Dorota Ryszewska-Łabędzka’s research while affiliated with Stanisław Staszic University of Applied Sciences in Piła and other places

Chronic back pain in adults is often a cause of absenteeism from work, limitations in social interactions, and difficulties in performing daily activities. This study aimed to check whether the functioning of everyday activities in elderly patients after neurosurgery improved over time compared to their condition before the procedure and whether there is a connection between fitness, self-esteem, and pain intensity. This was a cross-sectional study carried out using an anonymous survey. This study included patients over 60 years of age from the neurosurgical ward. The following scales were used to assess cognitive functioning, depression, functional status: basic and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), back pain disability (QBPDS), pain intensity, and self-esteem. The level of independence in terms of IADL and QBPDS increased, and the intensity of pain decreased. Surgery reduced pain intensity from 8 ± 0.8 to 6.1 ± 1.4 points. The level of self-esteem (RSES) remained at a low level. The passage of time after neurosurgical treatment has a beneficial effect on reducing pain intensity and increasing independence in life activities. Daily physical activity and rehabilitation are important factors supporting the return to independence.

Self-esteem reflects the way we see ourselves. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship among self-esteem, bio-psycho-social functioning, and sociodemographic conditions in the elderly. The study included 300 individuals over 60 years of age living in their home environment. The employed research tools included the Abbreviated Mental Test Score, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and EASYCare Standard 2010 questionnaire involving the following scales: independence score, risk of breakdown in care, and risk of falls. Results: The average score achieved by the study group according to the RSES scale was 29.9 ± 5.6 points. In addition, the study group presented a low risk of independence loss (independence score 13.3 ± 18.1), risk of breakdown in care (4.4 ± 2.4), and risk of falls (1.8 ± 1.6). The conducted multivariate analysis demonstrated that a significant (p < 0.05) negative predictor of low self-esteem was education below the secondary level, a poor financial condition, and functional limitations in domain I (seeing, hearing, and communicating skills) of the EASYCare Standard 2010 questionnaire. A relationship was found between self-esteem and the level of bio-psycho-social functioning, as well as between education and the financial situation. The results demonstrate that even successfully ageing individuals require a regular assessment of their functional status and individually adapted support in order to maintain independence and to increase their self-esteem.