Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Speech Stigma: Exploring Predictors Of Attitudes Toward Nonspeaking Autistic Individuals, Kate Herrmann

Honors College Theses

Roughly 30% of autistic individuals are nonspeaking, meaning they do not (or very minimally) communicate with speech. Many nonspeaking individuals have the ability to communicate with others by using augmentative and alternative communication, such as speech-generating devices or communication boards. The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of speaking individuals toward nonspeaking autistic people through a survey measuring attitudes and stigma toward nonspeaking people, autistic people, and disabled people, respectively. Predictors of attitudes, such as contact, knowledge, gender, and psychological inflexibility were examined. It was hypothesized that participants who have more contact with and knowledge of nonspeaking, …

Ada News - 05/05/2025, American Dental Association, Publishing Division

ADA News

Established in 1970 as the official newspaper of the American Dental Association, the ADA News serves practicing dentists and others allied to the dental profession in the U.S. and internationally. It is the No. 1 source of news and information about the many benefits and services the ADA delivers to members daily as well as timely information on scientific, social, political and economic developments affecting dentistry and health care.

The Effects Of Healthcare Professionals Wearing Nail Enhancements, Sydney Johnson

Honors Capstones

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) continue to be a major concern in hospital settings, with one in thirty-one patients affected daily in the United States (CDC, 2020). While hand hygiene is widely promoted, the impact of nail enhancements worn by healthcare workers is often overlooked. Acrylics, gels, and other artificial nails can harbor bacteria even after handwashing and glove use, increasing the risk of infection transmission.

The purpose of this study was to explore whether hospitals with stricter nail enhancement policies have better staff hygiene practices and potentially lower rates of HAIs. This research used an original survey distributed to registered nurses …

Antiamyloid Monoclonal Antibodies In Alzheimer’S Disease, Part 1: Patient Selection, James R. Bateman, Tara C. Carlisle, Yanghong Yang, Christian Lachner, Melissa D. Stockbridge, Laura A. Flashman, Zeina Chemali, Nasir Alzbeidi, Peter S. Pressman, Carlos J. Martinez-Menendez

School of Medicine Publications

The availability of monoclonal antibodies directed against amyloid beta, for use as disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), represented a major shift in the field of AD research and treatment. U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals for the monoclonal antibody–based medications lecanemab and, more recently, donanemab provide clinicians with two antiamyloid therapy (AAT) options for targeting early symptomatic AD. The emergence of AAT has made careful biomarker-informed diagnosis of AD paramount, which was once reserved for highly specialized centers and research settings. Patient selection is complex, and although appropriate-use recommendations have been published, clinicians caring for patients with AD across …

Integrating Nature And Creativity: Exploring The Therapeutic Potential Of Expressive Arts Therapy In Eco-Retreats, Concetta Codding

Expressive Therapies Theses

This capstone examines the therapeutic potential of integrating expressive arts therapy and eco-therapy in immersive retreat settings. It highlights how combining creative expression with nature-based practices can holistically address emotional well-being, promote self-discovery, and foster communal support. Drawing on current research and insights from both brief and extended retreats, the study emphasizes the synergistic benefits of practices such as somatic movement, yoga, art-making, journaling, and guided engagement with the natural environment. Qualitative research and observations indicate that participants experience enhanced creativity, emotional release, a deeper connection to nature, and increased mindfulness. These outcomes are linked to trauma-informed approaches and an …

The Role Of The Jester: The Subversive Power Of Humor And Performance In Challenging Misogyny, Sarah E. Price

Expressive Therapies Theses

Humor has long occupied a complicated place in systems of power, sometimes reinforcing oppressive norms and other times offering a way to push back against them. This thesis explores how the archetype of the jester can be used in drama therapy to help individuals reclaim agency within misogynistic structures. Drawing from role theory, feminist performance studies, and Theatre of the Oppressed, the project examines how jestering, through satire, parody, and play, can act as a vehicle for resistance, healing, and empowerment. A review of existing literature shows that while humor has historically been used to uphold patriarchal norms, it has …

Exploring Dance/Movement Therapy Through An Existential-Feminist Lens For Perimenopausal Individuals In The Post-Covid Digital Age: A Literature Review, Karen Schmitz

