Volume 14, Issue 2, June 2006
Coordinator's Message
What's Inside . . .
Coordinator's
Message
Welcome Our New Coordinator
Gwen Wyatt, RN, PhD
East Lansing, MI
gwyatt@msu.edu
Coordinator-Elect's
Message
Editor's Message
Integrated
Therapies
An Intervention
Will Study
Reflexology
Benefits for Women
With Advanced
Breast Cancer
Conference
Highlights
Elevator
Introduction
Check Out These
Books of Interest
Congress Was A
Success
Membership
Benefits
SIG Officers
I hope that you were as excited
about Congress in Boston, MA, as I was. What a wonderful
time to reconnect and learn about the latest information in
oncology care. Our SIG meeting was held on Thursday, May
4, from 5:15–6:30 pm. Great news! Our SIG name change
has been approved, and we now are the Complementary
and Integrative Therapies SIG. Our Congress poster
featured the new name.
I'd like to welcome our new coordinator, Charlene "Gayle"
Pattillo, BSN, RN, OCN®. (Charlene says her friends call her
Gayle.) Gayle is from Johnson City, TN. Congratulations,
Gayle!
I'd like to thank Mary Revak, RN, OCN®, for her wonderful
job of continually updating our Virtual Community (VC)
page. When you have information to add to our VC, please
send it to me and I'll have it approved by ONS and sent to
Mary for posting. This is a great way to communicate.
Finally, I would like to mention my new National Cancer
Institute–funded research project. The purpose of the study
is to enhance the quality of life of women with late-stage
breast cancer (stages III and IV). We will be offering
reflexology to the intervention group. Please take a look at
"An Intervention Will Study Reflexology Benefits for Women
With Advanced Breast Cancer" in this issue.
As always, please let me know if you have ideas for our
SIG.
The Complementary & Integrative Therapies SIG Newsletter is produced by members of the
Complementary & Integrative Therapies SIG and ONS staff and is not a peer-reviewed publication.
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Special Interest Group Newsletter June 2006
Coordinator-Elect’s Message
Laugh for the Health of it
Charlene “Gayle” Pattillo, BSN, RN, OCN®, CLL (Certified
Laughter Leader)
Johnson City, TN
Patillocg@msha.com
What if I told you I had something that could relieve anxiety, anger, and depression
and ease pain, facilitate sleep, improve relationships, reduce stress, decrease blood
pressure, boost immunity, help control fear, enhance learning, foster hope, and help
lose weight (not a great selling point for all cancer patients, but for some and staff)?
What would you pay? What if I told you it's free, or nearly so? From the Great
Physician, we have been given a prescription in the Bible in Proverbs 17:22 (New
International Version). "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries
up the bones." "Laughter is the best medicine" is a popular notion and one that has
a lot of truth to it. The physician Galen noted nearly 2,000 years ago that cheerful
women were less prone to develop cancer than gloomy ones. Studies since then
have shown laughter to have the benefits I mentioned in addition to the pleasure of
laughing.
Humor as therapy began with Norman Cousin's discovery that laughter helped in his
recovery from a painful illness. It evolved into the science of
psychoneuroimmunology, the study of the relationship between the mind and body.
A holistic approach recognizes that a person has not just a physical but an
emotional and spiritual self as well. All parts of the whole should be well to live and
not just survive. An integrative approach incorporates laughter into medicine.
For those who enjoy a good sense of humor, all that may be needed is permission
to indulge in it. Adults often take life too seriously. When asked, "How are you?"
Common answers include, "You don't want to know!" or "Tired and busy." The
Secret Society of Happy People at www.sohp.com observes that being happy has
become politically incorrect. Fun and happiness have become equivalent to lazy and
stupid. Some people say that you would not be happy if you knew what was going
on or ask how you could possibly laugh if you have cancer or are an oncology
nurse? Sometimes we squash our childlike nature because we are afraid that we will
be mistaken for being childish. We are concerned about being serious and acting
professional and mature, and we squelch our lighter side.
But even among the terminally ill, humor and laughter play a vital role in cancer
care. In a study of patients with cancer, Bennett and Lengacher (1999) found that
87% of clients used at least one complementary therapy. Humor ranked as the
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second most popular after prayer, with 100% of respondents rating it as very
helpful.
Laughter clubs are led by a certified laughter leader from the World Laughter Tour
(www.worldlaughtertour.com) and serve to promote laughter as an exercise without
relying on the use of jokes or comedy. Your body benefits from simulated laughter,
which often leads to stimulated laughter. That is, you can "fake it 'til you make it."
The World Laughter Tour currently is working on a project to facilitate laughter in
cancer support groups. In laughter clubs, we prevent hardening of our attitudes by
doing simple daily practices, called Good Hearted Living, which I hope to share more
about in the coming months
Mondays are for paying compliments.
Tuesdays are for flexibility.
Wednesdays are for gratitude.
Thursdays are for acts of kindness.
Fridays are for forgiveness.
And the weekends are for chocolate!
References
Bennett, M., & Lengacher, C. (1999). Use of complementary therapies in a rural cancer population. Oncology
Nursing Forum, 26, 1287–1294.
Bibliography
Lengacher, C.A., Bennett, M.P., Kip, K.E., Keller, R., LaVance, M.S., Smith, L.S., et al. (2002). Frequency of use
of complementary and alternative medicine in women with breast cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum, 29, 1445–
1452.
Pattillo, C.G., & Itano, J. (2001). Laughter is the best medicine: And it's a great adjunct in the treatment of
patients with cancer. American Journal of Nursing, 40–43.
Wilson, S. (2003). Good-hearted living. Columbus, OH: Steve Wilson and Company.
Wooten, P. (2002). Compassionate laughter. Salt Lake City, UT: Jest Press.
Back to SIG Newsletter front page
Special Interest Group Newsletter June 2006
3
Editor’s Message
This Newsletter is Chock-Full of Great Information
Pamela Potter, ARNP, DNSc
Seattle, WA
potterpj@u.washington.edu
When I embarked on organizing this newsletter, uncertainty
prevailed. Would I have enough interesting material to share with readers? Would I
be begging for material? Alas, interesting content prevails. I did go begging—at my
university—and found a student who was happy to turn one of her papers into an
informative article for our newsletter. I e-mailed our OrgaNIC (Organization of
Nurses in Integrative Care) student group asking for contributions. I imagine this
organization is not the only well for drawing upon writing resources. Wherever you
are affiliated—hospital, clinic, or academic institution—please share this newsletter
with colleagues and students and ask them if they would like to write about
integrative cancer care. Of course, you, too, can contribute to content. Expand on a
practice idea, describe an ideal use of CAM in an integrated healthcare setting, or
send an abstract describing your research. Also, your feedback on newsletter
content is greatly appreciated.
In this issue, our coordinator, Gwen Wyatt, RN, PhD, announces our official new SIG
name, Complementary and Integrative Therapies, and happily passes leadership to
Gayle Pattillo, BSN, RN, OCN®, in the Coordinator's Message. Coordinator-elect
Gayle Pattillo describes laughter as truly "the best medicine" to complement
conventional care in "Laugh for the Health of It". Pauline Osborne, RN, BSN, OCN®,
a master's student at the University of Washington, reviews the research literature
and invites us to "Learn About Nia," a fitness technique and lifestyle program that
may benefit people with cancer. Gwen Wyatt, principle investigator, provides an
executive summary for a longitudinal randomized clinical trial funded by the
National Cancer Institute. Susan Bauer-Wu, DNSc, RN, reports on two conferences
recently held by organizations of interest to SIG members, the Society for
Integrative Oncology and the American Psychosocial Oncology Society. Pauline
Osborne tells us about herself in an "Elevator Introduction," followed by two short
reviews of books of interest.
