Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Outcomes For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) Utilizing Adolescent Adaptive Life Skills Groups, Elizabeth A. Grant

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

This capstone project brings to our attention the importance of occupational therapy’s role in meeting the continued and ever changing service needs of individuals with ASD as they transition into adulthood. Adaptive life skill groups fill a gap in services for adolescents and support learning and performance of everyday occupations necessary for independent living. The purpose of this project was to determine if occupational therapy adolescent adaptive life skill groups are an effective method for improving adaptive life skill and maintaining that skill in individuals with ASD over time. This project provided insights into differences in assessment scores for participants …

Movement Opportunities Through Vestibular Engagement To Rhythm (Mover), Lindsay B. Williams

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Across the United States, school systems have decreased the amount of proprioceptive activities and vestibular-based movement opportunities within the school day to focus on academic skills and test score improvement (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). Stemming from this curriculum modification, children’s free play and movement opportunities are being replaced by more sedentary experiences such as structured academic activities and screen time. As a result, elementary school students with attention deficits, especially those who have a history of prenatal drug exposure, are not receiving sufficient movement opportunities needed during the day to maximize their attention and to regulate …

Exploring Therapist Engagement Using Process Consultation, Rachel B. Spaide

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Purpose Although evidence supports that highly engaged colleagues result in better patient outcomes (Lowe, 2012; Studer, Hagins, & Cochrane, 2014), little is known about the impact of engaged occupational (OT), physical (PT), and speech (ST) therapists on patient outcomes (Mueller, Prins, & deHeer, 2018; Paulsen et al., 2014). This prospective cohort study examines the effect of a voluntary OT, PT and ST workgroup has on therapist engagement and outpatient-perceived quality services. The following research questions about the impact of process consultation within a volunteer therapist workgroup were asked: a) will engagement of all therapists improve as measured by the Utrecht …

The Role Of Evidence-Based Practice In Alzheimer's Disease And/Or Dementia, Laura Leigh Cole

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: As the aging population continues to grow, it is necessary to identify the most up to date and appropriate Evidenced Based Practice (EBP) treatment methods to ensure quality of life for adults in long term care settings. The rapid increase of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease with this population treated in skilled nursing facilities impacts understanding of and continued competency for occupational therapy practitioners in effectively evaluate and treat clients with cognitive deficits.

Purpose: To identify the frequency of use of standardized cognitive assessments in evaluation and treatment in long-term care facilities and skilled nursing facilities and to identify which …

Occupational Therapist-Led Parent Support Group Using An Occupational Therapy Approach, Sean Brim

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

This was an intervention research aimed at reducing stress levels of parents of children with disabilities is limited. The purpose of this study was to introduce an occupational therapy led pilot support group for parents who have a child with a disability and improve parent’s abilities to manage stress levels. This quantitative study utilized the Parental Stress Scale (PSS) to assess parental stress at baseline and upon completion of the four support group sessions. There were six participants in the support group meeting the inclusion criteria. The objective of this non-blinded study was to reduce stress for parents who have …

Use Of Self-Care Standardized Assessments In Occupational Therapy Skilled Nursing Home Practice, Courtney M. Green

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Understanding why occupational therapists select certain self-care standardized assessments within the skilled nursing setting is important to ensure outcomes are accurately measured. Consistent use of self-care standardized assessments can further support the utilization of occupational therapy services. Limited research is available to understand why occupational therapists use self-care standardized assessments in general as well as specifically within skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).

Purpose: The objective of this project is to discover the supports and barriers to utilizing self-care standardized assessments among occupational therapy practitioners who work within for-profit SNFs.

Theoretical Framework. Theoretical framework utilized to evaluate the intrinsic and extrinsic …

Understanding Therapists' Perceptions Of Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders Using The Model Of Human Occupation Screening Tool, Jaimie K. Estreet

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Exploring occupational therapy (OT) practitioners’ competence when working with clients with co-occurring substance use disorders (SUD). Current literature demonstrates a gap regarding OT practice and SUD as a co-occurring diagnosis.

