Sleep Disorders and Subjective Well-Being in Portuguese Adults: Evidence from a Representative Study.

Objective The quality and quantity of sleep affect people's well-being, as chronic sleep disorders are associated with social, physical, and psychological problems, as well as low self-reported life satisfaction. The present cross-sectional study examined the associations of sleep disorders with self-reported life satisfaction in Portuguese adults. Materials and Methods Data from a representative sample of the Portuguese population (14,341 participants, aged ≥ 18 years) extracted from the Sixth Portuguese National Health Survey was analyzed. Data on subjective well-being and sleep disorders was collected through a questionnaire, and multivariable regression models were performed to examine the associations between these variables, adjusted for potential confounders such as age, gender, level of schooling, degree of urbanization, and family income. Results Sleep disorders were negatively associated with self-reported life satisfaction. Having at least one sleep disturbance in the last two weeks was significantly associated with a 3-point decrease in life satisfaction: ß = -3.0 (95% confidence interval = -3.2--2.7). Discussion Among Portuguese adults, sleep disorders were associated with a decline in life satisfaction. The present study provides new evidence from a representative sample to support the promotion of good sleep hygiene intervention programs.

Older People Living Alone: A Predictive Model of Fall Risk.

Falls in older people are a result of a combination of multiple risk factors. There are few studies involving predictive models in a community context. The aim of this study was to determine the validation of a new model for predicting fall risk in older adults (65+) living alone in community dwellings (n = 186; n = 117) with a test-retest reliability study. We consider in the predictive model the significant factors emerged from the bivariate analysis: age, zone, social community resources, physical exercise, self-perception of health, difficulty to keep standing, difficulty to sit and get up from a chair, strain to see, use of technical devices, hypertension and number of medications. The final model explained 28.5% of the risk of falling in older adults living alone in community dwellings. The AUC = 0.660 (se = 0.065, IC 95% 0.533-0.787, p = 0.017). The predictive model developed revealed a satisfactory discriminatory performance of the model and can contribute to clinical practice, with respect to the evaluation of risk of falling in this frailty group and preventing falls.

Caídas en personas mayores que viven solas: el papel de los factores individuales, sociales y medioambientales / Falls in older persons living alone: The role of individual, social and environmental factors

Objetivo: Identificar la prevalencia y los factores de riesgo de las caídas de las personas mayores (+ 65 años) que viven solas. Método: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo y transversal que incluyó a 186 participantes, de 65 años o más, que vivían solos en una vivienda comunitaria. Resultados: La prevalencia de caídas fue del 80,1% (IC del 95%: 74,1-85,8). Considerando los últimos 3 meses, la prevalencia de caídas se redujo al 22,2% (IC del 95%: 17,5-29,9) y el número de caídas reportadas fue de 2,4 (desviación estándar = 2,1). La mayoría de las caídas fueron accidentales (n = 74, 59,7%), seguidas de los mareos (n = 15, 12,1%), y casi el 50% se produjo por la mañana (n = 53, 45,3%). Considerando el lugar donde se produjeron las caídas, 70 (57,4%) se produjeron en casa (36,1% en el interior y 21,3% en el exterior), 41 en la calle (33,6%) y solo 11 (9,0%) en un lugar público (4,1% en el interior y 4,9% en el exterior). Tras la caída, el 30,9% de los participantes modificó su vida cotidiana como resultado de la misma. Conclusiones: Las caídas entre los adultos mayores son un problema multifactorial que requiere intervenciones integradas y multiprofesionales. La edad avanzada, el hecho de vivir solo en una zona urbana con recursos insuficientes, la reducción de la actividad física y la mala percepción de uno mismo son factores asociados a un mayor riesgo de caídas. Del mismo modo, las personas mayores que tienen dificultades para permanecer de pie, sentarse y levantarse de una silla, además de ser hipertensas y tomar un elevado número de medicamentos, están asociadas a un alto riesgo de caídas. Las investigaciones futuras deberán desarrollar y enfatizar más estudios nacionales para confirmar estos resultados.(AU)

