Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Using Fmri To Assess Effectiveness Of Olanzapine Treatment For Schizophrenia, William Kyle Copenhaver, David F. Lo, Hanna Rothenberg, Eeshan Khurana, Valerie Rome, Uzayr Wasif, Don D. Shamilov

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Schizophrenia is a complex mental illness with neurobiological underpinnings and misconceptions about violence. Schizophrenia is associated with high levels of creativity and structural traits like fewer D2 receptors. Patients face reduced life expectancy due to cardiovascular diseases and cope through smoking and sedentariness. Treatment involves pharmacological antipsychotics like olanzapine and nonpharmacological approaches. Olanzapine works by antagonizing D2 receptors but has side effects like weight gain and diabetes risk. fMRI is used to study treatment mechanisms and predict response, but research on olanzapine's brain network effects is limited.

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 …

Alpha 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Expression In The Hippocampus Of Patients With Schizophrenia, Shruti Varshney, Ananya Nethikunta, Minjal Patel, Mary Kosciuk, Randel L. Swanson, Venkat Venkataraman, Robert Nagele, Eric Goldwaser, Nimish Acharya

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Schizophrenia (SZ) is a heterogenous psychiatric condition characterized by disruptions in cognition, social activity, affect, and perception often associated with a varied combination of positive and negative symptoms. The pathophysiology behind SZ remains poorly elucidated. Earlier reports have cited the importance of the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR) in the hippocampus and the receptor’s association with auditory sensory gating and cognitive function. Specifically, variations in the expression and functionality of α7nAChR can be linked to auditory hallucinations experienced by patients with SZ and several therapies have been researched that target α7nAChRs. However, there are very few primary research …

Communication Beyond Words, Anna Brough

Art Therapy Counseling Final Research Projects

This research explores the definition and use of nonverbal communication within the therapeutic setting and the treatment of selective mutism by clinical providers. A phenomenological research method was used to interview three art therapists and two therapists without art therapy training. These interviews were used to explore their understanding and awareness of nonverbal communication within the context of providing treatment to clients with selective mutism. The analysis of participants’ discussions of their experiences of treating those with selective mutism revealed four major themes: Nonverbal Communication, Therapeutic Presence and Alliance, Art Materials and Interventions, and Culture and Society. Findings suggest no …

Zine-Making As An Expressive Arts Therapy Method In An Adult Psychiatric Inpatient Hospital, Lauren Classe

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Zines are handmade versions of magazines with themes embracing art, music, politics, and social issues, offering individuals a platform to reclaim their narratives and connect with others. This paper explores zine-making as an expressive arts therapy method and its potential to foster individual and community expression within the inpatient psychiatric setting. The psychiatric care system is an often chaotic and even oppressive environment for the patients it serves, with a history of stigmatization that drives underfunding, understaffing, and an over-reliance on the biomedical model. By engaging in therapeutic zine-making, individuals in psychiatric care have the opportunity to explore their emotions, …

The Psychological And Physical Effects Of Childhood Obesity Into Adulthood, Ashley Urbom

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this review is to assess how adults who were obese as children are affected psychologically and physically. Understanding childhood obesity has become an important topic in the last few decades, especially in the United States. This research seeks to examine the previous literature and its gaps in making conclusions about how the diagnosis of childhood obesity affects children not only at the time of diagnosis but into adulthood as well. Articles for review sourced from PubMed and PsychInfo and were available via the University of Northern Colorado libraries. Numerous sources were found, and several had varying results. …

Integrating Collective Art Healing Practices Into Contemporary Art Therapy, Taleene Armen, Nicole Aviel, Ej Liao, Brianna Mitjans, Mandy Schuster

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Five graduate students from the Marital and Family Art Therapy Program at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) conducted a research study to explore the characteristics and attributes of collective art practices and how they contribute to healing. A survey including quantitative measures and qualitative responses were administered on the Qualtrics platform, allowing for a wide geographic reach and rapid data collection. The subsequent qualitative analysis involved the creation of visual artworks by the researchers, utilizing the arts as data to identify additional common themes contributing to healing attributes. The data revealed three major themes, or characteristics, of how art contributes to …

