Effect of perioperative oral care on postoperative infections in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: This systematic review aimed to assess the effect of non-pharmacologic perioperative oral hygiene care on reduced incidence of postoperative pneumonia (PP), surgical site infection (SSI), and the length of hospital stay in patients with cancer, and to describe the details of oral hygiene care. METHODS: We searched seven databases. Eligibility criteria were based on perioperative oral hygiene care provided by healthcare professionals to patients aged ≥18 years who were surgically treated under general anesthesia and were evaluated for the incidence of PP and SSI. We reported risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes for PP and SSI using a fixed-effects model of meta-analysis. RESULTS: The search resulted in 850 articles, among which two were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 21 were observational studies. Most studies indicated that dentists and medical care providers performed a combination of oral cleaning, and oral hygiene instructions. In RCTs, perioperative oral hygiene care significantly reduced the incidence of PP (RR, 0.86; p = .60), while in observational studies, perioperative oral hygiene care significantly reduced the incidence of PP (RR, 0.55; p < .001) and SSI (RR, 0.47; p < .001). The length of hospital stay was also significantly reduced (p < .05). However, the effectiveness of nursing intervention was not clear. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative oral hygiene care implemented by healthcare professionals prevented PP and SSI and reduced length of hospital stays for patients after cancer surgery. As daily perioperative oral hygiene care is performed by nurses, it is necessary to research the effects of oral hygiene by nurses in the future.

Advanced practice nurse competencies to practice in emergency and critical care settings: A scoping review.

AIM: Advanced Practice Nurses are expected to provide lifesaving care to patients with complex acute illnesses in emergency and critical care settings. However, little is known about their competencies and barriers to practice in emergency and critical care settings. This review investigated these nurses' competencies to practice. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Extensive research searches were conducted using seven electronic databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Ichushi Web, Mednar and GreyNet International. Definitions and explanations of Advanced Practice Nurse competencies were categorized into elements and grouped according to similarity. RESULTS: The database searches identified 2,483 studies, and data were extracted for 23 studies. Analysed studies were published between 2000 and 2021 and conducted in eight countries. Seven competencies were identified: performing advanced practice nursing, acute patient care, diagnostic assessment, interdisciplinary collaboration and consultation, leadership and system management, documenting patient care and supporting patient and family decision-making. CONCLUSION: This review identified competencies unique to Advanced Practice Nurses in emergency and critical care settings. Further research is required to facilitate understanding of the crucial roles of advanced care nurses among healthcare providers.

Relationship Between Oral Health, Quality of Life, and Comprehensive Health Literacy in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Background and purpose: Oral health affects systemic health and the importance of maintaining good oral health is acknowledged. The high prevalence of oral diseases is associated with low health literacy (HL). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether comprehensive HL in community-dwelling older adults is associated with objective oral hygiene and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Methods: Participants aged ≥65 years completed a self-administered questionnaire. On the same day, data collected with the oral health assessment tool were used to assess participants' objective oral status. The questionnaire included the general oral health assessment index to measure OHRQoL and the short version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire to assess comprehensive HL. Data were analyzed by univariate and multiple logistic regression. Results: In total, 145 people consented to participate in this study, of whom 118 (81.4%) responded effectively. Of the 118 participants, 18% recorded a rating of "unhealthy" for oral cleanliness in objective oral hygiene. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified comprehensive HL as a related factor for both oral cleanliness and OHRQoL (odds ratio = 5.00 and 3.33, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Implications for Practice: These findings indicate that comprehensive HL changes clinical outcomes. Because older adults often have comorbidities as well as oral health problems, it is important for nurses to assess HL during follow-up for comorbidities and take the opportunity to provide personalized oral health guidance and improve OHRQoL.

Oxford Hip Scores, Floor-Sitting Score Trajectories, and Postoperative Satisfaction Rates at 10 Years After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Available evidence on outcomes at 5 years and beyond for total hip arthroplasty (THA) is mainly limited to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). This study documented the trajectory of functional measurement using the Oxford hip score (OHS) and floor-sitting posture in Japan for up to 10 years post-THA and investigated predictors of dissatisfaction at 10 years with THA. METHODS: Patients scheduled for primary THA at a university hospital in Japan between 2003 and 2006 were enrolled in this prospective study. Overall, 826 preoperative participants were eligible for follow-up, with response rates ranging from 93.6% to 69.4% at each postoperative survey point. The OHS and floor-sitting scores were calculated using a self-administered questionnaire 6 times up to 10 years postoperatively. Patient satisfaction, including general surgery, walking ability, and activities of daily living (ADL), was assessed in the 10-year survey. RESULTS: The linear mixed-effects model demonstrated a postoperative improvement, peaking at 7 years for OHS and 5 years earlier for the floor-sitting score. The postoperative overall surgical dissatisfaction at 10 years with THA was very low (3.2%). No predictors of surgical dissatisfaction were identified in the logistic regression analyses. Predictors of walking ability dissatisfaction were older age, men, and worse OHS at 1 year postoperatively. Predictors of ADL dissatisfaction were poorer preoperative and 1-year postoperative floor-sitting scores and 1-year postoperative OHS. CONCLUSION: The floor-sitting score is a simple PROM suitable for the Japanese population; other populations would require a scale suitable for their lifestyles.

