Bullying is a serious public health problem, and many studies have examined the effect of school-based anti-bullying programs. However, these programs and those outcomes are complex, broad, and diverse. Research is needed into the optimal strategies for these comprehensive programs, which consider both the effectiveness and cost of programs. We performed a meta-analysis of 13 studies using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software package to calculate effect size (ES) and the Q statistic. We conducted subgroup analyses to examine the differences based on student grade level, program duration, and program strategy. The pooled ES calculation indicated that school-based anti-bullying programs have a small to moderate effect on victimization. The results of the Q test indicated significant heterogeneity across studies of victimization ( Q = 39.625; I2 = 69.7%; p < .001). Studies involving training in emotional control ( p < .01), peer counseling ( p < .05), or the establishment of a school policy on bullying ( p < .05) showed significantly larger ESs on victimization than did studies that did not involve these strategies. Effective school-based anti-bullying programs should include training in emotional control, peer counseling, and the establishment of a school policy on bullying.
Cardiopulmonary responses to an 8-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise intervention and adherence to exercise during and after intervention were assessed in 41 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant therapy. The intervention was primarily aimed at minimizing deconditioning. Women were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group, completed graded exercise tests before and after intervention, and encouraged to continue their exercise postintervention. Over time, only the intervention group showed significant decreases in resting heart rate, resting systolic blood pressure (SBP), P <.05 each, and maximum SBP, P <.02, and an increase in VO2 peak, P <.001, although resting SBP was higher in the intervention group at both timepoints, P <.05. The adherence rate to 8-week exercise intervention was 78.3% with average weekly attendance of 2.4 sessions and 42.7 minutes (27.8 minutes within target heart rate) exercise per session. Overall physical activity levels over 16 weeks postintervention did not differ between 2 groups. However, the within-group analysis indicated that only the intervention group showed a significant increase in voluntary activity, P < .02, and energy expenditure, P < .02, and a decrease in sedentary activity, P < .02. These findings indicate that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is beneficial in reducing deconditioning of cardiopulmonary responses in newly diagnosed breast cancer women undergoing adjuvant therapy.
To investigate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a simultaneous stage-matched exercise and diet (SSED) intervention in breast cancer survivors. Randomized, controlled trial. Oncology outpatient treatment clinics at the National Cancer Center in South Korea. 45 women with breast cancer who completed their cancer therapy. Participants were assigned to the SSED intervention group (n = 23) or a control group (n = 22). Participants in the SSED group received a 12-week individualized intervention promoting prescribed exercise and a balanced diet through stage-matched telephone counseling and a workbook. Program feasibility, behavioral outcomes (stage of motivational readiness for exercise and diet, physical activity, and diet quality), and quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes (functioning and global QOL, fatigue, anxiety, and depression). Participant evaluations of the SSED intervention indicated that it was feasible and acceptable. All women felt that the overall intervention contents were appropriate, and 95% believed that the intervention helped to promote healthy behaviors. Objective data also supported the SSED intervention's feasibility (i.e., 91% completed the trial and 100% of intervention calls were received). When compared to control, the SSED intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in motivational readiness for exercise and diet, emotional functioning, fatigue, and depression. Preliminary results suggest that the SSED intervention delivered via telephone counseling and workbook is feasible and beneficial for positive behavioral and QOL outcomes. Nurse-led lifestyle interventions may improve QOL for cancer survivors.
1 November 2006 in CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing
Despite the numerous benefits of physical activity for patients with diabetes, most healthcare providers in busy clinical settings rarely find time to counsel their patients about it. A Web-based program for healthcare providers can be used as an effective counseling tool, when strategies are outlined for specific stages of readiness for physical activity. Seventy-three adults with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to Web-based intervention, printed-material intervention, or usual care. After 12 weeks, the effects of the interventions on physical activity, fasting blood sugar, and glycosylated hemoglobin were evaluated. Both Web-based and printed material intervention, compared with usual care, were effective in increasing physical activity (P < .001) and decreasing fasting blood sugar (P<.01) and glycosylated hemoglobin (P < .01). Post hoc analysis for change scores indicated significant differences between Web-based intervention and usual care and between printed material intervention and usual care, but not between web-based and printed material intervention. The findings of this study support the value of Web-based and printed material interventions in healthcare counseling. With increasing Web access, the effectiveness of Web-based programs offered directly to patients needs to be tested.
1 November 2004 in International Journal of Nursing Studies
The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effectiveness of aerobic exercise interventions on cardiopulmonary function and body composition in women with breast cancer. Of 24 relevant studies reviewed, 10 studies ( N= 588) met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that aerobic exercise significantly improved cardiopulmonary function as assessed by absolute VO2 peak (standardized mean difference [ SMD] .916, p< .001), relative VO2 peak ( SMD .424, p< .05), and 12-minute walk test ( SMD .502, p< .001). Similarly, aerobic exercise significantly improved body composition as assessed by percentage body fat ( SMD —.890, p< .001), but body weight and lean body mass did not change significantly. Aerobic exercise during or after cancer adjuvant therapy seems to be an effective means of improving cardiopulmonary function and decreasing percentage body fat in women with breast cancer. Further studies are needed to examine the long-term benefits of aerobic exercise.