The effect of video training on symptom burden, comfort level, and quality of life in hemodialysis patients: Clustered randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Use of video in patient education is becoming widespread due to its low cost, time management, ease of application, and permanent learning. The study aimed to investigate the effect of video training on the symptom burden, comfort level, and quality of life of patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. METHODS: In this clustered randomized controlled trial, the patients were randomly assigned to groups by lottery method according to hemodialysis treatment days and sessions. Individuals in the intervention group(n = 26) were screened one episode of the training video in each session for three episodes per week for 12 weeks. Individuals in the control group(n = 22) received only conventional hemodialysis without video training. RESULTS: At the third and fourth measurement times, in intervention group, mean scores of symptom burden decreased compared to baseline (respectively:40,12 ± 21,63; 22,31 ± 14,08;21,54 ± 16,78), mean scores of comfort level increased (respectively:102,42 ± 13,45; 111,42 ± 8,00;115,04 ± 9,73)(p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in control group(p > 0.05). This study observed a statistically significant difference between quality of life scale scores individuals in intervention group(p < 0,05). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that video training delivered to patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment decreased symptom burden of patients and increased their comfort level, and quality of life. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Video training can be utilized in the educational program of hemodialysis patients.

Investigation of occupational safety in oncology nurses.

Objective. This study aimed to examine the occupational safety of oncology nurses. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the risks faced by oncology nurses in the units they work in and occupational safety. The data of the study were collected between April and October 2020 using an online questionnaire prepared by the researchers in line with the literature. The sample for the study consisted of 117 oncology nurses who voluntarily participated in the study and filled out the questionnaire completely. Results. More than half of the participants stated that they did not find occupational safety practices sufficient and were not given additional rights or psychological support given the risks of exposure. Conclusions. The study concluded that to improve occupational safety in oncology nurses, the physical conditions of the working environment should be improved, and up-to-date oncology and occupational safety training should be given regularly.

Effect of Music on Pain in Cancer Patients in Palliative Care Service: A Randomized Controlled Study.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of music on pain, anxiety, comfort, and functional capacity of cancer patients who received care in a palliative care unit. The population of this randomized controlled trial consisted of cancer patients hospitalized in the palliative care service between July 2018 and July 2019. The study included 60 patients (30 interventions/30 controls). The patients in the intervention group were given a total of six music sessions, 10 minutes each with the Turkish classical music in maqams of their choice (Hejaz or Rast accompanied by an expert tambour (drum) player). There was a significant difference between the mean total pain scores, anxiety, comfort, and functional capacity scores of the patients in the intervention and control groups before and after music therapy. Music therapy decreased the level of pain. It is demonstrated that Turkish classical music therapy improved the pain, anxiety, comfort, and functional capacity in the palliative care unit.

Assessment of Frailty in the Elderly.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate frailty in older individuals and to identify factors related to frailty. METHOD: The descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted with 111 elderly patients who received inpatient treatment in a university hospital between January and September 2016. Ethics committee approval, institutional consent, and informed patient consent were obtained for the study. Along with the Edmonton Frail Scale, a data form was used to collect data about the patient's sociodemographics, disease status, and fall incidents. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: The prevalence of severe frailty was 19.8%. Significant relationships were found between frailty and advanced age, low education, low income, continuous use of medicines, and a history of falls within the last year. CONCLUSION: Elderly individuals included in the study were categorized as "vulnerable" (Edmonton Frail Scale score of 6.84±3.83) and were at the borderline for "mild frailty" (Edmonton Frail Scale score of 7-8). The factors associated with frailty were advanced age, low education, and income level, continuous use of medicines, and the history of falls within the last year.

