NeuroArts
As a DMT, I am deeply interested in the concept of haptic sensation and it's important role in science and embodied ethical decision making. During my second year internship working at a traumatic brain injury rehab center, I became curious if the use of touch, paired with a neurobehavioral assessment measure, led to increased sustained awareness and improved motor functionality in patients who were in minimally conscious states. Within the existing neurobehavioral assessment measure, only verbal commands are given to elicit a repetitive behavioral response. I became curious how/if touch could used as a prop/method of intervention in potentially assisting a more sustained arousal response.This curiosity translated in my final thesis, Space and Sensation, where I implemented dance/movement therapy techniques within a cognitive therapy department, translating my understanding of body/brain connection to other health systems.
My time at the rehab center led me to collaborate, develop, and share my interest in haptic sensation using novel techniques with my research partner, Abbie Zuidema who wrote her graduate thesis on haptic sensation and challah baking. As an early career investigator, the prospect of intertwining my interest in touch with the non-traditional yet powerful modality of bread making fills me with anticipation and excitement. I'm eager to initiate a dialogue on the significance of tactile experiences and the art of bread making as a scientifically supported creative arts therapy, contributing to the exploration of haptic intervention and investigating how artistic practices tangibly influence the brain, body, and behavior.
As a certified movement analyst, I will be investigating "Haptic Healing—Hands, Brain & Bread" through a movement based lens.
BODY- Primarily investigating hands and brain connection through patterns of whole body connectivity (i.e breath, core-distal, head/tail, upper/lower, body half, and cross lateral).
EFFORT- is there a shift or change in the qualitative use of energy, such as flow, time, weight, emotions, inner attitude, etc.
SHAPE- how is the body forming to the clay, to the environment, to the participants? how is the environment forming the body?
SPACE- where is the body in Space?
UNIQUE LENS AND LEADERSHIP ROLE
I am curious about the key stages of the baking process, such as mixing ingredients, kneading dough, proofing, and baking. These different tasks elicit different movement qualities, which in turn, can cause a shift in affect. Qualitative data will represent the movement qualities observed during the baking process, akin to the qualities usually seen in Laban’s action drives which can be useful in analyzing affect and movement.
Conversational dialogue will inquire about PX experiences, focusing on questions that reflect ETC and LMA assessment measures, such as “what feelings did you experience during the kneading portion of the baking process?” I am curious if my understanding of Laban's action drives will coorelated to shifts in affect amongst the participants.
