Digital Commons Network^™

Agot: Agricultural Guide For Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Kara Smallegan, Meghan Skidmore Otd, Otr, Cns, Angela Labrie Blackwell Phd, Otr

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

As agriculture is a hazardous occupation, this project discusses agricultural workers with health conditions/disabilities, experiencing disruption to occupational performance and participation, increasing risk of secondary injuries, and impacting overall well-being and how occupational therapy practitioners can improve these factors through the development of a guidebook. The guide covers population insights, risk factors, assessment guide, conditions, and resources to aid occupational practitioners when assisting the agricultural worker population.

Preoperative Education For Total Hip And Knee Replacements, Molly Whitehead, Cassandra Nelson, Gwen Morris

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

An educational program has been developed to implement with total hip or knee replacement patients prior to their procedure to improve function with ADLs, lessen the need for caregiver assistance, and to increase patient satisfaction.

Navigating Life After The Nicu: A Developmental Guide For Preterm And High-Risk Infants And Toddlers, Reagan Lachaussee, Mary Jan Greer Phd, Otr, Theresa Mensi

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Premature and medically fragile infants are at high risk for developmental delays and benefit from ongoing support. Parents often feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to support their child’s development at home. This project addressed gaps in caregiver education and support by developing the PEARLS Program (Promoting Early Achievements, Resilience, and Life Skills), a practical resource tailored to the needs of families and healthcare providers.

A needs assessment and provider feedback guided the program’s development, identifying challenges such as information overload, confusion around corrected age, and feeding difficulties. The PEARLS Program empowers families with digestible, actionable resources, including …

Older Adult's Fall Prevention Program, Myles Butler, Rebecca King

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The decline in bodily functions with aging increases older adults' vulnerability to falls, which is a leading cause of death within this population. The poster presents an educational based fall prevention program focused on safety awareness and risk management for older adults. In conclusion, implementing a fall prevention program leads to increased awareness regarding risk factors that are detrimental to the safety and well-being of the older adult community

Ergonomics & Environmental Changes Within The Beauty Industry To Decrease Musculoskeletal Conditions, Jessika Eiland, Rebecca King

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Ergonomics, adaptation, and environmental changes within the beauty industry to decrease musculoskeletal conditions in the upper extremities. Musculoskeletal disorders and their effects may limit a hairdressers ability to complete their job duties. For individuals within the beauty industry, health management can become an important factor.

Making An Easy Return To School After An Extended Illness Diagnosis, Ashlyn Eads, Mary Jan Greer, Julie Boykin

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster provides information on the capstone program created at a pediatric site. This program addresses how play-based therapy can help children with an extended illness transition back into the school setting. Both the children and their caregivers need support before, during, and after the return to school. The goals of this program were to educate caregivers on how to advocate for their child for positive outcomes, provide caregivers with resources to promote successful transition to school, provide play-based strategies for children addressing handwriting, social Skills, upper body strength, education, fine Motor Skills, and provide the site and caregivers with …

Helping Children With Adhd Thrive At Home And In The Classroom, Lindsey Lott, Mary Greer, Lisa Griggs-Stapleton

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobiological disorder in the U.S. Yet, 69% of parents and 70% of teachers feel underprepared in their ability to support children with ADHD (Miller, 2021; Asherson, 2024). This capstone program aimed to address this issue by creating a strengths-based, family-centered program rooted in the Ayres Sensory Integration framework, designed for caregivers and teachers of children with ADHD (Ayres, 2005). Conducted at a pediatric outpatient clinic, nearly 40 parents /caregivers and teachers of children with ADHD participated in this program. Participants received an ongoing educational experience covering topics such as the neurology and neuronal …

Development Of A Virtual Reality Program To Promote Occupational Participation And Decreased Psychosocial Deficits In Persons With A Brain Injury, Nicole Arneson, Rebecca King

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disabilities including problems with balance, muscle weakness, abnormal muscle tone, mental health, as well as deficits in visual function and sensory function The purpose of this capstone is to develop a virtual reality program that will be used with the stroke population to address ADLs, IADLs, and quality of life.

Occupational Therapy Role In Aiding Health Management For Caregivers Of Children With Neurological Conditions, Peyton Mcgee, Mary Jan Greer, Caitlin Boyd

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Neurological disorders are identified as a dysfunction on any part of the nervous system that cause disability (Kumar et al., 2022). In order to enhance the outcome of children with neurological conditions, there should be an emphasis on the role and well-being of their caregivers. Common symptoms of neurological disorders among children include delayed developmental milestones, seizures and epilepsy, regression of skills, abnormal movements and behaviors, headaches, sensory processing issues, and communication difficulties. Adjusting to a new normal can be overwhelming for caregivers, especially when children transition out of rehab. The aim of the proposed capstone project is to aid …

