Movement and Mind-Body Therapies Commons^™

Age And Not The Preferred Limb Influences The Kinematic Structure Of Pointing Movements, Kurt W. Kornatz, Brach Poston, George E. Stelmach

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Publications

In goal-directed movements, effective open-loop control reduces the need for feedback-based corrective submovements. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of hand preference and aging on submovements during single-and two-joint pointing movements. A total of 12 young and 12 older right-handed participants performed pointing movements that involved either elbow extension or a combination of elbow extension and horizontal shoulder flexion with their right and left arms to a target. Kinematics were used to separate the movements into their primary and secondary submovements. The older adults exhibited slower movements, used secondary submovements more often, and produced relatively shorter …

Criterion Validation And Interpretability Of The Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (Sane) Of Self-Reported Recovery In Patients With Neck Pain, Elizabeth Oakley, Chad E. Cook, Bryan O'Halloran

Faculty Publications

Background

The SANE is a PROM of recovery, which may assist clinicians in clinical decision-making and discharge planning. The psychometric measurement properties of the SANE have yet to be determined for neck pain.

Objectives

Threefold objectives included: 1)determine the numerical threshold for the SANE at which patients with neck pain determine their symptoms are acceptable; 2)determine the association between scores for the NDI and VAS, with the SANE; 3)determine the average number of visits, costs and value associated with the management of neck pain.

Design

Longitudinal repeated measures cohort design.

Methods

Threshold measures for self-reported recovery with the …

Cephalocaudal-Remote Approach, David Ledesma

Student Capstone Papers

This opinion paper introduces a global, top-down, bottom-up, and lateral perspective on occupation, known as the Ledesma Cephalocaudal-Remote Approach, which can be used to build an integrated, holistic occupational therapy practice. This approach combines the Ayres (1960, 1966, 1972, 1979) cephalocaudal and vestibular sensory-motor development (confirmed by Lane et al., 2019); the Wilke et al. (2017) remote interoceptive, proprioceptive, and nociceptive stretching, based on Myers (2017) myofascial chain approach; the Serino (2019) peripersonal and multisensory-motor approach; the Leisman et al. (2016) bidirectional dynamic influence of motor activity and cognition approaches, and the Sadil (2019) evidence for rapidly learned low-level associations …

An End-To-End Cnn With Attentional Mechanism Applied To Raw Eeg In A Bci Classification Task, Elnaz Lashgari, Jordan Ott, Akima Connelly, Pierre Baldi, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective. Motor-imagery (MI) classification base on electroencephalography (EEG) has been long studied in neuroscience and more recently widely used in healthcare applications such as mobile assistive robots and neurorehabilitation. In particular, EEG-based motor-imagery classification methods that rely on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have achieved relatively high classification accuracy. However, naively training CNNs to classify raw EEG data from all channels, especially for high-density EEG, is computationally demanding and requires huge training sets. It often also introduces many irrelevant input features, making it difficult for the CNN to extract the informative ones. This problem is compounded by a dearth of training …

Bharatanatyam, An Effective Psychotherapeutic Intervention In Dance/Movement Therapy, Maanasa Marghashayam Bharath

Dance/Movement Therapy Theses

Dance/movement therapy is a psychotherapeutic modality that acknowledges the human body as a window to the human mind and spirit. Through creative and dynamic interventions, it fosters a healthy unification of the mind and body to enhance an individual's holistic health. This research focuses on the traditional dance form of India, Bharatanatyam, and its influence on the body and mind of the practitioner. Journeying through the history of the dance form to its relevance in the field of dance/movement therapy, the thesis explores how Bharatanatyam can be useful as an alternate method, in a therapeutic session to facilitate navigation through …

Mindfulness-Based Practices For The Impaired Performance Athlete, Mackenzie L. Campbell

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Mindfulness-based programs are becoming commonly considered for the improvement of athlete's mental and physical state. However, their usage in improving performance in impaired athletes is limited and not fully understood. The purpose of this thesis was to review the standing literature on the topic of the application of mindfulness to improving athletic performance in wellbeing-impaired athletes. Seventy-three articles were included as references for this paper describing functional mechanisms, clinical significance and anecdotal evidence that points to the effectiveness of mindfulness in sport for the treatment of pain, injury recovery, prevention of injury, and chronic illness. Ultimately, this review supports the …

Tai Chi And Mindfulness Training To Improve Balance In People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Community-Based Intervention Study, Julianna Eve

