Digital Commons Network^™

Talking About Suffering In The Intensive Care Unit, Brent M Kious, Judith B Vick, Peter A Ubel, Olivia Sutton, Jennifer Blumenthal-Barby, Christopher E Cox, Deepshikha Ashana

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Background: Some have hypothesized that talk about suffering can be used by clinicians to motivate difficult decisions, especially to argue for reducing treatment at the end of life. We examined how talk about suffering is related to decision-making for critically ill patients, by evaluating transcripts of conversations between clinicians and patients' families.

Methods: We conducted a secondary qualitative content analysis of audio-recorded family meetings from a multicenter trial conducted in the adult intensive care units of five hospitals from 2012-2017 to look at how the term "suffering" and its variants were used. A coding guide was developed by consensus-oriented discussion …

Reframing Stigma In Tourette Syndrome: An Updated Scoping Review, Kelly Pring, Melina Malli, Brandy W Hardy, Stephen R Rapp, Eric A Storch, Jonathan W Mink, Jaclyn M Martindale

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Persistent tic disorders (PTD) such as Tourette's syndrome (TS) are common childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorders. Stigmatization of individuals with these disorders remains an ongoing problem. The purpose of this scoping review is to serve as an updated review of the research regarding stigmatization in youth with PTD since the publication of the original systematic review about this topic in 2016. The electronic databases Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched. Of the 4751 initial articles screened after removing duplications, 47 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies were examined under the social-ecological stigmatization model, which helps categorize stigmatization …

Measuring Stigma In Pediatric Oncology: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Three Global Sites, Lara E Counts, Sara M Malone, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

PURPOSE: Stigma contributes to fear and shame, resulting in delays in care-seeking behavior among individuals with cancer. As a social construct, stigma is affected by language, religion, culture, and local norms. This study explored pediatric cancer stigma at the time of diagnosis across diverse settings through the adaptation of two stigma measures.

METHODS: This study was conducted with adolescents and caregivers of children with osteosarcoma and retinoblastoma at three centers in Jordan, Guatemala, and Zimbabwe. The Stigma-related Social Problems (SSP) and the eight-item Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness (SSCI-8) measures were translated into Arabic, Spanish, and Shona and contextually adapted …

Barriers And Facilitators To Implementing A Task-Sharing Mental Health Intervention For Sickle Cell Disease Populations In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Qualitative Analysis Using The Consolidated Framework For Implementation Research (Cfir), John Patena, Leah Elster, Tania Hameed, Sumedha Kulkarni, Alden Yuanhong Lai, Annika C Sweetland, Joyce Gyamfi, Temitope Ojo, Angela Odoms-Young, Charmaine Royal, Emmanuel Peprah

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: People living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) experience higher rates of common mental disorders (CMD). There is an alarming treatment gap in the provision of adequate mental health services for CMDs in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). One solution is the implementation of task-sharing interventions such as the Friendship Bench which utilizes concepts of problem-solving therapy (PST). This investigation uses a qualitative study design to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a PST-based task-sharing mental health intervention for SCD populations in LMICs using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

METHODS: Purposive, convenience, and snowball sampling strategies were …

Barriers And Facilitators Of Integrating Cervical Cancer Screening Into Routine Hiv Care And Acceptability Of Self-Sampling For Hpv Dna Testing Among People With Hiv: An Exploratory Study In Southern Ghana, Evelyn Yayra Bonney, Emmanuel Frimpong Gyekye, Jonathan Klutse, Dzidzor Aku Attoh, Yeena Abla Tay, Nicholas Ekow Thomford, Mary Amoakoh-Coleman, Kwadwo Ansah Koram, George Boateng Kyei, Collins Stephen Ahorlu

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer poses a substantial global health challenge, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income nations. Women living with HIV are disproportionately affected compared to the general population. Our study explored the acceptance and preferences of participants regarding cervical cancer screening procedures during their HIV clinic visits.

