Digital Commons Network^™

Knowledge Of Alzheimer’S Disease-Related Dementia In Down Syndrome: A Cross-Section Survey Of Rehabilitation Graduate Students, Alan F. Smith, Abigail R. Donaway

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Adults with Down syndrome have an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease–related dementia, often presenting with behavioral and functional changes rather than early memory impairment. Rehabilitation professionals may observe these changes across the lifespan; however, preparedness during professional training is unclear. This study examined graduate student knowledge of dementia in individuals with Down syndrome across rehabilitation disciplines. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to graduate students in speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy programs in the United States (N = 322). Outcomes included factual knowledge, recognition of stage-related characteristics, and familiarity with diagnostic and care considerations. …

State-Level Implementation Of Health And Safety Policies In Mississippi Secondary Schools, Heather L. Shirley, Valerie J. Moody

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: State-level investigations of health and safety policy implementation in secondary school athletics highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring student-athlete safety that aligns with evidence-based best practices. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine current state-level implementation of health and safety policies in Mississippi secondary schools from the perspective of athletics/activities directors, athletic trainers, and other school administrators. Methods: In May 2025, a 26-item web-based questionnaire was distributed to 226 athletic directors and 114 athletic trainers across Mississippi secondary schools. The survey assessed participant demographics, access to healthcare resources, emergency action planning (EAP), required coaches’ health and safety training, …

Females With Urinary Incontinence Demonstrate Impaired Postural Stability, Jean L. Mccrory, Corrie Mancinelli, Kate Harrison, Samantha K. Rondini Monaco, Krystal L. Thomas

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Females with urinary incontinence (UI) have an increased risk of falls.  Few studies have quantified postural control, namely center of pressure (COP) movement and vertical ground reaction force in static and dynamic tasks, in females with UI. Purpose: The aim of our study was to examine static and perturbed postural stability in females with UI compared to unaffected females. Methods: The study design was a between-group comparison (UI vs control) on our static outcome variables of anteroposterior and mediolateral COP sway, COP displacement, average and instantaneous maximum COP velocity, and standard deviations of anteroposterior and mediolateral COP movement and …

Current Status And Future Needs Of Audiology Services In Saudi Arabia: An Exploratory Study, Ahmad A. Alanazi, Alhanouf N. Alhathal

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Audiology services in Saudi Arabia are expanding; however, workforce shortages, limited postgraduate training programs, and variability in specialized services may affect equitable access to care. This study aimed to examine the current status of audiology services in Saudi Arabia and identify future needs related to service availability, workforce capacity, and specialized clinical provision to support the development of equitable, standardized, and high-quality audiological care nationwide. Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted among practicing audiologists across healthcare facilities in Saudi Arabia. Because a comprehensive national registry of audiology clinics is unavailable, a purposive convenience sampling strategy was used to …

Beyond The Classroom: Impact Of An Interprofessional Exertional Heat Stroke Simulation On Knowledge And Confidence, Hannah L. Stedge, Amanda Hawkes, Melani Kelly, Behle Burns, Sara Beaudry

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to examine the impact of a high-fidelity exertional heat stroke (EHS) live broadcasted simulation on the knowledge and confidence of a multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals attending an interprofessional continuing education conference. Methods: Participants were eligible for this study if they were a credentialed athletic trainer, physician, or emergency medical services professional. Participants attended an interprofessional symposium on EHS which included didactic training sessions followed by a live broadcasted EHS simulation and group debrief. Participants completed the 29-item survey instrument modeled after the Emergency Medical Services Knowledge of Exertional Heat Stroke Questionnaire …

Predictors Of Clinical Performance On The Revised Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument 3.0, Derrick F. Campbell, Nancy G. Hellman, Felicity Macahilig-Rice, Sean E. Witkin, Mansoor Alameri

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the 12 performance criteria from the revised American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument 3.0 (PT CPI 3.0) on predicting Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student clinical performance outcomes during clinical education experiences. The PT CPI 3.0 was revised in 2023 to measure DPT student clinical performance. Identifying predictors for clinical performance may help flag students who struggle to meet or fall below performance expectations.

