scholarly journals Digital technology interventions to reduce loneliness in adults: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S G Sarwar Shah ◽  
David Nogueras ◽  
Hugo van Woerden ◽  
Vasiliki Kiparoglou
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Social Emotional

Abstract Background Loneliness is an emerging public health issue and its burden is increasing in developed countries. Loneliness is associated with social, emotional, physical and mental health issues. Tackling loneliness is important to reduce its adverse impacts on individuals with loneliness and their families. Various digital technology-based interventions are used to tackle loneliness. Assessing the effectiveness of these interventions is important from the health, social care and public health perspectives. Aim To undertake a systematic review of published primary research on digital technology interventions to reduce loneliness in adults. Methods Databases searched: PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria: empirical research articles involving the application of digital technology interventions for tackling loneliness; participants aged ≥18 years and publication in the English Language from 1 January 2010 to 14 January 2019. Two researchers systematically screened articles and data were extracted from shortlisted articles applying a population, intervention(s), comparator(s) and outcome(s) (PICO) framework. Results We selected 14 studies mostly from developed countries such as the US (n = 5) and Sweden (n = 3). We found a wide variation in the sample sizes (range 5-591 participants), participants’ age (range 32-90, average 66.4-82.5 years) and the follow-up measurement period (6 weeks-12 months) in the selected studies. Digital technology interventions tested were Internet-based social activities and networking through video or phone calls (using Skype (n = 6) and Facebook (n = 2)), communicating via emails (n = 2). Most of the studies used the UCLA loneliness scale (n = 9) and reported reductions in loneliness in follow-up measurements compared to baseline measurements. Conclusions Digital interventions are associated with reduced loneliness in adults; however, further studies such as clinical trials involving larger sample sizes are needed. Key messages Loneliness is associated with social, emotional, physical and mental health problems and the burden of loneliness is increasing, especially in developed countries. Digital technology interventions help in reducing loneliness in adults but further research including clinical trials involving large sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are required.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Digital Technology Interventions to Reduce Loneliness in Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Ghulam Sarwar Shah ◽  
David Nogueras ◽  
Hugo Cornelis van Woerden ◽  
Vasiliki Kiparoglou
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Significant Difference

BACKGROUND Loneliness is a serious public health issue, and its burden is increasing in many countries. Loneliness affects social, physical, and mental health, and it is associated with multimorbidity and premature mortality. In addition to social interventions, a range of digital technology interventions (DTIs) are being used to tackle loneliness. However, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of DTIs in reducing loneliness, especially in adults. The effectiveness of DTIs in reducing loneliness needs to be systematically assessed. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of DTIs in reducing loneliness in older adults. METHODS We conducted electronic searches in PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science for empirical studies published in English from January 1, 2010, to July 31, 2019. The study selection criteria included interventional studies that used any type of DTIs to reduce loneliness in adults (aged ≥18 years) with a minimum intervention duration of 3 months and follow-up measurements at least 3 months after the intervention. Two researchers independently screened articles and extracted data using the PICO (participant, intervention, comparator, and outcome) framework. The primary outcome measure was loneliness. Loneliness scores in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and at follow-up at 3, 4, 6, and 12 months after the intervention were extracted. Data were analyzed via narrative synthesis and meta-analysis using RevMan (The Cochrane Collaboration) software. RESULTS A total of 6 studies were selected from 4939 screened articles. These studies included 1 before and after study and 5 clinical trials (4 randomized clinical trials and 1 quasi-experimental study). All of these studies enrolled a total of 646 participants (men: n=154, 23.8%; women: n=427, 66.1%; no gender information: n=65, 10.1%) with an average age of 73-78 years (SD 6-11). Five clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis, and by using the random effects model, standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated for each trial and pooled across studies at the 3-, 4-, and 6-month follow-ups. The overall effect estimates showed no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of DTIs compared with that of usual care or non-DTIs at follow-up at 3 months (SMD 0.02; 95% CI −0.36 to 0.40; <i>P</i>=.92), 4 months (SMD −1.11; 95% CI −2.60 to 0.38; <i>P</i>=.14), and 6 months (SMD −0.11; 95% CI −0.54 to 0.32; <i>P</i>=.61). The quality of evidence was very low to moderate in these trials. CONCLUSIONS Our meta-analysis shows no evidence supporting the effectiveness of DTIs in reducing loneliness in older adults. Future research may consider randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer durations for both the interventions and follow-ups. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032455

