Date Available

7-28-2015

Year of Publication

2015

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Melanie Hardin-Pierce

Clinical Mentor

Dr. Gina Lowry

Committee Member

Dr. Chizimuzo Okoli

Abstract

Background: Pain and stress are symptoms experienced by many patients with cancer. Integrative therapies including energy therapies can help manage these symptoms. Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ) is one such energy therapy, but there is limited research regarding its utility on pain and stress for patients with cancer.

Objectives: The following study had two main objectives: 1) evaluate the self-reported perception of pain and stress before and after a first-time JSJ session, and 2) examine gender differences in perceptions of pain and stress following JSJ.

Methods: A retrospective study employing a pretest-posttest design was used to examine the perceptions of pain and stress levels among patients with cancer before and after a first-time JSJ session. Data from the year 2013 were de-identified, reviewed, and analyzed using paired-sample t-tests for participants who were positive for pain and/or stress before a first-time JSJ session.

Findings: There were 51 total participants. Of those, 39 were positive for pain, and 48 were positive for stress. On average, pre-session pain scores were 4.0 on a 0-10 scale, and post-session pain scores were 2.0. Pre-session stress scores were 5.7 on average, and average post-session stress scores were 1.8. Changes in pain and stress scores pre- to post-intervention remained significant in gender-stratified analyses.

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