Pilot Research Project (February 28, 2014)

For the next eight months, senior practitioners of Advanced Integrative Energy Healing begin their work. The journey unfolds and the paradigm dances-–may we uphold the new consciousness well!

Myself and a vibrant team of new paradigm health care professionals to conduct Advanced Integrative Energy Healing research in the Fraser Health Authority region. The Advanced Integrative Energy Healing program is in its fifteenth year, historically working in clinics in Vancouver Health Authority. "This is the second research project aimed at building an evidence-base for this theoretical model of mind-body and biofield healing. The focus is on body-mind aspects of stress management, alleviation of vicarious trauma and somatic holding, breathing practices and boundary containment along with resourcing and building resilience. Outcomes of this scholarly activity have the potential to impact a curriculum in programs incorporating complementary health care teachings in relation to stress and trauma related care, health promotion and disease prevention. Additionally, occupational health and safety and employee assistance programs can begin to address stress/trauma from a complimentary holistic perspective. By complimentary we mean that the physical, emotional/somatic, mental, spiritual, and environmental influences are included." (Lamb, R. RN, BA, MScN, CBHS, PhD, 2014).

Advanced Integrative Energy Healing: Towards the Reduction of the Impact of work related Trauma/Stress in Forensic Nurses.

Principal Investigator: Ruth Lamb, RN, BA, MScN, CBHS, PhD. Co-Investigators: Linda Byrnes, RN, BScN, MA, CIEHP; Melinda Connor, DD, PhD, AMP, FAM, IRB (USA); Lynn Gifford RN, MA, BScF, SANE-A. Practitioners: Monica Heuser, Catherine Ralphs, Shelagh Smith, Mara Hagglund, Juanita Cyrenne, Penelope Peake. Also listed on publications as all are officially through the orientation process and internship

Study Protocol Summary of Abstract.

Current literature states that nurses have one of the highest sick time usages of any occupation in Canada and British Columbia. In 2010 the cost to the Canadian health care system for nurses’ absenteeism due to illness or disability was $758.1 million (Informetica Ltd., 2011). The literature indicates a clear link between work-related stress/trauma and sick time (Shields & Wilkins, 2006: Leka & Jain, 2010.)

Integrative Energy Healing (IEH) is a full-spectrum therapeutic modality that uses dialogue in conjunction with specific biofield energy-based treatments that focus on physical, emotional/somatic, mental, spiritual and environmental aspects of healing. The aim is to empower individuals to develop strong self-care practices accompanied by coping strategies that enhance resilience.

The objective of this pilot study research is to utilize qualitative and quantitative research methods to measure and hopefully reduce and prevent the impact of work related stress/trauma with nurses currently working in acute care settings. Advanced Integrative Energy Healing (AIEH) modalities will be used to support the nurses’ human energy fields to re-pattern towards optimal balance thereby promoting health and preventing disease. (Langara, 2012).

It is hypothesized that the symptoms of stress, burnout, secondary traumatic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder will be reduced or prevented in acute care and forensic nurses who participate in this study and who receive Advanced Integrative Energy Healing. Their symptoms will be reduced during the study and over time. Feelings of increased quality of life and compassion satisfaction will increase in the forensic nurses/acute care nurses during the study and over time

Background Information

Current literature states that nurses have one of the highest sick time usages of any occupation in Canada and British Columbia. In 2010, the cost to the Canadian health care system for nurses’ absenteeism due to illness or disability was $758.1 million (Informetica Ltd., 2011). The literature indicates a clear link between work-related stress/trauma and sick time (Shields & Wilkins, 2006; Leka & Jain, 2010.)

Integrative Energy Healing (IEH) is a full-spectrum therapeutic modality that uses dialogue in conjunction with specific biofield energy-based treatments that focus on physical, emotional/somatic, mental, spiritual and environmental aspects of healing. The aim is to empower individuals to develop strong self-care methods accompanied by coping strategies that enhance resilience.

For the past 15 years Langara College students from the Integrative Energy Healing program have attended supervised clinics in Vancouver Coastal Health clinical settings. The aim has always been to offer biofield based self-care strategies to the patients and clients, and to accompany this teaching with specific Integrative Energy Healing treatment modalities.

Previous research by the Principal Investigator in an acute addiction treatment centre provided data that supports the program aim: to support physical, emotional/somatic, mental and spiritual health and well-being.

There is no data to support complementary therapies such as the in-depth approach of Advanced Integrative Energy Healing (AIEH) supporting the well-being of nurses, specifically Forensic Nurses. There are no studies showing a progressive, over time, biofield treatment implementation along with quantitative and qualitative analysis of physical, emotional/somatic, mental, spiritual and environmental outcomes for this population. There are however many studies that support biofield approaches such as (Lamb, 2010; Coe & Anthony, 2005; Dinucci, 2005; Eschiti, 2006; Guarneri, 2005; Hooper, 2005).

This scholarly activity looks at nurses’ health issues from an innovative, leading edge complementary, whole person perspective. It is only in the last few years that the impact of work related stress/trauma has been recognized for nurses. Completion of this work will be disseminated in written work as well as at conferences for clinical and research application.

