Digital Commons Network^™

Supported Decision-Making In The United States: From Guardianship Alternative To Legal Personhood, Leslie P. Francis

Journal of Health Care Law and Policy

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Ecg Features, Cardiac Biomarkers, And Clinical Outcomes In Three Waves Of Hospitalized Covid-19 Pneumonia Patients With Cardiovascular Events, Yuchen Han, Jahnavi Sunkara, Tshura S Ali, Harideep Samanapally, Vidyulata Salunkhe, Fnu Deepti, Emma C. Huang, Justin J. Huang, Maiying Kong, Jiapeng Huang

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Background

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a rapidly evolving virus that can severely impact the cardiovascular system. With new variants, it is important to characterize wave-specific (defined by dominant circulating variants) clinical changes.

Methods

A multi-center retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 community acquired pneumonia at eight adult acute-care hospitals in the city of Louisville, KY was conducted. Patients hospitalized with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) community acquired pneumonia who experienced a cardiovascular event between March 2020 and July 2022 were included in this analysis. Variant assignment was based on temporal prevalence rather than genomic confirmation, and …

Nurse-Driven Infusion Protocols In Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Scoping Review, Nicholas Morrell Pierce Msn, Rn, Cen, Ccrn, Mary Cassandra Scott Bsn, Rn, Ccrn, Cen, Alvertis Demetreis Warren Bsn, Rn, Ccrn, Tracy Mcclinton Dnp, Aprn, Agacnp-Bc, Hget-C, Ebp-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a high-risk acute emergency requiring timely insulin titration, intensive monitoring, and coordinated interdisciplinary care. Traditionally, management relies on provider-driven insulin infusion adjustments, which may introduce delays and workflow inefficiencies. Emerging nurse-driven insulin infusion protocols aim to standardize care, improve safety, and enhance clinical efficiency. The purpose of this scoping review was to evaluate existing evidence comparing nurse-driven versus provider-driven insulin infusion protocols in the management of adult patients with DKA.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. From August 2023 through November 2025, …

Herbularyo (Folk Healer): An Herbal Medicine Card Game, Maryjane T. Magsino, Inah Marie Q. Rivera, Armando M. Guidote, Genejane M. Adarlo

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Herbularyo, a card game teaching about herbal plants (HPs), was created and evaluated as a viable educational card game based on Tuomisto and Aksela’s criteria. A quasi-experiment was performed on 81 Grade 8 students from a private high school and 50 Grade 11 from a public high school. Independent t-test revealed that the control group (CG) and experimental group (EG) (p=0.386), and EG1 (played ≤5) and EG2 (played >5) (p=0.681) are not comparable with each other. Paired t-test showed EG performed better (p=0.001) than CG (p=0.901) whereas ANCOVA showed that playing Herbularyo improved students’ information retention (p=0.006). EG1 and EG2 …

Staff Education Intervention To Improve Staff Knowledge And Competency In Supporting Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Self-Management, Dorothy Chudi-Agbaku

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education To Enhance Fall Prevention Knowledge And Competency Using The Steadi Program In A Long-Term Care Facility, Dorothy B. Bassey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Halo: Interprofessional Wellness Program To Promote Healthy Work Environments, Cecilia Vargas, Paul E. Spector, Lakeshia Cousin

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Purpose: The Healthy Actions for Lifelong Outcomes (HALO) program is an interprofessional wellness initiative at a large academic medical center aimed at improving employee health and fostering a culture of wellness. HALO integrates preventive exams, biometric screening, motivational interviewing (MI), and MI-based coaching to support sustainable health behaviors. This evidence-based practice (EBP) project evaluated biometric and wellness outcomes from HALO’s second cohort over 18 months. The program is grounded in MI’s four processes engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning and aligns with the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Healthy Work Environment Standards.

