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Patient Preference and Adherence 2022Black Americans have a disproportionately increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease, and higher associated morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Black Americans have a disproportionately increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease, and higher associated morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization rates than their White peers. Structural racism amplifies these disparities, and negatively impacts self-care including medication adherence, critical to chronic disease management. Systematic evidence of successful interventions to improve medication adherence in Black patients with diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease is lacking. Knowledge of the impact of therapeutic alliance, ie, the unique relationship between patients and providers, which optimizes outcomes especially for minority populations, is unclear. The role and application of behavioral theories in successful development of medication adherence interventions specific to this context also remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the existing evidence on the salience of a therapeutic alliance in effective interventions to improve medication adherence in Black patients with diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease.
DATA SOURCES
Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE (OvidSP), Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (EBSCOhost), and PsycINFO (ProQuest) databases.
REVIEW METHODS
Only randomized clinical trials and pre/post intervention studies published in English between 2009 and 2022 with a proportion of Black patients greater than 25% were included. Narrative synthesis was done.
RESULTS
Eleven intervention studies met the study criteria and eight of those studies had all-Black samples. Medication adherence outcome measures were heterogenous. Five out of six studies which effectively improved medication adherence, incorporated therapeutic alliance. Seven studies informed by behavioral theories led to significant improvement in medication adherence.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
Study findings suggest that therapeutic alliance-based interventions are effective in improving medication adherence in Black patients with diabetes and hypertension. Further research to test the efficacy of therapeutic alliance-based interventions to improve medication adherence in Black patients should ideally incorporate cultural adaptation, theoretical framework, face-to-face delivery mode, and convenient locations.
PubMed: 36404799
DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S371162 -
BMJ Quality & Safety Apr 2018Pharmacists' completion of medication reconciliation in the community after hospital discharge is intended to reduce harm due to prescribed or omitted medication and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pharmacists' completion of medication reconciliation in the community after hospital discharge is intended to reduce harm due to prescribed or omitted medication and increase healthcare efficiency, but the effectiveness of this approach is not clear. We systematically review the literature to evaluate intervention effectiveness in terms of discrepancy identification and resolution, clinical relevance of resolved discrepancies and healthcare utilisation, including readmission rates, emergency department attendance and primary care workload.
METHODS
This is a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of extracted data. Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED),Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Scopus, NHS Evidence and the Cochrane databases were searched using a combination of medical subject heading terms and free-text search terms. Controlled studies evaluating pharmacist-led medication reconciliation in the community after hospital discharge were included. Study quality was appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Evidence was assessed through meta-analysis of readmission rates. Discrepancy identification rates, emergency department attendance and primary care workload were assessed narratively.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies were included, comprising five randomised controlled trials, six cohort studies and three pre-post intervention studies. Twelve studies had a moderate or high risk of bias. Increased identification and resolution of discrepancies was demonstrated in the four studies where this was evaluated. Reduction in clinically relevant discrepancies was reported in two studies. Meta-analysis did not demonstrate a significant reduction in readmission rate. There was no consistent evidence of reduction in emergency department attendance or primary care workload.
CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacists can identify and resolve discrepancies when completing medication reconciliation after hospital discharge, but patient outcome or care workload improvements were not consistently seen. Future research should examine the clinical relevance of discrepancies and potential benefits on reducing healthcare team workload.
