bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inner power, physical strength and existential well‐being in daily life: relatives’ experiences of receiving soft tissue massage in palliative home care
Authors: Cronfalk Berit Seiger , Strang Peter , Ternestedt Britt‐Marie 
Published: July 2009

Aim and objectives.  This article explores relatives’ experiences of receiving soft tissue massage as a support supplement while caring for a dying family member at home.Background.  In palliative home care, relatives play an important role as carers to seriously ill and dying family members. To improve their quality of life, different support strategies are of importance. Complementary methods, such as soft tissue massage have become an appreciated supplement for these patients. However, only few studies focus on relatives experiences of receiving soft tissue massage as a supplemental support.Design.  Qualitative designMethod.  Nineteen relatives received soft tissue massage (hand or foot) nine times (25 minutes) in their homes. Open‐ended semi‐structured tape‐recorded interviews were conducted once per relative after the nine times of massage, using qualitative content analysis.Results.  Soft tissue massage gave the relatives’ feelings of ‘being cared for’, ‘body vitality’ and ‘peace of mind’. For a while, they put worries of daily life aside as they just experienced ‘being’. During massage, it became apparent that body and mind is constituted of an indestructible completeness. The overarching theme was ‘inner power, physical strength and existential well‐being in their daily lives’.Conclusion.  All relatives experienced soft tissue massage positively, although they were under considerable stress. Soft tissue massage could be an option to comfort and support relatives in palliative home care.Relevance to clinical practice.  In palliative nursing care, soft tissue massage could present a worthy supplement in supporting caring relatives.
Sleep disturbance experiences among perimenopausal women in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Hsiu‐Chin , Chen Ning‐Hung , Jou Hei‐Jen , An Chi , Tsao Lee‐Ing 
Published: July 2009

Aim.  To generate a descriptive theory framework regarding the experiences of sleep disturbances among perimenopausal women in Taiwan.Background.  Although studies show that some perimenopausal women are troubled by sleep problems, little information was found about the subjective experiences of sleep disturbances among these women. Research is required to explore women's feelings or perceptions in dealing with their sleep problems. These understandings will be important to help alleviate perimenopausal women's sleep problems.Design.  A grounded theory research design was applied.Method.  Twenty‐one Taiwanese sleep disturbed women, aged 46–57 years, participated in in‐depth interviews.Results.  ‘Getting back a good night’s sleep’ was the core theme for describing and guiding the process of the women’s sleep disturbance experiences. During the process, ‘disturbed sleep’ was identified as the antecedent condition that included subcategories: easy awakening, difficulty falling asleep, inner worries, physical discomfort and genetic and bodily constitution. Analyses showed five categories (some with subcategories) of the sleep disturbed women: (i) worsening health status – physical exhaustion, impaired social interactions, emotional swings and decreased work performance; (ii) living with lonely nights – self‐help and endurance; (iii) a search for resources to relieve sleep difficulties – doctor shopping, trying alternative therapies, exercising and seeking support; (iv) vicious cycle and (v) acceptance of insomnia.Conclusions.  Women expected to relieve their sleep disturbance by finding comprehensive counselling or by their body constitution responding to treatment. Healthcare providers need to value women’s individual concerns and subjective voices. Providers must seek out sleep counselling instead of simply prescribing drugs for their sleep difficulties.Relevance to clinical practice.  It is crucial to integrate perimenopausal sleep care by implementing a multidimensional approach such as sleep assessment laboratories, sleep counselling, complementary alternative medicine, sleep strategies and support groups.
Retracted: Investigating factors associated with nurses’ attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care: a study in Shandong and Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Moon Fai , Lou Feng‐lan , Cao Feng‐lin , Li Ping , Liu Li , Wu Lai Har 
Published: July 2009

Aims.  To explore nurses’ attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care and to identify factors associated with these attitudes.Background.  It is likely that the attitude of nursing staff can influence recovery from a pregnancy loss and that nurses with positive attitudes to bereavement care can help bereaved parents to cope during their grieving period.Design.  Survey.Method.  Data were collected through a structured questionnaire; 657 nurses were recruited from Obstetrics and Gynaecology units in Hong Kong and Shandong during 2006. Outcome measures included attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care, importance of hospital policy and training support for bereavement care.Results.  The majority of nurses in this study had a positive attitude to bereavement care. Results show that only 21·6% (n = 141) of the nurses surveyed had bereavement‐related training. In contrast, about 89·8% (n = 300) believed they needed to be equipped with relevant knowledge, skills and understanding in the care and support of bereaved parents and more than 88·5% (n = 592) would share their experiences with their colleagues and seek support when feeling under stress. A regression model showed that age, past experience in handling grieving parents, recent ranking and nurses’ perceived attitudes to hospital policy and training provided for bereavement care were the factors associated with nurses’ attitudes to perinatal bereavement care.Conclusions.  Nurses in both cities emphasised their need for increased knowledge and experience, improved communication skills and greater support from team members and the hospital for perinatal bereavement care.Relevance to clinical practice.  These findings may be used by nursing educators to educate their students on issues related to delivery of sensitive bereavement care in perinatal settings and to enhance nursing school curricula.
The impact of illness perception on adherence to therapeutic regimens of patients with hypertension in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Shiah‐Lian , Tsai Jen‐Chen , Lee Wen‐Lieng 
Published: July 2009

