Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Geriatric Interest Plan For Individuals With Dementia: Improved Quality Of Life, Alexis T. Francois

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The purpose of this Capstone experience was to identify the specific needs to improve the quality of life for individuals with Dementia and Alzheimer’s. According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2022a), 1 in 9 people aged 65 and older have dementia. It is imperative for people living with this disease to be actively involved in meaningful activities that can reduce their negative symptoms. People with dementia constitute 40% of patients with significant depression (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022a). The common risk factors that increase the likelihood of depression in these adults include social isolation and loneliness, lack of exercise, and functional limitations that …

Physical Wellness Programming For Community-Dwelling Seniors In Local Senior Center For Improved Social, Physical, And Mental Well-Being, Steven A. Dinnen

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The capstone project was creating an eight-week physical wellness program for community-dwelling seniors at the Senior Sunshine Center, a local senior center, that improved the social, physical, and mental well-being of those participating. The project population is community-dwelling senior adults over 55 who participate at the Sunshine Senior Center, and the focus areas are program development. The capstone project adds to the limited research about physical activity programs created by occupational therapists for community-dwelling older adults. Lastly, it highlights the importance of physical, mental, and social well-being for community-dwelling older adults. My capstone goals were met by using a pre …

Fall Prevention & Vision Therapy Program For Inpatient Rehab, James P. Ryan

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Falls and vision impairments are common areas of concern for many adult and geriatric individuals currently residing in inpatient rehabilitation facilities. While most facilities have a fall prevention program in place, many are inadequate at determining a patients true fall risk and reducing the number of falls sustained by these populations. Through the creation and consistent implementation of an evidence-based fall prevention and vision therapy program via screenings, assessments and patient specific interventions the number of falls sustained by these populations within an inpatient rehab facility was reduced over a three month period compared the three months prior to the …

The Dynamics Of A Full-Time Academician: Teaching, Scholarship & Service, Jalissa Nicole Black

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Academia by definition is “an environment or community concerned with pursuing research, education, and scholarship” (Oxford Languages, n.d.). In higher education, such as graduate-level studies, academia is a system fostering the growth in knowledge and practicality of students aiming to be of professional standing, however, academia from a full-time faculty member standpoint is to also be a life-long learner and pursuer of knowledge as well. My doctoral capstone experience (DCE) took place under the guidance of Christina Kane, EdD, MS, OTR/L, a full-time faculty member at Nova Southeastern University where she acts as Doctoral Capstone Coordinator, Academic Professor, and Advisor …

The Efficacy Of Group-Based Acceptance And Commitment Therapy For Decreasing Post-Stroke Depression To Improve Functional Outcomes, Lindsay Marie Folsom

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Expanding The Occupational Therapy Oncology Rehabilitation Program At James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Annalisa M. Rodriguez

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Paradoxical Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (Tnf-Α) Inhibitor-Induced Psoriasis: A Systematic Review Of Pathogenesis, Clinical Presentation, And Treatment., Aditi Chokshi, Michelle Demory Beckler, Anita Laloo, Marc M. Kesselman

HPD Articles

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors have been shown to be well tolerated among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis. Meanwhile, more recently, clinical practice and research efforts have uncovered increasing cases of psoriatic lesion development tied to initiating treatment with a TNF-α inhibitor. The underlying mechanisms associated with this occurrence have yet to be fully elucidated. A review and analysis of cases of paradoxical psoriasis currently published in the literature is warranted. In addition, exploring possible mechanisms of action and potential treatment options associated with favorable outcomes is much needed. A systematic literature review was performed utilizing …

Bioinspired Polymers: Transformative Applications In Biomedicine And Regenerative Medicine., Hossein Omidian, Renae L. Wilson, Niloofar Babanejad

