Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Nature-Based Therapy Supporting Veterans With Mental Health Difficulties, Kaitlyne Dittberner

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Using nature has been linked to improvements in well-being for individuals with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (Bettmann et al., 2019). Combining nature with physical activity can increase feelings of revitalization, positive engagement, and energy with decreased feelings of tension, confusion, anger, and depression (Coon et al., 2011). Group-based activities for veterans can assist with the reintegration process back into the community as combat veterans value connections with like peers (Hawkins et al., 2016). Occupational therapy practitioners have the skills to analyze activities to make accommodations to allow veterans to be successful in the occupations in the nature-based …

Supporting Community Integration For Veterans With Mental Health Conditions Through The Lens Of Recovery: Rise-Ing Together, Erin Marie Ferebee

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Supporting Community Integration for Veterans with Mental Health Conditions Through the Lens of Recovery: RISE-ing Together

Introduction: This paper delves into the VA's commitment, aligned with AOTA guidelines, to enhance Veterans' well-being through the PEO model in occupational therapy during community reintegration. Highlighting recovery as a transformative process, it addresses mental health challenges, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, underscoring the central role of occupational therapy practitioners in providing tailored care. Shifting focus to the environment, drawing on studies (Pedersen & Wiser, 2021; Phelan et al., 2018; Sayer et al., 2021), the paper accentuates challenges and opportunities, …

Physical And Psychosocial Wellness For Individuals With Neurological Impairments, Emmalee Burtsfield

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Neurological impairments have been identified as the first leading cause of disability across the world and the second leading cause of death globally. There is a substantial financial impact associated with neurological conditions. Therefore, it is essential to consider how effective use of best therapy practices can help to reduce costs accompanying neurological impairments and promote quality of life amongst patients. The goal of this scholarly project was to promote physical and psychosocial wellness for individuals with neurological impairments. The project serves as a resource that can be utilized by patients and caregivers alike. The materials in this resource …

Peer To Peer: Implementing An Inclusive Program At A Midwestern School, Kaitlyn Rose Ekre

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Transitioning to and between school settings (i.e., home to elementary, elementary to middle school, middle school to high school) can be a challenging experience for everyone. In middle school, there is an increase in academic, behavioral, and social demands (Chen et al., 2020; Fontil et al., 2020). While most students are able to navigate the different demands of middle school, students with disabilities struggle with building relationships and interacting with their peers along with academics leading to low involvement in extracurricular activities, inconsistent access to the general education classroom, and an absence of peer interactions throughout the day (Biggs …

Developing A Sensory Room For Children With Autism Living On The Navajo Reservation, Rudessa Bedonie

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and restrictive or repetitive behaviors (Hirota & King, 2023). Children with autism demonstrate sensory challenges impacting their participation in activities of daily living and social engagement (Schaaf et al., 2014 & Travers et al., 2022). Occupational therapists often employ techniques and settings to enrich sensory experiences when working with children diagnosed with autism. Accessibility and awareness of occupational therapy services on the Navajo reservation are also restricted (Casimir, 2023). People on the Navajo reservation may experience cultural and language barriers with others, and limited …

The Wyld Outdoors: A Community Based Occupational Therapy Program To Address Mental Health Strategies In Rural Wyoming, Emily Ray

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: The WYld Outdoors: A Community-Based Occupational Therapy Program to Address Mental Health Strategies in Rural Wyoming

Background: Globally, there is an expressed need to address mental health promotion and prevention strategies in community-based settings (World Health Organization [WHO], 2022). To work toward meeting these needs it is important to start at a local level. Statewide initiatives in Wyoming have risen in recent years with goals to expand upon mental and behavioral health, but culture and lack of environmental means significantly impact accessibility to these resources (State of Wyoming [SOW], 2023). Based on literature findings there are even fewer local …

Helping Hands: Self-Managing Chronic Upper Extremity Pain, Kaylee Mae Athmann

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: This scholarly project aims to provide education on self-management techniques for chronic upper extremity (UE) pain. There are currently limited resources that properly educate clients on self-management techniques for chronic (UE) pain. Nevertheless, there is a need for a chronic UE pain self-management program because chronic pain affects individuals’ performance of all their occupations and has the potential to lead to social limitations, a decline in work ability and productivity and a decrease in quality of life. Furthermore, it is currently the leading cause of disability worldwide. Occupational therapy practitioners who focus on the UE are known as hand …

Increasing Code Blue Education For Staff Nurses To Reduce Stress And Increase Competency, Haris Ali

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE The goal for this project is to increase code blue education and knowledge for staff registered nurses during new employee orientation at a psychiatric teaching hospital. An educational video will be created consisting of code blue procedures. The goal of this video is to better educate registered nurses on code blue medical emergencies before their time on the unit floor begins.

