Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Are Probiotics Effective At Reducing The Symptoms Of Asthma In Children From Birth To Twelve-Years Old?, Rachel Sulat

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not probiotics are effective at reducing the symptoms of asthma in children ages birth to twelve-years old.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English-language, double-blinded randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2010 and 2011.

DATA SOURCES: Three peer-reviewed RCTs were found using PubMed database. These studies compared probiotics to placebos in patients with episodes of wheezing.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Reduction in symptoms of asthma (particularly wheezing) measured with the use of diary cards and symptom scores.

RESULTS: Chen et al. demonstrated statistically significant improvement in daytime asthma symptoms in probiotic treated …

Is Lurasidone More Safe And Effective In The Treatment Ofschizoaffective Disorder And Schizophrenia Than Other Commonanti-Psychotic Medications?, Megan M. Sisbarro

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Lurasidone is more safe and effective in the treatment of schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia than other common anti-psychotic medications. Study Design: Review of two English language randomized double-blinded controlled comparisons and one English language Randomized open-label parallel-group comparison. Data Sources: The randomized double-blinded controlled comparison studies and the randomized open-label parallel-group comparison were all found using PubMed and EBSCOhost databases. All three articles were published in peer-reviewed journals. Outcomes Measured: Participant withdrawal due to adverse effects and treatment failure, patient responses to MATRICS consensus cognitive battery, …

Is Temozolomide In Combination With Interferon Alpha-2b A Safe And Effective Treatment For Malignant Melanoma?, Kathleen Vincento

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not temozolomide in combination with interferon alpha-2b a safe and effective treatment for malignant melanoma.

Study Design: Review of three randomized controlled trials published in the United States and Britain between 2003 and 2005.

Data Sources: Three non-blind randomized controlled trials were found via Cochrane library and PubMed.

Outcomes Measured: Efficacy was measured by survival greater than or equal to 12 months, with one (experimental) group receiving treatment with oral temozolomide (TMZ) and subcutaneous interferon alpha-2b (IFN-∝2b) and the other (control) group receiving oral TMZ alone. Safety …

Does Balneotherapy Effectively Reduce Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain In Adults?, Jenna Srebnik

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not balneotherapy effectively reduces non-specific chronic low back pain in adults.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three single blind, follow up randomized controlled trials (RCT), published in 2012 and 2005.

DATA SOURCES: Three peer reviewed RCTs were found using PubMed and all compared balneotherapy against various control groups.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Low back pain of patients was assessed using dose of analgesic consumed, visual analog pain scale (VAS) and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (OSWDQ). The tools used to assess significance of outcomes measured were Pvalues, change in …

Do Braf Inhibitors Improve Survival In Patients With Braf V600e Mutant Melanoma?, Sarah E. Stamm

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Do BRAF inhibitors improve survival in patients with BRAF V600E mutant melanoma?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of primary literature sources that examined survival rates in BRAF V600E mutant melanoma patients receiving treatment with a BRAF inhibitor.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized controlled trials and one cohort study evaluating the use of BRAF inhibitors in patients with BRAF V600E mutant melanoma were found using OVID, Medline, and PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Overall survival and progression free survival were the outcomes measured to determine survival rates in patients with BRAF V600E …

Does Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation As An Adjunct To Traditional Physical Therapy Improve Post-Operative Mobility After Total Knee Arthroplasty In Comparison To Traditional Pt Alone In Patients 50-85 Years Old?, Kelsey L. Welsh

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as an adjunct to traditional physical therapy (PT) improves post-operative mobility including walking and stairclimbing ability following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in comparison to traditional PT alone in patients 50-85 years old.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies published after 1999.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials comparing traditional PT with PT and adjuvant NMES following TKA in patients 50-85 years old found using PubMed and EBSCOhost Web.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Clinical outcome was measured in each …

Is Pomalidomide Plus Low Dose Dexamethasone An Effective And Safe Treatment For Patients With Relapsed Or Refractory Multiple Myeloma?, Matthew Westervelt

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not pomalidomide plus low dose Dexamethasone is an effective and safe treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).

Study Design: Review of three open-label clinical trials with one published in 2012 and two published in 2013.

Data Sources: Two randomized, open-label, phase 2 clinical trials and one open-label phase 3 clinical trial evaluating efficacy of pomalidomide plus low dose dexamethasone and its safety were found using the PubMed database.

