Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Enhancing Shared Decision-Making In Mental Health Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Joanna L. Hysler

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Shared decision-making (SDM) is an evidence-based approach that enhances patient engagement, treatment adherence, and clinical outcomes in psychiatric care. Despite strong support in the literature, SDM remains inconsistently implemented in mental health settings due to limited provider training, time constraints, and organizational barriers. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate an educational intervention designed to improve SDM utilization and provider confidence within a private outpatient psychiatric practice. The project was guided primarily by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework to support structured practice change, with Lewin’s Change Theory providing additional conceptual support. The intervention …

Quality Improvement Project: Reimplementation Of Bedside Reporting, Veronicah Banga

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Communication breakdown during nursing shift handoffs is a major patient safety challenge in healthcare today. At the project site, 85% of handovers occurred at the central nursing station, and most staff nurses expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the bedside reporting. In psychiatric nursing, unique barriers exist that make bedside reporting challenging, including patient confidentiality and an individual's diagnosis. Such barriers eroded bedside reporting (BSR) over time, leading to measurable safety risks and nursing dissatisfaction. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to reintroduce bedside handoffs using the Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation (SBAR) framework and to maintain BSR …

Eeg Studies Of Pre-Stimulus Activity During Turn-Taking In Naturalistic Conversation, Seyedmohamadreza Manzourolajdad

Student Works (2020-2029)

This study integrates conversational analysis principles and neural activity to investigate natural cognition and examine event-related brain changes. A wireless electroencephalography (EEG) device was used in an ecological validity setting to analyse pre-stimulus brain activity preceding conversational turns. This study aims to identify aspects of the conversation that reflect its naturalness in the aspect of listening and the corresponding brain activity by analysing the signals before and after a turn in a conversation. This research contributes to an ecologically valid understanding of natural conversation as a social action that enables seamless communication. Seven Malaysian participants (aged 19–22, M=20.46) engaged in …

An Atlas Of Human Siglecs Integrates Expression, Affinity, And Cis/Trans Sialoglycan Recognition Profiles, Shani Leviatan Ben-Arye, Edward N Schmidt, Zeinab Jame-Chenarboo, Claire Guetta-Oz, Fahima Mozaneh, Jaesoo Jung, Kelli A Mccord, Ronit Rosenfeld, Kan Zhong, Hongzhi Cao, Hai Yu, Xi Chen, Lori J West, Matthew S Macauley, Vered Padler-Karavani

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

All living cells have a sugar-coat that facilitates communication. Sialic acids cap mammalian glycans and are recognized by immune cells through sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) that regulate signaling by their cytoplasmic motifs. Inconsistent reports of Siglecs expression and sialoglycan recognition limit their therapeutic potential. Here we investigate 14 functional human Siglecs for their expression, glycan interactions and affinities. SIGLEC mRNA is broad in blood-derived monocytes and dendritic cells, restricted in natural-killer/B cells and absent in T cells, with similar Siglec-proteins expression in splenocytes. Binding to 114 glycans across 274 glycan microarrays, 220 splenocytes-assays and 132 cell-based arrays, reveal Siglecs …

Food Reintroduction After Negative Ofcs In Pediatrics: Dietary Frequency And Caregiver Attitudes, Olivia Pietrantozzi

Honors Projects

Food allergies in pediatric populations have been gradually increasing in prevalence and present significant nutritional risks requiring strict dietary management and psychosocial challenges. Oral food challenges (OFCs) serve as a gold standard in diagnosing food allergies and determining whether allergenic foods can be safely reintroduced to an individual's diet. However, caregivers of children may still experience anxiety and barriers that delay the reintroduction of foods, which can limit diet diversity and increase the child's risk of future allergy development. This study looked to evaluate the dietary frequency of allergenic food reintroduction following negative OFCs, as well as to assess changes …

Association Between Maternal Factors And Stunting Based On The Indonesia Family Life Survey 5 (Ifls-5), Charissa Otniel Sukamto, Siti Nur Fatimah, Noormarina Indraswari

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Stunting remains a major issue in Indonesia. Maternal factors during pregnancy are one of the key determinants in preventing stunting. This study aimed to analyze the association between maternal history during pregnancy (age, height, parity, and inter-pregnancy interval) and stunting, with a comparison between urban and rural areas.

Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study used data from 3,639 children aged 1-5 years old from the household survey of Indonesia Family Life Survey 5, conducted between late October 2014 and August 2015 within 13 provinces in Indonesia. Data was analyzed using chi-square and binary logistic regression methods.

