Showing papers in "Journal of Holistic Nursing in 1999"
TL;DR: Prayer and meaning in life are described as empirical indicators for appraising spirituality and are an indicator of the defining attribute of connectedness with God.
Abstract: Spirituality for holistic nursing is defined after a critical analysis of the literature. Spirituality is defined as the experiences and expressions of one's spirit in a unique and dynamic process reflecting faith in God or a supreme being; a connectedness with oneself, others, nature or God; and an integration of all human dimensions. Prayer and meaning in life are described as empirical indicators for appraising spirituality. Prayer is an indicator of the defining attribute of connectedness with God, and meaning in life is an outcome of spirituality.
213 citations
TL;DR: Spirituality influenced recovery by providing the participants with inner strength, comfort, peace, wellness, wholeness, and enhanced coping.
Abstract: The purposes of this study were to discover what spirituality means to patients recovering from an acute myocardial infarction and to identify patients’ perceptions of how spirituality influences recovery. Using the Glaserian method, spiritual concepts were used for theory building. Spirituality was described as a life-giving force nurtured by receiving presence of the divine, family, friends, health care providers, and creation (core category). Supporting categories were: developing faith, discovering meaning and purpose, and giving the gift of self. Five phases to discovering meaning and purpose were: (a) facing mortality, (b) releasing fear and turmoil, (c) identifying and making lifestyle changes, (d) seeking divine purpose, and (e) making meaning in daily life. Spirituality influenced recovery by providing the participants with inner strength, comfort, peace, wellness, wholeness, and enhanced coping. This substantive theory can be used by holistic nurses to facilitate spirituality in patients recover...
99 citations
TL;DR: Therapeutic effects of a short-term Tai Chi exercise program for the elderly were evaluated in a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design and found significant improvement in trait anxiety and pain perception.
Abstract: Therapeutic effects of a short-term Tai Chi exercise program for the elderly were evaluated in a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design. This pilot study evaluated changes in flexibility, balance, sway, pain, and mood after a short slow-motion exercise. The program consisted of a series of movements involving turning, shifting weight, bending, and arm movements in combination with diaphragmatic breathing with slow movements. The measured effects included improved balance, sway, range of motion, decreased perceived pain, and lessened trait anxiety. Participants included 11 elderly females. Instruments consisted of standard goniometry, the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List, stopwatch measures of single-leg stance and a tandem walk (sway), and visual analog measurement of pain. Findings included significant improvement (p = .05) in trait anxiety and pain perception. Improvements in mood, flexibility, and balance may have a profound effect on the incidence of falls, injuries, resulting disability, and ...
87 citations
TL;DR: This descriptive, phenomenological study investigated the cultural and spiritual meanings of the childbirth experience from the personal perspectives of 30 Canadian Orthodox Jewish and 30 American Mormon women.
Abstract: This descriptive, phenomenological study investigated the cultural and spiritual meanings of the childbirth experience from the personal perspectives of 30 Canadian Orthodox Jewish and 30 American Mormon women. Fewer Jewish women had childbirth education and attendance of their partners during childbirth than did Mormon women. Participants in the study, having codified belief systems, expressed the primary importance of bearing children in obedience to religious law. Birth was articulated as a bittersweet paradox, often accompanied by a sense of empowerment. Women described the importance of personal connectedness with others and with God, the importance of childbearing, and the spiritual and emotional dimensions of their childbirth experiences. Religious beliefs help women define the meaning of childbirth and may provide coping mechanisms for the intensity of giving birth. It is essential for holistic nurses to value and acknowledge the cultural and spiritual dimensions of the childbirth experience.
66 citations
TL;DR: Data sets from three individual studies on nursing judgment were reviewed from a wider perspective and yielded features of nursing presence: uniqueness, connecting with the patient’s experience, sensing, going beyond the scientific data, knowing (what will work and when to act), and being with the patients.
Abstract: Data sets from three individual studies on nursing judgment were reviewed from a wider perspective. This yielded meanings and phenomena not readily identified in the individual studies, and it was ...
61 citations
TL;DR: The purpose of this article is to summarize, synthesize, and critically evaluate the research-based use of Tai Chi presented in the current literature and give implications and directions for future research.
