Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Providing Leisure Opportunities To Support Mental Health & Quality Of Life For Oncology Patients In Acute Care:, Allison Adkins

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this project was to make leisure activities accessible to patients in acute care and to explore the benefits it may have on patients' mental health and quality of life. One study found there to be a high prevalence of mental health problems among older adults with 36% having no prior mental health problems (Goldberg et al., 2012). Additionally, psychiatric disorders have been shown to affect at least 30–35% of cancer patients during all phases of the disease trajectory (Caruso & Breitbart, 2020). Research also suggests that active engagement in leisure activities helps older adults maintain functioning in …

Enhancing Experiences Of Children With Special Needs And Volunteers In Church Classrooms, Anna Corado

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this ALE project was to support volunteers working with children with special needs and enhance the experience of children with special needs in church classrooms at Fern Creek Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Volunteers were provided with education and training regarding sensory equipment and strategies to utilize within the classrooms. Changes to the environment were made including creation of a sensory room and adaptations to the classrooms to better support children’s sensory needs. The confidence of volunteers working with children with special needs was measured through a post-survey following the implementation of education and training. This capstone …

Staff Education Project Building Proficiency In Debriefing And Empowering Healthcare Professionals With Confidence And Knowledge, Kristie Lynn Van Waus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Debriefing is a critical reflective practice in healthcare that facilitates team learning, promotes psychological safety, and supports quality improvement following clinical events. Despite its recognized value, healthcare professionals report limited training and a lack of confidence in participating in debriefing. I conducted this staff education project to increase staff knowledge and confidence related to effective debriefing practices by delivering targeted in-person education and measuring outcomes using a pre- and post-intervention knowledge and confidence assessment. The education focused on the essential elements of effective debriefing and use of a standardized data collection form. Participants completed a preintervention assessment measuring their knowledge …

Implementation Of A Patient Engagement Program In A Federally Qualified Health Center, Cami A. Stone

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this project is implementation of a patient engagement program at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) clinic. This program intends to increase patient self-management of disease without increasing tasks of the clinic staff.

Background

FQHCs have limited resources and staff; their populations are marginalized and transient. The care gap is between the clinic’s resources and patient self-management of disease, specifically hypertension. Evidence shows that personalized coaching of patients aids them with disease self-management.

Methodology

This project delivers personalized coaching via weekly brief phone calls from two assigned nurses to patients, without disrupting clinic duties. Calls involve …

Nursing Education Leadership Succession Planning: Utilization Of Career Mapping For Professional Development, Reba L. Carethers

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE The focus of this quality improvement project was to identify potential future leaders in the Nursing Professional Development (NPD) department at a large hospital system using a succession planning model, strategy organizations use to cultivate individuals with the potential to assume future leadership roles.

BACKGROUND A gap existed in deliberate career planning within the NPD department. A quality improvement project was developed utilizing evidence-based interventions including development of professional objectives, professional development opportunities, and identification of aspiring leaders in nursing education.

METHODOLOGY Participants developed a career map to outline career goals, created an action plan for their professional development …

Reclaiming Teen Recovery: Tailored Therapeutic Recreation To Boost Engagement, Satisfaction, And Participation, Kabresha R. Potts

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: This QI project evaluated the impact of four tailored group therapeutic recreation modules on six recovery outcomes: satisfaction, engagement belief, participation likelihood, motivation to seek help, perceived usefulness, and perceived importance, among adolescents at a residential treatment facility in Houston, TX, targeting ≥ 20% improvement in each domain.

Background: Adolescents in short-term, often court-mandated, treatment lack personalized leisure activities that promote emotional expression and resilience. Structured leisure engagement is linked to positive affect and treatment motivation, yet interest-based programs for court-involved youth remain underexplored.

