Design of Innovative Clothing for Pressure Injury Prevention: End-User Evaluation in a Mixed-Methods Study.

The global relevance of pressure injury (PI) prevention technologies arise from their impact on the quality of life of people with limited mobility and the costs associated with treating these preventable injuries. The purpose of this mixed methods study is to evaluate the design of a prototype integrating Smart Health Textiles for PI prevention based on feedback from specialist nurses who care for individuals who are prone to or have PIs. This is a mixed methods study. A structured questionnaire was conducted as part of an evaluation of a prototype garment for the prevention of PIs. This questionnaire was applied during the evaluation of the prototype and afterwards focus group discussions were held with experts. Descriptive statistics techniques were used to analyze the data and thematic and integrated content analysis was conducted through concomitant triangulation. Nineteen nurses took part, aged 30 to 39 years (52.6%) and with 12.31 ± 8.96 years of experience. Participants showed that the prototype required more manipulation and physical effort, which interfered its usefulness, in addition to presenting difficulties with the openings and the material of the closure system, which interfered with the ease of use and learning. Overall satisfaction with the product was moderate, with some areas for improvement found, such as satisfaction, recommendations to colleagues, and pleasantness of use. It is concluded that areas for improvement have been found in all dimensions, including in the design of openings and the choice of materials. These findings supply significant insights for improving clothing to meet the needs of healthcare professionals and patients.

Development of Smart Clothing to Prevent Pressure Injuries in Bedridden Persons and/or with Severely Impaired Mobility: 4NoPressure Research Protocol.

Pressure injuries (PIs) are a major public health problem and can be used as quality-of-care indicators. An incipient development in the field of medical devices takes the form of Smart Health Textiles, which can possess innovative properties such as thermoregulation, sensing, and antibacterial control. This protocol aims to describe the process for the development of a new type of smart clothing for individuals with reduced mobility and/or who are bedridden in order to prevent PIs. This paper's main purpose is to present the eight phases of the project, each consisting of tasks in specific phases: (i) product and process requirements and specifications; (ii and iii) study of the fibrous structure technology, textiles, and design; (iv and v) investigation of the sensor technology with respect to pressure, temperature, humidity, and bioactive properties; (vi and vii) production layout and adaptations in the manufacturing process; (viii) clinical trial. This project will introduce a new structural system and design for smart clothing to prevent PIs. New materials and architectures will be studied that provide better pressure relief, thermo-physiological control of the cutaneous microclimate, and personalisation of care.

End-User Assessment of an Innovative Clothing-Based Sensor Developed for Pressure Injury Prevention: A Mixed-Method Study.

This study aimed to evaluate a clothing prototype that incorporates sensors for the evaluation of pressure, temperature, and humidity for the prevention of pressure injuries, namely regarding physical and comfort requirements. A mixed-method approach was used with concurrent quantitative and qualitative data triangulation. A structured questionnaire was applied before a focus group of experts to evaluate the sensor prototypes. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and the discourse of the collective subject, followed by method integration and meta-inferences. Nine nurses, experts in this topic, aged 32.66 ± 6.28 years and with a time of profession of 10.88 ± 6.19 years, participated in the study. Prototype A presented low evaluation in stiffness (1.56 ± 1.01) and roughness (2.11 ± 1.17). Prototype B showed smaller values in dimension (2.77 ± 0.83) and stiffness (3.00 ± 1.22). Embroidery was assessed as inadequate in terms of stiffness (1.88 ± 1.05) and roughness (2.44 ± 1.01). The results from the questionnaires and focus groups' show low adequacy as to stiffness, roughness, and comfort. The participants highlighted the need for improvements regarding stiffness and comfort, suggesting new proposals for the development of sensors for clothing. The main conclusions are that Prototype A presented the lowest average scores relative to rigidity (1.56 ± 1.01), considered inadequate. This dimension of Prototype B was evaluated as slightly adequate (2.77 ± 0.83). The rigidity (1.88 ± 1.05) of Prototype A + B + embroidery was evaluated as inadequate. The prototype revealed clothing sensors with low adequacy regarding the physical requirements, such as stiffness or roughness. Improvements are needed regarding the stiffness and roughness for the safety and comfort characteristics of the device evaluated.

Young people in oncological treatment during COVID-19: indicators of the social representation of the coronavírus / Jovens em tratamento oncológico durante o COVID-19: indicadores da representação social do coronavírus

Abstract Objectives: to understand indicators of the social representation of the coronavirus in adolescents undergoing cancer treatment during the COVID -19pandemic. Methods: the theory of social representations was used as theoretical and methodological support in its procedural approach in an exploratory study of a qualitative nature. The free word association technique was used in the application of virtual forms using guidelines of the snowball method. The terms 'Coronavirus', 'Going to the hospital' and 'Cancer treatment' were applied. After that moment, the participants were asked for a hierarchy and justification of the evoked words. Data analysis was based on content analysis and frequency distribution of the content produced. Results: articulations were made on the impacts that the pandemic situation had on the treatment experience of that population. It was identified a character endowed with fear and tension about the elaboration of the reality of these subjects in the current period in face of the inevitability of a hospital scenario that facilitates contamination and facing the immunological vulnerability characteristic of their treatments. Conclusions: the participants constructed different contents of psychological suffering aimed at expressions of fear and insecurity experienced during the pandemic period in the face of assistance in the hospital setting. This study is understood as a contribution to more effective actions in order to adapt the care plan of this population, aiming at future professional interventions.

Resumo Objetivos: compreender indicadores da representação social do coronavírus em jovens em tratamento oncológico durante a pandemia do COVID-19. Métodos: utilizou-se como apoio teórico-metodológico a teoria das representações sociais na sua abordagem processual em estudo exploratório de natureza qualitativa. Empregou-se a técnica de associação livre de palavras na aplicação de formulários virtuais utilizando diretrizes do método bola de neve. Foram aplicados os termos indutores 'Coronavírus', 'Ir ao hospital' e 'Tratamento contra o câncer'. Após esse momento foi solicitado aos participantes uma hierarquização e justificativa das palavras evocadas. A análise dos dados foi pautada na análise de conteúdo e distribuição de frequência dos conteúdos produzidos. Resultados: realizou-se articulações sobre os impactos que a conjuntura pandêmica gerou na experiência de tratamento da referida população. Identificou-se um carácter dotado de receio e tensão sobre a elaboração da realidade desses sujeitos no período atual diante da inevitabilidade de um cenário hospitalar facilitador da contaminação e frente a vulnerabilidade imunológica característica de seus tratamentos. Conclusões: os participantes construíram diferentes conteúdos de sofrimento psicológico voltados para expressões de medo e insegurança vivenciadas no período da pandemia diante da assistência em cenário hospitalar. Entende-se este estudo como uma contribuição para ações mais efetivas no intuito de adequar o plano de cuidado dessa população, visando futuras intervenções profissionais.