[New educational approaches to the patient. A scoping review of systematic reviews.] / Gamification: un nuovo approccio educativo al paziente. Una scoping review di revisioni sistematiche.

INTRODUCTION: New educational approaches are emerging to assist healthcare professionals in better personalizing patient's educational pathways. Specifically, "gamification" - the incorporation of game elements into non-game contexts - appears to be a novel and affordable approach. This scoping review aims to explore and map the literature that evaluates the efficacy of gamification in healthcare contexts. METHODS: A scoping review of reviews was conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO using the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis guidelines and the PRISMA ScR checklist. RESULTS: A total of four systematic reviews and four meta-analyses were included. It appears that gamification, when used in conjunction with other conventional educational tools, improves physical activity, facilitates better self-management of type 2 diabetes, improves cognitive functions, and improves the quality of life, particularly among specific groups like the elderly. DISCUSSIONS: Gamification is an innovative educational approach that could be useful in patient's educational pathways. However, it seems that gamification is effective only in particular subgroups, and therefore the generalization of the results should also be assessed with caution due to the high risk of bias in the included studies and the small sample sizes considered. CONCLUSION: More randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis studies should be conducted to better understand the role and efficacy of gamification in patient education.

Exploring Hypertension Patient Engagement Using mHealth. A Scoping Review.

INTRODUCTION: Widespread use of smartphone applications has opened new perspectives for home Blood Pressure monitoring based on mobile health (mHealth) technologies. Patient engagement has been dubbed 'the silver bullet of the century'. AIM: The aim was to identify the impact of engagement in patients with blood pressure using mHealth. METHODS: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Ark0sey and O'Malley framework. DATABASE: Pubmed, CINAHL, Scopus and PsycInfo. This review considered both qualitative and quantitative primary searches. We excluded articles belonging to grey literature, secondary literature and paediatric setting. Between September and November 2023, the review was carried out. RESULTS: A total of 569 documents were retrieved from the four databases. After the deduplication process, five articles were removed. The selection process based on titles and abstracts included 133 records. Ten studies were selected and analysed. The reviewers identified the following themes: device type and mobile applications, engagement, blood pressure control, health behaviours and hypertension knowledge. Self-management using digital technologies in the home is strongly linked to engagement, reduction and control of Blood Pressure, improved health practices and increased knowledge of hypertension. Healthcare interventions using IT platforms have had a significant impact on the health outcomes of patients diagnosed with hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The review findings suggest the value of these technologies in improving patient engagement and, consequently, adherence to antihypertensive treatment and achieving blood pressure control rates, potentially reducing cardiovascular risk.

Home-based exercise program for people with residual disability following hospitalization for COVID-19: Randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: The best exercise program for individuals with effort intolerance or hypoxia at rest and/or during exercise post-COVID-19 treatment who have already had in-hospital rehabilitation remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy of a home-based rehabilitation exercise program intervention that included teleconsultations with a specialist nurse. METHODS: This was a multicenter randomized controlled trial for individuals who had been diagnosed with, and treated for, COVID-19. Despite inpatient rehabilitation they still had effort intolerance; this was defined as being a) only able to walk <70 % of the predicted distance during the six-minute walking test (6MWT) and/or b) oxygen desaturation all day long/during effort. The primary outcome was effort tolerance, as evaluated by the 6MWT. Secondary outcomes were dyspnea, fatigue, spirometry, respiratory muscle evaluations, and oxygenation. The Intervention group performed 4 weeks of a self-directed exercise program with bi-weekly physiotherapist video calls; the Control group participated in physical activity howsoever they wished. Exercises were divided into 4 intensity levels according to disability and oxygen desaturation. The program progressively increased from low (walking, free-body exercise, sit-to-stand, and balance exercises) to high (speed walking with a pedometer, cycle ergometer, and strengthening exercises). RESULTS: We included 79 participants: 40 in the Intervention and 39 in the Control group. Mean (SD) age was 67.1 (10.3) years; 72 % (n = 57) were male. No intergroup differences in effort tolerance were found [Intervention 77.6 (75.4)m vs Control 49.5 (73.3)m (p = 0.109)]. Participants with 6MWT distance results < lower limit of normality values showed best improvements in mean (SD) effort tolerance: Intervention, 120.1 (75.8)m vs Control, 59.1 (75.6)m (p = 0.035). After 2 months, mean (SD) 6MWT distances in the 2 groups were similar: Intervention, 475.9 (82.4)m vs Control, 469.2 (118.9)m (p = 0.807). CONCLUSIONS: In individuals with residual disability post-COVID-19 and after inpatient rehabilitation, a home-based exercise program with teleconsultation significantly improves effort tolerance but only for people who had severe effort intolerance at baseline. DATABASE REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04821934.

