Validity and reliability of the Foot Care Scale for Older Diabetics in Turkish society.

BACKGROUND: Older patients with diabetes have behaviors and practices in foot care that differ from those of younger patients. There is a need for a tool to assess the foot care of patients with diabetes who are over the age of 65 years. PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the long and short versions of the Foot Care Scale for Older Diabetics (FCS-OD) in Turkish society. METHODS: A total of 172 older patients with diabetes participated in the study. Language validity, content validity, construct validity, Cronbach's alpha coefficient value, item-scale correlations, parallel form reliability, and test-retest correlations were used to assess the Turkish version of FCS-OD. A patient identification form, FCS-OD, Diabetic Foot Care Self-Efficacy Scale, and Foot Self-Care Behavior Scale were used for data collection. RESULTS: Turkish versions of the FCS-OD, both short and long versions, were at acceptable levels regarding their content (content validity index: 0.964, 0.975) and construct (factor loadings > 0.4). Both versions of the scale showed a high level of internal consistency as demonstrated by Cronbach's alpha values (short version, 0.802; long version, 0.905) and item-scale correlations (> 0.3). Both versions of the scale were stable over time and compared to the parallel forms. CONCLUSIONS: Both versions of the scale were found to be valid and reliable for Turkish society with regard to psychometric properties.

The effect of a mobile education application (MobilMS) developed for multiple sclerosis patients in Turkey on symptom management and quality of life: A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS) and is caused by immune dysfunction. MS results in a variety of symptoms that affect physical, emotional, social, and cognitive functioning. Effective symptom management is a critical factor in improving the quality of life (QoL) of patients with MS. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of a comprehensive mobile education application developed for Turkish patients with MS on symptom management and QoL. METHODS: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial and included 63 patients with MS older than 18 years who had an Expanded Disability Status Scale score of ≤6 and were actively using smart phones (intervention group, n = 31; control group, n = 32). Data were collected using a patient information form, the Multiple Sclerosis-Related Symptom (MS-RS) checklist, the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Scale (MSQoL-54), and the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Adherence Questionnaire (MS-TAQ). The scales were administered three times: at baseline, first month, and third month. Patients with MS in the intervention group were followed up for three months using MobilMS. RESULTS: In the intervention group, the mean rating of MobilMS was 8.74±1.29. Most patients indicated that MobilMS was an "informative and useful application". None of the patients in the study reported any side effects or difficulties when using MobilMS application. The mean MSQL-54 score of the intervention group was significantly higher compared to that of the control group at the first and third months (p = 0.001). The mean scores on the MS-RS checklist (p = 0.985), MS-TAQ subscale, Disease modifying therapies (DMT) barriers (p = 0.237), DMT side effects (p = 0.994), DMT coping strategies (p = 0.469), and Missing Doze Rate (MDR) (p = 0.765) were lower in the intervention group than in the control group, but these results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that MobilMS was highly appreciated, accepted, and used by patients with MS. MobilMS has the potential to meet the requirements for a free and accessible symptom management tool for patients with MS. The innovative MobilMS-based education intervention for support and symptom management is recommended as part of supportive care for this patient population. It is hoped that this study will pave the way for future studies on the utility of mobile applications for symptom management in patients with MS.

Effect of reflexology on anxiety and sleep of informal cancer caregiver: Randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the short-term effect of foot reflexology on sleep and anxiety of informal caregivers. METHOD: The study was a double-blind placebo-controlled study and conducted in an oncology unit of a university hospital. Participants were the informal caregivers of cancer patients. Reflexology and placebo intervention had applied for three consequent days. State Anxiety Inventory (SAI, 20-80 points) and Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ, Visual Analog Scale) was used for data collection before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed with SPSS v25 software. RESULTS: Participants (n = 66, 40.17 ± 13.36 years old, ten males) were caring for the patients for 7.66 ± 6.34 months. There weren't any significant differences between the groups for SAI and RCSQ scores before the interventions. The SAI scores were found 38.91 ± 5.63 in the reflexology group and 46.30 ± 11.29 in the placebo group and the RCSQ scores were found 409.55 ± 50.08 in the reflexology group and 441.82 ± 35.51 in the placebo group. There were significant differences between the groups for SAI (p = 0.004) and RCSQ (p = 0.001) scores after the intervention. It was found that reflexology has a large effect on Anxiety (f2 = 0.555) and a medium effect on sleep (f2 = 0.238). CONCLUSION: Foot reflexology was found as an effective intervention to reduce anxiety and improve the quality of sleep of informal cancer caregivers. The effect of placebo on reducing the anxiety of informal caregivers was found, but it wasn't as effective as reflexology.

Complementary and alternative medicines used by cancer patients to cope with chemotherapy-induced constipation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) used by cancer patients to cope with chemotherapy-induced constipation, and attitudes of the patients toward CAM. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted in an adult oncology unit of a university hospital with 214 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Data were collected with the Patient Identification Form and Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (HCAMQ). RESULTS: Of the participants, 21.5% had information about CAM, the main source of information was the internet and social media (54.8%), and 31.8% used CAM in coping with chemotherapy-induced constipation. The most common method was phytotherapy (97.1%). The most commonly used herb was apricot (39.4%); the HCAMQ mean score was 34.3 (±4.6). CONCLUSION: Cancer patients frequently use CAM to cope with chemotherapy-induced constipation and the most common CAM used by patients is phytotherapy.

Comparing the symptoms experience of cancer and non-cancer older adult patients in Turkish cancer patients: A cross-sectional study.

