Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Impact Of Brief Electronic Guided Mindfulness Meditation On Anxiety Scores, Sierra King

DNP Scholarly Projects

In the United States, anxiety rates are on the rise for the general population (Goodwin et al., 2020a). Prolonged and frequent anxiety can become unprompted and problematic (American Psychiatric Association, 2021). Management of anxiety is crucial for overall wellbeing. Access to treatment and resources for anxiety may be limited in rural geographical locations (Morales et al., n.d.). This DNP project sought to determine whether a brief intervention of electronic guided mindfulness meditation (MM) by Insight Timer is effective in decreasing anxiety in a rural populous. Convenience sampling recruited a final total of 11 rural participants who participated in seven sessions …

Music Intervention And Its Effect On State Anxiety: An Integrative Literature Review, Courtney Olek

Nursing Masters Papers

Approximately 5 million patients are admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICU) in the United States for acute or life-threatening medical problems or injuries annually. The ICU patient experience has been described in the literature as dehumanizing, stressful, and anxiety provoking. Given the adverse physiological and psychological effects of sustained state anxiety, it is important anxiety is effectively managed in the ICU environment. Standard care for management of anxiety often relies heavily upon sedative medications and are correlated with poor outcomes when used in high doses and over a long duration. The SCCM recommends nonpharmacologic adjunctive measures to decrease the occurrence …

Utilization Of The Calm Apparatus To Adult Men And Women With Atrial Fibrillation To Decrease Emergency Department Visits For Atrial Fibrillation, Ami Klein

DNP Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this project is two-fold. The first is to determine if the CALM APP use by adult men and women with atrial fibrillation (AF) will decrease anxiety. The second is to determine if decreased anxiety utilizing the CALM APP will deter admissions to the emergency department (ED) for AF in the first month post-catheter ablation of AF. The Zung SAS was used to determine the pre- and post-anxiety scores. The Seven Days of Calm (free app) was used to teach deep breathing and meditation. This study showed a moderate decrease in ED visits with use of the Calm …

A Comparison Of The Magnitude Of The Mental Health Benefits Of Exercising Outdoors Vs Exercising Indoors: A Review, Greta M. Rueschmann

MSU Graduate Theses

Many people in the United States suffer from poor mental health which can lead to suicide, self-harm, or negative effects on job performance and relationships. Not everyone can afford traditional therapy nor feels comfortable with it. With a greater emphasis placed on taking care of one’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, there should also be a greater emphasis placed on finding alternative types of therapy that can be matched to individuals based on their personalities and preferences. One such alternative is outdoor exercise. This review was conducted to examine whether exercising or performing physical activity outdoors results in greater …

Effects Of Mindfulness And Stress Management On Neurocardiovascular And Psychological Outcomes, Aditi P. Vyas

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

There has been a higher prevalence of developing anxiety due to frequent episodes of stress among adults in recent years. Chronic anxiety can contribute to the prevalence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension. High anxiety and stress also contribute to overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system which can be quantified by increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). Sympathetic overactivation can lead to vasoconstriction and loss of arterial elasticity. Anxiety, MSNA, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness are all interconnected, thus studying these relationships is crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Non-pharmacological and mind-body …

Mindfulness-Based Interventions For Prenatal Stress, Anxiety, And Depression, Fiona Kate Rice

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Pregnant people in the United States (US) face myriad barriers to resource accessibility when seeking support, including financial gatekeeping, discrimination, and cis-gendering of the process. Commodification of prenatal support is exhaustive and contributes to a growing exclusivity of traditionally accessible interventions designed to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and to promote positive fetal outcomes and parent-child bond. Mindfulness-based interventions are particularly appropriate for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression in pregnancy. Mindfulness-based interventions are intersectional, accessible means of pregnancy and childbirth support with evidence-based outcomes of positive birth experiences and results. Mindfulness is defined as nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment. …

Exploring The Usefulness Of Mindfulness Practices Through Zoom Meetings In Reducing Anxiety And/Or Stress Of Adults With Learning And Developmental Disabilities During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Thatiane Abra

