Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Asi Improving Occupational Performance In Children, Dara Studnitzer

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

There is a gap in the literature linking Ayres Sensory Integration to improved occupational performance from lower levels of evidence. The scope of the review is to see if ASI interventions are effective in improving occupational performance in school-aged children.

Health Assessment Of New York, Mukens Renfort

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Chronic disease continues to be a major contributor to illness and death in New York, with heart disease and cancer remaining the top causes of death statewide. New York‚Äôs diverse population faces ongoing disparities linked to poverty, racial inequities and rising substance, all of which contribute to the unequal health outcomes observed in New York. Surveillance data show an increase in chronic disease cases, higher rates of preventable conditions such as hypertension and cancer and continued concerns around opioid related incidences. Data from state surveillance systems and public health databases, including the New York Department of Health Leading Cause of …

Community Needs Assessment- Rhode Island, Joy Ilabija

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Rhode Island (RI) has been significantly impacted by the drug overdose epidemic, recording 3,800 overdose deaths between 2014 and 2024. RI's overdose death rate, 37.5 per 100,000, exceeds the national average (31.3 per 100,000). Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) increase vulnerability to opioid use disorder (OUD) for higher risk groups. The Community Needs Assessment (CNA) examined how SDOH (education, economic stability, healthcare access) influence OUD in RI. Data sources included the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Opioid Overdose Integrated Surveillance System, RIDOH's Opioid and Stimulant Use Data Hub, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and ten academic journals. …

Improving Infant Feeding Practices, Ytossie Graves

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This project addressed knowledge gaps and misconceptions related to infant feeding practices among participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Rhode Island. Infants in this population face increased health risks influenced by socioeconomic disparities, cultural beliefs, and limited access to consistent breastfeeding education. The project aimed to improve maternal understanding of breastfeeding and formula feeding while supporting informed, culturally responsive decision-making. Guided by the Health Belief Model, a bilingual (English and Spanish) educational intervention was developed, consisting of an evidence-based infographic and a structured nutrition education class for expecting and new mothers. A pre-test …

Anorexia Nervosa In Epigenetics, Cassandra Pinkowski

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by severe restriction of food intake leading to dangerous underweight, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. AN symptoms and their related genes, as well as their transcription, can be explained by Epigenetics. AN is associated with nutrient deficiency, which causes hypermethylation of certain genes that cause common symptoms. Melanin-Concentrating hormone (MCH) binds to receptors in the brain that trigger expression of several genes, including both serotonin and oxytocin. When MCH is low, the genes responsible for appetite lowering, causing an individual to feel less hungry. High serotonin …

Healthy Starts: Cooking, Culture & Confidence, Lindsey Plumb

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Healthy Starts: Cooking, Culture, and Confidence for Healthier Families is a culturally tailored nutrition intervention designed for pediatric patients and caregivers served by the Nutrition Teaching Center at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. The program addresses high rates of childhood overweight and obesity, food insecurity, and low caregiver confidence in meal preparation among racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse families. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory, Healthy Starts focuses on building practical cooking skills, nutrition knowledge, and self-efficacy through bilingual, hands-on cooking classes, family nutrition workshops, and peer support circles. Sessions emphasize preparing affordable, culturally familiar meals while accommodating religious …

Wic Gestational Diabetes Wellness Program, Anna Tobin

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

BACKGROUND: An average of 9% of pregnancies in the United States are affected by gestational diabetes (GDM), with higher rates among individuals with food insecurity, including participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Uncontrolled GDM increases the risk for pregnancy complications and health risks for the mother and baby. GDM management requires education and lifestyle interventions. METHODS: First, a needs assessment was conducted for WIC participants to identify health risks and service gaps. Next, a logic model was used to identify resources/inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes of potential nutrition programs. This information was used …

Oakley Home Access: Changing Homes Changes Lives, Grace Carolonza

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Older adults are challenged to safely remain in their homes, or, "age in place." Multi-level residences and lack of sturdy adaptive equipment can be unsupportive of activities of daily living (ADL) completion. This scoping review examines the effect of home modifications on improving people's quality of life (QoL) and ability to safely live in the community.

