September 6, 2019
Biophilic Design & Animal
Husbandry show effectiveness in treating Alzheimer’s & Autism symptoms.
Psychologists, Neuroscientists and behavioral researchers are constantly examining ways in which we, as human beings, can live happier, healthier and more enlightened existences. They study pharmacological agents, behavioral interventions and physical therapy activities that can be of benefit. Even more specifically, they study ways to help individuals that are currently in a state of suffering; either from a mental or physical cause.
There is a burgeoning body of research, both past and present, that examines the cognitive issues and neurological effects of neurocognitive memory loss and neurodegenerative disorders.
Recently, the research aperture has been narrowed down to a
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September 6, 2019
Aquatic Therapy has also been shown to improve mood, promote mindfulness and decrease stress. plethora of studies examining etiology, prevention and interventions, for people suffering from Alzheimer ’s disease and
Autism Spectrum Disorder. Due to the ever-increasing pandemic rate of both, scientists are working more arduously than ever to find answers. Alzheimer ’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes increasing impairment of the brain over time; memory loss being the most prominent. Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD), on the other hand, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs the growth and development of the brain and central nervous system. Autism Spectrum Disorders affect emotion, memory, learning ability, self-control and social skills; all which unfold as a child develops and grows. Historically, although research into prevention, treatment and counter measurement of these disorders has provided positive results, substantial and effective means of intervention and long-term remediation is limited. These limitations have led scientists to new ways of thinking; ways outside of the lab.
Aquatic therapy is an example of this new way of thinking and has shown effectiveness in decreasing, and/or eliminating, a myriad of the symptoms that Alzheimer and ASD individuals suffer from.
Aquatic therapy roots much of its efficacy in Biophilic architectural design. Biophilic design is an extension of the theory of biophilia, which states that humans have an inherent need to affiliate with nature in the modern built environment. Biophilic design recognizes that our species has evolved for more than
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September 6, 2019
99% of its history in adaptive response to the natural world and not to human created or artificial forces. Humans became biologically encoded to associate with natural features and processes. Rather than being vestigial – or relevant to a world that no longer exists – this need is thought to remain instrumental to people ’s physical and mental health, fitness, and wellbeing.
Animal husbandry is the scientific control and management of a branch of farming, especially of domestic animals; aquarists are scientists that are engaged in the husbandry of marine life.
Recently, aquarists have become ever more involved in examining the effects that aquariums have on children, adolescents and adults. Stemming from Biophilia theory, aquarists, alongside neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, and behavioral scientists, have been conducting research that has amassed a statistically significant body of findings that elucidates the benefits of aquatic therapy for physical and mental wellbeing. Even more poignantly, research is proving that aquatic therapy is greatly beneficial for Alzheimer and Autism Spectrum
Disorder symptom reduction and alleviation.
Studies focused on Alzheimer ’s disease have had participants watch the fish and coral in aquariums for varying lengths of time; by way of psychometric assessment, biofeedback and brain scans, researchers have found that after only five minutes, the hippocampus (the memory center in the brain) was highly activated in the subjects post aquarium viewing. Activation of the hippocampus helps the information storage mechanisms in that
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September 6, 2019 cortical region multiply, thus ensuring that the brain retains the ability to store new memories now, as well as while people age.
A vast number of other studies have found surprisingly quick effects on symptom alleviation and behavior improvement in children, adolescents and adults with Autism and Asperger
Syndrome. Again, after individuals on the spectrum were asked to sit and watch fish swim and interact with the coral, brain scans showed an immediate calming effect occurring in the brain; namely activation of the amygdala. The amygdala is an almond shape set of neurons located deep within the brain's medial temporal lobe (MTL). The MTL is shown to play a key role in the processing of emotions.
Even more fascinating is the effect that aquarium therapy has on the prefrontal cortex region(s) of the brain; most specifically, the immediate activation of the anterior cingulate cortex. The anterior cingulate cortex (or ACC) has been implicated in several complex cognitive functions such as empathy, impulse control, emotion awareness and regulation and decision-making; all functions that individuals on the spectrum have difficulties with. One of the hallmark deficiencies in individuals on the spectrum, is that of social interaction and personal awareness. The anterior cingulate cortex is often referred to as the “theory of mind” center. Theory of mind is the ability to attribute mental states — beliefs, intents, desires, emotions, knowledge, etc. — to oneself, and to others, and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, intentions, and perspectives that are different from one's
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September 6, 2019
Aquatic Therapy has also been shown to improve Neuroplasticity and aid in learning. own. Studies have produced statistically significant results that show an increase in personal awareness, initiation of social interaction and improved communication skills in individuals on the spectrum who have undergone aquatic therapy.
Another significant finding is the effects of aquatic therapy on neural plasticity. Neural plasticity is the lifelong ability of the brain to reorganize as a result of experience. Specifically, neuroscientists define neuroplasticity as functional reorganization within neural tissue, mediated by changes in neural circuitry. Learning is the by-product of neuroplasticity. It is experience dependent and behavioral training is key to promoting brain reorganization.
The behavioral symptom manifestations of Autism Spectrum
Disorder begin to emerge in the first few years of life when brain development is occurring at a rapid rate. Structural neurological imaging studies in ASD consistently report early brain overgrowth between 2 and 5 years of age. This atypical cortical growth appears to be most evident in the frontal lobes; however, other areas such as the cerebellum and limbic system (where the amygdala is located) have been identified. In the frontal lobes, abnormalities are associated with learning and problem solving, executive functions and social-emotional responses.
Additionally, these abnormalities are thought to contribute to an inability to interpret the emotional state of others, resulting in difficulties with joint attention, social-emotional behaviors, and communicative behaviors. Activities that engage individuals in
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September 6, 2019 techniques – such as mindfulness, or focusing their mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state, can have profound effects on neural plasticity.
The importance of early, intensive, intervention for young children with, or at risk for, ASD is well-documented. However, achieving the recommended 25 hours per week of specialized intervention in which the child is actively and productively engaged in meaningful activities in their natural environment(s) that the National Research Council suggests, can be challenging.
Federal regulations under Part C of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) mandate early intervention services for infants and toddlers with
(neurodevelopmental) disabilities be provided in natural environments to the maximum extent appropriate. An aquarium is a proven treatment modality that can be placed in the natural environment of individuals with Autism and Asperger ’s Syndrome that follow IDEA regulations.
In addition to treatment for neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders, it has also been shown that keeping fish improves mental health and helps to reduce anxiety.
Research carried out by Plymouth University discovered that just watching fish in an aquarium led to noticeable reductions in participant ’s blood pressure and heart rate. Perhaps you’ve noticed that most dentist and doctor ’s surgeries and waiting rooms have aquariums? This is not just for decorations; in fact,
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September 6, 2019 studies have proven that when aquariums are placed in waiting rooms, the patient ’s anxiety levels are reduced, and they are more relaxed during surgery.
Having an aquarium in your environment, and caring for marine life, is an example of animal husbandry, that utilizes Biophilic theory, to provide genuine and effective therapy.
So, it would seem, that the Chordata (fish) and Cnidaria (coral) of the world, are indeed, our cognitive compadres
.
Dr. Jennifer Reynolds is the CEO and Principal Neuropsychologist at The Neuropsychological Evaluation and Therapeutic Center of
Austin. She is a published author in the field of neuropsychology and specializes in assessment and treatment of Autism Spectrum
Disorders.
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