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Health Technology Assessment... Jun 2014Agitation is common, persistent and distressing in dementia and is linked with care breakdown. Psychotropic medication is often ineffective or harmful, but the evidence... (Review)
Review
A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of sensory, psychological and behavioural interventions for managing agitation in older adults with dementia.
BACKGROUND
Agitation is common, persistent and distressing in dementia and is linked with care breakdown. Psychotropic medication is often ineffective or harmful, but the evidence regarding non-pharmacological interventions is unclear.
OBJECTIVES
We systematically reviewed and synthesised the evidence for clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for reducing agitation in dementia, considering dementia severity, the setting, the person with whom the intervention is implemented, whether the effects are immediate or longer term, and cost-effectiveness.
DATA SOURCES
We searched twice using relevant search terms (9 August 2011 and 12 June 2012) in Web of Knowledge (incorporating MEDLINE); EMBASE; British Nursing Index; the Health Technology Assessment programme database; PsycINFO; NHS Evidence; System for Information on Grey Literature; The Stationery Office Official Documents website; The Stationery National Technical Information Service; Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; and The Cochrane Library. We also searched Cochrane reviews of interventions for behaviour in dementia, included papers' references, and contacted authors about 'missed' studies. We included quantitative studies, evaluating non-pharmacological interventions for agitation in dementia, in all settings.
REVIEW METHOD
We rated quality, prioritising higher-quality studies. We separated results by intervention type and agitation level. As we were unable to meta-analyse results except for light therapy, we present a qualitative evidence synthesis. In addition, we calculated standardised effect sizes (SESs) with available data, to compare heterogeneous interventions. In the health economic analysis, we reviewed economic studies, calculated the cost of effective interventions from the effectiveness review, calculated the incremental cost per unit improvement in agitation, used data from a cohort study to evaluate the relationship between health and social care costs and health-related quality of life (DEMQOL-Proxy-U scores) and developed a new cost-effectiveness model.
RESULTS
We included 160 out of 1916 papers screened. Supervised person-centred care, communication skills (SES = -1.8 to -0.3) or modified dementia care mapping (DCM) with implementing plans (SES = -1.4 to -0.6) were all efficacious at reducing clinically significant agitation in care home residents, both immediately and up to 6 months afterwards. In care home residents, during interventions but not at follow-up, activities (SES = -0.8 to -0.6) and music therapy (SES = -0.8 to -0.5) by protocol reduced mean levels of agitation; sensory intervention (SES = -1.3 to -0.6) reduced mean and clinically significant symptoms. Advantages were not demonstrated with 'therapeutic touch' or individualised activity. Aromatherapy and light therapy did not show clinical effectiveness. Training family carers in behavioural or cognitive interventions did not decrease severe agitation. The few studies reporting activities of daily living or quality-of-life outcomes found no improvement, even when agitation had improved. We identified two health economic studies. Costs of interventions which significantly impacted on agitation were activities, £80-696; music therapy, £13-27; sensory interventions, £3-527; and training paid caregivers in person-centred care or communication skills with or without behavioural management training and DCM, £31-339. Among the 11 interventions that were evaluated using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), the incremental cost per unit reduction in CMAI score ranged from £162 to £3480 for activities, £4 for music therapy, £24 to £143 for sensory interventions, and £6 to £62 for training paid caregivers in person-centred care or communication skills with or without behavioural management training and DCM. Health and social care costs ranged from around £7000 over 3 months in people without clinically significant agitation symptoms to around £15,000 at the most severe agitation levels. There is some evidence that DEMQOL-Proxy-U scores decline with Neuropsychiatric Inventory agitation scores. A multicomponent intervention in participants with mild to moderate dementia had a positive monetary net benefit and a 82.2% probability of being cost-effective at a maximum willingness to pay for a quality-adjusted life-year of £20,000 and a 83.18% probability at a value of £30,000.
LIMITATIONS
Although there were some high-quality studies, there were only 33 reasonably sized (> 45 participants) randomised controlled trials, and lack of evidence means that we cannot comment on many interventions' effectiveness. There were no hospital studies and few studies in people's homes. More health economic data are needed.
CONCLUSIONS
Person-centred care, communication skills and DCM (all with supervision), sensory therapy activities, and structured music therapies reduce agitation in care-home dementia residents. Future interventions should change care home culture through staff training and permanently implement evidence-based treatments and evaluate health economics. There is a need for further work on interventions for agitation in people with dementia living in their own homes.
PROTOCOL REGISTRATION
The study was registered as PROSPERO no. CRD42011001370.
