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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2023Sleep disturbances occur frequently in people with dementia with a reported prevalence of up to 40%. Common problems are increased number and duration of awakenings and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Sleep disturbances occur frequently in people with dementia with a reported prevalence of up to 40%. Common problems are increased number and duration of awakenings and increased percentage of light sleep. Sleep disturbances are associated with a number of problems for people with dementia, their relatives, and carers. In people with dementia, they may lead to worsening of cognitive symptoms, challenging behaviours such as restlessness or wandering, and further harms, such as accidental falls. Sleep disturbances are also associated with significant carer distress and have been reported as a factor contributing to institutionalisation of people with dementia. As pharmacological approaches have shown unsatisfactory results, there is a need to synthesise the research evidence on non-pharmacological strategies to improve sleep in people with dementia. As interventions are often complex, consisting of more than one active component, and implemented in complex contexts, it may not be easy to identify effective intervention components.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the benefits and harms of non-pharmacological interventions on sleep disturbances in people with dementia compared to usual care, no treatment, any other non-pharmacological intervention, or any drug treatment intended to improve sleep, and to describe the components and processes of any complex intervention included.
SEARCH METHODS
We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search was 13 January 2022.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included individually or cluster-randomised controlled trials in people with dementia comparing non-pharmacological interventions to improve sleep compared to usual care or to other interventions of any type. Eligible studies had to have a sleep-related primary outcome. We included people with a diagnosis of dementia and sleep problems at baseline irrespective of age, type of dementia, severity of cognitive impairment, or setting. Studies reporting results on a mixed sample (e.g. in a nursing home) were only considered for inclusion if at least 80% of participants had dementia.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were 1. objective sleep-related outcomes (e.g. total nocturnal sleep time, consolidated sleep time at night, sleep efficiency, total wake time at night (or time spent awake after sleep onset), number of nocturnal awakenings, sleep onset latency, daytime/night-time sleep ratio, night-time/total sleep ratio over 24 hours) and 2.
ADVERSE EVENTS
Our secondary outcomes were 3. subjective sleep-related outcomes, 4. behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, 5. quality of life, 6. functional status, 7. institutionalisation, 8. compliance with the intervention, and 9. attrition rates. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence and chose key outcomes to be included in summary of findings tables.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 19 randomised controlled trials with 1335 participants allocated to treatment or control groups. Fourteen studies were conducted in nursing homes, three included community residents, one included 'inpatients', one included people from a mental health centre, and one included people from district community centres for older people. Fourteen studies were conducted in the US. We also identified nine ongoing studies. All studies applied one or more non-pharmacological intervention aiming to improve physiological sleep in people with dementia and sleep problems. The most frequently examined single intervention was some form of light therapy (six studies), five studies included physical or social activities, three carer interventions, one daytime sleep restriction, one slow-stroke back massage, and one transcranial electrostimulation. Seven studies examined multimodal complex interventions. Risk of bias of included studies was frequently unclear due to incomplete reporting. Therefore, we rated no study at low risk of bias. We are uncertain whether light therapy has any effect on sleep-related outcomes (very low-certainty evidence). Physical activities may slightly increase the total nocturnal sleep time and sleep efficiency, and may reduce the total time awake at night and slightly reduce the number of awakenings at night (low-certainty evidence). Social activities may slightly increase total nocturnal sleep time and sleep efficiency (low-certainty evidence). Carer interventions may modestly