Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Audiological Evaluation Of Persons With Dementia: A Systematic Review, Yehudis Hoch

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background: Dementia and hearing loss are both prevalent, age-related conditions and recent research has established a correlation between the two. Audiological evaluations of persons with dementia are important due to a likely comorbidity of dementia and hearing loss, the detrimental effect that hearing loss has on cognition and cognitive tests, and because the similar presentation of the two conditions can cause hearing loss to be overlooked. Hearing loss intervention is critical for this population due to the positive effects that amplification has on cognition, social engagement, and listening effort. Despite the importance of hearing assessment and intervention, audiological evaluation of …

Development Of The Hearing Emotion/Activity Restrictions On Teenagers (Heart), Robin G. Axelrod

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

DEVELOPMENT OF THE HEARING EMOTION/ ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS ON TEENAGERS (HEART)

By: Robin Axelrod

Advisor: Barbara Weinstein

Background:

The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly is a self-assessment tool used to assess and quantify the impact of hearing loss on emotional and social wellness in the geriatric population. However, there is not an existing version for the teenage population. Hearing loss has the potential to impact social, emotional, and academic domains in the daily lives of teenagers with hearing loss. In this study, a new self-assessment tool called the Hearing Emotion/ Activity Restrictions on Teenagers (HEART) was created and distributed via …

Vestibular Correlates Of Cochlear Implantation, Danielle Lewis

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Previous research has illustrated that vestibular dysfunction is the most prevalent complication of cochlear implant (CI) surgery. There is substantial evidence of both short- and long-term vestibular dysfunction following CI surgery. The objective of this survey was to determine CI recipients’ expectation and satisfaction with their audiologists’ counseling regarding the possible vestibular effects of cochlear implantation. Survey participants included unilateral and bilateral adult CI recipients recruited through the NYC chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), audiology-related Facebook groups, and Linked-In. The first 25 participants were offered a $20 Amazon gift card upon completion of the survey. The …

The Effect Of Personal Listening Devices On Subjective Hearing Status, Esther Feldman

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Long term or brief exposure to loud noise can trigger the onset of noise-induced hearing loss which can lead to a temporary (TTS) or permanent (PTS) shift in hearing threshold. Occupational noise, or recreational noise such as music can contribute to shifts in hearing levels. Listening to music in person at a concert or when listening on earphones/earbuds and streaming from a smartphone can produce sound pressure levels (SPL) high enough to lead to PTS, TTS, and associated symptoms. A survey of adults was conducted to gain insight into onset of self-perceived temporary hearing loss and tinnitus after short term …

The Impact Of Sport-Related Concussions On The Vestibular System Utilizing The Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening (Voms) Tool: A Systematic Review For Audiologists, Tina M. Ceriello

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objective: This systematic review aims to analyze vestibular side effects of sport-related concussions (SRCs) based on differences such as age, gender, and/or sport when using the VOMS tool, and how audiologists may adapt practice for such individuals who have sustained SRCs.

Methods: A comprehensive search identified relevant articles using Google Scholar, ASHAWire, and other databases through the City University of New York (CUNY) Mina Rees Library website. Studies were included if SRCs were evaluated using the complete seven-item VOMS tool and had 25 or more participants. Studies were excluded if concussions were not sport-related, brain injuries were more severe than …

Positron Emission Tomography In Oncology And Environmental Science, Samantha Delaney

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The last half century has played witness to the onset of molecular imaging for the clinical assessment of physiological targets. While several medical imaging modalities allow for the visualization of the functional and anatomical properties of humans and living systems, few offer accurate quantitation and the ability to detect biochemical processes with low-administered drug mass doses. This limits how physicians and scientists may diagnose and treat medical issues, such as cancer, disease, and foreign agents.

A promising alternative to extant invasive procedures and suboptimal imaging modalities to assess the nature of a biological environment is the use of positron emission …

Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines: Anesthesia For Total Knee And Hip Arthroplasty, Amanda Kleinfelder

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Total knee and hip arthroplasty are the two most common orthopedic surgeries in the United States. Traditional perioperative practice is multidisciplinary, with each professional, including anesthesia, making decisions based on their current knowledge or past experience. Postoperative complications pose a threat to any patient undergoing a surgical procedure. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols were developed to streamline best practice guidelines during the perioperative period. ERAS pathways aim to decrease postoperative complications, accelerate recovery after surgery, decrease narcotic use and promote early mobilization and discharge from the hospital. The aim of this project is the development of evidence-based practice …

Enhancing Newer Nicu Nurse Confidence With Resuscitation Through High-Fidelity, In-Situ Crisis Resource Management, Karen Rose

