Digital Commons Network^™

Seniors Social Dance For A Sense Of Belonging: Decreasing Loneliness Through Community Connection, Selina Nieves

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This community engagement project explored the benefits of partner dance for elderly individuals in combating loneliness and fostering a sense of belonging. Drawing on existing literature in dance/movement therapy and community building, this project aimed to observe the impact of partner dance sessions for the elderly population by implementing an evidence-based dance workshop at a local senior center. Participants between 65 and 85 years old engaged in three weekly partner dance sessions that featured instruction of various dance styles from ballroom, Latin dance, and fusion dance and concluded with an open structured social dancing workshop. Researcher observations, combined with assistant …

Grief Like Mine: A Literature Review Exploring Culturally Informed Grief Work For Black Youth Using Dance/Movement Therapy, Darrell Hyche

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Black American youth are exposed to more death related circumstances than their peers yet are severely underrepresented in literature focused on the broader scope of children’s bereavement. More research and analysis are required to develop and implement culturally relevant interventions as they embark on their grief journey. Dance/movement therapy has the capacity for providing support that is culturally specific and able to meet the developmental levels of children, yet its grief focus work is limited. This literature review aims to bridge the gap between Black grief and dance/movement therapy as a culturally informed practice. An analysis of various forms of …

Dyadic Expressive Arts Therapy For Parent-Child Attunement In Children’S Attachment-Based Trauma Treatment: A Literature Review, Mia Ballard

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review explores current research about the use of expressive therapy methods in parent-child dyadic treatment, with a focus on attachment-based healing for children’s trauma treatment. I aim to answer the following question: how can expressive arts therapy be used to enhance nonverbal communication, foster attunement, and deepen connection between parent and child as an integral part of a child’s attachment-based trauma treatment? Children have an inherent need for an intimate emotional bond with a primary caregiver during the first few years of life and this early attachment relationship sets a foundation for mental, emotional, and physical health throughout …

Regulation Through Rhythm: A Literature Review On Dance/Movement Therapy Approaches To Facilitating Nervous System Regulation, Elizabeth Barbera

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Abstract

The mental health field has started to pay attention to how trauma plays into a person’s overall mental and physical well-being. Because of this more research has shown the connection between mind and body. Yet the clinical implications and literature on theories of how to treat trauma and trauma related disorders do not always connect. This review of literature seeks to analyze the literature on Porges’, Polyvagal Theory and Amighi’s, Kestenberg Movement Profiles. An investigation of the current literature makes a connection between the phylogenetic order of both the nervous system and developmental movement. Considerations of how trauma, in …

Nourishing Movement: The Role Of Food In A Dance/Movement Therapist’S Practice: A Literature Review, Gabriele Dunkley

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review is an inquiry into the role of food in dance/movement therapy (DMT). It aims to deepen the understanding of how essential nutritional requirements, nourishment, and an individual's relationship with food can integrate into the practice of a dance/movement therapist. The review explores the impact of nutrition on physical energy and brain function, underscoring its significance. It also examines factors influencing food choices and delves into the historical relationship between dancers and food and DMT's connection with eating disorders. Ultimately, the review proposes practical methods for DMT practitioners to integrate this knowledge into their work by introducing a …

A Polyvagal Theory And Mindfulness Based Art Therapy Approach To Self-Regulation And Self Compassion In The Face Of Trauma, Michaila Sheehan-Klein

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Many people experience dysregulations for all kinds of reasons. Our bodies are constantly sensing our environments and taking in information. Recent research shows mind-body approaches, such as art therapy, can increase somatic awareness and self-acceptance. The posed question for this papers research was if art therapy experiences are combined with psychoeducation in polyvagal theory, how will it affect the participants level of self-compassion and understanding for their own self-regulation. A group of four women met for five total one-hour sessions over six weeks. They learned about the nervous system, how to identify its three states, gained skills for regulation, and …

Utilizing Dance/Movement Therapy For Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Development Of A Method, Jayda Pearson

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

While there is limited research on the use of dance/movement therapy (DMT) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. This thesis introduces an intervention focused on utilizing (DMT) to assist children with ADHD in self-regulation during periods of dysregulation associated with the disorder. The research is backed by literature reviews covering various topics related to ADHD symptoms such as dysregulation, impulsivity, and attention difficulties. Furthermore, the thesis delves into the background of dance/movement therapy and explores how DMT can be integrated with other modalities such as play therapy for a comprehensive therapeutic approach.

