Primary Prevention Of Nicotine Use In The Pediatric Population, Katie N. Ashton

Honors Capstones

This project explores how to prevent nicotine use, particularly e-cigarette use, among adolescents. Nicotine use has been on the rise since e-cigarette devices have been created. This makes it convenient to use nicotine products rather than going outside to light a cigarette. Nicotine use in adolescents is increasing as it is more convenient to use, and many may not understand the adverse health effects of using these devices. Any nicotine use can cause brain, heart, and lung damage. This project explores the factors that encourage adolescents to use nicotine such as the variety of flavors that e-cigarettes are made of …

Time And Location: Physical Activity Trends In Parents And Children In A Rural Region During Covid-19, Brooke C. Towner, Robert Broce, Rebecca A. Battista

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: COVID-19 restrictions altered the structure of the school and workday for families with children and led to changes in active transportation. Continued restrictions impacted access to many community locations and led to changes in physical activity (PA) behavior.

Purpose: The objectives of the study were to describe the changes in the 1) amount of PA time per day, 2) frequency of PA, and 3) sitting time. Information about how PA changed for parents and children during the COVID-19 pandemic will have potential implications for education, public health, and recreation management.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enlisted participants via an online …

Children Living With Type 1 Diabetes In The Public School System, Madison M. Wilson

Kentucky Undergraduate Journal for the Health Humanities

Type 1 Diabetes is a worldwide chronic condition that typically develops during adolescence and requires life-long treatment and management. Management of this disease is extremely complicated for a child to manage on their own and requires a community of individuals to help them. With children spending most of their days at school, the school’s teachers and staff are vital to the care and management of their condition while attending public school. Children with Type 1 Diabetes in public school systems face many disparities and a reform is needed. Looking at this population through a holistic health science lens can help …

Efficacy Of Probiotic Use In Allergic Rhinitis And Asthma In Children And Adolescents, Mary Janke

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Allergic rhinitis and asthma are chronic conditions affecting children and adults, often impairing quality of life. • Recent studies have explored the efficacy of probiotics as a potential adjunct therapy to alleviate AR symptoms, decrease asthma severity, and reduce the dependence on these conventional treatments. • Studies discovered using Embase and PubMed with key terms including probiotics, asthma, allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, children, child, and adolescent were used for this review. • These studies suggest probiotics may improve pulmonary function and AR symptoms in children with allergic rhinitis and asthma. • Further research is needed to refine dosage, …

Surf's Up! The Benefits Of Surf Therapy For Individuals With Disabilities, Isabella Leggett

Senior Honors Projects

Surf therapy is a structured intervention that utilizes elements of the ocean and surfing to improve health. It is an increasingly popular sport for development focused on enhancing mental, physical, and social well-being. While research demonstrates that surf therapy is beneficial for all people, most research aims to gather the impact of surf therapy on children and adolescents with developmental disabilities, veterans with mental health disorders, and people with traumatic brain injuries or physical disabilities. The International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO) is a non-profit organization with surf therapy practitioners and researchers who work to advance surf therapy as an evidence-based …

Is Increased Screen Time Associated With A Higher Prevalence Of Myopia In Elementary-Aged Children Globally?​, Katerina Kasatkin, Sree Gowri Sudharshan, Lakumi Dias, Adira Brenner, Emily Reilly, Maikel Mansour

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: The onset of myopia in children has emerged as a significant public health concern, especially with increased screen time and reduced outdoor activity following the COVID-19 pandemic. The global prevalence of myopia is expected to rise significantly, with children being particularly vulnerable. Various studies have explored how screen time, near-work activities, and outdoor exposure influence the increasing prevalence of myopia in pediatric populations worldwide.

Hypothesis: This paper aims to evaluate whether increased screen time, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, is associated with a higher prevalence of myopia in young children, providing a more robust understanding of this relationship across …

Examining The Relationship Between Nutritional Access And Childhood Obesity In Low-Resource South Jersey Communities, Anastasiya Matveyenko, Saul Madrid-Flores, Arleen Fortuna, Kirsten Marie Carlberg

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is defined as a child considered to have obesity when their body mass index falls in the top 5% compared to other children of the same age and gender. Unhealthy eating habits formed during childhood have been associated with diseases such as obesity and diabetes. We aim to examine the relationship between childhood obesity and barriers to optimal nutrition in our local South Jersey community.

