Digital Commons Network^™

Identifying Needs Of School-Age Children With Cardiospondylocarpofacial Syndrome, Erin Henning

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Advancements in genetic testing have led to the identification of many rare genetic conditions, yet comprehensive knowledge of their broader impacts remains limited. Most existing research focuses narrowly on medical outcomes. Cardiospondylocarpofacial Syndrome (CSCF) is an ultra-rare genetic condition for which little is known beyond its physical manifestations. This descriptive case series study examined the behavioral, social, emotional, and academic functioning of eight school-aged children diagnosed with CSCF, as well as the experiences of their families. Participants were recruited from North America, Europe, and Australia via a private Facebook group. Data were collected through an open-ended, written questionnaire completed by …

The Role Of Teacher Engagement In Enhancing Children’S Organizational Skills: A School-Based Intervention Study, Brooke Goldsmith

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Executive functioning skills, including organization, time management, and planning (OTMP), are critical for an individual across the lifespan. Deficits in these skills can negatively impact academic achievement, social-emotional functioning, and future occupational opportunities and satisfaction. Organizational Skills Training (OST) interventions have been shown to improve OTMP skills in children, however, less is known about the role of teacher engagement in supporting these interventions. The current study examined the relationship between teacher engagement in a school-based Organizational Skills Training-Tier 2 program (OST-T2), and improvements in student organizational skills outcome. Secondary data were analyzed from 96 students in grades 3-6 and their …

Predictors Of Psychologists’ Self-Reported Knowledge And Self-Perceived Competence In Treating Transgender Clients, Tara N. Bennett

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

It has been widely recognized that transgender (trans) and gender nonconforming (TGNC) populations face significantly greater rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidality than the general population. Despite these risks, little research has analyzed how psychologists are prepared to provide culturally competent therapy to trans clients or what predicts competence in treating this population. This study aimed to identify what factors predict psychologists’ selfperceived knowledge and self-perceived competence in working with trans clients. The study’s secondary aim was to collect information about how psychologists receive education related to trans clients. This study employed a correlational research design to examine …

Promoting Perinatal Mental Well-Being: Empowering Healthcare Professionals, Deborah Flam

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This pilot study aimed to address the critical need to enhance healthcare providers’ knowledge and shift their beliefs regarding perinatal mental health disorders through the development and implementation of a targeted educational workshop, “Promoting Perinatal Mental Health Well-Being”, designed to improve their understanding and attitudes toward identifying, treating, and supporting affected individuals. Using a qualitative approach, pre- and post-tests were administered to assess changes in knowledge and beliefs. While statistical significance was not achieved, likely due to a small sample size, prior training among participants, and other limitations, the findings revealed a meaningful shift in provider beliefs. Participants reported increased …

(In)Animate: Exploring The Relationship Between Obsessivecompulsive Disorder, Perceived Thought Control, And Anthropomorphism, Kaitlyn O’Neill

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Introduction: Ritual behaviors help manage uncertainty and anxiety by providing a sense of control, but rigid engagement in such behaviors can indicate obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD). Most OCD research has focused on harm-avoidance versus "not-just-right-experiences" (NJREs), with exposure and ritual prevention (ERP) being less effective for those without clear feared outcomes. Anthropomorphizing, or assigning human traits to objects, complicates OCD treatment, particularly for those with hoarding behaviors.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between OCD with and without hoarding behaviors ("saving" behavior) and anthropomorphism. Given ERP’s role in OCD treatment, understanding how anthropomorphism affects OCD is crucial. It was …

Impact Of Pcos Knowledge And Treatment Recommendations On Women’S Quality Of Life, Sydni Yadin

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic endocrine disorder affecting 15–20% of women of reproductive age (Krug et al., 2019). Characterized by hyperandrogenism, irregular menstrual cycles, and ovarian cysts, PCOS is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and infertility (Correa et al., 2015). These complications can significantly diminish women’s quality of life. This study investigated the relationship between women’s knowledge of PCOS health outcomes, providers’ use of lifestyle management interventions, and quality of life. A cross-sectional survey design was used, and participants completed the PCOS Quality of Life Scale (Williams et al., 2018). It was hypothesized that greater knowledge of PCOS …

A Qualitative Study Of Euphemistic Language And Identity Development Involving Sexual Assault, Keena Stewart

