Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Investigating The Efficacy Of Myo-Inositol In Adolescents With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Scoping Review, Mariam Sharobeem

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 6 to 13% of adolescent girls in the United States.6 PCOS poses difficulty with diagnosing and treatment with adolescents as its symptoms are heterogenous and are often rationalized with other diagnoses. Key diagnostic features of PCOS include irregular menstruation, infertility, obesity, hirsutism, increased risk of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, lipid abnormalities and metabolic syndrome.12 Currently, there are no pharmacological therapies approved by the FDA to treat PCOS.5 Alternatives include pharmacological management of symptoms with medications like combined oral contraceptive pills, metformin and anti-obesity agents.6 Recently, more discussion about the lack of PCOS treatment has been …

Health Benefits Of Saccharomyces Boulardii As A Probiotic, Devashri Parikh, Maftuna Kurbonnazarova, Ravij Upadhyay, Andrea Iannuzzelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Saccharomyces boulardii (SB), a budding yeast, within the Saccharomyces genus. It commonly used as a probiotic that has been isolated from lychee and mangosteen fruit. S. boulardii is not known to acquire resistant genes and does not last in the intestine after 3-5 days of discontinuing the ingestion. The clinical efficacy of this probiotic yeast is known to improve various diarrhea such as pediatric diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, acute diarrhea, and traveler’s diarrhea. Additionally, when used as an adjuvant to treatment for Helicobacter pylori and Clostridium difficile infections, it improves bacterial eradication, prevents relapse, reduces adverse reactions and treatment-associated diarrhea.

Several …

Between Nsaids, Local Anesthetics, And Non-Medicinal Analgesics, Which Method Is The Most Effective At Providing Pain Relief During Iud Insertions For Nulliparous And Multiparous Women?, Natali Sharma

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Objective: One major barrier for usage of intrauterine devices (IUD) includes a widespread sense of fear regarding pain during insertion of this contraception. By researching the most effective IUD insertion analgesics available and standardizing these pain management methods, women may be less fearful of obtaining IUDs.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Cochrane Library to compare methods of pain relief during IUD insertions. Outcomes measured include the pain management method used, the dosage administered, the pain experienced by patients evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) prior to insertion …

The Correlation Of Consistent Exercise With Depressive Symptoms, John Gericke, Tara Pellegrino, Robert Steer

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Depression is a major health issue that affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide. Typically, depression is associated with individuals who follow a poor diet and are physically inactive. Exercise is one form of treatment for depression and has been shown to reduce the risk of depression and protect against the onset of depression. The PHQ-9 Depression Score is a tool used to screen individuals for depression on a scale from 0-27. The goal of this study is to identify a relationship between consistent exercise and depression symptoms.

Methods: An original Qualtrics survey was created to be distributed with …

The Effect Of Guided Meditation On Student Doctor-Patient Interactions, Aneela Rampersad, Samantha Plasner

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Healthcare students are under stress and can use different methods to cope with it. Mindfulness techniques such as guided meditation has been used as a way of helping these students reduce their stress levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether guided meditation has an effect on student doctors that translates into more positive interactions with patients. This study found that the student doctors who completed guided meditation felt less frustrated and less impatient while interacting with patients than student doctors who did not perform the guided meditation. Future studies on this topic should recruit more participants so …

Efficacy Of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine As A Non-Pharmacological Approach For Alleviating Pain And Muscle Stiffness In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis And A Comparison To Conventional Medical Interventions, Maduka Gunasinghe, Shannon Mckee

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurological condition characterized by a range of debilitating symptoms, including muscle stiffness, fatigue, spasticity, tremors, and gait disturbance. Traditional treatments often face adherence challenges and escalating costs, prompting the exploration of alternative interventions like Osteopathic Manipulation Techniques (OMT). While the effectiveness of OMT in MS remains underexplored, initial studies suggest promising outcomes, such as improved mobility, reduced fatigue, and enhanced range of motion. Specifically, indirect OMT techniques like counterstain, myofascial release, and muscle energy techniques have shown efficacy in addressing muscle tension, spasticity, and gait abnormalities. Integrating OMT into MS management may offer a …

