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Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024: The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) on functional ability, pain-related outcomes, and respiratory function... (Review)
Review
Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training on Functional Ability, Pain-Related Outcomes, and Respiratory Function in Individuals with Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
: The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) on functional ability, pain-related outcomes, and respiratory function in individuals with sub-acute and chronic low back pain (LBP). : The study selection was as follows: (participants) adult individuals with >4 weeks of LBP; (intervention) RMT; (comparison) any comparison RMT (inspiratory or expiratory or mixed) versus control; (outcomes) postural control, lumbar disability, pain-related outcomes, pain-related fear-avoidance beliefs, respiratory muscle function, and pulmonary function; and (study design) randomized controlled trials. : 11 studies were included in the meta-analysis showing that RMT produces a statistically significant increase in postural control (mean difference (MD) = 21.71 [12.22; 31.21]; decrease in lumbar disability (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.55 [0.001; 1.09]); decrease in lumbar pain intensity (SMD = 0.77 [0.15; 1.38]; increase in expiratory muscle strength (MD = 8.05 [5.34; 10.76]); and increase in forced vital capacity (FVC) (MD = 0.30 [0.03; 0.58]) compared with a control group. However, RMT does not produce an increase in inspiratory muscle strength (MD = 18.36 [-1.61; 38.34]) and in forced expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1) (MD = 0.36 [-0.02; 0.75]; and in the FEV1/FVC ratio (MD = 1.55 [-5.87; 8.96]) compared with the control group. : RMT could improve expiratory muscle strength and FVC, with a moderate quality of evidence, whereas a low quality of evidence suggests that RMT could improve postural control, lumbar disability, and pain intensity in individuals with sub-acute and chronic LBP. However, more studies of high methodological quality are needed to strengthen the results of this meta-analysis.
PubMed: 38892764
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113053 -
Acta Orthopaedica Jun 2024Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis (OA) is increasingly treated with total joint arthroplasty (TJA). We aimed to perform a systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis (OA) is increasingly treated with total joint arthroplasty (TJA). We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the benefits and harms of the TJA for thumb CMC OA compared with other treatment strategies.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We performed a systematic search on MEDLINE and CENTRAL databases on August 2, 2023. We included randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of TJA in people with thumb CMC joint OA regardless of the stage or etiology of the disease or comparator. The outcomes were pooled with a random effect meta-analysis.
RESULTS
We identified 4 studies randomizing 420 participants to TJA or trapeziectomy. At 3 months, TJA's benefits for pain may exceed the clinically important difference. However, after 1-year follow-up TJA does not improve pain compared with trapeziectomy (mean difference 0.53 points on a 0 to 10 scale; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26-0.81). Furthermore, it provides a transient benefit in hand function at 3 months (measured with Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire, scale 0-100, lower is better) compared with trapeziectomy with or without ligament reconstruction tendon interposition. The benefit in function diminished to a clinically unimportant level at 1-year follow-up (4.4 points better; CI 0.42-8.4).
CONCLUSION
Transient benefit in hand function for TJA implies that it could be a preferable option over trapeziectomy for people who consider fast postoperative recovery important. However, current evidence fails to inform us if TJA carries long-term higher risks of revisions compared with trapeziectomy.
