children ages four to 11.

Methods: Prior to the start of …

Sensory Toolkit For Childcare Providers And Parents Of Children In The Daycare Setting, Cierra Marie Jacobson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Sensory Toolkit for Childcare Providers and Parents of Children in the Daycare Setting

Purpose: Around 62% of children in the United States receive care from care-based centers (U.S Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistic [NCES], (2021). Of the children in daycare, about 41% attend for 35 or more hours a week (Capizzano & Adams, 2000). The children’s environment within a daycare provides several sensory experiences that can both support and hinder their success in their daily occupations. When sensory needs are unmet, undesired behaviors can occur and impact their performance in daily occupations (Bodison & Parham, 2017). …

A Resource Guide For Improving Participation In The Pediatric Casper Community, Rylie Garner

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: A Resource Guide for Improving Participation in the Pediatric Casper

Community Background and Problem: Regardless of ability level, all children should have the same rights, access, and opportunities to participate in leisure, social, physical, and recreational activities. Research shows that typically developing children participate more in social, physical, and recreational activities than children with disabilities (Solish et al., 2010). Identified barriers that can decrease participation for children with disabilities include the child’s functional limitations, high costs, accessibility, and lack of known nearby facilities, programs, and sports (Murphy & Carbone, 2018; Aytur et al., 2018). Participation in leisure, social, physical, …

Addressing Occupational Deprivation And Alienation In Rural Skilled Nursing Facilities Through An Activities Resource Guide, Stephanie Dullum

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this product was to collaborate with residents and the activities department in a rural skilled nursing facility (SNF) to create leisure activities to address common chronic conditions and the needs or wants of the residents. With aging comes more chronic conditions and less physical activity, socialization, and time engaged in activities, affecting quality of life (QOL) and well-being (Causey-Upton,2015; Cudjoe et al., 2020; Nedjeljeko et al., 2021; Portillo et al., 2023; Sen et al., 2022; Smallfield & Molitor, 2018; World Health Organization [WHO], 2022). Providing residents with more meaningful leisure activities will assist the SNF staff …

Peer To Peer: Implementing An Inclusive Program At A Midwestern School, Kaitlyn Rose Ekre

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Transitioning to and between school settings (i.e., home to elementary, elementary to middle school, middle school to high school) can be a challenging experience for everyone. In middle school, there is an increase in academic, behavioral, and social demands (Chen et al., 2020; Fontil et al., 2020). While most students are able to navigate the different demands of middle school, students with disabilities struggle with building relationships and interacting with their peers along with academics leading to low involvement in extracurricular activities, inconsistent access to the general education classroom, and an absence of peer interactions throughout the day (Biggs …

Making Strides: An Occupational Therapy Program Developing Work Readiness Skills In Adolescents With Aces, Using Equine And Barn Tasks., Lauren Alexis Fischer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022) defines adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as any traumatic event that occurs from birth to 18 years. ACEs can lead to various issues in the child's future, such as health problems, mental illness, substance abuse, and challenges with education and employment (CDC, 2022). Associated barriers that inhibit at-risk youth when transitioning into the workforce include lack of work skills, habits, knowledge about labor rights, realistic job opportunities, and how to pursue employment (Ivzori et al., 2020). Increasing support in their pre-vocational skills can increase their success in employment. Rhew et al. …

An Occupation-Based Approach To Stroke Recovery In Rural America, Julia Warmack

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose In the United States, strokes are one of the leading causes of death as well as a leading cause of long-term disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). Due to the disease's demanding and intense nature, occupational therapists must provide evidence-based care to help support those in need. Occupation-based treatment has been proven to provide better long-term results and improve the transferability of skills (Rostami et al., 2017). However, many practitioners still rely on rote exercise due to lacking resources, access, or training (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2017).

Methodology A model-guided literature review was …

Real Individuals Striving For Excellence (Rise): An Occupational Therapy Based Re-Entry Program For A Rural Jail Facility, Kennedy Tooke

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Real Individuals Striving for Excellence (RISE): An occupational therapy based re-entry program for a rural jail facility.

