Quality, interpretation and presentation of European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire core 30 data in randomised controlled trials

2008 ◽  
Vol 44 (13) ◽  
pp. 1793-1798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Cocks ◽  
Madeleine T. King ◽  
Galina Velikova ◽  
Peter M. Fayers ◽  
Julia M. Brown
2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 156-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Bridoux ◽  
Grégoire Moutel ◽  
Benoit Lefebure ◽  
Michel Scotte ◽  
Francis Michot ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Laura D Wainwright ◽  
Gillian Haddock ◽  
Charlotte Dunster-Page ◽  
Katherine Berry

Background/Aims Inpatient wards provide an opportunity to intervene with medical, psychological and social care to contain distress and prevent future relapse. However, they have been criticised for an over-reliance on medication and risk management with limited psychosocial interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical trials of psychosocial interventions for inpatients to identify interventions that are effective at improving quality of life, symptoms or patient functioning. Methods An electronic search of six databases was conducted for papers published from 1806 up until February 2017. A total of 18 randomised controlled trials was identified in which outcomes for symptoms, quality of life or functioning were reported. Results Overall, 15 trials showed a statistically significant result for at least one outcome. Seven categories were identified from the 18 studies, at least one in each category was found to be effective for symptoms, quality of life or functioning. The majority were effective (15 out of 18). Conclusions Given that the methodological quality was generally low and number of randomised controlled trials were small, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Recommendations include more and repeated trials using rigorous methods of testing and reporting.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S276-S276
Author(s):  
Syed Nabeel Javaid

AimsThe aim of this systematic literature review was to determine the evidence-based effectiveness of animal assisted interventions and to look at the factors that limit implementation of this intervention.BackgroundDementia is a major health issue worldwide impacting not only on the people diagnosed with dementia, but also on their families and caregivers, and the healthcare professionals. The symptoms of dementia include cognitive impairment that can range from mild to severe, and behavioural and psychological symptoms which have debilitating effects on functional capacity and quality of life. A number of non-pharmacological interventions are being developed to help people with dementia. Animal assisted therapy is one of those interventions that has demonstrated positive effects on various aspects of dementia (Filan and Llewellyn-Jones, 2006). However, there are limitations to its use and feasibility of animal assisted therapy programmes is unclear.MethodOnly randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) were to be included to evaluate high quality evidence. A systematic literature search was carried out to find using the PubMed and Cochrane databases and a search of the NICE website. Literature was screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eight randomised-controlled trials were selected to be used in this systematic review to assess the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy.ResultThe results regarding the effectiveness of animal assisted therapy were variable. There was some improvement demonstrated in symptoms of depression, agitation, behaviour and cognitive impairment. Quality of life and activities of daily living also demonstrated positive outcomes. There was a reduction in the risk of falls in people with dementia. However, the studies conducted demonstrated limited methodologies. The factors limiting the use of animal assisted therapy were found to be concerns around adverse events to animals, issues of animal welfare and economic feasibility of animal assisted therapy programmes.ConclusionFurther research needs to be done using properly conducted randomised controlled trials with larger sample sizes to formally assess people's perceptions regarding therapy animals and develop clear guidelines and protocols for integrating these interventions in healthcare.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e031339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Schaefer ◽  
Paul Enck

IntroductionSeveral studies suggest that gut microbiota may play an important role in allergic diseases. The present trial aims to examine effects of the probioticEnterococcus faecalison symptoms of allergic rhinitis in patients. Effects of this probiotic on the immune system have been reported by several studies, but the majority of the previous trials were animal studies. In addition, it is well known that symptoms in allergic rhinitis are prone to exhibit high placebo responses. Moreover, recent studies report that even placebos without deception (open-label placebos) are highly effective in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Our study design combines both new approaches to assess effects on allergic symptoms in patients. The objective of this study is to compare the effects of a probiotic treatment (E. faecalis) with effects seen by open-label placebo, concealed placebo treatment and no treatment control.Methods and analysisA total of 120 patients with allergic rhinitis will be randomly assigned to one of four different groups: a double-blind probiotic/placebo group (groups 1 and 2), an open-label placebo group (group 3) and a no-treatment group (group 4) to control for spontaneous variation of symptoms. The primary outcome is the evaluation of allergic symptoms using the Combined Symptoms Medication Score. Furthermore, health-related quality of life is examined (Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire). Secondary outcomes include a visual analogue scale on allergic burden and a second quality of life questionnaire. This report describes the study design of the randomised controlled trial.Ethics and disseminationThe study design was approved by the ethical committee of the UKT Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Tübingen, Germany. The trial is registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (www.drks.de, DRKS00015804). The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences.Trial registration numberGerman Clinical Trials Register (www.drks.de, DRKS00015804); Pre-results.


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