Back to SIG Newsletter front page
Special Interest Group Newsletter June 2006
4
Integrative Therapies
Learn About Nia
Pauline Osborne, RN, BSN, OCN®
Seattle, WA
posborne@u.washington.edu
The American Cancer Society estimated that 1,372,910 men
and women would be diagnosed with cancer in 2005
(National Cancer Institute, 2005), and more than nine
million would be alive with a cancer in the United States
(Schwartz, 2004). New advances in early detection,
treatment of disease, and management of side effects has increased the number of
cancer survivors and survival time (Drake, Falzer, Xistris, Robinson, & Roberge,
2004); however, the significant morbidities from cancer and its treatment often
undermine the quality of life (QOL) of cancer survivors. The current research
suggests that physical exercise may be one strategy to enhance QOL during and
after cancer treatments (Courneya et al., 2003).
The Nia Technique is a fitness and lifestyle program currently incorporated in a
variety of cancer settings, including Camp Bluebird (www.campbluebirdmi.com)
(Hardee, 2002) and the Cancer Well-Fit (www.cancerwellfit.com) Program at Santa
Barbara Athletic Club (Cancer Well-Fit, 2005). Nia was first developed by Debbie
and Carlos Rosas in 1983 as a safer and gentler approach to high impact aerobics.
Nia is a multidimensional program incorporating a variety of modalities addressing
body, mind, spirit (one's own uniqueness), and emotions.
Nia is based on the "body's way" (the way the body was designed to move) and
incorporates movement energies from the dance arts (modern, jazz, Duncan), the
martial arts (Tae Kwan Doe, Tai Chi, Aikido), and the healing arts (yoga, the work
of Moshe Feldenkrais, the Alexendar Technique). Nia consists of 52 basic moves, 13
main principles, and five different sensations of fitness (stability, mobility, flexibility,
strength, and agility). Nia has three main levels: low intensity (e.g., arm
movements kept closer to the core, stances less deep), moderate intensity (e.g.,
arm movements further away from core, stances deeper), and high intensity (e.g.,
large arm movements, deep stances). During class, music is played and participants
move through seven main cycles (set a focus and intent, step in, warm up, get
moving, cool down, floor play, and step out). The lifestyle component of Nia occurs
by taking what is learned in class and applying it to one's daily life; for example,
noticing one's emotions throughout the day (Rosas, 2004).
Two studies on the Nia Technique have been published. One studied its use in
patients with cancer (Kern & Baker, 1997); the other examined physical and
emotional recovery in women with breast cancer (Lopez, Bensen, Guillen, Kurker, &
Johnson, 2001).
5
Kern and Baker compared Nia with a conventional approach of aerobic dance in
female college students. The purpose was to evaluate two different teaching
methods in aerobic dance classes on general self-esteem, physical self-esteem, and
state-trait anxiety. Thirty-seven students participated in a conventional aerobic
class, and 40 students participated in a Nia class. No significant changes were found
in general self-esteem, physical self-esteem, and state anxiety in the seven-week
program. However, the trait anxiety in conventional aerobics increased while the Nia
group score decreased. Because trait anxiety is considered a relatively stable trait,
the meaning of this change is unclear and may be an artifact of study design.
Comments presented by healthy participants in the study by Kern & Baker (1997)
revealed differences between the two fitness programs and may be relevant when
considering a fitness program for cancer survivors. Reporting how they felt after
class, 71% of students in the conventional aerobic class referred to physical
conditions such as being out of breath, tired, or hungry. However, 87% of students
in the Nia group referred to emotional conditions, such as feeling awake, less
stressed, relaxed, calm, uplifted, and light. The Nia group also said they had more
energy and strength and felt more energized. When reporting feelings experienced
during class, 44% of the conventional group mentioned frustration. Their comments
included confusion, "frustrated because I couldn't keep up," "stressed to keep up
with everyone in class," incompetent, uncoordinated, and struggling. By contrast,
the comments in the Nia group included joy, hope, "appreciation for my body,"
moving freely, rejuvenation, power, and grace. These differences suggest that Nia
could be more beneficial as a fitness program in cancer survivors. The study also
showed that positive psychological affects might differ depending on the teaching
approach used in aerobic activity.
