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Journal of Psychiatric Research Feb 2024Training outcomes of mindfulness interventions for anxiety have been extensively researched. Less is known about the acute effects of mindfulness induction and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Training outcomes of mindfulness interventions for anxiety have been extensively researched. Less is known about the acute effects of mindfulness induction and associated mechanisms. This systematic review aimed to identify 1) the effect of mindfulness induction on pre-post measures of state anxiety and attention among adults experiencing high levels of anxiety; and 2) the impact of predictors, mediators and moderators on post-induction changes in anxiety and attention. State distress and mindfulness were included as secondary outcomes.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted in November 2021 in electronic databases using relevant search terms. Five studies (four randomised controlled trials and one non-randomised controlled trial) were included, comprising a total of 277 participants with elevated trait/generalised anxiety. Each study used a brief audio-based mindfulness induction exercise.
RESULTS
The meta-analysis indicated mindfulness induction had medium and large effects on state anxiety (k = 3, n = 100, g = -0.60, 95%CI [-1.04, -0.16]; p = .008) and state mindfulness (k = 2, n = 110, g = 0.91, 95%CI [0.52, 1.30], p < .001), respectively, when compared with non-therapeutic control conditions. Furthermore, two studies showed small and moderate effects of mindfulness on state anxiety when compared to therapeutic active controls, but were not pooled in a meta-analysis. While results could not be pooled for attention, there was limited evidence of behavioural improvements on tasks measuring aspects of attention following mindfulness induction. However, one study found an increase in Low Beta to High Beta ratio and a reduction in Beta activity in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex following mindfulness induction. Moreover, another study found aspects of state mindfulness mediated reductions in state anxiety.
LIMITATIONS
A small number of studies were included in the review, with high risk of bias and low certainty of evidence present.
CONCLUSION
The findings support the use of mindfulness induction to reduce state anxiety in anxious individuals but suggest gains in state mindfulness may be a more realistic expected outcome. Further controlled trials are needed to delineate the relative effects of objectively assessed anxiety outcomes from mindfulness induction in clinically defined samples.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Anxiety; Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; Depression; Mindfulness; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 38215647
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.12.009 -
BMJ Open Aug 2023To evaluate through a systematic review the effectiveness of electronic methods in monitoring adherence to regular inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) alone or in combination... (Review)
Review
Effect of monitoring adherence to regular inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) alone or in combination with a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) using electronic methods on asthma outcomes: a narrative systematic review.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate through a systematic review the effectiveness of electronic methods in monitoring adherence to regular inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) alone or in combination with long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs) and their effect on clinical outcomes.
DESIGN
A narrative systematic review.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Web of Science were searched through up to 10 July 2022.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
We included peer-reviewed studies of qualitative and quantitative outcomes that compared the effect of electronic methods to routine non-electronic monitoring intervention or placebo among children and adults with asthma on medication adherence rates to regular ICS alone or in combination with LABA, asthma control and asthma exacerbations.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Data extraction was performed according to a predetermined sheet specific to the review objectives. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomised controlled trials and the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews tool for systematic reviews. Meta-analysis was not possible based on the findings of the scoping search; however, a narrative review was performed to allow for the grouping of results based on asthma inhaler adherence rates, asthma control and exacerbations.
RESULTS
Six articles comprising 98 studies published from 1998 to 2022 in the USA, Canada and the UK were included. Compared with the control, electronic monitoring devices (EMDs) showed a 23% adherence improvement, mean difference (MD) of 23%, 95% CI 10.84 to 34.16, p=0.0002. Asthmatic children were 1.5 times more likely to be adherent using EMDs compared with non-EMD users (RR=1.5, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.9) (p<0.001). Mobile devices and text message reminders (MHealth) showed a 12% adherence improvement (MD 12%, 95% CI 6.22 to 18.03) (p<0.0001), alongside a small to medium improvement in asthma control (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.31, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.44), small improvement in asthma-related quality of life (SMD 0.26) (p=0.007) and variable risk reduction in asthma exacerbations for digital health (risk ratio 0.53, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.91) (p=0.02) compared with EMDs, which showed insignificant differences (risk ratio 0.89, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.75) (p=0.72). Technologies combined yielded variable adherence effects, with an SMD for eHealth of 0.41, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.79, and MD for digital health was 14.66% higher than the control, 95% CI 7.74 to 21.57. Heterogeneity between studies was significant (eHealth I=98%, digital I=94%).
