scholarly journals Acoustic Measures of Prosody in Right-Hemisphere Damage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan Weed ◽  
Riccardo Fusaroli
Keyword(s):  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Speech Rate ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Bayesian Regression ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Acoustic Features ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Right Hemisphere Damage

AbstractThe right hemisphere has often been claimed to be a locus for affective prosody, and people with right-hemisphere damage (RHD) have often been reported to show impairments in this domain. This phenomenon has been primarily investigated in terms of perception, more rarely in terms of production, and more rarely still using acoustic analysis. Our goal was to systematically review the papers reporting acoustic features of prosodic production in RHD, to identify strengths and weaknesses in this field, suggest guidelines for future research, and to support cumulative research by estimating the meta-analytic effect size of those features. We queried PubMed, PsychINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, using the following combination of search terms: (prosody OR intonation OR inflection OR intensity OR pitch OR fundamental frequency OR speech rate OR voice quality) AND (RHD OR right hemisphere) AND (stroke) AND (acoustic). Standardized mean differences were extracted from all papers meeting inclusion criteria, and aggregated effect sizes were estimated using hierarchical Bayesian regression models. Sixteen papers met our inclusion criteria. We did not find strong evidence in the literature to indicate that the prosodic productions of people with RHD is substantially different from that of NBD controls, when measured in terms of acoustic features. However, the acoustic features of productions by people with RHD did differ from those of participants with NBD and LHD in some ways, notably in F0 variation and pause duration. Prosody type (emotional vs. linguistic) had very little effect. Taken together, currently available data show only a weak effect of RHD on prosody production. However, more accurate analyses are hindered by small sample sizes, lack of detail on lesion location, and divergent measuring techniques. Cumulative open science practices are recommended to overcome these issues.

scholarly journals Acoustic Measures of Prosody in Right-Hemisphere Damage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 1762-1775
Author(s):  
Ethan Weed ◽  
Riccardo Fusaroli
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Bayesian Regression ◽  
Acoustic Features ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Acoustic Measures ◽  
Right Hemisphere Damage

Purpose The aim of the study was to use systematic review and meta-analysis to quantitatively assess the currently available acoustic evidence for prosodic production impairments as a result of right-hemisphere damage (RHD), as well as to develop methodological recommendations for future studies. Method We systematically reviewed papers reporting acoustic features of prosodic production in RHD in order to identify shortcomings in the literature and make recommendations for future studies. We estimated the meta-analytic effect size of the acoustic features. We extracted standardized mean differences from 16 papers and estimated aggregated effect sizes using hierarchical Bayesian regression models. Results RHD did present reduced fundamental frequency variation, but the trait was shared with left-hemisphere damage. RHD also presented evidence for increased pause duration. No meta-analytic evidence for an effect of prosody type (emotional vs. linguistic) was found. Conclusions Taken together, the currently available acoustic data show only a weak specific effect of RHD on prosody production. However, the results are not definitive, as more reliable analyses are hindered by small sample sizes, lack of detail on lesion location, and divergent measuring techniques. We propose recommendations to overcome these issues: Cumulative science practices (e.g., open data and code sharing), more nuanced speech signal processing techniques, and the integration of acoustic measures and perceptual judgments are recommended to more effectively investigate prosody in RHD.

scholarly journals The incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in gout: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Cox ◽  
Sonal Gupta ◽  
Sizheng Steven Zhao ◽  
David M. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractThe aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to describe prevalence of cardiovascular disease in gout, compare these results with non-gout controls and consider whether there were differences according to geography. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies reporting prevalence of any cardiovascular disease in a gout population. Studies with non-representative sampling, where a cohort had been used in another study, small sample size (< 100) and where gout could not be distinguished from other rheumatic conditions were excluded, as were reviews, editorials and comments. Where possible meta-analysis was performed using random-effect models. Twenty-six studies comprising 949,773 gout patients were included in the review. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated for five cardiovascular diseases: myocardial infarction (2.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI)s 1.6, 5.0), heart failure (8.7%; 95% CI 2.9, 23.8), venous thromboembolism (2.1%; 95% CI 1.2, 3.4), cerebrovascular accident (4.3%; 95% CI 1.8, 9.7) and hypertension (63.9%; 95% CI 24.5, 90.6). Sixteen studies reported comparisons with non-gout controls, illustrating an increased risk in the gout group across all cardiovascular diseases. There were no identifiable reliable patterns when analysing the results by country. Cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent in patients with gout and should prompt vigilance from clinicians to the need to assess and stratify cardiovascular risk. Future research is needed to investigate the link between gout, hyperuricaemia and increased cardiovascular risk and also to establish a more thorough picture of prevalence for less common cardiovascular diseases.

