Hemodialysis induces various symptoms in many patients. However, the type of dialysis symptoms induced and how they contribute to recovery time remains unclear. This study aims to understand patient experiences reporting dialysis recovery time and associated symptoms using three separate novel instruments developed for this study. We conducted a 13-week prospective cohort study in prevalent in-center hemodialysis patients and measured their recovery time using three instruments. Instrument A inquired how long it took to recover from the last dialysis treatment. Instrument B inquired recovery time from last treatment for each of 10 specified symptoms and Instrument C included symptom severity to Instrument B. Each instrument was used for each dialysis treatment for one week. We compared patient response and distribution of recovery time found with each instrument using mixed-effects logistic regression models. 118 participants were recruited from two centres of which 914 (86%) of 1062 expected responses were completed. Recovery time using instrument A resulted in more participants identifying some recovery time from dialysis (83 to 86%) as compared with Instrument B (66 to 80%, p = 0.001) and Instrument C (69 to 73%, p <0.001). The third visit of the week was associated with fewer patients reporting recovery time (p = 0.036). However, Instrument B (p = 0.016) and Instrument C (p < 0.001) showed a longer recovery time compared to the distribution of recovery time of Instrument A. Lack of energy was the most common symptom following dialysis (69 to 77% of all patients). Recovery time with Instrument A was a significant predictor of kidney-specific component scores and mental component score as measured by the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36 instrument. Recovery time is complex, and includes different symptoms that vary in duration. Attempts to reduce recovery time may impact specific symptoms differentially. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

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The current study examined the effects of specific phobia on an individual's quality of life (QOL) and life satisfaction. To that end, 29 individuals with DSM-IV diagnoses of specific phobia and 30 control participants with no current diagnosable psychopathology completed several widely utilized self-report questionnaires and an interview on QOL. Trained and reliable clinicians also completed ratings of participants QOL. Results were divided into participant-rated QOL findings and clinician-rated QOL findings. Participant-rated findings suggested phobic individuals experienced significantly more dissatisfaction with their ability to learn and acquire new skills than did controls. Phobic participants, however, also rated themselves as having less impairment than controls from pain—presumably related to their phobic avoidance. Clinician-rated findings suggested significant distress and impairment in phobic individuals' QOL relative to controls across a variety of domains (e.g., school, family, etc.). Discrepant findings between participant ratings and clinician ratings were explained using a cognitive dissonance model. Implications for future QOL research in those individuals with specific phobia as well as implications for their treatment were discussed. / Ph. D. / [Appendix D: Quality of Life Inventory, p. 68-74, was removed Nov. 8, 2011 GMc]

Fibromyalgia is an increasingly common, chronic pain disorder effecting an estimated three to six million people in the United States. This study used a descriptive correlational design to identify the interventions used most frequently by people with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FS) to relieve symptoms, determine the quality of life (QOL) in people with FS, and to examine if a relationship exists between interventions and quality of life. Data were collected from a sample of 49 people with FS with 35 subjects responding to the questionnaire. The questionnaire included a 9 item section on demographic information, a 16 item section on interventions utilized to relieve FS symptoms, and a 35 item quality of life (QOL) scale. The QOL scale included subscales on physical well-being, psychological well-being, social well-being, and spiritual wellbeing. Eighty two percent of the respondents were educated regarding FS and the majority of people utilized walking (74.3%) and support groups (74.3%) most frequently to relieve FS symptoms. The mean overall QOL score, out of a possible 350 (highest QOL) was 152.40. The overall mean for each subscale was 33 .94 out of a total possible 100 for physical well-being, 48.51 out of 100 for psychological well-being, 31.31 out of 80 for social well-being, and 38.63 out of 70 for spiritual well-being. No correlation was found to exist between the total number of interventions utilized to relieve FS symptoms and QOL. Several interventions: aerobics, stretching/flexibility, use of no medications, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, use of relaxation techniques, and use of counseling had significant influence on quality of life. Length of time since diagnosis, marital status, amount of education, work status, and children also had significant influence on quality of life. Identifying the interventions used most frequently to relieve FS symptoms, the quality of life in people with FS, and the correlation that exist between interventions and quality of life, can lead to a better sense of direction in beginning appropriate management of FS.

Yes / Objectives: To establish the prevalence of loneliness among family caregivers of people with dementia and to identify potential risk factors for loneliness. Methods: Using data from the baseline wave of the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort study, we examined loneliness in 1283 family caregivers of people with mild-to-moderate dementia living in Great Britain. Multinomial regression was used to examine the relative influence of a series of risk factors for caregiver loneliness. Results: Almost half, 43.7%, of caregivers reported moderate loneliness and 17.7% reported severe loneliness. Greater social isolation and increased caregiving stress were linked with both moderate and severe loneliness. Better quality of relationship with the person with dementia along with increased levels of well-being and life satisfaction were associated with a lower relative risk of reporting both moderate and severe loneliness. Discussion: This study examines the prevalence and predictors of loneliness in a large sample of family caregivers of people with dementia. Notably over two-thirds of caregivers in our sample reported feeling lonely. Interventions aimed at reducing caregiving stress and supporting meaningful relationships may go some way towards helping to reduce loneliness. / ‘Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life: living well with dementia. The IDEAL study’ was funded jointly by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) through grant ES/L001853/2 ‘Improving the experience of dementia and enhancing active life: living well with dementia’

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 2000. / Running title: Measurement of quality-of-life in heart failure. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 2000. / Running title: Measurement of quality-of-life in heart failure. Includes bibliographical references.

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