The effect of itching on sleep quality and comfort in patients with hemodialysis and renal transplantation: A multi-center cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of itching on sleep quality and comfort in hemodialysis (HD) and renal transplant (Tx) patients with itching. METHODS: This descriptive, correlational seeking and cross-sectional study was conducted in four hospitals affiliated with a private health group in Istanbul between April and June 2021. The sample of the study consisted of 42 patients receiving HD treatment and 49 patients with renal transplantation. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, 5-D Itch Scale, Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire and General Comfort Questionnaire. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the HD and renal transplantation groups in the Direction (p = 0.01) and Disability dimension (p = 0.002) of the 5- D Itch scale in favor of the renal transplant group. The mean sleep quality and comfort scores of the groups were similar and moderate. Itching negatively affects sleep quality in patients receiving HD treatment, and 22 % of the change in sleep quality is explained by disability of itching (R2 = 0.22; p = 0.002). Itching negatively affects comfort in both groups. Itching explains 27 % of the change in comfort level in the HD group (R2 = 0.27; p = 0.002) and 25 % of the change in comfort level in the renal transplantation group (R2 = 0.25; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: According the study results during the hemodialysis treatment process, itching is more intense in terms of distribution and disability and affects the quality of sleep of patients. Itching has a significant impact on patients' perception of comfort. Patients experience itching both during HD treatment and after renal transplantation, which significantly impairs their comfort. Therefore, itching should be carefully monitored during renal replacement therapy and its effects on patients should be evaluated.

Effects of Long-term Administration of Inhaled Lavender During Hemodialysis on Patients' Invasive Pain, Anxiety, and Comfort During Cannulation: A Single-blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Context: Although a number of studies have shown that lavender administered via inhalation can decrease the invasive pain and anxiety experienced by hemodialysis (HD) patients during cannulation, the evaluation has mostly been on the short-term effectiveness of lavender oil. Also, no study has evaluated the effects of lavender on comfort level. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the long-term effectiveness of lavender oil, when administered via an inhaler during HD sessions, on a patient's experience of invasive pain, anxiety, and comfort during access to the fistula. Design: The research team designed a prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Setting: The study took place in an HD unit of a public hospital in Kirklareli, Turkey. Participants: Participants were 24 patients receiving HD in the unit between January and March 2021. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Pure lavender essence was diluted with sweet almond oil at a ratio of 1:10. Before the cannulation procedure at 12 HD sessions, three drops of a 1:10 mixture were placed on sterile gauze and held at a distance of about 10 cm from the participant's nose to ensure its inhalation before the fistula puncture with the needle. No extra procedure was performed for the control group. Outcome Measures: Participants completed a visual analogue scale (VAS) right after puncture of the fistula during each HD session. The STAI and HD Comfort Scale were scored at baseline prior to the first HD session and postintervention at the twelfth HD session. Results: The VAS (P < .001) and state anxiety scores (P = .027) were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group at all time points, except at baseline. The comfort scale in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < .05). Conclusions: Lavender aromatherapy could be a good option for reducing the pain, anxiety, and discomfort level of HD patients.

Experiences of health professionals diagnosed with COVID-19 in coping with the disease.

AIM: This study evaluates the experiences of health professionals diagnosed with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in coping with the disease. BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals faced various physical and psychological difficulties. Many of them were also infected with COVID-19. METHODS: This study used a descriptive phenomenological approach and was conducted between May and June 2020. The participants were 24 health professionals who were diagnosed with COVID-19. Data were collected by phone using semistructured and in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method with the support of MAXQDA software. RESULTS: After the data analysis, the primary codes were extracted, and subthemes were created by categorizing these codes. The subthemes were organized, and themes were created. From the perspective of the participants, four main themes emerged: effects of the disease process on the participants, feelings of the disease process, differences in being infected with COVID-19 as a health professional, and ways to cope with the disease. CONCLUSION: The reactions of the people around them, their feelings and experiences, and their environmental and institutional support systems affected the ways health professionals coped with COVID-19. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH POLICY AND NURSING: Health managers should provide medical, psychosocial, and legal resources as soon as possible so that health professionals diagnosed with COVID-19 can receive the treatment and care that they need. COVID-19 should be considered an occupational disease by health professionals all over the world.

