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Optimizing Tbi Care: Brain Oxygen Monitoring In Nursing - An Evidence-Based Practice, Alyssa Grisham

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purposes/Aims

This DNP project aims to enhance the care of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) by improving nurses’ knowledge, clinical decision-making, and early intervention strategies through the integration of brain oxygenation data into routine neurocritical care assessments. This project seeks to promote personalized patient care, reduce secondary brain injury, and improve neurological outcomes for critically ill adults with TBI by implementing an educational protocol designed to deepen understanding of brain oxygen monitoring.

Background of Problem & Description of Current Practice

TBI remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide and continues to pose a significant public health burden. …

The Experience Of Homelessness Among Older Adults In Bhutan - A Narrative Inquiry Study, Phuntsho Om

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A shift in the demographics of homelessness started to occur in the 1900s, with a significant increase in the number of middle-aged or elderly men and women being recognised as a part of the homeless population. The rising urgent global concern of homelessness of older adults necessitates a deeper understanding of the lived experience and holistic well-being of these marginalised adults. This thesis aimed to explore the phenomenon of homelessness of older adults in Bhutan, which is an often neglected topic in both national and international gerontological research.

Employing narrative inquiry within the constructivist approach as articulated by Pino Gravidia …

Patient Experiences Of Receiving Home-Based Immunotherapy Infusions - A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study, Patricia Ann Cook

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Context: The treatment of cancer and chronic health conditions has been greatly revolutionised via intravenous immunotherapy infusions. Demand, both globally and in Australia, is increasing due to several factors including aging and increased populations, subsequent increases of cancer cases, new immunotherapy indications and increased survival rates.

In Perth, Western Australia, a private service provider commenced delivering a home based immunotherapy infusions model of care as a hospital substitution service provider in 2013 and the service has now been extended across Australia. The safety and efficacy of home-based infusions have been well documented in research, and an increasing number of patients …

Advancing Treatment Of Pleural Infection, Estee Pui Mun Lau

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Introduction: Pleural infection remains a major clinical concern, with an increasing incidence worldwide. The use of intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) with deoxyribonuclease (DNase) therapy represents a major breakthrough as it offers an effective alternative to surgery for patients who fail conventional treatment. However, the optimal dosage of tPA is yet to be established. Indwelling pleural catheter (IPC)-related infections, especially IPC-related pleural infections are a significant concern and a barrier to the uptake of IPC. The development of a long-term preventative strategy is imperative to promote uptake and improve the quality of life of patients, particularly in those who have …

Identifying The Best Cutoff Value Of The Fecal Occult Blood Immunochemical Test In The Detection Of Advanced And Neoplastic Colorectal Lesions [Identificación Del Mejor Punto De Corte De La Prueba Inmunoquímica De Sangre Oculta En Heces En La Detección De Lesiones Colorrectales Avanzadas Y Neoplásicas], Patricia Gaggero, Eduardo Fenocchi, Cecilia Silva, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga, Natalia Lambert, Fabian Batista, Sergio Sobrino-Cossio, Jonathan R. White, Adolfo Parra-Blanco

School of Medicine Publications

Objective: Screening is an effective tool for detecting colorectal lesions in asymptomatic subjects. There is a positive correlation between fecal immunochemical test (FIT) values and the size of tumors. Despite the efficacy of screening, the detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains low. The primary objective was to evaluate the best FIT cutoff value for detecting advanced adenomas and CRC among individuals at average risk in a country with a high incidence and morbidity from CRC.

Methods: This observational and prospective study analyzed consecutive cases in 1461 asymptomatic subjects with a positive FIT (≥ 100 ng hemoglobin [Hb]/ mL) referred for …

School-Level Gaps In Mmr Coverage As The Fuel For Measles Outbreaks, Meagan C Fitzpatrick, Chad R Wells, Abhishek Pandey, Lamia Ayaz, Peter J Hotez, Seyed M Moghadas, Alison P Galvani

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Priced Out Of Treatment: The Exorbitant Cost Of Antiparasitic Drugs In The United States, Cora Alperin, Nhi Nguyen, Megan Duffey, Eva H Clark