Results: …

Self-Efficacy And Health Promotion: The Roles Of Family Health And Health Literacy, Müjdat Yeşildal, Yunus Emre Öztürk

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Chronic noncommunicable diseases are the leading causes of death globally and in Türkiye, emphasizing the need to explore how individual, familial, and informational factors shape health-promoting behaviors. This study examined whether family health and health literacy sequentially mediate the relationship between general self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors among adults in Türkiye.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 1,240 adults in Konya Province, Türkiye, between November and December 2022. Participants completed the Turkish versions of the General Self-Efficacy, Family Health, Health Literacy, and Health-Promoting and Protective Behaviors Scales. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and …

Examining The Psychometric Properties Of The Big Three Perfectionism Scale–Short Form (Btps-Sf) Among Malaysian Chinese Students At A Private University, Kam-Fong Lee, Ashraf Sadat Ahadzadeh, Shin Ling Wu

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Perfectionism is increasingly prevalent among young adults and is a significant predictor of pathological and behavioral outcomes. Despite its relevance, validated and reliable measures of perfectionism tailored to university students, particularly within the Malaysian cultural and academic context, are lacking. This study addresses this gap by examining the psychometric properties of the BTPS-SF among Chinese students at a private university in Malaysia.

Methods: Data were collected using a cross-sectional design with convenience and snowball sampling from 380 students aged 18–25 years, predominantly from a Chinese student population.

Results: The results of the exploratory factor analysis, conducted …

Organizational Governance Capacity And Organizational Resilience In Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study, Leyla Afşar, Selim Yazıcı

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aims to examine the relationship between organizational governance capacity (OGC) and organizational resilience (OR) in hospitals, with a focus on cross-institutional differences.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,143 employees from six hospital types in Istanbul, including university, Ministry of Health (state, training and research, and city), and private hospitals. Validated scales were used to measure OGC and OR. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, nonparametric tests, and structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess the relationships between these dimensions.

Results: Private hospitals demonstrated the highest levels of both OGC and OR (70%), followed …

Knowledge Of Parents And Guardians Of Computed Tomography Examinations And Radiation Risks In Children In Malaysia, Nur Maisarah Ali Wahab, Nur Hamizah Mohd Zainudin

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Early exposure to computed tomography (CT) imaging during childhood increases cancer risk, emphasizing the critical need to minimize unnecessary imaging in pediatric patients. This study aimed to assess parents and guardians’ knowledge about CT examinations and their associated risk following pediatric CT.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among parents and guardians who accompanied their children to a private hospital radiology department for CT examinations. The survey enquired about their socio-demographic, knowledge of CT examinations, and their radiation risks. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results: A total of 144 responses were …

Frailty And Fall Risk In Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study, Hatice Yılmaz, Nazmiye Çıray

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to examine the effect of frailty on the risk of falls in older adults aged 65 years with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: The study is cross-sectional and correlational. The sample included 146 individuals aged 65 years who had type 2 diabetes and visited the internal medicine outpatient clinic of a state hospital in Türkiye. The participants were assessed based on a personal information form, the Mini-Mental State Examination, Edmonton Frail Scale, Morse Fall Scale, and Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living. IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 was used for data analysis. …

Examination Of Health-Seeking Behavior In Individuals With Chronic Diseases, Dilan Aktepe Coşar, Hatice Demirağ, Aynur Cin

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Chronic illnesses are long-term, noncommunicable diseases that significantly affect daily life. In addition to physical symptoms, they can reduce quality of life by causing psychological effects such as anxiety and depression. Patients often seek health information to better manage their condition.

Methods: This study aimed to examine the level of health information-seeking behavior among individuals with chronic diseases and the factors influencing this behavior. The sample group for this descriptive study consisted of 306 individuals with chronic illnesses who visited X Hospital in northeastern Türkiye between April 1, 2024, and February 1, 2025. All individuals completed a …

Questionnaire For Eudaimonic Well-Being: Psychometric Validation Among Malaysian Youth, Mohd Ahsani A. Malek, Nurulwahida Saad, Suzana Mohd. Hoesni, Muhamad Ariff Ibrahim, Nurul Shafira Adi, Mohd Nazir Mohd Nazori

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The rising prevalence of mental illness underscores the need to understand how individuals can live and flourish under such conditions. In Malaysia, research has largely emphasized diagnosis and treatment, with limited focus on positive psychology and few validated instruments. This study aimed to translate and validate the questionnaire for eudaimonic well-being (QEWB) among Malaysian youth.

