Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Practice Analysis Survey: Defining The Clinical Practice Of Primary Care Physical Therapy, Edsen Bermudez Donato

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background and Purpose. Due to changes in the health care delivery systems, physical therapy services have moved toward a primary care model of practice. The purpose of this study was to identify the professional responsibilities, procedures, and knowledge areas of physical therapists practicing in primary care settings.

Subjects. A sample of 212 physical therapists practicing in primary care settings, and a control group of 250 physical therapists not practicing in primary care settings were surveyed.

Methods. The survey instrument was developed with the assistance of a National Advisory Committee (NAC) consisting of 12 subject matter experts. A modified Delphi …

Intermittent Noise Sampling And Control Strategies In The Hospital Environment, Rosarito M. Guerrero

Theses

Noise in the hospital environment can have negative effects on both patients and hospital staff. Unwanted noise can be disturbing and often annoying thus, interfering with patients' sleep and obstructing work performance of the hospital staff. A research study was conducted in the hospital unit to identify and develop methods of intervention for intermittent noise and their source. Routine staff work activity generated noise levels above EPA hospital noise recommendations. A sound level meter and video camera was used to capture noise between the work-shifts. The video camera captured digital readings generated by the sound level meter which, helped identify …

Modifiable Risk Factors For Osteoporosis Prevention In The College Population, Sally Pearson

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the known modifiable risk factors for osteoporosis in the college population. Pender's Theory of Health Promotion served as the theoretical framework for this study. The research question was as follows : What preventive behaviors are college students participating in that will increase their risk of osteoporosis? Risk factors were measured using the Osteoporosis Lifestyle Survey, a tool with face validity. The sample population (N = 121) consisted of students, ages 17 to 30 years, who were attending a small southern university and who submitted the questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using …

Psychosocial Correlates Of Physiologlcal Improvement In Female Cardiac Patients: Improving Effectiveness Of Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs, Linda A. Halvorsen

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between a set or psychosocial variables and a set of physiological variables for a cohort of female cardiac rehabilitation patients. The independent variable set included initial denial, inlcnwl locus of control, perceived mental health status, and perceived physical health status. Dependent variables included change scores for metabolic equivalents and resting heat rate. The sample consisted of76 women who were enrolled in a Phase II cardiac rehabilitation program. Demographic information including number of completed rehabilitation sessions, age, martial status, and diagnosis was provided. A series of bivariate correlations were conducted to …

The Music Channel: Integrating The Harp Into The Communication Process Of Children With Autism, Lori A. Kissinger

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present study was undertaken to determine if the harp could be used as a communication channel for children with autism. The two research questions guiding this study were: (1) Will a child with autism utilize the harp to try to communicate a message? And (2) if the harp is utilized by a child with autism as a communication channel, can the receiver decode the intended message? Two qualitative case studies using constant comparison analysis were conducted over a six-day observation period. Five predominant responses emerged: (1) initial reaction to the instrument, (2) bonding with the instrument, (3) socialization through …

Disordered Eating And Its Psychosocial Correlates Among Hispanic Adolescent Females, Annette Santiago

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the incidence of disordered eating and its relationship with acculturation, depression, and body dissatisfaction among Hispanic adolescent females. One hundred and five students enrolled at two midwestem high schools completed a Student Demographic Questionnaire, the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (Marin & Gamba, 1996), the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996), the Body Dissatisfaction Subscale of the Eating Disorder Inventory (Gamer, Olmstead, & Polivy, 1983), and the Eating Attitudes Test (Gamer, Olmstead, Bohr, & Garfinkel, 1982). Two null hypotheses were examined. The first investigated the relationship among acculturation, depression, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating utilizing …

Analysis Of Factors Involved In Ratings Of Treatment Acceptability For Trichotillomania, Amy J. Elliott

Dissertations

Based on the literature, trichotillomania (or chronic hair pulling) appears to be responsive to behavioral interventions, with habit reversal as the most promising intervention. Habit reversal has been shown effective with children and adults of varying levels of severity, but some have questioned the generality and acceptability of the procedure. Little is known about the acceptability of interventions for habit disorders. These two research studies were designed to answer questions regarding the acceptability of behavioral and pharmacological interventions for trichotillomania and to expand the conceptual knowledge of treatment acceptability.