Weight-Loss Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Weight-Loss Clinical Trials with a Minimum 1-Year Follow-Up

2007 ◽  
Vol 107 (10) ◽  
pp. 1755-1767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion J. Franz ◽  
Jeffrey J. VanWormer ◽  
A. Lauren Crain ◽  
Jackie L. Boucher ◽  
Trina Histon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Weight Loss Outcomes

scholarly journals Self-reported health status, treatment decision and survival in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with aortic stenosis in a Western Norway population undergoing conservative treatment: a cross-sectional study with 18 months follow-up

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e016489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kjersti Oterhals ◽  
Rune Haaverstad ◽  
Jan Erik Nordrehaug ◽  
Geir Egil Eide ◽  
Tone M Norekvål
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Western Norway ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Reported Health ◽  
Self Reported Health Status

ObjectivesTo investigate symptoms and self-reported health of patients conservatively treated for aortic stenosis (AS) and to identify factors associated with treatment decision and patient outcomes.DesignA cross-sectional survey with an 18-month follow-up.SettingOne tertiary university hospital in Western Norway.ParticipantsIn all, 1436 patients were diagnosed with AS between 2000 and 2012, and those 245 still under conservative treatment in 2013 were included in this study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome measures were symptoms and self-reported health status. Secondary outcomes were treatment decision and patient survival after 18 months.ResultsA total of 136 patients with mean (SD) age 79 (12) years, 52% men responded. Among conservatively treated patients 77% were symptomatic. The symptom most frequently experienced was dyspnoea. Symptomatic patients reported worse physical and mental health compared with asymptomatic patients (effect size 1.24 and 0.74, respectively). In addition, symptomatic patients reported significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression compared with asymptomatic patients. However, symptom status did not correlate with haemodynamic severity of AS. After 18 months, 117 (86%) were still alive, 20% had undergone surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) and 7% transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). When adjusting for age, gender, symptomatic status, severity of AS and European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (EuroSCORE), patients with severe AS had more than sixfold chance of being scheduled for AVR or TAVI compared with those with moderate AS (HR 6.3, 95% CI 1.9 to 21.2, p=0.003). Patients with EuroSCORE ≥11 had less chance for undergoing AVR or TAVI compared with those with EuroSCORE ≤5 (HR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.46, p=0.007).ConclusionsSymptoms affected both physical and mental health in conservatively treated patients with AS. Many patients with symptomatic severe AS are not scheduled for surgery, despite the recommendations in current guidelines. The referral practice for AVR is a path for further investigation.

scholarly journals Examining the Association and Directionality between Mental Health Disorders and Substance Use among Adolescents and Young Adults in the U.S. and Canada—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarvenaz Esmaeelzadeh ◽  
John Moraros ◽  
Lilian Thorpe ◽  
Yelena Bird
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
The U.S

Background: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the association and directionality between mental health disorders and substance use among adolescents and young adults in the U.S. and Canada. Methods: The following databases were used: Medline, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. Meta-analysis used odds ratios as the pooled measure of effect. Results: A total of 3656 studies were screened and 36 were selected. Pooled results showed a positive association between depression and use of alcohol (odds ratio (OR) = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24–1.83), cannabis (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.10–1.51), and tobacco (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.43–1.92). Significant associations were also found between anxiety and use of alcohol (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.19–2.00), cannabis (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.02–1.81), and tobacco (OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.54–3.17). A bidirectional relationship was observed with tobacco use at baseline leading to depression at follow-up (OR = 1.87, CI = 1.23–2.85) and depression at baseline leading to tobacco use at follow-up (OR = 1.22, CI = 1.09–1.37). A unidirectional relationship was also observed with cannabis use leading to depression (OR = 1.33, CI = 1.19–1.49). Conclusion: This study offers insights into the association and directionality between mental health disorders and substance use among adolescents and young adults. Our findings can help guide key stakeholders in making recommendations for interventions, policy and programming.

