Medical Specialties Commons^™

The Effects Of Complex Elastic Band Training On Physical Fitness Components In Junior Female Handball Players, Mehrez Hammami, Ryland Morgans, Piotr Zmijewski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 10-week complex elastic band training (CEBT) program on athletic performance in junior female handball players. Methods: Participants (16.2 ± 0.5 years) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG; n = 16) or control group (CG; n = 14). The IG group performed CEBT twice a week during the 10-week intervention, which included eight 35-minute sessions, progressing in number of sets and band resistance for each specific exercise. The CG maintained regular in-season training. The modified T-test (T-half), squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump …

The Impact Of Physique On Strategy And Performance In The 400 M Hurdles Race Among Elite Male Athletes, Janusz Iskra, Subir Gupta, Krzysztof Przednowek, René V. Best, Arkadiusz Stanula

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: the objective of this study was to assess the impact of physique on the stride pattern and performance of elite male 400-m hurdles runners. Materials and Methods: this study is based on the analysis of the performance of 297 male 400-m hurdlers in 13 Olympic games, 16 world championships, and 15 European championships. The hurdlers were divided into 4 groups, based on their height and body mass index (BMI) – taller and heavier (TH), taller and lighter (TL), shorter and heavier (SH), and shorter and lighter (SL). Times taken to complete various phases of the 400-m hurdles race – …

Sex-Based Differences In Melanoma Survival Improvement From 2004 To 2018, Vikram R Shaw, Angela Hudock, Baoyi Zhang, Christopher Amos, Chao Cheng

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Simple Summary

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and its incidence and mortality may vary by demographic factors, such as sex, age, race, and socioeconomic status. Few studies, however, have characterized disparities in survival improvement across these demographic groups in melanoma. In the present study, the authors highlight disparities in melanoma survival improvement, both in diagnosed melanoma and carcinoma in situ. While melanoma survival has improved overall, some patient subgroups have experienced a lower improvement in survival from 2004 to 2018.

Abstract

Background: Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and its incidence and mortality vary by …

Benefits Of Pilates Exercises On Functional Fitness And Quality Of Life In Older Men: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Mohammad Khazaei, Jolanta Marszałek, Reza Aminzadeh, Elham Dehghani, Bahador Azizi

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: As age increases, declines in basic motor skills are observed in older men. Limited physical activity-based interventions, such as Pilates exercises, focus on enhancing these basic motor skills. This study aimed to identify the benefits of Pilates exercises on functional fitness and the quality of life in older men.

Material and Methods: Older men were randomly assigned to either a Pilates exercises group or a control group. Balance, strength, flexibility, and agility were tested using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT). The Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (SF-36) assessed the quality of life before and after 6 weeks of Pilates exercises. Differences over …

Racial Disparities In The Utilization Of Invasive Neuromodulation Devices For The Treatment Of Drug-Resistant Focal Epilepsy, Juan Luis Alcala-Zermeno, Brandy Fureman, Caitlin L. Grzeskowiak, Ojas Potnis, Maria Taveras, Margaret W. Logan, Delanie Rybacki, Daniel Friedman, Daniel Lowenstein, Ruben Kuzniecky, Jacqueline French, Hep2 Investigators

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Racial disparities affect multiple dimensions of epilepsy care including epilepsy surgery. This study aims to further explore these disparities by determining the utilization of invasive neuromodulation devices according to race and ethnicity in a multicenter study of patients living with focal drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). We performed a post hoc analysis of the Human Epilepsy Project 2 (HEP2) data. HEP2 is a prospective study of patients living with focal DRE involving 10 sites distributed across the United States. There were no statistical differences in the racial distribution of the study population compared to the US population using census data except for …

The Digital Transition: Are Adults Aged 65 Years Or Older Willing To Complete Online Forms And Questionnaires In Patient Portals?, Nancy P Gordon, Sherry Zhang, Joan C Lo, Christina F Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Patients are being encouraged to complete forms electronically using patient portals rather than on paper, but willingness of older adults to make this transition is uncertain.

METHODS: The authors analyzed data for 4105 Kaiser Permanente Northern California 2020 Member Health Survey respondents aged 65-85 years who answered a question about willingness to complete online forms and questionnaires using a patient portal. Data weighted to the Kaiser Permanente Northern California membership were used to estimate percentages of older adults willing to complete patient portal forms and questionnaires. Chi-square tests and log-Poisson regression models that included sociodemographic, internet use, and patient …

Relationship Between Functional Movement Screen Scores And Postural Stability In Football Players: An Asymmetrical Approach, Yücel Makaracı, Kazım Nas, Kerem Gündüz, Mehmet İleri

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Unilateral preference is dominant due to the intensive use of sport-specific movements in football. However, little is known about the possible correlation between unilateral functional movement and the center of pressure-based postural performance. The main aim of this study is to examine the correlation between functional movement screen (FMS) and postural stability in football players from an asymmetrical perspective. Materials and Methods: Fifty professional football players (male n = 25; age 21.40 ± 1.94 years; female n = 25; age 21.04 ± 1.24 years) volunteered for this study. All subjects completed a FMS test consisting of seven items and …

Opportunities And Challenges For The Use Of Deep Brain Stimulation In The Treatment Of Refractory Major Depression, Prashin Unadkat, Joao Quevedo, Jair Soares, Albert Fenoy

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Major Depressive Disorder continues to remain one of the most prevalent psychiatric diseases globally. Despite multiple trials of conventional therapies, a subset of patients fail to have adequate benefit to treatment. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising treatment in this difficult to treat population and has shown strong antidepressant effects across multiple cohorts. Nearly two decades of work have provided insights into the potential for chronic focal stimulation in precise brain targets to modulate pathological brain circuits that are implicated in the pathogenesis of depression. In this paper we review the rationale that prompted the selection of various brain …

A Novel Spatiotemporal Graph Convolutional Network Framework For Functional Connectivity Biomarkers Identification Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Ying Zhang, Le Xue, Shuoyan Zhang, Jiacheng Yang, Qi Zhang, Min Wang, Luyao Wang, Mingkai Zhang, Jiehui Jiang, Yunxia Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Functional connectivity (FC) biomarkers play a crucial role in the early diagnosis and mechanistic study of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the identification of effective FC biomarkers remains challenging. In this study, we introduce a novel approach, the spatiotemporal graph convolutional network (ST-GCN) combined with the gradient-based class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) model (STGC-GCAM), to effectively identify FC biomarkers for AD.

METHODS: This multi-center cross-racial retrospective study involved 2,272 participants, including 1,105 cognitively normal (CN) subjects, 790 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) individuals, and 377 AD patients. All participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and T1-weighted MRI scans. In this study, …

The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Juvenile Offender Typology, Aliza Beth Lipman

Dissertations and Theses

Approximately 1 in 5 girls and in 20 boys in the United States are victims of child sexual assault every year. Child sexual assault can lead to multiple negative short term and long-term impacts affecting general health, mental health, interpersonal relationships, socio-economic status, criminal behavior and more. Prevention research focuses on a thorough understanding of the perpetrators of assault and the context surrounding offenses in order to reduce and prevent assault. Within this research, juvenile offenders are perceived as a single homogenous group whereas adult offenders are consistently specified based on offender and offense characteristics. The exploration of the relationship …

Adaptive Changes In Young Football Players Working In A Modified Tactical Periodization Model Based On The Example Of Endurance., Marta Szymanek-Pilarczyk, Michał Jakub Nowak, Jacek Wąsik

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Adequate endurance is a critical element of success in football, both at professional and amateur levels. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of training based on a modified wave (repeating) periodization model on the endurance of players aged 12–16 at the RKS Raków Academy in 2018–2022.