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sexual violence refers to a situation in which sexual activity occurs and consent is not obtained or freely given. Sexual violence is a worldwide epidemic that impacts individuals of all communities, genders, ages, and sexual orientations. When considering the impact of sexual violence, the use or misuse of language is fundamental. Furthermore, the recovery process following a sexual assault is directly related to the presence or absence of resiliency factors. The purpose of this study was to explore and understand the effects of euphemized language on the identity development of individuals …

Predictors Of Anxiety And Depression In Dental Students - A Nationwide Study, Margaret Xiaojiao Yang

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Student mental health is a growing concern in higher education, particularly within rigorous clinical training programs. This study estimated the prevalence of anxiety and depression among U.S. dental students and examined associations with resilience and perceived institutional and faculty support. A cross-sectional survey was administered to more than 1,100 full-time students at over 30 accredited dental schools. The instrument collected demographics, the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9), and four items assessing perceived support. Among respondents who completed the GAD-7 (n = 965), 43% scored ≥ 8, indicating probable generalized anxiety disorder. …

Pediatric Anxiety Disorders: Therapy Process Predictors Of Response To Cbt, Samantha Baker

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

CBT is moderately effective in the treatment of youth anxiety, yet there remains a sizeable number of youth who remain nonresponsive at posttreatment, and less than half achieve remission. Various patient-level variables have been examined concerning differential treatment outcomes for anxious youth, but fewer studies have examined therapy process variables. Using archival data, this study aimed to identify predictors of treatment response in youth with primary anxiety disorders who completed 16-weeks of CBT at a university-based clinic. Four samples of anxious youth, aged 7-17 were included in the analysis. Regression analyses revealed that increased skill acquisition and greater change in …

Target Cell-Associated Cd47 Suppresses Nadph Oxidase Activity In Macrophages During Antibody Dependent Cellular Phagocytosis, Seuly Akter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

CD47-SIRPα signaling is a well-known immune checkpoint that suppresses macrophage-mediated antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). In this study, we explored how CD47 influences reactive oxygen species (ROS) production driven by Fcγ receptor (FcγR) signaling. Our results show that macrophages produce significantly more ROS when encountering IgG coated target cells lacking CD47.Polarization with IFNγ further amplified this effect. ThusCD47-SIRPα interactions limit phagocytosis and suppress oxidative ROS production by macrophages. We found that CD47 blockade and IFNγ stimulation enhanced ADCP through distinct mechanisms. CD47 blockade removed the inhibitory "don't eat me" signal supporting ADCP and ADROS. Similarly, IFNγ enhances ADCP by upregulating FcγRI …

Physical Activity For Anxiety For Autistic People: A Systematic Review, Kathryn Riis, Brittany Samulski, Kristina A. Neely, Patricia Laverdure

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Clinical anxiety is a common comorbidity in autistic people. Due to the prevalence of anxiety in the autism population and the adverse effects it causes, there is a critical need to develop effective interventions which address anxiety symptoms for autistic people. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review was to examine the effectiveness of the use of physical activity as an intervention to reduce anxiety in autistic people. Three databases PubMed, PsychInfo, and Cochrane RCTs, were searched utilizing key terms. PRISMA systematic search procedures identified 44 studies meeting predetermined inclusion criteria. Participant characteristics, the type of physical activity performed, the …

Newly Credentialed Athletic Trainers' Onboarding Process During The Transition To Practice, Ashley B. Thrasher, Stacy E. Walker, Julie M. Cavallario

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: As new athletic trainers (ATs) transition into their roles, some employers provide orientation and onboarding to assist with the transition to practice. Research in which authors outline the ideal onboarding process for new ATs transitioning to practice is lacking.

Objective: To examine the onboarding process for new ATs.

Design: Grounded theory.

Setting: College or university, secondary school, and hospital or clinic.

