Evaluating the Impact of Reminiscence Therapy on Cognitive and Emotional Outcomes in Dementia Patients.

This study examines the impact of reminiscence therapy on cognitive and emotional well-being in institutionalized older patients with dementia. Conducted at the Long-Term Care Health Facility for the Elderly, the research involved 34 participants who underwent therapy sessions that included personalized discussions of past experiences. Using physiological markers such as electroencephalography alpha and beta waves, along with psychological measures such as the Hasegawa Dementia Scale-Revised, the study aimed to quantify the effects of the therapy. Although the results indicated positive correlations between alpha and beta waves, suggesting enhanced relaxation and cognitive engagement, improvements in Hasegawa Dementia Scale-Revised scores were not statistically significant, pointing to variability in therapeutic effectiveness among patients. Despite these mixed outcomes, the findings support the potential of reminiscence therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention to improve the quality of life of dementia patients, though they also underscore the necessity for further research to refine therapy protocols and enhance applicability.

Analyzing the challenges faced by recently qualified nurses in radiation therapy nursing at Japan's National University Hospitals: Uncovering the determinants of difficulty.

Objective: Newly graduated nurses embarking on careers in radiation therapy nursing at Japan's National University Hospitals face a spectrum of challenges, many of which have received limited attention in existing literature. This study aimed to uncover the primary difficulties encountered by these nurses, with a specific focus on their implications for training and systematic education. Methods: Employing a survey involving nurses from five prestigious medical institutions in Japan, we explored the real-time experiences and challenges within radiation therapy nursing. Our investigation concentrated on adverse events and the requisite knowledge for effective symptom management. The results illuminated a notable divergence in experiences among nurses, with particular challenges emerging in the treatment of head and neck cancers, especially when combined with chemotherapy. The data emphasized the pivotal role of certified nurses in offering support and knowledge transfer in complex cases, underscoring the importance of peer support and consultations. Results: The findings underscored a significant variance in experiences among nurses, with specific difficulties encountered in the management of head and neck cancers, particularly in conjunction with chemotherapy. The data highlighted the essential role of certified nurses in providing support and knowledge dissemination in challenging scenarios, underscoring the significance of peer support and consultations. Conclusions: This study provides an overview of the landscape, highlighting the critical role of peer consultation and the need for advancements in the educational framework for radiation therapy nurses.

How Do Disaster Relief Nurses in Japan Perceive and Respond to Risks? A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study assessed the risk perceptions among disaster relief nurses (DRNs) in Japan by focusing on 15 risk factors associated with frequent natural disasters and the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional study that targeted DRNs across six prefectures in Japan and explored nurses' perceptions of risks including radiation exposure, volcanic eruptions, and mass infections. The findings indicated a heightened perception of radiation and nuclear-related risks. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, DRNs perceived "mass infection" as a significant risk. An age-based analysis revealed that younger nurses had more dread about "mass infection" and had heightened uncertainty about the "X-ray test" compared with their older peers. Understanding DRNs' risk perceptions is crucial for effective disaster response preparedness and training. The study highlights the need to address these perceptions to ensure that DRNs are well prepared and supported in their roles. This study was not pre-registered on a publicly accessible registry.

A Comparison of the Contents of Disaster Nursing Practices and Perceived Difficulties among Nurses Working at Welfare Evacuation Shelters during Natural Disasters and Multiple Disasters: A Qualitative Study.

In this study, we compared the disaster relief practices of nurses who worked in welfare shelters in Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures, areas in which only natural disasters occurred, and nurses who worked in Fukushima Prefecture, an area in which both nuclear and natural disasters occurred during the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, in order to identify commonalities and differences between them. We conducted semi-structured interviews with two nurses from each prefecture. The results revealed that "nursing practice with minimal available materials and personnel" and "nursing practice based on knowledge and experience as a nurse" were common themes in the content of nursing practices, whereas "securing human resources during disasters and considering ideal welfare evacuation centers" and "recording the difficulties in dealing with nuclear disasters" were uncommon themes. The findings confirmed that even in Fukushima Prefecture, in which the nuclear disaster occurred, participants did not talk about their concerns regarding radiation exposure while working at welfare evacuation shelters where people with special requirements were evacuated, and that they were expected to respond in the same way as they would in natural disasters. However, participants reported several difficulties relating to nuclear disasters that should be considered in future disaster support.

A low-birth-weight risk assessment scale: development and validation through a questionnaire-based survey.

