Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Evaluation Of A Cardiac Home Care Program, Donna Mayo-Rosa

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a cardiac home care program in promoting self-care through supportive-educative nursing. Orem's self-care model served as the conceptual model for this study. Self-care was measured in this study by evaluating the patient's level of cardiac knowledge and functional ability.

This study was conducted at a home care agency in Midwest Michigan. A convenience sample of seven was obtained from patients admitted to a cardiac home care program following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABO).

A descriptive design with a one group paired t-test was used to analyze the differences …

Correlation Of Emergency Department Nurses' Beliefs About Wife Abuse And The Use Of Carative Factors In Transpersonal Interactions With Abused Wives, Judith A. Baker

Masters Theses

Emergency department nurses from seven general hospitals were surveyed to elicit information on their beliefs about wife abuse (using the Inventory of Beliefs about Wife-Beating) and their self-reported behaviors with clients who may be physically abused. They were asked about beliefs about institutional and peer attitudes toward caring for abused wives. Information on the nurses’ education about and experience with wife abuse was gathered. Data were summarized to provide descriptive statistics regarding beliefs and behaviors. High levels of caring behaviors were reported. Analysis of correlation between beliefs and behaviors was conducted. Significant findings were correlations between caring behaviors and the …

The Efficacy Of A T’Ai Chi Intervention On Functional Balance And Walking Speed In The Elderly, Melanie Mckimmy, Sarah Teubert

Masters Theses

This study assessed the efficacy of a T’ai Chi exercise intervention on functional balance and walking speed. Twenty-two volunteer subjects over the age of 65 were included and categorized as near-frail or well elderly, based on their functional status. Subjects randomly selected for the intervention group participated in a 45 minute T’ai Chi group exercise class, bi-weekly for six weeks. Pre- and post-intervention data was on the Berg Balance Scale, and on self-selected and maximum walking speed. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) revealed no statistical significant differences between the intervention group and the control group. Likewise, there was no statistical significant …

Emergency Nurse Self Perception Of The Benefit Of The Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course, Diana Lynn Ropele

Masters Theses

This study evaluated whether emergency nurses perceived an increase in knowledge and skill in caring for pediatric emergency patients after taking the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC). Also it evaluated whether non-certified nurses reported a greater increase in knowledge and skill after the ENPC than the certified nurse.

A cross-sectional, retrospective, correlational design was used with a random sample of 333 registered nurses living in Michigan who completed the ENPC in 1995 or 1996. Ninety-three nurses practicing in emergency care returned the demographic sheet and the ENPC perception questionnaire (EPQ).

Analysis compared knowledge and skill scores before and after taking …

A Secondary Analysis Of Self Assessed Assets Of Ninth And Twelfth Grade Students, Carolyn H. Young

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to identify the assets possessed by ninth and twelfth graders. This is a secondary analysis of data collected from a survey taken in rural northeastern lower Michigan. This study compared and discussed the similarities and differences in the community, family, and personal characteristics that can be interpreted as assets possessed by these students. Thirty - nine such assets were identified as being possessed by at least one of the student populations. These data can be used to help develop programs which can prevent adolescents from engaging in high - risk behaviors such as early …

A Description Of General Self-Efficacy And Specific Self-Efficacy For Health Promoting Practices In A Disabled Population, Elizabeth M. Carrington

Masters Theses

This study examined disabled persons' self-efficacy in relationship to performance of health promoting practices. A descriptive research design in which questionnaires were administered by interview was utilized. The sample consisted of forty-four disabled adult individuals attending a vocational rehabilitation school. The General Self-Efficacy Sub-Scale (Sherer, et al, 1982) and the Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale (Becker, Stuifbergen, Oh & Hall, 1993) were administered.

Major findings related to the three research questions were: (a) this sample's Self-Rated Abilities Scores was higher than previously recorded for a comparable disabled population, (b) multiple disabilities had little impact on self-efficacy scores, (c) a …

Rural Women's Participation In Breast Self-Examination, Joni L. Erlewein

Masters Theses

A descriptive, correlation design was used to examine the relationship between the Health Belief Model (HBM) variables and breast self-examination (BSE) in a population of rural women. Champion's HBM Scale (1993) was given at a cancer screening clinic (n=127). The construct validity for this instrument was established by Champion and alpha reliability for subscales ranged from .74 to .91 in this study.

