scholarly journals Is mHealth a useful therapy for improving physical or emotional health in adolescents with cystic fibrosis? A systematic review

Author(s):  
Selene Valero-Moreno ◽  
Laura Lacomba-Trejo ◽  
Inmaculada Montoya-Castilla ◽  
Marian Pérez-Marín

AbstractCystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare disease that severely compromises health and interferes with the lives of those who suffer from it and is especially challenging in adolescence. The use of tools such as MHealth may benefit the physical and psychological health of adolescents with CF. Therefore, this study aims to examine the benefits of MHealth in adolescents with CF through a systematic review. A search of the scientific literature following the PRISMA guidelines was conducted in the ProQuest Central, PubMed, Web Of Science, Embase and ínDICE databases, resulting in 186 studies, of which seven were selected (based on inclusion and exclusion criteria). Two blinded evaluators conducted the searches, the selection and data extraction process and the quality evaluation of the studies. The agreement between evaluators was excellent in all cases (Kappa ranged from .78 to .96). 214 pediatric CF patients (61.71% female) participated in the final analysis. The mean age was 12.76 years. The studies evaluated different types of mHealth tools, with greater homogeneity in the independent and dependent variables. The quality of the studies analyzed was poor, since these had small samples selected for convenience, conducted non-experimental and low-quality designs, recorded few variables, and their statistical analyses were not sufficiently robust. Further research is needed in this field, improving research designs and considering physical and psychological adjustment variables, as well as patients and family members in the process of health improvement.

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara R. M. Brambilla ◽  
Ogochukwu Lilian Okafor-Muo ◽  
Hany Hassanin ◽  
Amr ElShaer

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a recent technology, which gives the possibility to manufacture personalised dosage forms and it has a broad range of applications. One of the most developed, it is the manufacture of oral solid dosage and the four 3DP techniques which have been more used for their manufacture are FDM, inkjet 3DP, SLA and SLS. This systematic review is carried out to statistically analyze the current 3DP techniques employed in manufacturing oral solid formulations and assess the recent trends of this new technology. The work has been organised into four steps, (1) screening of the articles, definition of the inclusion and exclusion criteria and classification of the articles in the two main groups (included/excluded); (2) quantification and characterisation of the included articles; (3) evaluation of the validity of data and data extraction process; (4) data analysis, discussion, and conclusion to define which technique offers the best properties to be applied in the manufacture of oral solid formulations. It has been observed that with SLS 3DP technique, all the characterisation tests required by the BP (drug content, drug dissolution profile, hardness, friability, disintegration time and uniformity of weight) have been performed in the majority of articles, except for the friability test. However, it is not possible to define which of the four 3DP techniques is the most suitable for the manufacture of oral solid formulations, because the selection is affected by different parameters, such as the type of formulation, the physical-mechanical properties to achieve. Moreover, each technique has its specific advantages and disadvantages, such as for FDM the biggest challenge is the degradation of the drug, due to high printing temperature process or for SLA is the toxicity of the carcinogenic risk of the photopolymerising material.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rocío de Diego-Cordero ◽  
Estefanía Rivilla-Garcia ◽  
Desireé Diaz-Jimenez ◽  
Giancarlo Lucchetti ◽  
Bárbara Badanta

Abstract Context Despite the importance of cultural beliefs in clinical practice, few systematic reviews have investigated how these beliefs influence food practices in pregnant women. Objective To explore the role of cultural beliefs in eating patterns and food practices among pregnant women, highlighting food recommendations, food taboos and restrictions, and their association with health. Data Sources A systematic review was conducted using the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science from May 2014 to May 2019. Data Extraction Articles were included if the studies included pregnant women, analyzed how cultural beliefs may influence eating patterns, were peer-reviewed articles with original data, published in the last 5 years, and in English or Spanish language. Quality assessment was also performed. Data Analysis A total of 544 articles were identified in the search and 24 were included in the final analysis (17 using qualitative design, 6 using quantitative design, and 1 with a mixed-design). These studies were predominantly from the African continent (n = 15). Our findings showed that culture is a key factor related to “taboos” and food restrictions, which are transmitted by the family or members of community, having a strong religious or spiritual influence. All these restrictions are related to the fear of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes such as the risk of abortion, dystocia, and congenital macrosomia, or are used to avoid child problems such as cutaneous and respiratory disorders. Conclusions Findings from this study indicate cultural beliefs are strongly associated with food patterns and eating habits in pregnant women. Administrators and health professionals should be aware of these beliefs to minimize problems in the perinatal period.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Leister ◽  
Thomas Haider ◽  
Georg Mattiassich ◽  
John L. K. Kramer ◽  
Lukas D. Linde ◽  
...  

