Areas Of Comfort Research Articles

Wearable Activity Trackers That Motivate Women to Increase Physical Activity: Mixed Methods Study.

Physical inactivity is a significant public health concern, particularly among women in the United States. Wearable activity trackers (WATs) have been proposed as a potential solution to increase awareness of and engagement in physical activity (PA). However, to be effective, WATs must include features and designs that encourage daily use. This study aims to explore the features and designs of WATs that appeal to women and determine whether devices with these attributes are effective motivators for women to be physically active. A mixed methods study guided by the self-determination theory was conducted among 15 women. Participants trialed 3 WATs with influence in their respective accessory domains: Apple Watch for the wrist; Oura Ring for the finger; and Bellabeat Leaf Urban for multiple sites (it can be worn as a bracelet, necklace, or clip). Participants documented their daily PA levels and rated their satisfaction with each device's comfort, features, and motivational effect. Focus groups were also conducted to gather additional feedback and experiences within the a priori areas of comfort, features, and motivation. Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2 scores indicated that most participants (14/15, 93%) were motivated at baseline (amotivation score: mean 0.13, SD 0.45), but on average, participants did not meet the national minimum PA guidelines according to the self-reported Physical Activity Vital Sign questionnaire (moderate to vigorous PA score: mean 144, SD 97.5 min/wk). Mean WAT wear time was 16.9 (SD 4.4) hours, 19.4 (SD 5.3) hours, and 20.4 (SD 4.7) hours for Apple Watch, Bellabeat Leaf Urban, and Oura Ring, respectively. During focus groups, participants reinforced their quantitative ratings and rankings of the WATs based on personal experiences. Participants shared a variety of both activity-related and non-activity-related features that they look for in a motivating device. When considering what the ideal WAT would be for a woman, participants suggested features of (1) comfort, (2) extended battery life, (3) durability, (4) immediate PA feedback, (5) intuitive PA sensing, and (6) programmability. This study is the first to specifically address women's experiences with and preferences for different types of WATs. Those who work with women should realize how they view WATs and the role they play in motivation to be active.

Development of the Ready to Care Survey for VA Women's Health Primary Care Provider.

Women Veterans are at increased risk for poor pregnancy outcomes and are increasingly using Veteran Affairs (VA) for maternity benefits. VA Women's Health Primary Care Providers (WH-PCPs) are well positioned to improve maternal outcomes for women Veterans, yet little is understood about their experience and comfort with perinatal care. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a survey that could be utilized to assess WH-PCPs' experience, comfort, and attitudes towards perinatal care. After a review of the literature, we adapted a previously published survey to address four content areas including clinical experience, comfort level, and attitudes towards perinatal care and knowledge of VA specific maternity services. This survey was piloted with five WH-PCPs before undergoing two rounds of content validation with content experts. Content validity indexes (CVI) were calculated based on the content experts' ratings. Qualitative feedback from the content experts were summarized and reviewed by the research team. The CVI and qualitative responses were utilized to guide the decision to revise, refine, or delete survey questions. After the first round of content validation, we deleted three questions, revised three questions, and add three questions to the content areas of clinical experience and comfort. In the domain of attitudes towards perinatal care, we deleted one question and revised two questions and three questions were added to the knowledge of VA specific maternity services domain. After the second round of content validation, only one question was deleted from the attitudes domain. We developed and validated the Ready to Care Survey for VA WH-PCP using two rounds of content validation. The final survey had face and content validity. This survey tool can be used to assess VA WH-PCP's knowledge and readiness in caring for Veterans of child-bearing age for operational and research needs.