Topics: Humans; Carpometacarpal Joints; Osteoarthritis; Thumb; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Arthroplasty, Replacement; Trapezium Bone
PubMed: 38887076
DOI: 10.2340/17453674.2024.40816 -
Journal of Prevention (2022) Jun 2024Mental health problems are the leading cause of childhood disability worldwide, resulting in poor outcomes for children and young people that persist into adulthood. It... (Review)
Review
Mental health problems are the leading cause of childhood disability worldwide, resulting in poor outcomes for children and young people that persist into adulthood. It is essential that those young people most at risk of developing mental health problems receive effective preventative interventions. Whilst there have been a number of systematic reviews which have examined the effectiveness of secondary prevention interventions for specific groups of children and young people, or to address identified mental health concerns, no review has engaged with the breadth of this literature. We conducted a systematic review of systematic reviews to map this complex field of secondary preventative interventions and identify effective interventions to prevent mental health problems in children and adolescents aged 3-17 years. The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO. We searched five electronic databases from inception to February 2023. The certainty of the evidence was appraised using the AMSTAR 2. We included 49 unique systematic reviews each including between 2 and 249 (mean 34) unique studies; the majority of which were reviews which included only or mostly randomised controlled trials (70%). The reviews examined selective interventions (defined as interventions which are delivered to sub-group populations of young people at increased risk of mental health problems) (n = 22), indicated interventions (defined as interventions which target young people who are found to have pre-clinical symptoms) (n = 15) or a synthesis of both (n = 12). The certainty of the evidence in the reviews was rated as high, (n = 12) moderate (n = 5), low (n = 9) and critically low (n = 23). We found evidence to support both selective and indicated interventions in a range of populations and settings, with most of this evidence available for children and young people in their mid-years (6-10 years) and early adolescence (11-13 years). There was a large body of evidence suggesting that resilience enhancing, cognitive behaviour therapy-based and psychoeducational interventions for children who experience adversity, or those with subclinical externalising problems may offer promise. Early selective interventions for a subpopulation of children and young people who have experienced adversity which combines risk reduction and resilience enhancing approaches directed at children and their families may be effective at reducing mental health problems.
PubMed: 38884876
DOI: 10.1007/s10935-024-00785-z -
Health Psychology Research 2024Body dysmorphism disorder (BDD) is a disabling mental disorder characterized by an anxious preoccupation with a perceived defect in physical appearance.
INTRODUCTION
Body dysmorphism disorder (BDD) is a disabling mental disorder characterized by an anxious preoccupation with a perceived defect in physical appearance.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review arose with the main objective of identifying the most effective psychotherapeutic intervention in the treatment of BDD.
METHODS
From February to October 2022, we conducted a systematic review aimed at identifying the psychotherapeutic intervention for BDD, the search for these concepts was on PubMed. There were no language limitations, only time limitations, we delved into studies published in the databases between 2015 and 2022.
RESULTS
We identified a total of 393 unique records. Of these, 43 full-text articles were evaluated for eligibility, and seven of these met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final systematic review.
CONCLUSIONS
Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to be effective compared with other therapies, especially when combined with drug therapy. The results confirm that BDD-NET (INTERNET-based CBT) led to significant improvement of symptoms in patients with body dysmorphism. In conclusion, we can say that cognitive-behavioral therapy, whether in direct or online form, appears to be the most effective treatment for this disorder.
PubMed: 38883698
DOI: 10.52965/001c.117649 -
Campbell Systematic Reviews Jun 2024Around 15% of the global population live with some form of disabilities and experience worse health outcomes, less participation in the community and are part of fewer... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Around 15% of the global population live with some form of disabilities and experience worse health outcomes, less participation in the community and are part of fewer activities outside the home. Outdoor mobility interventions aim to improve the ability to move, travel and orient outside the home and could influence the number of activities outside the home, participation and quality of life. However, outdoor mobility interventions may also lead to harm like falls or injuries or have unforeseen effects which could lead to mortality or hospitalization.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy of interventions aiming to improve outdoor mobility for adults living with disabilities and to explore if the efficacy varies between different conditions and different intervention components.
SEARCH METHODS
Standard, extensive Campbell search methods were used, including a total of 12 databases searched during January 2023, including trial registries.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Only randomized controlled trials were included, focusing on people living with disabilities, comparing interventions to improve outdoor mobility to control interventions as well as comparing different types of interventions to improve outdoor mobility.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Standard methodological procedures expected by Campbell were used. The following important outcomes were 1. Activity outside the home; 2. Engagement in everyday life activities; 3. Participation; 4. Health-related Quality of Life; 5. Major harms; 6. Minor harms. The impact of the interventions was evaluated in the shorter (≤6 months) and longer term (≥7 months) after starting the intervention. Results are presented using risk ratios (RR), risk difference (RD), and standardized mean differences (SMD), with the associated confidence intervals (CI). The risk of bias 2-tool and the GRADE-framework were used to assess the certainty of the evidence.
