Validating the Principles of Effective Intervention: A Systematic Review of the Contributions of Meta-Analysis in the Field of Corrections

Students with early sexual debut are exposed to risky sexual behaviours. For effective intervention of early sexual debut and its consequences, determination of its magnitude and identifications of associated factors is important. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence and its associated factors of early sexual debut among students in Ethiopia. Articles were identified through databases such as PubMed, Global Health, HINARI, Google advance search, Scopus, and EMBASE from March 10th to April 3rd. The data was extracted using a standardized data extraction form and exported to STATA 11 for analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of early sexual debut among students was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis. Presence of association was determined using an odds ratio with a corresponding 95% CI. A total of 9 studies with 4,217 participants were involved in this meta-analysis. The estimated pooled prevalence of early sexual debut among students in Ethiopia was 27.53% (95% CI: 20.52, 34.54). Being female (OR: 3.64, 95% CI: 1.67, 5.61), watching pornography (OR: 3.8, 95% CI: 2.10, 5.50) and having boyfriend or girlfriend (OR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.24, 5.96) were found to be risk factors for early sexual debut. More than one fourth of students practiced early sexual debut. The finding suggests the need of strengthening prevention strategies, effective intervention, and programs to reduce early sexual debut and its consequences in educational institutions. Furthermore, special attention should be given to female students and students who watch pornography.

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Acupuncture Point Stimulation Treatments Combined With Conventional Treatment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.586900 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Cheng-Lin Tsai ◽

Chou-Chin Lan ◽

Chih-Wei Wu ◽

Yun-Chun Wu ◽

Chan-Yen Kuo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Pulmonary Disease ◽

Conventional Treatment ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Acupuncture Point ◽

Effective Intervention ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a disease characterized by dyspnea, cough, and respiratory symptoms, leading to impaired health-related quality of life (HRQL) and exercise capacity, is highly prevalent worldwide. Some studies demonstrated that acupuncture point stimulation treatments (APSTs) are effective and safe in treating patients with COPD. The aim of this systematic review and network meta-analysis is to analyze the effects on HRQL and FEV1% predicted of diverse APSTs in treating patients with COPD.Materials and Methods: We searched seven electronic databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with stable COPD patients comparing APSTs and conventional treatment (Tx) were included. The primary outcome was HRQL measured by COPD Assessment Test or St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire. The secondary outcome was FEV1% predicted. We performed random effect network meta-analysis using a consistency model.Results: This network meta-analysis analyzed 21 RCTs with 1,577 stable COPD participants. In comparison with Tx, acupressure massage (AM) + Tx [−5.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), −6.65 to −3.57] was the most effective intervention in improving HRQL, followed by moxibustion (Mx) + Tx (−2.86; 95% CI, −3.86 to −1.86). Moreover, in comparison with Tx, Mx + Tx (7.79; 95% CI, 2.16 to 13.42) was the most effective intervention in improving FEV1% predicted, followed by acupuncture (A) + Tx (5.79; 95% CI, 2.90 to 8.68).Conclusions: Combined interventions (APSTs + Tx) are more effective than single intervention in improving both HRQL and FEV1% predicted. AM, Mx, and A can be considered effective non-pharmacological complementary interventions in treating patients with COPD under Tx.

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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Health Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1017/s1352465816000527 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 110-123 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Kate Cooper ◽

James D. Gregory ◽

Ian Walker ◽

Sinead Lambe ◽

Paul M. Salkovskis

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Health Anxiety ◽

Cochrane Review ◽

Psychological Problem ◽

Systematic Search ◽

Effective Intervention ◽

Behaviour Therapy ◽

Treatment As Usual ◽

Cognitive Behaviour

Background: Health anxiety (HA), or hypochondriasis, is a psychological problem characterized by a preoccupation with the belief that one is physically unwell. A 2007 Cochrane review (Thomson and Page, 2007) found cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to be an effective intervention for individuals with HA. Similar findings were reported in a recent meta-analysis (Olatunji et al., 2014), which did not employ a systematic search strategy. The current review aimed to investigate the efficacy of CBT for HA, and to update the existing reviews. Method: A systematic search was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidance, including randomized controlled trials that compared CBT with a control condition for people with HA. Five hundred and sixty-seven studies were found in the original search, of which 14 were included in the meta-analysis. Results: Meta-analysis was conducted on 21 comparisons and a large effect size for CBT compared with a control condition was found at post therapy d = 1.01 (95% confidence interval 0.77–1.25), as well as at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis provides support for the hypothesis that CBT is an effective intervention for HA when compared with a variety of control conditions, e.g. treatment-as-usual, waiting list, medication, and other psychological therapies.

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The effects of low-ratio n-6/n-3 PUFA on biomarkers of inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Food & Function ◽

10.1039/d0fo01976c ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yali Wei ◽

Yan Meng ◽

Na Li ◽

Qian Wang ◽

Liyong Chen

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid ◽

Inflammation Markers ◽

Pufa Supplementation ◽

Long Chain

The purpose of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine if low-ratio n-6/n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation affects serum inflammation markers based on current studies.

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