CONCLUSION
Electronic methods improved adherence to inhaled medications in asthma. EMDs appear to be the most effective technology, followed by mHealth. The adherence improvement was associated with a small clinical improvement. There was inconsistent overlapping of terminology describing electronic methods that require standardisation. Data on the cost-effectiveness of electronic devices and their utilisation in severe asthma are lacking and require further research.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022303069.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Asthma; Quality of Life
PubMed: 37586865
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074127 -
Brain and Behavior Dec 2023Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex and heterogeneous mental health condition that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event. Clinical trials have... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex and heterogeneous mental health condition that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event. Clinical trials have used alternative pharmacological agents to treat PTSD, but their associated neural correlates remain unclear. The present systematic review aims to summarize the changes in brain function associated with the use of these alternative pharmacological agents in PTSD.
METHODS
Clinical trials using functional magnetic resonance imaging, either at rest or during the performance of tasks, were included if they compared the effects of alternative pharmacological agents between PTSD patients and either trauma-exposed controls or never-exposed healthy controls.
RESULTS
Sixteen studies were included, of which 11 used intranasal oxytocin, 2 used hydrocortisone, and 3 used delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Oxytocin administration was associated with the normalization of functional connectivity between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and amygdala as well as enhanced the function of brain regions specifically involved in emotion processing (e.g., amygdala), working memory (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex), and reward (e.g., putamen). Hydrocortisone did not influence brain function at rest or during the performance of an autobiographical memory task, whereas THC was associated with the reduction of the amygdala and increased medial prefrontal cortex activation.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review identified preliminary evidence for normalizing brain function after the use of alternative pharmacological agents. Importantly, sex-specific differences were noted, in particular when using oxytocin, that will require further investigation.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Brain; Emotions; Hydrocortisone; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Oxytocin; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Clinical Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37864378
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3292 -
NeuroImage. Clinical 2024Changes in eating behaviour including reductions in appetite and food intake, and healthier food cue reactivity, reward, hedonics and potentially also preference,... (Review)
Review
Changes in eating behaviour including reductions in appetite and food intake, and healthier food cue reactivity, reward, hedonics and potentially also preference, contribute to weight loss and its health benefits after obesity surgery. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been increasingly used to interrogate the neural correlates of eating behaviour in obesity, including brain reward-cognitive systems, changes after obesity surgery, and links with alterations in the gut-hormone-brain axis. Neural responses to food cues can be measured by changes in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal in brain regions involved in reward processing, including caudate, putamen, nucleus accumbens, insula, amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, and top-down inhibitory control, including dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). This systematic review aimed to examine: (i) results of human fMRI studies involving obesity surgery, (ii) important methodological differences in study design across studies, and (iii) correlations and associations of fMRI findings with clinical outcomes, other eating behaviour measures and mechanistic measures. Of 741 articles identified, 23 were eligible for inclusion: 16 (69.6%) longitudinal, two (8.7%) predictive, and five (21.7%) cross-sectional studies. Seventeen studies (77.3%) included patients having Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, six (26.1%) vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), and five (21.7%) laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). The majority of studies (86.0%) were identified as having a very low risk of bias, though only six (27.3%) were controlled interventional studies, with none including randomisation to surgical and control interventions. The remaining studies (14.0%) had a low risk of bias driven by their control groups not having an active treatment. After RYGB surgery, food cue reactivity often decreased or was unchanged in brain reward systems, and there were inconsistent findings as to whether reductions in food cue reactivity was greater for high-energy than low-energy foods. There was minimal evidence from studies of VSG and LAGB surgeries for changes in food cue reactivity in brain reward systems, though effects of VSG surgery on food cue reactivity in the dlPFC were more consistently found. There was consistent evidence for post-operative increases in satiety gut hormones glucagon-like-peptide 1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) mediating reduced food cue reactivity after RYGB surgery, including two interventional studies. Methodological heterogeneity across studies, including nutritional state, nature of food cues, post-operative timing, lack of control groups for order effects and weight loss or dietary/psychological advice, and often small sample sizes, limited the conclusions that could be drawn, especially for correlational analyses with clinical outcomes, other eating behaviour measures and potential mediators. This systematic review provides a detailed data resource for those performing or analysing fMRI studies of obesity surgery and makes suggestions to help improve reporting and design of such studies, as well as future directions.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Obesity; Feeding Behavior; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Weight Loss
PubMed: 38237270
DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2024.103563 -
BMJ Open Sep 2023This study aimed to synthesise available evidence on the efficacy of antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) therapy among women at risk of imminent preterm birth with...
