The effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercise applied to lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy on dyspnea, pain and sleep quality: A randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study is the analysis of how progressive muscle relaxation exercise affects dyspnea, pain and sleep quality in patients with lung cancer receiving chemotherapy.

METHODS

Seventy-four patients diagnosed with lung cancer were included in this randomized controlled study. A total of 16 sessions of progressive muscle relaxation exercises were applied to the patients in the intervention group for a duration of 30 min, 2 days a week for 8 weeks. Patient Information Form, Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (MRC dyspnea scale), Pitssburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Visual Analog Scale- Pain (VAS-P) were used to collect data.

RESULTS

Socio-demographic and disease characteristics were found to be similar in control and intervention groups. Final scores indicated significant differences between the experimental and control groups in all variables. The experimental group showed significantly more favorable results in dyspnea (p < 0.001), pain (p < 0.003) and sleep (p < 0.001) symptoms. When the effect size values (Cohen's d) of these findings were analyzed, PMR exercise was found to have a moderate effect on mean VAS-P scores (0.548) and a large effect on mean MRC dyspnea scale (1.073) and PSQI (0.970) scores. These results indicated significant differences in pre and post intervention mean scores.

CONCLUSION

Progressive muscle relaxation exercise applied to lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was found to be effective in reducing dyspnea and pain severity and improving sleep quality. Clinical trial registration at ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT04978805.

The effects of eye masks and earplugs on sleep quality, anxiety, fear, and vital signs in patients in an intensive care unit: A randomised controlled study

In intensive care units, environmental factors like loud noises and bright lights can cause fear, anxiety, changes in vital signs, and sleep disturbances. The aim of this study was to find out how using earplugs and eye masks during the night affected sleep quality, anxiety, fear, and vital signs of patients in an intensive care unit. A total of 70 patients, 35 in the intervention and 35 in the control group, were included in this randomised controlled study. While the patients in the intervention group were provided with earplugs and eye masks for 3 nights in addition to their routine care, only routine care was given to the patients in the control group. The 'Introductory Information Form', 'Visual Analogue Scale-Fear (VAS-F)', 'Visual Analogue Scale-Anxiety (VAS-A)', 'Vital Signs Monitoring Form', and 'Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire' were used for data collection. It was found that the mean scores of VAS-F, VAS-A, heart rate, diastolic and systolic blood pressure of the intervention group decreased significantly after the intervention, while their sleep quality increased significantly. In this study, it was found that using earplugs and eye masks for patients in an intensive care unit during the night was effective in improving patients' sleep quality and reducing fear, anxiety, and problems in vital signs.

Examination of health literacy and personal impact of epilepsy in patients with epilepsy

AIM

We conducted this study to examine the impact of health literacy on the personal impact of epilepsy in patients with epilepsy.

METHOD

We conducted this cross-sectional and correlational study with 125 individuals who were admitted to the neurology outpatient clinic of a university hospital in eastern Turkey, who met the research criteria, and who accepted to participate in the study. We collected the data by using the "Descriptive Information Form (DIF)", "The Personal Impact of Epilepsy Scale (PIES)", and "Health Literacy Scale (HLS)".

RESULTS

We found that the mean HLS total score of the participants was 104.84 ± 22.88. We also found the mean PIES total score to be 27.08 ± 18.56. Regression results using PIES as a dependent variable reported that the model created was statistically significant (F (21,83) = 11.398, p < 0.05). Among the variables included in the model, income status and HLS were negative (β = -0.209; β = -0.194; β = -0.364, respectively) predictors of the PIES total score. However, seizure status in the last year, number of drugs used, and seizure type were positive predictors of the PIES total score. We found that the variables included in the analysis explained 74% of the total PIES score.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the health literacy level (HLL) of the participants was sufficient or very good, and the effect of the disease on individuals with epilepsy was low. The effect of the disease on individuals with epilepsy decreased as the level of health literacy increased.

The effects of strength of religious faith on post-traumatic growth in patients with epilepsy

AIM

This study was conducted to examine the effects of strength of religious faith on post-traumatic growth in patients with epilepsy.

METHOD

This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 112 participants who were admitted to the neurology outpatient clinic of a university hospital in eastern Turkey, who met the research criteria and agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected by using "Descriptive Information Form", "Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSRFQ)", and "Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI)". Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire SCRFSQ has a maximum strength of faith score of 40 points and the PGTI has a maximum growth after a traumatic event score of 105 points.

