Happy Healthy New Year to all!

Staff therapists researching the TTAP Method at Beechtree Healthcare Rehabilitation in Ithaca, New York celebrate the New Year creating artwork for the residents' rooms utilizing the theme of holiday wreaths!

Cornell University Pilot Study presented at Grand Rounds

THE 4TH RESEARCH STUDY FINDS SIGNIFICANT AND POSITIVE CORRELATIONS BETWEEN PARTICIPATION IN THE TTAP METHOD AND SELF PERCEIVED COGNITION.

On January 19th, 2009 eight participants who had been recently diagnosed with Alzhiemer's Disease voluntered to be the first clinical study of the TTAP Method (c) on those with early stage AD. These eight individuals received 14 weeks of the TTAP Method every friday for 60  - 90 minutes. The video testimonials of the 8 indivdiuals were presented at Cornell University - Grand Rounds on December 9, 2009. Over 60 medical staff including but not limited to; Therapists, Doctors, Nursing, Administration and support staff
attended the hour long presentation titled The TTAP Method; Enhancing Cognitive and Psychosocial Wellbeing Amoung those Diagnosed with Mild Alzheimer's Disease.  All eight participants discussed how the multimodal approach enhanced their self percieved cognitive performances and positive psychological wellbeing at 10 weeks.

As seen below is the audience, which included the Dr. Jordan and Dr. Fonzetti, the Co-Principle Investigators on this study.

One of the 8 individuals will continue participation in weekly TTAP Method sessions during the first 14 weeks of 2010. As of today, there are currently 5 research studies being conducted on the TTAP Method.

THANKSGIVING IS MORE THAN GOOD FOOD!

Happy Thanksgiving to all who follow this blog
I though I would share just how important FOOD and the HOLIDAY rituals can be to overall brain wellness and cognition.

For instance, did you know that science has proven that every positive memory we think of or speak about enhances the chemical deep within our brain. These chemicals enhance and increase our cognition.

Food plays a crucial role in stimulation the brain and enhancing cognition. See the past posting of the image of the regions of the brain that are stimulated by listening to music and then mediating.

NOW- Look at the different regions of the brain that are stimulated when food is added to an activity.

The Orbital frontal cortex is stimulated through all pleasurable experiences such as food and sensory stimulation.

The Occipital lobe is stimulated when autobiographical information is retrieved, for instance reminiscing about last years Thanksgiving or a special Thanksgiving shared with loved ones who are no longer with us, but live on through us, in our hearts and minds.

The right Temporal lobe responds to calming music and relaxation experiences.

Post parietal lobe translates visual images into motor commands, seeing the food and then wanting to grab a fork full!

The Reticular formation controls eating behaviors, the actual smelling of the food cooking, even before "seeing" the food. This region is responsible for arousal of sensorial stimuli in the brain and is one of the last regions to be effected by the Alzheimer's disease process.

So when you are sitting around the dinner table today or having reminiscing thoughts with loved ones and relatives, remember you are also stimulating YOUR BRAIN, keeping the cells thick and dense, which science now believes is directly correlated to decreased risk of cognitive impairments latter in life !

40th Celebration of the American Art Therapy Association

The American Art Therapy Association,

held in Dalllas Texas celebrates 40 years of professional service to communities across the nation and around the world!

One of the Keynote speakers, Pamela Tanner Boll is shown below, sharing feelings and stories about the struggles and successes of being a Artist along with the responsibilies of wife and mother.

Certification Course on TTAP Method(tm)

There are now a number of sites hosting the 2 day- 14 hour (CEU's approved) TTAP Method Certification Course in 2010.

In February there are plans to host the 2 day course in New York City and Westchester County. In March, 2010 the course will be given at the University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki and Hamenalinna, Finland. In April, the course will be given in Chicago through Edward Hospital, a teaching university Medical Center

For more information, please contact Linda@levinemadoriphd.com.

American Art Therapy Association, November 18-22, 2009

The TTAP Method (TM) will be featured at the American Art Therapy Association's Annual conference, go to http://www.americanarttherapy.org/ on Friday at 3:15. research on the 8 studies on the TTAP Method(TM) will be discussed in detail and stop by the booth in the exhibitor hall. Educational DVD's and CD's will be on sale.