Methodology: Using Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles and Self-Determination Theory, weekly 90-minute modules (mindfulness trivia, art Jeopardy, music …

Infusing Ot Principles Into A Program For Women Survivors Of Domestic Violence, Lark M. Wilkerson, Mary Jan Greer, Kim Broussard, Wendy Tremaine

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project proposes the development and implementation of a trauma-informed occupational therapy (OT) program designed to support women survivors of domestic violence. Grounded in trauma-informed care principles, the program aims to address the psychosocial, emotional, and functional disruptions commonly experienced by survivors, including trauma-related stress, anxiety, and difficulty engaging in meaningful daily activities. A comprehensive needs assessment informed the development of structured interventions focused on improving emotional regulation, promoting self-care, fostering social participation, and enhancing overall occupational performance. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the project evaluates changes in participants’ functional abilities, psychosocial well-being, and perceived quality of life. …

The Benefits Of Music In Occupational Therapy For Individuals With Dementia, Keanu Butler, Rebecca King, Keegan Mckay

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in older adults, leading to progressive declines in memory, behavior, and daily functioning. Music interventions, whether live or recorded, have been shown to improve mood, reduce agitation, and enhance quality of life for individuals with dementia by fostering emotional connection and relaxation. The Model of Human Occupation supports these interventions by addressing volition, routines, and performance skills, helping therapists create meaningful, structured strategies to improve daily living and engagement.

Accessible Outdoor Recreation For Individuals With Physical Disabilities: An Educational Series, Ashlyn Leonard, Zeida Gutierrez

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone paper explores the effects of physical disabilities on outdoor recreation. An educational workshop was designed and delivered to occupational therapy students at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. The purpose of the workshop was to increase their awareness of accessible outdoor recreation that way they can better mitigate barriers experienced by their future clients when trying to participate in desired outdoor activities. A pre- and post-survey was administered and analyzed to determine the applicability and effectiveness of the workshop in delivering the information.

Habit Formation Among Individuals Alcohol Use Disorder, Blaire Guidry, Cynthia Haynes

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project aimed to determine the efficacy of a newly developed and delivered online program that focuses on educating individuals experiencing Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) on how to create habits with decreased executive functioning skills. With the rise in substance use and addiction related disorders throughout the United States, the urge to implement various intervention approaches that support long term recovery is crucial (Radesi, 2025). By focusing on habit formation, the goal of this capstone is to educate individuals on how to create habits that promote increased participation in meaningful occupations.

Regional Heterogeneity Of The Blood-Brain Barrier, Marie Blanchette, Kaja Bajc, Benjamin D Gastfriend, Caterina P Profaci, Nadine Ruderisch, Cayce E Dorrier, Guo Zhong, Raquel Cuevas-Diaz Duran, Sean S Harvey, Iris H Garcia-Pak, Lucija Pintarić, Manon Leclerc, Louise Reveret, Vincent Émond, Annette Wang, Deepti Pant, Linus T Tsai, Frédéric Calon, Nina Isoherranen, Sean P Palecek, Eric V Shusta, Jiaqian Wu, Richard Daneman

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

The blood-brain barrier (BBB), formed by specialized endothelial cells (ECs), regulates the extracellular composition of the central nervous system (CNS). Little is known about whether there are regional specializations of the BBB that may control the function of specific neural circuits. We use single cell RNA-seq to characterize ECs from nine CNS regions in male mice: cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, spinal cord, striatum, thalamus, hypothalamus, midbrain, and medulla/pons. Although there is a core BBB transcriptional profile, there are significant regional specializations. Stra6, a retinoid transporter, is highly enriched in the BBB of the nucleus accumbens shell (ShNAc) and ventral cochlear nucleus, …

Improving Effective Assistant Nurse Manager Communication In Obstetrics, Julie Marie Glover

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Problem: This quality improvement project addresses inconsistent leadership communication among Assistant Nurse Managers (ANMs) in the Obstetrics (OB) department of a hospital in Northern California. ANM and staff concerns around shift handoff, huddles, and leadership responsiveness have created confusion and hindered team coordination. The project aims to improve communication effectiveness scores among OB ANMs from 50% to 75% by July 11, 2025.

Context: The project was conducted in the Maternal-Child-Health (MCH) unit of a hospital in Northern California, specifically targeting communication practices among OB ANMs. Concerns around communication practices were voiced by both ANM leadership and frontline staff, signaling …

In Grief We Need Each Other, Derek Schuurman

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

In the face of grief, human connections provide a far deeper comfort than new AI developments.