Improving Adls, Iadls, And Qol In Breast Cancer Survivors, Tincy Samuel, Rebecca King

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Breast cancer and its treatment can significantly impact breast cancer survivor’s ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), and Quality of Life (QoL). Physical activity programs have been found to positively impact various aspects of quality of life in breast cancer patients, including physical condition, state of mind, and selfesteem. However, there is a gap in the OT practice and the literature regarding how to improve independence in ADLs, IADLs, and overall quality of life in breast cancer survivors. A program was created to improve Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of …

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Health Management Within The Adult Population: A Road Toward Occupational Engagement, Valeria Martinez, Cassandra Nelson, Otd, Otr/L, Mba, Cns, Ceas I

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Approximately 37 million Americans have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) (CDC, 2023). As a result, DM is ranked as the eighth leading cause of mortality in the United States, yet the management of symptoms and overall condition is frequently neglected by a significant portion of the American population (CDC, 2023). A contributing factor to this issue is the insufficient access to resources for underserved communities, particularly among the Hispanic population with low health literacy. This capstone project focuses on health management and educating the adult population with a goal of enhancing activities of daily living (ADL) and …

Evaluations Of Digital Public Health Interventions In The Who Southeast Asia Region: A Systematic Literature Review, Nachiket Gudi, Elstin Anbu Raj, Beate Jahn, Uwe Siebert

Open Access archive

Introduction Digital health technologies have been enhancing the capacity of healthcare providers and, thereby, the delivery of targeted health services. The Southeast Asia Region (SEAR) has invested in strengthening digital public health. Many digital health interventions have been implemented in public health settings but are rarely assessed using the holistic health technology assessment (HTA) approach. Methods A systematic literature review was performed to provide an overview of evaluations of digital public health interventions in the World Health Organization (WHO) SEAR. Searches were conducted on four electronic databases. Screening title abstracts and full texts was independently conducted by two reviewers, followed …

Using Bivalves As An Indicator For Fecal Bacteria, Kamala Chuss

Honors Scholar Theses

This project focuses on the integration of fecal bacteria from warm-blooded animals into bivalve tissue, and the utilization of bivalves as an indicator for fecal bacteria in waterways. Bivalves may give a more representative long-term average of fecal bacteria in water as compared to direct water testing. The primary objective is to create a standard operating procedure to use bacterial testing of bivalves as a proxy for bacteria concentration in the water. This method can be used in places where bivalves do not already exist by adding them to a body of water, or by collecting bivalves that already exist …

Social Status, Economic Development And Female Labor Force (Non) Participation, Kaivan Munshi, Swapnil Singh

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

This research provides a status-based explanation for the high rates of female labor force nonparticipation (FLFNP) and the sustained increase in these rates over time that have been documented in many developing economies. This explanation is based on the idea that households or ethnic groups can signal their wealth, and thereby increase their social status, by withdrawing women from the labor force. If the value of social status or the willingness to bear the signaling cost is increasing with economic development, then this would explain the persistent increase in FLFNP. To provide empirical support for this argument, we utilize two …

Staff Education Project Staff Education To A Medical Surgical Unit, Kay-Ann Wilson-Phipps

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing (DN) project aimed to educate staff on set protocols for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in a medical-surgical unit. The CAUTI rates in the unit were rising beyond the national standards. The purpose of this project was to effectively reduce the CAUTI rates by at least 25% by providing knowledge in the form of best practices to the nursing staff about catheter insertion, care, and removal. The practice-focused question attempted to answer whether staff education on CAUTI protocols would increase knowledge. Thirty-seven staff members voluntarily participated in the education project, including nursing staff, infection control …

Suicide Risk Assessment And Student Competency In Cacrep-Accredited Master's Counseling Programs, Meghan Kyle O'Meara

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide remains a public health issue, demanding proficient training of future counselors in suicide risk assessment (SRA). However, concerns persist regarding the competency of counselors-in-training (CITs) in this crucial area. This study explored the predictive relationship between theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs and students’ perceived competency in SRA. Grounded in the TPB, the research addressed how attitudes (ATT), subjective norms (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) influence intentions and subsequent behavior, using a nonexperimental survey design to collect data from students in Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)–accredited master's counseling programs via a comprehensive questionnaire. …

Reducing Attrition In Medication-Assisted Treatment: Strategies From Behavioral Health Leaders, Tony Shaw

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative case study explores strategies to reduce attrition rates in medication-assisted treatment programs, drawing on the perspectives of behavioral health leaders and guided by the principles of the Baldridge Excellent Framework. It aims to implement effective strategies to enhance client retention and improve treatment outcomes. Drawing from 18 years of professional experience in behavioral health, this research analyzes current practices and identifies interventions to improve program effectiveness. Data collection includes case studies, surveys, and interviews with behavioral health leaders, providing a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities within these programs. The study revealed several key factors affecting retention …

