The relationship between self-care behaviours regarding arteriovenous fistula and the fear of fistula failure in individuals receiving haemodialysis treatment.

Background: Many problems regarding the self-care behaviours of haemodialysis patients are recognised; however, the fear experienced by the patients cannot be adequately explained. Aims: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between self-care behaviours related to arteriovenous fistula and fear of fistula failure in individuals receiving haemodialysis treatment. Methods: In this descriptive and relational study, 259 patients who met the inclusion criteria constituted the sample of the study. A multiple regression analysis enter model was used to evaluate the predictive power of the Self-Care Behaviours in Arteriovenous Fistula Scale. Results: It was found that the primary source of fear related to the fistula was the fear of fistula failure with a rate of 79.5%, and the patients who had this fear had a lower mean self-care scale score. The variables account for 12% of the self-care situation, and it is seen that the model is significant. Conclusions: It was concluded that increasing the fear of failure decreased the self-care score. This study is important for raising awareness among nurses regarding the fear of fistula failure. Nurses must provide appropriate care for vascular access and try to alleviate patients' anxiety and fears by listening to them.

Topical menthol for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a randomised controlled trial in breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) symptom is one of the side effects of paclitaxel in breast cancer patients. This randomised controlled study was conducted to investigate the effect of topical menthol applied on the hands and feet of breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy on CIPN symptoms. METHODS: 60 breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=30), which received topical menthol treatment, or a control group (n=30), which received standard care. Both groups continued their routine pharmacological treatments throughout the study. The intervention group applied 1% menthol topically to their hands and feet two times a day. The effect of the intervention on CIPN symptoms was evaluated 3 weeks and 6 weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: The intervention group showed a significantly greater improvement in CIPN symptoms over time compared with the control group, with an effect size of η2=0.214 for the group×time interaction. Additionally, the intervention group exhibited a notable positive change in the exposure subscale of the CIPN rating scale, with an effect size of η2=0.114. CONCLUSIONS: Topical application of menthol significantly mitigates the symptoms of CIPN in breast cancer patients. This study supports the use of menthol as an effective adjunctive treatment for CIPN. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05429814.

Long-term smell loss experiences after COVID-19: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Sudden smell loss is one of the early symptoms of COVID-19. Although it is stated that the loss of smell and taste following COVID-19 improves within a few weeks, there are also cases that do not improve for a long time. The aim of this study is to reveal long-term smell loss experiences after COVID-19. METHODS: A qualitative approach was adopted. We conducted semistructured interviews with 11 participants who had smell loss for at least 3 months. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and evaluated using a thematic analysis for qualitative data. RESULTS: Nutrition and appetite, personal hygiene, threats to safety and emotional changes were the main themes created by the authors and were the areas where participant expressions focused. The participants used oral/nasal corticosteroid therapy for smell loss and received short-term olfactory training, but could not find a solution. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term smell loss problems, which were neglected during the pandemic period, should be carefully evaluated due to their negative effects. Understanding and focusing on the negative effects of loss of smell may contribute to the solution of long-term smell loss problems. PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Eleven participants who experienced long-term loss of smell following COVID-19 contributed to the study. They enriched the study by describing the effects of their experiences. There was no other participation or contribution from the public to the research.

The Effect of Using Virtual Reality Glasses on Anxiety and Fatigue in Women with Breast Cancer Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy: A Pretest-Posttest Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of using virtual reality glasses on anxiety and fatigue in women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. DATA SOURCES: A total of 66 women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. The intervention group watched and listened to beach and nature content with virtual reality glasses for 30 minutes. The control group also received standard care. An Introductory Information Form, the State Anxiety Scale, and the Cancer Fatigue Scale were used for data collection. The scales were administered to the groups before the intervention, followed by practice or standard care, and then the scales were re-administered. All patients were evaluated for each cycle over four cycles. CONCLUSION: In the intervention group, the mean post-application anxiety scores decreased compared with the mean pretest scores, and the mean posttest anxiety scores decreased from the first cycle to the last cycle. In addition, the mean post-test anxiety scores of the intervention group were found to be lower in all four cycles than the mean post-test anxiety scores of the control group. In the intervention group, the mean post-test fatigue and subscales scores decreased in all cycles compared with the mean pre-test scores. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This research has shown that the use of virtual reality glasses is effective in reducing anxiety and fatigue scale scores and their subscales in patients with breast cancer. For this reason, it is recommended to introduce the use of virtual reality glasses to patients and to present their use according to patients' preferences.

