The effect of therapeutic touch on colic symptoms in infantile colic infants: A randomised controlled study.

AIM: This study aimed to examine the effects of therapeutic touch (TT) on infantile colic symptoms (Infant Colic Scale (ICS) score, crying time and sleep time). METHODS: This randomised controlled trial included infants aged 4-12 weeks diagnosed with infantile colic in a pediatric unit of a hospital. Infants were assigned to intervention or control groups using a stratified randomisation method. The intervention group received TT sessions six times, 3 days a week, in addition to usual care for 2 weeks. The control group received the usual care. Data were collected using Mother-Infant Information Form, ICS, Crying and Sleep Time Follow-Up Forms. The infants were followed up for two weeks. RESULTS: A total of 64 infants who met the criteria were included in the study, including intervention (n = 32) and control (n = 32) groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (intervention and control) in terms of ICS scores (U = 4.5; P < 0.001; d = 3.252; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.505-3.999), crying time (F = 57.097; ŋp 2 = 0.461; P < 0.001) and sleep time (F = 17.884; ŋp 2 = 0.211; P < 0.001). When the intervention group was compared with the control group at all time points, the size of the effect (group × time interaction) was found to be high. CONCLUSIONS: TT effectively relieved symptoms, decreased crying time and increased sleep time in infants with infantile colic. TT is recommended to relieve colic in infants.

A meta-synthesis of the experience of paediatric nurses in communication with children.

AIM: This study aimed to conduct a meta-synthesis to explore the experiences of paediatric nurses in communication with children. METHOD: We conducted a meta-synthesis review, following the outline proposed by Sandelowski, Barrosso & Voils. Our search encompassed six electronic databases, namely PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO (MEDLINE), Web of Science, SAGE, and Wiley. The Primary keywords used were "nurse", "child", "communication", and "qualitative". We included qualitative articles in English within the field of paediatric nursing between 1990 and 2023. Initially, 1980 records were identified which reduced to 1339 references after removing duplicates. Subsequently, we assessed 112 full-text articles for eligibility and 14 relevant studies were ultimately included in our review. Quality appraisal was conducted using the Critical Appraisal Skill Programme checklist with no study being excluded based on quality criteria. Data were synthesized using the qualitative thematic analysis method. RESULTS: The data analysis yielded three themes and seven sub-themes. These themes include swinging between triadic and dyadic communication, applying a hybrid of communication methods, and influential factor in communication. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the significance of establishing a balanced approach between dyadic communication (nurse and child) and triadic communication (nurse-parent-child) in paediatric care. Paediatric nurses emphasized the simultaneous use of verbal and non-verbal methods to enhance effective communication. Additionally, identifying the influential factors in communication can aid in developing and improving nurses' competency in communication skills within paediatric departments. IMPLICATIONS: Understanding the communication process and the factors that influence it can be instrumental in equipping paediatric nurses with enhanced communication skills in their practice. IMPACT: Establishing a balanced approach between dyadic communication (nurse and child) and triadic communication (nurse-parent-child) in paediatric care is crucial. Paediatric nurses emphasized the simultaneous use of verbal and non-verbal methods to enhance effective communication. Identifying the influential factors in communication can aid in developing and improving nurses' competency in communication skills within paediatric departments.

The effect of home environment modification nursing intervention on symptom control, quality of life, and number of triggers in children with allergic rhinitis: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The study was conducted to investigate the effects of a nursing intervention aimed at home environment modification on symptom control, quality of life, and the number of triggers in children with allergic rhinitis. DESIGN AND METHODS: This one-to-one, parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial was conducted with a pre-test/post-test design. The study used stratified sampling method. A total of 52 participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 26) and the control group (n = 26). The intervention group received education on home environment modification and the child was provided with anti-allergic bedding set. The control group continued with routine practices. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: After the nursing intervention for home environment modification, a significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the number of home environment triggers (p < 0.05). According to the mean scores of the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, no significant difference was found between the groups (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the mean scores for nasal discharge, nasal congestion, sneezing, nasal itching, and eye itching (p > 0.05) after the nursing intervention for home environment modification. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the nursing intervention for home environment modification is an effective method in reducing the number of triggers in the home environment. However, no significant impact was observed on symptom control and quality of life. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Awareness can be increased by educating children with allergic rhinitis and their families about triggers in the home environment.

A meta-synthesis of the language of pediatric pain.