Topics: Medication Reconciliation; Patient Discharge; Pharmacists; Professional Role
PubMed: 29248878
DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2017-007087 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is associated with anxiety and depression. Few studies have addressed interventions for symptoms of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is associated with anxiety and depression. Few studies have addressed interventions for symptoms of anxiety and depression in this population. To determine the efficacy of interventions for anxiety and depression in patients with AD. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to November 2023. English-language studies published in peer-reviewed journals evaluating the effect of interventions on anxiety and/or depression using validated assessment tools on patients with AD were included. Titles, abstracts, and articles were screened by at least two independent reviewers. Of 1410 references that resulted in the initial search, 17 studies were included. Fourteen of these studies are randomized controlled trials, while the other 3 studies are prospective controlled trials with pre and post-test designs. Data were extracted using a standardized extraction form, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. To accommodate trials with multiple interventions (each compared to a control group), we conducted a mixed-effects meta-analysis with the trial as a random effect. Prespecified outcomes were changes in symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with AD as evaluated using standardized assessment tools. Of the 17 studies included in this systematic review, 7 pharmacological intervention studies with 4723 participants examining 5 different medications were included in a meta-analysis. Of these studies, only 1 study evaluated medications prescribed to treat anxiety and/or depression; the rest evaluated medications prescribed to treat AD. Meta-analysis of all the pharmacological interventions resulted in significant improvement in anxiety, depression, and combined anxiety-depression scale scores (standardized mean difference [95% CI]: - 0.29 [- 0.49 to - 0.09], - 0.27 [- 0.45 to - 0.08], - 0.27 [- 0.45 to - 0.08]) respectively. The 10 non-pharmacological studies with 2058 participants showed general improvement in anxiety but not depression. A meta-analysis of the non-pharmacological interventions was not conducted due to variable approaches and limited data. Pharmacological interventions designed to improve AD were found to improve anxiety and depression in patients with moderate-severe disease. More comprehensive studies on non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions that primarily target anxiety and depression are needed.
Topics: Humans; Dermatitis, Atopic; Depression; Prospective Studies; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders
PubMed: 38632375
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59162-9 -
Respirology (Carlton, Vic.) May 2018Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors are a novel medication approved for airway inflammatory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Their role and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors are a novel medication approved for airway inflammatory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Their role and application in asthma are controversial and not defined. A comprehensive search was performed in major databases (1946-2016) using the keywords: 'phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor' or 'roflumilast' and 'asthma'. Placebo-controlled trials reporting lung function, airway hyperresponsiveness by direct challenge, asthma control and exacerbations, and adverse events were included. Random or fixed-effects models were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and mean differences between the two treatment groups. Statistical analyses were conducted using Mann-Whitney U-tests and Cochrane systematic review software, Review Manager. Seventeen studies were included in the systematic review, of which 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Except for significant statistical heterogeneity in pre- and post-challenge predicted percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV %; I = 72%, χ = 3.35, P = 0.06), there was no heterogeneity in outcome measures. Roflumilast (500 μg) significantly improved FEV (mean difference: 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01-0.09, Z = 2.50, P = 0.01), peak expiratory flow, asthma control and exacerbations, but showed variable effects on airway responsiveness to methacholine and a 20% fall in FEV .Of note, PDE4 inhibitors were accompanied with significantly higher adverse events such as headache (OR: 3.99, 95% CI: 1.65-9.66, Z = 3.07, P = 0.002) and nausea (OR: 5.53, 95% CI: 1.38-22.17, Z = 2.41, P = 0.02). In patients with mild asthma, oral PDE4 inhibitors can be considered as an alternative treatment to regular bronchodilators and inhaled controllers.
Topics: Aminopyridines; Asthma; Benzamides; Bronchodilator Agents; Cyclopropanes; Forced Expiratory Volume; Headache; Humans; Nausea; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors
PubMed: 29502338
DOI: 10.1111/resp.13276 -
Journal of the International AIDS... Jun 2017To facilitate provision of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), a better understanding of potential demand and user preferences is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
To facilitate provision of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), a better understanding of potential demand and user preferences is required. This review assessed awareness and willingness to use oral PrEP among men who have sex with men (MSM) in LMIC.
METHODS
Electronic literature search of Cochrane library, Embase, PubMed, PsychINFO, CINHAL, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted between July and September 2016. Reference lists of relevant studies were searched, and three authors contacted for additional data. Non-peer reviewed publications were excluded. Studies were screened for inclusion, and relevant data abstracted, assessed for bias, and synthesized.
