Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons^™

Interprofessional Education To Support Alcohol Use Screening And Future Team-Based Management Of Stress-Related Disorders In Vulnerable Populations, Taylor Fitzpatrick-Schmidt, Scott Edwards

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Introduction: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a psychiatric disease that affects approximately 10% of the population. Individuals suffer from a myriad of causes and consequences of AUD, and team-based management of patients is often required for given the chronic and complex nature of the disease. Interprofessional education (IPE) for biomedical science and health professional students that incorporates patient-centered cases focused on AUD and adjacent stress-related disorders may improve future collaboration in managing these conditions and community outcomes related to wellbeing. Methods: This study assessed the impact of a single, 90-minute IPE exercise on improving confidence in possessing the knowledge and …

Screening, Brief Intervention, And Referral To Treatment For Pregnant Women, Rebekah Feeney

Dissertations

Abstract

Background: In the United States, 10-20% of pregnant women reported using drugs during pregnancy. Current recommendations are to screen for drug use in all patients and provide a brief intervention and referral to treatment. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the impact of implementing a standardized screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) protocol for first-trimester pregnant patients who are seen in the obstetrical department.

Methods: The Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substance Use (TAPS) screening tool was administered to first-trimester pregnant women, 13-45 years of age, seen in the obstetrical department from …

Clinical Correlates Of Perceived Stigma Among People Living With Epilepsy Enrolled In A Self-Management Clinical Trial, Martha Sajatovic, Martha Sajatovic, Jessica Black, Jacqueline Krehel-Montgomery, Grace Mcdermott, Joy Yala, Richard Barigye, Clara Adeniyi, Farren Briggs

Faculty Scholarship

Background and Purpose: Stigma is a pervasive barrier for people living with epilepsy (PLWE) and can have substantial negative effects. This study evaluated clinical correlates of perceived stigma in a research sample of PLWE considered to be at high risk due to frequent seizures or other negative health events. Methods: Analyses were derived from baseline data from an ongoing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing an epilepsy self-management approach. Standardized measures assessed socio-demographics, perceived epilepsy stigma, epilepsy-related self-efficacy, epilepsy self-management competency, health literacy, depressive symptom severity, functional status, social support and epilepsy-related quality of …

Comorbidity Of Mood Disorders And Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome: A Case Report, Abhishekh Pokhrel, Alexa Lissete Zarate, Alcides Amador

Research Colloquium

Background: The comorbidity of mood disorders and Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) presents a significant challenge, especially in pediatric populations. UARS, characterized by increased upper airway resistance during sleep, often leads to disrupted sleep and daytime symptoms such as fatigue and cognitive impairment. Studies estimate UARS affects 15-30% of patients undergoing polysomnography for suspected sleep-disordered breathing. Mood & Anxiety Disorders are prevalent in patients with sleep-disordered breathing, with higher rates than in the general population.

Case Presentation: 16-year-old female, with psychiatric history of Bipolar II Disorder current episode depressed, ADHD, and Other Specified Anxiety Disorder presents for a follow-up. Since …

Preferences For Attributes Of Oral Antipsychotic Treatments: Results From A Discrete-Choice Experiment In Respondents With Schizophrenia Or Bipolar I Disorder, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Antipsychotic medications are effective treatments for schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar I disorder (BD-I), but when presented with different treatment options, there are tradeoffs that individuals make between clinical improvement and adverse effects. As new options become available, understanding the attributes of antipsychotic medications that are valued and the tradeoffs that individuals consider when choosing among them is important. Methods: A discrete-choice experiment (DCE) was administered online to elicit preferences across 5 attributes of oral antipsychotics: treatment efficacy (i.e., improvement in symptom severity), weight gain over 6 months, sexual dysfunction, sedation, and akathisia. Eligible respondents were aged 18–64 years with …

Smart Toys For Sensing And Soothing Distress In Pediatric Patients, Jonathan Daniel Bonilla

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

This thesis develops and evaluates child-centered technologies to support remote monitoring of pediatric patients, with an emphasis on childhood cancer and pediatric chronic pain. For these and many other health conditions, current therapies tend to focus on treating physical symptoms yet neglect the psycho-emotional aspects of managing the illness. However, such mental states play a major role in recovery. Research has shown that cancer patients with better mental health have better prognoses, higher possibilities of remission, and faster healing processes, while chronic pain patients with better mental health report lower levels of pain. To enable more personalized, continuous, and scalable …

A 6-Month, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial Of Customized Adherence Enhancement Versus A Bipolar-Specific Educational Control In Poorly Adherent Adolescents And Young Adults Living With Bipolar Disorder, Jennifer B. Levin, Molly Mcvoy, Joy Yala, Jessica Black, Carla Conroy, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Objective: Few studies have addressed medication adherence in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with bipolar disorder (BD). This 6-month prospective randomized-controlled trial (RCT) tested customized adherence enhancement for adolescents and young adults (CAE-AYA), a behavioral intervention for AYAs versus enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU). Methods: Inclusion criteria were AYAs age 13–21 with BD type I or II with suboptimal adherence defined as missing ≥20% of medications. Assessments were conducted at Screening, Baseline, and weeks 8, 12 and 24. Primary outcome was past 7 day self-reported Tablets Routine Questionnaire (TRQ) validated by electronic pillbox monitoring (SimpleMed). Symptom measures included the Hamilton …