Propensity score-matched comparison of physical activity and quality of life between revision total hip arthroplasty and primary total hip arthroplasty.

Purpose: Studies on physical activity (PA) after revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) are limited. It is important to assess PA levels as well as improvements in physical function and pain after revision THA. The purpose of the study was to compare accelerometer-measured PA and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients 1-3 years after revision or primary THA. We also clarified the relationship between measured PA and HR-QoL. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 64 patients who underwent revision THA and 188 who underwent primary THA 1-3 years earlier. Outcome measures were accelerometer-measured light PA, moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA, number of steps, questionnaire-based Oxford hip score, SF-8 physical and mental component scores. We conducted propensity-score matching for age, sex, comorbidities, body mass index, and postoperative follow-up duration and compared PA levels and HR-QoL scores between patients after revision THA and primary THA of each 50 patients. Results: Based on propensity scores in the revision THA (68.3 years) and primary THA (67.8 years) groups, light PA, number of steps, and HR-QoL scores 1-3 years after revision THA were significantly lower than those after primary THA (P < 0.05). Moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA did not different between groups (P = 0.204). Measured light PA, moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA, and number of steps after re-THA were moderately correlated with HR-QoL scores. Conclusion: Increasing the time and frequency spent on light PA to the levels after primary THA may lead to an increase in overall PA levels after revision THA. A detailed understanding of PA, including light PA, in daily life and an approach that promotes activity levels are necessary.

Validation of the LPA-SQUASH in post-liver-transplant patients.

AIM: This study aimed to validate the revised Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (SQUASH) to measure sedentary activity in post-liver-transplant patients. The proposed scale could be useful for transplantation nurses to assess and modify sedentary lifestyles and increase physical activity. METHODS: The SQUASH was modified to include items on sitting time and light-intensity physical activity (LPA-SQUASH). A pilot study was conducted with 20 liver transplant patients, and an expert panel validated the scale contents. Then, post-liver-transplant outpatients at a Japanese university hospital participated in the main study (September-October 2020), in which questionnaires were mailed twice to assess test-retest reliability, and accelerometers used to establish criterion validity. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for test-retest reliability. Spearman correlations and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess validity and measurement error. RESULTS: In total, 173 participants returned the questionnaires, and 106 and 71 completed the reliability and validation studies, respectively. The range of LPA-SQUASH correlation coefficients for test-retest was .49-.58. ICCs ranged from .72 to .80 for items other than leisure. Accelerometer data and the LPA-SQUASH total physical activity amount and light-intensity physical activity correlated moderately. CONCLUSION: We modified the SQUASH, which was developed to measure physical activity in healthy adults, to assess light-intensity physical activity in post-liver-transplant patients. The LPA-SQUASH showed acceptable validity and reliability. The questionnaire may be used by transplantation nurses to examine light-intensity physical activity content/duration, deliver patient education considering patients' sedentary lifestyle, and facilitate goal setting for physical activity interventions to prevent metabolic syndrome.

Long-term health-related quality of life of total hip arthroplasty patients and cost-effectiveness analysis in the Japanese universal health insurance system.

