Calidad de vida en adultos mayores con trastorno neurocognitivo mayor moderado a grave institucionalizados: efecto de la Doll Therapy / Quality of life in institutionalized older adults with moderate to severe major neurocognitive disorder: Effect of Doll therapy

Antecedentes y objetivos El trastorno neurocognitivo mayor se caracteriza por el deterioro cognitivo progresivo, la disminución de la capacidad de la persona para realizar actividades de la vida diaria y la aparición de síntomas psicológicos y conductuales, que suponen un deterioro de la calidad de vida y la progresión hacia la institucionalización. El manejo más frecuente del trastorno neurocognitivo mayor es la terapia farmacológica, que mitiga o lentifica el deterioro progresivo y el control de los síntomas. El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer el efecto de una intervención de enfermería basada en la Doll Therapy comparada con el cuidado convencional sobre la calidad de vida de los adultos mayores con trastorno neurocognitivo mayor moderado a grave, institucionalizados en centros de bienestar para adultos mayores de la ciudad de Medellín (Colombia). Método Estudio piloto experimental pretest post-test con dos grupos. La muestra estuvo conformada por 26 adultos mayores con trastorno neurocognitivo mayor moderado a grave, institucionalizados, asignados aleatoriamente a cada grupo. El grupo experimental recibió la terapia de enfermería basada en la Doll Therapy, mientras que el grupo control continuó recibiendo el protocolo de la institución. Se utilizó el instrumento QUALID, el cual fue evaluado por profesionales externos a los centros de atención. Resultados La comparación de los grupos, antes y después de la intervención, señala que el grupo experimental mostró un efecto positivo sobre la calidad de vida, apoyado en la significación estadística de los datos, con un tamaño del efecto moderado. Conclusiones La Doll Therapy, como una terapia no farmacológica, tiene un efecto positivo en la calidad de vida de los pacientes con trastorno neurocognitivo mayor moderado a grave, lo cual constituye un aporte para fortalecer el conocimiento asociado a los efectos de esta intervención (AU)

Background and objectives Major neurocognitive disorder is characterized by progressive cognitive impairment, a decrease in the person's ability to perform activities of daily living and the appearance of psychological and behavioral symptoms that lead to a deterioration in the quality of life and progression towards institutionalization. The most common management of major neurocognitive disorder is pharmacological therapy that mitigates or slow progressive deterioration and symptom control. The objective of this study was to establish the effect of a nursing intervention based on Doll therapy, compared to conventional care on the quality of life of older adults with moderate to severe major neurocognitive disorder institutionalized in nursing homes in the city of Medellín, Colombia. Methods Pilot experimental study with two groups and pretest post-test measurement. The sample consisted of 26 institutionalized elderly adults with advanced-stage major neurocognitive disorder, randomly assigned to each group. The experimental group received Doll therapy, based nursing therapy, while the comparison group continued to receive conventional therapy according to the institution's protocol. The QUALID instrument was used, which was evaluated by professionals external to the care centers. Results The comparison of the groups, before and after the intervention, indicates that the experimental group showed a positive effect on quality of life, supported by the statistical significance of the data, with a moderate effect. Conclusions The Doll therapy as a non-pharmacological therapy has a positive effect on the quality of life of patients with moderate to severe major neurocognitive disorder, which constitutes a contribution to strengthen the knowledge associated with the effects or this intervention (AU)

