Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Determinants Of Vaccine Hesitancy Among Parents And Caregivers, Priya Srivastava

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

•Vaccination efforts in the United States and globally are one of the largest contributors to pediatric preventative health

•Routine immunizations in the U.S for children ≤ 10 years old cover 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. As a result, an estimated 732,000 deaths, 21 million hospitalizations, and 322 diagnosed cases of diseases have been prevented between 1993 and 2013.

•Vaccines remain a point of contention with pediatricians and their patients' caregivers

•Many parents maintain hesitancy to give vaccines; to a number of reasons. Perceived risk and fear of side effects from vaccines more than the disease itself, can cause out-of-proportion concern

•Misinformation spread …

Evaluating The Prevalence Of Postpartum Substance Use In South Jersey, Hebba Ahmad, Joanna Petrides

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The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of substance use among women who experience postpartum depression. Looking at South Jersey women in particular, we aimed to compare the rates of women who began to engage in substance use after undergoing labor within the past one year who are covered by private health insurance versus those with Medicaid coverage. A retrospective chart review was performed, and although the small sample size limited our attempts at data analysis, it revealed that there is work to be done in this field. There needs to be methods in reducing the stigma …

Biopsychosocial Case Report, David F. Lo, Gaurav Kumar, Don D. Shamilov

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Ms. R, a 32-year-old Hispanic female, suffers from severe anxiety exacerbated by a car accident and past struggles with depression and substance use. Evaluation reveals hypothyroidism, mild anemia, and GAD as the primary diagnosis. Factors contributing to her condition include genetic predispositions, medical issues, and social stressors. Treatment involves pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and monitoring her physiological health. Research on wearable data for GAD severity offers potential insights for her treatment. A holistic approach, considering biological, psychological, and social factors, guides her tailored treatment plan for overall well-being.

Facial Skincare Routine Adherence In The General Population, Leah Cliatt, Joanna Petrides

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic sparked an interest in skincare with the closure of spas and salons. “Skincare”, one of the most popular dermatology related hashtags on TikTok in July 2020 received 378 million views. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has shared facial cleansing recommendations; however, it is unclear how many people follow them. Studies have shown a good daily facial cleansing and moisturizing routine can increase microbiome diversity and skin hydration. This can be beneficial in conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and acne.

Purpose: The aim of the study is to assess how well people follow the AAD …

Efficacy Of Psilocybin In The Treatment Of Substance And Alcohol Use Disorders, Hanna Brancaccio

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Introduction: Substance use disorder (SUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are major public health crises, affecting millions of Americans. Current treatment options include behavioral therapies and medications. In this review, we explored psilocybin’s efficacy in treating SUD and AUD.

Methods: Key terms were used to search databases to identify articles that addressed psilocybin in the treatment of SUD. Included in the review were indexed, peer-reviewed, primary sources that were published within the last 10 years. Excluded studies were non-peer reviewed, not relevant to the thesis, and did not have an English translation.

Results: The psychodynamic antidepressant effects of psilocybin mark …

Brain Connectivity Pattern Changes Associated With Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy, Prince Patel, Samrat Gollapudi, Brian Joseph Mathew, Bhaumik Patel

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Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) has shown promising therapeutic benefits for various psychiatric disorders, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of psychedelics on brain connectivity patterns using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar databases using relevant keywords related to psychedelics, connectivity, therapy, and fMRI. Only studies involving major psychedelic compounds (LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca) and measuring outcomes via fMRI were included.

The findings from the reviewed studies suggest that psychedelics induce acute disruptions in normal large-scale brain network patterns, leading to a compromised modular but …

The Impact Of Vitamin Supplementation (D, B12, B9) On Behaviors Associated With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rohan Mehra

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Background: One in 36 children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although heritability of the condition ranges from 40 to 80%, other factors such as vitamin levels, may have a significant impact on the risk of development. These vitamins include D, B12, and B9.

Purpose: To assess the impact vitamin supplementation has on behaviors associated with ASD, and to determine which specific aspects of ASD may be improved with vitamin supplementation.

Methods: A literature review was performed. The search was utilized PubMed, JSTOR and Web of Science. Keyword strings included: “Vitamin D B12 B9 folate …

Factors Affecting Caregiver Burden In Informal Caregivers Of Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Brian Joseph Mathew, Maduka Gunasinghe, Usmaan Al-Shehab, Samrat Gollapudi, Prince Patel, Maithri Goud

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Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often require lifelong care to meet their daily needs, which is typically provided by informal sources like family members as well as formal caregivers from home health agencies. The persistent stress of raising a child with ASD can potentially lead to parental burnout, highlighting the importance of understanding the struggles faced by these caregivers. Clinicians must prioritize the well-being of both the individuals with ASD and their dedicated caregivers by gaining a comprehensive understanding of the challenges they encounter.

