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Thomas H. Fine, M.A., L.P.C.C.
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Associate Professor of Mental Health Counseling in Psychiatry RESEARCH & CLINICAL EXPERTISE: Behavioral Medicine; Flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy BACKGROUND AND PERCollege of NursingAL: 1970 - B.B.A., Ohio University, Athens, Ohio |
EMPLOYMENT:
- Employed at Medical College of Ohio since 1975.
- Medical University of Ohio faculty since 1979.
CLINICAL FOCUS:
Myclinical work emphasizes brief therapy utilizing applied psychophysiology, cognitive and interpersonal approaches. I work with patients who have stress related disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders and marital difficulties. I utilize Biofeedback and Flotation REST along with verbal psychotherapy in my clinical work.
RESEARCH FOCUS:
Mymajor research focus (with John Turner, Medical College of Ohio, Department of Physiology) is on the psychophysiological effects and clinical applications of flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST).
The REST environment is a light-free, sound-proof chamber of saturated epsom salts maintained at 94 F (thermoneutral), with the buoyant, supinely-floating subject experiencing greatly reduced sensory input. Our studies have shown that repeated REST consistently is associated with decreased physiological activity and improved mood and attitude. We have been testing the hypothesis that flotation REST, by reducing environmental demands, facilitates attention toward and regulation of internal processes. Concomitantly we have performed studies demonstrating clinical effectiveness of REST in treating essential hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis and pain.
MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES:
I currently present lectures on stress and illness, health-related behavior and psychotherapy. In the Behavioral Science Course of the Medical School Curriculum. In addition, I present didactiv and experiential training on psychotherapy to medical students and psychiatric residents. I currently serve on the graduate committees of 3 medical students.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
Journals:
Fine, T.H.; Turner, Jr., J. W.: "The Effects of Brief Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy in the Treatment of Essential Hypertension," Behavioral Res. & Ther., 520:567- 570, (1982).
Turner, Jr., J.W. and Fine, T.H.: "Effects of Relaxation Associated with Brief Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) on Plasma Cortisol, ATCH and LH," Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 1983.
McGrady, A.V.; Bernal, G.A.A.; Fine, T.; Woerner, M.P.: "Post Traumatic Head and Neck Pain, A Multimodal Treatment Approach," Journal of Holistic Medicine, Vol. 5, No. 2, Fall/Winter 1983.
McGrady, A.V.; Turner, Jr., J.W.; Fine, T.H.; and Higgins, J.T.: "Effects of Biobehaviorally-Assisted Relaxation Training on Blood Pressure, Plasma Renin, Cortisol and Aldosterone Levels in Borderline Essential Hypertensives." Clinical Biofeedback and Health, 10:16-25, 1987.
Turner, J.W., Jr.; Fine, T.; Ewy, G; Sershon, P; and Freundlich, T.: "The Presence or Absence of Light During Flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Effects on Plasma Cortisol, Blood Pressure and Mood," Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 14:291-300, 1989.
Turner, J.W., Jr. and Fine, T.H.: "Restricting Environmental Stimulation Influences Levels and Variability of Plasma Cortisol," Journal of Applied Psychology, 70(5):2010-2013, 1991.
Fitzgerald, R.V., Fine, T.: "A Computerized Psychiatric Practice: Getting Started," Medical Computing, in press, 1994.
Chapters in Books:
Fine, T.H.; Mills, D; and Turner, J.W.: "Differential Effects of Wet and Dry Flotation REST on EEG." In: (Barabasz A, ed.) Clinical and Experimental Restricted Environmental Stimulation: New Developments and Perspectives, Springer-Verlag, New York, NY, 1993.
Turner, J., Jr., Fine, T. "The Physiological Effects of Flotation REST." In: Barabasz A, ed.) Clinical and Experimental Restricted Environmental Stimulation: New Developments and Perspectives, Springer-Verlag, New York, NY, 1993.
Books Edited:
Fine, T.H. and Turner, J.W., Jr. (eds.) REST and Self-Regulation: Proceedings of the First International Conference, IRIS Publ., 220 pp., Toledo, Ohio, 1985.
Turner, J.W., Jr. and Fine, T.H. (eds.) Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Restricted Stimulation, New Orleans, Louisiana, IRIS Publ., 201 pp., Toledo, Ohio, 1987.
Turner, J.W., Jr. and Fine, T.H. (eds.) Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Research and Commentary, MUO Publishers, Toledo, Ohio, 250 pp., 1990.
Suedfeld, P., Fine, T.H., and Turner, J.W., Jr. (eds.) Theoretical and Empirical Development in Flotation REST, Springer-Verlag Publisher, New York, 300 pp., 1990.
E-mail: Thomas.Fine@Utoledo.edu
