18th Annual Undergraduate Scholars in Action Days

SLAP Tear with Associated Axillary Nerve Compression in a 20-Year-Old Male Wrestler: A Clinical Case Study
Subject: Clinical Case Study (Athletic Training)
Presenters: Kaylie Langer
Faculty Sponsor: Matt Mills

Background:  Superior Labrum Anterior Posterior (SLAP) tears are most prevalent in collision overhead athletes, and most commonly occur chronically (Michener et al., 2018). In collegiate wrestlers, injuries to the shoulder are the most common upper extremity injuries (Goodman et al., 2018). These injuries present, regardless of etiology, with deep shoulder pain in a “C” pattern over the glenohumeral joint, accompanied by mechanical symptoms such as locking, popping, clicking, or catching with various shoulder movements (Varacallo et al., 2021).

Case Presentation: A 20-year-old male wrestler reported to the AT clinic complaining of right shoulder numbness over upper trapezius and through anterior and middle deltoids after sustaining a left shoulder injury 2 weeks prior, for which he did not seek treatment. The patient presented with forward head, rounded shoulder posture while seated, and palpation over Erb’s point revealed tenderness and reproduction of shooting pain along the right C4 and C5 distribution pattern. All active and passive range of motion were within normal limits and pain free. Manual muscle testing at time of initial evaluation revealed no weaknesses and the ability to perform 10 pushups without pain or compensation. Dermatomes of C4, C5 were diminished, and the Brachial plexus stretch test was positive. The initial diagnosis was peripheral neuropathy secondary to compensatory patterns from contralateral injury. A generalized strength test at follow-up with team physician revealed weakness of adduction, flexion, and external rotation. A median nerve assessment resulted in a “shooting stretch” pain, and the patient was referred for an arthrogram. The patient’s initial treatment included self-myofascial release utilizing a foam roller; release of anterior trigger points; cervical distraction; manual postural correction with posterior humeral translation; and median nerve glide—all of which, except foam rolling and median nerve glides, worsened patient symptoms. Revision of treatment consisted of myofascial decompression with active range of motion, which minimally relieved symptoms. Arthrogram revealed labral tears at multiple points along the glenoid rim, including an 8mm flap of the inferior labrum hanging into the axillary recess, resulting in compression and symptomatology of the axillary nerve. Limited guidelines exist for the course of treatment and implementation of surgical repair in SLAP tears, however, due to the extent of damage and consequent neuropathy, the patient was encouraged to have a surgical repair, which the patient denied following a second opinion (Hester et al., 2018; Sullivan et al., 2019)

Results: SLAP tears classically present with mechanical symptoms, pain, and a feeling of instability (Varacallo et al., 2021). The labral integrity of this patient was not evaluated due to the lack of mechanical symptoms such as clicking, locking, popping, or catching, as well as no feeling of instability (Varacallo et al., 2021). Therefore, when considering a patient who is complaining of peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremity in which all other probable causes have been ruled out, a diagnosis of a SLAP tear should be considered.

Clinical Bottom Line: In the evaluation of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, a more comprehensive clinical exam needs to be performed to rule out a structural injury such as a labral tear.

ECU Subsheath Tear in a 20 year old Male Gymnast
Subject:  Clinical Case Study (Athletic Training)
Presenters: Paige Butler
Faculty Sponsor: Matt Mills

Background: A tear of the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) subsheath causes the tendon to dislocate out of the fibro-osseous tunnel that it sits in (Gupta et al., 2018). The presentation of this injury revealed ECU tendinopathy however the tear in the subsheath was recognized when the treatment did not improve symptoms.

Case Presentation: P - A 20-year-old male gymnast presented to the athletic training room with chronic sharp ulnar-sided left wrist pain. The patient is a pommel horse specialist and had increased pain with wrist extension while weight-bearing. The patient had a history of wrist sprains and stated that the current pain “feels different” from previous injuries. The patient experienced increased soreness after practice and while sleeping. Tenderness was present over the ulnar head, superior to the ulnar head and the ulnar styloid process. No visible ecchymosis or edema was found. The patient experienced painless “clicking” at the distal ECU attachment 6 months following the initial evaluation. The patient had FPF AROM with wrist extension, supination, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation. Passive radial deviation was also FPF. Resisted wrist extension, supination, and radial deviation were found to be WPF. MMT found supinator 3/5 with pain and ECU 4+/5. Special tests including compression, radioulnar joint play, DeQuervains, Mills, Cozens, TFCC load, valgus stress, and medial epicondylitis test were negative. I – The patient was initially treated with an ice cup massage and then progressed to thermotherapy following a 2-minute laser treatment. The patient was instructed to rest and to consistently wear a wrist brace. A month following the initial evaluation the patient had a scheduled appointment with the team physician. The physician ordered an x-ray and MRI; however, the imaging showed no significant findings. Following the summer break, the patient reported seeing a hand specialist and undergoing a cortisone injection to manage the pain. Another MRI was ordered revealing a tear of the ECU substeath and erosion of the fibro-osseous tunnel. Mulligan wrist mobilization for flexion and ECU eccentrics were implemented into the treatment plan due to persisting pain. The patient followed up with the team physician who prescribed a topical anti-inflammatory medication. The patient received another cortisol injection 3 months following the last injection. C - The literature emphasizes the high incidence rate of a TFCC rupture associated with this injury (Lee, 2021). This patient did not sustain any TFCC injury or damage. It was advised that the patient undergo surgery and a wrist arthroscopy to get an accurate diagnosis of the intra-articular space (Lee, 2021). O – The patient is currently participating on the pommel horse as tolerated. The patient just received a third cortisol injection and scheduled surgery during the postseason.

Conclusions: ECU subhealth rupture is common in sports such as golf, tennis, and rugby, however, it is uncommon in the sport of gymnastics (Campbell et al., 2013). ECU subsheath tears typically present with the chief complaint of a clicking sensation and pain with AROM (Campbell et al., 2013). The patient, in this case, presented more similarly to an ECU tendinopathy, as the patient did not present with clicking until 6 months following the injury and experienced pain with all ranges of motion. This patient also sustained no damage to the TFCC complex which is common with this pathology. Clinical Bottom Line: ECU subsheath pathologies are uncommonly seen in sports other than golf and tennis and can often be mistaken for a tendinopathy. Clinicians should utilize MRI to diagnose an ECU subsheath tear when improvement is not evident during the treatment of ECU tendinopathy (Campbell et al., 2013).

References:
Campbell, D., Campbell, R., O'Connor, P., & Hawkes, R. (2013). Sports-related extensor carpi
ulnaris pathology: a review of functional anatomy, sports injury and management. British journal of sports medicine, 47(17), 1105–1111.
Lee, Y.-K. (2022). Treatment of subacute/chronic ECU tendinopathy using wrist arthroscopy and
open surgical repair. Journal of Orthopedic Surgery.
Gupta, N., Bhatt, N., Bansal, I., Li, S., & Kumar, Y. (2018). Tennis players and water polo
athletes now have something in common to talk about: MRI findings of extensor carpi ulnaris chronic subsheath injury. Cureus, 10(4), e2489.

A Type III Bipartite Patella in a 21 yro Male Volleyball Player: A Case Study
Subject:  Clinical Case Study (Athletic Training)
Presenters: Rebecca Carroll
Faculty Sponsor: Matt Mills

Background: Bipartite patella is a congenital condition caused by failure in ossification of patellar cartilage at the secondary ossification center (Jennings & Tjiattas-Saleski, 2016). This developmental anomaly results in an accessory fragment connected by a fibrocartilaginous zone (Loewen et al., 2021). Although commonly asymptomatic, bipartite patella can showcase symptoms if affected by direct trauma or overuse producing a disruption to the fibrocartilaginous zone provoking abnormal motion, friction, and edema (Loewen et al., 2021).

