Community Health Commons^™

From Stillness To Life: A Family's Experience Of Craniosacral Therapy In The Nicu, Veronica Quarry

Journal of Transformative Touch

The mother of a newborn in the NICU shares the benefits both infant and parents experienced when their daughter received CranioSacral Therapy during that critical time.

Understanding The Impact Of Language Barriers And Visit Duration On Caregiver Satisfaction In Pediatric Primary Care, Gavin Miller

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Children from households that speak languages other than English (LOE) face barriers in accessing healthcare, leading to poorer health outcomes. Language barriers contribute to these disparities, often resulting in diminished communication between providers and families. Visit duration may play a key role in facilitating effective communication and improving patient satisfaction.

Purpose: This study examines how language barriers affect caregiver satisfaction in pediatric primary care, and whether visit duration mediates this relationship. We hypothesized that caregivers from LOE households would have comparable visit durations to English-preferring caregivers but report lower satisfaction due to receiving less information within that time. …

Enhancing The Eden Alternative Model With Well Standards: A Case Study Analysis, Mariah Stoner

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

This thesis investigates the potential for improving the Eden Alternative Model, a person-centered approach to elder care that emphasizes creating a homelike environment and meaningful relationships, using WELL Standards, a building certification system focused on enhancing human health and well-being through improvements in environmental quality. Through a mixed-methods approach involving quantitative data analysis and qualitative case studies, this research examines how WELL Standards, which cover aspects such as air quality, water quality, lighting, and thermal comfort, can improve environmental quality and resident satisfaction within the Eden Alternative Model. This research introduces a tailored approach to elder care by combining these …

A Systematic Review Of Weight Loss Interventions Among Black Postpartum Women, Jhelma Velveder Perez

Honors Scholar Theses

Cardiovascular disease is a leading contributor to maternal mortality, which remains disproportionately high among Black women. Obesity and postpartum weight retention exacerbate cardiovascular disease risk and increase the likelihood of complications in future pregnancies. Weight loss during the postpartum period may reduce long-term chronic health risks and mortality for Black women. This systematic review aimed to understand the weight-related health needs of Black postpartum women by evaluating behavioral weight loss interventions within the first year after childbirth. A comprehensive search of the PubMed database identified 3 randomized controlled trials that met inclusion criteria. These studies evaluated home-based programs, mobile health …

Assessing The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Mental Health In Patients Presenting To A Student-Run Free Clinic, Sabah Iqbal, Kirsten Carlberg, Emily Reilly, Jessica Ivanov, Victoria Youssef, Lily Roessler, Maikel Monsour, Nils Brolis

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Mental health is an important part of patient care, therefore it is imperative to understand how it’s recognized and treated. Socioeconomic status and the COVID19 pandemic contribute to disproportionate incidences of mental illness^{1, 2, 10, 11, 12}. This study uses data from a student-run clinic, the Rowan-Virtua Community Health Center (RVCHC), to examine disparities in mental health needs and screenings among the local population.

Hypothesis

It was hypothesized that underserved populations are at a disadvantage when it comes to both mental health screenings and treatment due to restricted access to healthcare and other unmet needs. Additionally, the …

The Sun Shines Beyond The Mountains: The Creation Of A Suicidality Needs Assessment For Lesotho, Layhla Currier

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The country of Lesotho has the highest suicide mortality rate in the world. Although this is true, there has seldom been research into the cause of this astronomical rate, and even less evaluating how to address the issue. This study focused on the analysis of available data to better understand the possible causes of the high suicide rate in Lesotho. Additionally, a suicidality needs assessment was created to collect data regarding mental health, social support, risk factors, and previous suicidality from Basotho (moniker for residents of Lesotho) in a non-stigmatizing way. Two varying suicidality assessments were used to create this …

The Association Between Economic Outcomes And Abortion: A Scoping Review, Larisa Nicole Stephenson

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Abortion access is not just an issue of autonomy, but an economic issue as well. Evidence of the intersectionality of abortion health care and economics has endured due to the financial cascading effects a denial of an abortion, or the inability to access an abortion, has on one’s personal, professional, and economic upward mobility. A change in recent policies impacting access to abortion warrants an updated synthesis examining the relationships between economic outcomes and abortion access for people of reproductive age in the United States (U.S.).

