Aleah Gallardo
Research Mentor: Dr. Nikhil Parekh
Mentor Department: Wayne State University, NonUM
Author(s): Aleah Gallardo, Nikhil Parekh
Session: Session 5 (2:00 PM – 2:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 7
Abstract
Integrative medicine focuses on treating the whole person, including the mind, body, and spirit, rather than just the illness. It blends allopathic medical treatments with holistic therapies such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, tai chi, and herbal remedies to support the body’s natural healing processes, either in overall well-being or supporting the ailment of diseases like cancer. Despite growing evidence supporting these practices, integrative medicine is often met with skepticism. Our research project aims to examine perceptions of integrative medicine, with a specific focus on mindfulness-based practices and how these perceptions may vary across demographic factors such as gender. Twenty-one student researchers collaborated to create a 50-question Qualtrics survey assessing public attitudes toward integrative medicine. Informed by the various Whole Health frameworks, responses were collected through convenience sampling and analyzed in RStudio. Results showed no significant gender differences in value-driven behaviors, but a significant association between gender and beliefs about how mental and environmental factors influence genetic expression. These findings suggest that while individuals may behave similarly across genders, their interpretations of the relationship between mental health and physical health may differ. Building on these results, the next phase of this project involves implementing a brief guided mindfulness meditation intervention among University of Michigan students. Participants will complete post-intervention surveys to assess changes in self-awareness and perceptions of mindfulness, with particular attention to whether these shifts vary across gender groups.