Patients or other participants: Seventeen newly credentialed, employed ATs who recently graduated from professional masters' programs (11 female, 6 male; 25.6 ± 2.2 years) and 12 employers (6 female, 6 male; years in role supervising new ATs: 8.5 …

'I Did Not Know We Could Exercise This Small Premature Baby': Challenges Experienced By Parents While Implementing Early Intervention For Their Preterm Infants-A Qualitative Perspective, Manasa Kolibylu Raghupathy, Selim Jahangir, Sonia Khurana, Leslie Edward S. Lewis, Bhamini Krishna Rao

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Preterm birth is a highly stressful experience for both parents and infants. Parental participation in care enhances developmental outcomes, fosters parent-infant interactions and builds parental confidence. However, low parental adherence has always been a challenge in the successful implementation of intervention programs both in the NICU and at home. It is imperative to understand parents' perspectives and view the challenges that they experience through their lens while providing early intervention to their infants born preterm. This study is aimed at identifying new parents' challenges when implementing early intervention programs for their infants during the transition from hospital to home. …

Optimization Of Serum And Salivary Cortisol Interpolation For Time-Dependent Modeling Frameworks In Healthy Adult Males, Nathaniel T. Berry, Travis Anderson, Christopher K. Rhea, Laurie Wideman

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Cortisol is an important marker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function and follows robust circadian and diurnal rhythms. However, biomarker sampling protocols can be labor-intensive and cost-prohibitive. Objectives: Explore analytical approaches that can handle differing biological sampling frequencies to maximize these data in more detailed and time-dependent analyses. Methods: Healthy adult males [N = 8; 26.1 (±3.1) years; 176.4 (±8.6) cm; 73.1 (±12.0) kg)] completed two 24 h admissions: one at rest and one including a high-intensity exercise session on the cycle ergometer. Serum and salivary cortisol were sampled every 60 and 120 min, respectively. Six alternative sampling profiles were defined by downsampling …

Clinician Perspectives On Virtual Reality Use In Physical Therapy Practice In The United States, Danielle T. Felsberg, Jared T. Mcguirt, Scott E. Ross, Louisa D. Raisbeck, Charlend K. Howard, Christopher K. Rhea

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

The primary goal of physical rehabilitation is to assess movement impairments and restore function to improve overall quality of life. Virtual reality (VR) may provide the optimal environment to promote these goals due to its motivating and modifiable nature which can be difficult to accomplish through traditional real-world therapeutic methods. Current research of VR for rehabilitation has demonstrated that VR interventions can produce clinically meaningful change in motor outcomes. Despite this, adoption and usage of VR by physical therapy professionals is unclear due to the limited research in this area. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the …

Salary Negotiation Dynamics For Athletic Trainers: Insights From Employers On Expectations And Organizational Influences, Julie M. Cavallario, Forrest Andrews, Kendallyn Johnson, Katherine Schalk, Cailee E. Welch Bacon

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

While researchers have previously identified that most athletic trainers (ATs) do not negotiate their salary, little is known about employers' expectations and behaviors relative to establishing and negotiating salaries for the ATs they hire.

Objective

To examine employers' expectations and behaviors regarding AT salary negotiation.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Web-based survey.

Patients or other participants

413 employers who are in a role that requires them to negotiate salary offers with prospective AT employees and who have minimally hired one AT into the organization they work for accessed the survey from a random sample of 7,000 ATs (6% access rate); 324 …

Perceptions Of Leadership Opportunities And Effectiveness Among Athletic Trainers: A Comparison Across Racial And Ethnic Groups, Nicolette A. Harris, Americus H. Williams, Julie M. Cavallario, Cailee E. Welch Bacon

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

Diverse representation in athletic training leadership is essential for fostering inclusion and innovation in the profession. Despite efforts to enhance leadership diversity, disparities persist, underscoring the need to explore barriers to leadership and the effectiveness of leadership in meeting the needs of athletic trainers (ATs).

Objective

To examine racial and ethnic differences in ATs' desire, pursuit, and attainment of leadership positions in the profession in addition to perceptions of current leadership effectiveness.

Design

Cross-sectional, web-based survey.

Participants

A purposeful sample of 1,173 racially and ethnically diverse ATs from an organized professional network followed by a random sample of 6,000 …

Case Report: Multifactorial Intervention For Safe Aging In Place, Ashwini Kulkarni

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Falls are a leading cause of morbidity in older adults, particularly those with multiple comorbidities. A multidisciplinary approach addressing physical, psychological, and environmental factors is essential for reducing fall risk and supporting aging in place. This report evaluates the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary, multifactorial approach in managing high fall risk in an older adult with diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis. Methods: A 72-year-old woman with a recurrent history of falls participated in an 8-week intervention as part of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) balance and falls prevention credential program. This study was conducted in Virginia Beach, USA, at the …

The Landscape Of Virtual Reality Use In Mobility Rehabilitation From 2010-2023: A Scoping Review, Danielle T. Felsberg, Reza Pousti, Charlend K. Howard, Scott E. Ross, Louisa D. Raisbeck, Jared T. Mcguirt, Christopher K. Rhea

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Significant advancements in virtual reality (VR) technology have occurred in the past decade, allowing clinical researchers to take advantage of these reduced barriers to explore the use of VR in patient populations. This scoping review on VR interventions to improve mobility in adults and children focuses on the literature from 2010-2023. A total of 2736 articles were screened and 126 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies were conducted in inpatient clinical settings (n = 41) and investigated VR interventions to improve balance (n = 118). Less immersive (n = 108) products such as Nintendo Wii or Xbox …

Comparing Immersive And Nonimmersive Clinical Experiences In Athletic Training Education: Effects On Student Engagement And Confidence, Julie M. Cavallario, Shana Pribesh, S. E. Walker

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

With the shift to a graduate-level professional degree in athletic training, it was hypothesized that immersive clinical experiences (ICEs) would be more effectively integrated into curricula than non-ICEs (N-ICEs) and better prepare students for practice.

Objective

To longitudinally compare clinical engagement opportunities in ICEs versus N-ICEs and assess if these opportunities are associated with changes in student confidence in performing related tasks.

Design

Prospective, longitudinal, time-diary study using a Web-based survey. Patients or Other Participants: Fifty-three first-year, master’s-level athletic training students from 21 programs.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Participants reported their type of clinical experience (ICE, N-ICE, or none), the …

How Many Trials Are Needed For Consistent Clinical Gait Assessment?, Charlend K. Howard, Christopher K. Rhea, Jacquelyn R. Moxey, Kyle Langerhans, Paphawee Prupetkaew, Brittany S. Samulski

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Clinical assessment of gait typically consists of patients walking a few trials at various speeds while the clinician assesses performance. Unfortunately, there is no clear guidance on how gait changes across trials, leaving clinicians uncertain about the optimal number of trials needed to observe consistent (non-variable) performance. To address this issue, we examined gait performance from a large dataset of older adults who participated in a community-based comprehensive fall risk assessment. Methods: Community-dwelling, older adults (n = 340; 70.8 ± 7.4 years; 120 men, 220 women) performed gait trials under two conditions: preferred and maximum walking speed. …

Emergency Action Plan Adoption Across Athletic Training Practice Settings, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Rebecca L. Stearns, Christianne M. Eason, Alicia M. Pike Lacy, Rebecca M. Lopez, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Rebecca M. Hirschhorn, Susan W. Yeargin

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context:

The 2024 NATA Position Statement provides updated recommendations for EAP adoption. Past research on the 2002 statement showed limited adoption by ATs. Assessing current adoption across practice settings offers a clearer picture of the EAP implementation landscape.

Objectives:

To examine ATs' adoption of new EAP best-practice recommendations across practice settings.

Design:

Cross-Sectional study.

Setting:

Online questionnaire.

Patients or Other Participants:

Clinically active ATs (n=614) working in any practice setting (Youth, Secondary School, Division 1 Power 4, Collegiate athletics – Not Power 4, Non-Major Professional Sports, Professional Sports, Non-Sideline).

Main Outcome Measures:

Prevalence of an EAP, adoption of recommendations, and …

An 11-Year (2012-2022) Review Of Journal Of Athletic Training Publication Study Designs And Sample Sizes, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Emily C. Smith, Ryan M. Argetsinger, Lindsey E. Eberman

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Research findings must be representative by creating a sample of individuals, ensuring the results can be generalized and applicable to a larger population, which has historically been guided by a power analysis. However, the varied research design methods require a unique approach to sampling and a formula for recruitment and size. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze historical data from published manuscripts in the Journal of Athletic Training (JAT) relative to study design and sample sizes. A secondary purpose was to further explore metrics for survey-based research.

Methods

This descriptive analysis explored 1267 publications in each …

The Impact Of Onboarding During Transition To Practice For Newly Credentialed Athletic Trainers, Ashley B. Thrasher, Stacy E. Walker, Julie M. Cavallario

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

As new athletic trainers (ATs) transition into their roles, some employers provide extensive orientation and onboarding to assist with the transition to practice (TTP); however, onboarding practices are inconsistent. Understanding how onboarding affects TTP can help employers implement impactful onboarding tactics.

Objective

Examine how the onboarding experience impacted the TTP and the effects of the process on individuals.