[Quality of life in institutionalized older adults with moderate to severe major neurocognitive disorder: Effect of Doll therapy]. / Calidad de vida en adultos mayores con trastorno neurocognitivo mayor moderado a grave institucionalizados: efecto de la Doll Therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Major neurocognitive disorder is characterized by progressive cognitive impairment, a decrease in the person's ability to perform activities of daily living and the appearance of psychological and behavioral symptoms that lead to a deterioration in the quality of life and progression towards institutionalization. The most common management of major neurocognitive disorder is pharmacological therapy that mitigates or slow progressive deterioration and symptom control. The objective of this study was to establish the effect of a nursing intervention based on Doll therapy, compared to conventional care on the quality of life of older adults with moderate to severe major neurocognitive disorder institutionalized in nursing homes in the city of Medellín, Colombia. METHODS: Pilot experimental study with two groups and pretest post-test measurement. The sample consisted of 26 institutionalized elderly adults with advanced-stage major neurocognitive disorder, randomly assigned to each group. The experimental group received Doll therapy, based nursing therapy, while the comparison group continued to receive conventional therapy according to the institution's protocol. The QUALID instrument was used, which was evaluated by professionals external to the care centers. RESULTS: The comparison of the groups, before and after the intervention, indicates that the experimental group showed a positive effect on quality of life, supported by the statistical significance of the data, with a moderate effect. CONCLUSIONS: The Doll therapy as a non-pharmacological therapy has a positive effect on the quality of life of patients with moderate to severe major neurocognitive disorder, which constitutes a contribution to strengthen the knowledge associated with the effects or this intervention.

Nutritional Care for Institutionalized Persons with Dementia: An Integrative Review.

BACKGROUND: Older people are at risk of malnutrition, especially when they suffer from cognitive impairment. Guidelines that orient nursing care in this regard need to be updated. The aim of this review is to address the best available evidence on interventions that can benefit nutritional nursing care for institutionalized older adults with dementia. METHODS: Integrative review using the Dimensions and Eureka search engines, and the PubMed, Embase, Scielo, CINAHL, and ScienceDirect databases. We searched from the year 2015 through to 2021. We employed the MMAT guidelines for mixed, qualitative, and quantitative studies, and the PRISMA, CASP, and JBI guidelines to value the reviews. RESULTS: A total of 55 studies met the inclusion criteria. The best available evidence to support nutritional nursing care for institutionalized older adults with dementia highlights several aspects related to the assessment and caring interventions that are focused on people with dementia, their caregivers, and their context. CONCLUSIONS: Both the assessment and nutritional care interventions for older people with dementia should consider the patient-caregiver dyad as the subject of care and understand the context as a fundamental part of it. The analysis of the context should look further than the immediate environment.

Automanejo de la diabetes en personas socioeconómicamente vulnerables: estudio de factibilidad / Diabetes self-management in socioeconomically vulnerable people: A feasibility study

Introducción: La diabetes mellitus tipo 2 es una de las principales causas de morbimortalidad en el mundo, su prevalencia es aún mayor en países de medianos y bajos ingresos. El automanejo es una estrategia que ha demostrado controlar las enfermedades crónicas. Objetivo: Determinar la factibilidad y eficacia preliminar de la intervención educativa AMAS + Vida enfocada en el automanejo de la salud dirigida a personas adultas con diabetes tipo 2 en una Institución de salud de primer nivel en Neiva, Colombia. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio de factibilidad, pre test ­ post test con un solo grupo, para establecer la eficacia preliminar de la intervención. Muestra intencional de 36 adultos con diabetes tipo 2. Los instrumentos empleados fueron ficha de caracterización y escala Partners in Health para medir automanejo. Resultados: 31 adultos con diabetes completaron el seguimiento de 3 meses, mayoría eran mujeres, con bajo nivel socioeconómico y educativo, hubo buena factibilidad de la intervención. Los participantes mejoraron significativamente los conocimientos de la enfermedad (p < 0,001); además hábitos alimenticios (p = 0,001), comportamientos de automanejo de la salud (p < 0,001) y disminución del índice de masa corporal (p = 0,01). No hubo cambios significativos en la actividad física (p = 0,125). Discusión: Las intervenciones basadas en el automanejo estructuradas bajo la teoría de adaptación a las enfermedades crónicas logran cambios en la promoción de la salud en personas con diabetes. Conclusiones: La intervención tuvo eficacia preliminar en el grupo estudiado con buena factibilidad. Se recomienda continuar desarrollando estudios de tipo experimental.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its prevalence is even higher in middle- and low-income countries. Self-management is a strategy that has been shown to control chronic diseases. Objective: To determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the AMAS + Vida educational intervention focused on health self-management in adults with type 2 diabetes in a primary health care facility in Neiva, Colombia. Materials and Methods: Feasibility study using a one-group pretest-posttest design to determine the preliminary efficacy of the intervention. Purposive sample of 36 adults with type 2 diabetes. The instruments used were a characterization form and the Partners in Health scale to measure self-management. Results: Thirty-one adults with diabetes completed the 3-month follow-up, most of whom were women with low socioeconomic and educational levels. The feasibility of the intervention was good. Participants significantly improved disease knowledge (p < 0.001), eating habits (p = 0.001), health self-management behaviors (p < 0.001), and decreased body mass index (p = 0.01). There were no significant changes in physical activity (p = 0.125). Discussion: Self-management-based interventions, structured according to the theory of adaptation to chronic illness, achieve health-promoting changes in people with diabetes. Conclusions: The intervention showed preliminary efficacy in the study group with good feasibility. Further experimental studies are recommended.