Case Presentation: A twenty-one-year-old male volleyball player suffering from constant medial knee pain for two months was diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome and chondromalacia. The patient was instructed to begin a rehabilitation program focused on hip strengthening and an anti-inflammatory medication. Two months later, the athlete plateaued in rehab due to pain and hypomobility of the patella. With cessation of the academic year, the athlete attended physical therapy three times a week and did not participate in any volleyball activities. Due to unresolved pain, the athlete was referred for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which presented a Type III Bipartite Patella with mild edema of the synchondrosis. The athlete was seen back in the athletic training room during the resumption of the academic year to begin a rehabilitation program focused on glute activation followed by joint mobilizations of the patella. The athlete continued to present with weakness of the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteals, and internal and external rotators when compared bilaterally with tightness of the adductors and quadriceps noted with palpation. There was an increase in discomfort, so exercises were regressed until pain decreased and electrical stimulation combined with ice was applied after patella joint mobilizations. Throughout continued rehabilitation, the athlete still suffered from an achy pain. The main goal of rehabilitation was to decrease discomfort during activities of daily living, but due to continued discomfort the athlete received a cortisone injection that relieved pain and was then able to progress back into sport specific activities. Due to testing positive for COVID-19, there was an abrupt stop of physical activity which resulted in the return of a dull ache. Due to the discomfort, the athlete was removed from volleyball for two weeks to complete strengthening activities with a slow progression to return to volleyball. Since the current treatment plan, the athlete has presented with increased strength and is participating in modified practice with the experience of a continued mild dull ache of the knee. Similar to this athlete, conservative management will be experimented first with restriction of activity, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy, and corticosteroid injections (Loewen et al., 2021). If symptoms worsen, surgical intervention is considered with the gold standard being an open fragment excision, but arthroscopic management is also possible (Loewen et al., 2021).

Conclusions: The clinical presentation of Bipartite patella often goes unnoticed as they typically present asymptomatically. Additionally, only two to five percent of the population present with this anatomical variant, with only two percent of those experiencing symptoms. (Zerouali et al., 2021). The clinical presentation of this individual athlete aligns with current literature of bipartite patellas due to the suffering from a chronic, achy knee pain that was presumed to be caused from overuse, and/or strenuous sport activity. Clinical Bottom Line: Athletes who experience consistent knee pain that does not resolve with conservative treatment should be reevaluated to assess if their rehabilitation is efficient and imaging should be ordered to help assess the severity of the athlete’s injury.

References: 
Jennings, C. M., & Tjiattas-Saleski, L. (2016). Bipartite patella. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 116(12), 816–816. https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2016.158 
Loewen, A., Ge, S. M., Marwan, Y., Burman, M., & Martineau, P. A. (2021). Arthroscopic Management for Bipartite Patella: A Systematic Review. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 9(8), 23259671211022248. https://doi.org/10.1177/23259671211022248 
Zerouali Boukhal, Z., Belgadir, H., Jadib, A., Amriss, O., Adam Fadoul, A., Merzem, A., Moussali, N., & El Benna, N. (2021). Painful bipartite patella following injury: a case report. Radiology case reports, 17(3), 725–728. 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radcr.2021.12.007

Right Peroneal Subluxation and Torn Retinaculum Treated Conservatively
Subject:  Clinical Case Study (Athletic Training)
Presenters: John DeGirolamo
Faculty Sponsor: Matt Mills

Background: An evaluation and conservative management of a right peroneal subluxation of a 22 y/o male football player. Peroneal subluxation is an uncommon injury of the lower leg and is also not frequently treated conservatively in athletic populations.

Case Presentation: 22 y/o male football defensive lineman was diagnosed with a right peroneal tendon subluxation/ torn right peroneal retinaculum. Conservative treatment of taping and modalities including but not limited to Game ready, compression wraps, IFC electrical stimulation, joint mobs, and manual massage techniques were utilized throughout the season for pain management and stability. Rehabilitation exercises such as slant board stretching, progressive balance exercises, yoga toes, and towel crunches were used to improve ROM and strength. Surgical intervention is the primary treatment option with various surgical methods. Peroneal groove deepening and retinaculum ligament repair are often used due to better expected outcomes. The patient was permitted to continue participation as tolerated with Leukotaping from the lateral malleolus to the calcaneus to recreate retinaculum with a closed basket weave covering the Leukotaping. The athlete was able to complete the entire senior year season with 11 games played.

Conclusions: In some cases Peroneal subluxations can be treated conservatively and should be considered based on the tolerance level of the athlete and the best potential outcomes. The ability of this athlete to continue to play at a high level despite conservative management should inform athletes and practitioners of their options outside of the recommended surgeries.

Clinical Bottom Line: Peroneal subluxations, while commonly treated surgically, can be treated conservatively with similar outcomes and far less rehabilitation, immediate complications, and shorter return to play time. Conservative treatment should be considered more often, and more case studies could help add to the validity of this treatment in the management of peroneal subluxations. 

Effects of stress hyperglycemia in association with myocardial infarction mortality in adults & elderly hospitlization
Subject:  Clinical Case Study ( Health Science)
Presenters: Anderson Nguyen
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey and Pamela Higgins 

Abstract:  Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer in the United States, an umbrella term that incorporates many different heart diseases. The biggest health concern is Myocardial Infarction (MI), as about 605,000 cases occur every year and can be proven mortally fatal. A possible indicator of patient health outcomes from MI is the presence of stress hyperglycemia, which is high blood sugar levels. This literature review aims to see whether the effects of stress hyperglycemia are associated with myocardial infarction mortality in adults/elderly. A complete search was done within three databases to find studies on stress hyperglycemia and myocardial infarction mortality outcome. Studies published before 2000 were excluded due to lack of information and not being written well in English. Lastly, medical information is not up to date with current times as medicine is constantly changing. Six out of the six published studies observed an association of MI mortality rate among those ages 18 and older with stress hyperglycemia with no previous history of diabetes. Stress Hyperglycemia (defined as ≥ 140 mg/dL) in 10.1% of patients had suffered early mortality from MI in a hospital. When compared to those who came in with MI with no stress hyperglycemia, 1.3% of those patients died. A strong association exists between stress hyperglycemia and myocardial infarction hospitalization mortality. However, more research should be done to address specific patients in the United States as there is a significant lack of information/research. The benefits of further research can help build awareness and preventative care initiatives for patients at high risk for myocardial infarction.

Long-term Care: Nursing Home versus Home Care within the Elderly Population
Subject: Critical Interpretation (Rehabilitation and Disability Studies)
Presenters: Marena DeSimone
Faculty Sponsor: Michael Accordino

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to critically review the relevant literature to identify and examine factors that were most consistently related to the quality of life within frail elders. This included factors that increased psychological and physical wellbeing due to long-term care and its organization ownership. A systematic database search and literature review (2011-2021) was performed, including terms for quality of life. Following the classification of the studies, 10 qualifying studies were included. Strong evidence was found that the type of long-term care facility (nursing home or home care) determines whether the frail elders will receive the best quality of care. It was found that most private facilities gave a better quality of care, which benefited the elderly population with their mental and physical health. Future research suggests that studies should further expand their findings in other countries with different ownerships of long-term care and its various care measurements to improve the quality of life within the elders. It is also essential to look at heterogeneous populations and their living arrangements to better understand older people with mental and physical disorders. If more research is done on these factors, we can strengthen the well-being of elders who are already vulnerable living in these long-term care facilities.

