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Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Nov 2018Laryngeal endoscopy with stroboscopy, a critical component of the assessment of voice disorders, is rarely used as a treatment outcome measure in the scientific...
OBJECTIVE
Laryngeal endoscopy with stroboscopy, a critical component of the assessment of voice disorders, is rarely used as a treatment outcome measure in the scientific literature. We hypothesized that this is because of the lack of a widely used standardized, validated, and reliable method to assess and report laryngeal anatomy and physiology, and undertook a systematic literature review to determine the extent of the inconsistencies of the parameters and scales used in voice treatment outcome studies.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic literature review.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane for studies where laryngeal endoscopy with stroboscopy was used as a treatment outcome measure with search terms representing "stroboscopy" and "treatment" guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement standards.
RESULTS
In the 62 included articles, we identified 141 terms representing 49 different parameters, which were further classified into 20 broad categories. The six most common parameters were magnitude of glottal gap, mucosal wave amplitude, location or shape of glottal gap, regularity of vibration, phase symmetry, and presence and size of specific lesions. Parameters were assessed on scales ranging from binary to 100 points. The number of scales used for each parameter varied from 1 to 24, with an average of four different scales per parameter.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a lack of agreement in the scientific literature regarding which parameters should be assessed to measure voice treatment outcomes and which terms and scales should be used for each parameter. This greatly diminishes comparison and clinical implementation of the results of treatment outcomes research in voice disorders. We highlight a previously published tool and recommend it for future use in research and clinical settings.
Topics: Calibration; Humans; Laryngeal Diseases; Laryngoscopy; Observer Variation; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Reference Standards; Reproducibility of Results; Severity of Illness Index; Stroboscopy
PubMed: 29103609
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2017.09.018 -
Vaccine Jun 2021This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of vaccination decision aids compared with usual care on vaccine uptake, vaccine attitudes,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of vaccination decision aids compared with usual care on vaccine uptake, vaccine attitudes, decisional conflict, intent to vaccinate and timeliness.
METHODS
Searches were conducted in OVID Medline, OVID Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library and SCOPUS. Randomised controlled trials were included if they evaluated the impact of decision aids as defined by the International Patient Decision Aids Standards Collaboration. Where possible, meta-analysis was undertaken. Where meta-analysis was not possible, we conducted a narrative synthesis. Risk of bias in included trials was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. Data were analysed using STATA.
RESULTS
Five RCTs were identified that evaluated the effectiveness of decision aids in the context of vaccination decision making. Meta-analysis of four studies showed that decision aids may have slightly increased vaccination uptake, but this was reduced to no effect once studies with higher risk of bias were excluded. Meta-analysis of three studies showed that decision aids moderately increased intention to vaccinate. Narrative synthesis of two studies suggested that decision aids reduced decisional conflict. One study reported that decision aids decreased perceived risk of vaccination. Content, format and delivery method of the decision aids varied across the studies. It was not clear from the information reported whether these variations affected the effectiveness of the decision aids.
CONCLUSION
Decision aids can assist in vaccine decision making. Future studies of decision aids could provide greater detail of the decision aids themselves, which would enable comparison of the effectiveness of different elements and formats. Standardising decision aids would also allow for easier comparison between decision aids.
Topics: Decision Making; Decision Support Techniques; Humans; Reference Standards; Vaccination
PubMed: 34052064
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.05.021 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Increasing attention on workplace wellbeing and growth in workplace wellbeing interventions has highlighted the need to measure workers' wellbeing. This systematic...
INTRODUCTION
Increasing attention on workplace wellbeing and growth in workplace wellbeing interventions has highlighted the need to measure workers' wellbeing. This systematic review sought to identify the most valid and reliable published measure/s of wellbeing for workers developed between 2010 to 2020.
METHODS
Electronic databases Health and Psychosocial Instruments, APA PsycInfo, and Scopus were searched. Key search terms included variations of AND . Studies and properties of wellbeing measures were then appraised using Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments.
RESULTS
Eighteen articles reported development of new wellbeing instruments and eleven undertook a psychometric validation of an existing wellbeing instrument in a specific country, language, or context. Generation and pilot testing of items for the 18 newly developed instruments were largely rated 'Inadequate'; only two were rated as 'Very Good'. None of the studies reported measurement properties of responsiveness, criterion validity, or content validity. The three instruments with the greatest number of positively rated measurement properties were the Personal Growth and Development Scale, The University of Tokyo Occupational Mental Health well-being 24 scale, and the Employee Well-being scale. However, none of these newly developed worker wellbeing instruments met the criteria for adequate instrument design.