METHODS: Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to inform questions, we conducted semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews with 85 people with HIV (PWH), across six southern Ghana sites, to identify factors that could promote or impede the integration of cervical cancer screening into HIV care in Ghana. We also explored the acceptability of …

Building Capacity For Hiv And Implementation Science Among Students In The United States: The Stimulating Training And Access To Hiv Research Experiences (Star) Program, Ucheoma Nwaozuru, Onyekachukwu Anikamadu, Alexis Engelhart, David Oladele, Bryce Puesta Takenaka, Olufunto A Olusanya, Temitope Ojo, Juliet Iwelunmor, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Expanding HIV research capacity among the global majority (individuals identifying as Black/African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, Multiracial, and Hispanic/Latino) is important. However, achieving national goals to increase the pool of implementation science and HIV early-stage investigators from underrepresented backgrounds remains elusive, largely due to limited investment in training and mentoring these individuals. To address this issue, we launched the Stimulating Training and Access to HIV Research Experiences (STAR) program, a partnership led by Saint Louis University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collaboration with Georgia State …

Stimulating Training And Access To Hiv Research Experiences (Star Program): A Protocol For A Crowdsourced, Project-Based, Implementation Science Training Program Using Mixed-Methods Design, Juliet Iwelunmor, Idia Thurston, Collins Airhihenbuwa, Weiming Tang, Ucheoma Catherine Nwaozuru, Onyekachukwu Anikamadu, David Oladele, Bryce Takenaka, Khadijah Ameen, Olufunto A Olusanya, Temitope Ojo, Joseph D Tucker

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: HIV is more common among underrepresented minority adolescents and young adults (AYA, 13-24 years old) in the United States. Low uptake of HIV prevention services suggests a missed opportunity for implementing evidence-based interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and sexually transmitted infection testing among this important population. Most research institutions in the United States also have limited opportunities for AYA training, mentorship, and capacity-building activities.

METHODS: The "Stimulating Training and Access to HIV Research Experiences" (STAR) program brings together a highly qualified group of research mentors to achieve three specific aims: (1) identify and recruit underrepresented minority AYA interested …

Adapting A Sexual And Reproductive Health Program For Latina Teens And Their Female Caregivers: A Qualitative Study, Katherine G Merrill, Ana A Baumann, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Adaptation is widely recognized as important when interventions are to be delivered in new settings or with new populations. However, there are gaps in the literature on how adaptations are carried out and documented. IMARA is a 12-h evidence-based sexual health intervention for Black teens and their mothers, designed for delivery over two days. We present our systematic process of adapting IMARA for Latinas to produce the

METHODS: Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, we carried out a qualitative study that included 7 focus groups: 4 with staff from community partner organizations (

RESULTS: Informed by the data, …

Problem-Solving Training To Improve Caregiver Burden And Depressive Symptoms Among Dementia Caregivers: Personal And Clinical Factors Of Responders Vs. Non-Responders, Shannon B Juengst, Matthew Lee Smith, Kristin Wilmoth, Brittany Wright, Gang Han, Charlene Supnet, Gladys Maestre

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Metacognitive strategy training interventions, like Problem-Solving Training/Descubriendo Soluciones Juntos (PST/DSJ), have efficacy for improving caregiver burden and depressive symptoms. We previously demonstrated that PST/DSJ improved caregiver burden and depressive symptoms among caregivers of adults with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD), regardless of the number of sessions or boosters received. However, these results did not examine factors characterizing those who responded (improvement in caregiver burden or depressive symptoms) or did not respond to the intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To identify key personal and clinical factors associated with response to PST/DSJ. Personal factors included age, gender, race, Hispanic ethnicity, education, and employment …

Tourette Syndrome Research Highlights From 2024 [Version 3; Peer Review: 2 Approved, 1 Approved With Reservations], Andreas Hartmann, Per Andrén, Cyril Atkinson-Clement, Virginie Czernecki, Cécile Delorme, Simon Morand-Beaulieu, Nanette Mol Debes, Kirsten Müller-Vahl, Peristera Paschou, Natalia Szejko, Apostolia Topaloudi, Kevin J Black

2020-Current year OA Pubs

We summarize research reports from 2024 relevant to Tourette syndrome, which the authors consider the most important or interesting. This working draft aims to submit this content for publication around the beginning of 2025 in the yearly Tourette Syndrome Research Highlights series on F1000Research. The authors welcome article suggestions and thoughtful feedback from readers, who can add a comment by clicking on the rectangular comment box icon to the left of the LOG IN link at the top of this page. For private comments, you can reach us by email ( [email protected] or [email protected]).

