ABSTRACT
Therapeutic riding (THR) and HeartMath (HM) mindfulness-based interventions have promise for reducing stress in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. In three 10-week periods, this study compared THR, HM, and control on salivary cortisol, self-reported stress, parent-reported social responsiveness, and heart-rate variability. This crossover design included 27 participants (12-21 years) randomly assigned to order of intervention. Findings suggest that HM and THR manualized protocols are equally beneficial in decreasing cortisol levels immediately following a session, but HM sessions had more impact on heart-rate variability. There was no significant effect on follow-up cortisol levels within a week after either intervention, but THR had more impact on decreasing some self-reported stressors.
Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder , Autistic Disorder , Mindfulness , Recreation Therapy , Adolescent , Autism Spectrum Disorder/therapy , Autistic Disorder/therapy , Cross-Over Studies , Humans , Hydrocortisone , Mindfulness/methods , Stress, Psychological/therapyABSTRACT
Experiential techniques, such as role plays and simulations, are recommended to achieve nursing home staff training and development objectives. Experiential techniques can be customized to match the learning styles and preferences of all levels of nursing staff. Nursing staff's reactions to and benefits from such techniques are a necessary first step in the evaluation of a skills training program. Project RELATE (Research and Education for Living with Alzheimer's Disease: Therapeutic Eldercare) measured reactions to and knowledge gained by nursing staff using such techniques in training person-centered care. Findings suggest experiential techniques are efficacious as learning methods.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/nursing , Education, Nursing, Continuing/organization & administration , Nursing Assistants/education , Nursing Staff/education , Problem-Based Learning/organization & administration , Staff Development/organization & administration , Adult , Aged , Attitude of Health Personnel , Audiovisual Aids , Clinical Competence/standards , Female , Geriatric Nursing/education , Geriatric Nursing/organization & administration , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Michigan , Middle Aged , Nursing Assistants/psychology , Nursing Education Research , Nursing Homes/organization & administration , Nursing Methodology Research , Nursing Staff/psychology , Patient-Centered Care/organization & administration , Program Evaluation , Role Playing , Surveys and Questionnaires , United StatesABSTRACT
This study examined whether effects of person-centered care and person-centered mentoring were sustained postintervention from the perspective of long-term care nursing staff. Separate focus groups for administration, nurse mentors, and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) were used to assess perception of change in behaviors. CNAs sustained person-centered care skills on the job while nurse mentors experienced less change. With regard to nurse-CNA relationships, a discrepancy in the perceptions of nurses and CNAs was evident. The non-threatening environment of focus groups allowed staff to share their perceptions of the barriers to behavior change needed to sustain the intervention over time.
