Tommy K. Begay | The University of Arizona (original) (raw)

Books by Tommy K. Begay

Translational Psychiatry, 2023

Whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) shows promise for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).... more Whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) shows promise for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Because MDD is associated with increased inflammation, and anti-inflammatory agents show some promise as antidepressants, the current study sought to identify the acute and longer-term immune effects of WBH in participants with MDD and to explore whether these effects associate with the procedure’s antidepressant properties. Thirty participants who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for MDD were randomized to receive a single session of WBH (n = 16) or sham treatment (n = 14). Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores were assessed at baseline and 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks post-treatment (WBH vs. sham), and plasma cytokine concentrations were assessed at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and 1 and 4 weeks post-treatment. As previously reported, WBH produced a rapid and sustained antidepressant effect. When compared to sham, WBH increased plasma interleukin (IL)-6 immediately post-treatment (time by treatment: 𝜒2(3, N=108)=47.33,p<0.001), while having no effect on other cytokines acutely and no impact on IL-6, or any other cytokine, at 1 or 4 weeks post treatment. In the study sample as a whole, increased IL-6 post-treatment was associated with reduced HDRS depression scores over the six weeks of follow-up (F(1, 102.3)=6.74,p=0.01). These results suggest a hitherto unrecognized relationship between hyperthermia, the immune system, and depression, and may point to WBH as a novel modality for exploring behavioral effects of IL-6 when the cytokine is activated in isolation from the inflammatory mediators with which it frequently travels.

Goal of Presentation: Provide information to behavioral health and healthcare providers pertinent... more Goal of Presentation: Provide information to behavioral health and healthcare providers pertinent to the neurophysiological impact of adverse childhood stress, intergenerational, and historical trauma on health and community wellness. Learning Objectives: ▪ Understand the interrelationship of adverse childhood experiences, intergenerational trauma and associated American Indian historical trauma-and the impact to health and wellness. ▪ Examine the basic neuroscience of behavior, and behavioral modification. ▪ Understand the evolution of the "culture" of violence and self-medication.

Utilizing the interdisciplinary approach of Cultural Psychology, focus is on the interrelationshi... more Utilizing the interdisciplinary approach of Cultural Psychology, focus is on the interrelationship of culture, biology and environment, in understanding human behavior, health and wellness. From this approach, cognition and human development -specifically, neurodevelopment and neuroplasticity -are dependent upon environmental stimuli associated with social interaction, context, and culture. As a result, all human activity and behavior lend to physical and functional changes to the brain -and these adaptations influence behavior, becoming the basis for consciousness, identity, and personality. Of particular interest is the impact of American Indian historical trauma on contemporary health and mind-body wellness of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Psychosocial health is the state of spiritual, mental, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.... more Psychosocial health is the state of spiritual, mental, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. It is the result of the complex interaction between a person's past experiences, thoughts and interpretations that have resulted, and how this shapes responses to current circumstances. Psychosocially healthy people: like themselves; accept their mistakes; take care of themselves; have empathy for others; control their anger, tension, and anxiety; are optimistic; and can work alone, or with others, equally well. These traits provide the basis for self-esteem, self-efficacy, optimism, self-empowerment, and resiliency.

Media Presentations by Tommy K. Begay

UA). He is a Cultural Psychologist by academic training, focusing on the interrelationship of cul... more UA). He is a Cultural Psychologist by academic training, focusing on the interrelationship of culture, biology, and environment, to understand human behavior as applicable to health, and wellness. From this approach, cognition and human developmentspecifically, neurodevelopment and neuroplasticitydepend upon environmental stimulation provided through social interaction, context, and culture. Basically, all activities and behaviors lend to physical and functional changes to the brainand changes to the brain influence behavior. The results collectively contribute to consciousness, identity, and personality.

The impact of historical trauma involves the interaction of biology (neurobiology, immune respons... more The impact of historical trauma involves the interaction of biology (neurobiology, immune response and associated body systems) and culture (learned behaviors acquired through cultural acquisition). Psychosocial stress gets passed from one generation to next in response to a traumatic event, promoting the development of dysfunctional coping behaviors that are coupled to physiological responses of neuroendocrine, immune and autonomic nervous system pathways that contribute to the development of chronic disease and numerous psychiatric conditions (PTSD, anxiety, psychoses, self-medication, substance abuse, and addiction, etc.).

