Phase II Research Projects
Research Theme - Nursing Research
Investigator: Dr. Kathleen Riley-Lawless, UD Nursing
Mentor: Dr. Janet Deatrick, Associate Professor and Associate Director Center for Health Disparities Research, University of Pennsylvania
Research Title: Parents of Children with Sickle Cell Disease: Their Perceptions of Family Management
Synopsis: Family management refers to how families incorporate the work of a child’s chronic illness into their everyday life. This management role is critical as it influences both the course and the outcome of a child’s chronic illness. The purpose of this research is to describe African American parent’s perspectives on the management of childhood chronic illness, specifically sickle cell disease. Results will be used to guide interventions to support and facilitate family management of sickle cell disease.
Investigator: Dr. Kathleen Schell, UD Nursing
Mentor: Dr. Mary-Ann McLane, Associate Professor of Medical Technology, University of Delaware
Research Title:
Project Area: Accuracy of Non-invasive Blood Pressure Monitoring
Synopsis: Blood pressure (BP) is a physiologic measure that reflects an individual’s health and response to medical treatment. Accurate blood pressure measurement is integral to appropriate healthcare. Error in measurement may lead to under- or over-treatment. Although invasive BP monitoring using arterial lines is most accurate, expense and risk of complications limits its use. The non-invasive technique of auscultation of Korotkoff’s sounds with a mercury sphygmomanometer is considered the gold standard for clinical BP measurement. Within the last 15 years, automated oscillometric devices for noninvasive monitoring of blood pressure have become more common for obtaining routine and emergent vital signs of clients in healthcare settings. This automatic device is more convenient, avoids errors that arise from auscultation, and eliminates the risk of mercury spillage. However, other aspects of BP measurement such as limb placement in relation to the subject’s heart, cuff size, and cuff placement may also produce error. When individuals’ upper arms are not accessible and/or when the blood pressure cuffs do not fit upper arms, alternate sites have been used, including the forearm and the ankle/calf. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and other experts in the USA and Europe have called for validation of blood pressure measurement techniques and equipment.
The overall goal of my research is to investigate the accuracy of multiple methods of non-invasive blood pressure monitoring across the lifespan so that clinical decision making will be informed by reliable measurements. Towards this end, the purposes of the three proposed/ongoing studies are: Study 1 - To determine the effects of anatomical structures, specifically limb subcutaneous tissue and vessels on differences between forearm and upper arm automated, oscillometric non-invasive blood pressure measurements and to use this data to develop a predictive formula to calculate forearm BP from upper arm BP and potentially develop an algorithm, specific for forearm, for automatic oscillometric BP monitors; Study 2 - To compare automatic, oscillometric noninvasive upper arm and calf blood pressures in children ages 1 to 8 years, admitted to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit; and Study 3 - To compare automatic, non-invasive upper arm and forearm blood pressures in critically ill adults positioned with head of bed flat and at 30 degrees.
Investigator: Dr. Marlene Adams, UD Nursing
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Freeman, University of Pennsylvania
Research Title: An exploration of the genetic basis for premenstrual syndrome
Synopsis: The overarching goal of this proposal is to develop as a researcher and address the knowledge gaps in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This marks a new direction in my scholarship and INBRE fellowship and associated funds provide me the opportunity to hone the attached proposal and develop a network of mentors to move me towards being an independent scholar.
Investigator: Dr. Ingrid Pretzer-Aboff, UD Nursing
Mentor: Dr. Barbara Resnick, University of Maryland, School of Nursing
Research Title: Testing the Res-Care-PD on individuals with Parkinson's Disease and Caregivers
Synopsis: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders affecting approximately 1.5 million people in the United States. Progressive decline in motor function is the expected natural course of PD, and eventually the disease results in moderate to severe limitations in physical abilities and functional performance. Medical and surgical treatments directed towards mitigation of the physical signs of PD are efficacious but even with reasonable control of symptoms individuals with PD still experience progressive disability due to disease progression, sedentary lifestyle and resultant deconditioning. Over time individuals with PD may lose their ability to navigate through their environment, communicate, and perform self care tasks such as eating, dressing, and bathing. This in turn leads to increased dependence on family caregivers who are often untrained and unsure of what type of care or how much care they should provide to their family member, leaving them frustrated and burdened. To optimize function and quality of life of these individuals it logical to employ a restorative care intervention specifically designed for individuals with PD and their caregivers (Res-Care-PD) that focuses on education of the dyad to the benefits of participating in self-care activities, physical activities, and exercise.