METHODS: We conducted a literature review through Google, Google Scholar, and PubMed utilizing the key terms, “low socioeconomic status (SES),” “Childhood obesity in NJ,” “Nutritional Intervention,” and “Health Risks.”

RESULTS: Our study …

Parental Expectations On Pediatric Care For Children, Brenan Cash

Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Childhood pediatrics is a major factor for a full and healthy childhood for all children from adolescence to adulthood. However, the physical health aspect has been the main focus through most primary care clinics and hardly focuses on the mental health side. Mental health issues which involve anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress are more prominent than they have ever been, as up to 30% of children have experienced mental health issues such as posttraumatic stress disorder, especially in recent pandemic years (Meherali et al., 2021). This study employed a non-experimental, quantitative analysis utilizing online close-ended survey questions. The type of …

How Music Is Used To Facilitate Communication In Speech-Language And Music Therapy For Children With A Diagnosis Of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anna Mcgreevy

Honors College Theses

The goal of this research was to determine how music is being used in speech and music therapy sessions for children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, to discover the most common targets of these therapy sessions, and to examine the anatomical and physiological constructs that support the inclusion of music. This study was a review of literature, and included research from a variety of articles, several written in the past 25 years. Overall, results showed that music-based speech interventions such as Melodic Based Communication Therapy and Developmental Speech and Language Training, as well as music therapy interventions, are …

Pre-Procedural Anxiolytic Use In Pediatric Laceration Repair, Mackenzie Weis

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Pediatric laceration repair is a common, yet anxiety-inducing procedure for those who must undergo them. With limited research analyzing the different types of pre-procedural anxiolytic medications, the purpose of this research and literature review was to explore two distinct but commonly used intranasal (IN) anxiolytics, dexmedetomidine and midazolam, and to compare their efficacy, adverse effects, and overall pediatric anxiety and parental satisfaction. Databases including PubMed, GoogleScholar, and ClinicalKey were searched to find articles investigating clinical trials using pediatric participants. Meta-analyses, animal studies, dental procedures, imaging procedures, full sedation procedures, and ongoing studies were excluded. In terms of effective anxiolysis, intranasal …

Long-Term Safety Of Epicutaneous Immunotherapy In Peanut-Allergic Children: An Open-Label Active Treatment (Realise Study), Jacqueline A Pongracic, Rémi Gagnon, Gordon Sussman, Dareen Siri, Roxanne C Oriel, Terri F Brown-Whitehorn, Sara Anvari, William E Berger, J Andrew Bird, Edmond S Chan, R Sharon Chinthrajah, Hey J Chong, Stanley M Fineman, David M Fleischer, Erika Gonzalez-Reyes, Edwin H Kim, Bruce J Lanser, Andrew Macginnitie, Hemalini Mehta, Daniel Petroni, Ned Rupp, Lynda C Schneider, Amy M Scurlock, Lawrence D Sher, Wayne G Shreffler, Sayantani B Sindher, Robert Wood, William H Yang, Hugh A Sampson, Timothée Bois, Todd D Green, Dianne E Campbell, Katharine J Bee, Philippe Bégin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Owing to limited treatment options for peanut allergy, patients remain at risk for allergic reactions due to accidental exposure. Epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) is a novel treatment being investigated for peanut allergy.

Objective: This study assessed long-term safety of EPIT with VIASKIN peanut patch 250 μg (VP250) via an open-label extension of the REAL Life Use and Safety of EPIT (REALISE) trial.

Methods: REALISE was a phase 3 trial in peanut-allergic children aged 4 through 11 years that included a 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment phase, followed by an open-label, single-arm, active treatment period for up to 36 months.

Results: …

#Helpplz: Mental Health Representation In Theatre For Young Audiences, Kate Elizabeth Dirrigl

Theses and Dissertations

#HELPPLZ is a play for young theater audiences that depicts four teenagers with various mental health challenges. It’s target audience is for children ages ten to fifteen and should be performed by actors of similar ages. #HELPPLZ is an immersive theatre experience, as a audience members watch four actors perform from four different lifestyles and point of views, all while broadcast on screens behind the actors. Every seat is a good seat in the house. This play follows a shift in trends of mental health depiction in contemporary theatre. No longer demonized and much more accessible, plays such as Dear …

Sex Differences In Upper- And Lower-Limb Muscle Strength In Children And Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis, James L. Nuzzo, Matheus D. Pinto

