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In this
issue: Research at upcoming AHNA conference, Critical
Reviews and summaries of research, brief report from the
Leadership Council meetings, using essential oils to fight
superbugs and much more.
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| Research Committee News |
 As
we think about the waning of winter and the
birth of spring we look forward to new growth
and new beginnings. In that new light I want to
tell you about the new structure for the
research committee.
Click here to view an outline of this
structure. This new structure will enable us to
work more efficiently toward our goals and aims
to provide organization and division of labor to
deal with our on-going projects and activities.
We now have three components of the research
committee: The research projects chair (Evelyn
Clingerman), educational liaison chair
(Sue Robertson) and the
information dissemination chair (Diane
Wardell). Each group will monitor and
help develop projects for the research
committee. We will evaluate this new structure
as the year progresses. Ideas and feedback are
always welcome from other RC members as well as
from the membership.Amber Cline, our staff person from the AHNA national office, will be our liaison and will be involved in one way or another in all the activities of these new components and will work with me to coordinate the activities. She has been instrumental in developing and publishing what is now seven issues of our research eNews, Connections in Holistic Nursing Research. We are now looking for another volunteer to edit this newsletter. Its time for the fresh eyes and new perspectives of another editor. I welcome suggestions or please volunteer yourself to edit Connections. I will be happy to help the next person, or I am willing to be co-editor. The research eNews is published quarterly and again, Amber is invaluable in putting the final product together. I am very grateful to her and all who have volunteered to become more involved and to share more actively in the planning and implementing of what are now appearing to be more ambitious goals for research in AHNA. Leadership Council News Please see the chart of the new structure to see how other members are contributing to our various projects. Please also see the AHNA Research White paper and the reports submitted to the Januaryand April Leadership Council meeting. The LC spent most of its time discussing strategic planning. The research goals include: Short term goals: To implement and evaluate new research structure and to foster the leaders of each of these 3 sections Long term goals To develop a more in-depth focus in AHNA that honors and recognizes holistic research Enhance research focus within AHNA to honor diversity that includes cultural perspectives and research approaches To develop liaison with research, education and practice to develop online resources To develop a vision for continuing professional development for holistic nurses
These goals are in the process of being refined
and will continue to be discussed at the LC
meeting in June.
Rorry Zahourek PhD, PMHCNS-BC, AHN-BC
AHNA Leadership Council Coordinator for Research rorryz@aol.com |
| Research at Conference |
 AHNA's
30th Annual Conference Re-Visioning Environment:
Creating a Habitat for Healing Colorado Springs, CO
June 3-6, 2010 The other focus for this issue of Connections is our AHNA conference in Colorado Springs. This year we had a large number of research submissions for papers and posters. This year eleven papers were submitted and 59 posters were submitted as well (42 were submitted last year). This year we had 8 research grant proposals submitted by 7 individuals. Last year we received 9. The proposals have been reviewed and the recipients will be announced at conference and then in Connections. For the third year, we are offering one-on-one research consultations at conference. (The one-on-ones are now full but space remains for the group consultation "Birthing of a Research Project" see description below) These sessions are offered at a minimal fee for help with a research issue. People have used these sessions for such issues as: clarifying a research problem they would like to study, a question of methodology, a question about funding or analysis, or seeking advice about publishing results. We are still in need of consultants who would meet with others. Please contact Sue Robertson if you are interested in being either a consultant. srobertson@fullerton.edu The research committee meeting will be at conference this year Thursday, June 3rd from 4:30-6:00 pm (before the opening ceremony). As usual all are invited and we will discuss the current projects of the committee and plans for the immediate future. (The drumming will not be in the next room.) Please see the listing of research presentations that will be happening at conference this year:
Preconference Workshop
Workshop 4. Research to Praxis: Using the Evidence to Implement Holistic Interventions for Practice and Education. Research (B) Sue Robertson RN, PhD; Ruth McCaffrey ND, ARNP, BC, FND, GNP. This presentation will help you evaluate research evidence about potential holistic interventions, develop guidelines to support holistic care, and measure the effectiveness of holistic interventions.
Conference Workshops
Workshop 20. A Mind Body Intervention for Depression in a Community Health Setting. Research & Practice (B) Kathleen M. Miller RN, MA, PhD. Examine the process, findings, and experiential elements of a pilot study on a Mind Body Intervention for Depression in a community health setting.
