CHP Theses and Dissertations
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Yenter, Jaclyn (Wichita State University, May , 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: Older adults with chewing and swallowing difficulties frequently report increased fatigue and effort, or energy expenditure, during eating. Energy is defined as the ability to perform work. It is most accurately measured through an examination of the gaseous composition of inhaled and exhaled air at rest and during activity using laboratory-based indirect calorimetry. There is a need for a valid measure of energy expenditure that can be used to document the effort involved in eating and swallowing in natural contexts. The purpose of the current study was to determine the concurrent validity of the portable SenseWear® system compared to indirect calorimetry during a simulated eating task. Nineteen university students served as participants. Each was connected simultaneously to indirect calorimetry and SenseWear® systems. Energy expenditure was obtained while participants chewed gum and swallowed repeatedly. Pearson product-moment correlations showed a close relationship (p < 0.05) between the two measurement methods. Mean Mid-Arm Muscle Circumference measures also correlated positively with both measurement methods, reflecting the influence of body mass on energy expenditure. Results support the use of the SenseWear® system to measure energy expenditure in chewing and swallowing in natural contexts, particularly for adults with chewing and swallowing difficulties. Description: Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Health Professions, Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10057/3994 Files in this item: 1
t11055_Yenter.pdf (326.5Kb) -
Schwanke, Michelle (Wichita State University, May , 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: As part of a larger study, two low-risk primigravida (first pregnancy) women who intended to breastfeed and their newborns were audio- and videotaped in the first two hours after birth. For this pilot study, recordings were analyzed to investigate early infant crying patterns. One mother-infant pair remained in close contact immediately following delivery with short periods of separation. The other mother-infant pair experienced longer periods of separation during the first two hours. Although data are preliminary, the separation cries of the infants were noticeably different perceptually than the cries produced in contact with mother. The separation cries were shorter in duration, with a higher first peak frequency, and a less distinct harmonic structure than those of non-separation cries. Results suggest that a separation distress cry is biologically plausible, both in terms of tension and stress in the newborn’s vocal physiology and because of the newborn’s dependence on the mother. Confirmation and expansion of these findings could serve as a motivating factor in preventing the separation of mothers and newborns immediately after birth Description: Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Health Professions, Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10057/3975 Files in this item: 1
t11039_Schwanke.pdf (106.5Kb) -
Robinson, John D. (Wichita State University, August , 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: There has been a long history of research into the possible relationship between anxiety and stuttering. Despite this history, however, relatively little research has focused on components of anxiety and how these components combine to create fear responses in both fluent speakers and persons who stutter. This study was designed to determine if differences existed between fluent speakers (FS) and persons who stutter (PWS) with respect to components of fear described by Reiss’ (1991) expectancy model. Twenty PWS and twenty FS were provided with a hypothetical social communication scenario and asked to complete measures related to predicted anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, fear of negative evaluation, and expectancy. Results indicated that the FS group behaved as predicted by Reiss’ model but the PWS group did not. Results suggested that clinicians working with people who stutter may tend to view their client’s anxiety based upon their own experiences. Clinicians should explore the client’s components of fear and how it is playing a role in their experience of stuttering. Description: Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Health Professions, Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10057/3702 Files in this item: 1
t10069_Robinson.pdf (365.4Kb) -
Maeda, Masako (Wichita State University, December , 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate possible associations between the application of word emphasis and risk-taking behaviors of adult Japanese English-language learners (ELLs) in the scope of foreign accent modification. The investigation was conducted through comparing 30 adult Japanese ELLs "first readings of a scenario with 30 age- and gender-matched native American-English speakers (NESs), the ELLs" first readings and second readings with an instruction to apply emphasis, and the ELLs' scores for a risk-taking questionnaire. Acoustical data were gathered from the recorded readings of the speakers for vowel duration, fundamental frequency (F0), and intensity of the pre-determined target words in the scenario. A second measurement tool involved seven listeners‟ evaluations of comprehensibility and foreign accentedness for each recorded token and their identification of the emphasized words. Results indicated that there were no significant differences in vowel duration, F0, and intensity of the pre-determined target words between the ELLs‟ and NESs‟ first readings. Although the Japanese ELLs made significant increases in the three acoustical elements on the target words after receiving instruction to apply emphasis in their second readings, the listeners‟ evaluations of comprehensibility and foreign accentedness did not correlate with the changes. Also, no correlation was found between changes the ELLs made and their scores on the risk-taking questionnaire. The findings may provide additional perspectives for foreign accent modification in addition to conventional methods. Overall outcomes may also be beneficial to help the increasing number of nonnative English speakers be more comprehensible and adaptable for American society. Description: Thesis (Ph.D.)--Wichita State University, College of Health Professions, Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10057/3637 Files in this item: 1
d10029_Maeda.pdf (1.321Mb) -
Tsai, Meng-Ju (Wichita State University, December , 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the contributions of conversation dyads involving individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and their typically speaking conversation partners, which were analyzed by counting conversation turns and by counting attributed speaking roles (i.e., animator, author, and principal) (Goffman, 1981). Another purpose of this study was to compare the conversational contributions made across familiar and unfamiliar of conversation dyads using the same measures. Three individuals who use AAC and 27 typically speaking conversation partners participated in this study. Each AAC user had conversations with three direct care providers, three professional service providers, and three randomly assigned unfamiliar conversation partners. Twenty-minute conversations were video recorded for each dyad. The findings indicated the asymmetries of conversational contributions of the dyads, as measured by conversation turns and speaking roles. The measurement of speaking roles showed less asymmetrical conversational contributions in the dyads than did the measurement of conversation turns. The familiarity of conversation partners did not show any significant effect on conversational contributions. This study also provides a novel application of the measurement of speaking roles, which was shown to be particularly suited to the study of conversational contribution of individuals who use AAC in conversation. These results have implications for speech-language pathologists and scholars who evaluate conversations with AAC users and for assisting their conversation partners. Description: Thesis (Ph.D.)--Wichita State University, College of Health Professions, Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10057/2549 Files in this item: 1
DISSER2009_15.pdf (1.192Mb)