Objective: To identify the prevalence and the risk factors of falling in older people (65+) living alone. Method: This is a descriptive and transversal study which included 186 participants, aged 65 + living alone in community-dwelling. Results: The prevalence of falls was 80.1% (95% CI 74.1-85.8). Considering the last 3 months, the prevalence of falls reduced to 22.2% (95% CI 17.5-29.9) and the number of falls reported was 2.4 (SD=2.1). Most falls were accidental (n=74, 59.7%), followed by dizziness (n=15, 12.1%) and almost 50% occurred in the morning (n=53, 45.3%). Considering the local where the falls occurred, 70 (57.4%) were at home (36.1% inside and 21.3% outside), 41 on the street (33.6%) and only 11 (9.0%) in a public place (4.1% inside and 4.9% outside). After the fall, 30.9% of the participants changed daily life after an event. Conclusions: Falls among older adults is a multifactorial problem that requires integrated and multiprofessional interventions. Older age, living alone in an urban area, with insufficient resources, reduced physical activity and a poor self-perception are factors associated with a higher risk of falling. Similarly, older people who have difficulty standing, sitting and rising from a chair, as well as being hypertensive and taking a high number of medications are associated with a high risk of falling. Future research should develop and emphasize more national studies to confirm these results.(AU)

Falls in older persons living alone: the role of individual, social and environmental factors.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and the risk factors of falling in older people (65+) living alone. METHOD: This is a descriptive and transversal study which included 186 participants, aged 65+ living alone in community-dwelling. RESULTS: The prevalence of falls was 80.1% (95% CI 74.1-85.8). Considering the last 3 months, the prevalence of falls reduced to 22.2% (95% CI 17.5-29.9) and the number of falls reported was 2.4 (sd = 2.1). Most falls were accidental (n = 74, 59.7%), followed by dizziness (n = 15, 12.1%) and almost 50% occurred in the morning (n = 53, 45.3%). Considering the local where the falls occurred, 70 (57.4%) were at home (36.1% inside and 21.3% outside), 41 on the street (33.6%) and only 11 (9.0%) in a public place (4.1% inside and 4.9% outside). After the fall, 30.9% of the participants changed daily life after an event. CONCLUSIONS: Falls among older adults is a multifactorial problem that requires integrated and multiprofessional interventions. Older age, living alone in an urban area, with insufficient resources, reduced physical activity and a poor self-perception are factors associated with a higher risk of falling. Similarly, older people who have difficulty standing, sitting and rising from a chair, as well as being hypertensive and taking a high number of medications are associated with a high risk of falling. Future research should develop and emphasize more national studies to confirm these results.

[Nursing homes in Portugal during the COVID-19 outbreak: Challenges for the future]. / Residencias de ancianos en Portugal durante la COVID-19: desafíos para el futuro.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to explore the perceptions of experts about the performance of nursing homes during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHOD: A qualitative study was developed in two stages: (1) a focus group, conducted in May 2020, with 5 experts; (2) a modified e-Delphi, implemented in September 2020 with 22 experts, both in the area of assistance in nursing homes from Northern and Center of Portugal. RESULTS: The results allowed identifying three main areas that influenced the performance of nursing homes during the COVID-19 outbreak: organization models and resources; physical and mental health of residents and; family as a support. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults residing in nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to severe disease or death from COVID-19. It is emergent that nursing homes prevent physical and mental frailty in older residents and the loneliness aggravated by the pandemic circumstances. Decision-makers need to recognize that older people living in nursing homes have several health needs, which should determine the implementation of new strategies namely the increase in the number of professionals with appropriate skills.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Portuguese university students.

Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disruptive effect on daily routines, especially for university students. This study aimed to compare pre-pandemic domains of students' mental health during the pandemic lockdown. One cross-sectional study was conducted in two waves with academic students from 20 Portuguese universities, in March 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 3579) and 2 months after the first lockdown in May 2020 (n = 1228). The Positive Mental Health Questionnaire (PMHQ), the Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire, the Mental Health-promoting knowledge, and the Psychological Vulnerability Scale were used. Statistical analyses were performed by bivariate associations and multiple linear regression models. Students were mostly women (79%), with an average age of 23.2 years (SD = 6.6), displaced from their family environment (43%), out-of-home (43%), and scholarship holders (37%). Higher scores found in the PVS were associated with decreased PMHQ in both moments (P < 0.01). These cross-sectional studies showed a slight variation in the mental health variables studied in the period before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. Being a woman, younger, out-of-home, and having a scholarship (P < 0.01) seem to increase susceptibility to mental health variation before and during the pandemic. Universities should develop strategies that promote students' mental health.