scholarly journals Volatile Anaesthetic Depression of the Carotid Body Chemoreflex-Mediated Ventilatory Response to Hypoxia: Directions for Future Research

Scientifica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Pandit
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Carotid Body ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Molecular Processes ◽  
Similar Dose ◽  
Hypercapnic Response ◽  
Ventilatory Response To Hypoxia ◽  
Body Response

In assessing whether volatile anaesthetics directly depress the carotid body response to hypoxia it is necessary to combine in meta-analysis studies of when it is “functionally isolated” (e.g., recordings are made from its afferent nerve). Key articles were retrieved (full papers in English) and subjected to quantitative analysis to yield an aggregate estimate of effect. Results from articles that did not use such methodology were assessed separately from this quantitative approach, to see what could be learned also from a nonquantitative overview. Just 7 articles met the inclusion criteria for hypoxia and just 6 articles for hypercapnia. Within these articles, the anaesthetic (mean dose 0.75, standard deviation (SD) 0.40 minimum alveolar concentration, MAC) statistically significantly depressed carotid body hypoxic response by 24% (P=0.041), but a similar dose (mean 0.81 (0.42) MAC) did not affect the hypercapnic response. The articles not included in the quantitative analysis (31 articles), assessed qualitatively, also indicated that anaesthetics depress carotid body function. This conclusion helps direct future research on the anaesthetic effects on putative cellular/molecular processes that underlie the transduction of hypoxia in the carotid body.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of psychological interventions for anxiety in the perinatal period: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Clinkscales ◽  
Katherine Berlouis ◽  
Lisa Golds ◽  
Angus MacBeth
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Perinatal Anxiety

Background: Anxiety disorders are a relatively common occurring mental health issue during pregnancy and the perinatal period. There is evidence that untreated perinatal anxiety is a risk factor for adverse outcomes for mother and infant. Despite their potential acceptability to users, psychological interventions research for this population is still in its infancy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the evidence of the effectiveness of psychological interventions for reducing perinatal anxiety. Method: This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases searched included EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, MIDIRS, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library. Search terms included: Psychological Therapy, Perinatal Period, Antenatal, Postnatal, Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Phobia. Results: The search strategy identified 2025 studies. A total of 21 studies published between 2004 and 2021 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Of those, 17 were included in the meta-analysis. Overall results indicated that psychological interventions were more effective than control conditions in reducing symptoms of perinatal anxiety with a medium post treatment effect size. Significant effect sizes were also identified for online, face-to-face, group and guided self-help treatment modalities. Limitations: A small sample of studies are represented and limited to articles published in English. The review was unable to draw specific conclusions about what works (i.e. therapeutic modality/delivery) for whom (i.e. specific diagnoses) due to purposefully broad inclusion criteria. The longer-term effects of psychological interventions for perinatal anxiety and infant outcomes could not be established. Conclusions: This review demonstrates that psychological interventions are effective in reducing symptoms of both anxiety and comorbid anxiety and depression in the antenatal and postnatal periods. The results also demonstrate the efficacy of delivering such interventions in multiple settings, including online, and in group format. Further research is required to optimise treatment delivery to individual needs.

scholarly journals An integrative systematic review of creative arts interventions for older informal caregivers of people with neurological conditions

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0243461
Author(s):  
J. Yoon Irons ◽  
Gulcan Garip ◽  
Ainslea J. Cross ◽  
David Sheffield ◽  
Jamie Bird
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Neurological Conditions ◽  
Creative Interventions

