Scale Total Score Research Articles

Examining the Attitudes of Students in Secondary Education Towards Physical Education and Sports Class in Terms of Some Variables

The purpose of this study was to compare some variables like gender, class level, engaging in sports outside of the school, sports participation status of parents, having an indoor sports facility of students studying in Edirne province secondary schools by determining their attitudes towards Physical Education and Sports class. The sample of the study consisted of 1789 students from 7th grades (483 male, 480 female) and 8th grades (424 male and 402 female). To determine the attitudes of students towards physical education class ‘Physical Education Class Attitude Scale’ (PECAS) developed by Sherrin and Toulmin and adapted to Turkish by Özer and Aktop (2003) was used. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference between gender, class level, engaging in sportive activities outside of the schools variables in terms of physical education attitude scale total score and there was no statistically significant difference between the scale scores of sports participation status of parents, and having an indoor sports facility variable. Attitude scale scores of male students were found to be higher than female students (p=0,05). Attitude scale scores of 7th grade students were found to be higher than 8th grade-students (p0,05). As a result, the results obtained from the current study indicate that the attitudes of secondary school students owards physical education class were affected by gender, class level and age. It can be concluded that these factors were recommended to be taken into consideration in planning physical education lessons by relevant institutions to increase the attitudes of students towards physical education class.

Efficacy and safety of lurasidone for schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of eight short‑term, randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled clinical trials.

Lurasidone is an atypical anti-psychotic approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. It is mainly used to treat schizophrenia in adults through its antagonistic action on dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The present study systematically assessed the efficacy and safety of lurasidone in the treatment of schizophrenia. Clinical, double-blind, parallel, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of lurasidone in the treatment of schizophrenia were retrieved from PubMed\Medline, EBSCO, Embase, Cochrane Library, OVID, Web of Science and related clinical trial registration websites up to May 2023. A total of two investigators independently screened the included references and evaluated their quality. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis of each measure outcome. The present systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (ID=CRD42018108178). A total of eight RCTs were included in the present study, including a total of 2,456 patients with schizophrenia. All eight references were randomized, double-blind and parallel control trials. All eight references were evaluated as high quality. The meta-analysis results demonstrated that there were no significant change in total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score, Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S) score and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) between the 40 mg lurasidone group and the placebo group (P>0.05). However, as the dosage increased, the 80, 120 and 160 mg lurasidone groups had significant changes in total PANSS score, CGI-S score and MADRS Compared with placebo (P<0.05), although changes in MADRS in the 120 mg lurasidone group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). In terms of safety, the changes in the incidence of agitation in the 40 mg lurasidone group (P<0.05), vomiting in the 80 mg group (P<0.05) and akathisia in the 160 mg group (P<0.05) were statistically significant and there were also statistically significant changes in the incidence of akathisia, nausea, somnolence and extrapyramidal disorder among the 40, 80 and 120 mg lurasidone groups (P<0.05); No statistically significant changes in the in the incidence of other adverse reactions (P>0.05). In conclusion, existing evidence suggests that the initial dose of lurasidone for schizophrenia can be adjusted to 80 mg. As the condition aggravates, the dose can be incrementally increased to 160 mg. A dose of 160 mg lurasidone is recommended as the most efficacious and safe dose for acute schizophrenia and the risk of occurrence of akathisia, nausea, somnolence and extrapyramidal disorder is still high when lurasidone is administered at a dose of 80-120 mg. The dose should be promptly adjusted or the drug should be withdrawn if the aforementioned adverse reactions worsen. Multi-center, high-quality and long-term clinical RCTs influenced by the included references are still necessary to support the aforementioned conclusions.

Euterpe music therapy method for children with cerebral palsy.

