Journal of Health and Nutrition Research

Mindfulness-Based Nursing Intervention for Anxiety and Quality of Life in Palliative Cancer Care: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Ahmad Syaripudin — 2026-08-01

Advanced cancer patients in palliative care frequently face severe existential anxiety and diminished quality of life (QoL). While managing this psychological distress is critical, pharmacological interventions often present adverse side effects. This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured Mindfulness-Based Nursing Intervention (MBNI) on anxiety levels and QoL among patients receiving palliative cancer care. The study evaluated anxiety using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A) and QoL via the EORTC QLQ-C30 Global Health Status scale. The participant cohort predominantly consisted of females (60.0%) and individuals diagnosed with stage IV malignancies (63.3%), with lung cancer being the most frequent primary site (30.0%). Data were analyzed utilizing the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. To prevent inflation and account for paired data, clinical effect sizes were calculated using the standardized mean difference adjusted for paired variances (d_av). Following MBNI implementation, participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements across both primary endpoints (p < 0.001). The mean anxiety score notably decreased from a baseline of 20.0 ± 5.0 to 14.0 (Z = -4.512). Concurrently, the mean QoL score increased substantially from 50.0 ± 12.5 to 65.0 (Z = -4.287). The intervention produced a large, identical adjusted effect size of d_av = 1.20 for both anxiety reduction and QoL enhancement. The MBNI represents a highly promising, non-pharmacological modality for mitigating severe psychological distress and optimizing global well-being. Integrating this structured protocol into holistic palliative nursing pathways is strongly recommended to ground fragile oncology patients amidst prognostic uncertainty.

Nutritional and Sensory Evaluation of Dangke-Based Nuggets as a Nutrient-Dense Supplementary Food for Stunting Prevention in Indonesia

Mertien Sapang — 2026-08-01

Stunting remains a major nutrition challenge among children under five years in Indonesia. The development of nutrient-dense supplementary foods utilizing traditional food resources offers a sustainable strategy for stunting prevention. Dangke, a traditional Indonesian cheese from Enrekang, South Sulawesi, is rich in protein and calcium and has potential as a functional ingredient in supplementary foods for toddlers. This study aimed to develop and evaluate dangke-based nuggets as an alternative supplementary food for toddlers. Four nugget formulations containing different proportions of dangke (0%, 18%, 35% and 52%) were developed and evaluated. Sensory acceptability (taste, color, aroma and texture) was assessed by 25 semi-trained panelists and 26 consumer panelists. Data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA followed by Duncan’s post-hoc test. Proximate analysis, calcium content, and amino acid profiling were performed. Sensory evaluation demonstrated that all formulations were generally acceptable, with F3 receiving the highest consumer preference scores for taste (p= 0.011) and texture (p= 0.024). Nutritional analysis revealed significant increases in energy, fat, protein, calcium, and several essential amino acids as the proportion of dangke increased (p < 0.05). The F3 formulation exhibited the highest nutritional value, containing 235.04 kcal energy, 11.95 g protein, 11.92 g fat, and 329.08 mg calcium per serving. Amino acid analysis showed enhanced levels of alanine, aspartic acid, cystine, methionine, and tryptophan in formulations with higher dangke content. The product shows potential as a locally sourced supplementary food to support toddler nutrition and promote the utilization of traditional Indonesian foods. However, further studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness in improving dietary intake and nutritional outcomes among young children.

Environmental Assessment of Cadmium in Paddy Soils and Rice Grains Adjacent to Limboto Lake: Bioaccumulation and Non-Carcinogenic Health Risks