Tracking The Evolving Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Implementation Science: Protocol For A Living Scoping Review Of Applications, Evaluation Approaches And Outcomes [Version 2; Peer Review: 2 Approved], Guillaume Fontaine, Byron J Powell, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) offers significant opportunities to improve the field of implementation science by supporting key activities such as evidence synthesis, contextual analysis, and decision-making to promote the adoption and sustainability of evidence-based practices. This living scoping review aims to: (1) map applications of AI in implementation research and practice; (2) identify evaluation approaches, reported outcomes, and potential risks; and (3) synthesize reported research gaps and opportunities for advancing the use of AI in implementation science.

METHODS: This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and the Cochrane guidance for living systematic reviews. A living scoping …

Usability Of The Mayo Test Drive Remote Self-Administered Web-Based Cognitive Screening Battery In Adults Aged 35-100 With And Without Cognitive Impairment, Jay S Patel, Jason Hassenstab, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Mayo Test Drive (MTD): Mayo Test Development through Rapid Iteration, Validation and Expansion, is a web-based remote cognitive assessment platform for self-administered neuropsychological measures with previously demonstrated validity and reliability. We examined the usability of MTD and hypothesized that completion rates would be greater than 90%. We explored whether completion and participation rates differed by cognitive status and demographic factors.

METHODS: A total of 1,950 Mayo Clinic Study of Aging and Mayo Alzheimer's Disease Research Center participants (97% White, 99% Non-Hispanic) were invited to participate in this ancillary, uncompensated remote study. Most invitees were cognitively unimpaired (CU;

RESULTS: Baseline …

An Exploratory Graphical Analysis Of The Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale Pre- And Post-Treatment Using Pooled Antidepressant Trial Secondary Data, David Byrne, Arunangshu Ghoshal, Fiona Boland, Susan Brannick, Robert M Carney, Pim Cuijpers, Alexandra L Dima, Kenneth E Freedland, Suzanne Guerin, David Hevey, Bishember Kathuria, Vincent Mcdarby, Emma Wallace, Frank Doyle

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: The 10-item Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a commonly used measure of depression in antidepressant clinical trials. Numerous studies have adopted classical test theory perspectives to assess the psychometric properties of this scale, finding generally positive results. However, its network configural structure and stability is unexplored across different time-points and treatment groups.

AIMS: To assess the network structure and stability of the MADRS in clinical settings pre- and post-treatment, and to determine a configurally invariant and stable model across time-points and treatment groups (placebo and intervention).

METHOD: Individual participant data for 6440 participants from 14 clinical trials of …

Eeg Spectral Analysis Of Nighttime Sleep And Daytime Mslts And Neurocognitive Evaluations In Subjects With Co-Morbid Insomnia And Osa, Yuan Shi, Yuru Nie, Fengyi Hao, Xujun Feng, Ye Zhang, Larry D. Sanford, Rong Ren, Xiangdong Tang

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Chronic insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea commonly co-occur. Few studies have explored the neurophysiological and neurocognitive characteristics of COMISA, which could help guide improving treatment diagnostic tools and determining novel therapeutic targets. This study aims to explore the neurophysiological and neurocognitive characteristics of COMISA using electroencephalographic (EEG) spectral analysis and subjective and objective neurocognitive measurements.

Methods

Participants were from our community recruited OSA-insomnia-COMISA cohort with 206 included for our current analysis including 74 chronic insomniacs (CIs), 55 OSA patients and 77 COMISA patients. Standard polysomnography (PSG) and multiple sleep latency tests (MSLTs) were recorded and used to obtain relative …

Mobile Health Intervention Tools Promoting Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Adolescent Girls And Young Women In Sub-Saharan Africa: Scoping Review, Alex Emilio Fischer, Homaira Hanif, Jacob B. Stocks, Aimee E. Rochelle, Karen Dominguez, Eliana Gabriela Armora Langoni, H. Luz Mcnaughton Reyes, Gustavo F. Doncel, Kathryn E. Muessig

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background:

In 2022, 3100 adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa experienced new HIV infections each week. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective at preventing HIV but has limited uptake and persistence. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions can improve medication adherence; however, their utility to improve PrEP adherence among adolescent girls and young women is not well established.

Objective:

This scoping review synthesizes evidence supporting mHealth for PrEP among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa and identifies strategies for further evaluation.

