Development and Validation of KRT Knowledge Instrument.

Key Points: KRT awareness is important for informed choice and use of dialysis modalities, but we lack validated instruments capable of measuring such awareness. We present a newly developed KRT Knowledge instrument, which can be used to evaluate the kidney failure and KRT awareness among patients with CKD. Our results show that KRT awareness is different and significantly lower than CKD awareness among patients with advanced CKD.

Retention and the Intersection of Structural Inequities in a Breastfeeding Intervention Study.

Introduction: Women below the poverty threshold have lower representation and retention in breastfeeding studies.

Methods: A secondary analysis of a longitudinal randomized controlled self-management for breast and nipple pain during breastfeeding study. Participants completed online surveys at discharge, weeks 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24, with face-to-face interviews at 6 and 24 weeks.

Study protocol of a telephone problem-solving intervention for Spanish-speaking caregivers of veterans post-stroke: an 8-session investigator-blinded, two-arm parallel (intervention vs usual care), randomized clinical trial.

Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and the main cause of long-term disability in the United States. The significant risk factors of stroke among Hispanics are well-documented. The majority of stroke survivors return home following a stroke and are cared for by family caregivers.

Effect of a telephone and web-based problem-solving intervention for stroke caregivers on stroke patient activities of daily living: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To test for effects of a problem-solving intervention for stroke caregivers on stroke survivor activities of daily living.

Design: Two-arm parallel randomized clinical trial with repeated measures at 11 weeks and 19 weeks.

Setting: Medical centers for US military Veterans.

Types of stroke-related deficits and their impact on family caregiver's depressive symptoms, burden, and quality of life.

Background: Stroke caregiving has been associated with higher rates of caregiver burden, depression, and lower quality of life compared to non-caregivers. Little is known about relationships between stroke survivors' Cognitive/Emotional and Motor/Functional deficits and caregivers' outcomes.

Objective: To determine the relationship between stroke survivors' Cognitive/Emotional deficits and Motor/Functional deficits and caregivers' depression, burden, and quality of life.

Postdischarge Intervention for Stroke Caregivers: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The majority of stroke survivors return to their homes and need assistance from family caregivers to perform activities of daily living. These increased demands coupled with the lack of preparedness for their new roles lead to a high risk for caregivers developing depressive symptoms and other negative outcomes. Follow-up home support and problem-solving interventions with caregivers are crucial for maintaining stroke survivors in their homes.

Feasibility and acceptability of a telephone and web-based stroke caregiver intervention: a pilot randomized controlled trial of the RESCUE intervention.

Objective: Assess the feasibility and acceptability of an Internet and telephone support and problem-solving intervention for stroke caregivers.

Design: Randomized controlled pilot trial with four arms: four-week intervention ( = 13), eight-week intervention ( = 13), eight-week attention control ( = 13), and standard care ( = 14).

Setting: Southeastern U.

Telerehabilitation for Rural Veterans: A Qualitative Assessment of Barriers and Facilitators to Implementation.

Purpose: Telerehabilitation (TR) is increasingly being used to meet the rehabilitation needs of individuals living in rural areas. Nevertheless, reports on TR implementation for rural patients remain limited. As part of a broader evaluation, this study investigated barriers and facilitators to the implementation of a national TR program to meet the needs of rural Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients.

Sensory Environments for Behavioral Health in Dementia: Diffusion of an Environmental Innovation at the Veterans Health Administration.

Objectives: To evaluate the diffusion of multisensory environments (MSEs) as an innovation at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and gather feedback regarding staff perceptions of barriers to uptake and effectiveness of MSEs for Veterans with dementia.

Background: Responding to the need for nonpharmacological behavioral interventions, VHA funded the first MSE for Veterans with dementia in 2010. The room incorporated LED color-changing lights, bubble tubes, vibroacoustic furniture, music, and aromatherapy, and the success of this patient-centered sensory room fueled national rollouts in 2013 and 2015.

A commentary on methodological issues in stroke caregiver research: lessons learned from three RESCUE intervention studies.

Stroke caregivers represent a distinct population and require unique considerations when conducting intervention research. Unfortunately, there are few published recommendations for conducting intervention trials with stroke caregivers. Thus, the goal of this paper is to provide foundational guidance for stroke caregiving researchers.

Trends in VA Telerehabilitation Patients and Encounters Over Time and by Rurality.

Telerehabilitation fills a need and helps ensure treatment adherence for rural and other veterans who find it difficult to access health care.

The stroke caregiving trajectory in relation to caregiver depressive symptoms, burden, and intervention outcomes.

Background: Caregiver depression and burden have a detrimental effect on stroke survivors' rehabilitation and are contributors to stroke survivors' hospital readmission and institutionalization. The stroke caregiving trajectory is unique compared to other illnesses, and the effect of length of caregiving on stroke caregiver outcomes is poorly understood. Interventions can improve caregiver outcomes, but the optimal timing of these interventions is unclear.

Barriers and facilitators associated with colonoscopy completion in individuals with multiple chronic conditions: a qualitative study.

Background: A recommendation to undergo a colonoscopy, an invasive procedure that requires commitment and motivation, planning (scheduling and finding a driver) and preparation (diet restriction and laxative consumption), may be uniquely challenging for individuals with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs). This qualitative study aimed to describe the barriers and facilitators to colonoscopy experienced by such patients.

Materials And Methods: Semistructured focus groups were conducted with male Veterans who were scheduled for outpatient colonoscopy and either failed to complete the procedure or completed the examination.

Exploring the post-deployment reintegration experiences of veterans with PTSD and their significant others.

Veterans with family support have better functional recovery and reintegration outcomes. However, families' ability to support the veteran with PTSD's rehabilitation and reintegration oftentimes is hindered by interpersonal challenges. We report findings of a qualitative study that examined OEF/OIF veterans with PTSD/TBI and their significant others' (SOs') perceptions of family functioning.

Unmet health services needs experienced by Puerto Rican OEF/OIF veterans and families post deployment.

Objective: This study examined perceptions of unmet health services needs among native Puerto Rican Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veterans and family members (FMs) post deployment.

Methods: Investigators used qualitative methods to collect and analyze data from 8 veterans and 8 FMs (N = 16). All participants were native-born residents of Puerto Rico.