Volunteer Programs Supporting People With Dementia/Delirium in Hospital: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Pritchard ◽  
Sze-Ee Soh ◽  
Renata Morello ◽  
Danielle Berkovic ◽  
Annaliese Blair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Narrative Synthesis ◽  
Program Outcomes ◽  
Volunteer Program ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Volunteer Programs

Abstract Background and Objectives Volunteer-delivered programs to assist people with dementia and/or delirium in-hospital can provide person-centered one-on-one support in addition to usual care. These programs could mitigate hospital resource demands; however, their effectiveness is unknown. This review evaluated literature of volunteer programs in acute hospital settings for people living with dementia and/or delirium. Research Design and Methods Four databases were searched. Studies that reported patient or program outcomes were included (i.e., delirium incidence, length of stay, number of falls, satisfaction). Risk of bias was completed. Meta-analysis was performed where 2 or more studies measured the same outcome. Narrative synthesis was performed on the qualitative results. Results Eleven studies were included in the review, with varied design, participant groups and outcomes measured. Risk of bias averaged 71%. Volunteer-delivered programs addressed delirium risk factors, for example, hydration/nutrition, mobility, use of sensory aids. Eight patients and 6 program outcomes were captured, but only 3 patient outcomes could be pooled. Meta-analyses demonstrated a reduction in delirium incidence (rate ratio = 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47, 0.90) but no reduction in length of stay (mean difference −1.09; 95% CI −0.58, 2.77) or number of falls (rate ratio = 0.67; 95% CI 0.19, 2.35). Narrative synthesis identified benefits to patients (e.g., less loneliness), volunteers (sense of meaning), and staff (timesaving, safety). Discussion and Implications Volunteer-delivered programs for inpatients with dementia and/or delirium may provide benefits for patients, volunteers, and staff. However, studies conducted with more robust designs are required to determine overall effectiveness on program outcomes. Further high-quality research appropriate for this vulnerable population is required to identify volunteer program effectiveness.

scholarly journals Technology-based counselling in dementia (TeCoDem): study protocol of a mixed-methods systematic review with qualitative comparative analysis and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e054157
Author(s):  
Julian Hirt ◽  
Gero Langer ◽  
Fabian Wilde ◽  
Dorothee Bauernschmidt ◽  
Gabriele Meyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Second Primary ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Informal Carers ◽  
Study Designs

IntroductionInformation technology can enhance timely and individual support for people with dementia and informal carers. There is some evidence that people with dementia and informal carers would benefit from technology-based counselling. However, it remains unclear which features of those interventions relate to beneficial outcomes and which aspects are necessary for a successful implementation. Therefore, the primary objectives are: (1) to identify conditions of successful implementation of technology-based counselling interventions in dementia and (2) to investigate the effectiveness of those interventions.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a mixed-methods systematic review. The first primary objective requires evidence from various study designs addressing aspects on effective and non-effective implementation of technology-based counselling. This could be telephone-based, web-based or mobile-based interventions for people with dementia and informal carers. For the second primary objective, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) dealing with any outcomes will be included. Year of publication and language will not be restricted. We will search CINAHL, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science up to April 2021. Additionally, we will perform web searching and citation tracking. To achieve the first primary objective, a Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) will be conducted. The QCA enables us to identify necessary or sufficient components for a successful implementation. To reach the second primary objective, a meta-analysis will be performed with respect to potential clinical and statistical heterogeneity of RCTs. The revised Risk of Bias tool 2.0 will be used to check the risk of bias in RCTs. For all other study designs, the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool will be used.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required for this review. We will disseminate our findings through scientific and non-scientific journal articles and conference presentations as well as formats directed to the public and decision-makers in healthcare.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021245473.

scholarly journals The Benefit of Dysphagia Screening in Adult Patients With Stroke: A Meta‐Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Sherman ◽  
Elissa Greco ◽  
Rosemary Martino
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Randomized Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Combining Evidence ◽  
Experimental Trials ◽  
Homogeneous Data

