Lengacher Case Study Summary

looked at whether the quality of life of 20 cancer patients is effected by reflexology. The results of the study showed that quality of life was improved due to the physical and emotional symptoms being reduced by the reflexology.

A growing body of evidence suggests meditation-based interventions have the potential to reduce symptoms and improve well-being (Marchand, 2013 for review; Mitchell et al., 2014). The Stanford University study entitled Breathing-Based Meditation Decreased Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in U.S. Military Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Longitudinal Study explores the effects of Sudarshan Kriya yoga, a meditation-based therapy, on U.S. military veterans with PTSD symptoms having served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Patients can suffer bouts of physical exhaustion and emotional exhaustion which if not recognized can lead to high levels of anxiety and depression.

Fourteen women in the program participated in an activity that assess their preparedness for leaving treatment. The women were given a pretest and post-test to assess their anxiety level on Monday, November 24, 2017. This assessment lasted approximately 50 minutes. Before the assessment started, the researcher had the participants fill out some demographic questions, sign consent form, and completed the pretest GAD -7. The assessment began with some quick psycho –education on the topic of meditation and discussion among the group about the topic of meditation.

Kabat-Zinn (2011) explains that MBSR program is related to instruction of Buddhist philosophy without Buddhist wording to being reachable for a non- religious audience. Furthermore, Hozel et al. (2011) showed that four or five days of twenty minute mindfulness meditation in adults decreases depression, improves immune-system and enhances ‘visual-spatial memory’, ‘working memory’ and ‘sustained attention’.

They go through enormous physiological and psychological stressors once they diagnosed and throughout their treatment program. There is an immediate need of rehabilitation program for cancer patients to meet their physiological and psychological need. Those who try to manage their stress with risky behaviors such as smoking and drinking or they live sedentary lives can lead to poor quality of life during their diagnosis and their treatment (Harding, M. 2012). On the other hand people with the good coping mechanism, they deal their stressors with effective relaxation technique and have less psychological and physiological stress related to cancer and its treatment. Evidence from experimental studies shows that psychological stress increases the tumor to grow and advance quickly. As a nurse, we should provide emotional and social support that can help patient to cope effectively with their psychological stressors (Andrykowski et al., 2008). This will help them reduce anxiety and also assist them in adopting good coping behavior for example participation in yoga and meditation. Other approaches of good coping behaviors are exercise, participating in counseling and attending cancer education programs (NCI, 2015). Also, people who used to exercise before their cancer diagnosis they cannot return to their same level of physical activity due to fatigue and pain. As

People encounter various challenges in life ranging from diseases, lack of basic essential needs and psychiatric problems among others. This has given rise to various forms of therapies being adopted by specialists whilst offering solutions to depressed individuals. Group therapy has taken a center-stage in the management of depression. Butler et al (2008) in their article titled "Meditation with yoga, group therapy with hypnosis, and psychoeducation for long-term depressed mood: a randomized pilot trial" show that depression and anxiety form part of the well-known conditions named by individuals seeking treatment using therapies and complementary alternatives. Alternative therapies include yoga, qigong, tai chi, mediation, and exercise. They argue that people are increasingly using these therapies. Butler provides information claiming that yoga and exercise are effective therapies with high rates than uncontrolled activities (Butler, et al 2008). The authors also demonstrate that these therapies can be compared to established anxiety treatments and depression treatments such as sertraline, cognitive behavioral therapy, and imipramine.

The topic I chose to focus on for my research Masters Project is “Exploring the therapeutic effects of yogic techniques for stress management”. I choose this topic because I am particularly interested in stress and anxiety-related mental and physical disorders with the use of yogic techniques. I also choose this topic as little is known about the beneficial effects of a yoga practice and self-care as an alternative to medication interventions. Within the area of Social Care, the use of yogic techniques can be extremely beneficial through creative approach for both service users and social care workers. The need for alternative approaches to self-care in the field of social care can be achieved through the use of yogic techniques to help with stress management. The health benefits of yoga can help to reduce stress and anxiety, enhancing mood and wellbeing and reduce the risk factors for chronic disorders. Yogic techniques relocate focus and attention to the body and breath and can help to calm anxiety while releasing physical tension. Overall, the use of yogic techniques can be used over a wide population of people, varying in all ages, gender and physical limitations. The need for alternative medicines in which individuals can learn self-care rather than the use of medications is needed. Stress and anxiety falls under the category of non-communicable conditions. They are not infectious but are long in duration and usually slowly progressive. They are estimated to account

Background: Cancer is one among the life threatening diseases in present days it has biological, psychological and sociological impact on individual’s life. People living with this deadly disease have numerous psychological abnormalities like stress, depression and anxiety. The present study aimed to investigate the levels of anxiety and depression among cancer and non cancer patients. Methods: 80 patients were randomly selected among them 40 were cancer patients and 40 were non cancer patients. The Sinha’s Anxiety scale and Depression scale constructed by Karim & Tiwari was used to measure the anxiety and Depression among patients. For statistical analysis independent sample t-Test was applied. Findings: The results show significant differences between the mean scores of cancer and non cancer patients in respect to anxiety and depression. Conclusion: On the basis of our results we may concluded that cancer patients have higher levels of anxiety and depression than non cancerous patients.