Doctoral Dissertations

Introduction: Tai Chi and meditation have led to improved quality of life, and reduced fatigue and depressive symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Tai Chi interventions have successfully improved balance, however the few studies evaluating meditation impact on motor skill improvement have reported conflicting results. Benefits of meditation on improving alertness and attention have been reported, but it is unknown whether these benefits might extend to physical balance. Objective: determine the impact of an 8-week Tai Chi or Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention on physical balance, psychosocial wellbeing, and sensorimotor function; and whether benefits are retained after …

Evaluating The Effects Of Physical Activity On The Cognitive Functions And Motor Skills Of The Special Needs Population And Testing A Different Teaching Style To Maximize The Efficiency Of Special Needs Programs, Oren Nedjar

BIO4960: Practicum in Biology I

This study aimed to analyze the effects of physical activities on the motor and cognitive functions of participants with special needs and compare these results with a similar program but organized online because of the health precautions that have been applied due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An intervention consisting of sending an educational brochure aiming to increase high school volunteers' health literacy was then tested and results showed that it improved participants' health outcomes and also could increase the program's effectiveness in the long term.

Examining Complementary Health Approaches And Integrative Health (Chaih) Practices Among Occupational Therapists In The United States: A Mixed Methods Approach, Sarah M. Renner

Dissertations

The use of complementary health approaches and integrative health (CHAIH) is increasing among adults and children in the United States and continues to grow within various health care settings. With Health and Wellness identified as a key practice area for occupational therapists and the American Occupational Therapy Association supporting the use of CHAIH in occupational therapy (OT) practice, practitioners must offer safe, research-driven treatments supporting this movement. Research around CHAIH continues to grow; yet the gaps in the literature make it difficult to determine how CHAIH is being used in OT practice as well as the practitioner’s perspectives on the …

Exploring The Usefulness Of Mindfulness Practices Through Zoom Meetings In Reducing Anxiety And/Or Stress Of Adults With Learning And Developmental Disabilities During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Thatiane Abra

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explored which mindfulness meditations or mindfulness practices could be beneficial in the online sessions, the extent to which adults with learning and developmental disabilities could learn the practices remotely, and how stress and anxiety disorders could be reduced through online mindfulness interventions. Furthermore, it was also necessary to address the online sessions as the only mental health treatment possibility during the Coronavirus pandemic for the clients observed and the benefits and limitations of these interventions. Additionally, the importance of structure and routine for this population, the multi-modal structure of the interventions, and how attunement plays an important role …

Exploring The Therapeutic Relationship As A Central Focus Through Expressive Arts Therapy In Oncology, Akshata Parekh

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The treatment for cancer can be physically, mentally, emotionally and socially challenging. These treatments have side effects like physical body pain, hair loss, changes in weight, energy, nausea and more. These physical changes impact the social, mental and emotional well-being of the patient and makes this journey of the life-threating prognosis of cancer very tough to confront. Expressive arts therapy provides a safe space for the patients to address their mental health concerns as a result of this treatment. The Capstone Thesis Project explored expressive arts therapy interventions with 95 patients through single or multiple sessions while going through their …

The Use Of Mindfulness Meditation To Increase The Efficacy Of Mirror Visual Feedback For Reducing Phantom Limb Pain In Amputees, Nicolas Sebastian Mills

Doctoral Dissertations

Phantom limb pain is a chronic pain condition that negatively impacts the lives of over half of amputees, and results in considerable morbidity. Currently, there is no gold standard for treatment for phantom limb pain. However, a frequently used intervention is the use of mirror visual feedback, in which the amputee watches the reflection of the adjacent non-amputated limb move and exercise. In the last few decades, mindfulness-based interventions have been increasingly used with individuals living with different types of chronic pain. This study attempts to discover if the addition of a mindfulness-based intervention, such as guided meditation, will augment …

Zero Balancing And Occupational Therapy: Removing Restrictions To Life Flow, Deanna Waggy Otr, Loren Waggy Otr

Journal of Transformative Touch

Zero Balancing is an effective complementary and integrative health treatment tool for Occupational Therapy practitioners. It helps remove restrictions and restore balance to a patient’s life flow, improving overall occupational performance.

