The effectiveness of mother-led infant massage on symptoms of maternal postnatal depression: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Postnatal depression is a significant public health issue which may escalate and lead to adverse outcomes for women, infants, their family and the wider society. The aim of this review was to examine the effectiveness and experiences of mother-led infant massage on symptoms of maternal postnatal depression and to synthesise these findings to inform policy, practice and further research.

METHODS

A systematic search of five academic databases was conducted: CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Allied and Complementary Medicine Database in February 2023 with no date or geographic limiters set owing to the paucity of research on this subject area. Quality appraisal was undertaken using the Joanna Briggs Institute quality appraisal tools and all included RCT's were assessed separately using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Narrative synthesis was used to analyse the data.

FINDINGS

A total of (n = 323) studies were returned of which (n = 8) met the inclusion criteria for the review. This review identified a total sampling of (n = 521) women with maternal postnatal depression. The results are presented under three themes: 1) the effectiveness of mother-led infant massage on symptoms of postnatal depression; 2) women's experiences of mother-led infant massage; and 3) the effects of mother-led infant massage on the mother-infant relationship.

DISCUSSION

The review highlights women who used infant massage displayed a reduction in symptoms of postnatal depression, improved mother-infant interactions and improved self-efficacy in addition to benefits for infants. Public Health Nurse/Community Midwife-led infant massage may help to relieve such symptoms and empower women.

Mental health service users' experiences of telehealth interventions facilitated during the COVID-19 pandemic and their relevance to nursing: An integrative review

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Service users report telehealth interventions to be useful in terms of access and convenience however, a preference for face-to-face interventions remains. Nurses are using telehealth interventions in clinical practice however, further research is necessary in this area as the evidence of their involvement is limited. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: This paper highlights the use of telehealth interventions should augment rather than replace face-to-face care provision.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The Covid-19 pandemic saw the swift implementation of physical and social distancing that impacted the way in which mental health services were facilitated. Consequently, telehealth/e-health interventions are increasing in use.

AIM

This integrative review aims to explore existing literature regarding mental health service users' experiences of telehealth interventions facilitated through the COVID-19 pandemic, to determine the visibility of nursing involvement in the facilitation of telehealth interventions and to use these experiences to inform nursing practice.

METHOD

A methodical search of eight (n = 8) academic databases was undertaken using CINAHL, SCOPUS, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane, MEDLINE and Academic Search Complete between January 2020 and January 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 5133 papers were screened by title and abstract of which (n = 77) progressed for full-text screening. Five (n = 5) papers met the inclusion criteria for this review and results were mapped onto the four meta-paradigms of nursing: person; where the findings discuss the acceptability of telehealth interventions; environment; where the findings highlight barriers and facilitators to the use of telehealth interventions; health; where the findings discuss staff time and logistical issues relating to telehealth interventions and nursing; where the findings centre around the therapeutic relationship.

DISCUSSION

This review highlights there is a paucity of direct evidence relating to nursing involvement in the facilitation of telehealth interventions. However, there are benefits to the use of telehealth interventions that include increased access to services, less perceived stigma and increased engagement which are relevant to nursing practice. A lack of individual contact and concerns relating to infrastructure indicates a fondness for face-to-face interventions remains high.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

There is a need for further research on the role of the nurse in the facilitation of telehealth interventions, specific interventions used and outcomes of such interventions.

Nursing in a prison context: A focused mapping review and synthesis of international nursing literature

AIM

To provide a snapshot of the extent to which nursing and the prison context features in non-specialist/generic nursing journals.

DESIGN

Focused mapping review and synthesis.

METHODS

Relevant articles were examined for the extent to which they featured nursing and the prison context. A descriptive and contextual analysis of the data was carried out to provide a topography and synthesis of the key trends identified.

DATA SOURCES

Articles meeting criteria for nursing and the prison context in relevant non-specialized, generic nursing journals (n = 7) from January 2018 to December 2022.

