Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Establishing Guidelines For Implementing Electronic Hand Hygiene Monitoring Systems, Olaoti Opaleye

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in hospitals threaten patient safety and quality of care, which leads to increased healthcare costs. Despite national and state-level progress in hand hygiene compliance (HHC), the 2022 CDC annual report on HAIs highlighted ongoing concerns for standard infection ratios (SIRs) and called for improved HHC to reduce HAIs. Many hospitals use trained observers to collate HHC data; their audits are limited and often skewed by the Hawthorne Effect (HE) and observer bias, resulting in inaccurate HHC data. This project aimed to create guidelines for implementing electronic hand hygiene monitoring systems (EHHMSs) to help hospital inpatient units adopt …

Does Heightened Perceptual Encoding In Blind Individuals Extend To Word Learning?, Lindsay N. Harris, Marissa Renee Bamberger

CISLL Publications

Past research reported blind participants tend to encode sensory details of encounters with stimuli they will later recall or recollect, whereas sighted individuals tend to abstract meaning from sensory information when encoding memories. Here we ask whether blind individuals’ use of perceptual in addition to semantic encoding extends to a task—word learning—whose purpose amounts to semantically encoding the word and definition. After studying the definitions of spoken or written words, blind braille readers (n = 23) and sighted print readers (n = 20) re-encountered each word and indicated whether it was previously presented in the same modality. Analyses …

Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy: The Effects Of Art Media On Mindfulness And Stress Reduction In College Students, Isabella Sziraczky

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

This mixed-methods, mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) study explores how different art media and tools affect mindfulness and stress reduction in university students. Undergraduate and graduate university students (N = 11) were recruited to participate in the single-session art therapy study. Participants engaged in a brief mindfulness exercise, known as a body-scan meditation, followed by 20 minutes of art-making. The students who volunteered to participate in this study were randomly assigned to one of two groups — collage or acrylic paint — which determined the media they used for the MBAT portion of the study. Data was collected from students before …

Diagnostic Utility Of Chest Radiographs In Children With Clinically Diagnosed Pneumonia As Per The Kenya Basic Paediatric Protocol, Ivy Waruguru Wakahora

Master of Medicine in Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology

Introduction; Pneumonia causes significant morbidity and mortality in children globally, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis. While chest radiographs have traditionally been the gold standard for diagnosis, recent international guidelines discourage their routine use in paediatric community acquired pneumonia (pCAP). Despite this, chest radiographs are still regularly acquired for pneumonia diagnosis, resulting in practice variations and imaging overutilization. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic utility of chest radiographs in children with clinically diagnosed pneumonia as per the Kenya Basic Paediatric Protocol (KBPP).

Materials and methods: Data was retrospectively reviewed of 159 paediatric patients at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi …

Implementing Pt In Pediatric Primary Care, Juliann Fronius, Scout Cai, Courtney Hoffman, Carlee Martin, Joel Wiley, Chris Yuen, Ryan Jacobson

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Patients are referred to PT everyday, but referrals can delay care. Early care is preferred, but getting to the right healthcare provider at the right time is ideal. Upstream PT improves patient care and clinician experience. Purpose: Implement PT within pediatric primary care.

In Vivo Behavior Of The Soleus Muscle During Various Activities In Persons Post-Stroke, Madison Swaney, Molly Carter, Mitchell Mckinley, Joshua Nelson, Robin Dorociak, Tyler Cuddeford

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Current protocols for post stroke populations consists of inconsistent and outdated interventions that target less functional strength training through heavier and slower movements. Current research displays a 90/10 principle displaying the tendon as the primary power absorber and generator during ballistic and cyclic movements, supported by a primarily isometric muscle activation. Power generation is key for walking. High angular velocity needed during the gait cycle to be able to produce and absorb power rapidly. Ballistic training requires the perfect tradeoff between speed and force to generate and train populations targeting power absorption and output with greater tendon activity. Therefore, current …

Imu And Markerless Technology In Gait Analysis: Clinical Lessons, Jessa Barendse, Trevor Nannini, Joanna Zuckerman, Tess Swake, Robin Dorociak, Peter Jang, Andrew Meszaros

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

- Haptic feedback refers to the external vibratory cue that is activated by data picked up by the haptic device, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) (Figure 1), which senses joint position.