Our research aims to investigate and comprehend the specific challenges faced by caregivers of individuals …

Association Between Cultural Factors And Postpartum Depression, Usha Modukuru

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Postpartum depression (PPD) is present in 17.22% of the world population. The negative physical and psychological impacts of PPD impact not only the mother, but also those around her. This raises the importance of identifying factors contributing to its onset. Studies have shown that PPD prevalence rates vary between non-Western and Western regions of the world. Cultural postpartum practices differed significantly region to region. Search terms including postpartum depression and cultures were used to find peer-reviewed articles, primary surveys, and patient interviews between 2013-2023. Qualitative analyses were performed on the results. Ethnokinship cultures, commonly present in non-Western countries, prioritized social …

Impact Of Diabetic Education On Reducing Hospital Readmission Rates: A Literature Review Of Adults With Diabetes, Frank Camarda

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According to 2018 data from the Diabetes Institute Foundation, adults in the U.S. diagnosed with diabetes accounted for 17 million emergency department visits. The readmission rate for patients with diabetes far exceeds the general readmission rates for hospitalized patients. While there is recognition of the need for diabetic education to reduce hospital readmissions, optimizing long-term self-management of diabetics remains a focus of ongoing research.

Incorporating Ai Tools To Enhance Information Literacy And Critical Thinking In First Year Medical Students, James Martin, Mercedes Byrd

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This study aims to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention incorporating medical databases, search engines, and generative artificial intelligence (GAI) tools on the critical thinking skills and confidence of first-year medical students at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (SOM). Approximately 125 students participating in a three-week pre-matriculation program will be subjects of the study. The intervention will consist of a curriculum focused on developing research questions, using search tools and GAI, evaluating sources, and writing a research paper. Pre- and post-tests, including a CARS assessment and a perceived knowledge and abilities questionnaire, will be administered to measure changes in …

The Correlation Of Consistent Exercise With Depressive Symptoms, John Gericke, Tara Pellegrino, Robert Steer

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Background: Depression is a major health issue that affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide. Typically, depression is associated with individuals who follow a poor diet and are physically inactive. Exercise is one form of treatment for depression and has been shown to reduce the risk of depression and protect against the onset of depression. The PHQ-9 Depression Score is a tool used to screen individuals for depression on a scale from 0-27. The goal of this study is to identify a relationship between consistent exercise and depression symptoms.

Methods: An original Qualtrics survey was created to be distributed with …

Doxazosin Immediate Release As Alternative Treatment For Nightmares In Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report, Danyaal Khan, Christie Richardson, Martin Forsberg

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Nightmares and flashbacks are common debilitating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can disrupt daily functioning in patients. Prazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist, has been commonly used off-label for the treatment of PTSD intrusion symptoms, although its short half-life is limiting. Doxazosin, another alpha-1 antagonist, is starting to be investigated in the treatment of PTSD-related nightmares due to its smaller side effect profile and longer half-life. In our case report, we present a case of a patient with PTSD-related nightmares who was successfully treated with doxazosin following relapse of symptoms after discontinuation of prazosin. The success of doxazosin immediate …

What Is The Impact Of Marijuana Usage On Sexual Dysfunction Among Individual And How Do Factors Such As Frequency Of Use, Dosage, And Duration Of Marijuana Consumption Influence Sexual Function, Zachary A. Harris, Russell Levi, Saad Ahmed

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Sexual health is an integral piece of human vitality, encompassing a multitude of psychological & physiological factors. There has been an unprecedented amount of interest surrounding cannabis and its impact on sexual function in the past decade. The interplay between the acceptance of cannabis and its widespread use presents the need for research into the correlation between cannabis and sexual health outcomes. The primary components of cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have attracted scrutiny for their potential effects on sexual function. Anecdotal accounts suggest heightened sexual desire and pleasure, however there are conflicting reports raising concerns regarding performance issues …

Standardization Of Discharge Instructions For Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion In Children Presenting To Ed: A Qi Project, Niralee K. Rana, Nicole Gerber Md, Michael Alfonzo Md, Snezana Osorio Md, Deborah Levine Md

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Background: Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) or concussions account for high rates of emergency department (ED) visits. Concussion diagnoses are used less often in young children leading to a variability in parental education and discharge instructions. Lack of discharge guidance may increase parental anxiety, impact recovery, and increase ED visits.

Objectives: To increase the proportion of ED patients discharged with age-appropriate instructions for mTBI by 50% by June 1, 2024, and to determine the impact age-appropriate instructions have on decreasing parental anxiety.