RESULTS
In total, 2186 records were identified, of which 23 studies involving 14,040 MSM from LMIC were included. The proportion of MSM who were aware of PrEP was low at 29.7% (95% CI: 16.9-44.3). However, the proportion willing to use PrEP was higher, at 64.4% (95% CI: 53.3-74.8). Proportions of MSM aware of PrEP was <50% in 11 studies and 50-70% in 3 studies, while willingness to use PrEP was <50% in 6 studies, 50-70% in 9 studies, and over 80% in 5 studies. Several factors affected willingness to use PrEP. At the individual domain, poor knowledge of PrEP, doubts about its effectiveness, fear of side effects, low perception of HIV risk, and the need to adhere or take medicines frequently reduced willingness to use PrEP, while PrEP education and motivation to maintain good health were facilitators of potential use. Demographic factors (education, age, and migration) influenced both awareness and willingness to use PrEP, but their effects were not consistent across studies. At the social domain, anticipated stigma from peers, partners, and family members related to sexual orientation, PrEP, or HIV status were barriers to potential use of PrEP, while partner, peer, and family support were facilitators of potential use. At the structural domain, concerns regarding attitudes of healthcare providers, quality assurance, data protection, and cost were determinants of potential use.
CONCLUSIONS
This review found that despite low levels of awareness of PrEP, MSM in LMIC are willing to use it if they are supported appropriately to deal with a range of individual, social, and structural barriers.
Topics: Adult; Anti-HIV Agents; Awareness; HIV Infections; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Income; Male; Medication Adherence; Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis; Sexual Partners; Socioeconomic Factors
PubMed: 28691439
DOI: 10.7448/IAS.20.1.21580 -
MedRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Feb 2023In this review, we provide an updated assessment of available evidence on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of cannabidiol (CBD) and explore the impact of different factors on...
BACKGROUND
In this review, we provide an updated assessment of available evidence on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of cannabidiol (CBD) and explore the impact of different factors on PK outcomes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This systematic review and meta-regression analysis was pre-registered (PROSPERO: CRD42021269857). We systematically searched Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, and Web of Science Core Collection up to November 19, 2022. Trials of CBD in healthy adults were included if they reported at least one of the PK parameters of interest, including Tmax, Cmax, AUC0-t, AUC0-inf, and T , in serum or plasma. Studies of patient populations or CBD co-administration with other medications were excluded. The was used. Random-effects multivariable meta-regression analysis was conducted.
RESULTS
A total of 112 trial arms from 39 studies were included; 26 trial arms had a "Good" quality, 70 "Fair," and 16 "Poor." Eight arms used inhalation CBD, 29 oromucosal, 73 oral, and 2 intravenous. CBD formulations could be categorized to nanotech (n=14), oil-based (n=21), alcohol-based (n=10), water-based (n=12), Sativex (n=17), and Epidiolex (n=22). For single-dose studies, CBD doses ranged between 2-100mg in inhalation, 5-50mg in oromucosal, and 0.42-6000mg in oral administration. Sixty-six trial arms had only male participants or a higher number of males than females. The duration of the PK session was between 4h-164h. A higher CBD dose was associated with higher Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-inf. Compared to oral administration, oromucosal administration was associated with lower Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-inf. Fed status was associated with higher Cmax and AUC0-t when compared to the fasting status. A higher ratio of female participants was associated with lower Tmax in oral administration and higher Cmax.
CONCLUSION
As expected, CBD dose, route of administration, and diet were major determinants of CBD pharmacokinetics with oral routes providing higher bioavailability and nanotechnology formulations a faster onset. Though CBD appeared to have a faster onset and longer duration in females, more studies are required to delineate the role of biological sex. Factors that influence CBD PK have implications for medication development and appropriate dosing in clinical practice.
PubMed: 36778355
DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.01.23285341 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2015Thyroid dysfunction pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy (both hyper- and hypothyroidism) is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes for mothers and infants in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Thyroid dysfunction pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy (both hyper- and hypothyroidism) is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes for mothers and infants in the short- and long-term. Managing the thyroid dysfunction (e.g. thyroxine for hypothyroidism, or antithyroid medication for hyperthyroidism) may improve outcomes. The best method of screening to identify and subsequently manage thyroid dysfunction pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy is unknown.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of different screening methods (and subsequent management) for thyroid dysfunction pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy on maternal and infant outcomes.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (14 July 2015) and reference lists of retrieved studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials, comparing any screening method (e.g. tool, program, guideline/protocol) for detecting thyroid dysfunction (including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and/or thyroid autoimmunity) pre-pregnancy or during pregnancy with no screening, or alternative screening methods.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed eligibility of studies, extracted and checked data accuracy, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies.
