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CONTEXT: Anecdotal experience of Magdalena energy session(s) offers some indication of its health benefits, yet the literature on this new energy healing modality is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To explore the personal experience of recipients of the Magdalena energy session(s). METHOD: In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 generally healthy volunteer adults from around the world who had received at least one Magdalena energy healing session with a certified Magdalena practitioner. Thematic analysis was used to discern patterns in the experience. RESULTS: Participants had different motives for attending the Magdalena energy session(s). Clients reported experiencing movement and release of energy, changes in sensation and feeling, and transcendental experience during the Magdalena energy session(s). After the session(s), there were reports of a sustained feeling of lightness, increased positive emotions, increased self-awareness, and deeper spiritual connection. Participants noted the uniqueness of the Magdalena energy session(s) compared to other energy healing practices. CONCLUSION: The findings from this qualitative study suggest that Magdalena energy session(s) can elicit a relaxation response, alter emotions, and increase spiritual connections to facilitate a subjective healing experience. Therefore, the present study recommends further investigations to elucidate variables for a larger-scale intervention study of the effects of Magdalena energy session(s) on health outcomes and the underlying mechanisms of action.

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Emociones , Investigación Cualitativa , Humanos , Femenino , Masculino , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Espiritualidad , Relajación , Terapias Mente-Cuerpo/métodos , Anciano

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BACKGROUND: Energy healing techniques are associated with many physical and mental benefits. A qualitative study was conducted to understand clients' experiences of a new energy healing modality called Magdalena Energy Healing. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted after clients experienced 60 min Magdalena energy healing session(s). Twenty-five adults participated in the study. All participants received Magdalena energy healing from a certified, trained practitioner. Thematic analysis was conducted to determine clients' perceived benefits of the Magdalena energy healing session(s). RESULTS: Four themes emerged from the data: Physical, Mental, Social, and Spiritual Benefits. Physical health benefits included relief from a variety of medical symptoms, improved sleep quality, and physical body awareness. Mental Health benefits included relaxation and peace, decision-making clarity, relief of mental health symptoms, and an increased ability to cope with life. Social Benefits included improved attitudes in relationships. Spiritual Benefits included optimism, gratitude, self-acceptance, and increased spiritual connection. CONCLUSIONS: Participants' perceptions are that Magdalena energy healing sessions offer peace, symptom relief, and gratitude. Magdalena energy healing can address priorities of The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Sessions can be seamlessly integrated into traditional medical care as a useful complementary/integrative healing option to improve physical, mental, and/or spiritual wellbeing across a variety of diseases.

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Perception of one's own age and the aging process can influence healthy aging and encourage younger adults to be more proactive in taking care of themselves. There is a shortage of literature on college students' self-perceptions of aging and old age. This descriptive qualitative study explored how short-term aging research training and activities influenced college students' perceptions of aging, older adults, and their future older selves. Students were exposed to discussions about aging, the aging process, myths, a brief TED talk, and a video on positive age stereotypes in preparation for their encounter with older adults in a more extensive photovoice aging research project. Data for the study were collected using weekly guided reflections and drawing. Findings show that college students improved perceptions of aging and older adults after the short-term research training. We found cultural differences in self-perception of the onset of old age. Students perceived healthy aging in terms of biological, psychological, spiritual, and social dimensions of health. Students presented a hopeful, positive picture of their future older self as opposed to the negative stereotypic views they initially had of older adults. Reflections on one's own aging may be crucial in encouraging younger adults to be more proactive in taking care of themselves for a healthier life in later adulthood.

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College students are likely to hold negative ageist views and attitudes toward older people. The compassionate presence (CP) intervention could be a promising approach to reduce ageist attitudes that younger adults have of older adults. College students were trained virtually in deep, active, and compassionate listening and were matched with older adults living in assisted-living facilities. The partners met virtually for an hour once per week. Students completed weekly reflections throughout the ten-week intervention. The weekly reflections revealed that students had preconceived notions about older adults before the CP training. After the CP training and throughout the intervention, we noted a positive shift in perception, knowledge, and attitudes toward older adults and aging. Students built meaningful social bonds with older adults, developed strong communication and interpersonal skills, and acquired research and core leadership skills needed for future careers and professional practice.