Lopez et al. (2001) conducted a pilot study examining the emotional and physical
recovery of women with a history of breast cancer. The purpose was to test the
hypothesis that an internally directed physical activity (Nia) would be more effective
in supporting the emotional and physical recovery of women with a history of breast
cancer. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the effects of an internally
directed fitness program versus an externally directed fitness program on
depression, anxiety, and immune function. Nineteen women were randomized to an
intervention of Nia (internally directed) or a prescribed walking program (externally
directed). Measures were taken prior to the intervention, immediately
postintervention, and three and six months after the intervention. Beck Depression
Inventory scores showed greater improvement in the Nia group during the
intervention. However, no significant results regarding depression were found in the
three- and six-month follow-ups. Analysis of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory
showed statistically significant improvement in the Nia group (p = 0.02). Natural
killer (NK) cells were increased postintervention and at follow-up in the Nia group,
whereas NK cells decreased in the prescribed walking group. In conclusion, the pilot
study suggested a benefit to an internally directed physical activity in the emotional
and physical recovery of women with a history of breast cancer. However, the
researchers concluded that a larger randomized study was needed to clarify the
significance of the results for breast cancer survivors.
Anecdotal evidence provided by a breast cancer survivor describe her perceptions of
how Nia affected her life. Sarah (pseudonym) was first introduced to Nia in the fall
of 1999. By the end of the year, she noticed a breast lump. She also was
experiencing stress in her marriage and with her parents. "Having those two hours a
6
week where I could surrender to the music and learn the routines kept me sane."
Once the lump was checked, Sarah had surgery and was back to Nia a month later.
She states, "Family members tended to be very protective. Going to Nia without
their watchful eyes was a release, and with Nia's three levels, I could let my body
go or not as energy allowed. I'm not a person that enjoys repetition (too much in
daily living); the variety of the routines were a pleasure and allowed me to stretch
my surgery side. It was commented by the oncology nurse on follow-up visits that
my flexibility returned more quickly than expected."
Prior to Nia, Sarah's normal reaction to pain and stress was to crawl into bed and
hibernate. Nia allowed her the space to change this habit. "As a person who tends
toward depression, the joy from Nia lasts through the rest of my days. Sometimes I
have to force myself to go but always, even with routines I'm not particularly fond
of, afterwards is a lightness that wasn't there before." Additional benefits Sarah has
experienced include weight loss, decreased blood pressure, increased flexibility, and
improved posture. "The moves we do in Nia can take over at unexpected times. The
number of times I tripped and was able to catch myself (even recognizing the
routine the steps came from) have been frequent. It certainly saved me from a
nasty fall down a mountain." Sarah also shares, "With all the research on the
benefits of exercise and cancer prevention, finding a program to fit is vital. For me
at least, Nia is it."
For more information and class lists, visit the Nia Web site at www.nia-nia.com.
References
Cancer Well-Fit. (2006). The year 2006 schedule for the Cancer Well-fit Program class. Retrieved May 11, 2006,
from http://www.cancerwellfit.com/sbacschedule.html
Courneya, K.S., Friedenreich, C.M., Sela, R.A., Quinney, H.A., Rhodes, R.E., & Handman, M. (2003). The group
psychotherapy and home-based physical exercise (group-hope) trial in cancer survivors: Physical fitness and
quality-of-life outcomes. Psycho-Oncology, 12, 357–374.
Drake, D., Falzer, P., Xistris, D., Robinson, G., & Roberge, M. (2004). Physical fitness training: Outcomes for
adult oncology patients. Clinical Nursing Research, 13, 245–264.
Hardee, A.D. (2002). Using the Nia technique for oncology rehabilitation. Advance for Physical Therapists and PT
Assistants, 49–50.
