Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Epidemiology And Pathophysiology Of Common Skin Diseases In West Africa: An Immunodermatological Framework, Osazomon Imarenezor

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

This capstone reviews the common skin diseases on a global scale. With these dermatoses being further funneled into Africa and then magnified into common West African dermatoses, the meta-analyses of literature available paints a clear picture of the epidemiological & pathological factors and their contribution to the skin disease. Each article analysed in this analysis was taken from a 20-year span of January 2000 to December 2019. The selection of articles was fine-tuned by identifying the distribution of skin disease, revealing the populations affected (age, gender, ethnicity, etc), the main causes, country of origin, the prognosis of disease, and the …

Stakeholder Perceptions On Transitioned Foster Youth Work Outcomes: A Mixed Methods Study In San Antonio, Bonnie Inkel

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Purpose: This examination of stakeholder perceptions on transitioned foster youth work outcomes is a crucial step to identify service strengths and barriers, characteristics of successful/unsuccessful outcomes, and opportunities for occupational therapy collaboration in San Antonio, Texas.

Method: A mixed-methods approach identified perceptions from two groups of stakeholders. Group I included transitionedfoster youth ages 18–24, and group II involved public/private agency professionals working with youth. Small sample sizes prevented traditional statistical analysis, but the Excel VARA (variance) statistical function analyzed numerical spread combinations from collected data, thus providing quantitative analysis.

Results: Participants confirmed they had not completed a similar survey on …

Occupational Therapy’S Needs Assessment For Service Navigation For Children With Autism, Kristina Lauren Paula

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background. This capstone project brings to our attention the importance of occupational therapy’s role in meeting the continued needs of children with autism. As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) continues to increase, so does the disparity in the accessibility of services for children and their families. Therefore, it is imperative to facilitate a diagnostic process and identify the child’s specific needs, to implement early intervention strategies. The medical model of disability, an internationally recognized approach in diagnosing children withautism, views autism as a problem that individually belongs to the child. Although the current medical model is preferred by …

Effect Of Animal-Assisted Intervention On Graduate Students’ Perceptions Of Well-Being: Insights From Occupational Therapy, Christine Kivlen

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Problem Statement: There is a growing concern regarding college student well-being that requires a need for implementation of cost-effective interventions addressing the increasing number of students experiencing negative mental health symptoms. Studies from medical and educational settings suggested positive mental health benefits from animal assisted intervention (AAI). Researchers studying college students exposed to animals during periods of high academic stress demonstrated successful reductions in stress and anxiety; however, researchers have not examined a specific area of dosage, including the influence of recurring AAI (more than one session) in the graduatestudent population. Furthermore, researchers have failed to include each element of …

Development Of The Steppin' Up For Success Program, Darlene F. Guckenberger

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

School transitions can be challenging for students, especially when students enter junior high school. Junior high school students experience significant developmental growth in the areas of autonomy, relationships, acceptance, cognitive skills, as well as physical differences associated with hormonal changes. When a student transitions into junior high school, evidence indicates possible declines in motivation, school interest, and academic achievement. Personal relationships, self-worth, and coping skills are essential for a successful transition between schools. Adolescents engage in the occupations of education, leisure, social participation, and activities of daily living. Occupational therapy is perfectly positioned as a support service within the school …

Pediatric Insomnia And Sensory Processing: Exploring The Role Of Occupational Therapy Practitoners In Sleep Medicine, Jason Browning

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background. Since the founding of occupational therapy, the occupation of sleep has existed within the scope of practice for practitioners. Sleep disturbances in pediatric clients are estimated to be between 20% and 40% (Galland, Taylor, Elder, & Herbison, 2012; Mindell, Telofski, Wiegand & Kurtz, 2009; Meltzer, Johnson, Crosette, Ramos, & Mindell, 2010; Owens & Mindell, 2011; Sadeh, Mindell, & Owens, 2011). Deficits insensory processing of pediatric clients play a role in daily functioning and possibly in the ability to settle and transition to sleep (Dunn, 2001; Foitzik & Brown, 2018). Purpose. The purpose of this study is to explore the …