The main purpose of our study was to evaluate whether involvement in a personalized music therapy program (Euterpe method), could improve the condition of children with cerebral palsy and their parents, compared to a control group. It investigated whether it could positively affect children's sleep quality, temperament and quality of life, quality of family life, and parental stress. A prospective single-center experimental study was conducted at "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital (Rome, Italy). All subjects involved attended an intensive rehabilitation program in the Neurorehabilitation Unit. In a group of patients (n = 25), a music therapy treatment was applied to evaluate the effect before and after the intervention. This group was also compared with a control group (n = 10) undergoing a standard protocol without music therapy. In the experimental group, the analysis shows statistically significant effects in the Disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep (p = 0.050) and the Sleep wake transition disorders (p = 0.026) factors, and the total score (p = 0.031) of Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children; the Positive emotionality scale (p = 0.013) of Italian Questionnaires of Temperament (QUIT); the Emotional Functioning (p = 0.029), Social Functioning (p = 0.012), Worry (p = 0.032), Daily Activities (p = 0.032), Total Score (p = 0.039) and Parent HRQL Summary Score (p = 0.035) dimensions of Pediatric Quality of Life for family. While in the control group, only the Attention scale of QUIT (p = 0.003) reaches statistical significance. Our study suggests that music therapy with the Euterpe Method has beneficial effects on fundamental aspects of the child's and his parents' lives, such as sleep, emotion control, and quality of family life.

Correlation of negative emotion, fatigue level and internet addiction in college students: implication for coping strategies

BackgroundInternet addiction has an important influence on the development of physical and mental health of college students. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current status and the correlation between college students’ negative emotion, fatigue level and Internet addiction disorder, and to provide reference for the care and management of college students.MethodsWe conducted a questionnaire survey on a cluster sample of college students from October to November 15, 2022. Internet addiction scale, fatigue assessment scale and positive and negative emotion scale were used for survey. Pearson correlation analysis and mediating effect test were performed to analyze the correlation and effects.ResultsA total of 1546 valid questionnaires were collected. The incidence of internet addiction in college student was 20.38%. The total score of internet addiction was 52.94 ± 12.47, the total fatigue score was 69.27 ± 3.19, the score of positive emotion of college students was 31. 41 ± 5.09, and the negative emotion score was 18.54 ± 5.68. The total score of internet addiction were positively correlated with score of negative emotion (all P < 0. 05). The total score of internet addiction scale of college students were positively correlated and each factor score of with the score of fatigue severity (all P < 0. 05). Fatigue played an intermediary role in the prediction of negative emotion and internet addiction of college students, with an intermediary role of-0.433, accounting for 76.35% of the total effect.ConclusionThe college students’ positive emotion may be strengthened to reduce their fatigue level and negative emotion so as to reduce internet addiction.

Assessment of sexual and body esteem in postpartum women with or without perineal laceration: a cross-sectional study with cultural translation and validation of the Vaginal Changes Sexual and Body Esteem Scale.

We aimed to translate and determine cultural validity of the Vaginal Changes Sexual and Body Esteem Scale (VSBE) for Brazilian Portuguese language in postpartum women who underwent vaginal delivery with or without perineal laceration and cesarean section. A cross-sectional study conducted virtually, with online data collection through a survey with 234 postpartum women of 975 that were invited. Clinical, sociodemographic, and psychometric variables from the VSBE questionnaire were analyzed (content validity index, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct/structural and discriminant validity). Multivariate analysis was performed to explore associated factors with the presence of perineal laceration. One-hundred fifty-eight women experienced vaginal delivery, of which 24.79% had an intact perineum, 33.33% had perineal laceration, and 9.4% underwent episiotomy; and 76 participants had cesarean sections. Women with perineal laceration were older, presented dyspareunia and previous surgeries than women without perineal laceration (p<0.05). For VSBE, a high internal consistency (Cronbach's α > 0.7) was observed, but it did not correlate with Body Attractiveness Questionnaire and Female Sexual Function Index; however, it correlated with the presence of women sutured for perineal laceration. Moreover, VSBE presented good structural validity with two loading factors after exploratory factor analysis. VSBE also demonstrated discriminant validity between the presence or absence of perineal laceration. The presence of urinary incontinence (UI) (OR=2.716[1.015-4.667];p=0.046) and a higher VSBE total score (OR=1.056[1.037-1.075];p<0.001) were the only factors associated with perineal laceration. Vaginal Changes Sexual and Body Esteem Scale demonstrated appropriate translation and good internal consistency, discriminant/construct validity and reliability. Vaginal Changes Sexual and Body Esteem Scale total score and presence of UI were associated with women that underwent perineal laceration.

