Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Nursing

Named a 2013 Doody's Core Title!

[C]onsistently offers easily accessible and timely information on how complementary therapies influence the health, comfort, and well-being of patients in a variety of clinical settings. It is an influential resource for nurses in practice, education, and research.

--Janice Post-White, PhD, RN, FAAN

Now in its sixth edition, this highly acclaimed book continues to provide nurses with cutting-edge research and practice guidelines for complementary and alternative therapy. Enriched with new chapters, contributors, live web resources with the authors' own updated information, and a new emphasis on evidence-based practice, this highly anticipated edition demonstrates how nurses can serve as an active, healing presence for their patients.

Also new to this edition is the authors' emphasis on cultural awareness. To this end, the authors incorporate new, engaging cultural applications in every chapter.

Cutting-edge therapies discussed include:

• Energy and biofield: healing touch, light therapy, and reflexology
• Mind-body: yoga, meditation, and storytelling
• Manual: massage, exercise, and Tai Chi
• Biological-based: aromatherapy and herbal therapies

As the consumer demand for complementary therapies continues to increase, it is critical that nurses have thorough knowledge of complementary therapies in order to stay informed about research and practice guidelines, alert patients to possible contraindications with Western biomedicine, and even incorporate some of these therapies in their own self-care."

Mariah Snyder, PhD, is professor emerita, University of Minnesota School of Nursing. Independent nursing interventions and complementary therapies have been the focus of her career. Dr. Snyder studied the effects of complementary therapies in promoting the health and well-being of elders, particularly those with dementia. She was a founding member of the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota and instrumental in the establishment of the Center's graduate interdisciplinary minor. In retirement, she continues to incorporate complementary therapies in her volunteer activities with women in recovery programs, elders, and in her personal wellness.

Ruth Lindquist, PhD, RN is Professor Emeritus of Nursing and Graduate Faculty member of the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota. She is a member of the University of Minnesota Academy of Distinguished Teachers and the Academic Health Center Academy of Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. In her practice and research, Dr. Lindquist uses evidence-based complementary therapies and behavioral strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease risk and promote health-related quality of life. She cofounded an innovative women's only cardiac support group to enhance self-care and transform lifestyles to reduce heart disease risks. As a Densford Scholar in the Katherine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership, she worked with her team to conduct a landmark national survey of critical care nurses' attitudes toward and use of complementary therapies. Complementary therapies have been the core of her care, research, and scholarship for 40 years including co-editing this text, now in its 9th edition.