Implications Of A Multicomponent Sleep Program After Brain Injury: A Mixed Methods Study, Brandi M. Fulwider

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Decreased sleep can negatively affect mental and physical health and can significantly disrupt participation in daily occupations and leisure interests. Even though sleep is an area of occupation, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for sleep. The purpose of this embedded mixed methods research study was to identify how disruptions in sleep affected daily occupational performance and to understand the effectiveness of occupational therapy- directed non-pharmacological sleep interventions for three participants in a community re-entry program for brain injury. This study utilized a single-subject research design during a 4- to 5-week multicomponent sleep program using …

Investigation Of The Prevalence Of Receded Near Point Of Convergence In School-Aged Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Lorig Sildiryan

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

PURPOSE: The intention of this study was to determine if there was an association between receded near point ofconvergence (NPC) and diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in school-agedchildren as compared to neuro-normal children. Differences in accommodative amplitude were investigated as well.

METHODS: This retrospective study was done by analyzing the data from examination records of fifty school-agedchildren between the ages of seven and seventeen. Twenty-five children in the experimental group withADHD were age and gender matched to twenty-five neuro-normal children in the control group. The average of each patient’s NPC break and accommodative amplitude values were used to conduct a …

Healthcare Utilization And Expenditure Of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Associated With Epilepsy In The United States, Esther Nkrumah

Health Sciences Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is characterized as a rare hereditary disorder impacting an estimated 25,000-40,000 persons in the United States and 1-2 million persons worldwide (Song et al., 2017). Individuals with TSC have extensive comorbidities that affect their health-related quality of life, healthcareutilization, and expenditure. The current literature lacks documentation on the impact of the various comorbidities and their association with healthcare utilization and expenditures among individuals withTSC. The purpose of this dissertation study was to examine the trends in healthcare utilization(emergency department and inpatient admission) and expenditures that can be identified among individuals diagnosed with TSC, with and without …

Implementation Of An Anxiety Screening And Treatment Protocol In Primary Care, Danielle E. Garcia

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Anxiety is a prevalent problem frequently presenting in the primary care setting in the United States. The lack of routine anxiety screening and evidence-based treatment protocols in the adult primary care setting causes physical, social, and economic consequences.

Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) evidence-based practice (EBP) quality improvement project was to implement an EBP anxiety screening and treatment protocol for adults in a primary care clinic to increase early identification and improve management of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Theoretical Framework: W. Edwards Deming’s Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle framework was utilized for this project. The PDSA …

Depression Screening In Outpatient Neurology, Lakicia Foster

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Depression is the preeminent cause of disability internationally. Support-based depression screening is a nationally recommended means of detecting and treating patients with this disabling illness. The purpose of the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) practice change project was to implement an outpatient neurology depression screening protocol so that depressed patients were identified and received intervention. The project answered whether implementation of an 8- to 12-week systematic depression screening protocol in a neurology practice increased the incidence of accurate depression identification and treatment in this patient population as compared to the 3-month prior baseline. The DNP depression screening project was based …

Critical Care Nurses’ Perceptions Of Safety Related To Using Complex Medical Devices In Daily Nursing Practice, Violet Rhagnanan-Kramer

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in America. Over 10,000 medical errors occur daily, with an estimated financial impact of preventable mistakes is 20 billion dollars annually. Increasing the use of multifarious sophisticated medical technologies in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) poses a risk of medical errors and unintentional harm to patients. However, limited empirical evidence exists regarding ICU nurses’ perspectives.

Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate ICU nurses’ perceptions of their use of complex medical devices.

Framework: The Conceptual Model for Technology, Nursing, and Patient Safety provide the framework for this study.