Peripheral neuropathy and lifestyle factors in women with breast cancer receiving taxane-based chemotherapy: Pathway analysis.

PURPOSE: Peripheral neuropathy adversely affects the treatment process of cancer, and thus it is important to reveal the factors leading to peripheral neuropathy and to take the necessary precautions to avoid it. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and lifestyle factors (nutrition, physical activity and sleep quality). METHODS: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 108 individuals who were treated in the chemotherapy unit of a hospital between April 2021 and April 2022 in Turkey. Data were collected using the Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool (CIPNAT), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Mini Nutritional Assessment Test (MNA), and the sleep level Visual Analog Scale. Number, percentages, means, and standard deviations were calculated, and multiple linear regression analysis and path analysis were conducted to analyze the data. RESULTS: The results indicate that the total MET score significantly and positively predicted the sleep scale score (ß = 0.24, p < 0.01), while it negatively and significantly predicted the CIPNAT score (ß = -0.30, p < 0.001). In addition, both the MNA screening score and the sleep scale score significantly and negatively predicted the CIPNAT score (ß = -0.25, p < 0.01, ß = -0.29, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle factors (exercise, nutrition, sleep) were found to have an effect on peripheral neuropathy. It is thought that increasing the level of exercise improves sleep quality, and regular nutrition, quality sleep and increased physical activity may be effective in reducing peripheral neuropathy.

Posttreatment Experiences of Breast Cancer Survivors in Turkey: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the posttreatment experiences of breast cancer survivors in Turkey. DATA SOURCES: The study was conducted in Turkey between February 2020 and April 2020 with 18 breast cancer survivors who completed the treatment process. The data were collected using the individual in-depth interview method with the semi-structured interview form. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the data were analyzed using the seven-step Colaizzi method. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was used to report the study. CONCLUSION: Four main themes emerged in the study which are symptom management, emotional responses, change in life, and challenges in health care. The cancer survivors in Turkey reported that moral values had more meaning for them after treatment, they started to feel extremely worried about their children, they tried to manage their own processes with the information they themselves gained and with some support systems, and they experienced radical changes in their family and social relations. In addition, cancer survivors criticized the inadequacy of health care services, including relapse follow-up after the treatment process. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This study provides an overview of the lived experiences of posttreatment breast cancer survivors in Turkey. The findings of this study can be used to better understand breast cancer survivors, identify their needs based on their experience, and develop interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Sleep of Intensive Care Patients: A Qualitative Study Based on Experiences of Nurses.

BACKGROUND: Intensive care patients experience a high rate of poor sleep quality. As the sleep quality is improved with nursing practices, patients' recovery and the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) may be positively influenced, and patients may benefit from treatment and care at the highest level. Therefore, it is important to explore the experiences and evaluation of nurses working in ICUs. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to explore the experiences and evaluations of ICU nurses about patients' sleep. METHODS: The study is a qualitative study conducted in a descriptive phenomenological design. The data were collected using the individual in-depth interview method with the semistructured interview form. Thematic analysis was performed to analyze the data. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was used. RESULTS: The analysis revealed 4 main themes, which are (1) importance of sleep, (2) evaluation of sleep, (3) reasons for poor sleep, and (4) sleep promotion interventions. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that nurses are aware of the importance of sleep; however, they do not evaluate sleep and try to improve sleep quality only based on their own knowledge and experience rather than on evidence-based approaches. However, their interventions are not sufficient and they are restricted because of physical conditions and intensive care procedures.

