Research
Neurons Away collaborates with leading researchers, innovative program managers while also referencing service providers across the globe to continue developing unique and highly engaging methods and material that support mental health and wellness for all ages.
Recently published
On importance of new group therapy for decrease of agitation during the critical period of nursing shift changes on an acute psychiatric inpatient floor
http://www.sciedupress.com/journal/index.php/jha/article/view/17708
SUNY UPstate Hospital Case Study
SUNY Upstate Medical University Case Study
Dr. Luba Leontieva, M.D., Ph.D, Medical Director at SUNY Upstate Medical University was facing a constant challenge with her acute inpatient unit. The therapy and coping techniques they were using weren’t consistently producing the desired results they were looking for in their patients. They were experiencing low engagement rates in therapy sessions, elevated levels of anxiety and high violence parameters from their patients.
Dr. Leontieva’s unit was awarded a grant so she began researching for a new therapy program she could implement. She was seeking a program that focused on long-term neuronal changes in her patients to help them think in a new way and how to solve their suffering in a manner that was more expressive and artistic. This is when she discovered Neurons Away. She contacted the founder, Sally Safadi to learn more. Dr. Leontieva was impressed with Sally’s unique approach, in-depth therapy program and knowledge of psychosocial intervention. She hired Sally to implement her Neurons Away program for her unit.
After only a few months of Sally working with Dr. Leontieva’s patients, she began noticing a multitude of improvements. Sally’s workshops were receiving very high attendance levels which was a stark contrast from previous programs they tried. Not only that, but the patients were highly engaged in the education they were receiving and artistic therapy techniques they were learning. Dr. Leontieva noticed the overall mood of her unit was calmer and her individual patient rating was improving.
One incredible example of the success Neurons Away therapy program had was on an acute patient of Dr. Leontieva’s. This patient spent 25 years in prison, 12 of which were in solitary confinement. The patient couldn’t participate in any other group due to their past trauma. Once the patient began attending Sally’s neurological therapy program he was able to interact with others socially and express his feelings and emotions in an artistic manner. They got her interactive book, Fill In the Space, which helps nurture mental flexibility, encourages natural intelligence, and problem solving. Dr. Leontieva says “This patient left a completely different person than the one that was admitted.”
Dr. Luba Leontieva, M.D., Ph.D, Medical Director at SUNY Upstate Medical University was facing a constant challenge with her acute inpatient unit. The therapy and coping techniques they were using weren’t consistently producing the desired results they were looking for in their patients. They were experiencing low engagement rates in therapy sessions, elevated levels of anxiety and high violence parameters from their patients.
Dr. Leontieva’s unit was awarded a grant so she began researching for a new therapy program she could implement. She was seeking a program that focused on long-term neuronal changes in her patients to help them think in a new way and how to solve their suffering in a manner that was more expressive and artistic. This is when she discovered Neurons Away. She contacted the founder, Sally Safadi to learn more. Dr. Leontieva was impressed with Sally’s unique approach, in-depth therapy program and knowledge of psychosocial intervention. She hired Sally to implement her Neurons Away program for her unit.
After only a few months of Sally working with Dr. Leontieva’s patients, she began noticing a multitude of improvements. Sally’s workshops were receiving very high attendance levels which was a stark contrast from previous programs they tried. Not only that, but the patients were highly engaged in the education they were receiving and artistic therapy techniques they were learning. Dr. Leontieva noticed the overall mood of her unit was calmer and her individual patient rating was improving.
One incredible example of the success Neurons Away therapy program had was on an acute patient of Dr. Leontieva’s. This patient spent 25 years in prison, 12 of which were in solitary confinement. The patient couldn’t participate in any other group due to their past trauma. Once the patient began attending Sally’s neurological therapy program he was able to interact with others socially and express his feelings and emotions in an artistic manner. They got her interactive book, Fill In the Space, which helps nurture mental flexibility, encourages natural intelligence, and problem solving. Dr. Leontieva says “This patient left a completely different person than the one that was admitted.”