Material and Method: The analysis involved football players aged 12 to 16 with 4–8 years of training experience, involved in a program called "wave periodization". Two tests were performed each year, one in June (Test A) and the other one in December (Test B). Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS) and Velocity Intermittent …

Health Care Costs Among Patients With Hematologic Malignancies Receiving Allogeneic Transplants: A Us Payer Perspective, Richard Maziarz, Usama Gergis, Marie Louise Edwards, Yan Song, Qing Liu, Annika Anderson, James Signorovitch, Rocio Manghani, Ronit Simantov, Heayoung Shin, Smitha Sivaraman

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) require extensive care. Using the Merative MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database (2016 Q1-2020 Q2), we quantified the costs of care and assessed real-world complication rates among commercially insured US patients diagnosed with a hematologic malignancy and aged between 12 and 64 years undergoing inpatient allo-HCT. Health care resource use and costs were assessed from 100 days before HCT to 100 days after HCT. Primary hospitalization was defined as the time from HCT until first discharge date. Incidence of complications was assessed using medical billing codes from HCT date to …

Commentary On 2022 Guidelines On Clinical Trial Design In Cluster Headache And Further Suggestions, Ioana Medrea, Stewart J Tepper, Donliang Wang, Paul G Mathew, Mark Burish

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: New guidelines for cluster headache clinical trials were recently published. We welcome these new guidelines and raise additional considerations in trial methodologies.

MAIN BODY: We present non-inferiority trials to overcome ethical issues with placebo use, and additionally discuss issues with trial recruitment.

CONCLUSIONS: We highlight some possible issues and solutions to be considered with the recently published cluster headache trial guidelines.

A Systematic Review Of Naldemedine And Naloxegol For The Treatment Of Opioid-Induced Constipation In Cancer Patients, Ursula K Braun, Leanne K Jackson, Mary A Garcia, Syed N Imam

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Background: Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a pervasive and distressing side effect of chronic opioid therapy in patients with cancer pain, significantly impacting their quality of life. Peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAS) were developed for treatment-resistant OIC but most studies were conducted with non-cancer patients.

Objective: to discuss two oral formulations of PAMORAs, naldemedine and naloxegol, and to review available evidence of the effectiveness of these drugs for OIC in cancer patients.

Methods: a comprehensive search to identify primary literature for either naldemedine or naloxegol for OIC in cancer patients.

Results: Only three prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials for …

Rational Prescribing Of Pancreatic Enzymes For Patients With Pancreatic Cancer, Mary Acelle G Garcia, Syed Imam, Ursula K Braun, Leanne K Jackson

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Most patients with pancreatic cancer at some point present with symptoms related to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). These include diarrhea, abdominal bloating, indigestion, steatorrhea, weight loss, and anorexia. Even though up to 80% of pancreatic cancer patients eventually present with symptoms related to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, only 21% are prescribed pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). Its effectiveness is also highly dependent on its proper timing of administration, and patients must be thoroughly educated about this. The impact of symptoms of EPI can lead to poorer overall well-being. Pharmacists play a crucial role in properly educating patients on the correct use …

A Genotyping Array For The Globally Invasive Vector Mosquito, Aedes Albopictus, Luciano Veiga Cosme, Margaret Corley, Thomas Johnson, Dave W Severson, Guiyun Yan, Xiaoming Wang, Nigel Beebe, Andrew Maynard, Mariangela Bonizzoni, Ayda Khorramnejad, Ademir Jesus Martins, José Bento Pereira Lima, Leonard E Munstermann, Sinnathamby N Surendran, Chun-Hong Chen, Kevin Maringer, Isra Wahid, Shomen Mukherjee, Jiannon Xu, Michael C Fontaine, Elizabet L Estallo, Marina Stein, Todd Livdahl, Patricia Y Scaraffia, Brendan H Carter, Motoyoshi Mogi, Nobuko Tuno, James W Mains, Kim A Medley, David E Bowles, Richard J Gill, Roger Eritja, Ranulfo González-Obando, Huynh T T Trang, Sébastien Boyer, Ann-Marie Abunyewa, Kayleigh Hackett, Tina Wu, Justin Nguyễn, Jiangnan Shen, Hongyu Zhao, Jacob E Crawford, Peter Armbruster, Adalgisa Caccone