Sample: Using purposive, …

The Lived Experience Of Novice Senior Nurse Leaders During Organizational Role Transitions, Sharon Kauffman

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The qualitative interpretive phenomenological study investigates the lived experiences of novice senior nurse leaders, who have transitioned to new organizational roles within a single healthcare organization in the Southeast United States. Senior nurse leaders have complex responsibilities but may not have training adequate to lead masterfully at new organizational levels. This phenomenon is poorly understood. Senior nurse leaders who do not develop the appropriate interpersonal skills and systems thinking may experience a sense of role insufficiency. Yet, strong leadership among senior nurses is vital to the successful performance of healthcare organizations, given the current landscape of change and the rapidity …

Decreasing Nurses’ Stress In The Emergency Room Utilizing Mindfulness Meditation, Andrea L. Entus

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Emergency Room (ER) nurses are challenged both physically and emotionally, and are repeatedly exposed to severe occupational stress (d'Ettorre & Greco, 2016; Duffy et al., 2015). For example, some stressors are demands from patients and physicians, long hours, complex diagnoses, and a fast pace (Hunsaker et al., 2015). A considerable number of nurses experience work-related interpersonal conflict, secondary traumatic stress, and other stress disorders, which negatively affects the quality of patient care they deliver (Westphal et al., 2015). Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to implement a mindfulness meditation intervention to decrease emergency room nurses’ stress. …

Identifying Attitudes And Knowledge Deficits Regarding Constipation In The Neurosurgical Patient: A Quality Improvement Project, Denise Trestyn Diaz

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Constipation is a common problem in hospitalized patients worldwide. The providers’ lack of knowledge of the complications that can occur from constipation lead to increased discomfort and increased healthcare costs. Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based practice education intervention was to improve neurosurgical health providers’ knowledge and attitudes on constipation prevention in neurosurgical patients. Theoretical Framework: Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory was used to guide this project. Methods: A pre- and post-test survey design guided this project. The physicians, nurse practitioners, and nurses completed a pre-test and post-test survey on prevention of constipation in the neurosurgical patient before and after the …

Enacting Narrative Pedagogy: The Lived Experience Of Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Faculty, Suzanne Wurster

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background. Prelicensure baccalaureate nursing faculty manage up to five generations in the classroom. Each generation has its own unique educational needs and learning styles, which present pedagogical challenges for nursing faculty. Students need to be prepared to provide care for complex patients in a changing healthcare environment. Research-based pedagogies, such as narrative pedagogy, enable faculty to use teaching and learning approaches in which students can translate knowledge acquired in the classroom to their clinical practice. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experience of prelicensure nursing faculty as they implemented narrative pedagogy in the classroom or …

Examining Factors Associated With Failure To Fail In The Clinical Setting, Dee A. Adkins

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Clinical nursing faculties struggle to assign failing grades to underperforming students in the clinical setting; this is known as failure to fail. Qualitative literature has revealed common factors for failure to fail; however, quantitative studies are required to determine the extent to which those factors affect the faculty’s decision-making process. The purpose of the study is to explore the relationship between face-implicating factors and the faculty’s likelihood of failing students in the clinical setting who do not meet the passing criteria. What is the relationship between face-implicating factors and the nursing faculty’s likelihood of passing students in the clinical setting …

The Lived Experiences Of Thriving Nursing Students, Nicole M. Mentag

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

As the demand for qualified nurses increases, nursing education is responsible for preparing students for healthcare challenges. Nursing education focuses on academic success measures, including licensure examination passage, graduation rates, and grade point average. Though these outcomes are important, they fail to capture the complexities of student success. Thriving, the conceptual framework for this study, is a phenomenon within higher education that expands on the traditional measures of success and integrates cognitive and psychological aspects of the college experience. This study utilized interpretive phenomenology to understand the meanings of the lived experiences of thriving undergraduate nursing students. Semi-structured interviews were …

Comparison Of Pre-Licensure Bsn Student Outcomes Between Team-Based And Traditional Learning Methods, Tressa Jane Pedroff

