THE INDEX

Every paper we have read

Each one summarised from the full article, not its abstract, and kept only if it speaks to physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology or nursing. Newest first.

35,183 PAPERS · PAGE 1 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTRNRCT2016Associations among pain, depression, and functional limitation in low-income, home-dwelling older adults: An analysis of baseline data from CAPABLE.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)In low-income home-dwelling older adults, higher depressive symptoms and pain interference were linked to more difficulty with daily activities. Depression was linked to part of the pain-function relationship, but this baseline analysis does not show treatment improves function.
• PTRNRCT2017Using Perceived Self-efficacy to Improve Fatigue and Fatigability In Postsurgical Lung Cancer Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.Cancer nursingA nurse-supported home Wii walking and balance program, pedometer, education, visits and safety monitoring was feasible and safe; post-surgical lung cancer patients had lower fatigue at week 6 than usual care; pilot cannot isolate components.
• RNCohort2017Pediatric Primary Care Involvement in End-of-Life Care for Children.The American journal of hospice & palliative carePediatric primary care involvement was not linked to hospice use overall. It was linked to home health care use, and to hospice use for children 15 to 20 years.
• RNOther2017Insomnia Symptoms Are Associated With Abnormal Endothelial Function.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingWorking adults with insomnia symptoms had lower blood vessel dilation (average 6.13% vs 6.83% after accounting for age, artery size and cholesterol problems), a marker linked to cardiovascular risk. Cross-sectional data cannot prove insomnia caused the difference.
• RNRCT2017Smartphone Technology and Text Messaging for Weight Loss in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingYoung adults using a calorie-tracking app with daily text reminders from a coach lost 1.8kg over three months, while the control group gained 0.3kg. The difference was significant. Consistent logging of physical activity drove the weight loss.
• RNSurvey2017John Henryism Active Coping, Acculturation, and Psychological Health in Korean Immigrants.Journal of transcultural nursing : official journal of the Transcultural Nursing SocietyKorean immigrants who reported more active, effortful coping had lower stress, anxiety, depression and more American cultural adaptation. This was not proof that coping skills cause better health.
• RNOther2017Prevalence of Substance Use in an HIV Primary Care Safety Net Clinic: A Call for Screening.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACHIV clinic patients had high substance use: most reported tobacco or non-prescribed substances, and urine tests were positive for cannabis, cocaine or benzodiazepines. This study measured use only; it did not test whether screening improves care.
• RNCohort2017Clinical and gender differences in heart transplant recipients in the NEW HEART study.European journal of cardiovascular nursingIn 330 heart transplant patients, men were older and had more risk factors. Women had more rejection episodes (3.9 vs 3.0), more moderate or severe rejection (14% vs 5%), and more hospitalizations (59% vs 46%). Mortality did not differ.
• RNPilot2017Denver Spirited Heart: Mixed-Methods Pilot Study of a Psychospiritual Intervention for Heart Failure Patients.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingHeart failure patients found a mailed psychospiritual program acceptable, with most reporting benefit. Preliminary data showed improvements in quality of life and mood, but the small, uncontrolled pilot cannot prove the intervention works.
• RNCase Report2017A Ventricular Assist Device Recipient and Suicidality: Multidisciplinary Collaboration With a Psychiatrically Distressed Patient.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingA patient with a ventricular assist device stopped taking medications out of hopelessness, not active suicidal intent. Multidisciplinary communication and psychotherapy helped him regain trust and adhere to his regimen, highlighting that non-adherence can signal severe emotional distress.
• RNCohort2017Advance Directives and Care Received by Older Nursing Home Residents.The American journal of hospice & palliative careOlder nursing home residents with comfort-focused directives were still transferred to hospital at a rate not clearly lower than usual-care residents. Antibiotic use was lower in comfort and palliative groups. Recheck goals after admission and before transfer.
• RNOther2017Exploration of Exercise Outcome Expectations Among Breast Cancer Survivors.Cancer nursingBreast cancer survivors expected general benefits from exercise, especially feeling better mentally, but did not spontaneously connect it with lower recurrence risk or treatment side effects. Nurses can check whether patients already expect these benefits.