DISCUSSION
This review provides researchers and clinicians a synthesis of information to help inform appropriate instrument selection in measurement of workers' wellbeing.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=79044, identifier: PROSPERO, CRD42018079044.
Topics: Humans; Mental Health; Health Personnel; Language; Workplace; Working Conditions
PubMed: 37293618
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1053179 -
Archives of Physical Medicine and... Mar 2016To identify and critically appraise potential participation measurement tools for children aged 18 months to 17 years with power mobility (PM) needs. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To identify and critically appraise potential participation measurement tools for children aged 18 months to 17 years with power mobility (PM) needs.
DATA SOURCES
Searches in 9 electronic databases identified peer-reviewed publications in English to January 2015, along with hand-searching included bibliographies.
STUDY SELECTION
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses statement was followed with inclusion criteria set a priori. Keywords and subject headings included participation and measurement terms with descriptors of young people who are potential PM candidates. Publications describing measurement properties of English-language tools were included if the items included ≥ 85% content related to participation and described at least 2 participation dimensions.
DATA EXTRACTION
Two reviewers reached consensus after independently screening titles and abstracts, identifying full-text articles meeting criteria, extracting data, and conducting quality ratings. Tool descriptions, clinical utility, and measurement properties were extracted. Study quality and measurement properties were evaluated using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments checklist and the McMaster Outcome Measures Rating Form.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Of 1330 titles identified, 138 peer-reviewed publications met study inclusion criteria. Fifty tools were identified, of which 20 met inclusion criteria. Evidence supporting reliability and validity varied considerably. Two tools had responsiveness evidence, an important measurement property when evaluating change. Quality ratings were strongest for internal consistency and content validity. Ratings were downgraded because of small sample sizes and a limited description of missing data or study conditions.
CONCLUSIONS
While potential tools emerged (Assessment of Preschool Children's Participation, Preferences for Activities of Children, Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation, Child Engagement in Daily Life, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Questionnaire of Young People's Participation), none were judged best suited for use with children having PM needs. Further empirical studies with this population are needed before recommending use for PM applications.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Disability Evaluation; Disabled Children; Health Services Needs and Demand; Humans; Infant; Mobility Limitation
PubMed: 26365129
DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.08.428 -
Expert Review of Gastroenterology &... Aug 2018The pancreas plays a central role in metabolism and is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Pancreas volume is a holistic quantitative measure of pancreas... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The pancreas plays a central role in metabolism and is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Pancreas volume is a holistic quantitative measure of pancreas size but the clinical relevance of pancreas volumetry is poorly understood. Areas covered: The aim was to systematically review studies in adults that used computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging to measure pancreas volume in health and disease, to determine normal pancreas volume range, and to quantify changes in pancreas volume that are associated with disease. Expert commentary: The normal pancreas volume range in adults is 71-83 cm, with no statistically significant difference between men and women. Type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes are associated with a progressively reduced pancreas volume. Overweight and obesity are associated with a progressively increased pancreas volume. There is a paucity of studies on pancreas volume in the setting of diseases of the exocrine pancreas, which should become a research priority in the future.