Tri Septian Maksum — 2026-08-01

Cadmium (Cd) in agroecosystems poses risks to environmental quality, food safety, and public health because of its persistence and toxicity. This study assessed Cd concentrations in paddy soils and rice grains around Limboto Lake, Indonesia, evaluated soil contamination status, determined Cd transfer from soil to rice, and estimated potential health risks associated with rice consumption. A descriptive quantitative study was conducted at three rice-growing sites adjacent to the lake. Composite soil and rice grain samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Soil contamination was evaluated using the Contamination Factor (Cf) and Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Cd transfer using the Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF), and health risks using the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ). Soil pH ranged from 3.5 to 5.0, indicating acidic to very acidic conditions that may enhance Cd mobility and bioavailability. Cd concentrations ranged from 0.23–0.29 mg/kg in soils and 0.0019–0.0024 mg/kg in rice grains, both below environmental and food safety standards. Cf indicated moderate contamination, whereas Igeo classified the soils as unpolluted to moderately polluted, reflecting differences in the sensitivity and calculation approaches of the two indices. BAF values <1 indicated that although pH increases mobility, the current concentrations do not lead to significant bioaccumulation. EDI and THQ were below the safety threshold, indicating no significant non-carcinogenic health risk from current rice consumption. Although rice remains safe for consumption, persistent Cd occurrence in soils and rice suggests a potential long-term environmental concern if accumulation continues. Therefore, regular monitoring and soil management, including liming to increase soil pH, are recommended to reduce Cd mobility and maintain food safety in the Limboto Lake agroecosystem.

Changes in Menstrual Pain Following Dysmenorrhea Exercise among Early-Adolescent Female Students at Two Elementary Schools: A One Group Pretest–Posttest Study

Bunga Romadhona Haque — 2026-08-01

Dysmenorrhea is a menstrual complaint among adolescent girls and may interfere with activities, school attendance, concentration, and academic performance. Dysmenorrhea exercise is a nonpharmacological approach that may support menstrual pain management. This study assessed changes in menstrual pain following a dysmenorrhea exercise program among early-adolescent female students at SDN 18 Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, and SDN Pengadilan 5 Bogor. A quantitative preexperimental study with a one-group pretest–posttest design was conducted from November to December 2025. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. A total of 106 female students aged 10 to 12 years who had experienced menarche and reported menstrual pain participated. The intervention consisted of dysmenorrhea exercise four times per week for three weeks, with each session lasting 30 minutes. Menstrual pain intensity was assessed before and after the intervention using the Numeric Rating Scale. Differences in preintervention and postintervention scores were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. At SDN 18 Kramat Jati, the mean pain score decreased from 6.85 ± 0.62 to 2.75 ± 0.55, corresponding to a mean change of 4.10 points. At SDN Pengadilan 5 Bogor, the mean score decreased from 7.01 ± 0.44 to 2.68 ± 0.49, corresponding to a mean change of 4.33 points. Postintervention scores were significantly lower than preintervention scores in the overall sample (p < 0.001). Lower pain scores were observed at both study sites. Dysmenorrhea exercise may be a useful, simple, low-cost, school-based self-care strategy, although the findings should be interpreted cautiously because the study did not include a control group.

Effectiveness of the Stimulation of Endorphin, Oxytocin, and Serotonin (SPEOS) Method in Improving Sleep Quality among Postpartum Women: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Primary Maternal Healthcare in Gorontalo, Indonesia

Ani Retni — 2026-08-01

Postpartum sleep disturbance is a clinically relevant maternal health problem because it may weaken physical recovery, emotional regulation, breastfeeding continuity, and early mother infant adaptation. This study analyzed the effectiveness of the Stimulation of Endorphin, Oxytocin, and Serotonin (SPEOS) method in improving sleep quality among postpartum women in the working area of Telaga Primary Health Center, Gorontalo, Indonesia. A quasi-experimental pretest and posttest control group design using consecutive sampling and convenience sub-district cluster allocation was used. Sixty-two postpartum women were allocated into an intervention group and a control group (n = 31 per group). The intervention group received the home-based SPEOS method for seven consecutive days, whereas the control group received routine postpartum care. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Because the data were not normally distributed, the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and Mann Whitney U Test were applied. After the intervention, mild sleep disturbance in the intervention group increased from 16.1% to 83.9%, while severe sleep disturbance was no longer observed. Wilcoxon tests revealed significant PSQI reductions in the intervention group (Z = -4.564; p < 0.001; r = 0.82). The Mann Whitney U Test also demonstrated a significant difference in score change between groups (U = 118.500; Z = -4.921; p < 0.001; r = 0.62). These findings indicate that SPEOS provides a statistically and clinically meaningful non-pharmacological approach for postpartum sleep restoration. Its effect is hypothesized to be linked to pathways involving tactile relaxation, oxytocinergic activation, endorphin release, reduced stress response, and increased maternal comfort. SPEOS is recommended as a feasible midwife-led community-based intervention in postpartum nursing and midwifery care.