The Effect of Standardized Patient Simulation Prior to Mental Health Rotation on Nursing Students' Anxiety and Communication Skills.

Mental health clinical practices may be a source of anxiety for nursing students. Anxiety may have a negative impact not only on learning but also on therapeutic relationships with patients. This study was conducted with a semiexperimental pretest-posttest control group design. The sample of the study consisted of nursing students from two different universities (N = 85). After theoretical lectures for the intervention and control groups, the intervention group participated in a standardized patient simulation. After this, the intervention group had decreased anxiety and improved communication skills. In conclusion, prior to mental health clinical practices, standardized patient simulation may help nursing students gain experience.

Effects of Creative Arts Intervention on Anxiety, Depression and Sleep Quality Among Bone Marrow Transplantation Patients During Protective Isolation.

BACKGROUND: Protective isolation remains part of the standard of care for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant in many places of the world. The consequences of protective isolation include increased anxiety and depressive symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of creative interventions performed during the protective isolation period on anxiety, depression symptoms, and sleep quality of patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT). INTERVENTIONS/METHODS: This study was a randomized, controlled, pre-post pilot design. A total of 20 patients made up the sample group. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 9) or control group (n = 11). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was applied to patients on the first day of admission to the unit and on the day of discharge. Questions prepared by researchers on sleep quantity and quality were administered every day during the patients' hospitalization. The patients in the experimental group carried out creative arts intervention for a total of 60 minutes a day, 3 to 4 days a week, while they were in the unit. RESULTS: There was no difference in depression, anxiety, and sleep quality scores between the groups after intervention. However, depression and anxiety scores significantly decreased after the intervention in the experimental group, and sleep quality scores improved significantly. CONCLUSION: Creative arts intervention may be beneficial for anxiety, depression, and sleep problems among patients undergoing BMT. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Creative arts intervention is effective in coping with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems that patients may experience due to social isolation during the BMT process.

Knowledge levels, attitudes, and perceptions of individuals with different demographic characteristics on COVID-19: The case of Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the knowledge levels, attitudes and perceptions of people with different demographic characteristics on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). DESIGN AND METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study used snowball sampling technique and to the study take 32 participants. Data were collected via phone interview method between the fifth and the sixth weeks of COVID-19 pandemic. FINDINGS: Interviews were analyzed under three main themes (Knowledge level/attitudes and behaviors/perceptions) and nine sub-themes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Knowledge level of the participants was high. Participants underlined the importance of staying at home during the pandemic and expressed important changes in their life styles and professional life.

Noise levels in the dialysis unit and its relationship with sleep quality and anxiety in patients receiving HD: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: HD unit is a noisy environment for patients, and noise can affect anxiety levels and sleep quality. METHODS: The aim of the study is to determine noise level, the relationship between noise levels, and sleep quality and anxiety in patients in HD unit. A descriptive and observational study design was used. Three Benetech GM1351 manual sound-level meters were used to measure noise. A patient information form, the State Anxiety Inventory, and the modified Post-Sleep Inventory were used for data collection. RESULTS: The noise range detected in the HD unit ranges from 48.40 to 72 dB(A). Our findings show that patients in the HD unit are exposed to high noise levels and the noise significantly negatively impacts quality of sleep and anxiety level of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to be aware that HD patients are constantly exposed to high levels of noise and to plan nursing interventions to reduce this noise level.

The Effect of Motivational Interviewing on Adherence to Treatment and Quality of Life in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of motivational interviewing (MI) on adherence to treatment and quality of life in chronic hemodialysis patients. This study was conducted with a randomized controlled pretest, posttest, and follow-up design from March to July 2016 in the hemodialysis center. After the intervention (n = 30) and control groups (n = 30) completed a pretest, patients in the intervention group received four individual face-to face MI sessions per month. Then both groups participated in a posttest, 3 months after which a follow-up was conducted. A significant increase in adherence to treatment (according to both subjective and objective data) was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group. No significant difference was found between the two groups in their quality of life scores; however, within the experimental group, there was a significant increase in these scores between the posttest and the 3-month follow-up.