Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Impacts On Fitness Associated With Acquisition Of Gut Microbiota In Drosophila, Corinne Topolski

Honors Projects

Drosophila melanogaster is a model organism that has been studied to demonstrate the role of gut microbiota in fitness. It has already been established the gut microbiota is extremely important for the health of the organism, but the source of the microbiota has not been studied as thoroughly. In order to test if the source of microbiota affects the fitness of the individual, adult male and female flies were placed onto plates to defecate after being raised on standard food and food with carbenicillin. Stock eggs were washed in either water or a bleach solution, then placed on the defecation …

The Healing Power Of Music, Kathleen Szczesny

Honors Projects

The value of holistic and individualized care in honoring a patient’s story and promoting their quality of life is of the highest importance when providing nursing care. Nursing is more than just a profession, it is an art that is consistently changing and adapting, requiring critical and creative thinking to deliver high quality, safe care that is evidenced-based. Nurses must continuously seek innovative ways to enrich lives and enhance the healing process through interventions strongly supported by research. The purpose of this project was to explore music as an alternative form of medicine that can be utilized as a therapeutic …

Exploration Of The Effectiveness Of Naprotechnology In Women’S Healthcare, Cecilia Cerven

Honors Projects

Many women today struggle with abnormal menstrual cycles and the painful symptoms of reproductive disorders. The standard approach to treatment of infertility, irregular menses, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, hormonal abnormalities, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and other pathophysiologic reproductive conditions is the prescription of a pill for symptom management or implementation of assisted reproductive technologies. However, many women may not feel comfortable with this treatment strategy due to ethical concerns or apprehension about potential side effects. The purpose of this paper is to assist in bridging the gaps in education to increase overall awareness of a new approach to women’s healthcare, …

The Effects Of Virtual Rehabilitation Therapy On Multiple Sclerosis, Mary Price

Honors Projects

In this review article, the effect of virtual rehabilitation therapy on multiple sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disorder, is explored. Multiple sclerosis is characterized by damaged nerves that result in incomplete signal processing between the brain and the spinal cord. The symptoms of this condition can include vision loss, decreased coordination, pain, fatigue, and deteriorating motor output. The severity of the symptoms and the rate of progression of multiple sclerosis can vary from person to person; some individuals live the majority of their lives with mild symptoms while others become bedridden and immobile. There is no cure for this disease, however implementation …

Investigating Major League Baseball Pitchers And Quality Of Contact Through Cluster Analysis, Charlie Marcou

Honors Projects

This paper investigates the quality of contact that a pitcher allows. Not much is currently known about quality of contact, but if factors determining quality of contact could be determined it could assist teams in identifying and developing pitching talent. There are many problems that come with investigating the control pitchers have over contact allowed, but one area to investigate is whether quality of contact is a repeatable skill. Furthermore, if it is a repeatable skill, then it is important to investigate what kind of benefit controlling contact allowed brings a pitcher. Along with this, groundball and flyball tendencies, and …

Before-And-After Weight Loss Images' Effects On Body-Esteem, Audrey Boersen

Honors Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine how exposure to Before-and-After weight loss images affects body-esteem, and to explore if the race of the model moderates the relationship. Participants were 89 Caucasian females living in the United States. Participants viewed either a Before-and-After Caucasian or African American weight loss photo, or a control image. Measures of body-esteem and antifat attitudes were then collected. Unexpectedly we found that after being exposed to the images participants with a healthy BMI in the control and Caucasian model conditions reported higher body-esteem than overweight participants, however, there was no difference in the African …

Buddhist Meditation Effects On Emotion Control, Sarah Battiston

IRIS Exemplary Undergraduate Research

There has been a surge in popularity of meditation in medical research. Meditation is being considered an alternative to pharmacotherapy or a supplement to treatment of both mental and physical ailments. Two popular forms of meditation practices are being studied. This includes mindful meditation which finds it roots in Buddhist meditation techniques and the meditation practice of Zen Buddhism. Both forms outline a specific activity of meditation in order to achieve a goal. Mindful meditation and Zen Buddhism similarly partake in a sitting meditation with focus on breath and present awareness. Mindful meditation challenges the practitioner to become aware of …

The Applicability Of Occupational Therapy To Correctional Programming, Jordan Lanning

Honors Projects

Correctional facilities are a controversial topic in the United States. Whether it is prison reform policy or overcrowding issues that are being debated in a political setting or at the dinner table, it is a hot topic of conversation. The discussion goes around and around to no avail, and seemingly no one is satisfied. A detailed look at current issues facing corrections, what has been done, and then, potentially what could be done may provide some clarity for a situation that is seemingly spinning out of control. Furthermore, occupational therapy and its application to correctional programming is explored as a …