- Position-driven haptic touch input can modify movement in real-time (Meszaros, 2019)

- Original goal: to reduce knee hyperextension during gait using a popliteal fossa tactor driven by an IMU-based angle sensor (Sagemotion)

-Concerns arose on the validity of IMU/tactor and markerless motion analysis ❏ Are these algorithm-based data technologies clinic-ready?

- Does Sagemotion IMU fire the tactor at the actual knee angle selected in its software?

- Can markerless …

Hamstring Tendons Don’T Lie #Eccentricsdontexist, Alec Espinoza, Chris Garcia, Enoch Ho, Ian Rousseau, Joel Centeno, Robin Dorociak, Tyler Cuddeford

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Research done on the plantarflexor MTU have shown the degree of achilles tendon and muscle fascicle shortening/stretching is specific to demands of the activity. To expand on this principle, we wanted to explore if a similar relationship exists with the Biceps Femoris MTU. We predict that the biceps femoris (long head) muscle tendon unit (MTU) will behave similarly to the Achilles tendon complex exhibiting the 80/20 principle during dynamic activities (jogging, walking) and the muscle fascicle will lengthen more than the MTU during stationary exercise (Nordic hamstring curls, Romanian deadlifts).

Does The Size-Weight Illusion Exist During Deadlift?, Dakota Kerbow, Luke Mallory, Robin Dorociak, Peter Jang, Andrew Meszaros

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Purpose:

to assess whether the SWI exists during deadlift (whole body loading), and identify the mechanical factors that explain or overcome the illusion

Fatigue Changes Biomechanical Variables In Drop Vertical Jump Performance In Competitive Basketball Players, Isabella Bruno, Caroline Linardos, Michala Rennels, Kristina Williams, Robin Dorociak, Jaydee Romick, Jason Brumitt

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

The drop vertical jump (DVJ) has been used as a tool to identify athletes at risk for injury. Initial studies have suggested an association between biomechanical variables and injury (1); however, subsequent research has demonstrated no relationship (2-4). Evaluating variables in fatigued athletes may help clinicians identify athletes at risk. Advances in motion capture technology now allow for assessment of variables after a fatigue protocol.

Comparing Self-Reported Sleep Quality And Sleep Disturbance With Physical Activity In Community Dwelling Older Adults, Sophie Larue, Morgan Hendley, Brandon Tandecki, Kirsten Cabrera, Faerynn Tilgner, Brad Higa, Christen Johnson, Cindy Zablotny, Theresa Raudsepp, Jeff Houck

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Purpose:

To evaluate physical activity and sleep health in community dwelling older adults through use of activity monitors, physical capacity tests, self-reported sleep health, physical health measures, and participation in social roles. We wanted to know how these measures may or may not play a significant role in future physical therapy treatment. Our hypothesis was that self- reported sleep quality and sleep disturbance is correlated to physical activity in community dwelling older adults.

Investigation Of The Causative Agent Of Canine Leproid Granuloma Infection Cases In The Northeastern United States, Nicole J. Marcotte

Honors Theses and Capstones

Canine leproid granuloma syndrome (CLGS) is a form of disease in dogs of many breeds that is characterized by a skin infection in the subcutis and/or dermis. The granulomas that form as a result of infection are typically non pruritic, alopecic, raised, and firm. These mass-like granulomas can ulcerate, causing further infection beneath the skin surface, and are present in areas of the body such as the ears, head, neck, and extremities. CLGS has been known to infect dogs of different breeds and ages, but has most commonly been reported to infect shorthaired, large sized breeds. This disease is suspected …

New Record Of Leucistic Blue Catfish, Ictalurus Furcatus (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae) From The Black River, Lawrence County, Arkansas, C.T. Mcallister, H.W. Robison

