Thanks to the internet and social media, living in 2018, humans are now exposed to more harmful, and at times significantly more stressful, news than someone who lived in 1980. Current studies show that one in four freshmen report experiencing mental health struggles, which can lead to a host of concerns including academic struggles. More alarming is that NCAA colligate athletes are reported to suffer from mental health issues at higher rates than their non-athlete peers. Current research has shown that the gut microbiome, the vast array of microorganisms in the gut, has a direct connection to the brain, and thus may have a significant, bidirectional impact on mental health. More research is needed to investigate how the microbiome of students and student-athletes changes over the course of their first semester in college, given the new environment and increased stress that many students face. A pilot study that would consist of 5 student-athletes and 5 traditional students will complete a pre and post semester microbiome analysis, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan, heart rate variability analysis, and demographic and psychosocial questionnaires to help identify potentially related changes in mental health, physical health, and body composition. Participants will also be responsible for keeping a daily food log for the duration of the study. The study will serve as a basis for further research in hopes of furthering our understanding of gut health and its relationship to mental health. The link between depression specifically and the makeup of the microbiome would be the key focus. Studying student-athletes’ and traditional student’s microbiomes in relation to student life and performance will allow for the possibility of improving sport and academic performance and alleviate possible symptoms depression these groups frequently face.
Poor communication between health care providers and patients can lead to significant deleterious consequences, ranging from heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Conditions such as these are among the most costly, and preventable of all health problems. As such, programs that aim to improve this communication may lead to heightened early diagnosis and the prevention of chronic condition. One possible solution may include modifying the preliminary intake forms patients are asked to submit before the doctor visit. My model will be grounded on the Clinical/Community Population Health Intervention Model. I plan to create a new format for the current form that will inquire about health, improve assessment of priority health issues, and enable the patient to take action. Outcomes of the new form will become a collective database for future prevention, diagnosis, and technique or improved communication.
Nearly 440,000 children are currently in the foster care system. Most children in foster care have been exposed to a multitude of adverse experiences, including maltreatment and neglect, which can make these children more susceptible to socioemotional challenges. Previous research suggests that summer camps have a positive impact on youth development, therefore it is important to see whether foster children experience similar positive benefits from such experiences. I will be conducting a comparative analysis of how summer camp impacts foster kids compared to those that come from stable homes. Specifically we will be assessing the effects of participation in YMCA’s Camp Watia on self-esteem, socioemotional status, and self-worth. Both parents and children will complete a battery of assessments before and after each week long camp session. I predict that both groups of kids will display a positive correlation between camp attendance and socioemotional outcomes; however, I think the difference between the pre and post assessments of the foster kids will yield more growth. If the results support my hypothesis, this study could be used to gain increased support and funding for programs that promote camp attendance among children in the foster care system. This would allow more foster kids the opportunity to obtain the rich and positive impacts that camps can have on these children’s lives.
Asthma and exercise-induced asthma seem to be a prevalent issue for many athletes. Numerous college and professional athletes suffer from asthma and have to find ways to cope with it on a daily basis. Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback has been shown to decrease the symptoms of asthma in studies done in general groups. It has also been shown to increase the peak performance of many athletes by helping them recover more quickly. Since HRV biofeedback could decrease the symptoms of asthma and increase peak performance for athletes, there may be a dual benefit to the use of HRVB with athletes who experience symptoms of asthma. This study will look at two groups; athletes that suffer from asthma and athletes that do not suffer from asthma. Both groups will receive HRV training to attempt to increase their HRV but to also see if it effects those with asthma differently. By comparing the two group’s peak performance, it could be seen that those with asthma may see a better performance outcome due to increased peak performance and reduced symptoms.
Asheville Middle School (AMS) strives to excel in academics, athletics, and involvement in the community, and recently the school has started to incorporate mindfulness into students’ everyday activities. The objective of this public service project was to extend this practice into athletics and shift mindfulness from a required activity to something the students could enjoy and benefit from in an extra-curricular context. The methods undertaken as part of the project included weekly visits to AMS to lead mindfulness practices with the girls’ soccer team. Prior to the beginning of each practice, a new mindfulness technique circling the idea of visualization and breathing was explained. Following the completion of the technique, an explanation was given on how the athletes could individually implement the practices into their athletic performance. Based on this work, we are developing a manual for coaches. The manual includes a list of mindfulness activities, directions on how to implement each activity, a page of extended resources, and guidance for coaches to move forward with their players. The manual will also emphasize athletics as a whole in hopes to extend this positive movement throughout all athletics and reduce any further negative connotations around mindfulness. Following the completion of the gathered feedback and results on certain exercises and research, all AMS coaches will have the ability to access the created manual to use with their teams so they can cultivate a more stable mind in their athletes and better cooperation overall.