Abstract: Tai Chi has been widely practiced in China for centuries as an art form, religious ritual, relaxation technique, exercise, and a method of self-defense for people of all ages. It has been used to improve balance; promote postural stability; decrease falls; enhance cardiovascular and ventilatory functions; rehabilitate persons with acute myocardial infarction and rheumatoid arthritis; and reduce pain, stress, and nightmares. The purpose of this article is to summarize, synthesize, and critically evaluate the research-based use of Tai Chi presented in the current literature and give implications and directions for future research. Additional studies about the effects of Tai Chi from a nursing perspective are needed to make clear when it is beneficial as a nursing intervention.
51 citations
TL;DR: The purpose of this article is to review the current state of the science of aromatherapy and to propose future research, and offers guidelines for safe aromather therapy practice while awaiting future research on its clinical efficacy.
Abstract: Essential oils have been used for thousands of years. Hippocrates claimed that the way to health was through aromatic baths and massages. Much anecdotal evidence exists regarding aromatherapy's positive effects on recipients. However, well-designed research trials are sparse. Certainly much controversy exists regarding the appropriate way to conduct research on holistic therapies. Can their effects be broken down and studied without contradicting the central premise on which holism is based? The purpose of this article is to review the current state of the science of aromatherapy and to propose future research. The author also offers guidelines for safe aromatherapy practice while awaiting future research on its clinical efficacy.
43 citations
TL;DR: Relationships among self-transcendence, health status, and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) in noninstitutionalized older adults are explored to explore factors that contribute to older adults’ ability to remain independent.
Abstract: The number of older adults in our population is steadily increasing. Many older adults continue to remain active and care for themselves. However, differences exist in older adults' ability to perform activities of daily living. The purpose of the study was to explore relationships among self-transcendence (ST), health status (SHS), and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) in noninstitutionalized older adults. The 88 participants were primarily widowed, White women, 65 years of age and older (M = 73.4), who perceived their health positively, and had 12 years or more of education. Findings included statistically significant relationships between ST and ADL and SHS and ADL. Twenty-two percent of the variance in ability to perform ADL was explained by SHS, and an additional 6% was explained by ST. Nurses are encouraged to explore factors that contribute to older adults' ability to remain independent.
42 citations
TL;DR: Being able to individualize the strategies was most important to goal achievement, followed by having a specific goal, planning for barriers, and being able to make revisions.
Abstract: Self-care in health promotion includes developing the skills needed to devise, implement, evaluate, and revise an individualized plan for lifestyle change. Using content analysis, this study examined the strategies chosen by participants (N = 95) to initiate a lifestyle change, as well as the barriers they identified to change. Goal achievement and effectiveness of the strategies chosen were evaluated at 5 and 10 weeks. Using self-care strategies to make lifestyle changes, 42.1% had achieved their goal and 49.5% had partly achieved their goal by Week 10. Social support, tailoring strategies, self-monitoring, medication, and cue restriction were considered the most effective strategies. Being able to individualize the strategies was most important to goal achievement, followed by having a specific goal, planning for barriers, and being able to make revisions.
32 citations
TL;DR: There was a significant decrease in dyspnea following the use of music as reported in the music diary and there was no significant change in anxiety or Dyspnea over the 5-week period.
Abstract: The purposes of this repeated measures study were to examine the feasibility of using music as an intervention for dyspnea and anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who live in their homes and to examine the effect of music on anxiety and dyspnea. Twenty-four participants who experienced dyspnea at least once a week were studied over a 5-week period. Baseline data were collected on Week 1. Measures of anxiety and dyspnea were taken on Week 2, prior to and immediately following the use of music. These measures were repeated on Week 5. There was a significant decrease in dyspnea following the use of music as reported in the music diary (p < .001). There was a significant decline in anxiety (p < .05) and dyspnea (p < .01) following the use of music on Week 2. There was no significant change in anxiety or dyspnea over the 5-week period.
27 citations
TL;DR: Results indicated that African American women living above the poverty level had higher overall scores on the total and exercise subscale of the HPLP than women living below poverty level, and implications include teaching culturally specific, practical, and inexpensive exercise activities in primary care and community settings.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the health-promoting behaviors and exercise behaviors of older African American women above and below poverty level. Fifty-eight African American women completed a demographic form and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP). Results indicated that African American women living above the poverty level had higher overall scores on the total HPLP and higher scores on the exercise subscale of the HPLP than women living below poverty level. Implications include teaching culturally specific, practical, and inexpensive exercise activities in primary care and community settings.
TL;DR: A holistic nurse-client relationship that transcends the hospital experience and extends into the community may help prematurely menopausal women to move toward a more synthesized sense of self and a greater degree of self-actualization.