RESULTS

Mean SCSRFQ total score of the participants was found to be 31.04 ± 5.17. Mean PTGI total score was found to be 60.54 ± 16.50. As a result of the regression analysis, it was found that the independent variable affected the dependent variable PTGI total score significantly (F(1,110) = 13.999, p = 0.000). It was also found that the independent variable affected the PTGI total score positively (β = 0.336) and explained 11% of the PTGI total score (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

It was found that the participants had high strength of religious faith score and moderate post-traumatic growth score. It was found that post-traumatic growth increased as strength of religious faith increased.

Effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on patients with epilepsy on level of depression, quality of sleep, and quality of life: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the effects of progressive relaxation exercises applied to patients with epilepsy on patients' depressive symptom severity, quality of sleep, and quality of life.

METHODS

The study was designed as a randomized controlled interventional study with a control group and pre-and post-test intervention. It was conducted with 70 patients with epilepsy, 35 in the intervention group and 35 in the control group, between November 1, 2021, and April 15, 2022. The patients in the intervention group were required to perform 12 progressive muscle relaxation exercise sessions 3 days a week for a total of 4 weeks. No interventions were made in the control group during the study. The data were collected with a "Personal Information Form," "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)," "Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)," and "Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QUOLIE -31)."

RESULTS

The mean PSQI total score, subscale scores, and mean BDI total scores of the patients in the intervention group decreased significantly compared to those in the control group after the intervention (p<0.05). Additionally, a significant difference was found between the mean QUOLIE-31 total scores and subscale scores of the patients in the intervention and control group after the intervention (p<0.05), the mean scores of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Progressive muscle relaxation exercises decreased depressive symptoms severity and improved sleep and life quality in patients with epilepsy. Progressive relaxation exercises may be recommended as a complementary nursing intervention in treating epilepsy.

Turkish validity and reliability study of disease-related fear scale in patients with epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to examine the validity and reliability of the Turkish disease-related fear scale (D-RFS) for adult patients with epilepsy.

METHODS

This methodological study was conducted with 154 patients with epilepsy who were referred to the neurology clinic and outpatient clinic of Firat University Hospital between December 2021 and March 2022. Content and construct validity were evaluated after the scale was translated into Turkish. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted for construct validity. Item analyses and internal consistency analyses were conducted for reliability. Convergent validity was also evaluated.

RESULTS

As a result of the evaluations and analyses, the content validity index of the scale was found to be 0.97. Exploratory factor analysis showed that the value of total variance explained by two factors was 74.77%. Factor loading of all items was found to be between 0.60 and 0.93. Cronbach's alpha values of the factors were found to be 0.97, while the total Cronbach's alpha value was found to be 0.95. As a result of the EFA and CFA, the 27-item, 2-factor disease-related fear scale was confirmed without changes to the original form of the scale. Good fit index values were obtained as a result of CFA.

CONCLUSION

The Turkish version of the disease-related fear scale for adult patients with epilepsy is a valid and reliable measurement tool to evaluate the disease-related fear of adult patients with epilepsy and to use in clinical practice.

The Relationship Between Fear, Obsession and Quality of Life in Chronic Patients Due to Covid-19 Pandemic

AIM

Excessive fear and repetitive negative thoughts about COVID-19 in individuals with chronic diseases, who are among high risk group in COVID-19 pandemic may cause psychological disorders such as obsession and affect the quality of life negatively. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between fear, obsessive behaviors and quality of life in chronic patients due to COVID-19 pandemic.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out between October 5 and 31, 2020. The survey form was sent online to individuals with a chronic disease who were 18 and older. 255 individuals who responded to surveys were included in the study. The data were collected with Personal Information Form, Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF-TR).

RESULTS

Fear of COVID-19 Scale mean score was found as 21.99±7.28, OCS mean score was found as 4.78±3.62, WHOQOL-BREF-TR physical subdomain mean score was found as 13.58±3.35, psychological subdomain mean score was found as 14.19±3.29, social subdomain mean score was found as 14.13±3.66, environmental subdomain mean score was found as 14.16±3.36, and national environmental subdomain mean score was found as 13.83±2.82. A positive and moderate significant correlation was found between FCV-19S and OCS (r=0.571, p=0.000). A positive and very weak significant correlation was found between OCS and WHOQOL-BREF-TR physical subdomain (r=0.166, p=0.00).

CONCLUSION

The participants were found to have high levels of fear of COVID-19 and low levels of obsession with COVID-19. It was found that individuals' fears increased obsessive thoughts and obsessive thoughts positively affected quality of life.

