Effects of Footbath on Pain, Anxiety, Sleep, and Comfort Levels in Patients With Postlaparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to determine the effect of of hot footbaths on the pain, anxiety, sleep, and comfort levels of patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. DESIGN: The study is a randomized controlled designed. METHODS: This study was conducted in surgery clinic of a university hospital between January 2022 and November 2022. The research was completed with 54 patients in the experimental group and 54 patients in the control group. FINDINGS: The mean state anxiety score and VAS-Sleep score of the patients in the experimental group 120 minutes after the application was 31.07±4.70 and 612.62±82.37, respectively, which was statistically significantly lower than that of the patients in the control group (P<0.05). On the other hand, at the 120th minutes after the application, the mean VAS-Comfort scores of the patients in the experimental group were statistically significantly higher than those of the patients in the control group (P<0.05). A positive relationship was found between the mean VAS-Pain and VAS-Sleep scores of the patients in the experimental group, and a significant negative relationship was found between the mean VAS-Comfort and state anxiety scores. CONCLUSIONS: Foot bath is effective in reducing the pain and anxiety levels of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery.

Does surgery cause anxiety, stress and fear in geriatric patients?

BACKGROUND: Because of physiological changes in geriatric patients, their surgical process differs from that of young adults. In this regard, the perioperative period is an extremely risky time for geriatric patients. The present study examined preoperative fear, anxiety, and perceived stress levels as well as the factors affecting them in elderly patients prior to surgical intervention. METHODS: This study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design. The study sample consisted of geriatric patients (n = 407) scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a research and training hospital in northeast Turkey. Data were collected by the researchers using the personal information form, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ) and Anxiety Specific to Surgery Questionnaire (ASSQ). In the data analysis, descriptive statistics, the t-test in independent groups, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis and Bonferroni tests for post hoc analyses were used. RESULTS: On the PSS-10, the mean score was higher for the 75-and-older age group, single patients, patients with a disease requiring medication, and those who had previously undergone surgery (P < 0.05). On the ASSQ, the mean score was lower for patients aged 65-69, university graduates, patients without children, and those without a disease requiring medication (P < 0.05). On the SFQ, the mean score was higher for the 75-and-older age group, primary school graduates, and single patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was determined that being single, having a chronic disability, and advancing age had an effect on the patients' surgery-specific anxiety, perceived stress, and fear of surgery. Long-standing chronic diseases can negatively affect both stress and anxiety levels of individuals.

The Effects of Breathing Exercises on Patients Having Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Surgery.

The aim of the study is to determine the effect of breathing exercises on patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in terms of their level of anxiety, sleep, and recovery of quality after surgery. A randomized, controlled experimental research model was used in this work. This study was conducted in surgery clinic of a university hospital between December 2020 and May 2021. The research was completed with 58 patients in the experimental group and 57 patients in the control group. The mean Visual Analog Sleep Scale and state anxiety score of the patients in the control group was higher in the morning of the operation and on the 1st, 15th, and 30th days after the operation than that of the experimental group patients, and the difference was statistically significant (p < .05). The correlations between recovery quality, state anxiety, and sleep quality on the first postoperative day were significant at (p < .05) in the opposite direction.

The Effect of Personality Traits of Surgical Nurses on COVID-19 Fear, Work Stress, and Psychological Resilience in the Pandemic.

PURPOSE: This research was carried out to determine the effects of the personality traits of surgical nurses on COVID-19 fear, work stress, and psychological resilience in the pandemic. DESIGN: The research was descriptive and cross-sectional types. METHODS: The study was conducted between February 2021 and May 2021 at a State University Research Hospital. The research aimed to reach all surgery nurses (357) working in surgical units without selecting a sample. The sample included 325 participants. At the end of the study, the participation rate was 91.03%. Study reporting adheres to STROBE checklist. FINDINGS: It was determined that 43.4% of the nurses participating in the study were in the age range of 26-30, 64.9% were women. The correlation values between the COVID-19 Fear Scale and the Nurse Stress Scale scores were found to be significant in the positive direction. The correlation values between the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire neuroticism subdimension and the Nurse Stress Scale, and Fear of COVID-19 Scale scores were found to be positive. CONCLUSIONS: During the pandemic, it is suggested that nurses' work stress and psychological resilience levels should be evaluated at regular intervals and that in-service trainings on coping with stress and stress management should be organized. Taking the necessary precautions and improving working conditions will have positive effects on both the health of nurses and patient care.