Background: Unhealthy work environments contribute to burnout, turnover, …

Increasing Safe Driving Among Adults With Neurological Impairments In A Rural Setting, Melissa V. Burt

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This capstone project examined challenges related to safe driving for adults living in rural communities with neurological impairments. Guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation Model and Toglia's Dynamic Interactional Approach, the project focused on increasing awareness, accessibility, and utilization of occupational therapy (OT) led assessments, community-based services, and educational outreach on driving safety. Clinical skill development was demonstrated through standardized and informal assessments and evidence-based interventions with adults with neurological conditions. Program implementation included driving risk assessments, one-on-one CarFit sessions, the creation of educational pamphlets, and educational presentations to increase community and provider awareness of OT's role in driving rehabilitation. CarFit surveys …

Complexity And Usability Of Digital Healthcare, Theresa Haas

Theses

Digital services, ranging from online shopping and banking to government services and healthcare, are rapidly taking over human-provided services. The accessibility and usability of such digital services may not allow older adults to make use of them, making automation a barrier to access societal services. This is especially critical with many healthcare-related services and apps. This research is framed around two interrelated constructs, task complexity and individual complexity, the latter influenced by cognitive decline in older users. The experiment has three representative tasks of different task complexity and the measure of individual complexity which is understood through previous knowledge of …

Taking Off The Mask: Development Of A Role Method For Late-Diagnosed Neurodivergent Women, Maria Moutzalias

Expressive Therapies Theses

Neurodivergent women are frequently underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or late diagnosed due to gender differences and the prevalence of masking. Masking is the unintentional or intentional suppression of neurodiverse traits to present more neurotypical. Consequences of long-term masking can include increased risk of anxiety, depression, and burnout. This study explores the potential of drama therapy as a modality to support unmasking and increasing self-esteem in neurodivergent adult women. Drawing on existing literature on neurodiversity, masking, and drama therapy, a two staged role-based intervention was developed and implemented within a six weeklong psychotherapy group for five late diagnosed neurodivergent women. All participants were …

Playing The Part Online: A Role-Based Telehealth Intervention Supporting Trauma Integration In Adults, Mary Schwabenland

Expressive Therapies Theses

This study explores a telehealth-adapted, role-based drama therapy intervention designed to support trauma integration in adults. Grounded in trauma theory, experiential approaches, and drama therapy frameworks, the intervention utilized interoceptive awareness, metaphor, and role embodiment to explore emotional material in dramatic reality, with aesthetic distance serving as an adjustable mechanism of activation and containment. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on clinical session notes from five adult clients. Five themes emerged from the analysis, including: aesthetic distance and modes of engagement; aesthetic quality and symbolic coherence; role narrative as integration pathway; intervention as catalyst within ongoing process; and therapist positioning …

Reclaiming Identity, Vu Do

Expressive Therapies Theses

This study explores how narrative-informed art therapy supports identity, emotional expression, and social connection among older adults living with early-stage dementia. Traditional talk-based therapies often rely on verbal communication and memory recall, which can limit their effectiveness for individuals experiencing cognitive decline. Art therapy offers a nonverbal, sensory, and visual modality that allows for expression beyond language, while narrative therapy emphasizes meaning-making, identity, and the reauthoring of personal stories. Using a qualitative, narrative-informed art therapy approach, this study followed one older adult diagnosed with early-stage dementia across five sessions involving art-based directives and reflective dialogue. Data was collected through session …

Co-Active Therapeutic Filmmaking: A Methodology Pilot Project, Blair Webber

Expressive Therapies Theses

This pilot project examined the intersection of drama therapy and filmmaking. Drawing on the Co-Active Therapeutic Theater model from drama therapy and digital storytelling and participatory video methods from social work research, this methodology designed and delivered a co-created filmmaking intervention at a residential treatment center for adult men with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder. Four participants made a seven-minute-long short fictional film based on their definition of active recovery and a theme of recovery they wished to share with an audience. It was screened at the treatment center for staff and their fellow residents. Data collection was …

How Can Art Therapy Intergenerational Groups Support Fostering Connections For Individuals With Memory Loss?, Clara Drew

Expressive Therapies Theses

This thesis explores the question: How can art therapy intergenerational groups support fostering connections for individuals with memory loss? In the study conducted, there were two separate groups, family-based and community volunteer-based. Both included residents of a memory care community. Through the process of this study, a total of seven groups were conducted. These groups explored art activities that focused on fostering connection through sensory and collaborative art processes. The study noted changes in the residents' moods, level of engagement, collaboration and socialization, and post-group affect throughout the day. While the focus was observing these factors for memory care residents, …