Upstate medical UNIVERSITY research study
Effectiveness of Interactive Mental Flexibility Groups for Patients on Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Luba Leontieva1, MD. PhD, Sally Safadi3, BS, Cheryl Roe2, MS
METHODS: A 3-month quality improvement research project was facilitated on the acute inpatient psychiatric unit of Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY. Group sessions were implemented to target inpatients experiencing distress, anger, low self-esteem, and/or ineffective coping strategies. Patients were presented with activities, creative questions, and prompts that encourage cognitive flexibility and imaginative thinking. Sessions were designed to be enjoyable and approachable while also giving patients the opportunity to express their responses through drawing, writing and group discussions. Sessions were 1-hour long and facilitated in a common space for maximum participation. A set of Likert-type scales were administered before and after each session for participants to rate levels of happiness, sadness, and anger. Incidents of agitations, and as-needed medications administration were traced during and 4 hours after each sessions.
RESULTS: The average daily census on the unit was 17 patients. Average group attendance was 41%. Average agitation incidences were 2% of daily census, and the average of as-needed medications administrations was 10% of daily census. After their initial session, patients indicated an increase in happy feelings (mean 0.46, SD 0.978), a decrease in sad feelings (mean -0.44, SD 1.078), and decrease in anger (mean -1.15, SD 1.984).
CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that implementing mental flexibility group sessions on acute psychiatric floor is viable and well received by both patients and staff. The sessions helped to decrease agitation and reduced the need for extra medication administration. The patients’ feedback on their emotions indicated that the group helped them to feel happier, less sad, and less angry. Many patients enjoyed the groups sessions and expressed a boost in self-esteem and more positive outlook on life.
Luba Leontieva1, MD. PhD, Sally Safadi3, BS, Cheryl Roe2, MS
- SUNY Upstate Medical University, Department of Psychiatry, Syracuse, NY USA
- Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Neurons Away LLC, Syracuse NY, USA
METHODS: A 3-month quality improvement research project was facilitated on the acute inpatient psychiatric unit of Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY. Group sessions were implemented to target inpatients experiencing distress, anger, low self-esteem, and/or ineffective coping strategies. Patients were presented with activities, creative questions, and prompts that encourage cognitive flexibility and imaginative thinking. Sessions were designed to be enjoyable and approachable while also giving patients the opportunity to express their responses through drawing, writing and group discussions. Sessions were 1-hour long and facilitated in a common space for maximum participation. A set of Likert-type scales were administered before and after each session for participants to rate levels of happiness, sadness, and anger. Incidents of agitations, and as-needed medications administration were traced during and 4 hours after each sessions.
RESULTS: The average daily census on the unit was 17 patients. Average group attendance was 41%. Average agitation incidences were 2% of daily census, and the average of as-needed medications administrations was 10% of daily census. After their initial session, patients indicated an increase in happy feelings (mean 0.46, SD 0.978), a decrease in sad feelings (mean -0.44, SD 1.078), and decrease in anger (mean -1.15, SD 1.984).
CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that implementing mental flexibility group sessions on acute psychiatric floor is viable and well received by both patients and staff. The sessions helped to decrease agitation and reduced the need for extra medication administration. The patients’ feedback on their emotions indicated that the group helped them to feel happier, less sad, and less angry. Many patients enjoyed the groups sessions and expressed a boost in self-esteem and more positive outlook on life.
The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health
A REVIEW OF CURRENT LITERATURE
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Abstract
This review explores the relationship between engagement with the creative arts and health outcomes, specifically the health effects of music engagement, visual arts therapy, movement-based creative expression, and expressive writing. Although there is evidence that art-based interventions are effective in reducing adverse physiological and psychological outcomes, the extent to which these interventions enhance health status is largely unknown. Our hope is to establish a foundation for continued investigation into this subject and to generate further interest in researching the complexities of engagement with the arts and health.
Stuckey, Heather L., and Jeremy Nobel. “The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature.” American Journal of Public Health 100.2 (2010): 254–263. PMC. Web. 30 May 2018.
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Abstract
This review explores the relationship between engagement with the creative arts and health outcomes, specifically the health effects of music engagement, visual arts therapy, movement-based creative expression, and expressive writing. Although there is evidence that art-based interventions are effective in reducing adverse physiological and psychological outcomes, the extent to which these interventions enhance health status is largely unknown. Our hope is to establish a foundation for continued investigation into this subject and to generate further interest in researching the complexities of engagement with the arts and health.