Methods: The QEWB was translated into Malay using back-to-back translation and administered to undergraduates from four public universities through a cross-sectional survey design. Convenience quota sampling was used, resulting in 229 respondents completing the online form to measure sociodemographic characteristics, eudaimonic well-being, …

The Mediating Role Of The Care Factor In The Effect Of Nomophobia On Nurses’ Job Satisfaction, Uğur Öner, Sinan Aslan, Erhan Ekingen

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to examine the mediating role of the Care Factor in the relationship between nomophobia and job satisfaction among nurses.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,083 nurses working in a province in Turkey between May and September 2024. Data were collected using a Descriptive Form, the Fırat Nomophobia Scale (FNS), the Care Factor Scale (CFS), and the Job Satisfaction Scale for Nurses (JSSN). All analyses were performed using SPSS 25, including descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression. Mediation was tested using PROCESS Macro version 4.0 (Model 4).

Results: The CFS-CS and …

Ai-Based Facial Expression Detection As A Support Feature For Cybercounseling: A Systematic Literature Review, Zahid Zufar At Thaariq, Hengki Tri Hidayatullah

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

The rapid expansion of digital mental health services has increased the use of cybercounseling, while simultaneously introducing challenges in interpreting nonverbal cues, particularly facial expressions, within technology-mediated interactions. This study aims to systematically examine the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in facial expression detection as a support feature in cybercounseling. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, drawing from multiple indexed academic databases. The included studies covered AI-based facial expression recognition, micro-expression analysis, depression detection, and relevant multimodal approaches. The findings indicate that deep learning–based models are capable of identifying facial patterns associated with emotional and psychological …

Implementing A School Nurse-Facilitated Communication And Tracking Bundle To Improve Vision Care Follow-Up Rates, Natalie Autumn Johnston

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Abstract

Problem: Children’s cognitive, physical, and social development are influenced by vision. This means that early interventions in school-aged children are critical. While school-based vision screenings are standardized and effective in identifying visual deficits, post-screening follow-up rates with eyecare professionals remain low. This trend is especially prevalent in underserved school districts, perpetuating systemic healthcare gaps.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the rates of follow-up eye care among school-aged students who fail vision screening will improve following the implementation of school nurse facilitated follow-up communication and referral tracking bundle.

Methods: This study will …

Behavioral Effects Of Cocaine After Activation Of Cb1 Cannabinoid Receptors In Male And Female Mice, Cade Baughman, Jejun Lee, Jessica Acheampong, Jihoon Choi, Sarah Seeley, Manoranjan Dsouza

ONU Student Research Colloquium

The goal of this study was to assess the behavioral effects of cocaine following activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in male and female mice. This study was undertaken because recently published data suggest sex-dependent behavioral differences after CB1 receptor activation. However, the sex-dependent effects of CB1 receptor activation on the rewarding and psychomotor effects of cocaine have not been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to address this gap in knowledge. The study will use adult male and female C57BL6 mice. CB1 receptors will be activated using synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55212. Behavioral effects assessed after CB1 receptor activation will include both …

Effects Of Limb Dominance On Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration In A 6-Ohda Rat Model Of Parkinson’S Disease Assessed By Immunoblotting, Jasin Aziz Porshia, Deanna Chaialee, Dipesh Pokharel, Kala Venkiteswaran, Thyagarajan Subramanian, Dilshan Beligala

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Effects of Limb Dominance on Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in a 6-OHDA Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease Assessed by Immunoblotting

Jasin Porshia^a , Deanna Chaialee^a , Dipesh Pokharel^b,c , Kala Venkiteswaran^{b, c, d} , Thyagarajan Subramanian^{b, c, d}, Dilshan Beligala^a

^aDepartment of Biological Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, USA

^bDepartment of Neurosciences and Psychiatry, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA

^cDepartment of Neurology, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA

^dDepartment of Neurology, Howard University, Washington, DC, …

A Single Administration Of Psilocybin Is Ineffective In Reversing Ptsd-Like Sequelae In A Rat Model Of Stress-Enhanced Fear Learning, Kylie M. King, Marisa J. Savini, Noelle M. Molnar, Evelynn J. Schneider, Savannah E. Straub, Joe Parker, Lillianna P. Puppel, Aleece K. Al-Olimat, Allison M. Bach, Phillip R. Zoladz

