Barriers and facilitators to accessing pediatric specialty care for rural-dwelling children with complex chronic conditions: An integrative review.

PROBLEM: Pediatric specialty services are often geographically concentrated in urban areas, leaving up to 1 in 5 rural-dwelling children in the United States without access to advanced care. The purpose of this review was to identify and review extant literature related to barriers and facilitators to accessing specialty care for rural-dwelling children with complex chronic conditions. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: The Whittemore and Knafl (2005) integrative review method guided the review which included a critical appraisal and analysis of relevant articles published between 2012 and 2023. SAMPLE: Twenty-three studies were identified for inclusion in the integrative review. RESULTS: Using the domains of the Levesque et al. (2013) conceptual framework, findings were categorized according to the access to care continuum. Barriers included broadband access, transportation, and inadequate care coordination. Facilitators included telehealth, social support, and outreach clinics. CONCLUSIONS: To improve access to pediatric specialty care for rural-dwelling children, nurses, physicians, and policymakers will need to consider how the social determinants of health impact the healthcare access continuum from diagnosis to continuing healthcare. IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this integrative review will aid researchers in developing interventions to improve access to pediatric specialty care for rural-dwelling children.

A 5-year longitudinal structural equation model of social isolation and probable major depression among participants with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To develop longitudinal structural models of social isolation and probable major depression (PMD) over a 5-year interval among participants with spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Longitudinal structural equation modeling of self-report assessments collected during two follow-ups (2013 as Time 1, 2018 as Time 2) of a 45-year multicohort longitudinal study. Participants (n = 557) were identified from a specialty hospital in the Southeastern United States and two Midwestern hospitals and were initially enrolled in 1973-1974, 1984-1985, 1993-1994, or 2003-2004. PMD symptomology was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and was defined by PHQ-9 scores ≥ 10. Social isolation was represented by two latent dimensions: social disconnectedness, objective component measured by activities, and perceived isolation, based on subjective appraisals. Structural equation modeling assessed the relationship among social disconnectedness and perceived isolation measured at Time 1 and PMD measured at Times 1 and 2. RESULTS: Both social disconnectedness and perceived isolation, measured at Time 1, were significantly related with PMD measured at Time 1 (rSD_Time 1 and PMD_Time 1 = .49, p < .001; rPI_Time 1 and PMD_Time 1 = .66, p < .001) and Time 2 (rSD_Time 1 and PMD_Time 2 = .37, p < .001; rPI_Time 1 and PMD_Time 2 = .54, p < .001), indicating participants with greater perceived isolation and social disconnectedness were more likely to have greater likelihood of PMD, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Perceived isolation was more strongly related to PMD compared with social disconnectedness. CONCLUSION: Social isolation was associated with both current and future depression symptoms. People with more years post-SCI were less likely to have PMD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Working-Age Caregivers of Stroke Survivors: Needs, Concerns, and Quality of Life.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the unmet needs and concerns of working-age caregivers of stroke survivors and to explore the relationships between these unmet needs and concerns and factors such as stroke survivor functional independence, caregiver strain, caregiver self-efficacy, caregiver perceived social support, and caregiver quality of life (QoL). DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive design was used in this study. METHODS: Participants ( N = 103) completed an online survey. Descriptive statistics, bivariate Pearson correlation, and linear regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Negative correlations were found between caregiver needs and concerns and both stroke survivor functional independence and caregiver self-efficacy. Positive correlations were identified between caregiver needs and concerns and caregiver strain. In multiple regression models, stroke survivor functional independence, caregiver self-efficacy, race, and gender were statistically significantly associated with caregiver QoL. CLINICAL RELEVANCE TO THE PRACTICE OF REHABILITATION NURSING: Results of this study can inform nurses as they collaborate with informal caregivers and researchers in optimizing the rehabilitation and discharge process and aiding in the support of caregiver QoL. CONCLUSION: Working-age caregivers of stroke survivors expressed many needs and concerns. These needs, along with other factors, can affect outcomes including QoL in caregivers and stroke survivors.

