bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anxiety, depression and pain intensity in patients with low back pain who are admitted to acute care hospitals
Authors: Mok Long Chau , Lee Iris Fung‐Kam 
Published: February 2008

Aim.  This study examines the relationship between anxiety, depression and pain intensity in patients with low back pain who are newly admitted to an acute care hospital setting.Background.  Previous studies have supported the idea that anxiety and depression play a significant role in chronic low back pain, but the relationship between anxiety, depression and pain intensity in patients with low back pain who are newly admitted to hospital has not been adequately explored.Method.  The study reported here was descriptive correlational in design. The sample was 102 Chinese patients with low back pain who were newly admitted to an acute care hospital in Hong Kong. Data were collected through individual interviews, using an 11‐point numerical pain rating scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. In addition, demographic data were identified from the medical record.Results.  There were 48 male and 54 female adult participants in the study. The average anxiety and depression level of the participants was 19·46 (SD 9·02) on a scale of 0–42, which is higher than the normal level. The level of anxiety and depression was significantly positively correlated with pain intensity (r = 0·471, p < 0·0005) and was also a significant predictor of pain intensity (t = 3·918, p < 0·0005, 95% CI 0·050–0·154).Conclusion.  The results of this study showed that anxiety and depression are not only associated with pain intensity but that they also, partly, predict pain intensity in patients with low back pain who are newly admitted to an acute care hospital.Relevance to clinical practice.  The results of this study support the assessment of and intervention in anxiety and depression symptoms in the provision of pain‐relief nursing treatment in patients with low back pain who are admitted to acute care hospitals.
Communicating stroke survivors’ health and further needs for support in care‐planning meetings
Authors: Hedberg Berith , Johanson Marita , Cederborg Ann‐Christin 
Published: February 2008

Aims and objectives.  This study will illustrate how stroke survivors, their relatives and different professionals communicated in care‐planning meetings when planning care for patients after their discharge from hospital. We wanted to know what topics participants were talking about, to what extent they were involved in the discussion and how the communication was organized.Background.  Communication in health care is sometimes problematic because of the participants’ asymmetrical positions when negotiating how to understand the patients’ future care.Methods.  A qualitative and a quantitative design were adopted with a sample of 14 authentic audio‐recorded care‐planning meetings. The transcribed meetings were, together with observational notes, analysed from a data‐driven approach.Findings.  Five topics emerged. The professionals tended to dominate the discourse space even if their involvement varied depending on the topic talked about. The most noteworthy finding was the patients’ need of communicative alliances with other participants when negotiating their needs and desires of further care. When making decisions two approaches emerged. The ‘aim‐driven’ approach was characterized by alliances between those participants who seemed to share a common goal for the patient's further care. When the participants used the ‘open‐minded’ approach they merged information and discussed different solutions leading to a goal step by step.Conclusions.  The importance of strengthening stroke survivors’ participation in care‐planning meetings is highlighted. Professionals have to increase their knowledge about how to involve the patients as well as their awareness of how to avoid power struggles between various professionals, patients and relatives.Relevance to clinical practice.  This study shows the necessity for professionals to involve relatives when negotiating these patients’ need of further care and to learn more about how to advocate stroke survivors.
Effects of music therapy on psychological health of women during pregnancy
Authors: Chang Mei‐Yueh , Chen Chung‐Hey , Huang Kuo‐Feng 
Published: February 2008

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of music therapy on stress, anxiety and depression in Taiwanese pregnant women.Background.  The value of music therapy is slowly being realized by nurses in various clinical areas, including obstetrics. Previous studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of psychological stress during pregnancy. Few studies have examined the effects of music therapy on reducing psychological stress during pregnancy.Design.  A randomized experimental study design was developed and implemented.Methods.  Two hundred and thirty‐six pregnant women were randomly assigned to music therapy (n = 116) and control (n = 120) groups. The music therapy group received two weeks of music intervention. The control group received only general prenatal care. Psychological health was assessed using three self‐report measures: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), State Scale of the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (S‐STAI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).Results.  In a paired t‐test, the music therapy group showed significant decrease in PSS, S‐STAI and EPDS after two weeks. The control group only showed a significant decrease in PSS after two weeks. This decrease was not as substantial as in the experimental group. An ancova test with the pretest scores as the control revealed that the changes in PSS, S‐STAI and EPDS after two weeks were significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with the control group.Conclusions.  This controlled trial provides preliminary evidence that two‐week music therapy during pregnancy provides quantifiable psychological benefits.Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings can be used to encourage pregnant women to use this cost‐effective method of music in their daily life to reduce their stress, anxiety and depression. Further research is needed to test the long‐term benefits.
Parental fever phobia and its evolutionary correlates
Authors: Purssell Edward 
Published: February 2008

