The effect of model-based telephone counseling on HbA1c and self-management for individuals with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: This study was conducted to examine the effect of telephone counseling based on the Information, Motivation, Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model on HbA1c and self-management in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: This study was conducted between January 2019 and September 2019 with a total of 63 (31 interventions, 32 controls) T2DM patients. The intervention group was followed-up for a total of 12 weeks, after 45-60 min of patient training based on IMB, a weekly reminder message and a phone call every two weeks. No intervention was made to the control group. Data were collected at the beginning of the study and at the end of the 12th week. The data were obtained using a Patient Information Form, the Type 2 Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale, the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ), the Perceived Diabetes Self Management Scale (PDSMS) and glycemic control (HbA1c). RESULTS: Participants were on average 54 years old and the majority were female (58.1%). According to the results of the covariance analysis (ANCOVA), there was a statistically significant difference between the pre-post-test HbA1c (F:13.589; p < 0.001), weight (F:32.176; p < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (F:7.109; p = 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in diastolic blood pressure between the intervention and control groups (F:2.686; p = 0.106). Also, after three months of follow-up, self-efficacy (F:26.632; p < 0.001), self-management (F:44.487; p < 0.001) and self-management perceptions (F:71.132; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: The researchers concluded that telephone counseling based on the IMB model could be a suitable method to improve glycemic control and self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Investigation of the effects of interventions made according to the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold Model on the care outcomes of Alzheimer patients and their families: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: One of the non-pharmacological methods used to reduce behavioural problems of Alzheimer's patients and the negative emotions accordingly experienced by caregivers consists of interventions performed according to the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) model. METHODS: This randomized controlled study aimed to determine the effect of interventions performed according to PLST on the care burden, care satisfaction, and life satisfaction of caregivers of middle and advanced stage Alzheimer's disease patients, and on the neuropsychiatric symptoms and agitation levels of these patients. The research was conducted with a total of 29 caregivers divided into intervention (15) and control (14) groups. Data were collected using an Introductory Information Form, plus the Standardised Mini-Mental State Examination, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, Carer's Assessment of Satisfaction Index, and Life Satisfaction Scale. Three home visits were made to the caregivers by the researchers in the first, second, and twelfth weeks of the intervention. During the home visits, face-to-face training was given as necessary to the individual caring for problems identified in the nursing care plan according to PLST. RESULTS: As a result of the PLST training, there was a decrease in the behavioural problems of Alzheimer's patients, along with a decrease in the care burden of the caregivers and an increase in their care satisfaction. When the scale total scores of the individuals in the intervention and control groups were compared, it was found that only caregivers' care satisfaction increased at a statistically significant level (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: At the end of the training given according to PLST, it was found that behavioural problems of Alzheimer's patients and the care burden of caregivers had decreased, and the care satisfaction of caregivers increased. It is recommended that Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers be given training and interventions according to PLST.

The effect of back massage on physiological parameters, dyspnoea, and anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the intensive care unit: A randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effect of back massage on physiological parameters, dyspnoea and anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receiving noninvasive mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was a randomised controlled trial. Patients in the intervention group received back massage (15 minutes) between 16.00 and 20.00 every day for four days in the intensive care unit. The control group received no intervention. The data was collected using a personal information form, Baseline Dyspnoea Index, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Physiological Parameters Chart. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant change between systolic-diastolic blood pressures, heart rates and respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and dyspnoea level of the intervention and control groups (p > .05), while there was a significant reduction in the anxiety scores of patients in the intervention group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: This study found that back massage applied in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receiving noninvasive mechanical ventilation was effective in decreasing anxiety. Back massage is a low-cost intervention with benefits for patients, and it may be a useful intervention in the anxiety management of intensive care patients.

Usage of complementary and alternative medicine in women with urinary incontinence at a hospital in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a health problem that is common in women of all ages. Besides pharmacological and surgical treatments, there are lifestyle changes and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to relieve UI symptoms. This study aimed to examine lifestyle arrangements and CAM use by women with UI. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from 352 women with UI. The study sample consisted of female patients that were aged 18 and above. We asked patients whether they experienced urine leakage, and included all patients with UI in the sample regardless of UI type or severity. We collected the study data by using the personal information form and Incontinence Severity Index (ISI). RESULTS: In this study, 7.1% of women with UI used CAM while 92.9% did not. We found that only the women with mixed incontinence used CAM more (p < 0.05). The CAM techniques commonly preferred by women included prayer (48.0%), hot application (36.0%) and herbal teas (24%). While 52.2% of women stated that they benefited from CAM use, all of them (100%) stated that they experienced no side effects of CAM. The most common lifestyle changes was losing weight. CONCLUSION: Turkish women with UI had a low rate of CAM use in this study. The use of CAM was related to age and education, and women with mixed UI used CAM more.

Relationship between the nursing students' attitudes towards spiritual care and the principles of a good death.