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

On average, adult men are physically stronger than adult women. The magnitude of this difference depends on the muscle tested, with larger sex differences observed in upper- than lower-limb muscles. Whether body region-specific sex differences in strength exist in children is unclear. The purpose of the current meta-analysis was to determine whether sex differences in muscle strength in children and adolescents differ between upper- and lower-limb muscles. Data were extracted from studies of participants aged ≤ 17 years who completed tests of maximal isometric or isokinetic strength of upper-limb muscles (e.g., elbow flexors and elbow extensors) or lower-limb muscles (e.g., …

Social Determinants Of Health Screening In The Pediatric Population: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Staff Education, Brenda Awuah, Kansas S. Logan, Sally Humphrey Dnp, Aprn, Cpnp-Pc, Sharon Little Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are conditions that influence health outcomes. SDOHs are screened and addressed in many clinics and hospitals to reduce patients' social needs. Research indicates how unaddressed SDOH can negatively impact chronic illness, along with the daily life of pediatric patients. SDOH's role in pediatric patients includes food security, housing stability, access to healthcare, caregiver education, and parental mental health. Previous research has addressed these factors; however, the lack of staff education prevents effective compliance and follow-up on SDOH screening. Challenges remain in implementing and integrating SDOH into routine well-child visits. This scoping review will evaluate and …

Adaptation, Reliability, And Validity Of The Auditory Skills Checklist (Asc) For Bengali Speaking Children With Severe To Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss With Hearing Aids, Istiak Rahman, Mahedi Hasan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The audiologic assessment guidelines of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) encouraged functional auditory skills assessment, appropriate for age. The Auditory Skills Checklist (ASC) assessment tool was developed from the necessity to assess the auditory skills of young children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL). The aim of this study was to adapt a Bengali version of the ASC checklist from the original English version and then to test its reliability and validity.

Methods: The method of forward-backward translation and cognitive debriefing was employed to produce a culturally sensitive Bengali version of the checklist. The data was analyzed for …

Effect Of Mirror-Based Lateral Walking Training On Balance In Children With Hemiparesis: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Mohamed I. Elsepaee, Eman I. Elhadidy, Samia A. Abd Elrahman, Hesham A.E. Elghaiaty, Seham M. Abd El-Moghny

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Cerebral palsy children with hemiparesis manifest impaired balance during static and dynamic activities which impact gait, functional activities, and quality of life. Purpose: To determine the effect of mirror-based lateral walking training on balance in cerebral palsy children with hemiparesis. Methods: The study included 60 children of both sexes with hemiparesis between the ages of five and seven who met the following inclusion criteria: they able to walk independently at level II on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), with spasticity at grade 1+ to 2 on the modified Ashworth scale. Results: Following training, both groups showed statistically …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of Discharge Education On Readmission Rates In Pediatric Patients With Chronic Conditions: A Scoping Review, Camden Shaw Bsn, Rn, Cpn, Ashely St. Julien Bsn, Rn, Claire Avant Bsn, Rn, Michelle Rickard Dnp, Cpnp-Ac, Chppn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract Assignment

Purpose/Background

Children with multiple chronic health conditions account for a significant portion of hospital readmission and healthcare expenses. A scoping review was completed to analyze and summarize the available research regarding the effectiveness of discharge education on readmission rates and associated outcomes in children with chronic conditions. The following PICOT question was created: In pediatric patients with chronic disease, how does a discharge education bundle compared to no discharge education bundle affect readmission rates within 30 days of discharge?

Methods

A systematic approach was utilized for analysis to determine article eligibility. The initial search yielded 30 articles; however, …

How Long Must We Wait? A Review Of Adherence To Established Npo Guidelines, Ellen C. Bouaziai, Anthony S. Hernandez, Shashi Sahai, Kerry Peters Mychaliska

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Patients undergoing a procedure with anesthesia are required to be nil per os (NPO) for a defined period to reduce the risk of aspiration of gastric contents. In 2017, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) published guidelines for preoperative fasting, which allow for consumption of a full meal 8 hours before a procedure; non-human milk, light meal, and infant formulas 6 hours prior; breastmilk 4 hours prior; and clear liquids 2 hours prior to procedure. It is well known that these NPO guidelines are inconsistently applied to pediatric patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the percentage …

Low Serum Alkaline Phosphatase Concentrations At Hospital Admission As Markers For Severe Pediatric Sars-Cov-2-Related Acute Illnesses, Sneha Jayadeep, Julie A. George, Bishara J. Freij

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is composed of several isoenzymes. The measured serum (total) ALP is mostly of bone and liver origin. ALP activity changes with growth and puberty, and its level is affected by age and sex. Abnormal ALP levels have been noted in COVID19 patients but its use as a marker of severity has not been assessed to our knowledge.

