1.
2.
Bergius, Anki, et al.
(author)
Stödverksamhet för barn som förlorat en förälder : En litteraturstudie
2004
In: Vård i Norden. - : SAGE Publications. - 0107-4083 .- 1890-4238. ; 24:4, s. 41-44
Research review (other academic/artistic) abstract
The aim with this literature review was to describe content, objectives, design, and outcomes of support groups for parentally bereaved children three to twelve years of age. In a support group with children in similar situation the children's thoughts, experiences and feelings will be normalised through different activities. Pedagogical methods include creative activities of different kinds, e.g. painting, writing letters and poems, reading stories, play and games. The purposes of the methods are to accept and understand the reality of the loss, to understand and work through the grieving, to enhance family communication, and to keep the memory of the death and go on living. Organisation and structure are described in relation to development levels and ages of children and youths. Outcomes of groups are characterized by clinical observations and a dearth of evaluative studies. All bereaved children should have the opportunity to participate in a support group when a parent, sibling or other relative dies. Well developed services for bereaved children should be a matter of health care policy and quality.
3.
Bester, CJ
(author)
Comparing road fatilities on three continents
2001
In: Proceedings of the Conference Road Safety on Three Continents in Pretoria, South Africa, 20-22 September 2000. - Linköping : Statens väg- och transportforskningsinstitut. ; , s. 263-271
Conference paper (other academic/artistic) abstract
It has been shown in the past that the road fatality rates of differentcountries are dependent on the total vehicle ownership of such counties.Recent research has revealed that the passenger car ownership is a betterpredictor of the fatality rate of a country. This is also the case for thedifferent continents. When comparing the fatality rates of three continents,it was found that there are other socio-economic factors, such as income,illiteracy and life expectancy that also contribute to the large differencesbetween the developed countries of the Northern Hemisphere and the developingcountries of Africa. Accident and fatality rates can be expressed in terms ofthe population, or the vehicle or passenger car population or the roadnetwork of a country. In the paper the comparisons are made for all four ofthese rates and the differences are discussed. The relationships between roadsafety and the different socio-economic variables as applicable to thecountries of the three continents are also shown. Conclusions are maderegarding the reasons for the differences in fatality rates.
4.
Borg, Erik, et al.
(author)
Behavioural awareness, interaction and counselling education in audiological rehabilitation : development of methods and application in a pilot study
2002
In: International Journal of Audiology. - 1499-2027 .- 1708-8186. ; 41:5, s. 308-320
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
In conventional audiological rehabilitation, the hearing therapist interacts with the hearing-impaired person and with significant others. In order to strengthen the personality and self-confidence of the hearing-impaired individual, a different strategy was designed and implemented whereby the pedagogic interaction was directed only towards the hearing-impaired individual, who in turn worked as a tutor/aid/counsellor to the communication partner. On the basis of an interactive communication model, new methods for rehabilitation of subjects with moderate hearing impairment were developed and evaluated in a pilot study on 13 men with noise-induced hearing loss. A course programme was developed with three main active components: (1) increased insight and knowledge; (2) education as counsellors with the ability to focus on the problems of the communication partner; and (3) motivation to change through group discussion and reflexive conversation. Increased insight and knowledge were obtained through test and training experiences in a sound environmental chamber, tutorials and discussions. The pedagogic training focused on helping the hearing-impaired subjects to become able communication counsellors in relation to their interlocutors. An act-react, offensive-defensive paradigm was used in conjunction with transactional analysis. Results of the pilot study were evaluated using questionnaires, interviews and a method of dialogue analysis. The results were evaluated for the hearing-impaired and the partner and in recordings of conversations in the home environment. There were clearly positive cognitive and emotional effects seen in the inquiries and interviews. The observations from the dialogue analysis indicated only small effects, with the exception of the two individuals with the most pronounced functional impairment, for whom dialogue was improved after the course. It was concluded that these new methods could contribute new possibilities in rehabilitation programmes, emphasizing the shared responsibility for communication and the unique competence and abilities of the hearing-impaired person.
5.
Boström, Barbro, et al.
(author)
Cancer patients' experiences of care related to pain management before and after palliative care referral
2004
In: European Journal of Cancer Care. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0961-5423 .- 1365-2354. ; 13:3, s. 238-245
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Pain is the main problem for patients with cancer referred to palliative care (PC). Pain management in PC requires a multidimensional approach. A questionnaire was used to determine cancer patients' experiences of care related to pain management, before and after being referred to PC, and to also discover possible correlations between pain control and other aspects of care. Seventy-five consecutive patients from two PC teams were included in the study. The patients had experienced a statistically significant (P < 0.01) improvement in care after being referred to PC, despite the fact that pain control had not been optimized. Patients' description of 'pain control' after being referred to PC had a statistically significant correlation with their 'feeling of security' and 'continuity of care' throughout the same period. The conclusion is that care provided in PC is vital to successful pain management. Pain control depends not only on analgesics but also on many other aspects of care provided by the nurse. Continuity of care and the opportunity to talk increases the patients' feeling of security, which is also of utmost importance to successful pain management.
6.
Boström, Barbro, et al.