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Parasitic infections are often perceived as diseases of low-resource countries, yet they impose a significant and overlooked burden in the United States—especially among immigrants, low-income individuals, and other marginalized populations. This perspectives article examines the case of Mr. X, a landscaper in Houston diagnosed with neurocysticercosis, who faced unaffordable drug costs despite the availability of effective, off-patent treatments. Through his story, we explore the broader issue of pricing for commonly and not-so-commonly prescribed antiparasitic medications, highlighting the role of systemic market failures, regulatory hurdles, and restrictive assistance programs in limiting access to care. The consequences of incomplete treatment include long-term …

Clinical Factors And Diagnoses Associated With Inappropriate Urine Culture Ordering In Primary Care, Marissa Valentine-King, Barbara W Trautner, Michael A Hansen, Roger Zoorob, Lisa C K Danek, Kenneth Muldrew, Forrest Hudson, Robert L Atmar, Larissa Grigoryan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: Evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for inappropriately ordered urine cultures in primary care.

Design: Cross-sectional study using chart reviews.

Setting: Two primary care, safety-net clinics in Houston, Texas.

Patients: Non-pregnant adults without a urinary catheter who had a urine culture and a primary care visit between 11/2018 and 3/2020.

Methods: We classified patients lacking physician documentation of the following symptoms as having an inappropriately ordered urine culture: dysuria, frequency, urgency, hematuria, fever, chills, costovertebral angle tenderness, nephrolithiasis, and pain (suprapubic, pelvic, or flank). We extracted patient demographics, visit-related diagnostic codes, past medical history, and urine culture results. Diagnostic …

Alternative Polyadenylation Signatures Distinguish Maladaptive Right Ventricular Remodeling In Pulmonary Hypertension: Implications For Rna-Based Diagnostics And Therapeutics, Janani Subramaniam, Venkata Jonnakuti, Scott D Collum, Sandra Martineau, Kai-Lieh Huang, Sandra Breuils-Bonnet, Andrea L Frump, Bindu H Akkanti, Jayeshkumar A Patel, Manish K Patel, Ismael Salas De Armas, Isabella N Lefebvre, Rajko Radovancevic, Elvin Blanco, Eric J Wagner, Igor Gregoric, Sriram Nathan, Biswajit Kar, Steeve Provencher, Sebastien Bonnet, François Potus, Hari Krishna Yalamanchili, Harry Karmouty-Quintana

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Increased pulmonary vascular pressures due to vascular remodeling, elevated vascular resistance, and vasoconstriction characterize Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). The narrowing of the pulmonary arteries and obstruction of blood flow increase the Right Ventricular (RV) afterload, forcing the RV to undergo structural and functional changes. While adaptive remodeling leads to RV compensation by maintaining function, maladaptive remodeling leads to RV decompensation, characterized by worsening function and eventual failure. At present, there is no effective treatment for these patients as therapies for left ventricular failure are ineffectual, and there are no therapies specifically targeting the RV. Therefore, there is a clear need …

Coffin–Lowry Syndrome: A Systematic Review Of Rps6ka3 Confirmed Cases And Implications For Diagnosis And Counseling, Sabyasachi Maity, Miranda Montion, Danielle Boothe, Mona Attarpour, Ivy Mageto, Simran Agarwal, Rujul Patel, Chloe Lark, Bharathi Gadad, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Coffin–Lowry syndrome (CLS) is a rare X-linked disorder caused by pathogenic variants in RPS6KA3, presenting with intellectual disability, distinctive facial and skeletal features, and variable systemic involvement. Advances in genomic technologies have expanded the mutation spectrum, yet genotype phenotype correlations remain incompletely understood.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of published cases (n = 72) following PRISMA guidelines. Demographic, phenotypic, and genotypic data were extracted, standardized, and summarized using descriptive statistics. Associations between mutation type and key clinical features were assessed with Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Diagnostic approaches and global distribution were also analyzed.