Kern, D., & Baker, J. (1997). A comparison of a mind/body approach versus a conventional approach to aerobic
dance. Women's Health Issues, 7, 30–37.
Lopez, A.M., Bensen, B., Guillen, J., Kurker, S.F., & Johnson, M.E. (2001). The effect of physical activity on the
emotional and physical recovery of women with a history of breast cancer [Abstract]. Paper presented at the
American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. Retrieved November 27, 2005, from
http://www.asco.org/ac/1,1003,_12-002636-00_18-0010-00_19-002990,00.asp
National Cancer Institute. (2005). Surveillance epidemiology and end results. Retrieved November 27, 2005,
from http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/all.html
Rosas, D.C. (2004). The Nia technique: The high-powered energizing workout that gives you a new body and a
new life. New York: Broadway Books.
Schwartz, A.L. (2004). Physical activity after a cancer diagnosis: Psychosocial outcomes. Cancer Invest, 22(1),
82–92.
7
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Special Interest Group Newsletter June 2006
Research in Progress
An Intervention Will Study Reflexology Benefits for Women
With Advanced Breast Cancer
Gwen Wyatt, RN, PhD
East Lansing, MI
gwyatt@msu.edu
The following is an executive summary for the project titled
Reflexology: An Intervention for Advanced Breast Cancer. Gwen Wyatt, RN, PhD, is
the principal investigator. This research project is a collaborative effort involving the
College of Nursing at Michigan State University and West Michigan Cancer Center. It
is funded by the National Cancer Institute (No. 1 RO1 CA104883-01A1).
Background
During the past 15 years, several national studies in the United States and Canada
have been conducted on the use of complementary therapies by the general public
for relief of a wide variety of symptoms. These surveys pointed out that not only do
large numbers of patients with cancer use complementary therapies, but they often
do so without their doctors' knowledge or approval. Therefore, we conducted a pilot
study at West Michigan Cancer Center to determine which therapies were the most
desirable and to evaluate beneficial outcomes. We found that women with breast
cancer expressed the largest interest and that the therapy most often maintained
over the course of the study was reflexology (a specialized foot therapy). Therefore,
8
we now plan to explore the effectiveness of reflexology more rigorously within the
formal oncology care setting. We will evaluate the quality of life of patients with
breast cancer and examine the influence of reflexology on their physical and
psychological well-being.
Complementary Therapy Intervention
The goal of this study is to test a complementary therapy intervention (reflexology)
that will assist in improving quality of life (QOL) for women undergoing
chemotherapy within the context of conventional medical care for late-stage (stages
III and IV) breast cancer.
This longitudinal randomized clinical trial will test a three-group design in which
participants will continue to receive conventional care. Two groups of the study will
involve a single-blinded four-week protocol. Group A will receive reflexology from a
certified reflexologist, group B will receive placebo sessions from a research aide,
and the Group C (the control group) will receive conventional medical care alone.
The specific aims include
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Determining whether women who receive reflexology or placebo (groups A or
B) of an experimental protocol report significantly better QOL outcomes
(total and subscales) at 7 weeks, 13 weeks, and longitudinally over time
relative to women receiving conventional care alone (group C)
Determining whether women who receive reflexology (group A) of an
experimental protocol report significantly better QOL outcomes (total and
subscales) at 7 weeks, 13 weeks, and longitudinally over time, relative to
women receiving placebo (group B).
Back to SIG Newsletter front page
Special Interest Group Newsletter June 2006
9
Conference Highlights
Consider Attending Upcoming Meetings of the Society for
Integrative Oncology and American Psychosocial Oncology
Society
Susan Bauer-Wu, DNSc, RN
Boston, MA
susan_bauer_wu@dfci.harvard.edu
Two multidisciplinary professional organizations, the Society
for Integrative Oncology (SIO) and the American Psychosocial Oncology Society
(APOS), have annual conferences that cover topics and provide valuable networking
for members of our SIG. Although nursing's presence and contributions at these
forums are important, few nurses actually attend. I've had the opportunity to attend
the latest conferences for both of these organizations and would like to share with
you some highlights of each and encourage your participation in these organizations
and their upcoming conferences.
