Melinda Hermanns

Community-Based FitSTEPS for Life Exercise Program for Persons With Cancer: 5-Year Evaluation

PURPOSE To determine the effects of a community-based program of exercise on quality of life (QOL) of persons with cancer over time. METHODS Participants were referred by their physician to participate in an individualized program of exercise at one of 14 community centers. The Medical Outcomes Survey, Short Form, version 2.0 (SF-36) was used to assess QOL. Individual participants were monitored for 2 years. Data collection took place at baseline, every 3 months months during year 1, and every 6 months during year 2. RESULTS Enrolled participants (n = 701) had been diagnosed with different cancers and were at all stages; 177 completed data collection for 2 years. One-way analysis of variance (n = 177) supported the positive impact of exercise on QOL over time. Significant subscale scores of the SF-36, including Physical Function (F = 2.13, P ≤ .047), Role Physical (F = 3.78, P ≤ .001), Vitality (F = 5.97, P ≤ .001), Social Function (F = 4.46, P ≤ .001), Role Emotional (F = 2.56, P ≤ .01), Mental Health (F = 2.16, P ≤ .05), and General Health (F = 3.42, P ≤ .01), were sustainable over time. CONCLUSION This research introduces the concept of a long-term community-based program of individualized exercise as a feasible and effective intervention to improve QOL for persons with all stages of cancer. Improvements, noted at the 3-month time point, appear to be sustainable for extended time (24 months). Attrition is problematic and needs to be addressed. Results from this study have significance for practice recommendations and health policy reimbursement issues.

A regional academic partnership for the early identification and retention of at-risk nursing students.

UNLABELLED In a 2006 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board report (Increasing RN Graduates in Texas: A Report to the 79th Legislature), nursing programs in Texas were challenged to increase the number of graduates to deal with the nursing shortage. This article describes the East Texas regions efforts to identify and intervene in the nursing student attrition rates of participating partners nursing programs. The primary purpose of this study was to identify and intervene with students at risk for attrition. Nine nursing programs participated in the study. METHODS Online surveys were used to assess variables associated with attrition. Online interventions and an intensive test review protocol were used as intervention methods. RESULTS Across the nine nursing programs, 898 students participated in the study. Regression and categorical data analysis revealed that lack of reading comprehension was the best predictor of a student being off track or out of a nursing program (P < .0001). Two other highly predictive variables of attrition were entrance examination composite scores (P = .0271) and a students grades in anatomy and physiology (P = .005). Grant intervention protocols were effective in reducing the attrition rate (P = .0002) between students who participated during the grant period and those prior to implementation of the grant.

The Role of Exercise in Cancer Treatment: Bridging the Gap

In recent years, there has been a burgeoning amount of evidence-based scientific data demonstrating the benefit of exercise during and following cancer treatment. This compelling evidence has resulted in major stakeholders in cancer management, including the American College of Sports Medicine, American Society of Clinical Oncology, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American Cancer Society, Oncology Nursing Society, and the Commission on Cancer, advocating exercise as an integral component of cancer care. Despite the acknowledgment of exercise as an essential component, it remains virtually absent in routine cancer treatment. This article discusses the role of exercise in cancer treatment utilizing a community-based program. The rationale presented is that a scalable and replicable standard of care model is a plausible avenue to assimilate exercise into routine oncology practice.

Psychiatric Nursing Emergency: A Simulated Experience of a Wrist-Cutting Suicide Attempt

A simulated wrist-cutting suicide attempt scenario was developed and implemented, with the goal of integrating the concepts of psychiatric emergency care, contraband, environmental assessment, and personal safety. Faculty also wanted to convey and provide care and support for participants through-out the visually and emotionally stimulating activity. The under-lying premise was that providing readings and lecture material on these topics was insufficient to the level of learning and performance needed by nursing students and novice nurses. How-ever, actual student clinical episodes integrating these concepts were also infrequent, unpredictable, and often not conducive to student learning. Therefore, faculty implemented a simulation teaching modality to deliver the concepts in a vivid and memorable format. A standardized rating scale on perceived learning and care from faculty during the course of the simulation was administered immediately following participation in the activity. Participants were overwhelmingly positive in their assessment of the activity, reporting an enhanced appreciation for safety in the conduct of inpatient psychiatric nursing care.Further, the faculty members observation and post-simulation processing of the activity noted cognitive, behavioral, and emotional responses at the individual and group levels related to communication, observation and assessment, decision making,and interpersonal support

From Dissertation Defense to Dissemination: Jump Start Your Academic Career With a Scholar Mentor Group.