Keywords: QoL: an individual's impression of how well their place in life reflects personal goals, expectations, standards, and concerns (Khourieh et al., 2025)

Impact Of Sgm Education On Provider Preparedness, Stephanie Tudela Bs

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Objective: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations experience persistent health inequities, often exacerbated by healthcare providers‚Äô lack of preparedness. This scoping review explored whether SGM focused educational interventions improved healthcare students‚Äô preparedness to provide inclusive, affirming care. Ten studies met inclusion criteria and examined multimodal educational interventions targeting students in medicine, nursing, occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy, and physician assistant programs. Findings: Nine of the ten studies reported statistically significant improvements in at least one learner domain, (confidence, communication skills, attitudes, and knowledge) post-intervention. The strongest and most consistent gains were observed in confidence and communication comfort when interacting SGM …

Community Intervention: Cooking And Nutrition Education, Vanessa Mello

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

With my intervention, I hope to address the high rate of food insecurity amongst households with children (keiki) in Hawai`i. The target population are Native Hawaiians and marginalized communities that have long-term risk of developing CVD, hypertension, and T2DM (Hawaii Foodbank, 2024). This program will be an extension of the Food 4 Keiki program that distributes food to this population; however, with my program addition, it will promote self-efficacy by hosting community cooking classes and nutrition education events. This intervention incorporates elements of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to encourage observational learning that reflects these families‚Äô social and community needs. SCT‚Äôs …

Fall Outcomes Among Older Adults In Rhode Island, Samantha Bruno, Samaria Dalling, Steve Jacob

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Falls are a leading cause of injury, hospitalization, and death among older adults in Rhode Island. This analysis examines the burden of fall-related mortality, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits among adults aged 65 and older, highlighting trends and opportunities for prevention and policy action. Data were obtained from the Rhode Island Department of Health, with population estimates sourced from the CDC WONDER Online Database based on the U.S. Census Bureau‚Äôs Blended Base. Fatal falls among older Rhode Islanders have increased each year, although the rate of increase has slowed. Adults aged 65 and older account for 87.9% of fatal falls, …

Insurance And Mental Health Across Various Groups, Samaria Dalling, Cierra Bradford

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This project examined how health insurance status relates to anxiety, depression, and insomnia among young adults, and whether race/ethnicity and age moderate these relationships. Using data from the 2024 Rhode Island Young Adult Survey (RIYAS), the analysis included 1,008 participants ages 18–25 recruited through online ads, emails, and community flyers. Participants received a $10 gift card for completing the survey. Cross-sectional statistical analyses assessed associations between insurance status and mental health indicators, with moderation tests for race/ethnicity and age. Significance was determined at p< 0.05. The results showed that about one-quarter of the sample lacked health insurance, and most respondents were White, non-Hispanic, and 21 or older. Insurance status was not significantly associated with anxiety, depression, or insomnia overall. However, race/ethnicity significantly moderated the relationship between insomnia and insurance status, with the association becoming significant among individuals identifying as Mixed race or Other (x2=0.529, p=0.015). The project concluded that multiracial and Indigenous young adults may face heightened barriers to obtaining health insurance. These findings suggest the need for policy actions such as Medicaid expansion, strengthened public health programs, and clearer insurance enrollment processes to reduce inequities in access to coverage.

Pregnancy Status, Depression, And Income Level, Sheriyah Hicks

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Previous research has examined the association between pregnancy status and mental health, with depression being prevalent among those who are pregnant. Similarly, research has also shows that those with lower socioeconomic status are at risk for depressive symptoms. This study fills a gap by examining whether pregnancy status among cis gendered women with low-income levels are at a greater risk for a depression diagnosis. To answer this research question, we utilized data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) using SPSS statistical software. A population of 235,893 respondents, self-identified as Female, were included in descriptive and chi-square analysis. …

Heart Disease Prevention, Alyssa Bernier

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This intervention was created for the education of low-income youth and families in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and related conditions. Participants received nutrition education on cardiovascular disease, heart healthy food choices, and recipe ideas.

