Publications

Origin and Impact of the Theta Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International
Nursing Honor Society at The College of St. Scholastica

Sister Chisom Azuogu, Nursing
Cohort 15 ~ 2009-2010
The College of St. Scholastica
Susan Hyndman, EdD, RN, Mentor
School of Nursing
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

This paper presents historical research to determine how the Theta Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Nursing Honor Society in the School of Nursing at The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN, has impacted students in their learning and development of professional knowledge. Drawing from oral interviews and 111 questionnaires, it assesses the impact of the honor society on nursing students' academic success and access to future opportunities. According to the findings, the impact is limited. Among students, 95% have not heard about the organization, 3% recently heard about it for the first time, and only 2% were well informed about the Society. Future research will focus on planning how the organization might increase its impact and fulfill its stated mission.

 

Prevalence and Factors Related to Postoperative Nausea
and Vomiting in Orthopedic Surgical Patients: A Pilot Study

Tiffany M. Berg, Nursing
Cohort 8 ~ 2002-2003
Beverly Raway, OSB, DNSc, R.N.
Department of Nursing
The College of St. Scholastica
Pamela E. Lincoln, R.N., CNP
St. Mary's Medical Center

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at discovering the prevalence and risk factors associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in total hip and knee replacement patients. The prevalence rates found for nausea and vomiting were 65.7% and 38.8%, respectively. This is considerably higher than the 20-30% rates frequently found in the literature. Risk factors researched included: age, gender, smoking status, body mass index, anxiety, history of motion sickness, history of migraine headaches, history of previous PONV, history of gastric reflux, history of other GI disorder, anesthesia type, orthopedic procedure, duration of surgery, postoperative pain severity, and postoperative opioid analgesia use.

No patient-related risk factors were found to be statistically significant predictors of PONV. This may be due to the small sample size, the similarity of the patients' experiences and risk factor profiles. Analysis of PONV data by episode by day revealed a statistically significant increased risk for PONV related to the type and combination of analgesic drugs administered. When compared to hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Lortab) alone, the addition of morphine increased the risk of developing PONV by a factor of 3 (odds ratio 3.16; 95% confidence interval 1.11, 9.05). The combination of hydromorphone (Dilaudid) with ketorolac (Toradol) produced a 4 times greater risk of PONV compared to hydrocodone/acetaminophen (O.R. 4.03; 95% C.I. 1.18, 13.68) and hydromorphone with both ketorolac and hydrocodone/acetaminophen nearly 5 times the risk of developing PONV compared to hydrocodone/acetaminophen alone (O.R. 4.79; 95% C.I. 1.55, 14.77). Implications for further research and nursing practice are discussed

 

The Mystery of Change and Acquired Confidence
Resultant of the Student Nurse Internship: A Reflection

Amber Carringten, Nursing
Cohort 11 ~ 2005-2006
The College of St. Scholastica
Carrie Taylor Kemp, M.A.
School of Arts and Letters - English
The College of St. Scholastica

Introduction

Many professions include an internship or apprenticeship as a rite of passage into the conglomerate working market. The nursing profession is no longer an exception to this tradition, for it has caught on to the concept of this phenomenon and seamlessly incorporated it into the education experience for student nurses.

If one can properly orient and welcome new nurses to the field, it could serve to more effectively provide a means of curbing the problem of a potential nursing workforce crisis. Too many times, students encounter seasoned nurses that carry with them many years of wisdom and knowledge, yet are unwilling to share this treasured resource with the up and coming professionals.

The internship can be a source of remedy for this epidemic of student-directed disdain. It was as a junior student in my college's nursing program that I was first introduced to the idea of internships, and what appealed most to me was the opportunity to practice what had been learned to that point in my education. It seemed that it would make a difference to practice any such lesson in a more professional setting. Coincidingly, Heslop, McIntyre, & Ives (2001) define the academic world as the setting wherein theory and systematic knowledge is taught, and as a means of furthering this head knowledge, the clinical setting allows for the primary practice of professional skills. Not to say that the scholarly clinical setting is not complete in its education, for it does serve to be the student's first opportunity to view the profession at work, however, it does have limitations.