The Psychological And Physical Impact Of The Opioid Crisis On Families, Adrienne Antoinette Hunter Wells Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many rural areas in the United States have experienced an opioid crisis. Social support programs could be created to address social support for the families affected by opioid addiction. The purpose of this non-experimental, cross-sectional research study was to examine the possible relationship between (a) prescription or non-prescription addiction; (b) opioid addiction or another addiction; (c) the amount of family social support of a family member who has ongoing interactions with the individual struggling with addiction; and (d) stress of the family member in a rural area. Bowen’s family systems theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. A non-probability …

Invasion Stress Mitigates Climate Stress In A Brackish Marsh Amphipod, Lorna E. Haworth, Sarah Nancollas, Susie N. Landa, Anne E. Todgham, Richelle L. Tanner

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

1. Organisms in coastal brackish ecosystems face not only highly variable environmental conditions, but the intensity and stochasticity of these environmental conditions are anticipated to increase due to climate change. While environmental changes are often presented unilaterally as stressors, there are some anthropogenic environmental transformations, such as the introduction of habitat forming plant species, that may mitigate physiological stress imposed by warming. In Suisun Marsh in the California Delta, native plant canopies allow light and heat to penetrate to the understory yet the canopies of the introduced Phragmites australis reed block out sunlight and heat for organisms living below.
2. We set …

Reversing Chronic Disease Through Functional Medicine: Acknowledging Privilege And Seeking Justice, Rosalynn A. Vega

Anthropology Faculty Publications

This piece is based on twenty-eight months of digital-auto-ethnographic research. While my research methods included traditional ethnographic research in face-to-face settings and digital ethnography, my personal experience is also embedded in the work. In this piece, you will find “interludes” that provide glimpses into my healing journey. When writing in this autoethnographic register, I provide “thick descriptions” (Geertz 3) of how I experienced illness and recovery. By including my own story, I am acknowledging that the observed and the observer are inextricably intertwined. All ethnography is relational. Ethnographic data results from a trusting relationship between ethnographer and participant. Furthermore, in …

Unraveling The Relationship Between Sleep Behaviors And Physical Activity In The United States: Insights From 2015 To 2020 Nhanes Data, Deepali K Ernest, Bipin Singh, Fathimath Shamna, Elizabeth A Onugha, Shreela V Sharma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Physical activity is an important component of metabolic health. However, little is known about the impact of specific types/intensities of physical activity on sleep health, especially among ethnically diverse populations. We examined the association of various sleep behaviors with moderate to vigorous work/recreational activity.

Methods: Self-reported data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2020 were cross-sectionally analyzed for a sample of 11,039 participants in the United States (U.S.). Weighted univariate logistic regressions determined unadjusted associations, while weighted multivariable regression models adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, BMI categories, and socio-economic status assessed the multivariable associations with moderate and …

Oculomotor Nerve Palsy Recovery Following Microsurgery Vs. Endovascular Treatment Of Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms: A Comparative Meta-Analysis Of Short- And Long-Term Outcomes, Rahim Abo Kasem, Conor Cunningham, Sameh Samir Elawady, Mohammad Mahdi Sowlat, Sofia Babool, Saad Hulou, Zachary Hubbard, Atakan Orscelik, Basel Musmar, Alejandro Spiotta

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

Recent advancements in endovascular treatment (EVT) and different views on optimal management for posterior communicating artery (PComA) aneurysms with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) highlight a need to compare recovery timelines between microsurgery and EVT; heterogeneous outcomes and influencing factors may also affect results. A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by searching PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The extracted data encompassed patient demographics, details on treatment modalities and timing, and characteristics of PComA aneurysms ONP caused by either unruptured or ruptured aneurysms. The primary outcome was ONP favorable recovery, defined as the resolution of admission symptoms, …

Strategies Small Business Leaders Use To Retain Employees To Reduce Turnover Costs, Karla Gilchrist-Saunders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Failure to retain employees negatively affects organizational financial sustainability. Small business leaders become concerned when their organizations fail to retain employees, resulting in increased costs and decreased competitiveness, organizational knowledge, team dynamics, and valuable human resources. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to identify and explore leadership strategies some small business leaders use to retain employees to reduce turnover costs. The participants were six small business leaders in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area with successful strategies used to retain employees to reduce turnover costs. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and publicly …

The Psychological And Physical Impact Of The Opioid Crisis On Families, Adrienne Antoinette Hunter Wells Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many rural areas in the United States have experienced an opioid crisis. Social support programs could be created to address social support for the families affected by opioid addiction. The purpose of this non-experimental, cross-sectional research study was to examine the possible relationship between (a) prescription or non-prescription addiction; (b) opioid addiction or another addiction; (c) the amount of family social support of a family member who has ongoing interactions with the individual struggling with addiction; and (d) stress of the family member in a rural area. Bowen’s family systems theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. A non-probability …

