Reclaiming Our Spirits: Development and Pilot Testing of a Health Promotion Intervention for Indigenous Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence.

The pilot had only 21 recruited women and only 12 with pre and post outcome data, so it cannot establish whether the intervention works. Pre and post changes were not tested statistically because the sample was too small, so the reported trends are not proof of effect. The intervention combined one-to-one nurse sessions and Elder-led Circles, so the contribution of either component cannot be separated. Participation varied widely, with missed appointments, variable Circle attendance, and some women only attending Circles or withdrawing early. The sample had high levels of poverty, ongoing violence, HIV, hepatitis C, head injuries, substance use, and chronic pain, so results may not apply to other Indigenous women or settings. Some women found the group triggering, conflicted, or culturally unwanted, and staff dynamics also affected participation.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Do not read the pre-post trends as proof that nurse-delivered care worked. The intervention also included Elder-led Circles, only 12 women had pre and post data, changes were not tested statistically, and pain disability and intensity increased.