AIM: This study aims to conduct a meta-synthesis to explore the language of pain in children. METHOD: We conducted a meta-synthesis, following the outline proposed by Sandelowski. Our search encompassed six electronic databases, namely PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science, SAGE, and Wiley. The Primary keywords used were pediatric pain, pain expression, communication, and qualitative studies. We included articles in English within the field of pediatric nursing between 1989 and 2023. Initially, 563 records were identified which reduced to 508 references after removing duplicates. Subsequently, we assessed 172 full-text articles for eligibility and 10 relevant studies were ultimately included. Quality appraisal was conducted with no study being excluded. Data were synthesized using the qualitative thematic analysis method. RESULTS: The analysis of the data yielded one main theme (the language of pain) and four subthemes. The subthemes were expressive discourse (phonetic expressions, verbal expression, and symbolic expression), subtle gestures of expression (behavioral discrepancies, self-harm, face grimaces, and eye changes), embodied communication (early neonatal to infant movements, older infants movements, and somatic movement), and silent endurance (endurance due to fear of invasive procedure, worrying family, and social isolation). CONCLUSION: From phonetic utterances to nuanced gestures, this study underscores the intricate ways children convey their pain. IMPLICATION: These findings underscore the importance of healthcare practitioners recognizing and interpreting diverse modes of children's pain expression for accurate assessment. Implementing a holistic approach that integrates verbal, nonverbal, and embodied communication can enhance pediatric pain management practices.

Examining the interplay of self-efficacy and emotional autonomy on diabetic control index.

AIM: This study aims to explore the relationship between self-efficacy, emotional autonomy, and diabetic control index in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: From January to September 2023, this cross-sectional study involved 112 adolescents aged 14-18 with type 1 diabetes who were seeking medical check-ups at the Medical Faculty Hospital in Konya, Turkey. Data collection included demographic information, the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale for Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes, the Emotional Autonomy Scale, and diabetic control index values based on their most recent Hemoglobin A1c levels measurement. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software, with statistical significance set at a p-value <0.05. RESULTS: The results showed a good overall self-efficacy score, indicating a balanced level of confidence in diabetes management. The emotional autonomy findings revealed a moderate level of independence, emphasizing a healthy process of differentiation from parents while acknowledging them as individuals. The ability of adolescents to openly discuss their diabetes may be associated with more favorable glycemic outcomes. However, high emotional autonomy was significantly associated with high Hemoglobin A1c levels. CONCLUSION: This study highlights positive outcomes in adolescent diabetes management, with strong self-efficacy and balanced emotional autonomy. Open communication about diabetes correlates with favorable glycemic outcomes, but caution is necessary as high emotional autonomy is linked to elevated Hemoglobin A1c levels. The importance of receiving parental support in managing diabetes, especially in adolescents with high emotional autonomy should be highlighted.

The experiences and coping mechanisms of mothers caring for a child with cerebral palsy.

Mothers caring for a child with cerebral palsy suffer from many physical and psychosocial problems. Their quality of life is significantly lower than mothers with healthy children. The first step in improving these women's quality of life is to improve the understanding of their experiences and coping mechanisms in specific cultural contexts. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the experiences and coping mechanisms of mothers caring for a child with cerebral palsy through a qualitative study conducted in Turkey. The study took place in 2021. Ten mothers were selected to participate through purposeful sampling. Inclusion criteria were mothers who had cared for a child with cerebral palsy for over three years, had no chronic diseases, could speak Turkish fluently, and wanted to participate in the study. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. Two main themes and three categories emerged from the data analysis. The themes were "dedication" and "seeking." The analysis showed that mothers were dedicated as they engaged in all aspects of care. Their coping mechanisms involved self-focused and problem-focused seeking. These mothers must be acknowledged and supported while considering cultural and religious beliefs.

Family-Centered Care Scale in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (FCCS-NICU): Development and psychometrics evaluation.