SIO was founded in 2003 for health professionals committed to the study and
application of complementary therapies and botanicals for patients with cancer. The
focus is on peer-reviewed research and evidence-based treatment modalities. To
date, much of the society's emphasis has been on basic science and translational
research of herbal products, nutrition, and acupuncture.
SIO's second annual conference took place November 10–12, 2005, in San Diego,
CA. Approximately 200 people attended from around the world, of which just a
handful were nurses, including Pamela Potter, APRN-BC, DNSc, and myself. Pamela
presented a poster on the design of her pilot study, Orange Versus Orange
Aromatherapy for Addressing Taste and Smell Sensations Associated With Dimethyl
Sulfoxide During Stem Cell Reinfusion. I had an opportunity to comoderate a
session with Jim Gordon, MD, on research challenges in integrative oncology, which
also included some discussion of mind-body therapies and clinical programs.
Planning of SIO's Third International Conference is well underway and promises to
be even better and larger, with more clinicians attending. It will take place in
Boston, MA, November 9–11, 2006. Judah Folkman, MD, pioneer of antiangiogenesis medicine, will be the keynote speaker. I'm thrilled that Betty Ferrell,
PhD, RN, FAAN, an ONS distinguished researcher, will be a plenary speaker of a
special session on qualitative research for integrative oncology. Additional sessions
will include massage and music therapy for cancer symptom management. A call for
abstracts is forthcoming, so please consider submitting an abstract. Visit the Web
site at www.integrativeonc.org for more information.
APOS provides a forum for professionals interested in the areas of psychological,
social, behavioral, and spiritual aspects of cancer to come together and advance the
science and practice of psychosocial care for people with cancer. Given the holistic
core of nursing practice and how oncology nurses in our SIG appreciate the mind-
10
body connection and embrace the use of mind-body-spirit interventions in their
clinical practice of patients with cancer, involvement in this organization is a natural
fit. The APOS Third Annual Conference was held earlier this year in Amelia Island,
FL, from February 16–19. Two keynote sessions were devoted to
psychoneuroimmunology. Barbara Anderson, PhD, spoke about her research on
stress and immunity in breast cancer in her presentation titled "Capturing Meaning
and Improving Health for Cancer Patients with Psychological Intervention"; David
Spiegel, MD, spoke on innovations in biopsychosocial interventions, endocrine and
immune function; and a nurse from the University of Pennsylvania, Linda Jacobs,
PhD, RN, received the Outstanding Clinical Care Award for her contributions in the
development of a clinic devoted to cancer survivorship.
The APOS Fourth Annual Conference will be held in Austin, TX, from March 1–3,
2007. Ruth McCorkle, PhD, RN, FAAN, is chair of the conference committee. It
promises to be another great conference. For more information, visit the Web site at
www.apos-society.org. I hope to see you there!
Back to SIG Newsletter front page
Special Interest Group Newsletter June 2006
Elevator Introduction
A Nurse Brings Nia to Patients With Cancer
Pauline Osborne, RN, BSN, OCN®
Seattle, WA
posborne@u.washington.edu
During my undergraduate nursing program, I was introduced to my
two life passions, oncology nursing and Nia. I was drawn to the
psychosocial aspects and pathophysiology of oncology. At the same
time, I became a Nia student and found joy in the fitness program. A few years
later, I started teaching Nia classes while also working as an RN on a multispecialty
unit. I enjoyed the focus on health promotion in my Nia classes and soon found I
wanted to bring this holistic approach to patients with cancer. I am currently in the
master's of nursing program at the University of Washington (UW) to become an
oncology clinical nurse specialist to integrate my two passions by focusing on health
and fitness in cancer survivors. I teach Nia at the UW Intramural Activities Center.
