Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Exploring Sensory Processing & Inclusivity Within A Fitness Gym Environment, Deveshma Maharaj, Karen Park, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

An individual’s sensory processing involves the reception, modulation, integration, and organization of sensory stimuli, as well as behavioral responses to sensory input (Dunn, 2001). Adults with sensory processing challenges may come across troubles with completing routines and tasks for work, social participation, and leisure (STAR Institute for SPD, n.d.). Since most individuals with these sensory processing challenges have struggled with symptoms continuously, they are likely to encounter secondary effects such as depression, underachievement, and social isolation (STAR Institute for SPD, n.d.). Adults with sensory processing deficits may experience difficulties with establishing their role in society, maintaining social support systems, and …

Effectiveness Of Physical Therapy Interventions For Women With Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review, Emily Hammond, Abigail Applegate, Emma Caldwell, Hayley Witmer, Amy Tremback-Ball

Student Research Poster Presentations 2021

Background and aims: Primary dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation, is common in menstruating females. However, in some, it can cause intense pain, disrupt activities of daily living, and impact quality of life. The treatment of dysmenorrhea does not traditionally include physical therapy. A systematic review was conducted to explore the role of physical therapy in treating dysmenorrhea. Methods: A search was performed in August 2020 and January 2021 using EBSCOhost, Academic Search Ultimate, CINAHL Complete, and MEDLINE. Search terms included exercise or physical activity or fitness AND dysmenorrhea or menstrual pain or painful menstruation. Inclusion criteria were articles that were peer-reviewed, …

The Effects Of Exercise Interventions For Patients With Venous Lower Limb Ulcers: A Systematic Review, Jordan Hoffman, Christian San Pedro, Sabrina Mendez

Student Research Poster Presentations 2021

The Effects of Exercise Interventions for Patients with Venous Lower Limb Ulcers: A Systematic Review

Student Researchers: Christian San Pedro, SPT Jordan Hoffman, SPT Sabrina Mendez, SPT

Mentored by: Kristen Karnish, PT, MPH, DEd, GCS, CEEAA

Background:

Approximately 30 million Americans are affected by vascular disease with greater numbers world wide. Chronic wound care is costly, as seen by the 1.5 billion dollars Medicare spent treating wounds in 2014. Vascular disease can predispose individuals to lower limb ulcers, chronic wounds, necrosis, and amputation. In patients with chronic wounds, exercise has been hypothesized to decrease healing times by triggering cortisol release …

Inclusive Local And Online Resources To Stay Active During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Collin B. Montgomery

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted daily life in an innumerable amount of ways. Through gym closures and overcrowded, unsafe public spaces, maintaining exercise routines and reaching physical activity recommendations is increasingly difficult for many people. As a result of this, there has been an increasing emphasis on at home exercise and routines people can do at home. However, many of these resources are not inclusive of populations such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and the otherwise deconditioned as the exercises can be too strenuous or require specific equipment. The goal of this project was to compile a list of …

Exercise As A Tool For Treating Anxiety And Depression, Lizzi Hahn

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

In addition to its important role in the maintenance of physical health, exercise has been shown to have numerous benefits for mental health. Recent studies indicate that even brief engagement in physical activity can make a positive impact on the treatment of pre-existing anxiety and depression - as well as the prevention of future symptoms. Despite this relationship between exercise and emotional wellness, regular activity in the United States is still exceedingly low, and exercise remains an underused tool by healthcare providers in the treatment of their patients’ anxiety and depression. The goal of this project was to assess patient …

Frequently Asked Questions By Patients About Exercise, Julie Evans

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

A significant portion of patient visits at Milton Family Practice are related to one or multiple aspects of metabolic syndrome. Exercise is a common topic during these visits either brought up by patients or providers. This project focused on creating a handout for patient education with answers to commonly asked questions pertaining to exercise and resources in the community.

Remaining Active In Vermont Winters, Sarah Kendrick

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

This project explored the challenges of remaining active during Vermont winter for patients with chronic disease. It further complies resources in the community for maintaining activity levels over the winter months.