Phone: 520-621-3268 (V/ TTY)

Arizona Illustrated Science, Arizona Public Media, PBS, Apr 2, 2013

Papers by Tommy K. Begay

Sleep

Introduction Promoting sleep health at the neighborhood level may be an efficient way to promote ... more Introduction Promoting sleep health at the neighborhood level may be an efficient way to promote overall health and well-being. This study examined the relative contribution of sleep health, versus other regional health metrics. Methods Neighborhood sleep health values were obtained from the “500 Cities” data collected by the CDC, which includes census tract and proportion that report values associated with health. Data include the population of each census tract as well as census-estimated proportion of the population in each census tract that report obtaining at least 7 hours of sleep. Other health indicators evaluated included access to health insurance, past-year routine medical or dental checkup, older adult preventive care, leisure-time activity, mammography, pap testing, and prevalence of arthritis, binge drinking, hypertension, antihypertensive use, cancer, asthma, coronary disease, cholesterol screening, colon screening, COPD, smoking, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, kidney...

Translational Psychiatry

Sleep

Introduction Sleep research that has been previously completed with individuals of Mexican descen... more Introduction Sleep research that has been previously completed with individuals of Mexican descent generally do not use instruments that have been translated in accordance with the language norms of the target community. In this study, the Assessment of Sleep Environment (ASE) was translated by a bilingual research study team. The ASE was then completed by English and Spanish speaking participants, in their preferred language. Methods Data were collected from a sample of N=100 individuals of Mexican descent in Nogales, Arizona, located at the US-Mexico border. The ASE is a 13-item scale that quantifies the degree to which an individual perceives that their physical environment interferes with their sleep quality. It includes items about heat, cold, noise, quiet, light, dark, smell, humidity, comfort of sleeping surface and bedding, and safety. To translate the measure into Spanish, the following procedure was followed: (1) a bilingual study team member performed an initial translati...

Sleep

Introduction Sleep health impacts the community in many ways. Regional sleep health may reflect o... more Introduction Sleep health impacts the community in many ways. Regional sleep health may reflect other important indicators of health and well-being. Few studies have examined sleep health at the regional level, though. Methods Data on neighborhood sleep health values were obtained from the “500 Cities” data collected by the CDC that includes census tract and proportion of the population in that region that report values associated with health, as assessed with the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Data include the population of each census tract as well as census-estimated proportion of the population in each census tract that report obtaining at least 7 hours of sleep. Additional variables included as covariates in analyses included the proportion with healthcare access, that were obese, had high blood pressure, had diabetes, and were smokers. The Child Opportunity Index (COI) is a publicly-available index (DiversityDataKids.org) reported at the census tract level. It pro...

Sleep

Introduction Circadian health is increasingly recognized for the contributions it makes to genera... more Introduction Circadian health is increasingly recognized for the contributions it makes to general health. Few instruments assessing circadian rhythms have been translated into Spanish, however. The present study describes a Spanish translation of the Circadian Energy Scale (CIRENS). The instrument was designed according to the language norms of those living along the US-Mexico border by a bilingual research team. The CIRENS was completed by both English and Spanish speaking border residents, in their preferred language. Methods Data were collected from a sample of N=100 individuals of Mexican descent living in Nogales, Arizona. CIRENS is a 2-item scale that assesses chronotype by examining overall energy level in the morning and evening. Translation of the instrument into Spanish was done according to the following process: (1) a bilingual study team member attempted an initial translation; (2) a bilingual community member edited the translation; (3) a certified medical translator ...