MAIN RESULTS
The screening comprised of 12.894 studies and included 22 studies involving 2.675 people living with disabilities and identified 12 ongoing studies. All reported outcomes except one (reported in one study, some concerns of bias) had overall high risk of bias. Thirteen studies were conducted in participants with disabilities due to stroke, five studies with older adults living with disabilities, two studies with wheelchair users, one study in participants with disabilities after a hip fracture, and one study in participants with cognitive impairments. The evidence is very uncertain about the benefits and harms of skill training interventions versus control interventions not aimed to improve outdoor mobility among all people living with disabilities both in the shorter term (≤6 months) and longer term (≥7 months) for Activity outside the home; Participation; Health-related Quality of Life; Major harms; and Minor harms, based on very low certainty evidence. Skill training interventions may improve engagement in everyday life activities among people with disabilities in the shorter term (RR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.84; = 7%; RD: 0.15; 95% CI: -0.02 to 0.32; = 71%; 692 participants; three studies; low certainty evidence), but the evidence is very uncertain in the longer term, based on very low certainty evidence. Subgroup analysis of skill training interventions among people living with disabilities due to cognitive impairments suggests that such interventions may improve activity outside the home in the shorter term (SMD: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.81; = NA; 118 participants; one study; low certainty evidence). Subgroup analysis of skill training interventions among people living with cognitive impairments suggests that such interventions may improve health-related quality of life in the shorter term (SMD: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.88; = NA; 118 participants; one study; low certainty evidence). The evidence is very uncertain about the benefits and harms of physical training interventions versus control interventions not aimed to improve outdoor mobility in the shorter term (≤6 months) and longer term (≥7 months) for: Engagement in everyday life activities; Participation; Health-related Quality of Life; Major harms; and Minor harms, based on very low certainty evidence. Physical training interventions may improve activity outside the home in the shorter (SMD: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.61; = NA; 228 participants; one study; low certainty evidence) and longer term (≥7 months) (SMD: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.54; = NA; 216 participants; one study; low certainty evidence). The evidence is very uncertain about the benefits and harms of outdoor mobility interventions of different lengths in the shorter term (≤6 months) and longer term (≥7 months) for Activity outside the home; Engagement in everyday life activities; Participation; Health-related Quality of Life; Major harms; and Minor harms, based on very low certainty evidence. No studies explored the efficacy of other types of interventions.
AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS
Twenty-two studies of interventions to improve outdoor mobility for people living with disabilities were identified, but the evidence still remains uncertain about most benefits and harms of these interventions, both in the short- and long term. This is primarily related to risk of bias, small underpowered studies and limited reporting of important outcomes for people living with disabilities. For people with disabilities, skill training interventions may improve engagement in everyday life in the short term, and improve activity outside the home and health-related quality of life for people with cognitive impairments in the short term. Still, this is based on low certainty evidence from few studies and should be interpreted with caution. One study with low certainty evidence suggests that physical training interventions may improve activity outside the home in the short term. In addition, the effect sizes across all outcomes were considered small or trivial, and could be of limited relevance to people living with disabilities. The evidence is currently uncertain if there are interventions that can improve outdoor mobility for people with disabilities, and can improve other important outcomes, while avoiding harms. To guide decisions about the use of interventions to improve outdoor mobility, future studies should use more rigorous design and report important outcomes for people with disabilities to reduce the current uncertainty.
PubMed: 38882933
DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1407 -
Clinical and Experimental Dental... Jun 2024Special needs dentistry (SND) is a vast and fragmented field of study. This comprehensive bibliometric analysis aimed to evaluate the scope of SND, including the...
OBJECTIVES
Special needs dentistry (SND) is a vast and fragmented field of study. This comprehensive bibliometric analysis aimed to evaluate the scope of SND, including the existing knowledge base, distribution structure, quantitative relationships, and research trends.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A systematic search was conducted on March 10, 2022, using the Web of Science Core Collection database, covering the period from 1985 to 2021, focusing on studies reporting on special needs populations in a dentally relevant context. Records were title-screened and analyzed for key bibliometric indicators.