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study design is to illustrate and more fully understand the issue of OT evaluation and intervention for clients co-diagnosed with SUD, specifically using the Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST) (assessment) in multiple settings.

Theoretical Framework: The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) and the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) is the framework and theoretical lens used to guide this project. …

Murine Mpdz-Linked Hydrocephalus Is Caused By Hyperpermeability Of The Choroid Plexus., Junning Yang, Claire Simonneau, Robert Kilker, Laura Oakley, Matthew D. Byrne, Zuzana Nichtova, Ioana Stefanescu, Fnu Pardeep-Kumar, Sushil Tripathi, Eric Londin, Pascale Saugier-Veber, Belinda Willard, Mathew Thakur, Stephen Pickup, Hiroshi Ishikawa, Horst Schroten, Richard Smeyne, Arie Horowitz

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

Though congenital hydrocephalus is heritable, it has been linked only to eight genes, one of which is MPDZ Humans and mice that carry a truncated version of MPDZ incur severe hydrocephalus resulting in acute morbidity and lethality. We show by magnetic resonance imaging that contrast medium penetrates into the brain ventricles of mice carrying a Mpdz loss-of-function mutation, whereas none is detected in the ventricles of normal mice, implying that the permeability of the choroid plexus epithelial cell monolayer is abnormally high. Comparative proteomic analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid of normal and hydrocephalic mice revealed up to a 53-fold increase …

The Effect Of Framework Material On Partial Overdenture Supporting Structure, Sara Fikry El Shafei

Dentistry

Purpose: In this study the effect of two partial denture framework materials on the bone tissues surrounding a the implants, in an implant retained partial overdenture is compared. Materials and Mehods: 12 partially edentulous patients with mandibular kennedy class I configuration were selected for this study. They were divided into two groups; Group 1 received a mandibular implant retained partial overdentures with a framework made of cobalt chromium. Group 2 received implant retained partial overdentures with a framework made of acetal resin. The results were evaluated using cone beam ct. Results: The results showed that bone changes produced in metallic …

The Psychosocial Effects Of Solid Organ Transplantation On Living Donors: A Literature Review, Christopher G. Evans

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Historically the source for most organ donations were from the cadavers of deceased donors. Over time living organ donation has become an important way to address the shortage of organ availability. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the psychosocial effect the organ donation process has on the living donor. The body's physiological response to organ donation had been well documented. However, the psychosocial effect of donation is now being more appreciated and studies are being done to try to elucidate the factors that can influence the living donor's response to the transplant pro The ultimate goal of …

Fall Risk Assessment In Community- Dwelling Older Adults: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study, Maryann Dool

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Abstract

Aims: 1) To determine fall risk assessment using subjective and objective measures; 2) To understand older adults' perception on fall risk assessment.

Methodology: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used and consisted of two phases. Phase 1, the quantitative data was collected from nineteen older adults at an independent living facility in Orlando, Florida. Phase 2, the qualitative data was collected from three participants of Phase 1. After obtaining Institutional Review Board approval, the study was conducted at Lutheran Towers an independent living facility located in the downtown area of Orlando, Florida. Three measurement tools were used: demographic …

The Efficacy Of Meditation-Based Treatments In Relapse Prevention For Persons With Substance Use Disorders, Florence C. Bates

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Substance abuse is a global problem that has contributed to a variety of societal, financial, health, and familial strains. An increasing prevalence of illicit drug, prescription opioids, and alcohol abuse has created a need for re-evaluation of recovery and relapse treatments. This literature review examines the efficacy of meditation-based treatments for relapse prevention in persons recovering from Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). A comparative analysis of Mindfulness Based Relapse Programs (MBRP), an adapted MBRP-W program, and a Transcendental Meditation (TM) intervention was used to examine the success of meditation-based interventions. Research supports improvements associated with the meditation-based interventions including significant reductions …