Method: A convenience sample of 693 DPT students from a large U.S. multi-campus program during Fall 2023 clinical education experiences participated. Using an …

Coinfections In Infectious Keratitis: A Case Involving Herpes Simplex Virus (Hsv) Type 1 Infection, Saeed S Alqahtani

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Infectious keratitis remains a major cause of corneal morbidity and vision loss. While bacterial keratitis is commonly encountered, coexisting viral infections may complicate diagnosis and delay effective treatment. This case report highlights the importance of recognizing polymicrobial keratitis in patients with atypical or non-resolving clinical courses. Method: We describe the clinical course, diagnostic evaluation, and management of a 40-year-old female contact lens wearer who presented with a severe corneal ulcer initially presumed to be bacterial in origin. The patient was treated with intensive fortified topical antibiotics based on clinical suspicion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection related to prolonged contact …

A Survey Of Medical Coverage In The Marching Arts, Stephanie Maszera, Luis Torres, Fredrick A. Gardin

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

PURPOSE: This research aimed to identify how the marching arts’ access to medical coverage affects an individual’s success in the activity. Medical coverage in the marching arts varies greatly between the levels that exist within the activity. Marching bands’ physical demands rival traditional sports, with a longer season and fewer resources. Despite the lack of coverage, the incidence of injury remains a challenge for competing groups. METHODS: A survey was conducted to ask individuals about their experiences with their band’s medical staff and any injuries or conditions they may have dealt with. Participants were at least 18 years old and …

The Perceived Benefit Of A Degree Requirement In Emergency Medical Services Education And Success, Joseph H. Wood

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: This study sought to assess how graduates of Wallace Community College's paramedic program impacted their readiness for the NREMT Paramedic examination and entering the workforce, specifically comparing those who completed an associate degree to those who completed the certificate program. Methods: This qualitative study analyzed the perspectives of graduates from the paramedic program using a phenomenological approach. Using a purposive sampling technique, nine graduates were chosen for one-on-one interviews, and six were selected for a focus group. Results: Analysis of participant responses revealed three main themes: the perceived value of a degree, student preparedness for the NREMT exam and …

Examining The Influence Of Cognitive Load And Self-Efficacy On The Development Of Clinical Reasoning In The First Clinical Education Experience Of First Year Physical Therapy Students, Andrew S. Bartlett, Brittney Gunterstockman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Clinical reasoning is critical for effective decision-making and patient outcomes in physical therapy. Although self-efficacy, cognitive load, and clinical reasoning have been studied individually, limited research has examined these constructs holistically. This study explored the influence of cognitive load and self-efficacy on the development of clinical reasoning during the first clinical education experience of first-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students using a think-aloud protocol. Methods: All participants completed measures of self-efficacy (New General Self-Efficacy [NGSE], Physical Therapist Self-Efficacy [PTSE]) and cognitive load (intrinsic, extraneous, germane) before and after their first clinical education experience. Think-aloud protocols were conducted at …

Development And Initial Validation Of The Observation-Mimicking-Participation-Independent (Ompi) Workplace-Based Assessment Model For Occupational Therapy Fieldwork, Keiko Takeuchi, Hirotaka Onishi

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Workplace-based assessment (WBA) is essential for evaluating clinical competence in occupational therapy and allied health education; however, many existing assessment approaches lack an explicit developmental structure aligned with progressive learning during fieldwork. Competency-based education frameworks emphasize staged skill acquisition, yet operationalized developmental assessment models remain limited. To address this gap, this project aimed to develop the Observation–Mimicking–Participation–Independent (OMPI) model as a theoretically grounded developmental WBA framework and to conduct an initial evaluation of its reliability and educational utility in occupational therapy fieldwork education. Methods: The OMPI model was constructed to reflect staged progression in clinical learning, moving from structured …

