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Biomedical subjects

Norma Cuellar

Publications and source records attributed to Norma Cuellar.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A randomized trial evaluating the effectiveness of sodium oxybate therapy on quality of life in narcolepsy.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of sodium oxybate versus placebo to improve quality of life in patients with narcolepsy. DESIGN: A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Outpatient facility of 42 sleep centers in the United States, Canada, and Europe. PARTICIPANTS: Study participants were 285 patients with narcolepsy, 16 to 75 years of age, with a median Epworth Sleepiness Scale score of 18, a Maintenance of Wakefulness Test sleep latency of 9.56 minutes, and experiencing symptoms of narcolepsy, including cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness with recurrent sleep episodes almost daily for at least 3 months at the time of enrollment. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were gradually withdrawn from narcolepsy medications used for cataplexy, including antidepressants. Subsequently, participants were randomly assigned to receive 4.5, 6.0, or 9.0 g per day of sodium oxybate or placebo taken in two equally divided doses upon retiring to bed and again 2.5 to 4 hours later for 4 weeks during the stable dosing phase. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The change in quality of life following the administration of sodium oxybate was measured with the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire. The nightly administration of sodium oxybate produced significant dose-related improvements in the Total Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire score, as well as in the Activity Level, General Productivity, Vigilance, and Social Outcomes subscales. CONCLUSIONS: The nocturnal administration of sodium oxybate in patients with narcolepsy was associated with statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements in functional status, an important component of quality of life.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗
PubMed2003

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by African American (AA) and Caucasian American (CA) older adults in a rural setting: a descriptive, comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The use of CAM is at an all time high. There is very little research that compares the use of CAM in elders by ethnicity in rural settings. The purpose of the study was to determine if there was a difference between African American and Caucasian American rural elders on use of CAM and self-reported satisfaction with CAM. METHODS: The design was a descriptive, comparative study of 183 elders who reported the number of CAM used and satisfaction with CAM. A convenience sample was recruited through community service organizations in the state of Mississippi. The availability of elders through the support groups, sampling bias, subject effect, and self-report were limitations of the study. RESULTS: The commonest examples of CAM used by rural elders were prayer, vitamins, exercise, meditation, herbs, chiropractic medicine, glucosamine, and music therapy. Significant findings on SES and marital status were calculated. Differences on ethnicity and demographic variables were significant for age, education, and the use of glucosamine. CONCLUSIONS: Health care providers must be aware that elders are using CAM and are satisfied with their use. Identifying different uses of CAM by ethnicity is important for health care practitioners, impacting how health care is provided.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2003

Restless legs syndrome: a case study.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensory motor neurological movement disorder affecting 12 million Americans. Few healthcare providers know of the existence of this syndrome. Often underdiagnosed and unrecognized because of comorbid conditions, RLS is a lifelong condition with worsening symptoms. For the healthcare provider, RLS may present with confusing symptoms. With no cure, treatment is often unsuccessful in alleviating the discomfort associated with the syndrome. Although RLS is a common, potentially disabling condition, neuroscience nurses may provide interventions to assist in the successful management of the syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Performance improvement in higher education: adapting a model from health care agencies.

Because a nationwide nursing shortage continues to affect consumers of nursing education, it is currently more important than ever for nurse educators to continue to define and evaluate the quality of their programs. The authors propose that a model used by an industry leader in health care accreditation, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, can be adapted to evaluate the quality of nursing programs. This model is improvement oriented and data driven, targeting program functions and processes, rather than being problem focused.

Education, Nursing, Continuing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Voting rights for older Americans with dementia: implications for health care providers.

As the population of the United States ages, the prevalence of dementias such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) will increase. With this demographic shift, some older registered voters will lack the cognitive ability to weigh the variables involved in voting and making an informed decision at the ballot. Ramifications of this situation have only recently been considered. Medical and legal procedures to delineate the capacity to vote are lacking in our national policy and are in need of an overhaul. Caution must be taken to avoid indiscriminant disenfranchisement of people with dementia. Health care providers play a pivotal role in supporting older adults with dementia who exercise their voting rights. The purpose of this article is to discuss issues related to voting and older adults with dementia. Implications for gerontological health care providers are presented.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The transition from classroom to online teaching.

TOPIC: Online teaching. PURPOSE: To describe the pedagogical transition that needs to be considered before putting a class online. SOURCES: Published literature. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in technology will continue to alter teaching strategies. The changing paradigm of online education needs further research to advance the science of nursing education.

Adult↗