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This study examined the psychometric properties of the Barriers Self-Efficacy Scale-Physical Activity for Korean-speaking adults with osteoarthritis at risk for metabolic syndrome (N = 150). Factor analysis identified three dimensions of the Korean Barriers scale, explaining 65.9 % of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the structural validity adequately fits the data. Construct validity confirmed significant associations between the amount of physical activity and psychological variables. The test-retest reliability was 0.87; the alpha was 0.90. The standardized response mean (0.497) indicated responsiveness to medium-magnitude change. The Korean Barriers scale can assess self-efficacy to engage in regular physical activity in clinical settings. • The Barriers Self-Efficacy Scale -Physical Activity (BARSE-PA) assesses self-efficacy to overcome barriers in physical activity. • The BARSE-PA for Koreans showed good validity and reliability, and responsiveness to medium magnitude change. • It is effective in appraising the barriers to self-efficacy for physical activity. • Psychiatric nurses may consider integrating the BARSE-PA into existing mental health rehabilitation care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the association of hypertension with knee pain severity in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Cross-sectional study of baseline data collected by the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Participants with knee OA (N =1,363) were categorized into four groups based on blood pressure (BP): 1) systolic < 120 mm HG and diastolic < 80 mm Hg; 2) 120 ≤ systolic < 130 mm Hg and diastolic < 80 mm Hg; 3) 130 ≤ systolic < 140 mm Hg or 80 ≤ diastolic < 90 mm Hg; 4) systolic ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic ≥ 90 mm Hg. OA knee pain severity was measured by Pain subscale of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index in the past 48 hours, Pain subscale of Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) in the past 7 days, and numeric rating scale (NRS) in the past 30 days. Linear regression was used to examine the relationship between hypertension and knee pain severity. Compared with the normal BP group, individuals with stage 2 hypertension reported significantly higher OA knee pain severity by KOOS in the past 7 days (β =-2.05 [95% CI -4.09, -0.01], p =0.049) and by NRS in the past 30 days (β =0.31 [95% CI 0.01, 0.62], p =0.045) after adjustments for demographic and medical factors. Hypertension was associated with higher OA knee pain severity in individuals with knee OA. Nurses can recommend adjunctive non-pharmacological treatments and adherence strategies to help control hypertension, which may help decrease OA knee pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Half of older adults report support for physical activity from their social network. • Most older adults can select a social network member and identify types of support to help with physical activity. • Although not statistically significant, intervention participants who perceived support for self-reported physical activity tended to have greater improvements on average from baseline for mean daily minutes of lower extremity exercise and fitness walking than intervention participants with no perceived support. The purpose of this study was to describe older adults' social network and support during a physical activity intervention and its association with physical activity. Mixed methods were used for this secondary analysis of existing data from a physical activity intervention. Seventy-three participants who completed a session by telephone on using support comprised the sample. Participants reported on average approximately eight individuals in their social network. Half reported support for physical activity from a spouse/partner, adult child, or friend. Those who perceived support for self-reported physical activity tended to have greater improvements on average from baseline for mean daily minutes of physical activity than those with no perceived support. Four-fifths developed a plan for a spouse/partner, friend, adult child, or sibling to provide physical activity support. Participants reported that the session was helpful and increased their confidence in using support; over one-quarter intended to use support after the intervention ended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the moderating role of acculturation mode on the relationship between depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in international students. This cross-sectional study enrolled a convenience sample of 147 international students at a university in Korea. Participants' overall HRQoL was moderate (mean = 57.2 of 80). The main and interaction effects of depressive symptoms and selected acculturation modes explained 39.9% of the variance in HRQoL. For all acculturation modes except the integration mode, as depressive symptom scores increased, HRQoL decreased. Specifically, at high depressive symptoms levels, participants with the marginalization, separation, and assimilation modes had worse HRQoL than did the integration mode, while HRQoL was similar for all acculturation modes at low depressive symptom levels. These findings suggest that future prospective intervention strategies should be considered for not only depressive symptoms levels, but also for different acculturation modes to enhance HRQoL in this population. • Depressive symptoms were negatively associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). • Selected acculturation modes moderated the relationship between depressive symptoms and HRQoL. • The interaction plot indicated an accelerating effect on HRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study examined the effects of an Internet-based Best Exerciser Super Trainer (BEST) program on cardio-metabolic risks and stress among workers with metabolic syndrome. Methods This study utilized a non-randomized, pretest, and posttest, controlled design with a convenience sample of 48 Korean male workers. The workers