Yazarlar

  • MakaleYalnız künye2026
    Intensive care nurses' perspectives on the quality of nurse-patient communication in the prevention and management of delirium: A qualitative study

    Şengün Inan, Figen; Canbolat, Özlem; Aslan, Kübra; Tuncer, Gülsüm Zekiye

    Background Nurses play a key role in the care of patients with delirium; however, there is a lack of research exploring intensive care nurses' communication-related experiences in this context. Purpose This qualitative study aims to explore nurses' experiences related to communication in the prevention and management of delirium in intensive care settings. Methods This descriptive qualitative study was conducted with nurses working in the intensive care unit of a university hospital in Türkiye. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews. The sample consisted of 15 nurses. To ensure the analysis of the data, the content analysis method was used. Results Findings were categorized into five themes: (1) perceptions, (2) elements of effective communication, (3) obstacles to effective communication, (4) results of effective communication, and (5) results of ineffective communication. Conclusion The results revealed that nurses perceived communication in delirium management as an important therapeutic component of nursing care. In their view, effective communication supported patient care and family cooperation. Beyond individual efforts, organizational leaders may play a crucial role in improving delirium care by allocating adequate time and resources to structured educational programs that enhance communication competencies and delirium-specific knowledge.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    The psychosocial dimension of Parkinson’s: A phenomenological study on patient experiences

    Çakmak, Seher; Uzun, Sevda; Demi̇r Çam, Sevgi; Tamam, Yusuf

    Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychosocial dimension of Parkinson’s disease and the life experiences of patients with a phenomenological approach. Methods: In this phenomenological study, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 Parkinson’s patients who applied to the neurology outpatient clinic of a state hospital in a province in southern Turkey. Criterion sampling method, one of the purposive sampling methods, was used to reach the sample group. Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. All interviews were recorded on a voice recorder after obtaining the necessary permissions from the patients and then transcribed. The data of the study were evaluated using thematic analysis. The study was conducted and reported according to the COREQ checklist. Results: Data analysis revealed three main themes (metaphors for Parkinson's disease, effects of Parkinson's disease, symptom management and psychosocial needs in Parkinson's disease) and eight sub-themes (metaphors for physical effects, metaphors for mental effects, metaphors for social effects, mental, physical, social, symptom management and psychosocial needs). Conclusions: As a result of this study, it was determined that Parkinson's disease negatively affects patients psychosocially and they have difficulty in coping. It is recommended to implement research and application centers for Parkinson's patients with a focus on psychosocial support and to carry out awareness and awareness-raising studies on Parkinson's disease. Studies on this subject are very limited and it is recommended that large-scale studies on psychosocial problems in individuals with Parkinson's disease be conducted in the future.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleYalnız künye2026
    Development and psychometric evaluation of the healthy internet use scale for adolescents

    Özparlak, Arif; Gül, Uğur; Karakaya, Dudu; Efe, Emine

    Objective The aim of this study was to develop the Healthy Internet Use Scale for Adolescents (HIUS-A) and examine its psychometric properties in order to evaluate healthy internet use (HIU) among adolescents. Methods The study was conducted according to a methodological, correlational and cross-sectional design. Data was collected between September and December 2025 at three middle schools and three high schools in the province of Antalya, Türkiye. The study used a stratified sampling method, and it was completed with 516 adolescents. The scale's content validity was examined through expert evaluation, and its construct validity was tested through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The reliability of the scale was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, split-half reliability, and item-total correlations. Results The analyses revealed that HIUS-A exhibited a two-factor structure explaining 49.1% of the total variance. These factors were named “self-control” and “conscious use”. Confirmatory factor analysis findings revealed that the model showed a good level of fit (χ2/sd = 1.450; RMSEA = 0.042; SRMR = 0.039; CFI = 0.981). The internal consistency coefficient was calculated as 0.864 for the total scale, 0.855 for the “self-control” subscale, and 0.711 for the “conscious use” subscale. Conclusion HIUS-A is a valid and reliable ten-item assessment tool for evaluating healthy internet use in adolescents. Implications for practice The scale may be used by nurses and other healthcare professionals to determine HIU levels in adolescents and to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention studies relating to HIU.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    Assessing the Predictive Value of Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks for the No–Reflow Phenomenon in ST–Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Comparative Machine Learning Study; [ST Segment Yükselmeli Miyokard Enfarktüsünde No–Reflow Fenomeni için Kolmogorov–Arnold Ağlarının Öngörü Değerinin Değerlendirilmesi: Karşılaştırmalı Makine Öğrenimi Çalışması]

