Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons^™

Mental Associations And Music Therapy: Including The History Of Associationism And The Neurology Of Associations, Dianna Rose

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Associations are formed in our minds based upon three elements: sensory experience, emotions, and memories. These associations, unique to each individual, dictate thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, and actions. Some are necessary and supportive, while others can be maladaptive. Established associations can be changed, and new associations can be formed, to align with a client’s goals. The literature presents a strong history of associationism, as well as a body of research that demonstrates the neurological processes of how mental associations are formed. There are also studies showing how music activates the brain. However, there is a lack of research which draws direct …

Shu Altop News, Vol. 1, Dr. Susan L. Davis, Rn & Richard J. Henley College Of Nursing, Susan M. Denisco, Kerry A. Milner

News, Magazines and Reports

Updates from the Davis & Henley College of Nursing Sacred Heart University Alternatives to Opioids for Pain Grant.

Alternatives to Opioids for Pain (ALTOP) is a HRSA funded project to help combat the opioid epidemic in Connecticut. Through the creation and support of academic clinical practice partnerships at two federally qualified health centers, family nurse practitioner students are gaining clinical training and experience in the appropriate use of opioids and alternative pain modalities, in primary care settings. This project directly benefits the medically underserved areas in Bridgeport.

A Longitudinal, Randomized And Controlled Study Of App-Delivered Mindfulness In The Workplace, Jennifer S. Mascaro, Kathryn Wehrmeyer, Veronica Mahathre, Alana Darcher

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Workplace mindfulness meditation programs are of great interest for improving employee well-being and job performance, fueled in part by the apparent effectiveness of mindfulness meditation as well as by the recent proliferation of mobile mindfulness applications (apps) that can be incorporated into a workplace setting. It is critical to examine the facilitators and barriers to engaging with app-delivered mindfulness in the workplace to understand how biological, psychological, and socio-demographic variables impact practice time.

Methods: Using a longitudinal and randomized controlled design, we explored facilitators of and barriers to practicing app-delivered mindfulness in the workplace among predominately non-white call center …

Minding The Mindfulness Research In Healthcare: More Data On Diversity Are Urgently Needed, Basant Pradhan

Cooper Rowan Medical Journal

Amongst the myriads of applications of meditative practice, mindfulness meditation can be arguably the simple yet most evidence-based type of meditative method. This simple and age-old technique emphasizes upon cultivating in the practitioner a nonjudgmental awareness on a moment-to-moment basis. Mindfulness meditation was introduced to the American audience in the early 1990’s by Jon Kabat-Zinn, and beginning the early 2000s has seen an exponential growth trajectory that continues to this day. However, its rising popularity has given rise to considerable misinformation and misunderstanding as well.

The Efficacy Of Yoga As An Adjunctive Therapy To Standard Multidisciplinary Care In The Treatment Of Female Patients Presenting With Cognitive Eating Disorder Symptoms, Cassidy Nagle

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: Current treatment of patients exhibiting cognitive eating disorder symptoms is standard multidisciplinary care (SMDC) involving behavioral therapy, medical management and dietetics. Because these symptoms often persist or relapse despite treatment, research has begun to explore adjunctive therapies like yoga for this population. This review will explore seven studies in order to analyze the effect of yoga (I) on cognitive eating disorder symptoms (O) in teenage and adult females (P) when added to SMDC compared to symptom reduction with SMDC alone (C).

Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Academic Search Ultimate and Google Scholar starting November 2018. Seven …

A Systematic Review: Effectiveness Of Complementary Therapies On Mental Status Of Pediatric Oncology Patients, Sara Fredricks, Jessica Lloyd, Whitney Wendling

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Children with cancer frequently suffer from depression, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, and psychological stresses related to knowledge of potential risks, associated treatments, and the illness itself. These psychological problems can cause many additional physiological problems for these already chronically ill patients and may be detrimental to their overall health. The purpose of this systematic review is to review and critically appraise the evidence to determine if the use of Complementary and Alternative Methods (CAM), along with standardized care, affects mental health outcomes in pediatric cancer patients. Twenty-one primary source publications between 2013 and 2019 were analyzed for this systematic review. …

Hear Me Roar, Abigail R. Seethoff

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Hear Me Roar, a compilation of personal essays interspersed with short forms, grapples with the nuances of compliance versus autonomy in the context of the male gaze, beauty standards, and pop culture. The collection also explores what it means to treasure something—another person, an object—and how to express and deepen that affection.