Introdução: O diabetes mellitus tipo 2 é uma das principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade no mundo; sua prevalência é ainda maior em países de baixa e média renda. A autogestão é uma estratégia que comprovadamente controla doenças crônicas. Objetivo: Determinar a viabilidade e eficácia preliminar da intervenção educativa AMAS + Vida focada na autogestão da saúde dirigida a adultos com diabetes tipo 2 em uma instituição de saúde de primeiro nível em Neiva, Colômbia. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo de viabilidade, pré-teste ­ pós-teste com grupo único, para estabelecer a eficácia preliminar da intervenção. Amostra intencional de 36 adultos com diabetes tipo 2. Os instrumentos utilizados foram uma ficha de caracterização e a escala Partners in Health para medir a autogestão. Resultados: 31 adultos com diabetes completaram o acompanhamento de 3 meses, a maioria eram mulheres, com baixo nível socioeconômico e educacional, houve boa viabilidade da intervenção. Os participantes melhoraram significativamente o conhecimento sobre a doença (p < 0,001); também hábitos alimentares (p = 0,001), comportamentos de autogestão da saúde (p < 0,001) e diminuição do índice de massa corporal (p = 0,01). Não houve alterações significativas na atividade física (p = 0,125). Discussão: Intervenções baseadas na autogestão estruturadas sob a teoria da adaptação às doenças crônicas alcançam mudanças na promoção da saúde das pessoas com diabetes. Conclusões: A intervenção teve eficácia preliminar no grupo estudado com boa viabilidade. Recomenda-se continuar desenvolvendo estudos experimentais.

Technological innovation for workload allocation in nursing care management: an integrative review.

Background: Technology reduces the nursing workload, improve the quality care processes, patient's safety, and avoid staff burnout. Innovative technologies are disrupting healthcare systems by improving the efficiency of processes and management. There is a discussion on the benefits, challenges, and barriers of these technologies and considering human factors of nursing management. Methods: To analyse the nursing workload models, the predictors of nursing burnout and outcomes, the new technologies and its acceptance for nursing care management based on the literature. An integrative literature review is performed. Scopus, Scielo, PUBMED, and CINALH databases were searched to perform an integrative review following PRISMA guidelines. Articles published from January 2016 to December 2020 were included. Quality appraisal was performed using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool version 1.4 (CCAT). Two reviewers independently examined the title and abstract for eligibility according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Initially 2,818 articles were potentially relevant. After following the PRISMA Guidelines, 35 studies were included in the review. Four themes appeared: Nursing workload models; Predictors of nursing burnout and outcomes; Information technologies and technological means for management; Technology acceptance. Conclusions: Technology has the potential to improve care management by estimating nurse workload in ICUs and non-critical units, but scientific evidence is more detailed in the former type of services. The literature provides insights about the factors that factors and the barriers that promote the technology acceptance and usability. We did not find studies comparing technologies and no scientific evidence proving improvements in care.

