A Pilot Study of the Effects of Chair Yoga and Chair-Based Exercise on Biopsychosocial Outcomes in Older Adults With Lower Extremity Osteoarthritis.

This pilot study examined whether chair yoga and chair-based exercise are effective in managing biopsychosocial outcomes for older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis. Both interventions improved physical function and mobility over time, although no significant differences between the 2 interventions were identified.

Trends in Contemporary Holistic Nursing Research: 2010-2015.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe and summarize the characteristics of contemporary holistic nursing research (HNR) published nationally. DESIGN: A descriptive research design was used for this study. METHOD: Data for this study came from a consecutive sample of 579 studies published in six journals determined as most consistent with the scope of holistic nursing from 2010 to 2015. The Johns Hopkins level of evidence was used to identify evidence generated, and two criteria-power analysis for quantitative research and trustworthiness for qualitative research-were used to describe overall quality of HNR. FINDINGS: Of the studies, 275 were considered HNR and included in the analysis. Caring, energy therapies, knowledge and attitudes, and spirituality were the most common foci, and caring/healing, symptom management, quality of life, and depression were the outcomes most often examined. Of the studies, 56% were quantitative, 39% qualitative, and 5% mixed-methods designs. Only 32% of studies were funded. Level III evidence (nonexperimental, qualitative) was the most common level of evidence generated. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study suggest ways in which holistic nurse researchers can strengthen study designs and thus improve the quality of scientific evidence available for application into practice and improve health outcomes.

Transformational Leadership: A Model for Advanced Practice Holistic Nurses.

Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse (APHN) leaders could provide a model of leadership to advance value based health care systems in the United States. The American Nurses Association has recognized Holistic Nursing as a specialty because of the emphasis placed on patient-centered care, the development of therapeutic relationships, interconnection, and holism. Transformational leadership is a framework that uses vision, inspiration and intellectual stimulation to motivate people toward needed change. The APHN is well positioned to use transformational leadership methods to lead teams placing the patient at the center of health care decision making and bring the essence of holism to the forefront of health care. Highlighted are methods for positive communication, inspiration, negotiation, and conflict resolution as tools the APHN could use to become a transformational leader. The purpose of this article is to discuss a framework for transformational leadership development and implementation to establish the holistic ideals of APHNs in the health care system.

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Chair Yoga on Pain and Physical Function Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Lower Extremity Osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine effects of Sit 'N' Fit Chair Yoga, compared to a Health Education program (HEP), on pain and physical function in older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis (OA) who could not participate in standing exercise. DESIGN: Two-arm randomized controlled trial. SETTING: One HUD senior housing facility and one day senior center in south Florida. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling older adults (N = 131) were randomly assigned to chair yoga (n = 66) or HEP (n = 65). Thirteen dropped after assignment but prior to the intervention; six dropped during the intervention; 106 of 112 completed at least 12 of 16 sessions (95% retention rate). INTERVENTIONS: Participants attended either chair yoga or HEP. Both interventions consisted of twice-weekly 45-minute sessions for 8 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Primary: pain, pain interference; secondary: balance, gait speed, fatigue, functional ability measured at baseline, after 4 weeks of intervention, at the end of the 8-week intervention, and post-intervention (1 and 3 months). RESULTS: The chair yoga group showed greater reduction in pain interference during the intervention (P = .01), sustained through 3 months (P = .022). WOMAC pain (P = .048), gait speed (P = .024), and fatigue (P = .037) were improved in the yoga group during the intervention (P = .048) but improvements were not sustained post intervention. Chair yoga had no effect on balance. CONCLUSION: An 8-week chair yoga program was associated with reduction in pain, pain interference, and fatigue, and improvement in gait speed, but only the effects on pain interference were sustained 3 months post intervention. Chair yoga should be further explored as a nonpharmacologic intervention for older people with OA in the lower extremities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02113410.

Chair Yoga: Feasibility and Sustainability Study With Older Community-Dwelling Adults With Osteoarthritis.