Stuckey, Heather L., and Jeremy Nobel. “The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature.” American Journal of Public Health 100.2 (2010): 254–263. PMC. Web. 30 May 2018.
Healthcare professionals' perceptions of the value and impact of the arts in healthcare settings
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:Internationally there is growing interest in the use of the arts in the healthcare context evidenced by the number of research studies reported in the nursing and medical literature. Establishing successful projects in healthcare environments will to some extent be reliant on the cooperation of staff working in these settings: healthcare professionals and their cultural values will be the lynchpin in the relationship between the artists organising the activities and the patients. This review appraises healthcare professionals' perceptions of the value of the arts in healthcare settings, and the impact of the arts on healthcare professionals.
METHODS:A critical review of the literature between 2004 and 2014 was undertaken. The following databases were searched: MedLine, CINAHL, AMED, Web of Science and ASSIA. Searches included words from three categories: arts activities; healthcare settings, and healthcare providers. Studies were included if they were written in English, explored the attitudes of healthcare professionals on the use of the arts in healthcare settings or the impact of arts activities on healthcare staff. Studies conducted in community venues and/or reporting on arts therapies (art, drama or music) were excluded. An initial 52 studies were identified and following screening for relevance and quality 27 articles were reviewed. Arts interventions were diverse and included music listening, visual arts, reading and creative writing, and dance.
RESULTS:Despite some methodological limitations of the reviewed studies it was found that the majority of staff believed that engaging in arts interventions has a positive impact on patients' health and well-being. The findings suggest that arts interventions are perceived to have an impact on patients' stress, mood, pain levels, and sleep. Furthermore, staff believed that the arts can enhance communication between staff and patients, helping to build rapport and strengthen interactions. The majority of reported staff outcomes were positive, with arts activities in healthcare settings found to: decrease stress, improve mood, improve job performance, reduce burnout, improve patient/staff relationships, improve the working environment and improve well-being.
CONCLUSIONS:This review fills a gap in the literature, providing the first review of healthcare professional's views of the arts in healthcare settings and the impact of arts activities on healthcare staff. The largely positive perceptions of staff will aid in the implementation of arts activities in healthcare settings, which will enhance care and benefit both patients and healthcare staff.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Internationally there is growing interest in the use of the arts in the healthcare context evidenced by the number of research studies reported in the nursing and medical literature. Establishing successful projects in healthcare environments will to some extent be reliant on the cooperation of staff working in these settings: healthcare professionals and their cultural values will be the lynchpin in the relationship between the artists organising the activities and the patients. This review appraises healthcare professionals' perceptions of the value of the arts in healthcare settings, and the impact of the arts on healthcare professionals.
METHODS:A critical review of the literature between 2004 and 2014 was undertaken. The following databases were searched: MedLine, CINAHL, AMED, Web of Science and ASSIA. Searches included words from three categories: arts activities; healthcare settings, and healthcare providers. Studies were included if they were written in English, explored the attitudes of healthcare professionals on the use of the arts in healthcare settings or the impact of arts activities on healthcare staff. Studies conducted in community venues and/or reporting on arts therapies (art, drama or music) were excluded. An initial 52 studies were identified and following screening for relevance and quality 27 articles were reviewed. Arts interventions were diverse and included music listening, visual arts, reading and creative writing, and dance.
RESULTS:Despite some methodological limitations of the reviewed studies it was found that the majority of staff believed that engaging in arts interventions has a positive impact on patients' health and well-being. The findings suggest that arts interventions are perceived to have an impact on patients' stress, mood, pain levels, and sleep. Furthermore, staff believed that the arts can enhance communication between staff and patients, helping to build rapport and strengthen interactions. The majority of reported staff outcomes were positive, with arts activities in healthcare settings found to: decrease stress, improve mood, improve job performance, reduce burnout, improve patient/staff relationships, improve the working environment and improve well-being.
CONCLUSIONS:This review fills a gap in the literature, providing the first review of healthcare professional's views of the arts in healthcare settings and the impact of arts activities on healthcare staff. The largely positive perceptions of staff will aid in the implementation of arts activities in healthcare settings, which will enhance care and benefit both patients and healthcare staff.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.