Study 1 compared the acceptability of four interventions targeting trichotillomania. The …

An Evaluation Of Progressively Loaded Root Form Dental Implants Placed Into Extraction Sites, Franco Audia

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The conventional protocol for placement of endosseous root form implants requires up to twelve months of ossification of the extraction socket prior to implant placement. An alternative approach includes the immediate placement of dental implants into a prepared extraction socket following tooth removal. The purpose of this study was to compare conventionally placed non-loaded dental implants with those placed immediately into extraction sockets and progressively loaded in adult patients. A total of twenty implants were placed in eighteen patients and followed for a twelve-month period.

Clinically, no significant differences between conventional and immediately placed dental implants were observed. Radiographically, immediately …

A Model For Hiv/Aids Risk Behaviors Of Students In Armenia, Talin Babikian

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Without a cure in now its third decade, AIDS is a concern for both the medical and social science disciplines. Most at risk for a nationwide AIDS epidemic are developing countries, which often lack the necessary resources and knowledge to minimize the spread of the disease. There are an estimated 1500 HIV cases in Armenia, 81.5% of which occur in the 20-39 age group. Armenia’s current economic and political instability, increase in sexually transmitted infections (STI), prostitution, and injecting drug use, and the alarming incidence rates in neighboring countries amplify its risk for a national epidemic.

The goals of this …

A Novel Strategy Utilizing Co-Expression Of Murine Il-12 And Antisense Tgf-Pl Against H238 Tumor Formation, Craig A. Seheult

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Cytokines have a profound effect on immune modulation, thus playing a significant role in cancer gene therapy. A variety of human carcinomas secrete transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), a cytokine with potent immunosuppressive properties. Suppressing TGF-β could be a key to successfully combating malignancies, such as gliomas, mammary, and colon cancers, that over-express TGF-β. Conversely, interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a potent immunostimulatory cytokine capable of regulating T and NK cell-mediated cytotoxic responses (Trinchieri, 1994) during an anti-tumor response. Activation of the immune system with such immunostimulatory cytokines renders it inert to the suppressive effects of TGF-β. To better understand these processes our …

Effects Of Liposome-Encapsulated Tnf-Alpha And Radiation Against Colon Cancer, Dong Won Kim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Previous studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) can augment the antitumor effects of radiation, inhibiting tumor progression to a greater extent than either modality alone. However, nonspecific toxicities associated with TNF-α have limited its use as an adjuvant. This limitation is potentially resolved with the encapsulation of TNF-α in sterically stabilized, PEGylated liposomes (STEALTH®). Thus, the overall hypothesis of the research was that the combination of radiation with STEALTH® liposome encapsulated TNF-α (SL-TNF-α) will have greater efficacy and fewer dose-limiting side effects in the LS174T human colorectal tumor xenograft model compared to the combination of free TNF-α and …

Pragmatic Behaviors And Competency Levels Of Typically Developing And High Risk African American Preschoolers, Jennifer Dodd

Masters Theses

The pragmatic behaviors and competency levels of typically developing (TD) and high risk (HR) African American preschool children were assessed through the use of the Pragmatic Coding System (PCS, Hyter & Dodd, 1999). Ten children were videotaped within two play settings (i.e., dramatic play and manipulative toy play) for a total of twenty minutes. Results indicated that TD and HR children used the same types of pragmatic behaviors in both play settings. Frequency differences, however, were found between the two groups. Typically developing children produced a significantly greater number of initiations, total responses, multi word responses, one word responses, no …

Women's Experiences With Chronic Heart Failure, Denise M. Boren Phd, Msn, Cns

Dissertations

Nationwide, approximately 4.1 million Americans suffer from chronic heart failure accounting for estimated direct and indirect costs of over $21 billion spent annually for health care. The incidence of heart failure has doubled each decade since the 1940's and slightly more men were inflicted with the illness. This trend changed three years ago, with a decline in the overall incidence of heart failure and a slight predominance of the illness in women rather than men. The incidence of this condition was reduced in males nearly three times that of females. Women survive longer after diagnosis, however they are hospitalized more, …

Therapeutic Alliance: Development, Evaluation, And Application Of The Kim Alliance Scale, Son Chae Kim Phd, Msn, Fnp, Rn

Dissertations

The quality of therapeutic alliance between the patient and healthcare provider is a pivotal contributing factor toward optimal healthcare in the current context of rising healthcare costs, shorter hospital stays, and patient's rights. The availability of a well-designed and sound therapeutic alliance instrument can provide understanding and insight into improving the quality of healthcare. The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable and valid therapeutic alliance instrument, to evaluate its psychometric properties, and to explore its usefulness in predicting patient satisfaction. The retroductive triangulation method provided a framework for the development of the instrument, the Kim Alliance Scale …

