Chapter Research Utilization Awards

Recipients of the 1999 Chapter Research Utilization Awards with their mentor Karen Devereaux Melillo, PhD, RN, CS, Professor Department of Nursing (left to right) Janis Carmody, Linda Satkowski, Dr. Melillo, Bethany Gentleman, and Wiera Malozemoff.]

Bethany Gentleman and Wiera Malozemoff's innovation examined

"Falls and Feelings: A Discussion Group."

J Linda Satkowski and Janis Carmody's innovation examined

"Reminiscence as a Psychosocial Group Intervention to Increase Self-Esteem".

1998 Awards

Two Utilization of Research in Nursing Practice Awards were presented at the Kathleen M. Fox Memorial Lecture on March 31, 1998. These innovations were conducted while the awardees were students in the Masters Gerontological Nursing Program at UMass Lowell. Professor Karen Devereaux Melillo PhD, RN, CS mentored them in their research utilization.

Susan Jamieson and Lorraine Toth's innovation examined

"The Role of Reminiscence on Depression, Socialization, and Self-Esteem among Institutionalized Older Adults".

Joanna Peatfield and Doris Barratt's innovation examined

the "Utilization of Group Singing and Reminiscence to Increase Socialization and Interaction of Alzheimer's Residents within a Group Setting".

Fall and Feelings: A Discussion Group

Bethany Gentleman and Wiera Malozemoff

This innovation took place during the Fall 1998 while the recipients were graduate students in the Gerontological Nursing option at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Bethany and Wiera established, conducted, and evaluated a psychosocial group nursing intervention based on the utilization of research described in two research articles, both from the Journal of Gerontological Nursing (Ryan & Spellbring, 1996; Wright et al., 1990). This intervention provided a "Falls and Feelings" discussion group with six older institutionalized adults with a history of falls over the preceding year. The intervention took place over a period of 10 weeks. It was designed to provide an opportunity for social interaction among the group members and a forum for sharing feelings related to falling experiences. Each 45 minute weekly session began with the introduction of subject matter within one of the following themes: factors causing falls, how to prevent falls, falls and feelings, and fear as a consequence of falls. The goal for the group members participating in the sessions was to enhance self-confidence and a greater sense of life satisfaction, resulting in empowerment of the individual in preventing falls. Pre- and post- measurements to evaluate the effects of this group modality utilized the Falls Efficacy Scale (Tideiksaar, 1997) and Neugarten's Life Satisfaction Index (Kane & Kane, 1981). Outcomes demonstrated the value of this psychosocial group nursing intervention in contributing to the holistic wellness of this institutionalized older adult population. Beverly Jump, Nurse Manager at Tewksbury Hospital where the innovation took place, noted that the residents enjoyed and benefited from this group experience. According to Dr. Karen Melillo, Professor at UMass Lowell and faculty for the course in which the research utilization took place, the students results further validated the gerontological nursing literature which supports the value of psychosocial group work with older institutionalized adults as an important therapeutic nursing intervention.

References

Kane, R., & Kane, R. (1981). Assessing the elderly: A practical guide to measurement. Lexington, MA: D.C.Health & Co.

Ryan, J., & Spellbring, A. (1996). Implementing strategies to decrease risk of falls in older women. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 22 (12), 25-31.

Tideiksaar, R. (1997). Falling in old age: Prevention and management (2nd ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Co.

Wright, B., Aizenstein, S., Vogler, G., Rowe, M., & Miller, C. (1990). Frequent fallers: Leading groups to identify psychological factors. Journal of Gerontolgoical Nursing, 16 (4), 15-19.

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Reminiscence as a Psychosocial Group Intervention to Increase Self-Esteem

Linda Satkowski and Janis Carmody

This innovation took place during the Fall 1998 while the recipients were graduate students in the Gerontological Nursing option at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Linda and Janis established, conducted, and evaluated a psychosocial group nursing intervention based on the utilization of research described in two articles, one in Clinical Nurse Specialist (Bramlett & Gueldner, 1993) and the other from Research in Nursing and Health (Wewers & Lowe, 1990). The intervention provided a Reminiscence Group experience for six older institutionalized adults. The group met for one hour each week for eight weeks. The intervention was designed to provide an opportunity for social interaction among the group members with the goal of increasing self-esteem. Members were encouraged to recall significant past experiences and share with the group. Evaluation of effectiveness was assessed by comparing pre- and post-group participation and scores on the visual analog scale measuring self-esteem. Assessment of outcomes demonstrated how designing, implementing, and evaluating a psychosocial group intervention can have a positive impact on the nursing practice provided to institutionalized older adults by increasing participation among group members and maintaining or improving self reported self-esteem. Linda Kirk, Nurse Manager at Tewksbury Hospital where the innovation took place, indicated that she is delighted to see the benefits of this experience for the residents. They benefited tremendously with increased self-esteem and well being. According to Dr. Karen Melillo, Professor for the course in which this research utilization took place, results from their intervention further validates the gerontological nursing literature which supports the value of psychosocial group work with older institutionalized adults as an important therapeutic nursing intervention.