Aim: This scoping review summarizes evidence pertaining to the association …

Kansas City Health Department – Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program – Quality Improvement, Hanh Pham

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This capstone manuscript evaluates the Kansas City Health Department's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program’s effectiveness. Through comprehensive data analysis of grant utilization, return-on-interest (ROI) and participant satisfaction evaluation, the project will provide actionable recommendations for improving sustainable long-term outcomes in lead poisoning prevention.

Produce Prescription Policy Project For The Securement Of A Grant To Address Food Insecurity For Low-Income Type Ii Diabetic Patients, Isabel D. Garcia-Gallegos

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE

This policy-focused Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project aims to secure grant funding through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) to implement a produce prescription program at a community clinic in Texas. The program targets low-income adults (18-65 years) with type II diabetes who experience food insecurity and are affected by Medicaid non-expansion.

BACKGROUND

Texas’ decision not to expand Medicaid has exacerbated food insecurity among low-income residents, particularly those managing type II diabetes. This decision creates a healthcare policy gap that this project aims to address with a food-as-medicine program.

METHODOLOGY

Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) …

Cross-Cultural Adaptation And Expert Opinion Of Revised Trauma Quality Of Life Questionnaire (Rt-Qol): Malay Language Version, Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, Shamsinar Ibrahim, Malina Zulkifli, Azimatun Noor Aizuddin, Hanizah Mohd Yusoff

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study examines the cross-cultural adaptation and expert validation of the Revised Trauma Quality of Life (RT-QOL) questionnaire, translating it from English to Malay.

Methods: The study employed Beaton’s adaptation guidelines and Takasaki’s framework for expert opinions, involving 51 road traffic injury patients recruited from the Emergency and Trauma Department (ED) of a public hospital in Kedah, Malaysia, from March to June 2022. Participants were contacted via telephone 30 days after their hospital visit regarding their involvement in the study. Three independent experts, comprising academicians in healthcare and emergency department clinicians, reviewed and reconciled the RT-QOL Malay …

Social Program For Adults Living In Group Homes, Kailee Oram, Mary Jan Greer

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs) living in group homes have lower quality of life outcomes, particularly for the domain of social inclusion, compared to adults with IDDs who live alone or with family. This capstone experience aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a social program for this population to promote community engagement and interpersonal relationships. The 8-week social program was planned for participants living in group homes led by Trinity Services in suburban IL. A needs assessment included interviews with clients and staff about supports and barriers to social participation and ideas for community activities. The program was …

Enhancing Holistic Patient Care Of Black Individuals Diagnosed With Hiv And Comorbid Chronic Conditions, Marc Fleming, Saharnaz Nejdat, Jon C. Schommer, Crystal K. Hodge

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Pharmacists can play a crucial role in delivering the holistic care model. Research suggests that HIV-positive African American patients particularly benefit from this approach compared to other communities. Typically, pharmacists in community pharmacy settings are limited in their access to a patient's medical record, preventing holistic care delivery.

Objectives

This study addressed the impact of access to medical records on a holistic patient care approach among pharmacists engaged in medication therapy management.

Methods

This was a sub-analysis of a randomized controlled trial of the impact of community pharmacist access to medical records during MTM for African Americans diagnosed with …

Implementing A Six-Week Intermodal Expressive Arts Therapy Program For Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease: A Practitioner-Based Perspective, Sara Adams

Expressive Therapies Theses

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects motor function, emotional well-being, and social engagement. While traditional rehabilitation approaches emphasize physical therapy and medication management, emerging research highlights the potential of creative arts therapies in addressing the multidimensional challenges of PD. This thesis explores the implementation of an intermodal expressive arts therapy intervention designed to support individuals with PD through dance, music, drama, and visual arts. Conducted over six weeks within a community support group in Nova Scotia, the program included guided visualization, Brain Dance exercises, creative movement, drama-based activities, and reflective art-making. A qualitative, practitioner-based method was used, …

Psychological Treatment Behind The Walls:Insights From The Inside, Rogelio Serrano

