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Translational Behavioral Medicine Oct 2020With the growing number of colorectal cancer survivors (CRCS), theory-based, high-quality physical activity (PA) interventions are needed to promote quality and quantity... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
With the growing number of colorectal cancer survivors (CRCS), theory-based, high-quality physical activity (PA) interventions are needed to promote quality and quantity of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized theory-based PA interventions among CRCS. Using PubMed, PsyINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SportDiscus, and Cochrane databases, studies including CRCS participants, a PA outcome, a behavioral theory/model or behavior change techniques (BCTs), and randomized research design were identified. Two reviewers coded BCT, intervention reproducibility (Template for Intervention Description and Replication-TIDier), risk of bias, and quality of evidence. From an initial screen of 1,328 articles, 10 RCTs met our inclusion criteria. The Transtheoretical Model (n = 3), Social Cognitive Theory (n = 3), and Theory of Planned Behavior (n = 2) were the most used theories. "Goal setting (behavior)" (n = 10), "goal setting (outcome)" (n = 10), "action planning" (n = 9), and "problem solving" (n = 9) were the most commonly used BCTs. Intervention modalities were primarily print material based (n = 4) and telephone counseling (n = 4). Findings demonstrated that theory-based PA interventions are successful at increasing PA among CRCS as meta-analysis evidenced a small effect size of 0.26. TDier items 3, 9, and 12 hindered intervention replicability. Lack of blinding and bias in the measurement of outcomes by assessors resulted in serious bias. In-depth theoretical applications are needed for PA interventions that minimize bias and improve outcomes measurement. Intervention adherence and fidelity, as well as theoretical construct measurement pre- and post-intervention, will enhance the behavioral research enterprise. PROSPERO registration: CRD42019142816.
Topics: Cancer Survivors; Colorectal Neoplasms; Exercise; Humans; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 33044539
DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibz176 -
Trauma, Violence & Abuse Jul 2022The link between interpersonal trauma and negative biopsychosocial outcomes has been well-documented. Integrated treatments that address trauma, mental health, and...
The link between interpersonal trauma and negative biopsychosocial outcomes has been well-documented. Integrated treatments that address trauma, mental health, and substance use among women with trauma histories have been found to be more effective than treatments that focus separately on these concerns. Since the early 2000s, the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM) has been described as a "promising" integrated trauma group therapy for women. Despite widespread recognition and implementation of TREM, its effectiveness has not been clearly established. The present scoping review is the first systematic effort to describe the extant literature on TREM and aims to provide an understanding of TREM's effectiveness by organizing and synthesizing the available empirical data. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews, a systematic search was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, SW Abstracts, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. Quantitative dissertation findings not published elsewhere and peer-reviewed journal articles published in English that reported outcomes from TREM intervention research with adult women were included. Twelve of the initial 385 publications identified met the inclusion criteria and reported data from nine studies. TREM demonstrated statistically significant effects on posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, psychological/psychosomatic distress, and substance use. A more limited set of findings suggests that TREM may also be associated with additional gains, including self-esteem, relationship power, social support, attachment, and spiritual well-being. Future research should replicate findings, use random assignment to groups, involve larger sample sizes and more representative samples, examine optimal duration, and identify components that facilitate change.
Topics: Adult; Anxiety; Female; Humans; Mental Health; Psychotherapy; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 33167792
DOI: 10.1177/1524838020967862 -
Journal of Neurology Apr 2024Parkinsonian disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Parkinsonian disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and corticobasal syndrome (CBS), exhibit overlapping early-stage symptoms, complicating definitive diagnosis despite heterogeneous cellular and regional pathophysiology. Additionally, the progression and the eventual conversion of prodromal conditions such as REM behavior disorder (RBD) to PD, MSA, or DLB remain challenging to predict. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, membrane-enclosed structures released by cells, playing a vital role in communicating cell-state-specific messages. Due to their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier into the peripheral circulation, measuring biomarkers in blood-isolated speculative CNS enriched EVs has become a popular diagnostic approach. However, replication and independent validation remain challenging in this field. Here, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of speculative CNS-enriched EVs for parkinsonian disorders.
METHODS
We conducted a PRISMA-guided systematic review and meta-analysis, covering 18 studies with a total of 1695 patients with PD, 253 with MSA, 21 with DLB, 172 with PSP, 152 with CBS, 189 with RBD, and 1288 HCs, employing either hierarchical bivariate models or univariate models based on study size.
