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Frontiers in Psychology 2021Emotional peer support systems have benefits for student-student relationships and allow for children and adolescents' participation in schools. For students with...
Emotional peer support systems have benefits for student-student relationships and allow for children and adolescents' participation in schools. For students with specific educational needs and disabilities (SEND), positive relationships seem to be more difficult to attain and these students are more vulnerable to suffer negative peer experiences such as bullying and social exclusion. Systems in which peers can show helpful behavior are beneficial for schools in order to create a positive, supportive climate. Emotional peer support entails social interaction through emotional or practical help based on what these peers have in common and many times with benefits for both. This systematic review identified interventions of emotional peer support in schools for students with SEND. Twenty-three studies were identified that involved four types of befriending: circle of friends, peer buddying, peer networks, and social lunch clubs. Studies reported mainly positive outcomes for both focus students and peer supporters in terms of increased social interaction and social acceptance, as well as enhanced self-esteem and empathy on the individual level. Further bonding of the students by friendship was also perceived, but more precise data is required to draw further conclusions. Support by the school as an institution, the specific role of the teacher, and family participation are important factors related to the impact of peer support systems. Information on these aspects was scarce, and it is recommended to include variables of this nature in future research. Intervention descriptions revealed students' active participation through suggestions for activities, however their involvement in organizing the systems was limited. More research is needed to learn about the opportunities of emotional peer support to improve student-student relationships including the active involvement of the peers themselves in this support.
PubMed: 35027905
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.797913 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2024Healthy eating habits are the basis for good health status, especially for children and adolescents, when growth and development are still ongoing. Nutrition educational...
UNLABELLED
Healthy eating habits are the basis for good health status, especially for children and adolescents, when growth and development are still ongoing. Nutrition educational programs are essential to prevent and treat chronic diseases. Nutritional counseling (NC), as a collaborative process between the counselor and the client process, could help to achieve better outcomes. This review aims to collect information about the utilization of NC during childhood and adolescence and to highlight its possible impact on adherence/compliance rates, nutrition knowledge, status and dietary intake. The methods applied in this systematic review followed the instruction of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The search in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, and Science Direct included observational or randomized studies. RoB 2.0 and Robins-I tools was used for the risk of bias assessment in randomized and non-randomized studies, respectively. The quality of evidence was checked by the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool system. A total of 21 articles were selected, computing 4,345 individuals. 11 achieved at least 4 stars quality level. The highest risk of bias for randomized studies was related to the randomization process. 42.9% of non-randomized studies had some concerns of bias, mainly because of a lack of control of all confounding factors. Different strategies of NC were used in children and adolescents with positive results for health or diseases. NC strategies can be effectively used in children and adolescents. In general, NC showed benefits in pediatrics age for anthropometric or body composition parameters, dietary intake, nutrition knowledge and physical activity improvement. Performing NC in pediatrics is challenging due to the counseling strategies that must be adapted in their contents to the cognitive ability of each age. More structured research must be done focused on this population. Investments in healthy eating behaviors in pediatrics can lead to better health outcomes in the future population with substantial benefits to society.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails], identifier [CRD42022374177].
PubMed: 38362101
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1270048 -
The Journal of School Health May 2017In this systematic review, we assessed the existing research describing the effects of physical activity (PA) on academic behavior, with a special focus on the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In this systematic review, we assessed the existing research describing the effects of physical activity (PA) on academic behavior, with a special focus on the effectiveness of the treatments applied, study designs, outcome measures, and results.
METHODS
We obtained data from various journal search engines and 218 journal articles were downloaded that were relevant to PA and academic performance topics. The abstracts of all the articles were independently peer reviewed to assess whether they met the inclusion criteria for further analysis. The literature search was ongoing. Of the reviewed articles, 9 were chosen on the topic of PA effects on academic behavior. Each article was analyzed and summarized using a standard summary template.
