A Holistic Approach to Neuro-informed Music Therapy for Acute TBI Rehabilitation

This capstone project is the development of a holistic neuro-informed method of music therapy for acute rehabilitation from traumatic brain injury. This method is grounded in research in the fields of neuroscience and neurochemistry and has been developed and implemented through the lens of a holistic patient centered theory of music therapy. The review of literature focuses on previous research in neuroscience, neurochemistry, neurologic music therapy, medical music therapy and the overall relationship between music and the brain. The method was explored using one 17-year-old female participant at a Boston area children’s hospital recovering from traumatic brain injury. The patient’s entire catalog of presenting problems upon admission as well as any physical and psychological history were taken into consideration in developing a holistic neuro-informed music therapy treatment plan. The plan was implemented over a six-week period of time, and all documentation was recorded via MediTech, the hospital’s medical recordkeeping database. The results were recorded based on patient self-report and showed improvements in gait, balance, respiratory strength, and oral motor control as well as increased emotional expression and regulation. Further research and explorations of neuro-informed music therapy in various populations will help to progress the method and clarify its efficacy

How Faith-Based Organisations Assist HIV/AIDS Orphans with their Academic Work: Botswana Perspective

This study investigated how Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) in Botswana assisted HIV/AIDS orphans with their academic work. The study notes that traditionally, the extended family system was the cornerstone of the social security system that cared for orphans. However, as a result of the HIV/AIDs epidemic, the extended family system is no longer able to adequately provide for the physical, psycho-social, emotional and academic needs of the orphans. The study used a mixed research approach that combined qualitative and quantitative techniques and collected data from two FBOs located in two peri-urban areas. The key findings revealed that orphanhood negatively affects the academic performance of the learners especially through lack of concentration in class caused by thinking about their deceased parents. Finally, the study calls for a systematic integration of spiritual and psycho-social support in the orphan care programme and the need to attend to the educational needs of the orphans.   Keywords: Faith-Based Organisations, Academic Performance, HIV/AIDS, Orphans, Guidance, Counselling, Ethics, Care

16-09 Transportation Mobility Among Low-Income, Transportation Disadvantaged Older Adults Living in a Low Density Urban Environment Using Innovative Data Collection Methods

This study investigates the transportation disadvantage that low-income, older adults face on an individual basis. To accomplish this, research team members custom designed an innovative “travel diary” app, MyAmble, which tracks planned, completed, failed/uncompleted trips, and unserved trips in its Trip Planner module. In addition to the typical transportation planning data (e.g. origin, destination, mode), MyAmble collects data related to the completed or failed/uncompleted trip’s impact on the participant’s mood and quality of life. MyAmble utilizes 3 additional modules (Challenge Logger, Travel Buddy, and Travel History) to collect qualitative data related to the role that transportation plays in the participant’s life and history. The field test shows significant promise in terms of capturing data on quantity and impact of missed trips, particularly as they relate to psycho-social-emotional well-being and autonomy; however, the selected population of low-income, community-dwelling older adults face health challenges that may have limited some participants’ ability to utilize the app. The study generates critical feedback for continued improvements to MyAmble. Participants expressed positive feedback and strong support for the app, specifically the Travel Buddy feature. The data generated by MyAmble provide new insights into the challenges facing environmental justice communities

Neuro-informed Music Therapy for the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression: A Literature Review

This capstone thesis project is a literature review of research specifically regarding the neuroscience and neurochemistry of music and how it can inform music therapy treatment of mental health. Mental health is a large, overarching term that includes many disorders that refer to one’s psychological and/or emotional condition(s), which further includes an individual’s social well-being. This can include, but is not limited to, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This paper will focus in on a research-based, neuro-informed music therapy treatment of anxiety and depression. The goal of this paper was to provide research toward a future method in music therapy where therapists can take a research based and neuro-informed approach to treating anxiety and depression. With the current available research, it can be suggested that a neuro-informed music therapy approach can be used to treat mood disorders, specifically anxiety and depression, however, further research will be needed to support this method

The effect of brushing on a tactilely defensive child

Previous investigations of sensory defensiveness seem to indicate a direct relationship between sensory defensiveness and the sensory diet approach as proposed by Wilbargar (1987). This study examined the implementation of the sensory diet or brushing technique begun with one mildly tactilely defensive subject. Brushing took place three times a day, every day, for approximately an eight week period. Pre and posttest instruments used to gather data were the Touch Inventory for Elementary School Aged Children (Royeen, 1986) and the Sensory Integration Inventory for Adults with Developmental Disabilities (Reisman, Hanscher, 1990). The results indicated that there was no difference between pre and posttest scores. Only minor observable changes were noted. Some reasons for these findings are discussed, including the limited period of interventions

