scholarly journals Is there sufficient evidence regarding signage-based stair use interventions? A sequential meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e012459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Bauman ◽  
Karen Milton ◽  
Maina Kariuki ◽  
Karla Fedel ◽  
Mary Lewicka
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Research Translation ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Stair Use

ObjectiveThe proliferation of studies using motivational signs to promote stair use continues unabated, with their oft-cited potential for increasing population-level physical activity participation. This study examined all stair use promotional signage studies since 1980, calculating pre-estimates and post-estimates of stair use. The aim of this project was to conduct a sequential meta-analysis to pool intervention effects, in order to determine when the evidence base was sufficient for population-wide dissemination.DesignUsing comparable data from 50 stair-promoting studies (57 unique estimates) we pooled data to assess the effect sizes of such interventions.ResultsAt baseline, median stair usage across interventions was 8.1%, with an absolute median increase of 2.2% in stair use following signage-based interventions. The overall pooled OR indicated that participants were 52% more likely to use stairs after exposure to promotional signs (adjusted OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.70). Incremental (sequential) meta-analyses using z-score methods identified that sufficient evidence for stair use interventions has existed since 2006, with recent studies providing no further evidence on the effect sizes of such interventions.ConclusionsThis analysis has important policy and practice implications. Researchers continue to publish stair use interventions without connection to policymakers' needs, and few stair use interventions are implemented at a population level. Researchers should move away from repeating short-term, small-scale, stair sign interventions, to investigating their scalability, adoption and fidelity. Only such research translation efforts will provide sufficient evidence of external validity to inform their scaling up to influence population physical activity.

Declining Physical Activity and the Socio-Cultural Context of the Geography of Industrial Restructuring: A Novel Conceptual Framework

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 683-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Rind ◽  
Andy Jones
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Industrial Restructuring ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Industrial Change ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Sociocultural Processes ◽  
Employment Decline

Background:At the population level, the prevalence of physical activity has declined considerably in many developed countries in recent decades. There is some evidence that areas exhibiting the lowest activity levels are those which have undergone a particularly strong transition away from employment in physically demanding occupations. We propose that processes of deindustrialization may be causally linked to unexplained geographical disparities in levels of physical activity. While the sociocultural correlates of physical activity have been well studied, and prior conceptual frameworks have been developed to explain more general patterns of activity, none have explicitly attempted to identify the components of industrial change that may impact physical activity.Methods:In this work we review the current literature on sociocultural correlates of health behaviors before using a case study centered on the United Kingdom to present a novel framework that links industrial change to declining levels of physical activity.Results:We developed a comprehensive model linking sociocultural correlates of physical activity to processes associated with industrial restructuring and discuss implication for policy and practice.Conclusions:A better understanding of sociocultural processes may help to ameliorate adverse health consequences of employment decline in communities that have experienced substantial losses of manual employment.

scholarly journals Reality versus rhetoric: Assessing the efficacy of third-party hate crime reporting centres

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Wong ◽  
Kris Christmann ◽  
Michelle Rogerson ◽  
Neil Monk
Keyword(s):  
Hate Crime ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Diagnostic Facility ◽  
The Uk

The underreporting of hate crime is recognised as problematic for jurisdictions across Europe and beyond. Within the UK, the landmark inquiry report into the murder of Stephen Lawrence 25 years ago has seen governments faithfully adhering to a policy of promoting the increased reporting of hate crime. An enduring legacy of the inquiry, third-party reporting centres (TPRCs) have been equally faithfully promoted as the primary vehicle for achieving such increases. While the nations of the United Kingdom have pioneered the development of TPRCs, their function and form have been adopted in other jurisdictions, including Victoria, Australia. Nevertheless, despite their reliance on TPRCs, policymakers have given limited attention to their efficacy. The evidence from a plethora of small scale studies has consistently found that TPRCs have been limited by public awareness, capability, capacity and poor oversight difficulties. Responding to these long-standing problems, the authors have developed the first ‘TPRC assessment tool’ which offers a diagnostic facility to improve effectiveness. This paper describes the development and piloting of this tool and highlights its potential to inform policy and practice both in the UK and internationally, providing an original contribution to the limited evidence base around third-party reporting.