Objective We aimed to assess and synthesise the current state of quantitative and qualitative research concerning creative arts interventions for older informal caregivers of people with neurological conditions. Methods A systematic search was employed to identify studies that examined creative arts interventions for older informal caregivers, which were synthesised in this integrative review. We searched the following databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, EBSCO, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. We also backwards searched references of all relevant studies and inspected trials registers. Results Of the 516 studies identified, 17 were included: one was quantitative, nine were qualitative and seven used mixed methods. All included quantitative studies were pilot or feasibility studies employing pre- and post-test design with small sample sizes. Studies varied in relation to the type of creative intervention and evaluation methods, which precluded meta-analysis. Large effect sizes were detected in wellbeing measures following singing and art interventions. The qualitative synthesis highlighted that interventions created space for caregivers to make sense of, accept and adapt to their identity as a caregiver. Personal developments, such as learning new skills, were viewed positively by caregivers as well as welcoming the opportunity to gain cognitive and behavioural skills, and having opportunities to unload emotions in a safe space were important to caregivers. Group creative interventions were particularly helpful in creating social connections with their care-recipients and other caregivers. Conclusions The current review revealed all creative interventions focused on caregivers of people living with dementia; subsequently, this identified gaps in the evidence of creative interventions for informal caregivers of other neurological conditions. There are encouraging preliminary data on music and art interventions, however, little data exists on other art forms, e.g., drama, dance. Creative interventions may appeal to many caregivers, offering a range of psycho-social benefits. The findings of the current review open the way for future research to develop appropriate and creative arts programmes and to test their efficacy with robust tools.

scholarly journals Microplastic contamination of salt intended for human consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelos Danopoulos ◽  
Lauren Jenner ◽  
Maureen Twiddy ◽  
Jeanette M. Rotchell
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Human Health Effects ◽  
Potential Human Health

Abstract Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging contaminant ubiquitous in the environment. There is growing concern regarding potential human health effects, a major human exposure route being dietary uptake. We have undertaken a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis to identify all relevant research on MP contamination of salt intended for human consumption. Three thousand nine hundred and nineteen papers were identified, with ten fitting the inclusion criteria. A search of the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science, from launch date to September 2020, was conducted. MP contamination of salt varied significantly between four origins, sea salt 0–1674 MPs/kg, lake salt 8–462 MPs/kg, rock and well salt 0–204 MPs/kg. The majority of samples were found to be contaminated by MPs. Corresponding potential human exposures are estimated to be 0–6110 MPs per year (for all origins), confirming salt as a carrier of MPs. A bespoke risk of bias (RoB) assessment tool was used to appraise the quality of the studies, with studies demonstrating moderate to low RoB. These results suggest that a series of recurring issues need to be addressed in future research regarding sampling, analysis and reporting to improve confidence in research findings.

scholarly journals Good vibrations: A review of vocal expressions of positive emotions

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roza G. Kamiloğlu ◽  
Agneta H. Fischer ◽  
Disa A. Sauter
Keyword(s):  
Positive Emotion ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Speech Rate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Acoustic Features ◽  
Speech Prosody ◽  
Nonverbal Vocalizations ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Vocal Expressions

AbstractResearchers examining nonverbal communication of emotions are becoming increasingly interested in differentiations between different positive emotional states like interest, relief, and pride. But despite the importance of the voice in communicating emotion in general and positive emotion in particular, there is to date no systematic review of what characterizes vocal expressions of different positive emotions. Furthermore, integration and synthesis of current findings are lacking. In this review, we comprehensively review studies (N = 108) investigating acoustic features relating to specific positive emotions in speech prosody and nonverbal vocalizations. We find that happy voices are generally loud with considerable variability in loudness, have high and variable pitch, and are high in the first two formant frequencies. When specific positive emotions are directly compared with each other, pitch mean, loudness mean, and speech rate differ across positive emotions, with patterns mapping onto clusters of emotions, so-called emotion families. For instance, pitch is higher for epistemological emotions (amusement, interest, relief), moderate for savouring emotions (contentment and pleasure), and lower for a prosocial emotion (admiration). Some, but not all, of the differences in acoustic patterns also map on to differences in arousal levels. We end by pointing to limitations in extant work and making concrete proposals for future research on positive emotions in the voice.

scholarly journals The efficacy of n-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA (fish oil) for perinatal depression