BACKGROUND A code blue or rapid response team is critical for patients to receive proper medical care. The education of nurses has been shown to increase the knowledge and understanding of medical emergency teams and increase the utilization …

Plasma Protein Signatures Of Adult Asthma, Gordon J. Smilnak, Yura Lee, Abhijnan Chattopadhyay, Annah B. Wyss, Julie D. White, Sinjini Sikdar, Jianping Jin, Andrew J. Grant, Alison A. Motsinger-Reif, Jian-Liang Li, Mikyeong Lee, Bing Yu, Stephanie J. London

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Background: Adult asthma is complex and incompletely understood. Plasma proteomics is an evolving technique that can both generate biomarkers and provide insights into disease mechanisms. We aimed to identify plasma proteomic signatures of adult asthma.

Methods: Protein abundance in plasma was measured in individuals from the Agricultural Lung Health Study (ALHS) (761 asthma, 1095 non-case) and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study (470 asthma, 10,669 non-case) using the SOMAScan 5K array. Associations with asthma were estimated using covariate adjusted logistic regression and meta-analyzed using inverse-variance weighting. Additionally, in ALHS, we examined phenotypes based on both asthma and seroatopy (asthma with …

Risk Factors Of Glioma In Non-Hispanic White And Hispanic Children In California, Lixin Kang

Public Health Theses

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the risk of pediatric glioma in relation to multiple birth and parental characteristics as well as environmental exposures, in the overall California population and in racial and ethnic subgroups.

Methods: Leveraging a population-based linkage of statewide birth records and cancer registry data in California, we conducted a case-control study that included 3,244 cases who were born in California during 1982-2015 and diagnosed with first primary glioma at the age of 0-19 years during 1988-2015, and 162,200 controls who were born in California and frequency-matched to cases on year of birth. Odds ratios (OR) and …

Food Allergies, The Immune Response, And Preventative Treatments: Milk, Egg, And Shellfish Allergies, Marissa Dimatteo

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Food allergies have been an increasing concern worldwide with very little information on preventative measures and treatment. They can have long lasting and life-threatening consequences with a wide range of symptoms from hives to anaphylactic shock. Long recommended feeding guidelines, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and gastrointestinal alterations are thought to play a role in the increase in food allergies in infants. Early introduction of food, immunotherapy, and a properly supported gut microbiome have been recommended to decrease the likelihood of developing a food allergy and desensitizing the immune system.

Nursing Care During Natural Disasters, War Zones, And Mass Casualty Incidents: Implications For An Educational And Professional Overhaul, Erin N. White

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Emergency situations around the world are inevitable. Any nurse who practices for any period of time is sure to encounter situations like these. Their hospital may be flooded with traumatic and severely life-threatening patient cases where supplies can become scarce. In these situations, a nurse and all other healthcare personnel are expected to act effectively, efficiently and in a highly organized way. Despite this need, many hospitals fail to implement effective disaster preparedness programs and plans. This leaves healthcare workers at a loss for how to treat patients, communicate within and outside of the hospital, coordinate transport, and all the …

Aadej Comm 10 2 2024

AADEJ - The Communicator

The Communicator is the official journal of the American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ). It is published quarterly, distributed digitally via email to members, and posted on the Association's website, AADEJ.org. Each issue includes regular updates from the editorial team and AADEJ board, as well as feature articles on current issues in the field.

Effects Of The Covid-19 Crisis On Seafarers And Shipping, Raphael Baumler, María Carrera-Arce, Johan Hollander, Magnus Broström, Karolina Stark

Reports

The report is a testament to the remarkable resilience of the ships and port interface, and the adaptability of port workers and seafarers during the COVID-19 crisis. It also brings to light the vulnerabilities and trends within the sector. The ability of these workers to manage the shockwave ensured that trade flow continued, sustaining the world. However, this period had severe impacts on their livelihoods, starkly highlighting the industry’s inadequate consideration of its human element and the rapid pace of digitalization. The research employed a unique combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches to explore and cross-validate information. This included an …

Decoding U.S. Tort Liability In Healthcare's Black-Box Ai Era: Lessons From The European Union, Mindy Duffourc, Sara Gerke

Faculty Scholarly Works

The rapid development of sophisticated artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools in healthcare presents new possibilities for improving medical treatment and general health. Currently, such AI tools can perform a wide range of health-related tasks, from specialized autonomous systems that diagnose diabetic retinopathy to general-use generative models like ChatGPT that answer users’ health-related questions. On the other hand, significant liability concerns arise as medical professionals and consumers increasingly turn to AI for health information. This is particularly true for black-box AI because while potentially enhancing the AI’s capability and accuracy, these systems also operate without transparency, making it difficult or even impossible …