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 160 older people to compare the symptoms experience of cancer and with non-cancer older adult patients. A patient information form and The Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) were used to gain information on the experience of their symptoms. The most prevelant symptoms of older cancer patients were tiredness (53.8%), decreased sexual interest (51.2%) and lack of energy (41.2%), for non-cancer older adult patients was a decreased sexual interest (75.0%). Cancer patients proportionately reported more symptoms than non-cancer patients which was reflected in their higher RSCL score. These findings reflect that a greater number of cancer patients report a higher average of symptoms, especially those that are physical in nature: tiredness, lack of energy, head ache, acid ingestion, loss of hair, burning eyes and sore mouth. Oncology nurses, who are an important part of the health care team should be able to assess the symptom burden of older patients during their treatment before, during and after chemotherapy.

Translation and Validation of the Turkish Version of Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Adherence Questionnaire (MS-TAQ).

INTRODUCTION: Poor adherence is widely observed in MS as in other chronic diseases; therefore, improving adherence should be a significant treatment objective. Therefore, it is important to determine the causes of nonadherence and to make improvement plans by establishing a special measurement tool for MS patients. The aim of this study is to investigate validity and Turkish equivalence of The Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Adherence Questionnaire (MS-TAQ) that developed by Paul Wicks and Michael Massagli in 2009. METHODS: The sample of the methodological study comprised 198 MS patients who stayed in University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, MS clinic between July 2016 and February 2017. In the research, "Data Collection Form" and "MS-TAQ" was used. To conduct this study, permission was obtained from the university ethics committee and the hospital administration. All participants in the study were informed of the study's purpose and their role. RESULTS: Translation procedure (forward and backward) and pre-test were performed for translation equivalence and linguistic adaptation. MS-TAQ's Cronbach alfa coefficient 0.83 were calculated. According to expert's suggestion modifications was made and content validity index was calculated with Davis technic between 1.0-1.4. CONCLUSION: As a result, "MS-TAQ" has been found a sufficiently valid and reliable tool in Turkey.

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.

Effect of Isometric Hand Grip Exercises on Blood Flow and Placement of IV Catheters for Administration of Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Complications may occur in the subcutaneous or subdermal tissues during IV administration of chemotherapy related to blood flow and catheter placement. OBJECTIVES: Daily isometric hand grip exercises were evaluated for their effect on blood flow in the vessels of the nondominant arm before placement of IV catheters and the success rate of IV catheter placement on the first attempt. METHODS: The study focused on patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma receiving the first and second cycles of chemotherapy. The intervention group performed daily isometric hand grip exercises before chemotherapy with peripheral catheter insertion. The control group performed routine activities only. Blood flow was measured by ultrasound in the brachial artery (BA) and brachial vein (BV) of the nondominant arm before the first (T1) and second (T2) cycles of chemotherapy. FINDINGS: Blood flow slightly increased in the intervention group at T2 compared to T1. In the control group, blood flow decreased in the BA and did not change in the BV at T2 compared to T1. The success rate for first-attempt placement of a peripheral IV catheter was the same for the intervention and control groups.

Comparison of quality of life of Turkish cancer patients and their family caregivers.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients and their family caregivers and determine associations. METHODS: A total of 93 paired patients and caregivers from an outpatient chemotherapy unit of the oncology units were recruited at a large university hospital in Izmir, all completing the Quality of Life Scale (QoLS). RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 45.2 years, and of their family caregivers was 40.5. The results indicated that the patients perceived a poorer quality of life than their family caregivers. There was a middle and positive correlation between the social participation and work performance dimensions of patients' QoL and social participation and work performance dimension of family caregivers' QoL (r =0.273, p< 0.01). The study revealed that the gender, education level, employment and marital status were not statistically significant factors affecting the patients' quality of life (p> 0.05). Caregivers' employment status was found to have an affect on their quality of life (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cancer affects not only the patients but also their family caregivers. Both should be taught communication skills, financial planning and distress management skills and be given spiritual support to decrease effects of cancer on their quality of life.

Patients' self reports and caregivers' perception of symptoms in Turkish cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The study's aim was to compare cancer patients' and family caregivers' perceptions of symptom distress in patients receiving chemotherapy in Turkey. METHOD: The study used a cross-sectional design. A convenience sample of 80 dyads, composed of cancer patients and their caregivers, completed the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) in an out-patient chemotherapy unit. This scale is a 27-item Likert -type scale assessing both physical and psychological symptoms in cancer patients. RESULTS: Primary caregivers' physical symptom scores were moderately correlated with patients' physical symptom scores (r = 0,74; P < 0.01). Levels of patient - caregiver agreement were better for loss of hair (ICC 0.80) and lack of appetite (ICC 0.68) on physical symptoms. Level of agreement was moderate for 16 symptoms of the 27 symptoms of the RSCL. CONCLUSION: The study illustrates that family caregivers play a vital role in the assessment of cancer symptoms, particularly in Turkey where contact with professional health carers may be limited after discharge, and argues for greater support and better education for carers in relation to all aspects of this caring role. However, family caregivers have greater difficulty in achieving high levels of accuracy on psychological as opposed to physical symptoms.

Perceived family support of women with breast cancer and affecting factors in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the percieved family support of the women with breast cancer and the affecting factors. METHODS: The subjects were breast cancer cases undergoing treatment (n=240). The sample for this study was formed by women who accepted participation, were in the facility between the dates and hours when the study was applied, and who were selected with a nonprobability sampling technique (n=120). RESULTS: Two thirds of the women with breast cancer were in the 40-59 age group. The lowest score women with breast cancer for perceived family support scale was 0.00 and the highest was 40.0, with a mean of 30.1±8.85. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was determined that perceived family support of Turkish women with breast cancer was reasonable.

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.