This study measured the feasibility of completing a randomized control trial on an 8-week seated yoga program for older adults with osteoarthritis. Part of the feasibility of this program was to determine whether participants would continue the yoga practice at home using a guide book after the 8-week program. Findings demonstrated that once participants were not in a group setting for the yoga, they did not continue with yoga practice. This outcome demonstrates the need for group programs for older adults to promote adherence to movement-based programs. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.Gov: NCT02113410).

The Effect of Chair Yoga on Biopsychosocial Changes in English- and Spanish-Speaking Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Lower-Extremity Osteoarthritis.

Chair yoga (CY), a mind-body therapy, is a safe nonpharmacological approach for managing osteoarthritis (OA) in older adults who cannot participate in standing exercise. However, there is no linguistically tailored CY program for those with limited English proficiency (LEP). This 2-arm randomized controlled trial compared the effects of a linguistically tailored yoga program (English and Spanish versions) on the outcomes of pain, physical function, and psychosocial factors compared to the effects of a linguistically tailored Health Education Program (HEP; English and Spanish versions). Participants with lower-extremity OA, recruited from 2 community sites, completed the Spanish (n = 40) or English (n = 60) version of twice-weekly 45-min CY or HEP sessions for 8 weeks. Data were collected at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 1- and 3-month follow-ups. English and Spanish CY groups (but neither HEP language group) showed significant decreases in pain interference. Measures of OA symptoms, balance, depression, and social activities were not significantly different between English and Spanish versions of CY and English and Spanish versions of HEP. It was concluded that the Spanish and English versions of CY and HEP were equivalent. Linguistically tailored CY could be implemented in aging-serving communities for persons with LEP.

The Effect of Reflective Garden Walking on Adults With Increased Levels of Psychological Stress.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this evaluation was to determine the benefits of a reflective garden walking program on adults with increased levels of psychological stress. Outcomes measured included levels of hopefulness, personal growth, and quality of life. DESIGN: The evaluation used a one-group, pretest-posttest to determine the success of the Stroll for Well-Being to assist participants to overcome psychological stressors. Participants were recruited through local support groups. All participants signed informed consent to participate in the study program. A total of 195 participants completed the 6-week program, attended all meetings, and completed all measurement tools. FINDINGS: All of the outcome measures statistically improved on the posttest compared to the pretest scores. The outcome measure that had the largest change in mean score was the Personal Growth Scale. DISCUSSION: Holistic nursing as a specialty should continue to explore the use of green spaces and nature on patients. More research is needed to increase the amount of evidence regarding spending time in nature and using reflection and journaling as a tool to reconnect with the natural environment.

The effect of Sit 'n' Fit Chair Yoga among community-dwelling older adults with osteoarthritis.

The study measured effects of Sit 'N' Fit Chair Yoga on pain and physical and psychological functioning. A quasi-experimental research design included a yoga intervention group and an attention control group. There was greater improvement in depression and life satisfaction in the yoga group than in the control group.

The effect of chair yoga in older adults with moderate and severe Alzheimer's disease.

Using a quasi-experimental single-group design, this study examined the feasibility of older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD)-type dementia to complete the Sit 'N' Fit Chair Yoga Program. Physical function of participants who completed the program was measured. The nine older adults with AD (mean age = 83) participated in the 8-week Sit 'N' Fit Chair Yoga Program. To measure physical function, the Six-Minute Walk Test, the Gait Speed Test, and the Berg Balance Scale were administered at pre-intervention, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 1 month after program completion. All participants completed the program. Positive changes were seen across all physical measures. Further study, using a larger sample and including a control group, is needed to fully determine the effect of the Sit 'N' Fit Chair Yoga Program on older adults with moderate to severe AD.

Chair yoga: benefits for community-dwelling older adults with osteoarthritis.