HPD Articles

Bioinspired polymers have emerged as a promising field in biomaterials research, offering innovative solutions for various applications in biomedical engineering. This manuscript provides an overview of the advancements and potential of bioinspired polymers in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and biomedicine. The manuscript discusses their role in enhancing mechanical properties, mimicking the extracellular matrix, incorporating hydrophobic particles for self-healing abilities, and improving stability. Additionally, it explores their applications in antibacterial properties, optical and sensing applications, cancer therapy, and wound healing. The manuscript emphasizes the significance of bioinspired polymers in expanding biomedical applications, addressing healthcare challenges, and improving outcomes. By highlighting these …

A Rare Cause Of Low Back Pain, Abigail Conroy, Justin Bui, Emily Barnard, Lazaro Diaz

HPD Articles

This is the case of a 60-year-old man with no known medical history who presented with progressively worsening lumbar pain and was found to have idiopathic dorsal epidural lipomatosis. The patient’s condition improved significantly with pain management. Therefore, no surgical intervention was warranted at the time, but the patient was advised to keep close follow-up as an outpatient. Being familiar with this potential cause of lumbar pain is vital, as it can lead to severe morbidity if left unrecognized.

The Dilemma Of Socrates’ Position: Interview Methods And Feminist Empirical Bioethics, Michiel De Proost

The Qualitative Report

There is a growing body of bioethics research that addresses the importance of adapting empirical, predominantly qualitative, methods to generate debate on ethical arguments. However, there is an absence of illustrative work examining how this could be realised from a feminist perspective. This article, seeking to address the research gap, examines interview methods through a reflexive lens. Drawing on the doctoral research I conducted through interviews with women who were interested in social egg freezing (i.e., healthy women freezing their eggs in anticipation of future infertility), I describe how I encountered a dilemma because of my gendered positionality and the …

A Rare Case Of Folate Deficiency-Induced Subacute Combined Degeneration Of The Spinal Cord: A Case Report., Lohitha Guntupalli, Andrew Lurie, Veenah Stoll, Luis Daniel Lugo

HPD Articles

Folate deficiency is a rare cause of subacute combined degeneration (SCD). SCD is characterized by demyelination of the dorsal and lateral columns of the cervical and thoracic spine most commonly caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Folate deficiency, which can be clinically indistinguishable from B12 deficiency, leads to a variety of presentations, including absent vibratory sensation and proprioception, sensory ataxia, and progressive motor weakness. Recognizing the clinical sequelae of SCD is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment. We present a case of a 38-year-old male with progressive ascending bilateral lower extremity numbness and motor weakness in the presence of normal vitamin …

Urolithin A As A Potential Agent For Prevention Of Age-Related Disease: A Scoping Review., Breanne Kothe, Sarah Klein, Stephanie N. Petrosky

HPD Articles

The aging of an organism is hallmarked by systemic loss of functional tissue, resulting in increased fragility and eventual development of age-related neurodegenerative, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and neoplastic diseases. Growing scientific evidence points to mitochondrial dysfunction as a key contributor in the aging process and subsequent development of age-related pathologies. Under normal physiologic conditions, the body removes dysfunctional mitochondria via an autophagic process known as mitophagy. Urolithin A (UA), a metabolite produced when gut microflora digests the polyphenol compounds ellagitannin and ellagic acid, is a known inducer of mitophagy via several identified mechanisms of action. The primary objective of this scoping …

International Society Of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Coffee And Sports Performance, Lonnie M. Lowery, Dawn E. Anderson, Kelsey F. Scanlon, Abigail Stack, Guillermo Escalante, Sara C. Campbell, Chad M. Kerksick, Michael T. Nelson, Tim N. Ziegenfuss, Trisha A. Vandusseldorp, Douglas S. Kalman, Bill I. Campbell, Richard B. Kreider, Jose Antonio

HPD Articles

Based on review and critical analysis of the literature regarding the contents and physiological effects of coffee related to physical and cognitive performance conducted by experts in the field and selected members of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), the following conclusions represent the official Position of the Society:

(1) Coffee is a complex matrix of hundreds of compounds. These are consumed with broad variability based upon serving size, bean type (e.g. common Arabica vs. Robusta), and brew method (water temperature, roasting method, grind size, time, and equipment).