RESULTS
Overall, PA interventions commonly found positive effects on academic behavior, with few exceptions. There were additional unique findings regarding differences in outcome measures and PA treatments.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings from these studies are significant and support the implementation or continuation of PA in schools to improve academic behavior and associated performance. More research needs to be conducted using the effective aspects of the treatments from this review with consistent outcome measures.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Child; Child Behavior; Exercise; Health Behavior; Health Education; Health Promotion; Humans; Motor Activity; Peer Group; School Health Services
PubMed: 28382668
DOI: 10.1111/josh.12502 -
BMJ Open Jul 2014Ghostwriting of industry-sponsored articles is unethical and is perceived to be common practice. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Ghostwriting of industry-sponsored articles is unethical and is perceived to be common practice.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review how evidence for the prevalence of ghostwriting is reported in the medical literature.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE via PubMed 1966+, EMBASE 1966+, The Cochrane Library 1988+, Medical Writing 1998+, The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) Journal 1986+, Council of Science Editors Annual Meetings 2007+, and the Peer Review Congress 1994+ were searched electronically (23 May 2013) using the search terms ghostwrit*, ghostauthor*, ghost AND writ*, ghost AND author*.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
All publication types were considered; only publications reporting a numerical estimate of possible ghostwriting prevalence were included.
DATA EXTRACTION
Two independent reviewers screened the publications; discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Data to be collected included a numerical estimate of the prevalence of possible ghostwriting (primary outcome measure), definitions of ghostwriting reported, source of the reported prevalence, publication type and year, study design and sample population.
RESULTS
Of the 848 publications retrieved and screened for eligibility, 48 reported numerical estimates for the prevalence of possible ghostwriting. Sixteen primary publications reported findings from cross-sectional surveys or descriptive analyses of published articles; 32 secondary publications cited published or unpublished evidence. Estimates on the prevalence of possible ghostwriting in primary and secondary publications varied markedly. Primary estimates were not suitable for meta-analysis because of the various definitions of ghostwriting used, study designs and types of populations or samples. Secondary estimates were not always reported or cited correctly or appropriately.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence for the prevalence of ghostwriting in the medical literature is limited and can be outdated, misleading or mistaken. Researchers should not inflate estimates using non-standard definitions of ghostwriting nor conflate ghostwriting with other unethical authorship practices. Editors and peer reviewers should not accept articles that incorrectly cite or interpret primary publications that report the prevalence of ghostwriting.
Topics: Authorship; Biomedical Research; Consensus; Humans; Periodicals as Topic; Publishing
PubMed: 25023129
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004777 -
RoFo : Fortschritte Auf Dem Gebiete Der... Feb 2021To estimate the human resources required for a retrospective quality review of different percentages of all routine diagnostic procedures in the Department of... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the human resources required for a retrospective quality review of different percentages of all routine diagnostic procedures in the Department of Radiology at Bern University Hospital, Switzerland.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three board-certified radiologists retrospectively evaluated the quality of the radiological reports of a total of 150 examinations (5 different examination types: abdominal CT, chest CT, mammography, conventional X-ray images and abdominal MRI). Each report was assigned a RADPEER score of 1 to 3 (score 1: concur with previous interpretation; score 2: discrepancy in interpretation/not ordinarily expected to be made; score 3: discrepancy in interpretation/should be made most of the time). The time (in seconds, s) required for each review was documented and compared. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to calculate the total workload for reviewing different percentages of the total annual reporting volume of the clinic.
RESULTS
Among the total of 450 reviews analyzed, 91.1 % (410/450) were assigned a score of 1 and 8.9 % (40/450) were assigned scores of 2 or 3. The average time (in seconds) required for a peer review was 60.4 s (min. 5 s, max. 245 s). The reviewer with the greatest clinical experience needed significantly less time for reviewing the reports than the two reviewers with less clinical expertise (p < 0.05). Average review times were longer for discrepant ratings with a score of 2 or 3 (p < 0.05). The total time requirement calculated for reviewing all 5 types of examination for one year would be more than 1200 working hours.
CONCLUSION
A retrospective peer review of reports of radiological examinations using the RADPEER system requires considerable human resources. However, to improve quality, it seems feasible to peer review at least a portion of the total yearly reporting volume.
