Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Evaluation Of Group Movement Programs (Plié And Paired Plié) For People With Memory Loss, Alzheimer’S Disease Or Dementia, Martin Blanco, Deborah Barnes

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Today, one in ten people ages 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia. This serious condition often causes great suffering among affected individuals and their families, and there are no medications that stop or slow the disease. It is therefore important to evaluate alternative interventions that may benefit both patients and their care partners. Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIÉ) and Paired PLIÉ are group movement programs that combine neuroscience and integrative medicine for individuals with dementia. We analyzed data from [N=39] anonymous evaluation surveys performed as part of two ongoing randomized control trials. Survey data included general questions on …

Resilience Of Children With Chronic Health Conditions: The Impact Of Neuropsychiatric Comorbidities, Sarah Bernstein, Sandra Cushner-Weinstein

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

BACKGROUND: Resilience, the ability to overcome adversity and effectively recover from stressful experiences, is a complex theory with many contributing factors. Previous studies have shown that condition-specific summer camps for children with chronic health conditions increase resilience and adaptive coping skills, change attitudes toward the illness, and improve quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine how neuropsychiatric comorbid diagnoses such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disability, and anxiety disorder influence the resilience of children with chronic health conditions.

METHODS: Children with chronic health conditions including autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, Tourette’s syndrome, sickle cell anemia, …

Climate Change, Natural Disasters, And Suicide: A Systematic Review, Ans Irfan, Peter Lapuma

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background.
Natural disasters are projected to increase due to climate change. Mental health is not a well-researched area in public health, particularly as it relates to environmental health and in the aftermath of natural disasters. The suicide rate is approximately 13 per 100,000 people in the US, nationally. This already high suicide rate warrants researching this area mental health. Understanding the relation between natural disasters and suicide rates might help alleviate human suffering and potentially save lives in the future, in post-disaster settings. This research will further the knowledge of the association between natural disasters and suicide and provide foundation …