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Single treatments with psychedelics produce rapid, long-lasting antidepressant effects. Psychedelics may also exert anxiolytic effects and be useful in treating more complex psychiatric conditions, such as PTSD. However, less is known about the impact of these agents on PTSD-related symptoms. Thus, we aimed to determine whether a single administration of psilocybin could reverse PTSD-like sequelae induced by stress-enhanced fear learning in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were placed in Context A (circular, white conditioning box) and exposed to several uncontrollable footshocks (Stress) or no footshocks (No Stress). The next day, the rats were placed in Context B (square conditioning box with clear …

Psilocybin And The Related Tryptamine, Norbaeocystin, Exert Acute Anxiogenic Effects That Depend On Sex, Marisa J. Savini, Kylie M. King, Noelle M. Molnar, Evelynn J. Schneider, Savannah E. Straub, Joe Parker, Lillianna P. Puppel, Aleece K. Al-Olimat, Allison M. Bach, Andrew Jones, Phillip R. Zoladz

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Single treatments with psychedelics have demonstrated rapid, long-lasting antidepressant effects. However, psychedelics often produce unfavorable psychoactive effects that could worsen existing psychological distress. Thus, we compared the effects of psilocybin and the related tryptamine, norbaeocystin, on anxiety-like behavior in male and female rats. In Experiment 1, rats were treated with 1 mg/kg psilocybin (PSIL), 1 mg/kg norbaeocystin (NOR), or vehicle 30 min before a 5-min trial on an elevated plus maze (EPM) or in an open field test (OFT). On the EPM, PSIL led to decreased open arm time and fewer arm entries in males and females. NOR led to …

Abstract Book (Pdf), Lsu Health School Of Medicine

Medicine Research Day

No abstract provided.

Smartphone Use, Social Media, And Academic Procrastination In Secondary Education: A Multi Method Approach Investigation With Implications For School-Based Interventions, Haslee Sharil Lim Abdullah, Riza Amalia, Henny Indreswari, Im Hambali, Ronal Surya Aditya, Rusnila Rusnila

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Academic procrastination has become a significant challenge in digital learning environments, particularly among adolescents with high smartphone and social media usage. This study examines the relationship between mobile phone use and academic procrastination among 262 high school students in Indonesia using a cross-sectional survey, narrative review, and network analysis. Results show 75.6% of students exhibit medium and 20.2% high procrastination levels, with "alternative activities" like digital distractions as the main form (M = 15.87, SD = 2.92). No significant differences were found by gender (p = .067) or age (p = .412), but strong positive correlations emerged between gadget use …

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Of Evidence-Based Engagement Strategies To Reduce No-Show Rates, Jerrica Luster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High no-show rates in outpatient mental health settings remain a persistent barrier to effective care delivery, negatively affecting continuity of care, patient outcomes, and access to services. In the identified practice setting, inconsistent use of evidence-based engagement strategies beyond standard reminder practices contributed to missed appointments. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to evaluate whether a structured staff education intervention on evidence-based engagement strategies would improve staff knowledge as a foundation for enhancing appointment adherence. A quantitative pre- and posttest design was used to evaluate knowledge change following the intervention. Participants included outpatient mental health clinic …

Disruption Of The Lrrk2 Substrate Rab12 Facilitates Neurotransmission And Causes Hyperactivity In Mice, Xingjian Li, Yuanxin Chen, Huaixing Wang, Xue Zhang, Noah Guy Lewis Guiberson, Xianting Li, Jacqueline Burré, Junmin Peng, Hui Zhang, Zhenyu Yue

Department of Neuroscience Faculty Papers

RAB12 is a small GTPase and a validated substrate of LRRK2, a kinase genetically linked to Parkinson's disease (PD). While RAB12-LRRK2 signaling has been implicated in ciliogenesis and immune regulation, the neuronal function of RAB12 remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the role of RAB12 in synaptic physiology using Rab12 knockout (KO) mice. Rab12 KO mice developed normally but exhibited increased locomotor activity in adulthood. Electrophysiological recordings from striatal slices revealed enhanced presynaptic release probability and increased excitatory drive onto medium spiny neurons. Consistently, live-cell imaging of cultured cortical neurons revealed that Rab12 deletion facilitated, while Rab12 overexpression inhibited, synaptic …

Public Perception Of Equine Rabies And Its Implications For Future Education And Preventative Strategies, Kya Walton