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The Blue Catfish, Ictalurus furcatus (Lesueur), the largest North American ictalurid, inhabits deep watersheds, impoundments, and main channels and backwaters of medium to large rivers, over mud, sand, and gravelly substrate. Its native range includes the Mississippi River basin from western Pennsylvania to southern South Dakota and southwestern Nebraska south to the Gulf of Mexico and in Alabama, Florida, The Rio Grande drainage of Texas and New Mexico (Page and Burr 2011). In Arkansas, I. furcatus is found throughout the Arkansas, Red, and Mississippi river drainages and has been stocked by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission into reservoirs throughout …

Mimicking An Asymmetrically Walking Visual Cue Alters Gait Symmetry In Healthy Adults, Krista G. Clark, Louisa D. Raisbeck, Scott E. Ross, Christopher K. Rhea

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Gait asymmetries are a common problem in clinical populations, such as those with a history of stroke or Parkinson’s disease. The use of a split-belt treadmill is one way to enhance gait symmetry but relies on specialty (and typically expensive) equipment. Alternatively, visual cues have been shown as a method to alter gait mechanics, but their utility in altering gait symmetry has been relatively understudied. Before deploying this method to clinical populations, a proof-of-concept study is needed to explore using visual cues to alter gait symmetry in healthy adults. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the extent …

Manual Qualitative Data Coding Using Ms Word For Students And Early Career Researchers In Resource-Constrained Settings, Kahabi Isangula, Susan Kelly, Joyce Wamoyi

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

In recent years, the field of qualitative data collection, management, and analysis has undergone significant evolution, with researchers worldwide increasingly leveraging technological advancements to streamline and simplify their practices. Despite the advantages of using qualitative data coding software, several challenges persist, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Issues such as the high cost of software licenses, the time required to learn and use these tools, and the complexity of advanced features often hinder researchers, especially students and early career researchers in low-income contexts, and contribute to the generation of poor-quality research evidence. This paper aims to provide a simplified, step-by-step guide to …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Nurses’ And Midwives’ Experiences In Designated Covid-19 Healthcare Facilities In Rural And Urban Tanzania, Kahabi Isangula, Lucy Kisaka, Loveluck Mwasha

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background:

Frontline healthcare providers, particularly nurses and midwives, are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection due to frequent patient contact. However, studies examining their experiences, particularly in low-income countries like Tanzania, are limited.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore the experiences of nurses and midwives providing care in COVID-19-designated healthcare facilities in selected regions of Tanzania.

Methods:

A qualitative descriptive approach was used to investigate the experiences of nurses and midwives in COVID-19 care. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 purposefully selected participants from Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Pwani regions. Data were coded with NVivo 12 software and analyzed …

Are Late Talkers Just Late? Neighborhood Density And Word Frequency Properties Of Late Talkers' Spoken Vocabularies, Elizabeth Schoen Simmons, Rhea Paul

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

Purpose: Typically developing toddlers extract patterns from their input to addwords to their spoken lexicons, yet some evidence suggests that late talkersleverage the statistical regularities of the ambient language differently than dopeers. Using the extended statistical learning account, we sought to comparelexical-level statistical features of spoken vocabularies between late talkers andtwo typically developing comparison groups.Method: MacArthur–Bates Communicative Developmental Inventories AmericanEnglish Words and Sentences (N = 1,636) were extracted from Wordbank, adatabase of CDIs. Inventories were divided into three groups: (a) a late talkergroup (n = 202); (b) a typically developing age-matched group (n = 1,238); and(c) a younger, typically developing …

Social Support After Tbi: An Investigation Of Facebook Posts In Open Access Support Groups, Nicole Cruse, Helena R. Sabo, Melissa Brunner

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) significantly affects social interactions and emotional well-being. Following COVID-19, there has been growing interest in how individuals with TBI use online social media groups for support. This study examined engagement patterns in four Facebook support groups: two for TBI and two control groups. A deductive approach was used to categorize 4,133 posts and comments into a framework of support discourse, including seeking and giving support, and non-social support. Each category was further subdivided to analyze post content in more detail. Comments on posts were coded for helpfulness/appropriateness. Results revealed that posts in all groups fell into …