Identifying Comorbid Subtypes of Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute respiratory failure have multiple risk factors for disability following their intensive care unit stay. Interventions to facilitate independence at hospital discharge may be more effective if personalized for patient subtypes. OBJECTIVES: To identify subtypes of patients with acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and compare post-intensive care functional disability and intensive care unit mobility level among subtypes. METHODS: Latent class analysis was conducted in a cohort of adult medical intensive care unit patients with acute respiratory failure receiving mechanical ventilation who survived to hospital discharge. Demographic and clinical medical record data were collected early in the stay. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared among subtypes by using Kruskal-Wallis tests and χ2 tests of independence. RESULTS: In a cohort of 934 patients, the 6-class model provided the optimal fit. Patients in class 4 (obesity and kidney impairment) had worse functional impairment at hospital discharge than patients in classes 1 through 3. Patients in class 3 (alert patients) had the lowest magnitude of functional impairment (P < .001) and achieved the earliest out-of-bed mobility and highest mobility level of all subtypes (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Acute respiratory failure survivor subtypes identified from clinical data available early in the intensive care unit stay differ in post-intensive care functional disability. Future research should target high-risk patients in early rehabilitation trials in the intensive care unit. Additional investigation of contextual factors and mechanisms of disability is critical to improving quality of life in acute respiratory failure survivors.

Feasibility of a Community-Based, Online, Peer-Supported Spinal Cord Injury Self-management Intervention: Protocol for a Pilot Wait-Listed Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: People with spinal cord injury (SCI) report feeling unprepared to manage their disability upon discharge to the community. This situation is exacerbated when they return to settings where self-management support and resources are sparse, thus increasing the risk of costly secondary conditions and rehospitalizations. These factors make a compelling case for implementing innovative community-based SCI self-management programs that empower and engage individuals with SCI. Using a community-engaged research (CEnR) approach, we developed a peer-supported SCI self-management intervention, known as PHOENIX (Peer-supported Health Outreach, Education, and Information Exchange), which integrates online educational content and support from peer navigators (PNs) through telehealth, to promote health and community participation after SCI. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of PHOENIX and the study design, and to obtain estimates of the variability of relevant outcome measures. METHODS: We conducted a pilot randomized waitlist-controlled trial (n=30) in collaboration with the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association (SCSCIA), our long-standing community-based nonprofit organization research partner. We recruited 4 PNs through our SCSCIA collaboration using its existing network of trained peer mentors. Our study design supported comparison of the following 2 randomly assigned groups: PHOENIX intervention group and waitlist enhanced usual care (EUC) group. The PHOENIX intervention was administered online by PNs over 16 weeks through scheduled "video visits." The EUC group participated in the study for 16 weeks with usual community services and no navigation, and received 4 monthly newsletters from the SCSCIA on a variety of SCI-relevant topics. At the end of the waitlist period, the waitlist EUC group received the full PHOENIX intervention. Measures of feasibility included PN and participant recruitment and retention, PN workload, protocol adherence, and incidence of technical issues. We conducted qualitative interviews with participants and PNs to evaluate the acceptability of PHOENIX and the study design. Outcome measures, including community participation, quality of life, and the occurrence and subjective impact of medically serious secondary conditions and rehospitalizations, were assessed at baseline after randomization and at subsequent time points to allow between-group comparisons. RESULTS: PN hiring and training were completed in August 2018. Recruitment began in November 2018. A total of 30 participants were recruited across South Carolina, and 28 participants completed follow-up by August 2020. An analysis of the results is being finalized, and the results are expected to be published in 2023. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide valuable information to guide future research seeking to address unmet self-management needs and improve outcomes in individuals with SCI. Feasibility findings of this study will provide evidence from CEnR guided by people with SCI and SCI service providers to inform further development, testing, and dissemination of effective and scalable self-management strategies for people with SCI. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR1-10.2196/42688.

Survey of South Carolina Public School Personnel Perspectives on Barriers and Facilitators to Regular Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Behaviors in Schools.

BACKGROUND: In South Carolina (SC), 42% of youth are overweight or obese. Two sets of modifiable behaviors contributing to obesity are physical activity (PA) and dietary habits. School-based interventions have successfully improved these behaviors. The purpose of this study was to identify SC public school personnel perspectives on the most common barriers and facilitators to regular PA and healthy eating behaviors in schools. METHODS: A needs assessment survey was conducted with school personnel statewide. There were 17 questions on the survey that addressed: (1) demographic information about participants' educational backgrounds, (2) barriers to regular PA and healthy eating behaviors in schools, and (3) facilitators to regular PA and healthy eating behaviors in schools. Univariate and bivariate descriptive statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 27. RESULTS: Participants (N = 1311) indicated insufficient time for regular PA (n = 514, 39.2%) and limited access to healthy foods for healthy eating (n = 271, 20.7%) as main barriers. The primary facilitators were support from administrators for regular PA (n = 264, 20.1%) and support from cafeteria staff for healthy eating (n = 234, 17.8%). Further analyses explored how factors compared based on roles in schools, academic levels, and school district classifications. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that overarching barriers and facilitators to school-based interventions addressing childhood obesity exist, so common strategies to mitigate challenges and maximize supports can be used in schools. Future studies are needed to examine how decreasing barriers and enhancing facilitators affect the implementation and outcomes of these school-based interventions.

