Scharer, K. (1999). “Case study: eating disorder in a 10-year-old girl.” Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 12(2): 79-86.IntroductionThe article describes the case of Lisa, a 10-year-old girl from a mixed Caucasian and Native American background who is suspected to have an eating disorder.

Lisa is an excellent student raised by her mother who works as an evening nurse. When the mother is not at home, Lisa is taken care of by a neighbor. Her fourth-grade teacher noticed that she lost a lot of weight over a short period of time, started falling asleep in class, reduced contact with female peers, and her grades slipped slightly.MethodThe research method used in the article is a case study, i.e.

“a form of qualitative descriptive research that is used to look at individuals, a small group of participants, or a group as a whole” (Colorado State University, 2009, “Case Studies”). In nursing research, a case study is an in-depth discussion of a specific nursing care problem and subsequent intervention. It is preceded by case discussion, or a review of literature relevant to the case, which is a way to “enhance the depth of the analysis and lend a theoretical spin to the clinical intervention” (Scharer, 1999, p. 79). The use of such method is effective and appropriate in some situations, for example, if a case is so special it cannot be meaningfully grouped with other for the purposes of statistical analysis or if a close look at the situation is needed to consider all the relevant factors.ResultsTheoretical discussion focuses on the following issues: definition of eating disorders, criteria for their diagnosis, difference between bulimia and anorexia nervosa, etiology of diseases (psychological factors such as self-punishment or striving for self-control; biological factors such as genetics and neuroendocrine and metabolic abnormalities; cultural factors; family factors), and relationship to other psychiatric disorders.

DiscussionThe article suggests that in case of Lisa, other diseases that might lead to weight loss – such as AIDS, Crohn’s, or cancer – should be ruled out first. Then, a meeting should be arranged between Lisa’s mother and her teacher to discuss the issue; ideally, a nurse should be available during the meeting. Talking to the neighbor who takes care of Lisa is necessary to ascertain there is no abuse and control Lisa’s consumption of food at dinner.Meta-analysis is a way to combine the results of several studies which test the same or very similar hypothesis. The aim of meta-analysis is to overcome the research limitation posed by small sample sizes. However, most studies use their own variables and criteria for measuring certain phenomena.

Therefore, it is of paramount importance to find a common denominator that can be consistently compared across studies. There are special software packages for meta-analysis.The article “Meta-Analysis: Acupuncture for Low Back Pain” compares the results of 33 randomized, controlled trials comparing needle acupuncture with sham acupuncture, other sham treatments, no additional treatment, or another treatment for low back pain. Studies were subgrouped according to acute or chronic pain, style of acupuncture, and type of control group used. By measuring the standardized mean difference, it was concluded that “acupuncture is more effective than sham acupuncture and no additional treatment for providing short-term relief of chronic low back pain” (Manheimer et al., 2005, p.

661). Its effectiveness, however, could be ascertained only in the short-term.The two main limitation of the study is that trials differ a lot in term of quantity and quality and that sham needles may unintentionally cause a physiologic response and therefore sham acupuncture, which is considered the most rigorous control, can some analgesic effects. Data for patients with acute low back pain was inconclusive. These findings are in line with some extent research yet in contradiction with studies which argue acupuncture is not effective.BibliographyColorado State University.