Decision Regret Following the Choice of Surgery or Active Surveillance for Small, Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: It is important to understand cancer survivors' perceptions about their treatment decisions and quality of life. Methods: We performed a prospective observational cohort study of Canadian patients with small (<2 cm) low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) who were offered the choice of active surveillance (AS) or surgery (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03271892). Participants completed a questionnaire one year after their treatment decision. The primary intention-to-treat analysis compared the mean decision regret scale total score between patients who chose AS or surgery. A secondary analysis examined one-year decision regret score according to treatment status. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, mood, fear of disease progression, and body image perception. We adjusted for age, sex, and follow-up duration in linear regression analyses. Results: The overall questionnaire response rate was 95.5% (191/200). The initial treatment choices of respondents were AS 79.1% (151/191) and surgery 20.9% (40/191). The mean age was 53 years (standard deviation [SD] 15 years) and 77% (147/191) were females. In the AS group, 7.3% (11/151) of patients crossed over to definitive treatment (two for disease progression) before the time of questionnaire completion. The mean level of decision regret did not differ significantly between patients who chose AS (mean 22.4, SD 13.9) or surgery (mean 20.9, SD 12.2) in crude (p = 0.730) or adjusted (p = 0.29) analyses. However, the adjusted level of decision regret was significantly higher in patients who initially chose AS and crossed over to surgery (beta coefficient 10.1 [confidence interval; CI 1.3-18.9], p = 0.02), compared with those remaining under AS. In secondary adjusted analyses, respondents who chose surgery reported that symptoms related to their cancer or its treatment interfered with life to a greater extent than those who chose AS (p = 0.02), but there were no significant group differences in the levels of depression, anxiety, fear of disease progression, or overall body image perception. Conclusions: In this study of patients with small, low-risk PTC, the mean level of decision regret pertaining to the initial disease management choice was relatively low after one year and it did not differ significantly for respondents who chose AS or surgery.

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Stress and Quality of Life in Family Caregivers of Patients with Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectivesThe study aimed to examine the effects of an online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program on stress and quality of life levels of family caregivers of cancer patients.MethodThe study used a randomized controlled trial design with a pre-test (T1), follow-up (T2) and post-test (T3) which was conducted with 104 family caregivers of cancer patients. Data collection was conducted using the Caregiver and Patient Descriptive Information Form, Caregiver’s Stress Scale and The Caregiver Quality of Life Index Cancer Scale. T1 measurements were conducted for experimental (n = 50) and control groups (n = 54). After the 8-week online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program of the experimental group, T2 measurements were taken for both groups. Four weeks later, the T3 measurement was collected for both experimental and control groups.ResultsA statistically significant difference over time was detected between the mean Caregiver’s Stress Scale scores of the experimental group in the T1, T2, and T3. There was no significant difference in the control group over time. A statistically significant difference was detected in the mean Caregiver Quality of Life Index Cancer Scale total score of the experimental group across T1, T2, and T3. When the scale pre-test mean scores were compared between the groups, no significant differences were detected for T1, but a statistically significant difference was found between the T2 and T3 scores.ConclusionIn the study, it was determined that the online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program had an effect on reducing stress and improving the quality of life.PreregistrationThe research was registered on http://clinicaltrials.gov (ID:NCT05831293).

