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.

The effect of health empowerment on elder abuse in older adults

BACKGROUND

Understanding elder abuse requires an assessment of variables that may limit older adults' capacities to handle their everyday lives, to live independently, and to defend themselves. This study was conducted to examine the effect of health empowerment on elder abuse in older adults.

METHODS

This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 250 elderly individuals who applied to the internal medicine clinics of a university hospital in Elazig, eastern Turkey. Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, Elders Health Empowerment Scale (EHES) and the Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (H-S/EAST).

RESULTS

The average EHES total score of participants was 25.52 ± 6.58. The H-S/EAST total score was 4.22 ± 3.49. Among subscales, the score of "Characteristics of the elder that make him or her vulnerable to abuse" subscale was 1.04 ± 0.83, the score of 'Overt violation of personal rights and direct abuse' subscale was 1.55 ± 1.30, and the score of 'Characteristics of potentially abusive situations' subscale was 1.62 ± 1.94. It was determined that the EHES (β = -0.163, P < 0.01) variable had a negative and significant effect on H-S/EAST. It was found that a one-unit decrease in the EHES variable increased the level of H-S/EAST 0.849 times.

CONCLUSION

It was determined that the level of empowerment of the participants was moderate. Elderly individuals were found to have a moderate risk of elder abuse. It was found that the risk of elder abuse decreased as older individuals became stronger.

The Effects of Self-Acupressure on Pain, Fatigue, and Sleep Quality in Colon and Pancreatic Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Study

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic and colon cancer are among important gastrointestinal cancer diseases. Pain, fatigue, and insomnia are among the most common symptoms in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Self-acupressure may improve patients' pain, fatigue, sleep quality, quality of life, and functional well-being.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of self-acupressure application on pain, fatigue, and sleep quality in colon and pancreatic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

METHODS

This randomized controlled study was conducted with 60 patients in treatment for pancreatic or colon cancer, 30 in the intervention and 30 in the control group, between June and October 2021. Participants in the intervention group were asked to complete 16 acupressure sessions for 4 weeks, 2 days a week in the morning and afternoon for a total of 18 minutes, depending on the preparation and pressure time on 4 pressure points. Control group participants did not receive any interventions during the study. The data were collected by using a personal information form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Piper Fatigue Scale, and the visual analog scale.

RESULTS

After self-acupressure, the visual analog scale, Piper Fatigue Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores of the intervention group decreased when compared with the control group scores; the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Self-acupressure was effective in reducing the pain, fatigue, and sleep disorder scores of patients with colon or pancreatic cancer receiving chemotherapy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

In nursing practice, self-acupressure, an applicable, accessible, and inexpensive method in the management of cancer-related symptoms, can be supported and maintained during a 4-week period.

Investigation of illness perception and pregnancy avoidance in sexually active women with epilepsy

AIM

The aim of the study was to examine the perception of illness and avoidance of pregnancy in sexually active women with epilepsy.

METHODS

This study was completed with 82 women with epilepsy who were sexually active and who were admitted to the neurology clinic and outpatient clinic between June and September 2022. The descriptive information form, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-B), and Pregnancy Avoidance Scale (PAS) were used to collect the data.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients in the study was 32.96 ± 5.92 years and the mean disease duration was 11.19 ± 7.46 years. Among the patients, 75.6% had previous pregnancies, 70.7% did not have miscarriage or abortion, 69.5% previously gave birth, 61% used a contraceptive method (condom, intrauterine device (IUD), pills, etc.) in their last sexual intercourse, 52.4% had good communication with their spouses, 20% had two children, 51.2% had three or more seizures, and 86.6% used antiseizure medications (ASMs). The mean PAS score of the patients was 2.31 ± 1.14 and the mean IPQ-B score was 35.10 ± 13.16. The regression analysis found that the perception of illness was a significant positive predictor of avoidance of pregnancy and explained 17% of it.

CONCLUSION

Women with epilepsy avoided pregnancy and had negative illness perceptions. Moreover, negative illness perception increased pregnancy avoidance in women with epilepsy.

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.

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.