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to synthesise available evidence on the efficacy of antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) therapy among women at risk of imminent preterm birth with pregestational/gestational diabetes, chorioamnionitis or fetal growth restriction (FGR), or planned caesarean section (CS) in the late preterm period.
METHODS
A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Global Index Medicus was conducted for all comparative randomised or non-randomised interventional studies in the four subpopulations on 6 June 2021. Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomised Studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool were used to assess the risk of bias. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluations tool assessed the certainty of evidence.
RESULTS
Thirty-two studies involving 5018 pregnant women and 10 819 neonates were included. Data on women with diabetes were limited, and evidence on women undergoing planned CS was inconclusive. ACS use was associated with possibly reduced odds of neonatal death (pooled OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.85, low certainty), intraventricular haemorrhage (pooled OR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.72, low certainty) and respiratory distress syndrome (pooled OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.77, low certainty) in women with chorioamnionitis. Among women with FGR, the rates of surfactant use (pooled OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.62, moderate certainty), mechanical ventilation (pooled OR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.66, moderate certainty) and oxygen therapy (pooled OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.77, moderate certainty) were probably reduced; however, the rate of hypoglycaemia probably increased (pooled OR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.27 to 3.32, moderate certainty).
CONCLUSIONS
There is a paucity of evidence on ACS for women who have diabetes. ACS therapy may have benefits in women with chorioamnionitis and is probably beneficial in FGR. There is limited direct trial evidence on ACS efficacy in women undergoing planned CS in the late preterm period, though the totality of evidence suggests it is probably beneficial.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42021267816.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Cesarean Section; Chorioamnionitis; Premature Birth; Diabetes, Gestational; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Fetal Growth Retardation
PubMed: 37739474
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065070 -
Strahlentherapie Und Onkologie : Organ... Aug 2023Increasing evidence implicates changes in brain function following radiotherapy for head and neck cancer as precursors for brain dysfunction. These changes may thus be... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Increasing evidence implicates changes in brain function following radiotherapy for head and neck cancer as precursors for brain dysfunction. These changes may thus be used as biomarkers for early detection. This review aimed to determine the role of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) in detecting brain functional changes.
METHODS
A systematic search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) databases in June 2022. Patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy and periodic rs-fMRI assessments were included. A meta-analysis was performed to determine the potential of rs-fMRI for detecting brain changes.
RESULTS
Ten studies with a total of 513 subjects (head and neck cancer patients, n = 437; healthy controls, n = 76) were included. A significance of rs-fMRI for detecting brain changes in the temporal and frontal lobes, cingulate cortex, and cuneus was demonstrated in most studies. These changes were reported to be associated with dose (6/10 studies) and latency (4/10 studies). A strong effect size (r = 0.71, p < 0.001) between rs-fMRI and brain changes was also reported, suggesting rs-fMRI's capability for monitoring brain alterations.
CONCLUSION
Resting-state functional MRI is a promising tool for detecting brain functional changes following head and neck radiotherapy. These changes are correlated with latency and prescription dose.
Topics: Humans; Brain Mapping; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Brain; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Biomarkers
PubMed: 37280382
DOI: 10.1007/s00066-023-02089-3 -
Neurological Research Sep 2023This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of tDCS on lower limb function, balance and quality of life in stroke patients. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of tDCS on lower limb function, balance and quality of life in stroke patients.
METHODS
The search included PubMed, CENTRAL, PEDro, Web of Science, SCOPUS, PsycINFO Ovid, CINAHL EBSCO, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, reference lists of relevant reviews, clinical trials registries and academic google, in June and July 2021. Randomized controlled trials were selected, which present the effect of tDCS on lower limb motor function recovery in stroke patients, comparing any type of active tDCS versus sham; parallel or crossover study design; adult patients; stimulation on the primary motor cortex; articles published in any language; without restriction of publication period.
RESULTS
Nineteen studies were included. The treatment with active tDCS did not improve motor function (Chi = 32,87, I = 76%, SMD = 0,36 e 95% CI -0,18-0,90). Subgroup analyzes showed a significant effect favorable to tDCS, in relation to motor function, in the acute and subacute post stroke phases. However, the quality of evidence for this outcome was very low. Regarding balance outcome, a meta-analysis showed a significant difference in favor of active tDCS, but the quality of the evidence was considered very low. As for the quality of life outcome, no statistically significant difference was found in favor of tDCS.
