The effectiveness of microcurrent neurofeedback on depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: The world faces a mental health crisis with elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, leaving a profound impact on daily quality of life (QOL). Current treatments show varying degrees of efficacy and carry burdensome challenges. Evidence exists for use of an innovative neurotechnology to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the science is lacking for use in the general population. PURPOSES: The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the effects of microcurrent neurofeedback on depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, and QOL in adults. METHODOLOGY: This was a one-group, exploratory pilot study that tested outcomes of depression, anxiety, PTSD risk, suicide risk, and QOL in 20 adults using convenience sampling. IASIS microcurrent neurofeedback (I-MCN) was the intervention that was delivered twice a week for 10 weeks; data collection was baseline, 5 weeks, and 10 weeks. RESULTS: Depression, anxiety, PTSD risk, and QOL improved significantly by the 10th and 20th session; suicidal risk showed nonsignificant reduction. Use of a more feasible interventional procedure established a foundation for use in clinical settings for the population. CONCLUSIONS: Using a more simpler procedure than what was used in a previous study reflected positive outcomes earlier and sustained over 10 weeks. This safe and effective technology carries rare but easily overcome adverse effects and could be an alternative to existing treatments or treatment-resistant conditions. IMPLICATIONS: Advanced practice nurses can apply the evidence to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Randomized controlled trials and testing on diverse populations are needed.

Experiences of African American Mothers Following the Death of Their Infants.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the lived experiences of African American mothers after the death of their infants. DESIGN: Qualitative, interpretive phenomenologic study. SETTING: Northeast Louisiana. PARTICIPANTS: Seven self-identified African American women whose infants died during the first year of life; the women's ages ranged from 18 to 38 years at the time of the infant's death. METHODS: Heidegger's interpretive phenomenologic approach guided the data collection and analysis. The women were interviewed using in-depth questioning to determine the meaning of the infant loss experience and their subsequent efforts to cope. RESULTS: Six themes represented the experiences of loss for the mothers: Shattered Dreams, Questioning God, Dissociation, Paralyzing Fear, Left in the Dark, and Uniqueness of Grieving. Three themes affected the women's efforts to cope after their loss: Authentic Presence, Spiritual Empowerment, and Disconnectedness. CONCLUSION: African American women who experienced infant death described intense feelings of loss, guilt, and isolation. These negative emotions can potentially affect their physical and psychological health. These findings may help health care providers develop culturally sensitive understanding of African American mothers' experiences of loss and equip providers to provide holistic assessment, appropriate support, and treatment for these vulnerable women.

Effects of wheelchair Tai Chi ball exercise on physical and mental health and functional abilities among elderly with physical disability.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 12-week Wheelchair Tai Chi Ball (WTCB) intervention, a combination of mind-body exercise with strength training, on physical and mental health and functional abilities among elderly with disability. Twenty-six elderly persons participated in the study, nine WTCB group participants and ten control group participants completed the study. The WTCB group practised WTCB12 twice/week for one hour each time. The control group did their daily routine without WTCB intervention. The outcomes measures were: Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ), SF-36v2 for physical and mental health, heart rate, blood pressure, range of motion and muscle strength of the dominant arm at the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints. The Mixed Model ANOVA was employed to examine the differences between and within the two groups using pre-test and post-test scores. The results demonstrated the WTCB group had significant improvements on PSEQ, general physical health and had positive effects on maintaining muscle strength at the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints as compared to the control group. The WTCB12 exercise had positive effects on self-efficacy for pain management, general physical health, and maintain upper extremity muscle strength and is a feasible exercise for elderly with disability.

Therapy Dog Effects on Nursing Student Stress: A Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Nursing students experience stress levels that may interfere with success in rigorous nursing programs. While evidence indicates therapy dogs can decrease stress, no intervention standards exist, and outcomes are usually measured with questionnaires. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to enhance empirical evidence supporting a campus therapy dog by explaining the therapy dog's effect on nursing student stress. METHODS: The research used an embedded mixed-methods design. Introductory-level students interacted with a therapy dog on designated days. They measured stress using a smartphone application and Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale. Focus group discussion and program graduate surveys provided qualitative data explaining quantitative results. RESULTS: Results supported use of a campus therapy dog to decrease nursing student stress. CONCLUSIONS: The therapy dog's regular presence on campus may have improved student outcomes by decreasing stress and improving focus.

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Effects of Tai Chi and Electronic Tablet Use on Older Adults' Cognition and Health.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of Tai Chi (TC) and electronic tablet (ET) interventions on older adults' cognition and health and to explore participants' perceptions of intervention activities. DESIGN: An emergent embedded experimental mixed methods design was used in which the qualitative strand helped explain intervention results. METHOD: Older adults who participate in TC classes will have improved cognition and health compared with older adults who participate in ET classes. Twenty-six participants from two assisted living residences were recruited and randomized to receive nine TC or ET classes. The Modified Mini Mental State Exam was used to measure cognition and the SF-12v2 assessed perceived health before and after the intervention. Participants were invited to share perceptions of the two interventions. Institutional review board approval was obtained and participants provided signed consent for both quantitative and qualitative strands. FINDINGS: There was no significant difference within or between groups on cognition and health scores. CONCLUSIONS: TC and ET use are activities that can be delivered in the community and have the potential to promote compensatory scaffolding as described by the revised scaffolding theory of aging and cognition. Future research should involve larger samples and teaching methods that promote learning postures.

Navigating the evidence-based practice maze.

AIM: This article's purpose is to provide nurses with key points to consider in facilitating informed decision making while navigating the evidence-based practice (EBP) maze. BACKGROUND: EBP in nursing evolved from the medical model and continues developing within the holistic nursing paradigm. Inconsistent terminology, multiple applications, and lack of a unifying theory create challenges for nurses. KEY ISSUES: Recognition that multiple knowledge sources to support clinical decision making have merit for facilitating 'best' patient outcomes; EBP must be an internalized value of professional nursing. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple ways of knowing, or evidence, for informed clinical decision making must be considered based on situational context. No hierarchy fits all situations. Nurses must provide support and resources to facilitate nurse empowerment; nurses are accountable for using EBP to enhance patient outcomes. Implications for nursing management Effective EBP implementation relies on nurses being cognizant of what current nursing EBP trends are based on and where they are going. Nurses have a key role in facilitating consensus regarding evidence to be used in EBP, and ensuring availability of resources for empowering nurses to be accountable for outcome-oriented patient care through utilizing EBP.