Expressive Therapies Theses

The goal of this thesis was to understand the impact that perimenopause and the COVID-19 pandemic have on individuals and how existential theory and dance/movement therapy can be applied to enhance quality of life. The literature review first explores historical and current contexts of perimenopause. The second section covers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on caregiving individuals, particularly women. Subsequent sections introduce existential theory and dance/movement therapy frameworks, with a concentration on relevant concepts for the specified population. Research shows that during the COVID-19 pandemic, external pressures around appearance, reproductive value, and the societal expectations of women intensified. Overall, …

Using Expressive Arts Therapy With Autistic Children To Help Regulate And Build Coping Skills: A Literature Review, Swara Swaminathan

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review is about whether we can use Expressive Arts Therapy with autistic children to regulate and build coping skills. The author could not find articles that covers the entire topic, but she split the topic in terms of autism in India and various application of Expressive Arts Therapy globally. She was able to find Expressive Arts Therapy or Creative Arts Therapy was helpful to autistic children, or children with trauma. She could also notice the stigma of autism in India in some of the articles.

Dance/Movement Therapy As A Potential Complimentary Treatment For Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: A Literature Review, Ashley H. Marsden

Expressive Therapies Theses

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a debilitating condition predominantly affecting younger individuals, marked by extreme heart rate fluctuations, fatigue, and cognitive disturbances. This literature review explores the multifaceted nature of POTS, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies that incorporate both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. It highlights the promising role of Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) as a complementary treatment, which fosters emotional expression and enhances physical well-being. By synthesizing current research on POTS, pharmacological options, and innovative non-pharmacological therapies like DMT, this review advocates for a holistic approach to POTS management that recognizes the complexities of the disorder and addresses …

As If We Could Get Along: Dramatic Reality’S Influence On The Prosociality Of Adolescent Boys With Problematic Sexual Behavior, Joel David Bender

Expressive Therapies Theses

There is a strong need for novel treatment approaches for adolescents with problematic sexual behavior (PSB), considering that historically, treatment approaches for adult sex offenders have been blindly applied to youth. Adolescent boys with PSB are at risk for poor treatment outcomes when they engage in anti-social behaviors and group hostility. Dramatic reality, a core process in drama therapy, may assist in transforming the experience of boys in their capacity to exhibit prosocial behavior, given that dramatic reality inherently augments reality. This community arts workshop used purposive sampling in a day treatment center for adolescent boys with PSB and explored …

Communing With Lions: A Critical Literature Review Exploring Pan-Asian Lion Dance Traditions Through The Lens Of Expressive Arts Therapy, Sarah T. Ngo

Expressive Therapies Theses

Lion dancing is a cultural art form practiced in numerous Asian and Asian diasporic cultures across the world. While the dance has been studied both in a historical and ethnographic manner, little research exists on its therapeutic benefits. This capstone thesis explores lion dancing through the lens of the expressive arts therapies to uncover the therapeutic factors underlying the practice. It applies the Chadian dance/movement therapy framework as well as various expressive arts therapy frameworks to the lion dance. The literature review indicates that lion dancing has the potential to be therapeutic in a number of ways, which include: 1) …

Vocal Toning Increasing The Parent-Child Bond In Neonatal Care: A Proposed Method, Mikki Mcintire

Expressive Therapies Theses

Vocal toning in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is an innovative therapeutic method that greatly improves emotional connections between caregivers and fragile infants. This practice is more than just a new idea; it fosters the crucial relationships essential for developing newborns. Vocal toning also aids in stabilizing physiological responses and promoting emotional regulation in infants, who are often subjected to high-stress situations. Using structured vocalization techniques, caregivers can provide consistent auditory and vibrational cues that encourage relaxation and promote co-regulation with the infants in their care. This proposed approach examines the theoretical foundation, solid methodology, practical application, and anticipated …

The Effects Of A Helmet Cooling Fan On Productivity In Healthy Males During A Simulated Work Task In The Heat, Siya Patel, Douglas Casa, Monique Marcelino

Honors Scholar Theses

Rising global temperatures and heatwaves are forcing labor workers to work in hot indoor and outdoor environments that can lead to life-threatening heat-related injuries. These injuries impair physical and cognitive performance, negatively affecting worker performance and efficiency. To help manage the adverse effects of heat stress on workers, cooling strategies have been implemented to prevent increase in body temperature and improve work performance. These strategies include heat acclimation, proper hydration, cooling garments, cooling helmets and more. However, research on helmet cooling fans on mannequins shows conflicting results regarding its effectiveness in improving work performance. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate …

The Impact Of Maternal Mental Health On Child Development, Jessica White

Nursing | Student Research Posters

No abstract provided.

