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To examine whether psychosocial needs in diabetes care are associated with carbohydrate counting and if carbohydrate counting is associated with satisfaction with diabetes applications' usability, a randomized crossover trial of 92 adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes requiring insulin therapy tested two top-rated diabetes applications, mySugrand OnTrack Diabetes. Survey responses on demographics, psychosocial needs (perceived competence, autonomy, and connectivity), carbohydrate-counting frequency, and application satisfaction were modeled using mixed-effect linear regressions to test associations. Participants ranged between 19 and 74 years old (mean, 54 years) and predominantly had type 2 diabetes (70%). Among the three tested domains of psychosocial needs, only competence—not autonomy or connectivity—was found to be associated with carbohydrate-counting frequency. No association between carbohydrate-counting behavior and application satisfaction was found. In conclusion, perceived competence in diabetes care is an important factor in carbohydrate counting; clinicians may improve adherence to carbohydrate counting with strategies designed to improve perceived competence. Carbohydrate-counting behavior is complex; its impact on patient satisfaction of diabetes application usability is multifactorial and warrants consideration of patient demographics such as sex as well as application features for automated carbohydrate counting.

Specifications of what and how much health behavior change (BC) content within research interventions are needed to advance BC science, its implementation, and dissemination. We analyzed the types and dosages of the smallest potentially active BC ingredients and associated behavioral prescriptions intended to be delivered in an ongoing physical activity optimization trial for older adults (Ready Steady 3.0 [RS3]). We defined BC types as behavior change techniques (BCT) and behavioral prescriptions. Our protocol integrated the BCT Taxonomy coding procedures with BCT roles (primary or secondary) and, when relevant, linkages to behavioral prescriptions. Primary BCTs targeted theoretical mechanisms of action, whereas secondary BCTs supported primary BCT delivery. Behavioral prescriptions represented what participants were encouraged to do with each primary BCT in RS3 (ascertain, practice, implement). We assessed dosage parameters of duration, frequency, and amount in each BCT and prescription.Results provided a catalog of in-depth, multidimensional content specifications with 12 primary BCTs, each supported by 2-7 secondary BCTs, with dosages ranging from 2 to 8 weeks, 1 to 8 contacts, and 5 to 451 minutes. Minutes spent on behavioral prescriptions varied: ascertain (1 to 41), practice (5 to 315), and implement (0 to 38). Results can be organized and summarized in varied ways (e.g., by content component) to strengthen future assessments of RS3 fidelity and intervention refinement.Results highlight potential benefits of this early, integrated approach to analyzing BC content and frames questions about how such information might be incorporated and disseminated with reporting research outcomes.A new approach to reporting early, in-depth descriptions of the types and dosages of the smallest, potentially active behavior change ingredients within interventions designed to promote health-related behaviors.The focus of this case study was to assess what and how much behavior change content was within an intervention still under development—by integrating existing frameworks for classifying behavior change techniques, dosages, and behavioral prescriptions. Findings provide the first set of procedures available for collecting, coding, and analyzing data representing the types of behavior change techniques in an intervention, their durations, frequencies, and amounts, and their linkages to what participants are asked to do. Applying these procedures to the protocol and materials in an ongoing study (Ready Steady 3.0) yielded a detailed, multidimensional catalog of the smallest potentially active behavior change ingredients in its intervention, including behavior change techniques, intended uses, and intended dosages. Findings also showcased how this information can be summarized and organized in various ways to strengthen fidelity evaluations and future intervention development. Researchers can use and adapt these new procedures for reporting behavior change content within individual intervention studies. Findings also highlight the potential benefits of this early, integrated approach to analyzing behavior change content and frame questions about how such information might be incorporated and disseminated with reporting research outcomes.

Despite the many diabetes applications available, the rate of use is low, which may be associated with design issues. This study examined app usability compliance with heuristic design principles, guided by the Self-determination Theory on motivation. Four top-rated commercially available apps (Glucose Buddy, MyNetDiary, mySugr, and OnTrack) were tested for data recording, blood glucose analysis, and data sharing important for diabetes competence, autonomy, and connection with a healthcare provider. Four clinicians rated each app's compliance with Nielsen's 10 principles and its usability using the System Usability Scale. All four apps lacked one task function related to diabetes care competence or autonomy. Experts ranked app usability rated with the System Usability Scale: OnTrack(61) and Glucose Buddy(60) as a “D” and MyNetDairy(41) and mySugr(15) as an “F.” A total of 314 heuristic violations were identified. The heuristic principle violated most frequently was “Help and Documentation” (n = 50), followed by “Error Prevention” (n = 45) and “Aesthetic and Minimalist Design” (n = 43). Four top-rated diabetes apps have “marginally acceptable” to “completely unacceptable.” Future diabetes app design should target patient motivation and incorporate key heuristic design principles by providing tutorials with a help function, eliminating error-prone operations, and providing enhanced graphical or screen views.