MAIN RESULTS
We included two randomised controlled trials (involving 26,408 women) - these trials were considered to be at low risk of bias. Universal screening (screening all women) versus case finding (screening only those at perceived increased risk) in pregnancy for thyroid dysfunctionOne trial (4562 women) compared universal screening with case finding for thyroid dysfunction. Before 11 weeks' gestation, women in the universal screening group, and 'high-risk' women in the case finding group had their sera tested for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), fT4 (free thyroxine) and TPO-Ab (thyroid peroxidase antibody); women with hypothyroidism (TSH > 2.5 mIU/litre) received levothyroxine; women with hyperthyroidism (undetectable TSH and elevated fT4) received antithyroid medication.In regards to this review's primary outcomes, compared with the case finding group, more women in the universal screening group were diagnosed with hypothyroidism (risk ratio (RR) 3.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.91 to 5.20; 4562 women; GRADE: high quality evidence), with a trend towards more women being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism (RR 4.50, 95% CI 0.97 to 20.82; 4562 women; P = 0.05; GRADE: moderate quality evidence). No clear differences were seen in the risks of pre-eclampsia (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.18; 4516 women; GRADE: moderate quality evidence), or preterm birth (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.24; 4516 women; GRADE: high quality evidence) between groups. This trial did not report on neurosensory disability for the infant as a child.Considering this review's secondary outcomes, more women in the universal screening group received pharmacological treatment for thyroid dysfunction (RR 3.15, 95% CI 1.91 to 5.20; 4562 women). No clear differences between groups were observed for miscarriage (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.19; 4516 women; GRADE: moderate quality evidence), fetal and neonatal death (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.42 to 2.02; 4516 infants; GRADE: moderate quality evidence), or other secondary outcomes: pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, congestive heart failure, thyroid storm, mode of birth (caesarean section), preterm labour, placental abruption, respiratory distress syndrome, low birthweight, neonatal intensive care unit admission, or other congenital malformations. The trial did not report on a number of outcomes including adverse effects associated with the intervention. Universal screening versus no screening in pregnancy for hypothyroidismOne trial (21,846 women) compared universal screening with no screening for hypothyroidism. Before 15 + 6 weeks' gestation, women in the universal screening group had their sera tested; women who screened 'positive' (TSH > 97.5th percentile, fT4 < 2.5th percentile, or both) received levothyroxine.Considering primary review outcomes, compared with the no screening group, more women in the universal screening screened 'positive' for hypothyroidism (RR 998.18, 95% CI 62.36 to 15,978.48; 21,839 women; GRADE: high quality evidence). No data were provided for the outcome pre-eclampsia, and for preterm birth, the trial reported rates of 5.6% and 7.9% for the screening and no screening groups respectively (it was unclear if these percentages related to the entire cohort or women who screened positive). No clear difference was seen for neurosensory disability for the infant as a child (three-year follow-up IQ score < 85) (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.22; 794 infants; GRADE: moderate quality evidence).More women in the universal screening group received pharmacological treatment for thyroid dysfunction (RR 1102.90, 95% CI 69.07 to 17,610.46; 1050 women); 10% had their dose lowered because of low TSH, high fT4 or minor side effects. No clear differences were observed for other secondary outcomes, including developmental delay/intellectual impairment at three years. Most of our secondary outcomes, including miscarriage, fetal or neonatal death were not reported.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Based on the existing evidence, though universal screening for thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy increases the number of women diagnosed with hypothyroidism who can be subsequently treated, it does not clearly impact (benefit or harm) maternal and infant outcomes.While universal screening versus case finding for thyroid dysfunction increased diagnosis and subsequent treatment, we found no clear differences for the primary outcomes: pre-eclampsia or preterm birth. No clear differences were seen for secondary outcomes, including miscarriage and fetal or neonatal death; data were lacking for the primary outcome: neurosensory disability for the infant as a child, and for many secondary outcomes. Though universal screening versus