Age-friendly cities and communities questionnaire: A research on Turkish validity and reliability

PURPOSE

This study has been conducted to test the Turkish Validity and Reliability of the Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This methodological research has been carried out in a health center in Istanbul between January and April 2021. Between the specified dates, 306 older adults who met the research criteria within the population of the research, who accepted to participate and returned the filled-out questionnaires have been included in the study. The items of the scale are scored between -2, 2 and the scale consists of 20 items and 8 sub-dimensions. After the scale was translated, the content and structure validity tests were carried out.

RESULTS

As a result of the evaluations and analyses, the content validity index of the scale was found to be 0.96. In the explanatory factor analysis conducted in the adaptation of the scale to Turkish, the total variance rate explained was found to be 92.36%. The factor loads of all items ranged between 0.71 and 0.91. The Cronbach Alpha values of the sub-dimensions of the scale ranged from .899 to .969, and the total Cronbach Alpha value was determined as .954. EFA and CFA results showed that the scale consists of 8 sub-dimensions with 20 items and the factor structure is sufficient. Good coherence index values were obtained as a result of CFA.

CONCLUSION

The Turkish version of the Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measurement tool to evaluate age-friendly practices in an area where older adults live.

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.

Turkish Validity and Reliability Study of Humanistic Practice Ability of Nursing Scale

BACKGROUND

Nurses should have humanistic qualities to identify what the patient needs with an effective care plan and meet these needs. The aim of this study is to conduct the Turkish validity and reliability study of the Humanistic Practice Ability of Nursing Scale.

METHODS

This methodological study was carried out with 300 nurses online (e-mail, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram) between April 02, 2021, and May 15, 2021. A questionnaire prepared via docs.google.com/forms was sent to the nurses. The scale was translated into Turkish, and then, the content and construct validity of its Turkish version was obtained through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The reliability of the scale was tested by performing item analysis and internal consistency analysis.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed that the content validity index of the scale was 0.96. In the exploratory factor analysis performed within the scope of the Turkish adaptation of the scale, the rate of the total variance explained was 59.63%. Factor loadings of all the items ranged between 0.47 and 0.79. While Cronbach's Alpha value was 0.93 for the overall Humanistic Practice Ability of Nursing Scale, it ranged from 0.71 to 0.89 for its subscales. The exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis revealed no necessity of making any revision or modification in the scale. Therefore, the 29-item and five-dimension structure of the Humanistic Practice Ability of Nursing Scale was used in its Turkish version. Goodness-of-fit index values were obtained after the CFA was performed.

CONCLUSION

The Turkish version of the Humanistic Practice Ability of Nursing Scale can be used as a valid and reliable measurement tool to assess nurses' humanistic practice ability.

The Effects of Perceived Stigma on the Concealment of Disease and Satisfaction with Life in Patients with Epilepsy: An Example in Eastern Turkey

BACKGROUND

Stigma and exclusion are common features of epilepsy in both developed and developing countries, and they cause a significant burden associated with the condition. At the same time, although it varies from country to country depending on cultural differences and economic conditions, having epilepsy causes significant social consequences.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to examine the effects of perceived stigma on the concealment of disease and satisfaction with life in patients with epilepsy living in the east of Turkey.

METHODS

This cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out with 150 patients who met the study criteria and who agreed to participate in the study between March and July 2021 in a university hospital in Elazığ, east of Turkey. The data were collected using a personal information form, an Epilepsy Stigma Scale (ESS), a Concealment of Epilepsy Scale (CES), and a Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS).

RESULTS

The total mean ESS score of the patients was 40.7 ± 9.04, the total CES mean score was 57.19 ± 12.57, and the total SWLS mean score was 6.68 ± 2.86. When the regression coefficients were examined, it was found that the ESS variable had a positive and significant effect on the CES, while the ESS and the CES had a negative and significant effect on satisfaction with life (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

It was found that the patients had high levels of perceived stigma and concealment of epilepsy and low satisfaction with life levels. It was also found that the patients concealed their disease for fear of stigma, which negatively affected their satisfaction with life.

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.

Analysis of anxiety levels and attitudes of nursing students toward the nursing profession during the COVID-19 pandemic

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to analyze the anxiety levels and attitudes of nursing students for the nursing profession during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Data collection forms were sent online to nursing students of three different state or foundation universities in Turkey. In all, 456 individuals who answered the data collection forms were included in the study.