Background Early identification of dysphagia aims to mitigate the risk of health consequences in adults poststroke; however, the evidence from experimental trials alone is inconclusive. This meta‐analysis assessed dysphagia screening benefit from both trial and observational data. Methods and Results Seven electronic databases were searched to December 2019. Unique abstracts and full articles were screened for eligibility by 2 independent blinded raters using a priori criteria and discrepancies resolved by consensus. Included studies were summarized descriptively and assessed for methodological quality using Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Across studies, pooled estimates of health benefit were derived for homogeneous data using Review Manger 5.3. From the yield of 8860 citations, 30 unique articles were selected: 24 observational and 6 randomized trials. Across studies, comparisons varied: no screening versus screening, late versus earlier screening, informal versus formal screening, pre‐ versus postscreening, and pre‐ versus poststroke guidelines that included screening. Pooled estimates across comparisons favored experimental groups for pneumonia odds ratio (OR), 0.57 (95% CI, 0.45–0.72), mortality OR, 0.52 (95% CI, 0.35–0.77), dependency OR, 0.54 (95% CI, 0.35–0.85), and length of stay standardized mean difference, −0.62 (95% CI, −1.05 to −0.20). Conclusions Combining evidence from experimental and observational studies derived a significant protective health benefit of dysphagia screening following adult acute stroke for pneumonia, mortality, dependency, and length of stay.

Reviewing and Benchmarking Adventure Therapy Outcomes: Applications of Meta-Analysis

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
James T. Neill
Keyword(s):  
Outdoor Education ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Adventure Therapy ◽  
Therapy Outcomes ◽  
Program Outcomes ◽  
School Settings ◽  
Therapy Program ◽  
Psychological Training ◽  
Meta Analyses

This article summarizes evidence from meta-analyses of outdoor education, psychotherapy, and education which can he used to help determine the relative efficacy of adventure therapy programs. The major outdoor education meta-analysis by Hattie, Marsh, Neill, and Richards (1997) cites an effect size of .34 for immediate program effectiveness. Meta-analytic studies of innovative education programs in school settings report similar effects (Hattie et al., Hattie, 1992, 1993), while psychological training meta-analyses report slightly higher effects (Lipsey & Wilson, 1993), and meta-analyses of psychotherapy effectiveness find stronger effects (Casey St Berman, 1985; Smith, Glass, & Miller, 1980). This article derives outcome benchmarks for adventure therapy program outcomes taken from existing outdoor education, psychological, and educational meta-analyses, and recommends that the benchmarks be used in adventure therapy research and evaluation to allow for more accurate assessments of program's effectiveness. The suggested benchmarks should be used only as guides, and should be refined in future by meta-analyses of adventure therapy outcomes.

scholarly journals Management of appendiceal mass and abscess in children; early appendectomy or initial non-operative treatment? A systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 5234-5249
Author(s):  
Paul van Amstel ◽  
Tania C. Sluckin ◽  
Tim van Amstel ◽  
Johanna H. van der Lee ◽  
Ralph de Vries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Complication Rate ◽  
Treatment Strategy ◽  
Readmission Rate ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Appendiceal Mass ◽  
Optimal Treatment Strategy