The association between coronaphobia and attitude towards COVID-19 Vaccine: A sample in the east of Turkey

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to examine the association between coronaphobia and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine in the society.

METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with snowball sampling method between December 30, 2020 and January 10, 2021. The survey form was sent online to individuals who were 18 years of age and older. 1252 individuals who responded to the surveys were included in the study. The data were collected by using "Descriptive Information Form", "Attitudes towards the Covid-19 vaccine scale" and "Coronavirus 19 Phobia Scale (CP19-S)". Descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation analysis were used in the evaluation of data.

RESULTS

In the study, it was found that the participants had a mean ATV-COVID-19 scale positive attitude sub-dimension score of 2.81±1.04, while they had a mean negative attitude sub-dimension score of 2.95±0.78 and a mean total score of 2.89±0.78. It was found that the participants had a mean C19P-S psychological sub-dimension score of 21.03±5.36, a mean psychosomatic sub-dimension score of 10.30±4.11, a mean social sub-dimension score of 15.04±4.71, a mean economic sub-dimension score of 8.89±3.46 and a mean total scale score of 55.28±15.00. It was found in the study that there was a positive association between the participants' C19P-S and social sub-dimension and ATV-COVID-19 and positive attitude sub-dimension, while there was a negative association between ATV-COVID-19 and negative attitude sub-dimension (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that the participants had a moderate level of coronavirus phobia and positive attitudes towards the vaccine. It was found that positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine increased as the coronavirus phobia increased.

Determining the effect of yoga on job satisfaction and burnout of nurse academicians

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the effect of yoga on burnout and job satisfaction of nursing academicians.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The research is an experimental clinical trial conducted as pretest-posttest with control groups between March and August 2019 in a Nursing Faculty. Participants in the experimental group were given yoga practice (n = 33) twice a week for 8 weeks. Data were collected by using MBI and MSQ.

FINDINGS

The experimental group's mean posttest Personal Achievement, Extrinsic Satisfaction and General Satisfaction scores were higher than that of control group participants, and a highly significant difference was found between the groups.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Yoga practice is effective in reducing the burnout and increasing job satisfaction of nursing academicians.

The Relationship Between Death Anxiety and Religious Coping Styles in Patients Diagnosed With COVID-19: A Sample in the East of Turkey

This study was conducted to find out the relationship between death anxiety and religious coping styles in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. This cross-sectional and relational study was carried out with snowball sampling technique between May 15 and June 15, 2021. It was found that the participants had a mean Death Anxiety Scale total score of 10.42 ±2.77, they had a mean positive religious coping sub-scale score of 23.44±2.66 and a mean negative religious coping sub-scale score of 12.82 ±3.08. Statistically significant positive association was found between Death Anxiety Scale and Religious Coping Questionnaire's both positive and negative coping sub-scale scores (p < .05). It was found that patients diagnosed with COVID-19 had high level of death anxiety and positive religious coping styles. It was also found that death anxiety levels increased in the patients as their use of positive and negative coping increased.

Turkish validity and reliability of the Personal Impact of Epilepsy Scale

AIM

This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the Turkish Personal Impact of Epilepsy Scale (PIES).

MATERIALS AND METHOD

This methodological study was carried out at a university hospital in Erzurum, eastern Turkey between January and April 2021. The data were collected from 126 patients who agreed to participate in the study within these dates via face-to-face interviews, a personal information form, and the Turkish PIES. The PIES consists of 25 items, scored between 0 and 4, and three subscales. The scale itself is a 5-point, Likert-type scale. Following the scale's translation process, its content and construct validity were evaluated. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted for construct validity and item analysis, and internal consistency analysis took place to confirm the scale's reliability.

RESULTS

As a result of the evaluations and analyses, the Turkish PIES's content validity index was 0.94. In the exploratory analysis, the scale's total variance rate was 70.82%. The Cronbach's alpha value of the Seizures subscale was 0.728, that of the Medication Side Effects subscale was 0.947, for the Comorbidities subscale it was 0.929, and the total scale's Cronbach's alpha value was 0.954. The results of the EFA (Exploratory Factor Analysis) and CFA (Confirmatory Factor Analysis) showed that the Turkish PIES, per its 25 items and three-factor structure, is a sufficient measurement instrument. Good fit index values were also obtained as a result of the CFA.

CONCLUSION

The Turkish version of the PIES is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate the effects of seizures, medication side effects, mood/social state, and quality of life of patients with epilepsy.

