A clinicians\u27 guide to integrating mindfulness into evidence-based practice: a common elements approach

Stemming from Eastern practices, mindfulness entails intentionally bringing one\u27s attention to all aspects of experience in the present moment, and holding these experiences with non-judgmental acceptance. In recent years mindfulness-based interventions have been gaining empirical support together with clinician interest in their use. The APA now mandates the use of evidence-based practices in psychology (EBPP), which incorporate the best empirical evidence, clinical expertise, and individual population characteristics and culture. However, at present, because there have been relatively few dismantling studies, clinicians are forced to either adopt an entire treatment protocol or pick and choose individual interventions in a relatively ad hoc fashion. This effectively creates greater variability in the quality of treatment that is disseminated in the community. A system is needed, which bridges the gap between rigid adherence to EST manuals and the inconsistency of over reliance on clinical decision-making. The common elements approach has been proposed as one means of bridging this gap. This dissertation contributes to EBPP utilizing mindfulness approaches by (a) identifying the commonly shared elements of effective mindfulness based interventions; (b) offering treatment considerations for the integration of mindfulness into clinical practice based on EBPP requirements. This is the first attempt to provide such clinical considerations for the integration of mindfulness approaches that are consistent with the APA policy on evidence-based practice in psychology (APA, 2005)

Mind wandering and task-focused attention: ERP correlates

Previous studies looking at how Mind Wandering (MW) impacts performance in distinct Focused Attention (FA) systems, using the Attention Network Task (ANT), showed that the presence of pure MW thoughts did not impact the overall performance of ANT (alert, orienting and conflict) performance. However, it still remains unclear if the lack of interference of MW in the ANT, reported at the behavioral level, has a neurophysiological correspondence. We hypothesize that a distinct cortical processing may be required to meet attentional demands during MW. The objective of the present study was to test if, given similar levels of ANT performance, individuals predominantly focusing on MW or FA show distinct cortical processing. Thirty-three healthy participants underwent an EEG high-density acquisition while they were performing the ANT. MW was assessed following the ANT using an adapted version of the Resting State Questionnaire (ReSQ). The following ERP's were analyzed: pN1, pP1, P1, N1, pN, and P3. At the behavioral level, participants were slower and less accurate when responding to incongruent than to congruent targets (conflict effect), benefiting from the presentation of the double (alerting effect) and spatial (orienting effect) cues. Consistent with the behavioral data, ERP's waves were discriminative of distinct attentional effects. However, these results remained true irrespective of the MW condition, suggesting that MW imposed no additional cortical demand in alert, orienting, and conflict attention tasks.Acknowledgements Óscar F. Gonçalves was funded by the Brazilian National Counsel for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) as a Special Visiting Researcher of the Science Without Borders program (401143/2014-7). Paulo S Boggio was funded by a CNPq researcher fellowship (311641/2015-6). Olivia Morgan Lapenta and Tatiana Conde were supported by two postdoctoral grants from CNPq (150249/2017-9 and 152358/2016-1). Sandra Carvalho was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) with the grant IF/00091/2015. Gabriel Rêgo was supported by a PhD grant from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP-2015/18713-9). This work was partially supported by FEDER funds through the Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade – COMPETE and by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (P2020-PTDC/MHC-PCN/3950/2014).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The order of being

The Order of Being is a purposeful investigation, via the elements of spirituality, physicality, science, philosophy and art process into what might be the foundational reality of space, matter and consciousness. In so doing, this inquiry aims to uncover how humanity “thinks” to know this reality, and more importantly, how humanity might “not think” and therefore may experience it. This paper explores whether the lived existence is best encountered as a form of energy, with brain, body and consciousness reverberating to become more than the mere sums of their parts. Via the works and experiences of theologists, scientists, philosophers, artists, those refusing titles, and taoist readings this paper attempts to simplify and unravel just what a foundational reality might be. Running parallel to this research is the raised awareness that the human condition is presently and historically caught in a reactive cycle imprisoned by reason, a condition largely composed of knowledge, power, materialism and religious zeal. This paper examines whether these constituents are infact limitations to experiencing what Jiddu Krishnamurti refers to as Intelligence. By investigating ways others have disarmed the barriers created by reason, we may gain better access into perceiving ourselves as space, matter and consciousness: an intermeshing of universal energy. The paradoxically intimate and expansive connection between universal energy and the lived experience then acts as a platform to go beyond the tentative, intuitive actions of past art making, to experience a deepening of raw perception, primal unknowing and it’s physical response. These innate experiences may allow for the artmaking to become a deed to facilitate energy’s processes, accepting and honouring the sensible and the indistinguishable as permeating elements to our order of being