Study Of Chemical Compounds In Herbal Cigarettes, Connor Woitalla

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Herbal cigarettes are tobacco-free and nicotine-free and made from a blend of several herbs rather than tobacco. Currently, due to several reasons, especially their natural ingredients and a limited number of research studies on herbal cigarettes, this type of smoking product is perceived to be less harmful than other tobacco products and has gained its popularity dramatically. Therefore, our research study aims at providing some insights on the chemistry aspect of the herbal cigarettes before and after smoking using Infrared and Mass Spectrometry. The effects of smoking herbal cigarettes on the smoker's health will be also studied. The result of …

Feed The Folk: Soybeans As Snap Inputs, Tymon Childs

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of using surplus agricultural commodities as inputs for SNAP or other need-based programs surrounding food access and nutrition. This study specifically explored the possibility of using surplus soybeans based on end stock projections for the year 2025/2026, following the soybean trade conflict between the United States and China. This project details the processing of soybeans from the farm gate to the plate, utilizing pre-existing soybean and food processing infrastructure within the United States.

Effect Of Play Environments On Social, Dory Stefanowicz Ots, Triana Newberg Ots, Makenna Sheehan Ots, Cianna Geni Ots, Aaron Fonseca Ots

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This study is a cross-sectional observational study that examines social participation during indoor and outdoor play among preschool-aged children. Thirty-minute video recordings will be collected three times a week over a four-week period, capturing both indoor and outdoor play of all preschool classroom participants that have signed the consent from one of the classrooms at the CDC. All data collection for the indoor play recordings will occur at the University of Rhode Island's Dr. Pat Feinstein Child Development Center (CDC) in their classrooms' play areas during free play time. For the outdoor play recordings, the classroom will be at their …

Nourish & Grow: Wic Family Cooking Program, Kelly Mccormick Bs

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This project developed a practical nutrition education program for caregivers of infants and young children enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The goal was to increase confidence and skills related to preparing healthy, affordable meals using WIC-approved foods. The intervention focused on hands-on cooking demonstrations, simple meal planning and budgeting strategies, and culturally appropriate recipes designed for families with limited time and resources. The target population included low-income households experiencing food insecurity, diverse cultural backgrounds, and barriers such as limited transportation or access to fresh foods. A logic model was used to guide program planning, and evaluation …

Return To Occupations For Individuals With Sci, Emily Lieberman, Sara Brouillard, Meghan Dinsmore, Carlos Deus

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) experience challenges in their ability to participate in meaningful activities. OT researchers investigate interventions that will provide the best care to these individuals, but there is a lack of information on the effects of community-based interventions on their return to work or school. This scoping review aimed to explore the effects of community-based interventions on return to work or school in adults with SCI. A total of 8 articles were analyzed, and the results indicate that community-based interventions that utilize client-centered care, assistive technology, and contextual and client factors can increase positive RTW …

Brainstem Encoding Of Speech In The Extended High Frequencies And Its Behavioral Correlates, Sajana Aryal, Fan-Yin Cheng, Srikanta K. Mishra, Spencer Smith

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Whether the auditory nervous system can extract and use speech information carried in the extended high-frequency (EHF; >8 kHz) range is an unresolved question in auditory neuroscience. Although EHF sensitivity is increasingly recognized as important for speech perception, it is unclear whether EHF hearing is directly or indirectly involved in real-world listening. This study examined brainstem neural encoding of EHF speech components and the relationship between EHF hearing sensitivity and both neural and perceptual speech processing. Envelope following responses (EFRs) to broadband and high-pass filtered (>4 kHz and >8 kHz) speech stimuli, along with digits-in-noise speech recognition thresholds under …

Planning A Clinical Practice Guideline Revision For A Core Set Of Outcome Measures In Adults Undergoing Neurologic Physical Therapy, Part 1: Assessing Dissemination And Scholarly Uptake, Jennifer Moore, Jane E. Sullivan, Marghuretta D. Bland, Wendy Romney, Elizabeth Anderl, Zeynep Gulen Erkoc, Kristen Potter

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Introduction

Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) facilitate evidence-based decision-making and standardising care, yet their dissemination and scholarly uptake vary widely. The Core Set of Outcome Measures for Adults With Neurologic Conditions Undergoing Rehabilitation CPG (Core Set) has been broadly referenced within neurologic physical therapy. As the next revision approaches, understanding its scholarly influence, citation patterns, and published feedback is essential. This study evaluated the dissemination and use of the Core Set across the peer-reviewed literature and identified areas for refinement.