scholarly journals Research on Stress Among the Engineering College Students in Coimbatore, India

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6S) ◽  
pp. 73-75
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
Late Adolescents ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Significant Public Health

The students are generally affected by stress especially in professional courses like medical, engineering are affected by higher stress, this leads to psychological problems such as high amount of depression, nervousness, cardiac problems etc.,. Mental health among the students indicates growing concern along with opportunity, because of the large number of people who could be reached during an important period of life. College premises, by their scholarly nature, are also well positioned to develop, evaluate, and disseminate best practices. In short, colleges offer a unique opportunity to address one of the most significant public health problems among late adolescents and young adults. Busy schedules crammed with curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular activities can affect the student’s physical and mental health, especially on delayed eating and improper and less sleeping. These stressors can compound over time, leading to even greater levels of stress. College premises, by their scholarly nature, are also well positioned to develop, evaluate, and disseminate best practices. In short, colleges offer a unique opportunity to address one of the most significant public health problems among late adolescents and young adults. This study aims to analyse the stress among the engineering students from sample survey. A quantitative method was used in gathering and analysing the data by distributing questionnaires to the students. The results obtained were analysed for different factors that cause stress among students

scholarly journals Movement-Evoked Pain Versus Pain at Rest in Postsurgical Clinical Trials and Meta-Analyses: Protocol for a Follow-Up Systematic Review

10.2196/15309 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e15309
Author(s):  
Daenis Camiré ◽  
Jason Erb ◽  
Henrik Kehlet ◽  
Timothy Brennan ◽  
Ian Gilron
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Pain Outcome ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Pain At Rest

Background Postoperative pain is one of the most prevalent and disabling complications of surgery that is associated with personal suffering, delayed functional recovery, prolonged hospital stay, perioperative complications, and chronic postsurgical pain. Accumulating evidence has pointed to the important distinction between pain at rest (PAR) and movement-evoked pain (MEP) after surgery. In most studies including both measures, MEP has been shown to be substantially more severe than PAR. Furthermore, as MEP is commonly experienced during normal activities (eg, breathing, coughing, and walking), it has a greater adverse functional impact than PAR. In a previous systematic review conducted in 2011, only 39% of reviewed trials included MEP as a trial outcome and 52% failed to identify the pain outcome as either PAR or MEP. Given the recent observations of postsurgical pain trials that continue to neglect the distinction between PAR and MEP, this updated review seeks to evaluate the degree of progress in this area. Objective This updated review will include postsurgical clinical trials and meta-analyses in which the primary outcome was early postoperative pain intensity. The primary outcome for this review is the reporting of MEP (vs PAR) as an outcome measure for each trial and meta-analysis. Secondary outcomes include whether trials and meta-analyses distinguished between PAR and MEP. Methods To be consistent with the 2011 review that we are updating, this review will again focus on randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, from Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online and EMBASE databases, focusing on pain treatment after thoracotomy, knee arthroplasty, and hysterectomy in humans. Trials and meta-analyses will be characterized as to whether or not they assessed PAR and MEP; whether their pain outcome acknowledged the distinction between PAR and MEP; and, for trials assessing MEP, which pain-evoking maneuver(s) were used. Results Scoping review and pilot data extraction are under way, and the results are expected by March 2020. Conclusions It is our belief that every postsurgical analgesic trial should include MEP as an outcome measure. The previous 2011 review was expected to have an impact on more widespread assessment of MEP in subsequent postoperative pain treatment trials. Thus, the purpose of this follow-up review is to reevaluate the frequency of use of MEP as a trial outcome, compared with PAR, in more recently published postoperative pain trials. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42019125855; https://tinyurl.com/qw9dty8 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/15309

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document