Digital Commons Network^™

Preparing Rural Physiotherapists : Addressing Climate Change Through Entry-Level Education, Kerstin Mcpherson, Christopher Myers

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Climate change is set to profoundly impact community health and access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas of Australia, which already experience limited access to health services like physiotherapy. The implications of climate change on physiotherapy practice underlie the urgent need to prepare future health practitioners. Entry-level education plays a pivotal role in equipping physiotherapists with the knowledge and skills to address climate-related health challenges effectively. This study aimed to explore the perspectives, awareness, and educational needs of rural physiotherapists in Australia regarding climate change. Methods: A survey was designed and distributed via rural physiotherapist via social media using …

Patient- And Proxy-Reported Outcome Measures For Use In Pulmonary Hypertension: Study Protocol For A Cosmin-Based Systematic Review, Meredith T. Yeung, Melissa Y. Chan

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe and progressive disease that significantly affects patients' physical, emotional, and social well-being. Despite advances in medical therapies, managing PH remains challenging, and the need for practical, patient-centred tools to evaluate therapeutic outcomes is critical. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) and proxy-reported outcome measures (proxy ROM) are pivotal in assessing the therapeutic impacts of interventions, including symptom relief, treatment efficacy, and quality of life. However, there has yet to be a comprehensive review of the psychometric properties of these tools in PH, hindering their optimal use in both clinical practice and research. This protocol outlines …

Evaluating The Impact Of Sit-On-Top Pelvic Stimulator And Pelvic Exerciser On Pelvic Floor Function And Quality Of Life Among Postpartum Women, Veenakirthika S, Kayathri M, Senthilnathan C.V, Selvaraj Sudhakar, Mohankumar G, Ramachandran S, Senthil Kumar Natarajan

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), affecting up to 50% of postpartum women, can lead to conditions like pelvic pain, incontinence, bowel issues, and even prolapse. Standard treatments for PFD include surgical options, medications, and physical therapy. However, non-invasive alternatives, such as sit-on-top pelvic stimulators and pelvic exercisers like Kegel devices, are showing evidence based results for their ability to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and improve quality of life. This research evaluates the impact of these devices on pelvic floor function and overall well-being in postpartum women. Method: The study was conducted as an experimental trial with 30 postpartum women aged …

Preparedness And Engagement Of Rehabilitation Professionals In Disaster Management: A Cross-Sectional Survey Of Ots, Pts, And Slps In Florida, Rebecca I. Estes, Shari Rone-Adams

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Allied health professionals, specifically, physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), and speech-language pathologists (SLPs), are under-recognized and underutilized in disaster management. The purpose of this study was to investigate awareness, prevalence of engagement, interest level, roles, perceptions, and training of rehabilitation professionals in the disaster management cycle. Method: The Healthcare Practitioner Disaster Management Questionnaire, an anonymous quantitative survey, was deployed to OTs, PTs, and SLPs, licensed in Florida, a convenience sample. Descriptive analysis and Spearman Rho correlation were used to understand the data. Results: Respondents believe that licensed clinicians have a role in disaster management. Respondents had little familiarity, …

A Cross-Sectional Study On Teenage Pregnancy And Its Associated Factors In A District Of Eastern India, Ashifa Sultana, Jayita Pal, Purnashree Mandal, Manoj Ghosh

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Teenage pregnancy is a global public health concern with wide-ranging consequences for adolescent mothers, their families, and society at large. By investigating sociodemographic factors, contraceptive knowledge, and family dynamics, this study aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in Nadia district, West Bengal, India.

Materials & method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 232 pregnant women of Chakdaha block. The study participants were selected by simple random sampling from the line list available at the sub-centres. The Chakdaha block of Nadia district was chosen by multistage sampling. All the pregnant women thus included …

An Overview Of The Health And Fitness Benefits From Sauna Exposure, Nicholas Smith, Ashley Wilson, Danica Buse, Alessandra Mondelli, Steven Vish, Morey J. Kolber

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

This review provides an overview of the health and fitness benefits attributed to sauna exposure. The specific focus explores muscle performance and flexibility, heat acclimation for performance, cardiovascular and respiratory health parameters, all-cause mortality, endocrine response, inflammatory modulators, and exercise recovery. The overarching mechanisms underpinning the health and fitness benefits attributed to sauna use stem from hyperthermia, which activates thermoregulatory cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and cytoprotective responses that promote homeostasis and adaptation to stress. Muscle performance improvements are attributed to plasma volume expansion, enhanced thermoregulatory efficiency, and upregulation of heat shock proteins. These adaptations enhance muscle contractility, strength, and rate of force …

Printing The Future: A Collaborative Approach To Integrating 3d Printing In Physical Therapy Education, Amanda L. Thomas, Teresa Munecas, Andreina Lander, Amber Sivalls, Abigail Tong, Tyler Turner, Lauren Butler

