ABSTRACT
AIMS: To describe the retention of rural women in the Rural Breast Cancer Survivors (RBCS) Intervention. BACKGROUND: Few studies describe strategies and procedures for retention of participants enrolled in cancer research. Fewer studies focus on underserved rural cancer survivors. METHODS: A descriptive design was used. A conceptual model of retention based on three factors: researcher, participant, and context with primary, secondary, and tertiary strategies was used to unify the data. RESULTS: 432 women enrolled in the RBCS study, of which 332 (77%) were retained and completed the 12 month study. Favorable retention strategies included: run-in period, persistent attempts to re-contact hard to reach, recruitment and enrollment tracking database, and a trusting and supportive relationship with the research nurse. CONCLUSION: A conceptual model of retention with differential strategies can maintain participant retention in a longitudinal research study.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Rural Population , Survivors , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Models, TheoreticalABSTRACT
Among older adults, 20%-56% report having cognitive problems, and such cognitive complaints frequently correspond to actual neuropsychological impairment. The loss of cognitive abilities can be frustrating and frightening and can have a negative impact on instrumental activities of daily living and quality of life. Cognitive remediation interventions have been shown to be successful in improving mental function in older adults in many situations and may increase the number of everyday activities they are able to carry out. Nurses, given their direct contact with older adult patients, are able to inquire about or observe cognitive loss, make appropriate referrals, and emphasize steps such as cognitive remediation and other interventions that promote successful cognitive aging.
Subject(s)
Cognition Disorders/therapy , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods , Nursing , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Aged , Aging/psychology , Cognition Disorders/diagnosis , Cognition Disorders/nursing , Humans , Memory Disorders/diagnosis , Memory Disorders/therapy , Neuropsychological Tests , Problem Solving , Quality of Life/psychology , Reaction Time , Teaching/methodsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To develop technical parameters for a videotape-based speed-of-processing training protocol, to evaluate the feasibility of self-administration (experiment 1), and to evaluate the protocol's effectiveness (experiment 2). DESIGN: A feasibility study (experiment 1) and a pre-post, 4-arm, nonrandomized controlled trial (experiment 2). SETTING: University research center. PARTICIPANTS: A population-based sample (37 men, 47 women; age range, 65-94y) (experiment 1). A population-based sample (age > or =65y) with no prior exposure to the Useful Field of View assessment or speed-of-processing training, no dementia or life-limiting illness, a Mini-Mental State Examination score of greater than 24, corrected far visual acuity of greater than or equal to 20/40, contrast sensitivity of greater than or equal to 1.50 log(10), and deficient processing speed (experiment 2). For experiment 2, 8 of 189 eligible people declined to participate. The final sample for this experiment included 100 men and 81 women (age range, 65-91y). INTERVENTIONS: Eight to ten 1-hour cognitive training sessions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Posttraining gains in processing speed. RESULTS: Self-administration was feasible. Subjects who underwent home-based training improved their processing speed significantly more than either control group (F(3,146)=16.16, P<.001). Their gains were 74% as great as the gains of those who underwent trainer-facilitated speed-of-processing training. CONCLUSIONS: People can improve their processing speed at home using readily available technology. Future research should explore the relation of these improvements to driving performance.