At The College of St. Scholastica, the average clinical experience for a junior nursing student is 10 hours per week, consisting of two five-hour sessions. This adds up to approximately 240 hours throughout the 24 viable clinical weeks of an entire school year. Now consider the summer internship experience: most students fall under the umbrella of working 32-40 hours for each of 10-12 weeks. That equals 320-480 hours of pure clinical time - a 133-200% increase in practice in 42-50% of the time span! What other opportunity does the undergraduate nursing student have for such practice?

As a consequence of this previous limit of hands-on patient experience, many students feel unsure of their clinical abilities and are more than aware of their knowledge deficiencies. They feel strongly that they are "just students." What these unsure learners need is an enhanced opportunity to spread their wings, to test the knowledge they possess, and to grow and build upon that knowledge. Through the correct combination of a motivated student nurse and an empathetic, highly-knowledgeable preceptor in an internship environment, the student will benefit from ample practice as proven by the manifestation of the student's increased level of confidence in his or her abilities and an overall more effective preparation for professional work post-graduation. A. Jones (2001) agrees that operative supervision from practiced registered nurses can assist student nurses to grow into their full potential. Most definitely, student nurse internships are an imperative component to the development of success-producing characteristics in registered nurses of the future.

 

Childbirth Practices in Eastern Germany

Janice I. Erickson, Nursing
Cohort 1 ~ 1995-1996
Mary Tanner, M.A., Nursing Department
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to learn about the current practices concerned with childbearing in eastern Germany. Cultural attitudes were emphasized, and the study design utilized was a ethnography. Primary sources were sought in Germany for data collection, including complete access to comprehensive prenatal care and insurance coverage for all mothers. As required by German law, midwives are present for every birth, and they comprise the entire nursing staff of the labor and delivery unit. They also do prenatal teaching and conduct postpartum home visits. Drugs are seldom used for pain control during labor. In addition, breast feeding, a cultural expectation, is highly encouraged. The average length of the hospital stay is 5 days for an uncomplicated vaginal birth and ten days for an uncomplicated cesarean section birth. This stay allows time for on-going postpartal assessment, teaching, and prompt detection of complications following childbirth. Financial support from the government is given to the parent or guardian of each child. The reduced maternal-infant mortality rate reflects the successful methods utilized by Germany to maintain the health of this population.

 

Knowledge of the Female Athlete Triad at
NCAA Member Institution Athletic Departments

Michelle L. Fischer, Exercise Physiology
Cohort 6 ~ 2000-2001
William F. Simpson, Ph.D., Department of Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

The female athlete triad is defined as the inter-relationship of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis in female athletes. Previous investigations have suggested a high prevalence of disordered eating patterns and amenorrhea in collegiate athletes. However, little is known as to what extent and how universities and college athletic departments are equipped to assist female athletes who may be suffering from disordered eating, disturbance of menstrual function, and even early signs of osteoporosis. Ideally, a multidisciplinary team comprised of physicians, athletic trainers, psychologists, registered dieticians, coaches, athletic administrators and exercise physiologists should be involved in the recovery and treatment processes. The purpose of this study was twofold: to assess both the knowledge of the female athlete triad, and the treatment and intervention mechanisms in place at the administrative level of 366 NCAA division I, II, and III schools.

 

The Contribution of the Human Frontal Eye Field
in Predictive Smooth Pursuit Eye Movements: A TMS Study

Brian Gehling, Physical Therapy
Cohort 10 ~ 2004-2005
The College of St. Scholastica
Paul van Donkellar, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
Department of Human Physiology
University of Oregon
John Dargan, M.A., Advisor
Department of Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

The human frontal eye field (FEF) lies in the smooth pursuit pathway, but its contribution to generating predictive responses to visual target motion has been controversial. To better resolve this topic, the researchers delivered transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at specific times (-120, -60, 0, 60, 120 ms relative to target motion onset) on five human subjects (5 male, 0 female, Mage = 30) to observe its effects on subjects' pursuit latency, saccade latency, saccade-pursuit difference, saccade amplitude and saccade duration for predictable (constant direction and speed) and unpredictable target motion. Generally, when TMS was delivered after target motion onset, latency was slower than when it was delivered prior to target motion onset. This pattern was evident for predictable and unpredictable trials, indicating that although the FEF lies in the pursuit pathway, it is likely not the primary cortical location responsible for predictive pursuit tasks.

