Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Lifestyle Tools For Men’S Health And Disease Prevention: Well-Being Through Nutrition, Physical Activity, Stress Management, And Connection, Leigh A. Frame

Clinical Research and Leadership Faculty Publications

Mental health is an often-overlooked aspect of overall health and wellness (well-being). Mental illness is increasingly common with 1 in 5 American adults experiencing it annually, and 1 in 20 suffering from a serious mental illness each year [1]. Treatment rates for mental illness are lower in men (37.4%) compared to women (51.2%) [1]. Globally, treatment rates are similar with an estimated cost to the global economy of $1 trillion annually, yet less than 2% of government health expenditure is for mental health worldwide [2]. Despite this, only nine studies have been published specifically targeting men’s mental health through lifestyle …

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

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

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

Pilot Study Of Anxiety, Depression, And Quality Of Life In Patients With The Diagnosis Of Metastatic Uveal Melanoma, Regine Nshimiyimana, Dnp, Bpharm, Fnp-Bc, Agacnp-Bc, Ocn, Aocnp

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Awareness of a patient’s anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) in those with metastatic uveal melanoma (MUM) can influence care that meets patients’ bio-psychosocial-spiritual needs.

Objectives: To measure the level of anxiety, depression, and QOL in patients with MUM and explore differences by gender, age range, time to metastatic disease, and duration of illness since metastasis.

Methods: We used a descriptive-comparative survey design. Over three months, a convenience sample of 70 patients with MUM aged ≥ 18 years, treated at a Mid-Atlantic hospital were invited to complete a combined survey of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and …

A Retrospective Study: Diagnosis And Treatment Of Depression In Breast Cancer Patients, Cheryl Ann Thaxton, Dnp

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: One issue related to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment is the risk of depression.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine ethnic differences and commonalties in the method of diagnosis and treatment of depression for female breast cancer patients.

Specific Aims: The study aims to examine the method of diagnosis and treatment of depression in Caucasian, Latino, and African American breast cancer patients.

Questions/Hypothesis: 1. Does the method of diagnosis and treatment of depression differ based on ethnicity? Hypothesis: Method of diagnosis and treatment will differ for Minorities as compared to Caucasians; 2. What percentage of patients …

Neural Correlates Of Taste Reactivity In Autism Spectrum Disorder., Jason A Avery, John E Ingeholm, Sophie Wohltjen, Meghan Collins, Cameron D Riddell, Stephen J Gotts, Lauren Kenworthy, Gregory L Wallace, W Kyle Simmons, Alex Martin

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Publications

Selective or 'picky' eating habits are common among those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These behaviors are often related to aberrant sensory experience in individuals with ASD, including heightened reactivity to food taste and texture. However, very little is known about the neural mechanisms that underlie taste reactivity in ASD. In the present study, food-related neural responses were evaluated in 21 young adult and adolescent males diagnosed with ASD without intellectual disability, and 21 typically-developing (TD) controls. Taste reactivity was assessed using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, a clinical self-report measure. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate hemodynamic responses …