Logistical regression was performed using the HBM variables of perceived susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, health motivation, and confidence. Barriers and confidence made a significant difference in BSE performance among the subjects in this study.

Women with friend or …

Relationship Between Professional Development And Education, Christine A. Frederick

Masters Theses

Nursing is a profession. It is important for nurses to know what impacts professional development. Educational preparation plays a large role in professional development.

Data were originally collected in 1995 through a survey of nurses from one chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. The survey was sent to 544 members to determine their scores on professional development. The current study conducted a re-analysis of that data to determine if a relationship existed between professional development and education.

This thesis was based on Leddy and Pepper’s (1993) theory of professional development modified from Eric Erikson’s eight stages of the life cycle. …

Perceived Benefits And Barriers And Mammography Screening Compliance In Women Age 40 And Older, Amy Hoke Vanzee

Masters Theses

The mammography screening guidelines have been vague and differ from recommending organization to organization. Thus it is up to women to make decisions about mammography screening based on their personal health beliefs. This study examined the relationship between perceived benefits and perceived barriers to mammography and compliance with mammography screening guidelines in women age 40 and older. A correlational design was used with a convenience sample of 84 women from two outpatient family practice offices in the suburbs of a mid-western city. The Breast Cancer Screening Behaviors questionnaire created by Victoria Champion in 1995 was used to measure perceived benefits …

Patient Participation In Decision-Making Regarding Post-Operative Ambulation: How It Affects Patient Outcomes, Martha Ann Ruble

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of patient participation in decision-making regarding post-operative ambulation on ambulation behaviors, occurrence of post operative complications, and overall satisfaction for patients undergoing bowel surgery. A convenience sample consisted of 39 subjects, aged 20-80, who underwent bowel surgery at a 300-bed medical center in a midwest metropolitan area.

An active negotiated approach to encourage patient participation in decision-making regarding post-operative ambulation was utilized for subjects in the experimental group (n = 19). It was hypothesized that subjects in the experimental group would ambulate farther and more frequently, would experience fewer post-operative …

The Effect Of Discharge Intervention Provided By An Advanced Practice Nurse On The Post-Discharge Self-Care Agency Of Clients Admitted With Congestive Heart Failure, Theresa Dawson

Masters Theses

This study used a quasi-experimental design using a two-group comparison to evaluate the effects of advanced practice nurse interventions on client compliance to self-care regimens (diet, meds, and established appointments). The conceptual framework was based upon Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Model.

This study used the premise of Ashby's (1988) "Self-Care Outcome Measurement" tool to ascertain the frequency of the clients'performance of self-care activities. The frequency was measured using a 4-point summated rating scale. The study site was a 400 bed acute care hospital in Southcentral Michigan. The convenience sample of 10 adult clients with congestive heart failure were interviewed by phone …

Hiv/Aids Patients' Perceptions Of Nurse Caring Behaviors, Jennifer Lynn Jordahl

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine which nurse caring behaviors HIV/AIDS patient's perceived as most important. Subjects were recruited from an HIV/AIDS clinic in a large Midwestern city. Twenty-three subjects completed Cronin and Harrison (1988) Caring Behaviors Assessment (CBA) along with a patient demographic questionnaire and an open ended question asking, "Is there anything else a nurse could do to make you feel care for or about? If so what?".

Results of this study suggest that HIV/AIDS patients perceive expressive nurse caring behaviors, such as, listening to the patient, treating the patient with respect, and knowing when …

Behavioral And Emotional Indicators Of Sexual Abuse: A Comparison With Physically Abused And Non-Abused Children, Janine L. Post-Anderle

Masters Theses

The focus of this study was to identify behavioral and emotional symptoms among hospitalized children who were 1)sexually abused 2)physically abused 3)non-abused, and non-hospitalized non-abused children.

