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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2019Periodontal (gum) disease and dental caries (tooth decay) are the most common causes of tooth loss; dental plaque plays a major role in the development of these...
BACKGROUND
Periodontal (gum) disease and dental caries (tooth decay) are the most common causes of tooth loss; dental plaque plays a major role in the development of these diseases. Effective oral hygiene involves removing dental plaque, for example, by regular toothbrushing. People with intellectual disabilities (ID) can have poor oral hygiene and oral health outcomes.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects (benefits and harms) of oral hygiene interventions, specifically the mechanical removal of plaque, for people with intellectual disabilities (ID).
SEARCH METHODS
Cochrane Oral Health's Information Specialist searched the following databases to 4 February 2019: Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; Cochrane Register of Studies), MEDLINE Ovid, Embase Ovid and PsycINFO Ovid. ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched for ongoing trials. The Embase search was restricted by date due to the Cochrane Centralised Search Project, which makes available clinical trials indexed in Embase through CENTRAL. We handsearched specialist conference abstracts from the International Association of Disability and Oral Health (2006 to 2016).
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and some types of non-randomised studies (NRS) (non-RCTs, controlled before-after studies, interrupted time series studies and repeated measures studies) that evaluated oral hygiene interventions targeted at people with ID or their carers, or both. We used the definition of ID in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision (ICD-10). We defined oral hygiene as the mechanical removal of plaque. We excluded studies that evaluated chemical removal of plaque, or mechanical and chemical removal of plaque combined.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
At least two review authors independently screened search records, identified relevant studies, extracted data, assessed risk of bias and judged the certainty of the evidence according to GRADE criteria. We contacted study authors for additional information if required. We reported RCTs and NRSs separately.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 19 RCTs and 15 NRSs involving 1795 adults and children with ID and 354 carers. Interventions evaluated were: special manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, oral hygiene training, scheduled dental visits plus supervised toothbrushing, discussion of clinical photographs showing plaque, varied frequency of toothbrushing, plaque-disclosing agents and individualised care plans. We categorised results as short (six weeks or less), medium (between six weeks and 12 months) and long term (more than 12 months).Most studies were small; all were at overall high or unclear risk of bias. None of the studies reported quality of life or dental caries. We present below the evidence available from RCTs (or NRS if the comparison had no RCTs) for gingival health (inflammation and plaque) and adverse effects, as well as knowledge and behaviour outcomes for the training studies.Very low-certainty evidence suggested a special manual toothbrush (the Superbrush) reduced gingival inflammation (GI), and possibly plaque, more than a conventional toothbrush in the medium term (GI: mean difference (MD) -12.40, 95% CI -24.31 to -0.49; plaque: MD -0.44, 95% CI -0.93 to 0.05; 1 RCT, 18 participants); brushing was carried out by the carers. In the short term, neither toothbrush showed superiority (GI: MD -0.10, 95% CI -0.77 to 0.57; plaque: MD 0.20, 95% CI -0.45 to 0.85; 1 RCT, 25 participants; low- to very low-certainty evidence).Moderate- and low-certainty evidence found no difference between electric and manual toothbrushes for reducing GI or plaque, respectively, in the medium term (GI: MD 0.02, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.09; plaque: standardised mean difference 0.29, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.65; 2 RCTs, 120 participants). Short-term findings were inconsistent (4 RCTs; low- to very low-certainty evidence).Low-certainty evidence suggested training carers in oral hygiene care had no detectable effect on levels of GI or plaque in the medium term (GI: MD -0.09, 95% CI -0.63 to 0.45; plaque: MD -0.07, 95% CI -0.26 to 0.13; 2 RCTs, 99 participants). Low-certainty evidence suggested oral hygiene knowledge of carers was better in the medium term after training (MD 0.69, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.06; 2 RCTs, 189 participants); this was not found in the short term, and results for changes in behaviour, attitude and self-efficacy were mixed.One RCT (10 participants) found that training people with ID in oral hygiene care reduced plaque but not GI in the short term (GI: MD -0.28, 