PURPOSE: The study was conducted to develop FCC Scale in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (FCCS-NICU) and to test its validity and reliability. METHODS: This methodological study was conducted with 484 mothers whose neonates were hospitalized in the NICU of four different hospitals in Konya, Turkey. Data were collected with the mother and neonate information form and FCCS-NICU, and analyzed with Items Analysis, Cronbach's alpha, Exploratory Factor Analysis, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis tests. RESULTS: A 48-item pool was created for the draft FCCS-NICU based on the family-centered care model. The Content Validity Index of the scale was found to be popular opinion 0.95. In the Exploratory Factor Analysis, a four-factor structure with 29 items emerged. These four factors explained 53.23% of the total variance. The subscales were named dignity and respect (7 items), information sharing (9 items), participation in care (5 items), and collaboration with the family (8 items). The parallel form correlation coefficient was 0.80, the test-retest correlation coefficient was 0.76 (p < .001). The Cronbach's Alpha was found 0.94 for a total scale. The Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the four-factor structure. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a valid and reliable scale to evaluate FCC and associated factors in NICU. FCCS-NICU can be used as a tool in descriptive research to assess FCC and identify associated factors. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: It can be used as a tool in experimental studies to develop FCC.

Missed nursing care: A cross-sectional and multi-centric study from Turkey.

AIM: The aim of this study is to explore the extent of missed nursing care in Turkey and identify its predictors. DESIGN: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, multicentre study. METHODS: A total of 477 nurses working in seven public hospitals participated in this study from March to July 2019. The survey included two components: a personal and professional characteristics data form and the MISSCARE survey. RESULTS: The study revealed that emotional support, patient bathing and ambulation were the most frequently missed nursing care activities. An inadequate number of assistive personnel and staff, along with an unexpected increase in patient volume, were identified as the primary reasons for missed nursing care. Of the 21 missed nursing care activities, nine predictive models showed statistical significance (p < 0.05). Factors such as the type of unit, years of work experience, working hours, number of patients cared for in a shift and intention to leave the unit were found to be significant predictors of seven missed nursing care activities (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study found that numerous variables influence each care activity, which suggests the need to devise more targeted and specific strategies to minimize missed nursing care. Thorough investigation into the impact of these strategies on each care activity is essential.

Noise in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Exploring Its State and Solutions.

BACKGROUND: Concerns regarding the environmental noise issue in neonatal units and an interest in developing strategies to reduce this noise have motivated researchers to conduct comprehensive qualitative research to elucidate the current situation and help improve it. PURPOSE: This study aims to explore the current state of noise and possible solutions in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Konya, Turkey. METHODS: In 2021, a descriptive exploratory study was conducted with a qualitative content analysis approach. Eighteen nurses, three physicians, seven staff members, and four mothers were selected to participate in the study via purposeful sampling. The data were collected from two semi-structured interviews, six focus groups, six observations, and sound source level measurements using a sound decibel meter. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Three main themes and seven major categories emerged from the data analysis. The themes were overt and covert sources, pan-negative effects, and holistic modification. All recorded sound levels exceeded the recommended noise level of 45 dB. Fifty-seven percent of sound sources were in the range of 45-65 dB, and 43% were higher than 65 dB. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: This study showed that NICU has a noisy environment with hidden sound sources that can negatively affect all people. This situation must be approached seriously by holistic modification involving environmental modification, behavioral modification, and resource management. It highlighted that each environment is unique and needs to be carefully evaluated to find a suitable and cost-effective solution.

The Family-Centered Care Assessment Scale: Development and Psychometric Evaluation in a Turkish Sample.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a family-centered care assessment scale for the parents of hospitalized children and to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the new scale. METHOD: This is a methodological study carried out in three phases. The study was conducted between on September 2017 and February 2018 with the parents of 360 children treated at the pediatric clinics of two medical faculty hospitals in Konya. DESIGN/METHODS: The study was conducted with parents (n = 360). The data was collected via the Socio-demographic Information Form, the Family-Centered Care Scale (parallel form) and the draft scale developed by the researcher. Data was analyzed by construct validity index, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. End of the exploratory factor analysis FCCAS consisted of 21 items and three sub-dimensions. The content validity index was 0.92. The internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach's Alpha) was 0.94 for the total scale. The strong correlations was found between test and re-test (r = 0.90, p < .001). Confirmatory factor analysis has confirmed the three-factor structure. CONCLUSION: In this study developed family-centered care assessment scale (FCCAS) is a valid and reliable measurement tool. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This scale can be used to evaluate family-centered care in pediatric clinics (excluding neonatal care units). It can be used as a measurement tool in descriptive and intervention studies examining family centered care.

The Experiences of Children with Primary Immunodeficiency Who Receive Immunoglobulin Subcutaneously Instead of Intravenously.