Primary school teachers' health literacy levels, knowledge, and attitudes toward childhood epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine primary school teachers' health literacy levels, knowledge and attitudes towards childhood epilepsy in the province of Igdir in the east of Turkey. METHOD: This descriptive and cross-sectional study involved 247 primary school teachers in the province of Igdir in the east of Turkey between March and April 2021. The questionnaire form, the social attitude towards childhood epilepsies scale (SATCES), and the European health literacy scale (EHLS) were used in data collection. Normal distribution of data was evaluated by analytical methods (Kolmogorov-Smirnov/Shapiro-Wilk tests). An independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: During an epileptic seizure, 63.1% of the teachers stated that they would try to open locked jaw by putting something between teeth. A statistically significant difference was found between the age of the teachers and the total mean score of SATCES (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the gender of the teachers and the mean score of the affective and behavioral attitudes sub-dimension of the SATCES (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the age of the teachers and the total mean score of the EHLS (p < 0.05). The health literacy scores of the teachers between the ages of 31 and 38 were significantly higher than the teachers over the age of 46. CONCLUSION: The main findings of this study indicated the inadequate and wrong information of the teachers, and a positive attitude about epilepsy among primary school teachers. IMPLICATIONS: It is recommended that health professionals organize training programs to In order to correct the inadequate and erroneous knowledge of teachers about epilepsy.

Effects of liver transplantation on sexual function and quality of life.

This descriptive study aimed to determine patients' sexual dysfunction and quality of life before and after liver transplantation. The study was conducted with 64 patients who underwent liver transplantation at a university hospital between January 2015 and 2017. The patients were aged 18 or over, able to answer relevant questions and volunteered to participate in the study. The population of the study included patients who underwent liver transplantation on the specified dates and agreed to participate in the study. Descriptive Characteristics Form, Short Form-36 (SF-36), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were used for data collection. A significant increase was found in all subscale scores of males on the IIEF scale after transplantation (p = 0.000). The total FSFI score of the females was 24.27 ± 18.60 before transplantation and 29.62 ± 25.19 after transplantation. The results were not statistically significant (p = 0.072). After transplantation, a highly significant increase was observed in the Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary subscale scores of the SF-36 both in males and females (p = 0.000). An increase was observed in the sexual functions of males and females after transplantation. A statistically significant increase was found in the mean scores of both males and females on the quality of life after transplantation (p = 0.000). This study concluded that sexual functions of male (p < 0.05) and female (p > 0.05) patients improved after transplantation.

Digital addiction, academic performance, and sleep disturbance among nursing students.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the relationship between digital addiction, academic performance, and sleep disturbance among nursing students. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was a correlational and cross-sectional design. Four hundred twenty-nine nursing students were enrolled in this study. FINDINGS: There was a positive significant relationship between the mean Sleep Disturbance (SD) T-scores and Digital Addiction Scale (DAS) scores (r = 0.203, p < 0.01). Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between the mean SD T-scores and DAS subscale scores (p < 0.01) PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrated that digital addiction had an influence on sleep disturbance. It is recommended that nursing students be provided with training to inform them about negative effects of digital addiction.

How Can we Improve the Comfort Level and Sleep Quality After Surgery?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of progressive relaxation exercises on the comfort level and sleep quality of patients undergoing lumbar disc herniation surgery. METHODS: The study was conducted between July 2015 and October 2016 in the neurosurgery clinic. The sample consisted of 96 patients (n = 56, experimental patients; n = 40 control patients) randomized into groups. The data was collected by using the personal information form, The Perianesthesia Comfort Questionnaire, The General Comfort Questionnaire and Visual Analog Sleep Scale. FINDINGS: In the postoperative General Comfort Scale that there was a statistically significant difference between the mean of the control group and experimental group on the final test (P < .05). When the Visual Analog Sleep Scale mean of the experimental and control group patients were compared between the groups, there was a statistically significant difference on the postoperative 2nd day and 3rd day (P < .05). CONCLUSION: This study supports previous work that progressive relaxation exercises are feasible and effective to improve patient comfort levels after lumbar disc surgery.