Introduction: The United States criminal justice system continues to be known for currently holding over 2 million people within state, federal, local, and juvenile correctional facilities (prisonpolicy.org, 2021). Jail incarceration rates have increased 15% from 2020 to 2021 following a 26% decline from midyear 2019 (Zeng, 2022). Many individuals involved in the criminal justice system will be arrested again within the same year due to unsuccessful transitions back into the community. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a program …

Efficacy Of Platelet Rich Plasma Injections To Combat Chronic Tendinopathies, Rachel Kisse

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Tendinopathy is a clinical syndrome marked by persistent localized pain and tendon thickening, stemming from repetitive overuse-induced trauma. This musculoskeletal condition poses diagnostic and management challenges due to its chronic nature. Management entails a multifaceted approach, encompassing activity modification, pain control, and rehabilitative exercise. The pathophysiological shift from inflammation to degeneration highlights the need for changes in comprehensive management strategies in which platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections have gained growing interest with limited literature support for its use in clinical practice. This literature review was performed to inform clinicians about the properties, safety, and efficacy of PRP injections as an …

Let’S Move! Benefits Of Exercise Compared To Ssris (Escitalopram) For The Management Of Depression: Research From 2020 And Beyond, Brianna Droessler-Aschliman

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

The purpose of this literature review is to determine the effectiveness of exercise as either monotherapy or in combination with SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) for the management of major depressive disorder. Studies gathered for this review came from the following databases: PubMed, SpringerLink, Academic Search Ultimate, Academic Search Complete, and CINAHL. Current research completed between the years 2020-2023 that consisted of either clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analysis were included. A total of eleven studies were reviewed that addressed either the benefits of exercise, SSRIs, or a combination for the management of depression. Upon completion of the literature review, it …

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder/Premenstrual Syndrome Luteal Phase Treatment, Shelby Gawarecki

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Many women suffer from PMS/PMDD symptoms that affect their emotional and physical wellbeing. This research aimed to compare luteal phase treatment options for PMS/PMDD, such as SSRIs, progesterone, and sepranolone. The research was conducted using electronic search databases PubMed, Embase, CINHAL, Access Medicine, Cochrane Library, and NaProTECHNOLOGY Creighton Model FertilityCare System. Studies used in this research were found using keyword and MESH search terms. Each reviewed study was peer-reviewed, including randomized control trials or a meta-analysis. Among the treatments analyzed, SSRIs emerged as a consistent primary treatment for symptom alleviation, particularly in addressing cognitive symptoms associated with PMS/PMDD. SSRIs, at …

Minimally Invasive Therapies In The Treatment Of Arthropathy, Steven Bateman

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

It is estimated that 27% of adults over 45 years of age suffer from osteoarthritis of the hip secondary to articular cartilage damage over the lifespan. Joint pain diminishes life quality, limits range of motion and overall activity, and frequently impairs basic ambulation. These functional deficits worsen the progression of comorbidities that are often referred to as lifestylerelated chronic disease as physical activity subsequently declines. This literature review explores the efficacy of minimally invasive therapies that precede and delay surgical intervention in adult patients experiencing functional limitations and pain in major joints. The study examines the effectiveness of various interventions, …

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell (Car-T) Vs Standard Of Care Therapy For Treatment Of Relapsed Or Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, Jessica Frenkel

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma is the most common and aggressive subset of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Approximately 20-50% of patients will either relapse or become refractory to primary chemoimmunotherapy treatment methods and require second line treatment, which consists of aggressive high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Chimeric antigen T cell receptor (CAR-T) therapy is a novel treatment strategy consisting of autologously derived genetically engineered T cells that has been tested as an alternative method for treatment of aggressive forms of DLBCL. The purpose of this review is to compare the efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness of standard of …

The Efficacy Of Glp-1 Agonists In Pediatric Patients With Type 2 Diabetes And Obesity, Cayla Mahrer

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

In recent years, GLP-1 therapies have emerged as promising inventions for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity in adolescents. This comprehensive literature review synthesizes findings from fundamental studies, highlighting the efficacy, safety considerations, and potential variations in treatment outcomes associated with GLP-1 therapies in this demographic. The literature consistently supports the effectiveness of GLP-1 therapies, such as liraglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide, in improving glycemic control, as evidenced by significant reductions in HbA1c levels. Additionally, these therapies often lead to favorable outcomes in terms of weight reduction, addressing a critical aspect of type 2 diabetes and obesity management in adolescents. However, …

Mobilized Healthcare: The Future Of Accessible Medicine, Zachary Carlson

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

This literature review discusses the impact that MIH teams can have in our health system. It is well known that there are communities that benefit from MIH teams such as rural or underserved areas; however, this paper discusses a variety of other demographics that may benefit from implementation of MIH teams. It will also evaluate how MIH teams alter patient Emergency Department (ED) visits, hospital admissions, facility spending, and patient outcomes. MIH is a form of preventative medicine that may be better optimized by healthcare facilities going forward, and this article helps to weigh the pros versus cons of MIH …