Aims.  This study aimed to identify parental views of fever in their children aged 1–6 years and to consider these and associated behaviours from an evolutionary perspective.Background.  Fever is a common symptom of illness in children; however, many parents express high levels of anxiety. This has previously been reported in several countries, most notably the USA. The purpose behind this study was to look at parental views and examine these from an evolutionary perspective to explain the persistence and ubiquity of parental fears of fever.Method.  A questionnaire was administered to 181 parents of children attending a paediatric outpatients department at a London teaching hospital.Results.  Many parents expressed high levels of worry and its possible complications. These manifest themselves in the frequency with which parents measured their child's temperature, and the aggressive nature of their treatment. Many reported over‐using antipyretic drugs, or using non‐evidence based practices such as sponging. However, in many cases they were also making appropriate behavioural alterations, for example, encouraging fluids and rest.Conclusion.  While many parents expressed high levels of worry about fever and used inappropriate treatments, this must be balanced against benefits such as increased vigilance and close attention to hydration. Lay health beliefs, such as those reported in this study, may be judged unduly negatively if individual aspects are seen in isolation.Relevance to clinical practice.  High levels of worry have been reported internationally, suggesting that they may form part of a conserved response to fever. Although many parents reported aggressive treatment of fever, they also used appropriate symptomatic interventions. Nurses and other healthcare professionals should act to reduce the fear of fever and concentrate upon accurate diagnosis and the appropriate treatment of the underlying illness.
A literature review of spirituality in coping with early‐stage Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Beuscher Linda , Beck Cornelia 
Published: February 2008

Aims.  This paper presents a literature review focusing on the use of spirituality in coping by older persons with early‐stage Alzheimer's disease from their perspectives. The purpose of this literature review is to examine the existing body of knowledge about spirituality in coping with Alzheimer's disease and to apply a spiritual framework of coping in organizing the literature to identify themes and gaps in knowledge.Background.  Despite the abundance of Alzheimer's disease research, little is known about how older persons with this devastating disease cope with the consequential losses. Maintaining a sense of normalcy and preserving self‐worth are coping strategies reported by older persons with early‐stage Alzheimer's disease. As spirituality is an effective coping resource for older persons with numerous psychological and personal losses in their lives, it may be an important coping resource for person with Alzheimer's disease.Method.  A literature search was conducted to find research published between 1990–2006 aimed at understanding spirituality in coping with early‐stage Alzheimer's disease.Conclusions.  Six research studies were reviewed. Findings suggest that persons with early‐stage Alzheimer's disease draw from their spirituality and faith to find meaning and courage in facing the challenges of cognitive losses. Furthermore, they are able to provide rich information about their spirituality and the psychosocial aspects of living with Alzheimer's disease. Limited empirical knowledge compels the need for future research to explore how spirituality is utilized in coping with early‐stage Alzheimer's disease.Relevance to clinical practice.  Enhancing persons’ abilities to cope effectively with their diseases is an important goal of nursing care. Understanding how older persons with Alzheimer's disease cope with their memory loss is critical to the development of evidence‐based interventions to minimize the stress of living with this disease.
Nurses in Australian general practice: implications for chronic disease management
Authors: Halcomb Elizabeth J , Davidson Patricia M , Salamonson Yenna , Ollerton Richard , Griffiths Rhonda 
Published: February 2008