in the BEST group participated in a 16-week Internet-based program: 150 min of regular physical activity per week, 200- to 300-kcal reduced daily diet for weight control, one-on-one counseling, and mobile phone text messages. Workers in the Education group received text messages and an educational booklet. Results There were significant group by time interactions in cardio-metabolic risks: body weight ( p = .022), visceral fat mass ( p = .033), and waist circumference ( p = .037). There was no group by time interaction in stress ( p > .05); however, the BEST group showed a significantly greater reduction in health-related stress than those in the Education group ( p = .025). Conclusion This study yielded evidence of the beneficial impact of the Internet-based BEST program for workers with metabolic syndrome on selected cardio-metabolic risks and health-related stress. Practice implications Internet-based one-on-one counseling and mobile phone text messages can assist individuals with targeted lifestyle modifications for metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: A quality improvement project was undertaken to determine if an evidence-based educational brochure and reminder system can increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake and dose completion rates. Method: Development of a brochure to promote HPV vaccine uptake was based on predictors of parental acceptance and Health Belief Model concepts. Electronic alerts prompted telephone reminders for dose completion. This quality improvement project utilized a quasi-experimental design with 24 parents of preteen girls from a private pediatric practice and a historical control group of 29 parents. HPV vaccine rates were compared between the groups. Results: A significant difference in HPV vaccine uptake (χ2 = 11.668, P = .001; odds ratio [OR] = 9.429, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.686-33.101) and dose completion (χ2 = 16.171, P < .001; OR = 22.500, 95% CI = 4.291-117.990) rates were found between the historical control and intervention groups. Parents who received the clinical protocol were 9.4 times and 22.5 times more likely to have HPV vaccine uptake and dose completion, respectively. Discussion: Low national HPV vaccine rates demonstrate the need for theory-based vaccine delivery programs. These results show that an evidence-based educational brochure and reminder system appeared to improve HPV vaccine uptake and dose completion rates at this private pediatric practice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: The aims of this study were to review predictors of knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV vaccine, and factors related to HPV vaccine uptake and report a quality assurance project that evaluated HPV vaccine uptake and three-dose completion rates. Methods: The setting was a small private urban pediatric practice. Chart review was used to describe HPV vaccine uptake and dose completion rates in 2007. The convenience sample included 189 girls aged 12 to 21 years with HPV vaccine uptake. Results: During 2007, 153 girls aged 12 to 17 years and 42 girls aged 18 to 21 years were seen at well-child care visits. HPV vaccine uptake was 72% (n = 110) for the younger group and 79% (n = 33) for the older group. There was no significant difference in HPV vaccine uptake by group. One quarter (24%, n = 46) received the HPV vaccine dose at an episodic visit. The dose completion rate was 64% (n = 120). Discussion: HPV vaccine uptake and dose completion rates were higher than rates reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Effective strategies are needed to promote HPV vaccine uptake and dose completion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Junior faculty have multiple roles and need to participate in a variety of activities that increase their likelihood of achieving promotion and tenure. Yet, these faculty often struggle when deciding how and when to expend effort along their career trajectory. In response to the need for structured guidance when setting priorities and making decisions about time management, faculty from a school of nursing at a research university have developed and begun to use a faculty progression tool. Introduced during orientation, this tool helps junior faculty weigh the relative importance of engaging in specific activities by offering a time frame and suggestions for prioritizing and pacing efforts to accomplish critical milestones. Although primarily aimed at tenure stream faculty in a research-intensive environment, this faculty progression tool serves as a model that may be modified for environments with less focus on research. Likewise, it may provide a foundation for development of a similar tool for nontenure stream faculty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes one step in the process that was undertaken to prepare for the introduction of evidence-based practice (EBP) into the curriculum across the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Philosophy programs, as well as the programs that were under development, Clinical Nurse Leader and Doctor of Nursing Practice, at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. Expected research competencies were identified for each level or academic year within each program. Based on these competencies, recommendations on how to modify the curriculum into one that would support students' acquisition and development of the skills necessary to be successful in matriculating through an EBP curriculum were developed. Evaluation mechanisms for the achievement of these competencies vary across the academic programs and will include performance on capstone projects, comprehensive examinations, and program milestones for doctoral students. The establishment of evidence-based competencies provided a foundation for the development of new teaching approaches and the curricular revisions across the three academic programs. Thus, the University of Pittsburgh model of educating for EBP is based on a sequential layering of research competencies throughout the curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]