Abstract Background Appendiceal mass and abscess and its treatment are associated with significant morbidity and high costs. Still, the optimal treatment strategy is the point of debate. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare overall complications between initial non-operative treatment (NOT) and early appendectomy (EA) in children with appendiceal mass and/or abscess. Methods Pubmed and Embase were searched. Only randomized controlled trials and prospective or historical cohort studies that compared NOT with EA in children with appendiceal mass or abscess in terms of complications were eligible for inclusion. Risk of bias was assessed. Primary outcome was the overall complication rate. Secondary, length of stay and readmission rate were investigated. A meta-analysis of overall complications associated with both treatment strategies was performed. Results 14 of 7083 screened studies were selected, including 1022 children in the NOT group and 333 in the EA group. Duration of follow-up ranged between four weeks and 12 years. Risk of bias was moderate in four and serious in 10 studies. NOT was associated with a lower overall complication rate (risk ratio (RR) 0.37 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21–0.65]). However, NOT led to increased length of stay (mean difference varied between 0.2 and 8.4 days) and higher readmission rate (RR 1.75 [95%CI 0.79–3.89]), although not significantly. Interval appendectomy after NOT was performed as a routine procedure in all but one study. This study found a recurrence rate of 34% in a group of 38 patients during a follow-up period of 3.4 ± 1.7 years. Conclusion NOT may reduce the overall complication rate compared to EA, but the evidence is very uncertain. As evidence is scarce, and of low level, and heterogeneity between studies is substantial, the results should be interpreted with caution. Large prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment strategy for children with appendiceal mass and/or abscess.

scholarly journals Preoperative iron treatment in anaemic patients undergoing elective total hip or knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e036592
Author(s):  
Ashley B Scrimshire ◽  
Alison Booth ◽  
Caroline Fairhurst ◽  
Alwyn Kotze ◽  
Mike Reed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Transfusion ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Total Hip ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Perioperative Blood Transfusion

ObjectivesPreoperative anaemia is associated with increased risks of postoperative complications, blood transfusion and mortality. This meta-analysis aims to review the best available evidence on the clinical effectiveness of preoperative iron in anaemic patients undergoing elective total hip (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR).DesignElectronic databases and handsearching were used to identify randomised and non-randomised studies of interventions (NRSI) reporting perioperative blood transfusion rates for anaemic participants receiving iron before elective THR or TKR. Searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed and other databases were conducted on 17 April 2019 and updated on 15 July 2020. Two investigators independently reviewed studies for eligibility and evaluated risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and a modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale for NRSIs. Data extraction was performed by ABS and checked by AB. Meta-analysis used the Mantel-Haenszel method and random-effects models.Results807 records were identified: 12 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 10 were eligible for meta-analyses (one RCT and nine NRSIs). Five of the NRSIs were of high-quality while there were some concerns of bias in the RCT. Meta-analysis of 10 studies (n=2178 participants) showed a 39% reduction in risk of receiving a perioperative blood transfusion with iron compared with no iron (risk ratio 0.61, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.73, p<0.001, I2=0%). There was a significant reduction in the number of red blood cell units transfused with iron compared with no iron (mean difference −0.37units, 95% CI −0.47 to -0.27, p<0.001, I2=40%); six studies (n=1496). Length of stay was significantly reduced with iron, by an average of 2.08 days (95% CI −2.64 to −1.51, p<0.001, I2=40%); five studies (n=1140).ConclusionsPreoperative iron in anaemic, elective THR or TKR patients, significantly reduces the number of patients and number of units transfused and length of stay. However, high-quality, randomised trials are lacking.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019129035.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Interventions for Preventing People With Dementia Exiting or Getting Lost

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Emrich-Mills ◽  
Vaisakh Puthusseryppady ◽  
Michael Hornberger
Keyword(s):  
Data Extraction ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Narrative Synthesis ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Getting Lost ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives People with dementia are at risk of exiting premises unsupervised, eloping, or getting lost, potentially leading to harmful or distressing consequences. This review aimed to estimate the effectiveness of interventions for preventing people with dementia from exiting or getting lost. Research Design and Methods A systematic review of English sources was undertaken. Health care (EMBASE, BNI, Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AMED, HTA, CENTRAL) and gray literature (OpenGrey) databases were searched using prespecified search terms. Additional studies were identified by hand-searching bibliographies of relevant reviews and included studies. Wide inclusion criteria were set to capture a range of intervention types. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were completed independently by two reviewers. Methods were preregistered on PROSPERO. Results Individual and overall risk of bias was too high for statistical meta-analyses. A narrative synthesis was therefore performed. Twenty-five studies with 814 participants were included, investigating a range of nonpharmacological interventions aiming to prevent exiting, facilitate retrieval, educate participants, or a combination of these. Seventeen (68%) of the included studies had critical risks of internal bias to outcomes, providing no useful evidence for the effectiveness of their respective interventions. The remaining 8 (32%) studies had serious risks of bias. Narrative synthesis of results yielded no overall robust evidence for the effectiveness of any interventions. Discussion and Implications No evidence was found to justify the recommendation of any interventions included in this review. Future studies should focus on high-quality, controlled study designs.

