- Email: [email protected]
Literature Reviews
International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing (2011) 15, 51–52
www.elsevier.com/locate/ijotn
Literature Reviews Ginger compress therapy for adults with osteoarthritis Tessa Therkleson This study sets out to explicate the phenomenon of ginger compresses for people with osteoarthritis. The background gives a good overview of the nature of osteoarthritis, its conventional treatments and the use of oral ginger in symptom management. Whilst it is noted that ginger has been used externally for many years in Chinese folk medicine there is limited research relating to its use. The study uses a Husserlian phenomenological approach and involved a sample of ten consenting adults over the age of 45 who had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis for at least 1 year. This was confirmed by X-ray and completion of the short arthritis assessment scale. Participants had the compress applied for seven consecutive days according to a defined procedure and whilst resting in a comfortably warm and quiet place. Data were collected over a nine month period using four sources: Diaries describing the experience. Coloured human diagrams noting warmth as red, cold as blue and sensation as yellow. Interviews within one week of treatment. Two follow up telephone conversations. Explication of the data followed a justified method and seven themes were identified from this: Meditative like stillness and relaxation of thoughts which allowed reconsideration of life challenges and created a state of peace and calm. Constant penetrating body warmth throughout the body. It was felt that this warmth was directed to the place where it was most beneficial as was perceived to be activated by the ginger. doi:10.1016/j.ijotn.2010.11.001
Positive change in outlook with particular reference to relationships with others. Increased energy and interest in the world; thinking was more alive. Deeply relaxed state that progressed to a gradual shift in pain and increased interest in others. Increased suppleness within the body which facilitated mobility, posture and breathing and positively influenced social opportunities. More comfortable and flexible joint mobility that facilitated renewed participation in worldly activities. It was concluded that this therapy could be considered for use on people with osteoarthritis though further controlled research is required to explore further the effect of ginger compress therapy. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(10), 2225–2233
Review of risk factors and preventative strategies for fall-related injuries in people with intellectual disabilities Thomas G. Willgoss, Abebaw M. Yohannes and Duncan Mitchell This is a very interesting review that examines issues around falls in individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). The introduction highlights that injuries and trauma are more common in this group when compared to the general population and that this can lead to institutionalisation. It is identified that, whilst falls and their prevention have been extensively investigated in the older population, there is a lack of evidence pertaining to the prevention of injury in those with ID. The primary aims were: to explore factors that contribute to falls in those with ID, to explore
52
Literature reviews
interventions that have been used in the prevention of falls in this group of people and to develop evidence based recommendations/guidelines on falls prevention for people with ID. Data sources and search strategies are identified and described and eligibility criteria are identified. The search identified 177 articles of which 7 were deemed appropriate for the review. The findings identify that falling is common in people with ID and that there is little evidence to help understand falls prevention and intervention for people with ID. They did, though, identify several risk factors associated with falling and do note that they are multi-dimensional in nature. Age: This may be associated with age-related degenerative changes that may occur earlier in people with ID. This may also be associated with the fact that people with ID now have an increased life-expectancy. Epilepsy: In particular it was found that those who had a higher frequency of seizures had a higher risk of injurious falls. Interestingly, they identify that this may be associated with the use of antiepileptic medication. Mobility: In the general population impaired mobility is considered a risk factor for falls. In people with ID the authors identify that those who are most at risk are the most mobile. However, most of the studies reviewed studied non-ambulatory subjects. The associated hazards of wheelchair use are noted along with issues relating to ataxia. Behavioural issues: These may range from hyperactivity to depressive symptoms though it is identified that it is not clear which behaviours may attribute to the highest risk of injury. Conclusions drawn from this review of the literature suggest that fall-related injuries may be minimised through consideration of environmental safety, careful medical management and exercise interventions. Journal of Clinical Nursing 19, 2100–2109
Personality, stress and coping in intensive care nurses: a descriptive exploratory study Lorraine Burgess, Fiona Irvine and Akhtar Wallymahmed This study sets out to examine the relationship between personality traits, perception of workplace stress and coping among intensive care nurses. The paper begins with a good overview of the problem of stress in intensive care units (ICU) which is followed by a broad overview of the concept of stress and its impact both at an institutional and an organisational level. The aims of the study are clearly identified and a cross sectional survey design is utilised to help explore these. The convenience sample (n = 83) was drawn from ICU nurses working within an inner-city teaching hospital in North-west England all were sent a letter, a request for demographic data and three standardised questionnaires. Personality was measured using the revised NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI-R). Stress was measured using the nurse Stress Index (NSI). Coping was measured using the brief COPE questionnaire. Forty-six questionnaires were returned and data were inputted into SPSS for analysis. It was identified that ICU nurses did not necessarily find their work environments to be stressful though some personality traits were associated with problem solving coping strategies and perceived stress as well as relationships between conscientiousness and stress. It is concluded that pre-employment screening may help as part of a recruitment strategy to address problems relating to stress, sickness and retention. Nursing in Critical Care 15(3) 129–140 Mark Limb University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom E-mail address: [email protected]
