Frailty, a physiological syndrome (FS) affecting primarily the older adults, manifests itself through significantly depleted bodily reserves, and appreciably higher (up to over threefold) individual exposure to fall risk. Concomitant medical conditions such as balance impairment, reduced visual acuity, limited mobility, and significantly diminished daily functional performance further exacerbate the patients’ condition. Their resultant susceptibility to frequent hospitalisations makes their prognosis even worse. This narrative review aimed to provide an overview of published studies focused on rehabilitation management approaches aided by virtual reality (VR) technology in frail older adults. The authors had it also augmented with their own, evidence-based body of experience in rehabilitation. Making use of technologically advanced exercise machinery, specially adapted for rehabilitating frail older adults, combined with a structured exercise regimen, further aided by the application of select virtual reality (VR) technology solutions, clearly proved effective. Consequently, the patients were helped to move back from the frail to the pre-frail stage, as well as had their motor and cognitive functions appreciably enhanced. The application of modern technology in rehabilitating older adults over 65, affected by FS, when specifically aided by the select VR technology solutions, was also proven to complement successfully the conventional rehabilitation management. The overall versatility of the VR technology solutions, e.g., adaptation for home use allowing remote supervision, also makes this novel approach to rehabilitation far more appealing to the patients. They find it both very attractive and far more mentally engaging. Its considerable potential lies mostly in being appreciably more effective in bringing in desirable therapeutic outcomes.

IntroductionThe nurse provides medical care for the patient, including nursing, administering medicines and performing injections. She assists the doctor in the process of diagnosis and treatment. The definition of this profession changes as a result of the development of science and increasing expectations of health care. The development of this profession is evidenced by developed models of nursing, which will focus on the practical application of the acquired knowledge.Aim The aim of this work was to present the tasks and competences of nursing and the role of this profession in improving the quality of patient care.Material and methodThe paper uses the method of literature analysis. The material used in the paper comes from publications published in a compact form and scientific articles.ResultsThe review of the collected scientific material showed that nurses have a significant impact on the quality of health care and the functioning of the entire facility. Healthcare institutions belong to organizations in which the quality of services translates into the patient's health and life. Care should therefore be a priority for the entire staff, especially for the nurses who first meet the patient and spend a lot of time with him. Patients expect medical knowledge from nurses first and foremost, but also safety, trust and proper communication.ConclusionsIn recent years, nursing has been constantly changing, which means that people in this profession have to take various actions for their development. Patient expectations are also changing. Their opinion and satisfaction is important for success. A satisfied patient will surely use the services of the facility again.

Modern technologies are presently harnessed in response to a complex challenge of providing physiotherapeutic management in older adults. Fully immersive virtual reality (VR) solutions are acknowledged to viably enhance the overall effectiveness of traditional physiotherapeutic methods. A total of 60 community-dwelling older adults (over 75 years of age) were recruited for the study protocol. They were subsequently randomly split into four equally sized study groups (VR, CVR, OCULUS, and the classic programme group (OTAGO), and the physiotherapy sessions were pursued in the subjects’ homes for 3 weeks, 3 times a week, for 30 min in each group. At the first measurement point, respective study groups differed significantly in functional performance, as expressed in gait (POMA G) and individual static balance. The post hoc analysis indicated significantly higher scores in POMA G for the classic programme group vs. the results of the VR and CVR groups. On the other hand, the OCULUS group held significantly higher scores in individual balance and TUG, as compared to the other groups (p < 0.001). Making use of a virtual reality (VR) environment in the physiotherapeutic management of community-dwelling older adults appreciably enhanced individual functional performance, especially in terms of static balance. Physiotherapy management aided by VR technology solutions offers a viable alternative to traditional physiotherapeutic regimens (e.g., OTAGO programme) in enhancing individual functional performance. The innovatively self-designed VIRTUAL REALITY COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION ROOMS (VRCRR) solution may help out in pursuing a complex physiotherapy programme on an individual basis within one’s own home environment.

(1) Background: The effects of lockdown repetition on work-related stress, expressed through Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI), during the COVID-19 pandemic are poorly documented. We investigated the effect of repetitive lockdowns on the ERI in French workers, its difference across occupations, and the change in its influencing factors across time. (2) Methods: Participants were included in a prospective cross-sectional observational study from 30 March 2020 to 28 May 2021. The primary outcome was the ERI score (visual analog scale). The ERI score of the population was examined via Generalized Estimating Equations. For each period, the factors influencing ERI were studied by multivariate linear regression. (3) Results: In 8121 participants, the ERI score decreased in the first 2 lockdowns (53.2 ± 0.3, p < 0.001; 50.5 ± 0.7, p < 0.001) and after lockdown 2 (54.8 ± 0.8, p = 0.004) compared with the pre-pandemic period (59 ± 0.4). ERI was higher in medical than in paramedical professionals in the pre-pandemic and the first 2 lockdowns. Higher workloads were associated with better ERI scores. (4) Conclusions: In a large French sample, Effort-Reward Imbalance worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic until the end of the 2nd lockdown. Paramedical professionals experienced a higher burden of stress compared with medical professionals.

Density functional theory studies on the Ti5Si3Cx systems with various concentrations of carbon impurities () are reported. The effects of interstitial carbon atoms on crystal and electronic structures, and on the elastic and vibrational properties of the Ti5Si3Cx compound are analysed and discussed. The results of the present investigations indicate not only strong bonding between carbon atoms and their neighbouring titanium atoms, but also the effects of carbon impurities on the atomic bonds beyond the immediate proximity of the dopants. These determine to a great extent the electron densities of states, and the structural and elastic properties of the Ti5Si3Cx Nowotny phases. Although carbon atoms tend to stabilise Ti5Si3Cx phases, they also have a negative effect on their ductile properties. The strong impact of carbon impurities on the lattice dynamics of Ti5Si3Cx compounds is revealed by the phonon and Raman spectra, which remain sensitive to changes in the interatomic distances. In C-doped systems the phonon bands originating from the vibrations of carbon impurities appear at high frequencies and remain well-separated from the lower lying phonon bands dominated by the vibrations of Ti and Si sublattices. The lower frequency phonon bands also experience changes due to the incorporated dopants. Impurities occupying the interstitials of the Ti5Si3 lattice are responsible for the appearance of new infrared active and optically inactive modes of A2u, E1u and E2u symmetries, leaving the number of Raman active modes unchanged. Modifications to the dynamical properties of ternary Ti5Si3Cx phases manifest themselves via shifts and the suppression of phonon peaks as well as the emergence of new phonon peaks which are absent in the binary Ti5Si3 system. The observed effects become enhanced with an increased concentration of carbon impurities.