scholarly journals The Impact of Mindfulness-Based Programmes on Self-Compassion in Nonclinical Populations: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Mindfulness ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-52
Author(s):  
Hannah L. Golden ◽  
Jane Vosper ◽  
Jessica Kingston ◽  
Lyn Ellett
Keyword(s):  
Publication Bias ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Small Sample Sizes ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Self-compassion has been proposed as a mechanism of change in mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs). The current study systematically reviewed the evidence for the effect of MBPs on self-compassion, in randomised controlled trials addressing broad mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety and stress) in nonclinical populations, and statistically synthesisesd these findings in a meta-analysis. Methods Three databases were systematically searched, and pre-post programme between group effect sizes (Hedges g) were calculated and synthesised using meta-analytic procedures. Correlation between change in self-compassion and distress (r) was also assessed. Moderator analyses were conducted and publication bias was assessed. Results Twenty-six studies met inclusion criteria (n = 598). A significant medium effect of pre-post change on self-compassion was found for MBPs compared to control conditions (g = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.41 to 0.80, p < 0.001). There was significant heterogeneity in the study sample, and no differences found for any of the moderators tested. There was no strong evidence for publication bias. Meta-analysis of correlation between change in self-compassion and distress was underpowered and found no significant effect. The improvement in self-compassion following MBI was not always consistent with improvements in depression or anxiety. Conclusions The results suggest that MBPs can increase self-compassion in nonclinical populations, though the moderators of this effect remain unknown. Methodological limitations include small sample sizes, over-reliance on wait-list control conditions and limitations in how self-compassion is measured. Theoretical and clinical implications of the review, and future research directions, are also discussed.

The impact of time to adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) on survival in colorectal cancer (CRC): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 364-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Biagi ◽  
M. Raphael ◽  
W. D. King ◽  
W. Kong ◽  
W. J. Mackillop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Prognostic Factors ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

364 Background: The optimal timing from CRC surgery to initiation of AC is unknown. We report a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the relationship between time to adjuvant chemotherapy (TTAC) and survival. Methods: A systematic review of literature was done to identify studies that described the relationship between TTAC and survival. Studies were only included if the distribution of relevant prognostic factors was adequately described, and either comparative groups were balanced or results adjusted for the prognostic factors. Hazard ratio (HR) and TTAC for overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) from each study were converted to a regression coefficient (β) and standard error (SE) corresponding to a continuous representation per 4 weeks of TTAC. The adjusted β from individual studies were combined using a fixed-effect model. Inverse-variance (1/SE2) was used to weight individual studies. The possible effect of publication bias was investigated using the trim and fill approach. Results: We identified 9 eligible studies involving 14,357 patients (4 published articles, 5 abstracts). Two studies were randomized trials and 7 were cohort studies. Six studies reported TTAC as a binary variable and 3 reported TTAC as ≥3 categories. An estimate of HR for OS was derived from all 9 studies and estimate for DFS was derived from 5 studies. Meta-analysis demonstrated that a 4-week increase in TTAC was associated with a significant decrease in both OS (HR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.09-1.15), and DFS (HR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.11-1.20). The analysis showed no significant heterogeneity among studies. These TTAC associations remained significant after analysis for potential publication bias, and when the analysis was repeated excluding the two studies of largest weight. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a 12% increase in the risk of death for each 4 week of delay in the start of AC for CRC. These findings indicate the need for clinicians and health systems managers to take the steps necessary to keep TTAC as short as reasonably achievable. In addition, our results suggest there may be some benefit to AC after a 3-month TTAC delay. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

BDNF Val66Met and clinical response to antipsychotic drugs: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Cargnin ◽  
A. Massarotti ◽  
S. Terrazzino
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Response ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Antipsychotic Drugs ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Relevant Effect ◽  
Quantitative Synthesis ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundThe polymorphic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene has been postulated to be involved in inter-individual variability response to antipsychotic drugs.PurposeTo perform a qualitative and quantitative synthesis of studies evaluating the influence of BDNF genetic variation on clinical response to antipsychotics.MethodsThe review protocol was published in the PROSPERO database (Reg. no CRD42015024614). A comprehensive search was performed through PubMed, Web of Knowledge and Cochrane databases up to July 2015. The methodological quality of identified studies was assessed using the MINORS criteria. Publication bias was estimated and potential sources of heterogeneity were investigated via meta-regression, subgroup and sensitivity analyses.ResultsNine studies including a total of 2461 antipsychotic-treated patients fulfilled inclusion criteria for meta-analysis of BDNF Val66Met. Using the random-effects model, the pooled results showed no significant association with antipsychotic response for the dominant (Met carriers vs Val/Val, OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.72–1.19, P = 0.55), codominant (Met/Met vs Val/Val, OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.59–1.15, P = 0.25), recessive (Met/Met vs Val carriers, OR: 0.81, 95% CI 0.60–1.10, P = 0.18) or the allelic contrast (Met vs Val, OR: 0.92, 95% CI 0.76–1.10, P = 0.34). Visual inspection of funnel plots and further evaluation with Egger's test did not suggest evidence of publication bias. Despite lack of significant heterogeneity in most comparisons, no evidence of association also emerged in the subgroup and sensitivity analyses conducted.ConclusionThe present meta-analysis excludes a clinically relevant effect of BDNF Val66Met on antipsychotic drug response per se. Nevertheless, further investigation is still needed to clarify in well-designed, large sample-based studies, the impact of BDNF haplotypes containing the Val66Met polymorphism.