Effect of mobile phone app-based training on the quality of life for women with breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The study purpose was to determine the effects on quality of life (QoL) of a mobile phone app-based training for supportive care of women with breast cancer who were using adjuvant endocrine hormonal therapy. METHODS: The study is based on a randomized pre-post test design. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group that received routine care or an intervention group that received routine care plus access to the mobile phone app-based training support for 12 weeks. QoL and symptom distress were measured before intervention (T0), and after 12 weeks (T1) of intervention. This study is the application of two modality combinations: the mobile app-based patient education (1) and web-based management application (2). The mobile app-based training also provided basic information about breast cancer, symptom diary and lifestyle recommendations (adequate and balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, deal with stress effectively). RESULTS: QoL of the treatment group after intervention increased and distress level was lower compared to the control group; these results were statistically significant. The majority of the patients reported that the mobile application was "informative and useful". CONCLUSIONS: This demonstrated that the mobile app is an effective intervention for supportive care in women with breast cancer. The mobile app-based training, which is an innovative intervention, is recommended as a supportive care initiative for women with breast cancer.

Effects of web-based education and counselling for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: self-efficacy, fatigue and assessment of care.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of web-based education and counselling for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus on self-efficacy, fatigue and assessment of care. METHODS: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial. The study sample consisted of 80 patients divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 40) and a control group (n = 40). Randomization was performed by simple random sampling. At the beginning of the study (month 0), data-collection forms were administered to both groups. Web-based education was carried out for the first three months, and counselling and information updates were given for the next three months for the experimental group. In the intervention process, the control group just received standard care. After six months, data-collection forms were administered to both groups again. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants in the experimental and control groups was 35.58 ± 8.40 years and 39.00 ± 12.71 years, respectively. In both groups, 95% of patients were women. Wilcoxon's test was used for within-group comparisons before and after the study. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to evaluate the difference between the two groups before the intervention and between the two groups after the intervention. We found that there was a significant improvement in fatigue, self-efficacy and assessment of chronic illness care in the experimental group at the end of the study (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention had a positive effect on self-efficacy, fatigue and satisfaction with chronic illness. In accordance with the results, similar studies should be conducted for different patient groups in order to strengthen the results.

Validity and Reliability Study of the Turkish Version of Multiple Sclerosis Self-Management Scale.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish the equivalence, reliability, and validity of the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Management Scale Turkish Version (MSSM-T). METHODS: This methodological study consisted of 240 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who were followed in an outpatient clinic of a university hospital between October 2016 and April 2017. Data were collected using the demographic characteristics form and the 24-item MSSM-T. Language equivalence, content validity, and construct validity methods were used for the validity of the scale; internal consistency, item analysis, and test-retest methods were used for the reliability. Explanatory factor analysis was used for construct validity, and principal component analysis and varimax rotation were used in the analysis of factor structure. RESULTS: The item-total correlations for the Turkish version were found to be sufficient (between 0.238 and 0.674). The Cronbach α reliability coefficient was 0.85, indicating high reliability. The test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.84, indicating high consistency. The Turkish version was found to have 5 factors for the 24 items (F1, healthcare provider relationship/communication; F2, knowledge and information about MS; F3, treatment adherence/barriers; F4, maintaining health behavior; and F5, social/family support), which accounted for the 62.584% of the characteristics in question. CONCLUSION: The MSSM-T is valid and reliable in determining the self-management behaviors of patients with MS for Turkish patients.

Awareness of risk factors and warning signs of stroke among caregivers of patient with and not with stroke: Results from questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness/knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs among caregivers of patients with or without stroke. METHODS: The cross-sectional, descriptive and comparative study was conducted in the neurology clinic and polyclinic of a university hospital in Izmir, Turkey, from March to July 2014, and comprised primary caregivers of patients with stroke in group 1 and those of patients with no stroke in group 2. The subjects were screened and data was collected using the Participant Information Form and the Questionnaire Form About Stroke. Warning signs and symptoms of stroke were compared between the two sets of caregivers. SPSS 17was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 203 respondents, 105(52%) were in group 1 and 98(48%) in group 2. Group 1 had better awareness than group 2 (p<0.05). In group 1, weakness was the most commonly recognised warning sign 101(96.2%), whereas dyspnoea 41(39%), was the least commonly identified. There was no relationship of stroke knowledge with educational level and age (p>0.05 each). . CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers had a moderate knowledge of some of the warning signs and risk factors about stroke.

