Cognitive reserve (CR) is a protective mechanism that supports sustained cognitive function following damage to the physical brain associated with age, injury, or disease. The goal of the research was to identify relationships between age, CR, and brain connectivity. A sample of 90 cognitively normal adults, ages 45–64 years, had their resting-state brain activity recorded with electroencephalography (EEG) and completed a series of memory and executive function assessments. CR was estimated using years of education and verbal IQ scores. Participants were divided into younger and older age groups and low- and high-CR groups. We observed greater left- than right-hemisphere coherence in younger participants, and greater right- than left-hemisphere coherence in older participants. In addition, greater coherence was observed under eyes-closed than eyes-open recording conditions for both low-CR and high-CR participants, with a more substantial difference between recording conditions in individuals high in CR regardless of age. Finally, younger participants low in CR exhibited greater mean coherence than younger participants high in CR, whereas the opposite pattern was observed in older participants, with greater coherence in older participants high in CR. Together, these findings suggest the possibility of a shift in the relationship between CR and brain connectivity during aging.
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life due to the benefits it offers to both baby and mother. Although breastfeeding initiation rates are high, breastfeeding continuation rates at six and twelve months and exclusive breastfeeding rates remain lower than Healthy People recommendations. The purpose of this study was to determine if postpartum fatigue had any impact on the success of exclusive breastfeeding when comparing birth methods. Although postpartum fatigue has been reported as a common occurrence, less is known about its effect on exclusive breastfeeding rates. A quasi-experimental study with 157 participants was completed to evaluate the effect of postpartum fatigue on exclusive breastfeeding rates at discharge using the Visual Analog Scale to Evaluate Fatigue (VAS-F). Both mothers who delivered vaginally and by cesarean section took part in this study at no less than one day after delivery. One hundred percent of mothers in the study reported varying levels of fatigue postpartum, with 47% breastfeeding exclusively. An independent samples T-test compared fatigue levels in vaginal and cesarean births. Statistical significance was noted in that cesarean section mothers were more fatigued than those who gave birth vaginally (p=0.015). Findings from a chi squared test showed exclusive breastfeeding rates in women who gave birth vaginally higher than cesarean section (χ 2 =12.47,p<.01) suggesting exclusive breastfeeding rates were dependent on birth type. Further research needs to be completed to determine what education or strategies relative to postpartum fatigue need to be identified to diminish the effects of postpartum fatigue which could lead to improved exclusive breastfeeding rates.
Background and Objective: Majority of new graduate nurses are not adequately prepared to assume the dynamic and complex role of today’s professional nurse. The Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) is a clinical teaching model developed in response to the limitations of traditional clinical model (TCM). The aim of the study is to examine the readiness for practice and level of confidence in clinical decision making among graduating nursing students in the DEU and compare it with the students in the TCM.Methods: A pre-test/post-test design was used. The Casey-Fink Readiness for Practice was utilized in the pre and post-test surveys and the Nursing Anxiety and Self-Confidence in Clinical Decision-Making was used in the post test. Data were analyzed in aggregate and pre-test scores were compared to post-test scores at the cohort level using t-test.Results: The pre-test results showed no significant difference between the DEU and TCM groups. However, the post-test results showed higher levels of readiness for practice and higher self-confidence and lower anxiety in clinical decision making among the DEU students.Conclusions: The study provides evidence on the impact of the DEU in providing graduating nursing students with high quality clinical education to better prepare them for practice.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.