Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Efficacy And Safety Of Tetrahydrocannabinol (Thc) Compared To Traditional Pharmacotherapy In Treating Agitation And Aggression Associated With Dementia, Shane Kalette

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: Dementia is a disease that affects the brain and can cause serious deficits in the life of the patient and their family or caregivers.The current mainstay of treatment for agitation and aggression symptoms is atypical antipsychotics, and occasionally off-label SSRIs. Though these methods have shown good efficacy, the number and severity of adverse events that occur with these medications is concerning to patients, families, and providers. Due to the high side-effect profile, many clinicians are looking for an alternative approach with more safety and potentially more efficacy. Among the candidates is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This paper investigates the efficacy and …

Comparing Melatonin Use To Bright Light Therapy In Mitigating Cardiovascular Effects Due To Shift Work Disorder In Shift Working Adults, Alexandra Hirt

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: Circadian Misalignment is a term used to describe a mismatch in one’s physiologically determined sleep patters and their actual sleep wake behaviors. Shift workers often end up in a vicious cycle of being in a state of chronic circadian misalignment, which then can lead to health problems, extreme fatigue, and insomnia, known as Shift Work Disorder (SWD).This has been studied in night shift workers who, when compared to daytime workers, have an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease.These results are not dependent on any behavioral risk factors, such as smoking and poor …

The Efficacy Of Mdma-Assisted Psychotherapy Compared To The Efficacy Of Traditional Psychotherapy In Treating Anxiety-Related Symptoms In 18–40-Year-Old Adults Diagnosed With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd), Blake Beasley

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: MDMA, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is a psychoactive chemical which stimulates the release of serotonin, oxytocin, prolactin, and cortisol. Up until it became a Schedule I drug in 1985, making the chemical completely illegal in the US, MDMA was used as an “adjunct to the therapeutic process” in therapeutic settings, though no known controlled therapeutic studies were performed up until that point. More recently, research has been conducted studying the effects of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy on helping to eliminate the fear responses common in patients afflicted with PTSD. Some researchers have further hypothesized that MDMA has a stronger, longer lasting effect …

Efficacy Of The Combination Of Mirabegron And Solifenacin Compared To Standard Of Care Of Monotherapy In Controlling Urinary Incontinence Symptoms In Adults Diagnosed With Overactive Bladder, Krista Trinidad

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: Overactive bladder is a condition where the bladder muscles contract before the bladder is full, causing the urge to urinate. People with overactive bladder, or urge incontinence, have intense urges to urinate as a result of various disorders or injuries, including detrusor overactivity, neurologic disorder or spinal cord injury. The standard first- line medication for overactive bladder is solifenacin, and mirabegron serves as an alternative option. Solifenacin is an anticholinergic medication that is associated with a wide range of undesirable side effects. Therefore, this review analyzes the use of a combination of mirabegron and solifenacin, compared to monotherapy with …

The Role Of Cannabidiol In The Treatment Of Pediatric Patients With Refractory Epilepsy, Evan Chidley

Capstone Showcase

THE ROLE OF CANNABIDIOL IN THE TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH REFRACTORY EPILEPSY

Author(s) and affiliations: Evan Chidley¹, MMS (c), MPH (c)

¹Arcadia University; [email protected]; (515) 201-6901

Introduction: Intractable epilepsy in children can significantly impair quality of life and anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) do not adequately reduce seizures for all pediatric patients. Recently, cannabidiol (CBD), one of the main compounds of marijuana, has shown promise as a potential treatment for uncontrolled seizure activity. This paper poses the following question: In pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, is cannabidiol (CBD) more effective in reducing seizure activity than traditional anti-epileptic drugs …

The Benefits Of Statins As Adjunct Therapy For Non-Pregnant And Non-Lactating Women Diagnosed With Pcos, Claire Barre

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting about 20% of women in reproductive age. PCOS is associated with many health risks, one of which is an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. There is no set treatment plan to help decrease the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, but some standard recommended treatments include lifestyle changes, oral contraceptive pill (OCP), and metformin. The review analyzes the potential benefit of adding statins as an adjunct therapy (I) to decrease the cardiometabolic disease risk (O) in women diagnosed with PCOS (P) compared to the current recommended intervention (C). …