    Taşolar, Hakan; Bayramoğlu, Adil; Günen, Mehmet Akif; Levent, Sümeyye; Güral, Yunus; Halisdemir, Nurhan

    Objective: The no-reflow phenomenon in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a significant clinical issue associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes. This study aimed to develop and compare multiple supervised machine learning algorithms, including the recently introduced Kolmogorov-Arnold Network (KAN), to predict the occurrence of the no-reflow phenomenon in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Method: This prospective, single-center study included 890 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. The Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) was utilized to address class imbalance during training. Feature selection using analysis of variance (ANOVA) F-statistics and validation of feature independence (Variance Inflation Factor [VIF] < 5) identified ejection fraction (EF), baseline troponin level, stent length, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, and total ischemic time as the most influential predictors. Results: The KAN and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) models achieved the highest predictive accuracy (area under the curve > 0.98, F1 > 0.95), outperforming traditional models such as logistic regression and decision tree classifiers (DeLong test, P < 0.001). Feature selection improved efficiency and reduced runtime by 20–40%, while Shapley Additive exPlanations-based (SHAP-based) explainability confirmed that the predictions were physiologically consistent: higher EF and lower BNP reduced the probability of no-reflow, whereas longer stent length and ischemic time increased it. The superior performance of KAN and XGBoost underscores the importance of modeling nonlinear relationships and multidimensional interactions among clinical, laboratory, and procedural variables. Conclusion: These findings suggest that KAN may serve as a reliable analytical framework for exploring complex cardiovascular outcomes. However, further multicenter and externally validated studies are needed to confirm its generalizability and potential role in clinical risk assessment.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    Yoga-based breathing exercises performed in a salt-cave environment versus a standard clinical setting in smokers: a randomized controlled trial salt-cave breathing exercises in smokers

    Bağci, Uğur; Alpteki̇n, Hasan Kerem; Hatik, Sefa Haktan; Aydin, Emine Büşra

    Backgorund: To investigate the effect of a speleotherapy environment on spirometric parameters in smokers and to compare the outcomes with those of the same yoga-based breathing exercise program performed in a standard clinical setting. Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial included 60 adult smokers aged 18–65 years who were allocated to a speleotherapy group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). Both groups received the same physiotherapist-supervised yoga-based breathing exercise program for 6 weeks, twice weekly, in 50-minute sessions; the only difference was the intervention setting. Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, peak expiratory flow, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity were assessed at baseline, week 3, and week 6. Physical activity, functional exercise capacity, and quality of life were also evaluated. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models with group, time, and group × time interaction as fixed effects and participant as a random effect. Results: Both groups showed improvements over time in spirometric and secondary outcomes. In the linear mixed-effects model analysis, the primary spirometric outcome, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, showed a significant group × time interaction in favor of the speleotherapy group. Significant group × time effects were also observed for 6-minute walk distance and selected quality-of-life domains, whereas broader spirometric superiority across forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity was limited. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the treatment environment may influence selected respiratory and functional outcomes in smokers. Yoga-based breathing exercises were associated with improvements in spirometric outcomes in both settings. The additional effect of the salt-cave environment on respiratory outcomes was limited, with a significant between-group difference observed only for forced expiratory volume in 1 s. The salt-cave setting may also be associated with greater improvements in functional capacity and selected quality-of-life outcomes, but broader pulmonary benefits or an independent speleotherapy effect cannot be concluded from the present findings. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT07737587. Retrospectively registered on 30 July 2026.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    The Impact of Live and Robotic Cat-Assisted Therapy on Symptoms and Happiness Levels in Patients With Cancer Following Chemotherapy