Exploring Identity Development In Adolescents Through A Series Of Self-Portrait Making Using Art Therapy, Kayla Lincoln

Expressive Therapies Theses

This study explored how self-portrait making in art therapy can support adolescent identity development. This concept was implemented through a three-part series of self-portrait directives (past, present, and future self) in a group setting at an adolescent partial hospitalization program (PHP). There were a total of 7 participants in this study, ranging in age from 14 to 17 years. Data was collected through note-taking of observations and expressions of participants and their artwork. Using thematic analysis, three themes were identified from the three group sessions: influence of others on identity, identity as an evolving process, and resilience and growth. Findings …

Queer Creativity In A State Of Surveillance: Community Art-Making As Embodied Resistance, Rachel "Frankie" Uhrig

Expressive Therapies Theses

This thesis explores the relationship between community art-making and queer resilience in response to state-sanctioned violence and surveillance. Furthermore, this paper focuses on the impact of visibility/invisibility on individuals within a community that is heavily policed and how less Eurocentric, medicalized approaches to support can serve these individuals. To better study and understand this approach, multiple sessions of community-based open studios were held from the writer’s home. Research was gathered from a group of individuals already in community together through the spectrum of queerness within a roller derby team. Participants were given a variety of materials to work with and …

How Can Dance Movement Therapy Help People With Autism Cope With Stigma? – A Community Engagement Project, Samantha B. Diamond

Expressive Therapies Theses

Abstract

As society continues to evolve, individuals on the autism spectrum often face increased challenges, particularly with the rise of stigma. Autism Unmasked Workshop is an in-person community engagement workshop that I led and developed for my thesis capstone project. My capstone thesis focuses on the impact of dance movement therapy (DMT) on helping people with autism and their caregivers improve self-awareness by increasing expressiveness and enhancing socialization, specifically in managing stigma in the media. The goal is to develop guidance for identifying needs and adapting support for those helping this population, such as family members and professionals. The results …

Burnout In Dancers & The Use Of Dance/Movement Therapy As An Intervention: A Literature Review, Delia Tan

Expressive Therapies Theses

Burnout is recognized by the World Health Organization as an occupational phenomenon characterized by exhaustion, cynicism and reduced professional efficacy (World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). While burnout is well researched in high-stress professions, burnout in dancers appears to be lacking. This literature review examines existing burnout theories, current assessment tools and the lived experience of burnout within the dance population together with the role of Dance/Movement Therapy as an intervention.

Creating Safety In Trauma-Informed Care, Grace Alzamora

Expressive Therapies Theses

This study investigated the implementation of narrative art therapy directives focused on identity development and support for adults who have experienced childhood trauma. Narrative therapy was applied to further examine the ways operating from a strength-based perspective benefits clients. Existing research supports the application of the narrative art approach with various populations as a way to validate the client’s lived experiences, strengthen personal identity, and improve the perspective of the situation. A series of art therapy directives were implemented at a partial hospitalization program for mental health and substance use. The participants were between the ages of 19-65 years old …

May 5, 2026 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Improving Restraint Care Plan Documentation Among Nursing Staff, Samson E. Okotie

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to improve nursing compliance with restraint care plan documentation standards using bundled interventions, including targeted education, electronic health record (EHR) prompts, and unit-based audit and feedback processes. The goal was to achieve at least a 70% improvement in documentation compliance within 12 weeks.

Background: Accurate restraint documentation is essential for patient safety, ethical practice, interdisciplinary communication, and regulatory compliance. Despite existing policies and education, institutional audits revealed compliance rates of 50% or less, demonstrating a persistent gap in practice and the need for structured interventions.