Topics: Diabetes Complications; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Organ Size; Overweight; Pancreas; Pancreatic Diseases; Reference Values; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 29972077
DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2018.1496015 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Sep 2022Respiratory oscillometry is gaining global attention over traditional pulmonary function tests for its sensitivity in detecting small airway obstructions. However, its... (Review)
Review
Respiratory oscillometry is gaining global attention over traditional pulmonary function tests for its sensitivity in detecting small airway obstructions. However, its use in clinical settings as a diagnostic tool is limited because oscillometry lacks globally accepted reference values. In this scoping review, we systematically assessed the differences between selected oscillometric reference equations with the hypothesis that significant heterogeneity existed between them. We searched bibliographic databases, registries and references for studies that developed equations for healthy adult populations according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A widely used Caucasian model was used as the standard reference and compared against other models using Bland-Altman and Lin's concordance correlational analyses. We screened 1202 titles and abstracts, and after a full-text review of 67 studies, we included 10 in our analyses. Of these, three models had a low-to-moderate agreement with the reference model, particularly those developed from non-Caucasian populations. Although the other six models had a moderate-to-high agreement with the standard model, there were still significant sex-specific variations. This is the first systematic analysis of the heterogeneity between oscillometric reference models and warrants the validation of appropriate equations in clinical applications of oscillometry to avoid diagnostic errors.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Oscillometry; Reference Values; Respiratory Function Tests
PubMed: 35831009
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0021-2022 -
Journal of Strength and Conditioning... Apr 2017Hydren, JR, Borges, AS, and Sharp, MA. Systematic review and meta-analysis of predictors of military task performance: maximal lift capacity. J Strength Cond Res 31(4):... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Hydren, JR, Borges, AS, and Sharp, MA. Systematic review and meta-analysis of predictors of military task performance: maximal lift capacity. J Strength Cond Res 31(4): 1142-1164, 2017-Physical performance tests (e.g., physical employment tests, return-to-duty tests) are commonly used to predict occupational task performance to assess the ability of individuals to do a job. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify predictive tests that correlate well with maximal lifting capacity in military personnel. Three databases were searched and experts in the field were contacted, resulting in the identification of 9 reports confined to military personnel that presented correlations between predictor tests and job tasks that measured maximal lift capacity. These 9 studies used 9 variations of a maximal lift capacity test, which were pooled to evaluate comparisons. The predictive tests were categorized into 10 fitness domains, which in ranked order were as follows: body mass and composition, absolute aerobic capacity, dynamic strength, power, isometric strength, strength-endurance, speed, isokinetic strength, flexibility, and age. Limitations of these data include a restricted age range (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 20-35; no correlations to maximal lift capacity) and the limited number of comparisons available within the cited studies. Weighted mean correlations ((Equation is included in full-text article.)) and 95% CI were calculated for each test. Lean body mass (kg) was the strongest overall predictor ((Equation is included in full-text article.); 95% CI, 0.697-0.966). Tests of dynamic strength had stronger correlations than strength endurance ((Equation is included in full-text article.), 95% CI, 0.69-0.89 vs. (Equation is included in full-text article.), 95% CI, 0.21-0.61). The following 6 domains of physical performance predictive tests had pooled correlations of 0.40 or greater for combined-sex samples: dynamic strength, power, isometric strength, strength endurance, speed, and isokinetic strength. Anthropometric measures explain 24-54% of maximal lift capacity variance, and lean body mass alone accounts for ∼69%. This review provides summarized information to assist in the selection of predictive tests for maximal lifting capacity in military personnel.
Topics: Age Factors; Body Composition; Body Weights and Measures; Humans; Lifting; Military Personnel; Muscle Strength; Physical Fitness; Reproducibility of Results; Task Performance and Analysis
PubMed: 28135227
DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001790 -
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Jul 2010Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a decline in cognitive function from pre-operative levels, which has been frequently described after cardiac surgery. The... (Review)
Review
Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a decline in cognitive function from pre-operative levels, which has been frequently described after cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the variability in the measurement and definitions for POCD using the framework of a 1995 Consensus Statement on measurement of POCD. Electronic medical literature databases were searched for the intersection of the search terms 'thoracic surgery' and 'cognition, dementia, and neuropsychological test.' Abstracts were reviewed independently by two reviewers. English articles with >50 participants published since 1995 that performed pre-operative and post-operative psychometric testing in patients undergoing cardiac surgery were reviewed. Data relevant to the measurement and definition of POCD were abstracted and compared with the recommendations of the Consensus Statement. Sixty-two studies of POCD in patients undergoing cardiac surgery were identified. Of these studies, the recommended neuropsychological tests were carried out in less than half of the studies. The cognitive domains measured most frequently were attention (n=56; 93%) and memory (n=57; 95%); motor skills were measured less frequently (n=36; 60%). Additionally, less than half of the studies examined anxiety and depression, performed neurological exam, or accounted for learning. Four definitions of POCD emerged: per cent decline (n=15), standard deviation decline (n=14), factor analysis (n=13), and analysis of performance on individual tests (n=12). There is marked variability in the measurement and definition of POCD. This heterogeneity may impede progress by reducing the ability to compare studies on the causes and treatment of POCD.