Education Plan On Colonoscopy Preparation And Communication To Improve Colonoscopy Prep And Ensure Better Outcomes, Maryam Pourjalil

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP) staff education project introduced a formalized staff education program to refine colonoscopy preparation quality at a community gastroenterology clinic. Suboptimal bowel preparation in 20%–30% of colonoscopies resulted in missed lesions, higher costs, and decreased satisfaction of the provided quality of care, which highlighted the need for enhanced staff education in nursing practice. The project question was: Does the education of staff on colonoscopy preparation procedures bridge the existing knowledge gap regarding modern colonoscopy techniques? My goal was to increase staff knowledge regarding standardize prep instructions. The project was designed using best practice evidence and …

Mirna-Mediated Regulation Of S100b: A Review, Animesh Dali, Suhana Basnyat, Rachel Delancey, Nipun Chopra

Psychology and Neuroscience Faculty Publications

S100β is a significant signaling molecule and biomarker that is primarily expressed in the brain. At low physiological concentrations, S100β induces astrocyte maturation, microglial migration, and neural proliferation. However, high concentrations activate inflammatory and pro-apoptotic pathways. Due to this dual role, increased research is being invested into the role of S100β in neuronal homeostasis and inflammation. In fact, increased S100β expression is seen in many neuropathologies including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral ischemia, and traumatic brain injury. High S100β is generally associated with worsened disease outcome. Here, we provide an overview of the structure and role of S100β in various …

Quality Improvement Project Implementing Comprehensive Foot Exams In Pediatric Patients With Diabetes, Jimmy Penn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Pediatric patients with diabetes face many of the same long-term complications as adults, including neuropathy. Yet screenings are often overlooked in this population. Research shows that pediatric patients with diabetes experience neuropathy symptoms, yet screening in this population remains underperformed. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a comprehensive foot exam for eligible pediatric patients with diabetes and improve provider adherence through education. The project addressed the question: “Among providers in a pediatric endocrinology clinic, how does implementing education on foot exams, compared to no education, impact provider knowledge and compliance with performing pediatric foot exams over …

Stability Of Micrornas In Serum And Plasma Reveal Promise As A Circulating Biomarker, Erryk S. Katayama, Jonathan J. Hue, Alexander W. Loftus, Semmer A. Ali, Hallie J. Graor, Luke D. Rothermel, Eric R. Londin, Mehrdad Zarei, Jordan M. Winter

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: To verify the stability and reliability of circulating microRNA (miRNA) profiles in plasma and serum under different processing and storage conditions to inform future applications to circulating biomarker analyses.

BACKGROUND: The development of blood-based methods for early disease detection has become increasingly desirable across various medical fields. RNA profiles have been investigated but have been a challenge due to rapid degradation of the analyte by ubiquitous RNases. miRNAs are short, non-coding regulatory RNAs that are believed to be more stable under certain conditions, large in number, and specific to cell type and disease state. Thus, circulating miRNA profiles hold …

The Use Of A Horizontal Reference Line While Measuring The Anterior Center Edge Angle Is More Reliable Than The Traditional Method, Roland Howard, Benjamin Miltenberg, William Johns, Neel Patel, Shyam Brahmabhatt, John Salvo

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: The anterior center edge angle (ACEA) is a radiographic parameter commonly utilized for the assessment of anterior acetabular coverage in the setting of various hip abnormalities. However, this measurement is greatly dependent on patient positioning and imaging technique.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of a measurement technique utilizing a horizontal reference line and femoral head perfect circles for better control of pelvic obliquity and the assessment of its potential as a more reproducible method for determining the ACEA.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS: There were 3 authors who retrospectively reviewed the false-profile radiographs of …

Sociodemographic, Neighborhood-Level, And Health-Related Factors Associated With Progression To Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Chart Review., Angela Godwin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for patients with Class 3 obesity. However, of individuals who start the bariatric surgical process, only about half undergo surgery. Factors associated with completion, including race, have been described; however, consistent evidence on obstacles remains to be identified.