Psycho-social needs of family members of patients hospitalized in the burn intensive care unit: A cross-sectional study

This study aimed to determine the psycho-social needs of the families of patients hospitalized in the burn intensive care unit (ICU). This cross-sectional study recruited 152 family members of patients hospitalized in the burn ICU, using the convenience sampling method. Data were collected from May to August 2018. The data collection instrument included the socio-demographic information questionnaire for first-degree relatives (FDRs), and the critical care family needs inventory (CCFNI). The data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient test. The average of the needs of family members of patients hospitalized in the burn ICU in the fields of support, information, proximity, comfort, and assurance were 27.69 (SD=2.45), 62.98 (SD=7.1), 73.79 (SD=3.2), 18.82 (SD=3.35), and 25.26 (SD=2.14), respectively. The most and lowest the needs of family members of patients hospitalized in the burn ICU were in the areas of proximity and comfort, respectively. There was a significant positive relationship between needs and assurance (ρ=0.162, P<0.05), information (ρ=0.264, P<0.05), support (ρ=0.698, P<0.05), proximity (ρ=0.618, P<0.05), and comfort subscales (ρ=0.692, P<0.05). Providing adequate and appropriate support for the burn’s patients and their families, especially by nurses, and noticing their primary needs reduces their anxiety, strengthens their trust in the medical team, enhances the quality of services to the patients and their families, and increases their satisfaction. Therefore, appropriate planning and increasing the workforce in these wards are essential.

Supporting neurodivergent talent: ADHD, autism, and dyslexia in physics and space sciences

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts must include disability and neurodivergence. While there is a long history of famous scientists being identified or speculatively indicated to be neurodivergent, identification on an individual basis has been limited until fairly recently. Definitions have changed and broadened, and people are being identified or are identifying themselves as neurodivergent and are learning about their paths and their brains in a way that was unavailable to people two decades ago. In the contemporary physics or space science classroom or workplace, we have both a responsibility to include and support our neurodivergent learners and scientists, as well as an opportunity to use insights from the neurodiversity movement to better support our teams and students. Herein we explain the language used to describe neurodivergent traits and offer strategies and ideas to support our neurodivergent community members. These strategies include ideas for supporting executive function as well as tips in the areas of physical comfort and sensory considerations.

Primary care providers' practices regarding patient sleep: Impact of integrated behavioral health.

Adequate sleep is crucial for effective functioning. Although many children and adolescents have sleep issues, research indicates pediatric providers rarely address them. No research has examined whether primary care providers (PCPs) who practice within an Integrated Primary Care (IPC) model are more likely to assess sleep concerns than PCPs without IPC. The current study aimed to examine providers' current practices and knowledge regarding common sleep topics from clinics with and without IPC. PCPs across a large health system were surveyed. Participants were 101 providers across 38 clinics, some within IPC clinics (n = 67), and others not (n = 34). Participants responded to questions regarding current sleep assessment and intervention practices, general sleep, and medications knowledge. Providers reported moderate comfort with behavioral interventions and low comfort with medical interventions. IPC providers were more likely to screen for snoring. Regardless of integration status, PCPs had low medication knowledge scores. IPC may enhance some areas of PCPs' knowledge and comfort with behavioral interventions. PCPs need further training in understanding and implementing interventions for sleep concerns. IPC behavioral health providers may facilitate such trainings and work collaboratively with PCPs to improve patient access to sleep interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

A Novel Use of the Exoscope for In-Vivo Microvascular Free Flaps

Recent innovations in camera and display technologies have created a new potential modus for the microvascular surgeon. An exoscope consists of cameras mounted to a flexible arm that broadcasts the image to a nearby high-definition monitor. This article details the experience using this emerging technology to perform microvascular anastomosis for 46 cases of head and neck free flaps reconstruction. The exoscope is compared against the operating microscope and we conclude that the exoscope is a viable substitute when performing microvascular anastomosis with some advantages in the areas of surgeon comfort and viewing angulation.

What Makes Touch Comfortable? An Examination of Touch Giving and Receiving in Two Cultures.

This study examined how touch role and culture shape affective touch experiences. Germans (N = 130) and Chinese (N = 130) were surveyed once as toucher and once as touchee. For different touch actions, they (a) provided free-text descriptions of what prompts touch, (b) indicated with whom touch feels comfortable, and (c) highlighted areas of touch comfort on a body outline. Overall, touch was prompted by affectionate feelings, was more comfortable with more closely bonded individuals, and when directed at the upper arms, shoulders, and upper back. Touch role mattered for the experiences prompting touch in that touchees felt less positive than touchers. Culture differentiated touch comfort topographies. Compared with Chinese, Germans felt more comfortable with more intimate touch to the torso and upper back and less comfortable with more public touch to the hands. Notably, however, examining touch role and culture revealed more overlap than divergence, ensuring mutual comfort as individuals physically connect.