BACKGROUND: Children with primary immunodeficiency disorder have begun receiving subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) instead of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). So, we aim to explore the experiences of primary immunodeficiency children with regard to receiving SCIg instead of IVIg. METHOD: We adopted a phenomenological approach in 2022 in Turkey using semi-structured interviews. We recruited 15 participants using the purposive sampling method. RESULTS: The main theme was the sweetness and bitterness of living with SCIg. The first subtheme was sweetness (sense of freedom, having a normal life, saving time, ease of use, and feeling better). The second subtheme was bitterness (worries about taking responsibility for injection, impaired body image due to abdominal edema, and minimal tolerable complications). DISCUSSION: The results show these children had more sweet experiences than bitter ones. Being flexible in choosing a method, teaching patients to apply it correctly, and providing enough time to cope are as reasons for this.

Establishing a Contextualized Intervention Program for Noise Reduction in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of a contextualized intervention program on the level of noises in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Konya, Turkey. Background: For the healthy development of preterm infants, NICUs should have noise levels within safe limits. Methods: A single-center, before-and-after study design was employed. Participants included one head nurse, four physicians, 42 nurses, six physician assistants, and 14 other staff members. The contextualized intervention program involved environmental modification, behavioral modification, and resource management. Sound level measurements were recorded at two-hour intervals over a week before the program's initiation, after the first cycle, and following the installation of central monitor screens. Data analysis utilized SPSS 25, employing percentile calculations, one-way analysis of variance, and Bonferroni tests. Results: The evaluations in the second level of NICU showed that the noise level recorded on weekday mornings and evenings was significantly lower for the third measurement compared to the first and second measurements. However, at the weekend the noise level recorded in the morning was higher in the second measurement than the first, with no significant difference found for the third measurement. The evaluations in the third level of NICU showed that on weekdays the noise level recorded in the third measurement was significantly lower than in the first and second measurements (p < .05). Conclusion: The implementation of a contextualized noise reduction program in our NICU led to significant improvements in noise levels, particularly during morning and evening shifts.

The effect of drama-supported, patient role-play experience on empathy and altruism levels in nursing students: A randomized controlled study.

AIM: This study aims to determine the effect of drama-supported, patient role-play experiences on the empathy and altruism levels of nursing students. BACKGROUND: Empathy, one of the most important skills of the nursing profession, has an important place in the patient-nurse relationship. To be empathetic, which is acknowledged as the most basic motivation of altruistic behavior, requires recognizing emotional states and understanding the needs of others. DESIGN: The format of this study was a pre-test-post-test, regular parallel-group, randomized, controlled experiment. METHODS: The study data were collected between October 2021 and February 2022. The research was carried out with second-year students at Necmettin Erbakan University, Faculty of Nursing, who did not have any history of hospitalization or any chronic diseases. All subjects agreed to participate in the study (n = 52, intervention group=26, control group 26). Data were collected using a Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Altruism Scale and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy for Nursing Students (JSENS). After a three-hour drama workshop, participants in the intervention group acted out the role of a bed-bound patient in the laboratory environment and no intervention was applied to the control group. A series of Mixed ANOVAs were conducted for the analysis of the data. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 19.94 years (SD = ± 1.31) and 83.7 % of the participants were women. The intervention group showed a significant increase in altruism compared with the control group, as evidenced by higher scores in the Altruism Scale Total Score and a significant group*time interaction effect. However, in the JSENS Total Score, including the perspective taking and standing in patient's shoes sub-dimensions, no differences were observed based on group, time and group * time interactions. CONCLUSION: The patient role-play experience increased the empathy and altruism levels of nursing students, but the effect was not evident at the three-month follow-up.

Examination of the professional values of the nurses and the associated factors.

PURPOSE: This study is conducted to examine the professional values of nurses and their personal and professional characteristics affecting these values. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 369 nurses completed a questionnaire on personal information and nursing professional values scale (NPVS-R). FINDINGS: The total scores of the nurses on the NPVS-R were found to be 100.87 ± 21.07, and the item mean scores were found to be 3.87 ± 0.81. When the scores for individual scale factors were examined, the highest scores were observed for the "caring" (4.02 ± 0.87) and "activism" (3.90 ± 0.89) factors. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The fact that nurses are aware of their individual values and how these values affect their behavior can be a guide in human-focused value nursing planning.