    Can, Aysun Akçakaya; Demirağ, Hatice; Hintistan, Sevilay

    OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of live and robotic cat-assisted therapies on chemotherapyinduced symptoms and happiness levels in patients with cancer. SAMPLE & SETTING: 45 patients were randomly assigned to live cat therapy, robotic cat therapy, or control groups in a university hospital. METHODS & VARIABLES: Data were collected between June 1 and September 1, 2023. Patients in therapy groups interacted with a live or robotic cat for 20 minutes twice weekly for three months. RESULTS: Although the live cat therapy group had higher median happiness scores than the robotic cat therapy group, differences in happiness and symptom scores between groups were not statistically significant. Both therapies alleviated chemotherapy-induced symptoms and enhanced emotional well-being, with robotic cat therapy showing slightly greater overall effectiveness. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Robotic pet therapy offers a feasible alternative where live animalassisted therapy is impractical. Integrating these therapies into oncology nursing can enhance symptom management and psychological support, promoting holistic, patient-centered care.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    Anesthesi̇a students’ behavi̇ors towards a medi̇cal errors: a phenomenologi̇cal quali̇tati̇ve scenari̇o study

    Karadeni̇z, Havva; Erkuran, Hatun

    Objective: This study is a qualitative scenario study designed to investigate the behaviors of associate degree anesthesia program students, who will work in operating rooms after graduation, in response to medical errors they may encounter in the future and how they cope with these errors. Materials and methods: This qualitative study was conducted using interpretive phenomenology. Research data were collected from 33 students enrolled in the Anesthesia Program, selected using purposive sampling, between October 2022 and January 2023. A hypothetical case scenario was prepared for the study, which anesthesiology technicians working in the operating room environment might encounter, and data were collected using a semi-structured interview technique. The data obtained were transcribed into written form on a computer and coded according to qualitative research methods. Results: In the inductive coding process, “felt emotions” were divided into two main categories: Challenging Emotions and Functional Emotions, while “behaviors” were divided into Desired Behaviors and Undesired Behaviors. Conclusion: The research found that students viewed medical errors as “a normal situation,” providing an opportunity to shed light on what students think about medical errors and to develop new educational strategies.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
    • SDG 4 · Nitelikli Eğitim
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    Structure-Dependent Triglyceride Protection of Freeze-Dried Lactiplantibacillus plantarum: Storage Protection Window, Lipid Oxidation, and Stress Adaptation

    Sun, Zheneng; Zhang, Nan; Wang, Xiaomai; Wei, Xinyao; Ozturk, Samet; Liu, Shuxiang

    Lipid-rich matrices can protect probiotics by limiting direct exposure to moisture, oxygen, and gastrointestinal stressors. However, triglycerides are chemically dynamic during storage, and differences in fatty acid structure and oxidation susceptibility may determine whether they exert protective or detrimental effects. In this study, tricaprylin, triolein, and trilinolein were evaluated as post-drying lipid storage matrices for freeze-dried Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 124 during storage at 25 °C, and 37 °C was used to accelerate lipid oxidation. Survival during storage, fatty acid chain retention, oxidation-derived products, stress tolerance, qualitative confocal imaging of membrane-integrity patterns, and transcriptomic responses were analyzed. After 30 d at 25 °C, log reductions were 0.30, 0.24, and 0.24 log10 units in the tricaprylin, triolein, and trilinolein groups, respectively, compared with 0.60 log10 units in the oil-free control, defining a common protective window. Tricaprylin showed the highest fatty acid chain retention, whereas trilinolein exhibited the greatest loss and strongest oxidative change. GC–MS detected no representative oxidation-derived products in tricaprylin, while unsaturated triglycerides generated dimethyl azelate and methyl 9-oxononanoate. Cells recovered from the protective window showed improved acid and bile tolerance, with survival increasing from 30.48% to 53.43–55.65% and from 14.85% to 22.49–27.79%, respectively. Confocal imaging further showed better-preserved membrane-integrity patterns in the triglyceride-treated groups after acid exposure. Transcriptomics indicated enhanced transport, redox, DNA-related, and cell-envelope responses, accompanied by reduced translation and growth-associated metabolism. Within the experimental conditions tested, these results suggest that triglyceride-associated attenuation of viability loss varies among triglyceride systems and across storage stages, while excessive oxidation of unsaturated triglycerides may weaken probiotic stability.