Efficacy Of Platelet-Rich Plasma (Prp) Injections Vs Topical Minoxidil In Adults With Androgenetic Alopecia, Yuan-Jane Qiu

Capstone Showcase

Androgenetic alopecia is a condition mediated by androgen (specifically DHT) and genetic factors that causes hair loss and thinning of the scalp in men and women. The hairs’ anagen phase is shortened and terminal hairs transition into vellus hairs. Although this condition is considered cosmetic in nature, it has psychologically detrimental effects. There are medical treatments available to prevent further hair loss but there is currently no cure. Topical minoxidil (Rogaine) is the most commonly used medication for androgenetic alopecia that stops hair loss and, in some cases, helps hair regrowth. However, it can cause an allergic contact dermatitis, local …

Opioid Use Disorder: The Timeline For Medication Assisted Therapy, Alexander Cristofori

Capstone Showcase

Opioid Use Disorder is patterns of opioid use leading to withdrawal, giving up important life events in order to use opioids, and excessive time spent using opioids, to name a few diagnostic criteria. The clinical progression of the disorder involves periods of acute exacerbation and remission that are cyclic in nature. Treatment is most effective when it includes both pharmacological and psychosocial modalities, referred to as medication assisted therapy (MAT). Three drugs used commonly in MAT-based treatment for OUD from oldest to newest include Methadone, Buprenorphine-naloxone, and Naltrexone. Treatment program models that prioritize total abstinence from the addictive substance attached …

Efficacy Of Pcsk9 Inhibitors Compared To Standard Of Care In Improving The Low-Density-Lipoprotein Cholesterol And Lowering The Risk Of Cardiovascular Events In Patients With Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Nichole Warshany

Capstone Showcase

Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited condition that causes patients to have significantly increased levels of LDL cholesterol, which often leads to coronary artery disease. Statin medications are typically prescribed to treat this condition, however these medications have adverse side effects and often subpar efficacy in this patient population. Evidence collected in this literature review yielded evidence that the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in the treatment of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia may be efficacious. Many of these studies were able to show statistically significant improvement of LDL-C and decrease in cardiovascular risk when compared to placebo. In addition, this medication was …

Primary Aortic Valve Replacement In Adults From Age 45 To 65 And How Their Survivability, Post Replacement, May Be Affected By Opting For A Bioprosthetic Or Mechanical Valve., Chandler Hutchinson

Capstone Showcase

Abstract:

Introduction: Aortic valve replacement in middle-aged adults is a procedure done when the aortic valve becomes so incompetent, that replacement is the only viable option for the patient. A bioprosthetic or a mechanical valve is then chosen and replaces the patients’ native aortic valve. For these adults, this procedure is life-extending and the only option for prolonged survival. This paper will address whether a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve would be the better option for prolonging a middle-aged patients’ life.

Methods: A literature search was completed in November of 2019 using PubMed and Google Scholar. Seven articles were chosen based …

Effect Of Vegan Diet On Cardiovascular Health, Rachel Schottenfeld

Capstone Showcase

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, and in the United States, regardless of socioeconomic strata. Current diet guidelines in the US endorse the consumption of animal products, but research show retrospective, prospective and cross-sectional studies that a vegan diet is more effective at reducing BP, cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and body mass index (BMI) as compared to a non-vegan diet. This paper will focus on the benefits of a vegan diet (I) in reducing CVD risk (O) in adults (P) as compared to a non-vegan diet (C). It is the hope that increased focus …

Naloxone/Buprenorphine, Methadone, Naltrexone And Their Role In Medication Assisted Treatment, Robert Barrett

