DID YOU KNOW THAT?

The woman in the above photo, is diagnosed with moderate Alzheimer's Disease, she is shown above working on a colorful collage.

The repetition of safe physical behaviors such as placing colorful pieces of paper and making a collage within the art group has been documented to increase cell growth, in the hippocampus region and enhance overall feelings of well-being (Perry, 2006). Additionally, Piaget and Vygotsky both wrote extensively on Cognitive Developmental Theory stating that the most relevant aspect of sociolinguistic development is achieved most successfully when there are 3 factors:
1. Interaction with others
2. Providing opportunities to allow conversation and socialization
3. Provide feedback on what was stated, verbally or non-verbally

The TTAP Method, based on Theme Centered Approach (Cohn, 1981) provides for continual stimulation mentally, emotionally and physically. Thus it has been found to increase cognition in those diagnosed in mild and moderate stages of the disease process (Levine Madori, 2009 a, 2009b, 2009c). Learn more about Theme Centered Interaction go to www.eppler-baden.ch/Texte_HE_E/tzi_E.htm

Exploration of Sensory Stimulation through the TTAP Method

The TTAP Method structures the group process towards a dynamic balance between the needs of the individual, the interaction in the group and the therapeutic goal intergrating the Theme Centered Interaction, (i.e. I, We, It: Balance). Students at HAMK International Summer School started their own exploration of themes as a way to connect the group enhancing therapeutic interactions. Below students are first given the directive to explore the outdoors with the focus of utilizing touch, taste , smell, sight and sound.


In this movie clip, you are witnessing students (with closed eyes), experiencing various collected found natural items, including flowers, branches, leaves, bark, stones, roots, etc. Through this experiential, students are able to explore heightened sense of awareness in the mind-body connection.

The TTAP Method(TM); Proven to Impact Cognition in Two Efficacy Research Studies.

The following is a clip on how the method effects long term memory, language usage, and positive life review experiences with those diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

Filmed at Bergen Regional Medical Center, N.J.

Students learn how TTAP Method enhances creativity

Students in the Applied Sciences School of International Studies utilize images in the mind, to create self expressive artwork in the classroom during the Finland International TTAP Course in May 2010.

Learn more about what the TTAP Method is...

Watch a video to find out!

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

THE FOLLOWING IMAGES HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN A STUDY THAT WAS CONDUCTED AT BEECHTREE REHABILITATION HOSPITAL IN ITHACA NEW YORK. ALL STAFF HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED IN THE TTAP METHOD.

The Theme Centered Approach ( WHICH TTAP Method IS BASED UPON)supports the participants’ independence through personal choices, directly enhancing person centered programming (Dombeck, 1983).

Group members naturally support each other as the group cohesiveness is continually reinforced through the sharing, and caring for each other (Levine Madori, 2009).

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

THE WOMAN IN THE ABOVE PHOTO IS PAINTING A MEMORY BOX, SHE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH MILD ALZHEIMER'S DIEASE AND THROUGH 14 WEEKS OF THE TTAP METHOD HAS INCREASED HER PSYCHOSOCIAL FEELINGS OF OVERALL WELL-BEING.


Neuro-developmental Sequencing through fine and gross body movements, such as painting as you see in the above image has been found to have a positive effect on emotions, and behaviors in those diagnosed with AD (Buettner, 2006 & Perry, 2009).

TTAP Method at St. Thomas Aquinas and Cornell University

The following photos are of participants and students exploring mask-making. Everyone starts with the same materials but each person creates a unique piece of art. Enjoy "seeing" into the creative expereinces of this individuals...

3 Sessions on The TTAP Method where given to Therapists, Professionals and Caregivers

Participants learning The TTAP Method were shown how to use everyday objects to stimulate emotional memory. Proven in 7 published studies, this approach increases cogniton and overall wellbeing throughout the disease process. Stimulating memoriesh naturally leads to life review, thus continually re-creating positive recall and increase in language and emotions. HERE ARE THREE MOVIES ON HOW AND WHAT PEOPLE REMEMBER...

Step 2 & Step 3 of the TTAP Method

The TTAP Method is a Multimodal approach - which is defined as a program that addresses behavior, affect, sensation, imagery intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. This construct was first developed by psychologist, Arnold Lazarus in the 1950's and has been proven to be the most effective approach for the individual diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

The following is an image of the specific refions of the brain stimulated through the TTAP Method

Step 2 - Music and Meditation

If you continue to add the other Steps to your programming, such as

Step 3- Drawing and Painting the brain is stimulated further.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN AT BEECHTREE HEALTHCARE AND REHABILITATION FACILITY, AS YOU WILL NOTE THE STAFF IS ASSISTING THE INDIVIDUALS AS THEY COMPLETE THEIR PROJECTS.