Traditional postpartum practices of women and infants and the factors influencing such practices in South Eastern Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: to gain an understanding of traditional postpartum practices for women and babies, and to investigate the factors influencing such practices. DESIGN: descriptive study. SETTING: Maternity and Children's Hospital in Adiyaman city, Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: 273 women who gave birth at the Maternity and Children's Hospital in Adiyaman city from March to June 2004. FINDINGS: more than half of the 273 women (55.7%) were aged between 25 and 32 years (mean 27.85, standard deviation [SD] 5.45). A total of 22.3% of women were illiterate, and most were unemployed. The most popular practices among new mothers were eating a kind of dessert, called 'Bulamaç' (82.8%). A number of women (69.6%) drank a mixture of grape molasses and butter, 64.5% had their abdomen tightly wrapped, 62.6% were not left alone at home, and more than half of the women (57.9%) avoided sexual intercourse for 40 days after giving birth. Nearly, half of the women (45.4%) fed their babies with water containing sugar just after the birth, and 77.1% of women kept their babies' umbilical cord in a special place. Afterwards, the mothers threw the cords into a river or they buried them in the grounds of a mosque or a school. Most of the mothers (89%) reported that they covered their babies with a yellow cloth in order to protect them from jaundice. A relationship between traditional postpartum practices and demographic characteristics of women was observed. The women's mothers and mothers-in-law (66.7%) usually encouraged such practices. KEY CONCLUSIONS: postpartum care of women and their babies are important cultural practices. Some of these practices may have harmful effects on women and their babies. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: it is important to gain an understanding of cultural beliefs and traditional practices relating to the postpartum care of women and their babies. Midwives and nurses should discuss these findings and their implications when they educate new mothers and their families about contemporary methods of postnatal maternal and infant care.

The effect of disability empathy activity on the attitude of nursing students towards disabled people: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Nurses care for disabled people in society. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of disability empathy activities on strengthening the positive attitudes of nursing students towards disabled people. DESIGN: An experimental study. Pretest-Posttest control group arrangement was used. METHODS: This research has been conducted with 116 nursing students (53 experimental and 63 control). The data were collected with "Attitudes Towards Disabled Persons Scale" (ATDP). RESULTS: Before the experiment, there was no significant difference between ATDP scores of experimental and control groups (p > 0.05). After the experiment, second ATDP scores of experimental group (66.81 ± 14.27) were found to be significantly higher than the scores of control group (59.02 ± 11.71) (p = 0.002). After six months, third ATDP scores of experimental group (63.58 ± 13.46) were also found to be higher than the scores of control group (58.43 ± 11.03) (p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Empathy activities applied to understand disabled people affected the attitudes of student nurses towards disabled people positively.

Turkish version of the revised nursing professional values scale: validity and reliability assessment.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of a Turkish version of the Revised Nursing Professional Values Scale (NPVS-R). METHODS: The sample of this methodological study consisted of 385 participants, including senior undergraduate nursing students (n = 328) and clinical nurses (n = 57). Data was collected using the NPVS-R. For NPVS validity, content validity and construct validity were analyzed. The content validity index (CVI) was used to determine item validity. RESULTS: Item CVI ranged from 0.78 to 1.0, and total CVI was 0.93. Construct validity was examined using factor analysis and the five factors were identified as original NPVS-R. Chronbach's alpha was used to assess the internal consistency reliability. The 26-item NPVS had a standardized alpha coefficient of 0.92. Test-retest reliability scale was r = 0.76 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our analyses showed that the Turkish version of NPVS-R has high validity and reliability.

Social support and symptoms of postpartum depression among new mothers in Eastern Turkey.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between symptoms of postpartum depression and social support in new mothers in a semi-rural province (Malatya) of Eastern Turkey. METHODS: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The study was conducted with a 12-item Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) questionnaire, a 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire, and a 16-item demographic/obstetric questionnaire designed by the authors. 364 women who were between 6 to 48 weeks postpartum were included in the study. RESULTS: Symptoms of postpartum depression were negatively correlated with social support (-0.39, P = 0.000). The frequency of the prevalence of symptoms of postpartum depression was 33.2%. The study showed that EPDS mean score was related to several factors, including age, woman's education, woman's occupation, socioeconomic status of family, spouse's education, number of years married, parity, planned pregnancy, method of delivery, knowledge of infant care, sharing of problems with a close person, past psychiatric history and family support during the postnatal period in an Eastern province of Turkey. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of postpartum depression were negatively correlated among Turkish women living in the Malatya province of Eastern Turkey and were associated with the level of social support. The prevalence of postpartum depression was higher than in the published reports regarding most regions of Turkey, with the exception of Northeastern Turkey.