no screening for hypothyroidism similarly increased diagnosis and subsequent treatment, no clear difference was seen for the primary outcome: neurosensory disability for the infant as a child (IQ < 85 at three years); data were lacking for the other primary outcomes: pre-eclampsia and preterm birth, and for the majority of secondary outcomes.For outcomes assessed using the GRADE approach the evidence was considered to be moderate or high quality, with any downgrading of the evidence based on the presence of wide confidence intervals crossing the line of no effect.More evidence is needed to assess the benefits or harms of different screening methods for thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy, on maternal, infant and child health outcomes. Future trials should assess impacts on use of health services and costs, and be adequately powered to evaluate the effects on short- and long-term outcomes.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Infant Health; Infant, Newborn; Mass Screening; Pre-Eclampsia; Preconception Care; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Thyroid Diseases
PubMed: 26387772
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011263.pub2 -
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma,... Apr 2013The emergency medical services (EMS) cover initiatives and services established to provide essential medical assistance in situations of acute illness. Triage-methods... (Review)
Review
The emergency medical services (EMS) cover initiatives and services established to provide essential medical assistance in situations of acute illness. Triage-methods for systematic prioritizing of patients according to how urgent patients need care, including triage of requests of acute medical treatment, are adopted in hospitals as well as in the pre-hospital settings. This systematic review searched to identify available research on the effects of validated triage systems for use in the pre-hospital EMS on health outcomes, patient safety, patient satisfaction, user-friendliness, resource use, goal achievement, and the quality on the information exchange between the different settings of the EMS (for example the quality of documentation). The specific research questions were: 1) are pre-hospital triage systems effective, 2) is one triage system more effective than others, and 3) is it effective to use the same triage system in two or more settings of the EMS-chain? We conducted a systematic literature search in nine databases up to June 2012. We searched for systematic reviews (SRs), randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomized controlled trials (non-RCTs), controlled before and after studies (CBAs) and interrupted time series analyses (ITSs). Two persons independently reviewed titles and abstracts, and the same persons read all possibly relevant full text articles and rated the methodological quality where relevant. The literature search identified 11011 unique references. A total of 120 publications were read in full text. None of the identified articles fulfilled our inclusion criteria, thus our question on the effects of pre-hospital triage systems, if one system is better than other systems, and the question on effects of using the same triage system in two or more settings of the EMS, remain unanswered. We conclude that there is an evidence gap regarding the effects of pre-hospital triage systems and the effects of using the same triage system in two or more settings of the EMS. The finding does not mean that pre-hospital triage systems are ineffective, but that we lack knowledge about potential effects. When introducing a new assessment tool in the EMS, it is timely to conduct well-planned studies aimed to assess the effect.
Topics: Health Services Research; Health Status Indicators; Humans; Patient Satisfaction; Triage
PubMed: 23587133
DOI: 10.1186/1757-7241-21-28 -
Communications Medicine Oct 2023A precision medicine approach in type 2 diabetes requires the identification of clinical and biological features that are reproducibly associated with differences in...
BACKGROUND
A precision medicine approach in type 2 diabetes requires the identification of clinical and biological features that are reproducibly associated with differences in clinical outcomes with specific anti-hyperglycaemic therapies. Robust evidence of such treatment effect heterogeneity could support more individualized clinical decisions on optimal type 2 diabetes therapy.
METHODS
We performed a pre-registered systematic review of meta-analysis studies, randomized control trials, and observational studies evaluating clinical and biological features associated with heterogenous treatment effects for SGLT2-inhibitor and GLP1-receptor agonist therapies, considering glycaemic, cardiovascular, and renal outcomes. After screening 5,686 studies, we included 101 studies of SGLT2-inhibitors and 75 studies of GLP1-receptor agonists in the final systematic review.