FUNDING
The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
Topics: Aged; Behavior Therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Dementia; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Health Care Costs; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient-Centered Care; Psychomotor Agitation; Psychotherapy; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; United Kingdom
PubMed: 24947468
DOI: 10.3310/hta18390 -
JAMA Neurology Apr 2014It is increasingly evident that Parkinson disease (PD) is not a single entity but rather a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder. (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
It is increasingly evident that Parkinson disease (PD) is not a single entity but rather a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate available evidence, based on findings from clinical, imaging, genetic and pathologic studies, supporting the differentiation of PD into subtypes.
EVIDENCE REVIEW
We performed a systematic review of articles cited in PubMed between 1980 and 2013 using the following search terms: Parkinson disease, parkinsonism, tremor, postural instability and gait difficulty, and Parkinson disease subtypes. The final reference list was generated on the basis of originality and relevance to the broad scope of this review.
FINDINGS
Several subtypes, such as tremor-dominant PD and postural instability gait difficulty form of PD, have been found to cluster together. Other subtypes also have been identified, but validation by subtype-specific biomarkers is still lacking.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Several PD subtypes have been identified, but the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the observed clinicopathologic heterogeneity in PD are still not well understood. Further research into subtype-specific diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers may provide insights into mechanisms of neurodegeneration and improve epidemiologic and therapeutic clinical trial designs.
Topics: Biomarkers; Humans; Movement Disorders; Parkinson Disease; Tremor
PubMed: 24514863
DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2013.6233 -
Cerebellum (London, England) Oct 2019The effectiveness of exercise and physical therapy for children with ataxia is poorly understood. The aim of this systematic review was to critically evaluate the range,...
The effectiveness of exercise and physical therapy for children with ataxia is poorly understood. The aim of this systematic review was to critically evaluate the range, scope and methodological quality of studies investigating the effectiveness of exercise and physical therapy interventions for children with ataxia. The following databases were searched: AMED, CENTRAL, CDSR, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, PEDro and Web of Science. No limits were placed on language, type of study or year of publication. Two reviewers independently determined whether the studies met the inclusion criteria, extracted all relevant outcomes, and conducted methodological quality assessments. A total of 1988 studies were identified, and 124 full texts were screened. Twenty studies were included in the review. A total of 40 children (aged 5-18 years) with ataxia as a primary impairment participated in the included studies. Data were able to be extracted from eleven studies with a total of 21 children (aged 5-18 years), with a range of cerebellar pathology. The studies reported promising results but were of low methodological quality (no RCTs), used small sample sizes and were heterogeneous in terms of interventions, participants and outcomes. No firm conclusions can be made about the effectiveness of exercise and physical therapy for children with ataxia. There is a need for further high-quality child-centred research.
Topics: Ataxia; Child; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Physical Therapy Modalities; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 31392562
DOI: 10.1007/s12311-019-01063-z -
Annals of Internal Medicine Nov 2019Both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions are used to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms in persons with dementia. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions are used to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms in persons with dementia.
PURPOSE
To summarize the comparative efficacy of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for treating aggression and agitation in adults with dementia.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and PsycINFO between inception and 28 May 2019 without language restrictions; gray literature; and reference lists scanned from selected studies and systematic reviews.
STUDY SELECTION
Randomized controlled trials comparing interventions for treating aggression and agitation in adults with dementia.
DATA EXTRACTION
Pairs of reviewers independently screened studies, abstracted data, and appraised risk of bias.
DATA SYNTHESIS
After screening of 19 684 citations, 163 studies (23 143 patients) were included in network meta-analyses. Analysis of interventions targeting aggression and agitation (148 studies [21 686 patients]) showed that multidisciplinary care (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.5 [95% credible interval {CrI}, -0.99 to -0.01]), massage and touch therapy (SMD, -0.75 [CrI, -1.12 to -0.38]), and music combined with massage and touch therapy (SMD, -0.91 [CrI, -1.75 to -0.07]) were clinically more efficacious than usual care. Recreation therapy (SMD, -0.29 [CrI, -0.57 to -0.01]) was statistically but not clinically more efficacious than usual care.
LIMITATIONS
Forty-six percent of studies were at high risk of bias because of missing outcome data. Harms and costs of therapies were not evaluated.
CONCLUSION
Nonpharmacologic interventions seemed to be more efficacious than pharmacologic interventions for reducing aggression and agitation in adults with dementia.
PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE
Alberta Health Services Critical Care Strategic Clinical Network. (PROSPERO: CRD42017050130).
Topics: Aggression; Dementia; Humans; Network Meta-Analysis; Psychomotor Agitation
PubMed: 31610547
DOI: 10.7326/M19-0993 -
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue... Jun 2019Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder characterised by irregular, stereotyped, and choreiform movements associated with the use of antipsychotic medication. We aim...