Examining The Influence Of Team-Based Learning On Medical Students’ Comprehension And Attitudes Regarding Psychedelic Therapies, Shiven Chaudhry, Anne E. Weisman, Molly Hagen, Kathryn L.S. Pauli, Burton J. Tabaac

Department of Medical Education Faculty Research

Introduction: This study evaluates the impact of a two-hour team-based learning (TBL) curriculum on medical students' knowledge, comprehension, ethical understanding, and attitudes towards psychedelic therapies. Methods: Sixty-three pre-surveys and fifty post-surveys assessed students' perceived knowledge and attitudes using Likert scales. Forty-eight matched pre/post-knowledge tests with multiple-choice questions quantified changes in comprehension. The TBL approach featured independent learning, team readiness assessments, and application exercises. Results: Post-curriculum, students demonstrated significantly improved test scores (mean 41.4% increase, p < 0.0001) and more positive attitudes across 16 of 18 items (p ≤ 0.0495). Overall attitude scores increased 23% (p < 0.0001). Qualitative feedback reflected enhanced comfort discussing psychedelics clinically. While some students expressed support for psychedelic-assisted therapy, others cited reservations. Discussion: This innovative curriculum bridged an important education gap given the increasing relevance of psychedelic medicine. Findings suggest TBL enhances medical student preparedness in this emerging field. Continued curricular development is warranted to ensure proper psychedelic education aligns with patient needs and legislative policies. As psychedelic research progresses, maintaining instructional excellence is crucial for future healthcare professionals.

Correspondence To "A Preliminary Study Of Collaborative Group Intervention With Recovered Peer Supporters For Eating Disorders: Analyses Including Comparisons Between In-Person And Online Sessions", Nirjal Thapa, Don D Shamilov, David F Lo

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

We read with pleasure the article by Mochizuki et al., ¹ titled “A preliminary study of collaborative group intervention with recovered peer supporters for eating disorders: Analyses including comparisons between in‐person and online sessions.” We would like to offer additional commentary on the conclusions regarding group intervention and peer support and its heavy influence on combating eating disorders. We hope these perspectives may provide insight into areas that may require further research and improvement.

Centring Youth Mental Health Discourse On Low-Income And Middle-Income Countries, Kelly Rose-Clark, Mary Bitta, Evans-Lacko Sara, Jokinen Tahir, Mark Jordans, Moses Nyongesa, Abhijit Nadkarn, Praveetha Patalay, Indira Pradhan, Atif Rahman

Brain and Mind Institute

Commentwww.thelancet.com/psychiatry Vol 11 September 2024 671 The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Youth Mental Health heralds a new field of research and practice with a focus on people aged 12–25 years.1 Patrick D McGorry and colleagues assert the global relevance of the field while acknowledging that much of its underpinning evidence comes from high-income countries (HICs). This distribution is problematic because 90% of children and adolescents live in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), which are under- represented academically and yet have the highest burden of mental ill health. Extrapolating findings from HICs to LMICs ignores crucial diversity in young people’s socioeconomic …

Perspectives On The Clinical Use Of Anti-Amyloid Therapy For The Treatment Of Alzheimer's Disease: Insights From The Fields Of Cancer, Rheumatology, And Neurology, Gregory Jicha, Erin Abner, Elif Pinar Coskun, Mark Huffmyer, Thomas Tucker, Peter T. Nelson

Neurology Faculty Publications

Introduction: The advent of disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has raised many questions and debates in the field as to the clinical benefits, risks, and costs of such therapies. The controversies have resulted in the perception that many clinicians are apprehensive about prescribing these medications to their patient populations. There also remains widespread uncertainty as to the economic impact, cost benefit ratio, and safety oversight for use of these medications in standard clinical care settings.

Methods: To contextualize such issues, the present study compared anti-amyloid biologic therapy (lecanemab) to four commonly used biologic agents in other fields, including trastuzumab …

Infertility’S Impact On Couples’ Functioning, Elizabeth Sanders

Dissertations

Historically, infertility has been a taboo topic of discussion and is often avoided in conversation because of the stigmatization of the diagnosis. According to the World Health Organization (2022), infertility affects 186 million individuals globally. However, there seems to be a gap in the research as it pertains to the psychological well-being and treatment of men and women diagnosed with this condition. While it has become less of a feared topic, it still is not discussed or researched enough, thus further exacerbating the gap in research on mental health and treatment options. The following dissertation completed a critical review of …

Reclaiming Healing Spaces: A Phenomenological Study On The Transformative Power Of Outdoor Therapy From The Lived Experiences Of Black Clinicians Working With Black Clients, Lynn Murphy