The Relationship between Physical Activity and Cognition in Children: A Meta-Analysis

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin A. Sibley ◽  
Jennifer L. Etnier
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Moderator Variables ◽  
Method Effect ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Significant Moderator

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively combine and examine the results of studies pertaining to physical activity and cognition in children. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were coded based on design and descriptive characteristics, subject characteristics, activity characteristics, and cognitive assessment method. Effect sizes (ESs) were calculated for each study and an overall ES and average ESs relative to moderator variables were then calculated. ESs (n = 125) from 44 studies were included in the analysis. The overall ES was 0.32 (SD = 0.27), which was significantly different from zero. Significant moderator variables included publication status, subject age, and type of cognitive assessment. As a result of this statistical review of the literature, it is concluded that there is a significant positive relationship between physical activity and cognitive functioning in children.

scholarly journals Eight Investments That Work for Physical Activity

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Karen Milton ◽  
Nick Cavill ◽  
Anna Chalkley ◽  
Charlie Foster ◽  
Sjaan Gomersall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Global Organization ◽  
Advance Research ◽  
Sport And Recreation

Background: The International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) is a leading global organization working to advance research, policy, and practice to promote physical activity. Given the expanding evidence base on interventions to promote physical activity, it was timely to review and update a major ISPAH advocacy document—Investments that Work for Physical Activity (2011). Methods: Eight investment areas were agreed upon through consensus. Literature reviews were conducted to identify key evidence relevant to policymakers in each sector or setting. Results: The 8 investment areas were as follows: whole-of-school programs; active transport; active urban design; health care; public education; sport and recreation; workplaces; and community-wide programs. Evidence suggests that the largest population health benefit will be achieved by combining these investments and implementing a systems-based approach. Conclusions: Establishing consensus on ‘what works’ to change physical activity behavior is a cornerstone of successful advocacy, as is having appropriate resources to communicate key messages to a wide range of stakeholders. ISPAH has created a range of resources related to the new investments described in this paper. These resources are available in the ‘advocacy toolkit’ on the ISPAH website (www.ispah.org/resources).

scholarly journals New Evidence in the Booming Field of Online Mindfulness: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Sommers-Spijkerman ◽  
Judith Austin ◽  
Ernst Bohlmeijer ◽  
Wendy Pots
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Randomised Controlled

BACKGROUND There is a need for regularly updating the evidence base on the effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), especially considering how fast this field is growing and developing. OBJECTIVE The current study presents an updated meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials assessing the effects of online MBIs on mental health, as well as the potential moderators of those effects. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted in PsycINFO, PubMed and Web of Science up to July 19th, 2019. Seventy trials totalling 91 comparisons were included. Pre-to-post and pre-to-follow-up between-group effect sizes (Hedges’ g) were calculated for depression, anxiety, stress, well-being and mindfulness, using a random effects model. RESULTS The findings revealed statistically significant moderate pre-to-post effects on stress (g=0.41) and mindfulness (g=0.43) and small effects on depression (g=0.31) and anxiety (g=0.23). For well-being, a significant effect was found only when omitting low quality studies (g=0.34). Significant but small follow-up effects were found for depression (g=0.25), anxiety (g=0.17) and stress (g=-0.11). Subgroup analyses revealed that online MBIs resulted in higher effect sizes for stress when offered with guidance. For stress and mindfulness, studies that used an inactive control condition yielded larger effects. CONCLUSIONS Our findings do not only demonstrate that the field of online MBIs is booming, but also corroborate previous evidence that online MBIs are beneficial for improving mental health outcomes in a broad range of samples. To advance the field of online MBIs, future trials should pay specific attention to methodological quality, adherence and long-term follow-up measurements.

