Minor Improvement in Activity and Participation and Decline in Physical Activity Motivation After Cardiac Rehabilitation Discharge.

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes in activities and participation, and mental and physical functions for 9 mo after cardiac rehabilitation (CR) among adults with chronic cardiac conditions. METHODS: Twenty-five adults with chronic cardiac conditions scheduled for discharge from CR were assessed at four different times: within 2-wk window of CR discharge date, 1 mo, 3 mo, and 9 mo after CR discharge. Nine assessments according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health were used to track the changes post-CR. RESULTS: Participants showed significant changes in the Cognitive Instrumental Activities of Daily Living adequacy of Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills-Clinic (F = 8.10, P = .017) and improvements in the applied cognitive domain of the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care Outpatient Short Form (F = 4.493, P = .016). Participants also showed significant decline in the CogState Detection test (F = 3.307, P = .045), the Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS) (F = 4.749, P = .005), and the affiliation subscale of the PALMS (F = 5.316, P = .002), and improvements in the 6-min walk test (F = 9.000, P = .011). Lastly, participants showed depressive symptoms for 3 mo post-CR. No other significant changes were detected among other outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with chronic cardiac conditions discharged from site-based CR maintained their activity and participation level following discharge with little improvement. They also showed depressive symptoms and decreased motivation for physical activity post-CR.

Rehabilitation Intervention for Individuals With Heart Failure and Fatigue to Reduce Fatigue Impact: A Feasibility Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate feasibility of recruitment, tablet use in intervention delivery, and use of self-report outcome measures and to analyze the effect of Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy versus Health Education interventions for individuals with heart failure-associated fatigue. METHODS: This feasibility study was a block-randomized controlled trial involving 23 adults, blinded to their group assignment, in a rural southern area in the United States. Individuals with heart failure and fatigue received the interventions for 6 weeks through videoconferencing or telephone. Participants were taught to solve their fatiguerelated problems using energy conservation strategies and the process of Problem-Solving Therapy or educated about health-related topics. RESULTS: The recruitment rate was 23%. All participants completed the study participation according to their group assignment, except for one participant in the Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy group. Participants primarily used the tablet (n=21) rather than the phone (n=2). Self-report errors were noted on Activity Card Sort (n=23). Reported fatigue was significantly lower for both the Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy (p=0.03, r=0.49) and Health Education (p=0.004, r=0.64) groups. The Health Education group reported significantly lower fatigue impact (p=0.019, r=0.48). Participation was significantly different in low-physical demand leisure activities (p=0.008; r=0.55) favoring the Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy group. CONCLUSION: The recruitment and delivery of the interventions were feasible. Activity Card Sort may not be appropriate for this study population due to recall bias. The interventions warrant future research to reduce fatigue and decrease participation in sedentary activities (Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT03820674).

Perceived stress in survivors of suicide: psychometric properties of the Perceived Stress Scale.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of three versions of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; American Sociological Association) in adults who had survived the death of a family member or significant other by suicide. Reliability and validity were examined. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to assess dimensionality of the underlying constructs. All three versions of the PSS demonstrated acceptable reliability. Two shorter versions retained good psychometric properties and demonstrated convergent and concurrent validity with measures of posttraumatic stress symptoms and mental health quality of life. Factor analysis provided further evidence of their usefulness as brief and valid measures of perceived stress in acutely bereaved adult survivors of suicide. In a sub-sample of closely related survivors, the psychometric properties of the 4-item version of the PSS were retained.

Predictors of injury associated with rape.

The purpose of this study was to assess predictors of injury in a preliminary model with victim and forensic characteristics as variables. Assessment of predictors will fill gaps in the literature, help clinicians improve data-gathering methods, and identify characteristics associated with rape-related injury of women who may be at higher risk for subsequent poor health.

Elder abuse and neglect.

Elder abuse and neglect is a critical health care issue that must be brought to the attention of health care providers and older adults' family members. Adults older than 65 who live at home or in long-term care facilities may be at risk for abuse. Nurses should be aware of the causes, screening questions, symptoms of abuse, and resources in the community. Armed with information and a better understanding about the issue, nurses can minimize the devastating effects of abuse on older adults and their families.

Treatment and prevention of pediatric heat-related illnesses at mass gatherings and special events.

Pediatric heat-related illnesses are likely to occur during mass gatherings and special events. Because critical care nurses may be called upon to provide care during such events, education in the recognition, treatment, and prevention of these illnesses is essential. This article describes the pathophysiology of heat-related illnesses and their recognition and treatment at mass gatherings and special events. Interventions to prevent heat-related illnesses at these events are discussed.

Body mass index basics for critical care nurses.

With an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obese youth, practitioners who provide healthcare for children may benefit from the acquisition of knowledge in additional clinical skills, such as calculating and using body mass index-for-age. Coupled with current health screening measures and wellness counseling for children and their families, nurses as healthcare advocates may be able to initiate maximization of health and well-being after discharge.

Psychological response to disasters: focus on adolescents.

The effects of disasters may predispose many adolescents to psychological stress, which can interfere with their growth and development and disrupt their intrapsychic homeostasis. This may lead to negative long-term health outcomes and hamper normal development. Many nurses view traumatic events involving children, including adolescents, as the most frequent and stressful critical incidents. There is a need to address psychological emergency preparedness for mass disasters with the development of protocols and practice guidelines. Assessing and managing physical injuries may take priority in emergencies, but incorporating rapid, cost-effective mental health assessments for children and adolescents is essential.

Issues and dynamics of sexually assaulted adolescents and their families.

Interpersonal violence such as sexual assault creates a variety of traumatic responses. Adolescents encounter a significantly high rate of exposure to sexual assault. In the aftermath of sexual assault, issues and dynamics related to traumatic responses include ongoing fear and threats to personal safety, stability, and structure of the family and environment. Each issue is of concern for community and health care practitioners. Sexual assault has a detrimental effect on adolescent intrapsychic development and interpersonal relationships. Symptoms are disturbing and disruptive to daily routines, negatively affect adolescent normal growth and development, and can result in post-traumatic stress disorder. Issues and dynamics regarding sexual assault are explored, with suggestions on how to help adolescents avoid developing a negative world view and long-term negative health consequences.

Use of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) to guide intervention development with women experiencing abuse.

Effective intervention strategies for abused women must be developed that match women's perceived needs. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations among age, race, employment status, education levels, and women's perceptions of social support. Women (n = 40) from 19 to 68 years of age in a family court setting or domestic violence shelter completed the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL), which was used to measure subscales of companionship, self-esteem, emotional support, and instrumental support. Abuse was documented by patient reports and protocols of the referring agencies. Significant associations were found between age and self-esteem (r = 0.47, p = 0.002) companionship (r = 0.29, p = 0.07) and emotional support (r = 0.27, p = 0.09). Also significant were the associations between race and self-esteem (r = 0.27, p = 0.10) and employment and instrumental support (r = -0.32, p = 0.08). These significant findings may aid in the development of interventions for abused women that are matched to their social support needs, particularly if the findings are consistent in larger studies.