This collection pulls together research output and scholarly activities from March 2020 and on focusing on COVID-19 by Kent State University faculty, researchers and scholars. Full-text is provided when copyright allows.
If you are a KSU researcher and are interested in having your work included in this collection, please contribute content here: https://oaks.kent.edu/submit
Alternately, you can also email the OAKS team at oaks@kent.edu with publication information.
Browse the Kent State University COVID-19 research and funded grants Collections
Wearable Technology to Assist the Patients Infected with Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)2020Wearable technology plays a significant role in our daily life as well as in the healthcare industry. The recent coronavirus pandemic has taken the world's healthcare systems by surprise. Although trials of possible vaccines are underway, it would take a long time before the vaccines are permitted for public use. Most of the government efforts are currently geared towards preventing the spread of the coronavirus and predicting probable hot zones. The essential and healthcare workers are the most vulnerable towards coronavirus infections due to their required proximity to potential coronavirus patients. Wearable technology can potentially assist in these regards by providing real-time remote monitoring, symptoms prediction, contact tracing, etc. The goal of this paper is to discuss the different existing wearable monitoring devices (respiration rate, heart rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation) and respiratory support systems (ventilators, CPAP devices, and oxygen therapy) which are frequently used to assist the coronavirus affected people. The devices are described based on the services they provide, their working procedures as well as comparative analysis of their merits and demerits with cost. A comparative discussion with probable future trends is also drawn to select the best technology for COVID-19 infected patients. It is envisaged that wearable technology is only capable of providing initial treatment that can reduce the spread of this pandemic. |
Were there losses in social support during the pandemic? Testing the impact of COVID-19 on psychological adjustment to trauma in United States adults12/22/2022Introduction: Social support is a key protective factor in the psychological adjustment of individuals to traumatic events. However, since March 2020, extant research has revealed evidence of increased loneliness, social isolation, and disconnection, likely due to COVID-19 pandemic-related recommendations that restricted day-to-day contact with others. Methods: In this investigation, we applied a case-control design to test the direct impacts of the pandemic on social support in United States adults recovering from a significant injury caused by PTSD-qualifying, traumatic events (e.g., motor vehicle crashes, violence, etc.). We compared individuals who experienced trauma during the pandemic, the “cases” recruited and evaluated between December 2020 to April 2022, to trauma-exposed “controls,” recruited and evaluated pre-pandemic, from August 2018 through March 9, 2020 (prior to changes in public health recommendations in the region). Cohorts were matched on key demographics (age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, income) and injury severity variables. We tested to see if there were differences in reported social support over the first 5 months of adjustment, considering variable operationalizations of social support from social network size to social constraints in disclosure. Next, we tested to see if the protective role of social support in psychological adjustment to trauma was moderated by cohort status to determine if the impacts of the pandemic extended to changes in the process of adjustment. Results: The results of our analyses suggested that there were no significant cohort differences, meaning that whether prior to or during the pandemic, individuals reported similar levels of social support that were generally protective, and similar levels of psychological symptoms. However, there was some evidence of moderation by cohort status when examining the process of adjustment. Specifically, when examining symptoms of post-traumatic stress over time, individuals adjusting to traumatic events during COVID-19 received less benefit from social support. Discussion: Although negative mental health implications of the pandemic are increasingly evident, it has not been clear how the pandemic impacted normative psychological adjustment processes. These results are one of the first direct tests of the impact of COVID-19 on longitudinal adjustment to trauma and suggest some minimal impacts. |
What Drives Preventive Health Behavior During a Global Pandemic? Emotion and Worry08/2021Background & Purpose Methods Results Conclusions |
When measles came to class: a look back at the 1989 Kent State University measles epidemic03/2022Measles was eliminated from the United States in 2000, following a change from a single dose of measles vaccine to two doses after an epidemic 1989–1991. Several college campuses experienced outbreaks, including Kent State University (KSU) in Ohio. Local news media from 1988 to 1989 were searched in August 2019. Interventions taken by the university were recorded, and an epidemic curve constructed. The first measles cases were reported in October 1988. The outbreak diminished over winter break. New cases were confirmed in February 1989. Infected students were instructed to vacate the dorms. Vaccines were mandated for student groups. The epidemic grew rapidly in March but slowed after spring break. By April, 380 cases had been reported and 7000 students vaccinated. KSU was one of the hardest-hit universities during the 1989 measles epidemic. A combination of vaccination, isolation, quarantine, and elimination of public events helped to curtail the epidemic. |
Wick Poetry Center Literary Arts Emergency Fund (COVID 19) [Grant]2021Dates of grant: October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021 Award amount: $10,000 Funder: American Academy of Poets Research grant: Emergency funds to help offset projected losses due to COVID-19. Principal Investigator: David Hassler Co-Principal Investigators: Jessica Jewell |
Workforce Participation as a Differential Indicator of Satisfaction With the Employment Situation Among Latinx With Multiple Sclerosis: Implications for Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals in the COVID-19 Era2022Purpose: This study aimed at examining differences in satisfaction with the employment situation between employed and unemployed Latinx with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States (N = 148). Method: Participants in this study responded to a national survey of the employment and community living concerns of people with MS. Multivariate analysis of variance and a follow-up univariate analysis of variance were conducted to compare the group differences. Results: The analyses revealed statistically significant between-group differences in satisfaction ratings on items pertaining to personal and environmental resources and fair treatment, but no significant between-group differences in response to items related to legal rights. Conclusion: The findings in this study confirmed our a priori expectation that satisfaction ratings regarding the overall employment situation among Latinx Americans with MS would vary as a function of their workforce participation status. Implications for future research and clinical practice in vocational rehabilitation in the COVID-19 era are discussed. |
Zoom room in Burton, Ohio campus and establishment of an Emergency Relief Fund that supports students in Lake and Geauga counties [Grant]2020Dates of grant: May 4, 2020 - October 31, 2020 Award amount: $20,000 Funder: Cleveland Foundation Other Sponsored Activity: Grant to establish a new Zoom Room at the Burton, Ohio campus to support the increased demand for tools to deliver remote instruction; and to create an Emergency Relief Fund for students in need in Lake and Geauga counties. https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/grants/lake-geauga/ Principal Investigator: Llancyllius Williams |