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.

The TTAP Method Steps 2 , 3 & 5 : Drawing, Painting and Poetry

During one of the TTAP Method Courses, students listened to meditation music and then were instructed to create images out of mixed media provided in the classroom, which included; paints, pipecleaners, magazines, etc. Then the students were asked to write a story, poem or reflective narrative about their creative art piece. This experiential allows the individual to use both right and left brain. The right side of the brain is responsible for creativity, emotions, and drawing. The left side of the brain is responsible for language, writing and words. Utilizing both sides of the brain is proving to be optimal for creating brain-wellness at any age, but eapecially the aging brain!

Lastly, students were given a meditation where they visualize going into a garden and finding their personal "Book of Life" they are asked to notice what color it is, what pictures does it have in it, what memories does this book hold. After the visualization the students are asked to create their own personal book, from the guided imagery.

The final conversation was about how important it is to feel comfortable doing creative work even if you are not an artist, or even creative. If you can be comfortable doing the art you will feel comfortable and confident having others whom you work with do their own personal art expereince.

TTAP Method Step 5 Movement

Students and patients at Bergen Regional Medical Center using step five of the TTAP Method which is movement/dance. The students hosted a dance party and played music from the time periods the patients remembered from their own teen years.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

The woman in the above photo, is diagnosed with moderate Alzheimer's Disease,she is 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).

Step 5 of the TTAP Method

Students and patients at Bergen Regional Medical Center using step five of the TTAP Method which is movement/dance. The students hosted a dance party and played music from the time periods the patients remembered from their own teen years.

DID YOU KNOW THAT? Dance and Movement

The group of indiviuals is being lead by a student in a TTAP Method Session. This session is dance and movement. Participants are listening to old music of the 3o's and 40's, while singing and dancing. This session lasted 2 hours!

Sharing of deep emotional expereinces such as a dance and movement program creates positive memories that hold significant meanings- this type of intercention has been linked to enhanced communication, coordination and self esteem (LaBar & Cabeza, 2006; Furnham & Chamorropremuzic,2004; Chamorro,2005).

The individuals in group takes over the significant roles and relationships found in original family structure (Yalom,1995 & Pusker,2008).These particiapnts living in a locked unit relay on each other as "the family".

Neuro-developmental Sequencing through MOVEMENT AND DANCE thus using gross body movements has been found to have a positive effect on emotions, and behaviors in those diagnosed with AD (Buettner, 2006 & Perry, 2009).

The repetition of safe physical behaviors within the art group has been documented to increase cell growth, in the hippocampus region and enhance overall feelings of well-being (Perry, 2006). The TTAP Method is done daily with these individuals and has been documented to have increased psychological wellbeing (levine Madori,2009)

Step 8: Themed Event

This is a a themed event that one of my students did on her herself. She did it on her lacrosse team. She made a collage of all the great memories she had when she was on the team.