Information about children between the ages of 6 and 12 was obtained through a retrospective analysis of 120 closed records from two different child psychiatric hospitals. A convenience sample of 40 parents with non-hospitalized children was used to obtain data about non-hospitalized non-abused children.

The “Child Behavior/Emotion Checklist”, developed by the author, was used to collect data regarding symptoms exhibited by children. Results indicated no difference in symptoms among the hospitalized groups of children. …

The Effect Of Eccentric Fatigue Of The Hamstrings On Knee Joint Proprioception, Kenneth M. Arends, Scott T. Miller, John T. Vandermaas

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of eccentric hamstring fatigue on the ability to accurately reproduce different knee joint angles. Thirty-one males and 29 females, 18-40 years old, were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. Using the Biodex®, proprioceptive pre-test and post-test measurements were taken having the blindfolded participant replicate predetermined angles of 25°, 45°, and 65°. The control group underwent a passive movement protocol and the treatment underwent a fatigue protocol. Data Analysis was performed using 2-tailed t-test comparing the means of pre-test and post-test angle accuracy measurements for the control and treatment groups. …

Knee Flexion Angle And Its Influence On Vmo:Vl Ratios During Isometric Quadriceps Contraction, Jeffrey P. Hendra, William D. Allan

Masters Theses

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a major cause of knee pain and is caused by lateral patellar tracking. Treatment consists of strengthening the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO). While many exercises strengthen the VMO, simultaneous vastus lateralis (VL) strengthening often occurs and patellar malalignment remains. The VMO must, therefore, be strengthened independently or to a greater extent than the VL. Thus, the VMO:VL ratio of activity must be considered rather than VMO activity alone. This study compared isometric knee extension electromyographically at 0, 20, 60, and 90 degree angles to determine which angle produced the greatest VMO:VL ratio of activity. Results …

Relationship Between Sensibility Loss And Performance On The Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test In Non-Surgical Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients, Bethany J. Navarre, Elizabeth A. Ware

Masters Theses

The assumed correlation between sensibility loss in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and hand function has not been supported by research. The purpose of this study is to examine this relationship. Thirteen subjects with CTS, no previous hand surgeries, hypothyroidism, or diabetes participated. The Weinstein Enhanced Sensory Test was used to assess sensibility and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test was used to assess hand function. No correlations were found between sensibility loss and hand function. Despite a small sample, lack of correlation between sensibility loss in CTS and hand function is significant. It suggests that further research is needed.

Real And Perceived Barriers To Evaluation And Treatment Of Urinary Incontinence In Nulliparous Women, Roxanne R. Kudwa, Kelli J. Thompson

Masters Theses

The incidence of urinary incontinence (UI) in women has been estimated to be as high as 50%, and ranges from 17-52% in nulliparous women (women who have never been pregnant). The purpose of this study was to describe real and perceived barriers for UI affected women to seeking evaluation and treatment. Seventeen women were interviewed. 410 surveys were sent to women living in Southern Michigan to identify participants. Twenty-one met the inclusion criteria and seventeen were purposively interviewed regarding their experiences with UI. Themes were identified and generated to increase awareness of attitudes toward UI.

Effects Of Eccentric Strengthening On Force Output Of The Erector Spinae As Measured By Surface Electromyography (Emg), Audi Chenoweth, Chris Moore

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the increase in force output of the erector spinae using the mean amplitude of surface electromyography (EMG) before and after an eccentric exercise program. Eight healthy subjects, two men and six women, between the ages of 30-45 were individually dosed and evaluated for baseline recordings of their EMG activity during three isometric and six eccentric contractions of their lumbar erector spinae. The exercise program consisted of a single eccentric lowering exercise of six repetitions for three sets, two times a week, for four weeks. EMG recordings were taken in post-test measurements during …

Crosstalk: Surface Versus Intramuscular Electrodes For The Peroneus Brevis And Peroneus Longus, Tanya Cardillo, Susan Dresden, Jacquelyn Solem