Comparative Analysis Of Knowledge, Usage, Perceptions, And Attitudes Toward Artificial Intelligence Chatbots Among Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students And Faculty Over Two Years, Qing Zhang, Heather David, Brandy Schwarz, Kristen Johnson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: AI chatbots (AIC) are increasingly integrated into healthcare education, yet research on DPT faculty and student perceptions remains limited. This study compared knowledge, usage, perceptions, and attitudes (KUPA) toward AIC between DPT faculty and students and examined how these changed from 2023 to 2024. Method: A repeated cross-sectional survey was administered to two consecutive first-year DPT student cohorts and core and associate faculty at one DPT program. A 20-item survey was used, incorporating items adapted from validated instruments and researcher-developed questions, using a five-point Likert scale. Results: Participation rates were 41.5% (n=62) in Year 1 and 39.1% (n=69) in …

Compression Therapy In A Patient With Lymphedema Bilateral Lower Extremities And Heart Failure: A Case Report, René Thomas

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Patients with heart failure may develop secondary lower extremity lymphedema, yet evidence to guide compression therapy in this population is limited. This case highlights clinical decision-making in applying compression within a medically complex scenario.

Case Presentation: A 75-year-old female with chronic heart failure and multiple comorbidities presented with severe bilateral lower extremity lymphedema and reduced mobility. Interventions included compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, breathing exercises, and skin care education, delivered by a physical therapist with advanced cardiopulmonary and lymphedema training. Edema reduction was achieved; however, therapy was discontinued due to signs of cardiac decompensation requiring medical management.

Conclusion:This …

Beyond Walking: Exploring Functional Use Of Exoskeletons In The Home Environment, Sue D. Dahl-Popolizio, Adam M. Story, Thomas Hartman, Lacee Andrews, Jennifer Radziak, Angela Zhu, Joelly Lobato De Faria Otd, Ms, Otr/L

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This pilot study was completed to determine whether individuals with paraplegia can perform activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in their homes using a personal exoskeleton. The physiological effects of using an exoskeleton for these tasks were investigated as well. Methods: In this mixed-methods observational study, participants with paraplegia were observed using an exoskeleton to complete ADLs and IADLs in their homes. Performance and satisfaction with performance were measured before and after home exoskeleton use with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The level of importance of completing ADLs and IADLs to the …

Beyond Tuition: Understanding The Financial Impact Of Full-Time Clinical Education On Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students, Michelle L. Donahue

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The physical therapy literature has explored the cost and affordability of a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) education; however, academic and clinical educators may lack a nuanced understanding of the costs students incur to complete their full-time Clinical Education (CE) experiences. This study explored expenses beyond course credits during a full-time CE experience. As this was the first exploratory study on this topic, the aim was to gather information from a diverse sample of participants about the costs associated with a CE experience and the perceived financial burden. Method: A survey was developed and administered to collect quantitative and …

Notes For The Contributors, Space & Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

The Global Chessboard: Strategic Deterrence In A New Era Of Great Power Competition, The 66th Annual Academy Assembly

Space and Defense

The 66th annual Academy Assembly brought together twenty-seven student delegates from civilian institutions and sister military service academies to discuss urgent issues in national affairs. This national student congress was held during March 3-5, 2026 and produced the following committee reports.

Critical Strategic Deterrence Questions For Today, Keith B. Payne

Space and Defense

r. Payne visited the U.S. Air Force Academy to offer keynote remarks at a national student congress, the 66th Academy Assembly, held during March 3-5,2026 and dedicated to the topic of the Global Chessboard: Strategic Deterrence in a New Era of Great Power Competition. Dr. Payne is co-founder of the National Institute for Public Policy, former Department Head at the Graduate School of Defense and Strategic Studies, Missouri State University, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, and former Senior Advisor to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He has authored or co-authored over 230 published articles and 50 …

Death Of Battlefield Hide-And-Seek, Lily Cheatham

Space and Defense

For the past twenty years, the stealth regime defined military thinking, prioritizing technologies and tactics designed to evade enemy defense systems. Ensuring radar invisibility and maintaining information dominance have been the keys to survival and strategic advantage. On June 21-22, 2025, the United States conducted "Operation Midnight Hammer" against Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The principal strike package included seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, whose crews flew approximately 18 hours to reach the target area and roughly 36 hours and 13,000 miles round trip. The B-2s dropped 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators on Fordow and Natanz, marking …