Facilitating nurses’ knowledge of the utilisation of reflexology in adults with chronic diseases to enable informed health education during comprehensive nursing care

An integrative literature review of identified scientific evidence, published from January 2000 to December 2008, of the utilisation of reflexology as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities to promote well-being and quality of life in adults with chronic diseases was done to facilitate nurses to give informed health education during comprehensive nursing care to patients with chronic diseases. Selected accessible databases were searched purposefully for research articles (N = 1171). Pre-set inclusion criteria were applied during the study selection process. The methodological study quality was reviewed and appraised with appropriate tools from the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and the American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) Evidence analysis manual (n = 21). Evidence extraction, analysis and synthesis of studies (n = 18) were done through the evidence class rating and level of strength as prescribed in the manuals of ADA and CASP. Findings indicate statistically significant reduction in the frequency of seizures in patients with intractable epilepsy, an improvement of sensory and urinary symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis and clinically significant reduction of anxiety and pain in patients with cancer and fibromyalgia syndrome. These findings can be utilised by nurses to inform patients with these chronic diseases about alternative ways of treatment. Opsomming‘n Geïntegreerde literatuur oorsig van ge-identifiseerde wetenskaplike bewyse, gepubliseer vanaf Januarie 2000 tot Desember 2008, was gedoen oor die gebruik van refleksologie as aanvullende en alternatiewe behandelingsmodalitieit om welsyn en lewenskwaliteit te bevorder by volwassenes met kroniese siekte om verpleegkundiges te fasiliteer om ingeligte gesondheidsvoorligting te gee gedurende omvattende verpleegsorg aan pasiente met kroniese siektes. Geselekteerde toeganklike databasisse was doelbewustelik deursoek vir navorsingsartikels (N = 1171). Vooraf bepaalde insluitingskriteria was toegepas tydens die selekteringsproses. Die studie gehalte is nagegaan en beoordeel met toepaslike instrumente van die Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) en die American Dietetic Association (ADA) se Evidence analysis manual (n = 21). Bewys uitreksel, analisering en sintese van studies (n = 18) was gedoen deur die bewysklas gradering en vlak van bewysterkte soos beskryf in die handleidings van ADA en CASP. Bevindings dui op ‘n statisitese beduidenisvolle verlaging in die frekwensie van konvulsies by pasiënte met epilepsie, ‘n verbetering van sensoriese en urinêre simptome ge-assosieer met veelvuldige sklerose en ‘n kliniese beduidenisvolle afname in angstigheid en pyn by pasiënte met kanker en fibromialgiese sindroom. Hierdie bevindings kan deur verpleegkundiges gebruik word om pasiente met hierdie kroniese siektes in te lig omtrent alternatiewe maniere van behandeling.

Download Full-text

Physical activity as a therapeutic strategy in mental health: an integrative review with implication for nursing care

Escola Anna Nery ◽

10.1590/2177-9465-ean-2016-0390 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Bruno da Silva Lourenço ◽

Maria Angélica de Almeida Peres ◽

Isaura Setenta Porto ◽

Rosane Mara Pontes de Oliveira ◽

Virginia Faria Damásio Dutra

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Nursing Care ◽

Therapeutic Strategy ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Well Being ◽

Integrative Review ◽

Healthy Lifestyles ◽

Practical Effect ◽

Selection Of

Abstract This study is an integrative review with the aim to identify and describe the scientific evidence of the practical effect of physical activity in people with mental disorders. For the selection of articles, the databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, Cochrane and Scopus were used. The sample of this review consisted of eight articles. Their analysis resulted in the categories: obesity and metabolic syndrome, specialized nursing, sedentary and healthy lifestyles, support and social network, incentive to the practice of physical activity, and anxiety and physical activity. The benefits to physical health were partially elucidated by the sample. The implications for nursing care arise from the therapeutic efficacy of physical activity by people with mental disorders, adding individual and collective benefits that provide socialization and promotion of well-being.

Download Full-text

A critical synthesis of interventions to reduce stigma attached to mental illness

Health SA Gesondheid ◽

10.4102/hsag.v19i1.800 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kenetsoe B. Seroalo ◽

Emmerentia Du Plessis ◽

Magdalena P. Koen ◽

Vicki Koen

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Critical Appraisal ◽

Research Evidence ◽

Research Question ◽

Practice Research ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Evidence Analysis ◽