Purpose. To assess the feasibility of a new intervention, Ready~Steady, in terms of demand, acceptability, implementation, and limited efficacy.Design. Randomized controlled trial; repeated measures.Setting. Two rural communities in Itasca County, Minnesota.Subjects. Thirty participants were randomized to an intervention (n = 16) or attention-control (n = 14) group.Intervention. Ready~Steady combined two components: (1) motivational (motivational support, social network support, empowering education), and (2) fall-reducing physical activities (PAs; guidance to practice leg-strengthening, balance, and flexibility activities and walking).Measures. Acceptability questionnaire and Indices of Procedural Consistency (investigator developed), Community Health Activity Model Program for Seniors Questionnaire (confirmed with accelerometry), Short Physical Performance Battery, Perceived Environmental Support Scale, Social Support for Exercise Questionnaire, Goal Attainment Scale, Index of Readiness, and Index of Self-Regulation.Analysis. Descriptive statistics and a marginal approach to repeated-measures analysis of variance, using mixed-model procedures.Results. Attrition was 7% and mean attendance was 7.2 of 8 sessions, participants evaluated Ready~Steady as acceptable, and implementation fidelity was good. The intervention group improved significantly more than the attention-control group in PA behavior, F1,27= 11.92, p = .002; fall risk (functional balance and strength), F1,27= 14.89, p = .001; support for exercise from friends, F1,27= 11.44, p = .002; and self-regulation, F1,26= 38.82, p < .005.Conclusion. The Ready~Steady intervention was feasible as evidenced by low attrition and good attendance and implementation, as well as positive effects on targeted outcomes and theoretical mechanisms of change.

Urinary incontinence (UI) affects 43% of frail, community-dwelling older women and threatens their independence. For these women, remaining continent depends on their ability to toilet. Treatments should include improving toileting skills. However, reliable and valid measures of toileting skills are not available to evaluate treatment efforts in this population. The current cross-sectional study of 24 frail older women (average age = 87 years) examines the reliability and concurrent validity of the Performance Oriented Timed Toileting Instrument (POTTI) and self-reported Minnesota Toileting Skills Questionnaire (MTSQ). The POTTI demonstrated strong interrater reliability (0.97) and the MTSQ demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82). Both measures had statistically significant correlations with frailty, physical performance, UI-related quality of life, and UI self-efficacy. Both instruments demonstrated good psychometric properties and show promise as outcome measures for UI clinical trials. Further work is needed to establish their responsiveness to change and minimum clinically important difference values. [Urinary incontinence (UI) affects 43% of frail, community-dwelling older women and threatens their independence. For these women, remaining continent depends on their ability to toilet. Treatments should include improving toileting skills. However, reliable and valid measures of toileting skills are not available to evaluate treatment efforts in this population. The current cross-sectional study of 24 frail older women (average age = 87 years) examines the reliability and concurrent validity of the Performance Oriented Timed Toileting Instrument (POTTI) and self-reported Minnesota Toileting Skills Questionnaire (MTSQ). The POTTI demonstrated strong interrater reliability (0.97) and the MTSQ demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82). Both measures had statistically significant correlations with frailty, physical performance, UI-related quality of life, and UI self-efficacy. Both instruments demonstrated good psychometric properties and show promise as outcome measures for UI clinical trials. Further work is needed to establish their responsiveness to change and minimum clinically important difference values. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(9), 16–20.]