Factors That Contribute To Disparities In Access To Mental Health Services Within Hispanic Adults, Jasmine Soriano

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The focus of this research project was to understand and identify the challenges Hispanic adults face when accessing their mental health services to better understand this concerning issue and help support social workers in bridging that gap in the Hispanic community. The study took place at a mental health clinic in Southern California through virtual interviews for those who chose to participate. This agency provides mental health therapy to individuals 0-21 years of age, but for the purpose of this study, only adults aged 18-21 qualified to participate. The study consisted of twelve voluntary participants from both Hispanic adult clients …

Implementation Of Prenatal And Postpartum Depression Screening For A Telehealth Company, Allison Herrmann, Lori Deibel

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract

Depression is a leading mental health disorder. Depression occurring during the perinatal and postpartum periods has become highly prevalent throughout the world, impacting 5-10% of women during (van de Loo et al., 2018) and 9-23.5% postpartum (Bauman et al., 2020). Proper diagnosis and treatment of perinatal and postpartum depression (PPD) is crucial, as depression can lead to poor outcomes including relationship complications and negatively affect child development (Slomain, 2019). The implementation of screening tools can help identify women at risk based on their signs and symptoms of PPD (Bauman et al., 2020). The primary goal of this project was …

Molecular Mechanisms Of Opioid Use Disorder In Human Brain Models, Emily Mendez

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a national and global public health crisis with no end in sight. While studies from animal models hint at widespread epigenetic and transcriptomic alterations of opioid drugs, the molecular consequences of long-term exposure to opioid drugs in human brain is still unclear, and human-centered translational models are necessary to discern the human cell type-specific effects of OUD.

Using postmortem brain Brodmann area 9 (BA9) from the UTHealth Brain Collection for Research on Psychiatric Disorders, I identified angiogenic gene networks perturbed in the RNA and protein of OUD subjects, as well as downregulation of many neuron-correlated …

Exploring The Lived Experience Of Self-Care In Young Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, Holly Berry-Price

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction

The prevalence of prediabetes in adults aged 18 or older was as high as 38% between 2017-2020. Youth-onset T2DM is a more aggressive phenotype than T2DM that occurs later in life. Young adults with T2DM have poorer health outcomes, lose an average of 15 years of life, all resulting in significant economic burden impacting the person. Current self-management interventions do not improve health outcomes in young adults with T2DM.

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to explore the self-care experiences of young adults living with T2DM.

Methods

Existential hermeneutic phenomenology informed the research. Inclusion criteria as follows: adults …

Examining The Relationship Between Deafness And Mental Health Status: An Analysis Of The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (Brfss) 2022, Brianna Stroud-Williams

Capstone Experience

Objective: The objective of the research is to examine the association between mental health status as measured by number of mentally healthy days in the past month and deafness and binge drinking.

Methods: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) study was conducted via telephone survey in 50 states, including the District of Columbia and US territories. The sample size is 402,156 participants. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate regressions, odds ratio, and 95% confidence interval were used to measure the data.

Results: Deaf respondents have 1.56 times the odds of having poor mental health than those who are not deaf. (95% …

Expectations And Marriageability In African Americans: A Qualitative Content Analysis, Ashley Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to identify individual factors that work alongside structural factors limiting the marriage rate of educated African American men to educated African American women. Previous research identified structural factors related to systemic racism that contribute to the marriage gap between Black men and women in America. The researcher in this study conducted a focus group with three Black men and another focus group with three Black women in order to identify any individual expectations or characteristics that each group considers when evaluating a partner’s marriageability. Data was analyzed using conversation content analysis techniques on focus group responses. Findings …

The Greater Implications Of Self-Perceptions Of Aging Among Younger Adults: Results From The Socially Nutritious Volunteer Training Program, Ashlyn Cobble