The effect of perceived stress on anxiety and sleep quality among healthcare professionals in intensive care units during the coronavirus pandemic.

The study aimed to explore the effect of perceived stress of healthcare workers on anxiety and sleep level in intensive care units during corona virus pandemic. The research was conducted in descriptive and cross-sectional types. The study was conducted between April 2020 and July 2020 at Atatürk University Research Hospital and Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital. In the research, it was aimed to reach all the healthcare professionals (260) working in intensive care units without selecting a sample. The data was collected by using the personal information form prepared by the researchers in line with the literature, Perceived Stress Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Visual Analog Sleep Scale. Of the 210 participants, 75.4% were female, and 88.1% were nurses. The mean age of the participants was 27.04 ± 5.71 years, and 51.9% of the participants were 20-25 years old. The mean perceived stress, state anxiety, trait anxiety, and visual analog sleep scores were moderate and found as 29.9 ± 6.83, 43.09 ± 5.55, 46.15 ± 5.3, and 503.79 ± 134.24, respectively. In conclusion, a general picture of the psychological state of healthcare professionals in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic has been presented.

The Effects of Progressive Relaxation Exercises following Lumbar Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed to examine the effect of progressive relaxation exercises on anxiety, pain, and sleep quality among patients who underwent surgery for lumbar disc hernia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, non-blinded, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted with 97 patients who had a lumbar microdiscectomy. On the first, second, and third day of the postoperative period, routine nursing care was performed on the control group, while additional progressive relation exercises were performed on the experimental group. RESULTS: When the experimental and control groups were compared regarding SAI, VAS-P, and VAS-S scores before the surgery, no differences were found (p > 0.05); however, there were significant differences in the scores obtained on the mornings of the second and third days after the surgery (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Progressive relation exercises used as a supportive nursing intervention were found to reduce pain and anxiety and increase sleep quality.

Efficacy of Hand and Foot Massage in Anxiety and Pain Management Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Controlled Randomized Study.

This study was planned and performed to evaluate the effect of foot and hand massage on pain and anxiety management, which is one of the nonpharmacological pain relief methods in patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The present study was designed and conducted in the randomized controlled manner to determine the impacts of foot and hand massage on postoperative pain and anxiety scores of patients who receive laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The universe of the study consisted of the patients who received laparoscopic cholecystectomy between April 2018 and January 2019. The study was completed with 196 patients as 63 patients in the foot massage group, 65 patients in the hand massage group, and 68 patients in the control group. To collect the data, the "Descriptive Characteristics Form," "Visual Analog Scale," and "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory" were used. The pain intensity of patients in the foot massage group and hand massage group were less than in the control group at 90 and 150 minutes after intervention (P<0.05). A significant reduction was determined in the need for analgesics for the patients in the foot massage group and hand massage group compared with the control group (P<0.05). A significant positive relationship was found between pain intensity and state anxiety levels in patients of the foot massage group and hand massage group. Foot and hand massage are influential in decreasing pain and anxiety levels after surgeries for patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Relief of Procedural Pain in Critically Ill Patients by Music Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of music listening for procedural pain relief using two different observational pain tools during endotracheal suctioning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled trial. The sample of the study included 98 patients with mechanical ventilation support who met the selection criteria. The patients were randomly assigned to control and music therapy groups. Patients in the control group were routinely suctioned as usual. Patients in the music group received music therapy 20 min before, during, and 20 min after endotracheal suctioning. The primary outcome was the pain relief during suctioning. RESULTS: Forty patients in each arm completed the study. Pain scores in the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool and Behavioral Pain Scale were lower in the music group than in the control group during endotracheal suctioning (group: F = 14.85, p = 0.000; F = 9.04, p = 0.000, respectively). It was also found to be a significant interaction effect between the groups and time (group × time: F = 17.35, p = 0.000; F = 18.00, p = 0.000, respectively). CONCLUSION: The Critical Care Pain Observation Tool and Behavioral Pain Scale in the current study generally demonstrated similar pain scores during the painful procedure. Our findings support that music therapy may act as a nonpharmacological therapy to relieve procedural pain in patients on mechanical ventilation.