Aims.  To examine the predictive effects of illness perception on adherence to therapeutic regimens of patients with hypertension.Background.  Illness perception is an important predictor for adherence to therapeutic regimens. Hypertension is asymptomatic. How the lay views, especially identity and causal attribution, affect the patients’ adherence to therapeutic regimens need to be further explored.Design.  A cross‐sectional survey.Methods.  Purposive sampling was conducted at the cardiovascular clinics of two teaching hospitals in central Taiwan. A sample of 277 patients was included in this study. Guided by the Self Regulation Model, a series of variables including socio‐demographic variables, clinical variables, illness representations, identity and causes were evaluated for their relationships with adherence to the antihypertensive regimen and recommendations of self‐management.Results.  Predictors of adherence to prescribed medications in the hierarchical logistic regressions were treatment control, risk factors and psychological attribution. In the self‐management model, we found that symptoms experienced after a hypertension diagnosis, symptoms for blood pressure prediction, personal control, balance and cultural causal attribution were significant predictors of adherence to self‐management, adding an additional 21% of the variance. The results of analysis of variance showed that those who were unsure if they had experienced symptoms after a hypertension diagnosis were more likely to self‐regulate (increase or decrease) prescribed medications than those without symptoms.Conclusions.  The findings suggest that the Self Regulation Model may provide a useful framework for understanding and explaining adherence to therapeutic regimens of patients with hypertension across cultures.Relevance to clinical practice.  Factors that affect the patients’ adherence to prescribed medications and self‐management recommendations differ greatly. Despite its subjectivity, identity showed significantly predictive effects on adherence to self‐management. Understanding patients’ lay views on hypertension allows health professionals providing effective care for better adherence to therapeutic regimens.
Soothing music can increase oxytocin levels during bed rest after open‐heart surgery: a randomised control trial
Authors: Nilsson Ulrica 
Published: July 2009

Aim.  To evaluate the effect of bed rest with music on relaxation for patients who have undergone heart surgery on postoperative day one.Background.  Music intervention has been evaluated as an appropriate nursing intervention to reduce patients ‘pain, stress and anxiety levels in several clinical settings, but its effectiveness in increasing patients’ subjective and objective relaxation levels has not been examined.Design.  A randomised controlled trial.Method.  Forty patients undergoing open coronary artery bypass grafting and/or aortic valve replacement surgery were randomly allocated to either music listening during bed rest (n = 20) or bed rest only (n = 20). Relaxation was assessed during bed rest the day after surgery by determining the plasma oxytocin, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, PaO2, SaO2 and subjective relaxation levels.Results.  In the music group, levels of oxytocin increased significantly in contrast to the control group for which the trend over time was negative i.e., decreasing values. Subjective relaxation levels increased significantly more and there were also a significant higher levels of PaO2 in the music group compared to the control group. There was no difference in mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and SaO2 between the groups.Conclusion.  Listening to music during bed rest after open‐heart surgery has some effects on the relaxation system as regards s‐oxytocin and subjective relaxations levels. This effect seems to have a causal relation from the psychological (music makes patients relaxed) to the physical (oxytocin release).Relevance to clinical practice.  Music intervention should be offered as an integral part of the multimodal regime administered to the patients that have undergone cardiovascular surgery. It is a supportive source that increases relaxation.
Health literacy and functional health status in Korean older adults
Authors: Kim Su Hyun 
Published: July 2009