RESULTS
Here we show that the majority of included papers have methodological limitations precluding robust assessment of treatment effect heterogeneity. For SGLT2-inhibitors, multiple observational studies suggest lower renal function as a predictor of lesser glycaemic response, while markers of reduced insulin secretion predict lesser glycaemic response with GLP1-receptor agonists. For both therapies, multiple post-hoc analyses of randomized control trials (including trial meta-analysis) identify minimal clinically relevant treatment effect heterogeneity for cardiovascular and renal outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence on treatment effect heterogeneity for SGLT2-inhibitor and GLP1-receptor agonist therapies is limited, likely reflecting the methodological limitations of published studies. Robust and appropriately powered studies are required to understand type 2 diabetes treatment effect heterogeneity and evaluate the potential for precision medicine to inform future clinical care.
PubMed: 37794166
DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00359-w -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Empirical evidence has shown that light therapy (LT) can reduce depression symptoms by stimulating circadian rhythms. However, there is skepticism and inconclusive... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Empirical evidence has shown that light therapy (LT) can reduce depression symptoms by stimulating circadian rhythms. However, there is skepticism and inconclusive results, along with confusion regarding dosing. The purpose of this study is to quantify light as a stimulus for the circadian system and create a dose-response relationship that can help reduce maladies among adolescents and young adults (AYAs). This will provide a reference for light exposure and neural response, which are crucial in the neuropsychological mechanism of light intervention. The study also aims to provide guidance for clinical application.
METHODS
The latest quantitative model of CL (circadian light) and CS (circadian stimulus) was adopted to quantify light dose for circadian phototransduction in youth depression-related light therapy. Articles published up to 2023 through Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Medline (OVID), CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Embase, and Scholars were retrieved. A meta-analysis of 31 articles (1,031 subjects) was performed using Stata17.0, CMA3.0 (comprehensive meta-analysis version 3.0) software, and Python 3.9 platform for light therapy efficacy comparison and dose-response quantification.
RESULTS
Under various circadian stimulus conditions (0.1 < CS < 0.7) of light therapy (LT), malady reductions among AYAs were observed (pooled SMD = -1.59, 95%CI = -1.86 to -1.32; = -11.654, = 0.000; = 92.8%), with temporal pattern ( = 0.044) and co-medication ( = 0.000) suggested as main heterogeneity sources. For the efficacy advantage of LT with a higher circadian stimulus that is assumed to be influenced by visualization, co-medication, disease severity, and time pattern, sets of meta-analysis among random-controlled trials (RCTs) found evidence for significant efficacy of circadian-active bright light therapy (BLT) over circadian-inactive dim red light (SMD = -0.65, 95% CI = -0.96 to -0.34; = -4.101, = 0.000; = 84.9%) or circadian-active dimmer white light (SMD = -0.37, 95% CI = -0.68 to -0.06; = -2.318, = 0.02; = 33.8%), whereas green-blue, circadian-active BLT showed no significant superiority over circadian-inactive red/amber light controls (SMD = -0.21, 95% CI = -0.45 to 0.04; = -2.318, = 0.099; = 0%). Overall, circadian-active BLT showed a greater likelihood of clinical response than dim light controls, with increased superiority observed with co-medication. For pre-to-post-treatment amelioration and corresponding dose-response relationship, cumulative duration was found more influential than other categorical (co-medication, severity, study design) or continuous (CS) variables. Dose-response fitting indicated that the therapeutic effect would reach saturation among co-medicated patients at 32-42 days (900-1,000 min) and 58-59 days (1,100-1,500 min) among non-medicated AYAs. When exerting high circadian stimulus of light therapy (0.6 < CS < 0.7), there was a significantly greater effect size in 1,000-1,500 min of accumulative duration than <1,000 or >1,500 min of duration, indicating a threshold for practical guidance.
LIMITATIONS
The results have been based on limited samples and influenced by a small sample effect. The placebo effect could not be ignored.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the superiority of LT with higher circadian stimulus over dimmer light controls remains unproven, greater response potentials of circadian-active BLT have been noticed among AYAs, taking co-medication, disease severity, time pattern, and visual characteristics into consideration. The dose-response relationship with quantified circadian stimulus and temporal pattern had been elaborated under various conditions to support clinical depression treatment and LT device application in the post-pandemic era.
Topics: Adolescent; Young Adult; Humans; Phototherapy; Pandemics; Probability
PubMed: 38259764
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1257093