Aims.  The purpose of this study was to describe the demographic and employment characteristics of Australian practice nurses and explore the relationship between these characteristics and the nurses’ role.Background.  Nursing in general practice is an integral component of primary care and chronic disease management in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, but in Australia it is an emerging specialty and there is limited data on the workforce and role.Design.  National postal survey embedded in a sequential mixed method design.Methods.  284 practice nurses completed a postal survey during 2003–2004. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were utilized to analyse the data.Results.  Most participants were female (99%), Registered Nurses (86%), employed part‐time in a group practice, with a mean age of 45·8 years, and had a hospital nursing certificate as their highest qualification (63%). The tasks currently undertaken by participants and those requiring further education were inversely related (R2 = −0·779). Conversely, tasks perceived to be appropriate for a practice nurse and those currently undertaken by participants were positively related (R2 = 0·8996). There was a mismatch between the number of participants who perceived that a particular task was appropriate and those who undertook the task. This disparity was not completely explained by demographic or employment characteristics. Extrinsic factors such as legal and funding issues, lack of space and general practitioner attitudes were identified as barriers to role expansion.Conclusion.  Practice nurses are a clinically experienced workforce whose skills are not optimally harnessed to improve the care of the growing number of people with chronic and complex conditions.Relevance to clinical practice.  Study data reveal a need to overcome the funding, regulatory and interprofessional barriers that currently constrain the practice nurse role. Expansion of the practice nurse role is clearly a useful adjunct to specialist management of chronic and complex disease, particularly within the context of contemporary policy initiatives.
A literature review of the potential effects of having a parent with chronic renal failure
Authors: Coldstream Frances , May Andreé le 
Published: February 2008

Aims and objectives.  This review aims to answer the question ‘What are the possible effects on children of having a parent with chronic renal failure?’Background.  Chronic illness affects the whole family, not just the individual with the illness. It would appear that little research has been undertaken to consider the potential effects on children when a parent has chronic renal failure.Method.  Systematic review.Conclusions.  There are many potential effects of parental chronic renal failure that have been documented. These are both negative, for example depression and under achievement and positive, for example – enhanced self‐esteem. Children, in particular, appear to have a need for information that is not being met. The review has helped to refine a project looking at the information needs of children who have a parent with chronic renal failure, from the perspective of the child.Relevance to clinical practice.  There appears to be a lack of information to direct nursing practice in this area. Practitioners need to be aware that chronic parental illness impacts on the whole family. Appropriate referral mechanisms for the child and family are necessary, in addition to an understanding of the needs of these children.
Haemodialysis: the effects of using the empowerment concept during the development of a mutual‐support group in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Yu‐Chi , Pai Jui‐Sheng , Li I‐Chuan 
Published: February 2008

Aims and objective.  To determine the effectiveness of using the empowerment concept during the development of a mutual‐help group for haemodialysis.Background.  Haemodialysis has different impacts on patients' physical, psychological and social health. The effects of mutual‐support group have been found in groups of chronic disease patients. However, none of them were for haemodialysis patients.Design.  An intervention‐evaluation design was used for this study. The intervention process was divided into four phases: (1) assessment, (2) planning, (3) action and (4) evaluation/feedback. As part of this study, a mutual‐help group was formed that met eight times for group activities over a three‐month study period.Results.  There were three indicators of empowerment outcomes. Physical symptoms decreased significantly after the patients had participated in the mutual‐help group (z = −2·893, p < 0·05), especially symptoms such as itchy skin, insomnia and spasms. In terms of the patients’ social network and social functions, social support increased significantly (z = −3·412, p < 0·05). The total score for the patients’ quality of life also showed a significant improvement (z = −3·408, p < 0·05) with the emotional and health dimensions improving the most.Conclusion.  This study provides evidence that supports the use of mutual‐help groups as a means of aiding patients with chronic illness to cope with their illness. Mutual‐help groups are a necessary future direction in nursing that will improve the quality of health care for patients’ with chronic illness.Relevance to clinical practice.  The study found that a mutual‐help group not only can improve patient's illness adaptability, but also brought about a range of other empowerment outcomes. It also had many positive impacts for the hospital. Therefore, it will be beneficial for the patients with a chronic illness if health care professionals can be sensitive to relevant factors and construct mutual‐support groups based on the empowerment concept.
Carbon flux from plants to soil: roots are a below‐ground source of phenolic secondary compounds in an alpine ecosystem
Authors: Meier Courtney L. , Suding Katharine N. , Bowman William D. 
Published: February 2008