Design

Grounded theory.

Setting

Secondary school, hospital/clinic, college/university.

Patients or Other Participants

Seventeen newly credentialed, employed ATs who had graduated from professional masters' programs (11 female, 6 male; age = 25.6 ± 2.2 years) participated in this grounded theory study.

Data …

Understanding Injury-Related Fear In Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Qualitative Approach, Ashley M. B. Suttmiller, Julie M. Cavallario, Shelby E. Baez, Ryan S. Mccann

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11) is used to identify injury-related fear (IR-Fear) in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and is a predictor of poor health outcomes. Limited knowledge beyond quantitative scores necessitates a deeper, qualitative understanding of IR-Fear to reduce the burden of fear within CAI patients.

Objective

To explore the perceptions and experiences that influence IR-Fear within the CAI population.

Design

Consensual qualitative research.

Setting

Individual semistructured video conference interviews.

Patients or Other Participants

Nine participants with CAI were selected as a follow-up from a web-based questionnaire investigating the fear-avoidance model. Potential participants were contacted based …

Examples Of Storytelling In Tan Dun’S The Banquet Piano Sonata, Ni Zhan

Theses and Dissertations--Music

The Banquet is a 2006 Chinese martial arts film directed by Feng Xiaogang. Chinese-American composer Tan Dun was invited to create the film's original soundtrack. In 2016, Tan adapted the music from the soundtrack into a four-movement piano sonata, also titled The Banquet, using melodies from the original film score. This document examines The Banquet Piano Sonata’s connection to the film’s narrative. It explores ways in which the storytelling of the film is used in the sonata; this is accomplished through three key aspects depicted in the music: culture, atmosphere, and inner emotions.

Teacher Perceptions Of A Mindful-Based Social Emotional Group Drumming Curriculum: A Collective Case Study, Kristin Lewis

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Educational researchers have discovered a connection between educator and student well-being. Educators need to cultivate these skills to effectively model social emotional learning (SEL). However, there is a shortage of resources for elementary general music educators that intentionally embed social emotional competencies in tandem with adhering to the National Core Arts Standards.

Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine elementary music educators’ perceptions of a Mindfulness-Based Social Emotional Learning (MBSEL) group drumming curriculum and its impact on their own and their students’ social emotional competencies (SECs). The research questions were: (1) What are elementary music educators’ perceptions of …

Anatomical Literacy And Body Mapping In Flute Performance: Strategies For Addressing And Preventing Upper Extremity Injuries, Lauren E. Wiedemer

Theses and Dissertations--Music

This document investigates the benefits of incorporating the study of anatomy and Body Mapping into flute performance, specifically focusing on addressing and preventing injuries related to the upper extremities. As the physical demands on musicians continue to grow, this research advocates for recognizing flutists as "musical athletes.” It highlights the importance of anatomical literacy and somatic awareness in sustaining performance longevity. The practical applications of Body Mapping are explored in detail and presents strategies for alleviating strain and fostering ease of movement, supported by research and experiential insights. Pedagogical recommendations are offered to integrate these principles into flute instruction, helping …

Hardcore And Metal Music In Music Therapy: A Functional Guide For Music Therapists And Music Therapy Students, Caroline Nc Wood

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Hardcore and metal music have long been misrepresented, stigmatized, and dismissed in music academia, and overlooked in music therapy literature and education. However, these genres hold significant emotional, cultural, and therapeutic value for many listeners, offering unique opportunities for connection, expression, catharsis, and healing. This thesis presents a practical, introductory guide to help music therapists and music therapy students gain an understanding of why, when, and how to effectively and authentically incorporate hardcore and metal music into clinical practice. The project explores the historical development of these genres; sociocultural associations and considerations, including stigmatization, sensationalism, and the juxtaposing sociopolitical dynamics …

A Comparison Of Informal Choral Singing Experiences, Christopher Powell

Theses and Dissertations--Music

A traditional choir relies on the interest and participation of the population in communal singing. However, drawing willing participants into a traditional choir program can often prove challenging to music educators, community choir directors, and leaders of religious music programs. One of the most prevalent informal singing groups in the USA is Sacred Harp. Sacred Harp “singings” have been around since the early years of The Sacred Harp itself. These singings occur regularly in multiple locations across the country and around the world. These events have an open atmosphere and, despite the mostly Christian material, have no expectation of a …