    • SDG 2 · Açlığa Son
    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • Derleme MakaleYalnız künye2026
    Virtual reality as a non-pharmacological adjuvant for anxiety in oncology care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

    Aydin, Aydanur; Bağcivan, Gülcan; Özkan, Aleyna

    Background: Despite its growing presence in healthcare settings, research on the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) interventions for symptom experience of patients with cancer remains varied and requires a comprehensive synthesis to reach definitive conclusions. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of VR interventions in managing anxiety among individuals diagnosed with cancer. Methods: A comprehensive search of Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus databases was conducted for studies published from 2000 to November 2025. Publications were evaluated by independent reviewers for inclusion. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed via Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools for randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies. Results: Twenty-one publications satisfied the requirements for review inclusion. The meta-analysis demonstrated that VR-based interventions were significantly effective in the management of patients’ anxiety, yielding a moderate-to-high effect size (SMD = −0.793, 95% CI = −1.403 to −0.184; Z = −2.551; p = 0.011). Most studies reported statistically significant decreases in anxiety scores across various cancer types, including breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers. No major side effects were reported, although minor instances of cyber sickness were managed by adjusting session durations. User satisfaction was exceptionally high, with satisfaction scores reaching 4.47/5 and 7.35/10. Implications for practice: The results support the use of VR as an effective and safe non-pharmacological intervention for anxiety management. The findings highlight the potential for VR to be integrated into routine oncology nursing and palliative care to improve the patient experience during stressful treatments like chemotherapy. Conclusion: VR-based interventions are an effective, safe, and highly acceptable approach for managing anxiety in patients with cancer. Further research is needed to support wider clinical implementation and to investigate the potential benefits of VR for other physical and psychological symptoms over longer follow-up periods. Trial registration: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42022351573.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    Protecting the Privacy of Patients With Impaired Consciousness in Intensive Care: A Qualitative Study

    Tuncer, Metin; Özalp, Cemal; Keskin, Azra

    Background: Maintaining privacy in intensive care units (ICUs) is challenging because of high workload, invasive procedures, continuous monitoring and shared care environments. Patients with impaired consciousness may be particularly vulnerable because their ability to express privacy preferences, assert personal boundaries and advocate for themselves is limited. Aim: To explore intensive care nurses' experiences of protecting privacy when caring for patients with impaired consciousness. Study Design: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 20 intensive care nurses in Türkiye between March and April 2026. Data were collected through semi-structured online interviews and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The study was reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Findings: Four themes were identified: the marginalisation of privacy under clinical priorities; structural and process-related constraints on privacy in intensive care; loss of subjectivity and the mechanisation of care in patients with impaired consciousness; and ethical and psychosocial implications of privacy violations. Conclusions: Privacy in intensive care is shaped not only by individual ethical awareness but also by workload, environmental conditions, care routines and communication practices. Patients with impaired consciousness have the same rights to privacy and dignity as other patients; however, their reduced ability to express preferences, assert personal boundaries and advocate for themselves may make privacy violations less visible and increase their dependence on nurses for protection. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Protecting the privacy of patients with impaired consciousness in ICUs requires structured care routines, standardised bedside communication, minimisation of unnecessary exposure during procedures and targeted ethical awareness training to support dignity in everyday practice.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    Computational prioritization of multi-target inhibitors: explainable QSAR and docking-based discovery of dual AChE/BACE1 chemotypes