Nurse-to-Nurse Collaboration: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: To map predictors and outcome of collaboration between nurses, outcomes of a good collaboration, and the tools developed to evaluate nurse-nurse collaboration. BACKGROUND: Collaboration between nurses is an intraprofessional relationship between coworkers that is expressed through shared objectives, authority, and a decisional process. Studies on collaboration between nurses are very limited. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted through 4 databases. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were included. Nurses with higher levels of collaboration are more satisfied with their work and report less of an intention to leave their job. Greater collaboration among nurses resulted in a decrease of patient falling, hospital-acquired pressure ulcers, and a better care. Three tools have been developed to evaluate nurse-nurse collaboration: the Nurse-Nurse Collaboration Scale, the Nurse-Nurse Collaboration Behavior Scale, and the Nurse-Nurse Collaboration Between Sector. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies should be conducted to fully understand the issue of collaboration between nurses and the factors connected to it.

Role of emotions in the clinical decision-making process of the hospital nurse: A multicentre qualitative study.

While for a long-time emotional reaction and moral distress, have been primarily investigated for the possible outcomes of the nursing decision-making process rather than in terms of their role as antecedents of the final decision taken. The primary study's aim is to explore how inpatient nurses' decision-making takes place in different care settings, with a special focus on the role played by emotions during decision-making. The secondary aim is to explore the subjective experience of hospital nurses in relation to successful and unsuccessful decision-making situations. Multicentre qualitative study, consisting of three phases with different designs: participatory study, grounded theory study, and phenomenological study. Participants will be nurses and may be doctors with various levels of professional experience working in hospital, outpatient, or ward settings. Participants will be recruited through different sampling (purposive and convenience). Data will be collected through focus groups and in-depth interviews with nurses working in different hospital care settings. The researchers expect to find themes that will contribute to a better understanding of the role of emotions in decision-making. The results of this study have the potential of providing important implications to support nurses in the recognition and management of their emotions during the decision-making process.

Non-Pharmacological Management of Urge Urinary Incontinence in Women between 40 and 65 Years Old: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) has been identified as a World Health Organization health priority. In particular, urge UI (UUI) refers to urine leakage associated with a sudden and compelling desire to void urine. It affects quality of life more than other kinds of UI, but it is not always treated adequately. For these reasons, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of conservative treatment practices to counteract UUI in women aged 40-65 years old. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. According to the protocol registered in PROSPERO, a systematic search was carried out in the CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, PsycInfo, Scopus and Web of Science databases up to October 2022, to find primary studies meeting the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included. The scientific literature reported different strategies dealing with the problem of UUI, some purely physical, others physical and psycho-educational and others exclusively psychological. CONCLUSION: Conservative treatments are useful to aid the reduction in UUI episodes in middle-aged women. However, none of them can be considered more effective than others due to the impossibility of conducting meta-analytical analyses. Further studies comparing the effectiveness of conservative treatments for UUI are needed.

