scholarly journals Evaluating the Implementation of Injury Prevention Strategies in Rugby Union and League: A Systematic Review using the RE-AIM Framework

Author(s):  
Craig Barden ◽  
Sheree Bekker ◽  
James Craig Brown ◽  
Keith A Stokes ◽  
Carly D. McKay

AbstractRugby (union and league) has come under intense scrutiny due to its injury risk. Various interventions have been introduced to protect players from injury, with many deemed efficacious and advocated for use across various worldwide contexts. However, their implementation is less clear. The objective of this systematic review was to determine whether injury prevention interventions in rugby have evaluated their ‘reach’, ‘effectiveness’, ‘adoption’, ‘implementation’ and ‘maintenance’ as per the RE-AIM Multi-Dimension Item Checklist. Six electronic databases were searched in November 2019. Inclusion criteria included: English language, peer-reviewed journal article, original research, field-based rugby code, prospective intervention. Of the 4253 studies identified, 74 met the full inclusion criteria. Protective equipment, predominately mouthguards, was the intervention of interest in 44 studies. Other interventions included multimodal national injury prevention programmes, law changes and neuromuscular training programmes. ‘Effectiveness’ was the highest scoring RE-AIM dimension (55%), followed by ‘reach’ (26%). All other RE-AIM dimensions scored below 20%. Research currently focuses on determining intervention ‘effectiveness’. For injury prevention strategies to have their desired impact, there must be a shift to address all determinants associated with implementation. Consideration should be given to how this can be achieved by adopting specific reporting checklists, research frameworks and study designs.

2021 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2020-103759
Author(s):  
Vincent Meintjes ◽  
Pip Forshaw ◽  
Steve den Hollander ◽  
Lindsay Starling ◽  
Michael Ian Lambert ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo analyse tackler and ball-carrier technical proficiency during moderate and severe contact injuries (≥8 days lost) in professional rugby union, and compare it with injury-free event-matched controls from the same player and from the same team.MethodsTechnical proficiency for 74 (n=74) (moderate and severe; ≥8 days lost) tackler and ball-carrier injuries during The Currie Cup (2014–2018) and 623 matched non-injury events (253 own controls, 370 team controls) were examined through video analysis using a standardised list of technical criteria.ResultsMean technical proficiency score for injured tacklers during front-on tackles was 6.19/16 (arbitrary units (AU) 95% CI 4.89 to 7.48), which was significantly different to their own controls (8.90/16 AU, 95% CI 8.37 to 9.43, p<0.001, effect size (ES)=1.21, large) and team controls (9.93/16 AU, 95% CI 9.50 to 10.40, p<0.001, ES=1.71, large). Mean technical proficiency score for injured ball-carriers during front-on tackles was 5.60/14 AU (95% CI 4.65 to 6.55), which was significantly different to their own controls (8.08/14 AU, 95% CI 7.56 to 8.60, p<0.001, ES=1.16, moderate) and team controls (8.16/14 AU, 95% CI 7.75 to 8.57, p<0.001, ES=1.25, large).ConclusionFor the tackler and ball-carrier, for both front-on and side-on/behind tackles, overall technical proficiency scores were significantly lower for the injury-causing event, when compared with the player’s own injury-free tackles and the team’s injury-free tackles. Through analysing player and team controls, player technique deficiencies for the injured player and player technique deficiencies that expose all players to injury were highlighted, which may inform injury prevention strategies and policies, and assist coaches in optimising training to reduce tackle injury risk.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e001018
Author(s):  
Craig Barden ◽  
Keith A Stokes ◽  
Carly D McKay

ObjectivesThe implementation of the Activate injury prevention exercise programme has not been assessed in an applied context. This study aimed to (1) describe the knowledge and perceptions of school rugby coaches and players towards injury risk, prevention and Activate and (2) evaluate Activate implementation in schoolboy rugby using the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance framework.MethodsBespoke electronic surveys were administered to coaches (including support staff) and players at participating English schools (2018–2020). Most questions and statements were answered using a 7-point Likert scale. At baseline, participants detailed their Activate awareness and perceptions of injury risk and prevention in schoolboy rugby. At postseason, participants reported Activate use throughout the study and their perceptions towards the programme.ResultsAt baseline, significant differences existed between coaches (n=106) and players (n=571) in Activate awareness (75% and 13% respectively; χ2=173.5, p<0.001). Coaches perceived rugby had a significantly greater injury risk than players, while holding more positive perceptions towards injury prevention. At postseason, coaches reported greater Activate adoption compared with players (76% and 18% respectively; χ2=41.8, p<0.001); 45% of players were unaware if they used the programme. Median session adherence was twice weekly, with a median duration of 10–15 min. This suggests Activate was not implemented as intended, with recommendations of three 20 min sessions per week. Both groups identified common barriers to implementation, such as lack of time and inclusion of a ball.ConclusionCoaches are instrumental in the decision to implement Activate. Targeting behavioural change in these individuals is likely to have the greatest impact on intervention uptake.