Dance/Movement Therapy In The Treatment Of Emotional Dysregulation In Children With Emotional, Social, And Behavioral Challenges: A Literature Review, Sarah E. Scarbrough

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review examines the topic of emotional regulation as it relates to children with emotional, cognitive and behavioral impairments and the effectiveness of current treatment modalities. In this paper emotional regulation is conceptualized as the ability to modulate the intensity and/or duration of emotional responses. Emotional regulation is explored for both its intrinsic and extrinsic features and how they interact with treatment outcomes. Current psychotherapeutic and dance/ movement therapy interventions aimed at improving emotional awareness, expression, and regulation coping skills are discussed. Group interventions are investigated for their unique contributions to the development of emotional regulation skills. The importance …

Art Therapy As A Tool To Enhance Social Skills In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review, Alejandra Deleon

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review delves into the advantages of using art-making as a means to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder acquire necessary social and communication skills. The review hones in on the challenges that children with ASD face in regards to their self-perception, social behaviors, emotional regulation, and environmental triggers. Specifically, it poses the question: how does art therapy benefit children who have been diagnosed with ASD? The review covers various literary categories, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Skills, Emotional Regulation, Attachment, Art Therapy Groups, and Art Mediums. Ultimately, the paper provides evidence that art therapy can be a beneficial …

Revitalizing Learning Environments: The Impact Of Incorporating Movement Breaks In Classroom Curriculum, Jimmy Bonilla

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis examines the benefits of integrating movement breaks within high school classrooms to enhance student engagement, focus, and overall well-being. The aim is to highlight the negative effects that a traditional classroom structure can have when looking at the evolving needs of the high school population. Drawing on personal experiences, observations, and existing research, this study highlights the disconnect between traditional teaching methods and the developmental needs of today's students. Using comparisons from previous teaching methods to the standards of an academic class today, the study identifies movement breaks as a useful tool to address issues such as student …

Nou Rive La Ak 2 Pye Nou: Exploring Creative And Expressive Movements With Recently Arrived Haitian Migrants Through A Community Engagement Project, Sahita Pierre-Antoine

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Haitian individuals and families constitute a large portion of the recently arrived migrants in Massachusetts. As the State struggles to respond to the logistics of the migration crisis, migrants are grappling with the mental health sequelae of their long and traumatic journeys: post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms are the top diagnoses among this population. Offering mental health services requires culturally-centered and trauma-informed methods that can respond to the needs of this population. Dance/movement therapy is an expressive modality that can be rooted in the rich cultural symbols and practices of the migrants to support them as they …

Securing Attachment In The Nicu Through Polyvagal-Informed Dance/Movement Therapy: A Literature Review, Sophia Schneider

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The integration of polyvagal theory (PVT) and dance/movement therapy (DMT) may offer a nuanced approach to healing attachment between the parent-infant dyad in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This embedded modality offers insight into the manner in which attachment is influenced by a neurobiological basis, as well as how various somatic elements may assist in restructuring the autonomic nervous system to promote social engagement, self-regulation, and co-regulation. Therefore, this literature review explores the core elements of PVT and DMT, including the core rhythms of respiration, heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate, and vascular feedback/rhythmicity, and their influence on improving …

Exploring Self-Concept And Emotional Regulation Through Music Technology: An Autoethnographic Study And Literature Review, Alejandro Grover

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This autoethnography delves into the transformative potential of creative engagement, particularly through the lens of music technology, in shaping self-concept and emotional regulation. This study will also demonstrate how music technology makes it easy to facilitate hip hop therapy. Drawing on personal experiences and scholarly inquiry, the research explores the intersection of creativity and technology. Central to the study is the examination of various music technologies, including loop stations like the RC-505, digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as Logic Pro X, and Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) keyboards, as facilitators of creative expression and attunement. The research underscores the overarching …

Exploring The Therapeutic Synergy: Dance/Movement Therapy And Electroconvulsive Therapy In Geriatric Patient Recovery, Alexandra Niezgoda

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This capstone literature review synthesizes existing independent research on Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) to provide recommendations for professionals working with geriatric psychiatry patients who are undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy treatment. This research addresses a gap in alternative care approaches for geriatric patients who are experiencing the side effects of long-term medical procedures. The data collected from this literature review offers evidence to support the use of Bartenieff fundamentals as a recovery tool for Electroconvulsive Therapy patients. Based on pre-existing research there are recommendations provided in the discussion section of this thesis on how to implement a movement group …

From Boys To Non-Toxic Men: An Intervention Using Expressive Arts Therapy To Foster Healthy Masculinity In Adult Men, Jennifer Liff

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

“Toxic masculinity” is a rigid form of masculine expression in the United States and other Western countries that espouses traditional norms of expression such as stoicism, power over others, control, aggression, and subjugation of women. Research has shown that it is detrimental to men’s mental health, and strict adherence to it is associated with higher rates of loneliness, depression, suicidal ideation, and violence. Earlier theories that have addressed toxic masculinity, such as the gender role strain paradigm, have taken a more pathological lens. However, the positive psychology/positive masculinity theory and relational cultural theory—contemporary theoretical frameworks that focus on healthy masculinity—show …