• RNCohort2017Self-Management Strategies in Emerging Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.Journal of pediatric health care : official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & PractitionersEmerging adults with type 1 diabetes relied less on parents but reported better problem solving and communication over the first year after high school. Their A1c rose and glucose monitoring fell.
• RNRCT2017Exploratory Factor Analysis of the Strength of the Cultural Affiliation Scale.Cancer nursingA brief cultural affiliation survey sorted into four areas: lifestyle, language and holidays, relationships, and cultural health practices. The health practices area was too weak to use alone. In 604 cancer patients receiving radiotherapy, African Americans scored higher than White patients.
• PTOTRNSurvey2016A Comparison of the Quality of Life in Patients With Primary and Secondary Lower Limb Lymphedema: A Mixed-Methods Study.Western journal of nursing researchPatients with primary, cancer-related, and non-cancer-related lower-limb lymphedema reported similar high psychosocial symptom burden. They described body-image distress, clothing and access problems, and burdensome self-care.
• RNSystematic Review2016Cardiovascular Health of Filipinos in the United States: A Review of the Literature.Journal of transcultural nursing : official journal of the Transcultural Nursing SocietyFilipino Americans in the reviewed studies had high rates of hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, often at lower BMI levels. The review suggests nurses should consider lower BMI thresholds and culturally appropriate education, not weight alone.
• PTCohort2016Cognitive Function Does Not Impact Self-reported Health-Related Quality of Life in Heart Failure Patients.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingObjective cognitive testing showed little link to self-reported quality of life in heart failure patients. Depression and disease severity were the strong predictors. Executive function had a tiny, weak association, but overall, cognitive deficits did not explain poor quality of life.
• RNSystematic Review2016Decision Making Among Persons Living With Heart Failure.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingMost research on decisions by people with heart failure focused on end-of-life choices. Acute symptoms often sent patients to emergency care, while gradual symptoms prompted calls to providers. Evidence comes from small studies with mixed results.
• RNSystematic Review2016Cognitive and Affective Symptoms Experienced by Cancer Patients Receiving High-Dose Intravenous Interleukin 2 Therapy: An Integrative Literature Review.Cancer nursingCognitive and affective symptoms during high-dose IL-2 were common and severe. Screening was inconsistent, depression increased over cycles in one trial, and it is unclear whether symptoms return to baseline after treatment.
• RNRCT2016Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression improves pain and perceived control in cardiac surgery patients.European journal of cardiovascular nursingCBT for depression after cardiac surgery improved patients' sense of control and reduced pain interference and severity, but did not improve sleep. Depression outcomes were published separately.
• RNSystematic Review2016A Systematic Review of Family Meeting Tools in Palliative and Intensive Care Settings.The American journal of hospice & palliative careFamily meeting tools for palliative and ICU care are mostly provider-facing agendas, planners, and templates. Most were not tested, so they may structure meetings but do not prove better patient or family outcomes.
• RNSurvey2016Association of Complementary and Alternative Therapies With Mental Health Outcomes in Pregnant Women Living in a Postdisaster Recovery Environment.Journal of holistic nursing : official journal of the American Holistic Nurses' AssociationPregnant women using massage had lower odds of depressive symptoms, while those using aromatherapy or journaling had higher odds. These are associations from a survey, not proof that these therapies help or harm mental health.
• RNQualitative2016Perspectives on safer conception practices and preconception counseling among women living with HIV.Health care for women internationalHIV-positive women often wanted children but knew little about safer conception, so many relied on unprotected sex; providers seldom asked about pregnancy plans, leaving counseling focused on avoiding pregnancy.
• RNSurvey2016Spousal Caregivers of Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Patients: Differences between Caregivers with Low vs. High Caregiving Demands.Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation NursesSpousal caregivers of coronary bypass patients with higher caregiving time demands reported more caregiving difficulty and more open talk about the surgery. Depressive symptoms were minimal and did not differ. Screen caregiving load and communication.
