Arts - Buffalo State College

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Health and Wellness
main populations in the United States at risk for prescription drug
overdose are the approximately 9 million persons who reported
nonmedical use in the past month (CDC, 2012). According to
the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (2009), fifteen
states required pharmacists to request identification from persons
obtaining controlled substances as of March, 2009. This is one
step in the right direction. Research indicates that the increase
in prescription drug abuse is due to the easy access of obtaining
prescription drugs and the common idea that prescription drugs
are safer than street drugs. There is only so much the government
can do to monitor and regulate access of these drugs, but one way
to help these young adults is to educate them on the dangers of the
prescription drug abuse and hopefully open abusers eyes so they seek
treatment.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster VI
Breaking the Fall
Sarah Clerc, HEW 411W: Critical Issues in Health and Wellness
Faculty Mentor: Professor Barbara Olivieri, Health and Wellness
An increasing amount of research is being conducted to
determine ways to improve the quality of life for those above 65 years
old. One of the avenues in particular of great concern for this target
population is the prevention, risk, and consequences of falling. With
the rapid population growth of senior citizens, this issue will become
an even larger problem in the future if additional measures are
not taken to decrease incidence figures. According to the objective
baseline in Healthy People 2020, an excess of 5,235 emergency
department visits per 100,000 due to falls occurred among older
adults in 2007 (USHHS, 2012). Therefore, an increasing focus
should be centered on the retraining of balance through such
practices as yoga. Why can yoga be the link between the elderly and
their increasing need for balance? Yoga techniques are proving to
be effective as they improve balance, are becoming more accessible
in the community, nearly no equipment is required, is low impact,
and movements can be conducted from a chair (Hakim et al., 2010).
It is important to understand that most risk factors that lead to
falling are modifiable, but the consequences that falling may lead to
are irreversible. With multidimensional programs designed for the
elderly and incorporating educational aspects into those programs,
the elderly themselves will learn safety habits, which can make the
difference in breaking the fall.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster V
Color Your Troubles Away: Art For
Bettering Mood and Mental Health
Veronica Luppino, HON 400: All College Honors Colloquium
Faculty Mentors: Professor Michelle Bae, Art Education and
Professor Andrea Guiati, Director, All College Honors Program
The visual arts have been used throughout history to facilitate
healing and beneficial self- expression. However, it was not until
early in the 20th century when psychiatrists began taking an interest
in analyzing artwork produced by their patients and using art as
a therapeutic tool. It was found that the creative processes of art
enhanced patients’ recovery and mental health. Art making is a
universally practiced phenomena found in all cultures of the world,
albeit in a variety of forms. However, in our culture art usually is not
practiced by all people; although it is nurtured in elementary level
children to aid in mental and cognitive development, many adults
shy away from art making because they convince themselves that the
result will not be visually pleasing to others. Despite these notions, I
believe art making can provide stress relief and elevate mood; thus
raising the question: can art therapy be useful for everyone, as well
as psychiatric patients? We all experience negative stresses and often
seek activities to alleviate such stress. In order to explore the notion
that art making can elevate mood, I recorded my overall mood and
feelings before, during, and after the process of creating artwork. I
also attempted to detect if the use of bright and vibrant color would
have added positive effects. To broaden my research, I interviewed
fellow artists about their work and the emotional effects it had on
them, as well as non-artists about the effects an art making activity
had on their mood and stress level. Generally, both artists and those
who did not usually produce art reported experiencing enjoyment in
the process.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster V
The Colorless, Odorless, Tasteless
Compound That May Be Targeting Athletes
Across the Nation
Leah Knot, Health and Wellness
Faculty Mentor: Professor Susan Baldwin, Health and Wellness
There are 40 ice rinks in Western New York that may or may
not be at risk for high levels of carbon monoxide. Because there are
no air quality regulations in the state of New York, rink owners are
free to use any ventilation system and to use any zamboni that they
desire to in their ice arenas. During the summer of 2011, research
on rinks in Western New York took place. Many rinks were more
concerned about their reputation than their air quality, so the rink
managers (or owners) disregarded any correspondence regarding
this sensitive topic. However, after many barriers, a rink in Western
New York permitted the research project to be conducted. Western
New York Rink 1 (WNY Rink 1) used two different zambonis during
the research project, an older propane-powered zamboni and a
newer, more efficient, propane-powered zamboni. During the week
of research at WNY Rink 1, 220 surveys were disseminated to rink
participants and 200 completed surveys were utilized. Additionally,
four carbon monoxide data loggers were used to measure the levels
of carbon monoxide at five-minute intervals during the week of
WNY Rink 1 research. Carbon monoxide levels fluctuated during the
week of research and high levels of carbon monoxide (50+ parts
per million) were recorded forty-seven times. Survey analysis along
with the data logger analysis provided positive feedback for the new
zamboni’s efficiency and safety for rink participants in WNY Rink 1.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster VIII