RESULTS
Diagnostic accuracy was moderate for differentiating patients with PD from HCs, but revealed high heterogeneity and significant publication bias, suggesting an inflation of the perceived diagnostic effectiveness. The bias observed indicates that studies with non-significant or lower effect sizes were less likely to be published. Although results for differentiating patients with PD from those with MSA or PSP and CBS appeared promising, their validity is limited due to the small number of involved studies coming from the same research group. Despite initial reports, our analyses suggest that using speculative CNS-enriched EV biomarkers may not reliably differentiate patients with MSA from HCs or patients with RBD from HCs, due to their lesser accuracy and substantial variability among the studies, further complicated by substantial publication bias.
CONCLUSION
Our findings underscore the moderate, yet unreliable diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers in speculative CNS-enriched EVs in differentiating parkinsonian disorders, highlighting the presence of substantial heterogeneity and significant publication bias. These observations reinforce the need for larger, more standardized, and unbiased studies to validate the utility of these biomarkers but also call for the development of better biomarkers for parkinsonian disorders.
Topics: Humans; Parkinsonian Disorders; Parkinson Disease; Multiple System Atrophy; Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive; REM Sleep Behavior Disorder; Biomarkers; Extracellular Vesicles; Diagnosis, Differential
PubMed: 38103086
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12093-3 -
Trauma, Violence & Abuse Apr 2021Bystander interventions have been successful in changing bystander attitudes and behaviors to prevent sexual violence. This systematic review was performed to summarize...
INTRODUCTION
Bystander interventions have been successful in changing bystander attitudes and behaviors to prevent sexual violence. This systematic review was performed to summarize and categorize the characteristics of sexual violence bystander intervention programs and analyze bystander intervention training approaches for the primary prevention of sexual violence and assault.
METHOD
From June to July 2017, the authors searched both published and unpublished American and Canadian studies from 2007 to 2017. The published sources included six major electronic databases and the unpublished sources were Google Scholar and the 40 program websites. From the 706 studies that resulted from this initial search, a total of 44 studies (that included a single bystander intervention program and assessments at both pretest and at least one posttest) were included.
RESULTS
Thirty-two percent of studies analyzed bystander behavior postintervention, and most found significant beneficial outcomes. The most frequently used training methods were presentation, discussion, and active learning exercises. Bringing in the Bystander and The Men's Program had the most replicated empirical support for effectiveness.
DISCUSSION
There has been a substantive increase in quasi-experimental and randomized controlled trial approaches to assessing the effectiveness of this type of intervention since 2014. The training methods shared between these efficacious programs may translate to bystander interventions for other victimization types, such as child abuse.
CONCLUSION
The use of in-person bystander training can make positive changes in attitudes and behaviors by increasing awareness of a problem and responsibility to solve it.
Topics: Helping Behavior; Humans; Program Evaluation; Sex Offenses
PubMed: 31204606
DOI: 10.1177/1524838019849587 -
JMIR Public Health and Surveillance Jun 2023Contact tracing (CT) represented one of the core activities for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in the early phase of the pandemic. Several guidance documents... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Contact tracing (CT) represented one of the core activities for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in the early phase of the pandemic. Several guidance documents were developed by international public health agencies and national authorities on the organization of COVID-19 CT activities. While most research on CT focused on the use digital tools or relied on modelling techniques to estimate the efficacy of interventions, poor evidence is available on the real-world implementation of CT strategies and on the organizational models adopted during the initial phase of the emergency to set up CT activities.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to provide a comprehensive picture of the organizational aspects of CT activities during the first wave of the pandemic through the systematic identification and description of CT strategies used in different settings during the period from March to June 2020.
METHODS
A systematic review of published studies describing organizational models of COVID-19 CT strategies developed in real-world settings was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched. Studies not providing a description of the organizational aspects of CT strategies and studies reporting or modelling theoretical strategies or focusing on the description of digital technologies' properties were excluded. Quality of reporting was assessed by using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication Checklist for Population Health and Policy. We developed a narrative synthesis, using a conceptual framework to map the extracted studies broken down by target population.