Outcomes Measured: Efficacy of pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone was measured by overall response rates (ORR) …

Does Exercise Reduce The Risk Of Falling In Parkinson’S Patients?, Michael J. Tansey

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not exercise reduces the risk of falls in Parkinson’s patients

Study Design: Review of three English language randomized control trials (RCTs) published in 2003, 2007 and 2010.

Data Sources: 3 randomized controlled trials published after 1999 were obtained using Pubmed.

Outcomes Measured: The Allen study used a Parkinson’s disease fall risk scoring. The Ashburn study used patient dairies to record incidence of falls. The Hirsch study used Sensory Orientation testing assessing the trials resulting in falls.

Results: Allen et al and Ashburn et al found no significant …

Is A Once Daily Topical Application Of Fixed-Dose Combination Gel Containing Adapalene 0.1%-Benzoyl Peroxide (Bpo) 2.5%(Adapalene-Bpo) Effective At Treating Mild To Moderate Acne?, Kelly A. Weitzel

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not a once daily topical application of fixed-dose combination gel containing adapalene 0.1%-benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 2.5% (adapalene-BPO) is effective at treating mild to moderate acne.

STUDY DESIGN: Three multi-center double blind randomized control studies published in the English language between 2007-2013.

STUDY SOURCES: Three peer-reviewed RCTS were found using Pubmed. These studies compared the same fixed-dose combination gel adapalene-BPO against placebo vehicles. Two studies also compared to additional groups receiving monotherapies.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Outcomes measured were improvement of participant’s acne according to the Investigator’s Global Assessment of …

Is Vitamin D Supplementation Effective In Improving Physical Performance In Older Patients With Heart Failure Who Are Over The Age Of 50 Years?, Sahba Yazdani

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not vitamin D supplement is effective in improving physical performance in older patients with heart failure over the age 50 years

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies, two published in 2010 and one was published in 2013.

DATA SOURCES: Two double blind randomized controlled trials (RCT) and one cross-sectional study that investigated the use of vitamin D in improving physical performance in heart failure. Sources were selected and found using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured were improvement of physical …

Health-Related Coping Strategies Among Korean Immigrant Women Living In The U.S., Su-Joung Shim

Open Access Theses

Immigrants are known to experience enormous culture transitions that can affect their health. Depressive symptoms are characteristic of immigrants in general, and women immigrants in particular often suffer from mental health problems along with health-related issues. The qualitative study presented here relates the health-related experiences of Korean women immigrants living in a hosting country, the U.S. in this study, with the purpose of exploring their health-related issues and coping strategies.^ Qualitative research methods based on grounded theory were employed to explore the health-related coping strategies of Korean immigrant women in the U.S. A nonprobability, purposive, and snowball sampling method was …

Preliminary Nutritional Profile Analysis Of Box Tops 4 Education Food Products, Hannah Griffith

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The marketing of unhealthy food to children is often cited as a cause of the obesity epidemic.¹ However, most studies that examine this issue evaluated the marketing of food through print or television advertising. This project investigates the marketing of food products to children through incentive based programs, specifically General Mill’s Box Tops 4 Education. This study undertakes a preliminary systematic analysis of Box Tops food items to determine their healthfulness. A subset of all Box Tops food products was selected for review and a basic quantitative content analysis of priority nutrients was performed. Priority nutrients were identified …

Literature Review: Effects Of Myofascial Release On Range Of Motion And Athletic Performance, Alex Zazac

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

No abstract provided.

Water Treadmill Versus Land Treadmill Training Effects On Leg Strength And Cardiovascular Endurance, Michelle E. Hudson Ms.

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Underwater treadmill running can be used as a means of reducing musculoskeletal loading while maintaining a training intensity equal to that of land running. A variety of cardiovascular benefits are seen in water running, such as greater increases in stroke volume and cardiac output than on land. Additionally, increased drag while water running can significantly improve force production. PURPOSE: To investigate if differences exist between underwater treadmill and land treadmill running on leg strength and cardiovascular endurance through a case study of two 22 year old sedentary males. METHODS: An 8-week aerobic training program was designed incorporating water …

Effect Of Physical Activity On Perceived Quality Of Life Of An Individual With Cerebral Palsy, Julia R. D'Agostino