Back to SIG Newsletter front page
11
Special Interest Group Newsletter June 2006
Check Out These Books of Interest
Consciousness and Healing: Integral Approaches to MindBody Medicine
The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) announced the launch of
a new book and accompanying DVD titled Consciousness and
Healing: Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. This new
book, authored and edited by Marilyn Schlitz, PhD, vice
president of research at IONS, Tina Amorok, MA, at IONS, and
Marc Micozzi, MD, PhD, at the Thomas Jefferson Policy Institute, is a collection of 47
essays on integral medicine, consciousness, and healing that integrates mainstream
medical knowledge with recent developments in the emerging areas of frontier
sciences and insights from alternative healing perspectives. Integral medicine
embraces the recognition that human beings possess emotional, spiritual, and
relational dimensions that are essential in the diagnosis and treatment of disease
and the cultivation of wellness. For more information, please visit the IONS Web site
at www.noetic.org.
Reiki: A Comprehensive Guide
Reiki: A Comprehensive Guide (Tarcher/Penguin, http://us.penguingroup.com/) by
Pamela Miles is the first mainstream book about a healing practice popular with the
public and increasingly used in hospitals. Miles writes from nearly two decades of
Reiki practice, 30 years of experience with natural medicine, and over 40 years
studying meditation and yoga. The book addresses every aspect of the practice and
is as appropriate for the complete newbie as for the seasoned practitioner. The book
helps readers decide if they want treatment or want to learn to practice themselves,
describes the benefits of daily Reiki self-treatment, offers strategies for finding
12
credible local practitioners and masters, details how Reiki is being used in
conventional medicine, and gives an overview of the research.
Back to SIG Newsletter front page
Special Interest Group Newsletter June 2006
Congress Was A Success
Two of our SIG members, Colleen Lee, CDR, RN, MS,
AOCN®, and Georgia Decker, MS, RN, CS-ANP, AOCN®,
presented a pre-Congress session on complementary and
alternative (CAM) therapies on May 3, 2006, from 9 am to 6
pm. This was an outstanding opportunity to learn how to navigate through the
selection of CAM therapies for your patients. The focus was on symptom
management via CAM. The content also included 90 minutes of pharmacology. I
hope you were able to attend this session.
In addition, our SIG poster displayed our new name, the Complementary and
Integrative Therapies SIG. Alan Durtsch worked hard on this project for Congress,
and it was dynamite!
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Special Interest Group Newsletter June 2006
13
Membership Information
SIG Membership Benefits
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Network with colleagues in an identified subspecialty area around the
country.
Contribute articles for your SIG's newsletter.
Participate in discussions with other SIG members.
Contribute to the future path of the SIG.
Share your expertise.
Support and/or mentor a colleague.
Receive information about the latest advancements in treatments, clinical
trials, etc.
Participate in ONS leadership by running for SIG coordinator-elect or join SIG
work groups.
Acquire information with a click of a mouse at http://sig.ons.wego.net,
including
o Educational opportunities for your subspecialty
o Education material on practice
o Calls to action
o News impacting or affecting your specific SIG
o Newsletters
o Communiqués
o Meeting minutes.
Join a Virtual Community
A great way to stay connected to your SIG is to join its Virtual Community. It's easy
to do so. All you will need to do is
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Log on to the ONS Web site (www.ons.org).
Select "Membership" from the tabs above.
Then, click on "Chapters, SIGs & Virtual Communities."
Scroll down to "Special Interest Groups (SIG) Virtual Community" and click.
Now, select "Find a SIG."
Locate and click on the name of your SIG from the list of all ONS SIGs
displayed.
Once the front page of your SIG's Virtual Community appears on screen,
select "New User" from the top left. (This allows you to create log-in
credentials.)
Type the required information into the text fields as prompted.
Click "Join Group" (at the bottom right of the text fields) when done.
Special Notices
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If you already have log-in credentials generated from the ONS Web
site, use this information instead of attempting to generate new
information.
If you created log-in credentials for the ONS Web site and wish to
have different log-in information, you will not be able to use the same
14
e-mail address to generate your new credentials. Instead, use an
alternate e-mail address.