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Integrating 3D printing into healthcare education presents an opportunity to enhance learning, foster innovation, and address challenges in patient care. This study explores a collaborative approach to incorporating 3D printing into a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program through interdisciplinary partnerships with biomedical engineering, architecture, and immersive studio technologies. The study's primary aim was to provide DPT students with hands-on experience in designing and creating 3D printed adaptive devices for individuals with unique healthcare needs while encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration to enhance innovation and problem-solving. The initiative was structured around a series of pilot projects embedded in the DPT curriculum, focusing …

Implementation Evaluation Of Blood Flow Restriction In The Rehabilitative Setting, Corbit Franks, Madison Wellborn, Matthew A. Chatlaong, Daphney M. Carter, William M. Miller, Matthew B. Jessee, Robert E. Davis

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Blood flow restriction refers to a training/rehabilitation method consisting of an external pressure system applied to a limb to partially inhibit blood flow to the tissues. Though much research has been conducted concerning the use of blood flow restriction, there is limited research concerning why clinicians may or may not utilize it. Objective: The current qualitative study utilized the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to investigate why clinicians may or may not implement blood flow restriction in the clinical setting. Methods: A semi-structured interview addressing twelve implementation constructs within four domains (Intervention Characteristics, Outer Setting, Inner Setting, and Characteristics …

The Feasibility Of Virtual Reality To Provide Visual Feedback To Correct Lower Extremity Biomechanics: A Descriptive Retrospective Case Series, Margaret R. Klausing, Kylie Scott

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This study explored the feasibility of using the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) to enhance visual biofeedback for patients with lower quarter pain, aiming to improve awareness of faulty movement patterns. Methods: Six patients aged 19-66 (3 males, 3 females), with lower quarter pain involving the ankles, knees, or hips completed one session in an outpatient orthopedic setting using CAREN. The motion capture system projected an avatar onto a 180-degree screen, providing visual biofeedback from sagittal and frontal planes. Joint angles, Knee dominant squat (KDS), and Dynamic Q-Angle (DQA) were compared pre- and post-biofeedback during gait and squats. KDS …

Prevalence, Patterns, And Factors Influencing Decision To Sport Specialize During High School In Current Division-I And Sport Club Ice Hockey Athletes, Emily C. Srygler, Eric A. Caloud, Laura A. Zdziarski-Horodyski, Masaru Teramoto, Madison N. Renner, Stephanie N. Adler, David R. Bell

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Young athletes are continuing to choose high levels of sport specialization despite growing evidence of associations with chronic injury. Perceptions of specialization leading to greater athletic success have been found to be a motivator for these athletes and their parents, but little is known about its prevalence in ice hockey. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence, patterns, and factors influencing sport specialization during high school in current Division-I and sport club ice hockey athletes. This information can assist in filling in the knowledge gap in high school sport specialization in ice hockey athletes, specifically …

Concussion Management In Equestrian Athletes: A Cross Sectional Survey Of Scat6 Data, Nicole Scarpino, Kerstin Palombaro, Annette M. Willgens

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe concussion symptomatology, frequency, and management by equestrian athletes. Although the International Equestrian Federation (FEI.org) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF.org) have implemented new Return to Sport Strategies, it is unknown how equestrian athletes manage concussion symptoms and whether more robust recommendations are warranted. Methods: A Qualtrics survey was used to collect data from January 1 to February 1, 2025. It was posted on equestrian Facebook groups to target athletes who practiced their sport more than 3 times per week in 1 of 3 disciplines. Respondents reported falls from a horse …

A Case Series: Effectiveness Of Nintendo Ring Fit In Improving Balance And Stability Deficits After Recovery From Acl Reconstruction, Emma C. Lord, Melissa A. Tolbert, Whitley J. Stone

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 10, 2025. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a gaming system in improving balance, strength, and power after recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Existing bilateral deficits were also assessed among patients.

Four participants between the ages of 18-24 years were recruited for this case-control study. Participants must have had an ACLR in the last 2 years, been discharged from formal physical therapy, and have a continued history of participating in physical activity at least three times a week. Participants were assigned to either the …

An Academia-Community Partnership Aiming To Benefit The Well-Being Of Shelter Cats And Promote The Learning Outcomes Of College Students, Shlomit Flaisher-Grinberg

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

More than three million cats enter U.S. animal care and control facilities annually. Although many are adopted, others spend a prolonged amount of time at the animal shelter while facing a variety of stressors. The current project explored the possibility of creating an academia–community partnership aiming to establish a college-based foster program that will allow undergraduate students to socialize and train shelter cats as a part of an academic course. It was hypothesized that the program will positively impact the well-being of shelter cats, improve their adoption outcomes, and support students’ learning outcomes. Students enrolled in the Learning course at …

