Description of the scientific method for the preparation and validation of educational technologies in digital format: a methodological study

Introduction: the use of digital technologies constitutes a process that allows the dynamization of the care process, based on aspects related to criticality and creativity. It is emphasized that the development of technologies must, therefore, be inserted in a context for changes and innovation in response to the population's health demand, and must follow a precise methodological path that goes from the construction to the validation of the appearance, content and effect . Objective: to describe the scientific method of elaboration and validation of educational technologies in digital format. Methods: methodological study, conducted according to the following steps: development of the research project and submission to the Research Ethics Committee; data collection; elaboration of the content, script, illustrations and layout of the booklet; and validation of educational technology. Results: the process of developing a technology requires methodological rigor, enabling coherence between theory and the purpose of the desired product, guaranteeing the internal quality of the developed technology. The use of educational technologies in health reinforces information, serving as a guide for guidelines regarding care and assisting in decision-making. Technological innovations in health, consists of a socio-technical process , permeated by professional and user reflections and experiences. Final considerations: educational technologies represent a potential resource for the development of health education practices, encouraging greater interaction between professionals and users, and an active attitude regarding self-care actions related to their health condition.

Introdução: o uso de tecnologias digitais constitui como um processo que permite a dinamização no processo de cuidar, pautada nos aspectos relacionados a criticidade e criatividade. Enfatiza-se, que o desenvolvimento de tecnologias deve, portanto, insere-se em um contexto por mudanças e inovação em resposta a demanda de saúde da população devendo seguir um percurso metodológico preciso que vai desde a construção à validação da aparência, conteúdo e efeito. Objetivo: descrever o método científico de elaboração e validação de tecnologias educativas no formato digital. Método: estudo metodológico, conduzido de acordo com as seguintes etapas: elaboração do projeto de pesquisa e submissão ao Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa; levantamento dos dados; elaboração do conteúdo, roteiro, ilustrações e diagramação da cartilha; e validação da tecnologia educacional. Resultados: o processo de elaboração de uma tecnologia requer rigor metodológico, possibilitando coerência entre teoria e finalidade do produto desejado, garantindo qualidade interna da tecnologia elaborada. O uso de tecnologias educativas em saúde reforça informações, servindo como guia para orientações quanto ao cuidado e auxiliando nas tomadas de decisões. Inovações tecnológicas em saúde, consiste em um processo sócio-técnico, permeado por reflexões e experiências profissionais e usuários. Considerações finais: tecnologias educacionais representam um recurso potencializador para o desenvolvimento de práticas de educação em saúde, estimulando maior interação entre profissionais e usuários, e uma postura ativa quanto a ações de autocuidado relacionado a sua condição de saúde.

Autonomic cardiac modulation in postmenopausal women with dry eye syndrome: a cross-sectional analytical study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess cardiac autonomic modulation in postmenopausal women with and without dry eye syndrome (DES) and to identify associations between clinical and socioeconomic factors. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Institute of Ocular Surgery of the Northeast (ICONE), Brazil. Convenience sample of postmenopausal women, over 40 years old, who were divided into two groups: with and without DES. Clinical, sociodemographic, and ophthalmological characteristics of these women were assessed. Capture of RR intervals was performed using a cardio frequency meter. Differences between the groups were analyzed using the Chi-square test, the Student's t test, and the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS Women with DES were present in 60.4% (n=58), highest median age (63.5 years, 95%CI 62.0-67.9; p<0.001), median length of time menopause (19 years old, 95%CI 10.4-24.0; p<0.001). There was a difference in the standard deviation of all normal-to-normal index between the groups. However, when the differences were adjusted to the clinical model, no association was found between DES and heart rate variability (HRV). CONCLUSIONS The analysis of cardiac autonomic modulation in postmenopausal women is similar in the presence or absence of DES. Clinical factors, time of menopause, and intensity of symptoms were not associated with HRV indices.

The effects of cataract surgery on autonomic heart rate control: a prospective cross-sectional and analytical study

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effects of cataract surgery on cardiac autonomic modulation. METHODS: A cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted at the Hospital Maria Braido in the city of São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo, between 2015 and 2016. We investigated 19 patients of both sexes who were all over 50 years old; all patients had a diagnosis of senile or bilateral cataracts and were recommended to undergo implantation of the intraocular lens. Heart rate variability (HRV) was evaluated before, during and after cataract surgery. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in the time and geometric domains of HRV before, during or after surgery. The high-frequency (HF) band in normalized units (nu) on the spectral analysis significantly increased (p=0.02, Cohen's d=0.9, large effect size). However, the low-frequency (LF) band in nu significantly decreased during surgery (p=0.02, Cohen's d=0.9, large effect size). CONCLUSION: Throughout the intraocular lens implantation cataract surgery, there was an increase in parasympathetic modulation and a decrease in the sympathetic component of the heart rate (HR). We propose that this result is attributable to the supine position of the patients during surgery and the trigeminal reflex.