Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Biological Basis For Exercise Neuroprotection In Parkinson’S Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Exercise And Physical Activity On Inflammatory Cytokines And Neurotrophins, Leah Isabelle P. Alegre, Jacob M. Brewer, Adeline Florschutz, Kate E. Hamiltonthompson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Regular exercise and physical therapy are known to increase production of neurotrophins, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and anti-inflammatory cytokines. These changes combine to theoretically protect and slow the progressive loss of neurons in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exercise and physical activity on various anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophins in people with PD (PwP). This was a cross-sectional design involving PwP (n=37), aged 43-85 years, who participated in two 30-minute bouts of exercise (with brief rest breaks during and pre/post blood draws) separated by a week. Measures collected prior …

Anatomy Academy: An Interdisciplinary Approach To Enhancing Youth Health Literacy, Roselle Antikoll, Jonathan Nakamine, Jessica Tran

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

To enhance health literacy among the underserved youth population in Las Vegas, Nevada, Anatomy Academy (AA) is an eight-week, seven-lesson program that educates students through structured and interactive lesson plans covering basic anatomy, physiology, and nutrition. Our program was implemented in three different Title-I elementary schools between five different classrooms across Las Vegas. These lesson plans highlighted specific body systems including the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal systems. Our primary aim was centered around involvement of more interdisciplinary healthcare professions including occupational therapy, dental medicine, osteopathic medicine, and nutrition to aid in the delivery of the AA program. Our secondary aim …

Postural And Load Dependent Modulation Of Lower Limb H-Reflex Excitability After Stroke, Daniel Bamiro, Matthew Berdiago, Ethan Hunter, Tia Nguyen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis

Leg stiffness is regulated by reflexive, intrinsic, and passive mechanisms, which are influenced by posture, body weight loading, and motor task demands. After a stroke, the capacity to modulate these mechanisms is often compromised. The H-reflex is a widely used electrophysiological tool to assess the excitability of the Ia afferent pathway within spinal circuitry. Although prior studies in healthy individuals have examined limb loading effects, results have been variable, and the role of postural and loading changes during standing remains underexplored, particularly in individuals post-stroke. This study investigated how different postural and limb loading conditions, specifically prone, standing, and …

Performatic Learning In Informal Education: A Mixed Methods Study Of Zine-Making As A Catalyst For Intentional Epistemic Claiming, Experiential Knowing, And Cultural Mediation In A Museum-Based Learning Environment, April Ursula Fox

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Informal learning environments are powerful sites of meaning-making when learners are invited to move from observer to author. This study positions zine-making as an effective educational tool capable of promoting that transformation. The study advances a new framework—Performatic Learning—to articulate how creative, multimodal practices can support learning as becoming. Developed through foundational pilot studies and an in-depth mixed-methods investigation in a natural history museum, the framework integrates five constructs: Intentional Epistemic Claiming, Experiential Knowing, Cultural Mediation, Performatic Space, and Learning as Becoming. Across cases, zine-making emerged as a generative learning space in which participants authored knowledge, navigated uncertainty, drew on …

Effect Of An Exercise Protocol On Balance In Adults With Down Syndrome, Juan Bernal, Natalie Sato

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis: Down syndrome (Ds) is a complex genetic condition that can impact multiple systems of the body, including functional balance. Ds-specific impairments such as muscle hypotonia, ligamentous laxity, and decreased muscle strength, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle can result in poor motor control, altered proprioceptive function, static and dynamic instability. Visual and vestibular impairments are also common in this population, increasing fall risk and fear of falling, and discouraging participation in physical activity. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of a physical therapy-based exercise program on the functional balance of adults with Ds.

Number of Subjects: …

Feasibility Of A Functional Reach Tool For Individuals With Lower Extremity Amputations, Neil Bongolan, Dustin Hoy, Ashlyn Strange

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: Patients with lower extremity amputations are at increased risk of falls due to decreased balance ability between amputated and sound side. The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of a reaching tool for practitioners to assess balance in an inpatient rehab facility. It was anticipated that clinicians will find the reaching device useful when administering the Functional Reach Test (FRT) in a clinical setting, given the frequent use of these assessments and the device’s demonstrated reliability.

