Asian Journal of Nursing Education and Research

Sheeba Chellappan ¹, Rajamanickam Rajkumar ², Merlin Jeyapal ³

Affiliations
1 Christian College of Nursing, Neyyoor and Post, Kanyakumari Dist, Tamilnadu, IN
2 Dept. of Community Medicine, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Kanchipuram, IN
3 C.S.I. Jeyaraj Annapackiam College of Nursing, Madurai, IN

Abstract

Background: Although cancer patients experience multiple physical symptoms as well as psychological, the symptom of pain is considered as most critical. Unrelieved pain affects all dimensions of quality of life including the ability to achieve a peaceful death. The prevalence of cancer pain is estimated as 25% for those newly diagnosed, 33% for those undergoing active treatment and greater than 75% for those with advanced disease. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the effect of structured teaching program regarding pain management on knowledge of terminally ill cancer patients in selected hospital, Kanyakumari District. Methods: A quantitative Approach with one group pretest post test pre-experimental research design was adopted to carry out the study. Data were collected using questionnaire from 30 samples selected by purposive sampling. Results: In pretest, 50% of them had inadequate knowledge regarding pain management, 46.7% of them had moderately adequate knowledge and 3.3% of them had adequate knowledge. After teaching program, 20% of them had adequate knowledge 70% of them had moderately adequate knowledge and only 10% had inadequate knowledge regarding pain management. The calculated 't' value (2.97) was higher than the table value at 0.05 level of significance. Conclusion: Pain is one of the common factors which decide the quality of life among terminally ill cancer patients. The knowledge regarding pain helps them to cope with their journey with cancer. Structured teaching program improve their knowledge regarding pain and thus help to adjust their journey accordingly.

Keywords

Pain, Terminally Ill Patients, Cancer, Pain Management, Structured Teaching Program, Knowledge.

Full Text

     

V. Stalin Shiny ¹, Sheeba Chellappan ¹

Affiliations
1 Christian College of Nursing, Neyyoor and Post, Kanyakumari Dist, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

Introduction: Gait and balance disorders are common in older adults and are a major cause of falls in this population. Dual task exercise is most important for elderly with balance and gait patterns problem. It improves the strength and tone of the muscles and controls the knee and helps to stabilize and protect knee joint. Dual task exercise helps to improve cognitive function, standing and walking. The aim of the study is to assess effect of dual task exercises on balance and gait pattern of elderly in selected old age homes at Kanyakumari district. Methods: A quantitative approach with pre-experimental one group pre-test- post-test design was used to assess the effect of dual task exercises on balance and gait pattern of elderly. Thirty elderly who fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected by non probability purposive sampling technique. Pre-test was done using Berg Balance Scale and Functional Gait Assessment Scale. Then Dual task exercises were administered individually twice in a week for 4 weeks. Post-test was done using same scale on 5^th week. Results: At pre-test, 86.7% of subjects had high fall risk and 13.3% had medium fall risk. At post-test, cent percent of subjects had low fall risk. During pretest, 40% of them had moderate impairment and 60% of them had mild impairment. In post-test, 80% had mild impairment and 20% had normal ambulation. The Berg Balance Score (BBS) at pre-test was 17.9±2.5 and at post-test was 52.4±2.3. The improvement was 34.5± 3.6 and it was statistically highly significant (P<0.001). The Functional Gait Assessment Score (FGAS) at pre-test was 12.0±3.3 and the post-test mean was 28.4±2.2. The improvements from pre-test to post-test was 16.4±4.3 and it was highly significant (P<0.001). Hence research hypothesis (H1) was accepted. Discussion : The dual task training program was effective in improving balance and gait pattern o f elderly. It is the responsibility of the nursing personnel to train elders in performing dual task exercise which helps to improve their balance and gait. This in turn reduces the risk of falling.

Keywords

Elders, Gait And Balance, Dual Task Exercise, Training.

Full Text

     

Steffy Sam ¹, Santhi Appavu ¹, Sheeba Chellappan ¹

Affiliations
1 Christian College of Nursing, Neyyoor and Post, Kanyakumari Dist, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is a major event for the person diagnosed and also for his/ her family caregivers. Most of the people are diagnosed as cancer at late stage. Terminally ill patients are unable to do their activities of daily living. Patient suffering from terminal illness are often hospitalized and death in hospital is common. In India most of them are cared by his/her family members. Since caregivers involves in full care of the terminally ill cancer patients, they ignore caring themselves. This results in stress, anxiety and emotional upsets. Research studies reveal that counseling reduces the level of burden and increase the level of coping. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of counseling on level of burden and coping among caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients admitted in selected hospital in Kanyakumari District. Methods: Pre-experimental one group pretest post-test design was adopted. Data was collected from 30 caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients using purposive sampling technique. Pretest was done using Zarit burden scale and caregivers coping scale. Three sessions of counseling was given on alternative days. Post-test was done on 7^th day. Results: The pretest mean burden score was 65.20 ± 7.16 and the post test score was 23.23 ± 6.8 and t value was 28.09 which was statistically significant. The pretest mean coping score was 27.46 ± 8.02 and the post test score was 92.66 ± 7.15 and statistically significant. The pretest mean burden score was 65.20 ± 7.16 and pre test mean coping score was 27.46 ± 8.02 and its value was r = -.431, which was negatively correlated. There was association between pretest level of burden and coping of primary caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients and their selected demographic variables such as age, sex, and marital status, relationship with patients, behavioral habits, and duration of care giving role. Conclusion: This support that the counseling program is effective in reducing the level of burden and improving the coping among primary caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients.

Keywords

Counseling, Primary Caregivers, Terminally Ill Cancer Patients.

Full Text