Journal of holistic nursing : official journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association
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Randomized Controlled Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Breast biopsy and distress: feasibility of testing a Reiki intervention.
The purpose of this randomized pilot was to determine feasibility of testing Reiki, a complementary therapy intervention, for women undergoing breast biopsy (BB). ⋯ Reiki, when administered in the naturalistic setting of a complementary therapy office, did not suggest evidence of efficacy. An intervention offered within the bounds of the conventional care setting may be more feasible for addressing BB distress.
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Improvisation has long been considered a function of music, dance, and the theatre arts. An exploration of the definitions and characteristics of this concept in relation to the art and practice of nursing provide an opportunity to illuminate related qualities within the field of nursing. ⋯ However, little has been done to identify improvisation in the practice of nursing or to teach improvisation as a nursing knowledge-based skill. This article strives to explore the concept of improvisation in nursing, to describe the characteristics of improvisation as applied to nursing, and to utilize case studies to illustrate various manifestations of improvisation in nursing practice.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Loving-kindness meditation for chronic low back pain: results from a pilot trial.
Loving-kindness meditation has been used for centuries in the Buddhist tradition to develop love and transform anger into compassion. This pilot study tested an 8-week loving-kindness program for chronic low back pain patients. ⋯ Clinicians may find loving-kindness meditation helpful in the treatment of patients with persistent pain.
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With increased attention in health care being given to the spiritual dimension of clients, nurses must be able to recognize clients' spiritual concerns and intervene appropriately. This article proposes that nurses may find the concept of spiritual needs more useful than the term spirituality in guiding practice decisions and curriculum development. ⋯ Nursing faculty need to examine curricula for inclusion of assessment of and intervention for spiritual needs. Practicing nurses need to be supported in their role in meeting spiritual needs of clients.
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This article explores contemporary women's perceptions of the experience of the menopausal process within the Western industrialized culture, describes and synthesizes the processes used by women to evaluate available information, and explores and facilitates processes used by women to envision and create change in their life world. ⋯ Nurses can facilitate the process by providing knowledge, assisting women in decision making, and intervening in ways that contribute to a holistic quality of life for women.