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explored which mindfulness meditations or mindfulness practices could be beneficial in the online sessions, the extent to which adults with learning and developmental disabilities could learn the practices remotely, and how stress and anxiety disorders could be reduced through online mindfulness interventions. Furthermore, it was also necessary to address the online sessions as the only mental health treatment possibility during the Coronavirus pandemic for the clients observed and the benefits and limitations of these interventions. Additionally, the importance of structure and routine for this population, the multi-modal structure of the interventions, and how attunement plays an important role …

Using Mindfulness To Decrease Stress In College Students, Saska Pavlovic

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The prevalence of stress is increasing in colleges, where students are experiencing anxiety at an alarming rate, with anxiety being the topic most discussed in university counseling centers. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to determine the effect of mindfulness exercises on college students’ perceived stress. The Stetler Model guided the project development and implementation. The literature search revealed that best practice included mindfulness exercises through a combination of face-to-face instruction and remote online audio meditation for a duration of eight weeks. For this project, 56 undergraduate students (health care-leadership, health-science, and nursing majors) enrolled in a health …

Complementary And Alternative Medicine: The Effects Of Aromatherapy On New And Expectant Mothers, Heather Tran

Nursing | Senior Theses

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is vastly expanding and is now being used in the clinical setting as an effective management of various symptoms. Pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period can be beautiful yet overwhelming moments in a woman’s life. The symptoms that are usually accompanied along this journey include nausea, vomiting, anxiety, pain, fatigue, stress and more. Aromatherapy has been proven to be a safe and natural, non-pharmacological method in reducing these symptoms that may make it harder for the mother to enjoy her pregnancy. This holistic approach to treatment is inexpensive, noninvasive, does not require a prescription from …

Addressing Psychosocial Outcomes Of Social Isolation In Older Adults, Megan Friesen, Madeline M. Christensen

Nursing DNP Projects

Purpose and Rationale

The aim of the evidence-based practice (EBP) project is to improve psychological outcomes for socially isolated older adults enrolled in a Homebound Program (HP) through the implementation of an EBP intervention. Social isolation has a multitude of negative consequences, including impacting the psychological health (e.g. depression, loneliness, anxiety) of the older adult population.

Synthesis of Evidence

Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials addressing the clinical problem of social isolation were identified. Through critical appraisal of the evidence, physical activity, psychotherapy, and socialization interventions have shown to decrease depression and loneliness in older adults. There were mixed …

Characterizing The Anxiolytic Potential And Synergistic Efficacy Of Cannabidiol And D-Limonene, Nathashi Jayawardena

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Emerging evidence has elucidated the anxiolytic properties of the cannabis-derived phytochemicals cannabidiol (CBD) and d-limonene and the ‘Entourage Effect’ wherein, multiple components of cannabis synergize to produce stronger effects than their pure counterparts. However, no studies have yet explored this effect in combinations of CBD and limonene. Thus, the present thesis investigated the anxiolytic and synergistic potential of concurrently administered intra-nucleus accumbens shell CBD (1 ng/0.5 μl or 5 ng/0.5 μl) and inhaled limonene (200 μl or 2000 μl). Additionally, the role of the 5-HT1A receptor in mediating these effects was examined by co-application of the antagonist NAD299 and by …

A Retrospective Analysis Of Integrative Group Medical Visits For Low-Income Patients With Anxiety Disorders In Primary Care, Annamma Udaya Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High utilization of the emergency department (ED) by patients with anxiety symptoms has brought attention to mental health access disparities among low-income racially/ethnically diverse populations. The health system in this study attempted to increase access to mental health care with integrative group medical visits (IGMVs), a nonpharmacological intervention with biomedical care consultation, health education, and peer support. The purpose of this retrospective comparative analysis, guided by integrative health equity in primary care framework, was to determine whether patients with diagnoses of anxiety who attended four or more IGMVs had reduced nonemergent ED utilization, reduced prescribed doses of benzodiazepine (BZD), and …

Exploring The Role Of Cannabidiol-Monoterpene Formulations In Modulating Anxiety Symptoms, Richard Leu

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

While cannabidiol (CBD) has been documented to elicit anxiolytic effects, only recently have studies been conducted demonstrating the anxiolytic efficacy of the aromatic monoterpene, linalool. Pa