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Neonatal resuscitation is a low-volume, high-risk occurrence. Given the infrequency of resuscitation, newer neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses may have little to no exposure to neonatal resuscitation events. This can lead to a lack of confidence in resuscitation skills, contributing to burnout, poor patient outcomes, and the potential for nursing turnover. This evidence-based practice project, guided by the Iowa Model Revised: Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Excellence in Health Care, focused on enhancing the perceived confidence in neonatal resuscitation skills among newer NICU nurses. To achieve this, multidisciplinary, high-fidelity, in-situ neonatal resuscitation crisis resource management (CRM) simulated events were implemented. …

Analyzing The Cognitive Complexity Of The Questions On The Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles Exam, Lauren Zirpoli

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This convergent parallel mixed methods study with qualitative and quantitative content analysis was conducted to analyze and describe the cognitive complexity of the publicly released Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles Exam questions compared to the language of higher-order thinking found in research literature. Hess’ Cognitive Rigor Matrix was used to determine the frequency and percentage of questions categorized as higher-order thinking within each cell of the matrix. The qualitative method consisted of content analysis of the language of each question analyzed, followed by deductive coding, and culminated with categorizing the depth and type of thinking required on Hess’ Cognitive Rigor …

Initiating Access To Palliative Care Earlier In Pediatric Oncology Patients, Anita Sharma

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Abstract

Background: Pediatric oncology patients should be referred to palliative care early but despite research indicating the clear benefits, there is still a delay in referring patients. One of the reasons include lack of understanding amongst providers on what palliative care is. Palliative care provides symptom management, emotional support and helps the patient and family with difficult decision making.

Objectives: This project aimed to increase the number of early referrals to palliative care. The Pediatric Palliative Care Screening Tool (PaPas) was utilized to help identify the triggers which should prompt the referral.

Methods: A chart review of patients diagnosed with …

Artistic Expression Of Medical Experiences Of Mothers Of Color: Perspectives Using Art Therapy, Lauren Barrett

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine perspectives of mothers of color living in the US and their experiences in the healthcare system through art therapy. The study aimed to further identify personal narrative experiences of mothers of color navigating the healthcare system, promote individual voices, and acknowledge disparities impacting those within marginalized communities. The participants in this study included a total of eight identified mothers of color (non-White) living in the US. Participants took part in four weeks of consecutive art therapy sessions either in 60-minute group or individual virtual meetings. One art therapy directive was provided …

Embodied Co-Regulation: A Neuroregulatory-Informed Dance/Movement Therapy Transition Intervention Method For Arousal Regulation For Adolescents In A Partial Hospitalization Program, Anamaria Guzman

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis introduces a novel Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) approach, focusing on nervous system arousal regulation during transitions between therapy groups. The core of the method involves a brief 5-minute exercise designed to modulate arousal levels, encompassing alertness and energy, aiming to establish a baseline homeostasis. Rooted in Polyvagal Theory and Developmental Neurobiology, the approach assumes the co-regulation of nervous systems within a group therapeutic setting. Two primary outcomes are self-assessed: 1) somatic experiences documented through narratives and 2) nervous system biodata measured using the Flowtime headband monitoring of brainwaves, heart rate, and other biomarkers. Results indicated that all six sessions …

Dance/Movement Therapy: A Novel Approach For Latino Males With Incarceration Histories In Sud Treatment, Aletia Egipciaco

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper investigates how open clients would be to participating and engaging in Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) sessions at a residential SUD facility. The questions asked were (1) What level of engagement would clients have and (2) How would they engage in DMT group sessions at a residential substance use disorder facility? A program lasting 8 weeks, aimed at facilitating DMT group sessions, was conducted at a residential SUD facility twice a week. The objective was to assess participant engagement levels and observe their involvement in the DMT sessions. Residents of the facility were invited voluntarily to attend the DMT groups. …

Tap Dance Therapy For Children With Medical Complexity: A Literature Review, Beth Calabrese

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Although various genres of dance and movement have been studied to serve as therapeutic tools for individuals, research on tap dance for children with serious illnesses and complex medical needs is near non-existent. This thesis aims to analyze the available literature on tap dance and dance/movement therapy for children, as well as identify gaps in research in service of improving the quality of lives and mental health of children with medical complexity (CMC). Additionally, a discussion of a possible tap dance therapy (TDT) program for children with special needs related to medical complexities will be introduced, which will include evidence-based …

What Is The Effect Of Telehealth And The Internet Of Medical Things (Iomt) On Outcomes When Used In At-Risk Pregnancies: A Scoping Review Of The Components Of Remote Maternal Monitoring For Hypertensive Disorders That Can Successfully Be Done Via Digital Technology?, Leighton Pitter

