Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Canine Hypoadrenocorticism (Canine Addison's Disease): History, Contemporary Diagnosis By Practicing Veterinarians, And Epidemiology, William James Kelch

Doctoral Dissertations

This study of canine hypoadrenocorticism (canine Addison's disease; adrenal insufficiency) used several techniques to determine the incidence and prevalence of the disease and to identify factors associated with its occurrence. These techniques were historical; statistical, including meta-analysis and logistic regression; and epidemiologic, including both case series and case control data. Data were gathered by: extracting the details of cases reported in the veterinary literature, a rudimentary meta-anaylsis; using data obtained by Ciba Animal Health in the clinical trial of the drug microcrystalline desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP); using data obtained from the Veterinary Medical Data Base (VMDB), a data repository of clinical …

Pain Levels And Rating Of Perceived Exertion Of People With Herniated Lumbar Disc While Walking In Two Environments, Brenda L. Cunningham-Boerger

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to investigate if walking in water is an effective substitute for walking on land as an aerobic exercise for people with herniated lumbar disc. The study involved the dependent variables o f perceived pain levels (PPL) and ratings o f perceived exertion (RPE). Independent variables were walking condition and work intensity. Land walking was performed on a treadmill; water walking was performed in an indoor pool 4.5 ft deep and 90*F. Work was set at four different intensities, based on the formula for predicting maximum heart rate (MHR), 220 minus age. The graded work …

A Study Of The Emotional Responses And Coping Strategies Of Male And Female Athletes With Moderate And Severe Injuries, Donna S. Eaton

Dissertations

Emotional responses and coping strategies of injured athletes was the focus of the study. Several emotions have been identified in injured athletes such as frustration, depression, anger, and shock. Questions remain whether males and females feel similar emotions and engage similar coping strategies and whether severity of injury is a significant factor in responses and coping.

Quantitative data were obtained on emotional responses and coping strategies using the Emotional Response of Athletes in Injury Questionnaire (ERAIQ), the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and the COPE. The study examined whether gender and severity of injury may influence emotional responses and coping …

Addressing Spirituality In Occupational Therapy Treatment, Barbara R. Howe

Masters Theses

Literature review identified confusion in the definitions of spirituality with religion. However, there have been attempts to separate the two definitions by professionals who consider holism an important concept of clinical practice. This · study was designed to identify occupational therapists' definitions of spirituality in clinical practice. Also under investigation was the therapist's assessment and use of spirituality for treatment purposes.

A survey was sent to a random sample of occupational therapists in order to gather data about their spiritual activities, their personal definitions of spirituality and their use of spirituality in evaluation and treatment of clients.

Occupational therapists who …

Young Adult Women's Responses To Undergoing Treatment For Early Breast Cancer, Donna Abrashoff Schutte Dnsc

Dissertations

In the nearly two decades of cancer research in the United States, there has been little emphasis on the experiences of young adult women with breast cancer. I therefore adopted a qualitative multicase study method to explore the experiences of five young adult women from the time of discovery of a breast mass through the first three months of recovery from mastectomy. Utilizing data collected via semi-structured interviews, this study sought to describe their concerns, the way in which their concerns changed over time, and the influence of contextual factors. Three themes were identified. These included: "I'm going to die!" …

Nutritional Requirements For Preterm Infants In Neonatal Intensive Care Units, James Allen Nelson

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This thesis reviewed the special caloric requirements of preterm infants. The goal of this research was to investigate the feasibility of using the time required for infants to reach substantial feeding as a possible indicator of future developmental progress. The triage of birth weight, gestational age, and days to first substantive oral feeding were highly significant in predicting development through 12 months of age. However, none of the independent variables contributed significant unique variance in predicting developmental outcome.

Clustered Microcalcification Detection Using Optimized Difference Of Gaussians, Edward M. Ochoa

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis is to design an automated microcalcification detection system to be used as an aid in radiologic mammogram interpretation. This research proposes the following methodology for clustered microcalcification detection. First, preprocess the digitized film mammogram to reduce digitization noise. Second, spatially filter the image with a difference of Gaussians (DoG) kernel. To detect potential microcalcifications, segment the filtered image using global and local thresholding. Next, cluster and index these detections into regions of interest (ROIs). Identify ROIs on the digitized image (or hardcopy printout) for final radiologic diagnosis.

