Use of complementary therapies in nursing homes: Descriptive study.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked FilesComplementary therapies may have positive effect on residents in nursing homes. The aim of this research was to investigate what kind of complementary therapies are provided in Icelandic nursing homes and who are the providers. Also whether the nursing homes need assistance to support the use of such therapies. A questionnaire was mailed to all the nursing homes in Iceland (N = 59). Total of forty-five nursing homes replied or 76% response rate. Registered nurses and licenced practical did most of the planning and provision of complementary therapies. The most common therapies were: heat packs, physical exercise and massage. Managers would like to have more knowledge and support in providing complementary therapies. The use of some complementary therapies is common in Icelandic nursing homes. More knowledge is needed to support the use of CT in Icelandic nursing homes.The Icelandic Nurse's Association University of Iceland Research Fun

Educational courses on non-pharmacologic complementary interventions for nurses across Europe : The INES mapping pilot study

Funding Information: This study is part of a larger EU-funded project called the Integrative Nursing Education Series (INES). The INES project is a European consortium between the Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands; the van Praag Institute, the Netherlands; VIA University College, Denmark; the University of Iceland and Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. The INES consortium aims to strengthen nurses' knowledge, attitudes, competencies and skills on complementary NPIs such as mindfulness, massage and relaxation exercises.This study is part of an EU funded project by Erasmus+ (KA203 Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education): ‘The Integrative Nursing Education Series’ (2019-1-NL01-KA203-060478). Funding Information: This study is part of an EU funded project by Erasmus+ (KA203 Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education): ‘The Integrative Nursing Education Series’ ( 2019-1-NL01-KA203-060478 ). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The AuthorsBackground: Pharmacological interventions still form the mainstay of the management of pain, anxiety, sleep problems and discomfort. In Europe, an estimated 100 million people use complementary non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) for these conditions. In their pre-registration education, nurses do not generally learn about the various types of NPIs and how patients and health care professionals can include NPIs complementary to their standard care. Some nursing schools in Europe offer elective courses on NPIs, often relying on individual initiatives. Little is publicly available about the content of these programmes and how they relate to the current nursing curriculum for EU countries. Objectives: This pilot study aims to explore and map the field of nursing education with regard to complementary NPIs for nurses in Europe. Design: A web-based open-access questionnaire administered through the online survey tool LimeSurvey® was designed by the authors. Participants: The questionnaire was sent to a purposive sample of 49 experts on nurse education and complementary NPIs from 16 European countries. All levels of education were eligible for inclusion. Methods: The questionnaire consisted of 35 items regarding course content, teaching material, teaching methods and methods of assessment. In addition, respondents were invited to perform a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis in relation to their education programme. Qualitative data was analyzed using a directive content analysis approach. Results: Between January and May 2020, thirty-one completed questionnaires from ten different countries were returned (response rate 63.3%). Massage, meditation, mindfulness and relaxation are the most taught interventions. Anxiety, stress, chronic pain, depression and sleep problems are the most common symptoms addressed. Conclusions: Currently, a consistent and European approach to education for nurses on complementary NPIs and integrative nursing is lacking. Although taught at regular nursing educational institutes, the courses discussed here are not yet embedded in mainstream education for nurses.Peer reviewe

Molecular benchmarks of a SARS-CoV-2 epidemic.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked DownloadA pressing concern in the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic and other viral outbreaks, is the extent to which the containment measures are halting the viral spread. A straightforward way to assess this is to tally the active cases and the recovered ones throughout the epidemic. Here, we show how epidemic control can be assessed with molecular information during a well characterized epidemic in Iceland. We demonstrate how the viral concentration decreased in those newly diagnosed as the epidemic transitioned from exponential growth phase to containment phase. The viral concentration in the cases identified in population screening decreased faster than in those symptomatic and considered at high risk and that were targeted by the healthcare system. The viral concentration persists in recovering individuals as we found that half of the cases are still positive after two weeks. We demonstrate that accumulation of mutations in SARS-CoV-2 genome can be exploited to track the rate of new viral generations throughout the different phases of the epidemic, where the accumulation of mutations decreases as the transmission rate decreases in the containment phase. Overall, the molecular signatures of SARS-CoV-2 infections contain valuable epidemiological information that can be used to assess the effectiveness of containment measures