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) is an emerging technology that facilitates individualized remote e-health services to improve patient's quality of life and satisfaction while decreasing healthcare expenditures. The objective of this scoping review is to explore the usage of IoMT and remote patient monitoring (RPM) in at-risk pregnancies for hypertensive disorders to mitigate pregnancy-related complications. IoMT and other devices in an intelligent health system can meaningfully ameliorate maternal care management in the United States (U.S.). Wearables and nearables, subcategories of IoMT, can be utilized to facilitate patient-centered care and promote excellence in health maintenance/management through a holistic continuum of care …

Utilizing Dance/Movement Therapy For Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Development Of A Method, Jayda Pearson

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

While there is limited research on the use of dance/movement therapy (DMT) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. This thesis introduces an intervention focused on utilizing (DMT) to assist children with ADHD in self-regulation during periods of dysregulation associated with the disorder. The research is backed by literature reviews covering various topics related to ADHD symptoms such as dysregulation, impulsivity, and attention difficulties. Furthermore, the thesis delves into the background of dance/movement therapy and explores how DMT can be integrated with other modalities such as play therapy for a comprehensive therapeutic approach.

Improving Mental Health Support For Nursing Students Through Mental Health First Aid (Mhfa) Training Of Clinical Faculty, Amy Sands

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

This project aimed to implement a process improvement program at the Louisville campus of Galen College of Nursing to improve the mental health support for nursing students through the training of Clinical Instructors (CIs) in using adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and the ALGEE actions described within that program.

Utilizing Decision Tree Implementation And Provider Education To Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening Orders: A Quality Improvement Project, Alicia Kollar

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Background and Significance: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths (Jain, et al., 2022). Healthy People 2030 objectives include reducing the CRC death rate and increasing the proportion of adults who get screened (Healthy People 2030, n.d.). According to 2021 data, only 58.7% of adults are screened with a Healthy People target of 68.3%. Healthy People states that there are effective screening tools to detect colorectal cancer early, and people are more likely to survive it (Healthy People 2030, n.d.). Purpose: This quality improvement (QI) project aims to implement an …

Physical Activity Levels In First-Year University Students, Jerealya Cogdell

Honors College Theses

The purpose of this study is to see if physical activity (PA) is affected for students since transitioning from high school to their first semester in college. The study was conducted by asking questions pertaining to PA via an online survey through the platform Qualtrics. It will be administered to students at Georgia Southern University. However, only the data from freshmen students that meet specific criteria will be accounted for in this study. The data will be analyzed using Chi-squared to determine how PA is affected due to this transition. The data will compare the results from high school senior …

Nursing Students’ Perceptions Of The Impact Of Teamwork And Collaboration On Patient Care, Riana Square

Honors College Theses

Teamwork and communication are two topics that a vast majority of nursing students are introduced to in their first semester of nursing school. Many nursing students have a desire to improve their communication skills and have a better understanding of the inner workings of interdisciplinary collaboration. A study across multiple cohorts of Georgia Southern Nursing students was conducted to explore their perceptions of the correlation between teamwork and patient care outcomes. This study also explores nursing students’ readiness to communicate with other healthcare professionals and the effectiveness of the means to practice these communication skills while in nursing school. It …

A Community Re-Integration Mental Health Occupational Therapy Program For Veterans At The Sioux Falls Veterans Affairs Hospital, Holly M. Forrester

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The Veteran population continues to be disproportionately impacted by mental health disorders despite growing efforts to address this epidemic. Despite an increase in Veterans Affairs (VA) sponsored programs to mitigate the disparity, the interdisciplinary team tasked with implementing the novel programs remains undiversified. My capstone project aimed to provide a comprehensive community reintegration program to the Veterans in the inpatient behavioral health setting and advocate for the role of occupational therapy on the mental health interdisciplinary team. The literature and needs assessment indicated a need for the implementation of occupational therapy specific groups that aimed to increase functional independence and …

Expressive Therapies And Resiliency – Resistance In Mental Health: A Literature Review, Gabrielle Lopez

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This review evaluates the current literature on psychological resistance amongst human service professionals experiencing burnout and the effect of Expressive Arts interventions on resiliency. Concepts include identifying the main symptoms, risk factors, causes, and treatments for burnout in education faculty, medical staff, and clinicians. Qualitative, quantitative, and meta-analysis studies are included to identify the most prevalent intervention frameworks for reducing stress including Arts-Based and Mindfulness-compassion based techniques. The effectiveness of Arts-based tools on strengthening identity, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and meaning-making in combating burnout is presented. Based on analysis of the literature, the author proposes a three-step intervention framework for utilizing …

Neuroqueering Art Therapy: Bringing Neurodivergent Gender Diversity Into The Creative Arts Therapy Room: A Literature Review, Avital Eisen