Barriers and Facilitators to Healthcare Access in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disorders and Communication Difficulties: an Integrative Review.

This integrative review explores the barriers to and facilitators of healthcare access in adults with intellectual and developmental disorders (IDD) and communication difficulties (CD) using Levesque et al.'s conceptual framework of access to health. IDDs are a group of disorders that occur early in childhood and often involve language dysfunction. CDs are prevalent in adults with IDD. Several themes emerged as barriers to access for adults with IDDs and CDs including health literacy, understanding health information, and screening; fear and negative patient expectations; impaired autonomy; time; accommodation needs; insurance coverage and financial hardship; communication; coordination and continuity of care; and supporter presence and inclusion. Communication between providers, patients, and supporters is a significant barrier for adults with IDD and CD. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40489-022-00324-8.

Cross-Omics Analysis of Fenugreek Supplementation Reveals Beneficial Effects Are Caused by Gut Microbiome Changes Not Mammalian Host Physiology.

Herbal remedies are increasing in popularity as treatments for metabolic conditions such as obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. One potential therapeutic option is fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum), which have been used for treating high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes. A proposed mechanism for these benefits is through alterations in the microbiome, which impact mammalian host metabolic function. This study used untargeted metabolomics to investigate the fenugreek-induced alterations in the intestinal, liver, and serum profiles of mice fed either a 60% high-fat or low-fat control diet each with or without fenugreek supplementation (2% w/w) for 14 weeks. Metagenomic analyses of intestinal contents found significant alterations in the relative composition of the gut microbiome resulting from fenugreek supplementation. Specifically, Verrucomicrobia, a phylum containing beneficial bacteria which are correlated with health benefits, increased in relative abundance with fenugreek. Metabolomics partial least squares discriminant analysis revealed substantial fenugreek-induced changes in the large intestines. However, it was observed that while the magnitude of changes was less, significant modifications were present in the liver tissues resulting from fenugreek supplementation. Further analyses revealed metabolic processes affected by fenugreek and showed broad ranging impacts in multiple pathways, including carnitine biosynthesis, cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, and arginine biosynthesis. These pathways may play important roles in the beneficial effects of fenugreek.

Describing South Carolina Public School Administrators' Perceptions and Experiences Related to School-Based Interventions and Strategies to Promote Healthy Physical Activity and Eating Behaviors: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: School-based interventions and strategies targeting physical activity (PA) and eating patterns have successfully addressed unhealthy behaviors contributing to excess weight in school-age children. The purpose of this study was to investigate South Carolina (SC) public school administrators' perceptions of and experiences with weight-related issues in schools and associated barriers and facilitators to awareness, selection, and implementation of school-based healthy PA and eating interventions and strategies. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study, guided by the Social Ecological Model and the Steps in Quality Intervention Development Model, involved semistructured interviews with SC public school administrators from all academic levels (N = 28). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four themes were identified from interviews (N = 28): weight-related terminology or stigma, experiences with school-based healthy PA and eating interventions and strategies, barriers to school-based healthy PA and eating interventions and strategies, and facilitators to school-based healthy PA and eating interventions and strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Schools are well-positioned to provide interventions and strategies to improve PA and dietary habits leading to childhood obesity. School administrators, while knowledgeable and experienced with weight-related issues and school-based interventions and strategies, encounter barriers and facilitators that impact offerings and delivery. Understanding these challenges and supports is important in the development, adaptation, and implementation of school-based interventions and strategies focused on healthy PA and eating behaviors.