increase total nocturnal sleep time, may slightly increase sleep efficiency, and may modestly decrease the total awake time during the night (low-certainty evidence from one study). Multimodal interventions may modestly increase total nocturnal sleep time and may modestly reduce the total wake time at night, but may result in little to no difference in number of awakenings (low-certainty evidence). We are uncertain about the effects of multimodal interventions on sleep efficiency (very low-certainty evidence). We found low-certainty evidence that daytime sleep restrictions, slow-stroke back massage, and transcranial electrostimulation may result in little to no difference in sleep-related outcomes. Only two studies reported information about adverse events, detecting only few such events in the intervention groups.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Despite the inclusion of 19 randomised controlled trials, there is a lack of conclusive evidence concerning non-pharmacological interventions for sleep problems in people with dementia. Although neither single nor multimodal interventions consistently improved sleep with sufficient certainty, we found some positive effects on physical and social activities as well as carer interventions. Future studies should use rigorous methods to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of multimodal interventions using current guidelines on the development and evaluation of complex interventions. At present, no single or multimodal intervention can be clearly identified as suitable for widespread implementation.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Caregivers; Dementia; Quality of Life; Sleep Wake Disorders; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 36594432
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011881.pub2 -
Trends in Hearing 2022There is growing evidence linking hearing impairment to higher falls risk through alterations in postural stability, with studies showing mixed results. The primary aim... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
There is growing evidence linking hearing impairment to higher falls risk through alterations in postural stability, with studies showing mixed results. The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the association between hearing impairment and postural instability in older adults, including differences based on severity of hearing impairment. This review was pre-registered in PROSPERO and performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines across six databases. Primary research on adults aged 60 years and older with hearing loss and an objective measure of postural stability or gait were eligible for inclusion. Methodological quality was assessed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) adapted for cross-sectional studies. Data were analysed using meta-analyses and a narrative synthesis. Inclusion in the meta-analyses required clearly defined audiometrically-assessed hearing impairment, and two subgroups of participants: mild (25-40 dB HL) and moderate to-severe (>40 dB HL) hearing impairment. Twenty-five eligible studies (n = 27,847) were included in the narrative synthesis, with quality ratings ranging from unsatisfactory to very good on the modified NOS. Eight studies were included in the meta-analysis which showed individuals with moderate to-severe hearing impairment were significantly slower on the 5 x sit-to-stand test (mean difference[95%CI] = 0.50 s [0.04, 0.97], = .03), had a slower gait speed (mean difference[95%CI] = -0.11 s [-0.16, -0.05], < .001) and had lower total Short Physical Performance Battery scores (mean difference[95%CI] = -0.79[-1.17, -0.41], < .001) than those with normal hearing. This review provides evidence there is an inverse association between increasing severity of hearing impairment and poorer postural stability across both the meta-analysis and narrative synthesis.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Accidental Falls; Hearing Loss
PubMed: 36524292
DOI: 10.1177/23312165221144155 -
Systematic Reviews Dec 2022This overview summarizes the best available systematic review (SR) evidence on the health effects of Tai Chi.
BACKGROUND
This overview summarizes the best available systematic review (SR) evidence on the health effects of Tai Chi.
METHODS
Nine databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), Sino-Med, and Wanfang Database) were searched for SRs of controlled clinical trials of Tai Chi interventions published between Jan 2010 and Dec 2020 in any language. Effect estimates were extracted from the most recent, comprehensive, highest-quality SR for each population, condition, and outcome. SR quality was appraised with AMSTAR 2 and overall certainty of effect estimates with the GRADE method.