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
www.elsevier.com/locate/ijotn
Literature Reviews Ginger compress therapy for adults with osteoarthritis Tessa Therkleson This study sets out to explicate the phenomenon of ginger compresses for people with osteoarthritis. The background gives a good overview of the nature of osteoarthritis, its conventional treatments and the use of oral ginger in symptom management. Whilst it is noted that ginger has been used externally for many years in Chinese folk medicine there is limited research relating to its use. The study uses a Husserlian phenomenological approach and involved a sample of ten consenting adults over the age of 45 who had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis for at least 1 year. This was confirmed by X-ray and completion of the short arthritis assessment scale. Participants had the compress applied for seven consecutive days according to a defined procedure and whilst resting in a comfortably warm and quiet place. Data were collected over a nine month period using four sources: Diaries describing the experience. Coloured human diagrams noting warmth as red, cold as blue and sensation as yellow. Interviews within one week of treatment. Two follow up telephone conversations. Explication of the data followed a justified method and seven themes were identified from this: Meditative like stillness and relaxation of thoughts which allowed reconsideration of life challenges and created a state of peace and calm. Constant penetrating body warmth throughout the body. It was felt that this warmth was directed to the place where it was most beneficial as was perceived to be activated by the ginger. doi:10.1016/j.ijotn.2010.11.001
Positive change in outlook with particular reference to relationships with others. Increased energy and interest in the world; thinking was more alive. Deeply relaxed state that progressed to a gradual shift in pain and increased interest in others. Increased suppleness within the body which facilitated mobility, posture and breathing and positively influenced social opportunities. More comfortable and flexible joint mobility that facilitated renewed participation in worldly activities. It was concluded that this therapy could be considered for use on people with osteoarthritis though further controlled research is required to explore further the effect of ginger compress therapy. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(10), 2225–2233
Review of risk factors and preventative strategies for fall-related injuries in people with intellectual disabilities Thomas G. Willgoss, Abebaw M. Yohannes and Duncan Mitchell This is a very interesting review that examines issues around falls in individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). The introduction highlights that injuries and trauma are more common in this group when compared to the general population and that this can lead to institutionalisation. It is identified that, whilst falls and their prevention have been extensively investigated in the older population, there is a lack of evidence pertaining to the prevention of injury in those with ID. The primary aims were: to explore factors that contribute to falls in those with ID, to explore
52
Literature reviews
interventions that have been used in the prevention of falls in this group of people and to develop evidence based recommendations/guidelines on falls prevention for people with ID. Data sources and search strategies are identified and described and eligibility criteria are identified. The search identified 177 articles of which 7 were deemed appropriate for the review. The findings identify that falling is common in people with ID and that there is little evidence to help understand falls prevention and intervention for people with ID. They did, though, identify several risk factors associated with falling and do note that they are multi-dimensional in nature. Age: This may be associated with age-related degenerative changes that may occur earlier in people with ID. This may also be associated with the fact that people with ID now have an increased life-expectancy. Epilepsy: In particular it was found that those who had a higher frequency of seizures had a higher risk of injurious falls. Interestingly, they identify that this may be associated with the use of antiepileptic medication. Mobility: In the general population impaired mobility is considered a risk factor for falls. In people with ID the authors identify that those who are most at risk are the most mobile. However, most of the studies reviewed studied non-ambulatory subjects. The associated hazards of wheelchair use are noted along with issues relating to ataxia. Behavioural issues: These may range from hyperactivity to depressive symptoms though it is identified that it is not clear which behaviours may attribute to the highest risk of injury. Conclusions drawn from this review of the literature suggest that fall-related injuries may be minimised through consideration of environmental safety, careful medical management and exercise interventions. Journal of Clinical Nursing 19, 2100–2109
Personality, stress and coping in intensive care nurses: a descriptive exploratory study Lorraine Burgess, Fiona Irvine and Akhtar Wallymahmed This study sets out to examine the relationship between personality traits, perception of workplace stress and coping among intensive care nurses. The paper begins with a good overview of the problem of stress in intensive care units (ICU) which is followed by a broad overview of the concept of stress and its impact both at an institutional and an organisational level. The aims of the study are clearly identified and a cross sectional survey design is utilised to help explore these. The convenience sample (n = 83) was drawn from ICU nurses working within an inner-city teaching hospital in North-west England all were sent a letter, a request for demographic data and three standardised questionnaires. Personality was measured using the revised NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI-R). Stress was measured using the nurse Stress Index (NSI). Coping was measured using the brief COPE questionnaire. Forty-six questionnaires were returned and data were inputted into SPSS for analysis. It was identified that ICU nurses did not necessarily find their work environments to be stressful though some personality traits were associated with problem solving coping strategies and perceived stress as well as relationships between conscientiousness and stress. It is concluded that pre-employment screening may help as part of a recruitment strategy to address problems relating to stress, sickness and retention. Nursing in Critical Care 15(3) 129–140 Mark Limb University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom E-mail address: [email protected]
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com