Over 500 attend conference on Alzheimer's Disease

In Troy Michigan today over 500 attendees from all disiplines including therapists, nurses, caregivers, healthcare aides attended the Edna Gates Foundation for Alzheimer's Disease. The morning sessions were designated to the neuroscientific theories on how the brain regions are activated and enhance neuronal connections during all creative art experiences. In the afternoon the TTAP Method(TM) was presented in two sessions to participants who learned how the method puts research into practice. The TTAP Method already (c) recieved Trademark status from the United States goverment in October and is currently has a patient pending.


Highlighted, was the now 8 research studies (3 completed/ 5 starting) which are researching the cognitive, social, physical and emotional effects that the TTAP Method has on individuals with mild, moderate and moderate/severe stages of Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, the method will be utilized with the aides population in 2010.



Above, Margaret Weilbut, ATR-BC was responsible for all the artwork displayed during the conference. Margaret utilzed the TTAP Method in many of her projects specifically designed for the Alzheimer's population.

Health Professions Press is now offering the TTAP Method Certification Course on the Seminars On site- go to www.healthpropress.com/sos or call 1-888-337-8808 starting Novermber 15th.

The book sold out during the afternoon sessions and by mid day- three new healthcare sites were interested in the certification course for healthcare providers in hospitals, community centers and home health organizations.

Currently, there are two rehabilitation facilities that have certified the staff and will study how the method can effect falls prevention, appetite, cognition and behaviors. The TTAP Method, shown to be culturally sensitive, will look to be studied in the Older Caribbean African and African American adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Stage Dementia in an application to through Downstate Medical Center in 2010.

If you or your facility is interested in certification for staff please contact me at Linda@levinemadoriphd.com and you will be sent information on the 14 hour course which has been approved for CEU's through New York State.

Welcome to my new Blogstop, here's whats happening today...

The Edna Gates Conference on Alzheimer's Care

will take place on November 2-3 in Troy Michigan. The conference title Sparking Creativity in Dementia Care will feature the TTAP Method in two sessions titled Enhancing Creativity and Self-expression through the TTAP Method. Participants will explore how the 3 areas of Neuroscience, Psychology and Learning theories can not only engage those suffering from dementia, but has been proven to enhance cognitive, social and emotional well-being.

This is my new blogstop- ttapmethod.blogspot.com- Follow for daily updates on research and publications

Follow me on my NEW blogstop- ttapmethod.blogspot.com

Certification Course in the TTAP Method

The TTAP Method©
Certificate Course
Level 1

Author and Trainer: Dr. Linda Levine-Madori, CTRS, ATR-BC, LCAT
Educational Manual for Completion of
Certificate Training in Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming
15 ceu’s- Continuing Educational Credits through
New York State Park and Recreation Association

Certificate Training Course available on the TTAP Method

The TTAP Method© Training Course
A CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Author and Trainer:
Dr. Linda Levine-Madori,
CTRS, ATR-BC,LCAT

Educational Information for Completion of
Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming
The TTAP Method© Training Course
15 hours ceu’s -plus case study

I will offer starting in September, 2009 a 15 hour- 2 day certificate training program (scheduled on Sat. /Sun-throughout the year) on the TTAP Method in the United States. Participants would attend the 2 day training, recieve a 100 page manual including 3 bodies of knowledge-

the most recent neuroscientific information on the BRAIN,

how we learn through MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES,

and history of PSYCHOLOGICAL APPRAOCHES TO AGING.

The TTAP method offers multiple opportunites for optimizing brain wellness in a structured person centered approach designed for well elderly and those affected with Alzheimer's Disease.

Certification will be provided after completion of 15 hours and a case study utilizing the TTAP Method (completed at your own pace). All participants will receive 15 hours of continueing educational credit (ceu's), this certificate course is available for various heathcare disiplines, including art therapists, recreational therapists, activity personal, directors of activity programs, etc.