Critical Appraisal Skills ◽

Nutrition And Dietetics ◽

Appraisal Tool

Background: Interventions have been developed and implemented to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness. However, mental healthcare users are still stigmatised.Objective: The objective of this study was to critically synthesise the best available evidence regarding interventions to reduce stigma attached to mental illness.Method: An exploratory and descriptive research design was followed to identify primary studies; systematic review identifid primary studies answering this research question: What best evidence is available regarding interventions to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness? A search was done on selected electronic databases. Seventeen studies (n = 17) were identifid as providing evidence that answered the research question. The following instruments were used: Critical Appraisal Skills Programme, John Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice research evidence appraisal tool and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Manual. The study was submitted to the Post-graduate Education and Research Committee of the School of Nursing Science at Potchefstroom Campus of North-West University for approval.Results: Results indicated some interventions that reduce the stigma attached to mental illness, such as web-based approaches, printed educational materials, documentary and antistigma fims, as well as live and video performances.Conclusions: Humanising interventions seems to have a positive effect on reducing stigma attached to mental illness. From the results and conclusions recommendations were formulated for nursing practice, nursing education and research.Agtergrond: Ingrypings is ontwikkel en geïmplementeer om die stigma verbonde aan geestesongesteldhede te verminder. Die persone wat aan geestesongesteldhede ly, ondervind egter steeds dat daar 'n stigma aan hulle kleef.Doelstellings: Die doel van die studie was om die beste beskikbare voorbeelde van intervensies om stigmatisering van geestesongesteldhede te verminder, krities saam te vat.Metode: ’n Verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerp is gevolg om primêre studies te identifieer. ’n Sistematiese oorsig is gekies as metode om primêre studies te identifieer om die volgende navorsingsvraag te beantwoord: Wat is die beste beskikbare voorbeelde vaningrypings om die stigma verbonde aan geestesongesteldhede te verminder? ’n Ondersoek is gedoen op ’n uitgesoekte elektroniese databasis.Resultate: Tydens die keuring van studies is 17 studies geïdentifieer (n = 17) as bewyslewering en wat die navorsingsvraag beantwoord. Die volgende instrumente is gebruik: ‘Critical Appraisal Skills Programme’, ‘John Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice’, ‘Research Evidence Appraisal Tool and Evidence Analysis Manual’, en ‘Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’.Gevolgtrekking: Die studie is aan die Nagraadse Onderrig- en Navorsingskomitee van die Skool van Verpleegkunde van die Potchefstroomkampus, Noordwes-Universiteit, voorgelê vir goedkeuring. Aanbevelings is geformuleer vir die verpleegpraktyk, verpleegonderrig ennavorsing.

Download Full-text

Critical appraisal of health claims: science teachers’ perceptions and practices

Health Education ◽

10.1108/he-04-2015-0016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 116 (5) ◽

pp. 449-466 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lena Nordheim ◽

Kjell Sverre Pettersen ◽

Signe Flottorp ◽

Esther Hjälmhult

Keyword(s):

Science Education ◽

Health Education ◽

Science Teachers ◽

Critical Appraisal ◽

Comparative Method ◽

Health Claims ◽

Main Theme ◽

Content Type ◽

Teachers Perceptions ◽

Critical Appraisal Skills

Purpose – Critical appraisal skills are necessary to navigate the numerous contradictory and pseudo-scientific claims in the popular media. Health and science education in schools is essential for promoting these skills in students. The purpose of this paper is to explore lower secondary school science teachers’ perceptions and reported practices related to teaching critical appraisal of health claims. Design/methodology/approach – Interpretive description strategy guided the study process. A purposeful sample of 25 Norwegian teachers was interviewed individually or in groups. Interviews were analysed using the constant comparative method. Findings – One main theme, “unexploited opportunities for teaching critical appraisal”, and three sub-themes were identified: “inattentive to the relevance of critical appraisal”, “prioritise facts over critical appraisal”, “limited competency in critical appraisal”. Teachers’ descriptions of science sessions devoted to health education uncovered important opportunities for teaching critical appraisal of health claims. However, teachers did not appear to seize opportunities because they seemed inattentive to the relevance of teaching critical appraisal, they reported to prioritise teaching health content knowledge, and teachers themselves revealed limited expertise in assessing health claims critically. Practical implications – The findings suggest that science teachers need support to take better advantage of the links between health and science education to enhance students’ critical appraisal skills. Originality/value – This study adds depth to the understanding of issues and challenges faced by science teachers regarding critical appraisal of health claims, which is an important aspect of health education schools.