Influences Of Sleep Disturbances And Mild Traumatic Brain Injury On Gait Performance Among College Student-Athletes, Narjes Asgari

Health and Kinesiology Theses

Sleep disturbances from stress are common among college students. In addition, student-athletes in contact sports (e.g., football and soccer) are at a higher risk of receiving a mild traumatic brain injury(mTBI). Stress-related sleep disturbances and mTBI may provoke cognitive and brain changes associated with gait abnormalities. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between stress, sleep disturbances, mTBI, and gait performance among college student-athletes. Twelve college student-athletes from men’s and women’s soccer teams who indicated a history of mTBI (experimental group) and twenty-eight college students without a history of mTBI (control group) were recruited and asked …

The Therapeutic Benefits Of Attunement Through Lindy Hop, Sarah Trowbridge

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Dance/movement therapy (DMT) was developed as a tool to aide in therapeutic healing. A foundational aspect of DMT is attunement, the emotional/kinesthetic connection between two people that allows for meaningful and healing bonds to emerge. Lindy Hop is a partnered dance that fosters an environment of attunement, as it is accessed both subconsciously and consciously. This research explores Lindy Hop as a possible method of therapeutic treatment. The literature indicates the physiological need for attunement and how safety plays a key role in strengthening senses of self-identity, nervous system development, and worldview. Four experienced Lindy Hoppers were recruited to engage …

Embodied Medicine: Integrating Dance/Movement Therapy Into Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Sneha Rajan

Dance/Movement Therapy Theses

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) is a field of medicine that addresses a variety of disorders impacting the brain, spinal cord, muscles, and bones. When approaching patient care, the goals of dance/movement therapists are similar to those of physiatrists, because both strive for a holistic approach to treatment that considers more than just physical ailments. Adding dance/movement therapy sessions in parallel with PM&R services would enhance the overall patient experience and quality of life. Previous studies that explore the use of dance/movement therapy with various neurodegenerative diseases, neuromuscular diseases, and sustained injuries are reviewed for potential application in PM&R settings. …

Dance/Movement Therapy In Response To Continuous Race-Based Trauma, Aliesha Bryan

Dance/Movement Therapy Theses

Trauma is concomitant with a lack of safety; as such, where there is a threat to safety, there is likely to be trauma. Afrodescendants living in the United States, through an ongoing lack of human regard, are often powerless to ensure their safety, and are regularly subjected to continuous, race-based trauma. Racism is deeply embedded in the nation’s institutions as well as in every relationship, and this deeply pervasive and penetrating ideology influences strongly how individuals of any race interact with others. Race-based aggression, from micro- to macro-, has a profound and continuously traumatizing effect on Afrodescendants, with similarly profound …

Acute Effects Of Static Stretching/Foam Rolling On Muscle And Tendon Stiffness, Michaela Lawlor

Honors Theses

There are various ways to decrease muscle and tendon stiffness, including but not limited to: static stretching, ballistic stretching, cycle stretching, passive and active stretching, and foam rolling. The purpose of this paper is to review different studies that focus on the acute effects of static stretching and foam rolling on muscles of the leg including the gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, hamstrings, soleus, etc. Results showed that static stretching and foam rolling decrease muscle and tendon stiffness in the leg while simultaneously increasing their range of motion, flexibility, and muscle fascicle length immediately after exercise.

The Benefits Of Aquatic Occupational Therapy For Children On The Autism Spectrum, Caitlin Fitzpatrick

Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The proposed study aims to identify the benefits of aquatic OT by examining the progress a child with ASD makes in motor skills, social, emotional, and physical development as well as evaluate the therapist’s ability to provide therapy, compared to therapy provided on land. It is hypothesized that providing occupational therapy in an aquatic environment for children with autism will have equal to or greater benefits as occupational therapy provided on land. Twenty-one participants were recruited from occupational therapy clinics and programs around the United States to take a survey asking questions to learn more about specific changes observed in …

Graded Motor Imagery In Hand Therapy Practice, Alexis Brackins

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Ot Well-Being Summit 2021, Deanna Waggy Otr

Journal of Transformative Touch

The OT Well-Being Summit empowers occupational therapists and other holistic practitioners around the globe to have confidence with holistic health and wellness skills for their therapy practice. The OT Well-Being Summit brings together 11 occupational therapists who share holistic health and wellness strategies and tools that you can use in your integrative medicine practice today with the confidence (and evidence) to use them. The OT Well-Being Summit is an online self-paced course with 12 hours of information and insights to give you the confidence to move forward in areas related to holistic health, wellness, and prevention. https://tinyurl.com/t9cc6afp

The Effects Of Pectus Excavatum Corrective Surgeries On Inspiratory Capacity Of Adults: Comparing Preoperative And Postoperative Results, Joshua Bolin

EXSI 432/532: Research Methods in Exercise Science: Research Proposal Posters

The purpose of this study is to perform specific tests and measurements before and after pectus corrective surgeries to find differences in lung volumes of individuals affected by pectus excavatum.

The Impact Of Exercise Programs On Dementia, Luke Beamer, Tori Birks

EXSI 432/532: Research Methods in Exercise Science: Research Proposal Posters

Dementia is defined by the loss of cognitive abilities such as thinking, remembering and reasoning. It also affects behavioral abilities and interferes with daily life and activities. Each person may experience several signs and symptoms depending on severity, from mild to severe (Jacobs et al., 2018).

