Narrative therapy with first-generation college students : Impacts on anxiety, depression, and retention rates.

Over 50% of students entering higher education represent the first generation in their family to do so. These students experience unique stressors related to educational background, finances, membership in underrepresented populations, and other identities which shape their worldview. Grappling with such complexities can lead to increased likelihood of depression and anxiety, contributing to a 400% drop-out rate when compared with continuing-generation students. Narrative Therapy (NT) has shown promise in treating anxiety and depression and may be beneficial in integrating the intersectional experiences of first-generation students. Our proposed research would examine the impact of NT on depression, anxiety, and retention rates

The Effects a Total Knee Arthroplasty Has on Static and Dynamic Balance

In the United States today, the total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has become one of the most commonly performed surgeries of the lower extremity. A generous amount of information exists regarding joint proprioception after a joint replacement, however no studies have been done testing postural control after a TKA. With the increasing popularity of the TKA procedure, a need appears for research evaluating static stability and functional mobility of TKAs. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects a TKA, 6 months postoperative or beyond, has on static and dynamic balance. The balance of 8 female volunteers and 4 male volunteers with ages ranging from 51 to 78 years (mean age = 64) was tested. Participants took part in a one-time session which consisted of assessing the Unilateral Stance (US) and Sit-to-Stand (STS) components of the NeuroCom Balance Master (NBM), version 7.1, the sitting to standing and the standing on one foot components of the Berg Balance Assessment, the Timed Up and Go (TUG), knee extensor strength, and knee flexion and extension range of motion (ROM). The participants also completed a SF-36 Health Status Survey and a brief questionnaire. This study indicates that further research must be completed to assess the effects a TKA has on static and dynamic balance. Due to the small sample size, this study was unable to obtain any analytical statistics which were significant in answering the research questions. However, comparisons were made between the data components using descriptive statistics, which provided information relative to ROM, strength, US, STS, and differences between the involved lower extremity and uninvolved lower extremity. The information helped address this study\u27s research questions

The case for investigating a bidirectional association between insomnia symptoms and eating disorder pathology

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Christensen KA, Short NA. The casefor investigating a bidirectional association between insomniasymptoms and eating disorder pathology.Int J Eat Disord.2021;54:701–707.https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23498, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23498. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.Many people with eating disorders (EDs) report symptoms of insomnia (i.e., frequent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and/or early morning wakening) and sleep problems have been linked to alterations in eating behaviors; however, mechanisms of these bidirectional associations remain poorly understood and under researched. This is a problem because higher insomnia symptom severity is a risk factor for the onset and perpetuation of anxiety, mood, trauma, and substance use disorders and, potentially, ED symptoms. Furthermore, insomnia symptoms may hinder recovery and increase relapse rates following successful psychotherapy. In this article, we describe potential mechanisms underlying bidirectional associations between insomnia and eating psychopathology that may contribute to the etiology and maintenance of both disorders. We suggest novel directions for future research to characterize the association between dysregulated sleep and ED symptoms and to evaluate impacts of insomnia symptoms on relapse and recovery for people with co-occurring pathology. Finally, we discuss options for testing the incorporation of existing evidence-based treatments for insomnia disorder (e.g., Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) with ED care. Overall, insomnia symptoms present a promising intervention point for ED treatment that has not been systematically tested, yet would be highly feasible to address in routine clinical care