Comparison Of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections And Hyaluronic Acid Injections In The Treatment Of Knee Osteoarthritis, Isaac Knutson

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases that people can suffer from in today’s society. This degenerative disease can affect any of the body’s joints, but is most common in the knees, hands and spine. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage that covers the ends of bones in joints wears down. This lack of protective cartilage leads to the bones grinding on each other causing loss of range of motion, pain, and limited function. This review studied the effects of two specific treatments for knee osteoarthritis: platelet-rich plasma injections and hyaluronic acid injections. Both of these treatments can be …

The Effect Of Exercise On Gestational Weight Gain And Diabetes Risk In Women Of Elevated Bmi, Lauren Staton

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Maternal obesity is a risk factor that may increase the likelihood of adverse outcomes during pregnancy such as excessive weight gain, gestational diabetes, macrosomia, and cesarean delivery. As obesity has become a more prevalent diagnosis, the healthcare field is begining to see its effects on an abundance of patient profiles, including pregnant women. In the primary care setting, providers are the source of information for patients as to what healthy weight gain during pregnancy looks like. By implementing recommendations for exercise throughout gestation, excessive weight gain and its associated adverse outcomes may decrease in frequency. This literature review examines the …

Patient Outcomes With Tele-Emergency Medicine Services In Rural Areas, Andrea Rieder

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

The purpose of this literature review was to examine patient outcomes with the use of teleemergency medicine. Tele-emergency medicine serves as a tool to expand the healthcare team in rural facilities by connecting them with specialized providers, typically via video conference call, for assistance in surge or low-staff situations, or for guidance in more complicated cases that rural providers might typically transfer to a larger hospital. A benefit of adopting a teleemergency medicine service is that it can shorten time to care and reduce the need for transfers, thereby reducing associated costs. The question arises as to whether patient outcomes …

Effects Of Probiotic Supplementation On Pcos Outcomes, Allison Stoeffler

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial metabolic, endocrinologic, and gynecologic condition affecting up to 5 million women in the United States. It is a disease characterized by oligo- or anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and/or polycystic ovaries. Phenotypic presentation can include irregular menstrual cycles, obesity, hirsutism, insulin resistance, or difficulty conceiving. If untreated, PCOS can result in a sequelae of chronic disease burden. Current standard of care consists of metformin for blood sugar control, oral contraceptives for menstrual regularity, and spironolactone for androgen imbalance, but newer research is identifying gut dysbiosis as a possible contributing etiology to disease development and symptomology. This …

The Efficacy Of Probiotic Use In Patients With Anxiety And Depression, Joanna Mcclelland

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Given the impact of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, it is helpful to know the available resources and treatment options to offer patients to aid in the modulation of symptoms. The gut-brain connection has become more widely researched for its impacts on anxiety and depression. This bodes the question that if the gut microbiome can be altered, would there be a decrease in symptoms of anxiety and depression as a result? One way to alter gut microbiome is to implement a probiotic. To determine if this is an effective treatment option for anxiety and depression, a literature …

Statin Therapy Vs. Plant-Based Diet For Reduction Of Plaque Burden In Coronary Artery Disease, Molly Zak

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Coronary artery disease is one of the most common chronic health conditions to affect adults in the United States, with heart disease being the leading cause of death. Contributing factors include high prevalence of processed foods containing saturated fats, low fiber diets and poor overall nutrition, and physical inactivity. These practices increase risk of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) plaque buildup and calcification within arteries that supply the heart, leading to decreased blood flow and subsequent oxygen supply. Treatment for coronary artery disease has traditionally been dominated by HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors, or statins. These medications are more effective than the alternative …

Mood Stabilizers Vs Stimulants For The Management Of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And Comorbidity Bipolar Disorder, Karina Van Slyke

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

BD and ADHD share a lot of similar symptoms such as comorbidities, age of onset, chronic, enduring course of illness with interference of vocational, educational, and developmental milestones. There is immense challenge when it comes to differentiating these disorders due to significant overlap and variable courses of psychopathology in children. Providers need to be aware of the medications that are beneficial for each condition separately and which medications can benefit both conditions. Mood stabilizers are commonly used in bipolar disorder while stimulants are a common treatment for ADHD. A literature review was performed using search databases such as PubMed to …