Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome in previously hospitalized patients.

INTRODUCTION: With the prolongation of the COVID-19 pandemic, more individuals are experiencing sequelae after COVID-19 infection, also known as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence and characteristics of PCS symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression and to compare these symptoms according to participant characteristics in patients who had been previously hospitalized due to COVID-19. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. METHODS: We included 114 individuals who had been hospitalized for COVID-19 and were discharged from the hospital at least 4 weeks before. Symptoms were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale, and the PCS symptom questionnaire developed by the authors. We used descriptive statistics, the Student's t-test, the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The most prevalent symptoms were anxiety (66.7%), fatigue (64.0%), headache (57.9%), and concentration or memory difficulties (57.9%). Concentration or memory difficulties and sleep disturbances had the highest mean frequency. Concentration or memory difficulties were rated with the highest mean severity, and cough, loss of taste, and muscle and joint pain had the highest mean distress scores. Female participants, individuals hospitalized for more than 2 weeks, individuals discharged more than 9 months ago, unvaccinated patients, and those who tried at least one symptom relief method reported higher symptom distress. CONCLUSION: The findings of this investigation into the frequency, severity, and distress of symptoms shed light on the identification of post-COVID symptoms in detail. To objectively evaluate and comprehend the symptom trajectories of PCS, prospective studies about the development of symptom assessment tools and studies with a longitudinal design should be conducted. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A substantial number of respondents reported numerous symptoms and expressed symptom distress; therefore, the development of nursing interventions and treatments to alleviate PCS symptoms is crucial.

The relationship between self-reported sensory decline and cognitive frailty in older persons.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between self-reported sensory decline, including poor hearing and vision, and cognitive frailty in older persons. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2020 National Survey of Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of Older Koreans. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between self-reported sensory decline and cognitive frailty. Of 9,692 participants, 39.8 % experienced sensory decline. The prevalence of cognitive frailty was 15.7 % among participants with poor hearing, 6.9 % among those with poor vision, and 17.9 % among those with combined poor hearing and vision. In our model, adjusted for sociodemographic and health-related variables, the cognitive frailty was significantly associated with poor hearing alone and combined poor hearing and vision. The findings suggest that healthcare professionals should prioritize their attention to the risk of cognitive frailty in older adults experiencing poor hearing alone and combined with poor vision.

Associations with smartphone usage and life satisfaction among older adults: Mediating roles of depressive symptoms and cognitive function.

This study aimed to investigate the serial mediating effects of depressive symptoms and cognitive function on the relationship between smartphone usage and life satisfaction among older people. Multiple linear regression analyses for complex randomly sampled data were used to identify the association between the status/level of smartphone usage, depressive symptoms, cognitive function, and life satisfaction. Furthermore, the Sobel test was conducted to assess the serial mediating effects of depressive symptoms and cognitive function on the relationship between smartphone usage and life satisfaction. The status and level of smartphone usage had significant positive impacts on cognitive function and life satisfaction, and negative impacts on depressive symptoms. Our results suggest that nurses should assess the status and level of smartphone usage among older people and plan approaches that enable them to utilize various smartphone functions to improve the well-being of this population.

Correlation of health-related quality of life for older adults with diabetes mellitus in South Korea: theoretical approach.

