Running Head: ARTICLE CRITIQUE
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Article Critique
Ashley Snider
Ferris State University
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ARTICLE CRITIQUE
Article Critique
This article is about evaluating the effects of yoga on mood status and quality of
life among women undergoing detoxification for heroin in China. The phenomena being
studied in this article is, “being a women; having a negative urine test for heroin; having
no contraindications to participation in an exercise program, including heart disease,
diabetes mellitus, hypertension, anemia, decreased with blood cells, asthma, imbalance,
severe bone pain, and bone metastases; having no other conditions influencing quality of
life, such as allergic rhinitis, myocardial infarction, sever heart failure, or malignant
tumor; have no serious psychiatric or cognitive problems; receiving at least 6 months of
scheduled therapy at AnKang Hospital; having a sedentary lifestyle; speaking Mandarin
and being able to communicate” (Zhao, Y., 2013). The phenomena is being studied using
a randomized controlled trial which is, “quantitative, comparative, controlled experiments
in which a group of investigators studies two or more interventions by administering
them to groups of individuals who have been randomly assigned to receive each
intervention” (Norman, G., 2004,).
Theory Used in Study
The theory being used in this study is the social cognitive theory, which “human
behavior is extensively motivated and regulated by the ongoing exercise of selfinfluence” (Bandura, A., 1991). Social cognitive theory was implemented to enhance
participants’ self-efficacy, and was applied by “enhancing participants’ self-efficacy in
carrying out yoga exercise is believed to produce positive outcomes both emotionally and
physically” (Zhao, Y., 2013).
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ARTICLE CRITIQUE
The part of the theory being tested applied yoga as an intervention to improve the
participants’ quality of life, psychological disorders, and physical function. According to
Yue Zhao (2013), yoga practice can increase tolerance of psychological deficits and
make individuals feel self-sufficient in performance accomplishments and well-being
feelings. Social cognitive theory by Albert Bandura is not considered a nursing theory but
is used for nursing research. This theory “offers an explanation of human behavior using
the concepts of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and incentives. Many nurses have
applied this theory to their research” (Beck, C. T., 2011).
Summary of Design
This randomized control study used seventy-five women who are undergoing
detoxification for heroin dependence and where allocated randomly into an intervention
or a control group. “Women in the intervention group received a 6-month yoga
intervention in addition to hospital routine care, and women in the control group received
hospital routine care only” (Zhao, Y., 2013). Given the results, “the intervention group
showed a significant improvement in mood status and quality of life over time compared
with their counterparts in the control group” (Zhao, Y., 2013).
This study supports Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory by finding that it
“proved the short-term beneficial effects on mood state and quality of life of yoga
practice among women undergoing detoxification for heroin dependence” (Zhao, Y.,
2013).
Credibility
The authors in this study are all registered nurses and have knowledge about the
subject being studied. This study was from a peer reviewed journal whose projected
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ARTICLE CRITIQUE
audience is nurses and students. References used in this study provide adequate support
by using consistent results and sufficient numbers of the defined study that included
reference to scientific evidence from different sources. The quality of writing in this
study is organized and clear, using well-defined methods of reliable and valid measures.
This was a high quality study that has defined conclusions, reproducible methods and
results that are reliable and valid, and used adequate samples.
Analyzing the Research Process
The strength of the evidence used in this article is a level 2 and the quality of the
evidence is high. “Level 2 constitutes strong evidence that is obtained from at least one
well designed randomized control group” (Nieswiadomy, R. M., 2012). The quality of
evidence is high, meaning, “the research shows consistent results with sufficient sample
size, adequate control, and definitive conclusions; summative reviews where welldefined, reproductive search strategies, and had definitive conclusions; organizational
methods used well-defined methods using a rigorous approach and consistent results with
sufficient sample size; in the expert opinion, expertise is clearly evident” (White, K.,
2007).
This study constitutes findings that can support a change in nursing practice,
quality, and safety. According to Shu-mei Zhuang (2013), “the main finding was that
yoga significantly improved mood and quality of life in women undergoing
detoxifications for heroin dependence and may offer a promising new treatment for this
population”. With the participants building healthy interpersonal relationships, “verbal
support from the instructor and group and physical feedback, the participants could
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ARTICLE CRITIQUE
cultivate a sense of mutual trust and support in yoga practice, which improved their
physical fitness, mood status, and quality of life” (Zhuang, S., 2013).
Conclusion
“This study proved the short-term beneficial effects on mood state and quality of
life of yoga practice among women undergoing detoxification for heroin dependence”
(Zhao, Y., 2013). On the basis of the findings presented in this study, it will be interesting
to see if yoga practice is implemented as a form of detoxification in future nursing
practice. According to Yue Zhao (2013), “skills and techniques of promoting selfefficacy should be integrated in future programs to ensure success”. Overall, it would be
interesting to re-test the same groups except, place the participants in the opposite group
and see if the same results surface.
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ARTICLE CRITIQUE
References
Bandura, A. (1991). Social cognitive theory of self-regulation. Organizational Behavior
and Human Decision Process, 50(2), 248-287.
Loiselle, C. G., McGarth, J. P., Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2011). Examining the
conceptual/theoretical basis of a study. Canadian Essentials of Nursing Research,
3, 127-135.
Newhouse, R., Dearholt, S., Poe, S., Pugh, L. C., & White, K. (2007). The john Hopkins
nursing evidence-based practice rating scale. Baltimore, MD: TI Hopkins
Hospital, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.
Nieswiadomy, R. M. (2012). Foundations of nursing research (6th ed.). Boston: Person.
Stolberg, H. O., Norman, G., & Trop, I. (2004). Fundamentals of clinical research for
radiologists. American Journal of Roentgenology, 183(6), 1539-1544.
Zhuang, S., An, S., & Zhao, Y. (2013). Yoga effects on mood and quality of life in
chinese women undergoing heroin detoxification. Nursing Research, 62(4), 260268.