A-54 The Relationship between Age and MMSE Performance Amongst Individuals with Heart Failure

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1096-1096
Author(s):  
Natasha Nemanim ◽  
Nicholas Lackey ◽  
Eric J Connors ◽  
Alexander O Hauson ◽  
Anna Pollard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Included Study ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Global Cognition ◽  
Meta Regression ◽  
K 12 ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective A previous meta-analysis assessing the impact of heart failure (HF) on cognition found the HF group performed more poorly than the healthy control (HC) on global cognition measures. The study observed a medium effect and moderate heterogeneity when using the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) to measure HF’s impact on global cognition. The current meta-regression explores whether the mean age of the HF group moderates performance on the MMSE when comparing HF patients to HC. Data Selection Two researchers independently searched eight databases, extracted data, and calculated effect sizes as part of a larger study. Inclusion criteria were: (a) adults with a diagnosis of HF, (b) comparison of HF patients to HC, and (c) adequate data to calculate effect sizes. Articles were excluded if patients had other types of organ failure, the article was not available in English, or there was a risk of sample overlap with another included study. Twelve articles (HF n = 1166 and HC n = 1948) were included. The unrestricted maximum likelihood computational model was used for the meta-regression. Data Synthesis Studies included in the meta-regression evidenced a statistically significant medium effect size estimate with moderate heterogeneity (k = 12, g = 0.671, p &lt; 0.001, I2 = 80.91%). The meta-regression was statistically significant (slope = −0.023, p = 0.0022, Qmodel = 5.26, df = 1, p = 0.022). Conclusions Individuals with HF performed more poorly on the MMSE than HC. Larger effect sizes on the MMSE were observed in studies with participants who were younger compared to studies with participants who were older. Future research should continue to delineate the impact of age on global cognition in individuals with HF.

The effectiveness of the loci method as a mnemonic device: Meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 174702182199345
Author(s):  
Conal Twomey ◽  
Meike Kroneisen
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Random Sequence ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Allocation Concealment ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Mnemonic Device ◽  
Random Sequence Generation ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Impact

The “loci method” is a popular mnemonic device that involves visualising and recalling items at specific points along a familiar route. The loci method has been used for thousands of years, and by many successful memory athletes; yet there have been relatively few educational and clinical applications, possibly owing to empirical uncertainty. The current meta-analysis of 13 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) mostly based in university settings demonstrated the effectiveness of the loci method as a mnemonic device, with a medium effect size ( g = 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.45, 0.85]; I2 = 45.5%). The effect size remained at similar levels in further analyses adjusting for publication bias, the impact of removing each study, setting, control conditions, outliers, and number of loci method sessions. High risk of experimental bias was indicated, however, as the vast majority of studies did not report procedures to minimise biases relating to random sequence generation and allocation concealment. Overall, this meta-analysis of predominantly university-based RCTs has provided good initial support for the loci method as a mnemonic device and this may encourage future investigations and applications, particularly in educational settings, where it has the potential to improve recall of information relevant to academic success.