The order of being

The Order of Being is a purposeful investigation, via the elements of spirituality, physicality, science, philosophy and art process into what might be the foundational reality of space, matter and consciousness. In so doing, this inquiry aims to uncover how humanity “thinks” to know this reality, and more importantly, how humanity might “not think” and therefore may experience it. This paper explores whether the lived existence is best encountered as a form of energy, with brain, body and consciousness reverberating to become more than the mere sums of their parts. Via the works and experiences of theologists, scientists, philosophers, artists, those refusing titles, and taoist readings this paper attempts to simplify and unravel just what a foundational reality might be. Running parallel to this research is the raised awareness that the human condition is presently and historically caught in a reactive cycle imprisoned by reason, a condition largely composed of knowledge, power, materialism and religious zeal. This paper examines whether these constituents are infact limitations to experiencing what Jiddu Krishnamurti refers to as Intelligence. By investigating ways others have disarmed the barriers created by reason, we may gain better access into perceiving ourselves as space, matter and consciousness: an intermeshing of universal energy. The paradoxically intimate and expansive connection between universal energy and the lived experience then acts as a platform to go beyond the tentative, intuitive actions of past art making, to experience a deepening of raw perception, primal unknowing and it’s physical response. These innate experiences may allow for the artmaking to become a deed to facilitate energy’s processes, accepting and honouring the sensible and the indistinguishable as permeating elements to our order of being

The Crescent Student Newspaper, March 9, 2010

Student newspaper of George Fox University.https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/the_crescent/2342/thumbnail.jp

The use of principles and techniques derived from meditation for the design and creation of co-participatory musical systems

For this thesis, a detailed study was undertaken to determine whether techniques derived from traditional meditation systems can be applied to co-participatory music systems in order to enhance their accessibility, interactivity, and experiential impact, In order to adequately address this subject, a number of investigative steps have been taken. First, a workable list of definitions for what meditation actually is was made by comparing the practices and philosophies of a number of traditional meditation forms. The conclusions derived from this stage of the discussion served to create a definitive blueprint for meditation and served as a theoretical foundation for the rest of the dissertation. The second stage was to see how these definitions manifest in the meditation form; of the modem world. This approach provided insight into how changed cultural perspectives exert a major influence on the effectiveness andlor appropriateness of certain traditional techniques. In addition to modern meditation practices, the definitions from chapter two were also examined from the perspective of modem science, another important aspect of modern culture. The observations from this chapter served as the basis for chapter four, in which the experiential, symbolic and conventional features of Western Art Music were examined. This was to provide some points of reference with which to consider the possibility of using meditation techniques to enhance the musical experience . In chapter five, an examination was made of a number of composers and artists and their relevant works who have devised methods by which some of the more restrictive aspects of West em Art Music can be overcome or bypassed, so as to gain access to the full potential of that musical experience . This stage of the discussion provided a practical framework with which to discuss the background, design and realization of my own wod. ~ connected to this research, collectively called the Wheel of Life project. One of the main aims of this creative project has been to subvert many of the anachronistic conventions of Western Art Music, particularly conventions such as performer/audience separation and overly rigid or ambiguous musical structures. By doing this, it is hoped th3t musical systems can be created that allow the participant to engage in a much more personally meaningful and actively creative experience