Effects of aromatherapy massage on pain, functional state, and quality of life in an elderly individual with knee osteoarthritis.

AIM: To investigate the effects of aromatherapy massage on pain, functional state and life quality of elderly individuals with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: This controlled and experimental study was conducted in two nursing homes. In this study, 90 elderly individuals with knee osteoarthritis were randomized as aromatherapy, massage and control groups. Data were collected in weeks 0, 4, and 8 using Patient Information Form, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Knee Osteoarthritis Evaluation Scale, OsteoArthritis Knee and Hip Quality of Life Scale (OAKHQoL). Aromatherapy and massage groups received a total of 15-20 min total classic leg massage twice weekly for 3 weeks. In the aromatherapy group, two essential oils (ginger and rosemary) were added to the black seed oil. RESULTS: In the aromatherapy group, WOMAC (pain and functional state) scores were lower and quality of life scores were higher than the massage and control groups in week 4, and these differences were statistically significant (p < .001). These significant differences were present in the massage group when compared with the control (p < .001). These significant differences in the aromatherapy group were also sustained decreasingly in week 8 (p < .001), while the means were not different from baseline in the massage group (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Aromatherapy massage performed in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis reduced pain and improved functional status and quality of life. The week 8 findings showed that aromatherapy has more favorable and longer sustained effects than the massage.

Investigation of the attitudes of university students to discrimination of the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the attitudes of university students studying in different fields toward discrimination of the elderly. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted with students who were still studying in the 2015-2016 period. A sample size of 416 students was determined by the stratified sampling method, and students were selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected using an identifying information form and an Age Discrimination Attitude Scale (ADAS) by face-to-face interview. Statistical analysis was performed using the program SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: The mean total ADAS score of students was 67.7±6.0. The total ADAS scores and the scores of male students on limiting the life of the elderly was significantly higher than those of female students (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It was determined that university students studying in different fields have a positive attitude toward the elderly. Action must be taken to remove discrimination of the elderly, and policies must be developed to increase social sensitivity.

Sleep quality and factors affecting sleep in elderly patientswith rheumatoid arthritis in Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Sleep disorders are more common in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to determine the sleep quality in adult and elderly people with RA and the factors associated with sleep disorders in each group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 182 patients (83 elderly and 99 adult patients) diagnosed with RA. Data were collected through a patient identification form including sociodemographic and disease characteristics. The Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess quality of life and sleep. RESULTS: The mean PSQI scores of the elderly group were lower than those of adult subjects (P = 0.055). Patients in remission and those with knee involvement had significantly lower PSQI scores (P < 0.05). Mean PSQI scores of elderly single patients and subjects with sleep disorders and restless leg syndrome were significantly higher (P < 0.05). In elderly subjects, the pain and HAQ scores were positively correlated with the PSQI. CONCLUSION: Sleep quality of elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients was determined to be worse than that of adults; however, the difference was not statistically different. Factors negatively affecting sleep included pain, joints involved, high disease activity, and restless leg syndrome.

The Turkish version of the Rome III criteria for IBS is valid and reliable.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In this study, we aimed to provide the usage of the Rome III criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the healthcare field by conducting validity and reliability studies in Turkey and to facilitate diagnosis of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Item analysis of the Rome III criteria was performed, and the test was applied to 79 patients after their consistency had been validated with expert opinion. After the first application, the retest was applied to 77 cases, and the consistency between the two applications was examined by kappa analysis. IBS was diagnosed by expert opinion, which was accepted as 'the gold standard'. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha of the Rome III criteria was calculated as 0.90. When the compliance between expert assessment and IBS Rome III diagnostic criteria was compared, the diagnostic criteria's sensitivity was determined as 78.6%, and their specificity was 82.9%. When the Rome III criteria test-retest agreement was analysed, the sensitivity, specificity and negative and positive predictive values of the Rome III diagnostic criteria were determined as 97.4%. CONCLUSION: In this study, the internal consistency of the Rome III criteria for diagnosis of patients with IBS in our country was found to be an important criterion because of the fact that the Rome III criteria have high internal consistency and validation, they are a reliable measurement tool, they are able to distinguish IBS-positive and -negative cases with the same rate as a specialist and their application is very easy.