Capstone Showcase

Abstract

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is an increasingly common diagnosis that has drastically increased in the last 5 years. Though multiple treatment modalities exist for treating OUD (naltrexone, buprenorphine, methadone), few studies have compared treatment outcomes in adults on long term therapy. This is an important topic to understand as providers as we will undoubtedly come into contact with patients either actively abusing opioid antagonists or in recovery from opioid abuse. Since the introduction of Oxycontin and subsequent over prescription of opioid analgesics, opioid overdoses have increased by over twelve-fold. Once providers began to realize a widespread pattern of abuse, …

The Use Of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure In Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea To Decrease The Risk And Progression Of Cardiovascular Disease, Haley Duncan

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is one of the most prevalent illnesses worldwide and the leading cause of death in the United States. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been found to be a risk factor correlated to cardiovascular disease and events. Treatment for OSA includes the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), but patients are often non-compliant due to discomfort. Therefore, the following clinical question arises: [P] In an adult patient (35-75 years old) diagnosed with OSA, [I] does the use of CPAP [C: compared to patients with OSA who do not use CPAP] [O]decrease the risk and/or progression of cardiovascular …

Land-Based Exercise Versus Hydrotherapy In Osteoarthritis, Alyson Rivers

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It results in joint pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and decreased quality of life. While NSAIDs are the cornerstone of treatment, exercise is one of the safest and least expensive treatments. Exercise can be completed on land or in water. Hydrotherapy is hypothesized to produce more beneficial outcomes compared to land-based exercise.

Methods: The database, PubMed, was used to acquire articles that compare hydrotherapy to land-based therapy in individuals with large-joint OA. Outcomes of interest included pain relief, joint mobility, and quality of life.

Results: Based collectively on four articles, there was …

The Efficacy Of In Vitro Fertilization In Treating Infertility Due To Anovulatory Pcos In Comparison To Ovulation Induction Via Letrozole, Amanda Salay

Capstone Showcase

Abstract:

Introduction: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder found in women of reproductive age that often causes infertility. The first-line treatment for infertility in anovulatory PCOS patients is ovulation induction. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a third line treatment often used as a last resort. PCOS patients have higher failure risks of first- and second-line medications. Therefore, this review analyzes if adverse pregnancy outcomes (O) are reduced more with IVF (I) versus using letrozole for ovulation induction (C) in women aged 20-30 struggling with infertility due to anovulatory PCOS (P).

Methods: A literature search on Pubmed and EBSCOhost …

The Efficacy Of Mirnas As A Diagnostic Tool For Endometriosis, Maura Franey

Capstone Showcase

Abstract

Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory gynecological condition. Laparoscopic abdominopelvic exploration is the gold standard of diagnosis, but is not performed until patients experience severe symptoms. This review analyzes the levels of circulating micro-RNAs (miRNAs) (I) for diagnosis of endometriosis (O) in women diagnosed with endometriosis (P) compared to laparoscopic exploration (C).

Methods: A literature search was conducted through PubMed and Cochrane Library in November 2019. A total of nine articles consisting of case-control or systematic reviews were selected based on publication date, main outcome, and the use of miRNAs or laparoscopy for diagnosis of endometriosis.

Results: The eight …

Efficacy Of Anti-Mullerian Hormone In The Diagnosis Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Cassidy Prewitt

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex condition that presents with a wide variety of symptoms. The PCOS diagnosis standard is the Rotterdam criteria, which includes hyperandrogenism, oligo-anovulation, and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM). Transvaginal ultrasounds have traditionally been used to evaluate PCOM, however, they are highly dependent on technician skill. This paper will evaluate research regarding the use of anti-Mullerian (AMH) in PCOS diagnosis as an alternative to transvaginal ultrasound.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Academic Search Ultimate in January 2020. A total of eight articles were selected based on relevance to the research topic …

The Efficacy Of Combination Of Psychosocial Interventions And Pharmacotherapeutic Intervention Compared To Standard Care In Patients Age 16-40 Diagnosed With Schizophrenia When Looking At Functional Capacity, Lisa Roth

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a complex mental illness that arises from a combination of genetic factors, brain chemistry, substance use and environmental factors that affects the way a person behaves, thinks, and perceives. Schizophrenia has no cure, but it has several options for treatment including antipsychotic medications, psychotherapy, and education. Medication is frequently prescribed, and there is little evidence of how often psychotherapy is practiced to properly treat negative symptoms. The combination of these symptoms can have an impact on the functional capacity of an individual; this means that they may have less of an ability to proceed in a typical …

