Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Is Laparoscopic Gastric Banding An Effective Treatment For Obesity In Adolescents And Adults As Measured By Physical Function?, Shawna Mccormick

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is laparoscopic gastric banding an effective treatment for obesity in adolescents and adults as measured by physical functioning?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of all English language primary studies from 2009, 2010, and 2011.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized control trials and one cohort study were found using PubMed, Medline, and OVID.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: There were multiple outcomes measured in the studies but the outcome of concern is quality of life post-operatively, specifically, physical functioning as measured by surveys including SF-36, Moorehead-Ardelt, BAROS, and CHQ CF-50. …

Does Immersion In Water During Labor Decrease The Likelihood Of Perineal Tears?, Julie Rikkers

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to determine whether or not “Does water immersion in the course of labor decrease the risk of perineal injury during vaginal delivery?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English Language primary studies published in 1996, 2001 and 2002.

DATA SOURCES: Two Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled trials as well as One Case Control Study which evaluated Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes during labor and delivery were found using PubMed and Cochrane Databases.

OUTCOME MEASURED: Each study looked at women who used water immersion during labor and those that did not. The outcomes measured were those regarding …

Is The Use Of Intestinal Helminths Safe And Effective In The Treatment Of Allergic Rhinitis?, Tanner Mccalley

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this EBM review is to determine whether the use of intestinal helminths is safe and effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language, blinded randomized controlled trials from 2009, 2010, and 2010.

DATA SOURCE: Randomized, controlled, blinded trials comparing the use of intestinal helminths versus visually matched placebo as a treatment for allergic rhinitis found using PubMed and Ovid databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Several different systems were used to evaluate the symptoms or occurrence of AR. Bager et al.2010 uses symptom scores of AR scale of 0 …

Is Probiotic Supplementation Effective In Reducing The Incidence Of Atopic Dermatitis In Children Age 3 And Under?, Kristen M. Mclaughlin

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not probiotic supplementation is effective in reducing the incidence of atopic dermatitis in children age 3 and younger.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three Engligh language primary studies one published in 2009 and the other two in 2010.

DATA SOURCES: Three double blind randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of probiotic supplementation for reducing the incidence of atopic dermatitis in children ages 3 and under were found using Cochrane Library EBM and PubMed databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, via a positive …

Is Valdecoxib An Effective Treatment Option To Improve Pain In Adults With Diagnosed Osteoarthritis Of The Hip Or Knee?, Karen A. Mcsorley

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Valdecoxib is an effective treatment option to improve pain in adults with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.

STUDY DESIGN: This review consists of three randomized control trials; two were published in 2002 and the third in 2006.

DATA SOURCES: Sources were studies comparing groups taking Valdecoxib 10mg QD to placebo, which were found via Pubmed, MEDLINE, Ovid, and Cochrane databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The three articles measured various outcomes: pain improvement, stiffness, physical improvement, adverse effects, and onset of analgesia during acute pain …

Is Telaprevir An Effective Addition To The Currently Available 48 Week Therapy Regimen In Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 1 Patients?, Jeanette L. Nienaber

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine if the addition of telaprevir reduces treatment time and is more effective than the presently available pegylated interferon α2a-ribavirin combination 48 week therapy.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies published in 2011.

DATA SOURCES: Articles selected for review, are randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trials found in peer-reviewed journals using Cochrane, Medline and PubMed databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Effectiveness of telaprevir was measured by determining the potentiality of reducing treatment outcome from 48 weeks to 24 weeks and the overall success rate of …

Is Dapsone Gel Safe And Effective For The Treatment Of Acne Vulgaris?, Amy Patel

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not dapsone gel is safe and effective for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

STUDY DESIGN: A review of three English language studies published in 2007. Includes two randomized, double-blind, controlled trials and one open label, noncomparative study. DATA SOURCES: Randomized, controlled trials comparing dapsone gel to vehicle gel control were found using PubMed and Cochrane database.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Success on the Global Acne Assessment Score (GAAS) and reduction in acne lesion counts

RESULTS: The two randomized, controlled trials and the open-label noncomparative study …