The Effects Of Saido Learning On The Cognition Of Patients With Dementia: A Retrospective Study, Stephanie N. Laduke

Honors Projects

SAIDO Learning is a cognitive and social intervention developed by the Kumon Institute in 2004 to slow the progress of symptoms in patients diagnosed with dementia. Today, twenty-three nursing facilities nationwide utilize SAIDO Learning. The data in this retrospective study compare the baseline Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores to the MMSE scores obtained six months after SAIDO Learning is implemented from patients diagnosed with dementia at Waterford Place in Jenison, Michigan. These scores are reassessed every 6 months as a standard of care. The data was deidentified by the staff of Waterford Place before given to the research team. A …

The Impact Of Vaccination On Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Students, Jeremy Abreo, Kayeleigh Eder, Jordyn Francis

Honors Projects

The focus of our project was to analyze the amount of children vaccinated in Grand Rapids Public Schools. After determining the percentage of vaccinated children, we planned to implement an intervention to promote vaccination education to parents in the Grand Rapids area as well as increase awareness of the detrimental complications of refusing vaccinations.

As one of the focuses of our project, we decided to create a set of pamphlets. We focused on two main vaccines: the MMR vaccine and the Influenza Vaccine. After we gathered information about the two different vaccines, we compiled this information into an organized manner …

Screen Time Effects On Children And Adolescents In Both The United States And Australia, Marrisa Cox

Honors Projects

Technology and screen time have become an essential part of everyday life in many countries across the world. Children in Australia and the United States are exposed to increasing hours of technology exceeding recommendations by pediatricians in both countries. Pediatricians suggest limiting screen time due to the research indicating possible impact on social development, and unhealthy emotional and physical outcomes in children. The objective of this paper was to review the mental and physical impacts of screen time on young and adolescent children and to compare and contrast policies regulating screen time in the United States and Australia. The information …

Implementation Of A Heart Failure Discharge Guide And Its Effects On Patient Self-Care, Nickelow Carlton

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic progressive disease that, if not managed adequately, may result in complications including rapid disease progression, frequent hospitalization, and early death. The prevalence of HF related deaths in Muscogee County, Georgia is the highest of all counties in Georgia. Additionally, Georgia is a state with one of the highest prevalence of heart- related diseases in the United States (Centers for Disease Control, 2016). The purpose of this translational project was to identify a standard HF discharge guide to implement on admission and determine if implementation increased self-care in HF patients after discharge. Self-care management …

Vital Signs, Spring 2020, Boonshoft School Of Medicine

Vital Signs

A thirty-one page newsletter created by the Boonshoft School of Medicine to document the current affairs of the school. This issue includes a variety of feature articles, alumni profiles, class notes, and more.

How Do Surgeon Preferences And Technique Variances Affect Outcome?, Anastasia Axiopoulou, Caroline G. L. Cao, Katherine Lin Md, Keith Watson Md

Celebration of Undergraduate & Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

The goal of the research project is to create a blue-print of a robot-assisted hysterectomy procedure to support design and evaluation of technology to enhance system performance. To create this blue-print, we will conduct a task analysis, model the cognitive task flow and decision making, and develop a simulation of the hysterectomy procedure. The surgical simulation will be used as a platform to train surgeons on robotic-assisted hysterectomies, as well as to assess learning and performance. Additionally, it will be used to design and develop techniques and novel technology to support surgeons in their performance of the surgery. Current research …

Identifying Easy Indicators Of Dementia, Swati Padhee, Tanvi Banerjee, Valerie L. Shalin, Krishnaprasad Thirunarayan

Celebration of Undergraduate & Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a degenerative chronic neurodegenerative disease that affects millions of people and whose care costs billions of dollars. There is growing evidence that variations in speech and language may be early indicators of dementia. One of the most initial symptoms of dementia is speech impairment, including difficulty in finding words and changes to the grammatical structure. These early indicators can be detected by having the patients perform a picture description task, such as the Cookie Theft task from the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination. However, much of the state-of-the-art NLP for dementia has been limited due to the …

Measuring Nomophobia And Exploration Of Consequences And Comorbidities, Sarah Marie Fryman, William L. Romine

Celebration of Undergraduate & Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

Excessive use of smartphones has coined the term “Nomophobia”, or fear of not being able to use your smartphone. For many, these devices have become an extension of ourselves, which raises hesitation on whether or not society has become addicted to smartphones. Specific diagnostic criteria for smartphone addiction have yet to be settled, and even appropriate to use the word “addiction” when describing excessive usage of smartphones is controversial.