scholarly journals What is the evidence for mirtazapine in treating cancer-related symptomatology? A systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 1597-1606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Economos ◽  
Natasha Lovell ◽  
Anna Johnston ◽  
Irene J. Higginson
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Data Synthesis ◽  
Small Sample Sizes ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Multiple Symptoms ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose Cancer patients often experience multiple distressing symptoms which are challenging to manage. It would therefore be helpful to find a treatment that alleviates more than one symptom, to avoid polypharmacy: mirtazapine has been used in several studies for this purpose. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of mirtazapine in alleviating one or more frequently encountered cancer-related symptoms. Methods Systematic review of clinical trials in English or French. Eight databases were searched. Included studies assessed the effectiveness of mirtazapine in alleviating one or more frequently encountered cancer-related symptoms. Comparator and validated assessment tools were required. Studies were independently appraised by two investigators before data synthesis. Results The search yielded 1898 references, from which we identified 12 relevant articles evaluating highly heterogeneous outcomes. These were two randomised-controlled (RCTs), three non-randomised controlled, and seven non-randomised non-controlled trials. In total, 392 participants were included and 185 were in RCTs. No study assessed the effectiveness of mirtazapine in alleviating symptoms at the same time, but some considered more than one symptom. Overall, the data was of poor quality, limited by small sample size and bias. However, mirtazapine showed effectiveness in treating depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, emesis and neuropathic pain. Across all studies, mirtazapine is safe to use, with drowsiness and dizziness the most common side-effects. Conclusion Study design and small sample sizes limit the ability to interpret results. Trials to assess the impact of mirtazapine or other medicines in alleviating multiple symptoms would be valuable.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Self-Compassion and Sleep Quality: An Overview of a Seven-Year German Research Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Butz ◽  
Dagmar Stahlberg
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Intervention Effects ◽  
Subjective Sleep Quality ◽  
Subjective Sleep ◽  
Self Compassion

Poor sleep quality is highly prevalent in modern societies and negatively linked to various health outcomes. While previous research has demonstrated preliminary evidence for self-compassion as a tool for improving sleep quality, this review provides a meta-analysis of respective published and unpublished results of our own research group using German samples. A total of nine studies are included (N = 956 participants), consisting of both correlational and experimental data. Across these studies, there was a medium correlation between self-compassion and subjective sleep quality, r = 0.303, 95% CI (0.244; 0.360). In three experimental studies, a small increase in participants’ self-reported sleep quality emerged, in comparison to control conditions, Hedges’ s g = 0.484, 95% CI (0.148; 0.821). Limitations on study level concern both the small sample sizes and short-term analyses of intervention effects. As a conclusion, this review supports both the correlational and causal relationship between self-compassion and increased subjective sleep quality across diverse operationalizations and samples. Future research should focus on the moderating effects of intervention type, duration of intervention effects, and type of target population.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Outdoor Education Programs on Adolescents’ Self-Efficacy

2021 ◽  
pp. 003151252110227
Author(s):  
Bin-Bin Fang ◽  
Frank J. H. Lu ◽  
Diane L. Gill ◽  
Sean H. Liu ◽  
Theresa Chyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Publication Bias ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Outdoor Education ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Analytic Review

While prior research has generally found Outdoor Education Programs (OEPs) to be beneficial to adolescents’ self-efficacy, we sought to conduct a meta-analytic review of prior studies in this area in order to pinpoint the key elements to OEPs’ effectiveness. Following Cooper’s guidelines for synthesis research and meta-analysis, we searched six electronic databases for relevant articles: PubMed, Sciencedirect, Medline, PsycArticles, and Behavioral Sciences Collection of EBSCO, and Eric. Selection criteria were: Populations, Interventions, Comparators, Outcomes, Study Design (PICOS), and Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS). We estimated the effect size of the selected studies with a 95% confidence interval (CI), estimated I-squared (I2) for heterogeneity analysis and analyzed publication bias by Egger's test. After excluding many studies, we reviewed 12 studies with 2,642 participants that were deemed to be eligible for final analysis. We discovered a high level of heterogeneity (I-squared value =82.474) in the findings of the selected studies. Our meta-analyses revealed that adolescents participating in OEPs enhanced their self-efficacy (medium effect size; Hedges’s g = 0.597) but this enhancement was moderated by participants’ mental health status, the length of the experiments, study groups, and the duration of the intervention. We found no evidence of publication bias (Egger: bias = 2.001, 95% CI = −0.736 to 4.739, p = .137). We discussed our research limitations and the theoretical and practical implications of these findings and made recommendations for future research.

scholarly journals Modulation of naturalistic maladaptive memories using behavioural and pharmacological reconsolidation-interfering strategies: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical and 'sub-clinical' studies

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie H Walsh ◽  
Ravi K Das ◽  
Michael E Saladin ◽  
Sunjeev K Kamboj
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pharmacological Interventions ◽  
Treatment Type ◽  
Small Sample Sizes ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Use Studies ◽  
Behavioural Strategies

Consolidated memories can undergo enduring modification through retrieval-dependent treatments that modulate reconsolidation. This has been suggested to represent a potentially transformative clinical strategy for weakening or overwriting the maladaptive memories that underlie substance use and anxiety/trauma-related disorders. However, the ability to modulate naturalistic maladaptive memories may be limited by boundary conditions imposed on reconsolidation by the nature of these memories. As such, the true potential of reconsolidation therapy is currently unknown. Here, we report a meta-analyses of behavioural and pharmacological studies examining retrieval-dependent modulation of reward and threat memories in (sub)clinical substance use and anxiety/trauma respectively. Of 4936 publications assessed for eligibility, 7 studies of substance use, and 9 of anxiety (phobia) and trauma-related symptoms were included in the meta-analyses. Overall, the findings were in the predicted direction, with the majority of effect sizes favouring the Retrieval + Treatment condition. However, the magnitude of effects depended upon the nature of the treatment type, with pharmacological interventions (relative to behavioural strategies) showing a clearer beneficial effect in studies of phobia/trauma and post-retrieval behavioural strategies, a (significantly) larger effect in substance use studies. However, high levels of heterogeneity and small sample sizes limit the strength of conclusions that can be drawn at this stage of inquiry. We hope this review will provide an impetus to address these issues in future research.