AIM: Total hip arthroplasty can effectively improve patients' motility with end-stage osteoarthritis. This study aimed to: (1) compare gradual changes in utility values with total hip arthroplasty and estimated values without; (2) evaluate total hip arthroplasty cost-effectiveness; and (3) evaluate cost-effectiveness by age, diagnosis, and comorbidity. METHODS: Patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty between January 2008 and December 2009 were included. Patients completed the EuroQol preoperatively and at 1, 3, 5 and 7 years postoperatively. To derive the quality-adjusted life years gained, a utility score was obtained from the EuroQol item scores and combined with 7 years, and estimates were obtained by discounting the postoperative 1-year utility value at an annual rate of 2%-4%. Mixed-effects regression models were used to compare the estimated and the measured utility values. RESULTS: Mean total cost was 1,921,849 yen, and quality-adjusted life years gain score was 1.746 with per cost as 1,100,715 yen. Compared with actual measurements, the estimated values from 1 to 7 years post-surgery differed significantly, and interaction was observed. Regarding age, the older the patient, the higher the cost per quality-adjusted life years. Patients with lower preoperative physical function had higher quality-adjusted life years gains, while the cost per quality-adjusted life years was lower. CONCLUSIONS: Total hip arthroplasty was cost-effective. Compared with actual measurements, the estimated utility values from 1 to 7 years post-surgery significantly differed. Even among older patients and those with impaired preoperative physical functions, its cost was lower than patients' willingness to pay in Japan.

Changes in Physical Activity Due to Fear of COVID-19 and Its Impact on Depression Among Post-Liver Transplant Patients in Japan: A Longitudinal Survey Study.

BACKGROUND Regular physical activity (PA) is important for maintaining mental and physical health after liver transplantation (LT); however, the fluctuations in routine PA during COVID-19 and its putative impacts are currently unknown. This study examined the changes in PA during the COVID-19 pandemic and explored its association with fear and depression during the pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS This longitudinal study included 83 LT patients whose PA was measured using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire before and during COVID-19. Fear of COVID-19 was estimated based on previous studies, and depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Participants were also asked about important sources of information on COVID-19. PA was classified as inactive or active depending on the changes in PA, and logistic regression analyses with PA as a dependent variable were conducted to explore the associations among PA, depression, and fear of COVID-19. RESULTS Moderate and high PA exhibited decreasing trends before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in males. Fear of being infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, while shopping was significantly higher in females and was significantly independent of inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 1 patient reported that their transplant center was their main source of information about COVID-19. Only 4.9% of the LT participants were depressed. CONCLUSIONS Our study results indicate the need to support the provision of accurate information about COVID-19 by health care professionals in transplant centers, especially for patients with low PA, to prevent PA decline in LT patients.

Tailored notification encouraging examinees with abnormal glucose levels in health checkups to seek medical care.

The aims of this study were to generate a written notification message using social marketing methods to encourage examinees with abnormal glucose levels to seek medical care and to evaluate the optimized message. A semi-structured interview was conducted among examinees with abnormal glucose levels who had never visited a medical clinic for diagnosis of hyperglycemia. Patients were divided into two segments. A tailored notification letter was developed according to these segments using a social marketing approach. Other examinees were prospectively enrolled as the control group. The tailored notification for Segment 1 included a web code to access a health care provider. Future loss of time and money was emphasized in the message for Segment 2. According to responses in a telephone interview, 654 examinees with abnormal fasting glucose levels in a health checkup were divided into Group 1 (n = 178), Group 2 (n = 24), and a control group (n = 452) and given a tailored or conventional notification letter. The proportion of examinees who actually visited a health care provider in Group 1 (20.8%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (11.1%); no examinees in Group 2 visited a health care provider. Receipt of a tailored notification was a significant factor associated with visiting a health care provider, independent of age, sex, or severity of glucose abnormality (odds ratio 1.77; p = 0.02). Our results showed that tailored notification developed using a social marketing approach prompted health checkup examinees with abnormal glucose levels to seek medical care. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-021-00534-1.

The effect of real-time monitoring of physical activity intensity in diabetic patients.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of an intensity display type accelerometer on diabetic patients' physical activity. METHODS: This was a two-arm, non-randomized controlled study. Both groups received information about the recommendation of 150 min/week moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The intervention group used an intensity display type accelerometer to monitor their physical activity intensity for 10 days at baseline and 3 months later. We compared intervention and control groups after 3 and 6 months. Primary outcomes were MVPA and number of steps over 7 days. Secondary outcomes were glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index, and self-management. RESULTS: Of 62 participants, 30 and 32 were included in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Mean age in each group was 59.7 ± 10.8 and 58.8 ± 10.2 years, and mean HbA1c was 6.9 ± 0.9% and 6.9 ± 0.8%, respectively. There were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups at either time point, and no outcomes showed significant changes. In a subgroup analysis by physical activity intensity, MVPA of active individuals in the control group significantly decreased at 6 months from baseline. MVPA and number of steps among inactive individuals in the intervention group significantly increased at 6 months from baseline. Self-management of the intervention group showed a trend toward improvement, but HbA1c and body mass index showed no significant change. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring physical activity intensity led to increased MVPA of inactive patients and maintained MVPA of active patients with diabetes mellitus. This straightforward intervention could be applied in clinical practice.

