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Aging & Mental Health May 2021Perceptions of dementia are important determinants of support, treatment and care received in the dementia community. Understanding these perceptions are vital for...
Perceptions of dementia are important determinants of support, treatment and care received in the dementia community. Understanding these perceptions are vital for regions such as Latin America, where there is a rapid increase in people living with dementia. The aim of this study is to review and synthesise the general public's perceptions of dementia in Latin America, what factors are associated with these perceptions, and how they differ between countries in the region. Searches were completed across five databases (Medline, SCOPUS, PsychINFO, SciELO, and WoS). Studies were required to capture attitudes or knowledge of dementia in the general public residing within Latin America. English, Spanish and Portuguese search terms were used. Results were synthesised narratively. About 1574 unique records were identified. Following lateral searches, de-duplication and screening, six articles (four studies) met the inclusion criteria for this review. All the studies were quantitative research from Brazil (median, = 722). There was evidence of a limited to moderate knowledge of dementia, though a significant minority had negative or stigmatising attitudes. Only higher levels of education were consistently associated with better attitudes and knowledge of dementia in the region. There is a need for more in-depth research about attitudes of the general public across Latin America, particularly outside of São Paulo state, Brazil. There appears to be a greater need to raise awareness of dementia amongst less educated Latin American groups.
Topics: Brazil; Dementia; Educational Status; Humans; Latin America; Perception
PubMed: 32048522
DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1725738 -
Ophthalmic Research 2023Intermittent exotropia is the most prevalent subtype of exotropia in children. Part-time occlusion (PTO) as an anti-suppression therapy was applied for nonsurgical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Intermittent exotropia is the most prevalent subtype of exotropia in children. Part-time occlusion (PTO) as an anti-suppression therapy was applied for nonsurgical management of intermittent exotropia.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of PTO therapy and observation in the treatment of intermittent exotropia.
METHOD
An exhaustive search of the literature from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was carried out until July 2022. No language restrictions were applied. The literature was rigorously screened against eligibility criteria. Weighted mean differences and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.
RESULTS
A total of 4 articles with 617 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Our pooled results showed that PTO exhibited superior effects compared to observation, with greater decrease in exotropia control at distance and near (MD = -0.38, 95% CI: -0.57 to -0.20, p < 0.001; MD = -0.36, 95% CI: -0.54 to -0.18, p < 0.001); patients subjected to PTO therapy had greater decrease in distance deviations (MD = -1.95, 95% CI: -3.13 to -0.76, p = 0.001), and there was greater improvement in near stereoacuity among the PTO group in comparison with the observation group (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The present meta-analysis indicated that PTO therapy showed a better effect in improving control and near stereopsis and decreasing distance exodeviation angle of children with intermittent exotropia in comparison with observation.
Topics: Child; Humans; Chronic Disease; Depth Perception; Exotropia; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Visual Acuity
PubMed: 36996767
DOI: 10.1159/000530059 -
British Journal of Anaesthesia Aug 2019Pain is recognised to have both a sensory dimension (intensity) and an affective dimension (unpleasantness). Pain feels like a single unpleasant bodily experience, but...
BACKGROUND
Pain is recognised to have both a sensory dimension (intensity) and an affective dimension (unpleasantness). Pain feels like a single unpleasant bodily experience, but investigations of human pain have long considered these two dimensions of pain to be separable and differentially modifiable. The evidence underpinning this separability and differential modifiability is seldom presented. We aimed to fill this gap by evaluating the current evidence base for whether or not the sensory and affective dimensions of pain can be selectively modulated using cognitive manipulations.
METHODS
A rigorous systematic search, based on a priori search terms and consultation with field experts, yielded 4270 articles. A detailed screening process was based on the following recommendations: (i) evaluation of effectiveness; (ii) examination of methodological rigour, including each study having an a priori intention to cognitively modulate one of the two dimensions of pain; and (iii) sound theoretical reasoning. These were used to ensure that included studies definitively answered the research question.
RESULTS
After in-depth critique of all 12 articles that met the inclusion criteria, we found that there is no compelling evidence that the sensory and affective dimensions of pain can be selectively and intentionally modulated using cognitive manipulations in humans.
CONCLUSIONS
We offer potential explanations for this discrepancy between assumptions and evidence and contend that this finding highlights several important questions for the field, from both the research and clinical perspectives.
Topics: Affect; Humans; Mind-Body Therapies; Pain; Pain Measurement; Pain Perception
PubMed: 31053232
DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2019.03.033