Adaptation by Men to the Nurse Role. "Being Craftsmen in the Construction of their Professional Trajectory" / La adaptación de los hombres al rol de enfermero. "Ser un artesano en la construcción de su trayectoria profesional" / A adaptação do homem ao papel de enfermeiro. "Ser artesão na construção da sua carreira profissional"

Objective. This work sought to describe the adaptation process by men to the nurse role. Methods.Secondary analysis of data from a collective case study that had as participants 12 male nurses working in the city of Medellín, with ages between 28 and 47 years and average time of professional experience of 11 years. Information collection was carried out through in-depth interviews. The analysis was conducted through Roy's Adaptation Model (RAM), reading of the interviews, identification of RAM's components, grouping of fragments, assignment of tags, construction of a matrix and classification. Results. The analysis performed accounts for the coping processes and adaptation by male nurses and the ineffective responses (control of emotions and emotional silencing) when practicing a role considered feminine. Conclusion.In this study, it was possible to establish that, to achieve adaptation within nursing, men use strategies related with changes in bodily appearance, management of physical strength, and management of emotions.

Objetivo. Describir el proceso de adaptación de los hombres al rol enfermero. Métodos. Análisis secundario de los datos de un estudio de casos colectivo que tuvo como participantes a 12 enfermeros que trabajan en la ciudad de Medellín, con edades entre los 28 y los 47 años y un tiempo de experiencia profesional promedio de 11 años. La recolección de la información se realizó mediante entrevistas en profundidad. El análisis se realizó a partir del Modelo de Adaptación de Roy (RAM), lectura de las entrevistas, identificación de los componentes del RAM, agrupación de fragmentos, asignación de etiquetas, construcción de una matriz y clasificación. Resultados. El análisis realizado da cuenta de los procesos de afrontamiento y adaptación de los enfermeros y las respuestas inefectivas (control de emociones y silenciamiento emocional) al ejercer un rol considerado femenino. Conclusión. En este estudio fue posible establecer que, para alcanzar una adaptación dentro de la enfermería, los hombres utilizan estrategias relacionadas con cambios en la apariencia corporal, el manejo de la fuerza física y el manejo de las emociones.

Objetivo. Descrever o processo de adaptação do homem à função de enfermagem. Métodos.Análise secundária de dados de um estudo de caso coletivo que teve como participantes 12 enfermeiros que atuam na cidade de Medellín, com idade entre 28 e 47 anos e tempo de experiência profissional média 11 anos. As informações foram coletadas por meio de entrevistas em profundidade. A análise foi realizada por meio do Modelo de Adaptação de Roy (RAM), leitura das entrevistas, identificação dos componentes do RAM, agrupamento de fragmentos, atribuição de rótulos, construção de matriz e classificação. Resultados. A análise realizada dá conta dos processos de enfrentamento e adaptação das enfermeiras e das respostas ineficazes (controle das emoções e silenciamento emocional) ao exercer um papel considerado feminino. Conclusão.Neste estudo foi possível constatar que, para conseguir uma adaptação dentro da enfermagem, os homens utilizam estratégias relacionadas a mudanças na aparência corporal, manejo da força física e manejo emocional

From Being Caregiver to Being Cared for: The Experience of Adapting to Spinal Cord Injury, a Case Study.

This narrative case study portrays a young woman's life experience and adjustment process after suffering a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) 5 years ago. It is analyzed retrospectively from the perspective of the middle-range theory (MRT) of adapting to chronic health conditions by Buckner and Hayden (2014), and Ricoeur's narrative philosophy is expanded. Understanding Alice's narrative from this perspective allows us to understand the process of adaptation to a condition of disability due to a spinal cord injury, from the perspective of a nurse who was forced to change her role as a caregiver to a role of being cared for, due to the changes in her body and her corporality due to the consequences of the injury. In this narrative, the focal and contextual stimuli, the coping processes with special emphasis on the intrinsic and extrinsic adaptive processes, and the results of the process are identified.

Adaptation by Men to the Nurse Role. "Being Craftsmen in the Construction of their Professional Trajectory".

