title: Effects of the safe and sound protocol on wellbeing and auditory sensitivities among adults with auditory hypersensitivities.

authors: Khatri, Praveen

abstract: The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), an auditory intervention involving specifically filtered music, based on polyvagal theory, is marketed as a listening therapy that regulates the nervous system and is therefore recommended for a range of problems including trauma, anxiety and sensory sensitivities. There is limited research on the effectiveness of this intervention so far. Most studies have been focused on children and adults with autism and therefore, the effectiveness of SSP across different populations remains unclear. Using a single-subject, within-subject multiple baseline experimental design, this study evaluated the effectiveness of the SSP on well-being and auditory sensitivities among people with self-reported auditory hypersensitivities. Eight participants were randomly assigned to filtered (SSP) or non-filtered music conditions. Participants who received unfiltered music intervention were offered the filtered music intervention later. Three out of four chose to receive filtered music intervention.  Psychological distress, positive and negative affect, psychological safety, and auditory sensitivity were measured before and after the intervention and were analysed using reliable change. The daily well-being ratings were taken throughout the study and were analysed using the percentage exceeding the median method. This study did not find any consistent evidence that the SSP reduces auditory hypersensitivity or improves well-being in these participants. Further research is necessary, employing both qualitative and RCT methodologies, to clarify the effects of SSP.

text: Effects of the safe and sound protocol on wellbeing and auditory sensitivities among adults with auditory hypersensitivities. The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), an auditory intervention involving specifically filtered music, based on polyvagal theory, is marketed as a listening therapy that regulates the nervous system and is therefore recommended for a range of problems including trauma, anxiety and sensory sensitivities. There is limited research on the effectiveness of this intervention so far. Most studies have been focused on children and adults with autism and therefore, the effectiveness of SSP across different populations remains unclear. Using a single-subject, within-subject multiple baseline experimental design, this study evaluated the effectiveness of the SSP on well-being and auditory sensitivities among people with self-reported auditory hypersensitivities. Eight participants were randomly assigned to filtered (SSP) or non-filtered music conditions. Participants who received unfiltered music intervention were offered the filtered music intervention later. Three out of four chose to receive filtered music intervention.  Psychological distress, positive and negative affect, psychological safety, and auditory sensitivity were measured before and after the intervention and were analysed using reliable change. The daily well-being ratings were taken throughout the study and were analysed using the percentage exceeding the median method. This study did not find any consistent evidence that the SSP reduces auditory hypersensitivity or improves well-being in these participants. Further research is necessary, employing both qualitative and RCT methodologies, to clarify the effects of SSP.

year: 2025

title: Assessing dispersal among habitats for three New Zealand aquatic insects using mitochondrial DNA (COI) sequences

authors: Riding, Morgan Alexandra

subjects: Dispersal

abstract: Dispersal of aquatic insects is a key process allowing colonization of new habitat and linking existing populations among habitats. Studying the dispersal of freshwater taxa directly is logistically challenging and assessments of population genetic structure using DNA sequence fragments have provided an alternative means to examine the dispersal and connectivity of natural populations. Here, I used mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) DNA sequences to assess the genetic similarity for aquatic insect species across both small (<50km) and large (>1000km) spatial scales. For the first study, I examined genetic similarity among source and restored stream habitats in Taranaki Region, New Zealand. Three common species were targeted based on differences in dispersal capabilities: Archichauliodes diversus (Megaloptera; active larvae, weak flight), and Hydropsyche colonica and Pycnocentrodes aeris (Trichoptera; sessile larvae, strong flight). Archichauliodes diversus showed the greatest sequence diversity (19 haplotypes) followed by P. aeris (14 haplotypes) and H. colonica (4 haplotypes). Despite relatively high levels of genetic diversity, A. diversus was genetically similar throughout the study area, suggesting adequate dispersal among source and restored habitats. Individuals of H. colonica, with much lower levels of haplotype diversity, were also genetically similar between source and restored habitats. In contrast, P. aeris had one haplotype that was more common in source versus restored habitats. I concluded that taxa were relatively well connected between source and restored habitats and that COI sequences can provide a useful indicator for tracking restoration efforts within relatively small geographic areas. In the second study, I focused on large-scale patterns of diversity for A. diversus which is widespread throughout both the North and the South Islands of New Zealand and compared this with available sequences from a congeneric Australian species. I found sequence divergences between the New Zealand A. diversus and Australian Archichauliodes sp (11.8% divergence), and between New Zealand North Island and South Island A. diversus (3% divergence). In the South Island, there were 8 haplotypes restricted to individual sites and 4 haplotypes that were shared among sites. For the North Island, individuals there were 21 haplotypes restricted to one of more sites and 1 common haplotype shared among Taranaki sites. There were 12 missing mutational steps between haplotypes from the North Island and the South Islands. The Australian Archichauliodes sp was further separated by 70 missing mutational steps from the South Island of New Zealand. Differentiation was also observed within the South Island with shared haplotypes observed at distances of > 150 km. On this basis, I suggested that despite potentially weak flight, individuals of A. diversus can regularly disperse distances of up to 150 km. However, they also appear limited by geographic barriers such as the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands (<25 km). Molecular clock estimates between New Zealand and Australian Archichauliodes sp. suggested that isolation of individuals occurred around 5 Mya and isolation between the North and South A. diversus occurred within the last 2 Mya; corresponding with the Pliocene and Pleistocene, respectively.  On the basis of both studies, I concluded that COI gene sequences can provide a useful method for assessing the genetic similarity of aquatic insect populations on both small (<50km) and large (>1000km) spatial scales and that these data can then be used to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses.