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Although whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is the preferred genotyping method for most genomic analyses, limitations are often experienced when studying genomes characterized by a high percentage of repetitive elements, high linkage, and recombination deserts. The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), for example, has a genome comprising up to 72% repetitive elements, and therefore we set out to develop a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip to be more cost-effective. Aedes albopictus is an invasive species originating from Southeast Asia that has recently spread around the world and is a vector for many human diseases. Developing an accessible genotyping platform is essential in …

Surgery Of The Palatomaxillary Structure, Jessica R Burgess, Kathleen C Heneghan, Tarra G Barot, Jonah J Stulberg

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) are increasing, challenging surgeons to adjust post-operative pain management guidelines. A literature review identified limited information on how to best care for these patients. The purpose of this study was to determine surgical perioperative management of OUD, challenges, and support needed for optimal care.

METHODS: This study utilized an anonymous voluntary survey that was distributed to members of the American College of Surgeons through the association's electronic weekly newsletter. The survey was advertised weekly for three consecutive weeks. The survey included questions regarding surgeons' management of perioperative pain in patients with opioid use …

A Systematic Review Of The Social Determinants Of Health In Shoulder Arthroplasty Outcomes, Allison Boland, John Pum, Michael Gaudiani, Matthew A. Gasparro

Medical Student Research Symposium

This systematic review investigates the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on outcomes in shoulder arthroplasty (SA). SA, a common orthopedic procedure, has seen an increasing focus on SDOH influencing postoperative results. The study aims to comprehensively assess this impact on both surgical and patient-reported outcomes.

Through a systematic search of databases, 34 studies (2011-2021) met the inclusion criteria, involving 4,825,547 patients. Explored SDOH included insurance status, race/ethnicity, age, sex, income, social support, and veteran status. Outcomes considered were length of stay, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, total SA rates, revision rates, complication rates, and discharge status.

Findings …

Racial Disparities In Palliative Care Utilization In The Covid-19 Pandemic, Margaret S. Bove, Benjamin Huber, Myles Hardeman, Daniel Harris, Areeba Jawed, Amber Comer

Medical Student Research Symposium

BACKGROUND

Palliative care is a vital resource for the critically or terminally ill. It has myriad benefits such as improved quality of life, reduced depressive symptoms, and decreased scarce resource utilization. Self-identified Black/African patients, however, are less likely to utilize advanced care directives or engage in hospice/comfort care measures and are more likely to prefer intensive treatment at the end of life. There is no research, however, on how the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected these trends.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of patients who experienced in hospital mortality or in hospital hospice due to COVID-19 between March 2020 – …

Assessing The Influence Of Covid-19 Lockdown Measures On Cognition And Behavior In School Age Children In Arba Minch Health And Demographic Surveillance Site, Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Befikadu Tariku Gutema, Eshetu Zerihun Tariku, Zeleke Aschalew Melketsedik, Bruno Levecke, Stefaan De Henauw, Amina Abubakar, Souheila Abbeddou

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Ethiopian schools were closed for nearly 40 weeks as a measure to control the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the study was to evaluate the role of COVID-19 pandemic’s restrictive measures on cognition and behavioral difficulties of schoolchildren in Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance Site. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted in November 2019 (pre-COVID-19-lockdown) and November 2020 (post-COVID-19 lockdown). Data were collected both at the school and homes of the children. Cognitive development of the children was assessed using digit span, Raven’s coloured progressive matrices (RCPM) and Visual search using cancellation task. Behavioral difficulties score of the children was …

Virtual Reality For Pain Management During High-Resolution Manometry: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Ilan Palte, Sarah Stewart, Hal Rives, James A Curtis, Necati Enver, Andrew Tritter, Katerina Andreadis, Valentina Mocchetti, Felice Schnoll-Sussman, Amir Soumekh, Rasa Zarnegar, Philip Katz, Anaïs Rameau

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: High-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders. HRM is typically performed in the office with local anesthesia only, and many patients find it unpleasant and painful. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the use of a virtual reality (VR) headset on pain and anxiety outcomes in patients with dysphagia undergoing HRM.

