Efficacy of Electrical Stimulation Intervention in Treating Adults with Dysphagia: A Systematic Review

Purpose: Dysphagia is a term used for a swallowing disorder resulting from problems with the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, or gastroesophageal junction. Dysphagia can have significant impacts on an individual’s quality of life and statistics suggest that nearly 15 million adults in the United States present with swallowing disorders. Common medical complications associated with dysphagia are malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, and even death. Traditional dysphagia treatment (TDT) for adults currently consists of diet modification, compensatory strategies involving postural adjustments, and swallowing exercises to strengthen musculature. The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether electrical stimulation (ES) improves swallowing function in adults with dysphagia. Methodology: Four indexed databases were searched to obtain studies pertaining to the use of ES in dysphagia treatment and its success. Application of inclusionary and exclusionary criteria narrowed the results and relevant studies were selected for this systematic review. Studies were also hand-selected and appraised for validity to ensure minimal bias. Results: Results of the selected studies revealed varying statistically significant effects of ES as a treatment for adults with dysphagia. However, many studies suggest ES is most effective in producing positive outcomes when coupled with TDT. Conclusion: The results of the systematic review suggest efficacy of ES is highest when it is used in conjunction with TDT. Studies with statistically significant results reported on only a minor improvement with ES. None of the studies reported negative outcomes related to ES. Additional research is needed to determine overall efficacy of ES as an evidence-based intervention for adults with dysphagia resulting from various etiologies.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/csdms/1005/thumbnail.jp

An examination of the effect of red yeast rice extract on T-cell functions

Department of Biolog

Using Technology and Collaboration to Support Reading Comprehension

The purpose of this action research study was to determine if there is a connection between using technology and collaboration to help increase reading comprehension skills. A combination of research-based instructional strategies infused with technology was used over a ten-week period. Quantitative data was collected through weekly assessment scores. Analysis of the data concluded that students who were involved in an intervention program infused with technology and collaboration would have better knowledge of the story. After further analysis of the data it is concluded that students who were involved in this action research study improved their academic scores

Can Consumers Perceive a Difference in Quality When Comparing Whole-Grain Gluten-Free Baked Goods to Refined Gluten-Free Baked Goods at Varying Flour Levels

The prevalence of celiac disease and gluten intolerances has increased drastically in the last few decades, accounting for 1 in 100 individuals, or about 1% of Americans (Mager, Qiao, & Turner, 2012). The only treatment for celiac disease or any other gluten intolerance is the gluten-free diet. The gluten-free diet can lack many essential nutrients. The purpose of this research was to identify if consumers could perceive a difference in quality when comparing whole-grain gluten-free baked goods to refined gluten-free baked goods at varying flour levels of 20%, 50%, and 100%. The researcher-developed Carlson Acceptability of Gluten-Free Baked Goods Survey was distributed to thirty-four adults the majority being between the ages of 18 to 24 years old. The data were analyzed using t-tests. The study showed consumers preferred whole-grain gluten-free baked goods with less than 20% flour. In addition, consumers were not able to differentiate between whole-grain gluten-free flour and refined gluten-free flour when more than 50% of the baked good was flour. Overall, this study suggests consumers are accepting of whole-grain gluten-free products at a level that is very close, or perhaps equal to, their acceptance of products made with refined gluten-free flour. Several implications are the need for more research on consumer acceptability of whole-grain gluten-free products to increase nutritional value for those on the gluten-free diet

Adolescent Transitions from Licit to Illicit Drug Use:Impacts of Protective and Risk Factors

This study examined how transitions from licit to illicit drug use by adolescents were influenced by risk and preventative factors in their lives. Survey data, from approximately 2000 twelfth grade students surveyed in the 2013 Monitoring the Future: A Continuing Study of American Youth study, supplemented with feedback from eight professionals knowledgeable about youth drug use, were used. A sequential regression analysis found that licit drug usage significantly increased the possibility that a youth will transition to illicit drugs. That peer drug culture increased the risk of both types drug usage was predicted using Sutherland’s Differential Association theory (1939). However, family support and academic engagement, as per Social Supportive Control theory (Hirschi 1969) directly decreased the likelihood of licit drug use and only indirectly illicit drug usage. Results from this mixed methods research contributed to the existing body of research on the gateway perspectives in adolescent drug use scholarship and has practical implications for developing youth drug deterrence programs

Decision to Teach: A Q Sort with Texas A&M University Agricultural Science Students

The decision to teach agricultural science at the secondary level, specifically the influence of the student teaching experience on that decision, has been studied numerous times through a quantitative lens. Influential factors in that decision have been identified including: teacher efficacy, influence of the cooperating teacher, perceptions of barriers and support for preservice teachers, predicting student teachers’ intention to teach, student teachers’ changes in intention to teach, and even factors affecting agricultural students’ decision to teach. However, the quantitative approach does not allow researchers to see the holistic view containing subjectivity of individuals’ decisions. Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior was the framework for this study. Q Methodology was used to identify the viewpoints of the decision to teach among Texas A&M University Agricultural Science pre-service teachers. Three viewpoints, “Mindful, Methodical Mentors,” “Purposeful, Practical Planners,” and “Collaborative, Cultural Cultivators” emerged as a result of factor analysis and were characterized. Qualitative data was used from the exit interviews following the Q sorts to determine that 12 of the 20 participants made the decision to teach agricultural science while they were in high school. Recommendations include replications of this study at multiple universities and utilizing Q Methodology as a reflection activity for pre-service teachers following their student teaching experience