Statistical Methods for Health Care Research

Evidence suggests that participation in physical activity may support young people’s current and future mental health. Although previous reviews have examined the relationship between physical activity and a range of mental health outcomes in children and adolescents, due to the large increase in published studies there is a need for an update and quantitative synthesis of effects. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of physical activity interventions on mental health outcomes by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis, and to systematically synthesize the observational evidence (both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies) regarding the associations between physical activity and sedentary behavior and mental health in preschoolers (2–5 years of age), children (6–11 years of age) and adolescents (12–18 years of age). A systematic search of the PubMed and Web of Science electronic databases was performed from January 2013 to April 2018, by two independent researchers. Meta-analyses were performed to examine the effect of physical activity on mental health outcomes in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs (i.e. quasi-experimental studies). A narrative synthesis of observational studies was conducted. Studies were included if they included physical activity or sedentary behavior data and at least one psychological ill-being (i.e. depression, anxiety, stress or negative affect) or psychological well-being (i.e. self-esteem, self-concept, self-efficacy, self-image, positive affect, optimism, happiness and satisfaction with life) outcome in preschoolers, children or adolescents. A total of 114 original articles met all the eligibility criteria and were included in the review (4 RCTs, 14 non-RCTs, 28 prospective longitudinal studies and 68 cross-sectional studies). Of the 18 intervention studies, 12 (3 RCTs and 9 non-RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis. There was a small but significant overall effect of physical activity on mental health in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years (effect size 0.173, 95% confidence interval 0.106–0.239, p < 0.001, percentage of total variability attributed to between-study heterogeneity [I2] = 11.3%). When the analyses were performed separately for children and adolescents, the results were significant for adolescents but not for children. Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies demonstrated significant associations between physical activity and lower levels of psychological ill-being (i.e. depression, stress, negative affect, and total psychological distress) and greater psychological well-being (i.e. self-image, satisfaction with life and happiness, and psychological well-being). Furthermore, significant associations were found between greater amounts of sedentary behavior and both increased psychological ill-being (i.e. depression) and lower psychological well-being (i.e. satisfaction with life and happiness) in children and adolescents. Evidence on preschoolers was nearly non-existent. Findings from the meta-analysis suggest that physical activity interventions can improve adolescents’ mental health, but additional studies are needed to confirm the effects of physical activity on children’s mental health. Findings from observational studies suggest that promoting physical activity and decreasing sedentary behavior might protect mental health in children and adolescents. PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42017060373.

Role of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in the Mental Health of Preschoolers, Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

CONTEXT: Numerous faces scales have been developed for the measurement of pain intensity in children. It remains unclear whether any one of the faces scales is better for a particular purpose with regard to validity, reliability, feasibility, and preference. OBJECTIVES: To summarize and systematically review faces pain scales most commonly used to obtain self-report of pain intensity in children for evaluation of reliability and validity and to compare the scales for preference and utility. METHODS: Five major electronic databases were systematically searched for studies that used a faces scale for the self-report measurement of pain intensity in children. Fourteen faces pain scales were identified, of which 4 have undergone extensive psychometric testing: Faces Pain Scale (FPS) (scored 0–6); Faces Pain Scale–Revised (FPS-R) (0–10); Oucher pain scale (0–10); and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS) (0–10). These 4 scales were included in the review. Studies were classified by using psychometric criteria, including construct validity, reliability, and responsiveness, that were established a priori. RESULTS: From a total of 276 articles retrieved, 182 were screened for psychometric evaluation, and 127 were included. All 4 faces pain scales were found to be adequately supported by psychometric data. When given a choice between faces scales, children preferred the WBFPRS. Confounding of pain intensity with affect caused by use of smiling and crying anchor faces is a disadvantage of the WBFPRS. CONCLUSIONS: For clinical use, we found no grounds to switch from 1 faces scale to another when 1 of the scales is in use. For research use, the FPS-R has been recommended on the basis of utility and psychometric features. Data are sparse for children below the age of 5 years, and future research should focus on simplified measures, instructions, and anchors for these younger children.

A Systematic Review of Faces Scales for the Self-report of Pain Intensity in Children

Background Effective clinical reasoning in nursing practice depends on the development of both cognitive and metacognitive skills While a number of strategies have been implemented and tested to promote these skills, educators have not been able consistently to predict their development Self-regulated learning theory suggests that this development requires concurrent attention to both the cognitive and metacognitive dimensions of reasoning in nursing care contexts

Aims  This paper reports on a study to explore the impact of self-regulated learning theory on reflective practice in nursing, and to advance the idea that both cognitive and metacognitive skills support the development of clinical reasoning skills

Methods  Integrative review of published literature in social science, educational psychology, nursing education, and professional education using the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Educational Resource Information Center (ERIC), and American Psychological Association (PsychInfo) Databases The search included all English language articles with the key words clinical reasoning, cognition, critical thinking, metacognition, reflection, reflective practice, self-regulation and thinking

Findings  Reflective clinical reasoning in nursing practice depends on the development of both cognitive and metacognitive skill acquisition This skill acquisition is best accomplished through teaching–learning attention to self-regulation learning theory A critical analysis of the literature in the areas of critical thinking and reflective practice are described as a background for contemporary work with self-regulated learning theory It is apparent that single-minded attention to critical thinking, without attention to the influence of metacognition or reflection, is but one perspective on clinical reasoning development Likewise, single-minded attention to metacognition or reflection, without attention to the influence of critical thinking, is another perspective on clinical reasoning development While strategies to facilitate critical thinking and reflective practice have been used in isolation from each other, there is evidence to suggest that they are inextricably linked and come together with the use of self-regulated learning prompts