Participants: Physical Therapists and patients at an Inpatient Rehab Facility in Henderson, Nevada

Materials/Methods: A prototype reaching tool was provided …

Uneven Terrain Treadmill Training For Lower Limb Prosthesis Users: A Feasibility Study, Brian Diep, Keegan Feroah, Ani Gasparyan, Nevena Jovanovic

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Individuals with lower limb amputation (LLA) face an increased risk for falls which may limit mobility, confidence, and participation in daily activities. Current rehabilitation programs for this population rarely integrate surface training as an intervention, despite walking on different surfaces being a necessity to participate in the real world. This feasibility study aimed to evaluate the practicality, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an uneven treadmill training protocol for individuals with LLA. Five adults with LLA (P1: transfemoral, 38 years old, 1.75 m, 88.8 kg; P2: hip disarticulation, 38 years old, 1.60 m, 106.7 kg; P3: transfemoral, 53 years old, 1.81 …

Validation And Implementation Of Automated Planning Optimization In Utah Valley Hospital, Oluwatobi Adeniji

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The increasing complexity of modern radiotherapy demands planning workflows that are efficient, standardized, and dosimetrically robust across diverse disease sites. Knowledge-based planning (KBP) systems such as RapidPlan offer a data-driven approach to automate and improve treatment planning by learning geometric–dosimetric relationships from high-quality clinical plans. In this work, I am evaluating the performance, generalizability, and clinical applicability of vendor-provided RapidPlan models across seven anatomical sites: intracranial SRS, prostate SBRT, right and left lung SBRT, liver SBRT, head and neck, and glioblastoma. Subsequently, a complementary institution-specific SRS model tailored to single-isocenter multitarget workflows was created. Seventy retrospectively selected patients were replanned …

Effectiveness Of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy On The Quality Of Life Of Adults With Dementia: A Secondary Analysis, Evelyn Airam

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This secondary analysis study evaluated the effectiveness of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) on quality of life (QoL), depressive symptoms, and cognitive function in 108 community-dwelling older adults with cognitive impairments, including dementia. Outcomes involved Quality of Life (QoL) measured by the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease (QoL-AD), symptoms of depression by the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), and cognitive function using the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS). After the CST, significant improvements were observed in QoL (p = .004), depressive symptoms (p = .002), and cognitive function (p < .001), with small effect sizes. Additionally, a significant interaction between sex and dementia diagnosis status was found in predicting cognitive changes, suggesting that the relationship between dementia diagnosis and cognitive improvement differs by sex. No between-group differences were found for QoL or depression. Findings support CST as a multidimensional, non-pharmacological intervention that improves cognitive, psychological, and social outcomes. Although effects were small, consistent improvements are clinically meaningful given the progressive nature of dementia. This study extends existing literature by demonstrating CST’s effectiveness in a community-based setting and reinforces its alignment with occupational therapy’s emphasis on participation and holistic care. Results highlight the need for early intervention and expanded access to CST programs to enhance quality of life in this population.

Integrating Social-Emotional Learning To Foster Regulation And A Positive Classroom Climate, Klarika Meghan V. Alquisada

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Social-emotional learning (SEL) supports the development of emotional regulation, interpersonal skills, and meaningful participation in academic environments. Increasing regulatory demands within classrooms highlight the need for structured approaches that support both educators and students in maintaining engagement and fostering positive learning environments. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are uniquely positioned to collaborate with educators to integrate regulation-focused strategies within daily classroom routines.This quality improvement project aimed to develop and implement an OT-informed SEL program for educators serving students with diverse learning needs. Teachers received consultation and tailored SEL strategies, implemented them for 5 weeks, and provided feedback on their effects on …

Transboundary Groundwater Flow Between Niger And Nigeria In The Iullemeden Aquifer System, Gare Ambrose-Igho

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Groundwater is important in regions where water resources are not abundantly distributed such as arid and semi-arid regions. In many countries in Africa, groundwater serves as the most reliable source of water supply and supports over 50% of the African population. Groundwater is stored in underground water-bearing permeable rocks, rock fractures, or unconsolidated materials known as aquifers. Groundwater can be transboundary, meaning it crosses international political boundaries between two or more sovereign states. Transboundary aquifers are prone to overexploitation that depletes the groundwater resource and can cause a lowering of the water table and possible ground subsidence. Overexploitation in transboundary …

