Exploring the uses of yoga nidra: An integrative review.

AIM: The purpose of this paper was to review and synthesize published research articles that have utilized yoga nidra as an intervention. BACKGROUND: Yoga nidra is a form of guided meditation that has emerged in the literature in the past two decades as an intervention for a variety of medical conditions such as stress and mental health. It differs from traditional yoga, in that it does not require yoga poses. It is a noninvasive, cost-effective approach that is also easily accessible so it can be done in the privacy and comfort of the home. DESIGN: The integrative review methodology by Whittemore and Knafl (2005) provided the framework for this review. METHODS: The databases CINAHL, PubMed, SCOPUS, and PsycINFO were used to search for articles. Inclusion criteria consisted of journal articles in English with no limitations on dates of publication. Studies were excluded if any form of traditional yoga requiring poses was used as an intervention. Also excluded were all types of meditation that were not yoga nidra, systematic reviews, studies that utilized multiple intervention types (i.e., traditional yoga and yoga nidra), and commentaries/brief reports. Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Quality appraisal was completed for each study. RESULTS: The 29 studies that were reviewed consisted of 12 randomized controlled trials, 13 quasi-experimental studies, 3 mixed-methods studies, and 1 qualitative study. Outcome variables were categorized according to themes and results were systemically synthesized and reported by theme: (a) stress, (b) mood, (c) well-being, (d) psychologic dysfunction, (e) biomarkers, (f) sleep, and (g) miscellaneous. CONCLUSION: Yoga nidra was found to be effective in most of these studies. However, there was some clinical heterogeneity in the sample populations and intervention session lengths, frequencies, and durations, making it difficult to draw conclusions about yoga nidra intervention based solely on the findings presented in this review. More studies are needed overall, particularly ones with larger sample sizes and stronger experimental designs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Yoga nidra has the potential to be a useful, noninvasive, nonpharmacologic treatment or adjunct for a variety of conditions, particularly mental health.

Improving Functional Status in African Americans With Cancer Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of the Power Over Pain-Coaching (POP-C) intervention to improve functional status among African American outpatients with cancer pain.
. SAMPLE & SETTING: 310 African American patients were recruited from an urban comprehensive cancer center. The study took place in the patients' homes.
. METHODS & VARIABLES: A two-group randomized design with repeated measures was used. Data were analyzed with linear mixed effects regression analysis and structural equation change score models. Variables were pain, pain-related distress, functional status, perceived control over pain, and the following antecedents to control. RESULTS: Functional status was improved in POP-C participants relative to control group participants (p < 0.05). Distress also was differentially decreased (p < 0.05). Pain intensity ratings decreased significantly in all patients (p < 0.05). The largest intervention effects were observed in the living with pain component. 
. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Perceived control over pain was strongly related to functional status and is amenable to interventions using the POP-C intervention components described in this article.