(2) Coffee’s constituents, including but not limited to caffeine, have neuromuscular, …

Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy Of Curcumin: Advances In Delivery Systems And Clinical Applications., Hossein Omidian, Renae L. Wilson, Sumana Dey Chowdhury

HPD Articles

Curcumin, a potent active compound found in turmeric and Curcuma xanthorrhiza oil, possesses a wide range of therapeutic properties, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound healing activities. However, its clinical effectiveness is hindered by its low bioavailability and rapid elimination from the body. To overcome these limitations, researchers have explored innovative delivery systems for curcumin. Some promising approaches include solid lipid nanoparticles, nanomicelle gels, and transdermal formulations for topical drug delivery. In the field of dentistry, curcumin gels have shown effectiveness against oral disorders and periodontal diseases. Moreover, Pickering emulsions and floating in situ gelling systems have been developed to …

Compartment Syndrome Secondary To Calcium Gluconate Extravasation., Derek S. Weimer, Sydney Jones, Tanya Ramadoss, Una Milovanovic, Mohammadali M. Shoja, Gary Schwartz

HPD Articles

This case report highlights a rare yet severe complication of calcium gluconate extravasation, namely, compartment syndrome. We present the case of an 86-year-old female who developed compartment syndrome following an extravasation of intravenously administered calcium gluconate for the management of hyperkalemia. Initially, mild erythema and edema were observed at the site of extravasation, which eventually progressed to severe pain, a reduction in the joint range of motion due to increased compartment pressure. Despite undergoing a series of fasciotomies, the patient's condition did not improve, and extensive tissue necrosis and gangrene necessitated amputation. This case emphasizes that calcium gluconate extravasation can …

Covid-19: Variants, Immunity, And Therapeutics For Non-Hospitalized Patients., Cameron Y.S. Lee, Jon B. Suzuki

HPD Articles

The continuing transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a world-wide 21st-century public health emergency of concern. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused greater than 600 million cases of COVID-19 and over 6 million deaths globally. COVID-19 continues to be a highly transmissible disease despite efforts by public health officials and healthcare providers to manage and control the disease. Variants identified in selected worldwide epicenters add to the complexity of vaccine efficacy, overage, and antibody titer maintenance and bioactivity. The identification of the SARS-CoV-2 variants is described with respect to evading protective efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and …

Understanding Athletes’ Experience When Transitioning To Life Beyond Sport, Mary L. Dell'arciprete, M Lauren Dell'arciprete

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Discontinuation may be by choice or may be due to an injury; however most collegiate athletes’ sports engagement ends due to graduation causing them to shift their role in an occupation that played a crucial role in their self-identity. Athletes of all levels are challenged in their transition beyond sport and in the adjustment to the various role changes that occur. A significant life event, such as the end of one’s athletic engagement, can cause a loss of identity, purpose, and mental health decline. Former athletes may experience occupational disruption, a temporary inability to adequately engage in meaningful tasks due …

Implementation Of An Intensive Amplitude-Focused Program With Stroke Patients In An Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting, Lauren R. Lafreniere

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

This 16-week capstone experience with Southern Crescent Traumatic Brain Injury Center (SCTBI) focused on creating and implementing an intensive amplitude-focused program to improve functional and motor outcomes in stroke survivors. The student achieved Lee Silverman Voice Treatment-BIG (LSVT-BIG) certification to gain in-depth knowledge regarding neuroplasticity and recalibration of the sensorimotor system through high-amplitude movements. The student utilized the knowledge gained from the certification course to create an intensive high-amplitude program appropriate for acute stroke survivors in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. The program is comprised of exercises that are completed in either supine, seated, or sitting and focus on functional movements …

Incorporating Poi As A Therapeutic Modality For Preschool Aged Children In The Care Clinic, Danielle Zirkle

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Prompt Management Of Airbag Burn Injuries Leads To Optimized Patient Outcomes: A Pilot Study., Grant N. Schalet, Stacey L. Tannenbaum, Taylor Ouellette, James W. Fletcher

HPD Articles

BACKGROUND: Dual airbags are required to be installed and available for use in all motor vehicles since 1997. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 50,457 lives were saved by airbags from 1987 to 2017; however, airbag deployment can cause injuries, including thermal and chemical burns, hyperpigmentation, and dysaesthesia. There is little information available in the literature regarding differences in outcomes between promptly visiting a plastic surgeon and waiting for treatment, especially as an injury may not be immediately apparent or patients may not know that airbag burn injuries may be delayed in presenting.