Etsu Health Annual Report - 2024, Etsu Health, East Tennessee State University

ETSU Health Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

Pediatric Vaccination Adherence: Enhancing Compliance Among First-Generation Asian American Parents, Katelyn Leong

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Vaccine adherence in the pediatric population refers to receiving vaccines as per the recommended schedule, which significantly reduces vaccine-preventable diseases and enhances community immunity. Vaccine hesitancy, driven by concerns such as safety, misinformation, or cultural beliefs can affect adherence. National coverage of state-mandated vaccines among kindergarteners declined from 95% to around 93% between 2019 and 2022, varying across different vaccines. Objective: This research proposal’s focus is to determine if an educational intervention targeting first-generation Asian Americans, who have adopted their immigrant parents' misinformation about vaccines, will effectively increase vaccination rates among their children. The study aims to assess the …

Optimizing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention And Education: In Adult Icu Settings, Danielle Gonzalez

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in adult intensive care patient units (ICU) is one of the most common and deadly nosocomial infections today. Studies have identified a gap in intensive care nurse ventilator education and compliance with hospital protocols. Overall increasing the rates of VAP and morbidity. Hospitals worldwide have shown a decrease in VAP rates after inheriting "VAP-bundles''. This includes nurse specific interventions and assessments as a preventative measure. However, studies failed to demonstrate which bundle interventions directly correspond to the prevention of VAP. Purpose: Address all components of education, a nurse’s ability to properly identify and understand the …

Developmental Effects Of Child Abuse: The Relevance Of Timing, Laura Luz Alvarez Pineda, Karla Susana Saldaña

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Early physical, sexual, and emotional child abuse has been associated with long-life cognitive, emotional, and physical health repercussions. Purpose: The current paper, in addition to a literature review, proposes a research design to examine the emotional outcomes of physical, emotional, and sexual child abuse on Hispanics when a psychosocial therapy program is implemented. Methods: Participants will be recruited from children’s hospitals, daycares, and preschools around the Bay Area. Parental-informed consent will be obtained prior to participation. This longitudinal quantitative quasi-experimental study will be comprised of three phases to measure posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms, and suicidal …

Impact Of Nursing Education On Kangaroo Mother Care: Neurodevelopment Outcomes In Preterm Infants, Giana Usac

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Preterm birth poses a significant risk to the normal trajectory of brain development, particularly in the cortex, which is responsible for higher cognitive functions, motor control, and socio-emotional processing. However, Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has emerged as an important early intervention capable of improving neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm newborns. This quantitative research proposal aims to assess the influence of nurse education on KMC practices, identifying pivotal periods in infancy when KMC has the most significant impact on neurodevelopment outcomes in preterm infants. The literature critique focuses on the efficacy of nursing education, the optimization of KMC regarding duration and frequency, …

Male Caregiver Strain: The Mental Effects Of Being An Informal Caregiver For A Family Member With Dementia And Alzheimer's Disease, Alessandra M. Barillas, Elijah Rammel B. Borja

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Caregivers are vital in fulfilling patients' primary care needs, and families prefer them over sending their loved ones to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia are prevalent conditions necessitating continuous assistance due to memory and cognition impairments. As a result, support is essential for tasks like mobility, feeding, bathing, and perineal care, as well as emotional and physical challenges inherent in caregiving. Purpose: Upon diving into the mental health impacts of serving as an informal caregiver for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, a notable research gap becomes evident, especially concerning male caregivers. This lack of information …

Unleashing Wellness: Exploring The Impact Of Pet Therapy On Anxiety Reduction, Quality Of Life, And Treatment Adherence In Pediatric Oncology Patients, Karina Brouwer

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Pet therapy is a complementary type of therapeutics in which a person and animal have a guided interaction with the purpose of helping someone cope with physical and/or mental illness. Animal-assisted therapy is used in numerous settings and has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and decrease anxiety and depression (Husson University, 2022). In particular, pediatric oncology patients have enormous amounts of stress in their lives, which leads to increased anxiety and decreased quality of life (Children's Cancer Cause, 2023). While evidence shows that integrating pet therapy in pediatric oncology patients produces significant benefits on …

Reducing Emergency Department Visits Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Teri Nguyen

Nursing | Student Research Posters

In the realm of pediatric healthcare, children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face unique challenges alongside their caregivers. Caregivers face challenges in accessing appropriate support and resources to effectively address the needs of children with ASD. Children with ASD struggle with sensory sensitivities, impaired safety awareness, and difficulties perceiving potential dangers which put them at greater risk for injuries. As a result, children with autism have higher rates of emergency department visits compared to their neurotypical peers. This research aims to assess the effectiveness of nurse-led home injury prevention and education in reducing emergency department visits for children with …