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: The increased complexity of healthcare systems requires nurses to have a different skillset, largely not provided in today’s nursing curricula. Team-based learning is one possible teaching strategy believed to increase nurses’ critical thinking and teamwork self-efficacy. Currently, there is insufficient objective data available that demonstrates improved academic performance and perceptions of teamwork skills in pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing students. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of team-based learning and traditional lecture-format teaching strategies among pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing students in a Foundations of Nursing Practice course. Theoretical Framework: Vygotsky’s social …

Transitioning From Individualized Pediatric Dental Care Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder At The Mailman Segal Dental Clinic To Traditional Dental Settings, Toni-Marie Small

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Children with special healthcare needs (SHCN) such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) usually develop strong bonds with their pediatric dental care provider. However, as they mature, transitioning to other services or providers is necessary. Low rates of successful transition of children with SHCN have gained national attention especially since their lifelong conditions require continuous care. It is important to facilitate a smooth transition among providers; dental care providers specifically. These transitions are imperative to prevent these children from losing access to dental care as they mature. This pilot study seeks to describe the proportion of children with ASD seen …

Reliability Of Methods To Evaluate Sensitivity Caused By In-Office Bleaching Procedures, Ahmed Abuzinadah

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Objective: To evaluate and compare the reliability of different methods to measure sensitivity caused by in-office bleaching procedures.

Methodology: A convenience sample of 34 patients from the dental clinics at Nova Southeastern University participated in the study upon IRB approval, signing consent forms and complying the inclusion/exclusion criteria. All procedures were provided by the same operator (Dr. Abuzinadah) according to the manufacturer’s instructions using Opalescence® Boost® PF 40% (Ultradent, South Jordan, UT). No additional treatments were provided for desensitization. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the level of sensitivity during the procedure, 1-hour, 24-hours, 48-hours, 1-week and …

Oral Probiotic Supplementation As An Adjunct To Non-Surgical Therapy In Peri-Implantitis Lesions: A Pilot Study, Po-Ning Polly Huang

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: During the last decade, the results of several clinical studies suggested that oral probiotics may potentially improve oral health. The first study examining the effects of probiotics on oral health demonstrated that almost every patient with gingivitis, periodontitis or pregnancy gingivitis, had significant improvements in measurable periodontal indices when they were treated with a locally administered culture supernatant of a Lactobacillus acidophilus strain. This finding sparked several other studies to further examine the potential for treating oral diseases, such as, combating halitosis, oral candidiasis, and dental caries with probiotics. Of our interest, Fernandez et al. and Hollstrom et al. …

Dentists’ Communication Skills As Determinants Of Patient Initiation Of Treatment, Nojoud Omar A Balubaid

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In the medical field literature, studies allude to the importance of interpersonal relationships between the caregiver and the patient. Communication has been highlighted as a key factor that mediates the doctor to patient relationship. This study investigated the relationship between patient initiation of treatment with the patients’ perceptions of the quality of the dentist-patient communication. A cross-sectional study that solicited from patients seeking services at Nova Southeastern University Post-Graduate Dental Programs responses to a questionnaire that measured patient’s perception of the quality of communication of the attending dentist. The participants of the study were patients of the NSU Post-graduate dental …

The Effect Of Dental Probiotic Use On The Inhibition Of Streptococcus Mutans: A Clinical Study, Halah Thanoon

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Brief Background: Streptococcus mutans (S.mutans) is the pioneering pathogenic bacteria responsible for the initiation of dental caries. Controlling S.mutans activity using dental probiotics may have an impact on caries incidence and oral health in general. Objective: To evaluate the effects of commercially available dental probiotics (PRO-Dental, Hyperbiotics Inc.) usage for 60 days in a row on the cariogenic bacterium S.mutans in high caries risk patients with high or low S.mutans counts at baseline and 30 days after the discontinuation of use. Methodology: A total of 30 consenting adult patients with high caries risk (according to NSU CAMBRA protocol) without any …

Are Finger Width Palpation, Tape Measure, And Caliper Reliable, Valid, And Accurate To Diagnose Diastasis Recti Abdominis (Dra)?, Tamara L. Roehling