Gamification as an Educational Approach for Oncological Patients: A Systematic Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Education plays a pivotal role in the care of oncological patients, reducing health costs, hospital readmission, and disease relapses. Education can be supportive in achieving multiple outcomes, improving symptom control and quality of life. A new approach is emerging in patient education: gamification. Gamification was defined as the "use of game elements in non-game contexts", including the application of games in serious contexts. The aim of this review is to explore the use of gamification in the oncology setting. METHODS: A systematic scoping review was conducted in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases using the JBI guidelines. RESULTS: The 13 included reports were critically appraised by two reviewers independently. It seems that gamification could be effective both in prevention and cancer treatments. Gamification also seems to improve chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting management, quality of life, and reduced anxiety levels in different cancer groups. Moreover, gamification seems effective in improving self-care in cancer patients, regardless of gender, age, and ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Gamification improves patient engagement and biopsychosocial outcomes and could represent a valid approach to cancer patient education; however, it is not a substitute for healthcare professionals, who remain the leaders in the education process.

Psychometric Properties of a Brief Version of the Perception of Risk of Heart Disease Scale in an Italian Sample.

INTRODUCTION: The number of Italian citizens unaware of their risk of cardiovascular disease it is still very high. AIM: This study aimed to translate and preliminarily validate a brief Italian version of the Perception of Risk of Heart Disease Scale (PRHDS). METHODS: PRHDS was culturally adapted to the Italian context. Then, the scale was administered to 772 healthy adults. By randomly dividing the sample into two subsamples, we tested the scale dimensionality through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) followed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Finally, we evaluated internal consistency. RESULTS: Psychometric properties of the scale were appropriate. EFA and CFA evidenced a unidimensional structure of a brief version of the scale, composed of six items. Internal consistency was adequate. CONCLUSIONS: Italian version of the brief PRHDS is a promising self-report questionnaire to measure cardiovascular risk perception among Italian adults.

Rationale and design of the CV-PREVITAL study: an Italian multiple cohort randomised controlled trial investigating innovative digital strategies in primary cardiovascular prevention.

INTRODUCTION: Prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is of key importance in reducing morbidity, disability and mortality worldwide. Observational studies suggest that digital health interventions can be an effective strategy to reduce cardiovascular (CV) risk. However, evidence from large randomised clinical trials is lacking. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The CV-PREVITAL study is a multicentre, prospective, randomised, controlled, open-label interventional trial designed to compare the effectiveness of an educational and motivational mobile health (mHealth) intervention versus usual care in reducing CV risk. The intervention aims at improving diet, physical activity, sleep quality, psycho-behavioural aspects, as well as promoting smoking cessation and adherence to pharmacological treatment for CV risk factors. The trial aims to enrol approximately 80 000 subjects without overt CVDs referring to general practitioners' offices, community pharmacies or clinics of Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (Italian acronym IRCCS) affiliated with the Italian Cardiology Network. All participants are evaluated at baseline and after 12 months to assess the effectiveness of the intervention on short-term endpoints, namely improvement in CV risk score and reduction of major CV risk factors. Beyond the funded life of the study, a long-term (7 years) follow-up is also planned to assess the effectiveness of the intervention on the incidence of major adverse CV events. A series of ancillary studies designed to evaluate the effect of the mHealth intervention on additional risk biomarkers are also performed. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study received ethics approval from the ethics committee of the coordinating centre (Monzino Cardiology Center; R1256/20-CCM 1319) and from all other relevant IRBs and ethics committees. Findings are disseminated through scientific meetings and peer-reviewed journals and via social media. Partners are informed about the study's course and findings through regular meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05339841.

The Effects of Early Mobilization on Acquired Weakness in Intensive Care Units: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness (ICUAW) is defined as a clinical syndrome of neuromuscular weakness, and a consequence of critical illness, unrelated to any other etiology. It is associated with difficult weaning from the ventilator, prolonged ICU stay, increased mortality, and other important long-term outcomes. Early mobilization is defined as any active exercise in which patients use their muscle strength actively or passively within the first 2 to 5 days of critical illness. Early mobilization can be safely initiated from the first day of admission to the ICU during mechanical ventilation. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this review is to describe the effects of early mobilization on complications from ICUAW. METHOD: This was a literature review. Inclusion criteria were as follows: observational studies and randomized controlled trials conducted with adult patients (aged ≥18 years) admitted to the ICU were included. Studies selected were published in the last 11 years (2010-2021). RESULTS: Ten articles were included. Early mobilization reduces muscle atrophy, ventilation, length of hospital stay, and ventilator-associated pneumonia and improves patients' responses to inflammation and hyperglycemia. DISCUSSION: Early mobilization appears to have a significant impact on the prevention of ICUAW and appears to be safe and feasible. The results of this review could be useful for improving the provision of efficient and effective tailored care for ICU patients.