Supporting Interoceptive Learning Across Environments: A Guide For Educators And Caregivers, Jamie M. Steinhoff

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Children aged four to six experience rapid brain development, advancing language skills, and understanding of the human body (Schaan et al., 2019). This developmental stage highlights the importance of educators and caregivers teaching interoception to improve preschool-aged children's occupational engagement and emotional regulation. Children lacking developed interoceptive skills may encounter difficulties regulating their emotions, impacting activities such as play, social participation, education, and health management (Arnold et al., 2019). This product was developed to offer caregivers and educators a comprehensive understanding of interoception through a handbook and training sessions containing strategies, exercises, tools, and activities to facilitate interoceptive development …

Increasing Success For Children With Sensory Processing Difficulties: Education And Support For Individuals Working With Children In Community Settings, Alyssia D. Pucel

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Integration into community settings with limited ability to control one’s exposure to sensory stimuli is often challenging for children with sensory processing difficulties (Isamel et al., 2018). To self-regulate, children often exhibit behaviors that appear to others as abnormal or inappropriate to the expectations within the social environment but are out of the child’s control (Brown et al., 2019). Individuals who do not know about sensory processing may respond to the behavior in a way that is unsupportive to the child’s sensory needs and overall daily functioning. To advocate for children in natural community contexts, Success with Sensory provides individuals …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy To Support Engagement In Activities For Adults Throughout The Cancer Continuum, Alexis Brolsma

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: More than 18 million people currently living in the United States have received a cancer diagnosis sometime throughout their lives. Advancements in treatment for cancer are increasing the livelihood of those surviving cancer, but there are lasting challenges. More than 40% of individuals within the cancer continuum continue to experience performance challenges with their daily tasks. Occupational therapy can target these challenges, but this profession is underutilized within cancer care. The purpose of this project was to increase awareness of occupational therapy’s role in cancer care, educate providers, and create a resource to address the needs of the cancer …

Effects Of Probiotic Supplementation On Pcos Outcomes, Allison Stoeffler

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial metabolic, endocrinologic, and gynecologic condition affecting up to 5 million women in the United States. It is a disease characterized by oligo- or anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and/or polycystic ovaries. Phenotypic presentation can include irregular menstrual cycles, obesity, hirsutism, insulin resistance, or difficulty conceiving. If untreated, PCOS can result in a sequelae of chronic disease burden. Current standard of care consists of metformin for blood sugar control, oral contraceptives for menstrual regularity, and spironolactone for androgen imbalance, but newer research is identifying gut dysbiosis as a possible contributing etiology to disease development and symptomology. This …

You Don’T Have Celiac Disease: A Patient Perspective On Potential Issues With Stress Leading To Misdiagnosis, Ashley M. Snyder

Public Health Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Stroke Rehabilitation Through The Continuum Of Care: Integrating Evidence And Occupation-Based Practice, Emily Geissler

Frank Low Research Day Posters

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to provide patients with knowledge on the rehabilitation process and practitioners with a resource to assist in implementing occupation and evidence-based practice in stroke rehabilitation throughout the entire continuum of care.

Methods: An extensive literature review was conducted regarding evidence-based and occupation-based interventions within stroke rehabilitation. The author partnered with a midwestern healthcare agency to experience stroke rehabilitation as an occupational therapy practitioner across the continuum of care. Through a needs assessment, it was found patients lack knowledge regarding the rehabilitation process and practitioners lack knowledge of other settings. The …

Postoperative Antibiotics For Diabetic Patients With Complicated Appendicitis, Bill D. Pope Iii, Alejandro J. Candil

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

This retrospective study, conducted at Valley Baptist Medical Center from March 14, 2020, to December 3, 2023, explores the impact of postoperative antibiotics on diabetic patients with complicated appendicitis. Out of 494 appendectomy patients, 17 diabetic patients with complicated appendicitis were analyzed. Of these, 15 received postoperative antibiotics, with 2 developing infections (13%), while the 2 did not receive postoperative antibiotics and remained infection-free. The study acknowledges limitations in sample size and the subjective nature of defining complicated appendicitis. These findings contribute to ongoing discussions on postoperative antibiotic practices, particularly in diabetic patients with complicated appendicitis.