    Bozkır, İsa; İbişoğlu, Merve Seda; Kayıkçıoğlu Bozkır, İlknur; Güler, Halil İbrahim

    The discovery of dual acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and β-secretase (BACE1) inhibitors remains a promising strategy against multifactorial Alzheimer’s disease. Here, rigorously curated ChEMBL-derived data were used to develop explainable QSAR (Quantitative structure–activity relationship) models for dual-inhibition prioritization. Molecules were standardized, near-duplicates were removed using a Tanimoto similarity threshold (≥ 0.80), and physicochemical outliers were filtered prior to modeling. Multiple classifiers (including Light Gradient-Boosting Machine, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, k-Nearest Neighbors and Gradient Boosting Decision Trees) and fingerprints (e.g., RDKit fingerprints, Extended Connectivity Fingerprint) were benchmarked under scaffold-based nested cross-validation to prevent data leakage. Class imbalance was handled with SMOTETomek applied strictly within training folds. Model selection relied on F-Score, Area Under the Precision–Recall Curve, Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC), and Recall, and performance was accompanied by bootstrap confidence intervals, calibration curves, and Y-randomization controls. In classification, the top model (GBDT + ECFP6) achieved strong generalization (Recall ≈ 1.00, PR-AUC ≈ 0.84, MCC ≈ 0.81, F1 Score ≈ 0.84). Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) analysis highlighted aromatic and hydrogen-bonding substructures as key positive contributors. Prospective candidates (e.g., CHEMBL5082250, CHEMBL1651126, CHEMBL1651127) were evaluated by active-site-focused docking against AChE (PDB: 4EY7) and BACE1 (PDB: 2G94) with essential waters retained; docking scores (ΔG, kcal·mol⁻1) were used for relative ranking of the ligands. SwissADME/pkCSM profiling suggested CNS-relevant properties (e.g., MPO, logBB, P-gp liability) and acceptable oral drug-likeness. Collectively, the workflow provides a reproducible and transparent pipeline for prioritizing dual AChE/BACE1 chemotypes and nominates testable scaffolds for experimental validation.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    Turkish Adaptation, Psychometric Validity and Measurement Invariance of the Reasons for Implicit Rationing of the Nursing Care Scale

    Özalp, Cemal; Gerçek, Abdullah; Tuncer, Metin

    Aim: This study aimed to adapt the Reasons for Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care Scale into Turkish and evaluate its validity, reliability and measurement invariance among nurses in Türkiye. Background: Implicit rationing of nursing care may compromise care quality and patient safety and is influenced by organizational, resource-related and communication factors. A culturally valid instrument is needed to identify the factors contributing to implicit rationing of nursing care within the Turkish healthcare context. Design: A methodological, cross-sectional psychometric validation study. Method: Data were collected between July and December 2025 from nurses working in a public hospital in Türkiye. The source population comprised 900 nurses and 411 nurses were included in the final sample using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form and the Reasons for Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care Scale. Construct validity was examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on randomly divided samples. Convergent and discriminant validity and gender-based measurement invariance were assessed. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega and the intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin value was 0.936, indicating that the data were suitable for factor analysis. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure consistent with the original scale, explaining 74.30% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated acceptable model fit. Convergent validity was supported, whereas the heterotrait–monotrait ratio value indicated borderline discriminant validity. Measurement invariance across genders was largely supported at the configural, metric and scalar levels. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency and temporal stability, with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.941, a McDonald's omega value of 0.932 and an intraclass correlation coefficient value of 0.873. Conclusion: The Turkish version of the Reasons for Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care Scale is a valid, reliable and gender-invariant instrument. It can be confidently used in Turkish clinical settings to assess factors contributing to implicit rationing of nursing care.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    Identification of Problems Faced by Individuals with Epilepsy in Health Communication