Aims and objectives.  The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships of health literacy to chronic medical conditions and the functional health status among community‐dwelling Korean older adults.Background.  In the literature, limited health literacy has been reported to have adverse effect on health outcomes. However, the link between health literacy to health status among Korean older adults needs to be clarified.Design.  A cross‐sectional survey.Methods.  A cross‐sectional survey of 103 community‐dwelling Korean older adults was conducted from June 2007–September 2007. Health literacy was measured using the Korean Functional Health Literacy test and functional health status was measured using the subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study 12‐item Short‐Form Health Survey.Results.  Individuals with a low health literacy had significantly higher rates of arthritis and hypertension. After adjusting for age, education and income, older individuals with low health literacy had higher limitations in activity and lower subjective health. In a model adjusting for age and income only, older individuals with low health literacy were more likely to report lower levels of physical function and subjective health and higher levels of limitations in activity and pain.Conclusions.  Among community‐dwelling Korean older adults, limited health literacy is associated independently with higher rates of chronic medical conditions and lower subjective health status.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses are key to providing health education to older adults. The understanding of the relationship of health literacy to health status is essential to develop communication and health education efforts for older adults in nursing practice.
Older people and falls: health status, quality of life, lifestyle, care networks, prevention and views on service use following a recent fall
Authors: Roe Brenda , Howell Fiona , Riniotis Konstantinos , Beech Roger , Crome Peter , Ong Bie Nio 
Published: July 2009

Aim and objective.  This study has investigated older people’s experiences of a recent fall, its impact on their health, lifestyle, quality of life, care networks, prevention and their views on service use.Background.  Falls are common in older people and prevalence increases with age. Falls prevention is a major policy and service initiative.Design.  An exploratory, qualitative design involving two time points.Method.  A convenience sample of 27 older people from two primary care trusts who had a recent fall. Taped semi structured qualitative interviews were conducted and repeated at follow up to detect change over time and repeat falls. Data were collected on their experience of falls, health, activities of living, lifestyle, quality of life, use of services, prevention of falls, informal care and social networks. Content analysis of transcribed interviews identified key themes.Results.  The majority of people fell indoors (n = 23), were repeat fallers (n = 22) with more than half alone when they fell (n = 15). For five people it was their first ever fall. Participants in primary care trust 1 had a higher mean age than those in primary care trust 2 and had more injurious falls (n = 12, mean age 87 years vs. n = 15, mean age 81 years). The majority of non‐injurious falls went unreported to formal services. Falls can result in a decline in health status, ability to undertake activities of living, lifestyle and quality of life.Conclusions.  Local informal care and support networks are as important as formal care for older people at risk of falls or who have fallen. Access to falls prevention programmes and services is limited for people living in more rural communities.Relevance to practice.  Falls prevention initiatives and services should work with local communities, agencies and informal carers to ensure equitable access and provision of information, resources and care to meet the needs of older people at risk or who have fallen.
Nursing students’ knowledge, attitude and readiness to work for clients with sexual health concerns
Authors: Kong Sarah Kit Fong , Wu Lai Ha , Loke Alice Yuen 
Published: July 2009

Aims.  To investigate nursing students’ knowledge, attitude and readiness to work for clients with sexual health concerns and to identify strategies to help students develop as they take up their role in sexual health‐related care.Background.  There is an increasing global demand for improving sexual health. A better understanding of nursing students’ attitude and readiness to work for clients with sexual health concerns is the beginning of this endeavour. The need to explore strategies for developing competent health care practitioners is timely.Design.  A cross‐sectional survey.Methods.  Nursing students (n = 377) studying in pre‐ and postregistration programmes were surveyed at a university in Hong Kong using a questionnaire with open‐ and closed‐ended questions about their knowledge, attitude and self‐perception on readiness to work for clients with sexual health concerns.Results.  Students’ knowledge of sexual health was satisfactory. They were positive in acknowledging the nursing role in sexual health care, but hesitant in taking up an active role in practice. Students’ readiness to participate in related activities was below satisfactory. Their perception of inadequate knowledge, feelings of anxiety, worries about colleagues’ and clients’ possible adverse responses and inadequate exemplars were major factors affecting their readiness. This paper also highlighted some important learning areas and strategies that could help in enhancing students’ knowledge and confidence in sexual health care practices.Conclusion.  Improving the educational programme and clinical practice for nursing students is necessary but may not be adequate. Valuing the affective aspect of education, formal recognition of this extended role and advancing related education to a postexperience level would also benefit the development of sexual health care.Relevance to clinical practice.  Preparing more mentors as exemplars, inviting clinicians and managers as partners in sexual health‐related care would help nursing students to work efficiently for clients with sexual health concerns.
Disability and pain management methods of Taiwanese arthritic older patients
Authors: Chiou Ai‐Fu , Lin Hsiao‐Yi , Huang Hsiao‐Yun 
Published: July 2009