Mapping Complex Interventions in Portuguese Healthcare Research: A Scoping Review Protocol.

Along with the worldwide recognition of the importance of the methodological guidance to the validity and rigour of complex health interventions, this scoping review aims to identify and characterise the scientific evidence on complex health interventions in Portuguese healthcare research. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance for scoping reviews will be followed. The population (P) concept (C) context (C) mnemonic will scaffold the research questions, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and searching strategy. MEDLINE, CINAHL, LILACS, and Open Access Scientific Repository of Portugal (RCAAP) will be searched. Scientific evidence reporting complex health interventions in the Portuguese healthcare context, in Portuguese and English and published from 2008 and onwards will be considered for inclusion. Literature pertaining to complex health interventions outside the Portuguese healthcare context will be excluded. The literature will be screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers first by title and abstract and subsequently by full-text. A data matrix will be used for data-extraction of the included literature. The charted data will be thematically analysed and presented graphically with a narrative description of the literature characteristics. The results from this literature review are expected to provide an overview of the knowledge concerning the characteristics and methodological guidance of Portuguese complex health interventions.

Residencias de ancianos en Portugal durante la COVID-19: desafíos para el futuro / Nursing homes in Portugal during the COVID-19 outbreak: Challenges for the future

Objetivo:Este estudio pretende explorar la percepción de los especialistas sobre el desempeño de las residencias de ancianos durante la COVID-19.Método:Este es un estudio desarrollado en 2 fases: 1) un grupo focal, con el que se trabajó en mayo 2020, con 5 especialistas y 2) un Delphi modificado, implementado en septiembre 2020 con 22 especialistas, ambos en el área de asistencia en residencias de ancianos del norte y centro de Portugal.Resultados:Los resultados permitieron identificar 3 áreas principales que influenciaron el desempeño de las residencias de ancianos desde el inicio del brote de la COVID-19: modelos de organización y recursos; salud física y mental de los residentes y; la familia como apoyo.Conclusiones:Las personas mayores que residen en residencias para ancianos quedan particularmente vulnerables a la COVID-19, pues esta enfermedad puede tener para ellos consecuencias muy graves o incluso conducirle a la muerte. Es importante que las residencias prevengan la fragilidad física y mental de los ancianos, así como la soledad que muy probablemente les asola debido a las circunstancias pandémicas. Los responsables por las residencias de ancianos deben percibir que las personas mayores que viven en ellas tienen. por lo general. problemas de salud, lo que debería determinar la implementación de nuevas estrategias, entre ellas el aumento del número de profesionales debidamente capacitados.

Objective:This study sought to explore the perceptions of experts about the performance of nursing homes during the COVID-19 outbreak.Method:A qualitative study was developed in two stages: (1) a focus group, conducted in May 2020, with 5 experts; (2) a modified e-Delphi, implemented in September 2020 with 22 experts, both in the area of assistance in nursing homes from Northern and Center of Portugal.Results:The results allowed identifying three main areas that influenced the performance of nursing homes during the COVID-19 outbreak: organization models and resources; physical and mental health of residents and; family as a support.Conclusions:Older adults residing in nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to severe disease or death from COVID-19. It is emergent that nursing homes prevent physical and mental frailty in older residents and the loneliness aggravated by the pandemic circumstances. Decision-makers need to recognize that older people living in nursing homes have several health needs, which should determine the implementation of new strategies namely the increase in the number of professionals with appropriate skills.

[Nursing homes in Portugal during the COVID-19 outbreak: Challenges for the future]. / Residencias de ancianos en Portugal durante la COVID-19: desafíos para el futuro.

