The present study aimed to investigate the perceived changes in lifestyle behaviors among Spanish university students during COVID-19-related confinement. An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional survey study was conducted during April 2020. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were then obtained. The FANTASTIC questionnaire was used to assess the lifestyles of the 488 participants who took part in the study. Of the participants, 76.3% were female. Overall, the lifestyles of university students significantly deteriorated during the period of confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. University female students were especially affected compared to their male fellows (p = 0.010). For women, social and family relationships (p < 0.001), personality (p < 0.001), interior (p < 0.001), and career (p < 0.001) were the aspects that worsened during confinement. For men, lack of physical exercise (p < 0.001), social and family relationships (p < 0.001), and career (p = 0.002) were affected to a greater extent. In both cases, confinement was a protective factor against the consumption of tobacco, toxins (p < 0.001), and alcohol (p < 0.001). Gender (p = 0.008) and obesity (p = 0.044) were the two factors that most affected the change in the score of the FANTASTIC questionnaire. Spanish university students’ lifestyles worsened during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those of women, who were the most affected. Some aspects, such as those related to social and emotional behaviors, were deeply affected, while confinement could be a protective factor against previous toxic habits.

The movement restrictions put in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic required modification of the population’s usual routines, including those of the most vulnerable groups such as patients with schizophrenia. This was a retrospective observational study. We used an online survey to collect information on patient adherence to the Mediterranean diet (Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener questionnaire), physical exercise (International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form), and tobacco consumption and levels of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) before and during the movement restrictions. A total of 102 people with schizophrenia participated in this study. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown the participants significantly increased the number of minutes spent sitting per day (z = −6.73; p < 0.001), decreased the time they spent walking (z = −6.32; p < 0.001), and increased their tobacco consumption (X2 = 156.90; p < 0.001). These results were also accompanied by a significant increase in their reported levels of anxiety (z = −7.45; p < 0.001) and depression (z = −7.03, p < 0.001). No significant differences in patient diets during the pandemic compared to before the movement restrictions were reported. These results suggest the need to implement specific programs to improve lifestyle and reduce anxiety and depression during possible future pandemic situations.

Autopercepción del estado de salud como indicador de la calidad de vida de los pacientes con deterioro cognitivo en función de su lugar de residencia: domicilio versus centro sociosanitario Self-perception of health status as an indicator of the quality of life in patients with cognitive dysfunction based on the residence: home care versus nursing home RESUMENObjetivo: analizar la relación entre las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas en pacientes con deterioro cognitivo en función del lugar de residencia (domicilio familiar frente a instituciones), comparándola con la autopercepción del estado de salud de ambos grupos. Material y métodos: estudio comparativo observacional transversal. La muestra estuvo formada por 71 sujetos, de los cuales 44 recibían cuidado informal en su domicilio y asistían a un centro de día (Valencia, España), y 27 que residían en un centro sociosanitario (Teruel, Valencia), ambos situados en zona rural. Los participantes fueron evaluados mediante el índice de comorbilidad de Charlson, Mini-Mental Test de Folstein (MMSE), test de fluidez verbal, autopercepción del estado de salud mediante escala visual analógica del Euro-Qol y variables sociodemográficas que incluyeron: sexo, edad, nivel de estudios, estado civil y número de hijos.Resultados: los principales resultados apuntan a que pese a que los pacientes que residen en sus hogares tienen un peor estado cognitivo en relación con el MMSE (diferencia de 3,09 puntos; p = 0,003) y la fluidez verbal (diferencia de 3,05 puntos 5,32; p = 0,000), su autopercepción del estado de salud es superior frente a aquellos que viven en un centro sociosanitario (diferencia de 21,22 puntos; p = 0,000). Conclusiones: los sujetos que residen en el domicilio presentan una autopercepción de su estado de salud mejor que aquellos que residen en el centro sociosanitario, pese a que su estado cognitivo muestra peores resultados.Este aspecto contribuye a la mejora de la utilización de los recursos necesarios hacia los ámbitos donde los cuidados sean más eficaces.PALABRAS CLAVE: Calidad de vida, estado de salud, deterioro cognitivo, atención en el hogar, centro sociosanitario.

Background Virtual reality (VR) is used as a distraction measure during painful clinical procedures associated with the use of needles. These procedures include vaccinations, blood draws, or the administration of medications, which can cause children to feel increased levels of pain and fear. Objective The objective of this study was to collect and analyze the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of VR as a tool to distract children from pain and fear during needle procedures as compared to that of standard techniques. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs with participants younger than 21 years who underwent needle procedures in which the main distraction measure used was VR and where the main outcome measure was pain. The databases searched included the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane libraries. In this systematic review, the studies were analyzed by applying the Critical Appraisal Skills Program guide in Spanish and the Jadad scale. In the meta-analysis, the effect size of the studies was analyzed based on the results for pain and fear in children. Results From 665 unique search results, 21 studies were included in this systematic review, most of which reported low methodological quality. The study sample cohorts ranged from a minimum of 15 participants to a maximum of 220 participants. Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. The global effect of using VR as a distraction measure was a significant reduction in pain (inverse variance [IV] –2.37, 95% CI –3.20 to –1.54; Z=5.58; P<.001) and fear (IV –1.26, 95% CI –1.89 to –0.63; Z=3.92; P<.001) in children in the experimental groups. Conclusions The quality of the studies was mostly low. The main limitations were the impossibility of blinding the participants and health care personnel to the VR intervention. Nonetheless, the use of VR as a distraction measure was effective in reducing pain and fear in children during procedures involving needles.

If healthcare professionals wish to provide healthcare that protects patients’ values and preferences, it is necessary to find a way to systematically implement the Advance-Care Planning process. The purpose of this article is to review the literature and present a theoretical model of Advance-Care Planning implementation through the Nursing Process.