A Qualitative Investigation Into The Influence Of A Mental Health Physical Activity Intervention On University Students, Heather M. Tunks

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Objective

Among the university student population, mental illnesses are highly prevalent. Adults aged 20-30 years have the highest rates of mood and anxiety disorders than any other age group, with approximately 12.0% diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and 7.0 to 9.0% experiencing clinical depression (Nunes et al., 2014; Pedrelli, Nyer, Yeung, Zulauf, & Wilens, 2015). Reducing or preventing the effects of mental illness among this population may have lifelong implications including improvements in coping and management of mental illness throughout the lifespan(Jaworska, DeSomma, Fonseka, Heck, & MacQueen, 2016). This research examines the lived experiences of volunteers and participants in a …

Flowers Or Flora?: Understanding The Effects Of Probiotics On Depression, Nicole Collopy

Senior Theses

The human gut is populated with hundreds of types of bacteria and fungi. In North America, both intestinal and mood disorders are prevalent, presenting health problems that challenge health care professionals and patients alike. A scholarly literature review was conducted to explore this important relationship.

The investigation of the literature revealed that there is an association between gut health disorders and mood disorders, mainly anxiety and depression. This is due to bi-directionality between the brain-gut pathways, meaning that gastrointestinal health may have an effect on mental health and vice versa.

This connection between gut and mood can have substantial implications …

Finding Harmony In Health For Treating Addiction: Support For Women In Recovery Through Music Therapy, Molly Rea

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

Molly Rea is a senior music therapy student at Purdue University who is minoring in psychology and holds an Associate of Science in Liberal Arts degree from Ivy Tech Community College. She has gained clinical experience over the past three years by bringing music therapy to individual, nursing home, hospital, and group rehabilitation settings. She aspires to open and manage an integrative holistic healthcare clinic to address needs of individuals living in disadvantaged communities where mental health resources are scarce. Her passion lies in mental health awareness and she hopes to address conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and suicide …

Integrative Pharmacotherapeutic Approaches To Treating Depression, Charlotte Tse

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), based in the philosophy-religions of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism, is more than a purely prescriptive medical system; it is a way of life focused primarily on the principles of prevention rather than the more reactionary direction that pharmacotherapy in the US has taken. Mental illness is expected to account for a quarter of China’s overall health burden by 2020, with depression affecting around 100 million people and nearly 30 percent of young Chinese adults. Conventional antidepressants have a delayed onset and unpredictable therapeutic efficacy in this condition, especially in mild to moderate cases of depression. In …

Ohiohealth Worksite Wellness: A Holistic View, Shelby Reichle

Masters of Science in Allied Health Final Project Oral Presentations

Goals: Develop my clinical knowledge of workplace wellness as a whole; Create, implement and evaluate my own wellness series or program; Learn how to conduct cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Health Coaching Case Report: Optimizing Employee Health And Wellbeing In Organizations, Shannon Yocum M.A., Nbc-Hwc, Karen Lawson Md, Abihm, Nbc-Hwc

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

Abstract

Health and wellbeing of employees has a direct correlation to organizational performance. It is essential that organizations and successful leaders prioritize the health and wellbeing of all employees – from the C-suite to entry level positions. As rates of stress, chronic illness, and unhealthy lifestyle choices continue to increase, it is imperative that organizations discover strategies that cultivate employee wellbeing. Employees with high wellbeing are more engaged, productive, and energized and directly affect a company’s bottom line; it is in the best interest of employers to invest in human capital and wellbeing of employees. Health and wellness coaching demonstrates …

Visual Art Therapy, Attachment, And The Adoption Constellation: A Literature Review, Caitlin Woodstock

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The following literary review is intended to synthesize existing data pertaining to art therapy and its application within adoption informed therapy. The adoption experience will be explored, and the basic tenants of trauma and attachment will be outlined. Current modes of trauma-informed therapy will be introduced and their compatibility with art therapy will be explored. The author will introduce a variety of art therapy interventions as presented through an assortment of theoretical lenses. These applications will be subdivided into their application with individual constellation members, families, groups, and will extend to immigrants and displaced individuals likely to enter into the …

Mental Health Symptom Severity In Cannabis-Using And Non-Using Veterans With Probable Ptsd, Matthew J. Johnson, John D. Pierce, Shahrzad Mavandadi, Johanna Klaus, Diana Defelice, Erin Ingram, David W. Oslin

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

BACKGROUND:

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disabling illness suffered by many veterans returning from war. Some veterans believe that cannabis may be therapeutic for PTSD. The purpose of this study was to better understand the association between cannabis use and PTSD symptoms.

METHODS:

The study was a matched case-control cross-sectional evaluation of the psychiatric and sociocultural associations of cannabis use in veterans with probable PTSD. Patient self-report measures were examined comparing cannabis users (cases) to non-users (controls) who were case-matched on age and gender.