The aim of this pilot study was to examine whether chair yoga was effective in reducing pain level and improving physical function and emotional well-being in a sample of community-dwelling older adults with osteoarthritis. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to examine the effectiveness of chair yoga at baseline, midpoint (4 weeks), and end of the intervention (8 weeks). Although chair yoga was effective in improving physical function and reducing stiffness in older adults with osteoarthritis, it was not effective in reducing pain level or improving depressive symptoms. Future research planned by this team will use rigorous study methods, including larger samples, randomized controlled trials, and follow up for monitoring home practice after the interventions.

Managing osteoarthritis: comparisons of chair yoga, Reiki, and education (pilot study).

The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether chair yoga and Reiki affect pain, depressive mood, and physical function compared with an educational program for older adults with osteoarthritis. Findings showed significant relationships only between physical function and chair yoga. In focus group interviews, participants expressed feelings of improved health and well-being after the yoga intervention. The major limitation of this study was the small sample size.

An educational program to promote positive communication and collaboration between nurses and medical staff.

An educational program was implemented for nurses and medical residents to improve communication and collaboration. It has been noted that communication and collaboration between members of the healthcare team improve patient outcomes and job satisfaction among nurses. In this article, the program is outlined and outcomes are presented.

Garden walking and art therapy for depression in older adults: a pilot study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to compare garden walking (either alone or guided) with art therapy in older adults with depression. Depression was measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and stories of sadness/joy. Prior to the intervention, 47% of participants had depression scores in the severe range and 53% in the mild range. At the end of the intervention, none of the participants had scores in the severe range, 89% had scores in the mild range, and 11% had scores in the normal range. Results of the GDS data using repeated measures analysis of variance indicated significant decreases in depression for all three groups from pretest to posttest. All participants, regardless of group assignment, had a lower percentage of negative-emotion word use and a higher percentage of positive-emotion word use over time. This study provides evidence for nurses wishing to guide older adults in safe, easy, and inexpensive ways to reduce depression.

Garden walking for depression: a research report.

This study was designed to determine the effect of garden walking and reflective journaling on adults who are 65 years old and older with depression. The Geriatric Depression Scale measured depression. Four themes emerged from the interview data collected from each participant.

Spiritual well-being and practices among women with gynecologic cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To identify spiritual well-being and spiritual practices in women with gynecologic cancer. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional. SETTING: Urban and rural communities in southeast Florida. SAMPLE: Convenience sample of 85 women (X age = 65.72 years) with some form of gynecologic cancer. METHODS: Participants completed questionnaires to assess spiritual well-being and spiritual practices while attending a healthcare clinic. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Spiritual well-being, spiritual practices. FINDINGS: The level of overall spiritual well-being was high, as were the levels of self-efficacy and life scheme (meaningfulness), as measured with two subscales. Most women reported use of several spiritual practices, including family activities, exercise, and listening to music. CONCLUSIONS: Additional study of the spiritual well-being and practices of women with cancer and comparisons with other groups of women are needed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses can assume a role in encouraging spiritual practices and enhancing spiritual well-being in women with cancer.

The effects of lavender and rosemary essential oils on test-taking anxiety among graduate nursing students.

Test taking in nursing school can produce stress that affects the ability of students to realize their goals of graduation. In this study, the use of lavender and rosemary essential oil sachets reduced test-taking stress in graduate nursing students as evidenced by lower scores on test anxiety measure, personal statements, and pulse rates.

Music listening: its effects in creating a healing environment.

Older adults face challenges in function, cognition, and isolation as they age. Nurses are responsible for providing a healing environment to promote health and well-being. Music listening is an intervention that could be used to facilitate a healing environment. This article provides examples of evidence that music can improve the healing environment for older adults, both physiologically and psychologically. Music can connect individuals with their emotions and bring about a sense of self-awareness that improves the quality of life for older adults. Music is a safe, inexpensive, and easy-to-use intervention that nurses can implement independently to help older adults cope with pain, acute confusion, and functional deficits. Examples of ways nurses can use music to provide a healing environment are also included.