Objective. To examine (1) if serological or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers can be used as diagnostic and/or prognostic tools in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and (2) if literature provides recommendations regarding timing and source of biomarker evaluation. Data Sources. A systematic literature search to identify studies reporting on diagnostic and prognostic blood and/or CSF biomarkers in SCI was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Science Direct, The Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science, and PEDro. Study Selection. Clinical trials, cohort, and pilot studies on patients with traumatic SCI investigating at least one blood or CSF biomarker were included. Following systematic screening, 19 articles were included in the final analysis. PRISMA guidelines were followed to conduct this review. Data Extraction. Independent extraction of articles was completed by 2 authors using predefined inclusion criteria and study quality indicators. Data Synthesis. Nineteen studies published between 2002 and April 2019 with 1596 patients were included in the systematic review. In 14 studies, blood biomarkers were measured, 4 studies investigated CSF biomarkers, and 1 study used both blood and CSF samples. Conclusions. Serum/CSF concentrations of several biomarkers (S100b, IL-6, GFAP, NSE, tau, TNF-α, IL-8, MCP-1, pNF-H, and IP-10) following SCI are highly time dependent and related to injury severity. Future studies need to validate these markers as true biomarkers and should control for secondary complications associated with SCI. A deeper understanding of secondary pathophysiological events after SCI and their effect on biomarker dynamics may improve their clinical significance as surrogate parameters in future clinical studies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yandara A Martins ◽  
Camila A E F Cardinali ◽  
Maria Ida Ravanelli ◽  
Kellen Brunaldi

Abstract Context Recent findings have suggested a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency in fibromyalgia (FM) patients despite the lack of clinical and pathophysiological evidence. Objective A systematic review was conducted to examine the association between vitamin D status and FM, including the effect of vitamin D supplementation. Data source PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, SciELO, Cochrane, and EMBASE were searched, from January 2000 to July 2018, using the descriptors “Fibromyalgia” and “Vitamin D.” Study selection Trials including FM patients in whom vitamin D levels were assessed were eligible for inclusion. Data extraction Data comprised age, gender, country, aims, bias, diagnosis criteria, cutoff point, and status of vitamin D, together with FM symptoms and vitamin D supplementation protocol. Results A total of 26 articles were selected. Most of the studies were found to present unreliable control groups and small samples. Experimental data on vitamin D supplementation indicated improvement in certain FM symptoms. Conclusion Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the FM population and the cause-effect relationship were inconclusive. Nevertheless, vitamin D supplementation may be considered as a co-adjuvant in FM therapy.


Author(s):  
S.I. Stepanyuk ◽  
V.Yu. Koval ◽  
V.P. Tkachuk ◽  
Z.М. Lomaka ◽  
Yu.А. Grabovskiy ◽  
...  

The level of person’s physical activity belongs to the main criteria of one’s status. A high work ability level proves one’s strong health status, as well as low level of work ability is believed to be a health risk factor. Health preservation and restoration by means of health-improving fitness exercises becomes one of the most up to date problems. Nowadays, there is no hesitation considering positive influence of physical exercises on one’s physical and psychological health, improvement of one’s cardiovascular, respiratory and hormonal systems, as well as one’s physical qualities development. Health-improving fitness exercises are very popular among women (tae-bo, kibo, pump, terra- aerobics, slide, pilates). Such types of exercises enable to extend the influence of physical activity on one’s organism. The purpose of the research is to reveal the influence of different types of health-improving exercises on women’s physical and working ability. Methods of the analysis: the analysis of scientific and scientific methodological resources, pedagogical observation, medical-biological methods, methods of mathematical statistics. Results of the research have proved that Tabata is the most effective kind of health-improving fitness exercises, which increases working ability for 16 %. Zumba is less efficient – 14%. Body Pump exercises demonstrate the lowest level of productivity – 9%. We assume that such quantitative difference is determined by different health directivity and content of the exercises. High efficiency level of those who practice Tabata and Zumba is inherent in the aerobic nature of the exercises. Body Pump exercises are mainly focused on improving body shape, which makes them less effective. In conclusion we may claim that Body Pump, Tabata and Zumba health-improving exercises have a positive influence on women’s physical and working ability.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
B. A. Orsatti-Sánchez

This systematic review (SR) analyzed the effectiveness of interventions using virtual reality (VR) technology as a neurorehabilitation therapy in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). The SR was developed under the guidelines of the PRISMA statement and the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration, along with the PEDro and National Institute of Health scales to assess the risk of bias and methodological quality. The Cochrane, IEEE, BVS/LILACS, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Web of Science databases were browsed to identify studies that, between 2010 and 2020, evaluated the efficacy of these therapies. Out of 353 retrieved studies, 11 were finally selected after the application of the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. These articles presented good methodological quality as they were mostly controlled clinical trials that analyzed mixed therapies with conventional therapies. Interventions based on non-immersive or immersive VR technology that achieved functional motor, balance, and psycho-emotional health improvement with positive effects on motivation, self-confidence, commitment, and active participation were identified in a total sample of 155 SCI patients. It was concluded that such VR technology is an effective tool of neurorehabilitation complementary to conventional therapies, which promotes functional improvement in SCI patients both in the clinic and at home.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 754-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Warhurst ◽  
Christopher J Rofe ◽  
Bruce J Brew ◽  
Deborah Bateson ◽  
Kevin McGeechan ◽  
...  