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The rapidly growing rate of the older adult population has created a need to better understand younger adults’ self-perceptions of aging and current trends of ageism. The purpose of this secondary data analysis research project was to determine changes, if any, in participants’ self-perception of aging after the Socially Nutritious facilitator or nutrition ambassador volunteer training, which aims to develop knowledge and skills related to aging trends, older adult nutrition, preventing ageism, and communication and educational considerations when working with older adults. Findings indicate that participants with more frequent interactions with older adults had a more positive perception of their …

States’ Covid-19 Restrictions Were Associated With Increases In Drug Overdose Deaths In 2020, Douglas A. Wolf, Shannon M. Monnat, Jennifer Karas Montez, Emily E. Wiemers, Elyse Grossman

Population Health Research Brief Series

Drug overdoses surged in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health experts raised concerns in the pandemic’s early months about how the pandemic and the policies enacted to stem it might increase overdose risk. This brief summarizes the findings of a paper that used national data to identify how states’ COVID-19 policies affected drug overdose rates among U.S. adults ages 25-64 during the first year of the pandemic. Results show that counties located in states that adopted more aggressive in-person activity restrictions experienced larger increases in 2020 than counties located in states with fewer limitations. State economic support policies …

Developing An Ebook For First Responders: Exploring Arts-Based Interventions To Counter Burnout And Build Resilience, Taysia De Mesa, Baylor Duncan, Emmanuelle Evans, Ashley Herbinger, Hannah Kent, Olivia Waldorf

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

The researchers in this project studied the prevalence and impact of burnout among first responders, after which they produced CRISP (Creative Resilience Initiatives for Service Providers), a groundbreaking art therapy-based program published in an electronic book format aimed at addressing burnout and fostering resilience among first responders. Our program aims to foster resilience by integrating art therapy's Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) model with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and anti-racism strategies. The ETC model aligns with inclusive and diverse practices as it emphasizes a system-focused approach in using creativity, self-reflection, and cultivation of effective body-mind empathy. The CRISP eBook features 18 …

Major Factors Of Sustaining Recovery After Relapse From A Substance Use Disorder, Amanda Tei Sandhurst

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Relapse is a common and often-expected occurrence among individuals with substance use disorders. Relapse can be defined as returning to a problematic behavior after abstaining for a period of time (Marlatt & Witkiewitz, 2005). It is the inability to maintain life in sobriety and is not an isolated event, but rather a process (Gorski & Kelley, 1996). The problem with relapse is that it can result in continued substance use and abuse, which can then lead to other major consequences. This study looks at ten individuals in recovery who experienced a past relapse after having a period of abstinence and …

Understanding The Perspectives And Attitudes Of 12-Step Participants Towards Medication-Assisted Treatment, Christopher Scott

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: The effects of living with a substance use disorder (SUD) are vast. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) has grown increasingly popular as a recovery tool among substance users but does not align with the popular 12-step model, which demands complete abstinence from narcotics and mind-altering substances. Objective: The primary aim of this phenomenology study was to explore the perspectives and attitudes towards MAT among 12-step participants. The secondary aim was to compare the responses of treatment and non-treatment professionals. Methods: This study used non-probability sampling methods to recruit participants who reported regular participation in a 12-step program. Semi-structured …

Art Therapy For Bereaved Siblings After Pediatric Cancer Death, Daniela Ramirez-Ibarra

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Children and adolescents whose siblings die due to pediatric cancer are at an increased risk for several mental health issues and high risky behavior engagement. There is currently very little literature on the topic of a sibling’s grief despite its potentially critical and persisting consequences. Through qualitative research in analyzing art projects made by bereaved siblings, this is an exploratory study of how an art program may help bereaved or grieving children access their feelings using a non verbal modality of expression. The research study was conducted at a community-based non-profit organization which focuses on supporting families of children with …

Social Workers’ Preparedness For Practice With Patients Experiencing Psychotic Disorders, Paula Crespin