Results: The cohort …

Spinning-Induced Exertional Rhabdomyolysis Without Acute Kidney Injury, Yolanda V. Gutierrez, Ronald Shaju, Alyssa L. Sepulveda, Joaquin Rivera, Aamir Ahmad

School of Medicine Publications

Rhabdomyolysis is a condition with a myriad of causes, including both traumatic and non-traumatic. Traumatic conditions are observed in crush injuries, compartment syndrome, and fractures, while non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis is commonly seen due to exertional heat stroke, extreme physical exercise, and dehydration. This case report explores two cases of extreme non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis caused by indoor cycling, also known as spinning. A common complication of severe rhabdomyolysis is acute kidney injury (AKI), which increases the risk of renal failure. Rapid interventions such as aggressive intravenous fluids are necessary to prevent kidney function loss. In this case report, two sisters, on two separate …

Repurposing Of Fda-Approved Drugs Identifies Glipizide As A Potent Hmg-Coa Reductase Inhibitor: A High-Throughput Virtual Screening And Molecular Dynamics Approach For Targeting Hypercholesterolemia, Parvej Ahmad, Eswara N. Hanuma Kumar Ghali, Sahir S. Alvi

School of Medicine Publications

Purpose:

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Several inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-R), the key hepatic cholesterogenic enzyme, are prescribed to treat hypercholesterolemia and ASCVD. Statins, the established HMG-R inhibitors, exhibit promising cholesterol-lowering effects; however, their long-term use has prompted significant concerns, necessitating the search for additional therapeutic candidates with strong HMG-R inhibitory activity. Therefore, this study aims to find potential HMG-R inhibitor/s that may help reduce excess cholesterol levels via targeting HMG-R activity.

Methods: In this study, 1285 FDA-approved small molecules were assessed for their HMG-R inhibitory potential using …

Beyond Hemostasis: A Narrative Review On The Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential Of Ankaferd Blood Stopper, Salima E. Tibi, Muhammad Hashir Nazir, Saleha Nazir, Bhumi Daishik Patel, Gayatri Misra, Tirath Patel, Fatima Nasir, Muhammad Farhan, Nana Sardarova, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Effective hemorrhage control is essential in managing trauma and surgical patients, with uncontrolled bleeding being a leading cause of mortality. Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), a hemostatic agent historically used in Anatolia, has gained recognition for its ability to modulate red blood cell-fibrinogen interactions to form a stable protein network for rapid bleeding cessation.

Objective: This review explores the multifaceted applications of ABS, evaluating its efficacy, safety, and potential therapeutic roles across various medical fields, including hemostasis, wound healing, antimicrobial activity, and antineoplastic effects.

Methods: A comprehensive synthesis of clinical trials, case reports, and experimental studies was conducted to assess …

Breaking The Resistance: A Narrative Review Of The Evolution From Traditional Drugs To Precision Therapies In Epilepsy, Tirath Patel, Fathimathul Henna, Ashfaq Ahmed, Ayesha Ahmad, Noor Ul Huda, Syed Aaraiz Ul Hassan, Aiman Muhammad, Amna Javed, Maryem Filal, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, affecting approximately 50 million individuals globally. While conventional antiseizure medications (ASMs) control seizures in 70-80% of patients, about 30% experience drug resistance or intolerable side effects, necessitating alternative approaches.

Objective: To critically compare the efficacy, safety, and accessibility of conventional and emerging therapies for epilepsy, particularly in the context of treatment-resistant cases and global disparities in care.

Methods: This narrative review synthesized evidence from 120 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus using predefined search terms related to epilepsy …

Early Detection In Oral Cancer: Are We Prepared For Artificial Intelligence-Driven Precision Medicine?, Nikil Kumar, Sinnha Kumari, Sadia Sultana, Muhammad Saad Khan, Tirath Patel, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Oral cancer, particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma, remains a serious health concern, with a poor prognosis and a late diagnosis. Leukoplakia, erythroplakia, lichen planus, and submucous fibrosis are examples of oral potentially malignant disorders that must be detected early but are not always so by traditional, laborious, and subjective diagnostic techniques. In oral cancer, artificial intelligence (AI) and precision medicine are becoming game-changing technologies that enhance individualized care, treatment planning, and diagnostic precision. Complex imaging and histopathology data may be analyzed using machine learning and deep learning algorithms, particularly convolutional neural networks, which can identify patterns that are invisible to …