Methods: This observational time series with planned sequential experimentation is in progress at a Pediatric ED affiliated with …

The Effect Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Sanitation Practices And Anxiety In The General Population, Leah Cliatt, Joanna Petrides

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Background: Illness anxiety and fear of contracting coronavirus increased considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic. The media, being in lockdown, and cyberchondria had the largest impact on the population’s anxiety surrounding illness. While this kind of reaction to illness is expected during the pandemic, there is limited data on post-pandemic illness anxiety levels in the general population. Patients’ perception of disease impacts medicine at every level; medical professionals need to understand the concerns and fears of their patients in order to treat the post-pandemic patient. We hypothesized that sanitation practices and anxiety surrounding illness have not returned to baseline pre-COVID-19 …

Effect Of Food Selectivity On Dyslipidemia In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Ankith Rao

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This survey-based study sought to determine whether there is a correlation between food selectivity and blood lipid levels in autistic patients.

Impact Of Acceptance Date On Medical Students' Stress & Academic Success, Portia Tasnim Shaheed, Alissa Hochman

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Each year, medical school admissions committees use various predictive factors to determine the demographics of their incoming cohorts, including undergraduate or graduate GPAs, MCAT scores, socioeconomic background, gap years, and more. Put together, these factors can paint a picture of how ready an applicant is to face the rigors of medical school. Once applicants are accepted, they face similar life stressors accompanied by the transition to medical school, but the amount of time they have to handle these life stressors is variable depending on when they are admitted. This study aimed to determine if late acceptance into medical school would …

Review Of Missing Data Elements For Client Enrollment In The Minority Aids Initiative For High-Risk Men Of Nj, Vrushank Shah

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The Minority AIDS Initiative study funded in NMI seeks to enhance healthcare outcomes for underserved individuals. Implementing outreach programs, the initiative provides healthcare and post-treatment follow-up to this demographic. The proposed project, a component of this study, concentrates on individuals with substance abuse disorder, specifically targeting those who have been onboarded but subsequently lost to follow-up. In the United States, approximately 20 million people are diagnosed with substance abuse disorder, yet in 2016, only 3.8 million received treatment. Within this cohort, between 20% and 70% of individuals undergoing residential substance abuse treatment disengage before completion. Various factors hinder the sustained …

What Stigmas Still Exist For Weight Loss Medications?, Abdullah Panah, Phillip Collins

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Background and Hypothesis:

Medications for weight loss are becoming far more common as more tolerable formulas have come to the market with some medications offering results almost on par with bariatric surgery. However, studies show a stigma still persists around the discussion and perception around using weight loss medications. The authors of this study hypothesized that one of the biggest hurdles patients face for weight loss medications are the stigmas associated with taking these medicines and approaching the topic.

Methods:

This was a survey-based project that consisted of an anonymous, voluntary questionnaire which was provided to patients during their regular …

The Impact Of Traumatic Brain Injury On Noradrenergic Innervation Of The Prefrontal Cortex, Jil P. Modi, Christopher P. Knapp, Rachel L. Navarra

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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a common cause of death and disability in the United States, and it can occur due to varied reasons including motor vehicle accidents, gunshot wounds, and falls. Following TBIs, patients are often left with lifelong disabilities and cognitive problems that can lead to increased risk-taking behaviors. The main goal of my research was to understand the neural mechanisms that drive increased risk-taking behaviors due to TBIs. The specific areas of the brain I was interested in looking at were the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and/or anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of the prefrontal …

Alpha 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Expression In The Hippocampus Of Patients With Schizophrenia, Shruti Varshney, Ananya Nethikunta, Minjal Patel, Mary Kosciuk, Randel L. Swanson, Venkat Venkataraman, Robert Nagele, Eric Goldwaser, Nimish Acharya

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Background: Schizophrenia (SZ) is a heterogenous psychiatric condition characterized by disruptions in cognition, social activity, affect, and perception often associated with a varied combination of positive and negative symptoms. The pathophysiology behind SZ remains poorly elucidated. Earlier reports have cited the importance of the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR) in the hippocampus and the receptor’s association with auditory sensory gating and cognitive function. Specifically, variations in the expression and functionality of α7nAChR can be linked to auditory hallucinations experienced by patients with SZ and several therapies have been researched that target α7nAChRs. However, there are very few primary research …

Relationship Between Caregiver Burden And Socioeconomic Status, Nikitha Pappachen, Maithri Goud

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In this study, caregiver burden measures the psychosocial strain a caregiver experiences as a result of caring for a person with autism. In addition, this study focuses on the effect of socioeconomic status on caregiver burden. A previous study found an association between lower primary caregiver education level and more sleep problems for children with autism³. Thus, the finding focuses on the child with autism as opposed to the caregiver burden. Other studies focus on elements that affect caregiver burden such as sleep quality, mental health, and cultural aspects. If it is known that socioeconomic status significantly affects …