RESULTS
We retrieved a total of 1638 studies, of which 17 were included in the narrative synthesis; 7 studies targeted the general population and 10 studies described CT activities carried out in specific population subgroups. Our review identified some common elements across studies used to develop CT activities, including decentralization of CT activities, involvement of trained nonpublic health resources (eg, university students or civil servants), use of informatics tools for CT management, interagency collaboration, and community engagement. CT strategies implemented in the workplace envisaged a strong collaboration with occupational health services. Outreach activities were shown to increase CT efficiency in susceptible groups, such as people experiencing homelessness. Data on the effectiveness of CT strategies are scarce, with only few studies reporting on key performance indicators.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the lack of systematically collected data on CT effectiveness, our findings can provide some indication for the future planning and development of CT strategies for infectious disease control, mainly in terms of coordination mechanisms and the use of human and technical resources needed for the rapid development of CT activities. Further research on the organizational models of CT strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic would be required to contribute to a more robust evidence-making process.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Pandemics; Contact Tracing; Public Health; Workplace
PubMed: 37351939
DOI: 10.2196/42678 -
Psychology and Aging Feb 2022A number of developmental theories have been proposed that make differential predictions about the links between age and temporal discounting, or the devaluation of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
A number of developmental theories have been proposed that make differential predictions about the links between age and temporal discounting, or the devaluation of future rewards. Most empirical studies examining adult age differences in temporal discounting have relied on economic intertemporal choice tasks, which pit choosing a smaller, sooner monetary reward against choosing a larger, later one. Although initial studies using these tasks suggested older adults discount less than younger adults, follow-up studies provided heterogeneous, and thus inconclusive, results. Using an open science approach, we test the replicability of adult age differences in temporal discounting by conducting a preregistered systematic literature search and meta-analysis of adult age differences in intertemporal choice tasks. Across 37 cross-sectional studies (Total N = 104,737), a planned meta-analysis found no sizeable relation between age and temporal discounting, r = -0.068, 95% CI [-0.170, 0.035]. We also found little evidence of publication bias or p-hacking. Exploratory analyses of moderators found no effect of research design (e.g., extreme-group vs. continuous age), incentives (hypothetical vs. real rewards), duration of delay (e.g., days, weeks, months, or years), or quantification of discounting behavior (e.g., proportion of immediate choices vs. parameters from computational modeling). Additional analyses of 12 participant-level data sets found little support for a nonlinear relation between age and temporal discounting across adulthood. Overall, the results suggest that younger, middle-aged, and older adults show similar preferences for smaller, sooner over larger, later rewards. We provide recommendations for future empirical work on temporal discounting across the adult life span. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aging; Choice Behavior; Cross-Sectional Studies; Delay Discounting; Humans; Middle Aged; Motivation; Reward
PubMed: 35113618
DOI: 10.1037/pag0000634 -
Schizophrenia Research Feb 2022Early intervention for psychosis services have been established worldwide and consist of specialist services for those with the At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) and a first... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Outcomes for first-episode psychosis after entry via an at-risk mental state clinic compared to direct entry to a first episode of psychosis service: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
Early intervention for psychosis services have been established worldwide and consist of specialist services for those with the At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) and a first episode of psychosis (FEP). This systematic review identified the literature on the outcomes of people who initially presented via an ARMS clinic and later transitioned to a psychotic disorder (UHR-T), compared to those who presented directly to an EI service with a FEP (FEP-D). The outcomes examined were (i) symptomatic (ii) functional, (iii) morbidity and mortality (including physical health) and (iv) service-usage.
METHOD
A systematic search strategy was employed using three databases: MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and EMBASE. Studies published in English and that compared any of the above outcomes in a cohort of people with a first episode of psychosis who initially presented via an ARMS clinic to those who presented directly to a FEP service were included. Meta-analysis was performed for any outcome data from at least two studies.
RESULTS
A total of 988 unique articles were identified and of these, three studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and these included a total of 78 UHR-T and 253 FEP-D individuals. In the one study examining remission rates, there was no difference observed after one year in the UHR-T and FEP-D groups. In the one study that examined neurocognition, no differences were observed in any of the neurocognitive domains between groups after one year. Two studies examined psychiatric admission rates within one year and one of these found that UHR-T individuals were less likely to have any psychiatric admission (46% vs 68%) and admissions were less likely to be involuntary (30% vs 74%), while the other study found no difference in admission rates. In the meta-analysis, UHR-T individuals had lower odds for any psychiatric hospital admission within one year compared to FEP-D individuals (OR = 0.54, 95% C.I. 0.32 - 0.94, p = .03). No studies examined functional outcomes or mortality and morbidity between the groups.