RESULTS
Of the 210 included SRs, 193 only included randomized controlled trials, one only included non-randomized studies of interventions, and 16 included both. Common conditions were neurological (18.6%), falls/balance (14.7%), cardiovascular (14.7%), musculoskeletal (11.0%), cancer (7.1%), and diabetes mellitus (6.7%). Except for stroke, no evidence for disease prevention was found; however, multiple proxy-outcomes/risks factors were evaluated. One hundred and fourteen effect estimates were extracted from 37 SRs (2 high, 6 moderate, 18 low, and 11 critically low quality), representing 59,306 adults. Compared to active and/or inactive controls, 66 of the 114 effect estimates reported clinically important benefits from Tai Chi, 53 reported an equivalent or marginal benefit, and 6 an equivalent risk of adverse events. Eight of the 114 effect estimates (7.0%) were rated as high, 43 (37.7%) moderate, 36 (31.6%) low, and 27 (23.7%) very low certainty evidence due to concerns with risk of bias (92/114, 80.7%), imprecision (43/114, 37.7%), inconsistency (37/114, 32.5%), and publication bias (3/114, 2.6%). SR quality was often limited by the search strategies, language bias, inadequate consideration of clinical, methodological, and statistical heterogeneity, poor reporting standards, and/or no registered SR protocol.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest Tai Chi has multidimensional effects, including physical, psychological and quality of life benefits for a wide range of conditions, as well as multimorbidity. Clinically important benefits were most consistently reported for Parkinson's disease, falls risk, knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, cerebrovascular, and cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. For most conditions, higher-quality SRs with rigorous primary studies are required.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42021225708.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Accidental Falls; Cardiovascular Diseases; Databases, Factual; Quality of Life; Tai Ji
PubMed: 36463306
DOI: 10.1186/s13643-022-02100-5 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022It is generally believed that sedentary behavior (SB) increases the risk of falls among older adults, but the evidence for it remains inconsistent and scarce. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
It is generally believed that sedentary behavior (SB) increases the risk of falls among older adults, but the evidence for it remains inconsistent and scarce.
PURPOSE
Our study aims to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of available evidence regarding the association of SB with falls in older adults.
METHOD
A comprehensive search strategy was conducted using several online databases from 1906 to March 2022. Cohort studies both concerning the association between SB and falls and involving participants over 60 years old were regarded as eligible for inclusion. Evidence was pooled by a random-effects meta-analysis. Quality assessment for individual studies was performed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).
RESULTS
Altogether seven publications were identified, and the age of the 24,750 individuals involved ranging from 60 to 99 years old. Overall quality of the included studies was rated as moderate-to-high quality. We found that SB was significantly associated with increased risk of falls compared with non-SB among older adults [Odds ratio (OR) = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-1.28; = 46.90%, = 0.07, random model]. Subgroup analyses that stratified the studies according to NOS score showed significant differences between groups. Subgroup analysis stratified by SB measurement, sample size, region, publication year, and follow-up duration showed no significant differences between groups.
CONCLUSION
The findings provide reliable support for the hypothesis that sedentary lifestyles are strong predictors of falls among older adults, offering critical indications to develop strategies for fall prevention.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Middle Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Accidental Falls; Sedentary Behavior; Databases, Factual
PubMed: 36438277
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1019551 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2022This study aimed to analyze the effects of multicomponent exercise training in older women with osteoporosis. We conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This study aimed to analyze the effects of multicomponent exercise training in older women with osteoporosis. We conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines and registered on PROSPERO (number CRD42022331137). We searched MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and CINHAL databases for randomized experimental trials that analyzed the effects of physical exercise on health-related variables in older women with osteoporosis. The risk of bias in the studies was verified using the Cochrane Collaboration tool and the Jadad scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. Fourteen randomized controlled trials were included, with a total of 544 participants in the experimental group and 495 in the control group. The mean age of all participants was 68.4 years. The studies combined two to four different exercise types, including strength, aerobic, balance, flexibility, and/or functional fitness training. The practice of multicomponent training with an average of 27.2 weeks, 2.6 sessions per week, and 45 min per session showed improvements in strength, flexibility, quality of life, bone mineral density, balance, and functional fitness and reduced the risk of falls in older women with osteoporosis. Multicomponent training was shown to be effective in improving health-related variables in older women with osteoporosis.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aged; Quality of Life; Postural Balance; Exercise; Osteoporosis; Accidental Falls; Exercise Therapy; Muscle Strength; Resistance Training
PubMed: 36361073
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114195 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2022The aim of this study was to systematically review the scientific evidence related to the physiotherapy interventions in neurorehabilitation that utilize virtual reality... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The aim of this study was to systematically review the scientific evidence related to the physiotherapy interventions in neurorehabilitation that utilize virtual reality (VR) for balance training and risk of falls in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). A search was conducted in Medline (PubMed), PEDro, and Google Scholar to identify all the relevant studies. Clinical trials assessing the effects of VR in people with MS were included. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and PEDro scale. Qualitative analysis was performed according to the GRADE. In total, 16 studies (n = 663) were included. The meta-analysis showed statistically significant differences for the VR intervention in comparison with conventional treatment for balance, with a moderate clinical effect in eight studies (SMD: 0.63; 95% CI 0.34-0.92; < 0.05). In addition, the meta-analysis showed statistically significant differences for the VR intervention in comparison with conventional treatment for risk of falls, with a small clinical effect in six studies (SMD: -0.55; 95% CI -1.07-0.04; < 0.05). VR-based treatments are more effective than non-intervention in improving balance and fall risk in people with MS, with a very low certainty of evidence. In addition, they also show to be more effective than conventional rehabilitation, with a very low certainty of evidence.