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The present study explored the preparedness of social workers when providing services to individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders who present with non-affective psychosis. The present study sought to examine the perceived barriers to mental health service utilization for individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders as well as the perceived preparedness of social workers when providing services to individuals with non-affective psychosis. Social workers are crucial frontline workers in the treatment and support of individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorder. This qualitative study was comprised of twelve semi-structured interviews to gauge the preparedness of social workers (N=12). Results from the thematic analysis demonstrated …

Utilizing Art Therapy To Address Perfectionism In Patients Suffering From Eating Disorders: The Need To Diversify Treatment Approaches, Zara Goldberg

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Perfectionistic behaviors are highly common in people with eating disorders. This study investigates the relationship between perfectionism, shame, and the ways in which art therapy can be utilized as a primary tool in eating disorder treatment. Based on the research below and the results of this study, integrating art therapy protocols in combination with talk based theoretical work around perfectionism can improve recovery and decrease struggles with perfectionism in persons with eating disorders. Patients at a residential eating disorder center participated in four consecutive weekly group therapy sessions that integrated art therapy protocols into a preexisting talk therapy based group …

The Consequences Of Homophobia: Analysis Of Discriminatory Medical And Legislative Policies And Their Influence On Health Disparities, Kaiden J. Fandel

Honors Thesis

Are there specific roots that influence the introduction and incorporation of discriminatory medical policies? What are the sources of such stigma, discrimination, and prejudice, in what forms does such discrimination take place, and what negative impacts does such hatred have on health outcomes, quality of care, and health disparities? Through a review of existing literature on this topic, intertwining the examination of the evolution of discriminatory policies and other explanatory literature in the United States, this thesis aims to answer the questions above, and explain the roots of such homophobic discrimination and its prevalence in the United States. Through the …

Single Case Experimental Design Examining Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Post-Stroke Depression, Liam Alexander Mackenzie Myles, Emma Jones

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Background. Post-stroke depression (PSD) is common in older-age adults and is typically treated with cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). However, research has ascertained mixed findings regarding the efficacy of CBT for PSD in older-age adults, with limited evidence in people from global majority backgrounds. Materials and Methods. This case study used single case experimental design methodology to examine the effectiveness of CBT for PSD in a black, older-age man. The effects of health conditions, cohort beliefs, transitions in role investments, socio-cultural context and early experiences on the client’s thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and behaviours were formulated, before behavioural activation was used to …

Smoking During Pregnancy; An Epidemiologic Study Of Knowledge And Behavior In Caucasian Women, Victoria Maria Ruta, Teodora Gabriela Alexescu, Nicoleta Stefania Motoc, Roxana Constantin, Daisy Vaida-Voevod, Milena Adina Man

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Introduction. Although it is an easily avoidable lifestyle, tobacco use during pregnancy is an important chronic health care problem, potentially leading to severe pregnancy complications for both mother and infant. Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge regarding the effects of tobacco smoking during pregnancy. Methods. An online self-report questionnaire was administered using social networks and websites to women who were pregnant or who had recently given birth. Results. 1357 women were eligible to be included in the study. 919 women smoked during their pregnancy, 105 smoked but stopped before pregnancy (former smoker) and …

Medical And Psychological Management Of Patients With A History Of Surgical Treatment For Pancreatic Diseases, Magdalena Țone, Daniel Cochior, Oana Denisa Balalau, Tomescu Dana Rodica, Cristian Balalau, Teodora Mocan, Aurelian Udristoiu, Gabriel Petre Gorecki

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Background. Pancreatic cancer, known for its high mortality rate and late diagnosis, remains a significant health concern. Surgery offers a potential therapeutic remedy, but it is only valid in the early stage of detection. Increasing risk factors and an aging population are expected to raise the incidence of pancreatic cancer, further challenging healthcare systems. Methods. The general objective of this study was to analyze doctors' experiences regarding the health status of patients with benign pancreatic pathology who underwent surgery and were admitted to CF2 Clinical Hospital in Bucharest. The research involved a specialized questionnaire addressing various aspects of patient health, …