• RNSystematic Review2016A Systematic Review of Relaxation, Meditation, and Guided Imagery Strategies for Symptom Management in Heart Failure.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingRelaxation, meditation, and guided imagery sometimes eased breathlessness, sleep problems, fatigue, or symptom burden in adults with heart failure, but findings were mixed and no strategy worked consistently.
• OTOther2017Gender Differences in Cognitive Test Performance in Adults With Heart Failure.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingWomen with heart failure scored better on memory tests than men, but attention and executive function scores and impairment rates did not differ by gender.
• RNOther2017Psychometric Analysis of the Heart Failure Somatic Perception Scale as a Measure of Patient Symptom Perception.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingThe 18-item Heart Failure Somatic Perception Scale reliably measures symptom burden and predicts hospital visits or death within one year. Scores on the dyspnea and early subtle symptom subscales added risk information beyond the standard Seattle Heart Failure Score.
• RNOther2017Living Arrangements Modify the Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Self-care in Patients With Heart Failure.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingIn heart failure patients living alone, more depressive symptoms were linked with poorer monitoring and responding to worsening symptoms. In those living with someone, depression was not linked with self-care. Ask about living alone when assessing depression.
• PTOTRNQualitative2017A Study of the Amputee Experience of Viewing Self in the Mirror.Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation NursesAmputees described first mirror views as shock and anguish. They recommended nurses offer mirrors gradually, with support and privacy, and said mirrors helped them recognize the limb, check skin, and watch gait. These practices were not tested.
• RNSurvey2017Outcomes of Depression in Black Single Mothers.Clinical nursing researchIn Black single mothers, more negative thinking was linked to more depressive symptoms. Symptoms were linked to lower perceived support and fewer healthy practices. Negative thinking alone did not directly predict healthy practices.
• RNQualitative2017Western or Traditional Healers? Understanding Decision Making in the Hmong Population.Western journal of nursing researchHmong patients chose Western care first for visible injury, severe sudden pain, or unexplained swelling, and traditional healers first for paleness, slow pain, fear, or low energy. Switching followed perceived treatment failure.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2017Interventions Promoting Physical Activity in African American Women: An Integrative Review.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingInterventions for African American women produced mixed results, with many showing increased activity but others showing no change. Culturally tailored and home-based strategies showed promise, though most studies relied on self-reported data and lacked long-term follow-up.
• RNOther2017Quality and Health Literacy Demand of Online Heart Failure Information.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingOnline heart failure information was rated fair quality, but its average reading level was grade 12.6, above the recommended grade 7 or below, and actionability was low (34.7%). Government and top-traffic sites had some better scores, but not consistently.
• RNQualitative2017Development of Participant-Informed Text Messages to Promote Physical Activity Among African American Women Attending College: A Qualitative Mixed-Methods Inquiry.Journal of transcultural nursing : official journal of the Transcultural Nursing SocietyYoung adult African American women wanted physical activity text messages three to five times a week, late morning or midafternoon, short, focused, from a known sender, and with limited humor. The study did not test whether the messages increased activity.
• RNQualitative2017Decision-Making of Patients With Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators at End of Life: Family Members' Experiences.The American journal of hospice & palliative careFamily members rarely knew ICD deactivation was an option; in the one reported discussion, the patient wanted the device left on. Direct conversations gave families more confidence than written directives alone.
• RNQualitative2017Development of a Symptom Management Intervention: Qualitative Feedback From Advanced Lung Cancer Patients and Their Family Caregivers.Cancer nursingAdvanced lung cancer patients and caregivers wanted a flexible telephone symptom program with education about side effects, many coping tools, and equal attention to caregiver needs. Some asked to remove negative illness content.
• RNSystematic Review2017A Systematic Review of Emergency Department Use Among Cancer Patients.Cancer nursingAdjusted 30-day emergency department visit rates among US cancer patients ranged from 1% to 2% for breast cancer to 7% to 12% for all cancers, but preventable use was unclear.