Assessing The Impact Of Digital Health Technologies On Maternal Health Care In Sub-Saharan Africa, Samerawit Tadele

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Maternal morbidity and mortality are prevalent issues worldwide that profoundly affects low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa. Estimates vary, but by the end of 2015, at least 300,000 women died in LMICs due to preventable pregnancy and childbirth conditions. Pregnant women die from complications that could be detected and managed if they were able to receive early access to necessary health interventions. Mobile technology is increasingly common across the globe, including LMICs, and incorporating digital health technologies, especially mobile phone (mHealth) programs, can offer a possible solution to morbidity and mortality related to pregnancy. A literature review analyzing the …

The Use Of Hydrotherapy For Chronic Pain, Emily S. Medal

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to provide a critical analysis of research findings about hydrotherapy as a means of reducing chronic pain used independently of opioids. Chronic pain is often treated with analgesics of varying potency, some with serious adverse side effects if used over a long period of time. Exploring the effectiveness of therapies other than medication to treat chronic pain is important to decrease or eliminate the amount to pain medication taken for chronic pain. Hydrotherapy is one therapy that may improve the pain experience for those with chronic pain. A literature search was conducted using the …

Nursing Interventions For Intradialtyic Hypotension: Using Blood Volume Monitoring Guided Ultrafiltration, Suzette S. Cedeno

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Intradialytic hypotension is a potential complication experienced by patients with end-stage renal disease who receive hemodialysis. This complication occurs during the dialysis treatment in 15-30% of all treatments. The multiple comorbidities that exist in hemodialysis patients predispose them to recurrent intradialytic hypotension episodes. Recurrent intradialytic hypotensive episodes can result in negative short-term and long-term clinical consequences. Short-term consequences include complications such as ischemic events (e.g., heart attacks, strokes), clotting of patient dialysis access, or heart rhythm abnormalities. Long-term consequences include end-organ damage, increased cardiovascular morbidity, and a higher mortality rate. Problem Statement: Available nursing interventions used to treat intradialytic …

Fear Of Falling Assessment And Interventions In Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Mixed Methods Case Study, Amanda S. Cappleman

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Fear of falling has significant adverse physical and psychological effects for the community-dwelling older adult. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults and explore participant perceptions of fear of falling assessments and interventions. Methods: A mixed methods case study was utilized to gain an in-depth understanding of older adults' perceptions. It consisted of quantitative data collection by objective measures and qualitative data collection by four individual in-depth interviews. A sample of four community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older and living in Orlando, Florida, completed the study in their home …

Factors Contributing To The Negative And Unhealthy Psychological Conditions In The Ed Rn, Ariana M. Nieves

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The emergency department is a stressful environment. Emergency department registered nurses (ED RNs) are at an increased risk of development of negative and unhealthy psychological conditions due to their frequent exposure to stress and traumatic events. These conditions include post-traumatic stress disorder, compassion fatigue, and burnout syndrome, which are already known to be common in the emergency department registered nurse population. It is important to understand the factors that influence the development of these psychological conditions in order to provide better education to nurses regarding prevention of the development of these psychological conditions. This literature review aimed to identify articles …

Mapping Of Lymphatic Filariasis In Loiasis Areas: A New Strategy Shows No Evidence For Wuchereria Bancrofti Endemicity In Cameroon, Samuel Wanji, Mathias Eyong Esum, Abdel Jelil Njouendou, Amuam Andrew Mbeng, Patrick W Chounna Ndongmo, Raphael Awah Abong, Jerome Fru, Fanny F. Fombad, Gordon Takop Nchanji, Glory Ngongeh, Narcisse V. Ngandjui, Peter Ivo Enyong, Helen Storey, Kurt C. Curtis, Kerstin Fischer, Joseph R. Fauver, Daphne Lew, Charles W. Goss, Peter U. Fischer

