Benefits of meditation in patients with anxiety
Evidence-Based Practice and Applied Nursing Research
Evidence Table
| A1 Quantitative Article: (Indicate primary evidence chosen with an APA citation)
Rod, K. (2015). Observing the effects of mindfulness-based meditation on anxiety and depression in chronic pain patients. Psychiatr Danub, 27(Suppl 1), 209-211.. |
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| Background or Introduction | Chronic pain usually averts the quality of life of the individual experiencing it with the majority falling for pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological management. In the instances where the pain is magnified, the patients coping mechanisms are compromised, and in most cases, they get predisposed to depression and anxiety. This study aimed to observe the impact of mindful meditation determined to assist in the reduction of the anxiety and depression.
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| Review of the Literature | The authors reviewed 19 articles that were related to the topic of study. They revolved around pain occurrence and use of meditation in their management. Majority of the reviewed articles were within the last ten years with a few being older than ten years. The oldest was published in 1978. |
| Discussion of Methodology | The study used standardized questionnaire which was used to group the results obtained. The measurement of the various variables was done by use of various tools including Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Numerical Pain Rating Scale. At the end of the study, the patients then completed the Patients Global Impression of Change Scale. Patients were observed for eight weeks with interventions directed towards mindful eating, breathing, body scan, inquiry and walking. |
| Data Analysis | The questionnaire allowed for the grouping of data according to severity. The study used statistical analyses where the data collected were translated to percentages. It is out the percentages that grouping of mind, moderate and severe, normal, borderline and abnormal were developed. The statistical analysis was then used to conclude.
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| Researcher’s Conclusion | The researcher concluded that with the promising findings from the study indicating batter levels of anxiety, depression, and pain from mindfulness of body scan, breathing, inquiry, eating and walking, the meditation provided a relief to the patient hence reducing the intensity if the various elements. |
Evidence supporting researcher’s conclusion
The background of the study supports the researcher’s conclusion based on the fact that with the compromise to the coping mechanism of an individual leading to anxiety and pain, meditation is essential in the gaining of focus and averting the pain this reducing anxiety and depression. The conclusion is further supported by the literature reviewed which revolved around pain among patients that caused anxiety as well as other symptoms but were impacted by coping mechanisms such as mindfulness therapy.
Subject protection and considerations
The researcher took care of the privacy of the patients who participated in the study based on the fact that they were not identified throughout the study. The reported information was based on summary derived from the general response from all the participants. Furthermore, the shared information was done solely for research purposes thus giving it confidentiality.
Strengths
Various tools were used for various patients in measuring pain, depression, and anxiety that were then used in the grouping of the patients. They included Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Numerical Pain Rating Scale. The methods provide the study with reliability thus concrete results.
Limitations
Having the study population at 50 participants, the sample is relatively low thus limiting the study to the care center in which it was conducted. These elements make it less generalizable to other patients or care centers since it might have been influenced by individual factors related to patients in the center of study.
Evidence informing nursing practice
The realization of mindful meditation being able to reduce anxiety and pain and even avoid the use of drugs that can cause addiction in chronic cases, nurses can apply this non-pharmacological mechanism of pain and anxiety reduction. In so doing, the advance effects of drugs that are usually needed over a long period are avoided thus less toxicity to the patient. This aspect is particularly key to the use of opioids in the management of pain whose side effects and addictions are marked in chronic pain management.
| B1 Qualitative Article: (Indicate primary evidence chosen with an APA citation)
Lind, A. B., Delmar, C., & Nielsen, K. (2014). Searching for existential security: A prospective qualitative study on the influence of mindfulness therapy on experienced stress and coping strategies among patients with somatoform disorders. Journal of psychosomatic research, 77(6), 516-521. |
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| Background or Introduction | Somatoform disorders are associated with conditions such as anxiety disorder and conversion disorders among other symptoms. The patient usually presents with gastrointestinal complaints, neurological problems, pain as well as excessive and disproportional distress. With the determination of the above effects of the condition, Lind, Delmar, & Nielsen, (2014) conducted a study that aimed at exploring the manner unto which mindfulness group therapy to the group would impact the patients encounter with stress, coping mechanisms, and the whole psychosocial processes.
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| Review of the Literature | The literature review used various articles that were published within the last ten years. The articles used were related to the topic and revolved around somatoform disorder and management of its symptoms. |
| Discussion of Methodology | The qualitative study used interviews to collect data from patients who were having a somatoform disorder. The method fitted the study as it was able to collect information concerning the impact of mediation on the symptoms of the condition. The study utilized a longitudinal pre and post-treatment design with 22 semi-structured interviews administered before and after meditation.
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| Data Analysis | The data were analyzed based on thematic methodology. Through this method, various elements impacted by meditation were examined, pinpointed and noted.
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| Researcher’s Conclusion | According to Lind, Delmar & Nielsen (2014), meditation impacted the patient positively as there were changes on perception, stress-encounter, coping mechanisms, self-image, self and body awareness, social functioning and the social identification. On the other hand, the study determined the need for further intervention via other treatment modalities that would allow for full recovery of the symptoms and consequently the disease.
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Evidence supporting researcher’s conclusion
The background of the study determined the various symptoms of somatoform disorders majority of which are psychological. It supports the conclusion on the basis that through meditation which entails mindfulness therapy, the situations can be averted and patient attains better experience. Through the interviews used in data collection, the experiences recognized to change in conclusion are also validated. With analysis determining the change in various elements of somatoform disorders, the notion of reduced symptoms of the condition is anchored.
Subject protection and considerations
Throughout the report, the study kept the participant’s identity private and information confidential. The report was developed as an overall summary of findings given by all the participants. The information provided was also meant for research purpose only.
Strengths
The multiple designs used entailing both pre and post treatment design provides a comparative platform that gives the study reliability and legibility in term of the data collected. The study also provides literature for subsequent studies concerning the use of mindfull therapy. In so doing, it provides an avenue for continuity of research activity pertaining non-pharmacological management of conditions.
Limitations
With the study using only 22 interviews for its sample, the number is small and limiting the study to the individuals who were interviewed. Similarly, this aspect makes the study to be less generalizable to other similar settings or populations.
Evidence informing nursing practice
By determination of the need for further evaluation the other interventions in the process of seeking full recovery, the nursing team has the direction of investing in the area for the subsequent research studies. Moreover, the determination of meditation impacting the psychosocial symptoms of somatic disorders acts as a guide to the nursing fraternity to employ the method in the management of anxiety, stress and miscopying among other disorders.