Background Migraine is highly prevalent in women (18%). Peak morbidity affects their most productive years, coinciding with peak fertility. Hormonal contraception is often tailored for migraine prevention. Estrogen-containing contraceptives may be contraindicated in women experiencing migraine with aura due to the risk of vascular events. While improvements in migraine with a progestin-only pill (POP), which inhibits ovulation are documented, the strength and quality of evidence has not been formally evaluated. Objectives To determine the effectiveness of progestin-only contraceptives for migraine treatment by systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources and selection MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Libraries were searched (1980 to September 2016) for studies on progestin-only treatments for migraine. Studies in English on >4 non-menopausal women aged 18–50 with migraine diagnosed by formal criteria were included. Data extraction and analysis Data were quality-assessed using the GRADE system. A random effects model was used for pooled analyses. Results Pooled analyses of four studies demonstrated that desogestrel 75 mcg/day, POP significantly but modestly reduced the number of migraine attacks and migraine days. Reduced intensity and duration, reduced analgesic and triptan use were observed, along with improved headache-related quality of life. GRADE analysis indicated evidence was low to very low for each outcome measure. Adverse effects resulted in treatment cessation for <10% of participants. Two studies compared desogestrel POP to a combined oral contraceptive, demonstrating similar migraine outcomes for both treatments. Conclusions The desogestrel POP shows promise in improving migraine in women. Current evidence is observational and based on small samples of women using only one oral progestin-only formulation. Further randomized trials on additional progestin-only contraceptives are required to confirm their role in migraine management.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Rozga ◽  
Jessica Alvarez ◽  
Ellen Bowser ◽  
Julianna Bailey ◽  
Kristen Farnham ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Conduct a systematic review (SR) to determine the relationship between dietary macronutrient distribution and nutrition-related outcomes in pediatric and adult participants with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods A literature search of Medline, CINAHL and Embase databases was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles published from January 2002- May 2018 that examined human participants with CF and addressed the research objective. Articles were screened for relevance, data was extracted and summarized, and risk of bias was assessed by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, practitioners, patient advocates and SR methodologists. Results A total of 2409 articles were identified in the search and eight cross-sectional studies and one case-control study met inclusion criteria (N = 4 in pediatrics, N = 4 in adults, N = 1 combined). Evidence quality was low due to weak study designs, small samples size and inconsistent outcome reporting. Available studies did not show statistically significant relationships between dietary macronutrient distribution and lung function (FEV1%) (3 studies) when estimated protein intake ranged from 10–23% of energy, fat intake from 20–46% of energy and carbohydrate intake from 32–67% of energy. Macronutrient distribution was not significantly associated with anthropometric measurements/growth (3 studies), gastrointestinal symptoms (2 studies), glucose fluctuations (1 study) or lipid profile (1 study) in this SR. There were no studies identified examining the relationship between macronutrient distribution and mortality or Quality of Life. Meta-analysis was not possible due to the low quality of data reported. Conclusions Recent evidence describing the relationship between dietary macronutrient distribution and nutrition-related outcomes in participants with CF is sparse and low in quality. The evidence reviewed does not suggest that dietary macronutrient distribution is related to key clinical CF outcomes. Higher-quality trials and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings. The need for updated dietary studies is particularly important in light of recent therapeutic advances that are changing the clinical course of individuals with CF. Funding Sources Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Medical Nutrition Practice Group DPG.


2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-55
Author(s):  
Jaslyn A Dugmore ◽  
Copeland G Winten ◽  
Hannah E Niven ◽  
Judy Bauer

Abstract Context Weight-neutral approaches for health are emerging therapeutic alternatives to traditional weight-loss approaches. The existing literature base comparing these approaches has not yet been systematically evaluated by a meta-analysis. Objective This review aims to determine if weight-neutral approaches are valid alternatives to weight-loss approaches for improving physical, psychological, and behavioral health outcomes. Data Sources Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, and the University of Queensland Library databases were searched. Study Selection Peer-reviewed, experimental, or quasi-experimental studies that included weight-neutral and weight-loss arms and reported physical, psychological, or behavioral outcomes were eligible. A total of 525 studies were identified through initial database searches, with 10 included in the final analysis after exclusion criteria were applied. Data Extraction Screening and eligibility assessment of studies followed the PRISMA protocol. The following outcomes were extracted: weight, body mass index, lipid and glucose variables, blood pressure, eating behavior, self-esteem, depression, quality of life, physical activity, and diet quality. Data Analysis Studies were graded per the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) level-of-evidence tool and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics quality-evaluation tool. Effect sizes were examined as a meta-analysis of standardized and mean differences using a random-effects inverse-variance model with 95%CIs. Practice recommendations for each outcome were graded per NHMRC body-of-evidence guidelines. Conclusions Weight-neutral approaches resulted in greater improvement in bulimia (P = 0.02), but no significant differences were observed for any other outcome. Weight-neutral approaches may be as effective as weight-loss methods for improving physical, psychological, and behavioral outcomes. Limitations include inconsistent definitions of both approaches and variable time frames of follow-up.


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