Objectives: To explore variables based on the Social Ecological Model (SEM) that may be related to bariatric surgery completion.

Setting: A large, private hospital with a Bariatric Center of Excellence in New York City

Methods: This retrospective chart review utilized data from adults who established an initial bariatric surgery visit from April 1, 2012, …

Describing Latent Tuberculosis Infection And Treatment Completion In Virginia: A Social Determinants Of Health Approach, Amber N. Harmon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection is a key strategy in tuberculosis elimination nationally and globally, there is a limited understanding of the general prevalence of latent tuberculosis as well as factors related to successful treatment. This dissertation describes the known landscape of latent tuberculosis in Virginia and explores possible factors related to latent tuberculosis infection treatment through three manuscripts. The first manuscript, Chapter 1, outlines the overall proposal for this dissertation research in the style of a National Institute of Health grant proposal. The second manuscript, Chapter 2, describes the current understanding of the factors related to latent …

Exploration Of The Cultural Beliefs, Values, And Practices Of African American/Black Women Or Birthing Persons Regarding Postpartum Depression: A Focused Ethnography, Stephanie Jacobs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most prevalent perinatal mental health illness in women, affecting approximately 10% to 20% of all women in the United States, and a disproportionately higher number of African American women. The aim of this study was to explore the cultural beliefs, values, and practices of African American/Black women or birthing persons regarding postpartum depression.

Research Question: What are the cultural beliefs, values, and practices of African American/Black women or birthing persons regarding postpartum depression?

Methodology: A focused ethnography was chosen for this study and consisted of semi-structured interviews. Data was transcribed and analyzed …

The Application Of Macrophage-Targeted, Anti-Inflammatory Celecoxib Nanoemulgel For Nerve Regeneration In Peripheral Nerve Injury, Lu Liu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) refers to damage to the nerve located outside the brain and spinal cord. PNI is commonly caused by a physical accident (trauma) or medical operation^{1, 2}. The impact on the quality of life of PNI patients is directly correlated to neuropathic pain, resultant depression, and increased stress². Even after recovering from the PNI, patients still experience phantom pain and lose the ability to work due to the loss of tactile sensory or motor function^2-4. However, unlike damage to the central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nerves can regenerate because macrophages clean …

Eco-Emotions And Climate Activism In Adolescents, Julianna Sahoo

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background. Youth are especially vulnerable to climate change, both physically and psychologically. Combatting climate change will require a coordinated, global effort. Understanding the motivations and emotions behind climate activism is essential to coordinate efforts to combat climate change.

Methods. This research uses survey data collected from first and second year undergraduates (n=521) at a private, urban university in California in the Fall of 2022. Youth were surveyed on emotions related to climate change, activism, compassion, eco-anxiety, and well-being.

Results. Experiencing positive emotions had a stronger relationship with environmental activism compared to negative emotions.

Conclusion. Results suggest climate change communications should …

Reducing Nulliparous, Term, Singleton, Vertex Cesarean Birth Rate, Roseanna Juarez

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Problem: Cesarean birth rates for nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex (NTSV) pregnancies in the United States continue to exceed the Healthy People 2030 goal of 23.6%, resulting in preventable maternal and neonatal complications and higher healthcare costs.

Context: This quality improvement (QI) initiative was conducted in a high-acuity labor and delivery unit in California’s Central Valley, an area characterized by maternal health disparities, high rates of comorbidities, and limited access to prenatal care. The goal was to reduce the NTSV cesarean rate to 18.0% by July 31, 2025.