Objective: Assess if low serum ALP is a marker of disease severity in acute Pediatric SARS-CoV-2-related illnesses.

Design/Methods: Retrospective observational study of children 0-18 years of age hospitalized at Beaumont Children’s Hospital from 3/1/2020-3/31/2022 with positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2 …

Content Analysis Of Food Items In Youtube Videos Viewed By Children, Julie M. Zaituna, Tiffany Munzer, Sarah Morris, Jane Harness, Megan H. Pesch

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Children have historically been a target of the food advertising industry because their preferences for certain foods are known to be shaped by food portrayals in digital media. In the most popular YouTube videos with child influencers, 90% featured ultra-processed and branded food products. Given the algorithmic specificity in YouTube, some children may be differentially exposed to more ultra-processed or branded food content; however, no studies have examined YouTube video characteristics or family characteristics associated with such food content.

Objective: To examine YouTube video characteristics and child and caregiver characteristics associated with greater exposures to ultra-processed or branded food …

Development Of A Mindfulness And Visual Arts Program To Support Emotional Self-Regulation In Children With Adhd In Community-Based Settings, Jeannine Robinson, Thierry Lienou

Howard University, Department of Occupational Therapy Capstone and Faculty Research

Date: 04/23/2025

Student Name: Jeanine S. Robinson

Capstone Project Title: Development of a Mindfulness and Visual Arts Program to

Support Emotional Self-Regulation in Children with ADHD in Community-Based Settings

Capstone Faculty Advisor: Dr.Thierry Lienou, OTD, OTR/L,CAPS,ATP

Abstract:

Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) frequently experience challenges with emotional self-regulation that can significantly impact their participation in educational, social, and recreational activities. Although mindfulness and visual arts interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in promoting emotional regulation, limited resources exist that integrate these strategies into community-based environments. This doctoral capstone project addresses this gap through the development of a mindfulness and visual arts program …

Riding For Change: Empowering African American And Minority Children With Autism Through Hippotherapy Advocacy, Briana Richards, Konah Bernard

Howard University, Department of Occupational Therapy Capstone and Faculty Research

Date: 04/23/2025

Student Name: Briana Richards

Capstone Project Title: Riding for Change: Empowering African American and Minority Children with Autism through Hippotherapy Advocacy

Capstone Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bernard, OTD, OTR/L, BCTMB, CAPS

Abstract:

This doctoral capstone project aimed to explore and advocate for improved access to hippotherapy for African American and minority children with autism through the lens of occupational therapy. While equine-assisted services such as hippotherapy have been shown to improve sensory processing, motor function, and social engagement in children with autism, access to these services remains limited, particularly among underserved communities. The project was completed in collaboration with …

Program To Prepare Teachers To Promote Improving Fine Motor And Handwriting Developmental Delays In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Classrooms., Briana Pleasants, Jessica Alden

Howard University, Department of Occupational Therapy Capstone and Faculty Research

Date: 04/23/2025

Student Name: Briana Pleasants

^{_{Capstone Project Title: Program to prepare teachers to promote improving fine motor and handwriting developmental delays in children with autism spectrum disorder in classrooms.}}

^{_{Capstone Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jessica Alden OTD R/L}}

Abstract:

Purpose: To develop a classroom-based training program and resources for teachers to enhance handwriting and fine motor performance in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by integrating evidence-based instructional strategies into daily classroom routines.

Background and Significance: Research shows children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly experience handwriting delays and fine motor deficits, which hinder academic participation. Teachers often lack specific …

­­An Open-Source Sensory Regulation Toolkit For School-Based Occupational Therapists: Supporting Ethnic Minority Families Of Children With Sensory Processing Needs, Saba Masih, Jessica Alden

Howard University, Department of Occupational Therapy Capstone and Faculty Research

Date: 04/23/2025

Student Name: Saba Masih

Capstone Project Title: ­­An Open-Source Sensory Regulation Toolkit for School-Based Occupational Therapists: Supporting Ethnic Minority Families of Children with Sensory Processing Needs

Capstone Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jessica Alden, OTD, OTR/L

Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to promote the ability of occupational therapists to support parents of children with sensory processing difficulties from minority backgrounds by developing a toolkit to optimize culturally sensitive parental coaching strategies that empower ethnic minority parents with the necessary knowledge and skills to support their child.

