Holistic Self-care Research Articles

Smart Solutions for Veterans: Enhancing Amputee Self-Care through Mobile Technology

Introduction: Disability arising from amputation is intricately shaped by both social factors and rehabilitative care. The efficacy of veterans' self-care emerges as a pivotal factor in effectively managing, controlling, and reducing complications, thereby augmenting and enriching their overall quality of life. This research delves into the creation, execution, and assessment of a comprehensive self-care software tailored for amputees, with a focus on harnessing the practical utility of smartphones and their manifest capabilities in the realm of healthcare.Material and Methods: In 2023, an applied developmental study was conducted, encompassing the evaluation, design, development, implementation, and assessment of a mobile application dedicated to the self-care management of veterans with amputations. The mobile application's conception unfolded within the Android Studio environment, utilizing the Java programming language within the Android operating system. A user interface satisfaction questionnaire was used to gauge the app's usability, with feedback from 20 veterans experiencing amputations.Results: The needs assessment for a comprehensive self-care software tailored for amputation veterans identified requisites across four distinct sectors. Building upon these insights, a holistic self-care software solution was meticulously designed. Evaluating usability and user satisfaction revealed that veterans rated the app at a "good" level, with an average score of 7.88±1.03 (out of 9).Conclusion: The mobile application proved apt in content, functionality, and quality, presenting a valuable tool for enhancing the lifestyle, education, and self-care practices of veterans with amputations. This conclusion stems from a thorough usability evaluation from the end-users' perspective.

A phenomenological study of compassion satisfaction among social work educators in higher education.

Compassion satisfaction (CS) is a phenomenon that has been studied among the helping professions, such as nursing and social work and has been linked to stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. Social work educators may also experience these same issues, yet more research is needed on how they might counter the negative impacts associated with this type of work by utilizing their experiences of CS. A phenomenological study was carried out to explore and describe how social work educators in higher education experiences CS. Eleven in-depth interviews with social work educators were conducted, and constructivist grounded theory techniques were utilized to analyze the data. Social work educators experienced CS within the education and personal realms, which encompassed four different elements: achievement, support, balance, and empathy. The four elements of CS were utilized by social work educators in this study as coping strategies to enhance their experience of CS, thus encountering threats to CS, such as institutional barriers, interaction with administrators and colleagues, and work overload. Interventions fostering compassion satisfaction and reducing compassion fatigue, burnout, and stress should be considered, including interventions that increase the sense of accomplishment, promote holistic self-care, encourage administrative and collegial support, and improve work-life balance.

Blueprints for well-being: Modeling the way through Human-Centered Leadership and Pathway to Excellence.

Blueprints for well-being: Modeling the way through Human-Centered Leadership and Pathway to Excellence.

Describing Remembrance & Renewal: A Holistic Self-Care Program.

Background: Holistic care interventions include support for healthcare worker grief in a relationship-based care paradigm. Few programs support oncology healthcare worker grief and renewal prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: Describe "knowledge of" and "engagement with" a program about grief and resilience, Remembrance & Renewal (R&R). Method: An anonymous, electronic survey was available to healthcare workers at an academic, comprehensive cancer center. Demographic questions were analyzed against "knowledge of" and "engagement with." Results: Of 105 responding to "awareness of," 81 knew about R&R and 48 had "engaged with" the program. Statistically significant relationships between a characteristic and awareness were found for education (p = .03), setting (p < .01), and the frequency of learning about a death (p = .04). Statistically significant relationships between a characteristic and level of participation were found for profession (p = .02) and length of time in job (p = .03). Open-ended questions asked about impact of patient death (n = 93), barriers to participation (n = 54), and feelings after "engagement with" (n = 45). Responses to impact, barriers, and feelings were respectively: sadness (75.3%); time (77.8%); and calm (75.6%). Conclusion: This study describes "knowledge of" and "engagement with" a holistic grief and renewal program. Further study will add to healthcare worker holistic self-care.

