Healthcare

Background/Objectives: The 6 min walk test (6MWT) has been used to measure the level of walking capacity in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the use of a non-linear circuit has not yet been investigated deeply. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the test–retest reliability of the 6 min walk test in a rectangular circuit in people with PD. Methods: Forty-two people with PD (men = 27, women = 15), mean age 66 ± 9.61 years, participated. All of them were in ON state. Each patient performed the 6MWT on 2 test days separated by 1 week, walking at a constant speed on a 20 m × 3.5 m circuit. Test–retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), minimal detectable change (MDC), and standard error of measurement (SEM), and Student’s t-test was applied to determine whether there were statistically significant differences between the test and the retest. Results: The ICC values for the total sample were excellent (>0.90) in both men and women. In addition, they had similar reliability, although slightly higher in women. The results showed that, for the total sample, a MDC < 17% can be considered as a true change for this procedure. The SEM percentage was 6.1%. Conclusions: The 6MWT, performed on a rectangular circuit, demonstrated excellent test–retest reliability in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Background/Objectives: Violence against older adults is a rising public health issue. Though older adults may not openly disclose such experiences, they are often willing to discuss them when given the opportunity. Healthcare providers in hospital settings can play a crucial role in the early identification and care. However, effective screening and response require comprehensive guidance. Methods: A pilot, multicentric feasibility study with a single-group intervention was implemented at three Belgian geriatric departments. The aim was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a new guide for identifying older adults (≥75 years), without major cognitive deficits, who have experienced violence, in order to subsequently provide them with adequate care. Admitted older adults were screened using the guidance, and healthcare providers who conducted the screenings completed questionnaires to evaluate their feasibility and acceptability. The Trial is registered in Clinicaltrials.gov [NCT06780540]. Results: A total of 104 admitted older adults (mean age: 83 years) were recruited across two Dutch-speaking and one French-speaking hospital in Belgium. One in five participants (20.2%) disclosed experiences of violence, either recent or throughout their lives. Healthcare providers (n = 12) positively evaluated the guidance, suggesting improvements in question formulation, protocol adaptability, and the need for further training. Conclusions: This guidance is feasible, acceptable, and holds potential for improving disclosure rates. To ensure the provision of appropriate and equitable care, it is essential to first equip healthcare providers with education and training on this topic. Future interventional research is required to implement the guide on a larger scale and to measure health-related outcomes.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing person-centered care (PCC) among nurses working at long-term care hospitals for patients with dementia and to propose strategies for strengthening their capacity to provide PCC. Methods: Guided by the ecological model, this descriptive study examined the effects of personal factors (self-compassion and the burden of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia [BPSD]), interpersonal factors (communication behavior), and organizational factors (nursing work environment) on PCC. Participants were 152 nurses who had worked for more than two months at four long-term care hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Data were collected between 8 January and 4 February 2024, and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the strongest predictors of PCC were the nursing work environment (β = 0.36, p < 0.001), having received dementia-related education twice (β = 0.26, p = 0.008), self-compassion (β = 0.23, p = 0.017), having received dementia-related education three or more times (β = 0.22, p = 0.036), and communication behavior (β = 0.20, p = 0.026). The final model (Model 3) explained 41.5% of the variance in PCC (adjusted R² = 0.415, F = 5.70, p < 0.001). Conclusions: To strengthen PCC among nurses in long-term care hospitals, comprehensive efforts to improve the nursing work environment are essential. Institutional support should particularly focus on securing sufficient nursing staff and ensuring adequate material resources. In addition, continuous dementia-related education and training programs that foster self-compassion and communication skills among nurses are recommended.