Disability and rehabilitation
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The aim of this study was first of all to investigate the sound, light, temperature and humidity levels in a rehabilitation ward and to establish whether the measured levels were within the recommended levels or not; secondly to explore influence of the type of the patient rooms on obtained measurements. ⋯ Our results indicated that the patients are at risk of disturbed sleep for the duration of their stay in rehabilitation unit. Exposure to generally high noise levels, as well as the sudden increases of noise and light intensities can prevent reaching restful night-time sleep and may negatively impact on rehabilitation process due to impaired memory, learning and well-being. Implications for Rehabilitation Standards for ward based hospital environments to minimize sleep disturbance exist and can be used to examine the environmental characteristics of patients' rooms in different healthcare settings including rehabilitation units. This study shows that measurements of environmental factors were not always within the recommended levels in the rehabilitation unit and presence of abrupt increase of noise and light levels are likely to cause sleep disturbance of patients. Assessment of current practice, education and training of night staff to raise awareness on importance of sleep and environmental factors and development of strategies are required in order to improve quality of sleep in rehabilitation settings.
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To describe the experiences of parents of children admitted to hospital for a burn. ⋯ Findings from this research will allow health professionals to optimise a holistic clinical service from a consumer's perspective at all stages of the burn journey. These research conclusions could be used for the development of protocols to underpin a comprehensive information and social support management plan for families that would complement and support the surgical, medical and therapeutic treatment plan, providing direction for comprehensive service delivery. Implications for Rehabilitation Health professionals should optimise a holistic clinical service from a consumer's perspective taking into consideration all stages of the burn journey. Therapeutic supports are required to target each phase of the burn journey and address changes in coping strategies and behavioural responses. There is a need for the development of protocols to underpin a comprehensive information and social support management plan for families that will complement and support the surgical and medical treatment plan.
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Comparative Study
Executive functioning deficits in young adult survivors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
To assess long-term impairments of executive functioning in adult survivors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). ⋯ This study represents the largest sample of survivors into adulthood of BPD and is the first to show that deficits in executive functioning persist. Children with BPD should be assessed to identify cognitive impairments and allow early intervention aimed at ameliorating their effects. Implications for Rehabilitation Adults born preterm with very-low birth weight, and particularly those who develop BPD, are at increased risk of exhibiting defects in executive functioning. Clinicians and educators should be made aware of the impact that BPD can have on the long-term development of executive functions. Children and young adults identified as having BPD should be periodically monitored to identify the need for possible intervention.
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To explore a set of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) categories that cover the spinal cord injury (SCI) nursing practice in China through a national expert survey. ⋯ A set of ICF categories that cover the SCI nursing practice in China was identified. It reflects the main issues that Chinese nurses focus on in caring SCI patients. These categories can facilitate Chinese nurses to use the ICF in multidisciplinary teamwork and improve the participation of nurses in the team. Implications for Rehabilitation In China, nurses lack of an effective model or tool to communicate with the other health professionals in the rehabilitation team for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a tool for multidisciplinary use, which can promote the communication and collaboration in the healthcare team by establishing a common language across different disciplines and sectors. This set of ICF categories developed from this study can serve as a roadmap for important items for use in clinical practice of Chinese SCI nursing.
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Regaining basic mobility after hip fracture surgery is a milestone in the in-hospital rehabilitation. The aims were to investigate predictors for not regaining basic mobility at the fifth post-operative day and at discharge after undergoing hip fracture surgery. ⋯ Regaining abilities in basic mobility after hip fracture surgery is a primary goal of rehabilitation during hospitalization in the acute ward. The following factors are indentified to predict patients not regaining their previous level of basic mobility: Age >80 years, low prefracture functional level, patients not being able to complete the physiotherapy on the first post-operative day and hemoglobin value <6 mmol/l on the first post-operative day. In future strategies, the findings regarding both modifiable and unmodifiable factors, can be used to conduct early planning of discharge and to take actions in relation to patients who are at a risk of not regaining basic mobility.