Demographic Profile And Clinical Characteristics Of Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy In Thai Patients: A Retrospective Cohort In A Tertiary Referral Center, Trakanta Wannapanich

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Objective: This study aimed to describe the demographic profiles, clinical characteristics, and the 5-year clinical course of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) in Thai patients. Secondary objectives included identifying the risk factors associated with corneal transplantation and evaluating surgical trends, particularly the types of corneal transplantation performed. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed clinical data from 900 Thai patients (1,743 eyes) diagnosed with FECD. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, and follow-up data over five years were collected. Statistical methods, including logistic regression, were used to identify factors predicting corneal transplantation. Results: The mean age of the cohort was 63.84 ± 11.89 …

Epigenetic Regulation Of Cancer Testis Antigens In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Rinrada Klankajorn

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide, with few available treatment options. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs), notably from the MAGE gene family, have opened new possibilities for improving immunotherapy in HCC due to their tumor-specific expression and high immunogenicity. However, the mechanisms regulating MAGE gene expression are largely unknown. This study explored mechanisms controlling the expression of MAGE-A3 and MAGE-C2. We utilized HCC organoid cultures derived from patient HCC tissues known to represent cancer epigenetic status more accurately than cell lines to study the MAGE gene family expression patterns and promoter methylation patterns. Our …

Acute Toxicity Study Of Canine Mesenchymal Stem Cell (Msc)-Derived Exosome Preparation For Drug Registration, Anatcha Thongsit

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Exosomes, spherical vesicles secreted by cells containing diverse biomolecules, are gaining attention in veterinary medicine. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes show promise for treating animal diseases. However, their safety profile, particularly the acute toxicity of canine MSC-derived exosomes, has yet to be adequately explored. This study evaluates the acute toxicity of canine MSC-derived exosomes on rat systemic health, adhering to ISO 10993-11 guidelines for systemic toxicity testing to support veterinary drug registration and development. The study tested acute toxicity in five female Sprague Dawley rats by administering exosomes at a concentration of 1×109 particles/mL via intravenous injection into the tail …

Comparative Electron Microscopy Analysis Of Internal Limiting Membrane And Epiretinal Membrane Ultrastructure From Pars Plana Vitrectomy, Thananop Pothikamjorn

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: Histopathological difference and biomarkers related between the internal limiting membrane (ILM) in eyes with and without epiretinal membrane (ERM) remains unknown. This study characterizes the ultrastructural and histopathological features of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) in eyes with and without epiretinal membrane (ERM) undergoing vitrectomy.Methods: ILM specimens were intraoperatively collected and analyzed using light microscopy (LM) to assess nuclei counts, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to evaluate vacuolization, specimen consistency, cell types and other ultrastructural features. One eye per participant was included. Histopathological features were compared between ILM with and without ERM, as well as between idiopathic and secondary …

Incidence, Risk Factors, And Outcome Of Anti-Tuberculosis Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity In People With And Without Hiv In Thailand And The Philippines, Ryan Christopher Atuel

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: Anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (DIH) is a common complication among people living with HIV (PLWH), potentially leading to treatment interruptions. Objective: To determine the incidence of DIH and identify risk factors in Thai and Filipino PLWH on tuberculosis (TB) treatment, compared with those with TB mono-infection. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cohort study of Thai and Filipino adults with active TB using retrospective data from Thailand (2000–2024) and prospective data from the Philippines (2024). Eligible participants had AST/ALT results at TB treatment initiation and follow-up. DIH was defined as AST or ALT ≥3 times the upper limit of normal. …