An HMO-Based Prospective Pilot Study of Energy Medicine for Chronic Headaches - Research Paper Example

Quantitative and Qualitative Research Critique Introduction The article to be critiqued was written by Sutherland et al. The study is a qualitative research because it includes a human experience gained through interactive approaches between the researcher and the participants. According to Burns and Grove (2007), qualitative approach focuses on human experiences and uses systematic and interactive approaches to gain experience with the research subjects. Qualification of the Authors The authors are qualified researchers because they have PhDs, N.D., and M.D. status which shows a high level of education, research, and experience in clinical nursing. Sutherland was a research fellow at the KPNW Pain Clinic at the time of study (Sutherland et al, 2009). Therefore, the research is strong because it is carried out by qualified researchers. The research also has the basic requirements of a quantitative and qualitative research such as introduction, abstract, publication tile, research method, results, and discussion. Clarity and Conciseness of the Title The title of the research is appropriate because it provides an understanding of the reported research study. The title includes the research design (HMO-Based Prospective Pilot Study), concept studies (Energy Medicine for Chronic Headaches), and research problem (Whole-Person Outcomes Point and need for New Instrumentation). Inclusion of these elements creates the interest to read the research (Burns and Grove, 2007). Quality of the Abstract The abstract is also of good quality because it clearly distinguishes the major and most important elements of the research including purpose, design, sample (13 patients), intervention (energy healing treatment), primary results, and implications for clinical practice and future research. Problem of the Study The problem of the study is clearly indicated. Background of the problem is stated by suggesting that approximately 50 million people in America are enduring chronic pain, and approximately 45% of the total population seeks medical attention for pain in their lives (Sutherland et al, 2009). Only 40% of the patients with moderate f\to severe pain report relief. The significance of the problem is also provided – that the success of treatment for chronic pain is significant for clinic management. Purpose of the Article The purpose of the study is also provided clearly and concisely. The authors state that the purpose of the study is to determine the success of using energy healing treatment in clinic therapy for patients with chronic pain. In fact, the purpose states clearly where the study will be carried out - KPNW Pain Clinic. Examination of the Literature Review Literature on the subject was also provided in depth, especially at the discussion section, to elaborate, prove and expound on the findings of the research. The references provided are current because most of them were within ten years prior to the year of publication of the article (2009). The article provided 27 references, 10 were published within the previous 10 years and 11 were published within 5 years. Only 6 references were published beyond the previous 10 years. The references are critiqued because they are academic books and articles from quality journals and publishers. The theoretical perspective is expressed explicitly. Literature on addiction treatment in areas of transformative change was reviewed. For example, the authors cited Forcehimes (2004) who studied the spiritual transformations in alcoholics. This supported the effectiveness of energy treatments on transformation of patients. This framework is based on scientific theory derived from research about transformative change in medicine. The framework also identifies relationships among concepts, including transformative change and energy treatments. Research Objectives, Hypotheses, and Questions The study does not clearly show the hypothesis and questions of research, but the research objectives are clearly indicated. One of the objectives of the study was to identify the effectiveness of using energy healing treatment on clinical therapy of patients with chronic pain. The second objective was to find out the number of treatment sessions that enhance successful intervention for the pain clinic. Lastly, one of the important objectives of the study was to establish the outcomes of patients undergoing energy healing, including transformative outcomes and whole-person outcomes. The Major Study Variables Variables are important for effective data analysis in a clinical research (Burns and Grove, 2007). The variables are also clearly stated to include number energy healing treatment sessions; frequency, intensity and duration of pain; views and attitudes of patients after treatment; and whole-person and transformative actions. The number of treatment sessions was measured directly by the researcher to achieve the desired outcome (Sutherland et al, 2009). The sessions were provided in a manner that they could be consistent with each subject. There were 6 sessions provided for the energy healing treatment. The frequency, intensity and duration of pain of the patients were established through interview with the patients and recorded after each treatment session (Sutherland et al, 2009). Intensity of pain was measured in a visual analog scale of 0-10. The independent variable was the number of energy healing sessions while the dependent variables were frequency, intensity