Working in Emergency Medicine association with Job Satisfaction
Subjec: Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Tessia Sumner
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

Background: Emergency medicine can be described as diagnosis and treatment of acute or urgent injuries or illnesses. Physicians within this field must have a vast knowledge of physical and mental disorders that could be present within a person. Job satisfaction is described as how much someone likes or enjoys their job. This type of satisfaction can be found in any profession across the globe.

Objective: The purpose of this literature review is to see if there is a higher level of job satisfaction within emergency medicine physicians compared to other specialties. This is important because emergency physicians are the first line of defense in urgent medical situations. Lower levels of job satisfaction can lead to poor or less than adequate productivity within a job. Having poor productivity can cause poor quality of care.
Methods: All articles were found through Medline complete and Google Scholar. All included articles were peer reviewed, included working in emergency medicine, and were written in the last 28 years (1994- 2022).

Results: Four out of the nine studies that were looked at showed that there were higher levels of job satisfaction within emergency medicine physicians when compared to other specialties. There were three out of the nine that showed low levels of job satisfaction when looking at emergency medicine alone. Two of the nine articles showed that levels of job satisfaction varied when looking at outside factors such as the economy and supply stocks.

Conclusions: Emergency medicine physicians seem to have higher levels of job satisfaction when compared to other specialties. Overall emergency medicine has lower job satisfaction when looking at a national scale average compared to other professions not medical related. Future studies should focus on how to heighten job satisfaction within physicians so the best care can be provided through all specialties.

The Effects of Medicaid Expansion on Chronic Disease Mortality in Adults
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Marissa Paolangeli
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

BACKGROUND: Heart disease and cancer are the top two leading causes of death in the U.S., both chronic diseases. Health policy is a major component in changing population health outcomes. One example of health policy is Medicaid Expansion (ME), a form of legislation that states can choose to either adopt or opt out of. ME grants low-income adults and individuals with disabilities health insurance coverage.

OBJECTIVE: This literature review intends to answer if ME reduces chronic disease mortality in adults compared to states that opted out of the legislation.

METHODS: The literature search was completed using two databases: MEDLINE Complete and PubMed and the search was refined using key terms, “Medicaid Expansion”, “chronic disease”, “mortality”, “heart disease”, and “cancer”. The studies chosen had to meet the criteria of being written in English, published within the last eight years, included adults above the age of 18 who were not on Medicare, studied states who expanded Medicaid versus states who did not expand, and investigated the survival or mortality of either heart disease or cancer. RESULTS: All seven studies included were retrospective cohort study designs. Five studies discovered a decrease in chronic disease mortality in states with ME while two studies showed no association, but different positive effects of the legislation.

CONCLUSION: ME benefits population health by reducing the chronic disease mortality of the top leading causes of death in the country. This association is significant in influencing the remaining states to adopt the legislation. Additionally, findings may shape new legislation that targets positive health outcomes while benefiting low-income individuals who are suffering disproportionately.

The Effect of Covid-19 on Elite/Student Athletes Mental Health
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Amanda Carr
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

Abstract: Mental health issues have become very prominent during the past few years for people not only in the U.S. but around the world. One in five Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year. These mental health issues could be defined as health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior. Covid-19, an infectious disease that has reached pandemic level, has changed the lifestyles of many. The student/elite athlete community has been impacted directly by this virus with sport seasons being canceled. Elite athletes are people who play pro/high level sports. Not playing their sport could potentially negatively affect their mental health. This literature review aims to explore if Covid-19 does indeed negatively affect a student/elite athlete's mental health. The databases these articles were pulled from include PubMed, PsycINFO, NCBI, and SAGE journals. The articles were included for the following inclusion criteria: studied elite student athletes in high school, college, or elite levels (14-30 years), participated on a sports team during the Covid-19 pandemic/or had the virus during their season, and examined the effect of mental health as the outcome. Three out of the seven published studies showed that there was a decline or affected mental health status due to being a student/elite athlete during Covid-19 compared to students and elite athletes who did not go through the Covid-19 pandemic. The studies altogether showed mixed results that Covid-19 played a direct role in negatively impacting the mental health of student/elite athletes. More high-quality studies are necessary to assess the full effect of Covid-19 on elite/student athletes' mental health and expand the evidence base with most information about Covid-19 being new and limited.

The Effects of Overuse and the Subsequent Development of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Trauma in Young Baseball Pitchers
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Travis Dupuis
Faculty Sponsor:  Megan Harvey

Purpose: This literature review aims to examine the effects of overuse in the pitching arm of young baseball pitchers and subsequent ulnar collateral ligament injury (UCL) of the elbow and to shed light on the current epidemic plaguing young baseball pitchers.

Background: UCL injuries of the elbow is one of the most common and detrimental baseball pitching injuries. The incidence of UCL injuries in baseball pitchers has increased by more than 9% in 15 to 19-year old’s between 2007 and 2011. Rates of UCL reconstructions for high school pitchers compared with older athletes increased from 8% to 13% from 1994 to 2003.

Methods: Four data bases were utilized to examine the effects of overuse and subsequent UCL injury in young baseball pitchers (CINAHL, Google Scholar, Medline Complete, and PubMed). Articles were excluded if they were not in English, published within the last 22 years (2000-2022), or pertaining to the UCL of the thumb. Articles were included if they studied pitchers (ages 7 to 21), included aspects of overuse, if they were only pitchers, and they examined UCL injury of the elbow as the outcome.

Results: Of the seven studies highlighted, all seven found a positive association between overuse in the pitching arm and an increased risk of UCL injury.

Conclusions: A review of the literature revealed a positive association across all seven articles. Overuse appears to have a significant impact on the future health of pitcher’s arms. With this, strict guidelines should be developed by coaches and league commissions addressing adequate rest, pitch counts, and frequency of pitching appearances. Parents should also be made aware of this strong association in order to protect the health of their child.
 

The Correlation Between Hormonal Birth Control and Depression
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Gabriella DeRose
Faculty Sponsor:  Megan Harvey

Background: Hormonal birth control (HBC) is a commonly used contraception method amongst women. HBC comes in various formats and uses estrogen, progestin, or a combination of both hormones to control pregnancy. Depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in the United States. It is defined as a mood disorder that includes persistent sadness, inactivity, and difficulty in thinking and concentration. 

Purpose: This research aims to determine if there is any correlation between hormonal birth control use and an increased risk of developing depression.

Methods: A literature review was conducted across seven databases; eight studies were included after applying exclusion and inclusion criteria. Across all the studies examined, participants were between 12 to 50 years old. 

Results: Four out of the eight studies found no correlation between HBC use and depression. Three studies found HBC use was positively associated with depression. One study found HBC use was negatively associated with depression. 

Conclusions: Due to the high prevalence of depression and HBC use amongst women, further research should be done to determine if the relationship between HBC and depression is causal. In future research, studies should examine specific forms of HBC in correlation to depression.

The Impact of Dance Movement Therapy on Social Skills in Individuals with Autism
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Courtney Picz
Faculty Sponsor:  Megan Harvey

Background: Social skill deficits are very common among those who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These deficits leave them vulnerable to loneliness, more stress, and a decrease in their mental health. Adequate social skills are important for all persons, regardless of ability or disability, to function in society. The standard of care (SOC) treatment of medication and psychotherapy that is used to help improve social skill deficits has been the same for years. 

Objective: There are other non-traditional interventions that may be more beneficial to improving social skills over SOC. It is important to find alternative therapies that can help improve social skills in such a vulnerable population. The purpose of this literature review is to see if dance movement therapy is an effective intervention to improve social skills in those with ASD. 

Methods: There were three databases that were searched for articles. These included MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Studies were included if the population of interest looked at individuals with ASD, used dance movement therapy (DMT) as their intervention, and studied some form of social skills as their outcome. 