Methods:

We searched PubMed and Google Scholar databases, expert referrals, and reference lists using the following eligibility …

'I Did Not Know We Could Exercise This Small Premature Baby': Challenges Experienced By Parents While Implementing Early Intervention For Their Preterm Infants-A Qualitative Perspective, Manasa Kolibylu Raghupathy, Selim Jahangir, Sonia Khurana, Leslie Edward S. Lewis, Bhamini Krishna Rao

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Preterm birth is a highly stressful experience for both parents and infants. Parental participation in care enhances developmental outcomes, fosters parent-infant interactions and builds parental confidence. However, low parental adherence has always been a challenge in the successful implementation of intervention programs both in the NICU and at home. It is imperative to understand parents' perspectives and view the challenges that they experience through their lens while providing early intervention to their infants born preterm. This study is aimed at identifying new parents' challenges when implementing early intervention programs for their infants during the transition from hospital to home. …

Frequency And Perceived Influence Of Menopausal Symptoms On Training And Performance In Female Endurance Athletes, Heather M. Hamilton, Natalie M. Yarish, Kristin E. Heron

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Menopause is associated with several negative health concerns and common menopausal symptoms. Physical activity is essential to mitigate these negative effects, but menopausal symptoms may interfere with participation in physical activity. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and the perceived negative effect of menopausal symptoms among female endurance athletes. Female runners, cyclists, swimmers, and triathletes 40–60 years of age were recruited (N = 187). Participants completed an online, anonymous survey that included self-reported menopausal status; the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS), a validated measure for assessing menopausal symptoms; and the perceived effect of menopausal symptoms on …

Evaluating The Impact Of A Novel Program To Address Acute Food Insecurity Among Cancer Patients, Elliott M. Sina, Michael Rowe, Gina Mancuso, Gregory Garber, W. Kevin Kelly, Amy E. Leader

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Acute food insecurity (FI) significantly impacts cancer patients' health, exacerbating physical and psychological burdens. While current interventions address chronic FI, acute cases remain undermanaged. Legacy of Hope, a Philadelphia-based non-profit, addresses this gap through its Emergency Patient Support Network (EPSN), offering free bi-weekly groceries to patients facing acute FI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pilot study evaluated EPSN's impact utilizing the Legacy of Hope Acute Food Insecurity (LOHAFI) survey, which was performed at baseline and two weeks post-intervention. The survey combines the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G7) and questions on food and financial security. Mean scores and frequencies were …

Effects On Maternal And Pregnancy Outcomes Of First-Trimester Malaria Infection Among Nulliparous Women From Kenya, Zambia, And The Democratic Republic Of The Congo, Sequoia I. Leuba, Daniel Westreich, Carl L. Bose, Andrew F. Olshan, Steve M. Taylor, Antoinette Tshefu, Adrien Lokangaka, Waldemar A. Carlo, Elwyn Chomba, Musaku Mwenechanya, Edward A. Liechty, Sherri L. Bucher, Osayame A. Ekhaguere, Fabian Esamai, Paul Nyongesa, Saleem Jessani, Sarah Saleem, Robert L. Goldenberg, Janet L. Moore, Tracy L. Nolen, Jennifer Hemingway-Foday, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Marion Koso-Thomas, Richard Derman, Matthew Hoffman, Steven R. Meshnick, Melissa Bauserman

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed the impact of first-trimester malaria infection during pregnancy. We estimated this impact on adverse maternal and pregnancy outcomes.

METHODS: In a convenience sample of women from the ASPIRIN (Aspirin Supplementation for Pregnancy Indicated risk Reduction In Nulliparas) trial in Kenya, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we tested for first-trimester Plasmodium falciparum infection using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We estimated site-specific effects on pregnancy outcomes using parametric g-computation.

RESULTS: Compared to uninfected women, we observed the adjusted site-specific prevalence differences (PDs) among women with first-trimester malaria of the following pregnancy outcomes: preterm birth …

Brain Volumes, Cognitive, And Adaptive Skills In School-Age Children With Down Syndrome, Rebecca Grzadzinski, Kelly Botteron, Natasha Marrus, Robert Mckinstry, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Down syndrome (DS) is the most common congenital neurodevelopmental disorder, present in about 1 in every 700 live births. Despite its prevalence, literature exploring the neurobiology underlying DS and how this neurobiology is related to behavior is limited. This study fills this gap by examining cortical volumes and behavioral correlates in school-age children with DS.