Sleep

Introduction Data were collected for the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). To ensure the validity of... more Introduction Data were collected for the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). To ensure the validity of study subject responses, the ISI was translated into Mexican Spanish by a bilingual research study team, based on a previous Spanish translation. It was then administered to study subjects in their preferred language. Methods Data were collected from a sample of N=100 individuals of Mexican Descent in Nogales, Arizona, at the US-Mexico border. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) is a 7-item scale that quantifies the degree to which an individual experiences insomnia symptoms. A Spanish translation already exists, but this had not been previously localized to Mexican Spanish. To localize the measure, the following procedure was followed: (1) a bilingual community member edited the translation; (2) a certified medical translator edited the revised items; (3) a focus group of N=5 bilingual community members made contextual edits to the new measure; (4) a back-translation was performed; (5) a...

Sleep

Introduction The Brief Index of Sleep Control (BRISC) is a 4-item assessment of the degree to whi... more Introduction The Brief Index of Sleep Control (BRISC) is a 4-item assessment of the degree to which an individual perceives that they are in control of their sleep. Previous work shows that this measure may be useful for sleep health promotion efforts. The present study describes an attempt to develop a version of this measure in Spanish, particularly for individuals of Mexican descent. Methods Data were collected from a sample of N=100 individuals of Mexican Descent in Nogales, Arizona, located at the US-Mexico border. The BRISC is a 4-item scale that quantifies the degree to which an individual perceives that their sleep is under their control, assessing perceived control over time to bed, time out of bed, total sleep time, and sleep quality. To translate the measure into Spanish, the following procedure was followed: (1) a bilingual study team member performed an initial translation; (2) a bilingual community member edited the translation; (3) a certified medical translator edite...

Sleep

Introduction The Sleep Disorders Symptom Checklist (SDSCL-25) is a brief assessment of patient-re... more Introduction The Sleep Disorders Symptom Checklist (SDSCL-25) is a brief assessment of patient-reported symptoms that suggest risk for a wide range of sleep disorders. To ensure the validity of study subject responses, the SDSCL-25 was translated into Spanish by a bilingual research study team. It was then administered to study subjects in their preferred language. Methods Data were collected from a sample of N=100 individuals of Mexican Descent in Nogales, Arizona, US-Mexico border. The SDSCL-25 is a screening tool that assesses the presence of a wide range of symptoms for sleep disorders. To translate the measure into Spanish, the following procedure was followed: (1) a bilingual study team member performed an initial translation; (2) a bilingual community member edited the translation; (3) a certified medical translator edited the revision; (4) a focus group of N=5 bilingual community members made contextual edits; (5) a back-translation was performed; (6) an additional bilingual...

Translational Psychiatry, 2023

Phone: 520-621-3268 (V/ TTY)

Arizona Illustrated Science, Arizona Public Media, PBS, Apr 2, 2013

Sleep

Translational Psychiatry

Sleep

Sleep, 2021

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted individuals in many ways, including anecdotal rep... more Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted individuals in many ways, including anecdotal reports of nightmares. However, little data exists regarding the experience of COVID-related nightmares, especially among the distressed population at the US-Mexico Border. This is especially relevant given the clinical importance of nightmares as risk factors for poor mental health and sleep disturbances. Methods Participants were N=155 individuals who completed the Nogales Cardiometabolic Health and Sleep (NOCHES) and were contacted about completing a COVID sub-study (95% Hispanic/Latino). Participants were asked for the number of nightmares that they have experienced since the pandemic started. They were also asked whether they had nightmares about confinement, claustrophobia, suffocation, oppression, drowning, failure, helplessness, natural disasters, anxiety, evil forces, war, separation from loved ones, being chased, sickness, death, COVID, and apocalypse. They were also asked whether...

Sleep, 2021

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many individuals at the vulnerable US-Mexico bord... more Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many individuals at the vulnerable US-Mexico border region in a variety of ways. Fear, worry, and stress have increased for many, as has poor sleep. The present study evaluated the degree to which worsened sleep due to the pandemic impacted stress experiences. Methods Participants were N=155 individuals who completed the Nogales Cardiometabolic Health and Sleep (NOCHES) and were contacted about completing a COVID sub-study (95% Hispanic/Latino). They were asked the degree to which their sleep worsened due to the pandemic. They also reported the degree to which they agreed with statements regarding various pandemic-related stress experiences. These included infection-related stresses, stresses about community impact, personal psychosocial stresses, stresses about consequences of potential infection, media and society-related stresses, feelings of safety, and how the pandemic has impacted home life. Ordinal logistic regressions were used...