 

Primary Care Providers' Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Certified Nurse Midwifery
Practice in Northeastern Minnesota

Kirsten Green, Nursing
Cohort 4 ~ 1998-1999
Gloria Pearson, M.A., R.N., Department of Nursing
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

Certified nurse-midwives (CNM) are professionals who provide care to women and infants across the country. The practice of certified nurse-midwifery has been occurring for the past 65 years. In Minnesota there are approximately 141 CNMs licensed to practice; however, most of these professionals are practicing in the southern portions of Minnesota. Because collaboration with other healthcare team members is an important aspect of certified nurse-midwifery practice, the attitudes and beliefs of these individuals may have a vast impact on the practice itself. This descriptive-correlational study utilized Lewin's change theory and the revised Good survey to examine primary care providers' attitudes and beliefs toward certified nurse-midwifery practice in northeastern Minnesota. A majority of the primary care providers believe that CNMs are qualified to provide various types of skilled care to women and infants. However, they will not consider bringing a CNM into their practice or becoming a referral for a CNM.

 

Physician Perceptions of Group C and G Streptococci

Denelle Hygrell, Clinical Laboratory Science
Cohort 6 ~ 2000-2001
Dr. Larry Birnbaum, Ph.D., Clinical Laboratory Science
Mary Grace Werner, M.S.Ed., Clinical Laboratory Science
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

This study arose from the desire to determine how physicians perceive Group C and G symptomatic exudative pharyngitis infections. Group A, C and G culture results were obtained from the St. Mary's Duluth Clinic Health System. Seventy-eight physicians in the Duluth, MN area were surveyed to ascertain their opinions of Group C and G streptococci. Of the responding physicians, 84% believe that Group C and G streptococci cause symptomatic exudative pharyngitis. These physicians also believe that Group C and G streptococci can cause complications like a peritonsillar abscess or endocarditis. Research has indicated that both Groups C and G may be responsible for endemic and epidemic pharyngitis. Research has also shown that other complications including scarlet fever and reactive arthritis may follow infection.

 

Nurse Job Satisfaction

Diane Isaac, Nursing
Cohort 5 ~ 1999-2000
Gloria Pearson, M.A., R.N., Department of Nursing
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

This study explored the job satisfaction level experienced by eighty-seven registered nurses from northern Minnesota who have chosen a career in nursing. The major concern in this descripitve-correlational study was to determine whether nurses who are happy with their career choice are having greater job satisfaction than nurses who are unhappy with their career choice. The major findings are as follows: 1) seventy-four percent of the 87 participants agreed they made a good career decision; 2) sixty-three percent of those same 87 nurses agreed salary, when measured alone, does contribute heavily to job satisfaction; and 3) the more satisfied the nurses were with their career, the less salary mattered. This study found that being happy with their career choice is not related to the amount of general job satisfaction that they will experience throughout their career as a nurse.

 

Who Is This Middle-Aged Intern?
Reflections of an Older Student Nurse Intern

Candace J. Kolenda, Nursing
Cohort 13 ~ 2007-2009
Kathleen Cargill, M.A., A.B.D., Advisor
McNair Scholars Program
The College of St. Scholastica

Who is the nurse and who is the intern? A puzzled look comes over the face of a patient as he tries to determine between the two, which of us is the intern, and which is the mentor. The nurse is a lovely 25-year-old, extremely competent practitioner, and the intern is a 52-year-old novice. My mind, body, and spirit were all challenged to perform during this ten-week internship. This reflection is of the summer I spent as an over-50 intern at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, MN.

The situation is this: I am a returning student who started a nursing program 31 years ago. I gave it up after becoming enamored with the shipping industry on the Great Lakes. I went to a maritime officers' training program, earning certificates as a Great Lakes navigator and later a steam and diesel engineer that qualified me to serve on the large cargo ships of the Great Lakes fleets. I worked on various ships over the years until I married, retired from the career, and raised a family. I never returned to the shipping industry, found myself thrashing around for a career the better part of ten years, finally realizing my original calling as a nurse was the best place for me.