Subscribe to Your SIG's Virtual Community Discussion Forum
All members are encouraged to participate in their SIG's discussion forum. This area
affords the opportunity for exchange of information between members and
nonmembers on topics specific to all oncology subspecialties. Once you have your
log-in credentials, you are ready to subscribe to your SIG's Virtual Community
discussion forum. To do so,
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Select "Log In," located next to "New User," and enter your information.
Next, click on the "Discussion" tab on the top right of the title bar.
Now, select "Featured Discussion" from the left drop-down menu.
Locate and select "Subscribe to Discussion" inside the "Featured Discussion"
section.
Go to "Subscription Options" and select "Options."
When you have selected and entered all required criteria, you will receive a
confirmation message.
Click "Finish."
You are now ready to begin participating in your SIG's discussion forum.
Participate in Your SIG's Virtual Community Discussion Forum
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First, log in. (This allows others to identify you and enables you to receive
notification [via e-mail] each time a response or new topic is posted.)
Click on "Discussion" from the top title bar.
Select "Featured Discussion" from the left drop-down menu.
Click on any posted topic to view contents and post responses.
Sign Up to Receive Your SIG's Virtual Community Announcements
As an added feature, members also are able to register to receive their SIG's
announcements by e-mail.
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From your SIG's Virtual Community page, locate the "Sign Up Here to
Receive Your SIG's Announcements" section. This appears above the posted
announcements section.
Select the "Click Here" feature, which will take you to a link to subscribe.
Once the "For Announcement Subscription Only" page appears on screen,
select how you wish to receive your announcements.
o As individual e-mails each time a new announcement is posted
o One e-mail per day comprised of all new daily announcements posted
o Opt-out, indicating that you will frequently browse your SIG's Virtual
Community page for new postings
Enter your e-mail address.
Click on "Next Page."
Because you have already joined your SIG's Virtual Community, you will
receive a security prompt with your registered user name already listed.
Enter your password at this prompt and click "Finish."
This will bring up a listing of your SIG's posted announcements. Click on "My
SIG's Page" to view all postings in their entirety or to conclude the
registration process and begin browsing.
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Special Interest Group Newsletter June 2006
16
Complementary & Integrative Therapies
Coordinator
Gwen Wyatt, RN, PhD
East Lansing, MI
gwyatt@msu.edu
Editor
Pamela Potter, ARNP, DNSc
Seattle, WA
potterpj@u.washington.edu
Coordinator-Elect
Charlene "Gayle" Pattillo, BSN, RN,
OCN®
Johnson City, TN
pattillocg@msha.com
ONS Publishing Division Staff
Jacqueline Moore, BA
Copy Editor
jmoore@ons.org
Know someone who would like to receive a print copy of this newsletter?
To print a copy of this newsletter from your home or office computer, click here or
on the printer icon located on the SIG Newsletter front page. Print copies of each
online SIG newsletter also are available through the ONS National Office. To have a
copy mailed to you or another SIG member, contact Membership/Leadership
Administrative Assistant Carol DeMarco at cdemarco@ons.org or 866-257-4ONS,
ext. 6230.
To view past newsletters, click here.
ONS Membership/Leadership Team Contact Information
Angie Stengel, MS, CAE, Director of Membership/Leadership
astengel@ons.org
412-859-6244
Diane Scheuring, MBA, Manager of Member Services
dscheuring@ons.org
412-859-6256
Carol DeMarco, Membership/Leadership Administrative Assistant
cdemarco@ons.org
412-859-6230
The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) does not assume responsibility for the opinions expressed and information
provided by authors or by Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Acceptance of advertising or corporate support does
not indicate or imply endorsement of the company or its products by ONS or the SIG. Web sites listed in the SIG
newsletters are provided for information only. Hosts are responsible for their own content and availability.
Oncology Nursing Society
125 Enterprise Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1214
866-257-4ONS
412-859-6100
www.ons.org
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