Gina Alexander

“More than I expected”: Perceived benefits of yoga practice among older adults at risk for cardiovascular disease

OBJECTIVE This study was conducted with participants from trials examining the effects of an Iyengar yoga program on cardiovascular disease risk. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the perceived benefits of yoga in a population of older, predominantly overweight adults participating in a gentle 8-week yoga program. DESIGN This study used a constructivist-interpretive approach to naturalistic inquiry. SETTING A total of 42 participants completed the intervention and met the inclusion criteria for the current qualitative study. INTERVENTION The 8-week Iyengar yoga program included two 90-min yoga classes and five 30-min home sessions per week. Participants completed weekly logs and an exit questionnaire at the end of the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Qualitative data from weekly logs and exit questionnaires were compiled and conventional content analysis performed with the use of ATLAS.ti to facilitate the process. RESULTS Four broad themes emerged from content analysis: practicing yoga improved overall physical function and capacity (for 83% of participants); practicing yoga reduced stress/anxiety and enhanced calmness (83% of participants); practicing yoga enriched the quality of sleep (21% of participants); and practicing yoga supported efforts toward dietary improvements (14% of participants). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that yoga may have ancillary benefits in terms of improved physical function, enhanced mental/emotional state, enriched sleep quality, and improved lifestyle choices, and may be useful as a health promotion strategy in the prevention and management of chronic disease.

Contextualizing the effects of yoga therapy on diabetes management: a review of the social determinants of physical activity.

This article provides a review of literature both to identify the effects of yoga-based therapy on the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and to examine the social context of physical activity. Findings from the review indicate that yoga has a positive short-term effect on multiple diabetes-related outcomes; however, long-term effects of yoga therapy on diabetes management remain unclear. The context of the social environment, including interpersonal relationships, community characteristics, and discrimination, influences the adoption and maintenance of health behaviors such as physical activity, including yoga practice. Further research is necessary to determine the extent of this influence.

Yoga for Self-Care and Burnout Prevention Among Nurses

The promotion of self-care and the prevention of burnout among nurses is a public health priority. Evidence supports the efficacy of yoga to improve physical and mental health outcomes, but few studies have examined the influence of yoga on nurse-specific outcomes. The purpose of this pilot-level randomized controlled trial was to examine the efficacy of yoga to improve self-care and reduce burnout among nurses. Compared with controls (n = 20), yoga participants (n = 20) reported significantly higher self-care as well as less emotional exhaustion and depersonalization upon completion of an 8-week yoga intervention. Although the control group demonstrated no change throughout the course of the study, the yoga group showed a significant improvement in scores from pre- to post-intervention for self-care (p < .001), mindfulness (p = .028), emotional exhaustion (p = .008), and depersonalization (p = .007) outcomes. Implications for practice are discussed.

I Could Move Mountains: Adults With or at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes Reflect on Their Experiences With Yoga Practice

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe firsthand experiences with yoga as shared by adults with or at risk for type 2 diabetes and to examine their beliefs regarding maintenance of yoga practice over time. Methods In this qualitative study, 13 adults with or at risk for type 2 diabetes described their experiences with yoga and their beliefs regarding maintenance of yoga practice over time. Semistructured interviews occurred 16 to 20 months after completion of an 8-week yoga-based clinical trial. Results Themes of readiness for continuing yoga, environmental support for yoga, and integrating yoga emerged through data analysis. Conclusions Findings indicate that yoga is appealing to some individuals with diabetes, but maintaining yoga practice over time is a challenge. Diabetes educators may be able to support maintenance by discussing specific strategies with individuals who express interest in yoga practice.

A New Educational Film Control for Use in Studies of Active Mind–Body Therapies: Acceptability and Feasibility

OBJECTIVES The study objectives were to ascertain whether a novel educational film class is an acceptable and feasible comparison group for a randomized controlled trial regarding the effects of an active mind-body therapy on cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women. METHODS Seventy-five (75) participants attended a baseline assessment visit and were randomly assigned to either a yoga group or an educational film (control) group. Both groups attended two 90-minute classes/week for 8 weeks, followed by a second assessment visit. Those not attending the second assessment were classified as dropouts. Over 60 films covering a range of topics relevant to the study population were evaluated; 15 were selected by consensus of at least 2 researchers and 1 layperson. Each film session followed the same format: an informal greeting period, viewing of the film, and a 15-minute postfilm discussion. To determine acceptability and feasibility of the film class, potential between-group differences in dropout and attendance were examined, and participant feedback given during class and on end-of-study questionnaires were evaluated. RESULTS The relation between group assignment and dropout was not significant (χ(2) [1, N = 75] = 0.14, p = 0.71). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated no significant between-group difference in number of classes attended for the yoga (X = 13.67 ± 3.10) versus film group (13.26 ± 1.97), F(1,63) = 0.39, p = 0.53). Participant feedback regarding the film program was positive. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the feasibility and acceptability of this educational film control. Easy to standardize and tailor to a variety of populations, this film program may offer an attractive alternative to the more traditional educational control.