2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (13) ◽  
pp. 865-870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn A Emery ◽  
Thierry-Olivier Roy ◽  
Jackie L Whittaker ◽  
Alberto Nettel-Aguirre ◽  
Willem van Mechelen

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad U. Malik ◽  
David A. Diaz Voss Varela ◽  
Charles M. Stewart ◽  
Kulsoom Laeeq ◽  
Gayane Yenokyan ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) introduced the Outcome Project in July 2001 to improve the quality of resident education through competency-based learning. The purpose of this systematic review is to determine and explore the perceptions of program directors regarding challenges to implementing the ACGME Outcome Project. Methods We used the PubMed and Web of Science databases and bibliographies for English-language articles published between January 1, 2001, and February 17, 2012. Studies were included if they described program directors' opinions on (1) barriers encountered when attempting to implement ACGME competency-based education, and (2) assessment methods that each residency program was using to implement competency-based education. Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were screened by 2 researchers. The grading criterion was created by the authors and used to assess the quality of each study. Results The survey-based data reported the opinions of 1076 program directors. Barriers that were encountered include: (1) lack of time; (2) lack of faculty support; (3) resistance of residents to the Outcome Project; (4) insufficient funding; (5) perceived low priority for the Outcome Project; (6) inadequate salary incentive; and (7) inadequate knowledge of the competencies. Of the 6 competencies, those pertaining to patient care and medical knowledge received the most responses from program directors and were given highest priority. Conclusions The reviewed literature revealed that time and financial constraints were the most important barriers encountered when implementing the ACGME Outcome Project.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 232596711988887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toufic R. Jildeh ◽  
Kelechi R. Okoroha ◽  
Joseph S. Tramer ◽  
Jorge Chahla ◽  
Benedict U. Nwachukwu ◽  
...  

Background: As the incidence of overuse injuries to the medial elbow in overhead athletes continues to rise, recent evidence suggests a link between these injuries and alterations in biomechanics produced by athlete fatigue. Previous studies have evaluated the effect of fatigue on elbow injuries using a wide array of fatigue protocols/athletic tasks, and, as a consequence, the results have been heterogeneous. Purpose: To determine whether there is a uniform alteration in neuromuscular function or biomechanics as the overhead athlete fatigues. Furthermore, this study sought to determine whether player fatigue should be accounted for in ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury prevention programs. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review of the literature using PubMed and MEDLINE databases was performed. Keywords included fatigue, upper extremity, baseball, pitcher, throwing, and muscle activity. Inclusion criteria consisted of original research articles in the English language involving healthy athletes, use of fatigue protocols, and the evaluation of at least 1 upper limb biomechanical variable. Results: A total of 35 studies involving 644 athletes (90 females, 554 males; mean age, 20.2 years) met the inclusion criteria. General fatigue protocols were used in 2 investigations, peripheral protocols were used in all 35 studies, and 5 different athletic tasks were studied (simulated baseball game, overhead throwing, high-effort swimming, simulated tennis game, and overhead serving). There was a uniform decrease in muscle force production and proprioception in athletes after completing a fatigue protocol. However, there was no consistency among studies when evaluating other important upper limb biomechanical factors. The fatigue protocols did not consistently produce statistically significant changes in elbow torque, pitching biomechanics, or ball velocity. Conclusion: A uniform decrease in muscle force production and proprioception was found after fatigue protocols; however, a majority of fatigue protocols published in the current literature are inconsistently measured and produce heterogeneous results. Therefore, currently, no recommendations can be made for changes in UCL injury prevention training programs to account for potential effects of fatigue. The effect of muscle force production and proprioception on upper extremity injuries should be evaluated in future studies.