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to measure crosstalk when using surface electrodes over the peroneus brevis and peroneus longus muscles. EMG was recorded from the right lower extremity of 14 normal subjects, taken from a sample of convenience. Surface electrodes were applied over the peroneus brevis and peroneus longus muscles; fine wire electrodes were inserted into the peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, anterior tibialis and extensor digitorum longus muscles of each subject. During manual muscle tests for the peroneals, anterior tibialis, and extensor digitorum longus, data were recorded from all electrodes simultaneously over 5 trials of each. Pearson product-moment …

A Comparative Electromyographic Study Of The Effect Of Four Selected Closed Chain Squat Exercises On Vastus Medialis Oblique And Vastus Lateralis, Barbara D. Campbell, Michelle Kosiara, Heidi Tolloff

Masters Theses

Patellofemoral dysfunction (PFD) usually involves patellar maltracking. Vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) are two key muscles that help maintain patellar alignment. Open kinetic chain (OKC) studies suggested that the optimum ratio of VMO:VL is about 1:1. With PFD the VMO becomes much weaker. Purpose: To determine which of four partial squat exercises, often used in rehabilitation, best favors VMO firing: partial squat, partial squat squeezing a ball between knees, partial squat with pulley resistance and partial squat with 45° oblique pulley resistance. Analysis of EMG for 31 normal subjects randomly performing all four exercises using repeated ANOVA …

The Efficacy Of A Six-Week T'Ai Chi Intervention Compared To A "Sit And Be Fit" Class On Actual And Perceived Balance In The Community-Dwelling Elderly, Janine Bonner, Jennifer Laudenslager, Todd Sanders

Masters Theses

Recent evidence supports the use of T’ai chi to decrease fall risk and improve self-efficacy (Wolf et al., 1996). The purpose of this study was to compare T’ai chi to a “Sit and Be Fit” intervention in a sample of the community-dwelling elderly. Classes met twice weekly for six weeks. Authors investigated the effects of each intervention on perceived and actual balance using timed one-legged stance, Tinetti Balance Subscale and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale. Pre- and post-testing were performed within one week of intervention. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine statistical differences between the two groups. The Wilcoxon …

The Effects Of An Articulated Ankle-Foot Orthosis On Dynamic Balance In Elderly Subjects With Hemiplegia, Cathi Logan, Traci Roon

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine If a difference exists in dynamic balance of elderly subjects with hemiplegia when the affected lower extremity Is braced with an articulated ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) versus unbraced. Participants were volunteers with a history of a cerebral vascular accident resulting In hemiplegia who required the use of an articulated AFO for ambulation. Balance data was obtained from the random limits of stability test on the Balance Master* version 3.4. Path length and limits of stability were analyzed using a multifactorial ANOVA. The AFO did not have a statistically significant effect on path length …

The Relationship Of Eccentric Hamstrings Time To Peak Torque And Anterior Knee Joint Displacement, Julie Ann Clark, Maureen B. Godfrey, Noreen R. Laborde

Masters Theses

Research suggests that females are more likely to sustain an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury when compared to males and that the ACL and hamstring muscles work together to preserve joint stability. Information is limited regarding any relationship between anterior knee joint laxity, in the absence of injury, and eccentric hamstring time to peak torque. This study compared anterior knee joint displacement and eccentric hamstrings time to peak torque in 30 female athletes and 30 female non-athletes ages 14-18 years. The passive anterior drawer was measured on both lower extremities using the KT-1000® arthrometer before and after eccentric hamstrings time …

Music And The Effect It Has On The Motor Learning Of A Serial Task In Children, Ages Seven And Eight, Karen L. Kurncz, Tara K. Nielsen

Masters Theses

Purpose: To study the hypothesis that music will improve the motor learning of a serial task in seven and eight year old children.