CONCLUSION
The limited research indicates similar or superior outcomes for people with a FEP who present initially via an ARMS clinic. The reduced psychiatric admission rate is an important potential benefit of ARMS clinics that requires replication.
Topics: Ambulatory Care Facilities; Cohort Studies; Hospitalization; Humans; Psychotic Disorders
PubMed: 35032907
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.12.019 -
Vascular Jul 2023Simulation is used across surgical specialties for skill enhancement. The choice and assessment method of a simulator varies across literature. In the age of... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Simulation is used across surgical specialties for skill enhancement. The choice and assessment method of a simulator varies across literature. In the age of endovascular approach, trainees have limited exposure to open lower limb bypass procedures which needs attention. This review aims to assess the utility of simulation training in lower limb bypass surgery using Kirkpatrick's model.
METHODS
Using PRISMA statement, we included all the studies done on simulators in lower limb bypass surgical procedures for this systematic review. The primary outcome was to assess the effectiveness of different types of simulation used for lower limb bypass surgery using the Kirkpatrick's model for training evaluation.
RESULTS
An initial search identified 295 articles out of which 7 articles were found to be eligible for this systematic review. A variety of simulators were used including cadavers and synthetic models. Most studies (=5) found the use of simulation as an effective tool in achieving technical competence. All the five studies we found at level 2 on Kirpatrick's model evaluation.
CONCLUSION
Most of the existing studies are at level 2 of Kirkpatrick's model which reflects learning changes in trainees after simulation. Feedback mechanism needs to be evolved where the improvement after simulation training can be gauged by its replication in clinical practice and improved patient care practices corresponding to the highest level of Kirkpatrick's model.
PubMed: 37494569
DOI: 10.1177/17085381231192689 -
Sports Medicine - Open Sep 2019There is abundant and mounting information related to the molecular and biological structure and function of the Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) gene and the AQP1-Aquaporin channel.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
There is abundant and mounting information related to the molecular and biological structure and function of the Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) gene and the AQP1-Aquaporin channel. Regulation of water flow across cell membranes is essential for supporting inter- and intracellular fluid balance, which is critical for health and exercise performance. The transmembrane water channel AQP1 is important for cardiorespiratory endurance (CE) because it influences fluid transfers in erythrocytes, endothelial, and pulmonary cells and is vital for transport of ammonium, bicarbonate, carbon dioxide, glycerol, nitric oxide, potassium ion, water, and trans-epithelial and renal water. Very recent publications suggest the association between a DNA sequence variant, rs1049305 (C > G), in the 3'-untranslated region of the AQP1 gene and CE performance. Other reports indicate further significant associations between AQP1 channel and CE phenotypes. The purposes of this systematic review were to examine the extent of the associations between the AQP1 rs1049305 genotype and CE exercise performance and body fluid loss in long-distance runners and AQP1 channel associations with other CE phenotypes.
METHODS
Data sources: A comprehensive review was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane electronic databases. The search ranged from January 1, 1988, to December 31, 2018. Studies reported in English, French, and Spanish were considered. Eligibility criteria: The criteria for inclusion in the review were (a) case-control study; (b) unequivocal definition of cases and controls; (c) CE was defined as performance in endurance events, laboratory tests, and/or maximal oxygen consumption; (d) exclusion criteria of known causes; (e) genotyping performed by PCR or sequencing; (f) genotype frequencies reported; and (g) no deviation of genotype frequencies from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the control group. Study appraisal: The systematic review included studies examining the AQP1 gene and AQP1 channel structure and function, associations between the AQP1 gene sequence variant rs1049305 (C > G) and CE performance, body fluid loss in long-distance runners, and other studies reporting on the AQP1 gene and channel CE phenotype associations. Synthesis methods: For each selected study, the following data were extracted: authors, year of publication, sample size and number of cases and controls, CE definition, exclusion criteria, inclusion criteria for cases and controls, methods used for genotyping, genotype, allele frequencies and HWE for genotype frequencies in cases and control groups, and method of AQP1 gene and AQP1 channel analysis.