Exploring Cariprazine’s Potential in Late-Stage Schizophrenia Treatment

IntroductionSchizophrenia is a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder that often requires long-term pharmacotherapy to manage symptoms and prevent relapse. There are important clinical differences between early-stage versus late-stage schizophrenia, like the predominant symptomatology. In later stages, negative, cognitive, and anxiety/depressive symptoms dominate the clinical picture, with relapses further potentiating the emergence of positive symptoms. Therefore, it is crucial to establish the efficacy of an antipsychotic medication in the later stages of schizophrenia as well. Cariprazine is a novel dopamine D3-preferring D3/D2 receptor partial agonist that has shown efficacy in treating schizophrenia across the symptom spectrum.ObjectivesThe aim of this poster is to present the findings of cariprazine’s efficacy in treating late-stage schizophrenia, especially in symptoms that are more commonly occurring in this phase of the disorder.MethodsThis poster reports the results of a post-hoc pooled analysis of three 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (NCT01104766, NCT01104779, NCT00694707) that assessed the efficacy of cariprazine in schizophrenia. The primary outcome was the change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Total Scores from baseline to endpoint. The analysis focused on patients with late-stage schizophrenia (defined as having an illness-duration of more than 15 years) who received cariprazine at doses between 1.5 mg/day to 6.0 mg/day. The changes in PANSS-derived Marder Factor Scores for Negative, Disorganised Thought (i.e., Cognitive) and Anxiety/Depression symptoms were further examined. The least square mean differences (LSMDs) between cariprazine and placebo groups were calculated using mixed-models for repeated measures (MMRM).ResultsAltogether, 128 placebo-, and 286 cariprazine-treated patients were identified as having schizophrenia for more than 15 years. The mean age of patients was about 45 years, while the mean illness-duration was about 24 years. The mean baseline PANSS scores were the same between the two groups. In the late-stage schizophrenia population, at Week 6, cariprazine yielded statistically significantly greater reductions on the PANSS Total Score (LSMD -6.7, p&lt;0.01). Cariprazine further showed superiority over placebo in reducing negative (LSMD -1.4, p&lt;0.05), disorganised thought (LSMD -1.3, p&lt;0.01), and anxiety/depression (LSMD -0.9, p&lt;0.05) symptoms.ConclusionsCariprazine showed efficacy in treating patients with late-stage schizophrenia. It improved overall schizophrenia symptoms, as well as the negative, cognitive and anxiety/depression symptoms that are more prevalent in this phase of the disorder.Disclosure of InterestP. Falkai Consultant of: Janssen-Cilag, AstraZeneca, Lilly, and Lundbeck, Speakers bureau of: AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Lilly, Essex, GE Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline, Gedeon Richter, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Pfizer, Servier, and Takeda, R. Csehi Employee of: Gedeon Richter Plc, K. Acsai Employee of: Gedeon Richter Plc, G. Németh Employee of: Gedeon Richter Plc

Noise Reduction Nursing in a Noisy Ward Environment Effectively Improves the Mental and Physical Health of Patients Who Underwent Intracranial Aneurysm Embolization: A Retrospective Study.

This study aims to investigate the impact of noise reduction nursing in ward on patients who underwent intracranial aneurysm embolization. Between April 2020 and March 2021, Funan County People's Hospital implemented standard nursing care for patients who underwent intracranial aneurysm embolization, comprising 55 patients admitted during this period, constituting the control group. Subsequently, from April 2021 to March 2022, the hospital introduced noise reduction nursing measures in wards. A total of 65 patients admitted during this period were included in the study group. Data on noise levels, emotional states, and sleep statuses were collected from both groups. The comprehensive impact of noise reduction nursing on the mental and physical health of patients who underwent intracranial aneurysm embolization was evaluated. Before propensity score matching (PSM), significant differences were observed in age and intracranial aneurysm diameter between the two groups (P < 0.05). However, following PSM, a total of 102 patients were included in the analysis, and no significant differences in baseline data were observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). The noise level in the study group's ward was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, post-management, the study group exhibited lower Self-rating Anxiety Scale scores and total scores of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index compared with the control group. Moreover, the Glasgow Coma Scale score was higher in the study group, demonstrating statistical significance (P < 0.05). The implementation of noise reduction nursing in wards effectively controls ward noise levels and improves negative mood and sleep quality among patients who underwent intracranial aneurysm embolization. These findings indicate that noise reduction nursing facilitates postoperative rehabilitation and enhances patient outcomes.

Therapy program assisted with therapy dogs for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

IntroductionAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with an estimated lifetime prevalence of at least 1%. Some studies suggest that approximately 60% of children with ASD show emotional dysregulation and 44-86% sleeping disorders.Studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy and animal-assisted therapy AAT can be an intervention strategy to promote emotional and behavioral dysregulation and sleep disturbances.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a therapy program assisted with dogs (AAT) together with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on behavioral and emotional regulation and sleep disorders in children diagnosed with ASD.MethodsThe sample was composed of 24 children between 7 and 10 years old diagnosed with ASD randomized into two groups (CGT group (control group) and AAT + CBT group (experimental group). Inclusion criteria: communication level of simple sentences, mild-moderate difficulties in behavioral and emotional regulation and sleep disturbances. Exclusion criteria: intellectual disability, children with specific dogs phobia. Assessment included ADOS-2, WISC-V, CGAS. dysregulation profile of Achenbach scale and Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children-Bruni. A program of 12 sessions (weekly one-hour sessions) focusing emotional and behavioral regulation and sleep disturbance was designed (Behavior Emotional Sleep Treatment Program. A pre-post evaluation was performed.ResultsParticipants were 20 boys and 2 girls (2 participants dropped out), with a mean age of 9. Regarding the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, no significant differences has been observed between both groups in the global functioning measured with the Children’s Global Assessment scale (CGAS) (p=0.832), nor in the cognitive capacity (QI ) neither in reference to the associated comorbidities (p=0.103) nor in the variable prescription pharmacological treatment (p= 0.142). In emotional self-regulation, a significant improvement in emotional regulation difficulties was observed after treatment in both groups (experimental group: p=0.014; control group: p=0.012). However, the comparison between the pre-post intervention results between groups, regarding the emotional regulation variable, a greater improvement is observed in the experimental group (p=0.013). Significant improvements were also observed in sleep disorders (Bruni scale total score and in the sleep conciliation and maintenance difficulties scale) in both groups.ConclusionsTo conclude, although this is a pilot study with a small sample size and further research is needed, results suggest that a therapy program assisted with therapy dogs and CBT have positive effects on emotional dysregulation and sleep disturbances in children with ASD and offers a possible intervention strategy.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Preliminary data from the CONNEX-X extension trial examining the long-term safety of iclepertin in patients with schizophrenia who completed Phase III CONNEX trials

IntroductionCognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) is an important unmet need as there are no effective treatments available. Iclepertin (BI 425809), a glycine transporter-1 inhibitor, has been shown to improve CIAS in Phase II trials, and Phase III trials are underway.ObjectivesThe ongoing CONNEX-X extension study aims to collect additional safety data relating to iclepertin treatment in patients with CIAS.MethodsCONNEX-X (NCT05211947/1346-0014) is a multinational, multicentre, open-label, single-arm extension study in patients with CIAS who completed 26 weeks of treatment (iclepertin 10 mg or placebo) in one of 3 Phase III CONNEX parent trials (NCT04846868/1346-0011, NCT04846881/1346-0012, NCT04860830/1346-0013). An estimated 1400 clinically stable outpatients will be treated (iclepertin 10 mg daily) for 1 year, irrespective of previous treatment (iclepertin/placebo). Patients are excluded if any of the following circumstances occur during the parent study and up to Visit 1 of CONNEX-X: suicidal behaviour or ideation (type 5 on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale), diagnosis with moderate/severe substance use disorder, diagnosis other than schizophrenia (according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition), development of any condition preventing participation, a haemoglobin level decrease (&gt;25% or &lt;100g/L from baseline in parent trial) or haemoglobinopathies. The primary endpoint is the occurrence of treatment-emergent adverse events. The secondary endpoints include change from baseline (CfB) in Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) and CfB in haemoglobin. Further efficacy endpoints include CfB in MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) overall composite T-score, CfB in Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale total score and CfB in Virtual Reality Functional Capacity Assessment Tool (VRFCAT) total times.ResultsCurrently, 460 patients have been enrolled and randomised from the parent trials with 0% screening failures (-80% roll-over rate, 30 August 2023). Current study status, including recruitment, screening failures and data collection experiences, are presented.ConclusionsPatient enrolment rates from the CONNEX trials to the CONNEX-X open-label extension study are stable. CONNEX-X will allow the exploration of long-term safety, as well as descriptive analyses of cognitive and functional endpoints of iclepertin in the treatment of CIAS.FundingBoehringer IngelheimDisclosure of InterestC. Reuteman-Fowler Employee of: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Z. Blahova Employee of: Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH &amp; Co. KG, S. Marder Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH, Merck, Biogen and Sunovion, S. Ikezawa Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH, Lundbeck, Takeda Pharma, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, Employee of: International University of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, P. Falkai Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma advisory board

Comparison between Work Related Musculoskeletal Wrist Pain and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome among Students of Figurative Painting and Calligraphy