From The Arctic To Australia: Four Perspectives On Forest Sentience, John Charles Ryan, Francis Joy, Åsa Andersson Martti, Janne Sirniö

Talking Heads Seminar Series

Can forests sense, communicate and remember? How can we engage with trees as sentient subjects with wisdom to share with humankind in ecologically troubled times? Our collaborative presentation will bring together the expertise of four speakers on the subject of forest sentience. John Ryan (Turtle Island), Francis Joy (Rovaniemi, northern Finland), Åsa Andersson Martti (Swedish Sápmi) and Janne Sirniö (Swedish Sápmi) will share their perspectives on—and experiences of—the sentience of trees, forests and ecological communities with a focus on Sápmi, the homeland of the Sámi people of Northern Europe. After short presentations on forest sentience from scientific, artistic, and Indigenous …

Introduction: Facing The Challenge Of Ai With Feminist Pedagogy, Margaret A. Murray

Feminist Pedagogy

This special issue truly faces the challenge of AI with feminist pedagogy. The introduction briefly summarizes the five critical commentaries, five original teaching activities and three book reviews that make up this issue on AI.

Book Review Of Baron, Naomi S.. Who Wrote This?: How Ai And The Lure Of Efficiency Threaten Human Writing, Vanessa G. Osborne

Feminist Pedagogy

No abstract provided.

Review Of Ai Needs You: How We Can Change Ai’S Future And Save Our Own, Tracy A. Fernandez Rysavy

Feminist Pedagogy

AI Needs You: How We Can Change AI’s Future and Save Our Own urges citizens to band together now, while A.I. is still in its nascent stages, to head off its potentially destructive repercussions and ensure that the technology serves more than just a wealthy few. While such efforts might seem out of reach in our polarized society, author Verity Harding points to three cases from history where policy was heavily influenced by multistakeholder collaborations. This review encourages educators to use the book as a way to study business ethics; out-of-the-box thinking; and intersectional, inclusive consensus-building over a top-down approach.

Creating Feminist Icons, Engaging With Feminist Concepts Via Ai, Regina M. Luttrell Ph.D., Carrie T. Welch M.A.

Feminist Pedagogy

The authors describe an undergraduate media diversity course assignment that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) to explore gender representation in media. Students engage in an activity where they use AI text-to-image generators to create fictional feminist icon characters. This activity is designed to complement discussions on AI bias and gender norms in media, prompting students to critically examine how AI tools reinforce or challenge stereotypes. By linking their experiences with AI-generated images to feminist theory, students gain a deeper understanding of intersectionality, representation, and media bias. The assignment is part of a class that traces feminist movements through pop culture media …

Exposing Bias In Ai Art: A Hands-On Feminist Pedagogy Activity, Sheri-Lynn Kurisu, Emely Yanagida

Feminist Pedagogy

This Original Teaching Activity (OTA) introduces students to the biases embedded in AI-generated art, drawing from feminist critiques of the male gaze (Mulvey, 1975) and Emanuele Arielli’s artificial gaze (2024). AI technologies, often assumed to be neutral, frequently reproduce and amplify societal inequalities related to gender, race, and class. This activity engages students in a hands-on exploration of these biases by prompting AI art generators, analyzing the results, and reflecting on the implications of algorithmic bias. Through structured exercises, students compare their expectations with AI-generated images, identifying patterns of stereotyping and erasure. Classroom discussions focus on how AI’s aesthetic choices …

Teaching About Abortion Access With Charley The Chatbot, Laura E. Willis, Kim O'Neill, Nicole Cushman

Feminist Pedagogy

Following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) decision which countermanded federal abortion protections, artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to identify, monitor, and track people seeking medical treatment. The teaching activity presented here asks students to consider data privacy concerns and the role of AI in seeking abortion care, before introducing them to Charley the Chatbot, an AI interface designed to protect and inform abortion seekers. Students interact with the chatbot based on a series of fictional vignettes about abortion seekers in various stages of pregnancy and geographic locations. Following a peer discussions, students examine both how restrictive …

Viewing Ai From The Bottom: A Feminist Political Economic Critique Of A Technocentric Pedagogy, Micky Lee, Benita Dederichs

Feminist Pedagogy

A feminist political economic (FPE) perspective has a more profound concern than cheating: it argues that AI is not a neutral tool. AI constitutes social relations that prevent certain populations from fully participating in political, economic, and civic lives while obscuring unbalanced power relations produced and reproduced in a capitalistic society. This commentary first points out how AI may reinforce gender- and race-biased job stratification in the high-tech industry; and how AI disempowers women of color by locking them in a passive position. It offers some advice of what feminist educators could do to empower students.