(author)
Cancer-related pain in palliative care : patients' perceptions of pain management
2004
In: Journal of Advanced Nursing. - : Blackwell Publishing. - 0309-2402 .- 1365-2648. ; 45:4, s. 410-419
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Background: Pain is still a significant problem for many patients with cancer, despite numerous, clear and concise guidelines for the treatment of cancer-related pain. The impact of pain cognition on patients' experiences of cancer-related pain remains relatively unexplored. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe how patients with cancer-related pain in palliative care perceive the management of their pain. Method: Thirty patients were strategically selected for interviews with open-ended questions, designed to explore the pain and pain management related to their cancer. The interviews were analysed using a phenomenographic approach. Findings: Patients described 10 different perceptions of pain and pain management summarized in the three categories: communication, planning and trust. In terms of communication, patients expressed a need for an open and honest dialogue with health care professionals about all problems concerning pain. Patients expressed an urgent need for planning of their pain treatment including all caring activities around them. When they felt trust in the health care organization as a whole, and in nurses and physicians in particular, they described improved ability and willingness to participate in pain management. While the findings are limited to patients in palliative care, questions are raised about others with cancer-related pain without access to a palliative care team. Conclusion: The opportunity for patients to discuss pain and its treatment seems to have occurred late in the course of disease, mostly not until coming in contact with a palliative care team. They expressed a wish to be pain-free, or attain as much pain relief as possible, with as few side effects as possible.
7.
Brandt, Åse, et al.
(author)
Older people's use of powered wheelchairs for activity and participation
2004
In: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. - : Medical Journals Sweden AB. - 1651-2081 .- 1650-1977. ; 36:2, s. 70-77
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate outcomes of older people's use of powered wheelchairs and risk factors for negative outcomes. Design: The study was a cross-sectional interview-study including 111 powered wheelchair users over 65 years of age. Results: All participants used their powered wheelchair in the summer; nearly all users regarded it as important and found that it gave them independence. The wheelchair made activity and participation possible for the users. The most frequent activity in the summer was going for a ride, and in the winter it was shopping. However, some could not use the wheelchair for visits, and supplementary travel modes are called for. Users who could not walk at all or who could not transfer without assistance were more likely not to be able to carry out prioritized activities. Furthermore, other risk factors for negative outcomes and need for further research were identified. Conclusion: The use of powered wheelchairs is a relevant societal intervention in relation to older people with limited walking ability in order to make activity and participation possible. It is likely that a larger proportion of older people could benefit from this intervention, in particular if current practices are improved taking activity and participation outcomes into consideration.
8.
Brandt, Åse, et al.
(author)
Satisfaction with rollators among community-living users: a follow-up study.
2003
In: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 25:7, s. 343-353
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Purpose: Rollators are used in order to make mobility possible for people with restricted walking ability. The use of rollators is increasing, but little is known about outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate users' satisfaction with rollators. Method: A follow-up study was carried out in seven Danish municipalities. One month after they got their device, 89 users of rollators were interviewed by means of the QUEST 1.0. Three months after the first interview a second interview took place and data from the 64 users available for follow-up were analysed. Results: The users were satisfied with their rollators, and the frequency of use was high. However, many of the users were frail, and some of them were not fully satisfied in all respects. Women especially, users living alone and first time users were likely to be dissatisfied. The main problem identified was handling the rollator, and for several users the physical environment caused accessibility problems. Conclusions: Rollators are valuable for the users and a relevant societal intervention. However, a better match between person and technology, enhanced user training and follow-up can improve the outcome of the intervention. Furthermore, better rollator design is called for, and buses and the outdoor environment need to be made more accessible.
9.
Brantberg, Krister, et al.
(author)
Symmetry measures of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials using objective detection criteria
2001
In: International Journal of Audiology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1708-8186. ; 30:3, s. 189-196
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) has been put forward as a test to evaluate the symmetry of saccular function. In the present study, the symmetry of VEMP was evaluated in 23 healthy subjects using automatic analysis. In response to binaural clicks with a stimulus repetition rate of 4/s all subjects revealed significant VEMP on both sides. The ipsilateral response to monaural clicks was similar to the response to binaural clicks. Although there were large interindividual variations in amplitude, there were only small variations in latency. VEMP measurements were also assessed using different stimulus rates. At the higher stimulus rates there was a decrease in the VEMP amplitude but there were only small changes in the latency. These findings might suggest that amplitude measures are more likely than latency measures to reveal small vestibular lesions.
10.
Brännström, Jonas, et al.
(author)
On the physiological location of otoacoustic emissions
2001
Other publication (other academic/artistic) abstract
During recent years, much attention has been paid otoacoustic emissions in the clinical audiological practice. The received view locates their origin in the cochlea, more precisely in the outer hair cells. It is, however, still uncertain if there is an interaction between the ears regarding otoacoustic emissions. Earlier findings suggest an interaction at the level of the olivocochlear bundle. The aim of this pilot study was to find out if there is any interaction between the two cochleae in the case of otoacoustic emissions. Five subjects with normal hearing participated. Recordings were made of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions during the presentation of contralateral stimuli at three different frequencies (500, 1000 and 2000 Hz). In general, contralateral stimulation did not provoke otoacoustic emissions. It was concluded that otoacoustic emissions could be part of the fine-tuning mechanism in the cochlea. The frequency resolution, e.g. for speech, depends on very fast modulation of the incoming signal. Due to the neural distance, this modulation would lag behind, if otoacoustic emissions in one ear would effect the opposite one.