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Purpose: Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a condition where the medial rectus bellies separate at the linea alba. A DRA can negatively impact posture, trunk and pelvic stability, pelvic floor muscular control, respiration, trunk movement, and abdominal viscera support. The purpose of this research is to determine whether tools used in the clinic effectively screen for DRA. Specifically, this study compared the reliability, validity, and diagnostic accuracy of finger width, tape measure, and calipermeasurements to the clinical best standard, ultrasound imaging. Additionally, the study investigates whether there is a correlation between DRA and low back pain and pelvic floor dysfunction. …

Impact Of Psychological Factors On Adolescents With Anterior Knee Pain, Mitchell Selhorst

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Problem and purpose: Psychological factors impact self-report measures of pain and function among adults with anteriorknee pain (AKP), but we do not know (1) if psychological factors also impact pain, self-reported function, and objective measures of function among adolescents with AKP and (2) if a psychological intervention would affect function. The purpose of this dissertation is to determine the impact of psychological factors on pain, self-reported function, and objective measures of function in adolescents with AKP.

Methods: This dissertation was prospective, with three separate studies. Two were cross-sectional observational studies, and the third was a randomized-controlled trial. Patient questionnaires were …

Development And Validation Of The Self-Management Assessment For The Residuum And Prosthesis (S.M.A.R.T.), Daniel Joseph Lee

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Self-management is the process of preventing complications through meticulous self-care and vigilant self-inspection. Persons with long-term impairments or diseases must follow an effective self-management routine as part of their care regimen to reduce the risk of injury. Assessment of knowledge as it relates to self-management is standard care forpersons with chronic disease and long-term impairments. Identifying knowledge gaps allows for patient-centered educational interventions to be targeted to the person’s area of deficit. Despite the importance of self-management in persons with limb loss, there is currently no valid and reliable way to objectively assess knowledge specific to this population.

Purposes: …

Does The Type Of Dual Cognitive Task Impact Gait Variability Using The Quantitative Timed Up And Go (Qtug) In Community-Dwelling Adults?, Laurie G. Hiatt

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine how different cognitive dual-tasks impact gaitvariability in community-dwelling adults using the Quantitative Timed Up and Go (QTUG).

Methods: Participants aged 65 and older were recruited from two communities in Iowa and Wisconsin. Inclusion criteria: theability to stand and ambulate without an assistive device, having no orthopedic surgical procedures in the previous six weeks, living independently in the community, demonstrating corrected vision and ability to read, sufficient auditory function to carry on a conversation and ability to follow directions. Participants needed to follow three step commands and have no history …

Does One Session Of Pre-Operative Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Aid In Improving Urinary Incontinence Immediately Following Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy? A Retrospective And Pilot Study, Francine Noel-Ford

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Despite advancements in surgical techniques through the use of robotic assisted radical prostatectomy, urinary incontinence remains the most common side effect following surgery affecting men’s quality of life.

Objective: To explore the role of a single pre-operative pelvic floor muscle training session. To determine if men who receive the training session have a decrease incidence of incontinence post-op, whether pelvic floor muscle strength pre-operatively is an independent predictor of urinary incontinence, and the impact of incontinence on quality of life in men following a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy in the early stages post-operatively.

Design: A two part study with a …

Can A Prescribed Walking Program With Or Without Monitoring Impact Dizziness In The Older Adults? A Pilot Study, Amie Marie Jasper

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background. Dizziness, a common complaint among older adults, is associated with multiple falls, loss of function and independence, and reduced balance confidence. The Clinical Practice Guideline for Peripheral Vestibular Hypofunction recommends walking for endurance as a component of vestibular rehabilitation (VR). However, studies on VR in the olderadults do not include walking in the intervention.

Research Design: 1) A pragmatic, randomized, experimental design to evaluate the impact of walking on vestibular outcomes, length of stay, and number of visits, and to examine whether pedometers increase the adherence of older adults with vestibular issues to a walking program; 2) a descriptive …