Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Effectiveness Of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback In Conjunction With Traditional Treatment For Thoracic Outlet Syndrome In A 25-Year-Old Female: A Case Report, Sepehr Rezaei

San Marcos, Summer 2020

Introduction: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a complex condition that causes pain, tingling sensation, hypesthesia, muscle atrophy, weakness, and edematous changes in the upper quadrant (UQ) and down upper extremity (UE). ^3,7,8,16,17 TOS is due to compression of neurovascular bundles in the interscalene triangle, costoclavicular space, and under pectoralis minor and caused by trauma, congenital malformations such as a cervical rib, and abnormal/poor postures from muscle imbalances.^3,7,8,16,17 Interventions for TOS can consist of correcting posture by addressing muscle imbalance, decreasing tone and muscle tightness and rib mobilization, and in rare cases, rib resection. ^{3,7,8,13,16,17} However, there is limited research …

Initial Evaluation Of A Wellness Game, Bing Parkinson, Bruce St. Amour

Capital Division Virtual Research Day 2020

Physician wellness has recently been a topic of significant national interest.^1-8 The term “wellness” has many definitions, and was best defined by Around et al. ¹ as “one’s personal recipe for thriving and not just surviving.” Wellness refers to interconnected dimensions of physical, mental, and social well-being that extend beyond the absence of illness. Wellness has traditionally been measured in the negative sense by assessing rates of burnout, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization. It is known that physician burnout is at its highest point during residency^{1, 4, 5} and burnout is linked to many negative outcomes including: substance abuse …

The Availability Of Social Support Or Services For Mothers Following Birth, Kayenat Jehanzeb

Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership (HBECL) Capstone Research Posters

The purpose of this study was to inquire about a mother's perspective on their experiences regarding the availability of social support or services received shortly after delivering their child. Instant changes in mood swings, loss of sleep, burdensome feelings and foremost the occurrence of depressive symptoms are some of the challenges a mother faces in the postpartum period. Using a qualitative research method, the principal investigator interviewed five mothers in the Region of Peel that had given birth in the past year to gain an understanding of their recent experiences. One-on-one interviews were carried out so that mothers could share …

Use Of Marijuana In Those With Anxiety And Depression, Heather Flaa

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The purpose of this research and literature review was to compare the use of marijuana to SSRIs in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms.

• This literature review searched databases Cochrane, PubMed, Clinical Key, PsycINFO, and DynaMed Plus from the year 1990 and on. Keywords: cannabis, marijuana, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

• Many meta-analyses show SSRIs continue to be first line treatment in those with anxiety and depression in reducing symptoms.

• Patients with marijuana use showed an increased odds ratio of developing anxiety and depression or increasing symptoms in several studies.

• No studies …

Effectiveness Of Physical Exercise In Treating Depression Versus Conventional Treatments: A Systematic Review, Julianne Ferrie, Coleby Charlier

Student Research Poster Presentations 2020

Purpose: This systematic review was done to compare the effects of physical exercise on depression versus the standard treatments most patients who are diagnosed with depression receive, which includes antidepressant medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. There is not currently a collective source that summarizes the various studies on this topic within the physical therapy world. Our article compiles relevant information that supports physical exercise as an alternative treatment for individuals who have been diagnosed with depression. We sampled randomized control studies and prospective cohort studies for data and results, and systematic reviews for supporting information. Our research will be a …

Treatment Option Decision Making For Low-Grade Prostate Cancer, Janene Witherite

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer, among men, in the United States.

 Low-grade PCa is defined by; lack of metastasis outside the prostate (M0), no lymph node involvement (N0), tumor staging up to T2a, a PSA of less than 10 ng/ml, a Gleason score of less than 6, and no more than two of the 10-12 tissue samples (each composed of less than 50% cancer cells) of the 10-12 samples taken.

 Four treatment options exist for low-grade PCa patients: active surveillance (AS), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), brachytherapy, and radical prostatectomy (RP), all of which cause …

The Gut-Brain Axis: Treating Depression Through Microbiome Alterations, Alexandria Bachman-Williams

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• The purpose of this study is to explore the role of gut microbiome alterations in the treatment of anxiety and depression. • There are multiple pathological pathways that lead to the development of anxiety and depression. • Research shows a link between pathologic bacteria and low grade inflammation. This causes a disruption of neurotransmitters that are current targets of pharmacological treatment of depression and anxiety. • Transfer of “pathogenic” bacteria caused increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. • Treatment with probiotics and “protective” bacteria showed decreased BDI scores and improved symptoms. • Studies were small but show need for …

Phq-9, But In Spanish, Jose Calderon

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Spanish speaking patients are often missed for depression. A common issue is lack of awareness of the Spanish version of the PHQ-9

Resource To Address Pandemic-Related Anxiety And Depression For Pregnant Patients In Vermont, Mohammed Wali

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to patient deaths, strained health care systems, and economic uncertainty. Distress during pregnancy can lead to adverse outcomes for both parent and baby. A patient-friendly handout was created for pregnant patients to offer reassurance, incorporate mind-body recommendations to address stress, and offer screening tools to empower them to address mood concerns with their obstetric providers in the COVID-era.

Addressing Adolescent And Young Adult Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Megan Boyer

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

This quality improvement project at South Burlington Family Medicine aimed to investigate the mental health of individuals ages 13-25 in our practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible patients received a PHQ-9 questionnaire with two additional questions related to COVID-19. Recommendations for future interventions to serve this population were made based on these preliminary findings, with the goal of doing a full PDSA cycle in the near future.

Coping Skills For Daily Life: Cost-Effective Strategies To Prevent And Address Mental Health Disorders, Shae Ian Rowlandson

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Mental health disorders, along with their associated cost and negative outcomes, have continued to persist in Vermont and have become one of the largest, growing challenges to public health in the United States. Unfortunately, Vermont does not appear to have enough resources or providers to optimally address it. Concurrently, coping strategies of minimal cost that have the potential to prevent or address mental health disorders may often be underutilized or misconstrued by the population. A pamphlet providing information on evidenced, cost-effective coping strategies was designed and distributed to providers and patients to enable patients with the skills to help themselves …

Analysis Of Tech-Based And Telemental Health Approaches Within The Adolescent And Young Adult Populations Of Rural America, Audrey K. Smeenk

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The incidences of depression and anxiety among adolescent and young adult populations are intensifying, and resources remain limited for the management of these diseases within rural America.

• Evaluation on different interventions was completed to assess ease of access, efficacy, and patient adherence with the hope to decrease incidence of disease and increase availability of resources to rural areas.

• Based on the current completed research, there is a predominance of evidence that has shown moderate statistical data and promising outcomes from tech-based mobile applications and telemental health. Statistical evidence supports that technological based interventions are a potential treatment option …