BACKGROUND: While some studies have explored the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of older adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) in South Korea using a theoretical framework, these studies suffer sample-related limitations, as they focus only on a specific subgroup of older adults. To address this gap, this study aimed to investigate the predictors of HRQOL of older adults with DM in South Korea, using extensive national data and based on the theory of Health-Related Quality of Life in South Korean Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes (The HIKOD theory). METHODS: A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from 1,593 participants aged 65 years and older with DM sourced from the 2015-2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The variables included in this study are as follows: demographic factors (gender, age, household income, and education level), disease-specific factors (duration of DM, treatment of DM, and control of HbA1c), barriers (number of comorbidities), resources (living alone status), psychosocial factors (perceived stress), and health-promoting behaviors (physical activity and fundus examination). Considering the complex sampling design employed in this study, statistical analyses including Rao-Scott chi-square tests, correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Mobility (45.0%) was the HRQOL dimension with which participants experienced the highest number of problems. Number of comorbidities (r = -0.36, p < 0.001), living alone status (rpb = 0.16, p < 0.001), perceived stress (rpb = 0.14, p < 0.001), and physical activity (rpb = 0.12, p < 0.001) were correlated with HRQOL. While adjusting for background factors, HRQOL was negatively predicted by higher number of comorbidities (estimate B = -0.03, p < 0.001), living alone (estimate B = -0.03, p = 0.043), higher perceived stress (estimate B = -0.09, p < 0.001), and lower physical activity (estimate B = -0.03, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Complex and diverse factors influence HRQOL among older adults with DM in South Korea. To improve their HRQOL, intervention programs that integrally regard HRQOL, along with various predictors, are necessary.

Similarities and Differences of Interventions to Promote Physical and Psychological Health Between Prefrail and Frail Older Women: A Systematic Review.

The current review aimed to explore similarities and differences in the properties of interventions that promote physical and psychological health between prefrail and frail older women. Ten databases were searched for studies published from database inception to May 2023. Two Cochrane tools were used to assess the risk of bias in experimental and quasi-experimental studies. Twenty-three studies were selected, including 11 studies on prefrailty and 12 studies on frailty. Exercise interventions were predominant, but the contents and standards of exercise intensity were inconsistent between prefrail and frail women. For the main outcomes of the interventions, balance ability and biochemical factors were measured more frequently for frail older women than prefrail older women. Psychological health was less measured for prefrail and frail older women compared to physical health. Future research needs to consider balance training, as well as the evaluation of biochemical factors and psychological health among prefrail or frail older women. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(10), 20-28.].

A comparison of the influencing factors of chronic pain and quality of life between older Koreans and Korean-Americans with chronic pain: a correlational study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is one of the most common health problems for older adults worldwide and is likely to result in lower quality of life. Living in a different culture may also influence chronic pain and quality of life in older adults. The purpose of this study was to explore how multifaceted elements affect chronic pain and quality of life in older Koreans living in Korea and in older Korean-Americans (KAs) living in the USA. METHODS: We conducted a secondary data analysis of data from 270 adults aged 65 years or over (138 Koreans and 132 KAs). We compared the effects of multifaceted elements on pain and quality of life by testing structural equation models (SEMs) for each group, using a maximum likelihood estimation and bootstrapping. RESULTS: SEMs for both Korean and KAs showed that age and depressive symptoms directly affected quality of life. The number of comorbidities and depressive symptoms had mediating effects on quality of life through chronic pain in both groups. In older Koreans only, perceived financial status directly affected quality of life. In older KAs only, sleep quality indirectly affected quality of life through chronic pain. CONCLUSION: The data showed that multimorbidity and depressive symptoms play critical roles for explaining chronic pain in older Koreans and KAs and ultimately negatively influence quality of life. Future intervention program to improve quality of life in older adults with chronic pain should consider the different cultural aspects affecting quality of life for Koreans and KAs.

Evaluating a theory-based intervention for improving eHealth literacy in older adults: a single group, pretest-posttest design.

BACKGROUND: The Internet is considered an important channel for providing health information to older adults. We developed an intervention to improve eHealth literacy in older adults according to the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) theory and Intervention Mapping. This study aimed to analyze the effect of a developed intervention on information, motivation, behavioral skills, and behaviors related to eHealth information in older adults. METHODS: Forty-six older adults over the age of 65 were recruited from two senior welfare centers in a city in South Korea. We divided the participants into four groups and conducted one intervention per group from March to December 2019. One intervention consisted of 5 sessions and was performed once a week (2 h/1 time) for 5 weeks, culminating in a total lecture time of 10 h. One lecture instructor and two assistant instructors supported the participants in the computer practices. RESULTS: Participants' computer/web knowledge, perceived ease of use, perceived enjoyment, and attitude toward eHealth information showed statistically significant increases. The eHealth literacy efficacy score, searching performance score, and understanding score were also significantly increased. However, there was no significant difference in perceived usefulness. CONCLUSION: The application of the current theory-based methodology can improve the quality of research in eHealth literacy. Additionally, various interventions should be developed and continuously applied to improve eHealth literacy among older adults.

Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder that negatively affects all aspects of life. With the widespread use of the internet, internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy has been developed and applied to control symptoms and improve the quality of life of those with irritable bowel syndrome. However, few studies have systematically reviewed the effectiveness of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy on irritable bowel syndrome. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systematically review studies that examined the use of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and to evaluate the effects of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy on the improvement of symptom severity, quality of life, psychological status, and cost-effectiveness. METHODS: This meta-analysis involved the search of 6 databases for relevant publications. From the 1224 publications identified through database searches, 9 randomized controlled trials were finally included in the analysis. RESULTS: The internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapies including exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy for self-management, and cognitive behavioral therapy for stress management were provided in 5 to 13 sessions for 5 to 10 weeks. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy had medium-to-large effects on symptom severity (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.633; 95% CI -0.861 to -0.4304), quality of life (SMD 0.582; 95% CI 0.396-0.769), and cost-effectiveness (-0.372; 95% CI -0.704 to -0.039) at postintervention. The effects on symptom severity remained over time even after the intervention, short-term follow-up (SMD -0.391; 95% CI -0.560 to -0.221), and long-term follow-up (SMD -0.357; 95% CI -0.541 to -0.172). There was no significant difference in psychological status, including anxiety and depression, in those with irritable bowel syndrome compared to the controls during the postintervention period. CONCLUSIONS: This review demonstrates that internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy could be a cost-effective intervention for improving symptoms and the quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. However, studies are still insufficient regarding the use of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy in these patients; therefore, more high-quality studies are required in the future.

Factors Related to Self-Confidence to Live Alone in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Many older adults prefer to live alone in their own homes, with age-related issues in physical movement, regardless of their cultural background. Importantly, however, to identify the features of successfully ageing in place (AIP), and foster independent living among these individuals, this study explored their level of self-confidence to live alone and its related factors. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using secondary data from an earlier study with older adults living alone in South Korea recruited by convenience sampling methods (N = 936, mean age = 77.1 years, 76.1% female). Data regarding the general, health-related, and social characteristics as well as self-confidence to live alone were collected via face-to-face interviews in 2019. Self-confidence to live alone was measured with a numeric rating scale of 0 to 10. RESULTS: The average self-confidence score to live alone was 6.59. A regression analysis showed that mould exposure at home, depression, emergency department visits, and loneliness hinder self-confidence to live alone. Meanwhile, such self-confidence was facilitated by independency in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), interactions with family members, social service utilisation, and social support. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that healthcare providers need to consider the importance of self-confidence to live alone and influencing functional, mental, social, and environmental factors to promote quality of life as well as successful AIP for older adults living alone. Further, self-confidence to live alone could be a new practical index in the field of health and ageing to screen the successful AIP of older adults living alone.

Building on Evidence to Improve eHealth Literacy in Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

This review aimed to provide information on ways to improve eHealth literacy in older adults by assessing current studies examining eHealth literacy. To achieve the aim, this review focused on what theories or theoretical frameworks were used in the studies, what factors were related to eHealth literacy, and what outcome variables were used in eHealth literacy interventions for older adults. Five electronic databases were searched to identify eligible studies. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was followed to select relevant studies, and narrative synthesis was performed. Among a total of 27 studies, 13 described theories or theoretical frameworks. Credibility in Internet health information, knowledge, and experience were identified as modifiable factors related to eHealth literacy. The most frequently used outcome variable was eHealth literacy efficacy. Nurses who are interested in improving eHealth literacy in older adults should consider appropriate theoretical frameworks and multiple factors influencing eHealth literacy.

Chronic disease interventions for people with visual impairment: A systematic review.