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Regular exercise has a variety of benefits. When incorporated into an individual’s daily routine, exercise contributes to better overall health, less stress, higher self-esteem, and decreased risks for secondary diseases. Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the motor control center of the brain, resulting in physical impairment. Individuals with CP have limited means of exercise due to physiological, mental, and emotional obstacles. By incorporating regular exercise into their daily routines, individuals with cerebral palsy may gain physiological improvements, emotional and social benefits and improvements in overall quality of life. PURPOSE: To determine the effect that regular exercise has on …

Electronic Health Record Simulator, Samuel M. Brown

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The Electronic Health Record Simulator is exactly that; it is meant to simulate an EHR (like those found in hospitals and clinics) for use in an academic setting. Its purpose is to familiarize students with the operation of real-world EHRs in order to better prepare them for the workforce. It allows instructors to create fictional patients (with full lab values), and allows students to fill in information as in a real EHR.

Literature Review And Case Study Of The Functionality Of Video Self Modeling, Carly Conklin

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report includes a literature review and case study examination to determine the functionality and effectiveness of video self-modeling as a speech-language therapy technique for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research has shown that video modeling is effective to teach language skills to individuals with ASD. This case study focused on teaching a child with ASD receptive language skills to identify emotions based on body language and tone of voice. A single subject pretest posttest design was used to measure the results for the case study participant.

Body Image Differences Between University Students’ Major Of Study, Alissa C. Parsons

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Body image is a psychological feeling, which varies greatly based on factors including age, sex, and exercise participation. Body image is a critical factor to consider; positive body image is important in the prevention of health-related problems. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate if body image differences exist among students (Exercise Science and Engineering majors) at The University of Akron. This comparative study examining students, representative of educational background, was to explore if students’ major study of focus affected body image. METHODS: A 14-item survey using the Body Image States Scale (BISS), with questions related …

Therapeutic Animal Camp For Children Affected By Cancer, Katie Fleck

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research project looks at the therapeutic benefits of an animal camp for children touched by cancer. Animal assisted therapy techniques were used for children to connect with animals during a week long summer camp. The benefits of working with animals are discussed, as well as research on many therapeutic activities including reiki, labyrinth walking, zentangle drawing, yoga, and drumming. Past camp attendees were recorded and interviewed about their personal experiences at camp. Caregivers of campers were also interviewed, who shared about the positive impact camp had on their family. Multiple benefits were found for this type of camp in …

Potential Role Of Protein Kinase Cbeta In High Fat Diet-Induced Adipose Dysfunction By Regulating Autophagy Levels, Neil Mehta

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in the United States and worldwide. Public health efforts and other anti-obesity measures clearly have not controlled the obesity epidemic. There is a great need to understand the pathogenic mechanisms underlying fat accumulation. Research of the past decade supports a prominent role for diet-induced adipose tissue dysfunction in the development and/or progression of obesity and associated insulin resistance. Potential mechanisms for the development of adipose tissue dysfunction include ectopic (visceral) fat accumulation, genetic factors, and alterations in autophagy and inflammatory processes. However, the molecular mechanisms linking dietary fat intake with alterations in adipose …

Role Of The Physical Therapist In Reducing Postoperative Complications In Type 2 Diabetics, Angela M. Formanik

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This article examines current research on the topic of reducing postoperative complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition with rapidly increasing prevalence. Patients with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to undergo surgery for comorbid conditions compared to individuals without the disease (Zantidis, Iliadis, & Didangelos, 2011). Aside from higher instances of surgical intervention, type 2 diabetic patients experience a higher rate of perioperative complications compared to individuals without the disease (Holt, 2012). Concurrent conditions such as peripheral neuropathy and hyperglycemia put diabetic patients at a higher risk of surgical complications …

Puzzling Your Puzzler, Samantha Brown

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The following is summarizing a proposed experimental study based on current literature review and research to evaluate a new interventional therapy for the treatment of concussion compared to current therapeutic practices.

Background and Purpose: Concussions have become a major concern in the medical field in recent years. Several research studies have been conducted to learn the signs and symptoms regarding concussions. Recent literature has found that the signs and symptoms of a concussion are similar to those of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Treating Alzheimer’s disease has changed in recent years. Research has found that mental rehabilitation, also known as …

Treatment Outcomes For The Mass Treatment Approach For Adults Who Stutter: A Case Study Assessment, Danielle Reymann

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

No abstract provided.

