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University Curriculum Committee Meeting Minutes - January 27, 2022
Get PDFMinutes for the Governors State University Curriculum Committee Meeting held January 27, 2022
Motivating Factors Contributing to SLPA Students\u27 Choice of Career Path
No full textSpeech Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs) are important support personnel who play a key role in the field of communication sciences and disorders. As the client base for communication disorders grows and diversifies, there is a continuous need for service providers, including SLPAs. Given the notable shortage of skilled communication sciences and disorders professionals, the advantages that assistants can provide, and a new assistant credential initiated through ASHA, exploring SLPA career decision making is especially timely and important. The current study surveyed 75 students enrolled in SLPA programs across the United States, via an online 12 question survey tool, regarding their demographics, reasons for choosing to become an SLPA, and anticipated work setting(s). Results of the study indicated that SLPA students are often identified as non-traditional students who, in addition to having diverse educational backgrounds, are working either full or part-time jobs while completing their education (77%). Results of the current study revealed that the primary motivating factor that contributed to students\u27 decision to pursue a career as an SLPA was the desire to work in a helping profession. The school setting was the most anticipated work setting of SLPA students upon graduating from their program; however, the majority (60%) of current SLPA students plan to pursue a master\u27s degree to become an SLP in the future. Understanding the demographics of SLPA students and identifying the motivating factors specific to their career choices may be advantageous in the warranted recruitment process within the field of communication sciences and disorders.
Presenter:Nicole WellsGraduate Student, Communication Disorders - College of Health and Human Service
Significant Improvements in the Safety, Mobility, and Quality of Life Can be Made with Education and Strengthening Interventions for Patients with Chronic Neurological Conditions
No full textRecurrent falls in older adults is dangerous and increasing in prevalence. This is especially significant for those with increased fall risk like the population with chronic neurological conditions. The purpose of this case report is to investigate the impact strengthening interventions have on patients with chronic spinal cord injury in an effort to decrease fall risk and improve quality of life. Recurrent falls in older adults is dangerous and increasing in prevalence. This is especially significant for those with increased fall risk like the population with chronic neurological conditions. The purpose of this case report is to investigate the impact strengthening interventions have on patients with chronic spinal cord injury in an effort to decrease fall risk and improve quality of life.
Presenter:Aaron FullertonPhysical Therapy Doctoral Studen
Impact of a Flexibility and Strengthening Program for a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Low Back Pain
No full textBackground and Purpose- Chronic low back pain is the most common form of disability across the country, with up to 70% of people experiencing an episode at some point in their lives. This case study addresses the utilization of a focused strength and flexibility approach to improving functional outcomes in a patient with chronic low back pain and multiple sclerosis during an episode of physical therapy care. Case Description- Review of a fifty-two-year-old Caucasian female who was referred to outpatient physical therapy to address limitations consisting of low back pain, radicular symptoms, and fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis. The primary goal of treatment was to restore the patient to her prior level of function, reduce pain, and allow the patient to return to work. Outcomes- Functional improvements were measured using range of motion, manual muscle testing, response to repeated directional preference movements, the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, the 30 second chair stand test, and neurodynamic special tests.Discussion- The patient experienced improvements across all objective domains after nine weeks of physical therapy intervention However, at the conclusion of this episode of care, she still experienced difficulty with prolonged standing and walking which negatively impacted work. Based on the patient\u27s progress, she is expected to continue to see improvements in her low back and radicular symptoms.
Presenter:Denis O\u27CallaghanPhysical Therapy Doctoral Studen
Effectiveness of Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction Protocol for a 14-year-old Male: A Retrospective Case Report
No full textObjective: To investigate the four phases of the MPFL reconstruction protocol to distinguish if the goals, outcomes, and length of each phase were appropriate and achievable status post MPFL reconstruction surgery. Background: In 90% of adolescent patellar dislocations, the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), the primary stabilizer and most crucial ligament of the patella, is affected. Patellar dislocations are most common in adolescents aged 10 to 17 who are active. Current research suggests that in most cases of patellar dislocations, the MPFL is disrupted and does not return to its previous level of tension. An individual may try conservative treatment, but the re-dislocation rate after an MPFL tear is estimated to be 15-44%. Surgical techniques for MPFL reconstruction include use of a graft, which uses different tissues such as the adductor magnus, quadriceps tendon, semitendinosus, or a synthetic mesh ligament. After a patient undergoes MPFL reconstruction, the goals of rehabilitation will focus on protection for healing, mobility, ROM, full weight bearing (WB), strength, proprioception, and return to sport.
Presenter:Emily CarstensPhysical Therapy Doctoral Studen
Hip Endurance Exercises to Improve Walking Ability and Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Case Report
No full textThere is a high prevalence of patients with low back pain in the United States.¹ The purpose of this case report is to examine the implementation of a physical therapy plan of care that focuses on improving hip muscular endurance to determine its effect on a patient with low back pain.
Presenter:Tyler Siebert Physical Therapy Doctoral Studen
Identification, Enumeration, and Diversity Determinations for Fungi Enriched on Phthalates as Sole Carbon Source from Riverine Sediments Using Molecular Methods
Get PDFPhthalates are a common chemical compound used as plasticizers in various industries that have been linked to several detrimental effects on health. Due to their widespread use, they have become a common environmental pollutant of soil and water. The persistence and distribution of phthalate esters in the environment has given rise to many microorganisms that are able to incorporate phthalates into various metabolic pathways and degrade them into harmless substances, with fungi being among those that are capable of such degradation of industrial polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In this study, the diversity of fungal communities in response to the presence of phthalates within soil will be assessed using metagenomic analysis and their capacity for phthalate degradation will be examined. This research has shown that all fungal isolates obtained from contaminated and uncontaminated soil were able to grow on media with phthalate as the sole carbon source. Vermillion River saw a similar level of Shannon diversity at the species level when compared to Big Marsh. A principal components analysis showed the carbon usage between sites did not differ greatly and a two-sample t-test showed no significance in diversity between sites. Several notable known degraders of phthalates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were observed at each site including Sarocladium strictum, Irpex lacteus, and Fusarium culmorum. Several species of fungi not known to be capable of degrading phthalates were identified within phthalate-laced enrichments. This research suggests that the presence of such fungi at both sites may mean they are naturally predisposed to be capable of degrading phthalates and other xenobiotic compounds. Finally, the metagenomics analysis revealed the presence of several species not observed in the Unites States before