PURPOSE To determine the applicability of the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) after nutritional counseling intervention in malnourished patients. METHODS Prospective, randomized, open‐label study in 106 hospital patients with malnutrition. The NOC indicators evaluated were 162202 and 180201. FINDINGS The intervention group significantly increased both NOC indicator scores compared with the control group, these indicators significantly correlated with body mass index, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, and Barthel's Index. CONCLUSION The NOC indicators are sensitive to patients’ changes in clinical practice, and correlate well with other indicators in this context. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE The NOC can be used to assess malnourished patients in the clinical setting.

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Background This study anlyzed whether family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer suffer impaired sleep quality, increased strain, reduced quality of life or increased care burden due to the presence and heightened intensity of symptoms in the person being cared for. Method A total of 41 patient-caregiver dyads (41 caregivers and 41 patients with advanced cancer) were recruited at six primary care centres in this cross-sectional study. Data were obtained over a seven-month period. Caregiver’s quality of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), caregiver’s quality of life (Quality of Life Family Version), caregiver strain (Caregiver Strain Index), patients’ symptoms and their intensity (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System), and sociodemographic, clinical and care-related data variables were assessed. The associations were determined using non-parametric Spearman correlation. Results Total Edmonton Symptom Assessment System was significantly related to overall score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (r = 0.365, p = 0.028), the Caregiver Strain Index (r = 0.45, p = 0.005) and total Quality of Life Family Version (r = 0.432, p = 0.009), but not to the duration of daily care (r = -0.152, p = 0.377). Conclusions Family caregivers for patients with advanced cancer suffer negative consequences from the presence and intensity of these patients’ symptoms. Therefore, optimising the control of symptoms would benefit not only the patients but also their caregivers. Thus, interventions should be designed to improve the outcomes of patient-caregiver dyads in such cases.

Background Sleep disorders are commonly experienced by community caregivers for persons with cancer, with at least 72% reporting moderate to severe disorders. A consequence of this condition, which is associated with the presence of overload in the caregiver, is the increased risk of clinical depression. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of music on the sleep quality achieved by informal caregivers for cancer patients receiving home palliative care. In addition, we will assess the influence of specific variables that could modify these effects, analyse the correlates related to nocturnal wakefulness and consider the diurnal consequences according to the sleep characteristics identified. Methods This single-blind, multicentre, randomised clinical trial will focus on informal providers of care for cancer patients. Two samples of 40 caregivers will be recruited. The first, intervention, group will receive seven music-based sessions. The control group will be masked with seven sessions of therapeutic education (reinforcing previous sessions). Outcomes will be evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a triaxial accelerometer, EuroQol-5D-5L, the Caregiver Strain Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. The caregivers’ satisfaction with the intervention performed will also be examined. Discussion This study is expected to extend our understanding of the efficacy of music therapy in enhancing the sleep quality of caregivers for patients receiving home palliative care. To our knowledge, no reliable scientific investigations of this subject have previously been undertaken. Music is believed to benefit certain aspects of sleep, but this has yet to be proven and, according to a Cochrane review, high-quality research in this field is necessary. One of the main strengths of our study, which heightens the quality of the randomised clinical trial design, is the objective assessment of physical activity by accelerometry and the use of both objective and subjective measures of sleep in caregivers. Music therapy for the caregivers addressed in this study is complementary, readily applicable, provokes no harmful side effects and may produce significant benefits. Trial registration The IMECA study is registered at Clinical Trials.gov, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04491110. Registered 29 July, 2020.

Background This study anlyzed whether informal caregivers of patients with advanced cancer suffer impaired sleep quality, increased strain, reduced quality of life and/or increased care burden due to the presence and heightened intensity of symptoms in the person being cared for. Method A total of 41 patient-caregiver dyads (41 caregivers and 41 patients with advanced cancer) were recruited at six primary care centres. Data were obtained over a seven-month period. Caregiver’s quality of sleep, caregiver’s quality of life, caregiver strain, patients’ symptoms and their intensity, and sociodemographic, clinical and care-related data variables were assessed. The associations were determined using non-parametric Spearman correlation. Results Informal caregivers of patients with advanced cancer are impacted in negative ways by the presence and intensity of the patients’ symptoms. Accordingly, the optimum control of these symptoms benefits not only the patient but also the caregiver. Conclusions Informal caregivers for patients with advanced cancer suffer negative consequences from the presence and intensity of these patients’ symptoms. Therefore, optimising the control of symptoms would benefit not only the patients but also their caregivers. Thus, interventions should be designed to improve the outcomes of patient-caregiver dyads in such cases.

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