Methods

A medical librarian conducted comprehensive searches of Web of Science, CINAHL, and Scopus to identify peer-reviewed English-language articles citing the …

Infected Intra-Abdominal Hematoma Post-Laparoscopic One-Anastomosis Mini Gastric Bypass: Case Report And Literature Review, Musa Machibya, Hellen Mram, Jackline Gabone, Ally Mwanga, Tanseer Asghar, Authar Ali

General Surgery, East Africa

Introduction: Laparoscopic one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is a widely performed bariatric procedure with favorable outcomes; however, it carries a risk of postoperative complications. An infected intra-abdominal hematoma is a rare but potentially serious complication, often presenting with nonspecific features that can delay diagnosis.

Case presentation: A 29-year-old female with class II obesity (BMI 36 kg/m2 ) underwent elective laparoscopic OAGB. The immediate postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged in stable condition. Eleven days later, she presented with fever and systemic symptoms without significant abdominal findings. Laboratory investigations suggested sepsis. Imaging revealed a large perigastric collection consistent with …

Planning A Clinical Practice Guideline Revision For A Core Set Of Outcome Measures In Adults Undergoing Neurologic Physical Therapy, Part 2: Determining Stakeholders' Uptake And Recommendations, Jane E. Sullivan, Kristen Potter, Marghuretta D. Bland, Elizabeth Anderl, Wendy Romney, Zeynep Gulen Erkoc, Jennifer Moore

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Objective: To determine the uptake and recommendations for revision of the 2018 Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG): Core Set Outcome Measures for Adults with Neurologic Conditions Undergoing Rehabilitation.

Design: Online Survey

Setting: Online with participants from multiple settings.

Participants: Licensed physical therapists (PT) or physical therapist assistants (PTA) or a non-PT supervisor of PTs and/or PTAs.

Interventions: N/A.

Main Outcome Measures:  An online survey was developed to determine respondents' knowledge, perceived benefits, challenges, gaps, and modifications made to the 2018 CPG as well as to ascertain respondents' recommendations for the CPG revision. Data were analyzed descriptively by respondent role (clinician, educator/researcher, …

Reversible Hemi-Parkinsonism Syndrome Secondary To Bilateral Subdural Hematomas: Case Report And Literature Review, Musa Machibya, Godlove Mlay, Kelvin Sawe, Zainab Ali, Mugisha Clement, Philip Adebayo

General Surgery, East Africa

Introduction: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a rare but reversible cause of secondary parkinsonism. Bilateral CSDH presenting with unilateral parkinsonian features is exceptionally uncommon.

Case presentation: A 61-year-old male from Comoros developed a right-hand tremor, intermittent dystonia, and mild right-sided motor deficits months after a motor vehicle accident. Medical therapy was ineffective. Imaging revealed bilateral frontoparietal subdural collections with a right hematoma causing a midline shift. Bilateral burr-hole evacuation led to marked improvement, with the UPDRS Part III score improving from approximately 7 to 1–2 points and near-complete hematoma resolution on follow-up.

Discussion: This case demonstrates the variable …

Clinical Subtypes Of Co-Morbid Insomnia And Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Comisa): Results Of A Cluster Analysis, Yuan Shi, Xujun Feng, Fengyi Hao, Yuru Nie, Yihui Zhang, Zhaohua Chen, Siqi Guan, Larry D. Sanford, Michael V. Vitiello, Xiangdong Tang

Department of Pathology & Anatomy Faculty Publications

Background

Variations in the bidirectional relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia in co-morbid insomnia and OSA (COMISA) may form distinct subtypes of COMISA, which have not been previously characterized. This study aims to identify and characterize subtypes of COMISA.

