Can Virtual Reality Help Improve Motor and Cognitive Function in Active Aging in Older Adults? A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Active aging is considered one of the most effective methods for a healthy aging process. There are numerous clinical practice guidelines that address this model and propose multiple strategies for its achievement through the improvement of motor and cognitive function. Virtual reality is emerging as a potential tool, with various modalities focused on promoting good health maintenance in older adults. The objectives of this review were to map the potential benefits of virtual reality for active aging and delve into adaptability and adherence in older individuals. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted on studies published between 2013 and 2023 in English, Spanish, or Catalan, examining virtual reality interventions in older adults. The search was performed using the Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The methodological quality was assessed using CASPe and FLC 3.0 critical appraisal guidelines. The graphical data were reported narratively, grouping results based on the study characteristics and the impact of virtual reality. RESULTS: The review process resulted in the inclusion of 22 articles out of the initial 459 following the application of the selection criteria. Most articles were randomized controlled trials (45.4%; n = 10), systematic reviews (40.9%; n = 9), observational studies (9%; n = 2), and pilot studies (4.5%; n = 1). The information was organized based on the virtual reality modality (immersive, non-immersive, and 360) and application area (motor, cognitive, and mental health). CONCLUSIONS: Virtual reality (both immersive and non-immersive) is a valuable tool for promoting physical exercise in older adults, helping to prevent recurrent accidental falls. It also yields positive results for cognitive stimulation in healthy older individuals, improving memory, depression, and mental health in those with cognitive impairment. Virtual reality is generally well-received by older adults, achieving high adherence rates.

Nomophobia and Its Relationship with Social Anxiety and Procrastination in Nursing Students: An Observational Study.

Nomophobia is a phenomenon that describes the fear of not having one's mobile phone accessible. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of nomophobia among nursing students as well as its relationship with procrastination and social anxiety. METHODS: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 308 nursing students. Data were collected using the Nomophobia Questionnaire, Academic Procrastination Scale-Short Form, and Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults. Additionally, sociodemographic variables related to academic performance and smartphone use were collected. We performed a descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analysis of the Nomophobia Questionnaire score. RESULTS: 19.5% (n = 60) of the students presented with or were at high risk of nomophobic behaviour. Moreover, nomophobic behaviour was positively correlated with high levels of social anxiety (p < 0.001), longer daily smartphone usage time (p < 0.001), and a high frequency of smartphone checking in class (p < 0.001). The predictive variables for nomophobic behaviour included age, variables related to smartphone use, social anxiety levels, work, procrastination tendency, sex, and self-reported average grade. CONCLUSION: One out of five students in the sample studied presented with or were at high risk of nomophobic behaviour. Additionally, nomophobic behaviour was associated with social anxiety and variables related to smartphone use. This study was not registered.

Student satisfaction level, clinical learning environment, and tutor participation in primary care clinical placements: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Competence evaluations in the clinical setting represent approximately 50% of the nurse training process. Factors, such as perceived learning environment and clinical nurse participation, may influence nursing student satisfaction during clinical placements. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the levels of nursing student satisfaction with clinical placements, the clinical learning environment, and the level of nurse tutor participation. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We included 61 nursing students and 45 clinical nurses from 35 primary care centres assigned to the Universitat Jaume I. VARIABLES AND DATA COLLECTION: We assessed the overall level of student satisfaction with clinical placements, students' perception of the learning environment, tutors' level of participation, and socio-demographic variables. DATA ANALYSIS: We performed a descriptive analysis of the study sample, as well as correlation and simple linear regression analyses. Questionnaire results were analysed depending on the nature of the variables. RESULTS: The students' perception of the learning environment was 4.39 ± 0.48 points out of 5. The overall satisfaction level was 8.89 ± 1.22 points out of 10. Tutor participation level in students learning was 3.91 ± 0.58 points out of 5. CONCLUSIONS: Both student perception of the learning environment in the clinical setting and their overall level of satisfaction with clinical placements in the primary care centres were considered high. Tutors were participative, but poorly satisfied.