Dissertations

This phenomenological study involved assessing the experiences of Black therapists who engaged Black clients in outdoor therapeutic contexts. The study was founded on the existing literature that shows the quality of the therapeutic relationship is pivotal for client retention and the Western standards that have historically favored treatment within indoor environments. To contextualize this research, a comprehensive literature review was commenced, covering topics such as the decolonization of therapy, the historical and present-day relationship between Blacks and the outdoors in the United States, sedentary lifestyles, the psychological benefits of time spent in nature, various types of outdoor therapy, and the …

Resting-State Eeg Microstate Features For Major Depressive Disorder Classification, George M. V. Quinn

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Neuroimaging studies have revealed consistent abnormalities in functional connectivity within specific neural networks that may serve as biomarkers for major depressive disorder (MDD). It is important to find inexpensive, non-invasive techniques that target these biomarkers to make diagnosis easier and more objective. EEG microstates are quasi-stable potential topographies that are thought to reflect the quasi-stable network activity of the underlying neural generators. MDD has been shown to alter features of the four canonical EEG microstates (A, B, C, D) with some conflicting results. The most consistent network abnormalities in MDD are found in the anterior default mode network, and this …

A Post-Suicide Survey: The Perspective We Have Been Missing, Matthew Larsen, Cassandra Sauther, Ryan Sauther, Justin Solomon

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Suicide is a major problem in the United States and in the state of Idaho. Prevention data are lacking for suicide primarily because information about those who completed suicide is not attainable. There are no published data from surveying the family members of the deceased. Our objective was to learn more about those who died by suicide by surveying family members or close contacts of the deceased.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive study using a 77-question survey to obtain information about those who died by suicide, with the survey being completed by their loved ones. Survey questions addressed the …

Postpartum Depression Screening In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit At A Tertiary Pediatric Hospital, Abbie Bates

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SCREENING IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT A TERTIARY PEDICTRIC HOSPITAL

By

Abbie Kim Bates

Razel Bacuetes Milo, PH.D. DNP., FNP-C

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a treatable mood disorder with an onset at 1-3 months after childbirth. In the United States, PPD occurs at a rate of 1 in 8 women and as high as 1 in 5 women in parts of the country. In unique populations such as the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), PPD rates can be as high as 40%. The treatment rate for PPD is 50% with a sizable percentage of …

Exploring Perinatal Ketamine For Postpartum Depression Following Cesarean Section: A Systematic Review, Jaylyn Thompson, David F Lo, Alexis Foschini, Suvan Sundaresh

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

The aim of this study was to explore the use of perinatal ketamine to see if it can be used for the reduction of postpartum depression (PPD) following cesarean section (C-section). PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science were the primary databases used for this review. Search terms used on January 5, 2024 incorporated "ketamine," "C-section," "postpartum depression," and related synonyms. The criteria for inclusion centered on studies published between January 1, 2008 and January 5, 2024. The final selection of articles was screened based on extraction criteria leaving eight randomized control trials in the final review. The selected data from …

A Needs-Assessment Survey Of The High School Lgbtq+ Environment By A Health Science Center Interprofessional Team, Rafael Velasquez, Mary E. Moore, Gabrielle Sheets, Christian Nieves-Rivera, Sonya Van Nuland, Martha Cuccia, Fern Tsien, Andrew D. Hollenbach

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Despite improvements in the awareness and acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender diverse (LGBTQ+) individuals, the LGBTQ+ community continues to experience discrimination, which can result in adverse health outcomes. In particular, LGBTQ+ youth have an increased risk of experiencing depression, substance abuse, and suicide. Societal stigma and rejection, bullying, and familial disapproval all contribute to these health disparities. In recognition of these inequities, an interprofessional team of biomedical faculty members, staff, and trainees from the Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC) in New Orleans developed the needs-assessment evaluation, the Gender and Sexual Minority …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Effects On Delinquency, Katherine Lank

Master of Arts in Human Services

Youth involved in delinquent acts are seen interacting with the juvenile justice system at an alarming rate. Adverse childhood experiences influence the development of behavior and chances of taking risks. Children who grow up in a household with an unfit parent, substance abuse, or mental health disorders are seen turning to delinquent acts for gratification. This can have a higher chance of poor educational performance, unemployment, increased law enforcement interactions, and long-term mental and physical disabilities. Searching literature consisted of finding external factors and their control on brain development and future adult behaviors. Research was conducted on the school-to-prison pipeline, …

Awareness Of Nutrition's Impact On Mental Health And Ketogenic Diet’S Therapeutic Potential For Mental Illness And Other Chronic Disorders, Innocent Nsengiyumva

Theses and Graduate Projects

Mental health affects millions of people worldwide, and current pharmaceutical treatment approaches often lead to worse outcomes, weight gain, and increased cardiovascular risk. The ketogenic diet offers hope in the treatment of schizophrenia and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. The aim of this project is to explore public awareness of nutritional psychiatry and the ketogenic diet’s clinical utility for various conditions including schizophrenia, mood disorders, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. Study participants (n=108) completed a 12-question survey about individual nutritional habits and current knowledge of KD. Responses were obtained from medical students, practicing healthcare professionals, college undergraduate students, and members of …