Digital Commons Network^™

Too Old For Dolls? Assessing The Efficacy Of Doll Therapy In Reducing Major Neurocognitive Disorder Symptoms To Alleviate Caregiver Burden, Ginny Price

Honors Theses

Dementia, formally known as major neurocognitive disorder (MNCD), is a complex condition that disables the independence of a person in completion of daily activities. This disorder results in the need for assistance from several caregivers to ensure that their needs are properly met. As their condition declines, the volume of needs increases, placing more responsibility on the caregiver, increasing their stress, and leading to a complication known as caregiver burden. Doll therapy is a non-pharmacological intervention that focuses on alleviating certain behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. It is the aim of this literature review to determine the efficacy of …

Use Of Mindfulness To Promote The Spiritual And Religious Competencies Of Master’S Level Counseling Students., Luisa Nayhouse

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a two-and-a-half hour training session for master's students in counselor education. The training focused on using mindfulness to enhance spiritual and religious counseling competencies. Utilizing a pre-and post-test design, the quantitative study employed mindfulness to train master's students with the aim of building and fostering spiritual and religious competencies in counseling. Historically, there has been a lack of research on the benefits of such specific mindfulness training related to this subject matter.

The study targeted master's level counselor students, with potential applicability to related fields such as psychology and social work. This …

A Study Of Social And Emotional Learning Provision To Kindergarten Students In A Rural School Through The Lens Of Whole Child Development, Shirley Spiegel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this Improvement Science Project was to take appraisal of a rural school district’s current approach for developing the whole child in kindergarten. Three prominent context-based child development theories serve as the framework for this study in determining if there is evidence in practice for support of whole child development, or if those practices or components of the current practices do not demonstrate clear evidence for whole child development, according to the theoretical framework. Conducted through the lens of these whole child development theories, this study centered on the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) provision to kindergarten students …

The Ethical Imperative Of The Renewal Of Virtue Within The Moral Community Of Catholic Healthcare, Amanda Altobell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Catholic healthcare is one of the largest nonprofit organizations and providers in the United States, offering medical care to many diverse communities. The fundamental mission of Catholic healthcare is to bring about Christ’s healing ministry and live out the fundamental principle of caring for the vulnerable in pursuit of the common good. However, there have been many missteps, not only due to a more polarized and secular community but also to scandals and conflict due to previous hierarchical and rules-based anthropology that often misses the person's lived experience. Therefore, this dissertation will argue that for Catholic healthcare to survive the …

From Factory Floors To Courtroom Doors: The New Jersey Law Revision Commission Review Of An Exception And A Defense To The Exclusive Remedy Of The New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Act, Whitney G. Schlimbach, Carol Disla-Roa

Seton Hall Journal of Legislation and Public Policy

No abstract provided.

Quantitative Ai Risk Assessments: Opportunities And Challenges, David Piorkowski, Michael Hind, John Richards

Seton Hall Journal of Legislation and Public Policy

No abstract provided.

Patients Are Entitled To Moore: Determining The Relationship Between Phenotype, Genotype, Spleens, Data, And Informed Consent, Charles E. Binkley

Seton Hall Journal of Legislation and Public Policy

No abstract provided.

The Ttp As An Effective Response To Sffa, Michael Asante-Appiah

Seton Hall Journal of Legislation and Public Policy

No abstract provided.

002nd Amendment: License To Abuse While Armed? The Intersection Of Intimate Partner Violence And Second Amendment Rights, Laura Burkett

Seton Hall Journal of Legislation and Public Policy

No abstract provided.

The Lady's Loft, Gabrielle Hunter

Undergraduate B.F.A. Theses in Studio Art

No abstract provided.