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Ageísmo , Geriatría , Humanos , Anciano , Geriatría/educación , Estudiantes , Actitud , Envejecimiento , Actitud del Personal de Salud

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The photovoice literature has focused mainly on research collaborations between researchers in academia and community partners. There is limited evidence of undergraduate students facilitating photovoice research projects with underserved Black, Indigenous, and persons of color (BIPOC). Students' participation in photovoice research increases their understanding of local issues and can empower them to engage with local communities to create change. This qualitative study explored students' experiences facilitating photovoice research with BIPOC older adults and frontline healthcare workers. In this study, we trained college students in photovoice methodological skills by introducing photovoice as a participatory qualitative methodology, explained ethics issues and the informed consent process, and clarified the steps and requirements for the photovoice project. Students were paired with BIPOC older adults and frontline healthcare workers. They facilitated the photovoice research project in four stages. Throughout the study, students critically reflected and wrote about the various aspects of their experience facilitating the photovoice research activities based on weekly structured reflection questions. In their weekly journal, student facilitators commented on how both older and younger BIPOC participants were friendly and kind, flexible with the research activity scheduling, inspiring with their stories, and selfless. Students' reflections indicated that their participants experienced greater emotional and psychological burdens during the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbated by the long-standing epidemic of systemic racism. Student facilitators overwhelmingly recognized participants' resilience and perseverance despite these life challenges. Our findings highlight the importance of photovoice in developing and strengthening college students' qualitative research skills and stimulating critical thinking and creativity, a sense of critical consciousness about social issues and society, and a sense of empowerment. Our results will be relevant to hospital/long-term care managers, policymakers, and researchers.

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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic intensified the stressful and already difficult circumstances of communities of color. Yet, there is no current photovoice research highlighting the lived experiences of these communities from two perspectives-the older adults (OAs) and the frontline healthcare workers (FLHWs). This qualitative study used photovoice to visually portray the struggles of Black, Indigenous, and persons of color (BIPOC) OAs (n = 7) and younger FLHWs (n = 5) who worked with older adults during the pandemic and how they coped and recovered from the challenges of the pandemic. The investigators conducted a three-day training of ten research assistants (RAs) who were paired with either an OA or an FLHW for the photovoice sessions conducted in four stages. Upon examination of the narratives, focus group transcriptions, and photo stories, it became clear that participants faced different challenges during the pandemic, such as the fear of COVID-19 exposure, struggles to adopt COVID-19 mitigation strategies, workplace challenges, and social isolation. Amid this crisis of suffering, isolation, and sadness, participants employed two major strategies to deal with the challenges of the pandemic: positive reappraisal and self-care practices. The findings have implications for clinical social workers, mental health counselors, faith communities, nurse managers and administrators, and policymakers.

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This study explored the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic impact, with its unprecedented isolation norm and social distancing requirements, on African immigrants in the United States. We focused on the sources of meaning in their daily lives, how they navigated their meaning-making process, and cultural proclivities amidst the official and unofficial mandates for social distancing. Additionally, we investigated the role technologies play in the entire process. A qualitative inquiry conducted virtually generated data from a sample of 20 participants. Results show that African immigrants derive meaning from social relationships, personal life goals, religious faith, service, and good health. The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly threatened participants' core meaning sources, which they rely on for life satisfaction, personal growth, and healing. Various emergent technologies helped in ameliorating the situation by providing conduits for participants to engage, albeit virtually, in most activities that positively impact their lives. This study highlights clinicians' need to integrate meaning in life discussions in their African immigrant patients' care and incorporate congruent technologies as needed.