Postpartum Depression: The Effects On Infant Development During The First Year Of Life, Sophie John

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Childbirth is considered one of the most pivotal events in a woman’s life, bringing along profound changes. While often seen as joyful, the experience can be extremely challenging or stressful. This might trigger a wide range of emotions that can hinder a mother’s ability to care for herself as well as her newborn. Unlike temporary “baby blues,” postpartum depression (PPD) is similar to major depressive disorder, with symptoms like guilt, anxiety, hopelessness, and even suicidal thoughts. Though typically diagnosed within 4-6 weeks after birth, it often goes untreated or underdiagnosed due to inadequate screening. Untreated PPD can pose a risk …

Parental Presence Following Pediatric Invasive Procedures And Surgery, Jaymie Riza Torres, Franchesca Isabelle Andaya Lazaro

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Pediatric patients are severely affected by preoperative anxiety which can lead to postoperative complications and delayed recovery. This could be attributed to their developmental stage which determines their response to stress and fear. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate postoperative recovery outcomes in pediatric patients following the implementation of parental presence at the induction of anesthesia and upon first waking up. Method: This proposed research utilizes a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods through a quasi-experimental study. The target population consists of pediatric patients between the ages of three and eight years …

Impact Of Non-Pharmacological Interventions On Immunization-Related Anxiety Among Pediatric Patients, Jessica Ho

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Needle phobia in pediatric patients can be caused by previous negative experiences involving needles, hypersensitivity to pain, merinthophobia (fear of being restrained), and vasovagal reactions such as syncope triggered by the touch or sight of a needle (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Nurses encounter needle phobia across various patient care settings, from outpatient pediatric clinics to specialized children’s hospitals, affecting approximately two out of every three children (CDC, 2023). Needle phobia as a child can persist into adolescence, affecting approximately 20% of teenagers. This fear of needles often results in avoidance of vaccinations and other medical procedures involving needles. Vaccine hesitancy from …

Complementary Therapies For Postpartum Mothers Of Multiples, Jewel Thomas

Nursing | Student Research Posters

There are many systemic changes that happen to the body after giving birth. Special consideration should be given to recovery during the postpartum period. Common physical symptoms during postpartum are breast engorgement and nipple pain, vaginal bleeding, soreness in perineal area, cramping during uterine involution, increased sweating usually at night, constipation, and hair loss (Cleveland Clinic, 2024). A vulnerable population is women experiencing a multiple pregnancy, such as those carrying twins or triplets. These women are more likely to experience gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, anemia and/or postpartum hemorrhage (University of Rochester Medical Center, 2024). Amidst this crucial time, advocating for …

The Impact Of Roe V. Wade Overturning On Women’S Access To Medical Abortions: Exploring Alternative Care Models, Gillie Mason

Nursing | Student Research Posters

The Impact of Roe v. Wade Overturning on Women’s Access to Medical Abortions: Exploring Alternative Care Models

Medical abortion access is heavily influenced by state laws, with restrictive policies posing significant barriers for women seeking care. These barriers include limited local resources, travel burdens, and legal restrictions, which disproportionately affect marginalized populations. The Health Belief Model (HBM) highlights how individuals' perceptions of risks, benefits, and barriers shape their health decisions, making it an ideal framework for studying this issue (Rosenstock, 1974).

This research focuses on educating California-based providers to increase access to medical abortion services for patients in restrictive states. …

Evaluating The Mental Health Of Newly Graduated Nurses In Transition From Undergraduate Training To Professional Practice, Victor Louis C. Alinas Iv

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: There is an increasing demand for nurses worldwide as healthcare systems slowly recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Simultaneously, there is a high turnover of registered nurses and an even higher turnover in the demographic of newly graduated nurses. Newly graduated nurses (NGNs) are constantly faced with high levels of stress upon starting out in the professional environment and as a result of mental burnout and inadequate preparation, there is a notably high turnover of newly graduated nurses within their first year of employment. Purpose: This research aims to use existing information on the transition from undergraduate training to professional …

Psychosocial Factors Affecting Quality Of Life In Kidney Transplant Recipients, Lawrence Panlilio

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Kidney transplantation is the best solution to save lives for those that have end-stage renal disease. However, psychosocial issues play a huge role in their quality of life after the procedure which can affect these individuals negatively. These issues recipients face include depression and anxiety, a lack of social support, and self management difficulties. Objective: This research consists of investigating psychosocial factors that affect kidney transplant recipients’ quality of life. Evidenced by research, focused assistance with ongoing support in patients is essential after receiving surgery and recovery. A literature review was conducted that consists of research on studies with …