Does the experimental design capture the effects of complementary therapy? A study using reflexology for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links fieldAIM: Our purpose was to pilot test whether reflexology may reduce anxiety in patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in Iceland. BACKGROUND: Nurses need to study the effects of complementary therapies in general and particularly those that may be beneficial to decrease patients' anxiety. It has been assumed that reflexology lessens anxiety, but research is needed to substantiate such expectations. DESIGN: A pilot study using randomized design with experimental and control groups. METHODS: Nine patients were recruited and randomly assigned into groups with five patients assigned into an experimental group receiving reflexology for 30 minutes and four patients into control group which rested for 30 minutes. Anxiety and physiological variables were measured pre- and post-reflexology sessions once a day over five days. RESULTS: The anxiety scores were lower for patients in the control group on all measures. Systolic blood pressure lowered significantly more in the control group than in the treatment group. No significant changes were observed for other variables. Patients' comments and responses overwhelmingly suggested increased well-being due to both experimental and control intervention. CONCLUSION: This study showed little evidence to support reflexology as a mean of reducing anxiety in CABG patients. Several methodological problems were identified that need to be considered further. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It is suggested that reflexology should be tailored to individual needs and research methods used that allow for capturing its holistic nature. Further scholarly work is warranted to explore several methodological issues in studying complementary therapies in a highly complex treatment situation

View of a corner of an old building in Cartagena, Colombia, 1977 [picture] /

Condition: Good.; Title devised by cataloguer based on inscription on reverse.; Part of Wolfgang Sievers photographic archive.; Sievers number: R-4560-XA.; Also available in an electronic version via the Internet at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn4083529

The experience of sudden cardiac arrest: becoming reawakened to life.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink at the bottom of the pageSudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is an event that has tremendous impact on the physical, cognitive and emotional well-being of individuals. Clinical experience and results of various studies indicate that survivors, in addition to having problems related to the underlying disease, have unique needs as a result of the cardiac arrest.The main purpose of this study was to describe survivors' experiences following SCA and resuscitation in order to gain knowledge of the effect of this experience on the needs and concerns of the survivors.This qualitative study draws on interpretive phenomenology. The sample was purposive and data were generated through two semi-structured interviews.Seven men aged 50 to 54 years participated. Participants' experience is reflected in the following themes: feelings of insecurity and the need for support; striving to regain former life; emotional challenges; responding to symptoms; and a new view on life.The findings illustrate complex effects of the cardiac arrest on the survivor's life. Support after hospital discharge needs to be organized in a more structured fashion. The need for security and support was fundamental and should be addressed with continuity and vigilance in health care.Icelandic Nurse's Associatio

Educational courses on non-pharmacologic complementary interventions for nurses across Europe: The INES mapping pilot study

Background: Pharmacological interventions still form the mainstay of the management of pain, anxiety, sleep problems and discomfort. In Europe, an estimated 100 million people use complementary non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) for these conditions. In their pre-registration education, nurses do not generally learn about the various types of NPIs and how patients and health care professionals can include NPIs complementary to their standard care. Some nursing schools in Europe offer elective courses on NPIs, often relying on individual initiatives. Little is publicly available about the content of these programmes and how they relate to the current nursing curriculum for EU countries. Objectives: This pilot study aims to explore and map the field of nursing education with regard to complementary NPIs for nurses in Europe. Design: A web-based open-access questionnaire administered through the online survey tool LimeSurvey® was designed by the authors. Participants: The questionnaire was sent to a purposive sample of 49 experts on nurse education and complementary NPIs from 16 European countries. All levels of education were eligible for inclusion. Methods: The questionnaire consisted of 35 items regarding course content, teaching material, teaching methods and methods of assessment. In addition, respondents were invited to perform a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis in relation to their education programme. Qualitative data was analyzed using a directive content analysis approach. Results: Between January and May 2020, thirty-one completed questionnaires from ten different countries were returned (response rate 63.3%). Massage, meditation, mindfulness and relaxation are the most taught interventions. Anxiety, stress, chronic pain, depression and sleep problems are the most common symptoms addressed. Conclusions: Currently, a consistent and European approach to education for nurses on complementary NPIs and integrative nursing is lacking. Although taught at regular nursing educational institutes, the courses discussed here are not yet embedded in mainstream education for nurses