Not So Heavy Metals: Black Hole Feedback Enriches The Circumgalactic Medium

We examine the effects of SMBH feedback on the CGM using a cosmological hydrodynamic simulation \citep[{\sc Romulus25};][]{Tremmel2017} and a set of four zoom-in `genetically modified' Milky Way-mass galaxies sampling different evolutionary paths. By tracing the distribution of metals in the circumgalactic medium (CGM), we show that \ion{O}{6} is a sensitive indicator of supermassive black hole (SMBH) feedback. First, we calculate the column densities of \ion{O}{6} in simulated Milky Way-mass galaxies and compare them with observations from the COS-Halos Survey. Our simulations show column densities of \ion{O}{6} in the CGM consistent with those of COS-Halos star forming and quenched galaxies. These results contrast with those from previous simulation studies which typically underproduce CGM column densities of \ion{O}{6}. We determine that a galaxy's star formation history and assembly record have little effect on the amount of \ion{O}{6} in its CGM. Instead, column densities of \ion{O}{6} are closely tied to galaxy halo mass and BH growth history. The set of zoom-in, genetically modified Milky Way-mass galaxies indicates that the SMBH drives highly metal-enriched material out into its host galaxy's halo which in turn elevates the column densities of \ion{O}{6} in the CGM.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures, Submitted to ApJ; Note: Figures have transparency that may not render in browse

Engagement and Disengagement in Art Interventions with Memory Impairment

Introduction. Studies have shown art intervention to be an effective therapy for patients with memory impairments, leading to overall positive behaviors, increased quality of life and decreased caregiver burden. We conducted a preliminary study to evaluate and compare the effect of participation in weekly art appreciation and painting sessions on the behavior of memory impaired residents in an assisted living facility. Methods. Residents’ behaviors were observed during art appreciation and active painting sessions over a six-week period. Each session consisted of either viewing and discussing artwork or actively painting in the style of the artist discussed. Positive and negative behaviors were recorded and tallied throughout the sessions. Over the course of 12 sessions, the 7 observers made a total of 1957 observations of a variable patient population. The total number of both positive and negative behaviors was compared between activities, over time within sessions, as well as over the six weeks. Each session was percent normalized to the time interval with the highest occurrence of select behaviors. Results. Upward trends for positive and negative behaviors were noticed in ap- preciation and painting sessions respectively. The negative to positive engagements ratios for each painting session showed an increase in negative behaviors. Disengagement increased as the appreciation sessions progressed and decreased as painting sessions progressed. Overall, positive engagement increased in both appreciation and painting sessions. Conclusions. Despite several confounding variables encountered in this study, we demonstrated art appreciation and active painting to be a viable non- pharmacological therapeutic approach for individuals with memory impairments.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1258/thumbnail.jp

Facilitators and Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening Among African American Women

Title from PDF of title page viewed November 9, 2020Dissertation advisor: Jannette Berkley-PattonVitaIncludes bibliographical references (pages 96-108)Thesis (Ph.D.)--Department of Psychology. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2020African American (AA) women are at greater risk for cervical cancer incidence and mortality compared to white women, primarily due to lack of screening and follow up. Up to 90% of cervical cancers are caused by persistent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections and the National Institute for Health (NIH) and Preventative Oncology International (POI) recently developed HPV self-test kits to increase rates of screening among underserved women. This study used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine attitudes, barriers, facilitators, and intentions related to receipt of cervical cancer screening among church-affiliated women and explored perceptions of HPV self-testing to increase access to cervical cancer screening. Thirty-five AA women aged 25 to 53 participated in focus group discussions and completed a brief survey. Seventy-four percent of participants reported receipt of cervical cancer screening in the past three years. Participants demonstrated positive attitudes towards cervical cancer screening and identified healthcare providers and the church as key supportive referents to screening. Participants noted several key barriers to screening, such as financial concerns, trauma histories, and prioritizing their children’s healthcare needs over screening. With regards to HPV self-testing, participants had concerns about their ability to correctly collect the sample as well as result accuracy. Several strategies to mitigate these concerns were discussed. Nearly all participants expressed willingness to use HPV self-testing if they did not have access to traditional medical care. Participants also noted that the church would be an appropriate medium for disseminating HPV self-test kits. Other considerations for future faith-based interventions, such as use of humor and facilitating community connectedness, was also discussed.Introduction -- Methodology -- Results -- Discussion -- Appendix A. Figure 1: Theory of Planned Behavior -- Appendix B. Recruitment Fliers -- Appendix C. Pre-Consent Screening Script -- Appendix D. Informed Consent -- Appendix E. Participant Contact Form -- Appendix F. Focus Group Discussion Guide -- Appendix G. Brief Survey -- Appendix H. Code Ma