AIM: To identify the characteristics of chronic disease interventions for people with visual impairment (PVI) and provide suggestions for future interventions. BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases are more common in PVI than people without visual impairment, and PVI have difficulty managing chronic diseases due to physical, social, and psychological problems associated with visual impairment. However, evidence regarding chronic disease intervention for PVI is limited. METHODS: This review was guided by the PRISMA methodology. Data were extracted and checked, and each study was evaluated to ensure their methodological quality using appropriate tools based on the study design. Findings were described through a qualitative synthesis, and the above process was carried out by all four researchers. RESULTS: 28 studies were selected. The intervention for mental disorders was the most common with about 39.3%, followed by stroke (25.0%), diabetes (17.8%), various chronic diseases (10.7%), chronic pain (3.6%), and scoliosis (3.6%). Most of the intervention was delivered individually, and the place of intervention often depends on the preference or convenience of PVI. A wide range of intervention materials was used, from large print, audio, or braille version reading materials to technology products. Based on the results, the main areas of the outcomes were daily living function, psychological conditions, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: This review identified the components of interventions for PVI and provided intervention strategies. In particular, chronic disease interventions for PVI should be planned by considering how and where appropriate interventions are provided, various available materials, and the problems to be addressed.

Comparing Pressure Injury Incidence Based on Repositioning Intervals and Support Surfaces in Acute Care Settings: A Quasi-Experimental Pragmatic Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare pressure injury (PI) incidence based on repositioning intervals and support surfaces in acute care settings. METHODS: This pragmatic, quasi-experimental trial recruited a total of 251 critically ill patients who were at low or moderate risk for PI development. Participants were assigned to three interventions: a 2-hour repositioning interval using an air mattress, a 2-hour repositioning interval using a foam mattress, or a 3-hour repositioning interval using a foam mattress. Data were collected by nurses every shift over the course of 14 days. Pressure injury incidence was analyzed using a χ2 test. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in PI incidence between the groups with a 2-hour repositioning interval. However, the PI incidence in the group using a foam mattress with a 3-hour repositioning interval was significantly lower than in the group using an air mattress with a 2-hour repositioning interval (odds ratio, 0.481; 95% confidence interval, 0.410-0.565). CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that PIs decreased when the repositioning interval was extended from every 2 hours to every 3 hours while using foam mattresses. This study suggests that a 3-hour repositioning interval using a foam mattress could be applied to reduce the risk of PI development for patients at low or moderate risk.

Internet health information education for older adults: A pilot study.

This study aimed to develop internet health information education program, and to explore the program's feasibility and preliminary effects. We made use of an intervention mapping approach and adopted as conceptual framework the information-motivation-behavioral skills model to develop the program. We evaluated the feasibility and the impact of the education program using a single-group pretest-posttest design using generalized equation estimation. Eleven older adults participated in the classes from January 25 to February 22, 2019. Each outcome of the behavioral theory-based components of the program-computer/Web knowledge (p < .001), attitude toward internet-based health information (p = .002), eHealth literacy score (p < .001), searching performance scores (p < .001), and level of understanding of internet-based health information (p = .002)-showed significant improvement immediately after the intervention. This pilot study reveals that a behavior theory-based education program for utilizing internet-based health information is an effective way to increase older adults' eHealth literacy.

Animal-Assisted Therapy as an Intervention for Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to Guide Evidence-Based Practice.

BACKGROUND: Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) can ameliorate diverse health problems in older adults. However, applications of AAT have been limited because of the lack of intervention guidelines for older adults. AIMS: This study aimed to explore applications of AAT to older adults, analyze its health effects, and provide evidence for future interventions. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Data were analyzed based on both a narrative synthesis and a meta-analysis specifically for depression. RESULTS: A total of 47 studies were selected for analysis. About 45% focused on older adults with diseases such as dementia, and 57.4% selected dog(s) as an intervention animal. About 34.0% delivered interventions once a week, and the behavioral outcome domain was the most frequently investigated. The meta-analysis showed that the effect sizes of the AAT group were -1.310 (95% CI [-1.900, -.721]). LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: This review provides evidence for AAT as an intervention in the physiological, psychosocial, cognitive, and behavioral domains of older adults. When planning interventions for older adults, nurses should consider intended health outcomes, appropriate therapeutic animals, and the consequent intervention contents.