Methods: Patients with dysphagia were prospectively recruited and randomized to undergo HRM with and without VR distraction. Data collected included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-6 (STAI-6), the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, heart rate, and galvanic skin …

Financial-Legal Navigation Reduces Financial Toxicity Of Pediatric, Adolescent, And Young Adult Cancers, Jean Edward, Kimberly D. Northrip, Mary Kay Rayens, Andrea Welker, Rachel O'Farrel, Jennifer Knuf, Haafsah Fariduddin, Julia Costich, John A. D'Orazio

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Background: Pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients with cancer and their caregivers are at high risk of financial toxicity, and few evidence-based oncology financial and legal navigation programs exist to address it. We tested the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of Financial and Insurance Navigation Assistance, a novel interdisciplinary financial and legal naviga- tion intervention for pediatric, adolescent and young adult patients and their caregivers.

Methods: We used a single-arm feasibility and acceptability trial design in a pediatric hematology and oncology clinic and collected preintervention and postintervention surveys to assess changes in financial toxicity (3 domains: psychological response/ Comprehensive Score …

Ketamine For Pain In Sickle Cell Disease Reduces Opioid Usage, Christina O Onyebuchi, Corrie E Chumpitazi, Jennifer L Placencia, Andrea N Jackson, Jennifer L Jones, Laura Torres, Venée N Tubman

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

CONTEXT: Pain attributable to sickle cell disease (SCD) is often unpredictable, recurrent, and requires complex treatments. Subanesthetic ketamine infusion has been studied in other diseases and disorders, but there is still limited data on its efficacy in pain management for SCD.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective is to determine if subanesthetic ketamine infusion reduces pain scores and opioid requirements in hospitalized pediatric patients with SCD.

RESULTS: Forty-six admissions among 22 patients between February 2018 and December 2019 were analyzed. We observed decrease in pain scores within 24 hours of ketamine initiation in 34 of 46 admissions (mean pain score per patient …

A Phase 1 Trial Utilizing A Pharmacokinetic Endpoint To Determine The Optimal Dose Of Ramucirumab In Children And Adolescents With Relapsed Or Refractory Solid Tumors, Including Central Nervous System Tumors, Kristy L Pilbeam, Kamnesh Pradhan, James Croop, Charles G Minard, Xiaowei Liu, Stephan D Voss, Emasenyie Isikwei, Stacey L Berg, Joel M Reid, Elizabeth Fox, Brenda J Weigel

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Background: Ramucirumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds the extracellular domain of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR-2) and prevents binding of VEGF ligands. Based on population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis and correlation with efficacy in adults, a target steady state trough concentration (Css,min ) ≥ 50 µg/mL was established.

Procedures: This phase 1 trial (ADVL1416) used a rolling six design and a PK primary endpoint to define the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of ramucirumab in children with recurrent/refractory solid tumors. Two dose levels (DL) were planned (DL1: 8 mg/kg, DL2: 12 mg/kg administered intravenously [IV] every 2 weeks). Toxicity …

Case Sampling For Evaluating Hospital Postoperative Morbidity In Us Surgical Quality Improvement Programs, Vivi W Chen, Tracey Rosen, Yongquan Dong, Peter A Richardson, Jennifer R Kramer, Laura A Petersen, Nader N Massarweh

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Importance: US surgical quality improvement (QI) programs use data from a systematic sample of surgical cases, rather than universal review of all cases, to assess and compare risk-adjusted hospital postoperative complication rates. Given decreasing postoperative complication rates over time and the types of cases eligible for abstraction, it is unclear whether case sampling is robust for identifying hospitals with higher than expected complications.