Problem The dissertation provides an excellent source of scholarly productivity for new doctoral faculty, yet is often neglected because of the demands inherent in the faculty role. Methods The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a scholar mentor group composed of three graduates of a PhD nursing program and their shared dissertation chair, who acted as a senior scholar mentor to the group. Findings By working together, we have been able to enhance our scholarly productivity by disseminating our dissertations through presentations and publications. The paper will present the evolving process of this working group, summarize outcomes, analyze the challenges, and provide suggestions for future doctoral students and faculty who are working with them. Conclusions Our experience and scholar mentor model captures the best of both worlds—the benefits of interaction with academic peers and the benefits of having a senior scholar mentor. This was accomplished while all members were at different schools in different cities and states. Although other literatures that document successful collaborations using a peer-mentorship model are available, we were unable to locate any that documents a post-doctoral group with a senior scholar mentor who continued working together after graduation.PROBLEM The dissertation provides an excellent source of scholarly productivity for new doctoral faculty, yet is often neglected because of the demands inherent in the faculty role. METHODS The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a scholar mentor group composed of three graduates of a PhD nursing program and their shared dissertation chair, who acted as a senior scholar mentor to the group. FINDINGS By working together, we have been able to enhance our scholarly productivity by disseminating our dissertations through presentations and publications. The paper will present the evolving process of this working group, summarize outcomes, analyze the challenges, and provide suggestions for future doctoral students and faculty who are working with them. CONCLUSIONS Our experience and scholar mentor model captures the best of both worlds-the benefits of interaction with academic peers and the benefits of having a senior scholar mentor. This was accomplished while all members were at different schools in different cities and states. Although other literatures that document successful collaborations using a peer-mentorship model are available, we were unable to locate any that documents a post-doctoral group with a senior scholar mentor who continued working together after graduation.

Teaching Theoretically Based Interventions: Use of Life Review

This manuscript discusses the process of teaching a theoretically based intervention, therapeutic life review, to student-listeners in an RN-BSN and RN-MSN program. Student-listener reflections are included and focus on their experience in this process.

Perceptions of older women with cancer participating in an exercise programme: a mixed methods pilot study

Fourteen women over the age of 55 years with a history of cancer were followed during and after completion of a monitored exercise programme intended to improve body strength, functional performance, balance, activities of daily living and quality of life. A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was employed. The quantitative strand utilised a quasi-experimental, pretest/posttest design. The qualitative strand involved individualised interviews 2–3 months following completion of the intervention. The main outcomes were (a) physical characteristics of participants; (b) resistive tests; (c) functional ability; (d) cancer-related fatigue and (e) quality of life. Both study strands indicated that all participants showed significant improvement in resistive tests, functional ability and activities of daily living. Though quantitative results of fatigue and quality of life were statistically nonsignificant, qualitative findings indicated clinically significant improvement.

Effect of Tai Chi on Vascular Function Among Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy

Foot pain due to Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) is one of the factors affecting walking ability. It has been reported that diminished vascular function contributes to a decrease in physical function in individuals with PN. Microvascular disturbances have been reported in humans with neuropathic pain. Tai Chi, a Chinese conditioning exercise, has been associated with enhanced endothelial function. However, the effect of Tai Chi training on microvascular function in patients with PN has not been studied. This study aimed to assess the effects of Tai Chi on vascular function (i.e., vascular reactivity) and functional exercise capacity among patients with PN. Thirty-seven participants (men = 21, women = 16) were randomly assigned to either Tai Chi exercise (Ex, n = 20, age: 71 ± 9.50 years) or control group (Con, n = 17, age: 75 ± 9.02 years). Exercise training consisted of 12-week progressive Tai Chi (i.e., Yang Style), offered 3 times per week, 60 minutes sessions. The Con group didn’t participate in any exercise activity. Before and after training, vascular function [fingertip Digital Thermal Monitoring (DTM) of vascular reactivity] and functional exercise capacity [Six-Minute Walk test (6MW)] were evaluated. The Ex group experienced a significant 25% increase in Vascular Reactivity Index (VRI) from baseline [1.93 ± 0.43 to 2.41 ± 0.47, (p < 0.05)]. In addition, the 6MW test increased significantly in the Ex group by 28% [pre = 392 ± 93; post = 503 ± 105 m, (p < 0.05)]. In the control group no significant changes were observed in either vascular function [1.83 ± 0.43 to 1.81 ± 0.37] or in the 6MW test [393 ± 142 to 398 ± 149 m]. Participants experienced no complications and/or falls as a result of the intervention. These findings demonstrated that in patients with PN, a 12-week progressive Tai Chi exercise program was capable of increasing not only vascular function, specifically vascular reactivity index, but also of increasing the distance covered during the 6MW test. Clearly, this study underlies the importance of Tai Chi as an effective and safe exercise intervention suitable for patients with PN. Received Date: August 03, 2016 Accepted Date: October 26 2016 Published Date: November 03, 2016 Citation: Arce-Esquivel, A.A., et al. Effect of Tai Chi on Vascular Function among Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy. (2016) J Heart Cardiol 2(4): 16.

Incorporating Exercise Into the Cancer Treatment Paradigm

BACKGROUND The benefits of exercise for patients with cancer are well documented. However, exercise is still not a standard of care for this population. Several factors contribute to the lack of exercise prescriptions for patients with cancer, including challenges posed by treatment-related side effects, lack of knowledge among healthcare providers and the laypeople, and inadequate resources. OBJECTIVES This article reviews the benefits of exercise in general and specifically to patients with cancer, discusses the specific challenges and considerations required in recommending exercise to this population, and provides specific recommendations for healthcare providers to incorporate exercise into treatment plans. METHODS Using a case study exemplar, this article discusses the benefits and challenges to exercise while undergoing treatment for cancer and proposes specific solutions and recommendations. FINDINGS Oncology practitioners can provide the opportunity for patients to safely engage in exercise with the appropriate resources and trained personnel using a successful model of delivering exercise to patients undergoing treatment for cancer. Exercise improves quality of life in all patients, including those with advanced-stage cancers and those actively receiving treatment.