Mediating effects of fatigue on the relationship between sleep quality and the quality of life of shift-working nurses.

The mediating role of fatigue in the relationship between the quality of sleep and quality of life of shift-working nurses has been predicted in previous studies. Interventions that focus on improving the quality of life of a nurse, who works 24 h shifts in close proximity to patients, should take the mediating role of fatigue into account. This study investigates the mediation of fatigue in the relationship between sleep quality and quality of life for shift-working nurses. This cross sectional study collected self-reported questionnaire responses on variables including sleep quality, quality of life, and fatigue of shift-working nurses. We performed a three-step mediating effect verification procedure with 600 study participants. We found a negative and significant correlation between sleep quality and quality of life, a significant positive correlation between sleep quality and fatigue, and a negative correlation between quality of life and fatigue. We found: (1) that the quality of sleep affects the quality of life of shift-working nurses, (2) that the quality of sleep is correlated with the degree of fatigue, and (3) that the degree of fatigue is high, which means that quality of life decreases. Thus, it is necessary to develop and apply a strategy to reduce shift-working nurses' fatigue to improve their sleep quality and quality of life.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Patients With Colorectal Cancer.

This study was conducted to analyze the relationship between cancer-related stress and the types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used by subjects diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The number of study subjects was 142, and for data analysis, descriptive statistics, t-test, χ2 test, logistic regression procedures were performed. Of the subjects, 114 were CAM users, who accounted for 79.6%. When it came to using CAM, 82 (72.6%) said they did "to prevent cancer recurrence." The most popular reason for not using CAM was "to focus on treatment as instructed by the doctor," with 22 (75.8%) respondents selecting the answer. Of those who used CAM, 79 (55.6%) said they took "dietary supplements," followed by 65 (45.8%) who picked "vitamins and minerals." Regarding CAM usage, ginger, aloe, swimming, and walking had the highest satisfaction (4.25 ± 0.71). The cancer-related stress of subjects who use CAM (18.21 ± 15.37) was higher than that of subjects who did not use CAM (10.11 ± 12.08). Logistic regression analysis determined that cancer-related stress were factors significantly associated with CAM use. Patients using CAM had higher cancer-related stress, suggesting that stress on cancer increased CAM interest. Safe and reliable CAM information and standardized recommendations should be provided to cancer survivors. We propose the development of training programs for CAM to improve communication between medical staff and patients and to protect patients.

Cultural factors affecting the self-care of cancer survivors: An integrative review.

PURPOSE: For cancer survivors, self-care is an important factor that can improve health and quality of life. Cultures known to inform human behavior can influence self-care, such as prioritizing various self-care practices or utilizing other resources. The impact of culture on cancer survivors' self-care has not been adequately investigated to date. The purpose of this integrative review is to summarize and synthesize the past empirical literature examining cultural factors affecting cancer survivors' self-care. DESIGN: An integrative review was conducted. METHODS: This study was performed in accordance with Whittemore and Knafl's stages of an integrative review (problem identification, literature search, data evaluation, data analysis, and presentation of the results). A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, Web of Science (WOS), and the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBBS) computerized databases with the guidance of a medical librarian. RESULTS: The review incorporated 16 articles. Cultural values, cultural beliefs, fatalism, social norms, faith/religion, sexual roles, and customs were identified as cultural factors affecting the self-care of cancer survivors. These cultural factors were found to influence the behaviors of cancer survivors' health maintenance (healthy life and psychological well-being), self-care monitoring (physical symptoms and complication symptoms), and self-care management (coping with symptoms and response to symptoms). CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide valuable insights into the cultural influence of cancer survivors on self-care behaviors, and healthcare providers can promote self-care behaviors if they understand cultural factors and develop nursing interventions that take cultural influences into account.

Effects of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Program for Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Surgery.

This study sought to investigate the effects of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program on postoperative recovery and nutritional status in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic surgery. A total of 37 patients were included: 19 in the experimental group and 18 in the control group. The experimental group was supplemented with carbohydrate drinks before and after surgery, and the control group was maintained with fasting and water intake in the traditional method. Both care management and nutrition education were implemented for both groups. Patients were evaluated for physical condition, clinical indicators, blood tests, pain, length of stay, nutritional status, and nutrient intake. Use of the ERAS program for the experimental group resulted in shorter length of stay (p = 0.006), less pain (p < 0.001), and a lower rate of malnutrition (p = 0.014) compared with controls. In conclusion, carbohydrate drinks provide great advantages by reducing discomfort, such as pain or thirst, during fasting in patients after colon cancer surgery, helping patients to eat comfortably and actively, minimizing insulin resistance, maintaining nitrogen balance, and reducing infection and anastomosis leakage. For use of ERAS as a standardized program, repeated and expanded research is needed, and a Korean-style ERAS should be prepared by using this approach for various diseases.

Association between Nutrient Intake and Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference of nutritional status according to metabolic syndrome in colorectal cancer patients. The subjects were divided into 2 groups (metabolic syndrome group and normal group) according to the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome in 143 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and their lifestyle and nutritional status were analyzed. Recall method was used for the dietary survey, and metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of 3 or more of waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, and blood pressure. This study showed that the metabolic syndrome group had a low age, a high body mass index (BMI), and a high drinking rate. The intake of energy, protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus was significantly higher in the metabolic syndrome group than in the normal group, and the intake of ß-carotene, vitamin C, and folic acid was significantly low. The intake of cholesterol, fatty acid, saturated fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid was also higher in the metabolic syndrome group. Higher BMI, alcohol consumption, intake of fat, total fatty acid or saturated fatty acid increased the risk of metabolic syndrome, but fiber, vitamin C, or folic acid intake lowered the risk.Weight management and balanced nutritional intake should be emphasized to prevent metabolic syndrome and to improve the condition in patients with colorectal cancer.