Thesis (M.A.)--Boise State University, 2009. / Title from t.p. of PDF file (viewed Apr. 27, 2010). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-78).

Thesis (M.I.T.)--The Evergreen State College, 2010. / Title from title screen (viewed 7/7/2010). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-136).

The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP), developed by Dr. K. Lorig, on a population of persons with scleroderma. This particular condition is a type of arthritis (also known as progressive systemic sclerosis) involving a disorder of the small blood vessels and connective tissues. It is characterized by the induration and thickening of the skin and by inflammatory, fibrotic, ischemic, and degenerative changes in the tissues throughout the body. Eighteen people, most of which were female, in the Vancouver Lower Mainland with the diagnosis of scleroderma volunteered for this study. Quantitative and qualitative methodological orientations were used to collect and analyze the data. A quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest nonequivalent comparison group design was used. Self-administered, standardized questionnaires were distributed to a sample of subjects to collect the quantitative data, and a standardized open-ended interview questionnaire was used to collect the qualitative data. The quantitative questionnaire comprised research instruments including The Visual Analogue Pain Scale, Health Assessment Questionnaire, Centre for Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale, Cantril Quality of Life Scale, Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale, and Health Locus of Control Scale. The quantitative findings indicated that no statistically significant improvements in health status were found. However, clinically significant improvement trends in health status were found. The qualitative findings generally indicated that the experimental subjects enjoyed the ASMP, found it to increase their perceived level of coping with the management of scleroderma, and found the ASMP to be a positive learning experience. With the exception of the ASMP being limited in its specific application to people with scleroderma, it proved to be a feasible patient education course for these people. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

Thesis (MPhysT. (Faculty of Health Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Summary in English. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 231-236). Also available online.

Since 1993, diet and fitness promoter Susan Powter has gained significant prominence with her passionate message of health and wellness. This study used fantasy theme analysis to examine Powter's view of reality and her ability to persuade her audience. The analysis revealed a coherent vision, "Stop the Insanity!," within which Powter and other dieters are viewed as heroes. Additionally, the diet and fitness industries are viewed as conspiring villains who starve dieters and exclude the unfit from exercise programs. Powter differentiates herself from these villains by promoting herself as an uneducated but sincere speaker who does not starve or exclude people. Rather, she can identify with dieters because she has experienced their pain and frustration. Because anything is better than the "starvation" and "exclusion" promoted by the diet and fitness experts, Powter's program cannot help but succeed in the eyes of those who share her vision of reality. / Department of Speech Communication

Thesis (M.Info.Sys.)--University of Wollongong, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 93-99.

Thesis (M. A.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1996. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 200-229).

Honors Project--Smith College, Northampton, Mass., 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 33-41).

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 169-183).

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 169-183). Also available in print.