Intra-Ethnic Differences in Chronic Pain and the Associated Factors: An Exploratory, Comparative Design.

PURPOSE: To describe and compare the levels of pain severity and pain interference, pain catastrophizing, and associated factors between elderly Koreans living in South Korea and Korean Americans living in the United States with chronic pain. METHODS: An exploratory, comparative design was used for this study. A total of 270 individuals (138 Koreans living in South Korea and 132 Korean Americans living in the United States), aged more than 65 years, with self-reported chronic pain, and defined as at least 3 months of persistent musculoskeletal pain, is included. Outcome variables were pain severity, pain interference, and pain catastrophizing. Multivariate linear regression was conducted to examine factors associated with the outcome variables. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, Korean Americans had higher levels of pain severity and pain catastrophizing than Koreans. Depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life were significant factors for pain severity, pain interference, and pain catastrophizing for both groups. Among those factors, health-related quality of life was the most significant factor for predicting pain severity and pain interference, whereas depressive symptoms were the most significant factor for predicting pain catastrophizing for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-ethnic differences in pain severity and pain catastrophizing were found between elderly Koreans living in South Korea and Korean Americans living in the United States. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Because unfamiliar sociocultural and environmental factors may influence the pain responses, cultural differences and language barriers should be taken into account in pain research and management strategies for Asian immigrants in the United States. Psychological factors, including depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life, should also be considered in chronic pain management for both elderly Koreans and Korean Americans.

Comparing Factors Associated With eHealth Literacy Between Young and Older Adults.

The purpose of the current study was to compare the factors associated with adults' eHealth literacy, which is vital for health consumers. A secondary data analysis was conducted with data collected from November 2017 to February 2018 for a project on the development of a Korean version of the eHealth Literacy Scale. Participants were recruited through an online survey for young adults (n = 210, mean age = 25.5 [SD = 4.7] years) and a face-to-face survey for older adults (n = 187, mean age = 73.2 [SD = 4.8] years). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to analyze data and determine eHealth literacy predictors. Older adults held more positive attitudes toward internet health information than young adults (mean = 16.49 [SD = 2.54] and 17.04 [SD = 2.41], respectively; p = 0.029); however, eHealth literacy levels were comparable (mean = 30.50 [SD = 4.62] and 30.95 [SD = 4.17], respectively; p = 0.305). Attitude toward internet health information was a significant predictor of eHealth literacy in both groups, and age was only a predictor among young adults. These results elucidate predictors of eHealth literacy and inform strategies to improve eHealth literacy among young and older adults. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 46(8), 46-56.].

Social jetlag and quality of life among nursing students: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS: To investigate chronotype categories and social jetlag among nursing students and to identify associations between rhythm asynchrony and participants' physical and psychological health, academic performance and quality of life. BACKGROUND: Social jetlag refers to the asynchrony between chronotypes and social working hours, resulting in a misalignment of biological and social time. Recent studies have reported possible changes in psychosocial functioning owing to social jetlag. Therefore, the present study investigated chronotypes and the extent of social jetlag among nursing students. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 with a sample of 346 nursing students in two universities in Korea. METHODS: Social jetlag and quality of life were measured with the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire and the abbreviated version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale, respectively, in the year 2015. Data analysis was mainly based on a multiple regression to identify social jetlag's influence on students' quality of life. RESULTS: Average social jetlag was 1 hr - 36 min. Social jetlag was negatively correlated with chronotype, academic performance and quality of life. A multiple regression analysis revealed that social jetlag, a positive emotional state, recovery resilience and depressive symptoms affected students' quality of life. These variables accounted for 41.7% of the variance in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that decreases in social jetlag and depressive symptoms, as well as increases in the positive emotional state and recovery resilience, enhance students' quality of life.