Methods

From a community-recruited COMISA cohort 256 individuals who met diagnosis for COMISA were used to identify subtypes using a two-step clustering methodology. Demographics and multidimension clinical characteristics were collected and compared among obtained subtypes. Logistic models were used to evaluate whether these subtypes were associated with cardiometabolic and mental disorders. A clinical cohort of 1816 COMISA patients was …

The Rna-Binding Protein Pumilio Limits Polymodal Noiception In Drosophila Larvae, Sara Palega, Hannah Davenport, Rebeccah K. Stewart, Jessica Horton, Andrew Bellemer

Microbiology & Molecular Cell Biology Faculty Publications

Nociception is the process by which the nervous system detects and processes information about potentially harmful environmental stimuli to generate behavioral and physiological responses. The process of nociception undergoes plasticity in response to injury, inflammation, and infection to shape the sensitivity of nociceptive circuits and the behavioral responses they control. We are increasingly aware that post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression shapes the sensitivity and plasticity of nociceptive sensory neurons and nociceptive behavior. In Drosophila, the Pumilio RNA-binding protein interacts with diverse target mRNAs to regulate their abundance and translation in a wide range of contexts including the establishment of …

Early-Life Dietary Habits And Parental Support Among Female Collegiate Soccer Athletes, Christina Uribe, Kate Alvarez, Ryan Harding

Loma Linda University Research Reports

This study examined the relationship between early-life dietary habits, perceived parental support, and collegiate competition level among female soccer athletes. Current and former NCAA Division I, II, III, and junior college athletes completed an anonymous retrospective survey assessing dietary behaviors, meal patterns, parental nutrition support, and sport-related factors. Of the 112 surveys received, 81 complete responses were included in the analysis. Participants had a mean age of 23.0 ± 3.8 years. Higher levels of collegiate competition were associated with more supportive home nutrition environments during childhood and adolescence. Significant associations were identified for parental encouragement to eat full meals before …

Assessing The Scope Of Knowledge And Decision-Making Patterns Regarding Healthy Eating During Pregnancy In Pregnant Female Adults In Southern California, Raegan Soffel

Loma Linda University Research Reports

While recognizing the link between prenatal nutrition and maternal-fetal health, this investigator-initiated study seeks to identify pregnant women's understanding of prenatal nutrition guidelines and the influences on their dietary choices. Thirty-eight eligible women completed an online, anonymous surveying assessing the scope of knowledge and decision-making patterns of healthy eating during pregnancy. The average knowledge score among the participants was 6.05/14. There was no significant difference in the knowledge scores among pregnancy periods or among total number of pregnancies. Perceptions of nutrition guidance in prenatal care, factors influencing eating behaviors, and primary sources of nutrition information were explored. The findings may …

Comparing Perceived Ideal Protein Intake In Plant-Based Versus Meat-Based Diet Consumers, Gysel Avendano, Saya Iwanaga

Loma Linda University Research Reports

High-protein diets have gained significant popularity in both social media and public discussion and more recently, a significant rise in protein consumption has been observed. Existing research has reported differences in actual protein intake across dietary patterns, with animal-based diets generally associated with higher total protein intake compared to plant-based diets. This growing focus on protein raises important questions about perceived ideal protein intake and the factors that shape it.

The primary objective is to compare perceived ideal protein intake among Southern California adults consuming meat-based versus plant-based diets. Additionally, we explored the influence of protein-related knowledge, beliefs, values, information …

Exploring The Relationship Between Bmi Classification And Levels Of Food Noise, Edmarie Billosillo

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Rising rates of obesity in the United States necessitates an understanding of the multitude of factors that contribute to it. Recently, “food noise” has emerged as a topic of interest in this space. The current survey-based observational study aimed to understand the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and levels of food noise. The results indicate a significant association between BMI and food noise levels and a connection between a history of disordered eating and food noise levels. Additionally scores on the Food Noise Questionnaire (FNQ) and the Food Cravings Questionnaire - Trait – reduced (FCQ-R-r) were found to be …