Evaluation of medication adherence and medication beliefs among patients with epilepsy

AIM

This study explored medication adherence and medication beliefs of patients with epilepsy and evaluated the relationship between these two factors.

METHODS

This descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 174 patients with epilepsy who were referred to the neurology outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Erzurum, Turkey, between February 10, 2020 and December 30, 2020. The data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, The eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), and the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ-T).

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 33.06 ± 11.94 years, and the mean duration of time since diagnosis was 12.91 ± 10.73 years. In terms of demographic information, 60.3% of the patients were single, 58% had low income or were unemployed, 53.4% had five or more seizures within the last year, 40.8% had focal onset seizures, 69% had no other chronic disease, and 76.4% used more than one medicine. The patients' mean MMAS-8 score was 3.25 ± 2.13. The mean scores for the specific concern subscale was 3.65 ± 0.85, 1.81 ± 0.75 for the specific necessity subscale, 4.19 ± 0.76 for the general overuse subscale, and 3.14 ± 1.41 for the general harm subscale. The regression analysis revealed that general overuse and general harm negatively affected the MMAS-8 total score.

CONCLUSION

Patients with epilepsy reported low medication adherence and were found to have concerns about the harms and side effects of the medicines they were using; they had negative perceptions of the purpose of medicines; they had high beliefs about the harms of medicines; and they had low beliefs about their personal treatment needs. The patients were generally found to have negative beliefs about medicines, which negatively affected their medication adherence.

Evaluation of care burden and caregiving preparedness in caregivers of patients with epilepsy: A sample in eastern Turkey

AIM

This study was conducted to evaluate the care burden and caregiving preparedness in caregivers of patients with epilepsy.

METHODS

This descriptive, cross-sectional study evaluated the caregivers of patients with epilepsy who were referred to the neurology outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Erzurum, eastern Turkey, between February 2020 and February 2021. The study was carried out with 147 volunteers among the patients with epilepsy who were referred to the neurology outpatient clinic between the specified dates. The data were collected with Caregiver Question Form, the Brief Disability Questionnaire (BDQ), the Burden Interview (BI), and the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale (PCS).

RESULTS

The mean BI score of the caregivers who participated in the study was 43.14 ± 18.08, their mean PCS score was 14.12 ± 7.76, and their mean BDQ score was 10.53 ± 4.65. In the regression analysis conducted, it was found that being married, having little knowledge of patient care, undertaking all of the roles in caregiving and having caregiving duration of 24 months and longer had a negative effect on PCS total score, while having an undergraduate degree and higher had a positive significant effect. It was found that having an undergraduate degree and higher had a negative effect on BI total score, while all of the roles undertaken in caregiving had a positive significant effect on BI total score. It was found that PCS had a negative significant effect on BI total score (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Caregivers of patients with epilepsy had a moderate level of burden and caregiving preparedness, and the patients cared for had a moderate level of disability. Caregiver burden increased as disability of patients with epilepsy and the tasks undertaken in caregiving increased, whereas burden decreased as caregiver education and caregiving preparedness increased.

Attitudes of individuals in Eastern Turkey toward epilepsy and the factors associated with these attitudes

AIM

This study was performed to analyze the attitudes of individuals in eastern Turkey toward epilepsy and the factors associated with these attitudes.

METHODS

Designed as a cross-sectional descriptive study, this study was performed from January 28 to February 8, 2021. A snowball sampling technique was used to select the study sample, and a survey was sent online to individuals aged 18 or above. A total of 617 individuals who filled in this online survey form were included in this research. Data were collected via a personal information form and the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale.

RESULTS

The results showed that the mean scores of the participants on the PATE scale, on its general domain, and on its personal domain were 1.79±0.63, 1.70±0.63, and 1.96±0.77, respectively. Comparing the participants' mean PATE scale scores on the basis of their descriptive characteristics revealed statistically significant differences in the mean scores on the scale and its two domains in terms of age, place of residence, educational level, knowing anyone who had epilepsy or experienced epileptic seizures, and witnessing a person having an epileptic seizure (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Individuals living in eastern Turkey have positive attitudes toward epilepsy. Moreover, it was found that, among all the participants, those who were relatively young, those who lived in a provincial center, those who had a relatively high educational level, those who knew an individual with epilepsy, and those who had witnessed an epileptic seizure have more positive attitudes toward epilepsy than their counterparts.

IMPLICATIONS

It is recommended to design educational programs focusing on raising the level of public awareness and knowledge regarding epilepsy.