05.05.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Research Showcase Photos

Showcase Raffle Winners

Chancellor's Award for Research and Creative Scholarship

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Improving Therapeutic Communication Between Patients And Nurses Using The Commit To Sit Method In The Obgyn/Postpartum/Mother-Baby Unit, Simisola A. Shodunke

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

To improve patients’ perceptions of nurses by listening to their needs, helping nurses to engage with their patients therapeutically in the OBGYN/Postpartum/Mother-Baby unit. Aiming to increase patient satisfaction scores from 62.5% to 70% by December 2024 using the "Commit to Sit" method.

Background

The project was implemented in an OBGYN/Postpartum/Mother-Baby Unit, addressing the concerns of the patient’s perception of nurses not listening and addressing their needs which has contributed to a decline in patient satisfaction scores.

Methodology

The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model was used. Nurses were trained to sit at eye level with patients for 3–5 minutes per shift. Data …

Relationship Between Maternal Iron Indices In The Second Trimester With Cord Blood Iron Indices And Pregnancy Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study, J.P. Akshaykirthan, Manjunath S. Somannavar, M.S. Deepthy, Umesh Charantimath, S. Yogeshkumar, Amaresh Patil, Mrutyunjaya B. Bellad, Richard Derman, Shivaprasad S. Goudar

Global Health Articles

Background/Objectives: Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy poses risks to mothers and infants. This study aimed to correlate maternal iron indices in the second trimester with cord blood indices and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was nested within the RAPIDIRON Trial (Reducing Anaemia in Pregnancy in India) at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Karnataka, India. A total of 292 pregnant women with moderate anemia who received oral iron supplementation were enrolled from April 2021 to May 2023. Maternal iron indices were measured at multiple time points and correlated with cord blood indices and pregnancy outcomes.

Results: Increased hemoglobin levels were …

Tnf-Α-Driven Changes In Polarized Egf Receptor Trafficking Facilitate Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B Signaling From The Apical Surface Of Mdck Epithelial Cells, Syntyche Ngalula, Cathleen R. Carlin

Faculty Scholarship

This manuscript describes a novel unconventional secretory pathway that facilitates EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling from apical membranes in polarized epithelial cells responding to immune cell mediators. Epithelial tissues provide a physical barrier between our bodies and the external environment and share an intimate relationship with circulating and local immune cells. Our studies describe an unexpected connection between the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and EGFR typically localized to basolateral membranes in polarized epithelial cells. These two molecules sit atop complex biological networks with a long history of shared investigative interest from the vantage point of signaling pathway interactions. We …

On Metric Choice In Dimension Reduction For Fréchet Regression, Abdul Nasah Soale, Congli Ma, Siyu Chen

Faculty Scholarship

Fréchet regression is becoming a mainstay in modern data analysis for analysing non-traditional data types belonging to general metric spaces. This novel regression method is especially useful in the analysis of complex health data such as continuous monitoring and imaging data. Fréchet regression utilises the pairwise distances between the random objects, which makes the choice of metric crucial in the estimation. In this paper, existing dimension reduction methods for Fréchet regression are reviewed, and the effect of metric choice on the estimation of the dimension reduction subspace is explored for the regression between random responses and Euclidean predictors. An extensive …

Latin American Prevalence Of Glaucoma: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Denisse J Mora-Paez, Jaime Guedes, Dillan Cunha Amaral, Marcelo Alves Ferreira, Bruno Fernandes, Sacha Pereira, Bruno Botton, Alisha Desai, Helena Messinger Pakter, Fabio Lavinsky, Adroaldo Alencar Costa Filho