While cannabidiol (CBD) has been documented to elicit anxiolytic effects, only recently have studies demonstrated the anxiolytic efficacy of the aromatic monoterpene, linalool. Past research involving phytocannabinoid-phytocannabinoid formulations has shown that CBD may yield superior anxiolytic efficacy when administered alongside other cannabis compounds, with this phenomenon termed the “Entourage Effect” (EE); however, this EE has not been investigated in phytocannabinoid-terpene formulations. Furthermore, investigations involving intra-cranial CBD administration have shown the nucleus accumbens shell, known …

Effectiveness Of Ashtanga And Vinyasa Yoga: Combating Anxiety, Depression, Stress And Sleep Quality., Kati Street

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This lack of rigor in yoga research methodology hinders the understanding of yoga components and best practices. This study implements two yoga interventions with recommended adequate structure, one more physically demanding (Ashtanga Vinyasa) and a less physically demanding (slow flow vinyasa). The instructor, who is also the lead researcher, developed a slow flow vinyasa sequence and modified the set sequence of Ashtanga Vinyasa for beginners. Both yoga interventions cover domains suggested by Sherman (2012) for meticulous methods in yoga research.

Methods: This study implements two styles of yoga with university students over the course of eight weeks, meeting twice …

Treatment Of Anxiety Using Massage Therapy In A Neurorehabilitation Program, Jennifer Gordon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been considered a silent epidemic. The symptoms post-injury can be pervasive and impact individuals physically, emotionally, and socially. It also creates a financial burden on the individual and society. Finally, it can be challenging to the family and caregivers of these individuals because navigating the healthcare needs can be problematic. An enriched neurorehabilitation program may improve the quality of life and outcomes of the individual with TBI. The diagnosis of anxiety has been found to be a major factor that influences the prognosis. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and pharmacology can assist in the management …

A Qualitative Investigation Into The Influence Of A Mental Health Physical Activity Intervention On University Students, Heather M. Tunks

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Objective

Among the university student population, mental illnesses are highly prevalent. Adults aged 20-30 years have the highest rates of mood and anxiety disorders than any other age group, with approximately 12.0% diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and 7.0 to 9.0% experiencing clinical depression (Nunes et al., 2014; Pedrelli, Nyer, Yeung, Zulauf, & Wilens, 2015). Reducing or preventing the effects of mental illness among this population may have lifelong implications including improvements in coping and management of mental illness throughout the lifespan(Jaworska, DeSomma, Fonseka, Heck, & MacQueen, 2016). This research examines the lived experiences of volunteers and participants in a …

Flowers Or Flora?: Understanding The Effects Of Probiotics On Depression, Nicole Collopy

Senior Theses

The human gut is populated with hundreds of types of bacteria and fungi. In North America, both intestinal and mood disorders are prevalent, presenting health problems that challenge health care professionals and patients alike. A scholarly literature review was conducted to explore this important relationship.

The investigation of the literature revealed that there is an association between gut health disorders and mood disorders, mainly anxiety and depression. This is due to bi-directionality between the brain-gut pathways, meaning that gastrointestinal health may have an effect on mental health and vice versa.

This connection between gut and mood can have substantial implications …

Increasing Utilization Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy To Reduce Morbid Obesity In A Primary Care Setting, Erin J. Mccue

Doctoral Projects

Background: Obesity among adults is characterized by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. The impairment and disability resulting from obesity indicates a significant health problem that is often seen in primary care settings. Research indicates that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an underutilized, but extremely beneficial intervention that may support individuals in achieving weight loss. Adults suffering from obesity with or without comorbid conditions such as psychiatric disorders (e.g. anxiety and depression) have benefitted from CBT.

Purpose: To implement the increased utilization of CBT in the adult population with obesity and depression or anxiety in a primary …

Effectiveness Of Yoga Therapy On Pain And Related Depression, Anxiety, Perceived Stress, And Quality Of Life, Karen Romani

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals are becoming more dependent on medication for conditions such as chronic-pain, anxiety, and depression. It is reported that patients are often overprescribed medication while health outcomes do not improve. The medicalization of society is distracting attention from the possibility of other therapies such as complementary or alternative medicine (CAMs) that can improve health outcomes if they were as supported as pharmacological research and better received by the medical community. Yoga and meditation, the components of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and yoga therapy, have been shown as effective CAMs for cases of anxiety and depression related to chronic illness …

The Psychological And Physiological Effect Of Performing The Primal Reflex Release Technique On Female, Division I Collegiate Athletes, Erika K. Vichcales