How Do Nursing Students Perceive Moral Distress? An Interpretative Phenomenological Study.

BACKGROUND: Research shows that the longer nurses care for terminally ill patients, the greater they experience moral distress. The same applies to nursing students. This study aims to analyze episodes of moral distress experienced by nursing students during end-of-life care of onco-hematologic patients in hospital settings. METHODS: This study was conducted in the interpretative paradigm using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach and data were analyzed following the principles of the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. RESULTS: Seventeen participants were included in the study. The research team identified eight themes: causes of moral distress; factors that worsen or influence the experience of moral distress; feelings and emotions in morally distressing events; morally distressing events and consultation; strategies to cope with moral distress; recovering from morally distressing events; end-of-life accompaniment; internship clinical training, and nursing curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: Moral distress is often related to poor communication or lack of communication between health care professionals and patients or relatives and to the inability to satisfy patients' last needs and wants. Further studies are necessary to examine the quantitative dimension of moral distress in nursing students. Students frequently experience moral distress in the onco-hematological setting.

Impact of reboxetine plus oxybutynin treatment for obstructive sleep apnea on cardiovascular autonomic modulation.

The combination of noradrenergic (reboxetine) plus antimuscarinic (oxybutynin) drugs (reb-oxy) reduced obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity but no data are available on its effects on cardiac autonomic modulation. We sought to evaluate the impact of 1-week reb-oxy treatment on cardiovascular autonomic control in OSA patients. OSA patients were randomized to a double-blind, crossover trial comparing 4 mg reboxetine plus 5 mg oxybutynin to a placebo for OSA treatment. Heart rate (HR) variability (HRV), ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) over 24 h baseline and after treatment were performed. Baroreflex sensitivity was tested over beat-to-beat BP recordings. 16 subjects with (median [interquartile range]) age 57 [51-61] years and body mass index 30 [26-36]kg/m2 completed the study. The median nocturnal HR was 65 [60-69] bpm at baseline and increased to 69 [64-77] bpm on reb-oxy vs 66 [59-70] bpm on placebo (p = 0.02). The mean 24 h HR from ABPM was not different among treatment groups. Reb-oxy administration was not associated with any modification in HRV or BP. Reb-oxy increased the baroreflex sensitivity and did not induce orthostatic hypotension. In conclusion, administration of reb-oxy did not induce clinically relevant sympathetic overactivity over 1-week and, together with a reduction in OSA severity, it improved the baroreflex function.

Impactos psicossociais do rompimento da barragem da Samarco, Vale e BH Billiton em Mariana/MG / Psychosocial impacts of the Samarco, Vale and BH Billiton dam rupture in Mariana / MG / Impactos psicosociales de la ruptura de las presas Samarco, Vale y BH Billiton en Mariana/ MG

Este artigo apresenta parte dos resultados de uma pesquisa de doutorado em psicologia social que investigou os impactos do rompimento da barragem de rejeitos de minério de ferro das empresas Samarco, Vale e BHP Billiton sobre a população atingida em Mariana/MG. Para levantamento dos dados em campo foi realizada observação de reuniões entre atingidos e atingidas com representantes das empresas e órgãos públicos, bem como, levantamento documental de atas e decisões judiciais, matérias de jornais e foi realizada entrevistas com pessoas atingidas, tendo como orientação teórica e metodológica a psicologia social e comunitária e a pesquisa participante. Ao longo das análises constatou-se o profundo imbricamento entre capitalismo, mineração e violência psicossocial, nexos de uma mesma cadeia de exploração.(AU)