Objective: This study sought to explore the perceptions of experts about the performance of nursing homes during the COVID-19 outbreak. Method: A qualitative study was developed in two stages: (1) a focus group, conducted in May 2020, with 5 experts; (2) a modified e-Delphi, implemented in September 2020 with 22 experts, both in the area of assistance in nursing homes from Northern and Center of Portugal. Results: The results allowed identifying three main areas that influenced the performance of nursing homes during the COVID-19 outbreak: organization models and resources; physical and mental health of residents and; family as a support. Conclusions: Older adults residing in nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to severe disease or death from COVID-19. It is emergent that nursing homes prevent physical and mental frailty in older residents and the loneliness aggravated by the pandemic circumstances. Decision-makers need to recognize that older people living in nursing homes have several health needs, which should determine the implementation of new strategies namely the increase in the number of professionals with appropriate skills.

Vivências e desafios ao cuidar de familiar idoso com acidente vascular cerebral / Experiencias y retos al cuidar de un familiar anciano con accidente cerebrovascular / Experiences and Challenges When Caring for an Elderly Family Member with Cerebrovascular Accident

Introdução: O Acidente Vascular Cerebral é uma das principais causas de mortes e incapacidades entre idosos. Os cuidados após Acidente Vascular Cerebral, comumente, são assumidos pela família, que possui pouco conhecimento acerca da doença e capacidades para desempenhar o cuidado no domicílio. Objetivo: Conhecer as vivências e desafios enfrentados por cuidadores familiares de pessoas idosas dependentes de cuidados após Acidente Vascular Cerebral, sobre as atividades de cuidado realizadas no domicílio. Métodos: Estudo qualitativo por meio da técnica de grupo focal, realizado com cinco cuidadores familiares de idosos com Acidente Vascular Cerebral, em acompanhamento na Linha de Cuidado do Acidente Vascular Cerebral de um hospital da região sul do Brasil. Realizaram-se três encontros em abril de 2018. Utilizou-se a Análise Temática para interpretação dos resultados. O estudo foi aprovado por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa sob nº 18007. Resultados: Emergiram quatro categorias: Tornar-se cuidador de um familiar após Acidente Vascular Cerebral; Dificuldades vivenciadas; Despreparo para lidar com o familiar dependente; e Estratégias de enfrentamento. Conclusões: As vivências e desafios relatados fornecem evidências para estruturar e qualificar programas de atenção a cuidadores partindo das necessidades dos mesmos(AU)

Introducción: El accidente vascular cerebral es una de las principales causas de muerte e incapacidad entre ancianos. Los cuidados después del accidente vascular cerebral, comúnmente, son asumidos por la familia, que tiene poco conocimiento acerca de la enfermedad y capacidades para desempeñar el cuidado en el domicilio. Objetivo: Conocer las vivencias y desafíos en las actividades de cuidado realizadas en el domicilio enfrentados por los cuidadores familiares de personas ancianas dependientes de cuidados tras accidente vascular cerebral. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo por medio de la técnica de grupo focal, realizado con cinco cuidadores familiares de ancianos con accidente vascular cerebral, en seguimiento en la Línea de Cuidado do Accidente Vascular Cerebral de un hospital de la región sur de Brasil. Se realizaron tres encuentros en abril de 2018. Se utilizó el análisis temático para la interpretación de los resultados. el estudio fue aprobado por el comité de ética en investigación con el número 18007. Resultados: Emergieron cuatro categorías: hacerse cuidador de un familiar después de accidente vascular cerebral; dificultades vivenciadas; no preparación para tratar con el familiar dependiente y estrategias de enfrentamiento. Conclusiones: Las vivencias y desafíos relatados proporcionan evidencias para estructurar y calificar programas de atención a cuidadores partiendo de las necesidades de los mismos(AU)