text: Assessing dispersal among habitats for three New Zealand aquatic insects using mitochondrial DNA (COI) sequences Dispersal of aquatic insects is a key process allowing colonization of new habitat and linking existing populations among habitats. Studying the dispersal of freshwater taxa directly is logistically challenging and assessments of population genetic structure using DNA sequence fragments have provided an alternative means to examine the dispersal and connectivity of natural populations. Here, I used mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) DNA sequences to assess the genetic similarity for aquatic insect species across both small (<50km) and large (>1000km) spatial scales. For the first study, I examined genetic similarity among source and restored stream habitats in Taranaki Region, New Zealand. Three common species were targeted based on differences in dispersal capabilities: Archichauliodes diversus (Megaloptera; active larvae, weak flight), and Hydropsyche colonica and Pycnocentrodes aeris (Trichoptera; sessile larvae, strong flight). Archichauliodes diversus showed the greatest sequence diversity (19 haplotypes) followed by P. aeris (14 haplotypes) and H. colonica (4 haplotypes). Despite relatively high levels of genetic diversity, A. diversus was genetically similar throughout the study area, suggesting adequate dispersal among source and restored habitats. Individuals of H. colonica, with much lower levels of haplotype diversity, were also genetically similar between source and restored habitats. In contrast, P. aeris had one haplotype that was more common in source versus restored habitats. I concluded that taxa were relatively well connected between source and restored habitats and that COI sequences can provide a useful indicator for tracking restoration efforts within relatively small geographic areas. In the second study, I focused on large-scale patterns of diversity for A. diversus which is widespread throughout both the North and the South Islands of New Zealand and compared this with available sequences from a congeneric Australian species. I found sequence divergences between the New Zealand A. diversus and Australian Archichauliodes sp (11.8% divergence), and between New Zealand North Island and South Island A. diversus (3% divergence). In the South Island, there were 8 haplotypes restricted to individual sites and 4 haplotypes that were shared among sites. For the North Island, individuals there were 21 haplotypes restricted to one of more sites and 1 common haplotype shared among Taranaki sites. There were 12 missing mutational steps between haplotypes from the North Island and the South Islands. The Australian Archichauliodes sp was further separated by 70 missing mutational steps from the South Island of New Zealand. Differentiation was also observed within the South Island with shared haplotypes observed at distances of > 150 km. On this basis, I suggested that despite potentially weak flight, individuals of A. diversus can regularly disperse distances of up to 150 km. However, they also appear limited by geographic barriers such as the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands (<25 km). Molecular clock estimates between New Zealand and Australian Archichauliodes sp. suggested that isolation of individuals occurred around 5 Mya and isolation between the North and South A. diversus occurred within the last 2 Mya; corresponding with the Pliocene and Pleistocene, respectively.  On the basis of both studies, I concluded that COI gene sequences can provide a useful method for assessing the genetic similarity of aquatic insect populations on both small (<50km) and large (>1000km) spatial scales and that these data can then be used to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses.

year: 2016

title: Māori men and the indirect procurement and sharing of prescription medications

authors: Hodgetts, Darrin

subjects: Māori men

abstract: Māori men have higher rates of many diseases and lower life expectancy than other population groups in New Zealand. The general consensus is that these health inequalities are due to the inequitable distribution of the social determinants of health; for example, education, employment, income and housing, and were largely driven by colonization and the social and economic marginalization of Māori. Health care factors, including reluctance to consult doctors or late presentation, are part of this equation, but do not fully explain the disparities in health between Māori men and other population groups. As part of our ongoing work in this area, we draw on a focus group discussion with seven Māori community health workers to provide a preliminary analysis of how some Māori people access and use medications. Particular attention is given to the emergent practice of Māori women presenting to general practitioners (GPs) with proxy symptoms to obtain medications for their male partners. This practice exemplifies a range of strategies that some whānau (family) have developed to navigate the health system and overcome the reluctance of some men to engage with the medical profession. The practice raises issues relating to the nature of “primary” and “whānau” care, accessibility of medical services and medications, adherence to medication regimes and the dynamics of doctor–patient relations.

text: Māori men and the indirect procurement and sharing of prescription medications Māori men have higher rates of many diseases and lower life expectancy than other population groups in New Zealand. The general consensus is that these health inequalities are due to the inequitable distribution of the social determinants of health; for example, education, employment, income and housing, and were largely driven by colonization and the social and economic marginalization of Māori. Health care factors, including reluctance to consult doctors or late presentation, are part of this equation, but do not fully explain the disparities in health between Māori men and other population groups. As part of our ongoing work in this area, we draw on a focus group discussion with seven Māori community health workers to provide a preliminary analysis of how some Māori people access and use medications. Particular attention is given to the emergent practice of Māori women presenting to general practitioners (GPs) with proxy symptoms to obtain medications for their male partners. This practice exemplifies a range of strategies that some whānau (family) have developed to navigate the health system and overcome the reluctance of some men to engage with the medical profession. The practice raises issues relating to the nature of “primary” and “whānau” care, accessibility of medical services and medications, adherence to medication regimes and the dynamics of doctor–patient relations.

year: 2011