Aprendiendo de la experiencia del duelo en el contexto de la pandemia por COVID-19 / Learning from the grief experience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introducción: Este estudio transversal descriptivo con metodología cualitativa pretende aproximarnos a la comprensión de la experiencia de los familiares de pacientes fallecidos durante la pandemia por el COVID-19, así como detectar aquellos aspectos que desempeñan un papel protector ante el impacto emocional de la pérdida. Material y métodos: Se realizó, vía telefónica, una entrevista semiestructurada para la evaluación, desde la perspectiva de los familiares, de distintas variables asociadas con su proceso de acompañamiento al final de la vida y de muerte del paciente (tareas relativas a las circunstancias de la muerte, factores protectores y de riesgo de duelo con complicaciones, satisfacción con el soporte psicológico, e interés en recibir información sobre un Servicio de Soporte al Duelo). Resultados: Un análisis de contenido de 126 entrevistas permitió acercarnos a los principales factores que: 1) dificultaron la vivencia (estado de alarma y sus restricciones, pérdidas múltiples y secuenciales, y la percepción de la vulneración de una muerte digna), 2) facilitaron la vivencia (soporte familiar, recursos propios, la búsqueda de un sentido y la consideración del paciente como fuente de soporte) o 3) factores que dificultaron y facilitaron, en función de si pudieran o no estar presentes (presencia y cuidado, la atención sanitaria y la realización de rituales). Discusión: Los resultados se discuten en base a los recientes hallazgos encontrados en la literatura científica, concluyendo en la necesidad de una atención sanitaria sistémica integral e integradora. (AU)

Introduction: This descriptive, cross-sectional study with a qualitative methodology aimed to gain insight into the experience of relatives of patients who died during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to detect those aspects that play a protective role against the emotional impact of losing a loved one. Material and methods: A semi-structured interview was carried out by phone to assess, from the perspective of family members, a number of variables associated with the end of life process and death (tasks related to the circumstances of death, protectors and risk factors of complicated grief, satisfaction with psychological support, and interest in receiving information about a Grief Support Service). Results: A content analysis of 126 interviews allowed us to approach the main factors that (1) complicated the experience – state of alarm and its restrictions, other losses and concomitant circumstances, and perceived violation of a dignified death; (2) eased the experience – family support, own resources, search for meaning, and consideration of the patient as a source of support; or (3) factors than either complicated or eased the experience, depending on whether they were present – presence and care, health care, and performance of rituals. Discussion: The results are discussed based on recent findings collected from the scientific literature, concluding on the need for a comprehensive, integrative, systemic health care model. (AU)

Reducing Fall Risk with Combined Motor and Cognitive Training in Elderly Fallers.

BACKGROUND: Falling is a major clinical problem in elderly people, demanding effective solutions. At present, the only effective intervention is motor training of balance and strength. Executive function-based training (EFt) might be effective at preventing falls according to evidence showing a relationship between executive functions and gait abnormalities. The aim was to assess the effectiveness of a motor and a cognitive treatment developed within the EU co-funded project I-DONT-FALL. METHODS: In a sample of 481 elderly people at risk of falls recruited in this multicenter randomised controlled trial, the effectiveness of a motor treatment (pure motor or mixed with EFt) of 24 one-hour sessions delivered through an i-Walker with a non-motor treatment (pure EFt or control condition) was evaluated. Similarly, a 24 one-hour session cognitive treatment (pure EFt or mixed with motor training), delivered through a touch-screen computer was compared with a non-cognitive treatment (pure motor or control condition). RESULTS: Motor treatment, particularly when mixed with EFt, reduced significantly fear of falling (F(1,478) = 6.786, p = 0.009) although to a limited extent (ES -0.25) restricted to the period after intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests the effectiveness of motor treatment empowered by EFt in reducing fear of falling.

La formación del cuidador del paciente con demencia / No disponible

No disponible