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Recent research across disciplines has established the significance of the overlap between neurodivergence and gender diversity, a truth long espoused by the community. Acting on this research, some mental health disciplines have begun addressing neurodivergent transgender and gender diverse people as a unified population in their research, but the field of art therapy has not yet followed suit. Theoretical frameworks of intersectionality, queer theory, and disability justice highlight the importance of centering the unique experiences and needs of neurodivergent gender diversity. Using these frameworks, this literature review synthesizes community knowledge with art therapy research on both neurodivergence and gender diversity, …

The Hero’S Journey Through Therapy: A Literature Review, Rylee Blake

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The Hero’s Journey (Campbell, 1949) is a common narrative structure throughout ancient mythology and modern storytelling which describes the transformation of a hero through a journey of trials and represents the experience of psychological healing throughout various cultures. Because of the ancient and common nature of this structure and the psychological importance of personal narrative and storying even from an early age (Boyd, 2018; Klees, 2016), this thesis hypothesizes that a client’s experience throughout psychotherapy will follow the stages of the Hero’s Journey and that invoking this structure within the therapy room, particularly for drama therapists, will empower clients toward …

Method Acting As A Therapeutic Intervention For Trauma Recovery, Remi Moses

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

While considered controversial by some, Method acting as popularized by Lee Strasberg is a technique that elicits powerful and authentic results on stage and screen. The foundational Method acting techniques, the Relaxation Exercise (RE) and the Sense Memory Exercise (SME), share similarities to bottom-up therapeutic processes like Somatic Experiencing and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. By implementing a trauma-informed drama therapy framework with these two exercises, the RE and SME were restructured as a therapeutic intervention for people in trauma recovery. The author implemented a study of three consecutive group therapy sessions for people healing from trauma where clients participated …

Toilet Training And Teaching Self-Initiations To Children With Autism Who Use Augmentative And Alternative Communication, Darcy A. Douglass

Honors Capstones

Within this project, we address the challenges faced by individuals, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), during toilet training, which often takes longer than neurotypical children. Practitioners who use traditional methods often overlook teaching children how to request bathroom use, especially among those who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. Drawing from literature and expert recommendations, we summarize the importance of teaching independence in bathroom use for children with complex communication needs by incorporating their AAC devices when teaching toilet training.

Inspired by Perez et al. (2020), who demonstrated positive responses from individuals with ASD to reinforcement-based procedures, …

The Relationship Between Sun Protective Behavior, Health Beliefs, Attitudes, And Norms Of Sun Exposure Among College Athletes, Avery B. Snyder

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to access the relationship between sun protective behavior, health beliefs, attitudes, and norms of sun exposure among college athletes. An electronic survey was provided to student athletes for about two weeks in October of 2023. Prior to student participation the Institutional Review Board approved the protocol and data collection. The survey was sent to the students by the athletic director through an app called Teamworks that connects to all the athletes at Coastal Carolina. The majority of students who took the survey reported they did not wear sunscreen in past games/practices. Of those who …

Mental Health Among Collegiate Athletes, Stella Elise Fairbanks

Honors Thesis

Mental health has become increasingly more linked with athletics, especially collegiate athletics. There has been an increase in public acknowledgment of the presence of mental health in sports, specifically, more athletes are speaking about their mental health struggles as well as more research is being conducted in order to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between mental health and athletics. This literature review discusses athletes’ personal experiences of their mental health struggles, the presence of stigma associated with mental health and athletics, and the results of the recent NCAA, National Collegiate Athletic Association, research. This thesis aims to uncover …

Development, Validation, And Diagnostic Performance Of A Novel Radiomic Model For Predicting Prostate Cancer Recurrence, Linda M. Huynh

Theses & Dissertations

Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MP-MRI)-derived radiomics have been shown to capture sub-visual patterns for the quantitative characterization of prostate cancer (PC) phenotypes. The present dissertation seeks to develop, evaluate, and compare the performance of an MRI-derived radiomic model for the prediction of PC recurrence following definitive treatment with radical prostatectomy (RP).

MP-MRI was obtained from 339 patients who had a minimum of 2 years follow-up following RP at three institutions. The prostate was manually delineated as the region of interest and 924 radiomic features were extracted. All features were evaluated for stability via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and image normalization …

Multimodal Investigations For The Identification Of Surgically Relevant Brain Areas, Kevin Tyner

Theses & Dissertations

Epilepsy is a neurological disease leading to recurrent and unpredictable seizures. Patients can be diagnosed as focal onset, where the seizure focus resides in one hemisphere; generalized onset, where seizure foci reside in both hemispheres; or unknown onset. Anti-seizure medications are the first line of treatment, and those whose seizures cannot be controlled with medication are diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). For patients diagnosed with focal onset epilepsy to achieve seizure freedom, surgical resection of the epileptogenic zone (EZ), the region of the brain that is both necessary and sufficient for initiating seizures, is required. The EZ is a theoretical …