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Frontiers in Psychology 2023A systematic review was conducted to examine the state of the literature regarding using ecologically valid virtual environments and related technologies to assess and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
A systematic review was conducted to examine the state of the literature regarding using ecologically valid virtual environments and related technologies to assess and rehabilitate people with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A literature search was performed following the PRISMA guidelines using PubMed, Web of Science, ACM and IEEE databases. The focus was on assessment and intervention studies using ecologically valid virtual environments (VE). All studies were included if they involved individuals with ABI and simulated environments of the real world or Activities of Daily Living (ADL).
RESULTS
Seventy out of 363 studies were included in this review and grouped and analyzed according to the nature of its simulation, prefacing a total of 12 kitchens, 11 supermarkets, 10 shopping malls, 16 streets, 11 cities, and 10 other everyday life scenarios. These VE were mostly presented on computer screens, HMD's and laptops and patients interacted with them primarily via mouse, keyboard, and joystick. Twenty-five out of 70 studies had a non-experimental design.
CONCLUSION
Evidence about the clinical impact of ecologically valid VE is still modest, and further research with more extensive samples is needed. It is important to standardize neuropsychological and motor outcome measures to strengthen conclusions between studies.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
identifier CRD42022301560, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=301560.
PubMed: 37711328
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1233346 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Apr 2024The imaging-based method of brainAGE aims to characterize an individual's vulnerability to age-related brain changes. The present study systematically reviewed brainAGE... (Review)
Review
The imaging-based method of brainAGE aims to characterize an individual's vulnerability to age-related brain changes. The present study systematically reviewed brainAGE findings in neuropsychiatric conditions and discussed the potential of brainAGE as a marker for biological age. A systematic PubMed search (from inception to March 6th, 2023) identified 273 articles. The 30 included studies compared brainAGE between neuropsychiatric and healthy groups (n≥50). We presented results qualitatively and adapted a bias risk assessment questionnaire. The imaging modalities, design, and input features varied considerably between studies. While the studies found higher brainAGE in neuropsychiatric conditions (11 mild cognitive impairment/ dementia, 11 schizophrenia spectrum/ other psychotic and bipolar disorder, six depression/ anxiety, two multiple groups), the associations with clinical characteristics were mixed. While brainAGE is sensitive to group differences, limitations include the lack of diverse training samples, multi-modal studies, and external validation. Only a few studies obtained longitudinal data, and all have used algorithms built solely to predict chronological age. These limitations impede the validity of brainAGE as a biological age marker.
Topics: Humans; Brain; Schizophrenia; Bipolar Disorder; Cognitive Dysfunction; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 38354871
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105581 -
Heliyon Sep 2023Despite a long period of scholarly interest in Feng Shui, there has been no systematic review of this subject. The objective of this study was, therefore, to conduct a... (Review)
Review
Despite a long period of scholarly interest in Feng Shui, there has been no systematic review of this subject. The objective of this study was, therefore, to conduct a systematic review of empirical and quantitative Feng Shui journal articles written in Chinese or English to shed light on the nature of Feng Shui. This study identifies both existing empirical and quantitative studies of Feng Shui and directions for further research. It is the first to provide a synthesis of empirical and quantitative findings on the specific outcomes of Feng Shui, and more importantly, to explore its reliability and validity. We searched four databases, two in Chinese (Taiwan Periodical Literature and WANFANG DATA) and two in English (Web of Science and SCOPUS), and reviewed 36 articles following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA 2009). The eligibility criteria were: (1) any kind of participants or study samples; (2) any Feng Shui-related intervention; (3) comparators belonging to the same study samples or between different study samples; (4) the outcome of any empirical and quantitative measurement of Feng Shui; and (5) any study design except for qualitative studies. We used the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Tools to analyze the research quality of the included articles. We found that Feng Shui was associated with housing prices in societies influenced by Chinese culture. Other findings suggested that: (1) Feng Shui was associated with the decisions of house-buyers growing up in societies influenced by Chinese culture; (2) Feng Shui forests had greater habitat diversity than other forests in China; (3) Feng Shui environments in Asia had more comfortable wind fields than non-Feng Shui settings; (4) in Asia, Feng Shui was related to sunlight; (5) Feng Shui had good reliability; and (6) Feng Shui was valid with respect to environmental features but its influence on humans has not been determined. We therefore conclude that Feng Shui is neither a superstition nor a science. Given that the research quality of the included articles was less than ideal and the number of each specific outcome and their samples were also limited, their findings should be interpreted with caution. We look forward to more good quality empirical studies of Feng Shui in the future, particularly those involving field experiments recruiting non-Asian participants to provide further insights into the quasi-science of Feng Shui. .
