Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Adapted Yoga Program For Adults With Neuromuscular Impairments Designed To Improve Balance, Mood, Quality Of Life, And Engagement In Daily Occupations, Hayes Miller, Mary Smith Otd, Otr/L, Christienne Parten Otd, Med, Otr

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Neuromuscular impairments such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affect an individual's balance, mood, and ability to engage in daily occupations, ultimately impacting their quality of life. Yoga is a practice that is adaptable to any level of function and is holistic in its goal of mind-body unity. However, there has been minimal research regarding yoga's efficacy as a modality for populations with neuromuscular impairments. This study aimed to improve these factors as well as proprioception and interoceptive awareness through the delivery of a 6-week community-based yoga program. The program involved 5 participants, 4 with PD and 1 …

Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis [Ipa]: Examining The Impact Of Sleep Disturbances On Lived Experiences Of Persons With Parkinson’S Disease (Pwpd), Adriana Ornelas, Angela Blackwell, Karen Aranha

Spring 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Introduction: This investigation aimed to examine the lived experiences of PwPD who suffer from insomnia. Sleep disturbance affects up to 96% of individuals with PD. The non-motor symptom (NMS) significantly reduces HR-QOL, positively correlates with disease severity and duration, and increases the disease burden of care. Due to the nature of the disease, typical sleep hygiene protocols may not be the most effective intervention for this population. Understanding their challenges is vital to developing a sleep hygiene protocol tailored to their needs.

Methodology: A pilot qualitative study using an interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) with PwPD (N=12). The study received IRB …

Examining The Utility Of The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (Copm) Vs. Cognitive Mapping And Motivational Interviewing (Cm/Mi) To Provide Person-Centered Care (Pcc) For People With Parkinson’S Disease (Pwpd), Mary Lagasca, Karen Aranha

Spring 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) limits occupational engagement and quality of life. Clinicians need tools to help understand the lived experiences of people with PD to provide more person-centered care (PCC). The Canadian Occupational Performance Model (COPM) is one tool used with this population, but its predetermined categories may be limiting. In contrast, Cognitive Mapping and Motivational Interviewing (CM/MI) is a non-standardized method that may provide more insight. Objective: To identify the benefits of the COPM to CM/MI in delivering more person-centered care (PCC). Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological self-study was used. Data collection compared the assessments and reflected on determining if …

An Online Adapted Yoga Program For Adults With Parkinson's Disease, Abby Hani, Mary Smith, Christienne Parten

Spring 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Parkinson’s (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting nearly 10 million people and ~1 million Americans (Parkinson’s Foundation, 2022). PD affects motor and nonmotor functions, increasing disability over time (Dutta, 2020). Research shows that yoga improves motor function, balance, and functional mobility, reduces anxiety and depression, and increases QoL for patients with PD (Ban et al., 2021, Green et al., 2019).

Problem/Purpose: Individuals with PD experience decreased function in many areas of occupational performance and lack access to alternative options for yoga, such as a resource for an online adapted yoga program. The purpose of this project was …

Parkinson’S Disease And Occupation Focused Wellbeing, Ashley Adamczewski

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Capstone Posters

This capstone was completed at InMotion™, a community wellness center that serves individuals with Parkinson's disease. The purpose was to advocate for occupational therapy services in the community as preventative care and educate InMotion™ clients on how occupational therapy can be beneficial to enhance quality of life and overall wellbeing.

Glyphosate And Dopaminergic Neurotoxicity: Herbicide Impacts On Parkinson's Disease Development, Lojy Hozyen

Undergraduate Research Posters

Nearly one million individuals in the United States are living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the past two decades, the death rate from PD has risen by about 63 percent in the United States. Major findings have been made in the past five years about the potential impact of glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine) exposure on the onset of PD symptoms. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to provide a compiled update on the chemical and biological alterations that glyphosate imposes on the human brain. A meta-analysis was conducted to create a quantitative estimate of the connection between PD and glyphosate. Findings …

Risk Factors For Depression Progression In Parkinson's Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study, David Kosoy, James Cassuto, Gregory Kurgansky

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2023

Introduction: Depression is a common non-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD) with a significant impact on quality of life and overall prognosis. Despite the availability of effective treatments, many PD patients with depression do not receive timely diagnosis and appropriate intervention. This study aimed to identify risk factors for depression progression in PD to inform clinical practice and future research.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of PD patients using registry data from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) dataset. The primary outcome was depression progression, defined as a 2-point or greater increase in the MDS-UPRDS depression score within …

Using Automated Touchscreen Tasks For Cognitive Assessment In A Novel Model Of Parkinson's Disease, Brainscan, Western University, Flavio Henrique Beraldo De Paiva, Marco Prado, Vania Prado

Project Summaries

This research will focus specifically on evaluating cognitive flexibility (the ability to respond and adapt behaviours to changes in the environment), cognitive dysfunction (changes in the intellectual processing and reasoning that impact daily functions, to a greater severity than what might be expected from typical age-related decline) and long-term memory in a PD model using touchscreens.

Investigating Vta, Snc And Dopamine Projections In The Brain Using Mri, Brainscan , Western University, Penny Macdonald, Ali Khan, Adrian Owen, Ravi Menon

Project Summaries

By using a multi-modal imaging approach - combining a number of different imaging techniques - we will seek to understand the dopaminergic pathways of the brain. While all neurons depend on neurotransmitters such as dopamine to communicate (since neurotransmitters are responsible for transmitting signals between neurons in the brain), very few neurons actually produce dopamine.

Relating Functional And Structural Signatures Of Parkinson’S Disease To Changes In Dopamine Signalling: A Pet/Fmri Study, Brainscan . Western University, Penny Macdonald, Udunna Anazodo, Justin Hicks, Frank Prato, Alain Dagher

Project Summaries

Cognitive impairments in early Parkinson's disease are known to be linked to complex changes in the dopamine system within the brain. For example, dopamine-producing neurons in one key region of the brain are significantly degenerated, but those in another are spared. Dopamine-replacement therapy (DRT) has been pursued and it has produced significant improvements in certain cognitive functions - unfortunately it also produced significant impairments in others.

Visions Of Living With Parkinson's Disease: A Photovoice Study, Danice Greer, Cheryl Cooper, Melinda Hermanns

Faculty Posters

This poster was presented at the May 2014 UT Tyler Faculty Awards.