Taking Off The Mask; Identity Development With Queer Emerging Adults, Lital Dotan

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review examines the potential of superhero-based drama therapy as a tool to foster feelings of agency, community building, and identity formation in queer emerging adults. Identity formation in this population is disrupted by internalized sexual stigma and isolation due to minority stressors specific to queer emerging adults. Identity formation is a crucial aspect of the developmental stage of emerging adulthood and is essential to mental wellness. By reviewing the history of queer readings of superhero media, the effective use of superhero-based therapeutic interventions, and the relevance of drama therapy processes in these interventions, it is concluded that drama …

Trauma-Informed Expressive & Creative Arts Therapy With Survivors Of Mass Shootings, Jessica Heiler

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Survivors of mass shootings often suffer from psychological impact and mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), prolonged grief, depression, and anxiety. These individuals, who have been directly or indirectly exposed to the trauma, may find it challenging to find support and services that cater to their unique needs. Currently, there is no established framework for treating survivors of mass shootings. However, practitioners have proposed guidelines that incorporate trauma-informed practices. This literature review aims to explore how the use of trauma-informed expressive and creative arts therapies can provide an alternative to talk-based therapies when working with individuals and …

Embodied Social Action: How Dance Movement Therapy Can Support Resistance Against Systems Of Oppression, Lauren Pope

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explores the ways in which the field of dance/movement therapy has been impacted by colonialism through examination of power dynamics within the therapeutic movement relationship and use of body/movement observation and analysis. This literature review examines the historical context of the field of dance/movement therapy while outlining ways that dance/movement therapy practices and approaches can target trauma due to experiences of oppression which can be a contributing factor toward creating social change. Themes of power, privilege, oppression, and cultural identity are explored in a variety of populations and settings to highlight the indiscriminate ways colonialism impacts all people …

Parallel Process: Making Sense Of The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship Experience Through Visual Art Journaling, Stephanie Seifert

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The use of journaling and art has regularly been used in therapeutic practices as a form of self-expression and self-reflection. However, few studies have examined the impact that visual art journaling, a combination of written word and artmaking, has on those same topics. To expand upon the few studies on visual art journaling, this study implemented the application of using a visual art journal during a three-week period to explore what benefits, if any, it had on helping a graduate student make sense of a clinical mental health counseling internship. This study was conducted in response to individual therapy with …

Feldenkrais And Music Informed Listening: A Neurophenomenological Perspective On Autism, Arona Primalani

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Phenomenologists identify the subjective body and its felt-senses as the basis for human development and consciousness, including mental health. Several mental health disorders, when viewed from a phenomenological perspective, share common symptomology related to varying extents of fractured selves, which in turn hinders dynamic interaction between individuals, their actions, and their relationships with their social and material worlds. Autism is one such condition. Hence, I created an intervention to investigate how listening, which foster subjective and intersubjective experiences, lies at the heart of somatic and arts-based interventions. This thesis, first, begins with a summary of the presenting symptoms observed in …

Cultural Hybridization In The United States: The Case Of Chicanos/Mexican-American Music, Jeffrey R. Craig

Senior Theses

How do immigrant communities in the United States maintain aspects of their culture when they have to navigate between an American culture and their own? This study will center Chicanos, who fit this description by being Mexicans who have to navigate between having roots in Mexico and a new cultural environment in America. More specifically, an analysis of corrido music (and their corresponding music videos) produced by a Chicano band in the 21st century will be important to understanding how a hybrid identity is communicated through that medium. Lyrics, Slang, Styles of Dress, Instruments and Rhythms will be used as …

Design, Synthesis, And Biological Evaluation Of Novel Heterocyclic Compounds For The Treatment Of Cancer And Neurodegenerative Disorders, Saloni Patel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that impairs memory and cognitive judgment, mostly in older people. It is the leading cause of dementia in late adult life. The hallmarks of AD include neuronal loss, neuroinflammation, a build-up of extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, and extracellular neuritic plaques. Current treatment, although useful, is not adequate. Identification of therapeutic agents with the potential to alter the progress of AD is a high priority. Recent studies suggest that the Sigma-2 receptor is an attractive target for the development of disease-modifying AD drugs. Preventing the binding of Sigma-2 receptors …

Towards A New Role Of Mitochondrial Hydrogen Peroxide In Synaptic Function, Cliyahnelle Z. Alexander

Student Theses and Dissertations

Aerobic metabolism is known to generate damaging ROS, particularly hydrogen peroxide. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules containing oxygen that have the potential to cause damage to cells and tissues in the body. ROS are highly reactive atoms or molecules that rapidly interact with other molecules within a cell. Intracellular accumulation can result in oxidative damage, dysfunction, and cell death. Due to the limitations of H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide) detectors, other impacts of ROS exposure may have been missed. HyPer7, a genetically encoded sensor, measures hydrogen peroxide emissions precisely and sensitively, even at sublethal levels, during …