Results: From the six studies that were included in the literature review, four of them showed that individuals who participated in DMT had improved social skills. One study observed the best type of music to use in DMT to improve social skills, and one other study concluded that DMT can decrease the negative symptoms that are found in those with ASD. 

Conclusion: A review of the impact DMT has on social skills in those with ASD shows that there is a positive correlation between the two. While results showed that DMT can be used as an effective intervention, the full impact is not fully understood yet since many of the studies had a lack of follow-up.

Female NCAA Athletes and Eating Disorder Development
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Leah Jewett
Faculty Sponsor:  Megan Harvey

Abstract: Eating Disorders (ED) is one of the top mental health conditions in the United States and affects 9% of the population. The prevalence of ED in female athletes in The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a common mental health problem. This literature review aims to answer if NCAA female athletes are at risk for developing an ED. A complete search of literature regarding NCAA Division I and Division III female athletes and ED on three databases resulted in seven studies used in this review. These studies were chosen based on exclusion and inclusion criteria to fit best with the research objective. The results of the review were inconsistent and conflicting. Four of the seven studies observed an increase in ED among NCAA female athletes. Two articles observed no correlation between female NCAA athletes and ED, and the last remaining study concluded a decrease in the risk of ED among NCAA female athletes. Due to the inconsistencies of these results, further research should be conducted to justify this correlation. With more research, the NCAA can target the risk factors causing athletes to develop ED. It will bring awareness to athletes’ eating behaviors and provide them with the resources to feel supported and succeed.

The Effects of Disordered Eating on Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Jillian Michaud
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

Objective: This literature review aims to answer whether disordered eating has an effect on the development of depressive symptoms within adolescence. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders present within the United States. 

Background: Depression is a common yet serious mood disorder that may cause severe symptoms impacting the way you feel, think, sleep, eat, and work. The prevalence of depressive symptoms within adolescence has increased by 7.7% within the past ten years. In the United States, 4.1 million adolescents have at least one major depressive episode in their lifetime. Disordered eating is a serious and fatal illness that is associated with severe disturbances in eating behaviors as well as thoughts and poor emotional regulation. Disordered eating may impact individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and genders. It frequently appears during teen years and has the potential to develop during childhood. 

Methods: A complete search of the literature resulted in eight articles gathered from three databases, including MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL, and PubMed. Studies were included if they looked at disordered eating and the outcome it had on depressive symptoms in adolescents. 

Results: Six of the eight studies observed a significant increase in depressive symptoms in adolescents who had disordered eating. The remaining two studies observed an association between disordered eating and depressive symptoms due to them likely having the comorbidity of anxiety. 

Conclusions: Disordered eating appears to increase depressive symptoms in adolescents. Current research on the relationship between disordered eating and depressive symptoms in adolescents has been assessed as an inverse relationship but is rarely discussed in this sequential order. A complete review of the current available research is necessary to help improve the quality of life for adolescents struggling with disordered eating and depressive symptoms. 

Effects of Yoga on Flexibility
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Elias Tsiantoulas
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

Background: Yoga is a form of stretching through poses that can relax and loosen muscles over time. If this helps flexibility in athletes of all ages, then future injuries can be prevented which is beneficial. 

Purpose: The overall goal of this research is to see how yoga affects flexibility in athletes. Being flexible is crucial in athletes to maintain a healthy body during and after physical activity. 

Methods: Information was gathered through three databases. The databases used were CINAHL, Medline, and Google Scholar to find interventions and studies that show how yoga affects flexibility in athletes. Seven studies were found based on study design and methods of measuring the outcome of flexibility. Two of the three highlighted studies are randomized control trials (RCT’s), while one is a retrospective cohort study. The three highlighted studies all measure flexibility the same using the sit-and-reach test. 

Contribution/Findings: In all three highlighted studies, a significant result of yoga increasing flexibility was found through the sit-and-reach test. There is a direct positive association between practicing yoga and increasing flexibility in all studies analyzed. Further research with larger sample sizes would be needed to generalize the result of yoga increasing flexibility in all athletes. Future studies should specify which type of athletes will be used because each sport requires different areas of the body to be more flexible, so alternate methods would need to be used. This research is important because flexibility plays a major role in prevention of injury during physical activity.

The Benefits of Using Electric Modalities – Ultrasound or Electrical Muscular Stimulation (EMS) – for Improving Shoulder Range of Motion Over Conventional Modalities
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Brendan Kirck
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

BACKGROUND: Posterior chain injuries are one of the most common occurrences that lead to prolonged absences from competition in overhead throwing athletes, specifically pitchers. Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) and subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) are two of the main culprits that limit range of motion (ROM) and complete arm functioning, which can then lead to other injuries down the kinetic chain. 

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this literature review was to gather articles that included new therapeutic technologies, like therapeutic ultrasound (US) and electrical muscular stimulation (EMS), that attempt to correct ROM problems, reduce pain, and speed up recovery in pitchers. 

METHODS: Four databases were used to collect sufficient data on relevant topics. These included MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. The studies needed to contain participants, preferably athletes, with shoulder injuries exposed to either form of therapy that measured ROM, pain reduction, or arm functioning after the intervention.

RESULTS: Five out of the seven studies included in this review supported the use of therapeutic US or EMS when treating posterior injuries of the shoulder along with other paired modalities, not as a monotherapy. The remaining two studies resulted in findings that supported the use of other modalities: hyperthermia treatment and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT).

CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of shoulder injuries in overhead athletes warrants the application of the electric modalities – US or EMS – to treat disorders that can lead to further injuries, based on the clinically significant results of the reviewed studies. Since there is still a lack of evidence supporting the use of either modality as a monotherapy to treat posterior chain injuries, future studies should focus on this element to guide future clinical decision-making.

The Correlation Between Physical Exercise and Substance Use Disorders
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Gabrielle Inkel
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

Background: Over 20 million Americans aged twelve and over are affected by substance use disorder commonly related to nicotine, marijuana, and prescribed pain relievers. A substance use disorder is developed when an individual partakes in prolonged, repeated use of any substance at a high dose and/or frequency which then produces a diagnosable illness that significantly impairs your health and function of everyday life that may require special treatment. Physical exercise can be defined as a subgroup of physical activities that are planned and purposeful attempts to improve health and well-being. 

Objective: The purpose of this literature review is to answer whether physical exercise reduces substance use disorders (SUDs) in middle-aged adults. 

Methods: A complete literature search was done on MEDLINE where a meta-analysis was found. Eight articles were taken from the meta-analysis that answered the research question. Articles were only included if they met the following inclusion criteria: the papers were studying physical exercise interventions’ effect on drug abuse, research used RCTs, subjects in the studies were adults over 18 years old, and the primary outcome measured in the studies included the rate of abstinence from drug addiction. 

Results: Seven of the eight articles observed an increase in continuous abstinence rates among middle-aged substance abusers who partake in physical exercise compared to those in the control conditions. The remaining article observed no association between the exercise and control groups. 

Conclusions: It is important to point out that experts think regular physical activity can act as a replacement for addictive substances. This is because exercise and drugs act on similar parts of the brain. They both activate your reward pathway, which triggers the release of feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. Understanding the effect physical exercise has on substance use disorders can lessen the rate of middle-aged adults misusing addictive substances.

The Benefits of Breastfeeding on Childhood Obesity
Subject:   Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Cali Martinelli
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

Purpose: To examine if being breastfed as an infant reduces the risk of childhood obesity and to look at the association between breastfeeding and childhood obesity. 

Background: About 19.3% of children are considered obese under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of obese. Childhood obesity is a risk factor for slow metabolism and outcomes later in life such as heart disease and high cholesterol. There are a wide variety of benefits that come from breastfeeding and the breastmilk, not only for the mother but also for the infant. Breastfeeding is linked to a reduction in health disorders children face as a child and later in life including childhood obesity. 