Barriers to enteral feeding of critically ill adults in Korea.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evaluating barriers to provision of enteral nutrition in intensive care units and planning an appropriate intervention can improve nutritional nursing practice in these units. This study aimed to develop a Korean version of the Barriers to Enterally Feeding Critically Ill Patients Questionnaire (BEFIP-K) and to explore the barriers to enteral feeding of critically ill patients in Korea. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The 24- item BEFIP-K was developed according to the process laid down by the World Health Organization. Its psychometric properties were assessed, including acceptability; validity, which included content validity and construct validity; and reliability, which consisted of internal consistency and item-total correlation, using data from 207 critical care nurses in four tertiary hospitals in South Korea. RESULTS: The calculated content validity indices for each item were from 0.88 to 1.00. As for the exploratory factor analysis, 24 items were loaded on five domains, accounting for 56.9% of the total variance. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the total scale was 0.913 and the coefficients for item-total correlation analyses ranged from 0.469 to 0.694. The total BEFIP-K score was 32.1, with a range from 18.5 to 45.4. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support that the BEFIP-K is a feasible, valid instrument for assessing barriers to provision of enteral nutrition.

The relationships of multiple factors to menopausal symptoms in different racial/ethnic groups of midlife women: The structural equation modeling.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships of multiple factors to menopausal symptoms in different racial/ethnic groups of midlife women. This secondary analysis was conducted with the data from 980 midlife women that were collected from 2005 to 2013 using the Midlife Women's Symptom Index. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The model had the highest fit indices for non-Hispanic (NH) White midlife women, and prominent racial/ethnic differences were observed in the relationships of multiple factors to menopausal symptoms. In all racial/ethnic groups (except in Hispanic women), perceived health status was significantly positively associated with menopausal symptoms (ß = -0.149 for NH African-American; ß = -0.207 for NH Asians; ß = -0.162 for NH Whites). Body mass index was significantly positively associated with menopausal symptoms only in NH Asians (ß = 0.118) and Hispanics (ß = 0.210). The racial/ethnic differences in the relationships of multiple factors to menopausal symptoms could have resulted from the different cultural contexts in which women undergo during their menopausal transitions. Further cultural studies on the associations of racial/ethnic-specific factors with menopausal symptoms would help in understanding possible causes for racial/ethnic differences in the factors significantly associated with menopausal symptoms.

Implementing an educational program to improve critical care nurses' enteral nutritional support.

BACKGROUND: Although international nutrition societies recommend enteral nutrition guidelines for patients in intensive care units (ICUs), large gaps exist between these recommendations and actual clinical practice. Education programs designed to improve nurses' knowledge about enteral nutrition are therefore required. In Korea, there are no educational intervention studies about evidence-based guidelines of enteral nutrition for critically ill patients. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effects of an education program to improve critical care nurses' perceptions, knowledge, and practices towards providing enteral nutritional support for ICU patients. METHODS: A quasi-experimental, one-group study with a pre- and post-test design was conducted from March to April 2015. Nurses (N = 205) were recruited from nine ICUs from four tertiary hospitals in South Korea. The education program comprised two sessions of didactic lectures. Data were collected before (pre-test) and 1 month after (post-test) the education program using questionnaires that addressed nurses' perceptions, knowledge, and practices relating to providing enteral nutritional support for ICU patients. RESULTS: After the program, nurses showed a significant improvement in their perceptions and knowledge of enteral nutrition for ICU patients. There was a significant improvement in inspecting nostrils daily, flushing the feeding tube before administration, providing medication that needs to be crushed correctly, changing feeding sets, and adjusting feeding schedules. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that an enteral nutrition education program could be an effective strategy to increase critical care nurses' support for the critically ill. This education program can be incorporated into hospital education or in-service training for critical care nurses to strengthen their perceptions and knowledge of nutritional support in the ICU. This may improve the clinical outcomes of ICU patients.