BACKGROUND: Birth weight is continuously decreasing in Japan since food satiation has become a problem in recent years. The present study aimed to develop and examine the reliability and validity of a scale for the assessment of risk factors for low birth weight in infants born at term. METHODS: A self-administered postal questionnaire survey comprising a low birth weight risk assessment scale was conducted on mothers with children of nursery school or kindergarten age. After item analysis (scale), factor structure was confirmed by an exploratory factor analysis using the main factor method promax rotation. The reliability of this scale was confirmed by Cronbach's α coefficient and Item-Total correlation. The validity was confirmed by known-groups validity and internal validity. RESULTS: The responses of 630 mothers (valid response rate, 18.5%) were analyzed. Factor analysis (principal factor analysis and promax rotation) obtained an optimal scale comprising 25 items in the following nine factors: "guidance at each checkup," "adequate rest," "support from husband," "effects on the fetus," "support from society," "support from family," "effects of minor troubles," "good lifestyle habits," and "fall risk and lifestyle changes." The overall Cronbach's α coefficient for the scale was 0.701. Known-groups validity examination revealed significant differences in scale scores of birth weight, birth history, and maternal smoking status. CONCLUSION: The scale demonstrated internal consistency, construct validity, and known-groups validity, indicating that it can be used as an indicator of low birth weight risk. In the future, this scale may be included in medical questionnaires as part of health guidance for pregnant women at a risk of delivering low birth weight children.

Survey of Difficult Experiences of Nurses Caring for Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy: An Analysis of Factors in Difficult Cases.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the difficult experiences of nurses who cared for patients undergoing radiation therapy and factors related to patient feelings toward the progress and difficulties of treatment and the kind of care needed. METHODS: A descriptive survey using a questionnaire. Anonymous self-report data were collected from a sample of 228 nurses who had 2-5 years of nursing experience in a National University Hospital in Japan. Years of working experience; knowledge and training in radiation therapy and difficult experiences of nurses caring for patients undergoing radiation therapy. RESULTS: In hospital "A", about 80% of the nurses had cared for patients undergoing radiation therapy, and about 40% had experience with difficult cases. The characteristics of competent nurses in radiation nursing were the following: while not having knowledge and experience, they were seriously facing their patients. However, the treatment process could not be predicted, skills related to the whole-human involvement of patients were insufficient, and communication was similar. In addition, the characteristics of competent nurses in radiation nursing became apparent. Although these nurses lacked knowledge and experience, they interacted with patients in a serious manner. However, the treatment process could not be predicted, and the skills related to the holistic involvement of patients were insufficient. Furthermore, communication between the nurses and patients was difficult. CONCLUSIONS: Competent nurses with 2-5 years of working experience, but lacking specific knowledge and experience regarding radiation therapy could cope with difficult radiation therapy cases. However, additional education, training, and mentoring from expert nurses would improve the quality of care for patients undergoing radiation therapy and reduce distress for nurses with less experience. In this study, the need for educational measures and a support system to help competent nurses face difficult cases were suggested.

Comparison of rescue and relief activities within 72 hours of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

PURPOSE: To clarify the factors and reasons for the differences in the outcomes of rescue and relief efforts in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, mainly focusing on the numbers of rescue/relief staffs and casualties in the period within 72 hours of the atomic bombings in August 1945. METHODS: By retrieving the data and information from the records and reports concerning the disasters in the two cities, together with other publications as to the damages by the atomic bombings and subsequent rescue-relief activities, and restoration activities. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: It seems that there was less damage in Nagasaki, where a stronger atomic bomb was used than in Hiroshima. There were crucial geographic factors that led to the different effects in terms of the numbers of victims; however, systematic organization and mobilization of rescue and relief staffs, maintenance of functional transportation, and advanced medical knowledge and public warning with regard to disaster all may have contributed to a lower death toll and increase in survivors in Nagasaki.

Individual testimonies of nursing care after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945.

PURPOSE: To describe the situation with respect to nursing care conducted immediately before and after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945. METHODS: Nurses who were registered nursing staff in Nagasaki at the time of the bombing volunteered to participate in this research. Individual interviews were conducted to obtain information concerning the nursing activities in affected areas. The collected information was compared with official documents regarding the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and findings of current studies of disaster situation nursing. RESULT: Five participants indicated that starting on the day of the bombing, nursing care activities changed from moment to moment according to the condition of radiation victims, the condition of affected areas, and the relief systems in place. Under these conditions, nurses attempted to provide nursing care to victims of the bombing through any means possible. CONCLUSION: The participants in the present study communicated a single message: that nursing care must be flexible in critical situations. Triage and cooperation with other types of medical professionals were also identified as important factors in nursing care.

Individual testimonies to nursing care after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945.

AIM: The aim of the present research is to clarify the nursing care conducted just before and after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. METHODS: Five surviving nurses, who were registered nursing staff at that time in Hiroshima, offered to participate in this research. Individual interviews were conducted in order to obtain the information concerning the nursing activities in the disaster-stricken areas. The collected information was collated with the documents with regard to the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, and compared with the current studies concerning nursing in disaster. FINDINGS: The five nurses who participated in the study made it clear that, from the day of the bombing, nursing care activities changed moment by moment according to the condition of the radiation victims, the stricken areas and the relief systems. Under these circumstances, the nurses tried to help the victims of the bombing by devising anything useful for nursing care. CONCLUSION: The research participants left their messages, pointing out that nurses' mental attitude to those in front of them as patients is one of the most important things to keep in mind following any major disaster.