La Trobe University

About: La Trobe University is a education organization based out in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 13370 authors who have published 41291 publications receiving 1138269 citations. The organization is also known as: LaTrobe University & LTU.

Emotional rescue: the role of emotional intelligence and emotional labour on well-being and job-stress among community nurses

Abstract: Aims To investigate the extent to which emotional labour and emotional intelligence are associated with well-being and job-stress among a group of Australian community nurses. The moderating role of emotional intelligence was evaluated as a key factor in the rescue of healthcare workers from job-stress, thus increasing job retention. Background Although emotional labour has been broadly investigated in the literature, the contribution of emotional labour and emotional intelligence to the well-being and experience of job-stress in a community nursing setting requires further exploration. Design This study used a cross-sectional quantitative research design with data collected from Australian community nurses. Methods Australian community nurses (n = 312) reported on their perceived emotional labour, emotional intelligence and their levels of well-being and job-stress using a paper and pencil survey in 2010. Results/Findings Results from structural equation modelling support the hypothesis that both emotional labour and emotional intelligence have significant effects on nurses' well-being and perceived job-stress. Emotional intelligence plays a moderating role in the experience of job-stress. Conclusion These findings provide additional evidence for the important effects that emotional labour and emotional intelligence can have on well-being and job-stress among community nurses. The potential benefits of emotional intelligence in the nurses' emotional work have been explored.

Gait analysis of patients following total knee replacement: A systematic review

Abstract: Gait analysis has been used to objectively measure patients' function following total knee replacement (TKR). Whilst the findings of this research may have important implications for the understanding of the outcomes of TKR, the methodology of existing research appears to be diverse and many of the results inconsistent. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesise reported findings and to summarise the methods used by researchers in this field. Eleven articles published in the medical literature that used gait analysis to compare patients following TKR with controls were identified for inclusion in this review. Each article was assessed for methodologic quality and data was compared across studies through the calculation of effect sizes. Consistently large effect sizes showed that patients following TKR walk with less total knee motion during gait and with less knee flexion during swing than controls. Kinetic discrepancies between patients and controls were also identified. The substantial methodologic differences between studies may contribute to the inconsistencies in reported findings for many gait outcomes. Future research is needed to determine the clinical relevance of these findings.

Longitudinal Predictors of Restrictive Eating and Bulimic Tendencies in Three Different Age Groups of Adolescent Girls.

Abstract: This study examined longitudinal predictors of future eating problems in 435 female adolescents in Grades 7, 8, and 10, who were tested at two time points 8 months apart. Restrictive eating and bulimic tendencies were found to be relatively stable from Time 1 to Time 2, particularly in older grade levels. Partial correlations predicting Time 2 restrictive eating and bulimic tendencies indicated a role of body dissatisfaction, depression, and weight-related teasing, with findings being most clear in Grade 7. Path analyses indicated that the relationships among predictors were more complex and that some of the relationships were mediated by other variables.

Botulinum toxin A as an adjunct to treatment in the management of the upper limb in children with spastic cerebral palsy (UPDATE)

Abstract: Background Cerebral palsy (CP) is a central nervous system deficit resulting from a non-progressive lesion in the developing brain. Although the brain lesions are static, the movement disorders that arise are not unchanging and are characterised by atypical muscle tone, posture and movement (Rang 1990). The spastic motor type is the most common form of CP and its conventional therapeutic management may include splinting/casting, passive stretching, facilitation of posture and movement, spasticity-reducing medication and surgery. More recently, health care professionals have begun to use botulinum toxin A (BtA) as an adjunct to interventions in an attempt to reduce muscle tone and spasticity to improve function Objectives To assess the effectiveness of intramuscular BtA injections as an adjunct to managing the upper limb in children with spastic CP. Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2003), MEDLINE (1966 to March Week 3 2004), EMBASE (1980 to 2003 Week 16) and CINAHL (1982 to Week 3 March 2004). Selection criteria All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing intramuscular BtA injections into any muscle group of the upper limb with placebo, no treatment or other interventions. Data collection and analysis Two authors using standardised forms extracted the data independently. Each trial was assessed for internal validity with differences resolved by discussion. Data was extracted and entered into RevMan 4.2.3. Main results Two trials met the inclusion criteria, each having short-term follow up, a small number of subjects and using a single set of injections. The study by Corry 1997 compared BtA with an injection of normal saline and found promising results in elbow extension, elbow and wrist muscle tone. At three months, encouraging results for wrist muscle tone and grasp and release were noted. The trial reported median change, range of changes and the difference in these measures between groups. The study by Fehlings 2000 compared BtA with no intervention. When data were analysed no treatment effect was found for quality of upper limb function, passive range of motion, muscle tone, grip strength or self-care ability. Reviewers' conclusions This systematic review has not found sufficient evidence to support or refute the use of intramuscular injections of BtA as an adjunct to managing the upper limb in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Only one of the two identified RCTs reported some promising results in support of reduced muscle tone following BtA injections. Further research incorporating larger sample sizes, rigorous methodology, measurement of upper limb function and functional outcomes is essential.