We therefore explore utilize current measures to explore the symptoms of nomophobia and their hierarchy, as well as comorbidities including social anxiety, self-esteem, distracted driving and sleep quality. A total of …

Relief Of Procedural Pain In Infants And Neonates, Allye Camden

Celebration of Undergraduate & Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

Procedural pain occurs in the hospital setting due to a variety of procedures and treatments conducted throughout a patient’s stay. Pain is often assessed in infants and neonates but is not always treated consistently due to the multiple number of pain relief methods. The objective of this literature review is to identify the most effective interventions to relieve procedural pain in infants and neonates. Forty articles were analyzed and synthesized to determine the best pain relief methods to use when providing nursing care to infants and neonates. Based on the results of the literature review, nutritive sucking, positioning techniques, and …

Predicting Alcohol Withdrawal In Intensive Care Units, Reza Sadeghi, Tanvi Banerjee, William L. Romine

Celebration of Undergraduate & Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

Alcohol use disorder is a common health issue in older adults who are facing depression caused by retirement, loss of a spouse, pain, and sleep problems. The prolonged, heavy alcohol ingestion will lead to high alcohol dependency such that cessation or reduction of using alcohol causes alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in roughly 4 to 72 hours after the last drink. During the initial 8 hours, patients face anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and abdominal pain. This condition is followed by high blood pressure, increased body temperature, unusual heart rate, and confusion. If this syndrome does not receive any treatment, the patients will …

The Contemporary Porn Debate - Perceptions Of Sexual Health Of Porn Actors, The 2013 Hiv Crisis, And Recognizing The Complexities Of The Porn Industry, Nasreen C. Gooya

Student Publications

Between August 2012 and January 2013, four adult film performers based in California tested positive for HIV which triggered a moratorium on production, and led the state of California to mandate condom usage in the industry under the Safer Sex in the Adult Industry Act – otherwise referred to as Measure B. The goal of this research is to explore how the discourse surrounding health in the adult film industry, specifically sexual health in relation to the adult film performers during this event, is reflective of contemporary anti-pornography sentiments. These sentiments and biases ultimately lead to regulations of the industry …

Covid-19: The Industrial Prison Complex And Black Bodies, Christian A. Rodriguez

Student Publications

COVID-19 has exposed a variety of issues and insecurities in our world since its eruption in 2020. While it is heavily discussed, debated and researched, much of the virus’ impact is not covered in communities and areas where marginalized bodies suffer disproportionately. One of the most undermined and blanketed populations in our country during the time of the pandemic (and for decades before) is the prison population, which has seen soaring cases and deaths since the virus first touched down in the states. Much of the prison population consist of black men and women and sadly mirror the same health …

Using Five Wishes To Improve Advance Care Planning In A Maryland Primary Care Practice, Amanda Bridges, Msn, Acnp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Advance Care Planning (ACP) at this primary care practice was minimal and lacked a consistent process to document existing advance directives (AD) or educate patients about ADs.

Objectives: The purpose of this QI project was to improve ACP engagement, documentation of existing ADs and educate patients about Five Wishes.

Methodology: Adults, at each office encounter, were asked three kiosk questions: Do you have an AD, know what ADs are and want to discuss ACP? The responses were uploaded to the EHR to become an evidence backed, visual reminder. Affirmation of existing ADs were descriptively documented. ACP engagement was analyzed …

Using Multi-Faceted Validated Tools To Evaluate The Functional Outcomes And Quality Of Life In Patients Undergoing Elective Spine Surgery And Associated Referral Patterns For Post-Hospital Rehabilitation: A Quality Improvement Project, Mercy Oigbokie, Msn, Agnp-C, Aprn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background/Significance: A lack of validated multi-facet assessment tools to assess postoperative patients’ functional ability and quality of life may result in untimely or no referrals to rehabilitation.

Objective: The objective of the DNP project was to introduce the use of validated multi-facet questionnaires in assessing patient-reported outcomes and to assess effect on the time in generating prescriptive rehabilitation therapies and the type of therapies following elective spine surgery evaluated in the outpatient neurosurgery clinics.

Methods: This was a quality improvement (QI) project comprising of 100 patients (50 pre and 50 post the intervention). After the introduction of baseline data, the …

Implementation Of A Provider In Triage Program In A Level Iii Emergency Department, Rachel Parmer Mph, Msn, Fnp- Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: This project implemented a Provider in Triage (PIT) system in a small emergency department (ED) in Washington State. The employment of a PIT to decrease patient waiting time and improve ED flow was supported by a literature review. A needs assessment was conducted, which indicated potential benefit from a PIT system, particularly because several ED metrics are worse than national average.

Aims/Objectives: This project aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a PIT system by employing ED Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs). The objectives consist of evaluating the impact of a PIT system on the percentage of patients who leave without …

Multidisciplinary Team Approach To Prevent Hf Readmissions In Rural Areas, Naydu Lucas, Rn, Msn, Mba

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Despite the national efforts to decrease 30-days hospital readmissions, readmission remains a challenge for healthcare organizations across the continuum of care. The aim of this quality improve project was to develop and implement a multidisciplinary team approach to provide education to patients hospitalized with congestive heart failure (CHF) to improve 30-day hospital readmissions.