    Bingöl, Nuray; Aktepe Coşar, Dilan; İşcan Ayyıldız, Neşe

    Objective: Individuals with epilepsy often face challenges with medication adherence and health monitoring because communication difficulties that hinder self-expression and information exchange, thereby complicating effective disease management. This study aimed to examine the health communication problems experienced by individuals with epilepsy. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 172 individuals with epilepsy who presented to the neurology outpatient clinic in eastern and northern Türkiye between August 2023 and August 2024. Study data were collected using the descriptive data form and the health communication problems scale. The independent groups t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey test were used to evaluate the data. Results: On the health communication problems scale, individuals with epilepsy had mean scores of 2.41 ± 0.53 for the effective communication problems sub-dimension, 2.88 ± 0.80 for the social communication problems sub-dimension, and 2.68 ± 0.72 for the communication barriers sub-dimension. No significant differences were detected in the mean scores for health communication problems among individuals with epilepsy by sex, health expenditure, seizure type, or seizure characteristics (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed that individuals with epilepsy experienced moderate difficulty with health communication. Those who were married, had higher educational attainment, were unemployed, had lower income levels, and were receiving polytherapy experienced greater communication challenges with healthcare professionals.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    Psychosocial dimension of adolescent pregnancy: a phenomenological study on life experiences

    Ediz, Çiçek; Uzun, Sevda

    Aim: This study aimed to assess the lived experiences of adolescent pregnant young women, with a specific focus on the psychosocial aspect of adolescent pregnancy, using a phenomenological approach. Design: Employing the phenomenological research method, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted between 3 August and 18 August 2023 with 15 young women (mean age = 21.86 years; SD = 1.06) living in a province in eastern Turkey who had undergone adolescent pregnancy 3–5 years before. Methods: The criterion sampling method, a form of purposive sampling, was used to form the sample group. Interviews were carried out until data saturation was reached. All interviews were recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data. The study adhered to the COREQ checklist for reporting. Results: Through data analysis, three main categories (reflections on adolescent pregnancy, challenges due to adolescent pregnancy, and effects of adolescent pregnancy) and nine sub-themes (emotions, roles and responsibilities, perception of social support, cognitive, emotional, behavioural, mental, physical, and social) emerged. Conclusion: Our study highlights the adverse psychosocial impact of adolescent pregnancy on young women. Young women who got married at an early age before attaining full physical, social, and psychological maturity grappled with the substantial burdens of adolescent pregnancy and adjusting to their new roles. The study’s implications are significant, emphasising the necessity of addressing the psychosocial facets of adolescent marriage and pregnancy, and gaining valuable insights for the future.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
    • SDG 5 · Toplumsal Cinsiyet Eşitliği
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    Weight self-stigma, weight bias internalization, and eating attitudes in relation to body appreciation

    Koçak, Tevfik; Kocyigit, Emine; Demirel Ozbek, Yagmur; Celik, İsa

    Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between weight self-stigma, weight bias internalization, eating attitudes, and body appreciation in young adults, and to ascertain the distinct impact of these variables on body appreciation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out including young adults aged 19 to 35 years, comprising 69.6% females and 30.4% males. Participants completed a questionnaire evaluating weight self-stigma, internalization of weight bias, eating attitudes, and body appreciation. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to assess the additional impacts of weight-related stigma and eating attitudes on body appreciation, while adjusting for demographic and anthropometric factors. Results: Weight self-stigma, particularly the internalization of weight bias, showed a significant negative association with body appreciation. Weight self-stigma and its subdimensions (self-devaluation and fear of enacted stigma) had substantial negative correlations with body appreciation. These correlations encompassed the subdimensions of body appreciation, specifically general body appreciation and body image investment. While eating attitudes did not show a significant correlation with body appreciation at the bivariate level, they became a significant predictor in the hierarchical regression model, suggesting a conditional (suppression) effect after accounting for weight-related stigma and BMI. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the important function of weight-related stigma in diminishing body appreciation among young adults and stress the necessity of examining eating attitudes in conjunction with stigma-related factors. Interventions designed to enhance positive body image should focus on both internalized weight stigma and maladaptive eating-related attitudes.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleYalnız künye2026
    The effect of dance intervention on cognitive functions and quality of life in patients with Chronic Stroke: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial

    Cin, Aynur; Demirağ, Hatice; Hintistan, Sevilay

    Objective This study aimed to determine the effect of dance interventions on cognitive functions and quality of life in chronic stroke patients. Methods This research used a single-blind randomized controlled trial design involving 40 chronic stroke patients at X State Hospital who were divided into a dance intervention group and a control group. The dance group was given 60 min of sessions three times a week for 12 weeks under the guidance of a dance instructor. Both groups were pre-tested and post-tested using the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Results The dance intervention group experienced significant improvements in SS-QOL sub-dimensions (energy activities, personality, social and family roles, thinking, language, mood) as well as MoCA scores compared to the control group which had deteriorated over time ( p < 0.001). Conclusion Dance interventions can significantly improve cognitive function and quality of life among chronic stroke patients. The study was registered on Clinical Trials (NCT06145503).

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleYalnız künye2026
    Psychometric validation of the Turkish Short form of the disaster resilience scale for individuals

    Doğru, Salih

    Purpose This study adapts and validates the Short Form of the Disaster Resilience Scale for Individuals (DRSi-SF) into Turkish, aiming to provide a practical tool for assessing disaster preparedness in high-risk contexts. Method Data were collected from 505 adults across Türkiye, a country highly exposed to earthquakes, floods, and landslides. The DRSi-SF was translated and back-translated, with linguistic equivalence confirmed via paired t-tests and correlations. Psychometric analyses included exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, internal consistency, concurrent validity testing with the Disaster Risk Perception Scale, and measurement invariance across gender and disaster experience groups. Findings and Conclusion The Turkish DRSi-SF retained its original three-factor structure—knowledge, readiness, and action—with acceptable fit indices (CFI = 0.906, RMSEA = 0.074) and reliability (α = 0.71). Disaster resilience correlated positively with risk perception, supporting concurrent validity. Measurement invariance was established at configural, metric, and scalar levels across groups, enabling meaningful subgroup comparisons. Practical implications The DRSi-SF offers a brief, scalable instrument for policymakers, emergency agencies, and NGOs to identify resilience levels, inform preparedness strategies, and target interventions. Its brevity facilitates integration into e-government systems, mobile applications, and community-based screenings. Originality This is the first Turkish adaptation of the DRSi-SF, aligning with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and providing a culturally relevant, psychometrically sound tool applicable to other hazard-prone regions.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleYalnız künye2026
    Multi level throttled attention for accurate and efficient classification of retinal diseases in OCT images

    Celik, Kemal; Celik, Fatih

    The classification of retinal diseases using Optical Coherence Tomography images has gained significant attention in recent years. However, due to the heterogeneity of retinal disorders, achieving high classification accuracy remains challenging. While deep learning has improved the identification of various ophthalmic conditions, accurate and early diagnosis is still critical for effective clinical decision-making. Additionally, reducing computational complexity is essential for building scalable diagnostic systems. To address these challenges, we propose a novel Multi-level Throttled Attention (MLTA) model that first applies attention to extract important features, followed by throttling to filter out redundant or less useful features. This process is applied at multiple stages, operating on both Convolutional Neural Network layers and Transformer architectures, and then fuses them finally. This approach optimizes feature selection by preserving the most informative retinal features while discarding redundant ones from multi-level feature maps. As a result, the model enhances classification performance while reducing computational overhead. We evaluate our proposed model on two benchmark OCT datasets: OCT2017 and OCTID, achieving accuracy scores of 99.59 ± 0.04% and 99.71 ± 0.03%, respectively. Our method outperforms existing CNN-based and Vision Transformer-based models, demonstrating superior accuracy and efficiency through this hierarchical attention.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    Fully automated 3D volumetric analysis of masticatory muscles in a pediatric population: A CT-based normative morphometric study