Components of Empowerment Among Family Caregivers of Community-Dwelling People With Dementia in Japan: A Qualitative Research Study.

BACKGROUND: Family caregivers of people with dementia (PWDs) experience significant physical, psychological, and social burdens. Empowerment, which refers to the process of gaining power in society through behavioral change, is important to coping successfully with care-related burdens. The high burden of care faced by family caregivers in Japan often makes accepting social support difficult for caregivers of PWDs, resulting in feelings of isolation. Clarifying what components constitute empowering experiences for family caregivers of PWDs is necessary to gain a better understanding of their empowerment experiences and to develop relevant support schemes. PURPOSE: This study was developed to describe the components of empowerment experienced by family caregivers of community-dwelling PWDs in Japan. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study used semistructured in-depth interviews to explore components of empowerment experienced by family caregivers of adults/older adults with dementia. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 20 family caregivers (age range: 50-87 years) from four self-help groups. A qualitative content analysis method was used to analyze the data. The components derived from the interviews were reviewed by three nursing researchers not directly involved in this study who are specialists in qualitative research and geriatric nursing. RESULTS: Four categories and 12 subcategories were derived to illuminate the components of empowerment among family caregivers of PWDs. Specifically, these categories were as follows: (a) proactive aspects of dementia care that were acquired through the caregiving experience, (b) creating a relationship that respects PWDs, (c) Building relationships based on mutual understanding of one's surroundings, and (d) understanding the social aspects of dementia care. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The findings of this study provide additional understanding of the components of the empowerment experiences of family caregivers of PWDs in Japan and in other East Asian countries experiencing increasing dementia diagnoses and population aging. In addition, the structural components of empowerment offer a useful perspective for health professionals on assessment and intervention that is framed on the cultural characteristics of East Asia. Ultimately, the results suggest that healthcare professionals should develop intervention programs that are tailored to the needs of caregivers at different levels of empowerment.

Development and evaluation of the sedentary behavior and light-intensity physical activity questionnaire.

[Purpose] To describe our newly developed Sedentary Behavior and Light-Intensity Physical Activity Questionnaire and examine its reliability and validity. [Participants and Methods] We identified and selected self-reported items through a literature review and interviews with 11 inactive individuals. Thirty-one individuals with lower limb prostheses and an expert panel assessed the content validity of the integrated items and identified 17 items. Patients who had undergone lower limb surgeries were regarded as inactive individuals, and 112 patients completed the questionnaire twice for test-retest reliability and wore an accelerometer for criterion validity. The ethics committee of Kyushu University approved this study (2019-126 and 2019-273). [Results] Item analysis was revised to the Sedentary Behavior and Light-Intensity Physical Activity Questionnaire-10 (six light-intensity physical activity and four sedentary behavior items) because of the floor effect. The test-retest correlation coefficient showed high reliability. Moderate to weak correlation coefficient was observed between the questionnaire and accelerometer (light-intensity physical activity: 0.43 and sedentary behavior: 0.20), and the Bland-Altman plots indicated no bias. [Conclusion] The Sedentary Behavior and Light-Intensity Physical Activity Questionnaire-10 had acceptable validity and reliability among inactive individuals and it could be used for studying light-intensity physical activity.

Relationships of accelerometer-determined physical activity with obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and health-related quality of life in patients after liver transplantation.

The contribution of physical activity (PA) to the prevention of metabolic abnormalities following liver transplantation (LT) has not been well documented. We aimed to assess PA in post-LT patients and to quantify its relationships with the development of postoperative metabolic abnormalities and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We recruited 111 patients who had undergone LT ≥ 6 months previously. PA was measured by accelerometry, and HRQOL was evaluated using SF-8. PA was quantified as the number of steps per day, and the time spent performing moderate-to-vigorous PA and light PA per week. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia increased more than twofold following LT. The proportion of the participants with a sedentary lifestyle (<5000 steps/day) was 36%. Logistic regression analysis showed that postoperative hypertension and obesity were associated with preoperative body mass index and the number of steps taken (in 2000 steps/day increments). Preoperative diabetes was associated with obesity, and PA was associated with physical function-related HRQOL scores. Thus, increasing the number of steps taken per day has the potential to reduce hypertension and obesity, and PA could improve physical function-related HRQOL in patients following LT.

Review and synthesis of the experience of patients following total hip or knee arthroplasty in the era of rapidly decreasing hospital length of stay.