Caring behaviours of student nurses: Effects of pre-registration nursing education

In an increasing technologised and cost-constrained healthcare environment, the role of pre-registration nursing education in nurturing and developing the professional caring disposition of students is becoming far more critical than before. In view of this growing demand, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Singapore's pre-registration nursing programmes on students' concept of caring. A descriptive quantitative cross-sectional survey collected data using the Caring Behaviour Inventory from first and final year student nurses, nurse lecturers and nurses in practice. The findings based on student surveys indicated a statistically significant reduction in the overall level of caring behaviour in first to final year students. When compared with the findings of lecturers and nurses, less variance to lecturers than to nurses was found amongst the first years' score, and the lowest variance to nurses was demonstrated amongst the final year. A greater reduction was evidenced amongst Singaporean students, which was exaggerated with exposure to pre-enrolled nursing education and magnified with caring job experience. This study indicates more effort is necessary to harness student caring attributes in students' entire educational journey so that expressive caring is not subsumed in the teaching of students to meet demands of complicated contemporary care

SLPA 985: A Peer Review of Teaching Benchmark Portfolio

My target course for the Peer Review of Teaching (PRT) Project was SLPA 985 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It is offered each spring in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. This course is intended for graduate level speech language pathology (SLP) students. I have over twenty years of experience as a practicing speech language pathologist in a rehabilitation hospital. Now, as an assistant Professor of Practice, my role is to integrate academic learning with practical experience. I am confident in my skills as a practitioner and motivated to share my knowledge, however, expertise in performance does not automatically translate into expertise in teaching. To that end, my personal objectives for participating in PRT was to focus on methods to enhance and improve my classroom teaching. Specifically, I was eager to use evidence from the classroom to inform my teaching practices. In my portfolio I describe the SLPA 985 Spring 2019 course plan, enrollment, methods, and outcomes. I reflect on teaching successes, challenges, and future plans

Achievement Motivation and Parenting Styles in Promoting Effective Learning Among Secondary School Students in Ondo State

Effective learning among secondary school students in Ondo state has become a source of concern to all well-meaning people in the educational sector hence this study investigated achievement motivation and parenting styles in promoting effective learning among secondary school students in Ondo State. Descriptive survey design was adopted for this study. The sample was made up of 245 secondary school students randomly selected from five local government areas in Ondo state. A questionnaire titled Assessment of Secondary School Students Academic Achievement Motivation for Promoting Learning. Questionnaire was administered on the students to assess their achievement motivation and parenting styles in enhancing effective learning among secondary school students. Data collected were analysed using Analysis of Variance and t-test. The three null hypotheses formulated were tested at 0.05 alpha level. The results revealed that there was no significant difference between academic achievement motivation and parenting styles of secondary school students. The other two hypotheses based on family structure and gender were not rejected. It was concluded that achievement motivation and the styles adopted by parents in raising their children may not have any impact on the secondary school students’ effective learning outcome. It was also recommended among others that teachers and parents should make their students to develop achievement motivation

The Second-Person Perspective in the Preface of Nicholas of Cusa’s De Visione Dei

In De visione Dei’s preface, a multidimensional, embodied experience of the second-person perspective becomes the medium by which Nicholas of Cusa’s audience, the benedictine brothers of Tegernsee, receive answers to questions regarding whether and in what sense mystical theology’s divine term is an object of contemplation, and whether union with God is a matter of knowledge or love. The experience of joint attention that is described in this text is enigmatic, dynamic, integrative, and transformative. As such, it instantiates the coincidentia oppositorum and docta ignorantia which, for Cusa, alone can give rise to a vision of the infinite

Breakout Session 2-A: Managing Difficult People/Having Difficult Conversations

Rich Pernell has been the Director of Facilitation and Mediation Services for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University since 2002 holding certifications in both areas. He also provided expertise in organizational development for the Federal Aviation Administration at the Center for Executive and Managerial Leadership and served as the Director of a New York State Office of Court Administration Mediation Center. Rich has worked with the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflict at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Public Policy. He also holds a BS degree in Mathematics and a MS in Educational Administration from Syracuse and has a working background in organizational design and development. He is an adjunct professor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University teaching Organizational Behavior and Stetson University teaching Leadership and Management, and Ethics in the EMBA program. Rich’s passion for facilitating effective outcomes through appreciative inquiry and the exploration of team and social dynamics continues to be a major focus of his work with the University and other organizational partners