Psychology Division Scholarship

Repeated eras of mass incarceration, criminalization of marginalized communities, and substance use policies have created a revolving door of justice involved populations. The ever-increasing prison population has repeatedly become the largest contingency of mental health clientele for an overburdened mental health system. Those who work with formerly incarcerated individuals in the community often don’t know the unique set of challenges faced by practitioners within the system. Increased understanding and coordination of care can offer opportunities for sustained recovery and reduced levels of recidivism. In this presentation participants will learn about the unique insights on mental health treatment that can be …

Comparison Of Cognitive Functions, Sleep Quality, Emotional State, Balance And Physical Activity Levels Of University Students According To Academic Success, Sevim Oksuz, Ozde Depreli, Aytül Ozdil, Gozde Iyigun, Ender Angın, Betül Fatma Bilgin, Ayşen Karaman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This study was planned to compare the level of attention, dual-task abilities, sleep quality, emotional state (anxiety, depression, stress), dynamic balance, and physical activity level in low and high-academic success university students. Method: A total of 134 international undergraduate students between the age of 18 and 25 (low academic success group n=67, high academic success group n=67) were recruited for this study. The Trail Making Test (TMT) – A and B was used for attention assessment, the TMT While Walking – A and B was utilized for dual-task performance, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was utilized to assess …

Evaluation Of An Occupational Therapy Intervention In Prisons To Prepare Incarcerated Individuals For Successful Community Reentry, Dalenna Bellum, Sue Dahl-Popolizio, R. Curtis Bay, Angela Zhu, Jeremiah Fine, Bruce Kotter, Abbey Glenn, Rebecca L. Wolf

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Literature suggests that to reduce recidivism and facilitate successful community reintegration, incarcerated individuals need life skills training before release. This study evaluated the effectiveness of such an occupational therapy (OT) program.

Methods: We provided and evaluated a 12-session pilot OT program with incarcerated men providing life skills education for community reentry. We used forced-choice and open-ended questions with pre/post Employee Self-Assessment Tool (ESAT), assessing interpersonal, self-management, analytical skills, and skills used in an organization, and Life Skills Program Daily Surveys (LSDS) assessing participants’ perceptions of program effectiveness.

Results: Ninety-three of the residents participated; 69 completed …

Behere Nevada: Partnership And Policy, Sara Hunt

Community Engagement Expo Research Posters

Partnership: Nevada ranks 51st in the nation for mental illness prevalence and access to care (Mental Health America). Significant shortages in mental health professions, especially in rural areas. Other states using policy and funding to implement a “grow our own” model for behavioral health workforce development. Proposed a behavioral health workforce development center for Nevada.

Supporting Elementary Educators Through A Nervous System Regulation And Social-Emotional Learning Skills Workshop Intervention: An Musc Capstone Project, Lily Morgan

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Teachers have a great influence on developing children’s emotional intelligence, regulatory capacity, and occupational engagement. These professionals also happen to report some of the highest rates of stress, mental health challenges (Agyapong, B. et al, 2022), and burnout (Xie, M., et al, 2022). Providing teachers with education and support on nervous system regulation, social-emotional learning skills, and related topics can improve their ability to manage job stress, enhance modeling and interactions with students, and improve their quality of life. This project aimed to enhance knowledge, provide access to resources, and serve to support elementary educators at an inner-city school in …

Web-Based Wellness, Katherine Shipers

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Adults of all ages experience life stressors and transitions that impact their physical, emotional, and psychosocial wellness. Despite a recognized need for self-improvement, many adults face time constraints that limit their ability to engage in traditional wellness activities. Research suggests that micro-learning strategies—brief, targeted educational interventions—can effectively enhance knowledge and influence life practices.

This quality improvement capstone project explored the use of microlearning to support adult well-being by developing a web-based, modular learning system. The project implemented a series of short educational videos addressing various wellness topics, supplemented by corresponding worksheets and resource materials. Designed for asynchronous completion, these wellness …

Social Health Among Adolescents In The Global School-Based Student Health Survey (Gshs), Luke Pontoriero, Sarah Simon, Lauren Anderson

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Background: Social health is a function of the quantity and quality of relationships, including with family members and peers. Adolescents who report being lonely or having no close friends have a low quantity of relationships, and those who feel that their peers are unkind and their parents are not understanding have low quality relationships. We examined whether poor social health is associated with violent behavior.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), which employs a standardized two-stage cluster sampling method and a validated questionnaire to explore health and risk behaviors among nationally representative samples of …