Associations Of Blood Pressure Level And Variability With Cortical Thickness: A Cross-Sectional Analysis From The Maracaibo Aging Study, Romeo De Leon, Shana Garza, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Kristina Vatcheva, Sokratis Charisis, Claudia L. Satizabal, Luis J. Mena, Joseph H. Lee, Joseph D. Terwilliger, Eron Manusov

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Although high blood pressure (BP) level and variability are associated with Alzheimer's Disease (AD), their relationship with cortical thickness in brain regions that are associated with AD is unclear. Furthermore, the role of 24-hour BP has not been examined. We investigated the associations of office and ambulatory BP measures with cortical thickness in brain regions implicated in AD.

Methods: We performed a cross sectional analysis of 304 participants without dementia from a population-based study with office and 24-hour BP and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. We considered cortical thickness values derived from 10 regions throughout the frontal, parietal, and …

Increased Risk Of Alzheimer Disease–Associated Mortality In Nonobese Vs Obese Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A 30-Year National Cohort Study, Sarpong Boateng, Guy Loic Nguefang, Mexan Mapouka, Ridwan Lawal, Solomon Gyabaah, Bright Nwatamole, Amita Kasar, Selom Adatsi, Basile Njei

School of Medicine Publications

Background and aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasingly recognized for its extrahepatic consequences, including emerging links to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer disease (AD). Whether AD mortality risk differs across MASLD phenotypes, remains unclear.

Methods: We analyzed adults from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) with mortality follow-up through 2019 via the National Death Index. Participants were followed for AD mortality. Cumulative incidence was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated MASLD phenotypes and AD mortality, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, poverty-income ratio, body mass index, and smoking status.

Results: Among 7125 …

Una Nueva Herramienta Para Estimar El Volumen Muscular Independientemente De La Edad, El Sexo Y El Nivel De Actividad Física, José J. Rivera-Sánchez, Laura P. Burgos-Morelos, Daniel Castillo-Castillo, Gerardo Méndez-Suárez, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga, Damián Carrillo-Ruíz

School of Medicine Publications

Antecedentes: Actualmente, la evaluación del volumen muscular requiere técnicas invasivas o de imagen, lo que aumenta los costos y retrasa la evaluación, y las mediciones antropométricas con frecuencia son inexactas.

Objetivo: Desarrollar una fórmula matemática para estimar el volumen del cuádriceps.

Material y métodos: Se evaluaron 127 sujetos: 40 adultos sedentarios de 20 a 35 años, 47 atletas adultos de 20 a 45 años y 40 adultos sedentarios de 70 a 94 años. Se dividieron en grupos de desarrollo y de validación. Se realizaron mediciones de variables antropométricas y fuerza de agarre, y se desarrolló la fórmula de predicción del …

Training Tomorrow’S Hand Surgeons: Clinical, Leadership, And Structural Trends In Fellowship Education, Ogonna N. Nnamani Silva, Aaron I. Dadzie, Chinenye Ogbonnah, Lydia A. Helliwell, Abhiram R. Bhashyam, Catherine M. Curtin, Tamara D. Rozental, Krystle R. Tuaño

School of Medicine Publications

Purpose: Hand surgery fellowships include trainees from orthopedic, plastic, and general surgery. These pathways present an opportunity to examine variations in graduate medical education structures, such as program size, sponsoring department, and leadership composition. Limited research exists on the characteristics of these programs. The purpose of this study is to assess the structural and leadership characteristics of the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education-accredited hand surgery fellowships in the United States. We hypothesized that characteristics (ie, faculty-to-fellow ratios and case volume) vary by specialty sponsorship. Leadership, although shaped by merit-based criteria, faces challenges in achieving broader demographic diversity.