Gross And Histological Features Of A Myofascial Trigger Point In The Upper Trapezius, Kathryn E. Levee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to precisely locate, in living humans, a myofascial trigger point associated with the upper portion of the trapezius muscle (TrP1) that refers pain to the head and neck and to determine if this point is associated with anatomical structures. This study is descriptive and utilizes data from measurements of the location of TrP1 in relation to anatomical landmarks, of pressure sensitivity overlying the trigger point and electromyography recordings in localizing the trigger point. Information obtained from living humans was used to determine anatomical correlation to structures in cadavers. Results indicated there is little variability …

Helper Woman: A Biography Of Elinor Delight Gregg, Jacqueline S. Pflaum Dnsc, Mph, Ms

Dissertations

The intent of this investigation was to conduct an extensive study of the life and character of Elinor Gregg (1886-1970) in order to identify the contributions she made to professional nursing and to humanity. Nurse, educator, administrator, beloved relative, and friend, Elinor Gregg was an outstanding person whom nurses today might well emulate. Historical method provided the context for the study. Data were collected from the National Archives; National Library of Medicine Historical Section; Nursing Archives at Mugar Library, Boston University; Nursing Archives at Simmons College; National Headquarters of the American Red Cross; Archives of Colorado College; and Archives of …

Nmr Studies Of Acyl Chain-Protein Interactions, Mark Christian Oswood

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

An approach employing heteronuclear NMR is presented for monitoring the interactions between long-chain fatty acids and proteins which are involved in their synthesis and intracellular transport. Two naturally occurring fatty acids, hexadecanoic (palmitic) and cis-9-10-methylene-hexadecanoic (MHA) acids were labeled using a biosynthetic scheme with 13C acetate as a source. The biosynthetic incorporation of 13C from a two carbon source resulted in sequential pairs of 13C atoms in the product. When combined with double quantum spectroscopy, a highly efficient suppression of natural abundance background resonances results. Proton-detected two and three-dimensional experiments which correlate double quantum carbon chemical shifts with proton shifts …

Case Studies Of Selective Mutism In Hispanic Children, Colleen Anne Gittins

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Selective mutism is a consistent refusal to use spoken language in specific social situations. This can occur in a particular environment or with specific individuals. A collaboration of four case studies was used to study the possible etiologies, characteristics, and intervention strategies associated with selective mutism. Four children from public school campuses in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas were subjects in this investigation as well as teachers and parents.

A questionnaire was used to gather data along with informal interviews. Results concluded that prevalence rates for selective mutism are relatively high in the area surveyed. Furthermore, many professional …

The Oral Health Status Of Individuals On Renal Dialysis, Kimberley Naugle

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to perform oral assessments on individuals undergoing renal dialysis in Hampton Roads health care facilities to determine their oral health status. A purposive sample was identified via the Sentara Health System in Hampton Roads, from which individuals on renal dialysis who agreed to participate in the study were selected.

Three subgroups of the population were studied: those who have been on renal dialysis for less than a year, individuals on renal dialysis for one to three years and those on renal dialysis for longer than three years.

The Periodontal Disease Index by Ramfjord (1967) …

Passage Or Pathology: Current Attitudes Toward Women's Aging In The Literature Of Menopause, Kaaren Gearhart Ancarrow

Institute for the Humanities Theses

Menopause is currently portrayed in the medical literature as a pathological 11 process resulting from "hormone deficiency." However, feminist writers contend that the climacteric is part of the normal female aging process and oppose the medicalization of menopause and the consequent inevitable hormone replacement therapy (HR T) promoted by the hegemonic medical and pharmaceutical industries. This paper explores the historical development of these two paradigms of menopause and their manifestations in samples of three classes of contemporary literature on the subject: gynecological textbooks, popular advice books written by physicians, and women's accounts. Five major themes are investigated using quantitative and …

Levels Of Depression In Diabetic Elders With Controlled And Uncontrolled Blood Glucose Levels, Julie Sharon Randolph Briggs

MSN Research Projects

Depression is one of the most prevalent illnesses among elders. However, while it is one of the most treatable illnesses, depression is often the most neglected. It is well documented that depression leads to suicide. With the suicide rate among elders the highest of all age groups, it is imperative that health care providers become aware of the risk of depression among diabetic elders. Elders are at risk for depression with advancing age, loss of previous good health, and social interaction. The purpose of this nonexperimental, descriptive study is to compare depression levels in diabetic elders with controlled and uncontrolled …