OBJECTIVES: This work sought to describe the adaptation process by men to the nurse role. METHODS: Secondary analysis of data from a collective case study that had as participants 12 male nurses working in the city of Medellín, with ages between 28 and 47 years and average time of professional experience of 11 years. Information collection was carried out through in-depth interviews. The analysis was conducted through Roy s Adaptation Model (RAM), reading of the interviews, identification of RAMs components, grouping of fragments, assignment of tags, construction of a matrix and classification. RESULTS: The analysis performed accounts for the coping processes and adaptation by male nurses and the ineffective responses (control of emotions and emotional silencing) when practicing a role considered feminine. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was possible to establish that, to achieve adaptation within nursing, men use strategies related with changes in bodily appearance, management of physical strength, and management of emotions.

Analytics and Lean Health Care to Address Nurse Care Management Challenges for Inpatients in Emerging Economies.

PURPOSE: Prescriptive and predictive analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) provide tools to analyze data with objectivity. In this paper, we provide an overview of how these techniques can improve nursing care, and we detail a quantitative model to afford managerial insights about care management in a Hospital in Colombia. Our main purpose is to provide tools to improve key performance indicators for the care management of inpatients which includes the nurse workload. METHODS: The optimal nurse-to-patient assignment problem is addressed using analytics, lean health care, and AI. Also, we propose a new mathematical model to optimize the nurse-to-patient assignment decisions considering several variables about the patient state such as the Barthel index, their risks, the complexity of the care, and the mental state. FINDINGS: Our results show that there are several processes inherent to compassionate nursing care that can be improved using technology. By using data analytics, we can also provide insights about the high variability of the care requirements and, by using models, find nurse-to-patient assignments that are nearly perfectly balanced. CONCLUSIONS: We illustrated this improvement with a pilot test that makes the equitable distribution of nursing workload the functionality of this strategy. The findings can be useful in highly complex hospitals in Latin America. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The proposed model presents an opportunity to make near perfectly balanced nurse-to-patient assignments according to the number of patients and their health conditions using technology.

Experience of Perinatal Death From the Father's Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Although perinatal deaths are still a common pregnancy outcome in developing countries, little is known about the effect perinatal death has on fathers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to understand and describe the meaning of perinatal death in a sample of fathers from northeastern Colombia. METHODS: Using purposive and snowball sampling approaches, we identified 15 participants from northeastern Colombia who agreed to participate. We used a descriptive phenomenological design. Data were collected through in-depth, semistructured interviews. RESULTS: Men suffer in solitude and hide their emotions as they feel the need to be the main supporters of their partners. Three major themes emerged: experience of loss, coming to terms with an irreparable loss, and overcoming the loss. DISCUSSION: While women are receiving care, health staff may neglect or forget men. Men suffer alone while seeking ways of attunement with their partners' emotions to support them during the grieving process. Fathers can overcome and adjust to the loss when they transcend it and find new meaning. Men felt neglected and marginalized at hospitals while their partners were receiving treatment. Health professionals should recognize and acknowledge the pain of fathers who face perinatal death and include them as much as possible in the standard of care. The results identify opportunities for healthcare providers in clinical and outpatient settings to acknowledge the importance of men within the context of pregnancy and to learn about their pain and suffering when they face a perinatal death.

Body and Corporality in adolescents and young adults with spinal cord injury / Cuerpo y corporalidad en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes con lesión traumática de la médula espinal / Corpo e corporalidade em adolescentes e adultos jovens com lesão traumática da medula espinal

Objective.To describe the meaning given by adolescents and young adults to the changes in their bodies and corporality after a spinal cord injury. Methods. Qualitative study based on symbolic interactionism in which 12 adolescents and young adults, who had suffered spinal cord injury 6 months or more before, participated. The information was recollected through a series of in-depth interviews and field journals. The guidelines proposed by Corbin and Strauss were followed for the process of codification and categorization of the data. Results. Four categories were identified that describe the meanings given by participants to the changes in their bodies and corporality: Transformation of self-image, living with contradictions in the relationships with others, withstanding the burden of a disability and adapting to the new conditions. Conclusion. The results allow for the comprehension of the meanings that are given by the people who have suffered a spinal cord lesion to their situation. This will in turn open the possibility of offering these people a better individual nursing care that focuses more on the particular needs, so that both they and their families can be helped on their way to adaptation to the new situation.

