The effect of the massage on cramp frequency, cramp severity, and sleep quality of hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Leg muscle cramps and compromised sleep patterns are prevalent issues experienced by individuals undergoing hemodialysis treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of massage therapy on hemodialysis patients experiencing cramping, specifically focusing on the frequency and severity of cramps, as well as the quality of sleep. METHODS: This research involved 36 hemodialysis patients. The intervention group received intradialytic massage targeting the lower extremities, administered three times a week for a total of six sessions over a 2-week period. Data collection utilized a Patient Information Form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Visual Analog Scale, and a Patient Follow-Up Form. FINDINGS: The study revealed a significant reduction in both the frequency and severity of cramps experienced by patients in the intervention group during hemodialysis sessions and at home, from the end of one session to the beginning of the next, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). This effect was observed over the course of six dialysis sessions. Additionally, there was a notable decrease in the mean total score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) among participants in the intervention group, declining from 9.00 ± 3.79 prior to massage therapy to 5.94 ± 2.84 post-massage (p < 0.001). Conversely, no significant change was observed in the control group, highlighting a notable disparity between the intervention and control groups in terms of sleep quality improvement. DISCUSSION: The investigation revealed that employing intradialytic massage on the lower extremities led to a reduction in both the frequency and severity of cramps, while also eliciting a positive impact on the sleep quality of patients undergoing hemodialysis.

The Relationship Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Spiritual Well-Being Levels of COVID-19 Among Elderly: A Cross Sectional and Correlational Study.

The aim of this research is to relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and spiritual well-being levels during Covid-19 among elderly. This study was conducted with cross-sectional and corrational design. The research was conducted between January and June 2021 in Turkey's Eastern Anatolia Region. Introductory Information Form, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-Short Form (IUS), and Spirituality Index of Well-Being (SIWB) were used to collect data. The research was completed with 302 volunteers who met the following inclusion criteria. All participants belong to the Muslims. A negative significant correlation was found between IUS and SIWB; that is as the spirituality of the elderly individuals increased, the levels of intolerance of uncertainty decreased. It is recommended to identify the fears and intolerances of elderly individuals. For uncertainty, it is necessary to refine their spirituality. For this, it is recommended to organize spiritual education programs.

Evaluation of Knowledge Levels About Diabetes Foot Care and Self-Care Activities in Diabetic Individuals.

This study was conducted descriptively for the purpose of evaluating the knowledge levels concerning diabetic foot care and self-care activities in individuals with diabetes. The study was carried out with 120 patients who had applied to the internal medicine clinic and endocrine polyclinic in a public hospital in the city center of Turkey. It was determined that Diabetes Self-Care Scale (DSCS) score averages were significantly different between the patients in the age group of 56 to 65 years, who had been diagnosed diabetes for 21 years, and went to doctor every month (P < .05). It was found that the Diabetes Foot Knowledge Questionnaire score average was 2.3 ± 1.5 (minimum = 0; maximum = 5), the DSCS score average was 76.6 ± 15.5 (minimum = 46; maximum = 124), and the FSOG score average was 55.5 ± 10.8 (minimum = 30; maximum = 74). It should be stated to the patients that an appropriate foot care in diabetes is certainly important to prevent wound development.

Anger and depression levels of mothers with premature infants in the neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study to examine to anger and depression levels of mothers who having a premature infant in the NICU and factors affecting it. METHODS: This descriptive study was performed in the level I and II units of NICU at three state hospitals in Turkey. The data was collected with a demographic questionnaire, "Beck Depression Inventory" and "Anger Expression Scale". Descriptive statistics, parametric and nonparametric statistical tests and Pearson correlation were used in data analyses. RESULTS: Mothers whose infants are under care in NICU have moderate depression. It is also determined that mothers' educational level, income level and gender of infants were found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). A positively relationship between depression and trait anger scores and statistically significant. A negatively relationship existed between depression and anger-control scores for the mothers and statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the results of research, recommended that mothers who are at risk of depression and anger in the NICU evaluated by nurses and these nurses to develop their consulting roles.

Spirituality and spiritual care: a descriptive survey of nursing practices in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Nurses' spiritual care practices have been shown to affect patients' well-being, therefore understanding nurses' spiritual care perceptions and their practices. AIM: The aim of this paper is to investigate the nurses' views to practising spiritual care. METHODS: A descriptive survey of 193 nurses was conducted at a general hospital in Turkey. Data was collected using a demographic questionnaire and The Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale (SSCRS). FINDINGS: The findings of this study revealed that older nurses (p<.05); married (p<.001); higher levels of education (p<.05); work experience (p<.05); worked longer hours (p<.05); received education in spiritual care (p<.001); working in medical departments (p<.05) all tended to score higher on the SSCRS. CONCLUSION: Our research findings suggest that there is a lack of knowledge and general confusion regarding Turkish nurses perceptions and practices related to spiritual care.

Effect of progressive relaxation exercises on fatigue and sleep quality in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).

OBJECTIVE: This research was conducted to investigate the effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique on fatigue and sleep quality in patients with COPD. This research was performed as a single-group pretest/post-test pretrial model. METHODS: The study was conducted with 45 patients who met the research criteria and agreed to participate in the study. A Personal Information Form was used as a data collection tool, Fatigue Severity Scale was used for measuring fatigue, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used for evaluating the sleep quality. RESULTS: It was determined that PMRT decreased patients' fatigue level and improved their sleep quality, patients' fatigue level increased as their sleep quality decreased. CONCLUSION: Progressive relaxation exercises programs represent effective therapeutic intervention approaches for relieving COPD-associated fatigue and sleep quality. PMRT programs will extend the scope of the rehabilitation nurses' work, as it is an important course of COPD patients' continuity nursing.

Barriers of research utilization from the perspective of nurses in Eastern Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to determine the barriers to the implementation of nursing research findings, as perceived by the nurses working in the Eastern Anatolian Region. METHODS: The study was performed in the Eastern Anatolian Region between April and July 2009. A cross-sectional design was used in this study. Thirteen hospitals were randomly selected using a cluster sampling technique, encompassing general hospitals in all cities of this region. A total of 1094 nurses who agreed to participate in the study were included. The data was collected with a questionnaire and "Barriers Scale". Average, percentage distribution, and parametric statistical tests were used in data analyses. CONCLUSION: According to the Barriers Scale, it was determined that the most important impediment perceived by the nurses was "insufficient time on the job to implement new ideas". The average point of overall scale was found to be 68.38 ± 14.66.