METHODS: This is a retrospective …

Variations In Anxiety And Related Psychiatric Comorbidity Levels Among Youths With Individual Diagnoses Of Autism Spectrum Disorder Or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder And Those With Both Diagnoses., Michael Wu, Ernesto Joubran, Divya Kumar, Nasser D. Assadi, Hoang Nguyen

HPD Articles

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) individually and those with co-occurring ADHD and ASD experience higher rates of total anxiety and psychiatric comorbidities such as gender dysphoria and locomotor skills compared to their typically developing (TD) peers. In this study, it was hypothesized that youth with comorbid ADHD and ASD would experience higher levels of overall anxiety, specifically separation, generalized, and social anxiety. A literature review of relevant studies published from 2007 to 2020 was performed, with a search involving key terms such as "Anxiety," "ADHD" and "ASD'". It was discovered that individuals with …

Pilot Testing Of A Non-Gaming Cognitive Battery In Expert Esports Athletes, Allison J. Brager, Patrick Belling, Jason Sada, Jeffrey Osgood, Bradley Fawver, Michael Dretsch

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Introduction: The esports industry is rapidly expanding, making it imperative to identify common data elements of expert gamers for the purposes of performance optimization and enhancement. We aimed to measure cognitive performance in a convenient sample of expert esports athletes, as well as to determine if cognitive performance of these individuals could be further enhanced through a novel non-gaming neurocognitive test battery.

Methods: Elite esports athletes (n = 5) participated in a four-day cognitive and strength & conditioning program at the Sports Academy (Thousand Oaks, CA). Cognitive performance was assessed through five tasks of increasing cognitive load. Baseline …

Drug Reaction With Eosinophilia And Systemic Symptoms (Dress) Syndrome Caused By Apalutamide: A Case Presentation., Gabriella Martin, Evan Lambert, Gordon K. Wang

HPD Articles

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe drug reaction that is triggered several weeks after the start of a new medication. This syndrome presents with a variety of clinical symptoms, specifically a manifestation involving a fever followed by a severe rash. A variety of medications are known to trigger DRESS, with the most common being anticonvulsants and allopurinol. Here, we discuss the case of a medication, apalutamide, that caused DRESS in our patient. Early recognition and abrupt discontinuation of the medication is required for the management of this syndrome and to minimize morbidity and mortality.

Cpg Odn/Mangiferin Dual Delivery Through Calcium Alginate Hydrogels Inhibits Immune-Mediated Osteoclastogenesis And Promotes Alveolar Bone Regeneration In Mice., Yingzhi Gu, Yang Hu, Shengyuan Huang, Sunniva Ruiz, Toshihisa Kawai, Yuxing Bai, Xiaozhe Han

HPD Articles

The immune system plays an important role in the skeletal system during bone repair and regeneration. The controlled release of biological factors from the immune system could facilitate and optimize the bone remodeling process through the regulation of the activities of bone cells. This study aimed to determine the effect of the controlled delivery of immunomodulatory biologicals on bone regeneration. Immunostimulatory cytosine-phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) and glucosylxanthone Mangiferin (MAG)-embedded microbeads were incubated with P. gingivalis-challenged splenocytes, or co-cultured with RAW264.7 cells. The effect of CpG ODN/MAG-containing microbeads on bone regeneration was then tested in vivo in a mouse alveolar bone …