Existence Of Traveling Waves In A Predator-Prey Invasion Model With Nonlocal Dispersal And Delayed Effects In Dispersal, Austin Simms

Theses and Dissertations

We investigate the existence and stability of traveling wave solutions in a predator--prey population model that incorporates both nonlocal dispersal and time-delayed interactions. The problem arises when species distributions and feeding or reproduction processes do not respond instantaneously, but rather exhibit lags in space and time. Our aim is to understand how these delays and nonlocal effects impact the wavefront speed and the eventual establishment of a predator population in previously prey-dominated regions. To accomplish this, we derive a PDE--integro--delay system from ecological considerations of prey self-regulation, predator ratio dependence, and jump-type dispersal kernels. We then employ a traveling wave …

Minimizing Grief And Loss Through Advance Care Planning, Hannah Paauw, Victoria Walker

Scholarship Pathways Program

Advanced Care Planning (ACP) is a process used to identify or update a specific patient’s preferences of care and treatment in the event that they lack the capacity to do so. ACP is especially important for the aging population and those living with chronic conditions. Currently 11% of the world’s population is above the age of 60 and this number is projected to climb to 22% by 2050. The effects of aging are even greater in rural areas, such as South Dakota, where there is a disproportionate number of older and sicker people.

This study examined the effectiveness of a …

School Nurses' Role In Creating A Culture Of Preparation For Cardiac Emergencies, Dena L. Hinkle, Marisa A. Dressler, Katherine M. Miller, Shannon L. Beetz

Nursing Department Graduate Presentations/Conferences

Recent legislation in Illinois schools has focused on enhancing cardiac preparation in schools by establishing written emergency plans that are to be disseminated to employees within thirty days from the start of the school year. This web-based education tool was created as a centralized hub for employees to locate pertinent information regarding cardiac emergencies. The intent is to increase cardiac emergency preparedness in schools with access to evidence-based resources and content. The project began by performing a literature review to collect data on cardiac emergencies within the school, leading to the development of the web-based educational portal. The Cognitive Theory …

Associations Of Muscular And Cardiovascular Fitness Variables With Cardiovascular Disease In Older Adult Athlete Populations, Lauren T. Zick

Honors Thesis

This data analysis examined associations between cardiovascular and muscular fitness indicators and the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older adult athletes. Using cross-sectional data from 1,110 participants aged 50 and older who completed the Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) at state-level Senior Games events, we evaluated both objective performance metrics and self-reported exercise behaviors. Cardiovascular measures included systolic blood pressure (SBP), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and body mass index (BMI). Muscular fitness was assessed through grip strength, maximum walking speed, and chair stand time. CVD status was defined as the presence of two or more self-reported cardiovascular …

Tackling Social Stigma: An Ethical Obligation In Healthcare Intervention To Involuntary Childlessness, Persis Naumann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The stigma associated with involuntary childlessness has negatively affected health and well-being for several decades. This situation is particularly exacerbated for women within the Tamil socio-cultural context, resulting in feelings of shame, neglect, denial, isolation, and constituting a significant barrier to long-term access to healthcare services. Although advancements have been made in the provision of biomedical care, the psychosocial support remains inadequately addressed. Moreover, there are currently no healthcare interventions that specifically target the stigma associated with this issue, which hinders open communication with healthcare providers, delays necessary treatments, and adversely impacts overall health outcomes. The central thesis of this …

A Theory-Based Intervention To Mitigate Weight Bias Among Nurses: A Pilot Study, Gregory S. Marler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: As obesity rates continue to rise, a growing number of individuals living with obesity will seek medical care, increasing their exposure to weight-biased healthcare providers. This bias presents a significant risk, as it can lead to compromised care, diminished trust in medical professionals, and ultimately poorer health outcomes. Nurses, as frontline caregivers, must recognize the harmful impact of weight bias and take proactive steps to mitigate its effects. Addressing this bias is essential to ensuring equitable, high-quality care and improving patient outcomes.

Aim: The study explored the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of an intervention for acute care …

Benefits And Applications Of Learning With Virtual Reality, Michael W. Timm

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Education is a fundamental pillar of society. It equips students for employment and interpersonal relations. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a transformative technology in the field of education. The aim of this paper is to synthesize existing research in order to determine the benefits of utilizing virtual reality in a variety of education settings, such as K-12 classrooms, universities, and workplace training. This paper observes significant benefits of virtual reality in constructivist and experiential learning, gamified learning, and tailored practice. This analysis also finds that virtual reality is advantageous for educational accessibility, particularly for absentee students and impoverished students. …

The Effect Of Recumbent Stepping On Leg Muscle Activity In Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis, Caroline Buchheit, Jack Castetter, Jessie Lakamp, Morgan Vollmer, Kurt Jackson

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Recumbent steppers are commonly used for improving cardiovascular and muscular endurance in neurological populations. Prior research has shown that using specific verbal cues and a foot strap can significantly alter lower extremity muscle activity and recruitment in healthy individuals during recumbent stepping. The purpose of this case series was to measure lower extremity muscle activity during recumbent stepping under a variety of stepping conditions in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Number of Subjects: 3 adults (2 F, 1 M; age 40 -54) with multiple sclerosis (MS) with varying levels of lower extremity motor function and disability.