Topics: Humans; Accidental Falls; Multiple Sclerosis; Virtual Reality; Physical Therapy Modalities; Postural Balance
PubMed: 36361069
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114192 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022To improve the quality of life of older adult in their later years, by increasing the physical activity participation of older adult, the occurrence of falls accident...
OBJECTIVE
To improve the quality of life of older adult in their later years, by increasing the physical activity participation of older adult, the occurrence of falls accident scores in older adult can be prevented. This paper comprehensively summarizes the origin, development, participation forms, and fitness effects of the Otago exercise program (OEP).
METHODS
Using PubMed, web of science, CNKI, dimensional spectrum, and other databases, search for research papers from 2005 to April 2021 by using keywords such as Otago project exercise; aged, Fall; Cognitive function, Balance ability, Lower limb strength, Fall efficiency, and so on. PEDro Scale was used to check the quality of the literatures.
RESULTS
A total of 34 papers were included after searching for kinds of literature related to the subject of this paper and after careful review by researchers.
CONCLUSIONS
Otago exercise programme is beneficial to improve the cognitive function of older adult, enhance their lower limb muscle strength and dynamic and static balance ability, and then improve the gait stability and posture control ability of older adult, which has significant positive benefits for the prevention of falls in older adult. OEP is helpful to improve the falling efficiency of older adult, help older adult overcome the fear of falling, and form a positive emotion of "exercise improves exercise," to reduce the harm caused by sedentary behavior and the incidence of depression and improve their subjective wellbeing. Although OEP has significant positive effects on improving the health and physical fitness of older adult, preventing falls, and restoring clinical function, the corresponding neural mechanism for preventing falls is not very clear. At the same time, how OEP can be combined with emerging technologies to maximize its benefits needs to be further discussed in the future.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Accidental Falls; Exercise Therapy; Quality of Life; Fear; Exercise
PubMed: 36339194
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.953593 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022This study aims to clarify the risk factors for falls to prevent severe consequences in older adults. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIM
This study aims to clarify the risk factors for falls to prevent severe consequences in older adults.
METHODS
We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar databases using the terms "risk factors" OR "predicting factors" OR "predictor" AND "fall" OR "drop" to identify all relevant studies and compare their results. The study participants were divided into two groups, the "fall group" and the "control group", and differences in demographic characteristics, lifestyles, and comorbidities were compared.
RESULTS
We included 34 articles in the analysis and analyzed 22 factors. Older age, lower education level, polypharmacy, malnutrition, living alone, living in an urban area, smoking, and alcohol consumption increased the risk of falls in the aging population. Additionally, comorbidities such as cardiac disease, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, frailty, previous history of falls, depression, Parkinson's disease, and pain increased the risk of falls.
CONCLUSION
Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and lifestyle factors can influence the risk of falls and should be taken into consideration.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Accidental Falls; Aging; Frailty; Hypertension; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36324472
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.902599 -
Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements... 2022The significance of falls and their repercussions in Parkinson's disease has been extensively researched. However, despite potentially serious effects on health and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The significance of falls and their repercussions in Parkinson's disease has been extensively researched. However, despite potentially serious effects on health and quality of life and negative impact on the healthcare system, there is not a sufficient understanding of the role of falls in hyperkinetic movement disorders (HKMDs). This review aims to provide an overview of the prevalence of falls, injuries, and preventive measures in the most common HKMDs.