95% CI -0.90 to 0.34; plaque: MD -0.47, 95% CI -0.92 to -0.02; very low-certainty evidence).One RCT (304 participants) found that scheduled dental recall visits (at 1-, 3- or 6-month intervals) plus supervised daily toothbrushing were more likely than usual care to reduce GI (pocketing but not bleeding) and plaque in the long term (low-certainty evidence).One RCT (29 participants) found that motivating people with ID about oral hygiene by discussing photographs of their teeth with plaque highlighted by a plaque-disclosing agent, did not reduce plaque in the medium term (very low-certainty evidence).One RCT (80 participants) found daily toothbrushing by dental students was more effective for reducing plaque in people with ID than once- or twice-weekly toothbrushing in the short term (low-certainty evidence).A benefit to gingival health was found by one NRS that evaluated toothpaste with a plaque-disclosing agent and one that evaluated individualised oral care plans (very low-certainty evidence).Most studies did not report adverse effects; of those that did, only one study considered them as a formal outcome. Some studies reported participant difficulties using the electric or special manual toothbrushes.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Although some oral hygiene interventions for people with ID show benefits, the clinical importance of these benefits is unclear. The evidence is mainly low or very low certainty. Moderate-certainty evidence was available for only one finding: electric and manual toothbrushes were similarly effective for reducing gingival inflammation in people with ID in the medium term. Larger, higher-quality RCTs are recommended to endorse or refute the findings of this review. In the meantime, oral hygiene care and advice should be based on professional expertise and the needs and preferences of the individual with ID and their carers.
Topics: Dental Plaque; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Oral Health; Oral Hygiene; Periodontal Diseases; Toothbrushing
PubMed: 31149734
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012628.pub2 -
International Psychogeriatrics May 2023To evaluate and synthesize the evidence base on barriers and facilitators to accessing and using community-based social care in dementia. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate and synthesize the evidence base on barriers and facilitators to accessing and using community-based social care in dementia.
DESIGN
Mixed-methods systematic review.
SETTING
Community-based social care (such as day care, respite care, paid home care, and peer support groups).
PARTICIPANTS
People living with dementia and unpaid carers.
MEASUREMENTS
Seven databases were searched in March 2022, including English and German evidence published from 2000 focusing on inequalities in community-based social care for dementia across the globe. Titles and abstracts were screened by two reviewers, with all full texts screened by two reviewers also. Study quality was assessed using QualSyst.
RESULTS
From 3,904 screened records, 39 papers were included. The majority of studies were qualitative, with 23 countries represented. Barriers and facilitators could be categorized into the following five categories/themes: situational, psychological, interpersonal, structural, and cultural. Barriers were notably more prominent than facilitators and were multifaceted, with many factors hindering or facilitating access to social care linked together.
CONCLUSIONS
People with dementia and carers experience significant barriers in accessing care in the community, and a varied approach on multiple levels is required to address systemic and individual-level barriers to enable more equitable access to care for all.
PubMed: 37170588
DOI: 10.1017/S104161022300042X -
International Journal of Geriatric... Dec 2016Supporting informal caregivers of persons with dementia is considered to be an effective strategy for improving the well-being of caregivers and care recipients and for... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Supporting informal caregivers of persons with dementia is considered to be an effective strategy for improving the well-being of caregivers and care recipients and for delaying nursing home placement. Although considerable research has been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of psychoeducational interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and occupational therapy, research into the effectiveness of respite care is rare. This systematic review aims to investigate the effectiveness of different types of respite care in supporting informal caregivers of persons with dementia.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted using Web of Science and PubMed, and the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies was used to assess the methodological quality. Randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, pretest-posttest studies without a control group, and cohort studies were included.
