Purpose:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aroma inhalation therapy on stress, anxiety, depression, and an autonomic nervous system reaction in high-risk hospitalized pregnant women. Methods: A quasiexperimental study used a non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design. Fifty high-risk hospitalized pregnant women were selected as participants on delivery room and maternity ward at university hospital. Twenty-five were selected for the experimental group while 25 were assigned to a control group. Neroli essential oil was used for aroma therapy and was already identified as not being hazard to pregnant women. It provided emotional stability from previous study. The participants inhaled Neroli 2 minutes, 3 times (9 am to 10 am, 4 pm to 5 pm, just before sleep) a day. A total of 15 sessions were held from the day of the preliminary investigation. Pre and post written survey and measuring an autonomic nervous system reaction were collected from both groups. Results: The data were analyzed by x 2 test, t-test, and paired t-test. There was a statistically significant difference in stress (t=-3.98, p<.001) between the experimental group and the control group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that aroma inhalation therapy is effective as a nursing intervention for the stress relief of hospitalized high-risk pregnant women.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of auricular acupressure on bowel symptoms, stress, mental health, and heart rate variability in women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A quasi-experimental study design with a nonequivalent control group assessed a total sample of 56 women diagnosed with IBS according to Rome III criteria. There were 29 women in the experimental group who received auricular acupressure; 27 women were in the control group. Semen sinapis albae seeds were used to administer acupressure to four auricular points: endocrine, large intestine, lung, and Shenmen for 5 days/week for 4 weeks; the control group received no treatment. Bowel symptoms, stress, mental health, and heart rate variability were measured twice, once before and once after the intervention. Chi-square tests, t tests, and paired t tests were used for analysis. The experimental group had decreased loose stools, abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, stress, and heart rate variability compared with the control group (p < .05). Auricular acupressure was effective for symptom improvement in patients with IBS.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Selection, Optimization and Compensation (SOC) Strategy mediated the relationship between job stress and health promoting behaviors among nurses. Methods: A descriptive causal relationship research design was used. 245 subjects recruited from the five general hospitals, which have over 500 beds in Seoul and Kyunggi-do, participated in the study by completing a survey which included questions about SOC strategy, job stress and health promoting behaviors. t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. SPSS/WIN 20.0 was used for all analysis. Results: The mean job stress score was 47.89; mean SOC strategy score was .71. 'Spiritual development' was the highest reported health promoting behavior with a mean of 3.57. Job stress was significantly and negatively related to health promoting behaviors. The result showed that all the mediating paths of SOC strategy were significant. The partial mediating model showed high goodness of fit demonstrating that the model was outstanding. Conclusion: SOC strategy mediated the relationship between job stress and health promoting behaviors. Applying better SOC strategies among nurses will increase flexibility in responding to job stress and will also better perform health promoting behaviors.

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