Foot Reflexology: An Intervention for Pain and Nausea Among Inpatients With Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Pain and nausea affect a significant number of patients with cancer. Applying foot reflexology to this population has had some positive effects, but more studies are needed to confirm its efficacy. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of foot reflexology on pain and nausea among inpatients with cancer as compared to traditional nursing care alone. METHODS: A pilot study was conducted with adult patients with cancer hospitalized on a 24-bed inpatient oncology unit. Using convenience sampling, 40 patients provided consent and were randomized into either the intervention or control group. Each group had a treatment session of 20-25 minutes in which pre- and postsession surveys were completed, with reflexology performed in the intervention group only. FINDINGS: Results show that foot reflexology significantly decreases pain for inpatients with cancer as compared to traditional nursing care alone. Although the effects on nausea are not statistically significant, they may be clinically relevant; the mean changes in pre- and postsession nausea ratings indicate at least some decreased nausea among patients in the intervention group.

Nursing Group Empowerment: Instrument Revision.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Sieloff-King Assessment of Group Empowerment with Organizations (SKAGEO) has demonstrated consistent reliability and validity, although past participants reported the need for revisions to further improve its clarity and ease of use in research. The purpose of this research was to use focus groups to revise the SKAGEO. METHODS: Two focus groups were held (seven RNs and one student nurse). Thematic analysis was used to analyze the focus group discussions. RESULTS: Five major themes, and eleven subthemes, were identified as areas for future revisions to further improve the instrument's clarity and use in research. CONCLUSIONS: Revisions in the SKAGEO, based on the areas identified by the focus groups, would result in an instrument that would more easily be understood and incorporated into research.

Getting Your Grumble Back.

PURPOSE OF STUDY: Viewing the surgical patient holistically within their environment of care, the bedside nurse is aware of the possible complication of postoperative paralytic ileus that can lead to patient discomfort and increased medical costs. Acute care nurses observed postoperative patients watching televised cooking shows on a consistent basis and questioned if there was a mind-body link between bowel function and watching cooking shows. DESIGN OF STUDY: The study used an observational approach to examine the return of bowel sounds for postoperative patients. METHOD: Ninety-four patients that underwent abdominal surgery participated. A questionnaire was administered to capture total hours postsurgery of patient viewing cooking shows followed by chart review for age, height, weight, information specific to surgery, and documented first postsurgical flatus. FINDINGS: This study found that non-bariatric general surgery patients who watch cooking shows during hospitalization are significantly more likely to experience return of appetite and stomach sounds within 1 day postsurgery than patients who do not watch cooking shows. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, the authors suggest that, when possible, patients who receive non-bariatric abdominal surgery be encouraged to watch cooking shows to experience the potential benefits such as early return of bowel functioning.

Effects of Healing Touch on Postsurgical Adult Outpatients.

This prospective pilot study was implemented to determine whether a Healing Touch (HT) treatment postoperatively would have an effect on pain, anxiety, blood pressure, and pulse rate in adult postoperative outpatients. Using a randomized control trial design, participants were assigned to a control or intervention group. The control group received traditional nursing care (TNC), and the intervention group received a HT treatment in addition to TNC. Pre- and postdata collection included measurement of pain, anxiety, blood pressure, and pulse. HT treatment was at least as effective as TNC for reduction in pain and more effective in reducing anxiety. Posttreatment anxiety ratings in the intervention group had a significant decrease (0.55; p = .029), while the reduction in anxiety in the control group was not significant (0.25; p = .22). Neither group showed any difference pre- versus posttreatment in blood pressure or pulse. The intervention group had a decrease in pain rating of 1.0 (p < .001), and the control group had a decrease of 0.64 (p = .02). There was a trend toward a decrease in the use of narcotics with HT. HT is an appropriate modality to decrease anxiety, may be appropriate for pain reduction, and may decrease the amount of narcotics needed postoperatively. Patient comments reflected the relaxing effects of receiving HT. The findings support the use of HT as an effective complementary intervention for surgical outpatients, however additional research is recommended.

The hidden treasure in nursing leadership: informal leaders.

AIM: The goal of the present article was to generate awareness of characteristics of informal leaders in healthcare with the emphasis on nurses in acute care settings. There is limited research or literature regarding informal leaders in nursing and how they positively impact nursing management, the organization and, ultimately, patient care. Identification of nurses with leadership characteristics is important so that leadership development and mentoring can occur within the nursing profession. BACKGROUND: More than ever, nursing needs energetic, committed and dedicated leaders to meet the challenges of the healthcare climate and the nursing shortage. This requires nurse leaders to consider all avenues to ensure the ongoing profitability and viability of their healthcare facility. KEY ISSUES: This paper discusses clinical nurses as informal leaders; characteristics of the informal nurse leader, the role they play, how they impact their unit and how they shape the organization. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Informal nurse leaders are an underutilized asset in health care. If identified early, these nurses can be developed and empowered to impact unit performance, efficiency and environmental culture in a positive manner.

Effects of holistic nursing course: a paradigm shift for holistic health practices.

A study of an undergraduate course in holistic nursing was conducted to determine its impact on personal and professional health care practices. A mixed method design was used to examine responses on a sample of 200 participants. Results indicated a positive personal impact with continued application of concepts into professional health practices. Personal and professional nursing practices were influenced from 1 to 7 years after completing the holistic nursing course. After introduction of the concepts of self-care and holistic approaches to health, students and graduates experienced a shift in values and beliefs related to their own health practices. Continued exposure to holistic practices creates a pattern of awareness toward health that affects future personal and professional nursing practice, creating a paradigm shift for emerging nursing students and graduates from the course. This affects the manner in which nurses meet the needs of their clients in a variety of settings.