The focus of this research database is on how stress affects women's health, and options for treatment using mind-body therapies.  To obtain full summaries of the articles, see "How to Get Abstracts" below

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10945549 JA

Women with breast cancer who were discharged less than 48 hrs. after surgery were significantly less likely to be seen by a specialist breast care nurse or a volunteer with breast cancer. Prior to establishing early discharge as routine care, follow-up services need to be established.

2000 Aust N Z J Surg 70;8:569-72

Davis, C., Williams, P., and Redman, S.

10867749 R,T

Detailed and thorough discussion on the detrimental effects of depression on physiology and the immune system, with implications for the immunosupressed post-transplant patient.

2000 Med Hypotheses 54;6:969-78

Klapheke, M. M.

2708796 CT

Elderly postop patients who were given a 30 min. guided imagery session prior to discharge, consisting of mental rehearsal of them coping with postop routines in their home environment, had significantly less depression scores one week postop.

1989 J Gerontol Nurs 15;4:7-11

Leja, A. M.

9706511 JA

Patients undergoing laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy had significantly elevated prolactin, growth hormone and cortisol levels 24 hours after surgery. Only prolactin remained elevated 7 days postop. Prolactin was felt to be the main hormone involved in regulation of cytokines in response to surgical stress. IL-6 was significantly higher in the open than the laparoscopic group.

1998 Int Surg 83;1:24-7

Bellon, J. M., Manzano, L., Larrad, A., Honduvilla, G. N., Bujan, J., and Alvarez-Mon, M.

7598138 JA

Three million Americans are hospitalized annually with diabetes at a cost of $65 billion. In this study, diabetic patients who were seen by a diabetes team (diabetologist, diabetes nurse educator, and registered dietician), left the hospital significantly earlier than those patients cared for by either an endocrinologist or an internist alone. "We believe that the intensive education that focused on empowering patients and their families to play an active role in their own diabetes care may have had a dramatic impact, not only on their acute medical status, but also to their long-term well-being and diabetes control."

1995 Am J Med 99;1:22-8

Levetan, C. S., Salas, J. R., Wilets, I. F., and Zumoff, B.

[Top]

Pain

9303255 JA

Lower postoperative pain ratings were the best predictors of satisfaction with the hospital stay. Patients who perceived that MDs and nurses showed concern with how much pain they were feeling reported greatest satisfaction with their care.

1997 Clin J Pain 13;3:229-36

Jamison, R. N., Ross, M. J., Hoopman, P., Griffin, F., Levy, J., Daly, M., and Schaffer, J. L.

9048431 R, T

Review of research showing negative effects of pain on the immune system, with implications for patients with a cancer diagnosis. “The potential biological consequences of experiencing pain are great, perhaps none greater than in individuals at risk for metastatic disease. The findings in this article support our belief that pain not only results in suffering, but is a pathogen itself, capable of facilitating the progression of metastatic disease.”

1997 Semin Oncol Nurs 13;1:10-5

Page, G. G. and Ben-Eliyahu, S.

11575525 Ed

Discusses research showing that pain increases insulin resistance, and that insulin resistance is significantly correlated with length of postop stay.

2001 Anesthesiology 95;3:573-4

Carli, F. and Bennett, G. J

1891623 JA

When 160 nurses were presented with various written patient vignettes, they planned for significantly more time for ambulation, analgesic administration, and emotional support if the patient was male.

1991 Res Nurs Health 14;5:373-8

McDonald, D. D. and Bridge, R. G.

11859681 JA

In light of new pain guideline legislation, this paper reviews several studies showing that women's complaints are not taken as seriously as men's, and that women are consistently given less pain medication.

2002 J Gend Specif Med 5;1:10-3

Hoffmann, D.

9127536 JA

Frail, elderly women tended to endure postop pain and wait for nurses to provide pain-relief measures rather than ask for help.

1997 Image J Nurs Sch 29;1:21-6

Zalon, M. L.

9444168 R,T

In view of research studies on gender differences in response to pain and pain medication, this article suggests different gender-based assessment tools and pain management strategies for nursing care.

1997 Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am 9;4:453-8

Miaskowski, C.

10064299 JA

Benefit of using a semi-structured home phone interview after discharge. Several patients offered “insightful strategies” to improve hospital pain management.

1999 J Adv Nurs 29;1:194-200

Carr, E. C.

[Top]

Mind-body pain treatments for postop pain

2043331 JA

Nonpharmacologic interventions for pain management can lead to reduction of pain, have minimal side effects, and allow patients an element of self-empowered self-care. Article reviews acupuncture, biofeedback, TENS, hypnosis, imagery, music therapy and relaxation techniques.

1991 Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am 3;1:69-75

Doody, S. B., Smith, C., and Webb, J.

8655613 JA

Review of psychological preparation to reduce postop pain. “The advantages of proper management of postsurgical pain include fewer postoperative complications; increased early ambulation and mobilization; decreased opportunity for chronic pain syndromes to occur; shorter, less complicated rehabilitation; greater patient satisfaction; and increased patient adherence to prescribed regimens. In turn, greater adherence positively affects pain management and, therefore, patients satisfaction with their surgeon.”

1996 Hand Clin 12;1:129-37

Moskowitz, L.

11406341 RCT

Patients who were told their salt water IV contained a powerful painkiller experienced less pain and requested less narcotic medication postop.

2001 Pain 93;1:77-84

Pollo, A., Amanzio, M., Arslanian, A., Casadio, C., Maggi, G., and Benedetti, F.

9543031 MA

Review of studies looking at use of relaxation during procedures and postop to decrease pain. Suggests future methodological issues for research.

1998 J Adv Nurs 27;3:466-75

Seers, K. and Carroll, D.

11605708 JA

An increasing majority of cancer patients are using nonpharmacologic strategies (breathing, imagery, music, meditation) in addition to pain medication. Postop nurses can best assist by finding out and supporting these choices, as well as teaching these techniques to other patients.

2001 Cancer Nurs 24;5:378-86

Kwekkeboom, K. L.

8933249 MA

Review of studies looking at use of relaxation and/or music on postoperative pain, delineating the many methodological problems, and suggesting parameters for future studies.

1996 J Adv Nurs 24;5:905-14

Good, M.

1585086 CT

In this small study of 10 volunteers, listening to music significantly elevated pain thresholds, but did not have an effect on autonomic activity.

1992 Sch Inq Nurs Pract 6;1:43-58; discussion 59-62

Whipple, B. and Glynn, N. J.

11847812 JA

Music chosen for pain relief differed by cultural group--Caucasians most frequently chose orchestra music, African Americans chose jazz, and Taiwanese chose harp music. Importance of providing appropriate cultural musical selection.

2000 J Holist Nurs 18;3:245-60

Good, M., Picot, B. L., Salem, S. G., Chin, C. C., Picot, S. F., and Lane, D.

9180443 RCT

Massage significantly decreased postop pain.

1997 Aust J Adv Nurs 14;3:21-6

Nixon, M., Teschendorff, J., Finney, J., and Karnilowicz, W.