RESULTS

Four thousand, nine hundred and twelve (n = 4912) articles were published during the review period of which (n = 14) met inclusion criteria. The key trends identified are presented under three headings: taking an advocacy approach for better health and well-being, examining self-determination and autonomy in prison populations and nursing in the prison context.

CONCLUSION

Nursing and the prison context features in non-specialized and generic nursing journals but sparsely and infrequently. There is a need for greater visibility of nursing and the prison context in nursing journals to help reduce stigma and marginalization of those working and those detained in prison.

IMPLICATION FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE

Nurses working in prison environments often manage extremely complex care needs. It is necessary to feature all nursing care environments in nursing journals so as to increase visibility and to act as a source of education for all. IMPACT (WHAT PROBLEM DID THE STUDY ADDRESS? MAIN FINDINGS? WHERE/WHOM WILL THE RESEARCH HAVE IMPACT ON): The findings of this review will have impact on all nurses engaged in practice and research as it highlights the extent to which nursing in a prison context is featured in non-specialized nursing journals and also speaks to the challenges faced by those working and detained in prison.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution. This was a review of existing literature.

Women with perinatal suicidal ideation–A scoping review of the biopsychosocial risk factors to inform health service provision and research

Objectives

This review aims to map the existing evidence on perinatal suicidal ideation, identify biopsychosocial risk factors associated with suicidal ideation and make recommendations for service provision and future research.

Methods

Scoping review guided by Arskey’s and O’Malley’s (2005) framework. Five academic databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, ASSIA and Academic Search Complete) were searched from 1^st January 2009 to 1^st April 2022. Studies were screened by title, abstract and full text against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Primary qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies, written in English pertaining to perinatal suicidal ideation were included. Forty-one studies met the eligibility criteria, data were extracted and narratively synthesised. Findings are reported in accordance with the PRISMA-SR extension.

Key conclusions

Findings were mapped onto the biopsychosocial framework and include sleep deprivation, maternal age, pregnancy complications, mood disorders, intimate partner violence, childhood maltreatment/abuse, low socioeconomic status, alcohol and tobacco misuse, miscarriage/perinatal loss, birth trauma and sleep deprivation. The findings demonstrate that the biopsychosocial risk factors for perinatal suicidal ideation are varied and complex.

Implications for practice

The minimisation of women’s experiences may lead to detrimental consequences and there is a need for increased knowledge of mental health problems by those working with women in the perinatal period to ensure safety planning conversations occur with every woman meeting ‘at risk’ criteria.

The value and contribution of intellectual disability nurses/nurses caring for people with intellectual disability in intellectual disability settings: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

People with intellectual disability experience poorer health and healthcare access issues. As a leading role in healthcare provision for people with intellectual disability nurses are key to supporting person-centred care and health outcomes. However, little is known about specialist intellectual disability nursing and their contribution to care provision for people with intellectual disability.

METHODS

A systematic scoping review. Searches of seven academic databases including MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were conducted to identify relevant literature. Literature addressing intellectual disability nursing or nursing care for people with intellectual disability in intellectual disability centres/units/care homes were reviewed and reported as per PRISMA-ScR checklist and PRISMA flow diagram.

RESULTS

The published literature (n = 68) is extensive and describes the value and contribution of intellectual disability nursing across all domains of professional practice and supports a biopsychosocial-educational approach to addressing the physical, mental and social needs of clients with intellectual disability across the care continuum of health management, health promotion and health education.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the importance of the review question and the large volume of publication evidence detailing wide-ranging professional nursing roles and responsibilities, there remains limited literature on the assessment and intervention strategies employed by intellectual disability nurses that highlight their specialist knowledge and skill. Future research should focus on making the role of the nurse more visible and presenting their unique contributions to client care, service delivery, policy and ultimately to the art and science of nursing.