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Mapping of lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by Wuchereria bancrofti largely relies on the detection of circulating antigen using ICT cards. Several studies have recently shown that this test can be cross-reactive with sera of subjects heavily infected with Loa loa and thus mapping results in loiasis endemic areas may be inaccurate.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In order to develop an LF mapping strategy for areas with high loiasis prevalence, we collected day blood samples from 5,001 subjects residing in 50 villages that make up 6 health districts throughout Cameroon. Antigen testing using Filarial Test Strip (FTS, a novel platform that uses …

Improving Socioeconomic Status May Reduce The Burden Of Malaria In Sub Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Abraham Degarege, Kristopher Fennie, Dawit Degarege, Shasank Chennupati, Purnima Madhivanan

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: A clear understanding of the effects of housing structure, education, occupation, income, and wealth on malaria can help to better design socioeconomic interventions to control the disease. This literature review summarizes the relationship of housing structure, educational level, occupation, income, and wealth with the epidemiology of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. The protocol for this study is registered in PROSPERO (ID=CRD42017056070), an international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews. On January 16, 2016, available literature was searched in PubMed, Embase, …

Does Education Improve Health In Low- And Middle Income Countries? Results From A Systematic Review, Stephanie Psaki, Barbara Mensch, Erica Chuang, Andrea J. Melnikas

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Despite enormous progress in expanding school enrollment globally, improvements in health have not always followed, raising important questions: Does education, in fact, enable women, men and their families to be healthier? And if so, how? To fill this gap in knowledge, the GIRL Center conducted a systematic review of the evidence for the effects of education on health in low- and middle-income countries.

Delivering Results In Girls' Education: How To Evaluate What Works, What Doesn't, And What We Don't Know, Stephanie Psaki

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Girls around the world face daunting challenges when it comes to enrolling in primary school, completing secondary school, and gaining the basic knowledge and skills they need to be empowered, healthy, and productive adults. Many governments and organizations have risen to meet that challenge through policies and programs designed to remove common barriers to girls’ education. But as the number of actors in this space grows, and resources to address these challenges remain scarce, it is essential to ensure that investments are targeted toward the most effective policies and programs. This brief lays out the basics of program evaluation. The …

"Evaluation Of Medication Adherence Through The Use Of Home Assisted Telemanagement", Kingsley Ezihe Ngameduru

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication nonadherence can have serious consequences for patient outcomes. Home-automated telemanagement systems have supported increased levels of adherence among patients. This project explored whether the use of a home telemanagement program (HTM) would improve medication adherence in clinic patients diagnosed with hypertension (HTN). The health belief model, social learning theory, the self-regulation model and the theory of reasoned action guided this project. Providers in a primary care clinic completed the 4-question Morisky, Green, and Levine adherence scale with 50 HTN patients previously enrolled in a HTM. Survey results revealed that after 2 years in the program, patients were still forgetting …

Clinical Resource Practice Scenarios To Mitigate Bullying, Sabrina Renea Brown-Oliver

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace bullying is repeated, aggressive action towards a victim, which especially affects new graduate nurses and can inhibit growth and lead to nursing burnout and staff turnover. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to develop a clinical resource educational module. The case scenarios were developed using literature on workplace bullying and lateral violence. Clegg's circuits of power theory framework demonstrate how organizational authoritative nursing power struggles that exist as a circular flow between different nursing group members, and the American Nurses Association (ANA) Practice Standards and Code of Ethics guided the assertive communication. The case scenarios …

Drug Prices, Dying Patients, And The Pharmaceutical Marketplace: A New Conditional Approval Pathway For Critical Unmet Medical Needs, Robert A. Bohrer

Faculty Scholarship

Prescription drugs have been a major topic in the news for much of the past year. There are two issues which appear often: first, the very high prices of new drugs, particularly the "specialty" drugs developed for serious diseases; and second, the time required for FDA approval in relation to the perceived need for earlier access to new therapies for critically ill patients. Much less in the news, but lurking behind both issues, is the need for better information for physicians and patients to use in making decisions about prescribing and taking drugs, and for insurance companies and the government …