Methods: A …

A Position Statement On Endovascular Models And Effectiveness Metrics For Mechanical Thrombectomy Navigation, On Behalf Of The Stakeholder Taskforce For Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Robotic Thrombectomy (Start), Harry Robertshaw, Anna Barnes, Phil Blakelock, Raphael Blanc, Robert Crossley, Rebecca Fahrig, Ameer E. Hassan, Benjamin Jackson, Lennart Karstensen

School of Medicine Publications

Although we are making progress in overcoming infectious diseases and cancer, one of the major medical challenges of the mid-21st century will be the increasing prevalence of stroke. Occlusions in large vessels are especially debilitating, yet effective treatment—needed within hours to achieve best outcomes—remains limited because of geographic accessibility. One solution for improving timely access to mechanical thrombectomy in geographically diverse populations is the widespread deployment of robotic surgical systems. Artificial intelligence assistance may enable the safe and effective upskilling of operators in this emerging therapeutic delivery approach. Our aim was to establish consensus frameworks for developing and validating artificial …

Stability Of Salivary Microrna Measures Across An Ncaa Division I Football Season: Implications For Microrna As A Biomarker Of Concussion, Thomas R. Campbell, Martina Zamponi, Delaney Leathers, Julie Cavallario, Jessica C. Martinez, Peter A. Mollica

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Clinicians often face challenges in concussion care due to a heavy reliance on subjective patient input. Recently, research has sought objective biomarkers, like salivary microRNAs, to improve concussion management. However, significant limitations hinder the use of microRNAs as a diagnostic tool, including the cumulative effects of a contact sport season. A better understanding of the response to a contact sport season would help researchers and clinicians interpret expression changes at the time of injury in the context of seasonal variation. in Therefore, this study investigated the reliability of previously identified salivary microRNA targets across one contact sport season.

Methods …

The Sequence (S) Index As A Marker Of Diminished Step-To-Step Transition Efficiency In Older Adults, Elham Alijanpour, Ashwini Kulkarni, Peter G. Adamczyk, Daniel M. Russell

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction: Age-related declines in walking efficiency are often attributed to musculoskeletal and neuromuscular changes, yet the mechanisms underlying these inefficiencies remain poorly understood. One key contributor is the step-to-step transition (STST), during which the center of mass (CoM) is redirected between limbs. The Sequence (S) index quantifies the temporal overlap between push-off and collision forces during STST, with higher values indicating greater mechanical energy loss. This study investigated whether aging affects STST efficiency, as quantified by the S index, and examined the timing and impulse characteristics underlying observed differences.

Methods: Thirteen young and eleven older healthy adults walked at five …

Ultrasound-Based Assessment Of Talar Cartilage In Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review, Amin Mohammadi, Saeed Eshghi, Iman Mohammadi, Patrick Wilson, Ryan Mccann

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Purpose

To systematically synthesize ultrasound (US) evidence on talar cartilage morphology and load-induced deformation in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI), and to map methodological approaches (acquisition, outcome definitions, loading paradigms, and normalization) to inform protocol standardization.

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO were searched (March 31, 2025). Eligible studies reported quantitative US-derived talar cartilage morphology (e.g., thickness, cross-sectional area [CSA]) and/or deformation following standardized loading in CAI and comparison groups. Due to heterogeneity in imaging protocols, loading tasks, and outcome definitions, findings were synthesized narratively and organized by outcome domain.

Results

Across available cohorts, load-induced deformation was the …

Nonlinear Differences In Postural Sway Across Attentional Focus Conditions In Individuals With And Without Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Natalie L. Ferguson, Brian L. Cone, Christopher K. Rhea, Anne Beethe, Breanna Studenka

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The structure of variability in postural sway reflects the adaptability and health of the postural control system. Entropy quantifies this structure by measuring the regularity of repeated fluctuations over time. Although entropy has been used to examine sway in neurological populations, little is known about how sway complexity changes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Attentional focus may also influence postural control, with external focus typically promoting more efficient and automatic regulation than internal focus.

AIM: To examine how attentional focus (internal vs. external) influences the structure of postural sway in individuals with and without ACLR.