Honors College Theses

This study examined the rabies knowledge, vaccination, and risks of exposures of horse owners/overseers across the state of Kentucky. Research was conducted to determine the need for public health educators and veterinarians to inform the public on rabies. Survey results concluded that respondents' general knowledge of rabies transmission and mortality rate was respectable, but knowledge relating to equine vaccination was comparatively lower. A weak inverse relationship was observed between general rabies knowledge and concern over an individual’s horses contracting rabies. A weak positive correlation was determined when looking into general rabies knowledge and the likelihood of vaccinating an individual’s horses. …

Ethnicity, Culture, And The Epidemiology Of Eating Disorders, Rebecca Atwell

Honors Theses

This systematic literature review addresses the research question: How does culture affect eating disorders? It examines the role of ethnicity and culture in shaping the prevalence, symptom presentation, and treatment of eating disorders across diverse populations. Although eating disorders have traditionally been studied in Western, predominantly White populations, growing evidence suggests that cultural norms, ethnic identity, globalization, and exposure to Western ideals significantly influence both the development and expression of disordered eating behaviors. Twenty peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024 were included. These studies were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO and selected …

How Mindfulness And Yoga Practices Are Implemented In Occupational Therapy, Madeline Roberts

Honors Theses

The application of yoga and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in occupational therapy (OT) and their effects on occupational, cognitive, emotional, and physical outcomes are examined in this literature review. Occupational therapy is a comprehensive, client-based field that helps people engage in everyday activities to improve overall well-being, health, and independence. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in using mindfulness-based interventions in occupational therapy, as they align with OT's focus on well-being and quality of life. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, WMU Library Search, and ScienceDirect to identify peer-reviewed research on mindfulness-based interventions, yoga, and occupational …

Modeling Early Human Heart Development Using An Ipsc-Based 3d Bioprinted Model Of Embryonic Heart Tube, Linqi Jin, Christian Park, Sunder Neelakantan, Shweta Karnik, Arnab Dey, Sarah Fineman, Roshni Nandwani, Carmen J Gil, Boeun Hwang, Melissa A Cadena, Vani Sridhar, Jing Wang, Yuxiao Wu, Connor J Evans, Lan Li, Sarah Rezapourdamanab, Mehdi Salar Amoli, Martin L Tomov, Ryan K Roeder, Reza Avazmohammadi, Lakshmi Prasad Dasi, Hanjoong Jo, Eric Weeks, Holly D Bauser-Heaton, Sean M Wu, Vahid Serpooshan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Human heart development depends on tightly coordinated genetic programs and biomechanical cues, yet the underlying cell-microenvironment interactions remain poorly understood because the developing heart is difficult to study in utero and accurate experimental models are lacking. Recent advances in stem cell biology and three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting now allow the construction of human tissue analogues with defined structure and function. Here we show a perfusable 3D bioprinted model of the human embryonic heart tube composed of layered myocardium, cardiac jelly, and endocardium. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells are cultured under controlled flow conditions, producing constructs with high …

The Implementation Of The Therapeutic Alliance In Aphasia Rehabilitation Research: A Narrative Review, Shelby Swiercz

Honors Theses

Background: The therapeutic alliance (TA), defined as the collaborative relationship between clinician and client, is widely recognized as a key factor influencing rehabilitation outcomes. However, within aphasia rehabilitation, its role remains underexplored and inconsistently measured

Methods: This narrative review examined peer-reviewed studies published between 1990 and 2025 that focused on adult aphasia rehabilitation and addressed the client-clinician relationship. Studies were identified through database searches, including PubMed, CINAHL, ComDisDome, EBSCO, and Google Scholar, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Most of the studies employed qualitative methodologies, particularly thematic analysis and semi-structured interviews, to explore patient and clinician perspectives. The therapeutic alliance …

Impact Of Optimized Afos On Functional Outcomes In Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy., Teresa Pierce, Alyssa Laforme Fiss, Mark Geil, Karl Barner

PCOM Scholarly Works

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the immediate functional impact of wearing ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) designed using the Optimal Segment Kinematics and Alignment approach to Rehabilitation (OSKAR method) versus wearing standard ankle foot orthosis (AFO)-footwear in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

Methods

Ten participants, ages seven to 13 years, from local pediatric clinics in a large suburban area participated in the study. Each participant wore both types of orthoses in a randomized order. This was determined by participants choosing a sealed envelope containing a sticker indicating which orthosis to be worn for the first data collection. Participants were …