Effectiveness of mindfulness based stress reduction program (MBSR) on stress among nursing students- a mixed method study

Background: Stress is not always avoidable but learning techniques to manage stress can develop overall wellbeing by decreasing the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social effects of stress. Learning to manage stress through holistic self-care with MBSR techniques could help to decrease the negative effects of stress.Methods: Mixed method research approach and concurrent dominant (QUAN+qual) design was selected. Total 120 nursing students was included in the study with identical sampling approach. Data was collected by using sample characteristics proforma, DASS-42 (14 items of stress) and structured open-ended questionnaire. Total 7 sessions of MBSR was administrated in the experimental group for 40 minutes.Results: Finding of the study showed that the mean score in the experimental group was lower than the comparison group (12.02 versus 21.82: t=10.12, p=0.001). The major themes emerged were stress and quality of life, body and mind.Conclusions: The study concluded quantitatively that MBSR was effective in reducing stress among nursing students and improved their daily living as well as mental health. Qualitatively the study revealed that stress influence their academic performance and personal life negatively and some student able to fight in stressful situation where as some prefer to flight by using negative defence mechanism.

Healing Justice, Transformative Justice, and Holistic Self-Care for Social Workers.

A self-care movement for social workers is beginning to embrace mindfulness and other forms of wellness. However, self-care is often framed as merely an individualistic pursuit and may be a tool of managerialism, reinforcing the social and economic structures and culture that are causing burnout and moral injury in the first place. Particularly for people who are marginalized, the self-care movement may ignore historical trauma and the ways that interlocking oppressions contribute to stress, trauma, moral injury, and burnout. Drawing from the evidence base on East-West mind-body practices and informed by a transformative practice lens, healing justice is presented as a framework and set of practices of the whole self. The whole self includes the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, social, and ecological selves. A transformative approach to healing can be supported by enhancing the capabilities of mindfulness, compassion, curiosity, critical inquiry, effort, and equanimity. The concept of the healing justice organization is introduced as an opportunity for organizational change beginning with a set of inquiries for social work organizations to attend structurally and more purposefully to collective care.

BETA-TESTING OF A CSMP APP: AN ASSESSMENT OF USABILITY, UTILITIES, AND CHALLENGES

A beta-version of a CSMP app was designed to empower Chinese caregivers with the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy needed for holistic health self-care at the convenience of using their mobile phone. The key app functions included interactive multi-media lessons and practice, scheduling of coaching sessions for problem solving, and extended readings. Four groups of 5 caregivers (totaling 20) sequentially participated in one-hour lab and one-week in-home testing of the app to identify usability, utilities and challenges of using the app. They also were invited to join a social media group chat to enable peer-to-peer communication for support and sharing. Using post-lab interviews and exit survey, the beta-testing allowed the research team to assess external user acceptance and feasibility of using the CSMP app in real-world settings, and helped the team explore the perceived training requirements, values, challenges, and improvement priorities to materialize learning CSMP curriculum in a mobile environment.

A448 From Type E to Me: Personalized, Holistic Self-Care for Clinicians

The majority of integrated and behavioral health clinicians wear multiple hats, with many lacking time or energy for adequate self-care. Although Type E is ultimately a figure of speech (neither DSM- nor ICD-classified), many clinicians feel pressured to be Everything to Everyone. This is especially true for clinicians in caretaking roles outside of work. Unfortunately, when clinicians do not practice self-care, the consumers of services –patients, clients, trainees, and consultees – also suffer. Likewise, low clinician self-care elevates risk for burnout and career dissatisfaction. This session will be spirited and pragmatic-designed to invigorate and inspire clinicians to integrate intentional, mindful, and simple self-care, daily, across life settings. An overview of research in the field of clinician self-care and patient outcomes will open the session. Holistic self-care will be defined and reviewed, and attendees will complete a validated self-care assessment. Participants will learn about the importance of defining, scheduling, documenting, incentivizing, and communicating about self-care across the settings of their lives. At work, for example, simple changes in one’s immediate environment can cue and enhance self-care. Those changes may also facilitate enriched rapport and connectedness with patients, clients, and consumers of clinician services. The session will conclude with participant discussion about simple, enjoyable, or playful self-care practices in their lives. This dialogue is designed to enhance attendee motivation and energy around developing personalized self-care micro-practices. Participants will be encouraged to implement at least one new micro-practice to improve holistic self-care and, ultimately, their own well-being and career satisfaction.