RESULTS
Seventeen papers met the inclusion criteria. Day care services are effective in decreasing caregiver burden and behavioral problems in persons with dementia, but they also accelerate time to nursing home admission. The results of temporary residential admission are rather mixed and show unexpected adverse effects on both caregivers and care recipients. High-quality comparable evidence on community-based respite care is still lacking, although earlier qualitative evidence indicated promising results.
CONCLUSION
Unlike in previous reviews, we were able to draw some conclusions about the effectiveness of some types of respite care. There is nonetheless still a need for new intervention studies measuring the impact of respite care, especially in-home respite care programs, on the caregiver, the care recipient, and health care resource utilization. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Caregivers; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Cohort Studies; Dementia; Hospitalization; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respite Care
PubMed: 27245986
DOI: 10.1002/gps.4504 -
Health Policy (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Mar 2021Internationally, deinstitutionalization and the provision of community-based care are growing policy aims. Several developed countries have thus introduced cash-for-care... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Internationally, deinstitutionalization and the provision of community-based care are growing policy aims. Several developed countries have thus introduced cash-for-care schemes, which turn the traditional funding stream from the perspective of the care provider around, giving purchasing power to care users. This review explores whether cash-for-care schemes encourage the shift towards deinstitutionalization.
METHODS
Ten databases covering medical, nursing and social science journals were systematically screened up to July 10, 2020. Only peer-reviewed articles written in English or French and containing empirical evidence on the uptake of care services in a cash-for-care scheme were included.
RESULTS
The search resulted in 6,865 hits of which 27 articles were retained. Most studies took place in the United Kingdom or the United States. Overall, the search showed mixed results concerning the uptake of the different types of community-based care.
CONCLUSION
Evidence demonstrating a higher uptake of informal, respite or home care individually, is scarce and inconclusive. A reduction in residential care and an uptake of services in the community can, with caution, be noted. However, contextual and individual factors can affect the way deinstitutionalization takes place and which community-based services are chosen. Future research should therefore focus on the underlying processes and influencing factors, in order to obtain a clear view of the shift towards deinstitutionalization.
Topics: Delivery of Health Care; Home Care Services; Humans; United Kingdom; United States
PubMed: 33423802
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.11.002 -
International Psychogeriatrics Aug 2015Relatives of people with dementia report that proxy decision-making is difficult and distressing. We systematically reviewed the literature about barriers and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Relatives of people with dementia report that proxy decision-making is difficult and distressing. We systematically reviewed the literature about barriers and facilitators to family carers of people with dementia making proxy decisions, and interventions used to facilitate their decision-making.
METHODS
We searched electronic databases and references of included papers up to February 2014. Two authors independently evaluated study quality using a checklist.
RESULTS
We included the 30/104 papers from our search which fitted predetermined criteria and prioritized higher quality papers. Family carers report that proxy decision-making is challenging and can be distressing, especially when decisions are made against the wishes of the care recipient and support from healthcare professionals is lacking. Decision-specific manualized aids have been developed, and while results for those supporting decisions about respite and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding have shown promising results in pilot trials, no intervention has yet been shown to significantly reduce decisional conflict or carer burden, or increase knowledge in randomized controlled trials; a decision aid for advance care planning increased decisional conflict.
CONCLUSIONS
We recommend development and testing of decision aids targeting the decisions carers report finding most distressing, including those around where people should live, accessing services, and end of life treatments. Being provided with information to make decisions which have not previously been considered may increase feelings of conflict, suggesting these aids should be carefully targeted.