Design: Acquisition - Retention Design

Intervention: The twenty-one subjects were randomly divided into two conditional groups, those who received musical intervention and those who did not. Each subject performed the serial task eleven times during the acquisition session. During the acquisition session, the only difference between the groups was the addition of music to the verbal cues in the experimental group. Approximately twenty-four hours later, each subject returned for a retention session to assess the motor learning …

A Comparison Of The Effects Of An Aquatic Therapy Program Versus A Combined Aquatic/Land Program On Functional Reach Measurements In The Elderly, Caroline S. Kuether, Michelle M. Smith

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of an aquatic exercise program with a combination land/aquatic program on functional reach measurements in the elderly. Twenty volunteers, aged 65 and older, were selected and assigned to either an aquatic or a combination exercise group. Subjects participated in 4 weeks (12 classes) of exercise. Functional reach (FR) measurements were taken prior to exercise and weekly thereafter. To determine significant differences in overall and weekly FR measurements, a t-test for independent samples, the Mann-Whitney U-Wilcoxon Rank Sum W Test, and a t-test for paired samples were used. Both groups demonstrated …

Modification Of The Functional Reach Test: Validity & Reliability, Jessica Chesser, Jennifer Werley, Mary Yeager

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of a modified version of the Functional Reach (PR) to more accurately predict falls in elderly women. This modified version, the Lateral Functional Reach (LFR) incorporates dynamic balance testing in the scapular plane.

Fifty female volunteers were recruited from a Senior Center in Holland, Michigan. Each subject completed the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the FR, and the LFR tests. Prior to testing, each subject was screened for depression, cognition and gross medical history.

Validity and reliability of the LFR was determined through correlational and test-retest analysis. The correlation …

Assessing Selected Shoulder Muscle Activity During Performance Of Exercise On The Cuff Link Exercise Unit, Kathleen Johnstone, Kathleen Wagner

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle activity of pectoralis major, serratus anterior, teres major, and latissimus dorsi during an exercise performed on the Cufif Link utilizing normal subjects. Forty-four subjects performed a rotation exercise in a clockwise direction at a speed of 58 beats per minute. Three trials were completed using the push-up handles and the large-diameter hemisphere. Surface electromyography recorded the activity of the four muscles. Recorded EMG values were normalized as a percentage of the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVTC). A two-way ANOVA was used to compare mean normalized muscle activity for each muscle and …

The Effects Of A Five-Day Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program On The Standing And/Or Sitting Balance Of Children Ages 8-18 With A Wide Variety Of Disabling Diagnoses As Measured By The Functional Reach Test And The Modified Functional Reach Test, Richard A. Chaperon, Pamela A. Staszewski, Heather L. Vavrina

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect that a five-day horseback riding program had on the standing and/or sitting balance of children ages eight to eighteen afflicted with a variety of disabling diagnoses. The stated hypothesis is that after participating in a five-day session of therapeutic riding, subjects will show significant improvement in standing and/or sitting balance as measured by the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and the Modified Functional Reach Test (MFRT). The 15 subjects tested using FRT and the 17 subjects tested using the MFRT were all participants of the Cheff Center riding program. Subjects were …

Is There A Link Between Hardiness And Burnout In Critical Care Nurses?, Cindy Bilisko

Masters Theses

Hardiness is a set of personality characteristics that function as a resource in coping with stress. Hardiness has been linked with less burnout among various groups. This study was done to determine if there was a relationship between hardiness and the incidence of burnout in critical care nurses. A descriptive correlational design was used to examine this relationship. Critical care nurses at three hospitals in the Grand Rapids area were surveyed using the Staff Burnout Scale for Health Professionals, the Cognitive Hardiness Scale, and a demographics questionnaire. Data were tested using Pearson’s correlation and simple regression. The hypothesis “hardiness in …

Adolescents' Perceived Reasons For Choosing Abstinence Or The Use Or Non-Use Of A Condom During Sexual Intercourse, Susan L. Vrobel

Masters Theses

Adolescents’ perceptions of reasons for abstinence, safer sex, and unsafe sex were investigated. The study used a descriptive design, with a questionnaire administered to 82 Midwestern ninth grade students enrolled in a school health class. From a written scenario describing a couple who are sexually attracted to each other, students were asked to identify reasons the couple might choose to abstain from, or use or not use a condom if they chose to have, sexual intercourse. This study supported earlier research by Keller et al. (1996) which identified four factors perceived by adolescents as contributing to sexual behavior; social norms, …