Method: This project was conducted in a critical access hospital in Northeast Washington. Using a pre-post design, we evaluated the 30-day readmission before and after implementing the multidisciplinary education program for patients hospitalized with CHF. The education focused on disease management, discharge education, pharmacy consult and …

Combating Pediatric Obesity With A Community-Based, Family-Centered Pediatric Obesity Prevention Program, Hillary Mayers, Msn, Fnp-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Overweight and obesity among children contributes to significant adverse health outcomes that reduce quality of life. Because children are influenced by the behaviors of their parents, there is a need for multicomponent family-based interventions within the community to help overcome these issues.

Objectives: This quality improvement project provided parents and children aged four to six years old with an interactive nutrition and physical activity educational program to increase their knowledge related to healthy lifestyle patterns and alter BMI status.

Methods: A 10-week pre/posttest design was implemented to evaluate outcome measures including BMI percentile, physical activity and nutritional habits, and …

The Effects Of Non-Pharmacological Interventions Consisting Of Earplugs And Eye Masks, Reducing Environmental Factors To Improve Self-Reported Sleep Quality In Icu Patients, Stephen Risch Msn, Rn, Ccrn, Ccns

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Intensive Care Units (ICU) are noisy environments that hinder sleep. Sleep disruption may have negative affects in ICU patients’ recovery.

Aims/Objectives The aim was to determine the feasibility, patient’s comfort level, and the effects of ear plugs, eye masks, and limiting nursing interventions on self-reported sleep quality during ICU stay.

Methods: This quality improvement project was conducted in a community hospital using a quasi-experimental design. Patients in the intervention group wore earplugs and eye masks with limited nursing interventions during nighttime hours compared to patients in the control group who received routine care. Patients subjective sleep quality was measured …

A Systems Perspective For Integrating A Community-Based, Family-Centered Nutrition And Exercise Program Into A Preexisiting Physical Extracurricular Activity, Chayna Hardy-Taylor, Msn, Fnp-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Childhood obesity continues to be a problem in urban areas despite an understanding of the causes and consequences. It is essential to develop ways to reduce childhood obesity from a systems perspective, addressing the multifaceted elements that contribute to it.

Objectives: This project aimed to implement and evaluate a community-based, family-centered nutrition and exercise program to improve health outcomes and long-term complications related to childhood obesity in a New Jersey city.

Methods: A 12-week nutrition and exercise program based on materials from Let’s Go 5210 was provided for children age 8-13 enrolled in a community organization dance class. Participants …

Increasing Adult Influenza Vaccination Rates In The Primary Care Setting, Leah Prescott Msn, Fnp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Provision of vaccinations is one of the most basic interventions aimed at health promotion and disease prevention in the primary care setting. Despite increased public awareness and improved access to vaccinations through minute-clinic settings, health fairs, and employer-offered vaccination clinics, adults in the United States continue to fall short of national goals. Literature demonstrates vaccination rates among adults vary widely and may be affected by a multitude of factors, however vaccination rates may be greatly improved with increased provider engagement.

Objectives: The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a program to improve immunization rates in …

Alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention, And Referral To Treatment Protocol In The Emergency Department, Malvis Ndips Achonduh Tamon, Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: The impact that results from inappropriate alcohol consumption poses challenges to public health. The rate of alcohol-related visits to the Emergency Department (ED) has increased, which has resulted in an increased annual cost of alcohol-related visits. ED serves as a common portal of entry into the healthcare system for many patients and offers a unique opportunity to impact drinking behaviors.

Objectives: To increase the number of alcohol screenings and brief interventions when indicated to adult patients who visit the ED and increase ED nurses' knowledge regarding alcohol misuse and indications for brief interventions.

Methods: An educational module was delivered …

The Effect Of Hypertension Education On Knowledge, Lifestyle Behaviors And Blood Pressure Management Among Parishioners In A Faith-Based Setting, Lynda N. Goodfriend, Msn, Rn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for life threatening events. Although evidence supports using faith-based settings to provide health education to better manage chronic conditions and prevent complications, HTN education is underutilized in this setting.

Aims/Objectives: This project aimed to assess the effectiveness of HTN education on knowledge, self-reported lifestyle behaviors and blood pressure (BP) management among parishioners in a suburban church.

Method: A pre-post educational intervention was used in this evidence-based project. BP screening identified 56 eligible adults and a convenience sample of 44 parishioners with HTN were enrolled. Participants received two 45-minutes educational sessions. Pre- and …