Coping Mechanisms For Lymphedema: An Analysis Of Patient Experiences, Claudia Admoun, Harvey N. Mayrovitz

HPD Articles

Background and objective Lymphedema is a condition caused by impaired lymphatic function. Acquired lymphedema is often due to neoplasia, infection, trauma, or radiation damage. Most patients rely on advice from fellow patients and personal research to manage their symptoms. We believe coping mechanisms for lymphedema can be more streamlined and made easily accessible if the most common effective strategies are determined and collected in a single repository for reference. To that end, we aimed to assess the experiences of lymphedema patients and the coping mechanisms they employed. Methods Feedback from lymphedema patients was obtained using a 19-item questionnaire-based survey distributed …

A Short Report On The Impact Of Judo On Behaviors And Social Skills Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder., Blake S. Lockard, Marissa Dallara, Chasity O'Malley

HPD Articles

INTRODUCTION: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by communication difficulty and social deficits. The current treatment employs the use of psychosocial therapy and medication as well as alternative treatments. This is a pilot study that assessed whether participation in judo improved behavior and social skills in children with ASD.

METHODS: Twenty-four students from the Riverside Youth Judo Club were included in the study, after obtaining consent from their parents to participate. Inclusion criteria included participation in judo classes for more than one month and diagnosis of ASD and/or a developmental disability. Parent(s) of the children signed a …

High-Performing Conductive Hydrogels For Wearable Applications., Hossein Omidian, Sumana Dey Chowdhury

HPD Articles

Conductive hydrogels have gained significant attention for their extensive applications in healthcare monitoring, wearable sensors, electronic devices, soft robotics, energy storage, and human-machine interfaces. To address the limitations of conductive hydrogels, researchers are focused on enhancing properties such as sensitivity, mechanical strength, electrical performance at low temperatures, stability, antibacterial properties, and conductivity. Composite materials, including nanoparticles, nanowires, polymers, and ionic liquids, are incorporated to improve the conductivity and mechanical strength. Biocompatibility and biosafety are emphasized for safe integration with biological tissues. Conductive hydrogels exhibit unique properties such as stretchability, self-healing, wet adhesion, anti-freezing, transparency, UV-shielding, and adjustable mechanical properties, making …

Patient's Perspective Of Shared Decision-Making In Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment: A Grounded Theory Exploration, Isabela Viana Oliveira, Mariana Martins Gonzaga Nascimento, Cristiane P. Rezende Mrs, Carina M. Neves, Hagabo Mathyell Silva, Ana Luiza Mourawad Cesar, Djenane Ramalho De Oliveira

The Qualitative Report

Current guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment state that all decisions should be shared with the patient. Therefore, it becomes necessary to understand in-depth how patients with RA with different levels of health literacy and activation feel about sharing the decision with the health professional and how they experience this process. Grounded theory was used. Data collection included semi-structured interviews with 14 patients with RA. From the analysis of the patients’ narratives, four categories were built: “Accepting the changes: non-shared decisions”; “The patient's rationale: why not share?”; “Reaching the requirements for sharing the decision: expanding the patient’s autonomy"; and "Experiencing …

Self-Efficacy With Telehealth Examination: The Doctor Of Physical Therapy Student Perspective, Derrick F. Campbell, Jean-Michel Brismee, Brad Allen, Troy L. Hooper, Manuel A. Domenech, Kathleen J. Manella

HPD Articles

Introduction: The shift to telehealth exposed gaps in our understanding of how physical therapy students perceive patient assessment in a remote situation using the examination component of the patient/client management (PCM) model. The purpose of the study was to compare Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students’ self-efficacy performing patient assessment using the examination component of the PCM model using telehealth compared with conventional examination. To achieve the purpose of this study, the Physical Therapist Self-Efficacy (PTSE) scale was used. More specifically, self-efficacy in clinical reasoning was measured using the following items: (1) PTSE total score (2) performance of tests …

Nsu Kpcom Link - Summer 2023 - Volume 2.2, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Florida Link Newsletter

No abstract provided.