[Examine of quality of life of elderly indivudals suffering pain]. / Agrisi olan yasli bireylerin yasam kalitesinin incelenmesi.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the quality of life of elderly individuals suffering pain. METHODS: The study was carried out on 84 individuals over the age of 65 resident at a local authority administered nursing home in Izmir who were suffering pain at the time of the interview. The individuals' introduction form, made up of 12 questions, was used to identify the individuals' socio-demographic characteristics, and the McGill Melzack Pain Questionnaire was used to assess the pain, and the WHOQOL-OLD (World health Organization Quality of Life Scale Older Adults Module) was applied. RESULTS: A significant relationship was found between the current pain severity and the quality of life scale's sensory capacity, today's activities and future activities, and relationship sub-fields and the total points (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It was established, as well as the elderly individuals' socio-demographic characteristics, sub-sections such as the features, severity and time of pain also had an effect on the quality of life.

Reliability and validity of the quality of life -family version (QOL-FV) in Turkish family caregivers of patients with cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Family caregivers (FCs) are often the primary source of social and emotional support for cancer patients and play a major role in how well they manage their illness. The aim of this study was to create an Turkish version of the Quality of Life - Family Version (QOL-FV) and to evaluate its psychometric properties in a sample of FCs of cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out with the FCs of 218 patients with cancer. Data were collected with a Demographic Questionnaire and the QOL-FV and The Multidimentional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The QOL-FV was developed by Ferrell and Grant and is composed of 4 subdimensions. Linguistic validity, translation, back translation, and content validity were tested with expert opinions. Test-retest reliability, and internal consistency reliability were assessed. Construct validity was tested by factor analysis and with the scale of the MSPSS. RESULTS: The family caregivers were between the ages of 46-56 (32.6%), a great number of them being male (52.8%). The scale is made up of four subdimensions. The result of the test-retest analysis of this scale was calculated as r:0.86. As a result of the reliability analysis, six items were eliminated from the scale, factor analyses were fulfilled according to varimax transformation through the method of principal components. Four new subdimensions were restrustured at the end of the analysis. The scale of Cronbach αcoefficient was calculated as 0.90. Concurrent validity showed low correlations with the MSPSS (r=0.29). CONCLUSIONS: The QOL-FV, adapted into Turkish, was found to have sufficient reliability and validity.

The effectiveness of nursing education as an intervention to decrease fatigue in Turkish patients receiving chemotherapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a nurse-led educational intervention decreased the perception of fatigue in patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers (colon, stomach, liver, rectum, pancreas) who were receiving chemotherapy for the first time. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental, descriptive. SETTING: Outpatient department in a large university hospital in Izmir, Turkey. SAMPLE: 35 patients receiving chemotherapy for GI cancers. METHODS: Baseline demographic data were collected using a personal information form developed by the researchers. Fatigue and quality of life (QOL) were then assessed using the Brief Fatigue Inventory, the Piper Fatigue Scale, and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life (EORTC QLQ C-30) scale before their first cycle of chemotherapy, on the 10th day after (T1), and again 10 days after the second cycle of chemotherapy (T2). Patients received an individual educational intervention at baseline, T1, and T2 based on the results of their fatigue assessment in accordance with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) cancer-related fatigue guidelines. Patients were given an educational booklet on fatigue prior to treatment and symptom specific booklets as required at T1 and T2. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Subjective reports of patients' fatigue and QOL. FINDINGS: Patients' mean fatigue scores showed a statistically significant decrease and their EORTC QLQC-30 scores were better at T1 and T2 compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse-led educational interventions have the potential to reduce fatigue in patients with GI cancer receiving chemotherapy for the first time. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: The administration of chemotherapy should be preceded by a formal fatigue assessment and the provision of individually tailored educational interventions to reduce the severity of fatigue and improve QOL.