Workshop 28. Research Papers # 2: Research. (I)
Workshop 31. Stepping Stones: Achieving an Integrative Healthcare Framework. Education, Practice & Research (I) Lourdes Lorenz RN, MSN-IH, AHN-BC, Denise Anthes RN, BSN, MBA, HTCP/I, HN-BC, Sandra Barkei RN, BSN, HTCP, HN-BC, Kat Knihnicki Yarboro RN, BSN, PhD, ThD, HN-BC. Designed by nurses, this innovative framework was created to promote a healing culture that inspires personal and organizational transformation within a hospital setting. Application of practical ideas for creating and implementing an Integrative Healthcare program will be explored using Holistic nursing education, practice and research. Workshop 36. Reiki Research Dissemination: The Touchstone Project. Research (I) Anne Vitale PhD, APN; Elise Brownell PhD. Identifies emerging findings, from the Center for Reiki Research, useful for holistic nurses and Reiki practitioners. Patient outcomes, animal studies and Reiki as self-care will also be presented. AHNA
Research Poster Presentations
Friday, June 4, 2010 at 10:30-11:30
am
Poster Session #1
Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 9:00-10:00 am Poster Session #2 1. Is there a relationship between the use of Reiki and the self reporting level of anxiety of a mother of a neonatal abstinence syndrome baby. Christine Naoum-Heffernan RN, MS, CPNP, Reiki Master Teacher, Gilda Castillo, RN, Jeanine Midy RN, Carolyn Drew RN, MS, CCRN, Christine Pailler RN, BSN, Jocelyn Lundi RN, BSN, Janice Weinberg ScD, & Maureen Beirne Streff EdD, RN, MS, CS, BC Abstract 2. Perceptions of Nursing Faculty and Students regarding Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). By Karen Avino EdD, MSN, RN, AHN-BC Abstract
3. Time out for Tea: Guided Imagery Gatherings
for Families and Staff in a Pediatric Oncology
Unit.
Anke Reineke PhD, BCIAC, Lisa Thompson RN, LMT,
CHTP/I, Jeanie Spies RN, MSN, CPNP, & Tamara
Maginot MS Abstract 6. Creating a Healing Environment with Families who have a Child with Special Health Care Needs. Sharon Falkenstern PhD, CRNP Abstract 7. Fostering an Environment of Healing and Civility in Nursing Education. Margaret "Marty" Downey RN, PhD, AHN-BC & Cynthia Clark RN, PhD, ANEF Abstract
8. Healing at home: empowering family caregivers
to use touch as supportive cancer care.
William Collinge MSW, MPH, PhD & Mary Malinski
BA, RN, LMT, HN-BC
Abstract
9. Spirituality of the Older Adult during
Relocation to Long Term Care.
Cheryl Lantz PhD(c). MS, RN & Dr. Eleanor
Yurkovich, Professor, CNS/NP
Abstract 10. Hypnotherapy as an Aid for Smoking Cessation of Hospitalized Patients. Karen Pischke RN, BSN, Joanne Rowley MS, RNCS, HNB-BC, TTS, Faysal Hasan MD & Sarah Conway BA Abstract 11. Nurses as a Therapeutic Presence: A Pilot Project. Debra Groath ARNP, DNP Abstract 12. The Journey of Women with Breast Cancer who Engage in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: A Qualitative Exploration. M. Velma Weitz CRNP, DrNP, Kathleen Fisher PhD, CRNP, Vicki Lachman PhD APRN MBE, & Carolyn Tubbs PhD, LMFT, AAFT Abstract 13. Religious and Spiritual Coping Among Family Caregivers of Persons with Early Memory Loss. Scott Nguy BS & Susan Bauer-Wu, PhD, RN Abstract |
| Birthing of a Research Project |
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You are invited to share our story related to the labor
and delivery of our new arrival. Drs. Bernadette
Lange, Carla Mariano and
Rorry Zahourek are pleased to announce
the birth of the following research project: The
Creation of a Legacy Building Model for Holistic
Nursing: A Pilot Study to Capture the Visionary Spirit
of Elder AHNA Members. This project was planned in
order capture the historical roots and development of
holistic nursing and the legacy of AHNA through the
visionary spirit of its elder members.