METHODS: School-age children (mean = 9.7 years ± 1.1) underwent comprehensive assessments, including cognitive and adaptive assessments, as well as an MRI scan without the use of sedation. Children with DS (n = 35) were compared to available samples of typically developing (TD; n …

The Impact Of Community Engaged Healthcare Education On Undergraduate Students’ Empathy And Their Views Towards Social Accountability; A Mixed Methods Systematic Review, Anastasios Plessas, Martha Paisi, Nilufar Ahmed, Zoe Brookes, Lorna Burns, Robert Witton

Peninsula Dental School

Background: Many non-communicable diseases are rooted in social factors that determine health outcomes. Complex topics such as the social determinants of health are difficult to teach through traditional didactic methods. Since the introduction of the social accountability of medical schools’ framework in 1995 by the World Health Organisation, healthcare education institutions are encouraged to shift their traditional education models towards a socially accountable approach. Community engagement can facilitate a deeper understanding of health inequity, barriers to health care, and the social determinants of health whilst enabling institutions to meet their obligation to the communities they serve. This systematic review aimed …

The State Of (Mis) Trust: Human-Centered Technology Development & Implementation In Intensive Mental Health Settings, Jessa Lin Westheimer, Ryan P Smith, Peter Iacobelli, Hyuntaek Oh, Lacey Tezino, Raheela Khan, Jared Broussard, Gordon Meltzer, Nadine Obeid, Stephanie Cunningham, Robert J Boland, Michelle A Patriquin

Staff and Researcher Publications

Innovative technology-based solutions in mental healthcare promise significant improvements in care quality and clinical outcomes. However, their successful implementation is profoundly influenced by the levels of trust patients hold toward their treatment providers, organizations, and the technology itself. This paper delves into the complexities of building and assessing patient trust within the intensive mental health care context, focusing on inpatient settings. We explore the multifaceted nature of trust, including interpersonal, institutional, and technological trust. We highlight the crucial role of therapeutic trust, which comprises both interpersonal trust between patients and providers, and institutional trust in treatment organizations. The manuscript identifies …

Parent And Primary Care Clinician Perceptions About Pediatric Hypertension, Abbas H. Zaidi, Erica Sood, Sarah De Ferranti, Samuel Gidding, Varsha Zadokar, Jonathan Miller, Anne Kazak

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

IMPORTANCE: Despite published guidelines and a prevalence of pediatric hypertension of approximately 3%, less than 25% of affected children are identified, with 60% not receiving any intervention despite detection. Understanding the knowledge and perceptions of parents or caregivers and health care teams is crucial to identify factors that may contribute to these unacceptably low detection rates.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the knowledge and perceptions of parents and health care teams regarding pediatric hypertension to identify common themes contributing to low hypertension detection.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This qualitative study, interviewed parents of children diagnosed with hypertension who did not follow up …

Mexican Health And Aging Study Biomarker And Genetic Data Profile, Rafael Samper-Ternent, Jesús Daniel Zazueta-Borboa, Alejandra Michaels-Obregon, Dolly Reyes-Dumeyer, Sandra Barral, Giuseppe Tosto, Rebeca Wong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) is one of the largest ongoing longitudinal studies of aging in Latin America, with six waves over 20 years. MHAS includes sociodemographic, economic, and health data from a nationally representative sample of adults 50 years and older in urban and rural Mexico. MHAS is designed to study the impact of diseases on adults' health, function, and mortality. As Mexico is experiencing rapid population aging, providing adequate information to study this phenomenon is vital for designing and implementing public policies. The availability of biomarker and genetic data and longitudinal survey data elevates opportunities for …

Factors Associated With Receipt Of Tobacco Treatment Integrated With Nurse Navigation In A Centralized Lung Cancer Screening Program At An Urban Academic Medical Center, Christine S. Shusted, Sarah Mukhtar, James Lee, Brooke Ruane, Emily Muse, Lawrence Emeigh-Mcbride, Eboni Gatson-Anderson, Gregory C. Kane, Kuang-Yi Wen, Hee-Soon Juon, Julie A. Barta

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Optimal approaches for tobacco treatment counseling among individuals who currently smoke and are undergoing shared decision-making (SDM) and lung cancer screening (LCS) are unknown. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the rate of reported interest in tobacco treatment counseling and pharmacotherapy among individuals who currently smoke and are receiving integrated nurse navigation for LCS and tobacco treatment in a centralized LCS Program.