The use of cold therapy, music therapy and lidocaine spray for reducing pain and anxiety following chest tube removal.

AIM: To determine the effect of cold therapy, music therapy and lidocaine spray on pain and anxiety following chest tube removal (CTR). METHODS: This study was a randomized clinical trial. The participants were randomly assigned either one of four groups: control group, cold therapy, music therapy, and lidocaine spray. The primary outcome of the study was to measure pain using Visual Analog Scale. Anxiety was used as secondary outcome. RESULTS: Thirty patients in each arm completed the study. There was no difference in pain scores between groups immediately after and 20 min after CTR (F = 2.06, p = 0.108). However, there was a significant difference between the anxiety scores of control and intervention groups 20 min after CTR (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cold therapy reduced anxiety levels after the procedure. A multimodal approaches, such as the administration of pharmacologic agents in conjunction with non-pharmacological interventions including cold therapy may also be suggested.

The Effect of Foot Massage on Postoperative Pain and Anxiety Levels in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Experimental Study.

PURPOSE: This study determined the effect of foot massage on postoperative pain and anxiety levels in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. METHODS: This study was conducted in a general surgery clinic of a university hospital between May 2016 and March 2018. The research sample consisted of 167 patients (85 in the experimental group and 82 in the control group) who met the research inclusion criteria. FINDINGS: The pain intensity of patients in the experimental group was less than in the control group at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after intervention (P < .05). A significant reduction was determined in the need for analgesics for the patients in the experimental group compared with the control group (P < .05). A significant positive relationship was found between pain intensity and state anxiety levels in patients of the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: Foot massage decreased postoperative pain and anxiety levels in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery.

A Turkish Version of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool: Reliability and Validity Assessment.

PURPOSE: The study aim was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool in critically ill patients. DESIGN: A repeated measures design was used for the study. METHODS: A convenience sample of 66 patients who had undergone open-heart surgery in the cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit in Ordu, Turkey, was recruited for the study. The patients were evaluated by using the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool at rest, during a nociceptive procedure (suctioning), and 20 minutes after the procedure while they were conscious and intubated after surgery. FINDING: The Turkish version of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool has shown statistically acceptable levels of validity and reliability. Inter-rater reliability was supported by moderate-to-high-weighted κ coefficients (weighted κ coefficient = 0.55 to 1.00). For concurrent validity, significant associations were found between the scores on the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool and the Behavioral Pain Scale scores. Discriminant validity was also supported by higher scores during suctioning (a nociceptive procedure) versus non-nociceptive procedures. The internal consistency of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool was 0.72 during a nociceptive procedure and 0.71 during a non-nociceptive procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool was determined to be acceptable for pain assessment in critical care, especially for patients who cannot communicate verbally.

Problems in Critical Care Nurse-Patient Communication: Examples of Poland and Turkey.

The aim of this study was to determine the problems related to nurse-patient communication in the intensive care unit (ICU), with a focus on differences between Poland and Turkey. A descriptive survey design was used. The study was conducted in Surgical ICU, Lwowska Hospital in Poland and ICU, Training and Research Hospital in Turkey. Fifty critical care nurses in Poland and 52 critical care nurses in Turkey were included in the study. Patient data were collected using a questionnaire that was prepared by the researchers. In this study, 46% and 42.3% of the nurses reported they had communication problems with patients in Poland and Turkey, respectively. It was also found that the nurses in Poland mostly used therapeutic touch for non-verbal communication (80%), whereas the nurses in Turkey used facial expression (90.4%). Critical care nurses in both countries experienced similar difficulties in patient communication. It is recommended that the patient to nurse ratio in ICUs be planned according to the intensive care standards.

Nursing Management of Delirium in the Postanesthesia Care Unit and Intensive Care Unit.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine nurses' approaches to care of patients with postoperative delirium in the postanesthesia care unit and intensive care unit. DESIGN: A descriptive survey design was used. METHODS: Eighty-seven nurses who have been working at a Training and Research Hospital in Erzurum, east of Turkey, were enrolled in this study between October 1 and November 20, 2012. FINDINGS: 83.9% of the nurses reported that they had given pharmacologic therapy for pain management in delirium patients, 39.1% massage, 31.0% rhythmic breathing exercise, and 26.4% music therapy. 90.8% of nurses also stated that they reduced noise and lighting at night to ensure normal sleep pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses need to be supported to take part in courses, conferences, and training seminars. A standard data tool or scale needs to be used to assess delirium routinely in all patients admitted.

