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Learning Objective 1: identify physiological and cognitive deficits associated with dehydration and inadequate fluid intakes.
Learning Objective 2: discuss parameters associated with adequate fluid intakes to promote health and wellbeing in compromised and healthy adults.
OBJECTIVE: While adequate hydration is a critical component for sustaining life and health, the notion that fluid intakes may directly impact cognitive function has been relatively ignored in clinical studies. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of fluid consumption on cognitive function while controlling for sleep, physical activity and dietary intake in healthy adults.
DESIGN: This is a descriptive, clinical study of 40 consenting, healthy volunteers. Through this study, the effects of fluid intakes on cognitive function are being monitored and analyzed for participants wearing Actigraph sleep watches and consuming weighed fluid and food intakes for 16 days. Participants’ sleep and physical activity levels are also being controlled.This is a descriptive, clinical study of 40 consenting, healthy volunteers.Through this study, the effects of fluid intakes on cognitive function are being monitored and analyzed for participants wearing sleep watches and consuming weighed fluid and food intakes for 16 days. Participants’ sleep and physical activity levels are also being controlled.
POPULATION SAMPLE: The sample population is comprised of ethnically-diverse 20-40 year old healthy adults recruited through a Midwestern university.The sample population is comprised of ethnically-diverse 20-40 year old healthy adults recruited through a Midwestern university.
VARIABLES STUDIED TOGETHER: This study will test the hypothesis that cognitive function is poor when participants’ fluid intakes are not adequate. Measures of fluid and nutritional intakes, sleep/physical activity and self-care agency are being analyzed for relationships to cognitive performance scores through use of descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses.This study will test the hypothesis that cognitive function is poor when participants’ fluid intakes are not adequate. Measures of fluid and nutritional intakes, sleep/physical activity and self-care agency are being analyzed for relationships to cognitive performance scores through use of descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses.
METHODS: Orem’s Theory of Self-Care is guiding the study. Study measures will include demographic data, weighed fluid and food intakes, sleep/activity Actigraph data (alpha=.88), the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (alpha=.83 for its seven components) and Kearney and Fleischer s exercise of self-care agency (alpha=.80). The Sternberg item recognition test and the Vandenberg test of mental rotation will be used to measure cognitive performance. Orem’s Theory of Self-Care is guiding the study. Study measures will include demographic data, weighed fluid and food intakes, sleep/activity Actigraph data (alpha=.88), the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (alpha=.83 for its seven components) and Kearney and Fleischer s exercise of self-care agency (alpha=.80). The Sternberg item recognition test and the Vandenberg test of mental rotation will be used to measure cognitive performance
IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDY: Nurses need to be aware of factors such as adequate hydration, in addition to good nutritional intakes, that may affect cognitive performance so that quality of life can be maximized for healthy as well as hospitalized individuals. Nurses need to be aware of factors such as adequate hydration, in addition to good nutritional intakes, that may affect cognitive performance so that quality of life can be maximized for healthy as well as hospitalized individuals.