O b j e c t i v e : To compare painting related variables for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and musculoskeletal wrist pain among students of calligraphy and figurative painting. M e t h o d o l o g y : A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 212 participants from 21 January to 25 May 2023. The data was collected from the fine arts departments of public and private universities in Sialkot, Pakistan. Phalen’s clinical test was used to screen the CTS and Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire was used as an outcome measuring tool. SPSS version 22 was used to analyze the data. Mean, Standard deviation and Independent-t-test was used to compare the groups at significance level (p=0.05). R e s u l t s : Out of 212, (N=148, 69.81%) were participants in figurative painting (group A) and (N=64, 30.18%) were in calligraphy (group B) with positive Phalen test. The total mean score of symptom severity scale for CTS was (26.49 ± 6.25) and functional status (21.26±7.58) which determines moderate difficulty with routine tasks. The symptom severity scale for CTS among groups A and B had mean scores (27.83 ± 6.20) and (23.40, ± 5.20) whereas the functional status scale among group A; had mean scores (23.20 ± 7.67) and B (16.79, ± 5.13) respectively. Factors that showed significant difference between painters and calligraphers BCTQ were working hours, medium of paints, size of paint brushes and types of paint brushes (p-value= 0.00). C o n c l u s i o n : The results of this study showed an overall 'moderate' symptom severity and functional difficulty level among participants with CTS but figurative painters were more affected in some factors than calligraphers

Sleep Quality and its Daytime Effects among University Students in the UAE.

To determine the irregularity in the sleep schedule among university students in the UAE and determine its correlation with poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and fatigue. This observational cross-sectional survey was electronically conducted among undergraduate students of Ajman University during the academic year 2022-2023. The participants were selected using a simple random sampling method. The instruments for data collection comprised of sleep schedule questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Fatigue Severity Scale. Data was subjected to chi-square analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and Spearman's correlation. Of the 537 participants, 353 (65.7%) were female. The majority (57.2%) kept highly irregular bedtimes. The cohort's mean global PSQI score was 8.9±3.0 indicating poor sleep quality. There was a positive correlation between the irregular bedtime frequency and the global PSQI score (r = 0.311; p < 0.010). Most (70.8%) participants had a total high Fatigue Severity Scale score of ≥ 36. The scores of women (41.0±10.5) were significantly higher than those of men (38.5±11.0) (p =0.006). Around 53.0% of the participants had high ESS scores indicating excessive daytime sleepiness. There was also a significant correlation between ESS score and irregular bedtime frequency (r = 0.113; p =0.009). The students at Ajman University had a high prevalence of irregular bedtime and inadequate sleeping hours. This was affecting their sleep quality and causing excessive daytime sleepiness. The students, especially women, were suffering from fatigue, potentially affecting their normal functionality. It is crucial to encourage students to establish regular sleep patterns and improve sleep habits to promote their productivity and general well-being.

EXAMINATION OF CORONAVIRUS ANXIETY AND SLEEP QUALITY OF NURSES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Introduction: Nurses are health professionals who are in contact with patients for a long time, communicate and play an active role during the pandemic period. It is necessary to evaluate the anxiety levels and sleep quality of nurses during the pandemic process. Aim: This study was carried out to examine the coronavirus anxiety and quality of sleep of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was completed with 384 nurses. We collected data using the "Introductory Information Form", "Coronavirus Anxiety Scale" and "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)". The analysis of the obtained data included numbers, percentile distributions, mean and standard deviation, Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis, Dunn test and Spearman correlation test. Results: The total Coronavirus anxiety scale score of the nurses included in the study is 3.14 ± 3.85 (min: 0, max: 20), and the total point average of PSQI is 13.29±2.57 (min: 7, max: 20). There is also a positive significant relationship between the coronavirus anxiety scale and PSQI (p&amp;lt;0.001, r=0.318). Conclusion and Suggestions: Participants were found to have poor sleep quality and with low levels of anxiety about COVID-19. Nurses should be strengthened through sustainable physical and psychological initiatives in order to reduce coronavirus anxiety and improve sleep quality in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pro-Social Behavior Scale (PSBS) Development Study

In this study, it was aimed to develop a measurement tool to measure the prosocial behaviors of adolescents. The research was carried out on 540 students studying at secondary and high school levels in Istanbul and Küçükçekmece districts. After the exploratory factor analysis, it was observed that the scale consisted of 4 sub-dimensions: empathy, altruism, sympathy and self-worth. The theoretical structure of these four dimensions of the scale was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The variance explained by all items of the scale was measured as 66.75. In order to support the validity level of the scale, it was observed that the correlations between the item discrimination values of the items calculated with the t-test and the subscale scores were significant. The external validity of the scale was compared with the previously developed prosocial behavior scale and significant relationships were found between them. Cronbach Alpha values were calculated for the reliability study of the scale, and it was observed that the reliability values of the scale, including the total scale scores, ranged between .74 and .91. In the light of the psychometric data obtained as a result, a measurement tool with high reliability and validity values was developed for adolescents.