Materials and Methods: During …

The Relationship Between Dorsiflexion Mobility And Achilles Stiffness, Philip Anloague, Emma Collett, Sarah Monnier, Megan Garro, Tyler Stiers, Brandon Chan, Kendra Kahle, Hailey Mcpherson, Joaquin Barrios

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: The biomechanical properties of muscles and tendons are important in rehabilitation and sport performance but are not routinely assessed. Recently, the MyotonPro device has been used in the assessment of a specific aspect of soft tissue stiffness, the resistance in deformation to an external force, at the Achilles tendon. Interestingly, it remains unclear if this stiffness is related to decreased ankle joint dorsiflexion mobility, and further if limb dominance affects this relationship. Indeed, dorsiflexion mobility has been linked to lower extremity injury risk such as anterior knee pain and anterior cruciate ligament injury. Therefore, the primary purpose of this …

Effects Of An Ehealth Program On Physical Performance In Women With Cancer-Related Fatigue And Breast Cancer, Sydney George, Kelsey Haas, Delaney Hardery, Catherine Nasman, Mary I. Fisher

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is common in women treated for breast cancer. Exercise can reduce CRF, yet the impact of an eHealth exercise program on physical performance (PP) is rarely described. While the primary aim was to reduce CRF, this ongoing study reports on the effect of an 8-week multidisciplinary physical (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) eHealth program on measures of PP.

Materials and Methods: Participants ages 18-69 diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 5 years, who rated fatigue ≥4/10 on 0-10 scale and had completed primary cancer treatment, were randomized to intervention (EX) or control (CON) groups. Using …

Concurrent Validation Of A Reverse Wall Lunge Test Position To Assess Hip Joint Extension Mobility, Joaquin Barrios, Anne Breeding, Hannah Dressman, Emily Howard, Justin Mitchell, Elizabeth Schueler, Lauren Thomas

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: Hip joint extension mobility is commonly assessed for restriction in clinical practice, most often with the modified Thomas test (MTT). However, the MTT is not without challenges, particularly in regards to achieving and standardizing the proximal pelvis and trunk positioning. The lone 3D validation study on the MTT used a blood pressure cuff under the lumbar lordosis in an attempt to achieve standard positioning, which is not always clinically pragmatic. Therefore, we propose assessing hip extensibility with a novel reverse wall lunge test (RWL) described below, essentially as an upright weight-bearing version of the MTT that also standardizes proximal …

Determining The Concurrent And Predictive Validity Of The Repetitive Step Test In Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease, Harold Merriman, Kurt Jackson, Kathleen Mulligan, Arrah Sandy

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: The Repetitive Step Test (RST) assesses rapid stepping capability in anterior lateral (AL) and posterior lateral (PL) diagonal directions. This study’s goal was to determine the predictive validity of the RST to identify fallers with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). A secondary objective was to determine concurrent validity of the RST to other established tests. It was hypothesized that those who completed fewer steps with the RST would be more likely to fall and that the RST would predict falls at least as well as the other balance tests.

Materials and Methods: 19 subjects (10 F, 9 M; mean age 70.3 …

2025 Undergraduate And Graduate Commencement, Lindenwood University

Commencement Programs

2025 Lindenwood University Commencement program.

Soft Tissue Mobilization Is More Effective Than Self-Stretching In Reducing Common Wrist Extensor Tendon Stiffness In Recreational Tennis Players, Olivia Potts, Noah Knackstedt, Cayton Ruby, Harold Merriman, Joseph Day

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Increased muscle and tendon stiffness plays a role in the development of musculoskeletal pathologies. A number of interventions have been proposed to temporarily reduce muscle/tendon stiffness including soft tissue mobilization (STM) techniques and stretching. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate and short-term effects of STM versus self-stretching on common extensor tendon (CET) stiffness in a group of recreational tennis players.