scholarly journals Anticoagulation strategies in critical care for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e037591
Author(s):  
Brian Johnston ◽  
Alexandra Nelson ◽  
Alicia C Waite ◽  
Gedeon Lemma ◽  
Ingeborg Welters
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Critical Care Setting

IntroductionAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in critically ill patients and is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events and mortality. Oral anticoagulation for thromboembolism prophylaxis is a key component of managing AF in the general population and is recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. However, assessment tools used to aid decision making about anticoagulation have not yet been validated in the critical care setting. There is a paucity of data assessing the impact of anticoagulation strategies on clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with AF. We present a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of anticoagulation strategies for AF used specifically in critical care.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a systematic review of the literature by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and PubMed databases for articles published from January 1990 to October 2019. Studies reporting anticoagulation strategies for AF in adults (>18 years) admitted to a general critical care setting will be assessed for inclusion. Outcomes of interest will include (1) percentage of patients started on anticoagulation in critical care for AF, (2) incidence of thromboembolism, (3) incidence of bleeding events, (4) intensive care unit (ICU) mortality, (5) hospital mortality, (6) ICU length of stay and (7) hospital length of stay. We will conduct a meta-analysis of trials. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomised trials or the Newcastle-Ottawa Risk of Bias assessment tool for non-randomised studies. This protocol and subsequent systematic review will be reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist.Ethics and disseminationThis proposed systematic review will include data extracted from published studies; therefore, ethical approval is not required. The results of this review will be published in clinical specialty journals and presented at international meetings and conferences.Trial registration numberCRD42020158237.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on efficacy of exercise on posture and balance in patients suffering from Diabetic Neuropathy

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neerja Thukral ◽  
Jaspreet Kaur ◽  
Manoj Malik
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Diabetic Neuropathy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Core Stability ◽  
Balance Scale ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Eyes Open

Background: Peripheral neuropathy is a major and chronic complication of diabetes mellitus affecting more than 50% of patients suffering from diabetes. There is involvement of both large and small diameter nerve fibres leading to altered somatosensory and motor sensations, thereby causing impaired balance and postural instability. Objective: To assess the effects of exercises on posture and balance in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. Method: Mean changes in Timed Up and Go test(TUGT), Berg Balance Scale and Postural Sway with eyes open and eyes closed on Balance System were primary outcome measures. RevMan 5.3 software was used for the meta-analyses. Eighteen randomized controlled trials met the selection criteria and were included in the study. All the studies ranked high on PEDro Rating scale. Risk of bias was assessed by Cochrane collaboration tool of risk of bias. Included studies had low risk of bias. Sixteen RCT’s were included for the meta-analysis. Result: Results of meta-analysis showed that there was statistically significant improvement in TUGT with p≤ 0.05 and substantial heterogeneity (I 2 = 84%, p < 0.00001) in experimental group as compared to control group. There was statistically significant difference in Berg Balance Scale scores and heterogeneity of I 2 = 62%, p < 0.00001 and significant changes in postural stability (eyes open heterogeneity of I 2 = 100%, p =0.01 and eyes closed, heteogeneity I 2 = 0%, p =0.01). Sensitivity analysis causes change in heterogeneity. Conclusion: It can be concluded that various exercises like balance training, core stability, Tai-Chi, proprioceptive training etc. have a significant effect in improving balance and posture in diabetic neuropathy.