and duration of pain; views and attitudes of patients after treatment; and whole-person and transformative actions. Attributes/demographic variables The attributes and demographic variables are also important in quantitative and qualitative research to determine the outcomes and their significance for each subject. In terms of attributes, Sutherland et al (2009) described the attributes of participants in the results section. First, the participants were patients with chronic pain admitted to KPNW clinic. The duration of pain for participants averaged 14 years. Most of them were aged 50 years and above. Three participants were male while the rest ten participants were female. These demographic variables are important to determine the outcomes by gender and age so that clinical management practice can understand the demographic groups that need more attention and intervention (Burns and Grove, 2007). Research Design The research design involved a semi-structured interview which started with an open-ended question. This design enabled participants to narrate their experiences so that the researcher can analyse them appropriately. Quantitative (VAS) data on worst pain was also collected on baseline (Sutherland et al, 2009). The intervention used in the study was energy healing treatment for the patients in six sessions divided into two waves. Seven participants were involved in the first wave and the rest were involved in the second wave. Those who did not want to complete the six sessions were placed in wave 2 where they would complete 3 sessions with the option of completing the other session. The research itself was a pilot study. Sample and Setting The sample was 13 patients suffering chronic pain. The setting of the study was at the examination room of KPNW Pain Clinic, and the inclusion of participants was based on willingness of participants. All patients with chronic pain in the clinic were asked to participate as long as they completed a Pain Management Multidisciplinary Group Visit Program for wave 1 and a diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) for wave 2. Consent is also important for a research involving human beings from relevant authorities (Burns and Grove, 2007). Consent was sought and obtained from KPNW Institutional Review Board. Measurement Strategy Used Name of Measurement Method Author Type of Measurement Method Level of Measurement Development of Measurement Method Reliability Validity Wisconsin Brief Pain Questionnaire Wisconsin Visual Analog scale Ratio Scale developed with Baseline Pain level – pain for patients with chronic pain (headache) 0 (no pain) – 10 (unbearable pain) Domains of Change After Three Treatments Quantum change measurement C’de Baca and Wilbourne Open-Ended Interviews Nominal Developing Healing/change Relationships Occurrence of Specific Domains of Change After Three Treatments Accuracy of transformative and whole-person outcomes Data Collection Process The data was collected in two waves by asking the participants open-ended questions in an interview. The intervention protocol was the Pain Clinic Protocol which guided the treatment sessions at the pain clinic. This is a strong research because it uses a protocol to ensure that the data collection is accurate for a reliable research (Jeanfreau & Jack, 2010). Statistical Data Analysis This article clearly stated that content analysis of the open-minded questions was carried out. In this case, direct information was obtained from study participants in terms of their experience in the healing process. Jeanfreau & Jack (2010) suggests that content analysis is one of the effective methods of analysing qualitative data. Interviews were transcribed verbatim by the interviewers. The data was then analysed and coded by experienced researchers. Researcher’s Interpretation of Findings The researcher interpreted the findings accurately based on the findings from the content analysis. The findings are related back to the study framework. The authors suggest that energy healing treatment improved the pain frequency, intensity, and duration. The authors found out that three sessions are required to achieve benefits from energy healing treatments. There was also a transformative shift of outcomes which is relevant to the transformation/change quantum in the study framework. These findings were in keeping with the expected, and are consistent with previous studies indicated in the literature review. Research Implications These findings have implications for further study and nursing practice (Jeanfreau & Jack, 2010). For clinical practice, the research provides suggestions on whether energy healing treatments have benefits for the clinical practice, and if so, how many sessions are required to achieve success. Future research should develop instruments that will enhance consistency in terms of transformative change and whole-person outcomes. References List Burns, N. and Grove, S. (2007). Understanding nursing research: Building an evidence-based practice. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Jeanfreau, S. G., & Jack, L. (2010). Appraising Qualitative Research in Health Education: Guidelines for Public Health Educators. Health Promotion Practice, 11(5), 612–617. Sutherland, E.G., Ritenbaugh, C., Kiley, S.J., Vuckovic, N., and Elder, C. (2009). An HMO-Based Prospective Pilot Study of Energy Medicine for Chronic Headaches: Whole-Person Outcomes Point to the Need for New Instrumentation. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(8), 819–826. Read More