DISCUSSION
There is a lack of evidence in recommending the use of tDCS in isolation in the treatment of patients after stroke, aiming at improving motor function, balance and quality of life. However, it is possible that tDCS can be beneficial when associated with other therapies or interventions.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Quality of Life; Cross-Over Studies; Stroke; Stroke Rehabilitation; Lower Extremity
PubMed: 37183510
DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2023.2211457 -
American Journal of Ophthalmology Apr 2024To evaluate the safety and efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids in the postoperative management of cataract surgery for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids in the postoperative management of cataract surgery for age-related cataract in adults.
DESIGN
Meta-analysis.
METHODS
Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and CINAHL were searched for articles using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) system. The review was registered prospectively with PROSPERO (CRD42022364733). Randomized controlled trials of patients undergoing age-related cataract surgery treated with corticosteroids, NSAIDs, or a combination were included.
RESULTS
A total of 19 studies were included, with 3473 patients (3638 eyes) treated following cataract surgery with NSAIDs (n = 1479), corticosteroids (n = 1307), or a combination (n = 687). Combination treatment demonstrated favorable best-corrected visual acuity compared to corticosteroids 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively (MD = -0.01 logMAR, 95% CI: -0.02, -0.01, I = 0%). NSAIDs had more favorable flare values than corticosteroids on day 7 (MD = -9.17 photons/ms, 95% CI = -16.52, -1.82, I = 94%), day 14 (MD = -5.23 photons/ms, 95% CI = -8.35, -2.11, I = 94%), and 4 to 6 weeks (MD = -1.62 photons/ms, 95% CI = -3.03, -0.20, I = 93%) postoperatively. Furthermore, 4 to 8 weeks postoperatively, patients treated with NSAIDs showed lower central macular thickness (MD = -13.26 µm, 95% CI = -18.66, -7.86, I = 81%) compared to those treated with corticosteroids. NSAIDs and combination treatment were associated with a lower incidence of central macular edema (OR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.07, 0.35, I = 61%; OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.45, I = 31%) than corticosteroids 4 to 8 weeks postoperatively.
CONCLUSIONS
NSAIDs and combination treatments could be regarded as more effective and safer alternatives to corticosteroids alone in the postoperative management of cataract surgery. Further studies should be conducted to determine why this evidence has not been reflected in practice patterns, and to further compare the effectiveness of NSAIDs and combination treatments.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cataract; Cataract Extraction; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Macular Edema
PubMed: 37797866
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.09.027 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2023Otitis media with effusion (OME) is an accumulation of fluid in the middle ear cavity, common amongst young children. The fluid may cause hearing loss. Although most...
BACKGROUND
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is an accumulation of fluid in the middle ear cavity, common amongst young children. The fluid may cause hearing loss. Although most episodes of OME in children resolve spontaneously within a few months, when persistent it may lead to behavioural problems and a delay in expressive language skills. Management of OME includes watchful waiting, medical, surgical and other treatments, such as autoinflation. Oral or topical steroids are sometimes used to reduce inflammation in the middle ear.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects (benefits and harms) of topical and oral steroids for OME in children.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane ENT Register, CENTRAL, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished studies on 20 January 2023.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised trials in children aged 6 months to 12 years with unilateral or bilateral OME. We included studies that compared topical or oral steroids with either placebo or watchful waiting (no treatment).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes, determined by a multi-stakeholder prioritisation exercise, were: 1) hearing, 2) OME-specific quality of life and 3) systemic corticosteroid side effects. Secondary outcomes were: 1) presence/persistence of OME, 2) other adverse effects (including local nasal effects), 3) receptive language skills, 4) speech development, 5) cognitive development, 6) psychosocial outcomes, 7) listening skills, 8) generic health-related quality of life, 9) parental stress, 10) vestibular function and 11) episodes of acute otitis media. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence. Although we included all measures of hearing assessment, the proportion of children who returned to normal hearing was our preferred method to assess hearing, due to challenges in interpreting the results of mean hearing thresholds.