Is Oral Rivaroxaban Safe And Effective In The Treatment Of Patients With Symptomatic Dvt?, Ami A. Patel

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not oral rivaroxaban is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with symptomatic DVT.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary randomized controlled trial studies published from 2007-2011.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials studying the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban in the treatment of patients with symptomatic DVT in comparison to enoxaparin and placebo.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Outcomes measured were episodes of recurrent DVT and bleeding. Patients were monitored for the proposed treatment period and seen at fixed intervals that were matching …

Are Triptan Drugs Safe And Effective For Use In The Prevention Of Menstrually Related Migraines (Mrms)?, Christina Ponzio

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Triptan drugs are safe and effective for use in the prevention of menstrually related migraines (MRMs).

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two English language randomized controlled trials and one pilot randomized control trial.

DATA SOURCES: Randomized controlled trials comparing Triptan drugs to a placebo group were found using Medline, PubMed, and OVID.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Incidence of MRM based on patient self-report; number of relapses; patients’ subjective evaluations of effectiveness based on questionnaire; adverse effects of Triptan treatment.

RESULTS: Two randomized controlled trials …

Does Metformin Use During Pregnancy Effectively Reduce The Rate Of Early Pregnancy Loss In Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?, Inna Prikhodko

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Does Metformin use during pregnancy effectively reduce the rate of early pregnancy loss in women with polycystic ovary syndrome?”

STUDY DESIGN: This review is based on two primary double-blind, randomized controlled trials and a prospective controlled trial that was not randomized or blinded to evaluate whether metformin, a medication used to manage PCOS, can also prevent early pregnancy loss in women with PCOS.

DATA SOURCES: All articles used were published in English, in peer-reviewed journals, and located through PubMed, OVID and COCHRANE databases..

OUTCOMES MEASURED: …

Does Laughter Therapy Improve Symptoms Of Depression Among The Elderly Population?, Audrey L. Shaw

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or
not laughter therapy improves symptoms of depression among the elderly population.

STUDY DESIGN: A review of three studies written in the English language published between 2007 and 2011.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized controlled trials and one pilot study comparing the effect of laughter therapy on depression were found using PubMed, Medline, OVID, and Cochrane databases.

OUTOMES MEASURED: Outcomes measured in the studies included depression, quality of life, and life satisfaction.

RESULTS: Laughter therapy was shown to be beneficial as both an independent …

Does Neonatal Massage Lead To Reduced Stress Behavior In Medically Stable Preterm Infants In The Nicu?, Sarah E. Werner

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not neonatal massage leads to reduced stress behavior in medically stable preterm infants in the NICU.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies published in 1996, 2005 and 2007.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized control trials comparing stress behavior in preterm infants receiving massage to a control group that did not receive massage were found using PubMed and Medline databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Researcher recorded stress behavior as behavioral distress activity and motor activity via direct observations and a time sampling method. Motor …

Is Transdermal Glyceryl Trinitrate A Safe And Effective Treatment For Primary Dysmenorrhea?, Sarah E. Visich

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective evidence based medicine review is to determine whether or not transdermal glyceryl trinitrate is a safe and effective treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two English language randomized control trials (RCTs) published in 1996 and 1999 and one English language pilot study in 1997.

DATA SOURCES: Two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over studies and one pilot study comparing transdermal glyceryl trinitrate to placebo were found using PubMed, Medline and OVID.

OUTCOME MEASURED: Outcomes measured were based on pain intensity scores (PID) assessed on a visual analog scale and the …

Does Parent And Therapist Delivered Qigong Massage Therapy Decrease Sensory And Self-Regulation Impairments In Children Ages 3-6 Years Old With Autism?, Lisa A. White

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not parent and therapist delivered Qigong massage therapy decreases sensory and self-regulation impairments in children ages 3-6 years old with autism.

STUDY DESIGN: Reviewed three English primary studies published in 2005, 2009 and 2011.

