Proyecto ReNACE. Convivencia de pacientes y familiares con la enfermedad de Parkinson: resultados preliminares de la Fase I

Percepción de las dificultades de voz por parte de usuarios con enfermedad de Parkinson

El propósito del presente trabajo es explorar e identificar percepciones sobre las dificultades de voz y habla en pacientes con enfermedad de parkinson.  Para ello se realizó un estudio cualitativo de enfoque fenomenológico. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 15 participantes y la información se obtuvo a través de una entrevista semiestructurada, las cuales fueron grabadas mediante una grabadora de voz digital y luego transcritas para el análisis temático. El estudio cuenta con el consentimiento de cada uno de los entrevistados y la aprobación del comité de ética. Del análisis de los datos surgieron 4 categorías: conocimiento sobre la afectación de la voz y el habla en la enfermedad, progresión de la sintomatología vocal,  afectación de la calidad de vida y afrontamiento de las dificultades de voz. Todos los participantes consideran que la voz y habla se ven afectadas producto de la enfermedad. . Debido a estas dificultades la gran mayoría se han vuelto poco a poco más introvertidos, impactando esto en diferentes ambitos de su vida. En conclusión,  las personas con enfermedad de Parkinson experimentan afectación de la voz y habla en grados variables, afectando su vida laboral, social y familiar, lo que va generando retraimiento y frustración. El afrontamiento positivo y poder compartir con otros pacientes con EP es una herramienta potente para poder sobrellevar la enfermedad.

Psychometric Validation of the Living with Chronic Illness Scale in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

It is necessary to develop self-reported instruments that evaluate the process of living with chronic heart failure (HF) holistically. The Living with Chronic Illness Scale—HF (LW-CI-HF) is the only available tool to evaluate how patients are living with HF. The aim is to analyse the psychometric properties of the LW-CI scale in the HF population. An international, cross-sectional validation study was carried out in 603 patients living with HF from Spain and Colombia. The variables measured were living with HF, perceived social support, satisfaction with life, quality of life and global impression of severity. The LW-CI-HF scale presented good data quality and acceptability. All domains showed high internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient ≥ 0.7. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the total score was satisfactory (0.9) in test–retest reliability. The LW-CI-HF correlated 0.7 with social support and quality of life measures. Standard error of measurement was 6.5 for total scale. The LW-CI-HF scale is feasible, reliable and valid. However, results should be taken with caution in order to be used in clinical practice to evaluate the complex process of living with HF. Further research is proposed.

Sociodemographic Factors Affecting the Disease Acceptance and the Quality of Life in Patients With Parkinson's Disease: A Preliminary Study

PURPOSE

Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly affects functioning of patients, thereby lowering their quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of sociodemographic variables on illness acceptance and quality of life in patients with idiopathic PD.

DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional research study.

METHODS

The study was conducted with 50 patients with PD. The diagnostic survey method was applied for the purposes of this study with the use of the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire, the Acceptance of Illness Scale, and a study-specific demographic questionnaire that included questions about sociodemographic data. Multivariable logistic regression was derived to define independent predictors of quality of life.

FINDINGS

Men assessed quality of life in the bodily discomfort domain as significantly worse than women (p = .0214). Age negatively and significantly affected the assessment of quality of life in particular domains. Professionally active respondents significantly more often accepted their disease than others (p = .0070).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Being professionally active, living in urban areas, and having higher education and higher financial status increase subjective assessment of quality of life in patients with PD. Knowing the impact of sociodemographic variables on quality of life allows rehabilitation nurses to plan nursing and rehabilitation activities more effectively and in line with the capacity of a patient and caregivers.

Core elements to understand and improve coping with Parkinson's disease in patients and family carers: A focus group study

AIMS

The aim of this study were: (1) To explore the meaning that coping with Parkinson's disease has for patients and family carers; (2) To suggest the components of an intervention focused on enhancing their coping with the disease.

BACKGROUND

Adapting to Parkinson's disease involves going through many difficult changes; however, it may improve quality of life in patients and family carers. One of the key aspects for facilitating the psychosocial adjustment to Parkinson's disease is the strengthening of coping skills.

DESIGN

A sequential explanatory mixed methods study was carried out. Findings from the qualitative phase are presented.

METHODS

Data were collected in May 2014 through three focus groups: one of people with Parkinson's disease (n = 9), one of family carers (n = 7) and one of healthcare professionals (n = 5). All focus groups were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim and content analysis was independently carried out by two researchers.

FINDINGS

The participants coincided in highlighting that coping with Parkinson's disease helped the patient and the family carer in their search for balance; and it implied a transformation in their lives. To aid the process of coping with Parkinson's disease, a multifaceted intervention is proposed.

CONCLUSION

Coping with Parkinson's disease is a complex process for both patients and family carers and it should therefore be considered a standard service in healthcare policies aimed at this group. The proposed intervention constitutes a nursing tool which has great potential to improve the quality of life in Parkinson's disease and in other long-term conditions.