Overcrowding In The Emergency Department: A Barrier To Health Care Access, Judy Blaine

MSN Research Projects

Patterns of access for primary health care have placed additional strain on emergency departments (EDs). Issues related to these patterns were explored in this ex post facto study. Johnson's Behavioral Systems Model (1968) provided the conceptual framework. The following research questions were explored; What is the incidence of ED patients leaving without being seen by a health care provider? What are the demographic characteristics of ED patients who leave without being seen? How do demographic characteristics of ED patients who leave compare to those who are seen by a health care provider? And what are the reasons given by patients …

Perceived Needs Of Women With Breast Cancer From Diagnosis To Treatment, Barbarba Collier

MSN Research Projects

Needs of women with breast cancer from the time they were given the diagnosis until treatment has received little attention by researchers. The purpose of this study was to identify the needs of women after they had been diagnosed with breast cancer and until treatment began. The theoretical framework underlying the study was based on Travelbee’s human to human relationship model. A retrospective univariate descriptive study was done. The Collier Needs Assessment Survey identified needs experienced by the participants related to disease, family, and emotional/psychosocial. Data were collected from 25 women in rural North Mississippi who had been diagnosed with …

Dietary Influences And Exposure To Cigarette Smoke On Myringotomy Rates Of Infants, Melanie Eller Thompson

MSN Research Projects

Breastfeeding has been identified as a protective measure to defend against infection, while cigarette smoking is linked with increasing the risk of infection. The purpose of this research was to determine if there is a relationship between dietary influences and exposure to cigarette smoke on myringotomy rates of infants. The Betty Neuman Systems Model was the theoretical framework which guided the study. The researcher, using a correlational ex post facto study design, sought an answer to the question: Is there a relationship between dietary influences and exposure to cigarette smoke on myringotomy rates of infants? A convenience sampling of 128 …

Comparison Of Outcomes In Emergency Department Treated By Nurse Practitioners Or Physicians, Mickey D. Aldridge

MSN Research Projects

The increasing number of patients who seek health care in the emergency department has placed a great strain on the resources of facilities to meet those primary health care needs. Utilization of nurse practitioners as health care providers in the emergency department has been suggested to meet the continuing influx of patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes for patient satisfaction, patient knowledge, and problem resolution. Three hypotheses were generated : (a) There is no difference in the outcome of satisfaction in nonurgent patients presenting to the emergency department when treated by a physician or a …

Spiritual Well-Being And Coping In Women With Breast Cancer, Denise Vandergriff Ferriss

MSN Research Projects

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among American women, with 180,000 new cases reported each year. The physiological, emotional, and spiritual challenges of the disease can be awesome. The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine if there was a relationship between spiritual well-being and coping in women with breast cancer. The theoretical framework which guided the research was the Neuman Systems Model. The research hypothesis for the study was there will be a significant positive correlation between spiritual wellbeing and coping in women with breast cancer. Using a convenience sample of 31 women between the …

A Descriptive Study Of Family Relationships, Race And Ethnic Origin, And Sexuality Education In Pregnant Adolescents, Joy Murphy

MSN Research Projects

Adolescents are becoming sexually active at increasingly younger ages despite the well-known health risks. The adolescent pregnancy rate in the United States has been considered the highest of any country in the Western world. The purpose of this study was to identify, examine, and describe family relationships, race and ethnic origin, and sexuality education in pregnant adolescents. Pender's Health Promotion Model was used as the theoretical framework to guide this descriptive study. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 30 pregnant adolescents who received prenatal care at three local obstetricians' health care clinics in Northeast Mississippi. Participants were surveyed …

Health Beliefs In Elderly Clients With Congestive Heart Failure, Collette Dixon

MSN Research Projects

Congestive heart failure is increasing in incidence, prevalence, and mortality in a rapidly growing American geriatric population. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive study was to identify, examine, and describe the health beliefs of elders with congestive heart failure (CHF). It is believed that health beliefs influence health or illness behavior. This study explored the health beliefs of elderly patients with CHF residing in Northeast Mississippi. The research question was what are the health beliefs of elderly clients with congestive heart failure? The sample consisted of 32 subjects aged 65 and older who were clients of a home care agency. …