PubMed: 37809664
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19532 -
Journal of Human Kinetics Apr 2024Specific physical qualities such as sprint running, change-of-direction or jump height are determinants of sports performance. Photocell systems are practical and easy... (Review)
Review
Specific physical qualities such as sprint running, change-of-direction or jump height are determinants of sports performance. Photocell systems are practical and easy to use systems to assess the time from point A to point B. In addition, these photoelectric systems are also used to obtain the time of vertically displaced movements. Knowing the accuracy and precision of photocell timing can be a determinant of ensuring a higher quality interpretation of results and of selecting the most appropriate devices for specific objectives. This systematic review aimed to identify and summarize studies that have examined the validity and reliability of photocells in sport sciences. A systematic review of PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. From the 164 studies initially identified, 16 were fully reviewed, and their outcome measures were extracted and analyzed. Photocells appear to have a strong agreement with force plates (gold standard), but are not interchangeable to measure the vertical jump. For monitoring horizontal displacement, double beam systems, compared to single beam systems, are more valid and reliable when it comes to avoiding false triggers caused by swinging arms or legs.
PubMed: 38736609
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/174285 -
The Journal of Asthma : Official... May 2024Current monitoring methods of asthma, such as peak expiratory flow testing, have important limitations. The emergence of automated acoustic sound analysis, capturing... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Current monitoring methods of asthma, such as peak expiratory flow testing, have important limitations. The emergence of automated acoustic sound analysis, capturing cough, wheeze, and inhaler use, offers a promising avenue for improving asthma diagnosis and monitoring. This systematic review evaluated the validity of acoustic biomarkers in supporting the diagnosis of asthma and its monitoring.
DATA SOURCES
A search was performed using two databases (PubMed and Embase) for all relevant studies published before November 2023.
STUDY SELECTION
27 studies were included for analysis. Eligible studies focused on acoustic signals as digital biomarkers in asthma, utilizing recording devices to register or analyze sound.
RESULTS
Various respiratory acoustic signal types were analyzed, with cough and wheeze being predominant. Data collection methods included smartphones, custom sensors and digital stethoscopes. Across all studies, automated acoustic algorithms achieved average accuracy of cough and wheeze detection of 88.7% (range: 61.0 - 100.0%) with a median of 92.0%. The sensitivity of sound detection ranged from 54.0 to 100.0%, with a median of 90.3%; specificity ranged from 67.0 to 99.7%, with a median of 95.0%. Moreover, 70.4% (19/27) studies had a risk of bias identified.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review establishes the promising role of acoustic biomarkers, particularly cough and wheeze, in supporting the diagnosis of asthma and monitoring. The evidence suggests the potential for clinical integration of acoustic biomarkers, emphasizing the need for further validation in larger, clinically-diverse populations.
PubMed: 38634718
DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2024.2344156 -
Survey of Ophthalmology 2023Seeking treatment for bothersome vitreous floaters is patient driven. To measure the impact of floaters and treatment on an individual's quality of life,... (Review)
Review
Seeking treatment for bothersome vitreous floaters is patient driven. To measure the impact of floaters and treatment on an individual's quality of life, patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs) are essential. We review all studies using a PROM for patients with floaters. We evaluated content coverage against quality-of-life domains previously identified in other ophthalmic disorders, and against a qualitative study investigating quality-of-life issues in patients with floaters. We assessed measurement properties of PROMs using an extensive range of psychometric quality criteria. We identified 59 studies using 28 different PROMs. Many PROMs were not specifically developed for patients with floaters. Floater-specific PROMs were mostly based on content validation from an ophthalmologist or researcher perspective; two included a patient perspective. Using the outcomes of the qualitative study, we found that the floater-specific PROMs were narrow in their content coverage, with most items relating to visual symptoms and activity limitations. Testing the psychometric quality of PROMs was rare, and when employed mostly limited to responsiveness and known group validity. The remarkable high number of floater-specific PROMs reveals a need for such measurements in ophthalmology. Unfortunately, reporting on psychometric quality is limited, and content development is most often done without patient involvement.
PubMed: 37315741
DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.06.003 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Flourishing is an evolving wellbeing construct and outcome of interest across the social and biological sciences. Despite some conceptual advancements, there remains...
INTRODUCTION
Flourishing is an evolving wellbeing construct and outcome of interest across the social and biological sciences. Despite some conceptual advancements, there remains limited consensus on how to measure flourishing, as well as how to distinguish it from closely related wellbeing constructs, such as thriving and life satisfaction. This paper aims to provide an overview and comparison of the diverse scales that have been developed to measure flourishing among adolescent and adult populations to provide recommendations for future studies seeking to use flourishing as an outcome in social and biological research.
METHODS
In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we conducted a scoping review across PubMed and EMBASE of studies introducing original flourishing scales (defined as a previously unpublished measure of mental health or wellbeing that used "flourishing" in its definition). Studies focusing on adult populations that were published before April 28, 2023 were considered eligible for inclusion.