A Survey on Turkish nursing students' perception of clinical learning environment and its association with academic motivation and clinical decision making.

BACKGROUND: Nursing education is a process that includes theoretical and practical learning and requires the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and skill. Nursing students need a good clinical practice environment in order to apply their knowledge and skills due to the fact that the clinical practice settings play an important role in the nursing profession. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out in an effort to explore nursing students' perception of the clinical learning environment and its association with academic motivation and clinical decision making. DESIGN: A descriptive survey design was used. SETTING: This study was conducted in Giresun University in Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were second-, third- and fourth-year undergraduate students (n=222) in the Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree in the academic spring term of 2014-2015. METHODS: The data was collected using the 'Clinical Learning Environment Scale', the 'Academic Motivation, and the 'The Clinical Decision Making in Nursing Scale'. RESULTS: Of the respondents in this study, 45% of the students were second class, 30.6% of the students were third class and 24.3% of the students were fourth class. There was a statistically significant positive correlation found between the clinical learning environment and the nursing students' academic motivation (r=0.182, p<.05). However, there was no correlation between the clinical learning environment and clinical decision making (r=0.082, p>.05). CONCLUSION: One of the prerequisites for the training of qualified students is to provide nursing students with a qualified clinical environment. It was found that nursing students' academic motivation increased as the quality of their clinical learning environment improved.

The effects of music therapy in endotracheal suctioning of mechanically ventilated patients.

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal suctioning has been identified as a painful procedure for critically ill patients. AIM: To determine the effect of music therapy on pain intensity, sedation level and physiological parameters during endotracheal suctioning of mechanically ventilated patients in cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: Experimental survey. METHODS: The study was conducted between May 2010 and June 2013 in Ordu Medical Park Hospital Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care Unit. The study sample consisted of 66 patients (33 experimental and 33 control) who complied with the criteria of inclusion for the study. Data was collected using the 'Patient Information Form', 'Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool', 'Ramsay Sedation Scale' and 'Form of Physiological Parameters'. RESULTS: The mean scores of the Ramsay Sedation Scale during endotracheal aspiration were respectively 1·88 and 1·55 in the experimental and control group and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p = 0·003). The mean score of Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool during endotracheal suctioning in the experimental group was found to be lower statistically than those of the control group (p < 0·001). There were no significant differences before, during and 20 min after suctioning between the two groups with regard to systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation (p > 0·05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study implies that music therapy can be effective practice for nurses attempting to reduce patients' pain and control sedation level in patients on mechanical ventilators during endotracheal suctioning. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It is recommended that music therapy should be added to the routine nursing care for mechanically ventilated patients.

Symptom clusters and experiences of patients with cancer.

AIM: This study is a report of a study to characterize the prevalence and severity of symptoms in patients with cancer and describing the clustering of symptoms. BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer experience multiple symptoms caused by multiple factors, including progression of the cancer, acute physiological changes associated with treatment, delayed side effects of treatment and long-term consequences of the disease. METHODS: A convenience sample of 287 patients with cancer at a Turkish university hospital completed a structured questionnaire on demographical characteristics and a symptom inventory for patients with cancer. Cluster analysis, principal components and internal consistency reliability analyses were used to analyse the data. The study was conducted in 2007. FINDINGS: The most common symptoms experienced were fatigue, difficulty remembering, sadness, loss of appetite, lack of enjoyment of life, pain, distress, difficulty walking and dry mouth. The least experienced symptoms were shortness of breath and vomiting. Overall, 37.5% of the patients experienced moderate symptoms and 12.5% experienced severe symptoms. Among the severe symptoms were loss of appetite, fatigue, sadness, dry mouth and distress; however, 48% rated these as moderate or severe. CONCLUSIONS: Symptom cluster research is still in its early years. Further work is needed to reach a standard definition of a symptom cluster and a consensus of its criteria. Additional studies are needed to examine symptom clusters in cancer survivors. As individuals are living longer with the disease, comprehensive understanding of the symptom clusters that may be unique to cancer survivors is critical.