BACKGROUND
Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder characterised by irregular, stereotyped, and choreiform movements associated with the use of antipsychotic medication. We aim to provide recommendations on the treatment of tardive dyskinesia.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review of studies of the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. Studies were rated for methodological quality using the American Academy of Neurology Risk of Bias Classification system. Overall level of evidence classifications and grades of recommendation were made using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network framework.
RESULTS
Preventing tardive dyskinesia is of primary importance, and clinicians should follow best practice for prescribing antipsychotic medication, including limiting the prescription for specific indications, using the minimum effective dose, and minimising the duration of therapy. The first-line management of tardive dyskinesia is the withdrawal of antipsychotic medication if clinically feasible. Yet, for many patients with serious mental illness, the discontinuation of antipsychotics is not possible due to disease relapse. Switching from a first-generation to a second-generation antipsychotic with a lower D2 affinity, such as clozapine or quetiapine, may be effective in reducing tardive dyskinesia symptoms. The strongest evidence for a suitable co-intervention to treat tardive dyskinesia comes from tests with the new VMAT inhibitors, deutetrabenazine and valbenazine. These medications have not been approved for use in Canada.
CONCLUSION
Data on tardive dyskinesia treatment are limited, and the best management strategy remains prevention. More long-term safety and efficacy data are needed for deutetrabenazine and valbenazine, and their routine availability to patients outside of the USA remains in question.
Topics: Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; Antipsychotic Agents; Humans; Tardive Dyskinesia; Tetrabenazine; Valine
PubMed: 30791698
DOI: 10.1177/0706743719828968 -
Anaesthesia Mar 2019Delirium is common in intensive care patients. Dexmedetomidine is increasingly used for sedation in this setting, but its effect on delirium remains unclear. The primary... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Delirium is common in intensive care patients. Dexmedetomidine is increasingly used for sedation in this setting, but its effect on delirium remains unclear. The primary aim of this review was to examine whether dexmedetomidine reduces the incidence of delirium and agitation in intensive care patients. We sought randomised clinical trials in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed and CENTRAL from their inception until June 2018. Observational studies, case reports, case series and non-systematic reviews were excluded. Twenty-five trials including 3240 patients were eligible for inclusion in the data synthesis. In the patients who received dexmedetomidine (eight trials, 1425 patients), delirium was reduced, odds ratio (95%CI) 0.36 (0.26-0.51), p < 0.001 and high quality of evidence. The use of dexmedetomidine was associated with a reduced incidence of agitation, OR (95%CI) 0.34 (0.20-0.59), p < 0.001, moderate quality of evidence. Patients who were randomly assigned to dexmedetomidine had a significantly higher incidence of bradycardia, OR (95%CI) 2.18 (1.46-3.24), p < 0.001, moderate quality of evidence; and hypotension, OR (95%CI) 1.89 (1.48-2.41), p < 0.001, high quality of evidence. We found no evidence of an effect on mortality, OR (95%CI) 0.86 (0.66-1.10), p = 0.23, moderate quality of evidence. The trial sequential analyses for the incidence of delirium, bradycardia and hypotension was conclusive but not for the incidence of agitation and mortality. In summary, this meta-analysis suggests that dexmedetomidine reduces the incidence of delirium and agitation in intensive care patients. The general quality of evidence ranged from moderate to high.
Topics: Delirium; Dexmedetomidine; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Psychomotor Agitation
PubMed: 30367689
DOI: 10.1111/anae.14472 -
Toxins Nov 2022Physiotherapy is mentioned as an adjunctive treatment to improve the symptoms of cervical dystonia in terms of pain, function and quality of life. However, botulinum... (Review)
Review
Physiotherapy is mentioned as an adjunctive treatment to improve the symptoms of cervical dystonia in terms of pain, function and quality of life. However, botulinum neurotoxin injection remains the treatment of choice. This systematic review emphasizes physical therapy and evaluates it by including six studies. The methodology is based on a previous systematic review on this topic to provide better comparability and actuality. For this purpose, two databases were searched using the previously published keywords. This time, only randomised controlled trials were evaluated to increase the power. In conclusion, additional physical therapy and active home exercise programs appear to be useful. Further research should focus on the dose-response principle to emphasize physical therapy treatment modalities.
Topics: Humans; Torticollis; Quality of Life; Physical Therapy Modalities; Botulinum Toxins; Exercise Therapy
PubMed: 36422957
DOI: 10.3390/toxins14110784 -
Neurology May 2019To systematically evaluate the efficacy of treatments for tics and the risks associated with their use.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically evaluate the efficacy of treatments for tics and the risks associated with their use.