Objetivo.Describir los significados que otorgan los adolescentes y adultos jóvenes a los cambios en el cuerpo y la corporalidad luego de una lesión traumática de la medula espinal. Métodos. Estudio cualitativo basado en el interaccionismo simbólico, en el cual participaron 12 adolescentes y adultos jóvenes con trauma raquimedular con un tiempo mayor a seis meses desde el evento. La información se recolectó a través de entrevistas de profundidad y diarios de campo. En el proceso de codificación y categorización de los datos, se siguieron los lineamientos propuestos por Corbin y Strauss. Resultados. Se identificaron cuatro categorías que describen los significados que tienen para los participantes los cambios en el cuerpo y la corporalidad: Transformación de la imagen de sí mismo, vivir contradicciones en las relaciones con otros, soportar la carga de la discapacidad y adaptarse a la nueva condición. Conclusión. Los resultados permiten comprender los significados que otorgan las personas con lesión medular a su condición, para poder brindar un cuidado de enfermería individual enfocado en las necesidades particulares, para ayudarlos a ellos y a sus familias a adaptarse a la situación.

Objetivo.Descrever os significados que outorgam os adolescentes e adultos jovens às mudanças no corpo e a corporalidade após de uma lesão traumática da medula espinal. Métodos. Estudo qualitativo baseado no interacionismo simbólico, no qual participaram 12 adolescentes e adultos jovens com trauma raquimedular com um tempo maior a seis meses desde o acontecimento. A informação se recolheu através de entrevistas de profundidade e diários de campo. No processo de codificação e categorização dos dados, se seguiram os alinhamentos propostos por Corbin e Strauss. Resultados. Se identificaram quatro categorias que descrevem os significados que têm para os participantes as mudanças no corpo e a corporalidade: Transformação da imagem de si mesmo, viver contradições nas relações com outros, suportar a carga da deficiência e adaptar-se á nova condição. Conclusão. Os resultados permitem compreender os significados que outorgam as pessoas com lesão medular a sua condição, para poder brindar um cuidado de enfermagem individual enfocado nas necessidades particulares, para ajuda-los a eles e a suas famílias a adaptar-se à situação.

Body and Corporality in adolescents and young adults with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the meaning given by adolescents and young adults to the changes in their bodies and corporality after a spinal cord injury. METHODS: Qualitative study based on symbolic interactionism in which 12 adolescents and young adults, who had suffered spinal cord injury 6 months or more before, participated. The information was recollected through a series of in-depth interviews and field journals. The guidelines proposed by Corbin and Strauss were followed for the process of codification and categorization of the data. RESULTS: Four categories were identified that describe the meanings given by participants to the changes in their bodies and corporality: Transformation of self-image, living with contradictions in the relationships with others, withstanding the burden of a disability and adapting to the new conditions. CONCLUSION: The results allow for the comprehension of the meanings that are given by the people who have suffered a spinal cord lesion to their situation. This will in turn open the possibility of offering these people a better individual nursing care that focuses more on the particular needs, so that both they and their families can be helped on their way to adaptation to the new situation.

Ethical Analysis of a Qualitative Researcher's Unease in Encountering a Participant's Existential Ambivalence.

Gaining in-depth understanding of the experiences of persons who have suffered traumatic events with physical and psychological sequelae is important for building effective interventions. However, qualitative research of this kind can be emotionally difficult for the researcher whose research interests derive from practice experiences with the population studied. It may be difficult for the researcher to separate the role of inquirer from that of practitioner. We explore this issue using ethical analysis to differentiate the responsibilities of the researcher from those of the clinician. In the first part of the chapter, we provide some background on the population studied and traumatic spinal cord injury and its aftermath as context for the issues raised by the narrative. Then, we describe briefly the first author's research exploring the meaning of bodily changes and embodiment in persons who have suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury. We provide the part of Jack's story that most troubled the researcher and led her to discuss the situation with an ethics colleague. Finally, we use the tools of moral reasoning, ethical analysis, and principles of research ethics to explore the pertinent excerpt of the narrative. The resulting clarifications are laid out for the reader with the intent of assisting other qualitative researchers in determining the extent and limits of their obligations to participants of qualitative studies, especially those that explore sensitive issues.