Incorporating holism in nursing education through the Integrative Student Growth Model (ISGM)

The concept of holism is threaded throughout nursing. Holistic nursing practice has emerged as a prevalent concept in the provision of quality nursing care, calling nurses to focus on the whole person. Holistic self-care has been said to prevent burn-out, decrease compassion fatigue, and promote workplace civility. However, strategies for teaching holism in nursing education are lacking. The Integrative Student Growth Model (ISGM) offers an innovative, systems-based model for nurse educators to teach abstract values integral to professional nursing practice such as caring, holism, inclusiveness, integrity and excellence. This article discusses one aspect of the Integrative Student Growth Model, holism, which can be integrated at three defined levels present in all nursing programs. The authors propose a conceptual definition of holistic nursing education and suggest strategies for creating a holistic academic environment at each of the three levels. Finally, recommendations for future inquiry are explored as a means to test the model and the potential impact on student learning outcomes, and subsequently, patient outcomes.

The 10-Min Holistic Self-Care for Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Pilot Randomized Controlled Study.

About 20% of patients with breast cancer are likely to develop breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) following an axillary clearance, and BCRL can be refractory or irreversible to treatment. The aim of this pilot randomized controlled study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-min holistic self-care program for patients with BCRL in Japan. The intervention group (n = 22) practiced the BCRL self-care program including 1) modified Japanese Radio Taiso (Rajio Taiso, national calisthenics in Japan), 2) gentle arm exercises combined with deep breathing, 3) central lymphatic drainage, and 4) skin care using a traditional lymphatic drainage technique daily for 6 months, while the control group (n = 21) received usual care from their hospitals. There was significant group*time interaction in the relative edema volume and relative volume change of the hand, with the intervention group having the better outcome. The intervention group showed significant improvement in transepidermal water loss as well as the mental health component summary score of the SF-8, most of BCRL-related symptoms, self-care time and score, frequencies of exercise, self-lymphatic drainage and skin care, and perceived adherence and effectiveness to self-care, although we were unable to exclude the possibility of the Hawthorne effect. Notably, even in the control group, the self-care was similarly increased, but the significant improvements were detected only in transepidermal water loss on the forearm and upper arm, pain and coldness. In conclusion, the patients who practiced the holistic BCRL self-care for 6 months have shown greater improvement.

Holistic Self-Care: Tai Chi, Qigong Training for Caregivers at an Alzheimer Disease Assisted Living Facility

Holistic Self-Care: Tai Chi, Qigong Training for Caregivers at an Alzheimer Disease Assisted Living Facility

Applications of and Barriers to Holistic Self-Care in a Low-Income, High-Risk Obstetric Population

ObjectiveWe examined 1) women's perceptions regarding self-care, 2) applications of self-care, and 3) barriers to practicing effective self-care. MethodsFour focus groups were conducted in a low-income, pregnant population. Focus group recruitment and discussions took place at a large medical center in a medically underserved area of central Georgia. Thirty-two adult pregnant women attending a high-risk obstetric clinic were included. Data related to holistic self-care were identified and grouped into one of three categories: women's valuations of self-care, applications of self-care, and barriers to self-care. The results were synthesized and compared to results from a study of postpartum women in which the same analytic framework for examining self-care practice was applied. ResultsAlthough women tended to understand the importance of self-care, they had difficulty practicing all forms of self-care on a regular basis owing to financial constraints, limited family support, health complications due to their high-risk obstetric status, external commitments, and childcare and household responsibilities. Applications of self-care were typically inexpensive and mainly required time rather than money. ConclusionsSocioeconomic status seems to influence the specific applications of and barriers to self-care. Health care providers should be aware of existing low-cost resources in the community that may assist prospective and new mothers in tending to their own emotional and physical needs. Providers should also discuss the importance of self-care with women during the perinatal period. Efforts should be made to educate school administrators regarding the impact of spontaneous requests for money for school activities, supplies, and field trips on the family budget.

Salt in the diet in patients with heart failure: what to recommend.

Recognizing the relevance of sodium balance in heart failure, it has been presumed that patients with heart failure benefit from a low-sodium diet, though its efficacy and safety are unclear. The purpose of this review is to provide insight into the currently available evidence base for the effects of dietary sodium restriction in patients with chronic heart failure. There has been an increasing body of evidence on the effects of sodium restriction in heart failure; however, both observational and experimental studies have shown mixed results. Recent randomized controlled trial data has even suggested that sodium restriction may have detrimental effects in patients with heart failure. Only a few randomized controlled trials have included clinical outcomes as a primary endpoint. These have been either unpowered to test the association between reduced sodium intake and outcomes, or conducted in the context of an aggressive diuretic treatment and fluid restriction. The effects of a low-sodium diet on clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure remain unclear. Ongoing research into the effects of lowering sodium for patients with chronic or acute heart failure will shed light on the importance of holistic self-care and dietary strategies in heart failure.