Considering that undergraduate credits never expire, I was able to pick up where I left off so many years prior. Between the junior and senior year of my undergraduate studies, I interned at a local hospital, and was matched with a nurse-mentor; a woman two years out of the same college and half my age.

 

The Relationship Between Media Exposure
and Two to Five Year Old Children's Creativity

Tiffany Kuchinski, Occupational Therapy
Cohort 5 ~ 1999-2000
Debra Schroeder, Ph.D., Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

This research examined the relationship between media exposure and creativity in preschool children. A questionnaire on amount and content of television viewing and creative play activities was completed by 83 parents of children ages two and five in daycare. No significant correlations were found between the two summary measures of creativity and number of hours of television viewed per day. Also, no significant correlations were found between the two summary measures of creativity and percentage of the most frequently viewed five shows that are non-educational in nature. However, two of the individual creativity items correlated with percentage of non-educational television: (1) The child pretends to be animals (positive correlation) and (2) The child dances (negative correlational trend). Finally, there was a positive correlation between creativity levels and time the child spends with the parent.

 

Children's and Adolescents' Perception
of the Pain Intensity Associated with Three Descriptors

Christopher J. LaFleur, Nursing
Cohort 1 ~ 1995-1996
Sr. Beverly Raway, Ph.D., Nursing Department
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

This study examined children's and adolescents' perceptions of the descriptors "hurt", "ache", and "pain" to determine if there were any differences related to age and developmental level. Subjects (N = 198) between 8 and 19 years old from a private elementary school, a private high school, and a college outreach program for high school students rated the levels of intensity associated with each of the descriptors on a 10 cm. word-graphic rating scale (WGS) and matched each of the descriptors to one of three pictures depicting painful experiences. Subjects were divided into 3 age groups; 8 - 11, 12 - 14, and 15 - 19 years-old. Repeated measures ANOVA of the WGS scores revealed that subjects associated different levels of intensity with each of the descriptors, p < .001. The subjects demonstrated similar patterns of ranking the intensity of the descriptors with "pain" highest, "hurt" middle, and "ache" lowest intensity. Pairwise post hoc Scheffe's tests for significant differences in mean scores for each of the descriptors between the age groups indicated there were no differences for either "pain" or "hurt" but that the 8 - 11 year-olds scored "ache" higher than the 12 - 14 or 15 - 19 year-olds, p < .05. No differences related to gender or version of data collection form were revealed. Confirmation of the pattern of intensity levels associated with the descriptors was obtained for the 15-19 year-olds through chi-square analysis of the relative rank orders of each of the descriptors within each of the age groups, p < .001. Analysis of the other two age groups revealed significance for ranking "pain" highest and "ache" lowest, p < .001, but did not confirm a medium rank for "hurt". A similar pattern of intensities associated with these descriptors was reported for an adult sample (Gaston-Johansson, Albert, Fagan, & Zimmerman, 1990). Chi-square analysis of the drawing-descriptor matching data revealed no significant preferences for associating either "hurt" or "pain" with drawings of an injection or a bike accident. Subjects overwhelmingly selected "ache" for a drawing of a girl with a bandaged jaw, p < .0001. These findings indicate that children and adolescents are socialized into common understandings of the words "pain", "hurt", and "ache" and that experiences with painful situations may influence this process.

 

The Perinatal Experience of Native Women on a Midwest Reservation

Papalotl Almanza Lopez, Nursing
Cohort 9 ~ 2003-2004
Mary Tanner, Ph.D., R.N., Mentor
Department of Nursing
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study explored the perinatal experience of Ojibwe women living on a Midwest reservation from the point of view of grandmothers, mothers, and health care providers. A participatory, action-based research methodology was utilized to interview participants. Findings were described using the conceptual framework of nursing in the Native American culture. Findings included health-seeking behaviors of prenatal women and positive change occurring within the realm of the reservation's health care system. Findings also suggest a lack of communication, referral and interaction among health care agencies.