    Kanber Uzun, Özlem; Ertemoğlu Öksüz, Canan; Kalkışım, Şahi Nur; Palancı, Özgür; Yıldırım, Yusuf İslam

    The masticatory muscles play a fundamental role in craniofacial growth and development, yet normative volumetric data encompassing all four muscles across the full pediatric age range remain poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to establish age- and sex-specific normative reference values for the volumetric development of masticatory muscles in a normal pediatric population (0–17 years) using a fully automated 3D segmentation method. This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 258 normal pediatric individuals stratified into four age groups based on biomechanical milestones (0–5, 6–9, 10–13, and 14–17 years). Bilateral volumes of the masticatory muscles were automatically calculated using TotalSegmentator in the 3D Slicer environment. Two-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were applied. All muscles showed significant volume increases with age (p < 0.001), with the masseter demonstrating the greatest increase (199%). No sex differences were observed in 0–5 years; significant male-favoring differentiation began from 6 to 9 years. The temporalis muscle exhibited a biphasic sex differentiation pattern, with no significant difference at 10–13 years despite significance at 6–9 and 14–17 years. The highest sex-related effect sizes were observed in the pterygoid muscles (medial pterygoid ηp² = 0.176; lateral pterygoid ηp² = 0.160). Bilateral asymmetry analyses revealed left-sided favoring in the masseter, a lateralization trend in the temporalis (exploratory), right-sided favoring in the medial pterygoid, and sex-specific lateralization in the lateral pterygoid. These findings provide a large-scale CT-based normative reference for pediatric masticatory muscles, demonstrating muscle-specific volumetric patterns and variable sex differentiation, with normative ranges supporting clinical decision-making in dentistry, craniofacial surgery, and pediatric radiology.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026
    Cortical thickness and volume alterations in patients with high myopia: a magnetic resonance imaging study

    Aydin, Emre; Palanci, Ozgur

    Background: The retina and optic nerve are integral components of the visual system and maintain direct anatomical and functional connections with the brain. Both structures are markedly affected in high myopia (HM). Accordingly, characterizing brain structural alterations associated with HM may provide important insights into its underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), this study aimed to evaluate regional gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volume changes, their relative percentages, and cortical thickness alterations in individuals with HM. Methods: High-resolution structural MRI, together with visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), refractive error, axial length (AL), and anterior chamber depth (ACD), was used to compare 30 adults with HM and 22 healthy controls (HC). Regional brain volumes and cortical thickness were analyzed in the fusiform gyrus (FuG), inferior temporal gyrus (ITG), middle temporal gyrus (MTG), superior temporal gyrus (STG), and occipital subregions including the calcarine cortex (Calc), cuneus (Cun), lingual gyrus (LiG), inferior occipital gyrus (IOG), middle occipital gyrus (MOG), and superior occipital gyrus (SOG). Results: Compared with HCs, HM patients demonstrated significant volumetric increases in the ITG and MTG regions (all p < 0.05), with the left ITG remaining significant after false discovery rate (FDR) correction. No significant volumetric differences were observed in the fusiform or occipital regions. In contrast, cortical thickness analyses revealed significant thinning in the fusiform gyrus and bilateral occipital subregions, including the calcarine cortex, cuneus, lingual gyrus, and middle occipital gyrus (p = 0.000–0.026, FDR-corrected). Cortical thickness in the fusiform and occipital regions showed negative correlations with AL and ACD and positive correlations with spherical equivalent. Conclusions: High myopia is associated with region-specific brain structural alterations, characterized by volumetric increases in temporal regions and cortical thinning in fusiform and occipital areas, indicating that HM-related neuroanatomical changes extend beyond the ocular system to involve central nervous system structures. Trial registration: Not applicable.

    • SDG 3 · Sağlık ve Kaliteli Yaşam