This study will lead to a better understanding of the impact of work related stress/trauma on nurses. It will also lead to a better understanding of how the effects of work related stress/trauma can be prevented and/or lessened through the application of complementary Advanced Integrative Energy Healing methods. The underlying foundations of this scholarly activity may be transferrable to other areas where stress/trauma impacts people.

Of note: we have recently (January, 2014) completed a ten month supervised clinic at the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Eating Disorder Clinic. Clients found such benefit from Advanced Integrative Energy Healing that the counseling team has invited us back for another supervised clinic set. We now have a full schedule of clients and a wait list for our next set. All clients we worked with had experienced trauma in their lives, some significant trauma. Lamb’s (2010) research at Pacifica Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centre followed upon twelve years (and ongoing) of student clinical placements there utilizing Integrative Energy Healing treatments with their clients. Our students continue to integrate Advanced Integrative Energy Healing strategies at this site and at other VCH

sites working with clients who have experienced trauma where they participate in supervised clinics and conduct case studies.

Outcomes of this scholarly activity have the potential to impact curriculum in nursing programs incorporating complementary health care teachings in relation to stress and trauma related care, health promotion and disease prevention. Additionally, occupational health and safety and employee assistance programs can begin to address stress/trauma in nurses from a complementary holistic perspective.

By complementary we mean that the physical, emotional/somatic, mental, spiritual and environmental influences are included.

Definitions of Trauma, Stress and Violence: (Please note that the qualitative aspect of this study leaves the terms open—it is the nurses’ subjective experiences and their definitions that will drive the data analysis. These concepts form a start-point.)

Violence: “Much of the violence that plagues humanity is a direct or indirect result of unresolved trauma that is acted out in repeated unsuccessful attempts to reestablish a sense of empowerment.”(Levine, 1997, page 175). Levine suggests that as humans we do not successfully follow through the stages that result from “intense survival energy” (p. 175) after having succesfully survived a violent attack. Levine believes that as humans who have successfully survived a violent attack we get stuck working through the violence at the reenactment stage. This is because we have not successfully discharged the energies that were released internally resulting from our “intense survival energy”. Humans attempt to control their undischarged survival energy by internalizing. Because of our societal beliefs, acting in is seen as more acceptable than acting out. We begin to commit violence on ouselves. By commiting violence on ourselves, we are hiding the violence. As Levine states “one of the positive aspects in the recent escalation of violent ‘acting out’ is that it is forcing us to face the fact that post traumatic stress, whether it manifests as ‘acting in’ or ‘acting out’ is a major health issue”. (Levine, 1997, p. 176).

Trauma: Anything that puts an individual’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health at risk, or has an individual believing that their survival is at risk. Fear is a factor, and the meaning of trauma to an individual may be as devastating to the individual as actually experiencing the trauma itself. Note: Levine (1997, p. 11). “To witness human carnage of any kind, especially on a regular basis, exacts its own toll and is often as traumatic as experiencing the event first hand”. This is termed vicarious trauma and is linked to psychosocial risk and work related stress.

Stress: Stress is a nonspecific response to the body to any demand perceived as either positive or negative. Normal function requires an individual to maintain stress at an optimal balance for well-being. (Selye, 1984).

Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder/Symptoms (STSD/STSS): STSD/STSS may also be called vicarious traumatisation or compassion fatigue. Vicarious trauma comes from working with victims or trauma and can lead to changes in both self and professional identity, one’s view of the world, spirituality, self-capacities and abilities, and psychological needs and beliefs, particularly relating to safety, trust, esteem, intimacy, and control are impacted (Figley, 1995).

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): is a debilitating psychological condition triggered by a major traumatic event. It is marked by upsetting memories or thoughts of th eordeal, ‘blunting’ of emotions, increased arousal and sometimes severe personality changes. Common symptoms are: hyperalertness, fear and anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks, sight, sound, and smell recollection, avoidance of recall situations, anger and irritability, guilt, depression, increased substance abuse, negative workd view, and decreased sexual activity. (National Centre for Post-traumatic Disorder, 2014)

References:

• Figley, C. (Ed.) (1995). Compassion fatigue: coping with secondary traumatic disorder in those who treat the traumatized. New York, New York: Routledge Books.Levine, P. & Frederick, A. (1997). Waking the tiger: healing the trauma. Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books.

• National Centre for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.dartmouth.edu/dms/ptsd.National 

• Institute of Mental Health Rm. 15C-05, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD. 20857 Selye, H. (1984). The stress of life. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill.

Purpose of the Study

This pilot study is designed to work with nurses who identify themselves as having work related stress or trauma and are currently employed in an acute care setting, particularly in the Forensic Nursing Service Program at Fraser Health Authority. The aim is to assist nurses to reduce stress/trauma symptoms and, to overall gain resilience.

This scholarly activity is a result of nurses at FHA inviting us to assist them to manage stress better. This study examines nurses’ health issues from an innovative, leading edge complementary, whole person perspective, and provides nurses with meaningful self- care strategies that can assist stress reduction and promote wholeness from a mind- body and biofield perspective.