Facilitators And Barriers To Initiation Of Hormone Replacement Therapy By Nephrology Health Care Providers, Lynn Tramel

MSN Research Projects

Cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and dementia are three disease processes that have been directly linked to estrogen deficiency. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death for all postmenopausal women, including those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Osteoporosis and dementia are disease processes that profoundly affect the quality of life for postmenopausal women. Currently, 34% of women in the general population receive hormone replacement therapy (HRT), while only 10% of women with ESRD receive this therapy. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive study was to examine the facilitators and barriers of nephrology health care providers to initiation of HRT …

Knowledge Levels Of College Students Concerning Folic Acid, Lesa Faye Ferguson

MSN Research Projects

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most serious birth defects affecting approximately 4,000 pregnancies in the United States each year. More than one third of these pregnancies are spontaneously aborted. Thus, about 2,500 infants per year are born with an NTD. Research spanning two decades has shown that women who consume folic acid- containing supplements have 50% to 75% fewer infants with NTDs than women who do not consume folic acid supplements. Despite the empirical evidence in the literature, the message about folic acid is not getting across to the general public. This quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study examined the impact …

Risk Behaviors Of Hiv-Infected Young Adults, Jennifer Doss Dewey

MSN Research Projects

Despite research, education, and preventive programs, HIV continues to thrive. It is estimated that half the HIV infections worldwide have occurred in individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 years. HIV-infected individuals who persist in the same behaviors that put them at risk are potentially infecting others as well as further endangering their own health. An awareness of the risk behaviors in which the fast growing HIV-infected young adult population is engaging might be useful in future education and prevention efforts. The purpose of this study was to explore the risk behaviors of HIV-infected young adults. The theoretical framework …

Adherence To Jnc Vi Guidelines For Hypertension Management By Primary Care Nurse Practitioners, Gregory N. Cagle

MSN Research Projects

Although improvement in the detection and treatment of hypertension has occurred over the last two decades, the trends have stagnated over the last 5 years with a related increase in mortality from cardiac failure and an increased incidence of end-stage renal disease. Current researchers have made a strong argument that many health care providers have not been successfully managing hypertension at a level, as established by research, to prevent target organ disease over time. As health care providers, family nurse practitioners (FNPs) and adult nurse practitioners (ANPs) are managing hypertension in outpatient settings as primary care nurse practitioners (PCNPs). This …

Maternal Knowledge Of Danger Signs Of Pregnancy, Rachel D. Kirksey

MSN Research Projects

The focus of this descriptive study was nurse practitioners' attitudes and management practices regarding emergency contraception.

Emergency Contraception: A National Survey Of Nurse Practitioners' Attitudes And Management Practices, Rachel D. Kirksey

MSN Research Projects

The focus of this descriptive study was nurse practitioners' attitudes and management practices regarding emergency contraception.

Rural Elders' Knowledge Of Nurse Practitioners As Health Care Providers, Tim Watson

MSN Research Projects

The population of America is growing older every year. Thirteen percent of the population is at least 65 years old. Many elders have limited health care choices because fewer physicians are locating their practices in rural areas. Nurse practitioners are now practicing in underserved areas such as rural communities. The purpose of this descriptive exploratory study was to explore baseline knowledge of rural elders concerning the role of nurse practitioners as health care providers. Becker's Health Belief Model was used to guide the research. The research question was as follows: What is rural elders' knowledge of nurse practitioners as health …

Preconception Health Care Practices Of Nurse Practitioners In The Primary Care Setting, Charlotte Anne Williams

MSN Research Projects

The United States Public Health Service recommends that age appropriate preconception care be provided to all women of reproductive age. Preconception health care provides a woman the opportunity to assess her health status before pregnancy, make appropriate health promoting behavior changes and increase the potential for a healthy pregnancy outcome. Neural tube defects, fetal alcohol syndrome, congenital malformations and low birth weight are examples of adverse infant conditions that can be reduced through preconception health care interventions. Current research suggests that preconception health care according to United States Public Health Service recommendations is not practiced in the primary care setting. …

Outcomes Of An Abstinence Education Program On The Perceptions Of Risks And Intentions About Sexual Activity Among Eighth-Grade Students, Cindy Holcomb