Conclusions  Students and practising nurses are able to improve their cognitive and metacognitive skills in clinical contexts by using self-regulated learning strategies The self-regulated learning model in nursing is offered to support teaching and learning of reflective clinical reasoning in nursing practice contexts

Promoting cognitive and metacognitive reflective reasoning skills in nursing practice: self‐regulated learning theory

https://cmapsconverted.ihmc.us/rid=1MCY0CLZ4-1HDF60Q-15R8/Case%20Studies.pdf

Promotion of critical thinking by using case studies as teaching method

In this systematic literature review, all the Shiite-Islamic documents (Quran and Hadith) without any time limitation were surveyed, analyzed and synthesized for the purpose of determining the foundations of lifelong health. The data were analyzed and combined using inductive qualitative content analysis method. Two main categories were emerged from the analysis: "prevention of health problems" and "health maintenance and promotion." In conclusion based on Islamic perspective, the foundations of comprehensive health of a person, i.e., health in all physical, mental, social, and spiritual dimensions, are begun to form at four stages: the time of marriage of his parents, the moment of their conception, when he is unborn in his mother womb, and during infancy period. Observing religion instructions in this regard is not the sufficient condition for being completely healthy; however, such instructions can provide a base for being a healthy person.

Laying the Foundations of Lifelong Health at the Beginning of Life: Islamic Perspective

Assessment of parental support system in the neonatal intensive care unit: a qualitative study

Aim To provide insights into nurses lived experiences in caring for children with cancer. Background Little is known about the paediatric oncology nurses shared practices of caring for children with cancer in Ghana. Design A hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study. Methods A semi-structured interview with 14 purposely sampled Ghanaian paediatric oncology nurses. Findings were analysed using Diekelman, Allen and Tanner's approach. Results The theme "Striving to reduce suffering" and three relational subthemes: "knowing children's needs," "Rendering a hopeful fight" and "Ensuring continuity and coordination of care" emerged. Increased awareness of this phenomenon for the nurses who care for these children is vital to ensure quality and holistic care that is meaningful and satisfying by nurses for children with cancer. Paediatric oncology nurses can use the result of the study to evaluate their caring practice and as an avenue to develop better caring practice.

Striving to reduce suffering: a phenomenological study of nurses experience in caring for children with cancer in ghana

Background: The infants depend on their parents for growth and survival during the early years of life. Therefore, the parents play a key role in the preservation and improvement of the infants’ physical and psychological health. Religion is one of the most influential factors that affect parenting. Regarding this, the present study aimed to investigate the Islamic perspectives on parents' role during infancy. Methods: This study was conducted within August 2014 to July 2016 (i.e., 24 months) using a qualitative content analysis. All the Shiite Islamic documents (i.e., Quran and Ahadith), which had Persian translation, were surveyed without any time limitation. Documents were in electronical and printed formats. Data analysis was performed using MAXQDA 10 software. Results: The results of analysis led to the emergence of three main categories. These categories included parents as the founders of infant’s physical and psychological health, parents as God’s representatives in nurturing the infant, and infant as part of parents’ flesh and God’s trust. The three obtained categories indicated the dimensions of Islamic perspective on parents' role during infancy. Conclusion: Based on the Islamic thought, God is the main carer and nurturer of the infants, and parents as the nurture way pavers can achieve the best outcomes by fulfilling their duties and invoking God for his assistance and grace. According to the findings of the study, since the infant is the sign of God’s trust and grace to the parents, the parents should make their best to raise a healthy and righteous child. The nurses’ awareness of religious beliefs may improve the quality of care. In this regard, the nurses can help the parents by training, counseling, and supporting them to have a healthy and righteous child.

http://ijn.mums.ac.ir/article_9981_46588a03f988cb3f946b76aef009fc57.pdf

Parents' Role Before and During Infancy: An Islamic Perspective

Background: The theory-practice gap can be described as a lack of ability to relate the knowledge acquired in academics and research work with practice. This study aims to assess the knowledge and the perception of Nigerian nurses on the theory-practice gap in Nursing. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional correlational study was carried out with a sample of 196 nurses who were working in the Federal Medical Centre Keffi and Aminu Kano Teaching hospital in Kano, all from the northern part of Nigeria, from April to June 2019. The participants were selected using a convenient sampling technique, where a self-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect the data and analysis was undertaken using SPSS. Results: The results of this study showed that 83.80% of respondents had good knowledge and 89.10% of the respondents had good perceptions. The levels of knowledge were significantly different in correlation with the educational level of respondents (χ2 = 13.88, df = 6, p = 0.022), which was determined using a Fischer exact test. Also, the level of perception was significantly different when considering the nature of work participants undertook (X2 = 7.65, df = 2, p = 0.022). Conclusions: Given the participants' awareness and perceptions in this study, it is clear that they are well informed of the theory-practice gap. This is a call for all professionals at an individual and organizational level to work, as it will translate into gap minimization, thereby increasing the quality of health care delivery as nurses constitute the largest part of the health care team in Nigeria.

Marzieh Hasanpour

Papers

Laying the Foundations of Lifelong Health at the Beginning of Life: Islamic Perspective

Assessment of parental support system in the neonatal intensive care unit: a qualitative study

Striving to reduce suffering: a phenomenological study of nurses experience in caring for children with cancer in ghana

Parents' Role Before and During Infancy: An Islamic Perspective

Theory-Practice Gap: The Knowledge and Perception of Nigerian Nurses