AIM: The hospital length of stay for orthopedic surgery has been decreasing during the last couple of decades. Therefore, this study was performed to explore the postoperative experiences of adult/older patients (age ≥20 years) with osteoarthritis who underwent total hip or knee arthroplasty, focusing on the first 6 weeks following discharge. METHODS: A systematic literature search on qualitative studies was conducted using six databases, such as Medline, CINAHL and Mednar. Verbatim interview data and themes or subthemes related to the patients' experience after discharge were extracted. Content analysis was used to code interview data. Codes similar in meaning were grouped, and subcategories were formed. These subcategories were then grouped into categories. RESULTS: Sixteen qualitative studies with 253 participants were analyzed. In total, 136 codes were generated and formed 29 subcategories. Six categories were generated: (a) postoperative pain and medication; (b) difficulty in performing activities of daily living; (c) appreciation for support and difficulties associated with receiving support; (d) variability in recovery process and information-seeking; (e) lack of patient-centered care; and (f) transportation problems and social isolation. CONCLUSION: Our review suggests that prospective patients and their caregivers need individually tailored presurgical education and advanced planning for postsurgical reduced mobility.

Changes in actual daily physical activity and patient-reported outcomes up to 2 years after total knee arthroplasty with arthritis.

The current study aimed 1) to describe changes in patient-reported outcomes and physical activity measured with an accelerometer preoperatively, 6 months and 2 years postoperatively in older patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for arthritis, and 2) to examine the predictors of the changes in physical activity (PA). This study included 58 patients (mean age 72.6 years, 84.5% women) who completed the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and the 8-item Short Form Health Survey. Physical activity measured mean steps per day, duration of light physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per week. All PA indicators and patient-reported outcomes improved 6 months postoperatively. After 6 months, knee-related pain and function gradually improved, and MVPA increased. The OKS was a sole predictor of improvement in PA during the 2-year study period, suggesting the importance of disease-specific quality of life.

The effect of preventive oral care on postoperative infections after head and neck cancer surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of postoperative pneumonia (PP) and surgical site infection (SSI) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and clarify the relationship between oral care and postoperative infection. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observation survey based on the medical records of 209 HNC surgery patients managed at a University Hospital in 2016-2018. The incidence of PP and SSI were assessed in patients who underwent operations of the nose and paranasal sinuses to the larynx. Factors associated with PP and SSI in a univariate analysis were included in a multiple logistic regression analysis. A Cox proportional hazards model was used analyze the incidence of PP according to time after surgery. The present study was approved by the ethical review board of our Institute. RESULTS: The rates of PP and SSI in our study population were 20.5% and 23.0%. Operative time (P < 0.01), blood loss (P = 0.004), tracheostomy (P < 0.01), reconstruction (P < 0.01), and preoperative plaque control record (PCR) (P < 0.01) were significantly associated with PP. The PCR depicted the oral hygiene based on the percentage of plaque attached to the tooth neck. A multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the incidence of PP was significantly higher in patients with PCR values of ≥50% after preoperative oral care (OR=10.174, 95% CI 2.14-48.32, P = 0.004). Tracheostomy (P < 0.01), reconstruction (P = 0.044), a lower preoperative albumin level (P = 0.019), and a lower preoperative hemoglobin level (P < 0.01) were significantly associated with SSI. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PP among patients who received oral care was high in those patients with high PCR values, indicating the importance of increasing compliance to preoperative oral care.

Prospective study of objective physical activity and quality of life in living donor liver transplant recipients.

AIM: The aims of this study were to: (a) describe the physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QOL) in living donor liver transplant (LDLT) recipients pre-operatively and at 3 months and 6 months post-operatively; (b) compare PA and QOL at 6 months post-operatively with a healthy control group; and (c) explore pre-operative factors that predict PA changes. METHODS: Patients over 20 years of age who were undergoing LDLT were recruited. PA was measured based on the number of steps/day and time spent performing moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) during 1 week using an accelerometer. QOL was assessed based on a physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary of the eight-item Short-Form Health Survey. The LDLT and healthy control groups were matched for age (±3 years) and gender. Pre-operative factors predicting a change in PA were calculated using a generalized linear mixed model. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients completed the study. By 6 months post-LDLT, the MCS and PCS were comparable to those in the control group. The number of steps (3,887 steps/day) and MVPA (29.3 min/week) showed significant improvement by 6 months post-operatively, but remained much lower compared with those in the control group. The multivariate analysis showed that younger age (p < .01, p = .04) and higher skeletal muscle mass (SMM; p < .01, p = .03) were predictors of improvement in number of steps and MVPA. CONCLUSION: This study suggests the need for pre-operative interventions by healthcare professionals that focus on outcomes such as improving low SMM to facilitate post-operative PA recovery.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Hospital for Special Surgery Hip Replacement Expectations Survey.