Unknowing Sacrifices: Public Health And Radiation Illness In New Mexico And Nevada, 1940s-1960s, Beatriz Avila-Marquez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The detonation of the first atomic bomb in the early morning of July 16, 1945, in New Mexico welcomed the atomic age that forever changed the world. After that day, thousands of lives were lost due to nuclear weapons, and hundreds of thousands more continued to suffer from the effects of atomic testing. The Atomic Energy Commission, fueled by the arms race of the Cold War, chose Nevada to continue the United States’ nuclear weapons testing. Knowledge of the dangers of radiation exposure, the effects of radiation, and techniques to prevent exposure are now available in part due to the …

Fostering Adolescents’ Social-Emotional Skills In A Community Setting, Elizabeth Benitez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Adolescents face growing emotional, behavioral, and social challenges, especially in community recreation settings with high energy, peer interaction, and sensory demands. These environments often expose difficulties in emotional regulation, communication, and conflict management, highlighting the need for structured social-emotional learning (SEL). This capstone project aimed to develop and implement an occupation-centered SEL program integrating the Zones of Regulation (ZOR), CASEL competencies, and Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-Based (DIR) Floortime principles within the Clark County Hollywood Parks and Recreation after-school program. Guided by the Person–Environment–Occupation (PEO) model, the project sought to help adolescents practice emotional awareness, self-management, and interpersonal skills in their …

“A Land No One Would Want”: Environmental Activism And The Rejection Of ‘Wasteland’ Narratives In Southern Nevada, Steven Butler

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper traces events within the history of environmental activism in Southern Nevada. The first chapter discusses the proposed high level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain. The second chapter examines the closure of the Reid Gardner Generating Station in Moapa, Nevada. The third chapter details the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s Groundwater Development Project. Each of the three chapters is linked by common themes within the history of Southern Nevada environmental activism, including dedicated coalition-building and the refusal of “wastelanding” of the region.

Got Sleep?: The Introduction Of Sleep Hygiene To Justice Involved Individuals, Charisma Lynn Cato

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Individuals transitioning out of incarceration often experience challenges with sleep due to the residual effects of confinement. Although this is common among justice-involved individuals, there is limited research on how to address their sleep hygiene self-efficacy after release. Furthermore, despite the wide use of social-emotional learning (SEL) across multiple disciplines, little is known about its influence on sleep-related behavior change in re-entry populations. To address this, the Got Sleep program, designed and implemented at Hope for Prisoners (HOPE), a community site geared toward re-entry assistance, integrated occupational therapy (OT) principles and an SEL approach with practical sleep hygiene strategies to …

Developing Vocal Technique Through The Canción Ranchera In The Middle School Mariachi Classroom, Perry Chacon Jr.

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Mariachi is taught in more than 500 public school programs across the United States, yet current scholarship on the mariachi voice primarily focuses on defining and analyzing performance practice, offering limited guidance for classroom instruction. This study provides a methodology for developing healthy vocal technique in the middle school mariachi classroom. Grounded in established vocal pedagogy and informed by teaching practice, this approach first builds student confidence through participation in group vocal exploration that encourages active vocal participation. Instruction progresses from foundational skill development, including aural skills, breath coordination, and healthy vocal projection, to the application of these skills through …

Stalking Victimization Risk Factors Among College-Aged Men And Women: Does Relationship Type Matter?, Nicole Cebak

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Research assessing stalking—or a pattern of repeated, unwanted behaviors directed at a specific individual that causes fear, distress, or concern for their safety—has identified several factors that can increase a person’s vulnerability to this form of victimization (e.g., demographic predictors, lifestyle factors, individual characteristics) (Fissel et al., 2023; Fox et al., 2016; Reyns et al., 2016; Reyns & Scherer, 2016). However, stalking can manifest within a wide range of relational contexts, suggesting that risk factors identified for stalking victimization more broadly may be insufficient across different victim-offender relationship types (e.g., stranger, intimate partner) (Reyns et al., 2016; Strauss et al., …

Voices Under Constraint: College Students’ Self-Censorship, Empowered Resistance, And Solidarity, Richard Chang