This Group Consultation will involve you in how the project was conceived and most importantly, encourage you to participate and to ask questions about or share your own experiences with the early stages of creating a research project. The project began as a pilot study of three Elder AHNA members. The data collected will help to initiate an ongoing, systematic method for the collection of historical data from other elder holistic nurses culminating in a perpetual archive of knowledge and inspiration for holistic nurses presently and in the future. The research process utilized in this project will be analyzed and synthesized to develop a Legacy Building Model providing the AHNA with a consistent method to archive the wisdom of elder holistic nurses, thereby contributing to the discipline of nursing's understanding of a specific body of knowledge - holistic caring and healing.
So come join us in sharing and learning about the
exciting endeavor of Birthing of a Research Project!
Hurry - sign up now only a few spaces
left! $35 fee.
Register online or call (800) 278-2462 Ext. 21.
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| Conducting Research at Conference |
| If you are interested in doing research at conference please note there is a Policy on AHNA Member Utilization for Research Purposes on the AHNA Web site. Please submit a brief proposal to Evelyn Clingerman, emclinge@yahoo.com, and Rorry Zahourek, Rorryz@aol.com |
| How to Conduct a Systematic Review of Literature |
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Lynn Rew EdD, RN, C, AHN-BC, FAAN
The University of Texas at Austin School o f Nursing The current focus on evidence-based practice begs the question, how do I find the evidence? One way to search for evidence is through a systematic review of literature. Unlike other types of narrative literature reviews that often end up unfocused, a systematic review of literature is conducted just like any other research process. It begins with a clearly focused question or questions. For example, if you want to get a general idea about complementary interventions used for women in labor, you might ask, "what types of complementary and alternative medical (CAM) strategies are used to control pain and reduce anxiety among women in labor?"
After clearly posing the research question
or questions, you decide where to search for
the evidence. With current technology,
online search engines become the obvious
answer, but asking known experts for
suggested readings may also be a credible
source of available literature. Because a
systematic literature review is a type of
research activity, the ability for another
person to replicate the process you used is
paramount (Johnson, de Li, Larson, &
McCullough, 2000). Thus you will want to
specify what search methods you used (e.g.,
searching known databases such as the
Cochrane Library, which contains current
systematic reviews, or the Cumulative Index
of Nursing and Allied Health Literature
[CINAHL], which is a trusted source of
published nursing literature).
You will also want to specify what search
terms were used. For the example above,
search terms might include complementary,
alternative, labor, and pain and anxiety.
While writing this, I entered these three
terms into the CINAHL database and found
three papers published in 1998, 2000, and
2008. Using the same terms, I decided to
cast my net a bit more broadly and included
the MEDLINE database. This expanded the
number of found publications to four,
including a paper published in 2006. Being
somewhat dissatisfied with this relatively
small number of papers, I decided to see
what would happen if I looked only for
papers with the term "pain" rather than the
phrase "pain and anxiety." Searching both
CINAHL and MEDLINE together, I found 57
papers published from 1981-2008. And when I
substituted "anxiety" for "pain and
anxiety," I found only eight papers
published from 1998-2008. This shows how
important it is to determine the precise
focus of the research question and the terms
that will be searched. Of course, it is
still possible to use both of these terms,
you just have to keep track of exactly how
many searches you did, with what specific
terms, and what kinds of responses you got.
Hannes, Claes, and The Belgian Campbell
Group (2007) suggest using the acronym PICO
to help in remembering what qualifies as a
clearly focused question. PICO stands for
population focus (P), intervention (I),
control-situation or comparison group (C),
and desired outcome (O). Following our
example: women in labor (P) is the
population of interest, CAM is the
intervention(s) (I), standard intervention
strategies represent the comparison (C)
group, and pain and anxiety are the outcomes
(O). Not all focused questions will contain
a comparison group and, at times, such as in
our example, the comparison group is implied
rather than explicitly identified...Read
More
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| Recent Publication Review |
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reviewed by Diane Wind Wardell PhD, RN, WHNP-BC,
AHN-BC, CHTP/I
S. Janin, S., & Mills, P., (2010). Biofield therapies: Helpful or full of hype? A best evidence synthesis. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine,17, 1-16. Access through Pubmed
A recent review article on the biofield
therapies of Therapeutic Touch, qigong, reiki,
Healing Touch, Johrie and others was published
in the International Journal of Behavioral
Medicine (2010, 17: 1-16). This excellent
article, "Biofield Therapies: Helpful or Full of
Hype? A Best Evidence Synthesis" was authored by
Sharmin Janin and Paul Mills from the University
of California and includes a systematic review
of 66 clinical published studies conducted using
a quality assessment protocol and best evidence
synthesis approach to examine biofield therapies
effects on human health outcomes.