Author(s):  
Elisa T. Bushman ◽  
Gabriella Cozzi ◽  
Rachel G. Sinkey ◽  
Catherine H. Smith ◽  
Michael W. Varner ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Headaches affect 88% of reproductive-aged women. Yet data are limited addressing treatment of headache in pregnancy. While many women experience improvement in pregnancy, primary and secondary headaches can develop. Consequently, pregnancy is a time when headache diagnosis can influence maternal and fetal interventions. This study was aimed to summarize existing randomized control trials (RCTs) addressing headache treatment in pregnancy. Study Design We searched PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and SCOPUS from January 1, 1970 through June 31, 2019. Studies were eligible if they were English-language RCTs addressing treatment of headache in pregnancy. Conference abstracts and studies investigating postpartum headache were excluded. Three authors reviewed English-language RCTs addressing treatment of antepartum headache. To be included, all authors agreed each article to meet the following criteria: predefined control group, participants underwent randomization, and treatment of headache occurred in the antepartum period. If inclusion criteria were met no exclusions were made. Our systematic review registration number was CRD42019135874. Results A total of 193 studies were reviewed. Of the three that met inclusion criteria all were small, with follow-up designed to measure pain reduction and showed statistical significance. Conclusion Our systematic review of RCTs evaluating treatment of headache in pregnancy revealed only three studies. This paucity of data limits treatment, puts women at risk for worsening headache disorders, and delays diagnosis placing both the mother and fetus at risk for complications.


Author(s):  
Manoj Sharma ◽  
Taj Haider

Low back pain is not only a leading cause of disability in the United States but also one of the most expensive to treat. Exercise proves to be inconsistent, and surgery often leads to disease reappearance. Yoga offers a holistic approach to overcome the psychological and physical aspects of low back pain. A systematic review was performed to determine the efficacy of yoga for low back pain. Study inclusion criteria were studies ( a) published in the English language, ( b) published between January 2000 and June 2012, ( c) included any form of yoga as an intervention, ( d) used any quantitative study design, and (5) measured low back pain as an outcome. Of the 13 studies included, 9 demonstrated a reduction in low back pain using yoga as part of the intervention. Limitations include lack of theory-based approaches, unclear definitions of low back pain, and multiple instruments used to measure the outcome.


1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 505-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair J. Flint

The purpose of the literature review discussed in this article was to determine the effect of formal respite care on patients with dementia and their caregivers. Three computerized databases were searched for relevant English-language articles published from 1975 to 1994, and the bibliographies of retrieved articles were systematically reviewed for additional references. Five studies met the following inclusion criteria: original research; controlled trial of a defined respite intervention; sample including a dementia population; and at least one outcome measure relating to at least one of eight specified caregiver and patient variables. Four studies met validity criteria and were included for the review. There was little evidence that formal respite care has a significant effect on caregivers' burden, psychiatric status, or physical health; or on patients' cognition, function, physical health, or rate of institutionalization. However, given the small number of controlled studies found and their methodological and conceptual limitations, these data should be interpreted with caution.


2013 ◽  
Vol 543 ◽  
pp. 200-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasan Turkez ◽  
Kubra Celik ◽  
Bulent Cakmak

Nanoparticles (NPs) are used in various forms in consumer products including, cosmetics, food packaging, textiles and also in air and water cleaning, production of electro chromic windows, or smart windows and gas sensors. Many NPs have also been evaluated for potential use in biomedical applications as efficient delivery carriers for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Nowadays, NPs are being developed to create fascinating nanotechnology products. To develop NPs for broad applications, potential risks to human health and the environment should be evaluated and taken into consideration. Again, to translate these nanomaterials to the clinic and industrial domains, their biosafety needs to be verified, particularly in terms of genotoxic and carcinogenic effects. To evaluate evidenced-based practices for NPs safety, we performed a systematic review of the published English-language literature. We performed a systematic keyword search of PubMed for original research articles pertaining to reports on assessment of risks due to carcinogenic and mutagenic effects by different NPs. We identified 362 original articles available for analysis. The included studies were published between 1993 and 2012. The in vivo or in vitro genotoxicity studies were performed on only 18 out of 148 kinds of NPs in industry today. Likewise, the carcinogenicity investigations were performed on only 14 out of 148 NPs. The 10 types of the NPs including some titanium, aluminium, carbon black and silver molecules were found to have both mutagenic and carcinogenic potential. The important finding was also that there is a lack of systematic assessment of the DNA damaging and carcinogenic potential of NPs in spite of their extensive use in nanotechnological applications.


Author(s):  
Manoj Sharma ◽  
Taj Haider

Considering depression ranks high among the contributors to worldwide disease burden and conventional treatments have severe limitations, Tai Chi, due to its holistic approach, is being explored as an alternative therapy. A systematic review was conducted to determine the efficacy of Tai Chi as a treatment option for depression. Inclusion criteria included the following: ( a) studies published in the English language, ( b) studies published between January 2007 and July 2012, ( c) studies that included Tai Chi as a therapy in an intervention, ( d) studies that used any quantitative study design, and ( e) studies that measured depression as an outcome. A total of 11 studies met these criteria. The efficacy of Tai Chi as an alternative and complementary treatment for depression is mixed. Limitations of the reviewed interventions included a mixed usage of instruments, high dropout rates, low sample sizes, and a lack of quality assessment tools for Tai Chi.


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