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Self-censorship, empowered resistance, and solidarity are critical yet understudied phenomena that shape the lived experiences of college students from racially marginalized communities. The present research comprises three studies examining the interconnected roles of these constructs in the psychosocial well-being and collective action of racially marginalized college students in the United States, specifically in the context of students’ activism behaviors during the 2023 and ongoing genocide in Gaza. Chapter 2 will present findings from an online mixed-methods study that examines college students’ self-censorship and psychological distress factors that support or hinder open discussion during the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Results suggest …

Understanding Chinese Students’ Intent To Study Abroad: Case Study Of A Collaborative Chinese & U.S. University Program, Jaekeun Cho

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study examined how Chinese undergraduate students enrolled in a Sino-Foreign Cooperative Program (SFCP) made decisions about studying abroad and selected a U.S. institution, with particular attention to institutions in less traditional destinations, such as Nevada. International student enrollment has become a critical strategy for U.S. higher education institutions facing declining state appropriations, demographic contraction in domestic enrollment, and increased global competition. Although China has remained the largest source of international students to the United States for decades, states such as Nevada enroll comparatively few international students and lack empirical research on recruitment pathways. This study addressed this gap by …

Enhancing Accessibility And Inclusivity In The Performing Arts With Occupational Therapy Frameworks, Carmela Clarice Tabora Clave

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In live theater performances, there are numerous sensory demands, including unpredictable noises, lighting, crowd movement, vocalization, and transitions in and out of the theater. Teachers, support staff, and chaperones who attend these performances may face barriers in supporting their children in unfamiliar environments, and community volunteers who have never assisted during these shows may not know how to support children who need it if they have not had prior exposure to children with diverse needs. This capstone project provides families, teachers, and volunteers with pre-visit resource guides with occupational therapy perspectives on sensory processing for student matinees and sensory-inclusive performances …

Enhancing Independence: A Home Environmental Safety Program For Stroke Survivors, Ka'iulani-Joy Genevieve Conlu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Stroke is a common cause of physical limitations, leading to decreased independence and participation in daily activities. Individuals post-stroke transitioning from inpatient to outpatient care typically do not receive in-person home safety recommendations to decrease environmental challenges and improve overall well-being. Methods: Participants were recruited conveniently during the inpatient and outpatient care process at Post Acute Medical (PAM) Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Henderson. The Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST) was administered to identify environmental hazards and to guide individualized home safety recommendations. Participants will complete a questionnaire before and after the program within 14 weeks to …

Inclusiveness With Sensory Maps; Enhancing Engagement In A Children's Museum, Victoria E. Davila

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Sensory processing challenges can affect a child’s ability to engage in play, especially when participating in community activities. When a child feels overwhelmed by sensory features in an environment, such as noise or bright lights in a community space, they may experience sensory overload. Caregivers often observe this behavior but may not have access to resources to help their child navigate these challenges. This capstone project aimed to implement a program development initiative at the Discovery Children’s Museum focused on developing sensory-inclusive resources for caregivers visiting the museum with a child. The role of occupational therapy in this project is …

Organizational Justice And Staff Well-Being In Probation And Parole, Deena R. Devore

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study examines how probation and parole (P&P) officers perceive fairness within their organizations and how these perceptions relate to job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and emotional exhaustion. Organizational justice research has been conducted primarily in business and policing contexts, with limited attention to whether established measurement models accurately capture fairness in community corrections. Because P&P officers operate within hybrid roles characterized by discretion, sustained supervisory relationships, and bureaucratic constraint, fairness perceptions in this setting may not align cleanly with existing dimensional frameworks.

Using survey data collected from P&P officers in a western U.S. state, this study evaluates competing measurement structures …

Perception Of Emotions In Autism With Controlled Elicitation, Rachel E. Dewald

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Research on emotion recognition in autism has traditionally relied on stimuli developed and validated exclusively with allistic populations. Whether these stimuli function equivalently for autistic individuals remains unclear, limiting the field’s ability to draw conclusions about cross-neurotype differences in emotional processing. Grounded in double empathy theory and cross-cultural research demonstrating in-group advantages in emotion recognition, this thesis investigated whether the Database of Emotional Videos from Ottawa (DEVO), a dynamic emotional elicitation database validated with allistic participants, elicits comparable emotional responses in autistic individuals. Participants (N = 116) viewed DEVO video clips and rated their emotional responses using the Multidimensional Visual …