This article presents part of the results of a doctoral research in social psychology that investigated the impacts of the collapse of the iron ore tailings dam of the companies Samarco, Vale and BHP Billiton on the affected population in Mariana/MG. To collect data in the field, observation of meetings between those affected with representatives of companies and public bodies was carried out, as well as a documental survey of minutes and judicial decisions, newspaper articles and interviews were carried out with affected people, having as theoretical and methodological approach, social and community psychology and participatory research. Over the course of the analysis, a deep intertwining between capitalism, mining and psychosocial violence was found, nexuses of the same chain of exploitation.(AU)

Este artículo presenta parte de los resultados de una investigación de doctorado en psicología social que investigó los impactos del colapso de la presa de relaves de minería de hierro de las empresas Samarco, Vale y BHP Billiton en la población afectada en Mariana/MG. Para la recogida de datos en campo se realizó la observación de reuniones entre afectados con representantes de empresas y organismos públicos, así como un levantamiento documental de actas y decisiones judiciales, artículos de prensa y entrevistas a afectados, teniendo como enfoque teórico y metodológico, la psicología social y comunitaria y la investigación participativa. En el transcurso del análisis se encontró un profundo entrelazamiento entre capitalismo, minería y violencia psicosocial, nexos de una misma cadena de explotación.(AU)

Moral Distress of Intensive Care Nurses: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Two Years after the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed great pressure on healthcare facilities, exposing healthcare professionals to various challenges that may result in the onset of moral distress, a condition of psychological distress caused by the inability to act as it would be most morally appropriate. The purpose of this research was to investigate the experience lived by nurses who worked in an intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This is a phenomenological study using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Sixteen nurses who worked in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit of Northern Italian Hospitals from January to April 2022 were selected through purposive sampling. Data on experiences, thoughts, and symptoms were collected through semi-structured interviews with in-person and remote modalities. RESULTS: Five themes and fourteen subthemes emerged from the study. The themes are: (1) pride, isolation, and fear; (2) teamwork and organisation; (3) moral/ethical aspect; (4) true heroes; and (5) dignity. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intensive care unit nurses. It has emerged that the risk of moral distress is high among healthcare workers in the front line of the fight against the virus. This condition should be avoided and managed through early psychological interventions, sharing of experiences, and a good organization that supports decision-making and professional well-being.

Pharmacotherapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Coupled Life: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study of a Complex Interaction.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common chronic sleep-related breathing disorder. Drug therapy is a recent approach to treating OSA, and no data is available regarding its effects on a couple's life. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact on couples' lives of a novel drug treatment for OSA. METHODS: Participants of a trial on new drug therapy (reboxetine plus oxybutynin) for OSA were interviewed. The study was conducted using a descriptive phenomenological approach by Sundler et al. Results: Ten patients and six of their partners were recruited through a purposive sampling between February and April 2021. The results indicate that drug treatment of OSA had a favourable impact on the couples' lives. Pharmacotherapy improved self-reported sleep quality, as the absence of CPAP allows people to sleep closer to the bed partner and because the patient does not have to sleep in a forced position. Moreover, the couples developed teamwork from the beginning which appeared to be crucial during the trial, especially when some difficulties and adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the presence of a positive closed loop that could be considered a predictor of adherence to drug therapy.

