Are levels of coping with stress in pregnancy with gestational diabetes worse than in healthy pregnancy?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the levels of coping with stress in healthy pregnant women in comparison with the levels of coping with stress in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Materials and methods: In the study, the descriptive cross-sectional research design was used. The study was carried out with 218 pregnant women in total. Results: It was found that the healthy pregnant women had a higher total score for coping with stress and used the self-confident coping style, one of the effective coping styles, more frequently when compared to the pregnant women with GDM (p < .001). In addition, the pregnant women with GDM used the desperate coping style, one of the ineffective coping styles, more frequently than the healthy pregnant women (p < .001). Conclusions: Diabetes education that nurses give should allow not only the nurses to evaluate the coping levels of pregnant women with GDM, but also to teach these pregnant women how to use effective coping styles.

Coping with Stress among Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: The stress of pregnancy itself, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) that develops during pregnancy is also a stressor, because it can cause serious maternal and fetal health problems. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between the characteristics of pregnant women with GDM and their styles of coping with stress. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 126 pregnant women with GDM. The sample consisted of patients who applied to the diabetes mellitus training polyclinic of a training and research and university hospital in southeastern Turkey, Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality tests, Spearman's rho and Pearson Correlation analysis, the Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis- test by SPSS software (version 13.0). Results: It was determined that a planned pregnancy, a high educational level, a first pregnancy and weight gain were important factors in the women with GDM in the study who coped effectively with stress during pregnancy. Unemployment and a second or subsequent pregnancy were important factors in the women with GDM< who coped ineffectively with stress during pregnancy. In addition, it was determined that the hemoglobin HbA1c levels of the pregnant women with GDM with "optimistic" and "submissive" approaches towards coping with stress were lower. Conclusion: It was determined that pregnant women with optimistic and submissive approaches towards coping with stress had lower HbA1c levels. It is suggested that randomized controlled studies be conducted to further determine the coping styles of patients with GDM.

Empowerment and Social Support as Predictors of Self-Care Behaviors and Glycemic Control in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes.

This study investigated empowerment, social support, and diabetes-related characteristics as predictors of self-care behaviors and glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes in Turkey. Descriptive cross-sectional and relational research designs were used in this study. The study was carried out with a cohort of 220 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Linear regression analysis revealed that patient empowerment was a statistically significant predictor of diet (ß = .30; p < .001), exercise (ß = .19; p = .003), blood glucose monitoring (ß = .27; p < .001), foot care (ß = .27; p < .001), and A1c (ß = -.19; p = .004). Social support was a statistically significant predictor of diet (ß = .24; p < .001), exercise (ß = .26; p < .001), blood glucose monitoring (ß = .16; p = .011), and foot care (ß = .19; p = .003). These results indicate that social support and empowerment are important for nurses to consider when planning interventions that increase the self-care behavior of individuals with type 2 diabetes and for improving glycemic control.

The effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on functional status and quality of life after knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled study.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the addition of NMES to the post-TKA rehabilitation protocol on the functional status and quality of life of the patients. [Subjects and Methods] Patients were randomized into an exercise (control) and electrical stimulation (NMES) group. A home exercise program was prescribed for the control group. For the neuromuscular stimulation group 30 minute electrical stimulation applied to the vastus medialis muscle 5 days a week for 4 to 6 weeks. VAS, the timed up and go test, WOMAC and SF-36 scores were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at the first month and the third month of the follow-up period. [Results] Both the NMES group had 30 patients each, with 2 and 1 male patients respectively. The comparisons of WOMAC results at month 1 revealed that pain, stiffness, and total scores of the NMES group was significantly better than those of control group at the first and third months. Significantly better physical function and SF-36 subscales, except mental health, were found for the NMES group at the first month of follow-up. [Conclusion] The inclusion of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation program after knee arthroplasty was more effective at providing rapid improvements in knee pain, walking distance and quality of life.