Akshara Palanisamy
Research Mentor: Dr. Nikhil Parekh
Mentor Department: Wayne State University, NonUM
Author(s): Nikhil Parekh, Akshara Palanisamy
Session: Session 5 (2:00 PM – 2:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 24
Abstract
Integrative Medicine is a system of medical care that centers around holistic therapies, treatments, and preventive approaches to improve a person’s way of living. This system of care works in combination with conventional medicine which is more focused on patient symptoms and diseases. This research project centers on an anonymous survey relating to Integrative Medicine perceptions and practices. Created by a group of 21 University of Michigan student researchers, the 50-question Qualtrics survey revolved around different integrative approaches like nutrition, Eastern medical practices (Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine), music therapy and many other areas. Our research group created an initial survey, tested it for feedback and edited it into the final 50 question survey. We distributed the survey link throughout the University of Michigan campus and other public channels such as club/community communications and in the community in general. The purpose of distributing the survey was to better understand the type and impacts of integrative medicine, knowingly or unknowingly, in everyone’s day-to-day lives. The data was viewed in Qualtrics and cleaned in Excel. When studying the association between exposure to Ayurveda, an Indian holistic medical practice, and age, there was no statistically significant association between the two. In response to the data, I have created a campus-based implementation project that revolves around the perception regarding Ayurveda at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus. This project includes both a presentation and a demonstration table explaining and identifying popular Ayurvedic items and practices such as turmeric milk, yoga, and herbal remedies (like ashwagandha and more) in day-to-day life. I will also create a secondary survey to send out in the future based on the feedback from the presentation.