Aim.  This study aims to investigate the prevalence of disability, factors influencing disability and pain self‐management techniques employed by older arthritis patients in Taiwan.Background.  Arthritis is the most common chronic disease in older people. It may result in pain, stiffness and joint deformity, which ultimately lead to disability. Understanding the factors influencing disability is needed to help arthritis sufferers to achieve optimal health status.Design.  A cross‐sectional design was employed for this study.Methods.  One hundred and fifty‐one older persons diagnosed with either rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis were interviewed in the rheumatology clinics located in two medical centres in northern Taiwan. Six questionnaires were administered: Barthel Index, Instrumental Activity of Daily Living, Rapid Assessment of Disease Activity in Rheumatology, the Chinese version of Pain Management Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale and Life Satisfaction Index.Results.  Disability was found in 11% of Taiwanese individuals diagnosed with either rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Those in disability reported more severe disease activity, pain, depression and lower life satisfaction. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that 31–46% of the total variance of disability could be explained by age, gender, marriage, joint pain score, diagnosis, disease activity, depression and pain management. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had significantly higher levels of disability, disease activity during the preceding six months, more depression and less life satisfaction than patients with osteoarthritis.Conclusion.  Higher disability was explained by older age, female, unmarried, diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, more joint pain, more disease severity, more depression and more use of pain management strategies in arthritis patients.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses are urged to recognise the individual differences among the factors that are thought to contribute most to disability. An individualised, multidimensional and comprehensive treatment plan with informational support is essential to maximise pain management skills of arthritic older people to achieve improvement in pain, level of disability and mental health.
Turkish children loved distraction: using kaleidoscope to reduce perceived pain during venipuncture
Authors: Güdücü Tüfekci Fatma , Çelebioğlu Ayda , Küçükoğlu Sibel 
Published: July 2009

Aim.  To assess the effect of distraction (looking through kaleidoscopes) to reduce perceived pain, during venipuncture in healthy school‐age children.Background.  Distraction has been noted to be an effective method to help children cope with painful procedures. In the studies carried out, although it was found out that distraction made with different distracters reduced the pain of venipuncture, there is only one study confirming analgesic effect of distracters.Design.  The study was carried out as an intervention–control group design.Method.  Children (n = 206), in whom venipuncture was applied in a laboratory for examination between the dates January–September 2006, were included in the study. The data were obtained by a form determining introductory features of the children and Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and Visual Analogue Scale evaluating the pain. Descriptive statistics was used in the assessment of the data and t‐test was used in comparisons of dependent‐independent groups.Results.  Pain levels of the children according to both scales in intervention group were lower than those of control group. But, it was detected that the distinction between score averages of intervention and control group of Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, not Visual Analogue Scale, was statistically significant (p < 0·001).Conclusion.  It was detected that the distraction made with kaleidoscope effectively reduced the pain related to venipuncture in healthy school children and that some features of the children influenced the perception of pain.Relevance to clinical practice.  Distraction with kaleidoscope is a method, which the nurse will be able to use for venipuncture to obtain optimal pain control. In addition, it is important for a nurse to know some features about the children for a pain free and positive experience.
Anxiety in the operating theatre: a study of frequency and environmental impact in patients having local, plexus or regional anaesthesia
Authors: Haugen Arvid S , Eide Geir E , Olsen Marit V , Haukeland Berit , Remme Åsa R , Wahl Astrid K 
Published: July 2009

Aims. To estimate the frequency of intraoperative anxiety, the influence of environmental factors on intraoperative anxiety and to study the relationship between intraoperative anxiety and generalised anxiety and depression.Background. Previous research has documented that surgery is associated with increased stress and anxiety, which have an adverse effect on patient outcomes. Few studies have been conducted to obtain patients’ perspectives about the influence of the operating theatre environment on anxiety.Design. The study used a survey design including questionnaires.Method. Clinical variables were noted from the anaesthesia medical records. The sample (n = 119) comprised patients undergoing elective surgery and emergency operations within 24 hours of admission. Anxiety was assessed by the Jakobsen’s questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale.Results. Twenty‐three per cent felt anxious on arrival at the operating theatre, 35% were anxious at induction of anaesthesia, while 12% felt anxious after induction. At start of surgery 15% experienced anxiety and during surgery 9% were anxious. Continuous information reduced the experience of anxiety in 49% of the patients and the opportunity to ask questions during the intraoperative period reduced anxiety in 55%. The sight of technical equipment and surgical instruments was reported to increase anxiety in 9% and 6% of the sample, respectively. Patients with higher levels of general anxiety and depression also experienced significantly higher levels of anxiety in the intraoperative period.Conclusions. In this study patients experience highest level of anxiety at induction of anaesthetics. The operating theatre environments impact on patients’ anxiety are in less degree influenced by the sight and hearing of the technical equipment and the surroundings. Continuous information and opportunity to ask questions reduces patients’ anxiety. Results indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between generalised anxiety and depression prior to admission and anxiety experienced during the intraoperative period.Relevance to clinical practice. Generalised anxiety and depression prior to surgery should be identified to implement nursing interventions to reduce anxiety in the operating theatre.