Download Full-text

Narrative review: pengaruh terapi massage counterpressure terhadap pengurangan nyeri dalam persalinan

Jurnal Cakrawala Promkes ◽

10.12928/promkes.v3i2.4573 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 50

Author(s):

Hutari Puji Astuti ◽

Andari Wuri Astuti ◽

Dinar Agustin ◽

Hardiyanti Fitrah Awaliyah ◽

Gana Rendra Winarti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Critical Appraisal ◽

Selection Process ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Labor Pain ◽

Google Scholar ◽

Pain Experience ◽

Gray Literature ◽

Fear And Anxiety ◽

Appraisal Tool

Labor often prompts unpleasant, fearful, or, further, traumaticexperiences due to the pain it entails. Scientific evidence suggests thatpain during labor can be managed using two methods; pharmacologicaland non-pharmacological. Pharmacology is a method of using drugs,whereas non-pharmacologic is without the administration of drugs. The nonpharmacologicalmethod is known as complementary and alternativetherapies, one practice is through massage. Massage frequentlyperformed to reduce labor pain is counterpressure. The purpose of thisstudy is to investigate the effect of counterpressure massage therapy asa measure to reduce labor pain. The method used is a narrative review.Article exploration was carried out in several databases, which arePubmed and Science Direct. In the case of Gray Literature, it wasaccessed via Google Scholar. Specific keywords were employed forliterature search and articles were selected by considering inclusion andexclusion criteria. The article selection process was elaboratedtransparently in the PRISMA Flowchart. From the article selectionprocedure, 14 articles were identified and fulfilled the criteria. Thus,articles were critically analyzed (Critical Appraisal) using the MixedMethod Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The review concludes thatcounterpressure is a massage performed by applying continuouspressure to the patient's sacral with the heel of the hand or fist of thehand. Counterpressure massage can be done in a straight stroke or smallcircular stroke. This technique is proven to be sufficient in relieving backpain during labor. The recommendation suggested is based on the 14articles reviews carried out that a common problem occurring in laboringwomen is physiological pain experience during childbirth so that it mayprovoke bad experiences for mothers, especially fear and anxiety thatmay lead to prolonged labor.Labor often prompts an unpleasant, fearful, or, further, traumatic experiences due to the pain it entails. Scientific evidence suggests that pain during labor can be managed using two methods; pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Pharmacology is a method of using drugs, whereas non-pharmacologic is without the administration of drugs. Non-pharmacological method is known as complementary and alternative therapies, one practice is through massage. Massage frequently performed to reduce labor pain is counterpressure. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of counterpressure massage therapy as a measure to reduce labor pain. The method used is a narrative review. Article exploration was carried out in several databases, which are Pubmed and Science Direct. In the case of Gray Literature, it was accessed via Google Scholar. Specific keywords were employed for literature search and articles were selected by considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. The article selection process was elaborated transparently in the PRISMA Flowchart. From the article selection procedure, 14 articles were identified and fulfilled the criteria. Thus, articles were critically analyzed (Critical Appraisal) using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The review concludes that counterpressure is a massage performed by applying continuous pressure to the patient's sacral with the heel of the hand or fist of the hand. Counterpressure massage can be done in a straight stroke or small circular stroke. This technique is proven to be sufficient in relieving back pain during labor. The recommendation suggested is based on the 14 articles reviews carried out that a common problem occurring in laboring women is physiological pain experience during childbirth so that it may provoke bad experiences for mothers, especially fear and anxiety that may lead to prolonged labor

Download Full-text

Técnica de Imaginación Guiada en el manejo de la ansiedad materna durante el embarazo: revisión integradora

Enfermería Global ◽

10.6018/eglobal.18.1.313361 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 608-645

Author(s):

Ana Rute Furtado ◽

Patrícia Maria Gonçalves Machado ◽

Marinha Nascimento Fernandes Carneiro

Keyword(s):

Guided Imagery ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Well Being ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Evidence Analysis ◽