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Anxiety is a cognitive, behavioral, and physiological reaction to stress, and athletes have an increased risk being in a high-stress environment. One of the effects of increased stress on the body is a condition known as central sensitization (CS) where the central nervous system amplifies sensory input across many organ systems causing a pain response in normally non-painful areas or hypersensitivity to stimuli. The Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT) is a manual-therapy approach for evaluating and relieving musculoskeletal pain in patients, and is meant to facilitate a “neural reboot” of a hyper-aroused nervous system. The purpose of this study is …

Healing Touch: Enhancing Quality Of Life, Julia Mccann-Khludenev

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Healing touch (HT) is a non-invasive energy therapy used in the management of symptoms of various health conditions. HT utilization has demonstrated enhanced comfort and relief of symptoms such as chronic pain, post-traumatic-stress, depression, and anxiety. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to promote awareness and appointment compliance rate of HT amongst veterans, and also to determine effectiveness of HT intervention on symptom relief and well-being. The PICO question was: “For Veterans, what is the effect of HT education material and mail notification on appointment compliance rate, and HT delivery on symptom relief and well-being as compared …

Is L-Theanine An Effective Treatment For Reducing Anxiety In Patients Ages 18-25?, Nicole Bubes

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not L-theanine, an amino acid analogue found in green tea leaves, is an effective treatment for reducing anxiety in patients ages 18-25.

Study design: Review of two double-blind, randomized controlled studies and one single-blind, randomized controlled study published in 2007, 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Data sources: PubMed

Outcome(s) measured: Each study measured L-theanine’s ability to reduce acute anxiety with a series of self-report measures assessing acute anxiety and stress, including the Profile of Mood States (POMS), the visual analogue scales (VAS), State-Trait Anxiety …

Understanding Physicians’ And Non-Physician Practitioners’ Recommending Practices, Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs And Expectations Regarding Music As A Cost-Effective Complementary And Alternative Medicine Approach, Paul F. Franco

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Background and Purpose of the Study: With the rise in healthcare costs, partly due to an aging demographic (of whom these care-receivers and their informal family member/friend caregivers are experiencing high stress and anxiety levels resulting in an increase in nursing home placement), a need exists for a cost-effective alternative to the traditional medical approach. Specifically, Music Therapy, a form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has been shown to decrease the severity of the problem by alleviating symptoms of an illness and improving overall well-being. The purpose of this study was to create a valid tool entitled “The Global …

Attitudes Toward Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Miranda Lea Cobb

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage has increased throughout the years, as many people are becoming interested in using less conventional interventions for common illnesses. As a whole, CAM encompasses any practice used to treat an illness or disorder that does not fall under the category of traditional medicine. CAM interventions not only treat the physical aspects of health, but as clinicians are beginning to realize, these interventions may also be effective in treating psychological problems, most notably anxiety and depression. This research focused on attitudes toward CAM for psychological disorders. I examined participants’ attitudes about the use of CAM …

The Effect Of Tea And Its Constituent L-Theanine On Anxiety: A Review Of The Literature, Christine Gilbert

Food Science and Nutrition

Mental health disorders are a universal issue and affect millions of individuals every day. Anxiety is the most common type of mental disorder, affecting social, physical, and cognitive health. Although clinicians usually suggest prescriptive medications, they carry side effects, are expensive, and only acutely alleviate symptoms. As a result, recent interest has been directed towards nonconventional dietary therapies, including tea and its constituent L-theanine, for anxiolytic effects. Tea is the most prevalent beverage consumed after water; it is historically and globally accepted. The purpose of this literature review is to explore whether tea and its constituent L-theanine carry anxiolytic effects. …

Reducing Anxiety In Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Patients Using Reiki, Robyn Ait Ali

Theses and Graduate Projects

Reiki, meaning universal life force energy, facilitates the flow of energy that travels naturally in and around the body. Blockages in energy flow create disease and or pain in the body; the Reiki practitioner facilitates the removal of blockages which allows for healing and restoration of balance. Anxiety in children undergoing Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) manifests itself across all body systems and effects the care they receive during hospitalization. Children are open to the concept of energetic healing therefore, the use of Reiki for children undergoing BMT to reduce anxiety, facilitate relaxation, and ease pain makes sense. The introduction of …