Two projects that focus on the interface of art and technology were appointed winner of the Pabst Steinmetz Foundation Arts and Wellness Innovation Awards as winners. The UCF researchers and community partners received 25,000 US dollars per team to finance their respective initiatives.
This year's demand for suggestions encouraged the researchers to use technology to improve art -based health programs, to improve the accessibility and to develop evidence -based practices that promote the overall wellness under the topic of “Innovative synergy: bridging arts and wellness with technology”. Since the technology continues to change our life, work and creation of the technology, the possibility of researching the connection between art and well-being through a technological lens has never been more promising.
The awards were founded by the Pabst Steinmetz Foundation in Central Florida to recognize teams that build sustainable models for art and wellness innovation. The teams include the cooperation between the College of Arts and Humanities, at least one internal university partner and a community organization to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and research.
“Partnerships between the UCF and community always create magic and inspiration when they enrich the capacity of our community. The 2024 winners/initiatives are no exception. We look forward to the effects that are achieved, ”says Margery Pabst Steinmetz, who co -founded the foundation with her husband Chuck Steinmetz.
The winners were selected for their significant potential to positively influence the community through a cooperation between art, science, well -being and commitment in their research.
Scientific proof of the effects of music therapy on Alzheimer's disease
In collaboration with the UCF Lake Nona Medical Center and the UCF Health Faculty Physicians at Lake Nona, this innovative research aims to examine the effects of music therapy on people with Alzheimer's disease by examining molecular changes in saliva exosomes. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that are released by cells that bear the biomarkers that reflect the health of the brain. This makes them an ideal instrument to examine the molecular effects of music therapy at Alzheimer's. Through the analysis of biomarkers such as serotonin, dopamine, amyloid beta and tau proteins, the study is intended to uncover how music therapy affects mood, memory and fear and the neurodegenization in patients with Alzheimer's may slow down.
The UCF School of Performing Arts Professor and violinist Ayako Yonetani gives its specialist knowledge in music therapy and performance, which is of crucial importance for the development of effective music therapy sessions. Under your guidance, the project will include live -classical music, since it is known that well -known and emotionally significant compositions cause stronger therapeutic reactions. Yonetanis unique combination of skills in both the representative arts and in the therapeutic music treatments of music will help bridge the gap between art and science and ensure that the music therapy sessions are effective and are tailored to the needs of Alzheimer's patients.
“Music is more than just art and entertainment, the strength to improve brain function and well-being,” says Yonetani, professor of modern languages and literatures. “About a decade ago, we found that Mozart's music could increase the frontal rap function by 50%. While the advantages for Alzheimer's patients have been recognized for a long time, a final proof was due to the difficulty of not measuring the brain function. “
This groundbreaking cooperation between our Pegasus Streichtartet at the music department and the College of Medicine combines music and the brain with innovative, saliva-based technology, which were developed at UCF in order to provide concrete evidence of its effects. I hope we continue to examine the remarkable influence of music and discover new ways that can enrich our lives. “
Research aims to improve the quality of life of patients through the use of personalized music therapy. The non -invasive nature of saliva exosommer analysis makes it an accessible and scalable method that could be widespread in clinical environments. Supervisors who often have significant emotional and physical stress also benefit from the improvement of the mood and the cognitive function of the patients as well as the structured and meaningful interactions that are facilitated by music therapy.
This research not only benefits Alzheimer's patients and their nurses, but also has a significant impact on the health and research communities. The results of the study could pave the way for the inclusion of music therapy as a supplementary treatment and provide valuable clinical evidence to support their use. Through demonstration, how music therapy influences molecular biomarkers, this research can revolutionize diagnostic and monitored instruments for Alzheimer's, with possible applications in other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and various forms of dementia.
Ultimately, this research has the potential to establish music therapy as scientifically supported and widely accessible treatment for Alzheimer's, which could change clinical practices and improve patient care.
This project includes researchers from the College of Arts and Humanities, the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, the College of Medicine and the Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at UCF College of Medicine, including:
- Ayako Yonetani, School of Performing Arts
- Kiminobu Sugaya, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine
- Mariana Dangiolo, geriatrics and palliative medicine, College of Medicine
- Amoy Fraser, Director of Clinical and Aerospace Health Research, College of Medicine
Immersse, sample, performance: an innovative VR experience to overcome stage fright
This project, developed by the Create team on the UCF, aims to cope with the fear of performance – in particular the public -speaking fear – in schools. Using the initiative initiative, users can practice public speaking in a virtual classroom environment. The main focus is on secondary and senior students, but the VR experience can be an advantage for anyone who is prepared for public speaking, including experts such as ministers, motivational speakers, singers and individuals who prepare for presentations.
“Our project combines new technologies when using virtual reality and creating digital assets in order to create a complete, interactive and immersive experience to the user,” says Stella Sung, Director of UCF Create. “The project is intended to help the user practice skills to overcome fear, nervousness and fear in public speaking and presentations.”
While existing VR applications help with interviews and public speech events in the achievement of performance, this project further improves experience. Users can adapt their VR practical sessions to simulate a number of disorders such as students, sound shifts or camera jitter and to maintain a simulated audience -feedback and to offer a more realistic practice environment. With this VR tool, users can repeat their material repeatedly under different conditions and offer flexibility to practice at any time and conveniently from their own houses.
The boys and girls club in central florida has expressed the need for technology that can help the students overcome and build their confidence. Due to the partnership with UCF Create, the students now have access to advanced VR tools and opportunities for personal growth and development. The project is said to be scalable with the potential, schools, community centers, worship centers and other UCF organizations throughout Central Florida.
This project goes beyond the establishment of skills, since combating VR technology concerns the interest in StEM areas and promotes digital competence within the community and promotes lifelong learning. It also has the potential to develop into an application available, to expand its reach and to offer a valuable instrument for public speech in various areas.
This project includes researchers from UCF Create, E2i Creative Studio (IST) and Boys & Girls Club in Central Florida:
- Stella sung, UCF Create, School of Visual Arts and Design, College of Arts and Humanities
- Ronald Hargrove, UCF Create, School of Visual Arts and Design, College of Arts and Humanities
- Maria Murillo, UCF Create, School of Visual Arts and Design, College of Arts and Humanities
- Eileen Smith, E2i Creative Studio, Institute for Simulation and Education, Pegasus Research Center
- Michael Carney, E2I Creative Studio, Institute for Simulation and Education, Pegasus Research Center
- Maria Harrington, Nicholson School of Communication and Media, College of Sciences
- Tasha Banks Robinson, Parramore Club, Boys & Girls Club in Central Florida