Optogenetic Induction Of Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress As A Potential Model To Study Non-Hereditary Als, Samia Alam

Student Theses and Dissertations

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common denominator of neurodegenerative diseases, including hereditary and non-hereditary Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Ten percent of ALS cases are hereditary while a majority are sporadic, with no known hereditary link. For effective therapeutic approaches to be developed, there is a need for development of a sporadic animal model to better understand disease mechanism. In previous work, our laboratory developed an animal model (known as mitokiller flies) to study sporadic cases of ALS. The work reported in this honors thesis focuses on the use of optogenetics and electrophysiology recording to study the formation of excessive hydrogen peroxide …

Exploring The Design Space Of Antifungal Peptides, Miryam Kikhwa

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of antifungal activity of peptides FQ15 and FG10 will be conducted to address the hypothesis. The hypothesis of this thesis is that a peptide with similar properties to AS15 would have similar activity against Cryptococcus neoformans. This study addresses the challenge of drug- resistant microbes by developing inhibitors targeting lipid flippase and exploring their potential as antimicrobial agents against Cryptococcus neoformans. Chapter 1 provides a historical context of the background on the development of antimicrobials and common antifungal treatments, as well as an introduction about C. neoformans and its resistance mechanism. Chapter 2 introduces the …

Glue Gun Stories: Public Art Educators’ Perceptions Of Trauma And Its Impact On Their Pedagogy And Praxis, Alicia Gray

Educational Studies Dissertations

Public School visual arts educators play a vital role in implementing trauma-sensitive practices within schools. Through a collaborative arts-based research design the researcher worked alongside four public school visual art educators to portray their knowledge, beliefs, and values surrounding trauma while also gaining a nuanced and in depth understanding of how perceptions of trauma influence their pedagogy and praxis. Data collection methods included interviews, focus groups, participant and research observations, photo documentation, and art-based data. Participants viewed trauma as chronic adverse events that lead to maladaptive responses within students. They felt these responses had widespread impacts on the entire school …

The Benefits Of Art And Music On Therapeutic Awareness: An Autoethnographic Study, Eric Ouellette

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Awareness is an intrinsic element of an individual's existence that can be formed through acts of self-exploration. Through the application of therapeutic interventions and the utilization of the expressive arts, awareness can be further facilitated and grounded into one’s consciousness. The interdisciplinary fields of music, art, and creative expression possess the potential to augment an individual's level of awareness in profound and transformative ways. This proposition is grounded in my own lived experiences of identity exploration and mental health challenges, as well as seven years of dedicated study aimed at fostering a deeper understanding and support for my own subjective …

Promoting Positive White Racial Identity Development In K-12 Teachers: A Qualitative Case Study, Johnny Cole

Educational Studies Dissertations

The process of racial identity development (RID) is widely agreed to be the process by which an individual comes to understand the role race plays in their sense of self, how it influences their ability to acquire information and reach goals, how it affects their interpersonal interactions with others, and the manner in which it assigns group membership in the larger society. The formative years students spend in K-12 educational environments can play an important role in their RID; thus educators’ awareness of these developmental processes can potentially help dismantle the systems of inequity within a critical race theory framework …

Resilience In Refugee Youth: A Review Of Contributing Factors And Potential Barriers, Anna J. Kreisman

Honors Projects

While past research has predominantly centered on the trauma and challenges faced by refugees, there is a current shift toward examining refugee lives through a lens of resilience. The purpose of the present investigation is to examine the contributing factors and potential barriers to resilience in young refugees. I conducted a literature review of research from the past 24 years, primarily searching PsycINFO, Academic Search Complete, and SocINDEX. The review findings demonstrate that resilience can stem from individual, family, school, and community-level factors. The findings further indicate several potential barriers to resilience. In addition, I briefly discuss mental health interventions …

Repurposing Clinically Relevant Metabolic Inhibitor Drugs, Difluoromethylornithine (Dfmo) And Orlistat, For Gammaherpesvirus Replication, Lay Paw

Honors Projects

Viruses, including herpesviruses, contribute up to 15% of all human cancers. Murine gammaherpesvirus-68 (MHV-68), a pathogen commonly found in mice, is studied due to its shared homology with several human herpesviruses. Studies done in the Delgado lab via metabolomics analysis show MHV-68 infected cells increase host cell metabolism. Clinically relevant metabolic inhibitor drugs, ɑ-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and Orlistat, respectively block polyamine and lipid production demonstrated a reduction in MHV-68 viral production. Repurposing clinically relevant drugs through the exploration of a different target shows great promise in reducing oncogenic viral titer.