Abstract
Occupational stress in nursing leads to poor patient and staff satisfaction making it essential to address stress among nursing staff and improving patient satisfaction. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental quality improvement (QI) project was to determine to what degree evidence-based relaxation techniques, including music, deep-breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery, using the transactional model would reduce stress levels among nursing staff and improve nurse-patient communication on a medical-surgical unit in a community hospital. Lazarus and Folkman's theory of stress and coping best explains stress levels and the need for alternate solutions. Data to evaluate stress levels was collected with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)-10 before and after intervention from the nursing staff, (n = 40). Nurse communication data was obtained from patients, (n = 456) using a digital rounding tool, on two questions from the nurse communication domain: respect and courtesy, and nurse listening. A paired t-test showed statistically significant improvement in staff's stress levels after intervention (p = 0.0032). A chi-square test for nurse communication indicated statistical significance for the respect and courtesy question (p = 0.02), but not for the nurse listening (p = 0.2). Recommendations include continued use of relaxation techniques among nursing staff and extending the project to other nursing units, as results indicated reduced stress levels after intervention. Even though results for nurse communication were not statistically significant, more positive patient responses were encouraging, suggesting project replication to improve patient satisfaction.
Sigma Membership
Nu Upsilon
Type
Dissertation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Quality Improvement
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Relaxation Techniques, Mindfulness, Perceived Stress, Nursing Communication
Advisor
Merri Morgan
Second Advisor
Danielle McQuigg
Degree
DNP
Degree Grantor
Grand Canyon University
Degree Year
2020
Recommended Citation
Samuel, Deborah, "Effects of evidence-based relaxation techniques on nurse-patient communication" (2021). Dissertations. 752.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/dissertations/752
Rights Holder
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Review Type
None: Degree-based Submission
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2021-08-09
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Description
This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 27994793; ProQuest document ID: 2418164310. The author still retains copyright.