Cuerpo y corporalidad en la paraplejia: significado de los cambios / Body and embodiment in paraplegia: meaning of the changes / Corpo e corporalidade na paraplegia: significado das mudanças

Las lesiones de la médula espinal constituyen una experiencia devastadora para las personas, debido a las secuelas súbitas y permanentes que ocasionan a nivel motor, sensitivo y autónomo. Objetivo: describir los significados que tienen para las personas con paraplejia, secundaria a una lesión traumática de la médula espinal, los cambios en el cuerpo y la corporalidad. Método: el artículo es una parte de un estudio cualitativo de teoría fundamentada, guiado por los lineamientos de Corbin y Strauss (2008). La información se recolectó a través de 22 entrevistas de profundidad, con participantes vinculados a una institución hospitalaria mediante la estrategia de bola de nieve. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas y transcritas en su totalidad, y el proceso de recolección y análisis de los datos fue paralelo. Resultados: el estudio describe nueve categorías que reflejan el impacto de los cambios en el cuerpo y en la corporalidad en las personas con paraplejia. El análisis de los datos muestra que, con el tiempo, las personas adquieren consciencia de las secuelas, aprenden a reconocer los nuevos patrones de expresión de su cuerpo, desarrollan nuevas habilidades. Se amoldan al uso de equipos y aditamentos y descubren una nueva normalidad, cuando asimilan los cambios en el ser y se aceptan a sí mismas con la discapacidad. Los resultados guían a los profesionales de la salud en general y a los de enfermería en particular, para el cuidado encaminado a reconocer el nuevo cuerpo y reconstruir una nueva corporalidad.

Spinal cord injuries are a devastating experience for people due to sudden and permanent sequels caused in terms of movility, sensitivity and independence. Purpose: describe the meaning of changes in the body and embodiment for paraplegic persons. Method: the paper is part of a qualitative study of grounded theory, oriented by the guidelines of Corbin e Strauss (2008). Information was gathered through 22 in-depth interviews, with participants linked to a hospital institution through the snowball strategy. Interviews were recorded and typed in full, and the process of gathering and analyzing data was performed in parallel. Results: the study describes nine categories that reflect the impact of changes in the body and corporality of paraplegic persons. The analysis of data shows that, with the passing of time, people are more aware of the sequels, they learn to recognize new patterns of corporal expression, develop new skills, adapt themselves to the use of equipment and fittings and discover a new kind of normality when they embrace the changes and accept their physical handicap. The results guide health-care professionals, in general, and nurses, in particular, towards a practice of care aimed at recognizing the new body and reconstructing a new corporality.

As lesões da medula espinal são uma experiência devastadora para as pessoas, por causa das sequelas súbitas e permanentes que causam ao nível motor, sensitivo e autônomo. Objetivo: descrever o significado que as mudanças no corpo e na corporalidade tem para pessoas paraplégicas. Método: o trabalho faz parte de um estudo qualitativo de teoria fundamentada, orientado pelas orientações de Corbin e Strauss (2008). A informação foi compilada através de 22 entrevistas em profundidade, com participantes vinculados a uma instituição hospitalar mediante a estratégia da bola de neve. As entrevistas foram gravadas e transcritas totalmente, e o processo de compilação e análise de dados foi paralelo. Resultados: o estudo descreve nove categorias que refletem o impacto das mudanças no corpo e na corporalidade nas pessoas paraplégicas. A análise dos dados demonstra que, com o passo do tempo, as pessoas são mais cientes das seque-las, apreendem a reconhecer os novos padrões de expressão do corpo, desenvolvem novas habilidades, adaptam-se ao uso de equipamentos e acessórios e descobrem uma nova normalidade quando assimilam os câmbios e aceitam sua deficiência física. Os resultados orientam os professionais da saúde em geral e da enfermagem em particular para um cuidado voltado ao reconhecimento do novo corpo e à reconstrução duma nova corporalidade.