The authors begin with a historical overview of subtle energy and how these practices are being used in modern culture. Their methods for this critical review are clearly delineated using the QUORUM checklist guidelines including the search strategy, inclusion and exclusion criteria for the studies, data extraction that included characteristics of the study about the participants, intervention, methodology, statistical methods, and outcomes. Points were given for categories and summated to provide an overall rating of quality for each study ranging from -3 to 16 points. Most of the studies were found to be of average quality and minimum quality for such things as randomization, use of controls, and appropriate statistical measures. Excellent detail is provided in how these decisions were made and tables of the studies provided for comparison. Next the authors provided a best evidence synthesis on the health outcomes examined in these studies. In their review of pain-related disorders they found a variety of a variety of scales and measures being used as outcome measures. There was strong evidence for biofield therapies effect in reducing pain intensity and improving physical functioning. However, studies were equivocal in their effects on comprehensive assessment of pain reduction (i.e. depression and anxiety) and long term benefits. For those individuals with cancer, the findings suggest moderate evidence for reducing acute pain cancer. There were few studies in cancer patients related to fatigue, quality of life, and physiologic indices of the relaxation response and these studies demonstrated conflicting evidence. In hospitalized patients, there was moderate evidence that biofield therapies reduced anxiety. There was moderate evidence for decreasing negative behavioral symptoms in dementia and there was also evidence that these therapies were well tolerated by the participants. There are few studies in the area of cardiovascular patients and results are conflicting related to the effects on anxiety and physiological outcomes. The authors summarize their findings by stating they are promising complementary interventions. They suggest future research directions to include more thorough assessment of cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and immune variables and also to conduct more comparison studies with other modalities. One statement made by the authors was that researchers should consider following the lead of nursing by using triangulated approaches of combining qualitative and quantitative data to provide a more comprehensive view of the experience and effect of receiving biofield therapies. |
| Critical Reviews and Meta-Summaries |
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Rorry Zahourek reviewes two articles from an issue of
Nursing Research, 2003. While the issue is now several
years old the information has been updated by Sandelowski and
Borroso and most recently (2007) published in a book
chapter. See below. Marguerite Sandelowski and Julie Barroso have published several articles and book chapters on meta-analysis, metasynthesis and metasummary of qualitative data. These have evolved from a methodological project the purpose of which was to develop a usable and transparent protocol for conducting systematic reviews or integration of qualitative study findings. "Methodological clarification, experimentation, and innovation" is the major purpose and "process is the primary outcome" . Sandelowski, M. & Barroso, J. (2003). Creating metasummaries of qualitative findings. Nursing Research, 52, 226-33. Summary Qualitative meta-summary is differentiated from qualitative meta-synthesis as a kind of systematic review of qualitative research more amenable to reports in which findings are themselves in the form of summaries or surveys of the data researchers collected in the course of their studies. In contrast, qualitative meta-synthesis is a kind of systematic review more amenable to reports in which findings are themselves in the form of syntheses of data collected in the course of a study. Techniques for creating meta-summaries include the extraction and abstraction of relevant findings, and the calculation of effect sizes. Metasummary is particularly useful for qualitative survey data. This article describes a process that evolved from a larger project devoted to metasynthesis which is more interpretive of the combined results than metasummary. The authors introduce the concept of effect size which is usually associated with quantitative research. The impetus for their work is the need to synthesize and summarize qualitative data to enhance their use in providing evidence bases for practice. Sandelowski, M., Barroso, J., & Voils, C.I., (2007) Using qualitative metasummary to synthesize qualitative and quantitative descriptive findings. Res Nurs Health, 30(1), 99-111. |
| Research in the News |
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Meditation Offers Benefits for Patients and Nurses
An increasing volume of scientific
study is not only showing that meditation helps
reduce stress, but is offering some
physiological clues about why it might be
beneficial to the body and brain. (nurse.com,
2/10)
A CE version of "Research Reveals the Benefits of Meditation" is available at www.ce.nurse.com/CE385-60
Essential oils could be a cheap and effective
alternative to antibiotics and potentially used to
combat drug-resistant hospital superbugs, according to
research presented at the Society for General
Microbiology's spring meeting in Edinburgh this week.