The Subject ◽

Las Mujeres ◽

Physiological Impact ◽

Ebsco Host ◽

The Cochrane Library

Este artigo descreve a importância da Técnica de Imaginação Guiada na gestão da ansiedade materna durante a gravidez.Objetivo: Conhecer a evidência científica sobre a influência da Técnica de Imaginação Guiada na gestão da ansiedade materna durante a gravidez.Método: Revisão integrativa da literatura realizada na base de dados The Cochrane Library e através da plataforma EBSCO Host. De um total de 30 artigos obtidos, foram incluídos no estudo 10 artigos.Resultados/Discussão: Da análise da evidência científica resultaram as seguintes temáticas: ansiedade, gestão do stress e impacto fisiológico; relaxamento e bem-estar; adesão à Técnica de Imaginação Guiada; perceção positiva da gravidez; dificuldades na sua utilização.Conclusão: A Técnica de Imaginação Guiada parece promover o relaxamento e bem-estar da mulher, assim como diminuir os níveis de ansiedade e desconfortos percecionados durante a gravidez. Este artículo describe la importancia de la Técnica de Imaginacion Guiada en el manejo de la andiedad materna durante el embarazo.Objetivos: Conocer la evidencia científica sobre la influencia de la Técnica de Imaginacion Guiada en el manejo de la ansiedad materna durante el embarazo.Metodologia: Revisión integradora de la literatura realizada en la base de datos The Cochrane Library y en la plataforma EBSCO Host. Se obtuvieron 30 artículos, de los cuales se incluyeron 10 artículos en el estudio.Resultados/Discusión: Del análisis de la evidencia científica resultaron los siguientes temas: ansiedad; manejo del estrés y su impacto fisiológico; relajación y bienestar; adhesión a la Técnica de Imaginacion Guiada; percepción positiva del embarazo; dificultades en el uso de la Técnica de Imaginacion Guiada. Conclusión: La Técnica de Imaginacion Guiada parece promover la relajación y el bienestar de las mujeres, así como los niveles más bajos de ansiedad y de malestar percibidos durante el embarazo. Summary: This article describes the importance of the Guided Imagery Technique for the management of maternity associated anxiety during pregnancy. Goal: To understand the scientific evidence regarding the Guided Imagery Technique for the management of maternity associated anxiety during pregnancy. Method: Integrative revision of the literature from the Cochrane Library database, using the platform EBSCO Host. From a total of 30 articles on the subject, 10 were included on this articleResults/Discussion: The scientific evidence analysis translates on the following topics: anxiety, stress management and physiological impact; relaxation and well-being; adherence to the Guided Imagery Technique; positive perception of the pregnancy; difficulties to its use. Conclusion: The Guided Imagery Technique seems to promote the relaxation and well being of the women and also, aids with the reduction of anxiety levels and perceived discomfort during pregnancy

Download Full-text

Early human relations set the foundation for adult health and working life

10.1093/oso/9780198747109.003.0009 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Alan Sinclair ◽

Tam Baillie

Keyword(s):

Well Being ◽

Early Years ◽

Adult Health ◽

Human Relations ◽

Rights Of The Child ◽

Parents And Children ◽

Evidence Analysis ◽

Before School ◽

Child Health Research ◽

Early Human

Investing in early years is close to magic, without being magic. The United Nations has given greater prominence to the early years through a General Comment on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Health research is gravitating to a view that adult physical and mental conditions have their origins in the womb and the earliest months and years of life. More than any other skills, employers want people who can talk, listen, and work with others: attributes that are largely picked up before school. Economists have demonstrated that the best return on investment in ‘education’ is in supporting parents and children, in the years before school. While evidence, analysis, and experience, which we review, points in one direction, it leads to three questions. Where are we now in child well-being and supporting parents and their very young children? Why are we not doing better? What can be done?

Download Full-text

Feasibility of using a biofeedback device in mindfulness training - a pilot randomized controlled trial

Pilot and Feasibility Studies ◽

10.1186/s40814-021-00807-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Brenna Lin ◽

Christopher Prickett ◽

Steven Woltering

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Mindfulness Meditation ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Well Being ◽

Open Science ◽

Control Group ◽

Test Procedures ◽

The Usa ◽

Biofeedback Device

Abstract Background Stress can negatively impact an individual’s health and well-being and high levels of stress are noted to exist among college students today. While traditional treatment methods are plagued with stigma and transfer problems, newly developed wearable biofeedback devices may offer unexplored possibilities. Although these products are becoming commonplace and inexpensive, scientific evidence of the effectiveness of these products is scarce and their feasibility within research contexts are relatively unexplored. Conversely, companies are not required, and possibly reluctant, to release information on the efficacy of these products against their claims. Thus, in the present pilot, we assess the feasibility of using a real-time respiratory-based biofeedback device in preparation for a larger study. Our main aims were to assess device-adherence and collaboration with the company that develops and sells the device. Method Data were collected from 39 college students who self-identified as experiencing chronic stress at a Southwestern university in the USA. Students were randomized into either a mindfulness-only control group without a biofeedback device (n = 21), or an experimental group with biofeedback device (n = 18). Both groups received mindfulness meditation training. Pre-test and post-test procedures were conducted 2 weeks apart. Further, both participant compliance and company compliance were assessed and collaboration with the company was evaluated. Results Participant device-adherence as well as the company’s collaboration necessary for a full-scale study was determined to be low. This may also have affected our results which showed a strong main effect for time for all outcome variables, suggesting all groups showed improvement in their levels of stress after the intervention period. No group by time effects were identified, however, indicating no added benefit of the biofeedback device. Conclusions Our findings suggest feasibility of future studies requires full collaboration and detailed and agreed upon data sharing procedures with the biofeedback company. The particular device under investigation added no value to the intervention outcomes and it was not feasible to continue a larger-scale study. Further, as the technology sector is innovating faster than it can validate products, we urge for open science collaborations between public and private sectors to properly develop evidence-based regulations that can withstand technological innovation while maintaining product quality, safety, and effectiveness. Trial registration NCT02837016. Registered 19 July 2016.