In Patients With Mild To Moderate Alzheimer’S, Does Music Therapy Help To Decrease Mood Disturbances When Compared To Those Not Participating In Music Therapy?, Lauren Bauer

Capstone Showcase

Abstract:

Introduction: Affecting both memory and cognitive abilities, Alzheimer’s disease is a growing problem as the baby boomer population ages. Clinical trials for new medications fail or are slow going, researchers have sought alternatives to alleviate symptoms for patients of this disease. This paper will address the effect of music therapy on mood disturbance in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Method: A literature search was completed in November of 2019 using PubMed, EBSCO Search, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Six articles were chosen based on relevance to the research question, study design, outcome, and results.

Results: Based on review, music …

Biometric Prognosticators Of Future Myocardial Infarction: Bmi Vs. Waist To Hip Ratio, Christopher Hover

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: Myocardial Infarction (MI), better known as a heart attack, occurs when one or more of the coronary arteries becomes blocked or clogged to the point of being unable to perfuse myocardial tissue. Standard biometric measurements when visiting an outpatient care provider include height and weight which are converted into body mass index (BMI). BMI can sometimes be misleading in judging future health outcomes such as heart attacks. Therefore, this review analyzes the use of waist to hip ratio (I) to predict future myocardial infarctions (P) subsequently to prevent such events (O) compared to the traditionally used metric of BMI …

The Effects Of Psychological Intervention On Pregnant Women With Elevated Cortisol Levels And Adverse Birth Events, Megan Mellon

Capstone Showcase

Elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy are thought to influence cortisol levels. Dysregulations in cortisol, as a byproduct of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, have been associated with preterm birth and adverse birth outcomes. Studies have demonstrated poorer long-term effects of antenatal stress on child neurodevelopment, temperament, and cognition. Psychological interventions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and gratitude have shown to have a positive effect on psychological wellbeing across various populations. The purpose of this literature review was to analyze a collection of randomized-controlled trials to conclude if psychological interventions during pregnancy for women with elevated levels of …

Efficacy Of Sublingual Immunotherapy In The Treatment Of House-Dust Mite Induced Allergic Rhinitis, Sirena Saleet

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: House-dust mite (HDM) induced allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic condition associated with rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, nasal pruritus and sneezing. The current mainstay of treatment is intranasal corticosteroids, which have shown variable degrees of symptom control among patients. Chronic use is typically required to achieve continued relief. Immunotherapy works to increase peripheral immune tolerance by administration of the allergen itself. Not only does it have the potential to decrease acute symptoms of allergic rhinitis, but it is also the sole treatment offering disease-modifying potential with long-term use. Immunotherapy is an option which can eliminate both the chronic administration …

Comparison Of Sport Performance Outcomes In Young Athletes Receiving Hamstring Autograft And Patellar Tendon Autograft For Anterior Cruciate Ligament (Acl) Reconstruction Surgery, Allison Kell

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: ACL rupture is an extremely common injury among athletes of various sports. There are multiple different grafts that can be used in ACL reconstruction surgery. Two forms of graft that are most often considered in the case of ACL reconstruction are the hamstring tendon (HT) autograft and patellar tendon (PT) autograft. Many orthopedic providers have conflicting views regarding which of the two is the ideal graft. There are varying findings comparing the HT and PT, with many parameters to consider when predicting overall outcome. Oftentimes athletes who experience an ACL rupture are young and desire to return to sport …

The Efficacy Of Platelet-Rich Plasma Administration For Rotator Cuff Tears, Angela Bekampis

Capstone Showcase

Despite advancing surgical techniques for rotator cuff tears (RCTs), the recovery from surgery is often painful and the rate of re-tear remains high. The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is being studied as an adjunct therapy in order to increase the success of treatment. The goal of this study is to consolidate and compare the results of previous research to determine whether the use of PRP had significant benefit in the treatment of RCTs. Therefore the research question was: in adults (18+) diagnosed with a partial or full-thickness rotator cuff tears, does the use of PRP as an adjuvant treatment …