Assessment of Adult Individuals' Fear of COVID-19, Healthy Living Behaviors, and Nutrition Knowledge Levels during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period

This study determines the fear of COVID-19, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and nutrition knowledge levels of individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted involving 509 people between the ages of 18 and 64 from December 2020 to April 2021. Data were collected online using a descriptive characteristics form, the COVID-19 Fear Scale, the Adult Nutrition Knowledge Level Scale, and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II. It was found from the study that women feared COVID-19 more than men (p&lt;0.05). Individuals aged 35–44 scored higher in basic nutrition knowledge, while those aged 18‒24 scored lower in food preference knowledge (p&lt;0.05). It was also found that individuals who were between 55 and 64 years of age, married, highly educated, employed in the public sector, of good economic status, and ill scored higher on the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II (p&lt;0.05). A weak positive correlation was found between the score of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and scores of both food preference knowledge and health responsibility sub-dimensions (r=0.088, r=0.181; p&lt;0.05). A weak positive correlation was also found between the nutrition knowledge score as well as the different sub-dimensions and the total score of the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II (r=0.164, r=0.196; p&lt;0.05). It was observed that fear of COVID-19, nutrition knowledge level, and healthy lifestyle behaviors were influenced by various socio-demographic characteristics, and that there was a relationship between these three elements.

Characteristics of neurovegetative disorders in ischemic heart disease patients after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The aim of the study. To examine the frequency and spectrum of cognitive, anxiety-depressive, autonomic disorders and their interrelationship in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) after COVID-19 infection. Materials and methods. The study involved 71 patients with CHD, stable angina pectoris FC II–III (age 69.0 [64.0; 76.0] years): group 1 (main) – 31 CHD patients after COVID-19; group 2 (comparison) – 40 CHD patients without COVID-19 history. Spectral and temporal HRV parameters were assessed using 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring, anxiety-depressive disorders (ADD) – using the HADS scale, cognitive status of patients – according to the MoCa scale. Results. CHD patients after COVID-19 had a higher frequency of ADD detection and a greater anxiety level (16 [10; 24] versus 10 [9; 13] points, p &lt; 0.05), depression (14 [8; 20] versus 11 [10; 12] points, p &lt; 0.05) as compared to patients without previous history of COVID-19. At the same time, the predominance of the anxiety component over the depressive one in patients of both groups has been revealed. In CHD patients after COVID-19, a decrease in the total MoCa scale score has been found as compared to patients without COVID-19: 24 [22; 26] versus 28 [26; 30] points, p &lt; 0.05. There was an association between the total level of anxiety and depression and the severity of cognitive impairment (r = -0.36, p &lt; 0.05). CHD patients exposed to COVID-19 showed an increased sympathetic and parasympathetic tone of the central nervous system within 24 hours, an increased LF/HF ratio during the active period, activation of slow-acting humoral regulation mechanisms amid increasing stress index and centralization index. In the group of patients with CHD after COVID-19, a wide range of correlations between the rate of ADD, cognitive disorders and HRV parameters has been found. Conclusions. Patients with coronary heart disease recovered from COVID-19 have shown an increase in the incidence and degree of ADD and cognitive disorder manifestations which was accompanied by autonomic dysfunction resulting in stress on the functional and adaptive state of the cardiovascular system. The association between ADD, autonomic and cognitive disorders in patients with coronary heart disease after COVID-19 has confirmed the common pathogenetic links of the disorders found.