• RNPilot2017Exploratory Investigation of Early Biomarkers for Chronic Fatigue in Prostate Cancer Patients Following Radiation Therapy.Cancer nursingProstate cancer patients with higher cytokine levels during radiation were more likely to have severe fatigue a year later. These markers cannot yet be used to predict or prevent patient fatigue, as the study was too small and exploratory.
• RNNarrative Review2016Mediation analysis in nursing research: a methodological review.Contemporary nurseThis review explains how to use mediation analysis to identify the mechanisms behind nursing interventions. It clarifies that understanding why an effect occurs is more useful for designing future care than simply knowing if it works.
• RNQualitative2016Impact of long-term stress in Takotsubo syndrome: Experience of patients.European journal of cardiovascular nursingPatients with Takotsubo syndrome described years of low-intensity stress from caregiving, injustice and powerlessness as more burdensome than the acute trigger. They felt worn down before illness.
• RNSurvey2016Concerns and Structural Barriers Associated with WIC Participation among WIC-Eligible Women.Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.)Hispanic and Black eligible women were more likely to use WIC, while transportation, clinic access, and other barriers were linked with lower use. Ask about these barriers before assuming a family does not want help.
• PTSurvey2016Predictors of Obesity in a US Sample of High School Adolescents With and Without Disabilities.The Journal of school healthHigh school students who reported a disability had 16% obesity versus 10% in peers, plus lower activity and more fasting, diet pills, vomiting or laxatives. Screen weight-control risk and ask about activity access.
• RNQualitative2016Developing a culturally tailored stroke prevention walking programme for Korean immigrant seniors: a focus group study.International journal of older people nursingKorean immigrant seniors view stroke as caused by physical and emotional imbalance, particularly suppressed anger. They prefer walking programs that are social, safe, and tied to meaningful goals like independence, rather than framed solely as stroke prevention.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2016Biobehavioral determinants of glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Patient education and counselingFor people with type 2 diabetes, dietary adherence was most linked to long-term glucose control, self-efficacy was linked to adherence and BMI, and glucose monitoring was linked to higher short-term glucose. Match diabetes education to the specific goal.
• RNOther2016What are we missing? Risk behaviors among Arab-American adolescents and emerging adults.Journal of the American Association of Nurse PractitionersIn this small self-report sample, Arab-American adolescents and emerging adults who reported sexual activity also reported more smoking, alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use. Smoking was the factor most strongly linked to oral and vaginal sex.
• RNSystematic Review2016A Systematic Review of Psychometric Properties of Health-Related Quality-of-Life and Symptom Instruments in Adult Acute Leukemia Survivors.Cancer nursingSeven instruments assess symptoms and quality of life in adult acute leukemia, but most were tested only within two years of treatment. Use these tools for monitoring recovery, but do not assume they accurately measure long-term survivorship needs beyond two years.
• RNOther2017Transnational Motherhood: Health of Hispanic Mothers in the United States Who Are Separated From Children.Journal of transcultural nursing : official journal of the Transcultural Nursing SocietyOf 425 Hispanic mothers, 37 were separated from minor children. Those mothers more often reported lifetime abuse. Separated mothers also more often reported immigration and work stress, but other measured health risks did not differ.
• RNSurvey2017Coping With Pain Severity, Distress, and Consequences in Women With Ovarian Cancer.Cancer nursingWomen with ovarian cancer who found pain most noticeable used many coping strategies, and more strategies were linked to higher pain severity, distress, and consequences.
• RNQualitative2017Influence of school support on early marriage experiences and health services utilization among young orphaned women in Zimbabwe.Health care for women internationalMarried intervention participants reported more coercion and lower health service use than controls, despite having more education. Pregnancy was the top reason for marriage in both groups. Most women regretted marrying early and wished they had stayed in school.
• RNQualitative2017Qualitative Study of Foster Caregivers' Views on Adherence to Pediatric Appointments.Journal of pediatric health care : official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & PractitionersFoster caregivers universally requested appointment reminders, preferring phone or text. They cited personal relationships with staff, clinic organization, and the need for immunizations as key motivators. Unrelated caregivers also feared losing their license if they missed appointments.