Summary

Phenolics are an important, biologically reactive component of the carbon (C) pool that moves from plants to soil. Once in soil, phenolics can regulate plant–soil feedbacks because of their influence on soil nitrogen biogeochemistry.
Roots are a largely overlooked potential source of below‐ground phenolic C. We examined phenolic fluxes from plants to soil in an alpine ecosystem, where phenolics are associated with slow rates of nutrient cycling. Using a phenolic‐rich forb (Acomastylis rossii) and a grass with low tissue phenolics (Deschampsia caespitosa), we asked whether leaves, leaf litter or roots are the dominant source of soil phenolics during the growing season. We also determined whether the composition of root‐derived phenolics differed from that of leaf litter.
Both labile low molecular weight phenolics and tannins disappeared from A. rossii leaf litter over the winter. Evidence from this study and others indicates litter phenolics are not a significant source of labile C for soil microbes throughout the growing season.
In the field, levels of phenolics were higher under A. rossii canopies than under D. caespitosa canopies throughout the growing season. We also estimated significantly higher phenolic fluxes into soils for A. rossii than for D. caespitosa in the glasshouse. Field and glasshouse results suggest roots are an important source of these compounds. Furthermore, the phenolic chemistry of roots was different from that of leaf litter, indicating that the effects of root phenolics on soil processes and neighbouring plant growth may differ from those associated with leaves.
Synthesis. Based on our results, labile phenolic inputs from roots are likely to have a more important influence on soil nutrient dynamics during the alpine growing season than phenolic inputs from leaf litter. We suggest that roots may be the dominant input of labile phenolics to soil during the growing season in other ecosystems with seasonal patterns of plant growth and senescence. These observations are critical to our understanding of how phenolic‐rich species may interact with soil microbes to influence soil nutrient cycling and shape the soil resource environment.
The influence of coastal topography, circulation patterns, and rafting in structuring populations of an intertidal alga
Authors: MUHLIN J. F. , ENGEL C. R. , STESSEL R. , WEATHERBEE R. A. , BRAWLEY S. H. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractUnderstanding the dispersal processes that influence genetic structure in marine species requires estimating gene flow in a dynamic, fluid environment that is often poorly characterized at scales relevant to multiple dispersive stages (e.g. spores, gametes, zygotes, larvae, adults). We examine genetic structure in the marine alga Fucus vesiculosus L., which inhabits moderately exposed shores in the northern Atlantic but releases gametes only under sunny, calm conditions. We predicted genetic structure would correlate with coastal topography because weather frequently varies across coastal promontories on the Maine shore when F. vesiculosus is reproductive, which causes one side to experience high levels of water motion (= no gamete release) while one side is calm (= gamete release). Furthermore, we expected that the effect of low dispersal capacities of gametes and zygotes would result in spatial genetic structure over short distances. Using surface drifters, we characterized near‐shore circulation patterns around the study sites to investigate whether directionality of gene flow was correlated with directionality of currents. We found significant genetic differentiation among sites sampled at two different peninsulas, but patterns of differentiation were unrelated to coastal topography and there was no within‐site spatial structuring. Our genetic and near‐shore circulation data, combined with an examination of gamete longevity, support the dependency of gene flow on storm‐detached, rafting, reproductive adults. This study highlights the significance of rafting as a mechanism for structuring established populations of macroalgae and associated biota and demonstrates the importance of coupling population genetics’ research with relevant hydrodynamic studies.
The Great American Interchange in birds: a phylogenetic perspective with the genus Trogon
Authors: DACOSTA JEFFREY M. , KLICKA JOHN 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe ‘Great American Interchange’ (GAI) is recognized as having had a dramatic effect on biodiversity throughout the Neotropics. However, investigation of patterns in Neotropical avian biodiversity has generally been focused on South American taxa in the Amazon Basin, leaving the contribution of Central American taxa under‐studied. More rigorous studies of lineages distributed across the entire Neotropics are needed to uncover phylogeographical patterns throughout the area, offering insights into mechanisms that contribute to overall Neotropical biodiversity. Here we use mitochondrial DNA sequence data and intensive geographical sampling from the widespread Neotropical avian genus Trogon to investigate the role of the GAI in shaping its phylogeographical history. Our results show that genetic diversity in Trogon exceeds the perceived biodiversity, and that the GAI resulted in lineage diversification within the genus. Despite greater diversity in South America, a Central American centre of origin with multiple and independent dispersals into South America is indicated. These dispersals were followed by the evolution of divergent lineages associated with the Andes Mountains and other South American geographical features. According to our phylogenetic reconstructions, several species, which were originally defined by morphological characters, are nonmonophyletic. In sum, our results elucidate the evolutionary history of Trogon, reveal patterns obscured by extant biodiversity, and serve as a biogeographical model to consider in future studies.