America is facing an epidemic that killed over 33,000 people in 2015 across all ages. Substance abuse among teenagers and adults are only increasing due to the widespread addiction to over the counter drugs and prescription painkillers. Healthy People 2020 has made substance abuse a very high priority, particularly among youth. Rates have increased since reports in 2005 for nonmedical use of prescription drugs. The thought that pain relievers are less harmful to ingest and both increasing availability and access to these drugs has created an epidemic. The opioid crisis has a top down, and bottom up effect. Meaning doctors are prescribing medications to patients with chronic disease allowing the patient to be addicted to the medication. The bottom up aspect is in reference to the lack of knowledge or awareness that individuals have with taking medication. This paradox creates an unfair and problematic cycle in the distribution and abuse of prescribed medication. Millions are impacted by this every year, and it is only becoming more prevalent. I believe the approach to a solution should be multidimensional. First we must build an awareness in the community. This could be done by health educators through seminars, posters, and media. The other direction should come from health care providers. They should be required to educate about the possible effects of taking a medication and also possible alternatives to the medication. They should also be required to follow up with the patient after a week of being on the medication to look for alternatives to the prescription drug. This both verifies the appropriate use, as well as gives the patient a healthy more holistic alternative.
Most college students share at least one commonality: the lack of sleep. The goal of this product is to increase the number of hours of quality sleep in order to holistically improve the lives of students whether that be mentally, emotionally, academically, or physically. Hence, providing safe, comfortable spaces in the community “hubs” of campus for both the residential and commuter student bodies to rest is a goal within the Healthy Campus Initiative's grasp of being achieved. Many chemical, and biological factors play a role in the definition of ""quality sleep"" and are used throughout this project to both increase awareness and standards of rest. Other universities and companies across the country have provided information regarding certain methodologies in which to accomplish this mission of creating safe sleeping spaces across a university campus.
Despite the social barriers, inequality, and economic pressures from the ever-growing population; the Shiloh area of Asheville, NC has maintained its sense of community. One important part of this sense of community involves the meticulous record-keeping of the Shiloh Community Association (SCA). The SCA members, along with the African-American residents of Shiloh, show great commitment: promoting healthy lifestyles, supporting small businesses, recognizing youth education, cultivating diversity, pushing for safe environments, and creating recreational programs, etc.-within their community. With the increasing urban-white population, the inequality and economic gain is on the rise; putting the Shiloh community and its residence at constant risk for displacement. The purpose of this public service project was to assist the SCA in transferring nearly 15 years of archival documents from hard copies to electronic files. The methods undertaken included scanning of documents from many binders, labeling of over one thousand files, organizing the files by year and according to type of file, and training SCA members and residents in how to access and navigate the electronic archive. While the product is a shared electronic folder, the results include greater access to community documents, a living history of the community, and a mode for future documentation. This project represents a community’s effort to keep a sense of community while showcasing commitment. As the student working on this project, I have appreciated the look at a collective product that may provide insight into any disparities between an African-American community and the surrounding urban population, which might also affect its sustainability.
College athletes are exposed to high injury risk. Research previously conducted suggests sport injuries can be reduced with psychological and Biofeedback skill training. This presentation will use comparative soccer positions to find the effects correlated to biofeedback and heart rate variability to measure overall peak performance compared to injury reports. Biofeedback examines the body to make determinations about physiology, skeletal trauma, nutritional imbalances, as well as emotional states that can affect the body or mind. The focus of a biofeedback analysis on UNCA soccer players is to promote deep breathing skills, muscle relaxation, emotion regulation, and increased reaction time; these skills can be an indicator of decreased injury risk. The expenditure data will be evaluated using Heart Math and BioPak Software. This presentation will propose a research design in a forthcoming study.