Functional Domains’ Ability To Predict Outcomes In Comparison To Absenteeism In A National Sample Of School Age Children, Randolph Dupont

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

School absenteeism poses a critical challenge for educators, clinicians, and policymakers due to its strong associations with impairments across academic, social, mental health, and family domains. Traditional models conceptualize absenteeism systemically, using dimensional definitions (e.g., chronic absenteeism defined by missed days), or analytically, using categorical definitions (e.g., truancy, school refusal). Both approaches are limited in capturing the functional consequences of school attendance problems (SAPs). This study evaluated whether a functional impairment model, which emphasizes how domains of functioning are disrupted by absenteeism, provides a more accurate framework for predicting outcomes than absenteeism frequency alone. Using longitudinal data from the Adolescent …

The Dehumanization Of Nfl Players In The Media, Destiny D. Farley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This creative thesis aims to bridge the gap in sports journalism by humanizing National Football League (NFL) players, showcasing their lives outside of sports, and exploring their nuanced relationships with the media. NFL players are objectified in the press in a variety of ways, with some common themes including coverage of drafting/trading, performance statistics, salary/contracts, and their overall celebrification. Through an episodic visual narrative podcast, the project grants autonomy back to the players by providing them with a platform to showcase their personalities, discuss media experiences, and share untold stories. This podcast series—featuring a blend of A-roll and B-roll—immerses audiences …

The Lotus Project: An Occupation-Based Online Module To Support Healthy Matrescence, Virginia Genato

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Becoming a mother is a meaningful life event that occurs amid complex physical, psychological, and social changes. During this period, individuals undergo an occupational role transition as they assume new caregiver responsibilities while navigating contextual demands. The ease of this transition influences overall maternal adjustment. The dominant sociocultural model of intensive mothering promotes child-centered caregiving, often at the expense of maternal well-being and adjustment. Efforts to meet these expectations may disrupt an individual’s transition into motherhood and place them at risk for developing postpartum mental health challenges.

The concept of matrescence provides a developmental framework that views motherhood as an …

Promoting Classroom Management Through Elementary Teacher Education On Movement-Based Social-Emotional Learning, Daija Renee Georgette

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This doctoral capstone project addressed a knowledge gap among K–5 th–grade teachers at Cornerstone Christian Academy (CCA) regarding the purpose, benefits, and educational value of movement-based brain breaks. Although CCA currently incorporates social–emotional learning (SEL) frameworks such as the Zones of Regulation, teachers have received limited training on how structured movement opportunities can enhance student engagement, attention, and regulation. This program aimed to strengthen teachers’ understanding and confidence by providing a series of evidence-informed workshops that explored the connections among movement, self-regulation, and classroom management.

The project consisted of orientation, teacher recruitment, needs assessment, workshop development, and program delivery over …

Establishing A Comprehensive Framework For Sfrt Lattice Treatments: Optimization, Planning, And Clinical Evaluation, Gregory M. Gill

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Spatially fractionated radiation therapy (SFRT) using lattice radiotherapy (LRT) has emerged as a promising treatment technique for bulky, nonresectable tumors by delivering spatially heterogeneous dose distributions consisting of high-dose vertices embedded within lower-dose regions. Although early clinical experiences have demonstrated potential therapeutic benefit, widespread clinical implementation of LRT remains limited due to the absence of standardized treatment planning workflows, consistent optimization strategies, and clearly defined evaluation metrics for heterogeneous dose distributions. The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a structured framework to support efficient, reproducible, and safe clinical implementation of LRT.

To address these challenges, a comprehensive …

Goals, Properly Technical: Special Education Teachers Using Chatgpt To Develop Individualized Student Goals, Travis Hammond

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Educators’ responsibilities extend well beyond instruction to include administrative duties such as grading, maintaining records, and documenting student behavior, as well as ongoing meetings and professional development requirements (Billingsley et al., 2019; Darling-Hammond et al., 2017). These demands can create a disconnect between role expectations and daily realities (Brunsting et al., 2023). Special education teachers (SETs) face these same responsibilities alongside additional paperwork requirements, which may account for up to 20% of their workday (Carlson et al., 2002; Suter & Giangreco, 2009; Vannest et al., 2011). A central task is the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), including measurable annual …