Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted virtual reality (VR) applications on preoperative anxiety levels and vital signs in children undergoing endoscopy. Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was employed, including a total of 80 children aged 8–17 years (40 in the intervention group and 40 in the control group). Children in the intervention group were exposed to VR applications featuring space and underwater themes, while the control group received standard procedures. Anxiety levels were assessed using the “State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC)”, and vital signs were evaluated through measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and SpO₂. Results: VR applications significantly reduced anxiety scores in the intervention group (36.3 ± 1.9), while no significant changes were observed in the control group (45.4 ± 2.74) (p < 0.001). Regarding vital signs, more favorable outcomes were observed in the intervention group. Systolic blood pressure was measured as 89 ± 6.7 mmHg in the intervention group and 96.5 ± 10.5 mmHg in the control group (p < 0.001). Diastolic blood pressure was 60.8 ± 4.7 mmHg in the intervention group and 63.8 ± 6 mmHg in the control group (p < 0.05). Heart rate was recorded as 88.7 ± 10.1 bpm in the intervention group and 94.5 ± 14.8 bpm in the control group (p < 0.05). SpO₂ levels were 98 ± 1 in the intervention group and 96.2 ± 1.3 in the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: AI-assisted VR applications emerge as an effective non-pharmacological method for reducing preoperative anxiety and promoting physiological stability in children. This approach holds the potential to enhance pediatric experiences during invasive procedures such as endoscopy.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of moderate-intensity physical exercise on serum inflammation markers and the immune system in rats that were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) with intermittent fasting. Materials and Methods: A total of 48 Wistar albino male rats were included in the study and divided into eight groups, each consisting of six rats. Group 1 served as the control group (CG), receiving a standard diet. Group 2 followed the standard nutrition program with intermittent fasting (CG + IF). Group 3 underwent exercise with a standard diet (CG + E). Group 4 underwent both a standard diet with intermittent fasting and exercise (CG + IF + E). Group 5 was fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Group 6 received a high-fat diet with intermittent fasting (HFD + IF). Group 7 followed a high-fat diet with exercise (HFD + E). Group 8 underwent both a high-fat diet with intermittent fasting and exercise (HFD + IF + E). The study lasted for 8 weeks. Results: The results of the analysis show that lymphocyte cell levels in groups HFD + IF, HFD + IF, and HFD + IF + E were higher compared to groups CG-HFD (p < 0.05). Additionally, B lymphocyte and monocyte cell levels were higher in group HFD + IF + E compared to groups CG, CG + IF, and CG + IF + E, as well as CG, CG + IF, and CG + E, respectively. TNF-α levels were significantly higher in group HFD compared to the other groups. Furthermore, IL 10 levels were higher in group HFD + IF + E compared to the other groups. Conclusions: These findings indicate that moderate exercise and intermittent fasting, particularly in groups fed a high-fat diet, increased anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, and certain immune system cell counts, while decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.

The aim of this study was to examine the factors that affect stigma perceptions and health fatalism of parents of children with epilepsy in eastern Turkey, the relationship between these and the impact of these on their social lives. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2022 and January 2023 with the parents of children under the age of 18 who had been diagnosed with epilepsy for at least 1 year and who were followed up in the only hospital with a paediatric neurology outpatient clinic in Van province of Turkey. No sample selection was made in the study. Healthy parents (n = 123) who presented to the outpatient clinic within the specified time period and who agreed to participate in the study after being explained the purpose of the study participated in the study. In this study, parental age was found to have a statistically weak positive correlation with Health Fatalism Scale (HFS) (r = 0.251; p = 0.005). A weak positive correlation was also found between the years patients had epilepsy and Parent Stigma Scale (PSS) (r = 0.275; p = 0.002). In addition, a statistically positive and weak relationship was found between Parent Stigma Scale scores and Health Fatalism Scale scores (r = 0.212; p = 0.018). This study found significant relationships between stigma perception and health fatalism in parents of epileptic children. Stigma perception increased with disease duration and lower parental education levels. While providing an important basis for understanding the difficulties experienced by parents and developing support mechanisms, the present study can contribute to more informed support for parents of patients with epilepsy in the community. Nurses can contribute to ending stigma and discrimination by identifying patients' and parents’ perceptions of epilepsy, focusing on addressing gaps in knowledge and raising awareness in the community.

Aims: This descriptive study aimed to determine the relationship between self-efficacy levels and the caregiving burden of parents caring for children with cerebral palsy. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 128 parents of children with cerebral palsy attending four special education and rehabilitation centers affiliated with Van Provincial Directorate of National Education. Data were collected between January and August 2023 using the Introductory Information Form, the Parental Self-Efficacy Scale (PSES) and the Burden of Caregiving Scale (CBSS). Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with parents. The principles of scientific ethics and data confidentiality were followed at all stages of the study. Results: Outcomes showed a moderate negative correlation between PSES and CBSS scores, indicating that higher self-efficacy is associated with lower caregiving burden. Factors such as social insurance, caregiving support, and income level significantly influenced caregiving burden. Parents with fewer children, higher education levels, and children with mild mobility limitations had higher self-efficacy scores. Similarly, caregiving burden was found to be greater among parents of children with intellectual disabilities, lower income levels, feelings of burnout, and future anxiety. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of identifying the factors that affect caregiving burden and self-efficacy. Nurses should adopt a multidisciplinary approach to identify parental strengths and weaknesses and provide targeted interventions. Training in this area and targeted interventions to enhance parental self-efficacy could significantly reduce caregiving burdens.

Background: Medication management is a critical aspect of nursing, in particular with respect to paediatric patients, in whom medication errors are prevalent. Enhancing competence in this area requires not only general nursing skills but also targeted educational interventions and emotional support. This study aims to examine the relationship between nursing students’ levels of liking children and their self-efficacy in paediatric medication administration, thereby exploring the impact of emotional factors on clinical competence. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with 308 nursing students in their second, third and fourth years of study at a state university in eastern Turkey between December 2022 and February 2023. Data were collected using the Student Descriptive Information Form, the Barnett Liking of Children Scale and the Medication Administration Self-Efficacy Scale. Statistical analysis included the Mann–Whitney U test, the Kruskal–Wallis H test, Dunn’s test for multiple comparisons and Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient. Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.82 ± 1.94 years, and 68.8% were female. The mean Medication Administration Self-Efficacy Scale score was 52.97 ± 15.27, and the mean Liking of Children Scale score was 66.65 ± 15.8. No significant relationship was found between the total score on the Liking of Children Scale and the score on the drug preparation subdimension (p > 0.05). However, a positive but weak correlation was found between the total score on the Liking of Children Scale and the score on the drug administration subdimension (r = 0.137; p < 0.05). Similarly, a positive but weak relationship was identified between the total score on the Liking of Children Scale and the score on the Medication Administration Self-Efficacy Scale (r = 0.123; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Nursing students’ liking of children is positively, although weakly, associated with their self-efficacy in paediatric medication administration. This result suggests that emotional factors, such as affinity for children, may be relevant when designing nursing education programmes, particularly in paediatric care settings .