Subjects: Healthy recreational tennis players

Materials/Methods: Stiffness, measured with the shear wave modulus in kilopascals (kPa), was obtained at rest on the dominant CET using 2D ultrasound imaging shear wave elastography (SWE) (GE Logiq S8, …

A Criterion Reference Validity Study For The Modified Thomas Test For Hip Extension Mobility Using Three-Dimensional Motion Capture, Joaquin Barrios, Anne Breeding, Hannah Dressman, Emily Howard, Justin Mitchell, Elizabeth Schueler, Lauren Thomas

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: Hip region extension mobility is commonly assessed in physical therapy practice, most commonly performed using the modified Thomas test (MTT). The validity of the MTT using 3D motion capture methods has been evaluated in only a study evaluating only healthy young males. Further, this study utilized a blood pressure cuff at 60 mm Hg under the lumbar lordosis to control the pelvis and trunk, further modifying the MTT and limiting clinical translation. Therefore, the purpose of this ongoing 3D motion capture study was to acquire criterion reference data for the traditional modified Thomas test without use of blood pressure …

Efficacy Of Abdominal Curl Up Task As Abdominal Exercise For Diastasis Recti Abdominis For Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Julia Black, Ariana Bostwick, Sierra Darlington, Brooke Sizemore, Betsy Donahoe-Fillmore

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by the inappropriate functioning and synthesis of collagen, elastin, and fibrillin in the body, affecting many systems including the musculoskeletal system. In hypermobility-type EDS, individuals can present with instability at various locations in the body and may result in joint dislocations and pain. This can result in difficulty activating the abdominal muscles. The purpose of this study is to determine if a focused 3 to 6 month rehabilitation program improves inter-rectus distance (IRD), abdominal strength, and body image in women diagnosed with EDS.

Number of Subjects: Women (n=24) 33-62 …

A Clinical Review Of Suicide Risks In Dermatology, Rahib K. Islam, Victoria T. Tong, Shari R. Lipner

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Patients with visible skin diseases, including acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis, face heightened risks of psychological distress, depression, and suicidal ideation, often exacerbated by social stigma and reduced quality of life. This review explores the intersection between dermatology and suicide, highlighting the psychosocial impact of visible skin conditions and the controversies surrounding treatment-related risks, including isotretinoin and biologic exposure. Current evidence suggests that while isotretinoin has been historically linked to mood changes, robust studies do not support a direct association with suicide. Incorporating mental health screenings into dermatological practice is essential for early identification and management of at-risk patients. By …

Telegroup Parent Behavior Management Training For Disruptive Behavior: Mixed-Methods Comparison Of Effectiveness And Engagement For White And Bipoc Caregivers, Li Shen Chong, Nicole B. Groves, Erin S. Gonzalez

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: Parent Behavior Management Training (PBMT) is the first-line psychosocial intervention for child disruptive behavior, though research documents disparities in PBMT engagement and effectiveness between Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and White families. Objective: This study aimed to quantitatively compare clinical outcomes and satisfaction ratings of telegroup PBMT and qualitatively identify themes related to engagement and challenges among White and BIPOC caregivers. Method: Data from 177 caregivers (78% White; 22% BIPOC) of children aged 5 to 12 referred for treatment of disruptive behavior and/or ADHD were collected as part of measurement-based care (MBC) before and after participation in …

Spectator 2025-05-08, Editors Of The Spectator

The Spectator

No abstract provided.

Healthcare Provider Comfort Surrounding Adverse Childhood Events (Aces), Cameo Culcasi

Doctoral Projects

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are strongly linked to long-term health outcomes, yet discussions around ACEs in clinical settings remain inconsistent. This study investigates the comfort levels of healthcare providers in addressing ACEs with their patients, identifying barriers and facilitators to such conversations. Using a Quasi-experimental, single group, pretest-post test experimental design, we surveyed a diverse group of physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants working in a primary care setting, providing ACE training, and an opportunity for learning reflection. Preliminary results indicate that while most providers acknowledge the importance of discussing ACEs, many report discomfort due to time constraints, lack of …