User survey finds rapid evidence reviews increased uptake of evidence by Veterans Health Administration leadership to inform fast-paced health-system decision-making

Survey Instrument. Copy of survey instrument sent to operational partners. Included for audience to reference if needed. (PDF 222 kb

High risk HPV types 18 and 16 are potent modulators of oral squamous cell carcinoma phenotypes in vitro

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been confirmed as the primary etiological factor that transforms cervical epithelia into cancer. The presence of HPV in oral cancers suggests that HPV may play a similar role in transforming the oral epithelia. A high degree of variability in the prevalence of HPV in oral cancers has been found, however, raising questions regarding its role in the transformation and development of oral cancers. The goal of this study was to test our hypothesis that high-risk HPV strains HPV16 and HPV18 will alter the phenotype of transformed oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, CAL27, SCC-15 and SCC-25 <it>in vitro</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CAL27 cells transfected with HPV18, HPV16, as well as HPV16/18 co-transfectants, demonstrated significant increases in proliferation, adhesion and cell spreading compared with non-transfected controls. These observed differences were correlated with a small level of increased cell survival. SCC-15 cells, however, displayed a differential response to HPV transfection, with only HPV18-transfectants demonstrated changes to proliferation. Interestingly, SCC-25 cells displayed a more complex response, with HPV16-induced increases in cell proliferation, viability and cell spreading, while HPV18- and 16/18-transfectants exhibited reduced adhesion and proliferation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Determining the potential of specific high-risk HPV strains to alter phenotypic behaviors of already transformed oral carcinomas is a critical step in providing more accurate prognosis and treatment options for oral cancer patients. The identification of differential responses to specific HPV strains among oral cancers suggests a more significant, complex and multifactorial role of HPV, not only in transforming, but also in modulating, the phenotype and treatment responsiveness of precancerous and cancerous oral lesions. This study provides some of the first evidence to help identify the important molecular markers for pathways that could be used to determine the most effective and appropriate treatment plans for oral cancer patients with concomitant oral HPV infections.</p

The Sleep Or Mood Novel Adjunctive therapy (SOMNA) trial: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial evaluating an internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy program for insomnia on outcomes of standard treatment for depression in men

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a significant risk factor for depression onset, can result in more disabling depressive illness, and is a common residual symptom following treatment cessation that can increase the risk of relapse. Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia has demonstrated efficacy and acceptability to men who are less likely than women to seek help in standard care. We aim to evaluate whether internet delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia as an adjunct to a standard depression therapeutic plan can lead to improved mood outcomes.METHODS/DESIGN: Male participants aged 50 years or more, meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for current Major Depressive Episode and/or Dysthymia and self-reported insomnia symptoms, will be screened to participate in a single-centre double-blind randomised controlled trial with two parallel groups involving adjunctive internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia and an internet-based control program. The trial will consist of a nine-week insomnia intervention period with a six-month follow-up period. During the insomnia intervention period participants will have their depression management coordinated by a psychiatrist using standard guideline-based depression treatments. The study will be conducted in urban New South Wales, Australia, where 80 participants from primary and secondary care and direct from the local community will be recruited. The primary outcome is change in the severity of depressive symptoms from baseline to week 12. DISCUSSION: This study will provide evidence on whether a widely accessible, evidence-based, internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia intervention can lead to greater improvements than standard treatment for depression alone, in a group who traditionally do not readily access psychotherapy. The study is designed to establish effect size, feasibility and processes associated with implementing e-health solutions alongside standard clinical care, to warrant undertaking a larger more definitive clinical trial.Trial registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12612000985886.The study is supported by beyondblue: the national depression and anxiety initiative National Priority Driven Research Program and funded through a donation from the Movember Foundation