MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
NURSING

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to thank the professors on my thesis committee. Dr. Susan Pollock for her patience and guidance during this work. I have learned much about the process of nursing education and research from her. Dr. Nancy Ridenour for her encouragement to pursue a topic seldom studied by nurse researchers. Dr. Teddy Jones for her constructive criticism, positive attitude, and belief in my ability as a nurse practitioner, both in the clinical and research settings. She has encouraged me to use critical thinking and search for answers while gaining knowledge and skills. Dr. Sue Thompson for her assistance with this project. Her enthusiasm , insight, encouragement, and example have provided a source of strength to persevere throughout the long months of this project.
I also wish to thank my children, Karen, JoeDon, and Jana, for their encouragement, positive comments, and hugs throughout this process and my granddaughter, Krystian, for her bright-eyed, busy, grinning distractions.
And last, but not least, I wish to thank my husband, Donald, for his never-ending love, support, and belief in my ability to complete this project.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii
ABSTRACT vi

LIST OF TABLES vii

ABSTRACT

Osteoarthritis, a chronic degenerative joint disease affecting an estimated 16 million Americans, produces symptoms of joint pain and stiffness. Symptom abatement by traditional therapies is often ineffective and/or harmful to OA patients. These patients seek alternative therapies which are safe, effective, and provide a measure of self-care.
A double-blind, placebo quasi-experimental design was used to study the effects of topically applied inorganic germanium on osteoarthritis pain of 47 adult subjects. Self-administration of the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire was used to measure pain prior to treatment, two hours after treatment, and two days after initiation of treatment. Orem’s Theory of Self-Care was the theoretical basis for this study.
T-test analyses of data demonstrated a moderate decrease in pain after two hours for both the Ge and placebo groups and a significant decrease in pain in only the Ge group after two days of treatment, supporting the hypothesis of a significant decrease in reported pain of subjects receiving treatment of topically applied inorganic Ge as compared to subjects receiving placebo therapy.
Implications for nursing practice, education , and research were included. Informed integration of alternative therapies, as well as mainstream therapies, is appropriate within the holistic-focused care and educative role of the NP and in the self-care role of the client in management of chronic disorders. Inclusion of alternative therapies in nursing education at the undergraduate and graduate/NP levels is recommended. This is consistent with recommendations by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties and the Office of Alternative Medicine at the NIH. Further research is recommended with different populations, other sites of application, and to determine Ge’s mechanism of action.

LIST OF TABLES

1. Medical Conditions 23
2. Medications and Other Traditional Treatments 24
3. Use of Alternative Therapies 24
4. T-test Summary of PRI Scores 34
5. T-test Summary of Difference in PRI Scores 35
6. T-test Summary of VAS Scores 36
7. T-test Summary of Difference in VAS Scores 37
8. T-test Summary of PPI Scores 38
9. T-test Summary of Difference in PPI Scores 39

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