Are Mindfulness-Based Interventions as Effective as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Reducing Symptoms of Complicated Perinatal Grief? A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Perinatal loss can be a devastating experience for parents that can result in complicated grief symptoms that include depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. Perinatal bereavement care pathways have been developed internationally within health care services; however, there is an apparent lack of recommendations and guidance on grief-focused interventions specifically for complicated perinatal grief. Studies have analyzed the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for perinatal grief, and more recent research has emerged on the use of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for perinatal grief symptoms. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and present the effectiveness of CBT and MBIs for perinatal grief, to report patient experiences of the interventions, and to determine which intervention can be more effective in managing symptoms of complicated perinatal grief.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted of 5 academic databases: PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Social Science, and ASSIA. No limits on publication date, language, or geographic location were set because of the paucity of research published on this subject. Quality appraisal was conducted for each included study. Findings are reported in accordance with the PRISMA statement.

RESULTS

This systematic review identified 8 eligible studies with a total of 681 bereaved participants. The results were examined for effectiveness of CBT and MBIs for grief; effectiveness of CBT and MBIs for depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress; and participant experiences. Both interventions produced favorable reductions of perinatal grief symptoms, depression, and posttraumatic stress. However, a true comparison between the 2 interventions' effect on complicated perinatal grief symptoms could not be made because of the limited studies in this area and the heterogeneity of the included studies' methods and outcomes.

DISCUSSION

Both MBIs and CBT interventions can be effective in reducing symptoms of complicated perinatal grief. The findings of this review are heavily weighted in quantitative outcome measurements. More qualitative research and randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed in this area of perinatal bereavement care.

Women's experiences of prison-based mental healthcare: a systematic review of qualitative literature

PURPOSE

The rate of female committals to prison has grown rapidly in recent years. Women in prison are likely to have trauma histories and difficulties with their mental health. This paper aims to synthesise the findings of qualitative literature to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of women in the context of prison-based mental health care.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

A systematic search of five academic databases, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, Psychological Information Database (PsycINFO), Excerpta Medica DataBASE (EMBASE) and Medline, was completed in December 2020. This study's search strategy identified 4,615 citations, and seven studies were included for review. Thomas and Harden's (2008) framework for thematic synthesis was used to analyse data. Quality appraisal was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Qualitative Research (Lockwood et al., 2015).

FINDINGS

Four analytic themes were identified that detail women's experiences of prison-based mental health care: the type of services accessed and challenges encountered; a reduction in capacity to self-manage mental well-being; the erosion of privacy and dignity; and strained relationships with prison staff. There is a paucity of research conducted with women in the context of prison-based mental health care. The findings suggest there is a need for greater mental health support, including the need to enhance relationships between women and prison staff to promote positive mental health.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first systematic review conducted on the experiences of women in the context of prison-based mental health care.

The effectiveness of psychological interventions for pregnant women with anxiety in the antenatal period: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Anxiety is a significant public health concern, that if untreated may lead to adverse outcomes for mother, baby and the family unit. The aim of this review was to determine the efficacy of psychological interventions for pregnant women with anxiety in the antenatal period. Although guidelines recommend psychological interventions for managing anxiety in the perinatal period, there is a lack of strong evidence on the most effective psychological intervention for use in the antenatal period. Effective non-pharmacological interventions are an important area that requires significant clinical attention.

DESIGN

A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies was conducted using Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA), Web of Science and PsychInfo. Quality appraisal was performed using The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool to assess methodological quality on all six included papers. All four RCT's were assessed separately using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.

FINDINGS

Of the 7278 articles, six quantitative studies were included. The overall results of this review found that mindfulness based interventions are by far the most effective intervention for the treatment of anxiety in the antenatal period. These findings are not in line with current guidance on treatment of women with anxiety in the antenatal period and warrants immediate attention.

KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the potential benefits of mindfulness based interventions in practice. There is some evidence to support their use in the antenatal period, however, there remains insufficient evidence to confidently advocate for their use in practice. Follow-up research needs to be conducted on the efficacy of mindfulness based interventions on women with anxiety in the antenatal period using rigorous RCT's. Education and training of Midwives to help promote and use this intervention is recommended.