School of Nursing

Education

• DNS

External Funding

Clifford Kinley Trust Grant (2006). Co-Investigator. The Effectiveness of Guided Imagery in Reducing Bone Cancer Pain: A Pilot Study.

Purdue University School of Nursing (2006). PI. Relationship of Obesity to Total Joint Replacement Outcomes.

Clifford Kinley Trust Grant  (2004). PI. Guided Imagery and Relaxation to Reduce Analgesic Use and Improve Quality of Life in Older Adults with Osteoarthritis.

Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS (2004). PI. STEP-UP: Students To Exemplary Professionals (CNA to RN).

Clifford Kinley Trust Grant  (2001). PI. Effectiveness of Guided Imagery in Improving Health Outcomes of Osteoarthritis.

Biosketch

Dr. Baird is a nursing researcher, a gerontologist, and a certified gerontological clinical nurse specialist. Her research focuses on improving quality of life through self-management of older adults with osteoarthritis. Dr. Baird developed a cognitive-behavioral intervention, guided imagery with relaxation, to improve coping, affect the down regulation of pain stimuli, and to offer mental rehearsal of improved movement. Clinical trials support the effectiveness, even in the reduction of use of pain and arthritis medications. She is currently investigating self-management needs and interventions for very old patients with severe OA. Her team consists of rheumatologists, educational psychologists, and physical therapist, in addition to nurses. Dr. Baird has presented her research at international and national clinical and research conferences and is published in multidisciplinary and nursing journals.

Selected Publications

Baird, C. L., Yehle, K., & Schmeiser, D. (2007). Restricting and constricting: Older women with osteoarthritis. Journal of the National Association of Clinical Nurses Specialists, 21(6).

Baird, C. L., & Sands, L. P. (2006). Effect of guided imagery with relaxation on health related quality of life of older women with osteoarthritis. Research in Nursing & Health, 29(5) 442-451.

Edwards, N., & Baird, C. L. (2005). Interpreting laboratory values for older adults. Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal, 14(4), 220-230.

Baird, C. L., & Sands, L. (2004). Effectiveness of guided imagery and Progressive Muscle Relaxation to reduce chronic pain and mobility difficulties of osteoarthritis. Pain Management Nursing, 5(3), 97-104.

Baird, C. L., Schmeiser, D., & Yehle, K. T. (2003). Self-caring of women with osteoarthritis living at different levels of independence. Health Care for Women International, 24,717-734.

For additional information, see myprofile.cos.com/bairdc