RESULTS
Out of 781 studies retrieved, we identified seven eligible studies covering seven unique flourishing scales. We find that all seven scales are multidimensional and assess features over monthly or yearly intervals. While most of the scales (six out of seven) include indicators of both hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing, the operationalization of these dimensions of wellbeing varies considerably between scales. Several of the scales have been translated and validated across multiple geographical contexts, including higher- and lower-income countries.
DISCUSSION
Complementing self-report measures with other social, economic, regional, and biological indicators of flourishing may be useful to provide holistic and widely applicable measures of wellbeing. This review contributes to concept validation efforts that can guide strategies to sustain flourishing societies.
PubMed: 38362251
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1293943 -
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Mar 2024Since assessment of prescribing competence is a key promoter of student learning and achievement, we aim to summarize existing national-level approaches, provide a... (Review)
Review
AIMS
Since assessment of prescribing competence is a key promoter of student learning and achievement, we aim to summarize existing national-level approaches, provide a systematic review of current literature, indicate the frequency of various methodologies, and make recommendations to promote and extend existing practice.
METHODS
Regulatory body websites were accessed for details of national examinations. PubMed, Embase, the Allied and Complementary Medicine, and CINAHL databases were systematically searched in August 2023 for studies in English from Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand reporting assessment of prescribing competencies among students/practitioners. Additional articles were identified through citation tracking.
RESULTS
National approaches are described for several jurisdictions. A total of 20 514 articles were retrieved, of which 54 met the inclusion criteria. Most articles came from the UK, with medical students and qualified doctors most frequently featured. Multiple choice formats were most common, with short answer questions, calculations and scenario-based skills tests also featured. Direct observations of skills through Objective Structured Clinical Examinations and similar methods were less commonly described. Test reliability generally employed Classical Test Theory. Costs of developing and delivering assessments, differential attainment by demographics, and predictive validity were not indicated.
CONCLUSION
We recommend measurement of the predictive validity of prescribing competence assessments, the routine inclusion of performance by demographic characteristics, extension of competence assessments to professions other than medicine, and structured reporting of methods and findings, including costs and cost-effectiveness. Situational judgement tests would be a valuable addition to assessment practices.
PubMed: 38486444
DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16033 -
Journal of Attention Disorders Oct 2023To identify and analyze all studies validating rating scales or interview-based screeners commonly used to evaluate ADHD in adults. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To identify and analyze all studies validating rating scales or interview-based screeners commonly used to evaluate ADHD in adults.
METHOD
A systematic literature search identified all studies providing diagnostic accuracy statistics, including sensitivity and specificity, supplemented by relevant articles or test manuals referenced in reviewed manuscripts.
RESULTS
Only 20 published studies or manuals provided data regarding sensitivity and specificity when tasked with differentiating those with and without ADHD. While all screening measures have excellent ability to correctly classify non-ADHD individuals (with negative predictive values exceeding 96%), false positive rates were high. At best, positive predictive values in clinical samples reached 61%, but most fell below 20%.
CONCLUSION
Clinicians cannot rely on scales alone to diagnose ADHD and must undertake more rigorous evaluation of clients who screen positive. Furthermore, relevant classification statistics must be included in publications to help clinicians make statistically defensible decisions. Otherwise, clinicians risk inappropriately diagnosing ADHD.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Self Report; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Sensitivity and Specificity; Mass Screening
PubMed: 37366274
DOI: 10.1177/10870547231177470 -
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Mar 2024As an increasing number of studies apply artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in osteoarthritis (OA) detection, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
As an increasing number of studies apply artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in osteoarthritis (OA) detection, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to pool the data on diagnostic performance metrics of AI, and to compare them with clinicians' performance.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A search in PubMed and Scopus was performed to find studies published up to April 2022 that evaluated and/or validated an AI algorithm for the detection or classification of OA. We performed a meta-analysis to pool the data on the metrics of diagnostic performance. Subgroup analysis based on the involved joint and meta-regression based on multiple parameters were performed to find potential sources of heterogeneity. The risk of bias was assessed using Prediction Model Study Risk of Bias Assessment Tool reporting guidelines.
RESULTS
Of the 61 studies included, 27 studies with 91 contingency tables provided sufficient data to enter the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivities for AI algorithms and clinicians on internal validation test sets were 88% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 86,91) and 80% (95% CI: 68,88) and pooled specificities were 81% (95% CI: 75,85) and 79% (95% CI: 80,85), respectively. At external validation, the pooled sensitivity and specificity for AI algorithms were 94% (95% CI: 90,97) and 91% (95% CI: 77,97), respectively.
CONCLUSION
Although the results of this meta-analysis should be interpreted with caution due to the potential pitfalls in the included studies, the promising role of AI as a diagnostic adjunct to radiologists is indisputable.
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Algorithms; Benchmarking; Osteoarthritis
PubMed: 37863421
DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2023.09.011