Topics: Caregivers; Decision Making; Dementia; Humans; Proxy
PubMed: 25870004
DOI: 10.1017/S1041610215000411 -
European Journal of Pediatrics Oct 2016This study aims to describe parental experiences and perspectives of caring for a child with otitis media. We conducted a systematic review of qualitative studies on... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
This study aims to describe parental experiences and perspectives of caring for a child with otitis media. We conducted a systematic review of qualitative studies on parental perspectives on caring for a child with otitis media. We searched electronic databases to July 2015. Seventeen studies involving 284 participants from six countries were included. We identified seven themes: diminishing competency (guilt over failure to identify symptoms, helpless and despairing, fear of complications, disempowered and dismissed); disrupting life schedules (disturbing sleep, interfering with work, burden on family); social isolation (stigma and judgement, sick consciousness); threatening normal development (delaying growth milestones, impairing interpersonal skills, impeding education); taking ownership (recognising symptoms, diagnostic closure, working the system, protecting against physical trauma, contingency planning); valuing support (needing respite, depending on community, clinician validation); and cherishing health (relief with treatment success, inspiring resilience).
CONCLUSION
The additional medical responsibilities and anxieties of parents caring for a child with otitis media, often discounted by clinicians, can be disempowering and disruptive. Chronicity can raise doubt about treatment efficacy and parental competency, and fears regarding their child's development. Care that fosters parental confidence and addresses their concerns about the child's development may improve treatment outcomes for children with otitis media.
WHAT IS KNOWN
• Otitis media is a leading cause of conductive hearing loss in children. • Parental perception of the treatment burden of otitis media can potentially affect their confidence and ability to care for their child. What is New: • We identified five themes to reflect parental perspectives: diminishing competency, disrupting life schedules, social isolation, threatening normal development, taking ownership, valuing support, and cherishing health. • Parents may perceive caring for a child with otitis media as disempowering and disruptive and with reoccurrence doubt treatment efficacy and their parental competency and develop fears regarding their child's development.
Topics: Adult; Anxiety; Attitude to Health; Child Development; Child, Preschool; Hearing Loss, Conductive; Humans; Otitis Media; Parents; Qualitative Research; Quality of Life
PubMed: 27614962
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-016-2779-6 -
International Journal of Nursing Studies Mar 2018To get insight into restraint use in older adults receiving home care and, more specifically, into the definition, prevalence and types of restraint, as well as the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To get insight into restraint use in older adults receiving home care and, more specifically, into the definition, prevalence and types of restraint, as well as the reasons for restraint use and the people involved in the decision-making process.
DESIGN
Systematic review.
DATA SOURCES
Four databases (i.e. Pubmed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library) were systematically searched from inception to end of April 2017.
REVIEW METHODS
The study encompassed qualitative and quantitative research on restraint use in older adults receiving home care that reported definitions of restraint, prevalence of use, types of restraint, reasons for use or the people involved. We considered publications written in English, French, Dutch and German. One reviewer performed the search and made the initial selection based on titles and abstracts. The final selection was made by two reviewers working independently; they also assessed study quality. We used an integrated design to synthesise the findings.
RESULTS
Eight studies were reviewed (one qualitative, seven quantitative) ranging in quality from moderate to high. The review indicated there was no single, clear definition of restraint. The prevalence of restraint use ranged from 5% to 24.7%, with various types of restraint being used. Families played an important role in the decision-making process and application of restraints; general practitioners were less involved. Specific reasons, other than safety for using restraints in home care were noted (e.g. delay to nursing home admission; to provide respite for an informal caregiver).
CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to the current socio demographical evolutions resulting in an increasing demand of restraint use in home care, research on this subject is still scarce and recent. The limited evidence however points to the challenging complexity and specificity of home care regarding restraint use. Given these serious challenges for clinical practice, more research about restraint use in home care is urgently needed.
Topics: Health Services for the Aged; Home Care Services; Humans; Restraint, Physical
PubMed: 29227873
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.11.008 -
The Gerontologist Aug 2021Though exercise for care recipients receives considerable emphasis, few dyadic studies focus on caregivers. This systematic review identified dyadic exercise... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Though exercise for care recipients receives considerable emphasis, few dyadic studies focus on caregivers. This systematic review identified dyadic exercise interventions, which measured outcomes for older adult caregivers. Studies that met inclusion criteria were examined to better understand whether caregivers derived greater benefit from exercising with care recipients, or not exercising at all.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
PRISMA guidelines were followed to identify quantitative studies of dyadic exercise interventions in which caregivers enrolled with care recipients, and either coparticipated in exercise; or while their care recipients exercised independently, caregivers received a separate, nonexercise intervention or usual care (UC). To be included, studies had to measure physical or psychosocial outcomes for caregivers. Study quality was assessed via the Downs and Black checklist.