IMPORTANCE Limitations of current antidepressants highlight the need to identify novel treatments... more IMPORTANCE Limitations of current antidepressants highlight the need to identify novel treatments for major depressive disorder. A prior open trial found that a single session of whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) reduced depressive symptoms; however, the lack of a placebo control raises the possibility that the observed antidepressant effects resulted not from hyperthermia per se, but from nonspecific aspects of the intervention.

Sleep, 2020

Daytime sleepiness impairs daily functioning and may be directly related to insufficient nighttim... more Daytime sleepiness impairs daily functioning and may be directly related to insufficient nighttime sleep. Previous studies have assessed disparities in sleep duration and quality, but community-level disparities in daytime sleepiness using validated measures are lacking. Data were from the Sleep and Healthy Activity, Diet, Environment, and Socialization (SHADES) study of N=1007 adults age 22-60. Daytime sleepiness was assessed with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Predictors included age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and social class (“Upper middle class or above,” “Middle class,” “Lower middle class,” “Poor,” or “Very Poor”). One-way ANOVAs evaluated group differences. Stepwise linear modeling evaluated ESS score relative to sociodemographic predictors. Final models included all variables entered together to evaluate independent effects. Finally, habitual sleep duration was entered as an additional covariate. ESS score was higher among racial/ethnic minorities (p=0.0006), men...

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

JAMA psychiatry, Jan 12, 2016

Limitations of current antidepressants highlight the need to identify novel treatments for major ... more Limitations of current antidepressants highlight the need to identify novel treatments for major depressive disorder. A prior open trial found that a single session of whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) reduced depressive symptoms; however, the lack of a placebo control raises the possibility that the observed antidepressant effects resulted not from hyperthermia per se, but from nonspecific aspects of the intervention. To test whether WBH has specific antidepressant effects when compared with a sham condition and to evaluate the persistence of the antidepressant effects of a single treatment. A 6-week, randomized, double-blind study conducted between February 2013 and May 2015 at a university-based medical center comparing WBH with a sham condition. All research staff conducting screening and outcome procedures were blinded to randomization status. Of 338 individuals screened, 34 were randomized, 30 received a study intervention, and 29 provided at least 1 postintervention assessment an...

Neurobiology of Brain Disorders, 2015

National Native Health Research Training Conference Indigenous Research: Native Approaches to Sus... more National Native Health Research Training Conference
Indigenous Research: Native Approaches to Sustainable Health
Mystic Lake Center
Prior Lake, Minnesota
August 8-10, 2018
Traditional Medicine Plenary Speaker:
Thursday, August 9th, 11:00 – 12:00pm, Waconia I
Tommy K. Begay, PhD, MPH
Clinical Assistant Professor
Faculty Affiliate: Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory
Department of Psychiatry
College of Medicine
University of Arizona
Title: Researching Sacred Wisdom: A Clash of Paradigms
In documenting the effectiveness of Traditional Medicine, researchers face unique challenges in methodology, data collection, and the interpretation of results. For the most part, these challenges stem from rigid methods, protocols, and thought processes associated with both: Traditional Medicine and scientific research – each having distinct paradigms. Research methodology consists of a series of rigid, objective steps that have a tendency to impinge upon processes that constitute Traditional Medicine. In general, the processes associated with Traditional Medicine rely upon a commitment to a philosophy that infuses mind, body, and spirit – what the presenter refers to as Sacred Wisdom. As a result, changes to physiology and affect may be difficult to obtain, code, and utilize. Understanding these challenges becomes important in the pursuit, acquisition, and utilization of funding for programs associated with effective, culturally relevant, interventions associated with Native concepts of health, wellness, and healing. Furthermore, the acquisition of funding for such interventions may be required to be “evidence based”. By understanding the parameters of these two paradigms, researchers may incorporate methods of inquiry that provide a more legitimate assessment, and evaluation of the changes in health and wellness associated with Traditional Medicine.