Methods: The main data base looked at was MEDLINE Complete through Springfield Colleges data base. Peer reviewed articles were selected in a comprehensive search which included key terms such as “breastfeeding”, “breast-feeding”, “infant feeding”, “childhood obesity”, “childhood weight gain”, “overweight children”, “pediatric obesity”, and/or “obese children”. Studies were excluded if they were not written in English, had not been published within the last 16 years (2005 to 2022), and looked at children over the age of 10.

Contribution/findings: Six studies were identified, and they all concluded that breastfeeding is linked to a reduction in childhood obesity. These studies were consistent with their findings and measurements of breastfeeding and body mass index (BMI) of the children. Breastfeeding is a natural and easy to implement way to reduce the risk of childhood obesity as well as the other risk factors that correspond with childhood obesity. More support and education is needed for women to feel comfortable with breastfeeding and seek help if needed.

Is Doing Fasted Cardio More Effective In Burning Body Fat Compared To Fed Cardio?
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Daniel Cavallaro
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

Abstract:  The goal of this research is to determine whether doing cardio in a fasted state, which is on an empty stomach, is more efficient to burn body fat compared to doing cardio in a fed state. There are several variations of training techniques to help individuals lose body fat and fasted cardio has always been in the conversation. Due to mixed reviews and conclusions, the fitness industry has not been entirely convinced that this method is proven to work. Our aim was to find if fasted cardio or fed cardio was most efficient for maximizing fat loss. Keywords such as “fasted cardio”, “fat loss”, and “fasted vs fed cardio” were searched on PubMed, Google scholar, and ScienceOpen. We found multiple meta-analyses and one randomized controlled study that compared total fat loss over time from individuals who participated in either fasted or fed cardio sessions. It was found that performing cardiovascular exercise in a fasted state compared to a fed state had limited to no significant changes in maximal fat loss. Due to an overwhelm of misinformation in the fitness industry, this research is significant for helping professionals lead their patients and clients in the right direction when it comes to body fat reduction. It is also important for people to understand who are on their own fitness journey as well.

Which Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery Yields the Greatest Range of Motion and the Least Pain?
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Chas Zawacki
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

Background: Historically, the Patellar tendon graft (PT) has been the gold standard of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions. More recently, surgeons have started using the hamstring graft (HG) over the PT. Between one and two hundred thousand athletes tear their ACLs per year, so this research will help athletes decide which reconstruction option will give them the best recovery. Both range of motion (ROM) and level of pain play an important role in daily function and quality of life.

Objective: The goal of this research is to decide which of the two ACL reconstruction options, HG or PT, will yield a greater ROM and a lower pain level. All athletes will benefit from a full range of motion, and having less or no pain will give them the confidence to compete at 100%. 

Methods: Research was conducted using only Medline. In order to be included, studies needed to include ages 18-30, have both types of reconstructions, and either examine ROM, pain level, or both. Studies that did not meet this criteria and were not in English were excluded.

Results: After completing a review on the literature surrounding ACL surgeries, five of the seven studies showed no association between reconstruction option and range of motion and pain level. Range of motion was measured using a goniometer and pain level was assessed based on a 10 point scale during both kneeling and strenuous activities. One study found that the HG group had less pain during both kneeling, 27% compared to 41% and strenuous activity, 23% compared to 40%. Only one study showed a difference in ROM, favoring the PT group. Data indicates that the reconstruction options are very similar in terms of results.

A Comparison between Beta-blockers and Ivabradine in the treatment of Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia 
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Sciences)
Presenters: Teresa Fleisher
Faculty Sponsor: Pamela Higgins

Background: Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST) is a new chronic illness associated with heart rate. The “normal” resting heart rate for a patient with IST is 100 beats per minute or more. Being that this illness is new, treatments for IST are not yet completely established. A very common treatment is Beta-blockers, and a new uncommon treatment is Ivabradine.

Objective: The purpose of this review was to examine which of these two treatments is better at lowering the heart rate the patients diagnosed with IST. 

Methods: The database that was used to find articles were Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), this database has articles that are also from PubMed and Medline on CINAHL.  Articles were included if they were published within the last 15 years and needed to be in English. 

Results: Six of the seven reviewed studies had results that were consistent with each other. All six had Ivabradine lowering the heart rate and improving the quality of life in the patients with Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia. Along with this result, the articles had proved that Beta-blockers are not as good at lowering the heart rates of patients compared to Ivabradine. 

Conclusion: Based on the reviewed articles, the treatment that has better results is Ivabradine. Whenever it is involved in the treatment the heart rate of the patient along with their quality of life was improved. Beta-blockers seem to work rarely and only with very high doses and coupled with other treatments. 

The Effect of Microplastics on Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Sciences)
Presenters: James Laford
Faculty Sponsor: Pamela Higgins

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease, also known as IBD, are chronic, autoimmune diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract. The two diseases that are classified as IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease affects the entire gastrointestinal tract, whereas ulcerative colitis affects only the large intestine. There are known risk factors that enhance the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease such as stress and anxiety. A newly developed theory suggests that microplastics could be a major risk factor.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to examine if microplastics increase the risk of developing an inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS: The two databases that were used to find studies discussing the association between microplastics and inflammatory bowel disease were PubMed and Medline. The search terms that were used were inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and microplastics. The articles that were analyzed for the result section were published between 2020 to 2022.

RESULTS: The three studies that were highlighted showed that a higher consumption of microplastics increases the risk factor of inflammatory bowel disease.

CONCLUSIONS: Out of the six total studies, five of the studies resulted in a positive association that microplastics increase the risk of inflammatory bowel disease. One study negated this association but a population size was not provided. The studies that provided this information utilized small sample sizes. One study used humans as a population while the rest used animals. Therefore, additional studies need to be conducted on human populations with a bigger population size in order to ensure a positive association between microplastics and inflammatory bowel disease is validated.

Key Words: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, microplastics

Effects of Living in Rural vs. Urban Areas in Correlation to Life Expectancy
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Sciences)
Presenters: Zachary Schuette
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey and Pamela Higgins

Background: In the United States, living in an Urban or Rural area is directly linked to an individual's Life Expectancy. These are connected by stress, racial disparities, access to proper care, gaps in income, obesity, smoking, and poverty. Some Americans have no choice but to live in places that will directly affect their health and their families. The systems in place can be changed to close that gap in Life Expectancy and give everyone healthier lives.

Objective: This review aimed to examine whether Life Expectancy was lower in Urban areas or Rural areas. Also, factors as to why this disparity exists were examined to find ways to combat the large Life Expectancy gap between areas.

Methods: Three databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE Complete, and PubMed) were used to find peer-reviewed articles on the topic of Urban (vs.) Rural areas in the United States are associated with an individual's Life Expectancy. Articles excluded from consideration were articles not written in English and anything written before 2013.

Results: Of the three highlighted studies, two were retrospective cohorts, and one involved recursive partitioning. These studies showed that living in a Rural area caused lower Life Expectancy. Additionally, much of the association between Life Expectancy and the Urban (vs.) Rural communities were due to socioeconomic status, education, and racial inequalities. Poverty with the Urban to Rural classification explains around 50% of the variance in premature mortality. 

Conclusions: Americans should have outreach programs that can begin development and spread awareness in this area of health. Using these outreach programs to disperse racial inequalities and proper education. Access to healthcare is also important for people in rural areas. Creating a population-based prevention plan for both Urban and Rural areas that best suit the needs of those groups is an essential first step. 