Interventions: Guided by Kotter’s 8-Step Change Theory and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, …

Mental Health And Substance Use Interventions Within Muslim Community Spaces: A Community Based-Participatory Research Proposal, Halah Mansour Alayleh

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background. Muslim Americans face significant mental health and substance use challenges compounded by Islamophobic discrimination, cultural stigma, and barriers to accessing culturally competent services. They also significantly underuse professional mental health services. Purpose. This study aims to collaborate with Muslim communities within the San Francisco Bay Area to develop a replicable intervention framework for addressing mental health and substance use stigma within mosques and other Muslim community spaces. Methods. The proposal uses a community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodology while integrating the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and stigma theory in the framework. This proposal outlines the four phases of intervention …

Facilitating Engagement And Well-Being In Older Adults Through Personalized Background Music, Anna Heady

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project explores personalized background music as a client-centered intervention to enhance engagement, emotional well-being, and quality of life for older adults in a senior living community. Conducted at Treyton Oak Towers in Louisville, KY, the project integrated meaningful music into daily leisure and social activities. Key goals included building rapport with residents and staff, assessing residents’ functional needs, planning and adapting activities, and incorporating music preferences to support participation and enjoyment. Older adults in long-term care often experience cognitive decline, low motivation, and limited engagement in meaningful occupations. Literature supports music’s ability to stimulate memory, enhance mood, and …

Implementing A Multi-Faceted Approach To Reduce Falls And Enhance Safety In Psychiatric Patients While Improving Nurses Perception While Improving Nurses Perception Of Fall Risk Identification, Shanika King

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: The goal of this quality improvement project was to decrease falls in inpatient psychiatric units by at least 5% within six months, utilizing a multifaceted approach while increasing nurses' ability to identify patients at risk for falls. This project incorporated fall risk assessment, staff education, visual identifiers, and debriefings. Nurse confidence was measured post-intervention using a Likert scale survey.

Background: Psychiatric fall rates range from 13 to 25 per 1,000 hospital days, compared to 3 to 4 in general hospitals. These rates highlight the importance of tailored interventions. This project was completed in an inpatient psychiatric facility in …

Dietary Protein’S Effect On The Gut Microbiome And Its Metabolites: Protocol Description And Virtual Recruitment Efforts For A Remote Randomized Controlled Trial, Karyn M. Gallivan, Kristin S. Ondrak, Denise M. Danos, Meng Luo, Christopher M. Taylor, Lauren E. Meyer, Ann M. Byerley, Alexander W. Nguyen, Sabyasachi Chatterjee, Jiri Adamec, Lauri O. Byerley

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Fiber’s effect on our gut microbes has been studied extensively, while knowledge of the effect of protein is sparse. Colonic putrefaction of dietary protein is known to produce several potentially detrimental compounds. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) uses a pre- and post-study design to investigate the effect of consuming higher levels of dietary protein on the gut microbiota and the metabolites it produces. Here, we describe our virtual recruitment efforts and RCT protocol. Potential participants lived throughout the contiguous US. Several recruitment methods were employed, of which email reached the largest group of people (approximately 9,100) and generated a 0.3% …

Heart Failure And Home Health Care Referral Utilization, Tatiana Le

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Heart Failure and Home Health Care Referral Utilization

Purpose

The purpose was to increase provider awareness of the benefits of home health care (HHC) referrals for heart failure patients. It aimed to increase HHC referral utilization intention to maintain compliance with the American Heart Association’s (AHA) recommendation for early follow-up within seven days post-discharge.

Background

Heart failure is a major cause of readmissions in older adults. HHC has been shown to reduce readmissions and improve outcomes post-discharge. HHC referrals remain underused despite its benefits, due to limited provider awareness. This project addressed the gap at a Southeast Texas suburban hospital …

Effects Of Mode And Transitioning To A Mixed-Mode (Web/Phone) Design On Categorical Survey Estimates: Do Question Characteristics Matter?, Mengyao Hu, Vicki A Freedman, Justin Kamens

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

An increasing number of telephone surveys are introducing a web option. Limited experimental research has explored the implications of such design changes and how they vary by question characteristics. Using an experimental design and propensity score matching techniques, this study examines the effects of mode (web vs. telephone) and transitioning to a mixed-mode design (from telephone-only to the choice of web or telephone) on survey estimates and how effects differ by question characteristics. We draw upon an experiment embedded in the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC), in which half of NSOC-eligible caregivers were randomized to a telephone-only design and the …