BACKGROUND: The Hospital for Special Surgery Hip Replacement Expectations Survey (HSS-THRES) is used in many countries to determine patient expectations before surgery. This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of HSS-THRES. METHODS: A total of 134 patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty (THA) underwent a self-administered preoperative survey questionnaire. Patient's expectation and quality of life (QOL) were measured using the Japanese version of HSS-THRES, overall expectations for THA, Oxford hip score (OHS), and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). Some patients completed the Japanese version of HSS-THRES and the overall expectations for THA after a ten-day interval. Cross-cultural adaptation was validated by an expert committee comprising health professionals, a methodologist, language experts, and orthopedic specialists. The internal consistency was evaluated by the Cronbach α coefficient. The test-retest reliability was examined using the intraclass coefficient correlation (ICC) and the Bland and Altman analysis. To test the construct validity, nine priori hypotheses were tested by correlation analysis between the Japanese version of HSS-THRES and two QOL scales, and by examining the association with demographic variables. RESULTS: A total of 116 patients completed four scales. Patients were predominantly female (75.9%), with an average age of 62.2 ± 11.7. In the cross-cultural adaptation, all patients responded to the questionnaire without problems. The Japanese version of HSS-THRES showed good internal consistency (Cronbach α: 0.9). ICC was 0.94 and Bland-Altman analysis indicated no bias. The correlation between Japanese HSS-THRES and overall expectations for THA was high (r = 0.67). Similarly, the correlation with the OHS was higher than that with EQ-5D. A total of 77.8% of the hypotheses were confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The Japanese version of HSS-THRES showed good cultural acceptability, high reliability, and validity to evaluate preoperative expectations for THA patients.

Development of the empowerment scale for family caregivers of community-dwelling people with dementia in Japan.

AIM: This study aimed to develop the empowerment scale for family caregivers of community-dwelling people with dementia (PWD) in Japan (EFCD) and to validate the scale. METHODS: The questionnaires were mailed to 820 family caregivers of PWD. The first version of the EFCD based on interviews with family caregivers and elderly care specialists and content validity results was tested. Participants also completed the Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy and the General Health Questionnaire. For the EFCD development procedure, construct validity was evaluated by item analysis and exploratory factor analysis. Criterion validity was tested using Spearman's correlations between scores of the three scales. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and Bland and Altman analysis. The final model was verified by confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: Data from 304 family caregivers were analyzed. Exploratory factor analysis identified a 16-item, four-factor structure for the final version of the EFCD, as follows: (a) Excellent Practice in Dementia Care; (b) Understanding the Essence of Dementia Care; (c) Caring for Oneself as well as for the Person with Dementia; and (d) Having Peers with Shared Support Activities. Reliability and validity of the scale was established using the methods described. CONCLUSIONS: The developed EFCD is a reliable and valid measure that provides a simple assessment of empowerment among family caregivers of PWD.

Three-Year Follow-Up Study of Physical Activity, Physical Function, and Health-Related Quality of Life After Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the long-term changes in physical activity (PA) after total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study is to describe the changes in the number of steps and intensity of PA as measured by accelerometers, patient-reported physical function, and health-related quality of life of THA patient preoperatively and at 1 and 3 years after THA. METHODS: This study included 153 patients (mean age, 61.4 years; 86.3% women) who wore an accelerometer for 10 consecutive days and completed the Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and the Short Form 8 at the 5-year follow-up after THA. PA was evaluated based on the mean steps per day and the time spent performing moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) per week. RESULTS: All 5 indicators had significantly increased at 1 year after THA, although only MVPA and OHS had further increased significantly at the 3-year follow-up. The predictor of improvement in the number of steps from baseline to 1 year post-THA was younger age, while those of improvement in MVPA from baseline to 3-year post-THA were younger age, higher OHS, and better Short Form 8 mental component scores using mixed-model analysis. Participation in the PA measurements was high (69.9%) at the 3-year follow-up. No significant changes were observed for these outcomes in the remaining cohort beyond 3 years after THA. CONCLUSION: In post-THA patients, MVPA continued to increase for 3 years postoperatively. Therefore, PA must be measured over the medium term to long term following THA.