MSN Research Projects

The rate of teenage sexual involvement is at an all-time high. Traditional sex education is obviously not working. Abstinence education programs have been initiated within some school districts in an effort to decrease the number of adolescent pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to investigate the perceptions of risks and intentions of sexual activity in eighth-grade students before and after an abstinence education program. Pender's Health Promotion Model was utilized as the theoretical framework for this research. Two null hypotheses were used throughout this study. The first hypothesis stated that there would be no …

Effects Of An Educational Program On Breast Health Promotion In Elderly Women, Patricia A. Bader

MSN Research Projects

Breast cancer risk increases with age, and disease mortality has a direct correlation to the stage of detection. Mammography remains the gold standard for early detection of the disease, yet females aged 65 and over have demonstrated a lack of compliance with recommended screening frequency. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an educational program on the variables of perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, benefits of and barriers to mammography, and intention to obtain mammography. The variables are constructs of the Health Belief Model which served as the theoretical framework for the study. The variables were …

Relationship Between Body Weight And Levels Of Self-Esteem In Overweight Women, Kristi Hollingsworth Goodson

MSN Research Projects

Current research suggests that 36% of American women are considered overweight. Women who are overweight by definition are at risk for major health problems as well as altered levels of self-esteem. A correlational design was utilized to examine the following null hypothesis: There is no relationship between body weight and levels of self-esteem in overweight women. Nola Pender's Health Promotion Model was the theoretical framework used to guide this study. The sample consisted of 42 women who were overweight by definition. Levels of self-esteem were ascertained using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. To obtain demographic data, the Goodson Demographic Survey was …

Quality Of Life Factors Among Recovering Alcoholics, George Edwin Compton Jr.

Dissertations

The inspiration for undertaking the current research came from the Student Investigator’s own experience of 19 years in recovery from alcoholism. During his early years in graduate school, the Student Investigator witnessed occasional misunderstandings among some academics and helping professionals regarding the nature of alcoholism, and, specifically, the tasks involved in sustaining enduring recovery from alcoholism. Thus, this dissertation research, which has sought to examine, through qualitative research methodology, the factors involved in achieving and sustaining quality of life in extended recovery from alcoholism was undertaken.

Several authors have noted the need for research which focuses on long-term recovery from …

Thinness In Women: The Impact Of Female Body Weight On Relationship Satisfaction And Commitment, Wendy Walter Campbell

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current study represents an investigation of the impact of weight change on romantic relationships, and the hypothesized gender difference in the importance assigned to a partner's weight. Participants were 221 undergraduate students (148 women and 73 men) from a medium sized Midwestern University. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions in which their weight in a photo image was increased, decreased or left unchanged. Upon inspecting the image, participants were asked to complete measures of relationship satisfaction and commitment (including among others, items from the Dyadic Adjustment Scale [DAS]), the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale [KMSS], as well …

Sepsis Bundle Completion, Jenna Churnock

Dissertations

Background: Sepsis is a serious condition resulting in end organ damage and ultimately, death. Communication techniques for nurses and physicians on septic patients admitted to the hospital from the emergency department was evaluated. Paper communication was used in 2020 to facilitate serum diagnostic acquisition and antibiotic administration (i.e., sepsis bundle), but an electronic communication form was utilized in 2021.

Method: An observational, descriptive design utilizing a medical record review was completed to compare the same time-period in 2020 and 2021. Communication methods for sepsis bundle completion were compared.

Results: A total of 100 medical records were reviewed (N …

Depth Jumping: A Comparison Of The Most Effective Depth Jumping Techniques In The Improvement Of Power/Vertical Jumping, Stefan Darvishi

Graduate Theses

A four week depth jump training program was conducted to determine if there is a significant difference between bounce drop Jump technique and counter drop jump technique in improving leg power as measured by vertical jumping height. Eleven college females, age 18 to 21, involved in the sport of volleyball and basketball served as subjects in this investigation. Following pre-testing, the subjects were assigned to one of two treatment groups based on the sports they played. Both groups participated in the training two sessions per week. There were no control groups used in this investigation. The subjects in group one …

Repeat Adolescent Pregnancy From The Perspective Of The Pregnant Teen, Marianna Wharton

MSN Research Projects

Despite the continuing high number o f repeat pregnancies to teens and the negative consequences o f a second birth, the American health care system continues to focus pregnancy prevention efforts on never-pregnant teens through a message o f abstinence. While abstinence is an important component o f pregnancy-prevention efforts, this approach does not address the needs o f teens who are already mothers. The purpose o f this descriptive, qualitative study was to explore the phenomenon o f repeat adolescent pregnancy from the perspective o f the teen mother pregnant with a second child. The following research question guided …