RESULTS
Among 48,374 articles, 13,869 underwent bibliometric analysis. Peak SND research occurred during 1985-1997. United States led in productivity, trailed by Brazil and Japan. University of Sao Paulo excelled in Brazil, University of Washington and University of North Carolina in the United States. The Journal of Dental Research was the most productive source of research and also had the highest number of citations, followed by Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. Keyword analysis revealed that "elderly", "caries", and "epidemiology" were the most commonly used author keywords.
CONCLUSIONS
This study represents the first bibliometric analysis of SND literature. It emphasizes the need for increased collaboration between institutions and authors. Furthermore, it suggests focusing on research input from non-dental disciplines and populations with rarer intellectual or developmental conditions.
Topics: Bibliometrics; Humans; Dental Research; Dental Care for Disabled
PubMed: 38881256
DOI: 10.1002/cre2.896 -
Disability and Rehabilitation Jun 2024To analyze the effects of exergames on rehabilitation outcomes in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To analyze the effects of exergames on rehabilitation outcomes in osteoarthritis (OA) patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic review was reported according to the PRISMA statement. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in Pubmed, Scopus, WoS, CINAHL, and PEDro (inception to November 2023). Studies that applied non-immersive exergames and assessed physical, functional, cognitive, pain, and psychosocial outcomes were included. Comparisons were other exercise modalities and non-intervention. Methodological quality was assessed with PEDro scale, and risk of bias (RoB) was assessed with Cochrane RoB-2 tool.
RESULTS
Eight studies were included (total of participants = 401). The mean PEDro score was 6.1, and seven studies had high RoB. Seven studies involved knee OA and one cervical OA. The most frequent duration for interventions was four weeks. Exergames were more effective than controls in at least one outcome in all studies. The outcomes for which exergames were most effective were functional disability, postural balance, muscle strength, proprioception, gait, range of motion, pain, quality of life, depression, and kinesiophobia.
CONCLUSION
Non-immersive exergames constitute an effective strategy for optimizing several relevant outcomes in rehabilitation. However, more RCTs with high methodological quality are required to deepen the knowledge about the multidimensional effects of exergames in OA patients.
PubMed: 38879761
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2368057 -
BMC Geriatrics Jun 2024The impact of social frailty on older adults is profound including mortality risk, functional decline, falls, and disability. However, effective strategies that respond...
BACKGROUND
The impact of social frailty on older adults is profound including mortality risk, functional decline, falls, and disability. However, effective strategies that respond to the needs of socially frail older adults are lacking and few studies have unpacked how social determinants operate or how interventions can be adapted during periods requiring social distancing and isolation such as the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these gaps, we conducted a scoping review using JBI methodology to identify interventions that have the best potential to help socially frail older adults (age ≥65 years).
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL (EPSCO), EMBASE and COVID-19 databases and the grey literature. Eligibility criteria were developed using the PICOS framework. Our results were summarized descriptively according to study, patient, intervention and outcome characteristics. Data synthesis involved charting and categorizing identified interventions using a social frailty framework. RESULTS: Of 263 included studies, we identified 495 interventions involving ~124,498 older adults who were mostly female. The largest proportion of older adults (40.5%) had a mean age range of 70-79 years. The 495 interventions were spread across four social frailty domains: social resource (40%), self-management (32%), social behavioural activity (28%), and general resource (0.4%). Of these, 189 interventions were effective for improving loneliness, social and health and wellbeing outcomes across psychological self-management, self-management education, leisure activity, physical activity, Information Communication Technology and socially assistive robot interventions. Sixty-three interventions were identified as feasible to be adapted during infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., COVID-19, flu) to help socially frail older adults.
CONCLUSIONS
Our scoping review identified promising interventions with the best potential to help older adults living with social frailty.
Topics: Humans; Aged; COVID-19; Frail Elderly; Social Isolation; Frailty; Aged, 80 and over; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38879489
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-05096-w -
Physiotherapy Research International :... Jul 2024To investigate if Extracorporeal Shock Wave therapy (ESWT) is effective in reducing pain and disability, in improving function, quality of life and complete resorption... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To investigate if Extracorporeal Shock Wave therapy (ESWT) is effective in reducing pain and disability, in improving function, quality of life and complete resorption rate of calcification in patients with Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinopathy. To investigate which modality of ESWT brings the greatest clinical improvements between High (HE)-SWT and Low Energy (LE)-SWT and between Focal (F)-SWT and Radial (R)-SWT.
METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL Database, and PEDro databases until February 2024 were searched. Study registers were further investigated. The Risk of Bias (RoB) was assessed with the Revised Cochrane RoB Tool (RoB 2). The certainty of evidence was rated with GRADE.
RESULTS
Twenty-one randomized controlled trials were included. None was judged as overall low RoB. Comparing ESWT and Ultrasound Guided Needling Procedures (USGNP), the pooled results reported a significant difference favoring USGNP in pain at <24 and <48 weeks (MD = 1.17, p = 0.004, I = 59%; MD = 1.31, p = 0.004, I = 42%, respectively). Comparing ESWT and sham-ESWT, the pooled results reported a clinically significant difference favoring ESWT in pain and function at 24 weeks (MD = -5.72, p < 0.00001, I = 0%; Standardized Mean Difference = 2.94, p = 0.02 I = 98%, respectively). Comparing HE-SWT and LE-SWT, HE-SWT was statistically and clinically superior in pain and function at <24 weeks (MD = -1.83, p = 0.03, I = 87%; MD = 14.60, p = 0.002, I = 77%, respectively) and showed a significantly higher complete resorption rate of calcification at 12 weeks (Risk Ratio = 2.53, p = 0.001, I = 0%). F-SWT and R-SWT appear equally effective in reducing pain, improving disability and resorption rate. The certainty of evidence was rated as very low through GRADE approach.
CONCLUSION
USGNP was statistically superior to ESWT in pain reduction at <24 and <48 weeks. ESWT was clinically better to sham-ESWT in pain reduction and function improvement at 24 weeks. HE-SWT was clinically more effective than LE-SWT in reducing pain, improving function at <24 weeks, and resolving calcific deposits at 12 weeks, while no differences between F-SWT and R-SWT were reported.
Topics: Humans; Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy; Tendinopathy; Calcinosis; Rotator Cuff; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38878302
DOI: 10.1002/pri.2106 -
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research Jun 2024The objective of this systematic review is to determine the benefits and harms of heel lifts to any comparator for lower limb musculoskeletal conditions. (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The objective of this systematic review is to determine the benefits and harms of heel lifts to any comparator for lower limb musculoskeletal conditions.
METHODS
Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid AMED, Ovid EMCARE, CINAHL Plus and SPORTDiscus were searched from inception to the end of May 2024. Randomised, quasi-randomised or non-randomised trials comparing heel lifts to any other intervention or no-treatment were eligible for inclusion. Data was extracted for the outcomes of pain, disability/function, participation, participant rating of overall condition, quality of life, composite measures and adverse events. Two authors independently assessed risk of bias and certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach at the primary time point 12 weeks (or next closest).
RESULTS
Eight trials (n = 903), investigating mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy, calcaneal apophysitis and plantar heel pain were included. Heel lifts were compared to exercise, ultrasound, cryotherapy orthotics, stretching, footwear, activity modification, felt pads and analgesic medication. No outcome was at low risk of bias and few effects (2 out of 47) were clinically important. Low-certainty evidence (1 trial, n = 199) indicates improved pain relief (55.7 points [95% CI: 50.3-61.1], on a 100 mm visual analogue scale) with custom orthotics compared to heel lifts at 12 weeks for calcaneal apophysitis. Very low-certainty evidence (1 trial, n = 62) indicates improved pain and function with heel lifts over indomethacin (35.5 points [95% CI: 21.1-49.9], Foot Function Index) at 12 months for plantar heel pain.
CONCLUSIONS
Few trials have assessed the benefits and harms of heel lifts for lower limb musculoskeletal conditions. Only two outcomes out of 47 showed clinically meaningful between group differences. However, due to very low to low certainty evidence we are unable to be confident in the results and the true effect may be substantially different.
REGISTRATION
PROSPERO registration number CRD42022309644.
Topics: Humans; Heel; Treatment Outcome; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Male; Female; Lower Extremity; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Pain Measurement; Tendinopathy; Adult
PubMed: 38878299
DOI: 10.1002/jfa2.12031