If interested in having your staff, or your students attend a course please email me at

Linda@levinemadoriphd.com

Returning To New York From my Travels

Hello from Long Island, New York where I have spent the last month since returing on my travels. I do want to say that I have returned with a full heart. To all of you whom I meet, spoke to, taught or shared a drink over lunch- A BIG THANK-YOU for giving me such a great expereince and I look forward to my return to teach in March and May, 2010!

My Fulbright experience was amazing and it is because of all of you out there in our Global community who embraced my philosophy, teaching and experiences.
I thought I would post a few pictures of where I am now and what I am watching and witnessing.

Back here in New York, the summer weather has been either hot and humid or cool and rainy or rainy and humid. But as I wondered around my town of Easthampton, I can across these images that I wanted to share with all of you who watch this blog. The photograph below is my squrrel, who visits me, in my backyard every day and watches me through my window, as I watch him.

I will be continuing to write on this blog about what I am writing and researching, so please keep visiting and have a great few last weeks of SUMMER fun!

Next post on dendrites and your brain-stay tuned!

Research on the TTAP Method accepted at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease, Vienna, Austria 2009

Preliminary research on the TTAP Method (c) in a pilot study with 25 Spanish speaking individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease utilizing the TTAP Method after a 12 week period in a community day center, showed positive and significant correlations to improved cognitive abilities and increased psychosocial wellbeing in those participating in the 9- step structured multimodal intervention. July 11-14, Vienna, Austria.

HAMK University officiates contract to translate TTAP Method into Finnish for 2010!

Today, Saturday June 21, otherwise known here in Finland as Mid-Summer Night, Dean of Social Sciences, Dr. Merja Saarela seen above with Dr. Levine Madori, announces HAMK Universities collaboration with Health Professions Press to translate the TTAP Method into Finnish by early 2010. Professor Jari Aho will be the translator of the book and will be incorporated into the core curriculum of the Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts Program starting in the Spring of 2010.

Students will study and utilize the TTAP method in their clinical research and will be advised by Dr. Levine Madori via the internet blackboard system in Finland. Both Dr.'s Saarela and Levine Madori hope this collaboration increases international research collaborations as well as international studies in the area of the Arts and Recreation Therapy through St. Thomas Aquinas College and HAMK University.

Vassa, the ship that stayed afloat 30 minutes, then sank.

The Vassa, is a truly interesting story about a boat that was built in 1600"s by the king of Sweden , King Vassa. 30 minutes at sea on route to Poland the ship sank, off the coast of Stockholm infront of hundreds of onlookers, the Vassa suddenly started to pitch back and forth. It took on water and suddenly sank, to the horror of the entire city. It took the Swedish goverment 333 years to build technology of boats and lifts to recover the Vassa from the sea. Now the Vassa has its own museum which was built around it once the boat was placed back on land. It towers 10 stories high, and the Museum hold the treasures that were brought up with the boat including ceramics, clothes, pipes, and personal items of those aboard the ship in 1600's.

Tomorrow,back to Helsinki - more pictures to come.

WINDOW INTO MY FUTURE, STAY TUNED...

Stocholm, up close

The capital of Sweden, Stocholm, is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen and I have travled to over 20 countries worldwide. Take a look at these magnificant views as I traveled and explored the city.

Sweden, a land of 1000 Islands

As the cruise ship gets closer to the center of Stockholm, the beautiful islands that make up the country start to pop up out of the sea. It is estimated that 30% of all Swedish people have summer homes on these private islands to get away from the city summer heat.

From Russia to Sweden by Boat

Inside the cruise ship is a large moving city, stores, resturants and even gambling casinos can be found by the travelor.

The overnight boat to Sweden is a great way to not only travel and be able to sleep in a nice size room , with free entertainment which starts as you walk on the boat and doesnt stop until you depart in the morning at 9 am.

Peterhoff; The summer island off the coast of St. Petersburg

The island of Peterhoff is absolutely breathtaking, it was built after the Palace's in France. The entire island is a maze of trees, bushes, and fountains.

Inside of The Hermatage, one of the Worlds largest museums

As seen in the images above the entrance to the hermatage was designed to fully impress all who visited. Inside, the rooms all had different color themes ranging from the pink to blue to reds.

The artwork itself range from Michealangelo's, Rembrant's, and Picasso's and Miro's.