Barriers and Facilitators to Supportive Care Implementation in Advanced Disease Prostate Cancer Survivors: A Theory-Informed Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Individualized supportive care is recommended to manage the debilitating effects of advanced prostate cancer and its treatments. Yet, the implementation of supportive care in practice remains inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to synthesize the barriers and facilitators to implementing supportive care interventions after identifying supportive care interventions for advanced prostate cancer survivors. METHODS: PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL Complete, ProQuest, and PsycINFO were searched for relevant studies published between 2011 and 2020. Studies were included if they reported on a supportive care intervention and included a description of implementation barriers and/or facilitators. The Theoretical Domains Framework was used to characterize implementation barriers and facilitators. RESULTS: Of the 620 articles identified, 13 met all prespecified inclusion criteria. Primary barriers were related to the domains of environmental context and resources (eg, limited resources), knowledge (eg, insufficient knowledge on efficacy of supportive care), and beliefs about capabilities (eg, lack of confidence in materials). Facilitators fell under environmental context and resources (partnerships with local services), reinforcement (eg, partners inclusion), and skills (eg, delivery by professionals). CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review highlights barriers and facilitators that affect supportive care implementation. Future research that focuses on overcoming barriers and maximizing facilitators is needed to improve, modify, or supplement existing supportive care implementation practices. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: As the number of advanced prostate cancer survivors continues to increase, supportive care must become the standard of care. Future interventions must incorporate increased knowledge and funding, alternative delivery models, and consistent use of specialty nurses.

Supportive care interventions and quality of life in advanced disease prostate cancer survivors: An integrative review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Supportive care interventions can improve quality of life and health outcomes of advanced prostate cancer survivors. Despite the high prevalence of unmet needs, supportive care for this population is sparse. METHODS: The databases PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and ProQuest were searched for relevant articles. Data were extracted, organized by thematic matrix, and categorized according to the seven domains of the Supportive Care Framework for Cancer Care. RESULTS: The search yielded 1678 articles, of which 18 were included in the review and critically appraised. Most studies were cross-sectional with small, non-diverse samples. Supportive care interventions reported for advanced prostate cancer survivors are limited with some positive trends. Most outcomes were symptom-focused and patient self-reported (e.g., anxiety, pain, self-efficacy) evaluated by questionnaires or interview. Interventions delivered in group format reported improvements in more outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Additional supportive care intervention are needed for men with advanced prostate cancer. Because of their crucial position in caring for cancer patients, nurse scientists and clinicians must partner to research and develop patient-centered, culturally relevant supportive care interventions that improve this population's quality of life and health outcomes. Efforts must concentrate on sampling, domains of needs, theoretical framework, guidelines, and measurement instruments.

"We've Had to Build the Plane as We Flew It.": Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on School-Based Weight Management Interventions.

Background: In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, elementary and secondary schools in the United States transitioned to remote learning to slow viral spread and protect students and school officials. This move interrupted academic education and school-based health interventions focused on physical activity (PA) and healthy eating behaviors to help combat childhood obesity. Little is known on how these interventions were affected by COVID-19. Methods: This concurrent multimethodological study incorporated two independent components: qualitative descriptive semistructured interviews with public school administrators and quantitative descriptive cross-sectional needs assessment survey of public school personnel. Results: Three themes were identified from interviews with school administrators (N = 28): changes in school-based interventions addressing PA and healthy eating behaviors, changes in academic delivery affecting PA and healthy eating behaviors, and needs of school administrators. From the survey (N = 1311), 635 (48.4%) participants indicated that schools' abilities to address PA and healthy eating behaviors were negatively impacted by COVID-19. The majority (n = 876, 66.8%) of participants strongly agreed or agreed that the pandemic would affect future school-based interventions related to PA and healthy eating behaviors. Conclusions: While schools are prime locations for delivering school-based weight management interventions related to childhood obesity, participants reported the pandemic had overall negative impacts on interventions addressing PA and healthy eating behaviors. Understanding these impacts is essential to adapting school-based interventions to changes from COVID-19 so students may receive health information and access health promotion interventions in remote learning environments and during social distancing.

Environmental Factors Affecting Early Mobilization and Physical Disability Post-Intensive Care: An Integrative Review Through the Lens of the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health.

