Background/Objectives: The Internet of Things (IoT) technology connects objects to the internet, and its applications are increasingly used in healthcare to improve the quality of care. However, the use of IoT for the nutritional management of patients with chronic neurological cognitive impairment is still in development. This scoping review aims to describe the integration of IoT and its applications to support monitoring, interventions, and nutritional education for patients with chronic neurological cognitive impairment. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the Cochrane, PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases following the Arksey and O’Malley framework. Results: Of the 1424 records identified, 10 were included in the review. Most of the articles were peer-reviewed proceedings from technology conferences or publications in scientific and technology journals. IoT-based innovations in nutritional management were discussed in methodological articles, case studies, or project descriptions. Innovations were identified across three key areas: monitoring, intervention, and education. Conclusions: IoT technology offers promising innovations for the nutritional management of patients with chronic neurological cognitive impairment. However, IoT capabilities in this field are still in the early stages of development and are not yet highly specific.
Dysgeusia, a common altered taste perception in CKD patients, results in reduced taste acuity, impaired salt detection, and a metallic taste sensation, leading to nutritional alterations. The study aims to identify available treatments for educating, screening, and clinically managing dysgeusia in this population. A scoping review was conducted following the protocol of Arksey and O'Malley, incorporating the JBI methodology, and adhering to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The review protocol was registered on Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/RS2A6). Among the 424 identified records, 13 studies were included. Screening methodologies included taste acuity tests, evaluation scales, and chemical tests integrated with cotton swab applicators and rinsing solutions. Furthermore, educational strategies, particularly a hospital-based program focusing on salt reduction, showed a significant improvement in dysgeusia (p < 0.001). The identified clinical treatments exclusively included oral zinc supplementation, with dosages ranging from 50 to 220 mg, reporting heterogeneous results not consistent across different studies. The personalized management of dysgeusia associated with CKD is crucial, requiring targeted education and treatment protocols to prevent and address nutritional complications such as malnutrition. The heterogeneity of results emphasizes the need for further high-quality research to produce robust scientific evidence.
Background: Diabetes affects over 460 million people worldwide and represents a growing public health challenge driven largely by dietary and lifestyle factors. While Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is more prevalent, Type 1 diabetes (T1D) presents unique therapeutic challenges, particularly in younger individuals. Advances in diabetes management, such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), insulin pumps (IP), and, more recently, smart multiple dose injection (MDI) pens, have significantly enhanced glycemic control and improved patients’ quality of life. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the baseline characteristics of patients switching from MDI therapy to the Medtronic Smart MDI system [composed of a smart insulin pen (InPenTM) and a connected CGM Medtronic SimpleraTM sensor] and to assess its impact on glycemic outcomes over different time periods (14, 30, and 90 days). Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted among adults with T1D who initiated Medtronic Smart MDI therapy. Participants were enrolled voluntarily at the Diabetes and Nutrition Clinic in Ast Fermo, Marche Region, Italy. Glycemic parameters were monitored using CGM data and analyzed with descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation (SD), and interquartile range (IQR). Comparisons across time periods were performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: This study included 21 participants with a mean age of 51.5 years, a mean BMI of 24.7, and a mean duration of T1D of 21.9 years. The transition from a traditional MDI system to the Smart MDI system resulted in significant improvements in key glycemic parameters: mean Sensor Glucose (SG) decreased from 171.0 mg/dL to 153.5 mg/dL (p = 0.035), Time In Range (TIR) increased from 58.0% to 64.4% (p = 0.005), and time above range (TAR; >180 mg/dL) decreased from 39.0% to 34.2% (p = 0.015). No significant differences were observed in the time below range (TBR). Conclusions: The transition to the Medtronic Smart MDI system significantly enhanced glycemic control by lowering mean glucose levels and increasing TIR. These findings highlight its efficacy in improving hyperglycemia management while maintaining a stable risk of hypoglycemia.
Background/Objectives: The Internet of Things (IoT) technology connects objects to the Internet, and its applications are increasingly used in healthcare to improve the quality of care. However, the use of IoT for the nutritional management of patients with cognitive impairment resulting from stroke or related factors is still in development. This scoping review aims to describe the integration of IoT and its applications to support monitoring, interventions, and nutritional ed-ucation for post-stroke patients or those with cognitive impairment. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the Cochrane, PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, following the Arksey and O’Malley framework. Results: Of the 483 records identified, 10 were included in the review. Most of the articles were peer-reviewed proceedings from technology conferences or publications in scientific and technology journals. IoT-based in-novations in nutritional management were discussed in methodological articles, case studies, or project descriptions. Innovations were identified across three key areas: monitoring, intervention, and education. Conclusion: IoT technology offers promising innovations for the nutritional management of post-stroke patients or those with cognitive impairment. However, IoT capabili-ties in this field are still in the early stages of development and are not yet highly specific.
4 April 2023 in International Journal of Nursing Knowledge
Purpose: To translate and validate the Italian version of the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale (SSCRS-ita). Methods: A single-center cross-sectional study was performed from October 15 to November 15, 2019 in a public hospital in Milan, Italy. The scale was drafted using the back-translation method. Prior to administration, the Italian version of the scale was assessed for content validity and retest stability by calculating the content validity index. Internal consistency was investigated by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient, test-retest stability by Spearman's rho coefficient. Findings: A total n = 337 nurses participated in the survey by correctly completing the scale. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin test (0.81) and Bartlett's test of sphericity ( p < 0.001) confirmed the adequacy of the sample to conduct exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The factorial model of EFA without rotation and then with nonorthogonal Promax rotation confirmed the presence of the four constructs identified by the original author. Conclusions: SSCRS-ita showed promising psychometric properties in terms of validity and reliability. The results of this study, together with the lack of in-depth studies in the Italian health and educational panorama, suggest the need to develop an educational pathway which, starting from the curricula of basic training and continuing with the updating of nursing staff, is dedicated to the detection of the spiritual needs of the patient. Implications for nursing practice: The SSCRS-ita is the first validated Italian tool concerning the consideration of the needs of spirituality and spiritual care in healthcare contexts; the possibility to use this tool is the first step towards a better integration of the mentioned dimensions of care in a nursing care qualitative perspective in Italy.
Introduction/Aim: Vitamin D plays a crucial role in immune modulation, which may influence the development of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study aims to evaluate the impact of vitamin D levels and supplementation on the incidence of GvHD in HSCT patients. Methods: A narrative review was conducted across PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Embase databases. Results: The reviewed studies indicated widespread vitamin D deficiency among HSCT patients, with baseline levels ranging from 12.8 to 29.2 ng/mL. Supplementation protocols varied significantly, with dosages ranging from 1000 IU/day to 60,000 IU/week. Post-supplementation levels improved in some studies. Studies exploring the relationship between vitamin D and GvHD showed mixed results. Lower baseline vitamin D levels were associated with an increased risk of acute GvHD in some studies, while others found no significant correlation. However, a significant association between low levels of vitamin D and the incidence of chronic GvHD was observed. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in HSCT patients and may influence the risk of developing chronic GvHD. Future research should focus on larger and more rigorous studies to determine the optimal role of vitamin D as an adjuvant therapy in the context of HSCT.