Little is known about the prevalence of pressure ulcers (PUs) among racial and ethnic groups of older individuals admitted to nursing homes (NHs). NHs admitting higher percentages of minority individuals may face resource challenges for groups with more PUs or ones of greater severity. This study examined the prevalence of PUs (Stages 2 to 4) among older adults admitted to NHs by race and ethnicity at the individual, NH, and regional levels. Results show that the prevalence of PUs in Black older adults admitted to NHs was greater than that in Hispanic older adults, which were both greater than in White older adults. The PU rate among admissions of Black individuals was 1.7 times higher than White individuals. A higher prevalence of PUs was observed among NHs with a lower percentage of admissions of White individuals. [Little is known about the prevalence of pressure ulcers (PUs) among racial and ethnic groups of older individuals admitted to nursing homes (NHs). NHs admitting higher percentages of minority individuals may face resource challenges for groups with more PUs or ones of greater severity. This study examined the prevalence of PUs (Stages 2 to 4) among older adults admitted to NHs by race and ethnicity at the individual, NH, and regional levels. Results show that the prevalence of PUs in Black older adults admitted to NHs was greater than that in Hispanic older adults, which were both greater than in White older adults. The PU rate among admissions of Black individuals was 1.7 times higher than White individuals. A higher prevalence of PUs was observed among NHs with a lower percentage of admissions of White individuals. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 40(3), 20–26.]

Little is known about cardiorespiratory fitness and aerobic exercise training in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The purposes of this article are to describe the change in cardiorespiratory fitness after 2 months of aerobic training and the feasibility of aerobic training in 4 men with moderate-to-severe AD. A one-group, pretest-posttest test design was used to measure cardiorespiratory fitness using symptom limited, graded cycle ergometer testing. In exit interviews, participants and spouses identified exercise facilitators and barriers. The results show that cardiorespiratory fitness increased in 2 participants with moderate AD but decreased in 2 with severe AD. Participants showed great variability in exercise progression and doses actually delivered. In conclusion, older men with moderate-to-severe AD can engage in aerobic training. Two months might be better used as the adaptive period for longer duration aerobic training, such as a 6-month program. Suggestions and implications for future exercise research in AD are detailed.

To assess contributors to treatment satisfaction with a focused, self-administered behavioral intervention combined with tolterodine extended release (ER) in subjects from an open-label study who had reported dissatisfaction with antimuscarinic treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) before that study.

The objective of this systematic review was to identify factors that consistently predict nursing home admission (NHA) in persons with dementia.

Perineal dermatitis is one of the main complications of incontinence and increases the cost of health care. The Minimum Data Set (MDS) contains data about factors associated with perineal dermatitis identified in a published conceptual model of perineal dermatitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of MDS data related to perineal dermatitis risk factors by comparing them with data in nursing home chart records. Findings indicate that MDS items defining factors associated with perineal dermatitis were valid and supported use of the MDS in further investigation of a significant, costly, and understudied health problem of nursing home residents.

Perineal dermatitis is an adverse outcome of incontinence, which is common in older nursing home residents; yet knowledge about perineal dermatitis in this population is sorely lacking.

Behavioral interventions for overactive bladder include lifestyle measures, scheduled voiding regimens, and pelvic floor muscle training. These interventions rely on systematic attempts by individuals to alter their actions to improve bothersome bladder symptoms. These interventions can be used alone or in combination with other forms of treatment, such as drug therapy.

Incontinence is a highly stigmatizing condition. This article explores the dynamics of stigmatization in interpersonal interactions from the perspective of both individuals who are stigmatized and individuals who are not stigmatized. When people who are stigmatized and nonstigmatized interact with each other, both experience threats to self-esteem, but for different reasons. Individuals who are stigmatized may experience self-esteem decrements because they feel that their group is devalued in the eyes of others. Those who are nonstigmatized may fear that their actions will be perceived as biased, thereby threatening their self-image as an unprejudiced person. Individuals who are stigmatized and nonstigmatized act in ways that make their worst fears more than likely come true. Ways that nurses can facilitate ending this cycle with patients who are incontinent are discussed.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if urge urinary incontinence is associated with risk of falls and non‐spine fractures in older women.

To test the effectiveness of an evidence-based protocol for urinary incontinence in increasing identification of women with the condition and improving their outcomes.

To develop an evidence-based protocol for initial evaluation and treatment of urinary incontinence and to design procedures that would facilitate the protocol's implementation into clinical practice.

To develop an evidence-based protocol for initial evaluation and treatment of urinary incontinence and to design procedures that would facilitate the protocol's implementation into clinical practice.

To test the effectiveness of an evidence-based protocol for urinary incontinence in increasing identification of women with the condition and improving their outcomes.

During the past decade, research on urinary incontinence and its management has grown significantly. Behavioral therapy is now viewed as an important first line of treatment for stress, urge, and mixed urinary incontinence. This chapter provides a critical review of the intervention studies on lifestyle modifications, bladder training, and pelvic floor muscle training conducted in adult ambulatory care populations that were published in 1988 through 1999. Recommendations for future research are provided.