 

Health Care Professionals' Attitudes Toward Young Single Parents

Jill Lorge, Nursing
Cohort 6 ~ 2000-2001
Gloria Pearson, M.A., R.N., Department of Nursing
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

Young single parents are patients in the health care system who are often underserved; yet they are also in need of the most care and education. One barrier young single parents face in health care is how the health care profession receives them. This study investigates the attitudes of health care professionals toward young single parents. The subjects involved included 116 health care professionals in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin currently working in family practice, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, public health, and various other areas. The quantitative results were as follows: 1) health care professionals feel that young single parents lack certain maternal skills observed in older married mothers, 2) health care professionals respect their young single parents, and 3) health care professionals are friendly toward their pregnant patients whether they are married or not. The qualitative data suggests that members of the health care profession find young single parents to be irresponsible and immature. Their decreased financial support and social support were also emphasized. The most promising result indicates that most health care professionals spend more time caring for and educating young single parents compared to traditional two-parent families.

 

Changing Occupations: An Evaluation of Life Satisfaction in Retirement

Katie L. Michalski, Occupational Therapy
Cohort 6 ~ 2000-2001
Rondell Berkeland, Ed.D., O.T.R./L., Department of Occupational Therapy
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

Activities that result in a sense of being valued and contributing to society are positively related to life satisfaction in retirement. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between engaging in various roles and activities (occupational behavior) and overall life satisfaction in retirement. The participants include 44 older adults, 31 women and 13 men, ages 65 years and over who are retired individuals and who live independently in apartments. A questionnaire adapted from two existing assessment tools was developed to gather data on the activities in which they engage and the level of satisfaction in retirement. A Spearman's Correlation Coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between engaging in meaningful activity and life satisfaction among retirees. The results demonstrate that engaging in meaningful activity plays a positive, significant role in influencing life satisfaction among retirees. These results illustrate the importance of engaging in meaningful occupations to ensure successful adaptation and optimal life satisfaction in retirement.

 

The Efficacy of Craniosacral Therapy

Carrie Preussner, Physical Therapy
Cohort 3 ~ 1997-1998
Gary Gordon, Ph.D., Department of Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of Craniosacral Therapy (CST) in respect to stress relief as measured by changes in heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension. Developed in the 1920s, Craniosacral Therapy is slowly becoming an accepted form of treatment for certain medical conditions in various disciplines throughout western medicine. It has been used for relaxation. The researcher measured physiologic changes in the body prior to and following the application of CST.

 

Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation Effects on Back Pain

Nichole Schreifels, Pre-Chiropractic
Cohort 10 ~ 2004-2005
The College of St. Scholastica
Dianne Johnson, M.A., R.N., C.N.S., H.N.C., Mentor
Department of Nursing
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

Chiropractic spinal manipulation is a controversial and alternative form of health care often utilized to treat back pain. This study utilizes 31 chiropractic patients in the west of Ireland to test this theory using a creative questionnaire that records pain levels before and after treatment. Results were analyzed using ANOVA (analysis of variance) tests and found a significant time effect. Chiropractic spinal manipulation produces significant decreases in back pain. However, patients who identified back pain with other pain did not benefit from chiropractic treatment. More research needs to be done to examine how chiropractic manipulation improves certain types of back pain and other types of pain.

 

Clinical Determinates of Morbidity and Mortality in Heart Failure

Virginia B. Thayer, Exercise Physiology
Cohort 11 ~ 2005-2006
The College of St. Scholastica
Vicki L. McHugh, M.S.; Ana M. Schaper, Ph.D.;
Sharon I. Barnhart, RN; Michelle A. Mathiason, M.S.
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, WI
Larry Birnbaum, Ph.D., Advisor
School of Sciences - Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica

Review of Literature

Heart failure (HF) is a challenging disease known for its demand on the individual, the health care system and providers encompassing physical, psychological, and financial magnitudes (Akosah & Carothers 2004; Nohria, Lewis, & Stevenson, 2002). HF continues to widen its embrace on the U.S. population affecting over five million people, numbering 550,000 new patient diagnoses per year (Akosah et al., 2004; Hunt, et al., 2005; Levy, et al., 2006; and Nohria et al., 2002). Due to the number of individuals HF affects, multiple studies on various forms of treatment have been performed in hopes of increasing the survival rate of those with the disease. The rate of HF diagnoses continues to increase despite decreasing death rates from myocardial infarctions and strokes, placing a greater demand on the understanding, treatment and management of the disease (Nohria et al., 2002). HF is a progressive disease and is best managed by those who have had specialized training in HF care (Akosah & Carothers, 2004). The purpose of this study is to determine the mortality of Gundersen Lutheran's HF clinic's patients with concurrent HF and chronic renal insufficiency compared with patients suffering from HF alone. A secondary objective is to evaluate the effects of optimal medical management on the mortality of patients with concurrent renal disease and HF.

 

Women Involved in High School Extracurricular Activities:
Are They More Apt to Enter Into a Professional Career?

Kourtney Thompson, Nursing
Cohort 7 ~ 2001-2002
Arlene Johnson, M.A., R.N., C.N.P., Assistant Professor
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

Extracurricular activities provide strong signs of organization, humanity, and dedication, as well as promoting individual growth and development. This study examines the relationship between female involvement in high school extracurricular activities and the pursuit of a career in a professional field. The questionnaires used in this study assessed if involvement in extracurricular activities impacted their choice to enter into a professional career. The questionnaires were completed and returned by 55 professional women from offices in Duluth, MN. The data collected indicated that involvement in extracurricular activities had little impact on career choice, revealing a mean score of 2.3 out of 5.

 

Cyclic GMP Induced Down Regulation of Cyclic
GMP-dependent Protein Kinase Iα and Iβ

Mary E. Udermann, Exercise Physiology
Cohort 12 ~ 2006-2007
The College of St. Scholastica
Thomas Lincoln, Ph.D., Principle Investigator
Nupur Dey, Ph.D., Mentor
Department of Physiology
The University of South Alabama
John Dargan, M.A., Advisor
School of Sciences - Department of Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

Previous work has been done in the area of smooth muscle contraction in regards to nitric oxide (NO) and type I cGMP dependent kinase (PKG). PKG is a serine/threonine kinase and a major receptor for NO in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC); it is also expressed in other mammalian tissues. PKG is expressed in two gene products, PKG-I and PKG-II; PKG-I has two isoforms, PKG-Iα and PKG-Iβ. PKG-Iα and Iβ both mediate relaxation through NO. PKG expression varies considerably during the growth and proliferation of in vitro cell culture. Some studies suggest that down regulation is not well defined. It appears that induction of type II NO synthase (iNOS) and the increase of cGMP in the cell induce down regulation of PKG-Iα. In this study we compared cGMP induced down regulation of PKG-Iα and PKG-Iβ.

Endogenous PKG-Iα and Iβ cDNA were transfected into Cos7 cells, which do not express PKG. The cells were treated with different concentrations of the cGMP analog 8-Br-cGMP. Western Blots were used to analyze PKG down regulation. Results show that PKG-Iα, which has a higher affinity for cGMP, was down regulated more noticeably when compared to PKG-Iβ. Down regulation appeared to be dependent on ubiquitination of PKG-Iα since the 26s proteasome inhibitor blocks down regulation.

 

Effects of Myofascial Release and Craniosacral Therapy on
Migraine and Tension-Type Headaches

Melissa Wallgren, Physical Therapy
Cohort 5 ~ 1999-2000
Gary Gordon, Ph.D., Department of Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

Myofascial release and craniosacral therapy are techniques that have not been thoroughly researched as headache treatments. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that these therapies provide a beneficial treatment for headache sufferers. The sample, consisting of 14 volunteers (13 female, 1 male), were treated with myofascial release and craniosacral therapy involving a hands-on approach as well as a hand-made device. Headache relief was measured by the use of a headache log over a nine-week period. This log measured frequency, duration, severity and relief of headaches. The major implications of this research include the introduction of an alternative form of treatment to drugs and other headache treatments (e.g., relaxation techniques, biofeedback or acupuncture). Results of the study indicated there was no significant difference between the control period, the hands-on myofascial release and craniosacral therapy or the cranial base tension pillow period in headache frequency, duration, severity, relief or medication consumed.