(Science Daily, 4/10)
Enhancing Adolescents' Health By Simple, Low-Cost Steps
Simple, low-cost measures such as wearing a pedometer to inspire walking and spending a few minutes a day meditating can put adolescents on the track toward better health, researchers report. (Medical News Today, 3/10)
Non-drug Techniques Reduce Pain in Hospitalized Patients
Non-traditional therapies relieve pain
among a wide range of hospitalized patients as much
as 50 percent, according to a first-of-a-kind study
in the Journal of Patient Safety. The study shows
that an inpatient integrative medicine program can
have a significant impact on pain in an environment
where pain management continues to be a major
challenge, and traditional medications can have
negative consequences. (e! Science News, 3/10)
M. D. Anderson Receives 4.5 million Grant, Largest
Ever for Study of Yoga and Cancer
In an ongoing effort to scientifically validate
the age-old belief that mind-body interventions
have a beneficial impact on the health of
patients, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson
Cancer Center has been awarded more than $4.5
million to study the efficacy of incorporating
yoga into the treatment program of women with
breast cancer.
Click on each
title to read article.
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| Grant Opportunities |
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The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is now accepting grant
proposals for Round 5 of Grand Challenges
Explorations, a US $100 million initiative to encourage
unconventional global health solutions. Anyone can apply,
regardless of education or experience level. Grant proposals
are being accepted online at www.grandchallenges.org/explorations
until May 19, 2010, on the following topics:
Initial grants will be $100,000 each, and projects showing
promise will have the opportunity to receive additional
funding of up to $1 million US Dollars. Full descriptions
of the new topics and application instructions are available
at
www.grandchallenges.org/explorations.
ANF Nursing Research Grants
The ANF Nursing Research Grants Program was
founded over 50 years ago to encourage the research
career development of nurses. This program continues to
grow with contributions for nursing research, from
organizations and individuals. These donations support
scientific research for advancing the practice of
nursing, promoting health and preventing disease.
Each year, through our Nursing Research Grants
program, ANF provides funds to beginner and
experienced nurse researchers to conduct studies
that contribute toward the advancement of nursing
science and the enhancement of patient care. Awards
are given in all areas of nursing, including healthy
patient outcomes, health care policy development,
critical care, gerontology, women's health,
community and family intervention.
The 2010 Grant Application can be accessed at:
www.ANFonline.org. The deadline for all
submissions is May 3, 2010. See the
application for further details and instructions.
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| Resources |
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NDNQI Submission Help
American Nurses Association is offering a live demonstration
on how to submit online, a research proposal for the National
Database of Nursing Quality Indicators® (NDNQI®) Data Use
consideration. This event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18, 2010
at 3:00 pm ET for 1 hour, and registration is free. The session
will review the proposal criteria, researcher qualifications,
data variables and submission process. NDNQI Research Council
Members will address questions following the demonstration. Sign
up early and submit your question(s) when your
register. Deadline for registration is Friday, April
30, 2010 (space is limited). Contact Email:
marsha.russell@ana.org |
| AHNA Researchers in Action |
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Carla Mariano RN, EdD, AHN-BC, FAAIM
published a chapter "Holistic Integrative Therapies in
Palliative Care" in Palliative Care Nursing: Quality
Care to the End of Life (2010, 3rd ed.) edited by M.
Matzo and D. Sherman.
Valerie Eschiti PhD, RN, AHN-BC, CHTP, CTN-A
received funding from the NINR for her project, Native
Navigation across the Cancer Continuum in Comanche Nation.
We would love to hear
about your research. Send your "Researcher in Action" to
info@ahna.org
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| Connections Wants You |
We are now looking for another volunteer to edit this
eNewsletter. Its time for the fresh eyes and new
perspectives of another editor. We welcome suggestions or
please volunteer yourself to edit Connections. Rorry will
be happy to help the next person, or willing to be
co-editor. Amber will continue to put the final product
together. Connections is published quarterly. If
you are interested, contact Rorry at
rorryz@aol.com
We are also seeking book reviews for this newsletter. If you
know of a book that may be useful to other holistic nursing
researchers, please send a short review to Rorry. We also
welcome other relevant articles or ideas. |
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American Holistic Nurses Association Although the AHNA supports the concepts of holism, it refrains from endorsing specific practitioners, organizations, products, services or modalities. Opinions expressed in this eNewsletter may not reflect the position of the AHNA.
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