ABSTRACT
Animal assisted therapy (AAT) programs are popular and there has been a proliferation of programs across settings. However, the research to support this intervention has not kept pace. This is particularly so for people who are hospitalized. This investigation aimed to explore the effects of the AAT dog visitation program on patients. A single group pre-post quasi-experimental design evaluated the effect of pet therapy on patients. Measures included salivary cortisol, anxiety, wellbeing, comfort, respiratory and heart rate. Analysis indicates a significant reduction in heart and respiratory rates p < .01 and level of anxiety p < .000 with improved levels of comfort and well-being p < .000. The salivary cortisol result was non-significant p = .623. This ATT dog program resulted in reduced anxiety levels and decreased heart and respiratory rates while improving subjective measures of comfort and wellbeing.
Subject(s)
Animal Assisted Therapy , Animals , Anxiety , Critical Care , Dogs , Heart Rate , HumansABSTRACT
Human milk provides superior nutritional value for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit and is the enteral feeding of choice. Our hospital used the system engineering initiative for patient safety model to evaluate the human milk management system in our neonatal intensive care unit. Nurses described the previous process in a negative way, fraught with opportunities for error, increased stress for nurses, and the need to be away from the bedside and their patients. The redesigned process improved the quality and safety of human milk management and created time for the nurses to spend with their patients.
Subject(s)
Intensive Care Units, Neonatal , Milk, Human , Patient Safety , Enteral Nutrition , Humans , Infant, NewbornABSTRACT
Interruptions in sleep for hospitalized patients have been correlated with decreases in immune function, changes in mental status, and increased stress levels. The purpose of this study was to explore patients' perceptions of their sleep experiences during hospitalization. Structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of patients who had spent three consecutive nights in the hospital. Data was analyzed by content analysis; three themes emerged from the data. The findings from this pilot study will lead to further research in nursing practice as it relates to supporting sleep and rest in hospitalized patients.
Subject(s)
Acute Disease/nursing , Hospitalization , Inpatients/psychology , Sleep Wake Disorders/nursing , Sleep , Acute Disease/psychology , Adult , Humans , Nursing Methodology Research , Pilot Projects , Qualitative Research , Sleep Wake Disorders/psychologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To review the published research related to the interventions of Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, and Healing Touch representing energy therapies in relation to oncology nursing. DATA SOURCES: Peer-reviewed literature. CONCLUSION: There is growing evidence that energy therapies have a positive effect on symptoms associated with cancer. While there is need for further research, it is clear that an appreciation for the value of research methods beyond the randomized control trial is important. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Energy therapies offer additional strategies for oncology nurses providing integrated nursing care to alleviate suffering and symptom distress of patients with cancer.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms/therapy , Oncology Nursing , Therapeutic Touch , Adaptation, Psychological , Complementary Therapies/methods , Humans , Neoplasms/nursing , Neoplasms/psychology , Quality of Life/psychology , Stress, PsychologicalABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Therapeutic Touch (TT) is a complementary modality that has been demonstrated to reduce psychological distress and help patients to relax. It is unclear if there is an impact of TT on biobehavioral markers such as cortisol and natural killer cells (NKCs). There is some preliminary evidence that suggests relaxation may have positive effects on the immune system. PURPOSE: To test the efficacy of TT on pain and biobehavioral markers in patients recovering from vascular surgery. FRAMEWORK: The study was grounded in a psychoneuroimmunology framework to address how complementary therapies affect pain and biobehavioral markers associated with recovery in surgical patients. DESIGN: This was a between-subjects intervention study. SAMPLE: Twenty-one postoperative surgical patients. MEASURES: Measures of level of pain and levels of cortisol and NKCs were obtained before and after a TT treatment. RESULTS: Compared with those who received usual care, participants who received TT had significantly lower level of pain, lower cortisol level, and higher NKC level. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Evidence supports TT as a beneficial intervention with patients. Future research on TT is still needed to learn more about how it functions. However, there is evidence to support incorporating TT into nursing practice.
Subject(s)
Holistic Health , Pain, Postoperative/nursing , Postoperative Care/nursing , Postoperative Care/rehabilitation , Therapeutic Touch/nursing , Vascular Surgical Procedures/rehabilitation , Aged , Female , Humans , Hydrocortisone/metabolism , Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged , Nursing Methodology Research , Pain Measurement , Pain, Postoperative/prevention & control , Postoperative Complications/prevention & control , Therapeutic Touch/methods , Treatment Outcome , Vascular Diseases/surgery , Vascular Surgical Procedures/methodsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hospitalized patients encounter stressors that impact their experience and recovery. There is a need for theoretically-based, empirically supported nursing interventions to create a therapeutic and healing environment that decrease stress and improve patients' experiences. PURPOSE: To determine whether pet therapy interventions improve physiological, behavioral and mood outcomes and experiences of hospitalized patients. METHODS: A single group pre-post-quasi-experimental design with mixed methods was used in 59 hospitalized patients. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate changes from baseline following a pet therapy intervention. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, patients had significant decreases in pain, respiratory rate and negative mood state and a significant increase in perceived energy level. Quantitative and qualitative findings provide support for decreased tension/anxiety and fatigue/inertia and improved overall mood. CONCLUSIONS: Pet therapy is a low-tech, low-cost therapy that improved mood and was meaningful to hospitalized patients.
Subject(s)
Affect , Complementary Therapies/psychology , Human-Animal Bond , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Animals , Anxiety/psychology , Dogs , Fatigue/psychology , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pain/psychology , Respiration , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
The Carol A. Ghiloni Oncology Fellowship Program (OFP), developed in 2001, provides an opportunity for student nurses between their junior and senior years in a baccalaureate program to learn about the role that nurses play in providing care to patients with cancer. To explore whether former fellows felt prepared for employment in oncology nursing after their fellowship experience, a focus group discussion with former student nurse oncology fellows was conducted. The discussion was audiotaped and transcribed. Content analysis of the transcripts revealed four key findings: OFP provides an opportunity to make informed career choices; OFP provides confidence-building experience; OFP provides an experience of preceptor role modeling; and OFP provides an opportunity to build relationships with staff, patients, and patients' families.