Academic-practice collaboration in nursing education: service-learning for injury prevention

Teams of senior-level baccalaureate nursing students at a private, urban university complete a population-focused public health nursing practicum through service-learning partnerships. Recently, students collaborated with local service agencies for Safe Communities America, a program of the National Safety Council in affiliation with the World Health Organization. This article describes the student-led process of community assessment, followed by systematic planning, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based interventions to advance prescription drug overdose/poisoning prevention efforts in the community.

OA14.03. Effects of yoga on sleep, mood, and related outcomes in older women with Restless Legs Syndrome: a nested randomized controlled trial (RCT)

Purpose Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), a common sleep disorder, has been linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, key components of the metabolic syndrome, and is associated with significant societal and economic burden. Current treatments are often ineffective and can have serious side effects, highlighting the need to investigate promising new non-pharmaceutical approaches. In this nested RCT, we examined the effects of a gentle yoga program vs. an educational film program on sleep, mood, perceived stress, blood pressure, and heart rate in women at risk for CVD. Methods Participants were drawn from a larger trial regarding the effects of yoga on CVD risk profiles. Seventy-five overweight, sedentary postmenopausal women aged 45-79 years were randomized to receive either an 8-week yoga (n=38) or educational film (n=37) program. Main outcomes assessed pre- and post-treatment included measures of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), stress (Perceived Stress Scale), mood (Profile of Mood States, State-Trait Anxiety Scale), blood pressure, and heart rate. Participants completed an RLS screening questionnaire at baseline. Twenty (27%) of the 75 women met standardized diagnostic criteria for RLS (n=10 yoga, 10 film group). Results

Parents' Underestimations of Child Weight: Implications for Obesity Prevention

Purpose Obesity prevention efforts may be ineffective if parents lack awareness of their childrens overweight status. This study examined the factors that predicted parents’ underestimation of child weight status. Design and Methods Using a cross sectional design, researchers recruited children and parents in a local childrens museum. Parents completed a demographic questionnaire, the Newest Vital Sign, and the Child Body Image Scale. Childrens height and weight were measured to calculate child BMI. Random effects modeling examined the association between predictor variables (parent race/ethnicity, income, education, and health literacy, and child BMI percentile, gender, and age) and the dependent variable, parent underestimation of child weight status. Results Participants included 160 parents (213 children aged 7–12 years) representing a racially and ethnically diverse sample who were affluent, educated, and with 36.6% of parents assessed with limited health literacy. Although 45.1% of children were overweight/obese, only 7.5% of parents chose this weight status; 80% of parents underestimated the weight of their normal weight children, 96% underestimated their overweight children, and 72% underestimated their obese children. Parents were more likely to underestimate weight of older children and those under 81st percentile of BMI. No other predictors were significant. Conclusions Parent underestimation of child weight status appears to be a widespread phenomenon in this sample, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, education, and health literacy. Practice Implications The consistent underestimation of child weight suggests that parents’ misperception of weight status represents a critical pathway for intervention. Methods to improve parents’ perception of child weight need be developed and tested. HighlightsOver one third of parents in this sample had limited health literacy.The majority of parents underestimated the weight of their children.96% of parents underestimated their overweight children.72% of parents underestimated their obese children.Parent underestimation was not associated with social determinants of health.

Poor Performance of Children Age 7 to 13 Years on the Newest Vital Sign

Valid and reliable instruments are needed to assess health literacy in children. Although the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) has been well established for use in adults, reports of its use in children have only recently received attention in the literature. Whereas some researchers have reported successful use of the NVS in children as young as age 7 years, others have suggested it is best used in children age 10 years and older. This analysis reports on the performance of the NVS in children age 7 to 13 years, adding to the growing evidence related to the use of the NVS in pediatric populations. Overall, children in this sample performed poorly on the NVS, which refutes previous reports. Differences in child samples and NVS administration procedures may provide some explanation for the lower-than-anticipated NVS performance in this sample. Interpreting the NVS based on educational standards and expectations may provide additional information to determine age-appropriate recommendations for NVS use in children. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2018;2(4):e175–e179.]

Waterborne Disease Case Investigation: Public Health Nursing Simulation

BACKGROUND The lack of safe drinking water is a significant public health threat worldwide. Registered nurses assess the physical environment, including the quality of the water supply, and apply environmental health knowledge to reduce environmental exposures. The purpose of this research brief is to describe a waterborne disease simulation for students enrolled in a public health nursing (PHN) course. METHOD A total of 157 undergraduate students completed the simulation in teams, using the SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) reporting tool. Simulation evaluation consisted of content analysis of the SBAR tools and debriefing notes. RESULTS Student teams completed the simulation and articulated the implications for PHN practice. Student teams discussed assessment findings and primarily recommended four nursing interventions: health teaching focused on water, sanitation, and hygiene; community organizing; collaboration; and advocacy to ensure a safe water supply. CONCLUSION With advanced planning and collaboration with partners, waterborne disease simulation may enhance PHN education. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(1):39-42.].