BACKGROUND: Early mobilization (EM) is one of few potential protective factors associated with reduced physical disability post-intensive care (PD PIC). However, only 45% of intensive care units (ICUs) in the United States routinely practice EM despite its recognized benefits. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the evidence on the relationship between critical care EM, PD PIC, and environmental factors, using the theoretical lens of the World Health Organization's (WHO's) International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). METHOD: The Whittemore and Knafl methodology for integrative reviews and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) reporting guidelines were followed. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies (n = 38) that evaluated EM and 1 or more domains of the WHO ICF were included. Quality was appraised using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool. Study characteristics were evaluated for common themes and relationships. The ICF domains and subdomains pertaining to each study were synthesized. RESULTS: Early mobilization was related to improved functioning on the disability continuum of the WHO ICF. Early mobilization was influenced by several WHO ICF environmental factors. Dedicated physical and occupational therapy teams in the ICU, interdisciplinary rounds, and positive family and staff perception of EM facilitated intervention delivery. However, poor staffing levels, negative unit culture, perceived workload burden, and lack of equipment, education, and financial support impeded delivery of EM. DISCUSSION: Early mobilization is a promising intervention that may reduce PD PIC. However, environmental factors negatively influence delivery of EM in the ICU. Several gaps in EM research limit its acceptability in ICU practice. Existing EM research is challenged by poor methodological quality. Further study is necessary to better understand the role of EM on PD PIC and improve patient outcomes following critical illness.

Patient-Level Barriers and Facilitators to Early Mobilization and the Relationship With Physical Disability Post-Intensive Care: Part 2 of an Integrative Review Through the Lens of the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health.

BACKGROUND: Early mobilization (EM) is associated with reduced physical disability post-intensive care (PD PIC). Yet, contextual factors facilitate or impede delivery of EM in the intensive care unit (ICU). Only 45% of ICUs in the United States routinely practice EM despite its recognized benefits. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the evidence on the relationship between critical care EM, PD PIC, and personal (patient-level) factors, using the theoretical lens of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). METHOD: The Whittemore and Knafl methodology for integrative reviews and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) reporting guidelines were followed. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies (n = 38) that evaluated EM and 1 or more domains of the World Health Organization ICF were included. Quality was appraised using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool. Study characteristics were evaluated for common themes and relationships. The ICF domains and subdomains pertaining to each study were synthesized. RESULTS: Early mobilization delivery was influenced by personal factors. Deeper sedation level, the presence of delirium, higher patient acuity, the presence of medical devices, and patient weight were identified barriers to EM delivery. Patient engagement in EM was associated with improved delivery. Patients who enjoyed rehabilitation were more likely to demonstrate improvement in functional impairment than those who did not enjoy rehabilitation. DISCUSSION: Early mobilization is associated with reduced PD PIC, yet numerous contextual factors affect the delivery of EM in the ICU. Further study of patient-level factors and EM must explore the relationship between patient engagement, baseline demographics, and functional status at ICU admission, patient-level considerations for decisions to mobilize, and EM in the ICU. This research is critical to improving the delivery of EM in the ICU and reducing PD PIC.

Lipid Composition Differences of Periphyton, Crustaceans, and Small Fishes in Response to Eutrophication and Management in the Florida Everglades, USA.

Eutrophication of the Florida Everglades, USA, has altered the characteristics of the ecosystem, but management strategies are being implemented to accelerate recovery. In this study, we described lipid compositional similarities and differences between periphyton, fish, and crustaceans, and explored if eutrophication and creation of new open-water sloughs in phosphorus (P)-impacted regions of a Northern Everglades impoundment resulted in changes in periphyton biomass and lipid composition, and the lipid composition of a ubiquitous omnivore, Gambusia holbrooki. Lipid biomarker analysis provided insight into microbial community composition, quality of basal resources, and potential resources utilized by consumers. Periphyton biomass and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition differed in response to eutrophication, but not between P-impacted control and treatment plots. Shifts in relative abundances of lipids indicative of diatoms and green algae mirrored known taxonomic shifts due to eutrophication. For fauna, PLFA were a small and relatively distinct component of the overall total lipid make-up, and profiles were similar between control and treatment plots. However, the PLFA profile of G. holbrooki differed between oligotrophic and eutrophic regions. Fish and crustacean lipids contained significantly greater relative abundances of polyunsaturated fatty acids than were found in periphyton, and profiles differed between fish and crustaceans, suggesting organisms were selectively accumulating or elongating and desaturating lipids de novo, to meet physiological needs. This study builds on findings of microbial responses to eutrophication and recent observations that consumer PLFA profiles can also shift with P-enrichment.

Barriers to palliative care in sexual and gender minority patients with cancer: A scoping review of the literature.