2010 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1577-1585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda A. W. Jans ◽  
Erik J. Giltay ◽  
A. J. Willem Van der Does
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Perinatal Depression ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Placebo Treatment ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Depressive symptoms are common during pregnancy and the post-partum period. Although essential n-3 PUFA may have beneficial effects on depression, it remains unclear whether they are also effective for perinatal depression. The purpose of the present study was to assess the efficacy of n-3 supplementation for perinatal depression, by performing a meta-analysis on currently available data. After a thorough literature search, we included seven randomised controlled trials in the meta-analysis, all with EPA and/or DHA supplementation. Most studies were judged to be of low-to-moderate quality, mainly due to small sample sizes and failure to adhere to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines. Some studies were not primarily designed to address perinatal depression. A total of 309 women on n-3 fatty acid supplementation were compared with 303 women on placebo treatment. n-3 Supplementation was not found to be significantly more effective than placebo at post-treatment with a pooled effect size (Hedges's g) of − 0·03 (95 % CI − 0·18, 0·13; P = 0·76) using a fixed-effects model. Heterogeneity was low-to-moderate (I2 = 30 %). In a subgroup analysis of three small studies of pregnant women with major depression, there was some indication of effectiveness (effect size 0·17; 95 % CI − 0·21, 0·55). In conclusion, the question of whether EPA and DHA administration is effective in the prevention or treatment of perinatal depression cannot be answered yet. Future research should focus on women who are clinically depressed (or at risk). The quality of research in this area needs to improve.

Association of N-acetyltransferase-2 Polymorphism with Antituberculosis Induced Hepatotoxicity: A meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Farhana Mohamed Noor ◽  
Teh Lay Kek ◽  
Mohd Arif Mohd Zim ◽  
Zamzurina Abu Bakar ◽  
Noor Izyani Zakaria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
The World ◽  
Nat2 Polymorphism ◽  
Q Statistic ◽  
Quality Assessments ◽  
Review Manager

Background: N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) polymorphisms were reported to play important roles in antituberculosis-induced hepatotoxicity (ATDIH). However, the allelic types with increased risks for ATDIH were inconsistent as most studies are of a small sample size. Objective: The objective of the study was to conduct a meta-analysis to identify NAT2 alleles associated with increased risks of ATDIH. Methods: Studies reported on NAT2 polymorphism with the risk of ATDIH were searched systematically in PubMed, Scopus, and the World of Sciences. Studies were included if they fulfilled the inclusion criteria and excluded accordingly. Quality assessments were done using Newcastle-Ottawa Score. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.3. Cochrane Q-statistic test and I2 statistic were used to assess and quantify heterogeneity. Results: A total of 12 studies involving 580 cases and 3129 controls were included. NAT2 polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk of ATDIH with an odd ratio (OR) of 2.76 (1.86 – 4.10, 95% CI). Among the slow acetylators genotypes, NAT2*5/*7 carry the highest risk associated with ATDIH. Conclusion: NAT2 polymorphism was significantly associated with ATDIH.

scholarly journals Loot boxes: A scoping review on primary studies of prevalence and association with problematic gaming and gambling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Montiel Juan ◽  
Aránzazu Basterra-González ◽  
Juan Manuel Machimbarrena ◽  
Jessica Ortega-Barón ◽  
Joaquín González-Cabrera
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Scoping Reviews ◽  
Problematic Gaming ◽  
General Studies ◽  
Actual Prevalence

Background: Loot boxes are a type of random microtransactions that are increasingly common in videogames, so there is some concern about its true extent and entailed risks. Although many papers have been published recently about this topic, the actual prevalence of loot boxes use is uncertain and there is still controversy over the nature of its relationship with problematic gaming and gambling. Objectives: The aims of this scoping review are to summarize the characteristics and findings of published primary research studies about the prevalence of loot boxes and/or its relationship with problematic gaming and gambling, taking into account the operationalization of loot boxes use in these studies. Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute Guidance for conducting a systematic scoping reviews and the systematic reviews and meta-analysis extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) are followed. Searches in three academic databases provided 299 articles. Results: Sixteen primary studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. All the studies were cross-sectional, only four used samples of adolescents and males were overrepresented in ten of the samples. The annual purchase prevalence rate in gamers is higher in adults than in adolescents (22.7 - 44.2% and 20 - 33.9%, respectively), but in general samples (gamers and non-gamers) it is just the opposite (from 24.9% among 13-14 to 7.8% in adults). Prevalence rates are also higher in the samples made up of gamers and gamblers and in studies that measured monthly or lifetime prevalence. In general, studies suggest a positive and significant relationship between loot boxes and problematic gaming and gambling. Conclusions: The overrepresentation of male adults with gaming and/or gambling problems in study samples do not allow to generalize their results. An enhanced standardization in measurements and methods for future research in this field is recommended. Also, further longitudinal research is needed to improve the understanding of these problems.

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