EFFECTIVENESS OF CLAIM, EVIDENCE AND REASONING AS AN INNOVATION TO DEVELOP STUDENTS’ SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING SKILLS

This study focused on inquiry necessities on the students' use of argument, particularly in writing, that is, to communicate their knowledge and scientific findings and develop an understanding of scientific practice/s. The purpose of this action research is to evaluate the effectiveness of Claim, Evidence and Reasoning as an innovation to develop students' argumentative writing skills in the senior high school classrooms. The CER Framework, while extensive and complex, shows promise building both argumentative writing skills and science content knowledge of the learners. The results of this study demonstrated that modified iterations of this model should include data sets that are personally meaningful to students, writing tasks scaffolded to areas of students' need, attitude and comfort, and clear communication of feedback, from both peers and teacher - focused on all three areas of scientific arguments: claim, evidence, and reasoning. Information gained from this study will benefit science educators by yielding information about how scientific argumentative writing can be most effectively implemented in the science classroom to yield the maximum benefit for literacy in the science curriculum.

COVID-19 – The efficacy of the LEAF-mask measured by assessing the viral load of the mask's inner and outer surface used by nurses in ICUs compared to the N95: a phase II, multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label, clinical trial protocol

Introduction: The unprecedented, worldwide COVID-19 pandemic demanded the need for adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers (HCWs). The commonly recommended N95-mask (N95) needs further optimization in the areas of technology, re-usability, and comfort. The LEAF-mask (LEAF) reportedly offers improved technology and innovative features, however, neither of them have been tested yet. Therefore, there is an ongoing need to study the efficacy of masks used by HCWs in the intensive care units (ICUs). The goal of this study is to demonstrate the superiority of LEAF for nurses working in COVID-19 ICUs when compared to the N95.Methods: A phase-II, multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label, clinical trial. A sample size of 98 nurses, working in COVID-19 ICUs, will be necessary to detect a significant difference in viral load of the inner and outer parts of both masks as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes will be exploratory in nature, including adverse effects, wearing comfort of masks, and virus infection rate.Discussion: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has already infected and killed millions of people and burdens healthcare systems worldwide. This led to the search for comprehensive measures to prevent the further spread of the SARS-CoV-2, in particular among HCWs in the frontline. Therefore, this study intends to demonstrate the superiority of the new LEAF compared to the N95, primarily in efficacy but also in re-usability and wearing comfort when used by nurses in COVID-19 ICUs. The possible findings from this study on improved technologies and innovative features possibly shown in the LEAF may greatly contribute to better working conditions for nurses working in COVID-19 ICUs.

Training programmes for practitioners in sexual health promotion: an integrative literature review of evaluations

ABSTRACT This paper reports on findings from an integrative literature review of evaluation studies undertaken into sexual health promotion preparation programmes aimed at professionals with a sexual health promotion remit. Using a pre-defined search strategy, inclusion criteria and PRISMA guidelines, databases were systematically searched. Studies were screened and those included were quality assessed. Twenty-seven relevant studies were identified. Thematic analysis showed programmes were diverse in terms of how they had been developed, the content included, approaches to evaluation and outcomes identified. Evaluations showed participation in a training programme encouraged participants to feel more comfortable and confident to discuss sexual health within their role and more likely to introduce sexual health into client discussions. The types of programmes and evaluation approaches were diverse making direct comparison between them challenging. There should be agreed core outcome impact measures for sexual health education programmes in the areas of knowledge, comfort, skills and changes to practice, to allow for more direct comparison in future evaluation studies.