Abstract: Surgically or chemically induced premature menopause may have an impact on women's sense of self: the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual sense of self. This ethnographic research study explores the major factors that assaulted prematurely menopausal women's concept of self and the ways in which they attempted to readjust that concept. A unifying domain, evolution of self, and three constitutive themes emerged: change/loss, connectedness/disconnectedness, and transcendence/transformation. A holistic nurse-client relationship that transcends the hospital experience and extends into the community may help prematurely menopausal women to move toward a more synthesized sense of self and a greater degree of self-actualization.
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TL;DR: The journey to holism is the result of a grounded theory study of 18 members of the American Holistic Nurses’ Association and data is presented to support the conclusion that the growth of a holistic nurse follows a recognizable course.
Abstract: The journey to holism is the result of a grounded theory study of 18 members of the American Holistic Nurses' Association. Participants were prompted to "Tell me about holistic nursing" and replies revealed a seven-step process to becoming a holistic nurse. The process is an expansion of Van Gennep's three-stage theory of rites of passage, which involves separation, marginality/liminality, and reintegration. The expanded process begins with separation from mainstream nursing and concludes with reintegration into nursing as a holistic nurse. The marginality/liminality step shows five active steps: gathering information to quell the distress of the separation, applying that information to others, changing focus to self-care, applying the information to self, and increasing self-knowledge. This article describes the process and presents data to support the conclusion that the growth of a holistic nurse follows a recognizable course.
TL;DR: Findings underscore the need for comprehensive, individualized pain education protocols throughout the period of care delivery and special emphasis should be placed on patient empowerment and decision making to seek appropriate pain management.
Abstract: This descriptive study investigated the factors that influenced the intended pain management behaviors of a sample of 186 patients awaiting major surgical procedures. Pain management behaviors were...
TL;DR: Young adults had higher anger, depression, and anxiety scores than older or middle-aged adults and had lower scores of life satisfaction, which may reflect the emotional reaction to the realization that their lives may be shortened by this chronic illness.
Abstract: Persons with heart failure face a myriad of challenges due to the physical limitations imposed by the chronic illness. Despite these changes, each person must continue to face the developmental challenges of adulthood. This exploratory study was conducted to examine the impact that this chronic illness has on the developmental processes of adults. Methods triangulation was used to examine the content of unprompted, written goals and the results of surveys of life satisfaction and mood states of 138 persons with heart failure. Younger adults had higher anger, depression, and anxiety scores than older or middle-aged adults and had lower scores of life satisfaction. This may reflect the emotional reaction to the realization that their lives may be shortened by this chronic illness. Analysis of their goals reflected the developmental challenges described by Erikson. Despite severe physical limitations, these individuals demonstrated growth and achievement of developmental tasks by transcending usual time lines.
TL;DR: Theoretical bases, findings, and discussion of relevance for holistic nursing practice are presented as well as recommendations for future research in the area of relaxation technique use during episodes of acute pain.
Abstract: Pain is a universal experience that lends itself to nursing interventions based on a holistic approach. Pain is a dynamic process, and relaxation techniques are based on the recognition of the interaction between the physiological and psychological components of the human body. Although acute episodes of pain are found in all areas of nursing practice, limited research using relaxation techniques as supplements to pharmacologic intervention has been reported. This article reviews six research studies that have implications for holistic interventions in nursing practice. Theoretical bases, findings, and discussion of relevance for holistic nursing practice are presented as well as recommendations for future research in the area of relaxation technique use during episodes of acute pain.
TL;DR: It is clear, even from this small pilot study, that these women have complex experiences that must be better understood before effective health care interventions can be designed and implemented.
Abstract: Minority women represent the fastest growing segment of the population to acquire HIV/AIDS in the United States. Although African American women are a large proportion of this group, no published study has concentrated solely on a holistic view of the experiences of HIV-infected African American women. The primary purpose of this phenomenological pilot study was to describe the lives of five HIV-infected African American women. Audiotaped interviews were conducted and subsequently were examined, using Giorgi’s steps of analysis. Twelve themes emerged from the data: violence, addiction, it couldn’t happen to me, shock and denial, education, time, uncertainty, cycles, secretive nature of their lives, someone, survival, and children. It is clear, even from this small pilot study, that these women have complex experiences that must be better understood before effective health care interventions can be designed and implemented.
TL;DR: Guided imagery, the use of focused concentration of formed mental images, provides the mechanism of an independent nursing intervention to facilitate mind and body healing.