Self-management and Self-rated Health Among Middle-aged and Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in China: A Structural Equation Model

This study assesses the association between self-rated health (SRH) and diabetes self-management (DSM) factors (i.e., conventional self-care, holistic health practices, and insulin injection) among age 40 and older Chinese with type 2 diabetes in China. Three models are proposed and tested using structural equation model techniques analyzing the data from the Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey (1997–2006). All models have acceptable fit with the data. In all three models, insulin injection is negatively associated with SRH. Conventional self-care and holistic health practices predict impaired SRH only when examined separately. Whereas the connection between insulin injection and lower SRH is not surprising, the negative effect of holistic health practices and conventional self-care on SRH warrants further attention. The findings potentially suggest more complex theoretical or conceptual models should be developed to explain the relationship between DSM and SRH in a non-Western context. In addition, health care professionals might consider the benefits of DSM on health and wellness among middle-aged and older diabetics, and cogitate developing effective interventions and instructions for DSM in China that acknowledge the relationship between DSM and SRH.

Holistic Self-Care for Rehabilitation Experienced by Thai Buddhist Trauma Patients in Areas of Political and Social Unrest

This study describes the meaning and practice of holistic self-care for rehabilitation among Thai Buddhist trauma patients living in areas of political unrest where acts of terrorism occur. Eleven Thai Buddhist trauma patients were selected as specified. The data were collected by in-depth interviews between November 2011 and April 2012, and analyzed using the Van Manen method.Those interviewed described "holistic self-care for rehabilitation" as learning (1) to acquire a new life and (2) to bear the increased demands of care as a chronic disease. Health care responses fell into 3 categories: (1) improving physical self-sufficiency and rehabilitation by increasing muscle strength, pain management, and pressure sores; (2) improving psychological well-being by applying positive thinking, making an effort to live independently, and following a set of religious practices; and (3) finding harmony in life through caution and a willingness to adjust one's lifestyle. Although the participants seemed to adapt well to their new lifestyles, extensive support from health care professionals was necessary. This study promotes better understanding of the holistic health care experiences the survivors of trauma have as a result of an unstable political situation that includes aspects of social unrest and terrorism.

Holistic Self-Care for Rehabilitation Experienced by Thai Buddhist Trauma Patients in Areas of Political and Social Unrest

Holistic Self-Care for Rehabilitation Experienced by Thai Buddhist Trauma Patients in Areas of Political and Social Unrest

Pick 2 R's and Walk the Talk of Holistic Self-Care

The author has disclosed that she has no significant relationships with, or financial interest in, any commercial companies pertaining to this article.

Preventing vicarious traumatization of mental health therapists: Identifying protective practices.

This qualitative study identified protective practices that mitigate risks of vicarious traumatization (VT) among mental health therapists. The sample included six peer-nominated master therapists, who responded to the question, "How do you manage to sustain your personal and professional well-being, given the challenges of your work with seriously traumatized clients?" Data analysis was based upon Lieblich, Tuval-Mashiach, and Zilber's (1998) typology of narrative analysis. Findings included nine major themes salient across clinicians' narratives of protective practices: countering isolation (in professional, personal and spiritual realms); developing mindful self-awareness; consciously expanding perspective to embrace complexity; active optimism; holistic self-care; maintaining clear boundaries; exquisite empathy; professional satisfaction; and creating meaning. Findings confirm and extend previous recommendations for ameliorating VT and underscore the ethical responsibility shared by employers, educators, professional bodies, and individual practitioners to address this serious problem. The novel finding that empathic engagement with traumatized clients appeared to be protective challenges previous conceptualizations of VT and points to exciting new directions for research, theory, training, and practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

Spirituality as a Component of Holistic Self-care Practices in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–positive Women With Histories of Abuse

Spirituality as a Component of Holistic Self-care Practices in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–positive Women With Histories of Abuse

Spirituality as a Component of Holistic Self-care Practices in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–positive Women With Histories of Abuse

The purpose of this article is to articulate the need for a holistic theory of self-care for women with human immunodeficiency virus that describes and interprets spirituality as a primary component. The authors propose that by conceptualizing spirituality as integral to self-care, nurses will support and educate women with human immunodeficiency virus utilizing a holistic perspective.