Purpose: Hemiparesis in stroke survivors has been reported to affect respiratory function. The relationship between trunk control and respiratory function, however, is not well understood. We aimed to map the state of the association between the trunk and respiratory function as well as evaluate the effect of a respiratory function training intervention on trunk control for stroke survivors. Methods: A scoping review and meta-analysis of observational and interventional studies were performed. Cochrane Library, CINAHL with Full Text (EBSCO), Medline (Ovid), and PubMed were searched using the terms stroke, respiratory, and trunk control. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist was used to examine the sections of each report. Results: A total of 102 studies were identified, of which 12, published between 2011 and 2022, were included in the meta-analysis or narrative synthesis. Three studies were included in the meta-analysis of the correlation between trunk control and respiratory function parameters (forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume during the first breath [FEV1], maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP], and maximal expiratory pressure [MEP]) with effect sizes (Fisher's z) for all outcomes, which ranged from small to intermediate (between 0.21 and 0.39). Furthermore, five studies were included in the meta-analysis of the effect of respiratory function training intervention on trunk control. An overall effect size (Cohen's d) of 1.47 corresponds to a large effect. We also found significant improvements in MIP and MEP but not in FVC and FEV1 for stroke survivors with the interventions. Conclusions Respiratory training, use of diaphragmatic resistance exercise or abdominal breathing, use of a pressure threshold-loading device, and the performance of functional strengthening exercises for the trunk muscles were found to increase patients’ trunk control and improve their respiratory muscle strength.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to (1) add relevant contemporary items to develop an assessment instrument for the self-efficacy of clinical nursing teachers, to verify and evaluate the validity and reliability of the instrument, and (2) investigate the self-efficacy of clinical nursing teachers.Method: A cross-sectional study was designed. A total of 205 clinical nursing teachers were recruited in Taiwan. Data were collected using the Clinical Nursing Teacher Self-efficacy Scale. An exploratory factor analysis was performed to examine the scale. Results: The degree of self-efficacy of clinical nursing teachers was moderate to high. The 35-item scale showed great psychometric qualities. The Cronbach coefficient of the overall scale was 0.92; and 0.83, 0.91, 0.93, and 0.87 on the four subscales were acceptable. Four factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis and explained 68.53% of the total variance. Four factors were (i) teachers' professional growth ability, (ii) teaching ability, (iii) clinical nursing competencies, and (iv) personality traits. The highest self-efficacy category evaluated by teachers was personality traits; the second was clinical nursing competencies; after that, teaching ability and teachers’ professional growth ability. The item with the lowest self-efficacy was foreign language ability (English). Conclusion Clinical nursing teachers have a moderate to high degree of self-efficacy. This scale with good reliability and validity can be used for the training and evaluation of the self-efficacy of clinical nursing teachers.

Purpose: Stroke survivors and their informal family caregivers may share the impact of the disease, which may affect family functioning and quality of life (QoL) for both. This study compared the perceptions of stroke survivors and informal family caregivers regarding family functioning and QoL and examined the QoL of those reporting effective versus ineffective family functioning. Methods: A cross-sectional study design and convenience sampling were used. Stroke survivoreinformal family caregiver dyads were recruited from a medical university hospital. We assessed participants’ demographic and clinical variables, including disease severity, family functioning, and QoL. Independent t-test, paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and ManneWhitney U test were used to analyze the data. Results: Seventy-one stroke survivoreinformal family caregiver dyads participated in the current study. Most stroke survivors and informal family caregivers reported effective family functioning, with no significant differences. However, significant differences existed in the seven domains (physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, and role-emotional) of QoL, except emotional health. Stroke survivors reporting ineffective family functioning had a significantly lower mental component summary score, unlike informal family caregivers. Conclusions Our findings suggest that family functioning is crucial to ensure stroke survivors’ QoL, particularly regarding their mental health. Health professionals should prioritize mental health assessments and provide appropriate care interventions for stroke survivors in the first 1e6 months after stroke onset.