Experiences of a Therapeutic Equine-Assisted Group Intervention for People with Common Mental Disorders on Sick-Leave.

Common mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and stress-related disorders are increasing worldwide, resulting in long-term sick leave and lower quality of life. Traditional treatment is often insufficient to facilitate the recovery process, and the need for holistic interventions that enable successful recovery is evident. Equine-assisted interventions have shown promising results in health promotion among people with mental disorders, and further research is needed to implement them within the range of available care. The aim of the study is therefore to describe experiences of a therapeutic equine-assisted group intervention for people with common mental disorders on sick leave. The study has a descriptive qualitative design with an inductive approach. Ten participants with common mental disorders on sick leave were interviewed after participating in a 12-week equine-assisted intervention and the data were analysed with conventional content analysis. The analysis generated the overall theme "The equine-assisted group intervention facilitates recovery," which summons the four categories "The environment of the horses contributes to relaxation and an ability to be in the present," "The presence of the horses facilitates supportive relationships in the group," "Interplay with the horses entails physical activity and bodily improvements" and "Emotional interactions with the horses strengthen inner power." In conclusion, equine-assisted interventions have the potential to facilitate recovery for people with common mental disorders by providing relaxation, promoting the ability to be in the present, cultivating supportive relationships and providing physical activity and bodily improvements as well as emotional interactions that strengthen the participants' inner power.

The Role of the Horse in an Equine-Assisted Group Intervention-as Conceptualized by Persons with Psychotic Conditions.

Adopting positive health interventions is necessary to promote self-image, improve well-being, support meaningful social interaction and reduce loneliness, with benefits for psychological and physical health for persons with psychotic conditions. Raised awareness of the potential benefits of involving horses in these kinds of interventions is warranted. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the role of the horse in equine-assisted interventions (EAI) as conceptualized among persons with psychotic conditions. Interviews were conducted with eight persons with psychotic conditions who had participated in an EAI, and data were analyzed following conventional qualitative content analysis. The results illustrate how the horse united the group and facilitated personal maturity both at a group level and at a personal level. In the group the horse facilitated interaction and became a healthy and normal topic of discussion. The interaction between the horse and others helped the participants to become aware of and reflect on behaviors of oneself and of others. At an individual level, the horse helped to develop participants' identities and growth by offer mutual friendship. With its size and calming way of being, the horse evoked a healing power among participants who identified characteristics of themselves in the horse. Through its clear body language and communication, the horse facilitated personal maturity and development among the participants that would not have occurred without the horse's presence.

Health-care seeking behaviour and the use of traditional medicine among persons with type 2 diabetes in south-western Uganda: a study of focus group interviews.

INTRODUCTION: Health-care seeking behaviour is important as it determines acceptance of health care and outcomes of chronic conditions but it has been investigated to a limited extent among persons with diabetes in developing countries. The aim of the study was to explore health-care seeking behaviour among persons with type 2 diabetes to understand reasons for using therapies offered by traditional healers. METHODS: Descriptive study using focus-group interviews. Three purposive focus-groups were conducted in 2011 of 10 women and 7 men aged 39-72 years in Uganda. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and qualitatively analysed according to a method described for focus-groups. RESULTS: Reasons for seeking help from traditional healers were symptoms related to diabetes such as polydipsia, fatigue and decreased sensitivity in lower limbs. Failure of effect from western medicine was also reported. Treatment was described to be unknown extracts, of locally made products taken as herbs or food, and participants had sought help from different health facilities with the help of relatives and friends. CONCLUSION: The pattern of seeking care was inconsistent, with a switch between different health care providers under the influence of the popular and folk sectors. Despite beliefs in using different healthcare providers seeking complementary and alternative medicine, participants still experienced many physical health problems related to diabetes complications. Health professionals need to be aware of the risk of switches between different health care providers, and develop strategies to initiate health promotion interventions to include in the care actors of significance to the patient from the popular, folk and professional sectors, to maintain continuity of effective diabetes care.

Young adults' experiences of living with recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy from a salutogenic orientation: an interview study.

PURPOSE: To describe young adults' experiences of living with recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD2) from a salutogenic orientation. METHODS: A qualitative explorative interview study, including 14 participants aged 20-30 years, was performed focusing on comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness in daily life. Content analysis was used for data analysis. RESULT: Living with LGMD2 not only implies learning to live with the disease and the variations between good and bad periods but also means trying to make sense of a progressive disease that brings uncertainty about future health, by striving to make the best of the situation. Disease progression involves practical and mental struggle, trying to maintain control over one's life despite vanished physical functions that require continual adjustments to the body. Restrictions in a double sense were described, not only due to the disease but also due to poor comprehension of the disease in society. Lack of knowledge about LGMD2 among professionals often results in having to fight for the support needed. CONCLUSION: In order to manage daily life, it is important to be seen and understood as an individual in contacts with professionals and in society in general, to have informal social support and meaningful activities as well as access to personal assistance if necessary. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD2) is a group of progressive disorders, which manifest in physical and psychological consequences for the individual. According to the salutogenic orientation, people need to find life comprehensible, manageable and meaningful, i.e. to achieve a sense of coherence (SOC), but living with LGMD2 may recurrently challenge the individual's SOC. Through the holistic view of the individual's situation that the salutogenic orientation provides, professionals may support the individual to strengthen SOC and thereby facilitate the movement towards health.

Health behaviors as conceptualized by individuals diagnosed with a psychotic disorder.

The purpose of this study is to describe health behaviors as conceptualized by individuals diagnosed with a psychotic disorder. Data were collected by qualitative interviews (n = 20) and were analyzed using phenomenography. Mental well-being took priority over physical health and guided health behaviors. Social relations were significant, and when they proved insufficient, health care professionals were utilized as a substitute. Some relied on religion, complementary treatments, and folk beliefs for health. Interventions not dependent on mental well-being, and assisting individuals to participate in appropriate networks could have advantages. Interventions adapted to the individual's financial situation and cultural values are useful as issues related to these areas can obstruct implementation of health behaviors. Implementing the findings of this study in nursing research and education will prepare nurses to meet the varying health needs of different individuals.