A Comparison Study; Sexuality In Women With Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus And In Women Without Chronic Illness, Beth Eubank

MSN Research Projects

The relationship between chronic illness and sexuality has long been recognized, and diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness affecting 16 million individuals in the United States. The purpose of this descriptive comparative study was to explore sexuality in the insulin-dependent diabetic female. The research hypothesis that guided the study was there is no difference in perceived sexuality for women with insulin-dependent diabetes and women without chronic illness. The sample consisted of 30 females between the ages of 21 and 40 years who had not experienced surgical menopause and were clients in primary care clinics in the Mississippi Delta. Fifteen of …

The Significance Of The Therapeutic Use Of Pets On Socialization With Elders In An Extended Care Facility, Lisa Byrd

MSN Research Projects

In the year 2020, 80% of the United States population will be over the age of 65 years (Fick, 1993). Elders frequently reside in extended care facilities and experience feelings of loneliness, depression, disorientation, and helplessness (McQuillen, 1985). The therapeutic use of pets has been shown to have positive effects on the socialization of elders. Most research has been conducted utilizing group therapy with a pet. This study focused on the benefits of therapeutic use of pets with the individual elder. The theoretical framework was based on the Neuman Systems Model. The purpose of this study was to determine the …

Health Promotion Practices Of Nurse Practitioners Practicing In The State Of Mississippi, Valerie O'Briant Sullivan

MSN Research Projects

Health promotion has become a major factor in the practice of modern medicine for reasons such as cost effectiveness, disease prevention, and health promotion. Nurse practitioners are on the forefront in educating the public about health promotion practices. The purpose of this study was to describe the health promotion practices of nurse practitioners who practice in the state of Mississippi. Pender's (1992) Health Promotion Model which uses wellness orientation guided the research. The study addressed the question: What are the health promotion practices of nurse practitioners who practice in the state of Mississippi? The sample was comprised of all nurse …

The Role Of The Nurse Practitioner In Home Health Care, Bonnie Mcmillan

MSN Research Projects

Home health agencies have been slow to employ and capitalize on the care provided by the nurse practitioner. The potential contributions of this advanced practice nurse are far-reaching. However, no studies have assessed the role possibilities for the nurse practitioner in the home health field. The purpose of this study was to examine the need for and define the role of the nurse practitioner in home health care. Two research questions guided the study: What is the role of the nurse practitioner in home health care as perceived by home health nurse practitioners and staff nurses and what are the …

The Effects Of A Smoking Prevention Program On The Post-Test Knowledge Levels And Attitudes Of Seventh And Eighth Grade Students, Sandra E. Stinson

MSN Research Projects

Chronic health problems associated with smoking in the adult population have been linked with the use of tobacco in the influential adolescent years. Education aimed toward the adolescent may decrease the incidence of cigarette smoking in the adult population. Little research has been done regarding the knowledge and developmental levels of adolescent smoking and the risks for health problems. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effectiveness of a smoking prevention program on the knowledge and attitudes of seventh and eighth grade students. Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory served as the theoretical framework. The sample consisted of students …

Health Promotion Practices Of Nurse Practitioners Practicing In The State Of Mississippi, Valerie O-Briant Sullivan

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to describe the health promotion practices of nurse practitioners who practice in the state of Mississippi.

A Comparison Study: Sexuality In Women With Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus And In Women Without Chronic Illness, Beth Eubank

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this descriptive comparative study was to explore sexuality in the insulin-dependent diabetic female.

Health Beliefs In Elderly Clients With Congestive Heart Failure, Collette Dixon

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify, examine, and describe the health beliefs of elders with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Effects Of Exercise And Psychosocial Stress On Blood Glucose In Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetics, Lisa Renae Clemensen

Dissertations

Non-insulin dependent diabetes often has serious consequences for individuals if blood glucose is not maintained within relatively normal ranges. Exercise and stress have been enumerated as important variables for the control of blood glucose in non-insulin dependent diabetics.

This study compared blood glucose and stress for eight exercise and eight matched control non-exercise adult noninsulin dependent participants. A prospective home monitoring design was used to monitor daily blood glucose, stress, and physical activity via multiple measures for six days.

Results indicated that control participants had significantly higher average blood glucose readings and higher blood glucose variability. Daily stress measures did …