Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Implementation Of Vinyasa Yoga For Adults Experiencing Anxiety, Megan K. Malyuk

Theses and Graduate Projects

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental illness in the United States (US) and holistic treatment approaches, such as vinyasa yoga, are often practiced to alleviate the severity of symptoms (The Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 2020). A comprehensive literature review including evidence-based research, Metis-based knowledge, and personal accounts are used to support this scholarly project. Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring is explicated and synthesized as a theoretical framework. Methodology and evaluation of the scholarly project are described, analyzed, and reflected that vinyasa yoga has a positive impact on individuals who experience anxiety. This scholarly project was implemented …

Traumatic Brain Injury Severity In Older Adults: Impact On Anxiety And Depression Symptoms And Community Engagement, Ashley Tomford

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of physical and cognitive disability worldwide. TBI can negatively impact cognitive, physical, social, and psychological functioning.

Objective: This study investigated interactions between TBI severity, mental health symptom severity, and community engagement among older adults. Specific aims included investigating 1) the relationship between TBI severity at the time of injury and psychiatric symptom severity at one-year post-TBI; 2) the relationship between TBI severity and community engagement at one-year post-TBI; and 3) whether mental health symptom severity moderated the relationship between TBI and post-injury community engagement.

Methods: Archival data was analyzed …

Virtual Reality Pain Intervention For Pediatric Burn Patients, Tanya Ann Hinrichs

Theses and Graduate Projects

Burns can be devasting trauma in the pediatric population, leading to lifelong physical and psychological pain and anxiety. Burn pain management is complicated and undertreated traditionally. The purpose of this scholarly project is to examine the use of virtual reality (VR) for distraction in pediatric patients who have experienced a burn to determine if VR improves pain management during painful procedures. A literature review revealed a gap in pain management in pediatric burn survivors with just traditional pharmacologic analgesia during painful procedures. Leininger’s Culture Care Theory provides a theoretical framework for this project’s purpose to determine if implementing a virtual …

Addressing Lgbtq Anxiety With Mindful Meditation, Mark Pequignot

Theses and Graduate Projects

The current study investigated the effect of mindful meditation on anxiety levels in the LGBTQ+ urban student population. An incorporation of Margaret Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness and theoretical concepts of living in the present moment guided these participants in exposing traumas and relational development forming anxiety. Ten LGBTQ+ urban students (N=10) were randomly selected to examine their involvements via the practice of mindful meditation, further determine past traumas associated with identifying within the LGTBQ+ community, and examine how these impact daily experiences of anxiety. Participants completed Likert Surveys to ascertain the effect that mindful meditation had on …

Investigating The Relationship Between Mental Health And Co- Morbidity Management During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review, Alejandra Soto

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused many disruptions to millions of lives, especially with the enforcement of government shutdowns, isolations, and social distancing. These measures lead to increased anxiety and depression in the general population. With many high- risk patient populations having chronic comorbidities, accessing routine medical care and supplies became difficult during the pandemic.

Purpose: How has mental health affected the management of pre-existing comorbidities during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the research engine PubMed using the search terms: “pandemic”, “COVID-19”, “comorbidities”, “mental health”, “morbidity”, and “mortality”. Inclusion criteria were studies …

Does Probiotic Supplementation Improve Depression/Anxiety Outcome Measures?, Kathryn M. Decleene

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Depression and anxiety continue to be a healthcare burden worldwide. Current depression and anxiety treatments include medications and psychotherapy; however, for many patients this is not enough. Literature has recently come out detailing the gut-brain axis and its potential impact on mental health.