METHODS
This project followed the methodologies outlined in the 2011 edition of the American Academy of Neurology's guideline development process manual. We included systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials on the treatment of tics that included at least 20 participants (10 participants if a crossover trial), except for neurostimulation trials, for which no minimum sample size was required. To obtain additional information on drug safety, we included cohort studies or case series that specifically evaluated adverse drug effects in individuals with tics.
RESULTS
There was high confidence that the Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics was more likely than psychoeducation and supportive therapy to reduce tics. There was moderate confidence that haloperidol, risperidone, aripiprazole, tiapride, clonidine, onabotulinumtoxinA injections, 5-ling granule, Ningdong granule, and deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus were probably more likely than placebo to reduce tics. There was low confidence that pimozide, ziprasidone, metoclopramide, guanfacine, topiramate, and tetrahydrocannabinol were possibly more likely than placebo to reduce tics. Evidence of harm associated with various treatments was also demonstrated, including weight gain, drug-induced movement disorders, elevated prolactin levels, sedation, and effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and ECGs.
CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence to support the efficacy of various medical, behavioral, and neurostimulation interventions for the treatment of tics. Both the efficacy and harms associated with interventions must be considered in making treatment recommendations.
Topics: Antipsychotic Agents; Behavior Therapy; Deep Brain Stimulation; Humans; Tic Disorders; Tics; Tourette Syndrome
PubMed: 31061209
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007467 -
Neurology Mar 2018To systematically review evidence regarding ataxia treatment.
Comprehensive systematic review summary: Treatment of cerebellar motor dysfunction and ataxia: Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review evidence regarding ataxia treatment.
METHODS
A comprehensive systematic review was performed according to American Academy of Neurology methodology.
CONCLUSIONS
For patients with episodic ataxia type 2, 4-aminopyridine 15 mg/d probably reduces ataxia attack frequency over 3 months (1 Class I study). For patients with ataxia of mixed etiology, riluzole probably improves ataxia signs at 8 weeks (1 Class I study). For patients with Friedreich ataxia or spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), riluzole probably improves ataxia signs at 12 months (1 Class I study). For patients with SCA type 3, valproic acid 1,200 mg/d possibly improves ataxia at 12 weeks. For patients with spinocerebellar degeneration, thyrotropin-releasing hormone possibly improves some ataxia signs over 10 to 14 days (1 Class II study). For patients with SCA type 3 who are ambulatory, lithium probably does not improve signs of ataxia over 48 weeks (1 Class I study). For patients with Friedreich ataxia, deferiprone possibly worsens ataxia signs over 6 months (1 Class II study). Data are insufficient to support or refute the use of numerous agents. For nonpharmacologic options, in patients with degenerative ataxias, 4-week inpatient rehabilitation probably improves ataxia and function (1 Class I study); transcranial magnetic stimulation possibly improves cerebellar motor signs at 21 days (1 Class II study). For patients with multiple sclerosis-associated ataxia, the addition of pressure splints possibly has no additional benefit compared with neuromuscular rehabilitation alone (1 Class II study). Data are insufficient to support or refute use of stochastic whole-body vibration therapy (1 Class III study).
Topics: Ataxia; Cerebellar Diseases; Humans
PubMed: 29440566
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000005055 -
Neurology Feb 2020In the past decade, an increasing number of studies have examined the efficacy of physical therapy interventions in people with Huntington disease (HD).
OBJECTIVE
In the past decade, an increasing number of studies have examined the efficacy of physical therapy interventions in people with Huntington disease (HD).
METHODS
We performed a mixed-methods systematic review using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and included experimental and observational study designs. The search resulted in 23 quantitative studies and 3 qualitative studies from which we extracted data using JBI standardized extraction tools. Results of this review suggested that physical therapy interventions may improve motor impairments and activity limitations in people with HD. Here, we expand on the review findings to provide specific recommendations to guide clinical practice.
RESULTS
We recommend the following specific physical therapy interventions for people with HD: aerobic exercise (grade A evidence), alone or in combination with resistance training to improve fitness and motor function, and supervised gait training (grade A evidence) to improve spatiotemporal features of gait. In addition, there is weak (grade B) evidence that exercise training improves balance but does not show a reduction in the frequency of falls; inspiratory and expiratory training improves breathing function and capacity; and training of transfers, getting up from the floor, and providing strategies to caregivers for involvement in physical activity in the midstages of HD may improve performance. There is expert consensus for the use of positioning devices, seating adaptations, and caregiver training in late stages of HD.
CONCLUSIONS
There is strong evidence to support physical therapy interventions to improve fitness, motor function, and gait in persons with HD.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Breathing Exercises; Caregivers; Exercise; Humans; Huntington Disease; Moving and Lifting Patients; Physical Therapy Modalities; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Resistance Training
PubMed: 31907286
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000008887