Synthesis And Characterization Of Imidazolium Salt Derivatives For Anti-Tumor Activity, Ryan W. Pearce

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Several aldehydes (butanal, pentanal, hexanal, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde) were reacted with 1,3-bis(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)-imidazolium bromide (1) to produce novel C² substituted imidazolium salts for the potential use against non-small cell lung cancer in humans. Compounds 2-(1-hydroxypentyl)-1,3-bis(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)-imidazolium bromide (3) and 2-(1-hydroxyhexyl)-1,3-bis(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)-imidazolium bromide (5) were successfully synthesized with structures supported by NMR and mass spectrometry. Characterization by ¹H NMR showed evidence of 1 in both compounds. The tumor cell growth inhibition of 3 against non-small cell lung cancer lines NCI-A549, NCI-H460, HCC827, and NCI-H1975 was tested and found to be comparable to cisplatin as measured by MTT assay. …

Survey Of Telepractice In Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Programs, Katie M. Constantine

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this project is to gain knowledge on the rate of telepractice technology used in different speech-language pathology graduate school programs across the country. There is little information known about the training available to graduate students in the field of speech-language pathology. This study examined the current state of graduate level training in telepractice technology in speech-language pathology graduate programs.

The Challenges And Perceptions Of Raising A Child Who Uses Aac: A Review Of The Literature, Rachel M. Mikolay

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this review was to examine the perceptions of parents and caregivers on raising a child who uses augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Factors and overarching themes in existing literature affecting parent’s perceptions were examined and condensed in this review. Seven research studies were chosen for analysis. A variety of common perspectives were found in the research and the conclusions relating to caregiver challenges and thoughts on AAC were categorized, including four thematic categories: problems with the AAC system; barriers to learning AAC; societal, family, and professional influences; and differences among individuals who use AAC. Information gained in …

The Effects Of Land Vs. Aquatic Hiit Treadmill Running On Aerobic And Anaerobic Performance – A Pilot Study, Cory N. Egli

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate how high intensity interval training (HIIT) performed on a land treadmill (LT) versus HIIT on an underwater aquatic treadmill (AT) would affect aerobic and anaerobic performance. The HIIT program consisted of running 8 intervals beginning with a 20 second workout and increasing exercise 5 seconds each interval until 55 seconds was reached. Ten seconds rest between each interval was protocol for a total interval running time of 5 minutes. The frequency of this training program was 3 times/week for 6 weeks. Nineteen college aged subjects were recruited, 13 subjects completed the program …

Associations Of Military Divorce With Mental, Behavioral, And Physical Health Outcomes, Lawrence Wang, Amber Seelig, Shelley Macdermid Wadsworth, Hope Mcmaster, John E. Alcaraz, Nancy F. Crum-Cianflone

Department of Human Development and Family Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Divorce has been linked with poor physical and mental health outcomes among civilians. Given the unique stressors experienced by U.S. service members, including lengthy and/or multiple deployments, this study aimed to examine the associations of recent divorce on health and military outcomes among a cohort of U.S. service members.

Methods

Millennium Cohort participants from the first enrollment panel, married at baseline (2001–2003), and married or divorced at follow-up (2004–2006), (N = 29,314). Those divorced were compared to those who remained married for mental, behavioral, physical health, and military outcomes using logistic regression models.

Results

Compared to those who …

The Effect Of Personal Contact On Attitudes Toward Mental Illness In Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Jessica Ashe

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Many people who suffer from serious mental illness also suffer from the stigma associated with such illness. Because nurses frequently come into contact with the mentally ill, it is important that they do not stigmatize these individuals. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of a guest lecture by an individual with a serious mental illness on attitudes about mental illness in a sample of baccalaureate nursing students. The theoretical framework that guides this study is Goffman’s (1963) theory of social stigma. The sample used for this research is a convenience sample of 50 junior level nursing …

Freshman 15: How The University Of Akron Is Affected Per Residence Hall, Daniel G. Mcquillen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Students entering their freshmen year of college face a variety of lifestyle changes. These changes often include increased caloric consumption, increased levels of stress, decreased physical activity, and increased alcohol consumption. Because of these lifestyle changes, it is commonly asserted that freshman gain weight throughout their first year in college. A common expression used to describe this weight gain is the “Freshman 15,” which asserts that the average student gains 15 pounds during their freshman year. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to gather data regarding the on-campus freshmen’s diet and exercise habits. The data gathered was used to …