RESULTS:

Results indicated that there were no significant differences between cases and controls in mean …

The Effect Of Omm On Opioid Users With Chronic Low Back Pain, Danielle Cooley, James Bailey, Deanna Janora, Catherine Fusco, Kishan Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

In the United States, approximately 100 million adults are affected by chronic pain, which reduces their quality of life and productivity, while accounting for billions in health care costs and lost revenue. (1) Opioids are considered the gold standard in the pharmacological treatment for chronic pain conditions, and prescriptions for opiates/opioids increased by 400% from 1999 to 2010. (1,2) Although opioid treatment is warranted during postsurgical and active cancer pain, physicians still commonly overprescribe opioids, which has led to addiction, high deaths rates by overdose, and the spread of communicable diseases. (1)

Since chronic pain is sustained by noxious sensory …

An Integrative Approach To Mindfulness-Based Symptom Management For Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lisa Barer

Mindfulness Studies Theses

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic health condition; its etiology is poorly understood, and treatment options are limited to management of symptoms. Current recommended treatment options are controversial, and evidence of effectiveness is limited. This paper proposes a novel model for symptom management of ME/CFS using mindfulness-based interventions, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and relaxation techniques. A comprehensive review of available evidence is used to support this approach. The idea is that, working synergistically, these three approaches, grounded by mindfulness-based principles, can address many of the symptoms of the illness and help patients better cope and manage their day-to-day …

Measuring Emotional Response To A Planting Activity For Staff At An Urban Office Setting: A Pilot Study, Amy E. Wagenfeld, Sandra Schefkind, Nancy Hock

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Interaction with occupation-centered activities, such as gardening, is associated with improved mental health. With limited evidence supporting the effects of short-term nature-based interventions on employees’ emotional states, the purpose of this research was to understand the impact of a one-time, short-term nature-based intervention on the emotional state of employees at an urban office building.

Method: This pretest/posttest design study used a visual analogue emoticon assessment tool, the Interaction with Nature scale, to measure differences in the participants’ emotional states before and after participating in a planting activity. Twenty-two participants engaged in the study. Each participant potted a …

Critical Embodied Praxis For Social Justice And Peace Educators: A Story Of Personal Transformation Through Analysis Of My Jewish And Settler Identities, Cara Michelle Silverberg

Capstone Collection

In this paper, I examine definitions of and relationships between violence, oppression, peace, liberation, and embodiment in the context of critical pedagogy in order to construct a theory of critical embodied praxis for social justice and peace educators. Considering the body to be a tangible vessel through which narratives and mechanisms of violence are expressed and maintained, I explore the potential of the body to be a vessel through which liberatory narratives may be generated and shared. After constructing a theory of critical embodied praxis, I illustrate this framework in action through a personal narrative that explores the intersections …

Sometimes A Crucible: Mindfulness Art Therapy Experientials In A Dbt-Oriented Residential Partial Hospitalization Program For Dually-Diagnosed Adults, Joan Mancuso

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

My thesis concerns observations made while incorporating mindfulness-oriented art therapy experientials into hour-long, didactic DBT skills-training groups at a residential partial program serving dually-diagnosed adults. For the thesis, I adapted two exercises from Clark’s DBT-Informed Art Therapy. My research method was arts-based grounded theory, referencing Corbin’s grounded theory and Wadeson and Allen’s thinking on the use of art for professional processing. My data took the form of a journal, word clouds, poems, and small artworks I iteratively created to deepen my learnings. My experientials highlighted areas of confusion regarding mindfulness that I attempted to address. Through the process, I …

The Effect Of Music, Art, Photo, Animal Assisted, And Alternative Therapies On Quality Of Life In Patients With Dementia: A Systematic Review, Angela Ferlo

Senior Honors Projects

Dementia is a devastating set of diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, and more, with a few theories of cause, but no certainties. One major theory behind Alzheimer’s disease involves a deficit of an important neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, in the brain. Few pharmacologic options are available to treat the symptoms or slow the progression of dementia, and the options we do have are indicated for Alzheimer’s disease. Most of the pharmacologic options for Alzheimer’s disease work by increasing the amount of acetylcholine in the brain, but none offer a cure. Often, dementia leaves the person …

Flowers Or Flora?: Understanding The Effects Of Probiotics On Depression, Nicole Collopy

Student Research Posters

Chances are, we all know someone who has had their life affected by depression and anxiety; and we have all experienced these feelings on some level. What if the key to unlocking these problems lied within every one of us -- inside of our gut? The research topic being explored is the relationship between gut health and mood disorders. The question of interest is: Does the use of probiotic supplementation have an effect on feelings of depression?

Connection between gut health and mental health is significant as approximately 6.7% of adults in the U.S. suffer from major depressive disorder. There …

Is Acupuncture Effective In Reducing Opioid Cravings In Detoxifying Opioid Abusing Adults?, Sarah Kish

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is acupuncture effective in reducing opioid cravings in detoxifying opioid abusing adults?”