Evaluación de la efectividad de un programa de intervención en cuidadores no profesionales de personas dependientes en el ámbito de la atención primaria / Evaluation of the effectiveness of an intervention program in family caregivers of dependent persons, in the primary health care system

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la eficacia de una intervención a cuidadores no profesionales (CNP). DISEÑO: Estudio cuasiexperimental de tipo antes/después, sin grupo control. Emplazamiento: Atención primaria; 5 Zonas Básicas de Salud (ZBS) en Castelló. Período: Entre el mes de enero de 2018 y el mes de enero de 2019. PARTICIPANTES: 72 CNP participantes en una intervención específica de reciente implementación en el Departament de Salut de Castelló. Intervención: Formación a CNP buscando mejorar el conocimiento del cuidado de personas dependientes y facilitando apoyo. Diez sesiones grupales de 120 min. Mediciones principales: Descriptivo sociodemográfico. Comparación de las variables sobrecarga, dolor lumbar (DL), apoyo social y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) antes-después de la intervención. Variable respuesta: sobrecarga del cuidador. Análisis descriptivo y bivariante. RESULTADOS: Todos los CNP presentaban sobrecarga basal (59,93 ± 14,71); el 73,3% manifestaban DL, con un nivel medio de 5,13 ± 2,56 e incapacidad moderada (41,7%). El 50% percibían escaso apoyo social y gran afectación de la CVRS, sobre todo en términos de dolor y ansiedad. Tras la intervención se encontró una mejora significativa (p = 0,004) en el apoyo social, así como cambios positivos de carácter descriptivo en la incapacidad por DL y dimensiones de la CVRS. No se hallaron progresos (p > 0,05) para la presencia y en el nivel de DL, así como en los niveles de sobrecarga. CONCLUSIONES: La intervención resulta efectiva para mejorar el apoyo social percibido. Sin embargo, el escaso impacto sobre otras variables aconseja reconsiderar sus contenidos, así como animar a nuevos estudios prospectivos que puedan ofrecer resultados más alentadores

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to family caregivers. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study of type before/after, without control group. SETTING: Primary care; 5 primary care centers of Castelló city. Period: Between the month of January 2018 and the month of January 2019. PARTICIPANTS: 72 family caregivers, participants in a specific intervention recently implemented in the Department de Salut de Castelló. Intervention: Training to family caregivers, seeking to improve knowledge of dependent care, and provide support. Ten group sessions of 120 minutes. Principal measurements: Descriptive of sociodemographic data. Comparison of the variables overload, low back pain, social support and health-related quality of life before-after the intervention. Variable response: caregiver overload. Bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: All family caregivers had baseline overload (59.93 ± 14.71); 73.3% showed low back pain, with an average level of 5.13 ± 2.56 and moderate disability (41.7%). 50% received little social support and a great impact on health-related quality of life, especially in terms of pain and anxiety. After the intervention, there was a significant improvement (P = .004) in social support, as well as positive descriptive changes in disability due to low back pain and health-related quality of life dimensions. No progress was found (P > .05) for the presence and level of low back pain, as well as overload levels. CONCLUSIONS: The resulting effective intervention to improve perceived social support. However, the low impact on other variables suggests reconsidering its contents, as well as encouraging new prospective studies that may offer more encouraging results

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of an intervention program in family caregivers of dependent persons, in the primary health care system]. / Evaluación de la efectividad de un programa de intervención en cuidadores no profesionales de personas dependientes en el ámbito de la atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to family caregivers. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study of type before/after, without control group. SETTING: Primary care; 5 primary care centers of Castelló city. PERIOD: Between the month of January 2018 and the month of January 2019. PARTICIPANTS: 72 family caregivers, participants in a specific intervention recently implemented in the Department de Salut de Castelló. INTERVENTION: Training to family caregivers, seeking to improve knowledge of dependent care, and provide support. Ten group sessions of 120minutes. PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENTS: Descriptive of sociodemographic data. Comparison of the variables overload, low back pain, social support and health-related quality of life before-after the intervention. Variable response: caregiver overload. Bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: All family caregivers had baseline overload (59.93±14.71); 73.3% showed low back pain, with an average level of 5.13±2.56 and moderate disability (41.7%). 50% received little social support and a great impact on health-related quality of life, especially in terms of pain and anxiety. After the intervention, there was a significant improvement (P=.004) in social support, as well as positive descriptive changes in disability due to low back pain and health-related quality of life dimensions. No progress was found (P>.05) for the presence and level of low back pain, as well as overload levels. CONCLUSIONS: The resulting effective intervention to improve perceived social support. However, the low impact on other variables suggests reconsidering its contents, as well as encouraging new prospective studies that may offer more encouraging results.