Journal of holistic nursing : official journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association
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Perinatal major depressive disorder affects 20% of women, while perinatal anxiety affects 10% of women. Although pharmacological treatment has shown effectiveness, many pregnant women are concerned about potential adverse effects on the fetus, maternal-infant bonding, and child development. Approximately 38% of American adults use complementary and alternative medicine, including yoga and other mind-body strategies. Although complementary and alternative medicine has been less studied in the perinatal population, it potentially offers women and their providers alternatives to traditional medication for treatment of perinatal depression and anxiety. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review was to examine existing empirical literature on yoga and its effects on women's health and well-being during the perinatal period. ⋯ The use of yoga in the perinatal period shows promise in improving mental health and well-being for women and infants. This review can inform future yoga intervention studies and clinical practice with the perinatal population.
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The last week of life represents an important time for people dying of cancer and their families. To explore the needs and wishes of patients and their caregivers during the last week of life at home, a descriptive phenomenological study was undertaken in a home care facility located in the northeast of Italy. A purposeful sample of participants affected by advanced cancer was included. ⋯ The last interview conducted before the patient died was selected and considered for the analysis performed by researchers independently, who then worked closely together for theme triangulations. Needs and wishes in the last week of life were focused on four main themes: (a) Remaining attached to my life ("I wish I was doing things like I used to"); (b) Detaching myself from life, immediately ("I wish this Calvary were over"); (c) Dealing with the dying process ("Waiting in fear"); and (d) Starting to think of life without each other ("Unshared worries"). In order to improve personalized care in the last week of life, nurses are encouraged to assess both patient and caregiver needs and wishes, as well as their reciprocal influence and correspondence, to identify each patient-caregiver unit's unique holistic care priorities.
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Although health care providers often play music via radio, or play television, to calm and soothe patients, limited research is available to guide practice. ⋯ The use of music and TV is a common intervention in the neurocritical care unit but lacks a strong scientific foundation and is associated with a high practice variance.