Embracing Uncertainty And Resisting Suspicion In The Faculty-Student Relationship, Natalia Rybas

Feminist Pedagogy

This critical essay discusses the suspicion and distrust appearing when educators think that students can (mis)use generative AI tools. The essay argues that education is rife with relations of inequality, reminds us that technologies are never neutral, and explores using uncertainty as a method of resistance to suspicion about students. The suspicion grows from the relations embedded in higher education because power, privilege, and oppression shape the experience of teaching and learning. Technological innovations, such as AI, carry power relations embedded in their designs and assumed uses, making all participants of the learning process vulnerable and disrupting the process itself. …

Keep Searching For Stories: The Importance Of Student Historical Research In The Ai Era, Emily Westkaemper

Feminist Pedagogy

This critical commentary interprets the risk that increased reliance on AI will disrupt student researchers’ direct engagement with historical primary sources. Close analysis of primary source details supports feminist history and digital history approaches, helping researchers contextualize histories of marginalization and interrogate scholarly and popular narratives about the past. Search engines and databases can promote access to digitized documents. By contrast, large language models reflect contemporary biases and communication patterns, manufacturing general declarations about historical significance that do not prioritize digitized primary source materials. I experimented with AI queries about participants in the 1977 National Women’s Conference (NWC), a topic …

Towards An Ecofeminist Pedagogy: The Environmental Ethics Of Ai, Jessica K. Crowell

Feminist Pedagogy

Previous scholarship has outlined some of the ethical considerations regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom and beyond, such as the potentials for plagiarism, information bias, disinformation, or even violations of user privacy. Though research suggests that machine learning is a major and ever-increasing contributor to carbon emissions, there has been little discussion of how we teach about the ethics of AI from an environmental perspective. Therefore, this critical commentary first outlines how an ecofeminist pedagogy can help students consider the environmental and ecological effects of new technologies, including AI. At its core, an ecofeminist pedagogy argues …

Teaching Oppositional Resistance To The Weaponization Of Artificial Intelligence In Acts Of Gendered Violence, Lili R. Romann, Elizab​Eth A. Hintz

Feminist Pedagogy

Meeting the aims of this special issue to take a uniquely feminist approach to understanding AI in higher education, we offer a critical commentary to help other scholars apply a critical feminist lens when teaching about the promise of artificial intelligence in the classroom. Specifically, we center pornographic deepfakes as a primal, contemporary, and disastrous example of the gendered weaponization of artificial intelligence. This critical commentary has staying power – equipping future teachers with feminist tools to tackle AI (as well as the inevitable future of AI to come) in pedagogical practice.

Va Dent J October 2025

Virginia Dental Journal

This issue introduces Dr. Marlon Goad as the new VDA President, detailing his journey, goals, and vision for addressing workforce shortages, reimbursement challenges, and increasing membership among young dentists. It also features the opening of the Dr. Roger Wood Special Care Clinic at VCU School of Dentistry, aimed at providing specialized care for adults with disabilities and training future oral health professionals.

The journal includes updates on legislative advocacy, such as the VDA PAC's fundraising progress and the 20th anniversary of Virginia’s Medicaid Dental Program. It explores the integration of artificial intelligence into dental practices, emphasizing accessible tools for patient …

Awards & Recognition

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

The Battle Of Fluoride Vs. America, Gary Thomas Dmd

Virginia Dental Journal

The article discusses the controversy surrounding fluoride in community water systems, highlighting its proven benefits in reducing tooth decay and minimal risks at recommended levels. Despite being a top public health achievement, fluoride removal is debated due to concerns about neurotoxicity and fluorosis. The ADA advocates for maintaining fluoridation to promote public health and equity.

The Fulcrum Podcast, Shannon Jacobs

Virginia Dental Journal

This document summarizes episodes of "The Fulcrum Podcast," focusing on dental malpractice, marketing strategies, and the evolution of Medicaid dental services in Virginia.

• Episode 10 features Dr. Al Rizkalla discussing dental malpractice, emphasizing informed consent, documentation, patient communication, and the importance of ethical care. He highlights common claims against dentists and the value of hiring trained staff and utilizing malpractice insurance resources for risk management.

• Episode 12 includes marketing experts Keith Washington and Shannon Perry from ProSites, who discuss enhancing dental practice marketing without overburdening teams. Key topics include the evolution of dental marketing, branding, digital marketing strategies, and the …

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The Drill, Ryan Dunn

Virginia Dental Journal

The August 2025 episode of The Drill podcast, hosted by Virginia Dental Association (VDA) CEO Ryan Dunn, focuses on addressing the dental professional shortage in Virginia, media coverage of the issue, and advocacy efforts with political leaders. It also covers the ADA's discussions with NCOIL and MetLife on dental insurance policies, introduces the latest Virginia Dental Journal featuring research and a column on dental AI, and provides updates on the VDA's podcast, The Fulcrum, and the upcoming Virginia Dental Showcase 2025. The September 2025 episode highlights discussions on licensure by endorsement, foreign-trained dentists, and previews events like the VDA/VCU …