METHODS: Forty-three participants …

A Narrative Review Of Bertolotti's Syndrome: Etiology, Classification, Diagnosis, And Treatment, Matyas Abel Tsegaye, Andrea Muffly

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Bertolotti's syndrome is a congenital condition characterized by chronic low back pain stemming from a lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV). Because the condition is frequently overlooked, patients often face years of delayed diagnosis before the true source of their pain is identified. Furthermore, current information regarding the biological origins and clinical management of the condition remain scattered. To address this knowledge gap, this narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Bertolotti’s syndrome by consolidating these disparate sources and suggesting new connections. We synthesize the latest understanding of this condition, ranging from its genetic origins to modern clinical management. We …

We-Making Through Technology: Social Cohesion And Virtual Adaptation In Community Arts Organizations For Artists With Idd During Covid-19 Pandemic, Yumi Shirai, Michelle Boulanger Thompson, Tamara Shetron

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

COVID-19 public health restrictions disrupted in-person arts participation, increasing risks of social isolation and reduced community access. Prior research shows that many people engaged in home-based arts and cultural activities during lockdown, supporting emotional regulation, a sense of belonging, and social connection; however, little is known about how these shifts affected community arts organizations that serve artists with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), a population disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and longstanding inequities. We examined how community-based arts organizations adapted programming for artists with IDD during the COVID-19 pandemic, including barriers and unanticipated outcomes relevant to equitable access and participation …

Eeg Signatures Of Motor Development In Early Childhood: A Systematic Review, Sonia Khurana, Ashwini Kulkarni, Thomas C. Bulea, Hunter J. Bennett

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Early identification of motor developmental disorders is limited due to lack of objective neural markers that characterize typical neurodevelopmental patterns. This systematic review interprets and synthesizes existing evidence to propose a framework of EEG signatures associated with motor development in children aged 0-5 years, which may help inform future benchmarks for early assessment and intervention.

Methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched published and gray literature across five databases between 2000 and 2025 (registered protocol). Included studies examined EEG during task-based, resting-state, or sleep studies linked to motor milestones, task performance, or standardized motor assessments. Study quality was assessed using …

The Epidemiology Of Catastrophic Head And Neck Injuries In High School And College Non-Football Sports: A 4-Decade Review, Courtney M. Meyer, Kristen L. Kucera, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Susan W. Yeargin

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background:

Catastrophic head and neck injuries (CHNIs) in sport are rare but can have disabling or fatal outcomes. Prior studies have focused on football, equipment-laden sports, or different injury severities, not CHNI in nonfootball sports.

Purpose:

To describe the epidemiology of CHNI across levels (high school vs collegiate) in nonfootball sports and evaluate differences in injury rates (IRs) by sport, sex, and decade.

Study Design

Descriptive epidemiological study.

Methods:

This study utilized 40 academic years (1982-1983 to 2021-2022) of surveillance data from the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research. Descriptive statistics summarized athlete, event, and injury characteristics. IRs were …

Walking It Off: Habituation Of Gait At Virtual High Elevation, Kelly Poretti, Toby J. Ellmers, Christopher K. Rhea, Tiphanie Raffegeau

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction: Fear and anxiety about falling can disrupt gait control, leading to activity restriction and increased fall risk in older adults. VR can be used to induce postural threat (e.g., by simulating high elevation settings) within a controlled environment, inducing fall-related anxiety and cautious gait (i.e. slower, shorter steps) in young and older adults. However, it is unknown how emotional and motor responses to VR postural threat habituate across time because existing studies feature short exposures (10 seconds or less). Before VR-induced postural threat can be translated into an intervention, it is critical to understand threat-related gait habituation across time. …

Hierarchical Clustering Reveals Multilevel Structure For Multifactorial Assessment In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Brittany S. Samulski, Ashwini Kulkarni, Neda Moghim, Ross Gore, Soumya Banerjee, Christopher K. Rhea

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Multifactorial falls assessment is recommended for older adults at elevated risk but can generate numerous potentially overlapping measurements, increasing testing burden despite potentially diminishing informational returns as correlated measures are added. Characterizing how measures covary may inform subsequent efforts to evaluate more efficient assessment procedures. Community-dwelling older adults (n = 298) completed a single-visit assessment including the Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA), preferred- and maximal-speed walking, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES). Hierarchical agglomerative clustering was applied to 51 variables. Dendrogram fidelity, cluster separation, and resampling stability were evaluated using the cophenetic correlation coefficient (CCC), silhouette width, …