Objective: To compare the assessment of hospital 30-day complication rates derived from sampling strategy used by some US surgical QI programs relative to universal review of all cases.

Design, setting, and participants: This US hospital-level analysis took …

Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias In Persons With Glaucoma: A National Cohort Study, Casey Crump, Jan Sundquist, Weiva Sieh, Kristina Sundquist

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Glaucoma is a heterogeneous group of optic neuropathies that potentially may be associated with other cerebral neurodegenerative processes leading to dementia. However, prior studies have been inconsistent. We examined dementia risks after glaucoma diagnosis in a large population-based cohort.

DESIGN: National matched cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 324 730 persons diagnosed with glaucoma during 1995-2017 in Sweden and 3 247 300 age- and sex-matched population-based controls without prior dementia.

METHODS: Cox regression was used to compute hazard ratios (HRs) for Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and all-cause dementia in persons with glaucoma compared with controls, adjusting for …

Quality Indicators In Surgical Oncology: Systematic Review Of Measures Used To Compare Quality Across Hospitals, Megan Mcleod, Kari Leung, C S. Pramesh, Peter Kingham, Miriam Mutebi, Julie Torode, Andre Ilbawi, Jade Chakowa, Richard Sullivan, Ajay Aggarwal

General Surgery, East Africa

Background: Measurement and reporting of quality indicators at the hospital level has been shown to improve outcomes and support patient choice. Although there are many studies validating individual quality indicators, there has been no systematic approach to understanding what quality indicators exist for surgical oncology and no standardization for their use. The aim of this study was to review quality indicators used to assess variation in quality in surgical oncology care across hospitals or regions. It also sought to describe the aims of these studies and what, if any, feedback was offered to the analysed groups.

Methods: A literature search …

Cultural Context Index: A Geospatial Measure Of Social Determinants Of Health In The United States, Alaina M Beauchamp, Gordon C Shen, Syed H Hussain, Atif Adam, Linda Highfield, Kai Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Minority populations will continue to grow in the United States. Such pluralism necessitates iterative, geospatial measurements of cultural contexts. Our objective in this study was to create a measure of social determinants of health in geographic areas with varying ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity in the United States. We extracted geographic information systems data based on community characteristics that have known associations with population health disparities from 2015 to 2019. We used principal component analysis to construct a Cultural Context Index (CCI). We created the CCI for 73,682 census tracts across 50 states and five inhabited territories. We identified hot …

Development And Feasibility Pilot Study Of Indigenous Recovery Planning: A Community-Engaged Approach To Addressing Substance Use In A Native Community, Monica C Skewes, Vivian M Gonzalez, Julie A Gameon, Adriann Ricker, Shannon Martell, Martel Reum, Shannon Holder

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Although Native (American Indian and Alaska Native [AI/AN]) populations have high rates of abstinence from alcohol, health problems associated with substance use remain a pressing concern in many AI/AN communities. As part of a longstanding community-based participatory research (CBPR) project involving five years of relationship building and three preliminary studies, our team of academic and community co-researchers developed a culturally grounded intervention to facilitate recovery from substance use disorders among tribal members from a rural AI reservation. Our Indigenous Recovery Planning (IRP) intervention consists of six weekly sessions and aims to provide inroads to existing resources in the community, affirm …

Techniques In Medicine: Ipsilateral Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection In Bertolotti’S Syndrome, Peter D Vu, Christopher L Robinson, Omar Viswanath, Ivan Urits, Jamal Hasoon

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Bertolotti's syndrome, also known as lumbosacral transitional vertebrae, is a relatively rare spinal condition characterized by an anatomical variation in the lower spine. Conservative approaches such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and lifestyle modifications may be recommended for mild cases. In more severe cases or when conservative measures fail to provide relief, injections such as may be considered to alleviate pain. This case is unique in that we document a challenging technique of ipsilateral transforaminal epidural steroid injection in a patient with Bertolotti's syndrome.