Exercise interventions in lateral elbow tendinopathy have better outcomes than passive interventions, but the effects are small: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 2123 subjects in 30 trials

2020 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2020-102525
Author(s):  
Stefanos Karanasios ◽  
Vasileios Korakakis ◽  
Rod Whiteley ◽  
Ioannis Vasilogeorgis ◽  
Sarah Woodbridge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Lateral Elbow ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Wait And See ◽  
Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of exercise compared with other conservative interventions in the management of lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) on pain and function.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsWe used the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool 2 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to assess risk of bias and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology to grade the certainty of evidence. Self-perceived improvement, pain intensity, pain-free grip strength (PFGS) and elbow disability were used as primary outcome measures.Eligibility criteriaRCTs assessing the effectiveness of exercise alone or as an additive intervention compared with passive interventions, wait-and-see or injections in patients with LET.Results30 RCTs (2123 participants, 5 comparator interventions) were identified. Exercise outperformed (low certainty) corticosteroid injections in all outcomes at all time points except short-term pain reduction. Clinically significant differences were found in PFGS at short-term (mean difference (MD): 12.15, (95% CI) 1.69 to 22.6), mid-term (MD: 22.45, 95% CI 3.63 to 41.3) and long-term follow-up (MD: 18, 95% CI 11.17 to 24.84). Statistically significant differences (very low certainty) for exercise compared with wait-and-see were found only in self-perceived improvement at short-term, pain reduction and elbow disability at short-term and long-term follow-up. Substantial heterogeneity in descriptions of equipment, load, duration and frequency of exercise programmes were evident.ConclusionsLow and very low certainty evidence suggests exercise is effective compared with passive interventions with or without invasive treatment in LET, but the effect is small.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018082703.

scholarly journals Dose–Response Relation between Tea Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 790-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Chung ◽  
Naisi Zhao ◽  
Deena Wang ◽  
Marissa Shams-White ◽  
Micaela Karlsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Tea Consumption ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Specific Mortality ◽  
Cvd Mortality

ABSTRACT Tea flavonoids have been suggested to offer potential benefits to cardiovascular health. This review synthesized the evidence on the relation between tea consumption and risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality among generally healthy adults. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Food Science and Technology Abstracts, and Ovid CAB Abstract databases were searched to identify English-language publications through 1 November 2019, including randomized trials, prospective cohort studies, and nested case-control (or case-cohort) studies with data on tea consumption and risk of incident cardiovascular events (cardiac or peripheral vascular events), stroke events (including mortality), CVD-specific mortality, or all-cause mortality. Data from 39 prospective cohort publications were synthesized. Linear meta-regression showed that each cup (236.6 mL)  increase in daily tea consumption (estimated 280 mg  and 338 mg  total flavonoids/d for black and green tea, respectively) was associated with an average 4% lower risk of CVD mortality, a 2% lower risk of CVD events, a 4% lower risk of stroke, and a 1.5% lower risk of all-cause mortality. Subgroup meta-analysis results showed that the magnitude of association was larger in elderly individuals for both CVD mortality (n = 4; pooled adjusted RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.96; P = 0.001), with large heterogeneity (I2 = 72.4%), and all-cause mortality (n = 3; pooled adjusted RR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.90, 0.94; P &lt; 0.0001; I2 = 0.3%). Generally, studies with higher risk of bias appeared to show larger magnitudes of associations than studies with lower risk of bias. Strength of evidence was rated as low and moderate (depending on study population age group) for CVD-specific mortality outcome and was rated as low for CVD events, stroke, and all-cause mortality outcomes. Daily tea intake as part of a healthy habitual dietary pattern may be associated with lower risks of CVD and all-cause mortality among adults.

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