Customer service 2.0: The Effect of Ryanair's Policy Change

Customer perceptions of Ryanair and Southwest were evaluated to compare two data periods; 2012-13 and 2016-17 to determine differences in passenger perceptions between and within airlines. Quantitative data and open area comments were analyzed. A replication of a previous study for 2016-17 data indicated that customer perceptions of Ryanair improved since the implementation of a customer service program. Survey results indicated Ryanair and Southwest did not have statistically significant differences in overall ratings; a change from 2012-13 data where Southwest was rated significantly higher. Additionally, 2016-17 Ryanair customers indicated they would recommend the airline at a significantly higher rate than Southwest customers. A comparison within each airline’s data between the 2012-13 and 2016-17 collection periods indicated a significant perceived improvement of Ryanair’s customer service in the areas of seat comfort and whether they would recommend the airline to others. Southwest’s customer perceptions between 2012-13 and 2016-17 showed significant declines in overall ranking, seat comfort, value and whether they would recommend the airline. Recommendations for further research include a replication of this study comparing 2016-17 data with 2021-22 data to determine how well each airline has adapted to the Coronavirus.

Professor Daniel I.C. Wang: A Legacy of Education, Innovation, Publication, and Leadership.

Professor Daniel I.C. Wang: A Legacy of Education, Innovation, Publication, and Leadership.

Assessing the learning needs of physical medicine and rehabilitation residents to develop a geriatric medicine and rehabilitation curriculum

ABSTRACT Background Older adults with functional impairment are cared for by physiatrists in rehabilitation, but physiatrist training in geriatric-related competencies remains suboptimal. To develop a geriatric rehabilitation (GR) curriculum and explore opportunities for improvement, a needs assessment of stakeholders was conducted to understand physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) residents’ comfort levels and learning needs in geriatrics. Methods A mixed-methods design was employed. PMR residents (n = 18) and practicing physiatrists (n = 40) completed a questionnaire; and PMR residents, physiatrists and key informants (n = 9; n = 4; n = 6) participated in focus groups and semi-structured interviews to explore geriatric experiences of trainees and educational needs in geriatrics and rehabilitation. Data were qualitatively analyzed using constructivist-grounded theory. Results Residents and physiatrists highlighted similar topics as areas of low comfort in knowledge. Interviews prioritized critical geriatric topics (gait assessment, falls, cognitive impairment, movement disorders, and polypharmacy) and highlighted disposition planning and end-of-life care as areas needing further curriculum support. Challenges in delivering geriatric education were also identified. Conclusion What emerged from the needs assessment was a series of critical geriatric educational priorities for the development of a GR curriculum for physiatry trainees – arising at an opportune time given the shift toward competency-based residency education.

Study of Urban Greenery Models to Prevent Overheating of Parked Vehicles in P + R Facilities in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Parking in park-and-ride (P + R) facilities on the outskirts of a city reduces the traffic inside the cities and follows the principles of sustainable mobility. However, large paved (asphalt) surfaces create urban heat islands (UHI). This causes the temperature to rise in vehicles during full-day parking, which has a negative effect on comfort level and driving performance. This study was conceptualized as two-stage research. The first (preliminary) stage dealt with the measurement and analysis of temperature data at two nearby open parking lots in the city of Ljubljana, one of which was the main research spatial area, P + R Barje (L1), and Trnovo parking (L2), which was used for comparison in the first-stage research. In the preliminary research, we underlined the problem of long-term parking in parking areas exposed to heatwaves (HW). The second stage involved the studying of greening schemes in P + R facilities, which would allow for optimal shading during parking. Advanced 3D and 4D models using ENVI-met and LEONARDO software were developed, which assessed the parking surfaces and the areas of optimum outdoor comfort. Shading by greenery was adopted in this paper, as the strategy aimed at improving the conditions by modelling different variants of greening the parking lot L1.