Can Nutritional Supplements Benefit Patients Receiving Treatment For Neurodegenerative Disorders?, Russell Levi, Saad Ahmed, Zachary Harris

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

As the prevalence of neurocognitive disorders rises globally, developing new methodologies of prevention and treatment is crucial. This literature review examines the efficacy of adding nutritional supplements, specifically nootropics, with traditional pharmacological regimens on various neurocognitive and neurodegenerative disorders. Primary, peer-reviewed research, including both human and animal studies, was assesed to determine if there was a benefifical, minimal, or detrimental effect on symptom progression. The inclusion criteria focused on studies that evaluated the reduction in disease markers or symptoms following supplement use. The findings reveal that natural supplements generally support disease management. Significant improvements were noted with specific combinations like …

Interactive Distraction Techniques Versus Midazolam In Anxiolysis In Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Uzay Cagatay, Jon Elias, Alexander King

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Many pediatric patients experience high levels of anxiety prior to undergoing surgery. Midazolam is currently one of the most commonly used sedative drugs in the pediatric preoperative environment. A number of studies have evaluated the use of non-pharmacological methods of relaxing pediatric patients prior to surgery, known as ‘Interactive Distraction’. These techniques involve using various methods of distracting the child from the preoperative anesthetic procedures. Some examples of these methods involve giving the patient an iPad with which they can play video games. There have yet to be any systematic reviews comparing the usage of Midazolam alone against utilizing …

Effects Of Nonpharmacological And Pharmacological Interventions On The Management Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Ellington Fagg

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is a metabolic endocrine disorder that affects many women of childbearing age. Although PCOS is a rather common disease, there is a general lack of knowledge on how to approach treatment for different types of women.

Purpose: The purpose of this literature review is to investigate both nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatment interventions that can be used to manage both the symptoms and underlying conditions associated with PCOS.

Methodology: Twenty articles that contained a mix of clinical trials and randomized control trials were reviewed for the evidence that is included in this literature …

Process Modeling The Neuroprotective Effects Of A Plant-Based Diet On Parkinson's Disease, Julia Mitchell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability. Recent research suggests an avenue for potential neuroprotection through dietary intervention, specifically the adoption of a plant-based diet. A plant-based diet predominantly comprises foods derived from plants, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and nuts while minimizing or excluding animal products. This thesis aims to explore the biochemical pathways implicated in PD progression and the potential impact of dietary choices on these pathways. The investigation focuses on several key pathways: alpha-synuclein aggregation, the blood-brain barrier crossing of levodopa, oxidative stress, ferroptosis, …

Hispanic Cookbook For Individuals With Diabetes, Jewel Santamaria

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Can a cookbook positively influence the quality of life for Hispanics with diabetes? The purpose of this study was to develop a cookbook that is diabetic-friendly and culturally appropriate using common traditional Hispanic ingredients and methods.

Methods: Recipes for traditional Hispanic dishes were modified to meet nutritional needs for people with diabetes. The modified recipes were very similar to traditional Mexican cuisine, except healthier ingredients and techniques were substituted from the original recipes. Nutritional analysis was conducted using Cronometer software, with inclusions of calories, protein, carbohydrates, and fat in the cookbook. Additionally, a carbohydrate exchange for each recipe …

Evaluating The Integration Of Traditional And Western Medicine In Rural Ghana: The Role Of Healers And The Government, Teresa Nicole Lemon

Poster Presentations

A question of pressing importance for the healthcare system in Ghana is the integration between biomedicine, which is unreachable for many rural citizens, and traditional medicine, which fills in the gaps in access for rural and non-rural citizens seeking care and is utilized by 70% of the population. The WHO promotes integrated health systems and created strategies to assist governments in their efforts.