STUDY DESIGN: A review of three RCTs published in English, each of which was published in 2009, 2013 and 2014 respectively.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in peer-reviewed journals that evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture to reduce opioid cravings found via PubMed and ScienceDirect.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Opioid cravings via 100 millimeter analog scale score, the Maudsely craving score consisting of five-point Likert scales and withdraw symptoms as measured by a 4-point …

Is Acupuncture A Beneficial Therapy For The Treatment Of Alcohol Dependence?, Jamie E. Mcginn

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not acupuncture is a beneficial therapy for the treatment of alcohol dependence.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized controlled trails (RCTs) which were published in 2007, 2015, and 2016.

DATA SOURCES: All articles were presented in English and taken from peer reviewed journals found on PubMed.

OUTCOMES: The various symptoms of alcohol dependence; from withdrawal, cravings, and use were assessed through various methods. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms were assed using the alcohol-withdrawal syndrome scale, alcohol craving was assed using a Visual Analogue Scale, and alcohol use was measured …

The Effect Of Narrative Medicine Combined With Medication Assisted Treatment On Decreasing The Desire To Use Intravenous Substances In Hospitalized Patients With Infective Endocarditis, Paula Works

DNP Projects

Substance abuse is a significant problem that spans the nation. Of particular concern is the growing population of patients at UK HealthCare who have endocarditis as a complication from IV substance abuse.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were

1. To assess the effect of narrative medicine combined with MAT, compared to MAT alone, on desire to use in hospitalized patients with a history of IV substance use
2. To examine the changes in quality of life before and after the introduction of narrative medicine in hospitalized patients with a history of IV substance abuse using The Quality of Life Scale (QOLS). …

Sensory-Based Programming In Mental Health: Sense Of Self, Nikki Yeckel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The doctoral experiential component (DEC) for this Capstone was completed at the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (VA) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The program, called Sense of Self, was implemented with the Veteran mental health (MH) population in an inpatient psychiatric rehabilitation unit at the VA. Sense of Self was a three-day educational program that educated Veterans on the sensory systems and sensory processing, provided calming or alerting strategies with use of sensory materials, and assisted the Veterans in creating sensory home programs based on personal goals. The goals of this Capstone were to inform the staff of the Veteran demographic population …

Shanghai, China: “Nontraditional” Traditional Chinese Medicine, Joshua Martin

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

Joshua Martin is a second-year PharmD student in the Purdue University College of Pharmacy. Within the College of Pharmacy, he is the president-elect of the Industry Pharmacist Organization (IPhO), is on the Orientation Steering Committee for newly admitted PharmD students, and preforms nanoparticle research within the Industrial and Physical Pharmacy sector of the College. He hopes to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry where he can positively impact patients on a global scale. Josh comes from a family of Boilermakers and avidly supports the Black and Gold. In this article, he describes his experience studying at Shanghai University of …

Efficaciousness Of Mindfulness Interventions For Trauma Using Psychophysiological Measures: A Review, Sherief Y. Eldeeb

Scholarly Undergraduate Research Journal at Clark (SURJ)

In recent decades the efficaciousness of mindfulness has been proven in a wide variety of contexts, but some crucial populations remain understudied. This review critically examines the literature on mindfulness in individuals with trauma using psychophysiological measures. Psychophysiological measures offer critical insight into this intersection of mindfulness and trauma due to the known somatic components in each, as well as serving as an objective response. Mindfulness-based treatments seem to show great promise in treating trauma, however there are significant limitations in the literature. Future studies should standardize the minimum length of treatment, utilize gender-balanced and ethnically diverse samples, and introduce …

Curcumin Inhibits The Ikk:Nf-Kappa B Pathway In Neural Fear Circuits, Miguel A. Briones

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The study of how the brain acquires fearful memories has attracted considerable experimental attention, due in part to the promise of discovering novel therapeutic approaches for psychiatric disorders that are characterized by unusually strong and persistent traumatic memories. In recent years, extensive research has focused on studying the neural and molecular mechanisms by which fear memories are acquired, stored, and retrieved in the brain. Once acquired, fear memories may be attenuated using one of 2 procedures: 1) fear extinction, which involves repeated presentation of the fear-arousing stimulus in the absence of an aversive consequence, or 2) interference with the reconsolidation …

The Effect Of Exercise On Symptoms Of Depression In Adults Diagnosed With Clinical Depression: An Integrative Literature Review, Tibil Felix

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

Background: While many healthcare providers are currently looking for alternative methods such as exercise to treat depression, there are limited studies to report how exercise effects symptoms of depression in adults diagnosed with clinical depression and whether an ideal exercise prescription exists.

Objective: The purpose of this integrative literature review was to evaluate the effect of exercise on adults with clinical depression.

Method: An integrative literature review was used. The tidal model of mental health as proposed by Dr. Phil Barker and Poppy Buchanan-Barker was used as a basis for this review. The keywords “clinical depression, exercise, adults, depression treatments, …