Leadership Strategies Indigenous Canadian Entrepreneurs Use To Sustain Their Business, Sherry Tyeesum Mattice

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Indigenous Canadian small business entrepreneurs face a high risk of failure within five years of operation. These entrepreneurs encounter challenges such as limited access to capital and skilled employees and must develop strategies to sustain and grow their businesses. Grounded in the theory of constraints, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies employed by Indigenous small business entrepreneurs to effectively sustain their businesses beyond 5 years. The participants were six Indigenous small business entrepreneurs in British Columbia who implemented strategies to sustain their businesses beyond 5 years. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and by reviewing …

Connections Between Household Socioeconomic Status, Modifiable Risk Factors, And Diabetes Status Among Adults In Jamaica, Sheriann Elizabeth Reid

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Globally, diabetes is one of the most prevalent and challenging disorders. In Jamaica, the prevalence of the disease has increased by 42% since 2001. This study explored the connection between household socioeconomic status, modifiable risk factors, and diabetes status among adults in Jamaica using the social-ecological model. The study explored whether household socioeconomic status and modifiable risk factors were associated with diabetes and whether they predicted diabetes among Jamaican adults. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used to analyze data with 11,206 respondents from the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions 2019 dataset. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant associations between …

Utility Of Colposcopy For The Screening And Management Of Cervical Cancer In Africa: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Providers’ Training And Practices, Joël Fokom Domgue, Issimouha Dille, Freddy Gnangnon, Sharon Kapambwe, Celine Bouchard, Nomonde Mbatani, Elodie Gauroy, Nathalie Ledaga Ambounda, Robert Yu, Fatoumata Sidibe, Joseph Kamgno, Bangaly Traore, Pierre-Marie Tebeu, Gregory Halle-Ekane, Mohenou Isidore Diomande, Jean-Marie Dangou, Fabrice Lecuru, Isaac Adewole, Marie Plante, Partha Basu, Sanjay Shete

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a public health issue in Africa with devastating socioeconomic consequences due to the lack of organized screening programs. The success of screening programs depends on the appropriate investigation and management of women who test positive for screening. Colposcopic assessment following positive screening results is a noteworthy issue in Africa. This study aimed to assess the utilization of colposcopy by providers in the region.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021-2022 among healthcare providers involved in cervical cancer prevention activities in Africa. They were invited to report prior colposcopy training, whether they performed colposcopy and the …

Feasibility Of Large Language Models For Ceus Li-Rads Categorization Of Small Liver Nodules In Patients At Risk For Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Jiayan Huang, Rui Yang, Xiaotong Huang, Keyu Zeng, Yan Liu, Jun Luo, Andrej Lyshchik, Qiang Lu

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Large language models (LLMs) offer opportunities to enhance radiological applications, but their performance in handling complex tasks remains insufficiently investigated.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of LLMs integrated with Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (CEUS LI-RADS) in diagnosing small (≤20mm) hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC) in high-risk patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 2014 to December 2023, high-risk HCC patients with untreated small (≤20mm) focal liver lesions (sFLLs), were included in this retrospective study. ChatGPT-4.0, ChatGPT-4o, ChatGPT-4o mini, and Google Gemini were integrated with imaging features from structured CEUS LI-RADS reports to assess their diagnostic performance for sHCC. …

Influenza Knowledge And Barriers To Vaccination In Immunosuppressed Patients In The Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic., Julia G. Harris, Leslie Favier, Jordan T. Jones, Maria Ibarra, Michael J. Holland, Emily Fox, Kelly Jensen, Ashley K. Sherman, Ashley M. Cooper

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Most patients with a pediatric rheumatic disease are at increased risk of influenza due to immunosuppressive medication use. Despite initial quality improvement efforts, our influenza vaccination rate plateaued at 72%, which prompted a survey of patients and families to assess provider vaccine recommendations, influenza knowledge, and barriers to influenza vaccination.

METHODS: Patients on immunosuppressive medication or their parent were eligible to complete a survey between July 2019 and January 2020. Survey questions assessed demographics, rheumatology diagnosis, immunosuppressive medication(s), influenza vaccination recommendation, patient/parent influenza knowledge, and barriers to influenza vaccination. Influenza vaccination rates for immunosuppressed patients were acquired each influenza …

Embolic Stroke In A Patient With Left Atrial Myxoma, Muhammad Sabri, Sheraz Qamar, Naila Ijaz, Mark Decaro

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

We present a case of a patient with a left atrial myxoma who presented with an ischemic stroke. Her cardiac myxoma had an irregular contour and was highly mobile, both features that have been associated with a greater risk of thrombo- embolism. She was treated with prompt surgical resection