Patient Activity (patient + activity)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Self-determination of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Model development during action research

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 4 2008
Päivi Löfman
The purpose of this article is to describe the content and the development of the model to promote self-determination of patients with rheumatoid arthritis from a point of view of patients and nurses. For the patients the data were gathered using semistructured interviews and for the nurses through three focus groups in the initial and evaluation phases. The data were analysed by themes using qualitative content analysis. The model consisted of the concept of self-determination, impediments to and preconditions for self-determination, promoting and focusing on consequences. Patient's activity was a new view of the concept. Impediments to self-determination were linked to limitations and preconditions to patients' freedom to express themselves. Support developed an important factor promoting self-determination. The results indicate a clear need for various types of supportive nursing care to promote self-participation in patient care. [source]


Architectural design of a secure forensic state psychiatric hospital

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW, Issue 5 2002
Joel A. Dvoskin Ph.D.
This article describes the architectural design of a secure forensic state psychiatric hospital. The project combined input from staff at all levels of the client organization, outside consultants, and a team of experienced architects. The design team was able to create a design that maximized patient dignity and privacy on one hand, and the ability of staff to observe all patient activity on the other. The design centers around 24-bed units, broken into smaller living wings of eight beds each. Each eight-bed living wing has its own private bathrooms (two) and showers (two), as well as a small living area solely reserved for these eight patients and their guests. An indoor,outdoor dayroom allows patients to go outside whenever they choose, while allowing staff to continue observing them. The heart of the facility is a large treatment mall, designed to foster the acquisition of social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral skills that will help patients to safely return to their communities. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Wireless contact lens sensor for intraocular pressure monitoring: assessment on enucleated pig eyes

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 4 2009
Matteo Leonardi
Abstract. Purpose:, Assessment on enucleated pig eyes of a novel and minimally invasive method for the continuous monitoring of intraocular pressure (IOP), based on a novel wireless contact lens sensor (CLS). Methods:, The wireless CLS is a disposable silicone soft contact lens with a sensor embedded in it, allowing the wireless measurement of changes in corneal curvature induced by IOP variations. A CLS was adapted and tested on enucleated pig eyes. To demonstrate the measurement principle of the device, the enucleated pig eye was cannulated, allowing precise control of IOP. The CLS signal was then compared to the imposed IOP. Results:, First, the IOP of enucleated pig eyes was changed between 11 and 14 mmHg, simulating ocular pulsation. Then, IOP was changed with static steps of 1 mmHg between 20 and 30 mmHg to assess the reproducibility and linearity of the CLS. In both cases, measurements from the CLS and IOP showed very good correlation. A calibration graph shows that the CLS is capable of monitoring the IOP of each individual eye with a reproducibility of ± 0.2 mmHg (95% confidence interval). Conclusion:, The wireless CLS shows a good functionality to monitor the IOP on enucleated pig eyes. The device is placed in the same way as a soft disposable contact lens. This device would allow a minimally invasive and continuous monitoring of IOP over prolonged periods of up to 24 hr, regardless of patient activity, thus opening up new diagnostic and therapeutic methods to manage glaucoma. [source]


Fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 9 2009
Mukadder Mollao
Aim., This study aimed to describe fatigue and the factors that affect fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis. Background., Fatigue is the most common symptom and has the greatest effect on multiple sclerosis patients' activities of daily living. There is limited understanding of the level of fatigue experienced by people with multiple sclerosis, with research currently limited to other symptoms and problems related to multiple sclerosis. Design., This research was conducted as a descriptive survey. Methods., The study involved 120 people with multiple sclerosis. The data were collected with a Patient Questionnaire and a Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue (VAS-F). Variance analysis, Mann,Whitney U -test and Kruskal,Wallis test were used in the data analysis. Results., All of the individuals in the sample experienced fatigue. Their fatigue was also affected by factors such as age, gender, education, marital status, number of children, occupation and duration of illness. In addition, the situations with the greatest effect on their fatigue were taking a hot bath/shower, hot/humid weather, stress, infection and other illnesses causing fever, disturbance in sleep pattern, increase in daily activities and exercise. Conclusions., Fatigue is a symptom that has a significant effect on the daily lives of people with multiple sclerosis. Accordingly, it is recommended that factors affecting fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis be evaluated and that education programmes directed at how to control these factors. Relevance to clinical practice., The determination of factors affecting fatigue is important for multiple sclerosis individuals' ability to cope with fatigue and keep it under control. To be able to accomplish this it is necessary for health care personnel, the family and friends to work together. [source]