A Turkish Translation of a Measure of Irrational and Rational Beliefs: Reliability, Validity Studies and Confirmation of the Four Cognitive Processes Model

This study adapted the Attitudes and Belief Scale-2 (ABS-2) into Turkish and investigated its factor structure, criterion-related validity, and psychometric properties. The ABS-2 assesses REBT’s irrational and rational beliefs. Each item reflects one of the four cognitive processes thought identified the theory to reflect irrationality or rationality. These include demandingness versus preferences, awfulizing versus realistic negative evaluations, frustration intolerance versus tolerance, and self-condemnation versus self-acceptance. Each item reflects one of three content areas of achievement, affiliation, or comfort. Despite the ABS-2’s good validity, researchers have criticized its factor structure. This weak support questions REBT’s theoretical assumptions. This article includes four studies that describe the translation into Turkish and comparability of the two versions, the test–retest reliability, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and criterion-related validity. The four samples consisted of 811 participants. A two-factor structure (one representing rational items and another consists irrational beliefs items) was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. Criterion-related validity analysis was supported as the ABS-2 correlated positively with the Jones’ Irrational Beliefs Test, anxiety and depression dimensions of brief symptom inventory, and the need for absolute truth. The research supported the four cognitive process model.

Needs and skills of informal caregivers to care for a dependent person: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe world is facing many socio-demographic changes, such as an increased average life expectancy and the presence of chronic and non-communicable diseases, which in turn, leads to an enhanced dependency on others. Consequently, the demand for informal caregivers has significantly increased during the past few years. Caring for a dependent person is linked to a series of burdens that often leads to physical, psychological and emotional difficulties. Taking into consideration the difficulties faced by informal caregivers, knowing in which areas of functioning they need more guidance may help to relieve their burden. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to better understand the needs and competencies of the informal caregiver when caring for a dependent person in the different self-care domains.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used a questionnaire administered on a single occasion by face-to-face interview. Descriptive and inferential statistics alongside non-parametric statistical techniques such as the Mann-Whitney test and Spearman’s correlation were used.ResultsThe average age of the 143 informal caregivers is 58 years old, with the youngest in our sample being 21 years of age. Most of them are female, and 50% of them are children taking care of one of their parents. Most of the dependent people are completely dependent in the areas of comfort and hygiene (53.8%) and medication management (55.9%). The female informal caregivers see themselves as having more competencies in sanitary hygiene than the male ones, with no significant differences in their competencies’ perception in the other areas of self-care. Older caregivers see themselves as less competent in certain areas of self-care such as feeding, mobility, transfers, medication and symptoms management and communication. Most of the information given to the informal caregiver is about the disease (82.3%) and the medication management (80.4%). There are still a lot of areas of self-care, where no information, or almost none, is given to the informal caregivers.ConclusionsBefore home discharge of a dependent person, it is important to acknowledge the needs and competencies of the informal caregiver, to capacitate them in looking after their relatives, to help decrease their burden and consequently, decrease the number of hospital readmissions.

FM perceptions on occupant impact and the shaping of occupant engagement practice

Purpose This paper aims to apply frame analysis to explore the mental models by which building managers interpret the impact of building occupants on energy use and rationalize their approach to occupant engagement. Design/methodology/approach Findings from four energy-efficient buildings (two schools and two office buildings) in Norway are presented. The methodology includes individual semi-structured interviews with both operational and strategic facilities managers Findings Concepts and theoretical perspectives with the potential to shape the building managers’ perceptions include technical knowledge and expertise, management responsibilities, familiarity with occupant routines and understanding of energy-efficient technologies. No significant impact was attributed to the actions of occupants in the areas of comfort, core function and behavior. Significant impact was attributed to their movement and presence. Perceptions of impact were found to influence, yet not determine, the building managers’ choices of practice. Practical implications Factors with the potential to affect the adoption of occupant engagement initiatives were highlighted. This study pointed to the role that automation and centralization can play in influencing facilities managers to rescind from their management responsibilities. Originality/value To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first study to use framings in thoughts to investigate the process by which facilities managers rationalize occupant engagement, in relation to their perception of occupant impact on energy use.