References

Bramlett, M., & Gueldner, S. (1993). Reminiscence: A viable option to enhance power in elders. Clinical Nurse Specialists, 7 (2), 68-73.

Wewers, M., & Lowe, N. (1990). A critical review of visual analogue scales in the measurement of clinical phenomena. Research in Nursing and Health, 13, 227-236.

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Susan Jamieson and Lorraine Toth

This innovation took place during the Fall 1997 while the recipients were graduate students in the Gerontological Nursing option at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Susan and Lorraine established, conducted, and evaluated a psychosocial group nursing intervention based on the utilization of research described in two research articles, one from the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (Stevens-Ratchford, 1993) and the other in The Nurse Practitioner: The American Journal of Primary Health Care (Youssef, 1990). This intervention, which provided group reminiscence with eight institutionalized women, aged 60 to 87 years, occurred over a period of nine weeks. The intervention was designed to provide a positive effect on depression and self- esteem in older adults. Props brought in to enhance past memories encouraged members' reflection of past contributions and creativity. Replicating the instruments utilized by Stevens-Ratchford (1993) and Youssef (1990), comparisons were made between pre and post intervention scores. Following the intervention, five out of eight members showed a decrease in depression scores as measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale and two out of the eight showed an increase in self-esteem scores measured with Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale. Members' socialization increased as determined by amount of interaction and participation during the group sessions. This was evidenced by an increase in responses of low functioning members, intimacy, animation, and use of humor. Sandra Garneau, Nurse Manager at Tewksbury Hospital where the innovation took place, noted that the residents truly enjoyed participating in this group and benefited tremendously. According to Dr. Karen Melillo, Professor at UMass Lowell and faculty for the course in which the research utilization took place, the results of the students' assessment further validated the gerontological nursing literature which supports the value of reminiscence group work with older institutionalized adults as an important therapeutic nursing intervention.

References

Stevens-Ratchford, R.G. (1993). The effect of life review reminiscence activities on depression and self-esteem in older adults. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 47 (5), 413-420.

Youssef, F.A. (1990). The impact of group reminiscence counseling on a depressed elderly population. The Nurse Practitioner: The American Journal of Primary Health Care, 15 (4), 33-38.

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Utilization of Group Singing and Reminiscence to Increase Socialization and Interaction of Alzheimer's Residents within a Group Setting

Joanna G. Peatfield and Doris Barratt

This innovation took place during the Fall 1997 while the recipients were graduate students in the Gerontological Nursing option at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Joanna and Doris established, conducted, and evaluated a psychosocial group nursing intervention based on the utilization of research described in two articles, one in the Journal of Music Therapy (Millard & Smith, 1989) and the other in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing (Glynn, 1992). The psychosocial group intervention, which provided group singing and reminiscence to increase socialization and interaction among eight long-term care residents with Alzheimer's disease, was conducted over a 10-week period. The intervention was based on the premise that music can establish cohesiveness within a group, promote a more collaborative spirit, increase a sense of group unity, increase social interactions among participants of the group, and stimulate reminiscence. The sessions consisted of 25 minutes of taped upbeat songs combined with reminiscing. The songs were chosen for familiarity to the residents and popularity during their young adult years. Large print song books were provided that contained the title and words to the songs played. After each song, questions were asked that pertained to the song lyrics and circumstances or events they described. Hand clapping and swaying to the music were encouraged and modeled by Joanna and Doris. Each group member's behavioral patterns during the group were recorded following each session using the Music Therapy Assessment Tool (Glynn, 1992). Over the course of 10 weeks, members demonstrated rhythmic expression to the music and verbalizations related to reminiscences. There were increases in socialization and group cohesiveness demonstrated between group members. Jolynn Sricharoenchaikit, Nurse Manager at Tewksbury Hospital where the innovation took place, noted that great positive outcomes have been seen by staff and other disciplines working with the patients who participated in the group. According to Dr. Karen Melillo, Professor for the course in which this research utilization took place, results from their intervention further validates the gerontological nursing literature which supports the value of music and reminiscence group work with institutionalized, cognitively-impaired older adults.

References
Glynn, J.N. (1992). The music therapy assessment tool. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 18, (1), 3-9. Millard, K.A., & Smith, J.M. (1989). The influence of group singing therapy on the behavior of Alzheimer's disease patients. Journal of Music Therapy, 26 (2), 58-70.

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