KEY POINTS
· A systematic retrospective assessment of the content of radiological reports using the RADPEER system involves high personnel costs.. · The retrospective assessment of all reports of a clinic or practice seems unrealistic due to the lack of highly specialized personnel.. · At least part of all reports should be reviewed with the aim of improving the quality of reports..
CITATION FORMAT
· Maurer MH, Brönnimann M, Schroeder C et al. Time Requirement and Feasibility of a Systematic Quality Peer Review of Reporting in Radiology. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2021; 193: 160 - 167.
Topics: Abdominal Cavity; Feasibility Studies; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mammography; Peer Review; Quality Assurance, Health Care; Radiography; Radiologists; Radiology; Research Report; Retrospective Studies; Specialty Boards; Switzerland; Thorax; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Workload
PubMed: 32698235
DOI: 10.1055/a-1178-1113 -
PloS One 2022Diabetes mellitus is a growing worldwide health challenge especially in sub-Saharan Africa. While the use and effectiveness of diabetes self-management interventions is... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Diabetes mellitus is a growing worldwide health challenge especially in sub-Saharan Africa. While the use and effectiveness of diabetes self-management interventions is well documented in high-income countries, little information exists in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study attempted to synthesize information in the literature on the use and efficacy of peer support and social networking in diabetes self-management in Kenya and Uganda.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this scoping review is to summarize research on the extent of use and efficacy of peer support and social networking interventions in diabetes self-management in Kenya and Uganda.
DESIGN
We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect and Cochrane Library databases for articles reporting peer support and social networking interventions in Kenya and Uganda published in English between 2000 and September 2021. Key words encapsulated three major themes: peer support, social networking and self-management. Hand searches were also conducted to select eligible papers. Data was extracted using a form prepared and piloted in line with PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
RESULTS
Thirteen peer reviewed articles were selected for analysis. Eleven studies reported peer support interventions while two focused on social networks in diabetes self-management. Peer support and social networking interventions incorporated microfinance and group medical visits, diabetes self-management education, telephone support and Medication Adherence Clubs. Most interventions were delivered by multidisciplinary teams comprising nurses and other professionals, peer educators, peer leaders and community health workers. Most interventions were effective and led to improvements in HbA1c and blood pressure, eating behaviors and physical activity and social support.
CONCLUSIONS
The limited studies available show that peer support and social networking interventions have mixed results on health and other outcomes. Importantly, most studies reported significant improvements in clinical outcomes. Further research is needed on the nature and mechanisms through which peer support and social network characteristics affect health outcomes.
Topics: Diabetes Mellitus; Glycated Hemoglobin; Humans; Kenya; Peer Group; Self-Management; Social Networking; Social Support; Uganda
PubMed: 36155494
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273722 -
Medicine Jul 2020Oral ulcers (OU) is a common oral mucosal disease manifested with obvious pain; in some studies, the efficacy of acupuncture in OU has been confirmed, but the systematic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Oral ulcers (OU) is a common oral mucosal disease manifested with obvious pain; in some studies, the efficacy of acupuncture in OU has been confirmed, but the systematic reviews and meta-analyses for them are lacking. Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of OU.
METHODS
Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi RCTs and non-RCTs will be identified by systematic searching from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal database, and Wanfang Data (since inception of the databases to present). In addition, ongoing trials will be retrieved from the Chinese Clinical Trial Register, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Clinical Trials, and The Clinical Trials Register. Grey literature will be also taken into consideration, including academic dissertation, minutes of the meeting from Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal database, and Wanfang Data. There are no language restrictions.
RESULTS
Ethical approval is not required because this study is based on published papers. After peer-review, the study will be disseminated in scientific journals and conferences.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review will provide evidence for the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for Oral ulcers.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42020144911.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Humans; Oral Ulcer; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32702927
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000021314 -
Nature Communications Feb 2021The COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020 with major health consequences. While a need to disseminate information to the medical community and general public was...
The COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020 with major health consequences. While a need to disseminate information to the medical community and general public was paramount, concerns have been raised regarding the scientific rigor in published reports. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the methodological quality of currently available COVID-19 studies compared to historical controls. A total of 9895 titles and abstracts were screened and 686 COVID-19 articles were included in the final analysis. Comparative analysis of COVID-19 to historical articles reveals a shorter time to acceptance (13.0[IQR, 5.0-25.0] days vs. 110.0[IQR, 71.0-156.0] days in COVID-19 and control articles, respectively; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, methodological quality scores are lower in COVID-19 articles across all study designs. COVID-19 clinical studies have a shorter time to publication and have lower methodological quality scores than control studies in the same journal. These studies should be revisited with the emergence of stronger evidence.
Topics: Animals; COVID-19; Clinical Studies as Topic; Data Accuracy; Humans; Pandemics; Peer Review, Research; Periodicals as Topic; Research Design; Time Factors
PubMed: 33574258
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21220-5 -
Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society 2017Color matching to the surrounding skin is extremely important in patients wearing maxillofacial prostheses. It is of utmost importance to know the different techniques... (Review)
Review
Color matching to the surrounding skin is extremely important in patients wearing maxillofacial prostheses. It is of utmost importance to know the different techniques of color matching and coloring in maxillofacial prostheses. The purpose of this study is to review the literature data with regard to color matching in maxillofacial prosthetics. An electronic search of peer review restricted to English language dental literature was conducted to identify the relevant scientific article on color matching and coloring in maxillofacial prostheses. The publication year was up to December 2015 so that the search could include all the articles provided in that particular database. Two independent observers independently read the abstracts and later preselected full-text articles. A full-text review was carried out only for 15 articles. Out of the 15 articles, 7 were related to coloring using tinting, spraying, milling, and use of commercial cosmetics. Three studies were related to shade matching in maxillofacial prostheses. Two studies conducted the measurement of color in maxillofacial prostheses. Only one study had explained color and its relevance in maxillofacial prosthetics. Only one study was done for reproducing silicone shade guide matching Indian skin color. In addition, a single pilot study was done to measure facial skin and lip color in a human population sample stratified by race, gender, and age. Currently, there is no evidence discussing the best technique available for perfectly matching the color for the fabrication of maxillofacial prostheses. However, the latest instruments such as spectrophotometer and colorimeters are believed to have improved efficiency in matching the color.
PubMed: 28216838
DOI: 10.4103/0972-4052.197935 -
BMC Public Health Mar 2015Prisoners experience significantly worse health than the general population. This review examines the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of peer interventions in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Prisoners experience significantly worse health than the general population. This review examines the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of peer interventions in prison settings.
METHODS
A mixed methods systematic review of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness studies, including qualitative and quantitative synthesis was conducted. In addition to grey literature identified and searches of websites, nineteen electronic databases were searched from 1985 to 2012. Study selection criteria were:
POPULATION
Prisoners resident in adult prisons and children resident in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs).
INTERVENTION
Peer-based interventions.
COMPARATORS
Review questions 3 and 4 compared peer and professionally led approaches.
OUTCOMES
Prisoner health or determinants of health; organisational/process outcomes; views of prison populations.
STUDY DESIGNS
Quantitative, qualitative and mixed method evaluations.
RESULTS
Fifty-seven studies were included in the effectiveness review and one study in the cost-effectiveness review; most were of poor methodological quality. Evidence suggested that peer education interventions are effective at reducing risky behaviours, and that peer support services are acceptable within the prison environment and have a positive effect on recipients, practically or emotionally. Consistent evidence from many, predominantly qualitative, studies, suggested that being a peer deliverer was associated with positive effects. There was little evidence on cost-effectiveness of peer-based interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
There is consistent evidence from a large number of studies that being a peer worker is associated with positive health; peer support services are also an acceptable source of help within the prison environment and can have a positive effect on recipients. Research into cost-effectiveness is sparse.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO ref: CRD42012002349.
Topics: Adult; Child; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Counseling; Health Education; Health Promotion; Humans; Male; Prisoners; Prisons; Self-Help Groups; Social Support
PubMed: 25880001
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-1584-x