Constantly Thinking: Virtue in the Reflection of Practising Physiotherapists

Reflection is now a key component of physiotherapy undergraduate education and an expectation for professional practice although little is known about reflection as practised by qualified physiotherapists. Aims of the study: The purpose of this research was to explore reflection as practised by physiotherapists. Initially, the interest was in exploring what benefits reflection might bring to physiotherapists’ practice; however, once the richness of physiotherapists’ reflection was experienced, the focus of the research shifted to the process and nature of their reflections. Study design: The study took a pragmatic, qualitative, three-stage course through a grounded theory approach, where the research interest directed methods and analysis. Data collection used photo-elicitation interviews for stage one, audio diaries for stage two and for the stage of verification of the theory. Analysis: The interpretive analysis used a coding process which included the ‘thinking strategies’ of asking questions of the data, writing memos and making comparisons. The theory was further developed with an evolved theoretical coding family. Participants: 15 physiotherapists took part over the three stages of the research; 13 were female and two were male. Their clinical backgrounds included neurology, cardio-respiratory, musculoskeletal, sports therapy and paediatrics; their places of work included NHS, private, acute hospital, and community settings. Findings: Reflection was used by physiotherapists in order to fulfil a purpose in their practice. The purposes are summarised by the categories of Understanding, Seeking and Being Worthy. Each category had two sub-categories, giving six purposes of reflection: making sense of self, making sense of other, seeking a solution, questing for a novel clinical solution, practising worthily and demonstrating worthiness to others. The outcomes of reflection can be grouped into three types: changes in practice, changes in the practitioner and outcomes which did not create change but which had value to the practitioner, such as ease of mind. The purpose of demonstrating worthiness was the only form of reflection which regularly included writing and which had no direct benefit to practice. In addition, practitioners’ reflections were not bounded by their working hours: they typically reflected in hours of routinized, non-cognitively demanding activities such as walking, cycling, or showering. They also used reflective strategies such as reading and discussion with colleagues. Conclusions: Practitioners used a rich practice of reflection in order to achieve Aristotle’s ‘good life’, which is to say they used reflection for their personal sense of fulfilment and professional satisfaction with their work

The Pilgrim’s Guide to the Workplace

This is an Open Access book. Hoping to incubate a unique idea about workplace design, Dr. Agustin Chevez walked in isolation for 42 days from Melbourne to Sydney. His pilgrimage delivered 34 Signposts, a collection of insights which hold the promise to guide us to a better place to work. While firmly positioned within the shifting context of work, the Signposts point away from reactive solutions with a short shelf life. Instead, these markers are infused with a diversity of thought instilled by Agustin’s pilgrimage and reclaim the forgotten qualities of solitude, boredom, adversity, and absurdity as mechanisms to deliver innovation and create improved working environments. On his way to Sydney Agustin relied on maps and people with local knowledge of the lands he traversed. Similarly, in this book, he consults people with local knowledge in various design disciplines, management, and technology as he navigates the many regions of the workplace and work practices covered by the Signposts. When he reaches the end of the known trails, he starts laying paths that take us closer to where the Signposts converge. Agustin writes from the perspective of a pilgrim, architect, workplace consultant, and researcher and invites you to join him as a fellow pilgrim. You will be rewarded with a journey that revisits our assumptions about the way we use space to host the ever-evolving notion of work – an expedition leading not only to better versions of the workplace, but a better version of ourselves. “This book takes about three hours to read, and it could take a lifetime to fully extract all the benefits that it contains. This does not suggest that there are not immediate benefits available from reflecting on and applying the Signposts that are core to the book's intellectual contribution.” - Peer Review extrac

Nature and Service of Care

An ageing population leads to challenges in long-term care homes such as social isolation in multi-cultural communities. While working in Mumbai, India, I observed this social isolation of seniors in long-term care homes first-hand. Familial and financial limitations are insufficient in providing seniors shelters in their own homes, leading to greater demand for ‘nursing homes’ in India. The seniors in care homes with smaller populations were more likely to quickly find relationships among their neighbours. In larger-scale care homes hosting more than 100 seniors, the feeling of institutions, unfamiliarity kept the seniors socially disconnected, in Mumbai as well as the care homes I visited in Vancouver, BC. The policies about eldercare are not updated, leading to insufficient resources and outdated norms. As part of my MDes research, I also visited De Hogeweyk (a dementia village) in the Netherlands. I used methods like observational research, fly on the wall, and interviews with the management members. As a designer, I explored and made iterative design objects and experiences for human-human and human-nature connections. This thesis describes design research activities and prototypes such as guided outdoor walking and reflection practices, using peer designers as proxy participants. I describe my service design workshops and architectural space and layout discussions. This thesis work includes historical perspectives and personal reflection on nature-human connections such as described in the Bhagavad Gita and practiced in traditional Ikebana. One significant insight through the research was that experiencing time in nature might solve institutional issues, whether in India, Vancouver, or the Netherlands. The second important lesson learned as a designer, addresses how time pressure makes people take shortcuts, such as overlooking the importance of material in concept review and testing and too little or too much preparation in developing interview scripts and protocols. The research also reflects on iterations of different design concepts, repeating and improving, recognizing the failures and appreciating them. It is an essential step as a designer to learn from the process, especially when it is imperfect. Lastly, through this research, I found that nature, space, memory and social connection are interconnected, intricately woven together to help humans survive independently and with fellowship.Collaborative makingDe HogeweykSenior careHuman-nature connectionHuman-human connectionLong-term care homesPoliciesService desig