Self-efficacy, physical activity, and aerobic fitness in middle school children: examination of a pedometer intervention program.

Physical activity in children has been associated with a number of health benefits. Unfortunately, physical inactivity continues to increase. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among self-efficacy levels, physical activity, aerobic fitness, and body composition (relative body mass index [RBMI]) and to determine whether a school-based pedometer intervention program would improve those variables. The sample consisted of 116 rural 11- to 13-year-old students. Weakly positive correlations between self-efficacy, physical activity, and aerobic fitness and weakly correlated inverse relationships between self-efficacy, physical activity, aerobic fitness and RBMI were found. There was no statistical significance between the intervention and control group when analyzing outcome variables. These findings suggest that those with optimal RBMI levels have higher self-efficacy, physical activity and aerobic fitness levels. Although not statistically significant, the intervention group had greater improvements in mean self-efficacy scores, aerobic fitness levels, and RBMI.

Perfusion, hypoperfusion, and ischemia processes: the effect on bodily function.

Adequate perfusion is requisite for normal body function. Should perfusion be disrupted, a cascade of events may result that can lead to disruption of function and potentially cell, tissue, organ, and ultimately organism death. Contrary to logic, reperfusion as a modality of treatment is not without issues in the form of reperfusion injury.

Stress level and stress management skills of admitted baccalaureate nursing students.

The purpose of this study was to review the stress levels and the stress management skills of admitted baccalaureate nursing students at a rural public university. Subjects completed a questionnaire to estimate stress levels, causes of stress, stress management skills, and the use of stress management skills. Stress levels by gender and group were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). No significant differences in stress levels by semester were discovered. A significant difference was discovered when stress levels were compared by gender. Subjects also responded that students should be taught stress management skills upon admission into the program. Additionally, stress management skills should be reinforced each semester to help students identify causes and better manage their stress. Research in the area of stress and nursing students has been sporadically attempted through the years. However, focus on stress, gender, and program placement is far less evident. The purpose of this study was to answer the following research question: What are the stress levels and the stress management skills of baccalaureate nursing students? To that end, a questionnaire was developed to identify the stress and stress management skills of the baccalaureate nursing students with the results analyzed for frequency and percentages. This study looked not only at the stress levels and stress management skills of the baccalaureate nursing student, but also took into account the subject's gender and program placement.

Pressure ulcers and the home health aide: evaluation of an educational program.

In a 6-month period, it was noted that 3 home care patients had developed pressure ulcers although they had been visited by home health aides providing full hygienic care. In an attempt to improve care, an educational program was developed and provided to the home health aides. After implementation of this program, posttest scores improved. Two new pressure ulcers were identified, reported, and documented by the aides.

A comparison of the effectiveness of an opioid analgesic and a nonpharmacologic intervention to improve incentive spirometry volumes.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of opioid analgesics and relaxation as interventions for incentive spirometry in postcardiovascular surgery patients. With the use of incentive spirometry change scores from pre- to posttreatment, 72 patients received either relaxation, opioid analgesia, or no intervention. Pre- to posttreatment differences in achieved spirometry volumes were significantly different for the 3 groups (F[2, 69] = 7.32; p =.002), whereas no difference in spirometry volume was found between the opioid and relaxation groups. Relaxation was as effective as opioid analgesia in permitting postcardiovascular surgical patients to deep breathe.