PURPOSE: This descriptive study aims to identify the relationship between the nursing students' attitudes towards spiritual care and the principles of a good death. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 224 nursing students took part in this study. A personal data from, the "assessment scale of attitudes towards principles about dying with dignity" and the "spiritual support perception scale" were used in the data collection. FINDINGS: This study found that the nursing students' attitudes towards spiritual care and the principles of a good death were positive. As the students' attitudes towards the principles of a good death increased, their attitudes towards spiritual care also increased. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is recommended that the principles of a good death and spiritual care should be included in the nursing curriculum.

The effect of reminiscence therapy on the adaptation of elderly women to old age: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The changes and limitations that occur in the aging process effect people's adaptation to old age. This study aimed to assess the effect of reminiscence therapy on the adaptation levels of non-institutionalized elderly women to old age. METHODS: We used a randomized controlled trial design. We conducted the study with 50 elderly women, including 27 women in the intervention group and 23 women in the control group. Study data were recollected by using an introductory information form, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Assessment Scale of Adaptation Difficulty for the Elderly (ASADE). Reminiscence therapy was applied to the participants in the intervention group through individual sessions for 8 weeks by making house visits once a week. RESULTS: At the end of reminiscence therapy made through weekly house visits, we compared the mean ASADE and MMSE scores of intervention and control groups and found that there was a statistically significant difference between the mean ASADE and MMSE scores of the participants in the intervention group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that reminiscence therapy increased the elderly women's adaptation to old age and cognitive level.

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric assessment of the Turkish version of the Vulnerability to Abuse Screening Scale

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Vulnerability to Abuse Screening Scale (VASS). Materials and methods: This was a methodological study. The sample included 140 elderly individuals. Data were collected by using a questionnaire form, the VASS, and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The Cronbach alpha value was calculated and test?retest reliability was tested for the reliability analyses. Results: The Cronbach alpha value calculated for the VASS (12 items) was 0.819. There was no difference between test and retest mean scores of the VASS. A statistically significantly positive and strong relationship was found between the test and retest scores of the individuals. A statistically significantly positive and moderate relationship was found between the VASS and GDS scores. Factor analysis revealed that a total of four factors accounted for 63.66% of the total variance with an eigenvalue of >1. These results show that the Turkish version of the VASS is a valid and reliable scale. Conclusion: This study showed that the adoption of the translated VASS in Turkey is reliable and valid to evaluate the risk of abuse in adults over the age of 65.

The Effect of Reminiscence Therapy on Cognition, Depression, and Activities of Daily Living for Patients With Alzheimer Disease.

The purpose of this study was, conducted with experimental design, to investigate the effect of reminiscence therapy on cognition, depression, activities of daily living of institutionalized mild and moderate Alzheimer patients. The study was conducted with a total of 62 patients (31 intervention group and 31 control group) in four home care in Ankara, Turkey. Study was done between the July 1, 2013 and December 20, 2014. Reminiscence therapy sessions were held with groups consists of 4-5 patients, once a week with 30-35 minute duration for 12 weeks. Standardized Mini Mental Test was used in sample selection. Patients were listed through their mini mental test scores, and randomized as odd numbers to control group and even numbers to intervention group. Data were collected with forms developed by researcher 'Data Sheet' and 'Activities of Daily Living Follow-up Form' as well as scales 'Standardized Mini Mental Test' and 'Geriatric Depression Scale'. Chi-square, Mann Whitney-U test, variance analyses in repeated measures and Bonferroni tests were used for analysis. The increase in mean Standardized Mini Mental Test score and the decrease in mean Geriatric Depression Scale score of the individuals in the intervention group compared to the control group at the end of the reminiscence therapy was statistically significant (P < 0.05). At the end of reminiscence therapy sessions, increase in cognition and decrease in depression were found statistically significant in intervention group.

Health-related adverse events and associated factors in recreational divers with different certification levels.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of research on diving-related health issues and associated factors. This study aimed to examine the health problems encountered during diving and to ascertain the factors associated with adverse events. METHODS: The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 132 recreational divers from diving schools in Ankara. The researchers collected the data using a questionnaire developed according to the relevant literature. RESULTS: Diving-related health issues including barotraumas, nitrogen narcosis, and decompression sickness were mostly dependent on depth. The divers with higher certification levels witnessed diving-related adverse events more frequently and a significant increase in health problems with greater depth attained (p < 0.05). More experienced divers with longer duration of diving (p < 0.05) and greater number of dives reported more health problems associated with diving between 41 and 65 m. Adverse events did not differ according to diving-related educational features (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The finding implies the importance of adherence to the depth limit of 40 m for recreational divers, being a slow ascend diver, and utilization of a buddy system in order to prevent diving-related adverse events. A data recording system related to diving and regulations particularly for tourist divers in the countries attracting tourists is required.