Treating PTSD in First Responders: A Review of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Sciences)
Presenters: Christopher Caisse
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

Background: First responders are routinely exposed to traumatic exposures and are considered to be at a greater risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than most other occupations. Prevalence rates of PTSD within the population of first responders are reported to be over two times that of the normal adult. PTSD is the mental health condition affecting individuals who have experienced a traumatic event and suffer from emotional and physical reactions to trauma-related triggers.

Objective: The purpose of this review was to examine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions for reducing symptoms of PTSD and improving outcomes among first responders with PTSD and PTSD symptoms. Methods: The three databases that were used to find studies on cognitive-behavioral therapy treatments for first responders with PTSD included CINAHL, MEDLINE Complete, and Clinicaltrials.gov. The studies needed to include first responders and measure the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in the reduction of PTSD symptoms.

Results: Of the three studies highlighted, one was a randomized control trial, one was an observational cohort study, and one was a cross-sectional study. In the randomized control trial and observational cohort study, CBT was found to have large effect sizes in reducing PTSD symptoms in first responders. The remaining study found CBT to be the preferred method of therapy intervention among first responders.

Conclusions: The literature shows CBT interventions to be effective for treating PTSD in first responders but has many limitations. More studies need to be done, specifically randomized control trials, to validate the effectiveness of the interventions. Future studies should focus on the comparison, or combination, of CBT and other PTSD treatments.

The Effect of Breathing Methods on Inflammatory Biomarkers/Symptoms
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project ( Department of Health Sciences)
Presenters: Conor Clune
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

Purpose: The purpose of this literature review is to determine the effects of controlled breathing exercises on reducing inflammatory symptoms/biomarkers.

Background: Inflammation is a necessary mechanism for initiating healing. However, chronic inflammation is the mechanism behind eight of ten leading causes of death in the world. As of 2014, 60% of Americans have at least one condition associated with chronic inflammation. These inflammatory conditions include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, arthritis, and COPD to name a few. In this review, three main types of breathing were researched; cyclic hyperventilation, Qigong breathing, and Yogic breathing.

Methods: An all-inclusive search of peer-reviewed articles was conducted based on a wide range of search terms including: “Breathing exercises,” “Inflammation,” “IL-6,” “IL-1β,” “Hyperventilation,” “Qigong,” “Pro-inflammatory” and/or “Anti-inflammatory.” Four databases were utilized to search for relevant articles CINAHL, MEDLINE Complete, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Pubmed. Articles were excluded if they were not written in English or published within the last 15 years (2007-2022).

Results: Results for six of the seven included studies found various decreased levels of TNF-ɑ, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the experimental/trained groups as well as an increase in the anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine. In addition to these surrogate outcomes, patients self-reported fewer symptoms associated with endotoxemia as well as cancer after being trained in cyclic hyperventilation and medical Qigong breathing respectively.

Conclusions/Contributions: There are currently very few systematic reviews and original research on the effect of breathing methods and mitigating inflammation. Further study is needed to determine the effectiveness of breathing methods on inflammation in various populations to define the underlying mechanisms. This field may have major implications on medicine as breathing could revolutionize acute treatment for many mild inflammatory symptoms and divert us from overusing pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories like NSAIDs.

The Effects of Micro Dosing Psilocybin on Depression among Cancer Patients
Subject:   Critical Interpretation Project ( Health Science)
Presenters: Finnegan Raymond
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

BACKGROUND: Depression rate in cancer patients is three times higher than that of the general population; this mood disorder affects 25% of cancer patients. There are clinically significant adverse outcomes associated with depression in cancer patients, including lower quality of life, hastened desire for death, and decreased survival rates. A new treatment method called microdosing has become a popularized alternative treatment method for psychiatric conditions. Microdosing entails taking small doses of psychedelic drugs that include the compound psilocybin to experience benefits from the drug without hallucinogenic effects.

OBJECTIVE: This review aims to examine the effectiveness of microdosing as a treatment method for decreasing depressive symptoms in cancer patients.

METHODS: Three databases were used to search for studies on the treatment method: Cochrane Clinical Answers, Medline, and Google Scholar. The studies needed to be peer-reviewed and include psilocybin treatment as the exposure and a measure of depression or depressive symptoms as the outcome.

RESULTS: Of the six studies reviewed, five were randomized control trials, and one was a retrospective cohort study. Four studies used cancer patients with a life-threatening diagnosis as the population, and two used healthy cancer-free participants. All studies showed that psilocybin was an effective treatment method in reducing depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION: The treatment methods used in the studies show that microdosing psilocybin is an effective treatment method for depression in cancer patients, but there is a scarce amount of research and long-term follow-up done. Therefore, more studies should be done to ensure that psilocybin is a safe and effective treatment to decrease depressive symptoms in cancer patients. Further studies should focus on finding the optimal dosage amount and frequency of the drug and examine the long-term effects. At the moment, recommendations for this treatment method seem indicated only as an alternative when other antidepressant drugs are not working.

Why Do People Choose to Take Steroids
Subject:  Social Science (Physical Therapy)
Presenters: Ryan Aubin
Faculty Sponsor: Fadia Nordveit

Abstract: Anabolic steroids have been a controversial topic of debate for years. Although there is such a negative stigma surrounding these substances, many(statistics) bodybuilders still decide to dope. This qualitative research study aims to find different reasons as to why bodybuilders and athletes might take certain banned substances. Interviewing with a sports psychologist and asking them about the reasons people take steroids will provide an insight into the minds of lifters who decide to dose. There will also be an interview with an individual who is currently preparing for a bodybuilding competition. This does not mean he has taken steroids, but has experience with the tainted sport and the pressures that come with it. A documentary about the physical toles that steroids have taken on eight time Mr. Olympia champion Ronnie Coleman will also be reviewed to gain the perspective of someone who is a known user of anabolic steroids and his reason for taking them. These three methods will show insight as to whether the reasoning is intrinsic or more likely, if they feel external pressure from peers. 

The Association between Lack of Sleep and Vertigo 
Subject:  Critical Interpretation (Health Sciences)
Presenters: Robert Parra
Faculty Sponsor: Pamela Higgins 

Abstract: This literature review aims to see if there is a relationship between the lack of sleep and vertigo among young adults, why it occurs and ways it could be avoided. Vertigo is more of a sensation than a condition, and there are many different types. Throughout this literature review, the type of vertigo focused on was Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is activated based on the head position, which is usually viewed during the sleeping process. Two databases used to find the five studies observed were “Psycinfo” and “MEDLINE Complete.” Three of the five studies used a cohort study design. The remaining two studies were cross-sectional studies as their study design. Of the five studies observed, only two studies used over twenty thousand participants . Two other studies were used in between the ranges of one hundred and three hundred participants.And the final article used less than one hundred participants in their study. Of the five studies, all five found an association between lack of sleep increasing the chances of vertigo. This research is important because the sensation of vertigo is mainly seen in elderly women, which leaves the question of why it is occurring within young adults. Young adults who are healthier and less likely to deal with a sensation that is seen in individuals twice to three times their age, further research is necessary to determine the risk factors. 

Strict Parenting Styles Impact On Children’s Eating Behaviors: Literature Review Study
Subject:  Critical Interpretation Project (Health Science)
Presenters: Raquel Spence
Faculty Sponsor: Megan Harvey

BACKGROUND: Parenting styles influence multiple aspects of a child's life, including eating behaviors. Unhealthy eating behaviors disrupt children's physical development and lead to eating disorders. The risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other health-related issues increases due to common genetic variants specific to certain eating behaviors. Globally over 200 million children are either malnourished or overweight.

OBJECTIVE: This literature review study examines the effect of strict parenting styles (authoritarian/authoritative) on children's eating behaviors.