Examination of the Attitudes of Individuals Playing Folk Dances Towards Folk Dances

The purpose of this study is to investigate the attitudes of individuals who perform folk dances towards folk dances. 193 people who actively studied and performed folk dances at Alanya Aladdin Keykubat University participated voluntarily in our study. Tekkurşun Demir, Ozbek, and Gündüz (2022) established the validity and reliability of the Attitude Scale Towards Folk Dances (ASTFD), which was used in our study. In accordance with the 95% confidence interval, statistical frequency analysis, reliability coefficient calculations, the Mann Witney U test, and the Kruskal Wallis H test were conducted using the SPSS 25 package program. In the age variable of our research, the average age is close to each other, in the gender variable, women are more than men, graduate students are negative compared to undergraduate students, in the monthly income levels variable, individuals above the minimum wage are positive compared to individuals below the minimum wage, in the folk dance experience variable, individuals who receive 1-2 years of education and actively play folk dance are positive compared to individuals who are 3-4 years and 5 years and above. As a result, it was observed that According to the results of the Man Witney U Test conducted between the ages of the individuals and their Attitudes towards Folk Dances, there was a statistically significant difference in the scale total score and three sub-dimensions (p

TransfOrming Transnational intErcultural sensitivity for Midwifery students through an inclusive mobility model: A mixed-method evaluation of the TOTEMM project

BackgroundContemporary midwifery curricula require that student midwives have insight and understanding of global health practice and intercultural sensitivity. The current mobility model excludes large numbers of students from engaging in transnational learning. Objectives1) to evaluate midwifery students' experiences of blended mobility; 2) to investigate if the combination of virtual and physical mobility activities supported development of intercultural sensitivity and soft skills. DesignMulti-centre mixed-methods study. SettingsFour European Higher Education Institutions located in England, Italy, Estonia and The Netherlands. ParticipantsSixty-four midwifery students studying in one of the four partner institutions selected as study sites and who participated in the TOTEMM blended mobility scheme took part in the evaluation. MethodsData were collected through two online surveys, face-to-face focus groups and learning analytics. Descriptive summary statistical analysis of survey data was undertaken. Focus group discussions were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings from the quantitative survey and qualitative focus groups were merged using a convergent mixed methods approach. Learning Analytics were interpreted as complementary to the above components, to further triangulate the findings. ResultsBoth virtual and physical components were evaluated positively by students, with high engagement confirmed by learning analytics. A statistically significant increase in the mean of the Total Intercultural Sensitivity Scale score was seen between the pre- and post-mobility surveys, indicating participation in the TOTEMM mobility model was associated with enhanced intercultural sensitivity. Positive effects on confidence, open-mindedness, empathy, interaction and non-judgment were shared by participants. ConclusionsTOTEMM is an innovative inclusive approach to enable a diverse student group to benefit from transnational learning, including the development of intercultural sensitivity. The TOTEMM blended mobility model has potential for integration into future midwifery curricula and programmes in the four partner settings involved in TOTEMM and utility for the wider European context.

Association of intestinal inflammation and permeability markers with clinical manifestations of Parkinson's disease

IntroductionIntestinal inflammation and gut microbiota dysbiosis can stimulate degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and development of Parkinson's disease (PD) via the gut-brain axis in certain patients. MethodsIn a case-control study, fecal markers of intestinal inflammation and permeability were measured using the ELISA method in PD patients and healthy controls. Motor and nonmotor symptoms were assessed using the Movement Disorder Society (MDS) Unified PD Rating Scale, Hoehn & Yahr scale, MDS Non-Motor Symptom Scale, Scales for Outcomes in PD - Autonomic Dysfunction, PD Sleep Scale - 2, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory-II. A correlation was established between the intestinal inflammation and permeability markers and PD symptoms. ResultsHigher levels of beta-defensin 2, zonulin and lactoferrin were recorded in PD patients compared to controls. Calprotectin and secretory immunoglobulin A showed no significant differences. Regression analysis indicated the roles of beta-defensin 2 and lactoferrin in predicting PD likelihood. Calprotectin yielded positive correlations with disease duration, depression, motor fluctuations, and gastrointestinal symptoms; beta defensin 2 with thermoregulation; and secretory immunoglobulin A with depression. Secretory immunoglobulin A showed negative correlation with age and age at disease onset, while zonulin showed negative correlation with the MDS Unified PD Rating Scale total score. ConclusionsFecal markers differed in PD patients compared to controls and correlated with age, disease duration, and some nonmotor symptoms. Future studies should identify the subgroups of PD patients that are likely to develop intestinal inflammation.