Effect of a Group-Based Personal Assistive RObot (PARO) Robot Intervention on Cognitive Function, Autonomic Nervous System Function, and Mental Well-being in Older Adults with Mild Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: Personal Assistive RObot (PARO) interventions have been used to treat agitation and mood symptoms of dementia effectively. However, the effects of a PARO intervention on physiological and cognitive function are unclear. To examine the effects of a group-based PARO intervention for older adults with mild dementia.

Utilization of the Intimacy and Sexuality Expression Preference tool in long-term care: a case study.

Introduction: Sexual wellness plays a crucial role in an individual's quality of life, interpersonal relationships, and self-concept, particularly among older adults residing in residential aged care facilities, including those with dementia. However, there is currently a limited person-centered approach to understanding the unique preferences of each older person regarding their intimate and sexual behaviors. To address this gap, the (ISEP) tool was developed to facilitate meaningful discussions between healthcare professionals or workers and older individuals about their intimacy and sexuality needs and preferences.

Development of an Instrument to Assess Health and Social Care Professionals' Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Later-Life Intimacy and Sexuality (HSCP-KALLIS): A Delphi Study.

Aims: We aimed to ascertain the content validity of an instrument to assess health and social care professionals' knowledge and attitudes towards later-life intimacy and sexuality (HSCP-KALLIS).

Background: For older adults, intimacy and sexuality are important in maintaining their quality of life and well-being. However, addressing these needs remains challenging for health and social care professionals, particularly for nursing staff providing 24-h direct care to older people with dementia or those identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer/questioning individuals.

Building prevention research science communication and knowledge translation capacity through multidisciplinary collaboration.

Objective: To document the outcomes of a dedicated Science Communication Community of Practice (CoP) for increasing prevention-focused knowledge translation (KT) and evidence uptake. Type of program: Shared priorities and a united vision to communicate the value of prevention research led to the formation of a dedicated Science Communication CoP within an Australian public health prevention-focused research collaboration. Members of the CoP included science communication experts and early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) with KT-focused roles.

Associations between facial expressions and observational pain in residents with dementia and chronic pain.

Aim: To identify specific facial expressions associated with pain behaviors using the PainChek application in residents with dementia.

Design: This is a secondary analysis from a study exploring the feasibility of PainChek to evaluate the effectiveness of a social robot (PARO) intervention on pain for residents with dementia from June to November 2021.

Methods: Participants experienced PARO individually five days per week for 15 min (once or twice) per day for three consecutive weeks.

Development and validity of a mentally-passive and mentally-active sedentary time questionnaire in nursing college students.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to evaluate nursing college students' mentally-passive and mentally-active sedentary time (M-PAST) in China.

Methods: An initial M-PAST questionnaire with mentally-passive and mentally-active sedentary behaviors was developed with content validity undertaken through a consensus panel and pilot test where a convenience sample of six nursing students was recruited to assess the relevance, comprehensiveness, and comprehensibility of the refined questionnaire after expert panelists' responses. A cross-sectional online survey using a self-reported questionnaire was distributed to nursing students by email and then conducted using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess the construct validity of the M-PAST questionnaire and factor structures.

Virtual Models Using Augmented Reality May Provide a Suitable Supplement, Although Not a Physical Specimen Replacement, in Pathology Education.

There is a growing trend towards using virtual models within medical programs. In some disciplines, the use of human samples or cadavers is increasingly being replaced by technology-enhanced modes of delivery. Although this transition can occur with some success, the impact of virtual representations to replace depictions of disease states from dissected samples displayed in acrylic pathological specimen jars has never been investigated.

A systematic review of mental health interventions to reduce self-stigma in medical students and doctors.

Background: A growing body of literature has revealed that many medical students and doctors do not seek professional help for their mental health due to fear of stigma (both public- and self-stigma) and questioning of their clinical competency. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and evaluate direct and indirect interventions that address mental health stigma in medical students and/or doctors. We focused explicitly on studies that measured the impact on self-stigma outcomes.

The effectiveness of educational interventions in the community that aim to improve informal carers knowledge of dementia anatomy, physiology, progression, and impact on behavior: a systematic review.

Introduction: Dementia education is a vital component of dementia care and management for patients and their informal carers and family. To fully understand dementia, some knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the brain may be necessary and would help informal carers understand behaviors of dementia to help cope with care provision.