METHODS: CINHAL, MEDLINE Complete, and Google Scholar were used to gather studies. Exclusion criteria for studies were those not written in English, not published within the last 13 years (with the exception of one study being published in 2003), not peer-reviewed, and had a population of individuals older than 18 years old. All studies were cross-sectional studies, with one being a longitudinal cross-sectional study. 

CONTRIBUTION: Five studies found that strict parenting styles have a significant difference in general parenting styles and eating behaviors, while two studies did not see a significant difference. The contradiction in results could've resulted from the differences in the survey questions that researchers asked to determine eating behaviors. If all studies measured eating behaviors with the same or very similar survey questions, there could have been more consistent results. Another reason for the differences in results could be the lack of clarity and specificity in the survey questions regarding certain eating behaviors. Understanding the effect parenting styles have on eating behaviors can lessen the rate of children who are malnourished, overweight, or suffer from eating disorders.

How can we prevent violence against the EMS community?
Subject:  Social Science (Health Science)
Presenters: Josephine Chinburg
Faculty Sponsor: Fadia Nordveit

Abstract:  This qualitative research study is about the growing violence against the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) community and what can be done to stop or lower this rate of violence. The EMS community across the globe has been experiencing an increased level of violence from others while on calls. A 2017 study of 1,778 EMS personnel around the world showed that 65% of them had been physically attacked while on duty, 90% of which were patients (Maguire et al., 2019). This violence has caused the EMS community great stress as well as making EMS work less appealing to future generations. Two EMS professionals in the New England area. These interviews asked EMS personnel what they have experienced while on duty regarding violence towards themselves or others. After the interviews with EMS the one thing that was agreed upon was that weapons in the hands of EMS personnel will not lower or prevent these growing rates of violence.

The effect of time-of-day  on athletic performance: a literature review
Subject: Critical Interpretation (Health Science)
Presenters: Alberto Morales-Fernandez
Faculty Sponsor: Pamela Higgins & Megan Harvey 

Abstract: The aim of this literature review is to identify the effect of time of day on the athletic performance of endurance sports and the endurance of athletes. Time of day is often associated with different levels of energy and activity. This internal timer known as the Circadian Rhythm (CR) influences the balance of the human body’s physiological levels. This cycle fluctuates daily, enhancing particular body systems at varying times of day. The focus of this review is to identify the time of day where the body is most effective in producing cardiovascular outputs that enables the performance of human endurance. Research in CR’s and hormonal balances exist, but there are few comprehensive reviews of how this variable affects athletic performance exist. A complete search of literature regarding time of day and athletic performance using four databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE complete, Rehabilitation and Sports medicine, and Sport Discuss) yielded fifteen studies for review, after which eight met the inclusion criteria. Six of the studies found statistically significant increases in athletic performance in the evening hours compared to the morning; three of these studies focused specifically on endurance sports in measurement. For example, a maximum aerobic velocity (MAV) increased from 16.3 km • h^-1 (SD 1.3, p<0.05) in a morning trial (07:00h) to 17.03 km • h^-1 (SD 1.4, p<0.05) in the evening (17:00h) in a Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. In order to maximize the results of training and competition, further implications could advise medical professionals in treating cardiovascular or musculoskeletal abnormality. Further high-quality and intensive studies are important to assess the association between CR’s and endurance performance in athletes and to expand the knowledge of the subject. 

Looking Beyond the Soil
Subject:  Science (Health Science/Biology)
Presenters: Kelsey Prince, Alexis Weary
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Sally Chamberland

Abstract: In 2015,  the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization identified antimicrobial resistance as one of the most urgent public health threats. The misuse of antibiotics has resulted in pathogens evolving to survive in the presence of currently used antibiotics. It is important, now more than ever, to discover new antibiotics to defend against these evolving pathogens. Through the Tiny Earth project, we sought to discover new antibiotics by examining the biodiversity of soil collected from the Springfield College campus in Springfield, Massachusetts. We successfully isolated 6 different antibiotic-producing bacteria that were able to inhibit the growth of safe relatives to the ESKAPE pathogens (pathogens that typically are the culprits of common antibiotic resistant infections). Upon isolation of these bacteria, we moved onto identification. Future research is needed to verify the bacterial identification and to isolate the potentially new antimicrobial compounds these bacteria are producing. 

Abundance of Squirrel Species Along the Eastern Seaboard
Subject:  Science (Biology & Chemistry)
Presenters: Alyssa Paquette
Faculty Sponsor: Melinda Fowler

Abstract:  Camera trapping is a common research method used to document species in their natural habitat and estimate their abundance. One of the most prevalent animals captured on camera are squirrels. To understand how squirrel abundance varies by region, camera trap data were analyzed. Additionally, I investigated patterns in different species of squirrels in different regions. Twenty sites/subprojects along the Eastern Seaboard were selected from eMammal in 2019: 10 sites each in the North and South (regions were divided by the Mason-Dixon line). Five different squirrel species were recorded: Eastern Gray Squirrel, American Red Squirrel, Eastern Fox Squirrel, Northern Flying Squirrel, and the Southern Flying Squirrel. The number of squirrels at each site was divided by the number of cameras at each site to control sampling effort in a location. It was predicted that there would be a difference in squirrel abundance by species and region. A total of 7,781 squirrels were captured and 166 cameras were used. After data analysis, it was clear that the number of Eastern Gray Squirrels outnumber the other species by far. It was determined there are no differences among the two regions in abundance of squirrels by species. Although not statistically significant, patterns of American Red Squirrels indicate higher abundance in the North. The large number of Eastern Gray Squirrels and high variation of counts made finding statistical patterns difficult. In the future, it would be interesting to investigate if forest vegetation types affect the number of squirrels or types of squirrel species.

Somatic Growth Enhancement By Diet Supplementation In Eastern Bluebird Nestlings
Subject:  Science (Biology & Chemistry)
Presenters: Gizzelle Abanador
Faculty Sponsor: Melinda Fowler

Abstract:  Physiological development is critical to many functions of the biological systems. Limitations in resources significantly affect body growth. This research focuses on Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) chicks and changes in somatic development when supplemented with additional food. Eastern Bluebirds migrate between the northern and southern parts of the U.S. to mate and locate breeding territories. After maturity, most individuals grow brilliant blue feathers with slight brown undercoating on the belly. Supplementation was administered through meal worms containing higher sources of glucose. To measure body size changes in wing/tarsus and in individual birds, changes in wing + tarsus and in mass/tarsus (fat index) were calculated. Chick mass, wing, and tarsus measurements were compared to the difference in glucose measurements in the control versus supplemented nest in both day 8 and day 15 chicks. I hypothesized, supplemented birds would result in higher glucose thus leading to faster body growth than the control chicks. The results indicate a positive correlation between structural size growth (greater change in wing+tarsus) and glucose intake in chicks (higher change in glucose). This implies that growth size in the Eastern Bluebirds are more favorable with presence of higher glucose concentrations. In conclusion, additional food supplements provide parents with fuel which chicks partitioned towards structural growth. The consequences of body size may include survival or predation risk and would be an interesting avenue for future research.

Antimicrobial Activity of Ferulic Acid Derivatives
Subject:  Science (Biology/Chemistry and Honors Program)
Presenters: Emilee Gebhart
Faculty Sponsor: Marisa Blauvelt and Sally Chamberland

Abstract:    Antibiotic resistance is a serious issue in healthcare today, arising through the frequent and inadequate use of antibiotics. Microorganisms are able to adapt and no longer be affected by the antimicrobial effects. Pharmaceutical companies are frantically searching for new antimicrobial agents to create antibiotics that can counter the emerging resistance. Ferulic acid is a naturally occurring compound found in plant cell walls that exhibits a number of biological effects in humans, including antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and cholesterol-lowering. Ferulic acid had undergone esterification in the Springfield College Organic Chemistry lab to synthesize derivatives. Three derivatives were prepared in sufficient yield: a methyl, an ethyl, and an isopropyl form of ferulic acid. These three derivatives then went into testing in the Microbiology lab to measure antimicrobial effects. The derivatives were tested against safe relatives of bacteria that cause many common infections. The disc diffusion assay was used to quantify effectiveness. A clearing zone around the disc indicates the derivative’s capability of killing bacteria; a larger zone indicates a stronger antimicrobial effect. Of the three derivatives made, the isopropyl product appears to be most effective. This testing is an ongoing process to determine the range of bacterial strains and concentrations for which these derivatives are most effective.