Robotic vacuum cleaners save energy? Raising cleanliness conventions and energy demand in Australian households with smart home technologies

The ‘digital revolution’ of household life is underway, with technologies such as robotic vacuum cleaners (robovacs) increasingly common. Various other automated appliances are emerging and being adopted in pursuit of the ‘smart home’. Current discourses include assumptions and explicit claims that smart homes will be energy efficient and therefore more environmentally sustainable. However, smart home technologies are also presented as affording lifestyle enhancements in the areas of comfort, cleanliness, convenience, entertainment and security. Focusing specifically on one smart device – the robovac – this paper aims to demonstrate how visions of cleanliness in the smart home could be counterproductive to energy reductions and household wellbeing. We draw on a content analysis of smart home marketing and articles, and conversational interviews (involving home tours) with early adopters of robovacs and smart home technologies in Australia. We find that these devices may escalate conventions of cleanliness in the home and invite supplementary energy consumption. The paper concludes by providing suggestions for how energy stakeholders can respond.

A novel gel liner system with embedded electrodes for use with upper limb myoelectric prostheses.

We present the development and evaluation of a gel liner system for upper limb prosthesis users that enables acquisition of electromyographic (myoelectric) control signals through embedded electrodes and flexible, conductive fabric leads. This liner system is constructed using a manufacturing approach rather than by modifying a commercially available liner. To evaluate the efficacy, eight male individuals with transhumeral amputations used this system, with standard myoelectric prostheses, for home trials lasting an average of 7.3 weeks. Before and after the home trials, electrical resistance of the cumulative 218 embedded electrodes and leads within 10 gel liner systems was measured and found to increase slightly (from an average of 13.4 to 27.5 Ω) after usage. While this increase was statistically significant (p = 0.001), all but one of the final resistance values remained low enough to enable consistent myoelectric control. User impressions were evaluated through a questionnaire comparing the liner prototypes to their own myoelectric prosthesis socket interface. Subjects preferred the liner prototype (p = 0.008) over their own system in the clinical areas of comfort, suspension, function, and, especially, ease of use. These results suggest that this gel liner system is a clinically viable option and that it may offer advantages over current clinical technology for users of upper limb myoelectric prostheses.

The perceived effects and comfort of various body armour systems on police officers while performing occupational tasks

BackgroundThe nature of police work often necessitates use of Individual Light Armour Vests (ILAVs) for officer protection. Previous research has demonstrated various biomechanical and physical performance impacts of ILAVs, however, little knowledge exists on the individual officer’s perceptions of ILAV. The aim of this study was to investigate officers’ perceptions of the impacts of three different ILAVs and normal station wear whilst performing police occupational tasks.MethodsA prospective, within subjects, repeated measures design was employed in which 11 serving police officers wore each of three different types of body armour (ILAV A, ILAV B or ILAV C) and normal station wear for a full day while performing tasks including a simulated victim drag, a patrol vehicle exit and a marksmanship shoot. Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; − 10 to + 10) were used to examine officer perceptions of each ILAV. Finally, officers were asked to indicate areas of both discomfort and comfort of each ILAV on a mannequin chart.ResultsOfficers perceived less effort was required for the victim drag whilst wearing ILAV B (RPE = 3.6/10) when compared to ILAV A, ILAV C and even station wear (RPE = 4.7/10, 4.0/10, 3.8/10, respectively). A positive impact on performance was perceived for ILAV B (VAS = + 0.26) when performing a patrol vehicle exit and sprint task but not for the other two ILAVs (VAS = − 3.58, − 0.55, − 0.85, respectively). Officers perceived a positive impact of ILAV B (VAS = + 2.7) and station wear (VAS = + 1.4) and a negative impact of ILAVs A and C (VAS = − 2.1, − 1.7 respectively) on marksmanship. Despite all armour types being criticized for discomfort, ILAV B received lower ratings of discomfort overall, and some positive comments regarding both comfort and performance.ConclusionsOfficers perceived ILAV B to have positive effects on task performance. It was also rated more comfortable than the other two, possibly due to a longer torso design which shifted load from the shoulders to the hips and pelvis. Officer perceptions of comfort and effects on occupational performance should be considered when designing and procuring armour systems. Although ILAVs may be similar, perceived impacts may vary between officers.