Search

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate factors associated with facial pressure injury (FPI) in patients receiving non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) during hospitalisation in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to identify predictors of FPI. Background: Non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation is a method of treating patients with acute and chronic respiratory failure. However, FPI may occur due to unsuitable nasal‐oral NIPPV masks and discomfort in contact with the skin surface. Design: A retrospective case–control study. Methods: From January 2018 to October 2020, a total of 397 patients admitted to a national hospital in Taiwan were enrolled. Patients received NIPPV and routinely used under‐mask prophylactic dressings during hospitalisation. Patients were divided into the non‐FPI group (n = 357) and the FPI group (n = 40). Demographic, clinical characteristics, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II scores, and Braden Scale scores were collected from medical records. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the contribution of each factor to the FPI, and odds ratios were reported. The STROBE checklist was used in this retrospective case–control study. Results: There were significant differences between the groups in age, serum albumin, C‐reactive protein, body mass index (BMI), disease severity, Braden Scale score, length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation and use of corticosteroids. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk factor for FPI was the Braden Scale score [OR = 1.630 (1.176–2.260)], BMI [OR = 0.396 (0.210–1.784)] and corticosteroids [OR = 0.394 (0.159–1.811)], which were predictors of FPI in patients with NIPPV. Conclusions: Facial pressure injury may still occur in patients who routinely use prophylactic dressings under NIPPV masks. This study provides information on continuing education training for FPI to more accurately identify high‐risk and timely preventive measures to reduce FPI. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Addressing FPI‐related factors to prevent facial skin damage and reduce comorbidities in patients using NIPPV masks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of cryotherapy with frozen gloves for the prevention of the chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy of the hand. Background: Most breast cancer patients receive chemotherapy; consequently, patients frequently experience adverse effects of chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy. Methods: A quasi‐experimental and prospective self‐controlled study was conducted. Breast cancer patients wore frozen glove on the dominant hand for 90 min during their weekly treatment with paclitaxel (80 mg/m2). Treatment of the dominant hand, the intervention group, was continued for 12 weeks. The non‐dominant hand was considered the control group. Results: A total of 22 patients participated in this study, and only one patient did not reach the cumulative dose (960 mg/m2). Findings show that the incidences of sensory and motor symptoms of chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathies at the following times (Time 1 to Time 4) were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group. However, although the incidences of motor symptoms were lower in the experimental group than in the control group, a significant difference was shown only at Time 4. Additionally, both groups of patients reported that their incidence of sensory symptoms were higher than those of motor symptoms. Conclusion: Cryotherapy with frozen gloves is useful in reducing both the sensory and motor symptoms of the chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy of the hands. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Most breast cancer patients receive chemotherapy; consequently, patients frequently experience adverse effects of the chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy.Previous studies have indicated that cryotherapy (frozen gloves or shocks) may effectively reduce chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy associated with the use of paclitaxel. However, there is limited evidence for the effective treatment of chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy. What this paper adds? Paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathy is frequently observed in patients with breast cancer and cryotherapy may effectively reduce this.The study results show that cryotherapy with frozen gloves can effectively alleviate the sensory and motor symptoms of the hands in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy.Moreover, we also found that breast cancer patients reporting sensory symptoms had higher motor symptoms during treatment with paclitaxel. The implication of this paper: Cryotherapy is a simple, safe, and effective strategy to prevent chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with breast cancer who receive paclitaxel treatment.Moreover, a reduction in group effects may increase the willingness of patients to receive chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of the present study were to investigate changes in QOL in post-stroke patients during the first 3 months of rehabilitation treatment. We estimate minimal detectable changes (MDCs) and minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) of the eight dimensions of QOL and assess the proportion of patients' change scores that exceed MDCs and MCIDs in stroke survivors who receive rehabilitation in a hospital ward. This prospective cohort study enrolled 40 stroke survivors (57.5% male; M age = 58.3 years) who received in-hospital rehabilitation for a total of 3 months. The Stroke Impact Scale 3.0, which has eight subscales—strength, activities of daily living (ADLs)/instrumental ADLs (IADLs), mobility, hand function, communication, memory and thinking, emotion, and social participation—was used for assessment on the third day of rehabilitation (Time 1), 1 month later (Time 2), and 3 months later (Time 3). Our findings indicated that the MDC95 and MCID proportions varied from 7.5% to 30% and 7.5% to 65%, respectively, of individuals who exhibited change based on individual change scores. The findings show compliance with MDC and MCID values in physical function, with the lowest proportion in hand function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the factors affecting the relationship between stress and anxiety in critically ill patients. A cross-sectional research paradigm was employed to enroll patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of a medical university hospital. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine the data. A total of 90 ICU patients were included in this study; 56 were men and 34 were women. The patients' mean age was 65.3 years. Only the emotional responses dimension of illness was significantly positively correlated with stress. However, the emotional responses dimension of illness representation, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation system (APACHE) score, age, and education level were significantly positively correlated with anxiety. Nevertheless, treatment control was significantly negatively correlated with anxiety. Overall, illness representations (emotional responses and treatment control), APACHE score, age, and education were important predictors of anxiety, with an explanatory power of 37.9%. We recommend that for clinically relevant practice, besides focusing on ICU patients' illness representation, attention should also be paid to their individual characteristics, such as differences in age and education levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To determine whether interventions that use the Specific Thematic Nursing Care Action Modules (STNC‐AM) platform improve patients' psychological health over a two‐month period. Background: Stroke survivors often are left with a disability after a stroke, which can have an impact on their physical and mental health. Therefore, it is necessary for stroke patients to have tailored programmes in the face of post‐stroke mental health concerns and the need for care information. Design: A non‐randomised controlled pilot study was conducted. Methods: Participants included 44 post‐stroke patients at a medical university hospital, between 1 August 2019–28 February 2021, of whom 24 were assigned to the control group and 20 were assigned to the intervention (STNC‐AM). Data were analysed on an intention‐to‐treat basis. We used the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Checklist (case–control studies) for this study. Results: There were no statistical differences between the two groups at baseline. At the end of two months, however, the scores for resilience, depression and positive factors illness representation were statistically different between the two groups (p <.05). The results of the generalised estimating equation model analysis indicated that resilience and anxiety remained more significant in decreasing depression in the intervention group than in the control group. Conclusion: This preliminary trial suggests that, although action modules may be associated with a decrease in depression post‐stroke, part of this effect was likely associated with an increase in resilience and a decrease in anxiety of the patients. Relevance to clinical practice: The STNC‐AM platform provides a coaching platform that helps patients and caregivers to be effective and accessible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the metabolic syndrome severity Z -score and kidney function by gender. We also examined the estimated glomerular filtration rate in relation to other known risk factors. The study used was a population-based prospective longitudinal research design. A total of 4,838 participants (2,683 females and 2,155 males) included individuals aged >30 years who were undergoing a health examination from 2006 to 2014 in Pingzhen City, Taiwan. In the initial generalized estimated equation model analysis, which included the covariates of age of first visit, period between the first and current visit, and metabolic syndrome severity Z -score, the results indicated that the interaction between age and metabolic syndrome severity Z -score is significantly related to the estimated glomerular filtration rate for males (p =.040). For females, the interaction between age and metabolic syndrome severity Z -score was not significant, but a higher metabolic syndrome severity Z -score was significantly associated with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (p =.001). After controlling for the confounders, unhealthy behaviors, and comorbidities, the metabolic syndrome severity Z -score was still a negative predictor of estimated glomerular filtration rate in both the male (p =.005) and female (p =.023) models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To examine the relationships among nursing students' perceived nursing image, caring behaviours and gender‐friendliness barriers to determine whether gender‐friendliness barriers affect nursing image and caring behaviour among male nursing students. Background: Because caring is typically seen as a feminine trait, male nurses face gender‐role strains in the current nursing environment. Gender‐friendliness barriers may have an impact on the vital relationship between professional nursing image and caring behaviour. Design: This study used a quantitative and cross‐sectional research design. Methods: Participants were 141 male students who had obtained at least 1 month of clinical practice experience. We collected data using three instruments: The Caring Assessment Report Evaluation Q‐sort (CARE‐Q), Gender‐Friendliness Barriers in Nursing Programs (GFB‐NP), and Nursing Image—as a Profession Questionnaire (NIPQ). Data were collected from August 2016–July 2017. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) with bootstrapping was used to test the hypothesis model. Results: The full model results indicated a direct positive and significant path from professional nursing image to caring behaviour (β = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.32 to 0.61, t = 6.19, p < 0.001). Gender‐friendliness barriers had a direct and significant negative relationship between professional nursing image (β = −0.31, 95% CI = −0.49 to −0.12, t = 3.17, p < 0.01) and caring behaviour (β = −0.18, 95% CI = −0.35 to −0.02, t = 2.18, p < 0.05). In addition, the variable of student‐perceived barriers to gender‐friendliness was indirectly and significantly negatively related to caring behaviour (β = −0.15, 95% CI = −0.27 to −0.05, t = 2.57, p < 0.05) through professional nursing image. Conclusion: Male nursing students with a higher nursing image engage in greater caring behaviour. Gender‐friendliness barriers, however, decrease students' nursing image and caring behaviour. Relevance to clinical practice: As applied to nursing education, the goal should be to improve male nursing students' caring behaviours and professional nursing image and decrease gender‐friendliness barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]