Moral Distress Scores of Nurses Working in Intensive Care Units for Adults Using Corley's Scale: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: No systematic review in the literature has analyzed the intensity and frequency of moral distress among ICU nurses. No study seems to have mapped the leading personal and professional characteristics associated with high levels of moral distress. This systematic review aimed to describe the intensity and frequency of moral distress experienced by nurses in ICUs, as assessed by Corley's instruments on moral distress (the Moral Distress Scale and the Moral Distress Scale-Revised). Additionally, this systematic review aimed to summarize the correlates of moral distress. METHODS: A systematic search and review were performed using the following databases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE/PubMed), and Psychological Abstracts Information Services (PsycINFO). The review methodology followed PRISMA guidelines. The quality assessment of the included studies was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Findings showed a moderate level of moral distress among nurses working in ICUs. The findings of this systematic review confirm that there are a lot of triggers of moral distress related to patient-level factors, unit/team-level factors, or system-level causes. Beyond the triggers of moral distress, this systematic review showed some correlates of moral distress: those nurses working in ICUs with less work experience and those who are younger, female, and intend to leave their jobs have higher levels of moral distress. This systematic review's findings show a positive correlation between professional autonomy, empowerment, and moral distress scores. Additionally, nurses who feel supported by head nurses report lower moral distress scores. CONCLUSIONS: This review could help better identify which professionals are at a higher risk of experiencing moral distress, allowing the early detection of those at risk of moral distress, and giving the organization some tools to implement preventive strategies.

Nurse's bedside screening of dysphagia: an umbrella review.

INTRODUCTION: Dysphagia often results in serious, poor health outcomes. Nurses have an important role in assessing dysphagia. Therefore, they need reliable and effective screening tools to detect dysphagia. The purpose of this umbrella review is to locate the most valid, reliable, and usable bedside screening tools that allow nurses to identify dysphagia in institutionalized patients. METHODS: Umbrella Review as suggested by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Inclusion criteria were: systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials or cross-sectional studies. We excluded: pediatric and psychiatric patients. We searched on PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Library, the Joanna Briggs Institute Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, and the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Practice Database. RESULTS: Six reviews were included. Four tools were reported in all the reviews: 3 oz swallowing water test, Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability, Toronto Bedside Swallowing Screening Test, Gugging Swallowing Screen. They have shown fair to good sensitivity and specificity. The reviews analysed did not allow for a comparative analysis between instruments, which may be hindering the selection of the optimal instrument for clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Almost all reviews have considered stroke patients. The next steps will be to determine if there is a tool applicable in multiple settings with different patients and if this intervention is cost-effective.

The cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Nurse-Nurse Collaboration Scale in Italy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Collaboration between colleagues is an essential element of clinical nursing care because it helps to ensure patient safety. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the XXX version of the Nurse-Nurse Collaboration Scale (NNCS). The secondary goal of this study was to assess the degree of collaboration between nurses in Italy. METHODS: First, the cultural adaptation of the NNCS tool was performed. The face and content validity of the tool were assessed through the involvement of nursing experts. To test construct validity, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 362 nurses. RESULTS: The Italian version of the NNCS was composed of 23 items distributed across five domains. The five-dimensional model showed an adequate model goodness of fit (RMSEA=0.075, CFI=0.883, SRMR=0.072). The NNCS dimension with the highest average score was Professionalism (M=3.10 ± 0.45), while Conflict Management (M=2.14 ± 0.47) exhibited the lowest score. CONCLUSIONS: The Italian version of the NNCS is a valid and reliable tool. More effort should be made to ensure the proper management of conflicts in healthcare environments.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Treatment: Let's Talk about Partners!

BACKGROUND: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The benefits of this therapy were studied and analyzed over time; patient adherence is often poor, as many factors negatively influence it. A topic that needs clarification is whether adherence to CPAP treatment in a patient with OSA is influenced by the behavior of a partner or spouse. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted to evaluate the role of partner involvement in the CPAP treatment management in a patient with OSA. The research project was performed between August and September 2021 by consulting the main biomedical databases: CINHAL, Embase, PsycINFO, and PubMed. RESULTS: Among 21 articles considered valid for our aim, 15 are qualitative studies, 5 are quantitative and 1 presents a mixed method. We identified several thematic areas and "key" elements, which are prevalent in the studies evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a partner promotes adherence to CPAP therapy in patients with OSA, resulting in ameliorating their overall quality of life. To increase CPAP adherence, a trained nurse could represent a reference figure to technically and emotionally support couples during the adaptation period and in the long term.