Effects Of Electrical Muscle Stimulation (Ems) And Active Recovery On Blood Lactate Levels, Andrew N. Mintz

EXSI 432/532: Research Methods in Exercise Science: Research Proposal Posters

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is a method of muscle recovery used by athletes before, during, and after competition. Active recovery is arguably the most popular recovery technique after intense exercise because of how much it reduces lactate levels in the blood. Few studies have analyzed the effects of EMS and active recovery on blood lactate levels in swimmers, and none have been found on the combination of the two. Therefore, there is an insufficient amount of information linking the two methods together for the purpose of maximizing blood lactate reduction. This study sought to analyze the effects that EMS and …

Effects Of A Post Activation Potentiation Stimulus Coupled With Plyometric Training Program On The Swimming Start Performance Of Collegiate Swimmers, Brady Fields

EXSI 432/532: Research Methods in Exercise Science: Research Proposal Posters

30 collegiate swimmers from Division 1 universities in the south east United States took part in this study. Testing group completed plyometric training coupled with post-activation potentiation (PAP) stimulus as well as structured aquatic training. Control group completed only structured aquatic training. Pre and post program data was gathered from both groups to compare the effects of the training. Both groups were assessed on vertical jump height, swim start velocity, time to the 15m marker, and peak horizontal force. After the training program concluded and the resulting data from the two groups was compared

Type 2 Diabetes And Exercise, Weslyn Almond, Meredith Furgeson

EXSI 432/532: Research Methods in Exercise Science: Research Proposal Posters

Type 2 diabetes is estimated to afflict over 400 million people worldwide (Javeed & Matveyenko, 2018). Type 2 diabetes arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors including physical inactivity and poor nutrition (Stanford & Goodyear, 2014). People with type 2 diabetes have normal or high insulin levels, but tissues such as liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue become resistant to insulin. The pancreas compensates by producing more insulin and this increase in circulating insulin can result in impaired glucose transport into these tissues (Stanford & Goodyear, 2014).

Effect Of Reducing Brain Lactate Levels By Blocking Glutamate Receptors In Panic Disorder Patients, Tim Bennett

EXSI 432/532: Research Methods in Exercise Science: Research Proposal Posters

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of glutamate receptor blockers in untreated panic disorder (PD) patients during visual panic stimulation to evaluate its ability to reduce panic response. Untreated PD patients (N=36) were recruited. Patients were given either a sugar pill, CBiPES, Alprazolam, or THIIC. MRI scanning occurred with 10 minutes of rest –eyes closed, 8 minutes of 40 total photos –20 neutral & 20 panic, and 10 minutes recovery for 28 total minutes. Panic severity questionnaires were taken before & after MRI scanning.

Yoga's Impact On Collegiate Male Soccer Player's Flexibility And Balance, Haley Church

EXSI 432/532: Research Methods in Exercise Science: Research Proposal Posters

As injuries increase in sports due to flexibility and balance issues, coaches and trainers strive to develop new techniques that can decrease the risk of injuries and improve overall performance of their athletes. The practice of yoga and its techniques have been associated with positive results in various aspects for decades. Most literature states that yoga does have a positive impact on flexibility and balance but lacks research on which type has the greatest impact (Polsgrove et al. 2016).

Chronic Hemodynamic Response To Blood Flow Restriction Training On Geriatric Hypertensive Patients, Maggie Jackson

EXSI 432/532: Research Methods in Exercise Science: Research Proposal Posters

Studies have shown that BFRT has elicited improved hemodynamic characteristics associated with hypertension such as lowered systolic blood pressure (SBP)and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The purpose of the research study was to determine the chronic hemodynamic effects from BFRT in geriatric, hypertensive patients. Engaged BFR walking and chair-stand conditions as a therapeutic modality. The perceived usefulness of this study is its positive influence on hypertensive patient’s quality of life and their body’s ability to mediate hypertension.

The Effect Of Static Versus Dynamic Stretching Programs On The Lower Body Power Assessments Of The Broad And Vertical Jumps On Male Collegiate Football Players, Antwann Mccray

EXSI 432/532: Research Methods in Exercise Science: Research Proposal Posters

Football is a sport that requires power to be successful. The broad and vertical jumps are used for talent identification as it relates to power. Increases in range of motion should increase power and therefore better performance on the broad and vertical jumps. This study analyzed dynamic versus static stretching and its effects on jumping performance, determining which had a greater positive effect on performance. This study used skill players from the Gardner-Webb University football team. The participants participated in the study during their off-season training (15 weeks), but their respective stretching protocols were implemented into the training. To determine …