Direct-To-Consumer Ads Are Misleading: Concise Statements Of Effectiveness Should Be Required, Robert A. Bohrer

Faculty Scholarship

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription pharmaceuticals has been the subject of much criticism and the issue has become even more pressing with the Trump administration’s proposal to require the disclosure of prices in DTC ads. In this article I argue that a more powerful approach to the problem of DTC ads would require the disclosure of the effectiveness of the advertised drugs, at least as found in the clinical trials submitted for FDA approval. To support the need for an effectiveness disclosure, I describe the problem of DTC ads and examine representative ads to illustrate the potential of such ads …

Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms Knowledge And Breast Cancer In Texas, Ejike Roland Egwuekwe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breast cancer is a world health problem and is a leading cause of cancer-related death among women in the United States. However, breast cancer risks were reported to be reduced through exposure to Vitamin D through its Receptors identified as the p53 target gene. The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between VDR gene polymorphisms knowledge/awareness and decisions to reduce breast cancer risks and likelihood of mammogram screening among women in Texas. Data from survey were used. Roy adaptation model was the theoretical framework that guided this quasi- experimental, quantitative research. The dependent variables were decisions to …

Pregnant African American Women Breastfeeding Intentions, Beliefs, Attitudes And Perspectives, Janelle S. Mcclain, Phd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breastfeeding is the best infant feeding source of nutrition for infants in their early stages of development. However, there is a fundamental gap in the number of African American women that initiate breastfeeding compared to White, Asian, and Hispanic mothers. Social cognitive theory was used to explore the breastfeeding intentions, beliefs, perceived barriers, and perceptions on breastfeeding through a basic qualitative research method. To capture the essence of the lived experiences of African American pregnant women, a purposeful sample of 13 African American pregnant women were invited to participate in the study. Two focus groups discussions pertaining to breastfeeding intentions …

Relationship Between Transformational Leadership And Perceived Meaning In Work, Denise Adams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have conducted correlational studies on transformational leadership and perceived meaning in work; however, researchers have not used an experimental design to examine the relationship between transformational leadership and perceived meaning in work. The purpose of this study was to determine whether reading information on transformational leadership, which focused on charisma and individualized consideration, influenced participants' hypothetical judgment of perceived meaning in work. The quantitative study included a 2 x 2 between-subjects design in which information on the independent variables of charisma and individualized consideration was manipulated in a description of a hypothetical leader. The dependent variable was the hypothetical …

Measuring Effects Of Childhood Adversity On Resilience Level Of Army Veterans, Stephanie Rausch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Veteran suicide is a public health issue that requires more research to understand the multidimensional factors, such as resilience, that lead someone to suicide. Adverse childhood events (ACEs), such as poverty and abuse, have affected how resilience is developed. This study examined the association between childhood factors of socioeconomic status, parental discipline, and being a military child, and adult resiliency level. Dienstbier's theory of mental toughness framed the study, which posits that a child who experiences mild ACEs and has time to recover between events, will be more resilient than children who experience serious ACEs, and children who experience little …

Adhesive Transparent Chlorohexidine Gluconate Tegaderm™ Gel Dressing For Central Venous Catheter, Peter Kimiti Mwangi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) occur during the insertion or change of the dressing of the central venous catheter (CVC) and are reportable healthcare-associated infections at the state and the national level. The purpose of this systematic review of the literature was to evaluate and synthesize available evidence to establish the effectiveness of using an adhesive transparent chlorohexidine gluconate (CHG) Tegaderm™ gel dressing for CVC in the prevention of CLABSIs. The logic model was used as a framework to guide the review of the literature to establish how an intervention that is not currently practiced can contribute to CVC prevention of …