ABSTRACT
Background: Patients with hemiplegia often suffer from malnutrition and security threat due to disabilities and inadequate supports. This study aims to explore nursing perceptions regarding problems, necessary nursing supports, and nursing competencies required for the provision of oral feeding assistance to hospitalized hemiplegic patients.Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in Taian City, China in 2016. A purposive sampling method was used, and data were gathered using semi-structured interviews. Totally, 5 faculty members and 10 ward nurses in China were interviewed. In relation to the nursing status regarding oral feeding assistance in the case of hemiplegic patients, background and improvement measures in nursing practice were assessed. Data were analyzed using the content analysis method.Results: Four problems in providing oral feeding assistance to hemiplegic patients were identified: 1) insufficient cognition of nursing roles, 2) insufficient consideration of psychological aspects of the patients, 3) lack of related theoretical and practical education, 4) lack of nutritional support during hospitalization. Twenty-five items of nursing competencies, the knowledge and skills required for oral feeding assistance to hospitalized hemiplegic patients were identified.Conclusions: The nursing competency identified by this study can provide evidence for reviewing the related nursing practice and continuous education in China.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of Lokomat gait training rehabilitation robot on joint motion and lower limb function in hemiplegic patients after stroke.Methods Forty hemiplegic patients after stroke were randomized equally into a robotic group and a control group (20 cases in each group).The robotic group received robotic rehabilitation therapy in addition to routine rehabilitation training,while the control group was only given instructions for routine rehabilitation training.All the patients were assessed at the beginning of the training and at the end of 4,8 and 10 weeks of treatment.The Fugl-Meyer Assessment of lower extremities (FMA),range of motion (ROM) in hip and knee,force and tone of bilateral hip/knee flexors and extensors were used to evaluate stepping function before training,and after 4,8 and 10 weeks of treatment.Results There was no significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to FMA scores,the ROM in hip and knee,as well as force and tone of bilateral hip/ knee flexors and extensors (P ＞ 0.05).After treatment,the robotic group was significantly improved with all the evaluation indexes when compared to its baseline values (P ＜ 0.05).It was also shown that the robotic group improved to a significantly greater extent than the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Pearson's correlation analysis demonstrated a positive relationship between the ROM of knee or hip and lower limb function (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The Lokomat gait training rehabilitation robot can improve the lower extremities functions,as indicated by increase of ROM and muscle strength as well as decrease in muscle spasticity in hemiplegic patients after stroke.