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 26 studies in this review (2770 children). Most studies of oral steroids used prednisolone for 7 to 14 days. Studies of topical (nasal) steroids used various preparations (beclomethasone, fluticasone and mometasone) for between two weeks and three months. All studies had at least some concerns regarding risk of bias. Here we report our primary outcomes and main secondary outcome, at the longest reported follow-up. Oral steroids compared to placebo Oral steroids probably result in little or no difference in the proportion of children with normal hearing after 12 months (69.7% of children with steroids, compared to 61.1% of children receiving placebo, risk ratio (RR) 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97 to 1.33; 1 study, 332 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). There is probably little or no difference in OME-related quality of life (mean difference (MD) in OM8-30 score 0.07, 95% CI -0.2 to 0.34; 1 study, 304 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Oral steroids may reduce the number of children with persistent OME at 6 to 12 months, but the size of the effect was uncertain (absolute risk reduction ranging from 13.3% to 45%, number needed to treat (NNT) of between 3 and 8; low-certainty evidence). The evidence was very uncertain regarding the risk of systemic corticosteroid side effects, and we were unable to conduct any meta-analysis for this outcome. Oral steroids compared to no treatment Oral steroids may result in little or no difference in the persistence of OME after three to nine months (74.5% children receiving steroids versus 73% of those receiving placebo; RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.17; 2 studies, 258 participants; low-certainty evidence). The evidence on adverse effects was very uncertain. We did not identify any evidence on hearing or disease-related quality of life. Topical (intranasal) steroids compared to placebo We did not identify data on the proportion of children who returned to normal hearing. However, the mean change in hearing threshold after two months was -0.3 dB lower (95% CI -6.05 to 5.45; 1 study, 78 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The evidence suggests that nasal steroids make little or no difference to disease-specific quality of life after nine months (OM8-30 score, MD 0.05 higher, 95% CI -0.36 to 0.46; 1 study, 82 participants; low-certainty evidence). The evidence is very uncertain regarding the effect of nasal steroids on persistence of OME at up to one year. Two studies reported this: one showed a potential benefit for nasal steroids, the other showed a benefit with placebo (2 studies, 206 participants). The evidence was also very uncertain regarding the risk of corticosteroid-related side effects, as we were unable to provide a pooled effect estimate. Topical (intranasal) steroids compared to no treatment We did not identify data on the proportion of children who returned to normal hearing. However, the mean difference in final hearing threshold after four weeks was 1.95 dB lower (95% CI -3.85 to -0.05; 1 study, 168 participants; low-certainty evidence). Nasal steroids may reduce the persistence of OME after eight weeks, but the evidence was very uncertain (58.5% of children receiving steroids, compared to 81.3% of children without treatment, RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.91; 2 studies, 134 participants). We did not identify any evidence on disease-related quality of life or adverse effects.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Overall, oral steroids may have little effect in the treatment of OME, with little improvement in the number of children with normal hearing and no effect on quality of life. There may be a reduction in the proportion of children with persistent disease after 12 months. However, this benefit may be small and must be weighed against the potential for adverse effects associated with oral steroid use. The evidence for nasal steroids was all low- or very low-certainty. It is therefore less clear if nasal steroids have any impact on hearing, quality of life or persistence of OME. Evidence on adverse effects was very limited. OME is likely to resolve spontaneously for most children. The potential benefit of treatment may therefore be small and should be balanced with the risk of adverse effects. Future studies should aim to determine which children are most likely to benefit from treatment, rather than offering interventions to all children.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Administration, Intranasal; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Otitis Media with Effusion; Steroids
PubMed: 38088821
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD015255.pub2 -
Scientific Reports Aug 2023Osteoarthritis (OA) affects 240 million people worldwide. Neuroimaging has been increasingly used to investigate brain changes in OA, however, there is considerable... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Osteoarthritis (OA) affects 240 million people worldwide. Neuroimaging has been increasingly used to investigate brain changes in OA, however, there is considerable heterogeneity in reported results. The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesise existing literature and identify consistent brain alterations in OA. Six databases were searched from inception up to June, 2022. Full-texts of original human studies were included if they had: (i) neuroimaging data by site of OA (e.g. hand, knee, hip); (ii) data in healthy controls (HC); (iii) > 10 participants. Activation likelihood estimation (ALE) was conducted using GingerALE software on studies that reported peak activation coordinates and sample size. Our search strategy identified 6250 articles. Twenty-eight studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria, of which 18 were included in the meta-analysis. There were no significant differences in brain structure or function between OA and healthy control contrasts. In exploratory analysis, the right insula was associated with OA vs healthy controls, with less activity, connectivity and brain volume in OA. This region was implicated in both knee and hip OA, with an additional cluster in the medial prefrontal cortex observed only in the contrast between healthy controls and the hip OA subgroup, suggesting a possible distinction between the neural correlates of OA subtypes. Despite the limitations associated with heterogeneity and poor study quality, this synthesis identified neurobiological outcomes associated with OA, providing insight for future research. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021238735.
Topics: Humans; Osteoarthritis, Hip; Likelihood Functions; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Brain; Neuroimaging
PubMed: 37528135
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39245-9