Toileting behaviors are increasingly recognized as factors potentially contributing to development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

We examined the use and cost of incontinence pads and the relationship to factors such as age, duration of incontinence, diurnal frequency, incontinence severity indices, urodynamic diagnosis, and quality of life.

This study investigated the use of a one-week urinary diary in the evaluation of incontinent women. The sample consisted of 50 community-dwelling women, ages 55 years and older, ambulatory, and mentally intact, who were volunteers in a clinical trial on behavioral management for urinary incontinence. All subjects kept a urinary diary for two consecutive weeks. An analysis of the immediate (one-week) test-retest variability and correlations on weekly diurnal micturition frequency, nocturnal micturition frequency, and urinary incontinent episodes were performed in subjects with sphincteric incompetence alone (N= 34) and in those with detrusor instability with or without concomitant sphincteric incompetence (N= 16). In addition, information obtained on history was compared with that obtained from the diary. Diurnal micturition frequency, nocturnal micturition frequency, and number of incontinent episodes were highly reproducible and did not differ by urodynamic diagnosis. Test-retest correlations were highest with diurnal micturition frequency and incontinent episodes. Lower correlations were observed with nocturnal micturition frequency, with a significant difference observed between diagnostic groups. Although modest, significant relationships between data collected by history and diary were observed in the overall sample, but there were significant differences between diagnostic groups. The results indicate that a one-week diary is a reliable method for assessing the frequency of voluntary micturitions and involuntary episodes of urine loss.

Clinical and urodynamic variables of 49 non-estrogen-supplemented and 23 estrogen-supplemented postmenopausal women with urinary incontinence were compared. We ascertained their estrogenic status via plasma estradiol and estrone levels, as well as from parabasal and superficial cell counts from both the urethra and vagina. The effect of estrogen supplementation, in conjunction with the effect of age and urodynamic diagnosis, was studied in relation to filling-phase urodynamic data and incontinence severity and outcome variables. Analysis of covariance was used. No direct effect of estrogen supplementation was noted on parameters of urethral function. In patients with detrusor instability, a borderline direct positive effect (P= .06) was noted in the volume needed to reach maximal cystometric capacity from the first sensation to void. For these patients, the magnitude of fluid loss was greater without estrogen supplementation. However, this difference did not reach statistical significance. Nocturia was significantly less frequent in the estrogen-supplemented groups (P= .04). Estrogen-supplemented patients had a higher incidence of positive bulbocavernosus reflex (P= .01). These observations suggest that hypoestrogenism may affect the sensory threshold of the lower urinary tract of incontinent postmenopausal women.

Approximately 20% of women ages 25–64 years experience urinary incontinence. The symptoms increase during perimenopause, when 31% of women report that they experience incontinent episodes at least once per month. Bladder training and pelvic muscle exercise are the recommended initial treatment and can be taught effectively in the ambulatory care setting. Bladder training enables women to accommodate greater volumes of urine and extend between‐voiding intervals. Pelvic muscle exercise increases muscle strength and reduces unwanted urine leakage. Accumulated research results provide evidence‐based guidelines for nursing practice. The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses has identified continence for women as the focus of its third research utilization project. This article presents the rationale, evidence base, and educational strategies compiled by the Research Utilization 3 Nurse Scientist Team. Nurses can enable women to incorporate these noninvasive techniques into self‐care.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the mechanism by which bladder training affects urinary incontinence. Urodynamic data and specific urodynamic diagnoses of 108 women with urinary incontinence were compared before and 6 months after treatment with bladder training. Before treatment, 76 women had sphincteric incompetence, 11 had detrusor instability, and 16 had both. After treatment, 33 women no longer fulfilled the urodynamic diagnostic criteria for either sphincter or detrusor dysfunction. Controlling for severity before treatment, the number of incontinent episodes post-treatment was not associated with change in urodynamic diagnosis. Only the first sensation to void, voided volume, compliance, functional urethral length, and flow time showed any significant changes between pre- and post-treatment evaluations; however, none were correlated with change in the number of incontinent episodes. Bladder training does not appear to affect lower tract urodynamic variables or specific urodynamic diagnosis, and it is likely that its mechanism of action reflects adaptive behavioral changes. Physiologic changes not detected with techniques and/or criteria used in this study may still occur.

Urinary incontinence is cited as a distressing, depressing, and disabling condition. Recent research suggests that the impact of incontinence on psychological well-being may be less than previously assumed. However, personal reactions to incontinence are highly variable and need to be considered in the evaluation and management of incontinent women.