Topics: Aged; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Cognition Disorders; Consensus Development Conferences as Topic; Coronary Artery Bypass; Guideline Adherence; Humans; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Postoperative Complications; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Reference Standards
PubMed: 20397979
DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2010.02236.x -
British Journal of Sports Medicine Aug 2022Evaluate properties of outcome measures for gluteal tendinopathy. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate properties of outcome measures for gluteal tendinopathy.
DESIGN
Multistage scoping/systematic review.
DATA SOURCES
Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, PEDro, CINAHL, SPORTDISCUS were searched (December 2021) to identify measures used to evaluate gluteal tendinopathy. Measures were mapped to the core health domains for tendinopathy. Medline, CINAHL, Embase and PubMed were searched (December 2021) for studies evaluating measurement properties of gluteal tendinopathy outcome measures captured in the initial search. Both reviews included studies that evaluated a treatment in participants with gluteal tendinopathy, diagnosed by a professional. Consensus-based-Standards for the Selection of Health Instruments methodology were followed-including bias assessment and synthesis of findings.
RESULTS
Six studies reported on the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Gluteal Tendinopathy (VISA-G). One study reported on the Hip Outcome Score (HOS)-activities of daily living (ADL) and Sport.The VISA-G had moderate-quality evidence of sufficient construct validity (known group) and responsiveness (pre-post intervention), low-quality evidence of sufficient reliability, measurement error, comprehensibility and insufficient construct validity (convergent), and very low-quality evidence of sufficient comprehensiveness, relevance and responsiveness (comparison with other outcome measures).Both the HOS(ADL) and HOS(Sport) had very low-quality evidence of sufficient reliability, relevance and insufficient construct validity and comprehensiveness. The HOS(ADL) had very low-quality evidence of sufficient comprehensibility and insufficient measurement error. The HOS(Sport) had very low quality evidence of inconsistent comprehensibility and sufficient measurement error.
CONCLUSION
Rigorously validated outcome measures for gluteal tendinopathy are lacking. The VISA-G is the preferred available option to capture the disability associated with gluteal tendinopathy.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Humans; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Reproducibility of Results; Tendinopathy
PubMed: 35396205
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-104548 -
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and... Jun 2016Cognitive impairment is present in approximately 30% of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and, especially when severe, has a negative impact on survival... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Cognitive impairment is present in approximately 30% of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and, especially when severe, has a negative impact on survival and caregiver burden. Our 2010 meta-analysis of the cognitive profile of ALS showed impairment of fluency, executive function, language and memory. However, the limited number of studies resulted in large confidence intervals. To obtain a more valid assessment, we updated the meta-analysis and included methodological improvements (controlled data extraction, risk of bias analysis and effect size calculation of individual neuropsychological tests). Embase, Medline and PsycInfo were searched for neuropsychological studies of non-demented patients with ALS and age-matched and education-matched healthy controls. Neuropsychological tests were categorised in 13 cognitive domains and effect sizes (Hedges' g) were calculated for each domain and for individual tests administered in ≥5 studies. Subgroup analyses were performed to assess the influence of clinical and demographic variables. Forty-four studies were included comprising 1287 patients and 1130 healthy controls. All cognitive domains, except visuoperceptive functions, showed significant effect sizes compared to controls. Cognitive domains without bias due to motor impairment showed medium effect sizes (95% CI): fluency (0.56 (0.43 to 0.70)), language (0.56 (0.40 to 0.72)), social cognition (0.55 (0.34 to 0.76)), or small effect sizes: delayed verbal memory 0.47 (0.27 to 0.68)) and executive functions (0.41 (0.27 to 0.55)). Individual neuropsychological tests showed diverging effect sizes, which could be explained by bias due to motor impairment. Subgroup analyses showed no influence of bulbar disease onset and depression and anxiety on the cognitive outcomes. The cognitive profile of ALS consists of deficits in fluency, language, social cognition, executive functions and verbal memory. Social cognition is a new cognitive domain with a relatively large effect size, highlighting the overlap between ALS and frontotemporal dementia. The diverging effect sizes for individual neuropsychological tests show the importance of correction for motor impairment in patients with ALS. These findings have implications for bedside testing, the design of cognitive screening measures and full neuropsychological examinations.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Cognition Disorders; Diagnosis, Differential; Disability Evaluation; Female; Frontotemporal Dementia; Humans; Language Disorders; Male; Mental Status Schedule; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Point-of-Care Testing; Psychometrics; Reference Values
PubMed: 26283685
DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2015-310734