The Theme Centered Approach supports the participants’ independence through personal choices, directly enhancing person centered programming (Dombeck, 1983).

Group members naturally support each other as the group cohesiveness is continually reinforced through the sharing, and caring for each other (Levine Madori, 2009).

The actual “thinking” about where to place objects within an art activity, is now know to stimulate cognition as well as enhance self perceived identity in the art group (Moon, 2002).

Did you know?

In the United States alone, 5.3 Million people have Alzheimer's Disease.
Globally about 30.0 Million people have Alzheimer's Disease.
In 2020 the it is estimated that 1 out of every 83 people will have Alzheimer's Disease.

TTAP is Worldwide!

This map signifies all the users in various countries that visited www.levinemadoriphd.com last week! These countries include: USA, Canada, Norway, Finland, Australia, Ireland, United Kingdom, Pakistan, and Philippines!

DID YOU KNOW THAT The TTAP Method Proves Significant and Positive Outcomes in 4 studies conducted in Finland?

In the last year there have been four published research studies supporting the cognitive and psychosocial affects that the TTAP Method has in Finnish private homes, Finnish Community Day Centers and Finnish Skilled Nursing Facilities. Each day, over the course of the next week I will be summarizing each study.

Seinajoki University of Applied Sciences, FINLAND
June 2009-

Research study publish in June of 2009 study finds the TTAP Method successful in enriching the lives of those Finnish individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in a Community Day Center.

The TTAP Method; Enriching the Daily Lives of Those in a Senior Center for Alzheimer’s Patients.
Master Thesis by Katriina Petulla

"The study, conducted in a community day center located in Northern Finland, utilized a control group and an experimental group. The experimental program designed by the Levine Madori’s Theory was found to significantly enrich the inhabitants lives and added in the increased welfare of those participating in the TTAP Method.

Additional positive findings included staff response to the TTAP Method, which directly increased their participation in the development of more social, emotional and cognitive interactions with the participants and furthered a significant increase in the number of programs that the staff designed and conducted while participating in the TTAP Method research study."

Documentary on the TTAP Method

The filming of a new documentary on the TTAP Method is currently underway, a small segment of the film can be viewed on the following link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dHyVtjCS2o

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

Outcomes of the TTAP Method © designed for neurodegenerative diseases
During my teaching over the past week in Finland, through the Alzheimer’s Association in Finland and the University of Applied Sciences, it was brought to my attention that since last May of 2009 there have been 4 published clinical studies which have utilized the TTAP Method© with a wide range of the aging population.


One study looked at an individual who was home with mild stage Alzheimer’s disease, another study looked at a group of Finnish individuals in a Community day Center, and another looked at training support staff on an entire unit specifically for Alzheimer’s with moderate/advance stages and the final study conducted an education process-action learning-model using the TTAP Method©. All four studies found significant and positive correlations between participation and improved cognition and psychosocial wellbeing at all levels of cognition. The additional outcomes which weren’t expected or measured included increased social and emotional interaction of the staff, caregivers and educators’.

These current research findings on The TTAP Method© in the Finnish culture, supports the earlier work of Alders, A (2008) and three studies published in 2009 (Levine Madori 2009a, 2009b, 2009c). The TTAP Method © designed to stimulate specific brain regions through multiple learning styles supports the theory that involvement and learning through self expressive art therapy activities does inhibit the cognitive decline even all stages of the disease process; mild, moderate and advanced stages.

Stern’s Cognitive Reserve Theory (2009) supports the evidence of the early Cornell Study on the TTAP Method, where participants (recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease) openly discuss through video interviews how the participation in only one 2 hour session weekly, directly affected their “perceived” cognitive increases and aided in their overall feelings of increased self esteemed and self worth.
It is my hypothesis that The TTAP Method© encourages intimate, and emotional exchanges of personal life experiences that provides direct activation of the limbic system otherwise known as the seat of our emotions. The hippocampus resides in the Limbic system and therefore gets ultimate stimulation which occurs regularly and frequently throughout the 9 steps of the TTAP Method©. Thus participants as well as caregivers and therapists directly are affected aiding in higher levels of satisfaction, and overall quality of life issues.