Introduction: Cerebrovascular accident is one of the main causes of death and disability among the elderly. The cares following cerebrovascular accident are commonly undertaken by the family, with little knowledge about the disease and few capacities to provide care at home. Objective: To know the experiences and challenges in the care-related activities performed at home and undertaken by the family caregivers of elderly people dependent on care after cerebrovascular accident. Methods: Qualitative study carried out using the focus group technique and with five family caregivers of elderly people with cerebrovascular accident under follow-up by the Cerebral Vascular Accident Care Line of a hospital in the southern region of Brazil. Three meetings were held in April 2018. Thematic analysis was used for the interpretation of the results. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee under number 18007. Results: Four categories emerged: becoming a caregiver for a family member after cerebrovascular accident, difficulties experienced, no preparation for managing the dependent family member, and coping strategies. Conclusions: The experiences and challenges reported provide evidence for structuring and qualifying care programs for caregivers based on their needs(AU)

Training informal caregivers to care for older people after stroke: A quasi-experimental study.

AIMS: This study aimed at evaluating whether training on practical skills involved in providing care reduces the burden experienced by informal caregivers and improves their general health condition. BACKGROUND: A substantial number of informal caregivers lack skills to deliver poststroke assistance to older people after hospital discharge, which leads to burden situations as well as mental and physical health deterioration of the former. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental design. METHODS: This study involved 174 informal caregivers of older people who overcame a stroke. The control group (N = 89) received the usual type of care delivered in healthcare units. The experimental group (N = 85) adopted the InCARE programme for 1 week (T0), 1 month (T1) and 3 (T2) months and received telephone support by counselling caregivers on the subsequent 3rd, 6th, 8th and 10th weeks to hospital discharge. It aimed at facilitating the caregiver's adjustment to the demands of a poststroke stage and at increasing knowledge and practical skills to support the decision-making. Data collection occurred between February-December 2014 at the Community Home Care Services in northern Portugal. RESULTS: The experimental group obtained significantly better results regarding practical skills as well as lower burden levels and a better general mental health condition when compared with the control group 1 (T1) and 3 (T2) months after intervention. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that our programme improved practical skills, helped reduce burden levels with better scores and improvement regarding general mental health condition of informal caregivers.

A randomized controlled trial of a nursing psychotherapeutic intervention for anxiety in adult psychiatric outpatients.

AIM: To evaluate the short-term efficacy of a psychotherapeutic intervention in nursing on Portuguese adult psychiatric outpatients with the nursing diagnosis "anxiety." BACKGROUND: Several efficacious forms of treatment for anxiety are available, including different forms of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. However, literature tends to favour findings from studies on the efficacy of psychotherapies and therapies provided by nurses to the detriment of those arising from studies on the efficacy of nursing psychotherapeutic interventions (interventions which are classified, for instance, on Nursing Interventions Classification). DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The study was performed, between November 2016 - April 2017, at a psychiatry outpatient ward. Participants were randomly allocated to an intervention group (N = 29) or a treatment-as-usual control group (N = 31). Patients in the intervention group received psychopharmacotherapy with interventions integrated in the Nursing Interventions Classification for the nursing diagnosis "anxiety." A treatment-as-usual control group received only psychopharmacotherapy (if applicable). Anxiety level and anxiety self-control were the primary outcomes. RESULTS: Patients from both groups had reduced anxiety levels, between the pre-test and the posttest assessment; however, according to analysis of means, patients in the intervention group displayed significantly better results than those of the control group. Furthermore, only patients in the intervention group presented significant improvements in anxiety self-control. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the short-term efficacy of this psychotherapeutic intervention model in nursing in the decrease of anxiety level and improvement of anxiety self-control in a group of psychiatric outpatients with pathological anxiety. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02930473.

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of NOC Outcomes "Anxiety Level" and "Anxiety Self-Control" in a Portuguese Outpatient Sample.