Body Size and Physiological Development between House Wrens and Tree Swallow
Subject:  Science (Biology)
Presenters: Kerice Kelly
Faculty Sponsor: Melinda Fowler 

Abstract: Avian species varies through size, coloration, and developmental processes. The House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta biocolo) share similar geographical locations however varies significantly in size.

My research focused on the physiological and somatic (body) development of the House Wren and Tree Swallow chicks. The somatic data was quantified by mass, tarsus, and wing length of the chicks. The physiological development was quantified through hemoglobin, a protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood throughout the body. The purpose of this study was to compare somatic development between the two species and the rate at which these developments occur. This study also answers the hypothetical questions of how physiological development, through changes in hemoglobin, varies between the two species.

Body measurements and blood samples were taken on day 8 and 15 after the chicks hatched. The hemoglobin concentration was quantified using the cyanmethemoglobin method with the use of Drabkin’s reagent. The growth rate of the chicks was compared based on somatic factors, mass, fat size, wing and tarsus length measured on day 8 and day 15. The relationship between hemoglobin concentration and chick ages were compared between species, illustrating that the hemoglobin concentration increased with age. There was a smaller sample size for the House wren compared to the Tree swallow species, which could be a limiting factor reflected in the results. These results provide evidential support to create a general understanding of how different species allocate resources during development.

Why the U.S- Mexico Border should be managed, not barred
Subject:  Social Science (Criminal Justice)
Presenters: Amanda Coelho
Faculty Sponsor: Fadia Nordveit

Abstract: Whether it be joining a couple of clubs or playing a varsity sport, many studies have shown that being involved in college greatly reduces stress, provides a stronger sense of belonging, and an easier adjustment to college life. This research will focus on the students here at Springfield College, a school that encourages athletic and academic success. By using a questionnaire for all students who participate about involvement in varsity sports and their overall mental health, this will assess the correlation between the two. This research will also involve the differences of high school vs. college athletics and how the atmosphere may alter for NCAA sports. Overall, this research will analyze the correlation between athletic involvement and mental well-being for college students. 

Nature and Nurture of Prejudice
Subject:  Psychology
Presenters: Margaret Britt & Holden Hoon
Faculty Sponsor:  Kingsley Schroeder

Abstract:  Prejudice is the act of negatively evaluating a group or person based on their group membership (Crandall & Eshleman, 2005). Past research has indicated that racial, homophobic, and other prejudices come from parents or guardians and how they raised the child, in addition to the type of environment a person grew up in (Maxwell, 2018; Feinstein, 2014). It has also been found that personal views often result from influences within education and how/what information teachers use to teach their students (Weiner, 2014). The following research aims to understand how prejudice develops. Current theories attribute prejudice development to a combination of The biological, psychological, and environmental/social influences. In the current study, we focus on the socially-derived development of racism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Participants were 145 Springfield College students (Mage = 19.34 years, SDage = 1.33; 25% men, 57% women, 0.01% nonbinary, 17% chose not to respond). The students answered questions regarding their own beliefs and attitudes related to three target biases (racism, homophobia, and xenophobia) and provided information about their religiosity and political attitudes. We conducted linear regression models to identify associations between participants’ own attitudes about race, sexual orientation, and immigrant status and their gender identity, political attitudes, and religious affiliation. The results indicated that participants’ religious affiliation significantly affected their homophobic views. Results also showed participants’ gender affected their views of xenophobia, such that males had more views on xenophobia. Finally, the participants’ political views affected their views of Black Americans and xenophobia, such that republicans have stronger attitudes towards these groups. Findings reinforce the importance of identity in attitude formation. Affiliation with a certain group can greatly impact one’s views and attitudes towards other groups of people.

Influence of Warmth
Subject:  Psychology
Presenters: Julia Mcgahan, Maggie Britt & Ethan Nineberg 
Faculty Sponsor:  Kingsley Schroeder

Abstract:  The present research examines the development of racial prejudice. Past research suggests that when individuals feel that they have a reason to be prejudiced against another group, they will allow all their implicit attitudes to rise to the surface (Crandall and Eshleman, 2005). Another article found that among White millennial youth, children's beliefs in regards to other racial groups are similar to their parents but slightly more accepting (Maxwell & Schulte, 2018). The current study investigates the associations between participants’ own race-related attitudes and their perceptions of parents’ and peers’ race-related attitudes. Based on prior research, we hypothesized that participants’ attitudes would be similar to their perceptions of relatives’ attitudes. Participants were 145 Springfield College students (Mage = 19.34 years, SDage = 1.33; 25% men, 57% women, 0.01% nonbinary, 17% chose not to respond). Participants completed an online survey in which they rated their own warmth and their perception of their parents’ and peers’ warmth towards different groups of people. Although many groups were assessed, we were specifically interested in racial groups. We tested associations in attitudes across these groups using a correlation matrix. Bivariate correlations for each target racial group (White Americans, Black Americans, Asian Americans, and Latin Americans) showed that in general, participants rated their attitudes similarly to their parents’ and peers’ attitudes. This means that participants believe that their own opinions regarding race are similar to their parents and peers.

Relationship Between Religious Importance/Attendance and Depression
Presenters: Wendy Diaz
Faculty Sponsor:  Juan Zhong

Abstract:  Religion is an important aspect of 85% of the population’s life. Depending on the circumstances of the individual, religion can become the core of someone’s personality and life. Depression is an illness that affects between 13-17% of the adolescent population. Previous research has supported the idea of the more importance placed on religion and constant attendance to religious services and/or activities decreases depressive symptoms. The purpose of this literature review is to find answers as to whether religious importance/attendance effects depression in adolescents. The use of the ADD Health Wave II code book was a way to connect all variables in question. Three separate studies in the research all supported the idea that religious importance/attendance has a positive impact on mental health. The comparison of all these studies, their variables, their experiments along with the results of the codebook was used to come to a conclusion. Religion and mental health are relevant topics, especially today where mental health issues are being brought to light and made so people are not ashamed to talk about it or get help. Religious services/activities and spirituality could be a supplement to therapeutic methods to treat depression as well as other mental health disorders.

Correlation Between Parental Warmth, Control, and Closeness
Presenters: Danielle Burke
Faculty Sponsor:  Juan Zhong

Abstract:  The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of parental warmth and parental control on the closeness of parent-adolescent relationships. Prior research has suggested that parental warmth and parental control are both key components in parent-adolescent relationships, particularly when it came to conflict and relationship satisfaction. Data was collected from the AddHealth Wave II Codebook, Section 16 on Relations with Parents. The questions used analyzed warmth, control, and closeness, and the responses were then quantified so that they could be added up and have the average taken. A two-tailed hypothesis test was run and determined that the data was statistically significant and supported the hypotheses that (1) parental warmth is positively associated with adolescent’s perceived closeness with their parents and (2) parental control is negatively associated with adolescent’s perceived closeness with their parents. This study is important as it helps support existing literature that parental warmth is important in supporting close relationships with adolescents. Furthermore, this study gives insight into how parents can effectively exercise control while also supporting their child’s autonomy and maintaining a close relationship.