METHODS
Studies up to May 1, 2022 were searched in PubMed using Medical Subjects Headings of relatively prevalent HKMDs associated with the terms "accidental falls", "injuries", "fractures", and "accident prevention".
RESULTS
In our review of 37 studies out of 155, we found evidence that for several HKMDs, such as spinocerebellar ataxia, essential tremor, Huntington's disease, and dystonia, fall risk is increased. Falls were reported in up to 84% of spinocerebellar ataxia patients, 59% of essential tremor patients, and 79% of Huntington's patients, with 65% of the latter falling frequently. Injuries occurred in up to 73% in Huntington and 74% in ataxia patients. Most of the common diseases characterized by HKMDs were investigated for both fall causes and consequences, but prevention studies were limited to spinocerebellar ataxia and Huntington's disease.
DISCUSSION
The limited available data suggest that patients with several HKMDs can be considered to be at increased risk of falling and that the consequences can be serious. As a result, physicians should be advised to include fall exploration in their routine workup and provide advice for safer mobility. In general, more research into fall-related concerns in HKMDs is necessary.
HIGHLIGHTS
In contrast to Parkinson's disease, the prevalence of accidental falls, their repercussions, and preventive strategies are under-investigated in hyperkinetic movement disorders (HKMDs). Several HKMDs such as essential tremor, ataxia, and Huntington's disease have reported fall rates of up to 84% and fall-related injury rates of up to 74%. Therefore, routine examinations of HKMD patients should include a fall exploration and provide advice on safe mobility.
Topics: Humans; Accidental Falls; Essential Tremor; Parkinson Disease; Huntington Disease; Hyperkinesis; Quality of Life; Ataxia; Spinocerebellar Ataxias
PubMed: 36303814
DOI: 10.5334/tohm.709 -
British Journal of Sports Medicine Dec 2022To investigate cost-effectiveness and costs of fall prevention exercise programmes for older adults. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To investigate cost-effectiveness and costs of fall prevention exercise programmes for older adults.
DESIGN
Systematic review.
DATA SOURCES
Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, National Institute for Health Research Economic Evaluation Database, Health Technology Assessment database, Tufts Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry, Research Papers in Economics and EconLit (inception to May 2022).
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR STUDY SELECTION
Economic evaluations (trial-based or model-based) and costing studies investigating fall prevention exercise programmes versus no intervention or usual care for older adults living in the community or care facilities, and reporting incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for fall-related outcomes or quality-adjusted life years (QALY, expressed as cost/QALY) and/or intervention costs.
RESULTS
31 studies were included. For community-dwelling older adults (21 economic evaluations, 6 costing studies), results ranged from more effective and less costly (dominant) interventions up to an ICER of US$279 802/QALY gained and US$11 986/fall prevented (US$ in 2020). Assuming an arbitrary willingness-to-pay threshold (US$100 000/QALY), most results (17/24) were considered cost-effective (moderate certainty). The greatest value for money (lower ICER/QALY gained and fall prevented) appeared to accrue for older adults and those with high fall risk, but unsupervised exercise appeared to offer poor value for money (higher ICER/QALY). For care facilities (two economic evaluations, two costing studies), ICERs ranged from dominant (low certainty) to US$35/fall prevented (moderate certainty). Overall, intervention costs varied and were poorly reported.
CONCLUSIONS
Most economic evaluations investigated fall prevention exercise programmes for older adults living in the community. There is moderate certainty evidence that fall prevention exercise programmes are likely to be cost-effective. The evidence for older adults living in care facilities is more limited but promising.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020178023.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Quality-Adjusted Life Years; Exercise; Exercise Therapy
PubMed: 36302631
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-105747