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Biomedical subjects

Alexa K Stuifbergen

Publications and source records attributed to Alexa K Stuifbergen.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

A randomized clinical trial of a wellness intervention for women with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a wellness intervention program for women with multiple sclerosis (MS) on health behaviors and quality of life (QOL). DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Community setting in the southwestern United States. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 113 women with physician-confirmed MS (mean age, 45.79y). INTERVENTIONS: The 2-phase intervention program included lifestyle-change classes for 8 weeks, then telephone follow-up for 3 months. Participants were followed over an 8-month period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A series of self-report instruments to measure barriers, resources, self-efficacy for health behaviors, health promotion behaviors, and health-related QOL were completed at baseline, 2 months (after the classes), 5 months (after telephone follow-up), and at 8 months. Principal outcomes measures were health-promoting behaviors (scores on the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II) and QOL (scores on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36] scales). RESULTS: Hierarchical linear modeling techniques revealed a statistically significant group by time effect for self-efficacy for health behaviors, health-promoting behaviors, and the mental health and pain scales of the SF-36. CONCLUSION: These data provide initial support for the positive effects of wellness interventions to improve health behaviors and selected dimensions of QOL for women with MS.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The use of individualized goal setting to facilitate behavior change in women with multiple sclerosis.

Setting goals is a useful strategy for changing behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a wellness intervention for women with multiple sclerosis (MS) on achieving health-related goals set individually by each participant in the experimental group (N = 57) using goal attainment scaling. The two-phase intervention included lifestyle-change classes over 8 weeks, then telephone follow-up over 3 months. Participants were followed over an 8-month period. Goal achievement was assessed at baseline, 2 months (following class), 3 1/2 months (6 weeks after class), 5 months (following 3 months of telephone follow-up), and at 8 months. The majority of the women met or exceeded all their individualized goals for changing behavior at the 6-week postclass assessment. Achievement and maintenance of individual goals remained high (59%-84%) over the 5 months after class follow-ups. These data support the positive effects of wellness interventions for helping women with MS to meet their own individualized health goals. Setting goals with incremental steps helped participants to articulate their individual goals and monitor achievement over time.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The decision to take hormone replacement therapy among women with disabilities.

Whereas making decisions during menopause can be challenging for all women, those with physical impairments face special issues with respect to menopause in general and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in particular. In this correlational study the authors explored the factors such women consider when making decisions about HRT One hundred sixty-seven women with physical impairments throughout the United States completed surveys concerning their attitudes and knowledge about HRT Approximately half the menopausal women were currently taking HRT The strongest predictor of HRT use was women's perceptions of their health care providers opinions about their taking HRT, combined with their motivation to comply with the provider's recommendation. Thisfinding points to the significant role that nurses and other health care providers play in assisting women to make informed health care choices during menopause.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Menopausal experiences and hormone replacement therapy use among women with physical impairments.

This study describes the menopausal experiences of women with physical disabilities and their knowledge and use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). 166 women completed a mailed survey of demographic and disability characteristics, health history, menopausal information, and HRT knowledge. The typical respondent was a 52-year-old, Anglo, college-educated woman with a neuromuscular disorder. Half of the menopausal women were taking HRT, and 47% had a hysterectomy. HRT use was significantly associated with hysterectomy status, amount of HRT information received from providers, and regular gynecologic examinations. Effective interventions are needed to assist these women in making key health decisions during menopause.

Attitude to Health↗