Method: This integrative review aims to identify, appraise, and assess whether dementia education resources include information detailing the anatomy of the brain and its relationship with dementia and whether this information improves knowledge (PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42022320530).

Implementing PainChek and PARO to Support Pain Assessment and Management in Residents with Dementia: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Pain is a common problem but often undiagnosed and untreated in people with dementia.

Aims: This study explored the experiences of residents with dementia, family, andformal carers with (1) pain assessment and management for residents with dementia; (2) the use of the PainChek app for pain assessment, and (3) the use of a social robot PARO for pain management in residents with dementia.

Design: A qualitative study.

Psychological safety and emergency department team performance: A mixed-methods study.

Objectives: Team culture underpins team performance. Psychological safety - 'a shared belief held by members of a team that the team is safe for interpersonal risk taking' - is a critical component of team culture for high-performing teams across contexts. However, psychological safety in ED teams has not been well explored.

Health literacy, dementia knowledge and perceived utility of digital health modalities among future health professionals.

Objectives: Studies of dementia knowledge (including dementia risk reduction) in health-care trainees highlight varying levels of understanding across countries and disciplines. This draws attention to the need for a well-trained health workforce with the knowledge to champion and implement such strategies. This study (a) assessed dementia knowledge and health literacy among a sample of Australian health-care students, (b) identified modality preferences of digital health interventions addressing dementia prevention and (c) examined potential relationships among health literacy, dementia knowledge, dementia prevention knowledge and a student's preferences for different digital health modalities.

The Impact of Engagement with the PARO Therapeutic Robot on the Psychological Benefits of Older Adults with Dementia.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of 8-weeks of a 60-minute PARO intervention to reduce depressive symptoms and loneliness in older adults with dementia and investigated changes in their emotional or behavioral expressions and level of engagement with the PARO robot.

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a repeated measures design. The outcome measures were evaluated at four time-points: before the intervention, week 4, immediately after the intervention, and one month after the PARO intervention.

Family Involvement in Pain Management for People Living With Dementia: An Integrative Review.

This review aimed to synthesize current evidence on family involvement in pain management for people living with dementia from the perceptions of family carers and health care professionals. An integrative review was conducted using CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library electronic databases. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to appraise the articles, followed by thematic analysis.

The DEMS-DOSS study: validating a delirium monitoring tool in hospitalised older adults.

Objective: to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and test-retest reliability of the Delirium Early Monitoring System-Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DEMS-DOSS).

Design: prospective diagnostic accuracy study of a convenience sample of admitted older adults with DEMS-DOSS and reference standard assessments.

Setting: 60-bed aged care precinct at a metropolitan hospital in Sydney, Australia.

Baduanjin Exercise for Adults Aged 65 Years and Older: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies.

This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the health effects of Baduanjin exercise on adults aged 65 years and older. Chinese and English databases were electronically searched using search terms related to the PICO model from inception through June 2021. The study quality assessment and meta-analysis were conducted using the PEDro scale and RevMan 5.

Physical Activity Participation and Psychological Wellbeing in University Office Workers in China and Australia: An Online Survey.

Physical inactivity and prolonged sitting have associations with adverse health. University office workers are at a high risk of psychological and pain issues. This study aimed to explore the differences in sitting time, levels of physical activity participation, stress, depression, anxiety, and pain among university office workers in China and Australia.

The Impact of a Dementia-Friendly Garden Design on People With Dementia in a Residential Aged Care Facility: A Case Study.

Background: There is a paucity of evidence on the efficacy of garden design based on dementia-friendly environment (DFE) characteristics on the level of agitation, apathy, and engagement of people with dementia in residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

Objective: To investigate the effect of a garden improved according to DFE characteristics on agitation, apathy, and engagement of people with dementia in one RACF.

Methods: A case study design with a mixed-method approach was used.

Feasibility study protocol of the PainChek app to assess the efficacy of a social robot intervention for people with dementia.

Aim: This study aims to test the feasibility of the PainChek app to assess pain for people with dementia living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). It will also identify the optimal dosage and efficacy of a social robot (personal assistant robot [PARO]) intervention on chronic pain for people with dementia.

Design: This is a feasibility randomized controlled trial with three groups.