RESULTS
Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. In six, the dyad exercised; in five, care recipients exercised while caregivers received a separate program, or UC. Results suggest that caregivers may improve both psychosocial and physical health when exercising together with care recipients. Caregivers who did not exercise but received a separate, nonexercise intervention, such as support, education, or respite, showed psychosocial benefits. Those who received UC were less likely to derive physical or psychosocial benefits. Included studies were fair to good quality with moderate to high risk of bias.
DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS
Often examined secondarily, caregivers are overlooked for participation in interventions with care recipients. This analysis suggests that caregivers may benefit from dyadic interventions in which they either exercise together with their care recipients or receive a separate nonexercise intervention or respite.
Topics: Aged; Caregivers; Humans; Quality of Life
PubMed: 32614050
DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnaa043 -
International Journal of Nursing Studies Jul 2024To identify and categorize home- and community-based services used by older adults and the distribution of their utilization, and to examine their utilization patterns... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To identify and categorize home- and community-based services used by older adults and the distribution of their utilization, and to examine their utilization patterns in terms of region, time trends, and older adults' characteristics.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic search of six databases for studies published up to January 12, 2023, and performed meta-analyses and subgroup analyses to identify the utilization of home- and community-based services and analyze utilization patterns concerning region, time trends, and individual characteristics.
RESULTS
We included 42 studies from 10 countries worldwide, involving a total of 2,942,069 older adults. Home- and community-based services were grouped into three categories: health services, social services, and family caregiver services. Regional differences were consistently evident across all three categories of services, reflecting diverse patterns of home- and community-based service adoption worldwide. Notably, there was a significant increase in the utilization of social services, as distinct from health services and family caregiver services, during the post-2010 period (2010-2018) in comparison with the pre-2010 period (before 2010). In addition, age and cognitive function also played an important role in the utilization of home- and community-based services.
CONCLUSION
These findings highlight the importance of tailoring home- and community-based services to specific populations and understanding the needs of older adults over time. Further research should be undertaken to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons behind these variations and differences and to provide more targeted and effective services to older adults worldwide.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Home Care Services; Community Health Services
PubMed: 38703696
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104774 -
JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and... Jul 2019The objective of this scoping review is to identify and characterize interventions, programs or models used to deliver respite care services to children and youth with...
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this scoping review is to identify and characterize interventions, programs or models used to deliver respite care services to children and youth with complex care needs and their families.
INTRODUCTION
Many children with complex chronic conditions require multifaceted home management plans to address their medical, social and emotional needs. The provision of this care often falls on the parents or primary guardians. Respite care is one strategy to provide families with a break from the demands of caring for a child with complex care needs; however, families commonly face barriers to obtaining respite care services.
INCLUSION CRITERIA
This scoping review will consider papers that include children and youth (0-25 years of age, in any location, with complex care needs, medical complexity or complex chronic conditions) and their families. Any interventions, programs or models aimed at delivering respite care services to this population will be included. Studies focusing on support provided at the end of life will be excluded. Only studies published in English will be included. No date limits will be set.
METHODS
A search will be conducted in five databases, as well as multiple sources of unpublished literature. The text words contained in the titles and abstracts of relevant articles and index terms will be used to develop a full search strategy. All potentially relevant papers will be retrieved in full. A pre-defined data extraction tool developed by the reviewers will be used, and extracted data will be presented in tabular form accompanied by a narrative summary.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Chronic Disease; Humans; Parents; Respite Care
PubMed: 31169775
DOI: 10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003998