DATA SOURCES: All studies were randomized controlled trials that compared a group of children with autism who received Qigong massage treatments to a controlled group of children with autism who did not receive the treatments. All studies were found using PubMED and Cochrane research databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Overall reduction …

Does Etravirine Decrease Central Nervous System (Cns)/Neuropsychiatric (Nps) Adverse Events Compared To Efavirenz, In Hiv Positive Patients?, Angelo D. T. Smith

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Etravirine (ETR) decreases adverse reactions on the central nervous system (CNS) compared to Efavirenz (EFV) in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three, English language, primary randomized controlled trial studies published in 2011.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials studying the possible decrease of ADR’s in HIV positive patients who are taking Efavirenz compared to study medication Etravirine.

OUTCOME(S) MEASURED: Outcomes measured were by surveys from patients that assess the development or cessation of CNS ADR’s. The self …

Is Phlogenzym Effective In Reducing Moderate To Severe Osteoarthritis Pain In Adults?, Vanessa K. Wood

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Phlogenzym (or ERC) effective in reducing moderate to severe osteoarthritis pain in adults.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized controlled trials in the English language from 2001 to 2006.

DATA SOURCES: Two double blind RCTs and one open RCT was found using Cochrane Library EBM Online Database, Ovid Medline, and PubMed Online.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Each of the three studies measured for pain at rest, pain with motion, and restricted function at baseline assessing efficacy using the Lequesne’s Algofunctional Index, visual analog scales, and …

Is Reduction Of Caffeine Intake Effective In Reducing The Symptoms Of Panic Attack In Panic Disorder Patients?, Elizabeth Wasson

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective for this selective EMB review is to determine whether or not the reduction of caffeine intake is effective in reducing the symptoms of panic attack in panic disorder patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language randomized control trials published in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

DATA SOURCES: The double-blind placebo-controlled randomized control trials were obtained via PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The prevalence of a clinical panic attack. Pre and post caffeine/placebo administration questionnaires were given to the participants. These surveys included the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS) and the Diagnostic Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ). …

Is Hypnotherapy An Effective Treatment For Depression?, Simone Youssef

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this EBM paper is to determine whether or not hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for depression.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two English language randomized controlled trials and one case study published in 2007, 2009, and 2010.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized controlled trials and one case study reviewing the effectiveness of hypnotherapy on depression were found using PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Depression was measured through the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI- II), which is a 21-question multiple choice self-report inventory based on scores of 0-63, with higher scores signifying more severe depressive …

Is The Use Of Honey An Effective Dressing Option For The Treatment Of Diabetic Foot Ulcers?, Michelle A. Wimmer

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not honey could be used as an effective topical treatment for diabetic foot ulcers in diabetic patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three primary journal articles published in English between the years of 2008 and 2010.

DATA SOURCES: Two Randomized Controlled Trials comparing honey as a treatment for diabetic foot ulcers to either previous failed treatments or Povidone Iodine Solution, and a pilot prospective study, exploring the effectiveness of PEDYPHAR a royal jelly ointment. All articles were found using Pubmed, OVID and Cochrane Database.

OUTCOMES MEASURED …

Is High Dose Radioactive Iodine-131 More Effective Than Low Dose Iodine-131 In The Therapy Of Patients With Hyperthyroidism?, Tyler L. Warnecke

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not high dose radioactive iodine-131 is more effective than low dose iodine-131 in the therapy of patients with hyperthyroidism.

STUDY DESIGN: The review included three primary English language studies that were peer reviewed articles published in 2003, 2010 and 2011.

DATA SOURCES: This paper evaluates three randomized control trials (one prospective randomized and two comparative randomized) looking at the effectiveness of high dose and low dose radioactive iodine-131 for the treatment of hyperthyroidism.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Each study examined patients being treated with high …

Is Topiramate Effective In Preventing Pediatric Migraines?, Krystina Zeliff

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Topiramate is effective in the prevention of pediatric migraines.
Study Design: Review of three English language randomized control trials published in 2005, 2007, and 2009.

DATA SOURCES: Three double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trials comparing various doses of Topiramate to placebo were found using PubMed, OVID, and Cochrane Library databases.

OUTCOME(S) MEASURED: The frequency of migraines in patients under the age of 18 years old was documented with headache diaries. The patient’s parent would record the number, severity, duration, associated symptoms, and use of acute …