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of all types of glaucoma in Latin America (LATAM) and evaluate potential demographic associations. This study followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024506330). A comprehensive search of PubMed, SciELO, and Web of Science was conducted to identify population-based or cross-sectional studies reporting glaucoma prevalence in LATAM. Studies were categorized into two groups: Group 1 included general population studies without selection based on visual acuity (VA), and Group 2 included studies limited to individuals with VA < 20/60. Data from five studies in Group 1 (25,288 individuals) and eight studies in Group 2 (29,882 individuals) were analyzed using R software. The pooled prevalence of glaucoma was 4% (95% CI: 1–3%) in Group 1 and 1% (95% CI: 0–1%) in Group 2. No statistically significant associations were found between glaucoma prevalence and sex (p = 0.08) or age (p = 0.5669). Although our findings …

Silent Sparks: Gaining Clinical Experience To Implement An Occupation-Based Program In A Birth-3 Group With Deaf/Hard-Of-Hearing Children, Sydney Patrow, Moses Ikiugu

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This capstone project aimed to develop clinical skills and implement an occupation-based program for Deaf and hard-of-hearing (D/HH) children at Metro Deaf School in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Guided by the Dynamic Family Systems Model, Lifespan Development, and Sensory Integration Theory, the project emphasized holistic, family-centered care, skill development, environmental modifications, and promotion of regulation and participation. Clinical skill development was assessed using the Theory Application Assessment Instrument (TAAI) and a site mentor survey. An 8-point improvement from pretest to posttest on the TAAI indicated enhanced theory use skills, and the mentor survey reflected high satisfaction. The program included a five-week …

Circrna-Based Antimir Therapy: A Novel Approach To Hypertension Treatment, Vahideh Tarhriz, Kamran Hosseini, Leila Abkhooie, Eric Lazartigues

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The increasing recognition of the types and functions of non-coding RNAs has opened new avenues for their use as novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of chronic diseases such as hypertension. While most preclinical and clinical studies on hypertension focus on prognosis and treatment, there are still no specific therapeutic approaches for primary and essential hypertension. Modest efficacy and reduced long-term adherence to treatment underscore the need for novel, mechanism-based strategies to address the underlying molecular mechanisms. AntimiRs, as synthetic RNA molecules, and circular RNAs (circRNAs), as naturally occurring RNA species that function as microRNA sponges, could play a crucial …

Staff Education To Early Detection And Response To Patient Decline, Kein Gareth Rufino Pantaleon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project implemented a staff education program to enhance early recognition and escalation of patient deterioration. Conducted at a 343-bed acute care hospital, the initiative addressed the ongoing problem of delayed detection and response to clinical decline, which often results in rapid response team activations and code blue events. Delays in intervention increase patient morbidity and mortality, despite many of these events being preventable through timely action. The project evaluated whether an interactive targeted education program could improve nursing staff’s knowledge, confidence, and willingness to activate escalation protocols, including Condition H and Code Help. Pre- and post-education surveys were …

Evaluation Of A Multistage Implementation Of Medication For Opioid Use Disorder Services In Primary Care, Sarah Lawson, Allie Hamilton, Jordan Lazarus, Gregory A. Jaffe, Erica Li, Lara Weinstein, Susan Fidler, Erin Kelly

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Despite effective treatment for opioid use disorder, access to care is limited. Increased availability of evidence-based medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment within primary care is urgently needed. This study describes efforts to increase MOUD services within a large urban primary care practice.

METHODS: After an internal assessment of barriers to MOUD services, a two-phase approach was used to educate providers and to implement MOUD services within a primary care practice over 2.5 years. Physicians became X-waiver certified in the education phase and completed four internal training sessions. Physicians completed pre-post surveys to assess their intention to prescribe …

Normothermic Regional Perfusion In Donation After Circulatory Death: The Essential Role Of The Certified Clinical Perfusionist. A Scoping Review., Robert A. Perdue

Student Works

Background: Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) was the original mode of transplantation (e.g., first lung transplant in 1963 and first heart transplant in 1967) (1,2) but was largely abandoned post-1968 following the Harvard brain-death criteria (3). Recently, Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) has renewed interest in DCD by mitigating warm ischemic injury. However, Certified Clinical Perfusionists (CCPs), who manage the extracorporeal circuits essential for NRP, remain largely overlooked or underrepresented in protocols and literature, even though they are, according to the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP), the only professionals “formally educated and trained in adult and pediatric extracorporeal technology” (4). …

Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia-Linked Ryanodine Receptor Variants Exhibit Domain-Specific Calcium Leak And Calmodulin Affinity Properties, Hitoshi Uchinoumi, Xiaoqiong Dong, Ivanita Stefanon, Yi Yang, Eduardo Hertel Ribeiro, Bengt Svensson, Xander H T Wehrens, Takeshi Yamamoto, Razvan L Cornea, Robyn T Rebbeck, Masafumi Yano, Donald M Bers

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited stress-induced arrhythmogenic disease often caused by point variants in the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) that enhance diastolic sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ leak. These RyR2 variants cluster in three hot-spots (N-terminal, central and C-terminal domains). We previously demonstrated a pathologic diastolic RyR2 conformation in heart failure, oxidative stress and CaMKII phosphorylation exhibiting a trilogy of effects: (1) reduced calmodulin (CaM)-RyR2 affinity, (2) enhanced unzipping peptide (DPc10) binding and (3) elevated diastolic SR Ca2+ leak that are dantrolene-sensitive. Here we test whether this pathological trilogy occurs in CPVT knock-in (KI) mice bearing N-terminal (R176Q/+), …

Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial To Determine If Biomarkers Predict Response To A Pediatric Chronic Pain Symptom Management Program, Rona L Levy, Tasha B Murphy, Margaret M Heitkemper, Miranda A L Van Tilburg, Ann R Mcmeans, Jocelyn Chang, Cynthia Boutte, Katherine Lamparyk, Bruno P Chumpitazi, Robert J Shulman

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background/Objectives: Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), characterized by chronic abdominal pain and significant disability, affect 15-20% of children and adults and continue into adulthood in ~60% of cases. Costs for adults reach USD 30 billion per year, yet effective management strategies are elusive. Studies support using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but abdominal pain only improves in ~40% of patients. Dietary management (low FODMAP diet; LFD) has also shown promise but it is effective in only a similar percentage of patients. Studies suggest that biologic factors (biomarkers) contribute to CBT response. Similarly, gut microbiome composition appears to influence abdominal pain …

Rescue Of The First Mitochondrial Membrane Carrier, The Mpic, By Tat-Mediated Protein Replacement Treatment, Samar Zabit, Orly Melloul, Michal Lichtenstein, Erin L. Seifert, Haya Lorberboum-Galski

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

The mitochondrial phosphate carrier (mPiC), encoded by the nuclear gene SLC25A3, is synthesized with an N-terminus mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS), enabling its import into the mitochondria. mPiC imports inorganic phosphate (P_i) into the mitochondrial matrix for ATP production and other matrix phosphorylation reactions, as well as regulates mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake and buffering of matrix Ca²⁺. PiC also imports copper (Cu), crucial to COX subunit holoenzyme assembly. Variants in SLC25A3 exist and lead to mPiC deficiency (MPCD), cause a rare autosomal recessive disease with no current cure; patients with MPCD usually die within the first …

Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial To Determine If Biomarkers Predict Response To A Pediatric Chronic Pain Symptom Management Program, Rona L Levy, Tasha B Murphy, Margaret M Heitkemper, Miranda A L Van Tilburg, Ann R Mcmeans, Jocelyn Chang, Cynthia Boutte, Katherine Lamparyk, Bruno P Chumpitazi, Robert J Shulman

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background/Objectives: Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), characterized by chronic abdominal pain and significant disability, affect 15-20% of children and adults and continue into adulthood in ~60% of cases. Costs for adults reach USD 30 billion per year, yet effective management strategies are elusive. Studies support using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but abdominal pain only improves in ~40% of patients. Dietary management (low FODMAP diet; LFD) has also shown promise but it is effective in only a similar percentage of patients. Studies suggest that biologic factors (biomarkers) contribute to CBT response. Similarly, gut microbiome composition appears to influence abdominal pain …

Experience Of Coparents/Partners Of African American Mothers Participating In Breastfeeding Education, Samantha Hickson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Coparents and partners of African American mothers are critical in the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding and influence a woman’s decision to breastfeed. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of coparents/partners of African American mothers participating in breastfeeding education and its impact on the support they provide. Bandura’s social cognitive theory provided the theoretical foundation for this study. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 11 participants. Data analysis followed the traditional seven steps of interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings showed that while coparents and partners of African American breastfeeding mothers found breastfeeding education to be …