Methodology: The project used the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework across …

Staff Education To Improve Phq-9 Knowledge, Confidence, And Competency In An Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Zainab Lawal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Hearing And Vision Impairment And Cognitive Function In Later Life: A Scoping Review Of Psychosocial Mechanisms, Lea Guelde

Honors Capstones

Introduction: Sensory impairment is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in later life and has been consistently associated with poorer cognitive outcomes. While prior research has documented associations between sensory loss and global cognitive decline, less attention has been paid to the psychosocial mechanisms that may explain this relationship. Understanding these pathways is essential for identifying modifiable intervention targets. This scoping review mapped and synthesized the existing literature on associations between hearing and vision impairment and cognitive function in adults aged 60 years and older, with a specific focus on psychosocial mechanisms linking sensory function and cognition in later …

Improving Emergency Department Throughput: Implementation Of A Nurse-Driven Protocol In Pediatric Fast-Track Patients Presenting With Fever, Kerrigan A. Teeple

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Overcrowding in the emergency department presents significant operational challenges and is associated with adverse patient outcomes (Gottlieb et al., 2020). Despite throughput initiatives, increasing patient acuity and rising census levels continue to strain emergency department efficiency. This quality improvement project evaluated whether implementing a fever-reduction standing order protocol could reduce door-to-provider and door-to-disposition times for pediatric fast-track patients presenting to the emergency department. A review of evidence across 6 databases identified nurse-initiated standing orders as a best-practice strategy to expedite care, improve throughput, and reduce delays in disposition. Guided by this evidence, a standing order protocol for acetaminophen administration was …

Large-Scale Genetic Characterization Of Parkinson's Disease In The African And African Admixed Populations, Fulya Akçimen, Scott A Norris, Erin R Foster, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Elucidating the genetic contributions to Parkinson's disease aetiology across diverse ancestries is a critical priority for the development of targeted therapies in a global context. We conducted the largest sequencing characterization of potentially disease-causing, protein-altering and splicing mutations in 710 cases and 11 827 controls from genetically predicted African or African admixed ancestries. We explored copy number variants (CNVs) and runs of homozygosity in prioritized early onset and familial cases. Our study identified rare GBA1 coding variants to be the most frequent mutations among patients with Parkinson's disease, with a frequency of 4% in our case cohort. Of the 18 …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Reddit Posts Made By Formerly Incarcerated Women, Madison R. Diaz

Graduate Student Thesis

Women with felony convictions who serve prison sentences encounter significant barriers during reentry, making it difficult to achieve stability. These barriers are shaped by stigma, background check policies, and limited access to supportive resources, often leading to feelings of hopelessness and isolation. The current study analyzes Reddit posts made by self-identified women in the r/Felons subreddit to understand how they describe these barriers and how they use online spaces for support. A qualitative content analysis was used to identify common themes related to employment, education, housing, and stigma. Many posts reflect frustration, discouragement, and anger toward the criminal justice system …

Barriers To Palliative Care Access In Rural South Dakota: A Policy And System-Level Analysis, Harshavardhan Kadarkaraisamy

Honors Thesis

Palliative care improves the quality of life for people living with serious illness. It helps by addressing symptoms, improving communication, and providing mental, physical, and spiritual support. However, in South Dakota access to palliative care is limited in rural areas. These challenges include geographic isolation, workforce shortages, healthcare infrastructure, reimbursement, and misunderstandings about palliative care. This thesis examines the key policy barriers that limit access to palliative care in rural South Dakota. This work involves engaging with South Dakota-specific literature, rural health research, policy sources, community education, telehealth expansion, and policy reform. By focusing on the rural context of South …

Rhettech Journal Volume 8

RhetTech

No abstract provided.

Sit-To-Stand: Smart Physical Therapy Device Design Project, Mollie Petersen, Evie Collier, Gracie Kniss, Lucas Sokolik, Jacob Zitek

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Mechanical engineering students in their last year are provided with the opportunity to form a small group and design a product. The specific project covered in this report is the creation of a smart attachment to a physical therapy device. A sit-to-stand piece of equipment is used to help patients recover or build the strength to move from a sitting to standing position after an injury or illness. Currently, there is not a way for physical therapists to collect numerical data while a patient is using the equipment. Much of their care plans are built off of personal perception and …

University Employees Honored For Exceptional Student Service, Mitchell Diggs

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – A Chinese language instructor and a wellness and recovery support specialist are this year's winners of the Frist Student Service Award at the University of Mississippi.