Efficacy Of Behavioral Therapy Compared To Pharmacotherapy As A First Line Treatment For Adhd In Prepubescent Patients Between 5-12 Years Old, Toby Hoskins

Capstone Showcase

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic psychiatric illness that is commonly diagnosed in children and is characterized by attention problems and hyperactive tendencies. Patients with ADHD have multiple treatment options including behavioral therapy and psychostimulants. There is some evidence that clinicians have started to prescribe stimulants at a much higher rate. The results of this critical analysis were varied, but all studies concluded that behavioral therapy is a successful treatment modality for ADHD patients.

Carotid Endarterectomy Versus Carotid Stenting In The Prevention Of Stroke In Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Disease, Alison N. Stover

Capstone Showcase

Stroke is the leading cause of disability and second most common cause of death worldwide. Ischemic stroke accounts for 80% of all strokes, and are the result of the blood supply to the brain being interrupted abruptly. Atheroembolism, or a cholesterol embolism, is a major contributor to ischemic strokes. Due to this fact, treatment of carotid artery stenosis has been aimed at preventing atheroembolization by controlling plaque buildup in arteries before they have the chance to break off and cause harm. In an attempt to prevent future stroke (O) in adult patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease (P), will performing …

Acupuncture Therapy In The Treatment Of Osteoarthritis Of The Knee, Reece Bartell

Capstone Showcase

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition that affects the joints of the body, most commonly the knees; it has the potential to cause debilitating pain, and stiffness and decrease quality of life. The current management involves lifestyle modifications of a healthy diet and exercise as well as analgesics like NSAIDs or acetaminophen to manage symptoms. Long-term use of these medications has been associated with many side effects affecting the GI and CV system. This review analyzes the use of acupuncture therapy (I) for symptom management (O) in patients aged 60-80 years old suffering from mild to moderate …

Efficacy Of Myo-Inositol In The Treatment Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (Pcos), Rachel Mathews

Capstone Showcase

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder that results from insulin resistance. Symptoms include chronic anovulation, polycystic ovaries, acne, hirsutism, and infertility. Although there is currently no cure for PCOS, treatments such as metformin, clomiphene citrate, and reproductive assistive techniques (IVF) have been used to target specific symptoms. Recent research has suggested that myo-inositol may be beneficial in the treatment of PCOS. Therefore, this review analyzes the addition of myo-inositol (I) in adult patients with PCOS (P) compared to current methods such as metformin, clomiphene citrate, and assisted therapies alone (C) in improving ovulation and fertility (O). A literature search …

How The Amino Acid L-Serine Provides Neuroprotection Against L-Bmaa Induced Alzheimer’S Disease, Joseph Cimino

Capstone Showcase

More than 6 million people in America are living with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and there are currently no cures or treatments. It is time to move on from the ꞵ-amyloid hypothesis and broaden AD research. New research is suggesting that dietary exposure to a cyanobacterial toxin known as L-BMAA is causing neurodegenerative diseases such as AD, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson’s Disease. L-BMAA is misincorporated during protein folding, in place of the proper amino acid, L-Serine. It has been shown that the naturally occurring amino acid, L-Serine, can provide neuroprotection against L-BMAA, but the mechanism by which L-Serine infers …

Therapeutical Studies Of The Disrupted Cftr Gene In Affected Sheep And Rabbit Models Produced By Genome Editor Crispr/Cas9, Nicole Teberio

Capstone Showcase

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening, autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Patients with CF have a decreased lifespan due to complications with lung infections/disease, decreased airway function, and persistent cough with phlegm. Over the past few decades, scientists have contributed to CF research by using animal models to understand the pathology of the disease. The models selected have similar pathogenesis to humans, so they are key insights for understanding the effects of CFTR gene malfunctions. More recently, animal models, such as CRISPR generated sheep and rabbits used in the two current …