METHODS: We identified individuals undergoing SDM through our centralized LCS Program between March 2021 and March 2022. The LCS Program tobacco treatment protocol includes counseling both in-person and via telephone during SDM, LCS results …

Does The Mediterranean Diet Play A Beneficial Role In Managing The Health Of Overweight/Obese Breast Cancer Survivors?, Syeda Maria Yaqoob, Layla Haidar, Marlyn A Allicock, Natalia I Heredia

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Numerous studies have established a correlation between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of breast cancer, as well as its efficacy in supporting weight management. Notably, obesity is widely recognized as a significant risk factor for the development of breast cancer. The Mediterranean diet has been shown to improve health outcomes among overweight or obese breast cancer survivors. This narrative review aims to consolidate information on the existing research interventions elucidating the benefits of the Mediterranean diet for the overall health of breast cancer survivors.

Methods: Using the search terms "Mediterranean diet" and "breast cancer survivor", a total …

Differential Relationship Between Meditation Methods And Psychotic-Like And Mystical Experiences, Timothy Palmer, Kenza Kadri, Eric Fakra, Jacqueline Scholl, Elsa Fouragnan

School of Psychology

Much work has investigated beneficial effects of mindfulness-based meditation methods, but less work has investigated potential risks and differences across meditation methods. We addressed this in a large pre-registered online survey including 613 mediators where we correlated participants' experience with fifty meditation techniques to psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and mystical experiences. We found a positive correlation for both PLEs and mystical experiences with techniques aiming at reducing phenomenological content ('null-directed', NDM) or classified as non-dual or less embodied. In contrast, methods aiming at achieving an enhanced cognitive state (CDM), also described as 'attentional' or strongly embodied, showed negative correlations with PLEs. …

A Review Of The Association Between Dietary Intake And Brain Iron Levels In Older Adults: Preliminary Findings And Future Directions., Valentinos Zachariou, Christopher E. Bauer, Colleen A. Pappas, Brian T. Gold

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Non-heme iron is essential for critical neuronal functions such as ATP generation, synaptogenesis, neurotransmitter synthesis, and myelin formation. However, as non-heme iron accumulates with age, excessive levels can contribute to oxidative stress, potentially disrupting neuronal integrity and contributing to cognitive decline. Despite growing evidence linking high brain iron with poorer cognitive performance, there are currently no proven methods to reduce brain iron accumulation in aging or to protect cognitive function from iron’s negative effects. Recent studies suggest that nutrition may influence brain iron levels, though the evidence remains limited and mixed. Methods: In this review, we explore recent findings, …

Reflections From The Pandemic: Is Connectivism The Panacea For Clinicians?, Jennifer Benjamin, Tyson Pillow, Heather Macneill, Ken Masters, Anoop Agrawal, Neil Mehta

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent increased interest in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) highlight the need for interprofessional communities' collaboration to find solutions to complex problems. A personal narrative experience of one of the authors compels us to reflect on current approaches to learning and knowledge acquisition and use solutions to the challenges posed by GenAI through social learning contexts using connectivism. We recognize the need for constructivism and experiential learning for knowledge acquisition to establish foundational understanding. We explore how connectivist approaches can enhance traditional constructivist paradigms amid rapidly changing learning environments and online communities. Learning in connectivism includes …

Neurofeedback: New Territories And Neurocognitive Mechanisms Of Endogenous Neuromodulation, James Sulzer, T Dorina Papageorgiou, Rainer Goebel, Talma Hendler

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Neurofeedback (NF) is endogenous neuromodulation of circumscribed brain circuitry. While its use of real-time brain activity in a closed-loop system is similar to brain-computer interfaces, instead of controlling an external device like the latter, the goal of NF is to change a targeted brain function. In this special issue on NF, we present current and future methods for extracting and manipulating neural function, how these methods may reveal new insights about brain function, applications, and rarely discussed ethical considerations of guiding and interpreting the brain activity of others. Together, the articles in this issue outline the possibilities of NF use …