Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
Vol. 47 No. 1 January 2009
Guided Imagery and Music: Using the Bonny Method to Evoke Emotion and Access the Unconscious
Lora Humphrey Beebe, PhD, PMHNP-BC; and Tami H. Wyatt, PhD, RN, CNE
ABSTRACT
The healing power of music has been recognized since ancient times. The use of music has been documented in diverse cultures worldwide, for ailments ranging from pain and cancer to depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. The various models of music therapy are based on different theoretical traditions, including behaviorist, humanist, and psychodynamic approaches. This article describes the music therapy approach known as the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) therapy, reviews its research base, and presents a first-person account of the experience of GIM treatment.
AUTHOR
Dr. Beebe is Associate Professor and Dr. Wyatt is Assistant Professor, University of Tennessee College of Nursing, Knoxville, Tennessee.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.
Address correspondence to Lora Humphrey Beebe, PhD, PMHNP-BC, Associate Professor, University of Tennessee College of Nursing, 1200 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37996; e-mail: lbeebe1@utk.edu.
Achieving Restraint-Free on an Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit
Sandra A. Barton, BSN, RN, BC; M. Rebecca Johnson, MS, RN; and Lydia V. Price, MS, PMHCNS-BC
ABSTRACT
Restraint use in the treatment of mental illness has long been a controversial practice. Regulatory agencies, licensing organizations, and professional and advocacy groups have called for reduction of restraint use. Responding to this call for action, the leadership team of a behavioral health unit in a private, nonprofit community hospital evaluated reducing restraint use. Following training through the National Executive Training Institute of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, a restraint-reduction project team was formed. Instead of reducing restraint use, it was decided to eliminate restraint use. Vision guided, the team developed an action plan. Culture change focused on the Mental Health Recovery Model and principles of trauma-informed care. Emphasizing person-centered care, this unit has now been restraint free for nearly 2 years. A surprise finding was that restraint elimination accompanied a decrease in use of “as needed” sedative-hypnotic medications. Person-centered care delivered by frontline staff led to culture change, a restraint-free environment, and less medication.
AUTHOR
Ms. Barton and Ms. Johnson are Clinical Managers, Behavioral Health Unit, Chambersburg Hospital, and Ms. Price is Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health and Director of Patient Services and Behavioral Health, Summit Health/Chambersburg Hospital, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.
The authors thank the Behavioral Health Unit staff for their courageous undertaking, implementation, and ongoing dedication to this vision and change. The authors also thank Dr. Rajnikant Lad, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, for initial direction and support of the change project.
Address correspondence to Sandra A. Barton, BSN, RN, BC, Clinical Manager, Behavioral Health Unit, Chambersburg Hospital, 112 North Seventh Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201; e-mail: sbarton@summithealth.org.
Animal-Assisted Activity: Experiences of Institutionalized Japanese Older Adults
Namiko Kawamura, RN, MSN; Masayoshi Niiyama, DVM; and Harue Niiyama
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine how a group of institutionalized elderly Japanese women perceived animal-assisted activity (AAA) and how their perceptions may be relevant to clinical nursing practices in the AAA context. The participants in this study, 8 elderly Japanese women residing in a nursing home in a northern Japanese city, had attended AAA sessions two times per month for 2 years prior to this study’s data collection. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using phenomenological procedures. Six themes emerged concerning the interactive relationships between the participants and the animals; in addition, participants were able to develop interest in themselves, other residents, and their environment, due to feelings of ease and the development of one-on-one relationships with the AAA dogs. Volunteers from outside the nursing home made residents feel refreshed and gave them opportunities to broaden their contact with society.
AUTHOR
Ms. Kawamura is Assistant Professor of Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing, Sapporo City University, Sapporo, Dr. Niiyama is Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, and Ms. Niiyama is Nursing Assistant, Karipu Atsubetsu Nursing Home, Sapporo, Japan.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. This research was funded by a Grant-in-Aid (2003/2005, Exploratory Research Grant: KAKENHI 15659526) from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
The authors gratefully acknowledge the editorial assistance of Harry E. Creagen, MAEd.
Address correspondence to Namiko Kawamura, RN, MSN, Assistant Professor of Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing, Sapporo City University, Kita 11 Nishi 13, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-0011, Japan; e-mail: n.kawamura@scu.ac.jp.