The long-term impacts of preterm birth and associated morbidities on bone health in preschool children: a prospective cross-sectional study from Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of preterm birth on bone health in preschool children. METHODS: A total of 166 preschool children (aged 7-8 years) born preterm (n = 86, <37-week gestation) and at term (n = 80, ≥37 weeks of gestation) in our hospital were included in this prospective cross-sectional study. Data on antenatal, perinatal, and early postnatal characteristics and maternal obstetric history were obtained from medical records. Bone densitometry data including total bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD; total, lumbar, and femoral), z-scores, and bone loss were collected for each participant. RESULTS: Current height, weight, and BMI values were significantly lower in the preterm group (p < .001). Serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels did not differ among groups, whereas VitD3 levels were significantly higher in the preterm group (p = .039). The mean total BMC, total BMD, lumbar (L2-L4) BMD, femur BMD, total z-score, and L2-L4 z-score values were significantly lower for the preterm group, whereas the total, lumbar, and femoral bone loss were significantly higher (p < .001), regardless of the severity of prematurity. Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and retinopathy were significantly associated with lower total BMC (p = .004, p = .012, respectively). Fortified breastfeeding was associated with lumbar bone loss (p = .043), and formula feeding was associated with both femur and lumbar bone loss (p = .006, p = .012, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed long-term adverse effects of preterm birth on bone health, with significantly lower anthropometric values (weight, height, and BMI), lower scores for total BMC, BMD (total, lumbar, femoral), and z-scores (total, femur), along with higher bone loss (total, lumbar, femoral) and higher rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis in preschool children born preterm (whether moderate or very preterm) compared with those born at term. Exclusive breastfeeding appears to reduce the likelihood of long-term bone loss in preterm infants.

The effect of slow-stroke back massage on chemotherapy-related fatigue in women with breast cancer: An assessor blinded, parallel group, randomized control trial.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled parallel-group trial was conducted to investigate the effect of slow-stroke back massage (SSBM) on the level of fatigue in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: Sixty-four women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy were randomly assigned to SSBMG (n:32), who received SSBM, and CG (n:32), who received routine treatment only. Women with breast cancer in the intervention group received SSBM for a total of 20 min, 10 min before and after each chemotherapy infusion (2nd, 3rd, and 4th cycle). The Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) was completed before and after three cycles of chemotherapy (2nd, 3rd, and 4th) to assess the level of fatigue in women with breast cancer. RESULTS: After using SSBM, the BFI score was significantly lower in SSBMG than in CG (p 0.001) at all three-time points (1st, 2nd, and 3rd-time points). While the within-group change (Δ) in SSBMG differed significantly between time points (p = 0.018, η2 = 0.14), in contrast, the within-group change (Δ) in CG was found not to differ between time points. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that SSBM, one of the non-pharmacological methods, has a positive effect on the level of fatigue in women with breast cancer.

Determinants of physical activity level of people living in rural areas according to the transtheoretical model: regression and path analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigates the relationship between the physical activities of adults living in rural areas and each component of the Transtheoretical Model. METHODS: This descriptive and relational study was conducted with 315 individuals at a rural clinic in Turkey. Data were collected using tools for evaluating the Transtheoretical Model, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis, multiple regression analysis, and path analysis were used in statistical analyses. RESULTS: Of the individuals living in rural areas, 59.1% were inactive, and 42.4% of the individuals were in the precontemplation stage. The mean exercise self-efficacy score was low, and pros subdimension of decisional balance was at an insufficient level. According to path analysis, perceived self-efficacy and stage of change for exercise were the variables that had a significant effect on physical activity (the metabolic equivalent of task score). CONCLUSION: The Transtheoretical Model is a strategic approach to improving exercise behavior in rural areas, and the prerequisites of health promotion such as enhancing education, income, and opportunities will contribute to the popularization of exercise.