RESULTS
The initial databases search found 172 pertinent studies. Of those, 46 studies were utilized in the final synthesis of the systematic review. The most relevant findings were (a) the identification of an independent replication of the association between AQP1 gene sequence variant rs1049305 (C > G) and CE performance; (b) the association of the rs1049305 C-allele with faster CE running performance; (c) in knockout model, using a linear regression analysis of distance run as a function of Aqp1 status (Aqp1-null vs. wild-type mice) and conditions of hypoxia (ambient [O] = 16%), normoxia (21%), and hyperoxia (40%) indicated that the Aqp1 knockout ran less distance than the wild-type mice (p < 0.001); (d) in vitro, a reduced AQP1 expression was associated with the presence of the rs1049305 G-allele; (e) AQP1 null humans led normal lives and were entirely unaware of any physical limitations. However, they could not support fluid homeostasis when exposed to chronic fluid overload. The limited number of studies with "adequate sample sizes" in various racial and ethnic groups precluding to perform proper in-depth statistical analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
The AQP1 gene and AQP1 channel seems to support homeostatic mechanisms, yet to be totally understood, that are auxiliary in achieving an advantage during endurance exercise. AQP1 functions are vital during exercise and have a profound influence on endurance running performance. AQP1s are underappreciated structures that play vital roles in cellular homeostasis at rest and during CE endurance running exercise. The outcome of the present systematic review provide support to the statement of hypotheses and further research endeavors on the likely influence of AQP1 gene and AQP1 channel on CE performance. Registration: The protocol is not registered.
PubMed: 31486928
DOI: 10.1186/s40798-019-0213-0 -
JBI Evidence Synthesis Sep 2021The aim of this review was to evaluate the association between anti-thyroid antibodies and quality of life in people with euthyroid Hashimoto thyroiditis. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review was to evaluate the association between anti-thyroid antibodies and quality of life in people with euthyroid Hashimoto thyroiditis.
INTRODUCTION
Patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis report symptom distress more often than those with non-autoimmune thyroid disorders. Therefore, anti-thyroid antibodies may be related to decreased quality of life in persons with Hashimoto thyroiditis. The etiology of lingering symptoms, even in euthyroidism, remains unknown. The relationship between anti-thyroid antibodies and quality of life for people with Hashimoto thyroiditis has not been evaluated in a systematic review.
INCLUSION CRITERIA
The participants were males and females at least 12 years of age, in any country, with Hashimoto thyroiditis. Participants not in a euthyroid state were excluded from this review. In this review, the exposure was the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies and the primary outcome was quality of life as measured by a validated scale.
METHODS
A three-step search strategy was implemented with an initial search of PubMed and CINAHL. A comprehensive database search using all identified keywords and index terms was undertaken in March 2019 for relevant published literature, gray literature, and clinical trial registries. The final updates to the search strategies were conducted in December 2019. The search was limited to studies published in English after 1956. Two independent reviewers completed screening for inclusion and utilized the recommended JBI approach to critical appraisal, study selection, data extraction, and data synthesis. The findings are presented in a meta-analysis and in a narrative synthesis, which includes tables and figures.
RESULTS
All 13 studies had high methodological quality. Four studies found a significant correlation (P < 0.05) between the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies and quality of life. A fifth study found a significant correlation (P < 0.001) between higher antibody levels and quality of life. A meta-analysis was conducted using two cross-sectional studies, which revealed that the summative small effect size was statistically significant and suggested a lower quality of life in antibody-positive patients. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, a narrative synthesis was conducted for the three secondary outcomes: symptom distress, executive function, and mental health. Three studies found a statistically significant (P < 0.05) correlation between symptom distress and antibodies, two studies found a statistically significant (P < 0.05) association between executive function and antibodies, and all but one study found a statistically significant (P < 0.05) relationship between mental health and antibodies.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings in this review did not reveal a definitive relationship between antibodies and quality of life. However, our meta-analysis suggested a link between anti-thyroid antibodies and decreased quality of life in euthyroid children and adults. Though not conclusive, poor mental health and symptom distress may be associated with anti-thyroid antibodies. Therefore, it may be beneficial to periodically evaluate the quality of life and mental health in euthyroid patients with positive antibodies. It is unlikely that antibodies and executive functions are related. The studies and our review's limitations require replication of findings to confirm a connection between antibodies, quality of life, and the secondary outcomes. Future research should continue to evaluate the relationship between anti-thyroid antibodies and the quality of life in individuals with euthyroid Hashimoto thyroiditis.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER
PROSPERO CRD42018084663.
Topics: Adult; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hashimoto Disease; Humans; Male; Quality of Life
PubMed: 33741837
DOI: 10.11124/JBIES-20-00043