The Nature and Impact of Arab Father Involvement in the United Arab Emirates

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Ridge ◽  
Soohyun Jeon ◽  
Sahar El Asad
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Father Involvement ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Career Trajectory ◽  
Small Sample Sizes ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

"In the Arab World, and in the Gulf in particular, the father has traditionally occupied a unique and integral place, both in his own family and in his wider kinship networks. While much has been written about the role and function of the patriarchy in the Middle East, most of this has been negative, in particular with relation to the impact on women and children. Most of this research has also been qualitative in nature, relying on small sample sizes that make it difficult to extrapolate findings to the general population. As such, information on Arab fathers living in the Gulf and the impact of their lives on their children remains limited. In an effort to address the gap in the literature, this paper uses data from a pilot study1 of 61 Arabs (both expatriates and Emiratis living in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates) to explore the nature and impact of Arab father involvement in their children’s lives. The study finds that Arab fathers score highly on their role as good providers, in terms of the nature of their involvement with their children, but low in regards to their responsible paternal engagement, which refers to father involvement in the child’s education and related activities. It was also found that the more positively involved a father has been in his child’s life, the higher the child’s self- esteem tends to be, consistent with Western literature on self-esteem. Future research aims to examine a much larger sample from across the Arab world to explore issues relating to gender, education, and career trajectory." تحتل مكانة الأب في العالم العربي وبالأخص الخليج العربي مكانة متكاملة و فريدة من نوعها سواءً كان ذلك ضمن أسرته أو ضمن شبكات الأقارب بشكل أوسع. في حين تم كتابة الكثيرعن دورسلطة الرجال في منطقة الشرق الأوسط، حيث كانت معظمها ذات نتائج سلبية، و بالأخص عن العلاقة و تأثيرها على النساء و الأطفال. وعلاوة على ذلك، كانت معظم هذه البحوث نوعية في طبيعتها، و تعتمد على أمثلة لعينات بسيطة مما أدى إلى صعوبة إستقرائها لعامة الناس.إن المعلومات المتوفرة عن الآباء المقيمين في الخليج وتأثيرهم على أطفالهم لا تزال محدودة إلى هذا اليوم.

scholarly journals Vagally mediated heart rate variability in headache patients—a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cephalalgia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Koenig ◽  
DeWayne P Williams ◽  
Andrew H Kemp ◽  
Julian F Thayer
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vagal Activity ◽  
Headache Disorders ◽  
The Impact

Objective Vagal nerve activity—indexed by heart rate variability (HRV)—has been linked to altered pain processing and inflammation, both of which may underpin headache disorders and lead to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here we examined the evidence for differences in parasympathetic (vagal) activity indexed by time- and frequency-domain measures of HRV in patients with headache disorders compared to healthy controls (HCs). Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on studies investigating group differences in vagally mediated HRV (vmHRV) including time- (root-mean-square of successive R-R-interval differences (RMSSD)) and frequency- (high-frequency HRV) domain measures. Studies eligible for inclusion were identified by a systematic search of the literature, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Results Seven studies reporting a total of 10 comparisons of patients with headache disorders (HF-HRV n = 67, RMSSD n = 122) and HCs (HF-HRV n = 64, RMSSD n = 125) were eligible for inclusion. Random-effects meta-analysis revealed a significant main effect on RMSSD ( Z = 2.03, p = 0.04; Hedges’ g = −0.63; 95% CI (−1.24, –0.02); k = 6) and similar pooled effect size estimates for HF-HRV when breathing was controlled ( g = −0.30; 95% CI (−0.69; 0.10)) but not when breathing was not controlled ( g = 0.02; 95% CI (−0.69; 0.74)). Controlling for breathing had no effect on RMSSD. Conclusion vmHRV is reduced in patients with headache disorders, findings associated with a medium effect size. Suggestions for future research in this area are provided, emphasizing a need to investigate the impact of headache disorders and commonly comorbid conditions—including mental disorders—as well as the investigation of the risk for CVD in migraine in particular. We further emphasize the need for large-scale studies to investigate HRV as a mechanism mediating the association of migraine and CVD.

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