The Effect Of Guided Meditation On Student Doctor-Patient Interactions, Aneela Rampersad, Samantha Plasner

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Healthcare students are under stress and can use different methods to cope with it. Mindfulness techniques such as guided meditation has been used as a way of helping these students reduce their stress levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether guided meditation has an effect on student doctors that translates into more positive interactions with patients. This study found that the student doctors who completed guided meditation felt less frustrated and less impatient while interacting with patients than student doctors who did not perform the guided meditation. Future studies on this topic should recruit more participants so …

Social Media Addiction Affecting Mental Health Of College Women, Praneetha Rajkumar, Don D. Shamilov, David F. Lo

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In our digital society, many teenagers and young adults use the many forms of social media, which are applications that enable users to create, share, and view content. Addiction to sites such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat is a rising concern due to the impact it has on the mental health of young women, particularly those aged 18-25. Addiction can result in spending an unreasonable amount of time on social media, being overly preoccupied with social media content, or having day-to-day activities that revolve around social media usage. Different sources of data were reviewed to understand why mental health concerns …

Exploring The Connection Between Diabetes Distress And Diabulimia, Stephen Poos, Misha Faerovitch, Celeste Pinto, Nima Jamalkhani, Fahad Chaudhri, Satara Khan, David F. Lo, Kaitlin Mcgowan, Ashaki Martin, Don D. Shamilov

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Diabulimia is a disordered eating behavior that involves an individual with type 1 DM withholding insulin injection to lose weight. Diabetes distress, a term used to describe the psychological stress associated with managing diabetes, is believed to be the cause of this condition. This review aims to assess whether individuals with diabulimia have measurable evidence of diabetes distress. Studies that described patients qualitative experiences with Diabulimia were matched and compared to the criteria in the Diabetes Distress Scale. Over 40 of the 185 individuals across twelve studies were found to meet one or more criteria from the Diabetes Distress Scale. …

Interactive Distraction Techniques Versus Midazolam In Anxiolysis In Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Uzay Cagatay, Jon Elias, Alexander King

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Background: Many pediatric patients experience high levels of anxiety prior to undergoing surgery. Midazolam is currently one of the most commonly used sedative drugs in the pediatric preoperative environment. A number of studies have evaluated the use of non-pharmacological methods of relaxing pediatric patients prior to surgery, known as ‘Interactive Distraction’. These techniques involve using various methods of distracting the child from the preoperative anesthetic procedures. Some examples of these methods involve giving the patient an iPad with which they can play video games. There have yet to be any systematic reviews comparing the usage of Midazolam alone against utilizing …

Using Fmri To Assess Effectiveness Of Olanzapine Treatment For Schizophrenia, William Kyle Copenhaver, David F. Lo, Hanna Rothenberg, Eeshan Khurana, Valerie Rome, Uzayr Wasif, Don D. Shamilov

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Schizophrenia is a complex mental illness with neurobiological underpinnings and misconceptions about violence. Schizophrenia is associated with high levels of creativity and structural traits like fewer D2 receptors. Patients face reduced life expectancy due to cardiovascular diseases and cope through smoking and sedentariness. Treatment involves pharmacological antipsychotics like olanzapine and nonpharmacological approaches. Olanzapine works by antagonizing D2 receptors but has side effects like weight gain and diabetes risk. fMRI is used to study treatment mechanisms and predict response, but research on olanzapine's brain network effects is limited.

A Review Of Risk Factors, Adverse Outcomes, And Counseling Strategies Among Pregnant Individuals With Eating Disorders, Alexandra Fontaine, Emily Meale

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Background: Eating disorders (EDs) among women of childbearing age have become more prevalent on the global level. Identifying at-risk populations of women having EDs before, during, or after pregnancy is essential for clinicians to improve treatment and decrease the likelihood of negative maternal and/or fetal outcomes. Purpose: The purpose is to determine risk factors for women who have EDs throughout pregnancy, to identify negative pregnancy outcomes of women suffering from EDs, and to explore treatment and counseling options through the postpartum period. Methods: This literature review mainly utilizes sources from PubMed and the National Institute of Health databases. An expansive …

Unplanned Pregnancy As An Independent Risk Factor For Antepartum Si In A Post Roe Vs. Wade World, Rianna Mcnamee

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Abstract: The objective of this literature review is to determine whether unplanned pregnancy is an independent risk factor for developing antepartum SI. Background: The Supreme Court of the United States of America recently ruled that the constitution of the United States does not confer a right to abortion to its citizens. As of October 2023, twenty-one states had developed full or partial bans on abortion, resulting in millions of Americans residing in areas where terminating unplanned pregnancy is not a viable option. There is evidence that indicates antepartum suicidal ideation (SI) is higher than that of the general population, however …