Background and Significance: Ethnic minority families often face difficulties in managing …

Animal-Assisted Therapy With Children In Hospitals And Schools: A Systematized Review, Tantine Kendig

LSU Master's Theses

It has been demonstrated that animals can offer humans significant health benefits. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a growing form of therapy used in various settings to enhance the health of children, encompassing both physical and mental wellness. The challenges of hospitalization and the school environment have been shown to pose different challenges for children, such as an increase in anxiety, stress, depression, and others that have the potential to affect their mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy, specifically dog-assisted therapy, on children in hospital and school settings by conducting a …

Facilitating Better Literacy Outcomes In First And Second-Grade At-Risk Readers At An After-School Program, Brooke Goldhammer

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of literacy intervention in first and second-grade at-risk readers at an after-school program, CityYouth Ministries, in Jonesboro, AR. It was hypothesized that if children at risk for literacy difficulties receive literacy intervention at an after-school program, they would have better reading outcomes, narrowing the gap in academic achievement. If successful, it may resolve the need for long-term literacy support at school, which has been frequently observed with this population. The study utilized a quasi-experimental, within-group pretest-posttest design. Reading fluency and sight word knowledge were measured using DIBELS-8 Oral Reading Fluency passages and Dolch …

Human Capital And Lifetime Income Gains Of Scaling-Up Small-Quantity Lipid Nutrient Supplements Among Children Under 2 Years: A Modelling Analysis, Nandita Perumal Phd, Goodrarz Danaei, Günther Fink, Mark Lambiris, Christopher R. Sudfeld

Faculty Publications

Undernutrition in early childhood is associated with adverse health and developmental outcomes later in life and remains a persistent global public health problem. Providing small-quantity lipid nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) to children aged 6-24 months improves child growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes, but the potential long-term benefits to human capital have not been previously estimated. We estimated the potential returns to schooling and lifetime income attributable to increasing coverage of SQ-LNS for children < 2 years of age from 0% to 50% or 90% per five-year birth cohort in five countries (Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Uganda) with a high burden of undernutrition. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to estimate the effect of SQ-LNS on child development using evidence from randomized controlled trials, and to estimate the returns to lifetime income as a function of change in development based on a de novo meta-analysis of observational economic studies. Gains in school years attributable to scaling-up SQ-LNS to 90% coverage ranged from 0.14 million school years (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 0.064, …

Editorial: Adverse And Toxic Effects Of Childhood Cancer Treatments, Volume Ii, Antonio Ruggiero, Roderick Skinner, Pinki Prasad

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Association Between Arsenic And Other Heavy Metal Exposures Through Drinking Water And Food With Lung Function And Respiratory Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study, Sofia I. Chapela Lara, Seth O'Neal Md, Mph For The Cysticercosis Working Group In Peru

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

Impaired lung function is a major health concern, particularly in children, as it increases the risk of chronic respiratory diseases and long-term morbidity. Environmental exposure to heavy metals (HMs) such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and manganese has been associated with reduced lung function and respiratory symptoms. However, findings vary by exposure context and population, with limited research in pediatric populations and few studies evaluating the combined effects of multiple HMs. These exposures disproportionally affect marginalized rural communities, especially in low and middle-income countries with mining activities. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between exposure to As and other HMs through …

Sound Asleep: A Manual For Occupational Therapy Practitioners (Otp) Addressing Sleep-Related Challenges In Young Children, Lorie-Ann Love, Ellen M. Pope Otd, Otr/L, Angela L. Blackwell Phd, Otr

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project sought to address the limited competence and confidence of occupational therapy practitioners (OTP) in providing services for children and families facing sleep-related challenges. The objective was to enhance OTP knowledge and skills in delivering specialized sleep interventions through the development of an educational resource. The project was implemented across two settings: telehealth and an outpatient pediatric service, integrating both virtual and outdoor environments for occupational therapy (OT). Participants include OTP, OT students, and families of young children (ages 0-5) experiencing sleep disturbances.

The project followed a structured four-phase approach: strengths and needs assessment, development of an educational …