The Institute of Medicine reports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals having the highest rates of tobacco, alcohol and drug use leading to elevated cancer risks. Due to fear of discrimination and lack of healthcare practitioner education, LGBT patients may be more likely to present with advanced stages of cancer resulting in suboptimal palliative care. The purpose of this scoping review is to explore what is known from the existing literature about the barriers to providing culturally competent cancer-related palliative care to LGBT patients. This review will use the five-stage framework for conducting a scoping review developed by Arksey and O'Malley. The PubMed, Scopus, PsychINFO and Cochrane electronic databases were searched resulting in 1,442 citations. Eligibility criteria consisted of all peer-reviewed journal articles in the English language between 2007 and 2020 resulting in 10 manuscripts. Barriers to palliative cancer care for the LGBT include discrimination, criminalisation, persecution, fear, distress, social isolation, disenfranchised grief, bereavement, tacit acknowledgment, homophobia and mistrust of healthcare providers. Limited healthcare-specific knowledge by both providers and patients, poor preparation of legal aspects of advanced care planning and end-of-life care were underprovided to LGBT persons. As a result of these barriers, palliative care is likely to be provided for LGBT patients with cancer in a deficient manner, perpetuating marginalisation and healthcare inequities. Minimal research investigates these barriers and healthcare curriculums do not provide practitioners skills for administering culturally sensitive palliative care to LGBT patients.

A Mixed-Methods Study to Investigate Barriers and Enablers to Nurses' Implementation of Nonpharmacological Interventions for Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome has increased significantly as a result of the opioid epidemic. A lengthy hospitalization is often required to treat the infant's withdrawal symptoms. A comprehensive understanding of factors that influence nurses' implementation of nonpharmacological interventions for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome is needed. PURPOSE: To investigate barriers and enablers to nurses' implementation of nonpharmacological interventions for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome through the lens of the Theoretical Domains Framework, which provides a structure to examine factors that influence healthcare providers' behavior related to the implementation of evidence-based practice and interventions in clinical practice. METHODS: A convergent parallel mixed-methods study was conducted. Qualitative data were collected using semistructured interviews and quantitative data were collected using a tailored Determinants of Implementation Behavior Questionnaire with neonatal nurses. Findings from the interviews and surveys were merged through joint review to compare and contrast themes. RESULTS: Enablers and barriers to nurses' implementation of nonpharmacological interventions included education, experience, ability to implement nonpharmacological interventions, parental participation, stigmatization, lack of managerial/organizational support, staffing ratios, internal and external resources, and stress. Knowledge, Skills, Beliefs About Capabilities, Social/Professional Role and Identity, Organization, and Emotion of the Theoretical Domains Framework aligned with these themes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: Findings from this study will inform the development of programs to improve nurses' implementation of nonpharmacological interventions and health and utilization outcomes in infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Furthermore, future work should focus on the development of programs to improve nurses' implementation of nonpharmacological interventions, with specific strategies aimed to mitigate marginalization of vulnerable patient populations.

Exercise-Induced Increases in Insulin Sensitivity After Bariatric Surgery Are Mediated By Muscle Extracellular Matrix Remodeling.

Exercise seems to enhance the beneficial effect of bariatric (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [RYGB]) surgery on insulin resistance. We hypothesized that skeletal muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling may underlie these benefits. Women were randomized to either a combined aerobic and resistance exercise training program following RYGB (RYGB + ET) or standard of care (RYGB). Insulin sensitivity was assessed by oral glucose tolerance test. Muscle biopsy specimens were obtained at baseline and 3 and 9 months after surgery and subjected to comprehensive phenotyping, transcriptome profiling, molecular pathway identification, and validation in vitro. Exercise training improved insulin sensitivity beyond surgery alone (e.g., Matsuda index: RYGB 123% vs. RYGB + ET 325%; P ≤ 0.0001). ECM remodeling was reduced by surgery alone, with an additive benefit of surgery and exercise training (e.g., collagen I: RYGB -41% vs. RYGB + ET -76%; P ≤ 0.0001). Exercise and RYGB had an additive effect on enhancing insulin sensitivity, but surgery alone did not resolve insulin resistance and ECM remodeling. We identified candidates modulated by exercise training that may become therapeutic targets for treating insulin resistance, in particular, the transforming growth factor-ß1/SMAD 2/3 pathway and its antagonist follistatin. Exercise-induced increases in insulin sensitivity after bariatric surgery are at least partially mediated by muscle ECM remodeling.