Resources For Staying Active During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Peter K. Twining

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients find it difficult to stay active. Staying active when gyms are closed and school sports are cancelled can make staying active especially difficult. The purpose of this project was to compile a list of resources for patients to use to stay active and healthy at home during the pandemic.

Helping People Overcome Barriers To Exercise Through In-Office Pt Exercise Evaluation Referrals, Matthew Charles Hill Brandt

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Utilization of a poster in a primary care exam room advertising Physical Therapy Exercise Evaluations in an effort to help patients overcome barriers to exercising. The goal of the project is to capture people in the contemplative/preparatory stage of behavior change and help them reach the action and maintenance phases to improve health.

Addressing Exercise And Physical Therapy In Older Patients In Colchester, Vt, Adam Morehead

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Participation in physical activities remains low among much of the older adult population, particularly during the winter months. Many individuals who are active during warmer times of the year become more sedentary during the winter, and this physical inactivity can contribute to declining health. This project sought to develop a simple brochure outlining several simple exercises that can be performed safely at home without equipment to be distributed to patients at wellness visits to encourage indoor exercise.

Smoking Cessation Associated Weight Gain: The Role Of Diet And Exercise Counseling In Quitting Smoking, Benjamin D. Kagan

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Weight gain is a common unintended consequence of quitting smoking due to a combination of physiologic and behavioral factors. Counseling focused on diet and exercise reduces weight gain associated with smoking cessation. Reduction of weight gain related to smoking cessation maximizes the health benefit of quitting tobacco.

Low-Cost At-Home Cardio Solutions For Patients During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Anna G. Quinlan

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

No abstract provided.

Addressing Rational Barriers To Lifestyle And Behavioral Modification, Ahmed Eldakroury

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Rational barriers contribute to resistance towards initiating, restarting or maintaining lifestyle/behavioral modification. Such barriers include lack of confidence in the proposed intervention(s), exaggerated perspectives, unsubstantiated beliefs and feelings of futility/hopelessness in the setting of past failures or relapse. Lifestyle and behavioral modification are core elements of preventative health and mental health—identifying and addressing erroneous thought processes, perspectives or beliefs that contribute to hesitancy may empower patients to trust the process and put an honest effort towards making those changes. Thus, a motivational pamphlet was created for patients with the goal of addressing hesitancy/resistance towards initiating or maintaining lifestyle/behavioral modification. The …

Walking Towards A Healthier Future: A Pocket Guide To Walking Routes In Colchester And The Health Benefits Of Walking, Kevin Dibona

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The obesity epidemic is a complex problem necessitating a multifaceted long-term response. While there is no single solution to this decade-evolving issue, exercise remains one of the most important health interventions available. This project aims to serve as a resource for patients seeking to lose weight; outlining some of the walking routes local to Colchester Vermont, as well as the health benefits of a sustained exercise plan.

Exercise And Physical Therapy In The Elderly, William Holden

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

There are many current barriers to participating in exercise and physical therapy in the elderly. Using reputable online resources, we created a handout containing a list of exercises that can be completed safely at home without equipment. It was designed for elderly individuals, as inactivity tends to increase with age and this population is particularly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of inactivity. The strength and flexibility exercises primarily target the back, hips and core, common problem areas in the elderly. The handout will contain links to further resources for more in-depth physical therapy exercises and will be tailored for administration …

Effectiveness Of Diet/Exercise In Prevention Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus And Associated Cesarean Section Delivery, Jonathyn Marx

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is becoming a more common diagnosis during pregnancy. GDM is defined as glucose intolerance diagnosed during pregnancy. Women diagnosed with GDM during pregnancy are at an increased risk for emergent or planned cesarean section delivery and the development of overt diabetes mellitus post pregnancy. Complications related to GDM include eclampsia, macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, stillbirth, and cesarean section delivery. Initial treatment consists of diet and exercise and if glucose can not be controlled then pharmacotherapy is introduced. A literature review was performed utilizing scientific databases, mesh terms, and keywords to gather statistically relevant research to analyze the …