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Volume 29, Issue 1, 2007

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The relationship between body image and depression in women diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis

Shauna Kindrat, RN, BN, MN, CNN(C)

Abstract

Little is known about perceptions of body image in women diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). This descriptive correlational study was conducted to describe how women perceive their body image while living with RRMS, and to examine a potential relationship between body image and depression in women who have RRMS.

A convenience sample of 30 women from a western Canadian multiple sclerosis (MS) clinic completed a demographic questionnaire, the Body-Image Ideals Questionnaire (BIQ), and the Beck Depression Inventory Short Form (BDI-SF).

Body image and depression scores were highly correlated (r=0.814, p=0.01) indicating that a more positive body image was associated with less depression.

The findings of this study suggest that there are important psychological aspects to which clinicians might need to attend when working with women who have RRMS. However, further research needs to be done in this area.

CJNN, 29(1), 8–13.

Shampoo after craniotomy: A pilot study

Sandra Ireland, RN, PhD, Karen Carlino, RN, BScN, Linda Gould, RPN, Fran Frazier, RN, Patricia Haycock, RN, BScN, Suzin Ilton, RN, RNFA, Rachel Deptuck, RN, Brenda Bousfield, RN, Donna Verge, RN, Karen Antoni, RN, BSc, MSc, ACNP, Louise MacRae, RN, BScN, MBA, Heather Renshaw, RN, Ann Bialachowski, RN, BScN, Carol Chagnon, RN, BScN, and Kesava Reddy, MD, FRCS(C)

Abstract

Objectives: The primary goal of this study was to assess the effect of postoperative hair-washing on incision infection and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in craniotomy patients. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the effect of postoperative hair-washing on incision infection and HRQOL, 2) provide evidence to support postoperative patient hygienic care, and 3) develop neurosurgical nursing research capacity.

Research question: Does hair-washing 72 hours after craniotomy and before suture or clip removal influence postoperative incision infection and postoperative HRQOL?

Methods: A prospective cohort of 100 adult patients was randomized to hair-washing 72-hours postoperatively (n=48), or no hair washing until suture or clip removal (n=52). At five to 10 days postoperatively, sutures or clips were removed, incisions were assessed using the ASEPSIS Scale (n=85) and participants were administered the SF-12 Health Survey (n=71). At 30 days postoperatively, incisions (n=70) were reassessed.

Results: No differences were found between hair-washing and no hair-washing groups for ASEPSIS scores at five to 10 days and 30 days, and total SF-12 scores at five to 10 days postoperatively (p "e 0.05).

Conclusions: Postoperative hair-washing resulted in no increase in incision infection scores or decrease in HRQOL scores when compared to no hair-washing in patients experiencing craniotomy.

CJNN, 29(1), 14–19.

Quality of life in epilepsy

Sonia Poochikian-Sarkissian, Richard A. Wennberg, Souraya Sidani and Gerald M. Devins

Abstract

This article will review the various stressors in epilepsy and disease, treatment and psychosocial factors that may contribute to disrupting daily activities and interfering with lifestyles and interests, that impact on overall well-being or quality of life (QOL). We will introduce the concept of illness intrusiveness in epilepsy that reflects disease- and treatment-induced lifestyle disruptions that compromise QOL.

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