The Ghanaian government did create policies to aid in integration, but their attempt to integrate was unsuccessful. This, along with other factors, has led some scholars to consider the government’s efforts as “tokenistic”; however, they do not …

A Proposal: Healing Impacts Of Writing Groups On Cancer Survivors, Cassandra M. Normand

Journal of Creative Writing Studies

Those diagnosed with cancer not only suffer from the disease itself, but also psychological distress, including feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, and depression. Writing groups have been found to positively impact attendees’ well-being, including decreasing anxiety, depression, and other psychological symptoms. Despite the benefits of writing groups, little research examines the impact of cancer survivors attending writing groups. This study utilized previous literature to create a curriculum for a writing group specifically for cancer survivors. This curriculum was then pilot tested with a group of cancer survivors in May and June of 2022. Psychological symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were …

Body And Art As Message: An Experience With Chronic Pain, Writing, And The Mind-Body Connection, Mitchell R. James

Journal of Creative Writing Studies

This introduction to the special section of Volume 9, Issue 1 of the Journal of Creative Writing Studies on writing and mind-body connection uses memoir to emphasize the important relationship between writing and the management of chronic pain.

Erratum: 269 Years Of Homoeopathy: The Healing Continues, Subhash Kaushik

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

In the original editorial, the number of years for which homoeopathy has persisted, was inadvertently reported as the number of years since the birth of Dr Samuel Hanemann. The editors sincerely apologize for this error. The corrections about this appear below:

• The Title be read as: ‘228 years of Homoeopathy: The healing continues’
• The first line of the article be read as, “This year, as we gear up to celebrate 228 years of homoeopathy (since 1796 is known as the birth year of homoeopathy), it is a matter of pride for the homoeopathic fraternity that homoeopathy continues to …

Exploration Of Enterococcus Faecalis Bacteriophages Diversity: Comprehensive Phylogenetic Analysis And Discovery Isolation Of Enterococcus Faecalis Phage From A Soil Sample In South Florida, Hailey N. Jauernick

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Enterococcus faecalis is a commensal bacterium found in the gastrointestinal tract, oral cavity, and vagina of humans, which can transition to pathogenic states, leading to diverse infections. Many E. faecalis infections are becoming progressively challenging to treat, stemming from the lack of effective antibiotic therapies against its virulence factors, including biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. Phage therapy emerges as a promising alternative, targeting bacteria with minimal impact on host flora. However, despite phages' ubiquitous presence and potential applications in medicine and biotechnology, their diversity and ecological niches are vastly understudied. Here, we investigated the diversity of sequenced E. faecalis phages …

Faith Community Nursing: Ministering To God's People In Ukraine Through Lamentation, Pam Dandre

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

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Utilizing Aromatherapy To Decrease Anxiety In Adults Experiencing Homelessness, Thomas A. Clawson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This scholarly project analyzes health disparities faced by people experiencing homelessness, specifically in regard to their mental health and how they experience heightened levels of anxiety when compared to individuals who have stable housing. Through a literature review, the use of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) was analyzed and has shown to be an effective non-pharmacologic treatment for anxiety in a multitude of settings. Utilizing a theoretical framework distilled from Margret Newman’s theory Health as Expanding Consciousness, and Martha Rogers’ The Science of Unitary Human Beings. The quality improvement project was implemented at an inner city resource center for people experiencing homelessness. …

”To Be Or Not To Be – It’S Good”: Actor And Student Experiences In A Drama Club For People With Aphasia, Jade K. Hannan

Senior Theses

Individuals with aphasia, a disorder caused by damage to the brain’s language network, confront a variety of social and emotional struggles. While leaving their cognition largely intact, aphasia tremendously impacts a person’s ability to communicate confidently, fracturing their social network and contributing to feelings of loneliness and frustration. To address this persistent need in the chronic aphasia population, the Play on Words drama club at the University of South Carolina provides a forum for people with aphasia (PWA) to engage in dramatic exercises focused on non-verbal communication of emotions, ideas, and stories, culminating the production of an original devised play. …

Motivations Behind The Rise And Success Of Homeopathy In India, Kavya Patchipulusu

Senior Theses

Homeopathy is a form of medicine that is incredibly controversial and is often labeled as a fraudulent, placebo effect drug, that can have potentially dangerous side effects. This is the picture that is painted of homeopathy in the United States and many other countries in which these medicines are banned in distribution or highly unregulated. In contrast, India has popularized and well-integrated homeopathy into their medical systems with government backing and consistent funding towards accredited homeopathic institutions and funding hospital systems. This paper will explore the circumstances and health care dynamics of India that allowed homeopathy to gain the level …

Music As A Coping Mechanism: Clinical Implications Of How College Students Utilize Music To Cope With Anxiety, Depression, And Daily Stressors, Karly Pikel

Senior Theses

Many college students face stress, anxiety, and/or depression in their daily lives which they cope with in their own ways. Listening to music or playing an instrument are particularly powerful forms of coping that can have a plethora of positive effects on an individual. The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey amongst the University of South Carolina student body to determine how they utilize music to cope in their daily lives. Of 847 respondents, almost all of them reported experiencing some extent of anxiety and/or stress and listening to music to help them cope. Respondents agreed that …

The Impact Of Kangaroo Care On The Weight Gain Of Premature Infants, Heather Vincequere

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Premature birth remains a global health concern, affecting approximately 15 million infants annually (WHO, 2023). Kangaroo Care (KC), involving skin-to-skin contact between caregivers and infants, was developed as a promising intervention to mitigate the adverse effects of prematurity. This study aimed to investigate the impact of KC on weight gain among preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Doctors Hospital of Augusta (DHOA). A quasi-experimental quantitative posttest-only design was employed, with eight preterm infants (< 37 weeks gestation) participating in KC for at least 30 minutes daily. Daily weight measurements were collected over a four-week period and compared to the expected weight gain for infants receiving traditional incubator care. Results revealed a statistically significant increase in weight gain among infants receiving KC compared to the historical average for infants in traditional incubator care (t (7) = 2.443, p = 0.022). A large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.864) further supported the significance of these findings. Despite limitations such as a small sample size and convenience sampling, this study emphasizes that KC enhances weight gain in preterm infants, thus improving overall health outcomes. Implementation of KC requires ongoing support from nurse leaders to ensure proper education and successful integration into routine care practices. Nonetheless, continued research with larger samples and improved randomization is warranted to fully understand the long-term benefits of KC in neonatal care settings.

A Comprehensive Review On Solenostemma Argel (Del.) Hayne, An Egyptian Medicinal Plant, Essam Abdel-Sattar, Riham A. El-Shiekh

Bulletin of Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University

Solenostemma argel (Del.) Hayne, commonly known as Arghel or Hargal, is a desert plant belonging to the family Apocynaceae. It has been used in traditional medicine in various countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, and Sudan, where it is the primary source. The review is aimed at providing a comprehensive report on Solenostemma argel (Del.) Hayne, including its botanical identification and description, geographical distribution, traditional uses, phytoconstituents, and pharmacological and toxicological properties. A professional search in the available literature was performed through several databases. The search was performed using the following keywords: Solenostemma argel, Argel, chemical structures, biological effects, …

Safety Of Potentised Dilutions Of Rhus Toxicodendron In Wistar Albino Rats, Abanti Goswami, Narasimha Kumar Gv, Vara Prasad Saka, Pankaj Gupta, Bibaswan Biswas, Digvijay Verma

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Background: Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus tox.) is a well-known homoeopathic medicine used to treat inflammatory disorders supported by historical and modern scientific evidence. Objective: The safety testing of 6C, 30C and 200C potencies of Rhus tox. through acute and sub-acute oral toxicity tests as per the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development test guidelines. Methods: For the acute oral toxicity study, Rhus tox. (2000 μL/kg) was administered to rats and observed for 14 days. For the subacute oral toxicity study, Rhus tox. (200 μL/kg) was administered for 28 days and additional recovery groups were included to monitor reversibility, persistence, or delayed …