Yoga has been associated with stress. The larger the amount of stress a person has, the less likely that person is to feel in control of themselves and their surroundings. Yoga has also been linked to a person’s health and wellbeing. During a one week experiment, a researcher did yoga once a day at 7:00 pm for a half hour. A survey was taken twice, in hour intervals, after the yoga session was completed, at 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm. The surveys are what was used to find the data that created the results of the experiment. One type of yoga, integrated yoga, was used throughout the week. The results concluded yoga helps relieve stress for one hour after the session was completed, but was stressed again shortly after that hour was finished. Different styles of yoga classes could be offered and more times could be made available at the Elmen Center. Yoga is currently offered at 4:30 pm in the Back Alley, but more class times could be 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm. Different styles include hot yoga, iyengar yoga, or hatha yoga. To improve evaluations, a person could add questions about their level of stress before and after the yoga class. These improvements will allow researchers to see if the results are true for the majority of people.

Context Breast cancer rates are continuously on the rise, and improvements in diagnostic technology have made it possible for patients to undergo treatment as early as possible in attempt for a higher survival rate. However, conventional treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy leave patients weak, fatigued, and often depressed. Alternative forms of medicine are being sought out to provide a better experience for these breast cancer patients. This systematic review examines the effects of two such methods: Yoga and acupuncture. Methods An electronic review of CINAHL complete, PubMed, Medline Plus, and ProQuest Medical databases was performed independently by four researchers; a total of 20 different peer-reviewed publications were selected for data extraction and review. Inclusion and exclusion criteria was determined to select articles that applied only to women with breast cancer, or a history of breast cancer, over the age of 35 utilizing yoga and acupuncture as forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Results Although this systematic review provides a wide range of sample populations and study designs, all studies provided a positive outcome from patients using these forms of CAM. Reduced fatigue and depression as well as increased quality of life was seen throughout all studies and reviews. Conclusion The researchers concluded that reviewed data supported the belief that yoga and acupuncture can be used by breast cancer patients to improve overall

Dr. Saeed’s specific publication, Exercise, Yoga, and Meditation for Depressive and Anxiety Disorders closely mirrors my research topic. His knowledge, data, and experience beyond what he published will be an asset in my further research. Dr. Saeed has published in the areas of evidence-based practices; anxiety and mood disorders; telepsychiatry; cross-cultural issues; psychiatric administration; and psychiatric treatment integration. His current scholarly and research interest areas include: the study of the process and impact of implementing evidence-based practices in mental health settings; telepsychiatry; and systems approach to psychiatric administration and management. It will be very useful to compare Dr. Saeed’s laboratory results

Mindfulness based stress reduction states that most of our stress comes from ruminating on the past, judging the present and worrying about our future (Lopez et al., 2015). Mindfulness is especially important for those dealing with huge life events or stressors. An individual dealing with cancer could easily feel stressed about the past, wondering if they did something to get cancer. They will never know what would have happened if they drank less, or exercised more. Dealing with cancer is a roller coaster, day by day things can change dramatically and its important that individuals take life by the moment and acknowledge all the feelings and changes that are happening without judgement. It is hard not to think about the future when dealing with a potentially deadly diagnosis. Its important to practice mindfulness and not worry about the future, it is what it is. Living in the moment while dealing with cancer or any other stressor is very important. Mindfulness allows individuals to feel every emotion but move past it head without being too critical. Cancer patients have shown a decrease in mood disturbances when practicing mindfulness (Lopez et al., 2015).

Nowadays life of people has become quite stressful. To reduce stress people are getting addicted to things like alcohol, tobacco and drugs. People are searching numerous ways to reduce stress. The best way to reduce stress is through meditation and yoga. Meditation and yoga is the complete package through which you can make your life fit, healthy and stress-free. Yoga and meditation when practiced together strengthen the body and mind connection, improving overall fitness and well-being. Both yoga and meditation, when done regularly, has proven to be highly beneficial. Though the practices of yoga and meditation have their roots in ancient cultures, both have become modern day movements.

In today’s environment, many people are suffering with the stress and anxiety of day to day living and are finding themselves unable to cope with life’s little emergencies. Prescription drugs are on the rise due to the increasing need for people to deal with their stress and anxiety. However, many people are searching for ways to be less stressed and live a happy and healthy life without drugs. If stress and anxiety are getting the best of you, then think about grabbing a mat and giving yoga and meditation a spin. With that in mind, this paper will take a look at the benefits of yoga and meditation to create a more peaceful and healthy lifestyle.