Surgery Of The Colon; The Impact Of Colostomy And Postoperative Complications On Patients' Quality Of Life, Vlad Denis Constantin, Adrian Silaghi, Dragos Epistatu, Daniela Gabriela Bălan, Florin Silviu Groseanu, Denisa Mihaela Nedelcu, Ioana Paunica

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Introduction. This study aims to evaluate the impact of stoma formation on the quality of life of patients undergoing colonic surgery, considering both emergency and elective procedures. Several factors (demographic data, Charlson comorbidity score, type of surgical intervention, duration of hospitalization, postoperative outcomes and complications, etc.) were analyzed to understand their influence on patients' well-being. Materials and Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent colorectal surgery that required stoma formation. A total of 270 patients were included in the study, with 69.25% undergoing emergency surgery and 30.74% undergoing elective procedures. Results. The Charlson comorbidity score was significantly …

Updating Data On Cognitive Impairment In Stroke Patients, Denisa Floriana Vasilica Pîrșcoveanu, Carmen Valeria Albu, Elena-Anca Târtea, Iulia Cristina Mărginean, George Alexandru Iacob, Elena Pinoșanu, Anca Maria Țucă, Cristina Maria Mărginean, Raluca Elena Sandu, Mircea Pîrșcoveanu

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Vascular cognitive impairments are the expression of complex interactions between vascular etiology, risk factors (brain diseases, white matter lesions, etc.) and cellular changes at the brain level. Consequently, vascular cognitive impairment is highly dependent on the location, extent (volume of brain tissue affected) and number of lesions. Memory impairment is not necessarily characteristic of vascular cognitive decline, usually having an evolution with episodic exacerbations and multiple cerebrovascular attacks (cumulative effect), thus producing a gradual deterioration. In recent years, the concept of mild cognitive impairment has emerged as a potential form of predementia, but which can progress to different types of …

The Role Of Psychogenic Factors In The Etiopathogenesis Of Autoimmune Disorders In The Oral Cavity, Nadya T. Avramova, Boyko K. Bonev

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Autoimmune disorders (AD) represent a heterogeneous group of multifactorial chronic conditions, which are triggered secondary to the loss of self-antigen tolerance. Their etiology involves genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors; however, AD cannot be explained by these factors alone. Recent studies have shown increasing stress levels in industrialized countries and also increasing trends in the prevalence of autoimmune diseases. The oral mucosa is extremely responsive to emotional influences such as stress, anxiety and depression. Therefore, oral diseases can appear as a direct expression of emotions or indirectly, due to various psychological mechanisms. The aim of this study is to find and …

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors And Pharmacological Resetting Of The Mind, Ion G. Motofei, David L. Rowland

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Mental activity is capable of processing analytical data (mathematics, physics, socio-political science, philosophy, etc.) similar to computer software. At the same time, mental activity largely depends on the brain, which works like a hard component of a computer. While the computer stores data on a physical medium, mental activity and data are supported by physiological mechanisms that are constantly operating (both in wakefulness and sleep). For this reason, the lack of brain oxygenation even for short periods of time (5-10 minutes) causes the loss of all data, including the disappearance of the individual's existence as a mental entity. This means …

Opioid-Related Emergency Department Visits Before And During Covid-19: Association With Community-Level Factors, Timothy F. Page, Weiwei Chen, François Sainfort, Julie A. Jacko

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between community-level variables and emergency department (ED) visit rates before and during COVID-19. The focus was on opioid-related ED visits. Despite large declines in overall ED visits during COVID-19, opioid-related visits increased. While visits for avoidable conditions decreased, the opposite was true for opioid-related visits.

Methods

We combined data from Florida EDs with community-level variables from the 2020 American Community Survey. The outcome measures of the study were quarterly ZIP code tabulation-area-level ED visit rates for opioid-related ED visits as well as visit rates for all other causes. Associations …