Fear of Falling Score Is a Predictor of Falls in Community-Dwelling Pre-Frail and Frail Older People

Identifying frail older people at risk of falling is a priority in order to apply preventive strategies. This cross-sectional study included community-dwelling pre-frail and frail people (Fried’s criteria) aged 70 years and older to assess the prevalence of falls and identify screening strategies based on comprehensive geriatric assessments to detect an increased risk of falling and recurrent falling in community-dwelling frail and pre-frail old people. Of the 229 participants, 121 (54.9%) had fallen in the previous 12 months, and 20 of these (16.5%) were recurrent fallers (≥2 falls). A score of 20 points or more on the Falls Efficacy Scale International was predictive of falling (area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.61–0.74, p < 0.001) with a sensitivity of 51.7% and a specificity of 73.9%. Polypharmacy, Short Physical Performance Battery score of 8 points or less, and Falls Efficacy Scale International score of 20 points or more show an area under the curve of 0.78 (95% confidence interval: 0.67–0.89, p < 0.001) for recurrent falling.Medicin

Spanish adaptation and validation of the ALS Depression Inventory-12 (ADI-12) in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Background. Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) have a higher prevalence of mood disorders, including depression, than the general population. Non-specific measurement instruments have been used to evaluate depression in these patients, which complicates accurate diagnosis. The ALS Depression Inventory (ADI-12) exclusively assesses depressive symptoms in patients with ALS. Aim. To adapt and validate the ADI-12 in a Spanish sample. Methods. A selective design was used with 74 patients with ALS, using the ADI-12 questionnaire. The original instrument was translated and back-translated into Spanish. The internal structure, temporal stability, convergent, and discriminant validity of the instrument were analyzed. Results. Two confirmatory models showed internal validity (p = 0.502 for the one-factor model, p = 0.507 for the two-factor model). The Cronbach's alpha (0.900 in the first measurement and 0.889 in the second one) indicated a high internal consistency of the test. The Pearson correlation (0.90) indicated high temporal stability. In terms of convergent validity, the ADI-12 showed moderate correlations with the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (0.51-0.58), and low correlations with time since ALS diagnosis (-0.26 to-0.27). Limitations. The main limitation of the present study was the small sample size. Conclusions. The ADI-12 is fitted to a single general factor of depression, and the scale shows high internal consistency and high temporal stability, therefore, its use is recommended for the diagnosis of depression in patients with ALS.This study was funded by the Catholic University of Va- lencia San Vicente Mártir (grant 2021-203-003 ).Medicin

Acceptability of the Vaccine against COVID-19 in Spanish Health Sciences Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Healthcare professionals must play an exemplary role in the field of vaccinology. It is convenient that they are trained during their time at university. The objective of this study was to determine the acceptability of the vaccines against COVID-19 in health sciences students in Spanish universities. A cross-sectional study was performed regarding the acceptance of the vaccines against COVID-19 in students in the Health Sciences Degrees in Spanish universities was performed on a sample of students of nursing, medicine, and pharmacy during the spring of 2021, via an online questionnaire with 36 questions designed ad hoc, self-administered, anonymized, and standardized. There were 1222 students participating, of Spanish nationality (97.4%), women (80.5%) and with an average age of 22.0 ± 4.8 years old. Of those, 12.3% had had the disease, 44.0% had to quarantine, 70.8% had undergone diagnostic tests, out of which 14.1% were positive. In total, 97.5% of those surveyed indicated their desire of being vaccinated, if possible, with Comirnaty® (74.9%). At the time of the study, 49.6% were already vaccinated. The reasons for vaccination differed according to the degree and the doubts about vaccine safety was the largest reason for reluctance. Some 37.7% suspected that there are unknown adverse effects and 85.6% of those vaccinated experienced some mild effects after injection. Vaccine acceptance and confidence in the recommendations given by health authorities is high in health sciences students

Análisis de la relevancia percibida del trabajo de planificación compartida de la atención a través de la instrumentalización con cartas

Objetivo: Desarrollo y evaluación de un instrumento capaz de medir la relevancia percibida del trabajo con cartas para el diálogo acerca de las preferencias en el proceso final de la vida. Método: Se ha construido la escala de la pertinencia percibida acerca del trabajo con cartas para las preferencias al final de la vida la cual ha sido evaluada mediante juicio de expertos y análisis factorial confirmatorio en una muestra de 320 estudiantes de Grado en Enfermería y 68 personas mayores de 40 años. Resultado: Se llega a una solución de 21 ítems, los cuales se ajustan en las 4 dimensiones teórica propuestas de manera óptima (CFI: 0,912; 0,842; 0,816; 0,995; RMSA: 0,170; 0,198; 0,187; 0,076). Conclusiones: La escala de medición de la pertinencia del trabajo con cartas es fiable y válida. Está compuesta por 4 dimensiones: Pertinencia percibida para la formación; Pertinencia percibida para el autoconocimiento; Pertinencia percibida para la aplicación en pacientes; e Iatrogenia percibida del instrumento).Objective: Development and evaluation of an instrument capable of measuring the perceived relevance of working with cards for the dialogue about preferences at the end stages of life. Method: A scale to measure the perceived relevance of working with cards for the conversation about preferences at the end of life was developed and evaluated through expert judgment and confirmatory factor analysis in a sample of 320 nursing degree students and 68 people older than 40 years. Result: A solution with 21 items was reached, which optimally fitted the four proposed theoretical dimensions (CFI: 0.912; 0.842; 0.816; 0.995; RMSA: 0.170; 0.198; 0.187; 0.076). Conclusions: The scale for measuring the relevance of working with cards is reliable and valid. It is made up of four dimensions: Perceived relevance for training; Perceived relevance for self-knowledge; Perceived relevance for application in patients; and Perceived iatrogenicity of the instrument).PreprintMedicin

Preferred Music Listening Intervention in Nursing Home Residents With Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Intervention Study

Background: The current trend in addressing symptoms of dementia comprises non-pharmacological strategies such as music interventions for the management and improvement of cognitive function, memory, agitation, depression, or anxiety. Objective: To determine the impact of a preferred music listening group intervention upon the functional, cognitive, and emotional dimensions in nursing home residents. Methods: A randomized intervention study was carried out. The study was conducted from June to August 2015, and involved a preferred music listening group intervention lasting 60 minutes, 5 days/week during 8 weeks. A total of 119 adults aged \u3e65 years, with annual permanent residence in the nursing home (Malaga, Spain) were included in the study. 47 (39.5%) subjects were randomized to the music group intervention. The nurses and physiotherapists were blinded to the assessments. Results: The sample had a mean age of 80.52 (SD7.44) years, with female predominance. The subjects presented dependency in Barthel, and cognitive impairment as determined by the MMSE. The Tinetti scores yielded fall risk and depression as evidenced by the Yesavage scale. The Cornell scores evidenced no depression in elderly people with dementia. Following the intervention, function improved significantly with a medium effect size, as did emotional state, with a large effect size. Cognitive function was seen to worsen in the control group, but remained stable in the intervention group, with a large effect size. Conclusions: A preferred music listening group intervention among elderly people in nursing homes is effective, resulting in improvements in functional and emotional condition. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved