Fear of Relapse Scale: Spanish version and psychometric characteristics in a sample of patients with Relapsing-Remitting multiple sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Relapses are a hallmark of multiple sclerosis, being a characteristic feature of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The occurrence of a relapse constitutes a source of significant discomfort that impacts all domains of daily life of patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). In this study we first explored the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Fear of Relapse Scale (FoR) in a sample of patients with RRMS. Besides, we explored the relationship between the Fear of Relapse Scale with fatigue and cognitive perceived deficits in our PwMS sample. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted on 173 MS patients from 12 Spanish-speaking countries (Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Dominican Republic, Spain, Cuba, Colombia, Guatemala, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and El Salvador). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to assess the factor structure of the scale. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the effects of health self-perception, fatigue, and perceived cognitive deficits over fear of relapse. RESULTS: The three-factor model in the CFA yielded a good model fit (χ2/df = 2.25, P < .001, RMSEA = .078, CFI = .91). McDonalds' Omega of the FoR (Spanish version) was .91. There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between FoR and health self-perception, and a positive correlation between FoR, fatigue, and perceived cognitive deficits. Finally, level of fatigue was a predictor of fear of relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the Fear of Relapse Scale is a valid and reliable instrument to explore the experience of fear of relapse in patients with RRMS.

Knowledge and beliefs about dementia among the general public: A preliminary report on the Cuban population.

BACKGROUND: The number of people diagnosed with dementia globally has dramatically increased in recent years. The objective of this study was to explore beliefs and knowledge among the Cuban population with regard to the risk factors that may lead to dementia and the actions that may be taken to prevent it. METHOD: In an exploratory cross-sectional study, we surveyed a total of 391 people aged between 18 and 96 years. The results were stratified by sex, age range, level of education, and contact with dementia. RESULTS: Dementia was the fourth most worrying disease. A total of 64.5% of participants believed that the risk of dementia could be reduced, and 60% that the appropriate time to begin prevention measures is after the age of 40. Cognitive stimulation and healthy diet were more frequently cited as useful activities to reduce risk. Survey respondents reported little presence in their lifestyle of behaviours that are beneficial for reducing the risk of dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Although dementia is an important health issue for respondents, their knowledge about disease prevention is still insufficient. The results obtained constitute a starting point for the design of policies aimed at increasing knowledge about the disease and improving prevention.

Conocimiento público y creencias sobre las demencias: un estudio preliminar en la población cubana / Knowledge and beliefs about dementia among the general public: A preliminary report on the Cuban population

Introducción: El número de personas diagnosticadas con demencia a escala global se ha incrementado drásticamente en los últimos años. El propósito del presente estudio fue explorar las creencias y el conocimiento existente en la población cubana sobre los factores de riesgo que pueden conducir a la demencia y las acciones que pueden llevarse a cabo para su prevención.MétodoSe realizó un estudio exploratorio transversal. Se encuestó a 391 personas, con un rango de edad entre los 18 y 96 años. Los resultados se estratificaron atendiendo a las variables sexo, rango de edad, escolaridad y contacto con demencia.ResultadosLa demencia se ubicó como la cuarta enfermedad más preocupante para los participantes. El 64,5% consideró que el riesgo de demencia podía ser reducido y el 60% que la edad idónea para iniciar la prevención es posterior a los 40 años. La estimulación cognitiva y la dieta saludable fueron señaladas con más frecuencia como actividades útiles para reducir el riesgo, existiendo además poca presencia en el estilo de vida de los encuestados, de comportamientos que resultan beneficiosos para la reducción del riesgo de presentar demencia.ConclusionesLa investigación constató que aunque la demencia constituye un tema de salud importante para los encuestados, todavía no se tiene suficiente conocimiento sobre las acciones a realizar para reducir el riesgo de presentarla. Los resultados obtenidos constituyen un punto de partida para el diseño de políticas dirigidas a potenciar el conocimiento sobre la demencia y su prevención. (AU)

Background: The number of people diagnosed with dementia globally has dramatically increased in recent years. The objective of this study was to explore beliefs and knowledge among the Cuban population with regard to the risk factors that may lead to dementia and the actions that may be taken to prevent it.MethodIn an exploratory cross-sectional study, we surveyed a total of 391 people aged between 18 and 96 years. The results were stratified by sex, age range, level of education, and contact with dementia.ResultsDementia was the fourth most worrying disease. A total of 64.5% of participants believed that the risk of dementia could be reduced, and 60% that the appropriate time to begin prevention measures is after the age of 40. Cognitive stimulation and healthy diet were more frequently cited as useful activities to reduce risk. Survey respondents reported little presence in their lifestyle of behaviours that are beneficial for reducing the risk of dementia.ConclusionsAlthough dementia is an important health issue for respondents, their knowledge about disease prevention is still insufficient. The results obtained constitute a starting point for the design of policies aimed at increasing knowledge about the disease and improving prevention. (AU)

Moduladores psicológicos relacionados con el progreso de la capacidad funcional en pacientes afectados por accidente cerebrovascular / Psychological modulators related to the progress of functional capacity in patients affected by stroke

Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la relación existente entre las variables emocionales, el bienestar subjetivo, la resiliencia y el optimismo con el progreso de la capacidad funcional en pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular Material y métodos: Se diseñó un estudio transeccional descriptivo. Se evaluó un total de 20 pacientes. Se caracterizaron las variables psicológicas y su relación con el progreso de la capacidad funcional por medio de la tasa real de ganancia funcional (TRGF). Resultados: Las emociones experimentadas con mayor frecuencia fueron ansiedad y miedo, mostrándose valores bajos de bienestar subjetivo (relacionados con la dimensión autoimagen saludable). El empleo de la TRGF reveló la existencia de 2 subgrupos dentro de la muestra de pacientes. La capacidad funcional mostró relación con variables psicológicas. En el primer subgrupo (con puntuaciones de TRGF por debajo de 0,8) mostró que la recuperación de la capacidad funcional se relacionó con los aspectos hedónicos del bienestar subjetivo, mientras que en los pacientes con un valor superior a 0,8 en la TRGF el progreso guardó relación directa con la ira-disgusto-rechazo y de forma inversa con la resiliencia. Conclusiones: El análisis de la TRGF mostró la no existencia de homogeneidad en la muestra de estudio, dentro de la cual se encontraron 2 subgrupos. La relación entre la capacidad funcional y las variables psicológicas se tipifica para cada uno de estos subgrupos

Objective: To determine the relationship between emotional variables, subjective well-being, resilience, and optimism with the progress of physiotherapy in patients with stroke. Material and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed that included the evaluation of 20 patients with more than 10 weeks of physical rehabilitation. The study included an analysis of the psychological variables and their relationship with the progress of physiotherapy using the Real Rate of Functional Gain (RRFG). Results: The most frequently experienced emotions were Anxiety and Fear, showing low values of Subjective Well-Being (related to the Healthy Self-image dimension). The use of the Real Rate of Functional Gain (TRGF) revealed the existence of two subgroups within the sample of patients. Functional capacity was related to psychological variables. In the first subgroup (with TRGF scores below 0.8), it was shown that functional capacity recovery was related to the hedonic Aspects of Subjective Well-Being, while in patients with a value greater than 0.8 in TRGF, progress was directly related to anger-dislike-rejection, and inverse related to Resilience. Conclusions: The analysis of TRGF showed no homogeneity in the study sample, within which two subgroups were found. The relationship between functional capacity and psychological variables is typified for each of these subgroups