Purpose: This literature review sought to answer the question if probiotics could play a role in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Specifically, does supplementation with a probiotic improve clinical outcome measures of depression, anxiety, or both? Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar using the search terms probiotics, …

A Literature Review: What Mental Health Challenges Are Experienced By First-Generation Latino Immigrant And Refugee Families Entering The U.S.?, Hunnaan M. Khan

Theses and Graduate Projects

It is believed that people leave their homeland and come to America for better opportunities, freedom, safety, or second chances at life. As of 2021, Latino’s account for Americas largest minority population however measures to support their communities medically and socially have fallen short. The downfalls of misunderstanding the traumas experienced in their homelands, accounting for premigration, during migration, and postmigration stressors, and systemic issues that fall short in providing culturally sensitive care creates room for mental health challenges to accumulate. Cases of traumas experienced in homelands, cultural implications, the controversies, and difficulties of being held in detention centers, challenges …

Eating For Health, Tanya Reese

Theses and Graduate Projects

As anxiety and depression have increased exponentially, researchers have discovered a link between nutrition and incidences of anxiety and depression. The communication between the gut and the brain is imperative for mental health. The inflammatory process that is initiated in the intestinal tract can change the chemistry of the brain resulting in anxiety and depression. Newman’s Theory, Health as Expanding Consciousness, helps people to identify patterns in their food choices and change those patterns to choose healthier foods. This scholarly project was implemented to teach youth and adults living in a rural community about the link between food and anxiety …

A Literature Review: An Analysis Of The Widespread Effects Of Solitary Confinement/Social Isolation On Mental Illness And Mortality, Taneasha Muonio

Theses and Graduate Projects

Solitary confinement or isolation is widespread globally and has been used as a form of punishment, reform, reflection, and cleansing throughout time. The devastating impacts of not having social interactions for extended periods of time have been documented and noted.1 These impacts include severe mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide, motor disturbances, biological changes, and increased mortality.1-3 The analysis of how the United States became the country with the largest prison system and mentally ill population is addressed in this thesis including understanding how the prison-industrial complex was built. Understanding how …

A Support Group Proposal For Women Seeking Fertility Treatment, Emily Jazdzewski

Theses and Graduate Projects

lnfertility is the inability to conceive a pregnancy. Not being able to conceive or carry a child is a devastating reality for many women. Infertility causes both physical and emotional stress that can make it difficult to cope. A literature search revealed the need for a support group for fertility patients to share their journey to decrease the incidence of depression and anxiety. A proposal to develop a support group supported by a Reproductive Endocrinology Department will be explored. The proposal will describe benefits of a support group, integrating cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation and Mindfulness techniques to promote self-soothing …

Reducing Anxiety In Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Patients Using Reiki, Robyn Ait Ali

Theses and Graduate Projects

Reiki, meaning universal life force energy, facilitates the flow of energy that travels naturally in and around the body. Blockages in energy flow create disease and or pain in the body; the Reiki practitioner facilitates the removal of blockages which allows for healing and restoration of balance. Anxiety in children undergoing Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) manifests itself across all body systems and effects the care they receive during hospitalization. Children are open to the concept of energetic healing therefore, the use of Reiki for children undergoing BMT to reduce anxiety, facilitate relaxation, and ease pain makes sense. The introduction of …

Integrating Mindfulness Meditation Into Undergraduate Nursing Curricula, Michelle Yankowiak

Theses and Graduate Projects

Stress and anxiety impact the lives of undergraduate nursing students. Learning how to cope with the stressful demands of nursing school is essential for student success. Watson's caring and healing philosophy notes that learning to care for self is foundational in learning to care for others. Literature also reports that nursing programs across the country are lacking instruction on alternative therapies as a self-care method. A need to integrate self-care into curricula was identified by personal knowing as a nursing clinical instructor and through a self-care questionnaire to undergraduate obstetric nursing students. The integration of mindfulness meditation, as a means …

Introduction Of Healing Touch Into An Established Torture Treatment Center: A Graduate Field Project, Kathleen Mccullough-Zander

Theses and Graduate Projects

Healing Touch, an energetic treatment modality developed by nurses, was introduced into an established torture treatment center with the goal of decreasing torture-related symptoms and increasing survivors' overall sense of well-being and health. Three methods of evaluation were used to determine if the project goal had been met. The first project objective of showing a decrease in participants' reported feelings of anxiety and depression was not achieved. The second project objective of demonstrating a reduction in participant's reported levels of pain was achieved with statistically significant results. The third project objective of obtaining statements of recognition of the therapy as …