Usage Of Arsenicum Album 30c As A Prophylactic Medicine In Healthcare Workers Of A Covid Health Centre – A Report, Rekha Thomas, Thankaraj Balakrishnan, Anu Rajesh, George Mathew, Saurabh Kumar Jain, Radhika Agarwal, Anu Kapoor

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

The homoeopathic medicine Arsenicum album 30C was recommended as prophylaxis by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, along with general precautions during COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Delhi, India, during May–August 2020 to evaluate the effectiveness of Arsenicum album 30C as prophylaxis for COVID-19 in a high-risk group of healthcare workers (HCWs). HCWs (n = 100) were categorised into two groups based on the number of days Arsenicum album 30C was administered during their duty: 7 days (N1 = 38) or 14 days (N2 = 62). Participants underwent COVID-19 testing (rapid antigen test/reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain …

Tinea Cruris Managed With A Single Dose Of Individualised Homoeopathic Medicine: A Case Report, K Sivakumar

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Tinea cruris is an infection of the skin over groins by a species of dermatophyte. It is a common ringworm infestation that affects the groin and is caused by Trichophyton rubrum, characterised by red, itchy erythematous plaques extending from the Groin and flexures onto the thighs, buttocks and perianal region of the skin. More than eight million people visit primary care physicians annually to treat tinea-related symptoms. Topical agents are the mainstay in conventional medicine. However, a holistic approach with Homoeopathy for treating tinea cruris can make a difference in terms of both cure and preventing relapse. Case …

Paediatric Cholelithiasis Treated With Homoeopathy: A Case Report, Girish Gupta

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Gallstones are formed due to the precipitation of components of bile in the lumen of the gallbladder. The incidence of gallstones is extremely rare in children and patients are mostly asymptomatic. However, biliary colic may occur due to reflexive smooth muscle spasm by the stone obstructing the bile duct and may be the presenting symptom in 50% of cases of paediatric cholelithiasis whereas 25% may have non-specific symptoms, 20% may be asymptomatic and 5–10% may have complicated symptoms. The conventional treatment of gallstones is surgery even in children, whereas homoeopathy can provide non-surgical treatment in such cases. Case …

Obstinate Chronic Venous Ulcer Treated With The Homoeopathic Medicine Silicea: A Case Report, Sumit Paliwal, Laijun Nahar

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Vascular leg ulcers are highly prevalent conditions that have difficult management, a high sanitary cost and an impact on the patient’s quality of life. Individualised homoeopathic treatment could be a safe and affordable therapeutic option for venous ulcers. Case Summary: A 35-year-old male was treated with homoeopathic medication for an intractable case of chronic venous ulcer. Individualised homoeopathic medicine, Silicea, was prescribed after thorough case-taking, which led to improvement in subjective and objective symptoms. The Modified Naranjo Criteria score was 8 following the homoeopathic treatment, which shows positive causal attribution of the individualised homoeopathic medicine Silicea in …

Research Highlights, Bhavna Makhija, Khan Sheeba Saleem

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Research Highlights

269 Years Of Homoeopathy: The Healing Continues, Subhash Kaushik

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

As we gear up to celebrate 269 years of homoeopathy, it is a matter of pride for the homoeopathic fraternity that homoeopathy continues to evolve globally. Homoeopathy is now a widely used medical system with over 200 million users in 100+ countries. If factors such as strong evidence, wide, global usage, and economic viability can be considered as the pillars that make a healthcare model legitimate for a nation, Homoeopathy, indeed, makes the cut. Given its well-acclaimed abilities of permanent, effective, and safe treatment, homoeopathy went on to be a fundamental part of Indian healthcare. However, despite the relevance and …