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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Modeling Dementia Risk, Cognitive Change, Predictive Rules In Longitudinal Studies, Xiuhua Ding Jan 2016

Modeling Dementia Risk, Cognitive Change, Predictive Rules In Longitudinal Studies, Xiuhua Ding

Theses and Dissertations--Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Dementia is increasing recognized as a major problem to public health worldwide. Prevention and treatment strategies are in critical need. Nowadays, research for dementia usually featured as complex longitudinal studies, which provide extensive information and also propose challenge to statistical methodology. The purpose of this dissertation research was to apply statistical methodology in the field of dementia to strengthen the understanding of dementia from three perspectives: 1) Application of statistical methodology to investigate the association between potential risk factors and incident dementia. 2) Application of statistical methodology to analyze changes over time, or trajectory, in cognitive tests and symptoms. 3) …


Evaluating A Bystander Intervention Program On Reproductive Coercion: Using Quasi-Experimental Design Strategies To Address Methodologic Issues In Randomized Community Prevention Trials, Catherine P. Starnes Jan 2016

Evaluating A Bystander Intervention Program On Reproductive Coercion: Using Quasi-Experimental Design Strategies To Address Methodologic Issues In Randomized Community Prevention Trials, Catherine P. Starnes

Theses and Dissertations--Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Community (or cluster) randomized trials are trials in which communities or groups of individuals (clusters) are randomized to receive the intervention of interest. Community randomized trials frequently more closely resemble a natural experiment than a randomized controlled trial (RCT) following intervention allocation. In particular, the effects of non-compliance can pose methodologic challenges in estimating the intervention effect which may require a quasiexperimental approach in order to minimize bias.

The motivating example to illustrate these issues is the Green Dot High School (GDHS) study. The GDHS study was a longitudinal, cluster-randomized controlled trial designed to assess the effectiveness of a bystander …


Exploration Of The Misuse, Abuse, And Diversion Of Gabapentin, Rachel Vickers Smith Jan 2016

Exploration Of The Misuse, Abuse, And Diversion Of Gabapentin, Rachel Vickers Smith

Theses and Dissertations--Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Gabapentin is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an adjunctive anti-convulsant and an analgesic for post-herpetic neuralgia. Though gabapentin was initially presumed to have limited or no abuse potential, which may have contributed to its widespread off-label prescribing, there have been increasing anecdotal and published reports of its misuse by substance abusers in the community and penal system. However, to date, there has been limited systematic evaluation of the scope and risk of gabapentin misuse and its associated effects. This dissertation assesses the etiology and prevalence of gabapentin misuse, abuse, and diversion in a multi-faceted approach, …


Investigating The Efficacy Of Vocal Function Exercises In Improving Vocal Function In Adults Irradiated For Laryngeal Cancers: A Three Part Dissertation, Vrushali Angadi Jan 2016

Investigating The Efficacy Of Vocal Function Exercises In Improving Vocal Function In Adults Irradiated For Laryngeal Cancers: A Three Part Dissertation, Vrushali Angadi

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Deterioration in voice quality following radiation therapy for the treatment of laryngeal cancers (LC) is well documented in literature. The majority of studies show that these voice problems are long term and in some cases permanent. Deterioration in voice quality, especially over a period of time could lead to significant communication difficulties in daily life or in some cases could even result in loss of profession. Despite the negative effects of radiation therapy on voice quality being well documented, few studies have focused on the efficacy of voice therapy in the irradiated LC population.

The purpose of this study was …


Lifestyle Contributors To Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Adam J. Berrones Jan 2016

Lifestyle Contributors To Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Adam J. Berrones

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Aortic stiffness is an independent risk factor that has prognostic value regarding future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events such as myocardial infarction, strokes, and heart failure. Although death rates due to coronary heart disease have declined in recent years, the leading global killer remains CVD and prevalence is still high. Understanding lifestyle contributors associated with aortic stiffness would provide the public with insight into targeting key health-related behaviors.

The purpose of this observational study was to examine the association of physical activity, physical function, and dietary quality as independent factors contributing to aortic stiffness in apparently healthy middle aged men. Fifty-two …