PURPOSE: To adopt the language and to evaluate the psychometric properties of "Anxiety level" and "Anxiety self-control" NOC outcomes in Portuguese adult patients. METHODS: Methodological design. FINDINGS: The final European Portuguese version of the NOC outcome "Anxiety level," composed by 16 indicators, proved excellent internal consistency. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was forced to three factors. The NOC outcome "Anxiety self-control," composed of nine indicators, demonstrated a questionable internal consistency. EFA was forced to two factors. CONCLUSIONS: European Portuguese versions of the studied NOC outcomes proved to be tools with acceptable psychometric properties for evaluating anxiety in Portuguese patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This study contributed to the development of NOC language and to the enrichment of nursing's body of knowledge. OBJETIVO: Adaptar a linguagem e avaliar as propriedades psicométricas dos resultados NOC "Nível de ansiedade" e "Autocontrolo da ansiedade" em utentes portugueses adultos. MÉTODOS: Estudo metodológico. RESULTADOS: A versão portuguesa do resultado NOC "Nível de ansiedade", composta por 16 indicadores, apresentou uma excelente consistência interna. A análise fatorial exploratória (AFE) foi forçada a três dimensões. O resultado NOC "Autocontrolo da ansiedade", composto por nove indicadores, apresentou uma consistência interna questionável. A AFE foi forçada a duas dimensões. CONCLUSÕES: As versões portuguesas dos resultados NOC estudados são instrumentos com propriedades psicométricas aceitáveis para avaliar a ansiedade em utentes portugueses. IMPLICAÇÕES PARA A PRÁTICA DE ENFERMAGEM: Este estudo contribuiu para o desenvolvimento da linguagem NOC e para enriquecer o corpo de conhecimento de Enfermagem.

Development and psychometric properties of ECPICID-AVC to measure informal caregivers' skills when caring for older stroke survivors at home.

INTRODUCTION: Informal caregivers provide a significant part of the total care needed by dependent older people poststroke. Although informal care is often the preferred option of those who provide and those who receive informal care, informal caregivers often report lack of preparation to take care of older dependent people. This article outlines the development and psychometric testing of informal caregivers' skills when providing care to older people after a stroke - ECPICID-AVC. DESIGN: Prospective psychometric instrument validation study. METHODS: Eleven experts participated in a focus group in order to delineate, develop and validate the instrument. Data were gathered among adult informal caregivers (n = 186) living in the community in Northern Portugal from August 2013 to January 2014. RESULTS: The 32-item scale describes several aspects of informal caregiver's skills. The scale has eight factors: skill to feed/hydrate by nasogastric feeding, skill to assist the person in personal hygiene, skill to assist the person for transferring, skill to assist the person for positioning, skill to provide technical aids, skill to assist the person to use the toilet, skill to feed/hydrate and skill to provide technical aids for dressing/undressing. Analysis demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.83) and good temporal stability 0.988 (0.984-0.991). CONCLUSION: The psychometric properties of the measurement tool showed acceptable results allowing its implementation in clinical practice by the nursing community staff for evaluating practical skills in informal caregivers when providing care to older stroke survivors living at home.

Intervention in informal caregivers who take care of older people after a stroke (InCARE): study protocol for a randomised trial.

AIM: This study aims at describing an intervention based on informal caregivers' skills when taking care of older people after a stroke (InCARE). BACKGROUND: Most informal caregivers feel unprepared to deliver assistance in activities of daily living at home. This lack of preparedness can lead to misconceptions, burden and affect their health, which, consequently, may imply hospital readmissions or early institutionalization of the older adults. DESIGN: A single blinded randomised trial. METHODS: This study will recruit 198 dyads, comprising old stroke survivors and their caregivers, who will be divided into two groups: intervention and control (protocol approved in May 2013). INCLUSION CRITERIA: (informal caregivers) absence of cognitive impairment; resident in the Cávado Region; to return the informed consent (older people) are over 65 years of age; have had a first stroke and; be dependent on at least one of the self-care activities post hospital discharge. PRIMARY OUTCOME: informal caregivers' skills. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: include burden and Health Quality of Life in informal caregivers; functionality, hospital readmission and institutionalization of older people stroke survivors, measured 1 and 3 months after InCARE programme. DISCUSSION: The InCARE programme will highlight new ways to understand the feasibility of a large trial, which supports caregivers who take care of older people after a stroke. It will be expected that the level of burden decreases, thus helping informal caregivers enhance their quality of life. Also, it is expected that older people's functionality will be improved and that hospital readmission or institutionalization may be avoided.