Abstract: Guided imagery, the use of focused concentration of formed mental images, provides the mechanism of an independent nursing intervention to facilitate mind and body healing. Nurse healers can channel clients to personal restorative potentials and independent health through this powerful and inexpensive tool. In a variety of outpatient, inpatient, chronic care, and home care settings, nurses can introduce this treatment modality early on and for lifelong use for any number of nursing diagnoses. Specific conceptualizations for women’s health are presented here. By unleashing your own and your client’s imagination, the endless possibilities of guided imagery applications and resulting self-empowerment become apparent.
TL;DR: The metaphor of basketry is applied to two frameworks for nursing practice: the totality paradigm and the simultaneity paradigm and a contrast is drawn between the philosophies of nursing related to the two paradigms.
Abstract: The metaphor of basketry is applied to two frameworks for nursing practice: the totality paradigm and the simultaneity paradigm. With descriptions of two baskets, a contrast is drawn between the philosophies of nursing related to the two paradigms. The practice of nursing with respect to both worldviews is illustrated by the patterns, the colors, and the shapes of the weaving of each basket.
TL;DR: Whether adult family members of surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patients were willing and able to learn imagery during the time of their family member’s critical illness, and which factors facilitate the learning is identified.
Abstract: Critical care nurses face the challenge of helping anxious families cope with the critical illness of one of their members. The purposes of this exploratory descriptive pilot study were to identify whether adult family members of surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patients were willing and able to learn imagery during the time of their family member’s critical illness, and which factors facilitate the learning. Of the 139 persons invited, 26 (18.7%) indicated willingness to participate, but only 10 participants completed both learning sessions. All 10 subjects achieved increased relaxation with the imaging. Facilitators of their learning were the quiet environment, the investigator’s voice, and the breathing aspect of the technique. Those who participated found imagery beneficial, but further study is needed regarding the basis of both willingness and reluctance to learn relaxation techniques such as imagery to assist with coping during the SICU vigil.
TL;DR: An integrated model of community health that expands holistic nursing to the community as client is presented and nurses are helped to describe their unique areas of expertise within the complex community system and to establish a basis for collaboration and partnership.
Abstract: Health and nursing are shifting from acute care to community settings, causing confusion for clients and professionals. Although the holistic nursing perspective has improved care to human beings in interaction with their environment and has moved nursing away from pathology-focused care, the community as the focus of care has not been addressed. This article presents an integrated model of community health that expands holistic nursing to the community as client. The model clarifies nursing care for the individual, family, aggregate, and community. One can focus on any one level, with the awareness that each is part of a unified whole. Holistic community nursing completes the circle of care by moving beyond the particular part to focus on the greatest health for the community. The intent is to help nurses describe their unique areas of expertise within the complex community system and to establish a basis for collaboration and partnership.
TL;DR: Evaluating the collaboration as a challenging yet enjoyable learning experience, students and faculty shared a successful scholarly endeavor that ultimately led to funding and implementation of a research proposal on Therapeutic Touch.
Abstract: The current shift toward granting funds for collaborative research proposals means that graduate nursing students must be prepared to participate in the collaborative research process. The authors describe how master's and doctoral students worked together with faculty to establish group norms, investigate, design, and disseminate a research proposal on Therapeutic Touch. Project goals, description of group members, and the benefits and limitations of collaborative research also are included. Evaluating the collaboration as a challenging yet enjoyable learning experience, students and faculty shared a successful scholarly endeavor that ultimately led to funding and implementation of a research proposal on Therapeutic Touch.
TL;DR: The results increase understanding of the individual as the participant in question, related to his or her own health and health care, and can be used to develop health education programs and measurements that are meaningful from the viewpoint of people’s experiential world and their daily life.
Abstract: This article describes self-directed health care based on people’s everyday experiences from their own perspective A total of 120 people (aged 30 and 50 years) participated in thematic interviews Data were analyzed using a phenomenological, interpretive approach Three types of self-directed health care emerged Sixty percent attributed their self-directed health care to self-knowledge Twenty-six percent attributed their self-directed health care to information of health as normalcy Health and self-directed health care were distant or insignificant issues to 14% The motives for own health care were identified in each type of self-directed health care The strategies of self-care varied according to the revealed motives The results increase understanding of the individual as the participant in question, related to his or her own health and health care, and can be used to develop health education programs and measurements that are meaningful from the viewpoint of people’s experiential world and their