For centuries, the universal language of music has been understood to have healing effects. In the last two centuries, humans have invented and utilized electronic music synthesis or the production of sound via transmission of electronic signals. Electronic music synthesis has given humans the capability to produce pure sound waves (i.e., sine, triangle, square, and sawtooth waves), introducing new ways for sound to be experienced. Research has shown that sound, principally pure sound, can have notable effects on physiological functioning. The method called binaural beats involves two sine waves, less than 1500hz and less than 40hz apart played, played in opposite each using stereo headphone. Binaural beat technology has been studied in terms of brainwave entrainment. This works by synchronizing brainwaves to the internal beat pulse created by binaural beats. Studies prove this has effect, but the degree to which it is effective for each individual has been debated. This research project will center around the effects of sound on the autonomic nervous system, specifically stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system. My goal is to produce and test a more effective method of achieving desired results. Combining the binaural beat technology with heart-rate variability biofeedback, I hope to achieve desired results, altering brainwaves and moving the participants into a relaxed, parasympathetic state.
Bystander intervention education is a topic of growing importance on college campuses across the United States. This education encourages students to be active bystanders in situations of potential harm or violence against others by equipping students with the knowledge and tools necessary to intervene. Stand Up, Speak Out (SUSO) is UNC Asheville’s bystander intervention program. Unlike most college bystander intervention programs, Stand Up, Speak Out focuses on a wide array of topics including bullying, discriminatory language, sexual violence, peer pressure and more. Traditionally, each workshop is instructed by a student intern, based in the belief that students will be more receptive to student-led presentations. This poster presentation will explore aspects of the SUSO curriculum, based in the experiences of the Student Coordinator Intern for the program.
A large population within the United States of America has fallen to the grips of a growing health crisis, opioid addiction. According to recent data, during 2015 there were approximately 52,404 overdose deaths in the United States, with 33,091 as a result of opioids. Not only is the tragedy of death rampant, but also even more disconcerting is the economic and social toll impacting families across the nation. The purpose of my research is to examine and better understand the application medical marijuana may have in combating this crisis. Traditionally, due to education and government policies, medical professionals have often prescribed opioids for pain management, with little consideration for alternative approaches. After reading over 12 scholarly articles and peer reviewed journals I have found a promising potential for medical marijuana in relation to the opioid crisis. The least psychoactive cannabinoids present in cannabis is CBD, meaning it does not get users “high”, unlike the more commonly known cannabinoid Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This fact gives CBD the highest potential for medical application and use in treating substance abuse. Many experimental studies that have indicated support for the application of CBD in treating behaviors associated with addiction. Clinical research applied to cannabis in regards for managing chronic pain has extensively indicated that cannabis is safe and effective as a treatment option. One drug can rarely treat all aspects of a condition, including chronic pain; this opens the door for the potential of using cannabis in conjunction with opioids to treat pain. Research has indicated that the introduction to cannabis for treating chronic pain has the potential to result in reduction or even complete termination of opioid use. I believe that the medical and social potential of cannabis should be further discussed in regards to the opioid crisis.
From 2000 to 2011, diagnoses of ADHD rose 42 percent. One in 10 children in the US are currently diagnosed with ADHD, and this number is increasing. I would like to explore the link between ADHD diagnosis and early use of electronics in childhood. Contributing factors to this problem could be a trend towards allowing children access to TV, computers, video games, and cell phones more frequently and at younger ages. The primary treatments for ADHD are medication and therapy. Medication for chronic behavioral disorders in early childhood is problematic, and I would like to explore an intervention that prevents attention deficit disorders from the beginning by reducing screen time for young children at home and in schools. None of the current treatments are preventative or holistic. Through encouraging outdoor and creative play in place of screen time we may be able to effectively “slow down” kids’ brains in a constructive way so as to encourage calmer and more focused behavior. I am proposing an intervention for elementary school aged children that would stem from an in-school program and be carried out at home to reduce the amount of time they spend in front of a screen and encourage them to come up with new forms of creative entertainment. The intervention would engage students in a competition to prove which student could spend the least amount of time in front of a screen over the course of the school year. A large incentive prize would be presented to the student who most successfully reduced media time by the end of the year. I believe a program like this could empower children and change lifelong habits of media use.