FINDINGS

Study results revealed that the total average score for the "Attitude Scale for Nursing Profession" was 162 ± 15.6. The Professional characteristics subdimension score average was 80.64 ± 7.02. Furthermore, the state of choosing nursing profession subdimension score average was 50.05 ± 9.23, whereas the Attitude for the general status of nursing profession subdimension score average was 34.38 ± 2.97. Due to the pandemic, anxiety levels for the nursing profession were 4.86 ± 2.76 (between 0 and 10). It was determined that nursing students who studied in cities where the virus was very common had a more positive attitude toward the profession. Anxiety levels of nursing students studying in cities where the virus impact was moderate and in cities where the virus presence was quite common were higher (p > 0.05). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: It was found that nursing students had a positive and high-level attitude toward the nursing profession. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that attitudes toward the nursing profession decreased significantly as anxiety 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.

Effects of laughter yoga on hemodialysis patients' plasma-beta endorphin levels, pain levels and sleep quality: A randomized controlled trial

This study evaluates the effects of "laughter yoga" on the plasma beta-endorphin levels, pain levels and sleep quality of hemodialysis patients. It is a randomized controlled trial. The study was carried out between July and October 2018. A total of 68 patients receiving hemodialysis treatment at two different dialysis centers were included in the study. The duration of the laughter yoga was 30 min, and a total of 16 sessions were performed on a twice-weekly basis. The data were collected by using a socio-demographic information form, the Visual Analog Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and blood samples were collected to determine beta-endorphin levels. Following the laughter yoga implementation, the pain level of the intervention group patients significantly decreased, and their sleep quality significantly improved. No significant change occurred in the patients' beta-endorphin levels. Laughter yoga was effective in reducing pain and increasing sleep quality.

The relationship between cyberloafing levels and social media addiction among nursing students

PURPOSE

The study was conducted to examine the relationship between cyberloafing levels and social media addiction among nursing students in different cities (Erzurum, Istanbul, and Van) in Turkey.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This study was comparative and descriptive in design, and the sample included 518 nursing students.

FINDINGS

The average Cyberloafing Scale (CLS) total score of the students was 87.71 ± 18.55, while the average Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS) total score was 71.30 ± 19.85. A positive and moderately significant relationship was found between the CLS and SMAS scores (p < 0.01).

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The cyberloafing and social media addiction levels of nursing students were found to be high. It was also found that the cyberloafing levels of the students increased as their social media addiction levels increased.

Analysis of Health Care Personnel's Attitudes Toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Life Satisfaction due to COVID-19 Pandemic

This study was conducted to analyze health care personnel's attitudes toward traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) and life satisfaction due to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between April 2 and 9, 2020. The Questionnaire form was sent to health care personnel online. A total of 560 individuals who answered the questionnaires were included in the study. The data were collected by using the Personal Information Form, Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (HCAMQ), and Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS). Average age of the participants was 30.88 ± 7.68 years, 82.5% were male, and 65.5% were working as nurses. It was found that 45.5% of the participants used TCM methods for COVID-19 during the last month; 48.7% of the health care personnel stated that they used TCM methods to strengthen their immune system. The HCAMQ total average score was 27.96 ± 5.49; the holistic health subdimension total average score was 9.59 ± 3.04; the complementary and alternative medicine subdimension total average score was 18.37 ± 3.58; and the LSS total average score was 20.78 ± 6.32. A positive weak statistically significant association was found between the HCAMQ and complementary and alternative medicine subdimension and the LSS (P < .05). Participants had moderately positive attitudes toward TCM and life satisfaction. As the participants' positive attitudes toward TCM increased, their life satisfaction was also found to increase.

The effects of yoga on dyspnea, sleep and fatigue in chronic respiratory diseases

PURPOSE

This study was carried out to find out the effects of yoga applied to chronic respiratory disease patients on dyspnea, sleep quality and fatigue.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The study was conducted between May and August 2020 as a randomized controlled study. 'Personal Information Form', 'Respiratory Functions Monitoring Form', 'COPD and Asthma Fatigue Scale (CAFS), "Asthma and COPD Sleep Impact Scale (CASIS)" and Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) were used in data collection.

RESULTS

When the post-test mean scores of the patients in the experimental and control group were compared, it was found that CAFS, CASIS and mMRC mean scores of the patients in the experimental group decreased positively compared to the patients in the control group and the difference between was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Yoga has been found to reduce the severity of dyspnea and fatigue and improve sleep quality in chronic respiratory diseases.