Download Full-text

Swine Inflammation and Necrosis Syndrome (SINS)

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061670 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1670

Author(s):

Gerald Reiner ◽

Josef Kuehling ◽

Frederik Loewenstein ◽

Mirjam Lechner ◽

Sabrina Becker

Keyword(s):

Scientific Evidence ◽

Age Groups ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Well Being ◽

Defence Mechanisms ◽

Newborn Piglets ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Histopathological Studies ◽

Molecular Patterns ◽

Tail Damage

Tail biting is a prevalent and undesirable behaviour in pigs and a major source of significant reduction in well-being. However, focusing on biting considers only one part of the solution, because tail damage can be found with a high prevalence without any action by other pigs. The lesions are not limited to the tail but can also be found in the ears, heels, soles, claw coronary bands, teats, navel, vulva, and face. Environmental improvement alone often fails to overcome the problem. This review addresses a new inflammation and necrosis syndrome in swine (SINS). It shows the clinical signs and the frequencies of occurrence in different age groups. It compiles scientific evidence from clinical and histopathological studies in newborn piglets that argue for a primary endogenous aetiology of the disease. Bringing together the findings of a broad body of research, the possible mechanisms leading to the disease are identified and then discussed. This part will especially focus on microbe-associated molecular patterns in the circulation and their role in activating defence mechanisms and inflammation. Finally, the methods are identified to ameliorate the problem by optimizing husbandry and selecting a suitable breeding stock.

Download Full-text

Contemplating Help-Seeking in Perinatal Psychological Distress—A Meta-Ethnography

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105226 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5226

Author(s):

Minna Anneli Sorsa ◽

Jari Kylmä ◽

Terese Elisabet Bondas

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Critical Appraisal ◽

Service Providers ◽

Perinatal Period ◽

Linear Process ◽

Small Children ◽

Complex Process ◽

Seeking Help ◽

Critical Appraisal Skills

Perinatal psychological distress (PPD) may cause delays in help-seeking in the perinatal period, which is crucial for families with small children. Help-seeking theories focus on rational processes of behavior wherein ‘help-seeking’ is viewed as a decision-making process, in which action is preceded by recognizing a problem. We identified the phase prior to actual help-seeking actions as a life situation and a phenomenon through which to gain a deeper understanding from women’s own perspectives. The aim of this study was to integrate and synthesize knowledge of women’s experiences of contemplating seeking help for PPD. We chose interpretative meta-ethnography by Noblit and Hare (1988) and implemented eMERGe guidelines in reporting. The search was performed systematically, and the 14 included studies were evaluated with Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist (CASP). We identified seven themes and a metaphor in a lines-of-argument synthesis, showing that contemplating help-seeking is a multidimensional phenomenon. We did not observe a straightforward and linear process (as previous research suggests) but instead a complex process of contemplating help-seeking. A clinical implication is that service providers should work with outreach and develop their tools to connect with mothers with PPD. Another suggestion is to improve training in mental health literacy prior to or during pregnancy.

Download Full-text

Mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with chronic diseases

Australian Journal of Primary Health ◽

10.1071/py09063 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 200 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

Monika Merkes

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

Well Being ◽

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity ◽

Self Report ◽

Original Research ◽

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ◽

The Impact

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a structured group program that uses mindfulness meditation to improve well-being and alleviate suffering. This article reviews the impact of MBSR for people with chronic diseases. The review includes original research that was published in English and peer-reviewed and reported outcomes for adults with chronic diseases who had participated in an MBSR program. Fifteen studies were identified. Outcomes related to mental and physical health, well-being, and quality of life. The studies included different research designs, and used self-report and physiological outcome measures. Participants’ clinical diagnoses included fibromyalgia, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, and cardiovascular diagnoses. All 15 studies found that participation in an MBSR program resulted in improvements. No negative change was reported between baseline and follow up. Outcomes in regard to specific variables were difficult to compare and equivocal. Overall, positive change predominated. Chronic diseases are associated with a range of unwelcome psychological and physical consequences. Participation in an MBSR program is likely to result in coping better with symptoms, improved overall well-being and quality of life, and enhanced health outcomes. As an adjunct to standard care, MBSR has potential for much wider application in Australian primary care settings.

Download Full-text