Whole of Systems Approaches to Physical Activity Policy and Practice in Australia: The ASAPa Project Overview and Initial Systems Map

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-73
Author(s):  
William Bellew ◽  
Ben J. Smith ◽  
Tracy Nau ◽  
Karen Lee ◽  
Lindsey Reece ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
State Government ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Systems Approaches ◽  
Practice Knowledge ◽  
Policies And Programs

Background: The literature on whole of system approaches (WSAs) has been largely theoretical in focus. The Australian Systems Approaches to Physical Activity is a national project designed to contribute a practical implementation focus to such approaches at the population level. Methods: National meetings were convened with federal and state government sector stakeholders to identify physical activity (PA) related policies and programs. Policies and programs were audited to develop an understanding of the existing PA system. A WSA conceptual map for PA was developed using feedback from system stakeholders, existing WSAs, and related work in obesity. Results: Completion of the policy audit has revealed key areas of need regarding policy governance, coordination, financing, and evaluation. An initial WSA conceptual map for Australia has been developed incorporating governance, translation, and advocacy. Stakeholder co-production of an integrated framework for PA and design plans for a community of practice knowledge hub has commenced. Conclusions: In Australia, Australian Systems Approaches to Physical Activity project partners have developed a conceptual whole of systems map that is guiding progress beyond the theoretical to application in the real world: a national PA policy audit, co-production of an integrated PA policy framework, and planning for a PA community of practice knowledge hub.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Sugary Drink Warnings: A Meta-Analysis of Experimental Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1715-1715
Author(s):  
Anna Grummon ◽  
Hall Marissa
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ◽  
Added Sugar ◽  
Study Characteristics ◽  
Sugary Drink

Abstract Objectives Policymakers in five U.S. states have proposed sugary drink warnings. A growing number of experimental studies have examined sugary drink warnings’ impacts, but no research has synthesized this literature. To inform ongoing policy debates, this study aimed to identify, across the body of experimental studies, the effects of sugary drink warnings compared with control conditions. Methods In 2019, we systematically searched four databases using comprehensive search terms. We also searched reference lists of relevant articles. Two investigators independently screened titles, abstracts, and full-texts to identify peer-reviewed experiments that examined the effects of sugary drink warnings compared to a control condition. Two investigators independently extracted study characteristics and effect sizes from all relevant articles. We meta-analyzed any outcome assessed in at least two studies, combining effect sizes using random effects meta-analytic procedures. Results Twenty-three experiments with data on 16,241 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Relative to control conditions, sugary drink warnings were more likely to be noticed (d with Hedges's correction = .83, 95% CI: .54, 1.12), caused stronger emotional reactions (d = .69, 95% CI: .25, 1.13) and elicited more thinking about health (d = .65, 95% CI: .29, 1.01). Sugary drink warnings also led to lower healthfulness perceptions (d = −.22, 95% CI: −.27, −.17) and stronger disease likelihood perceptions (d = .15, 95% CI: .06, .24). Moreover, sugary drink warnings reduced both hypothetical (d = −.32, 95% CI: −.44, −.21) and actual consumption and purchasing behavior (d = −.17, 95% CI: −.30, −.04). Significant effects were not observed for perceptions of added sugar (d = .25, 95% CI: −.05, .55) or positive sugary drink attitudes (d = −.54, 95% CI: −1.43, .35). Moderation analyses revealed that health warnings (e.g., “Beverages with added sugar contribute to obesity”) led to greater reductions in hypothetical SSB selection than did nutrient warnings (e.g., “High in sugar”, moderation P = .04). Conclusions Evidence from the experimental literature supports sugary drink warnings as a population-level strategy for changing behavior, as well as cognitions, emotions, perceptions, and intentions. Funding Sources Healthy Eating Research Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

scholarly journals What Constitutes Sufficient Evidence for Case Formulation–Driven CBT for Psychosis? Cumulative Meta-analysis of the Effect on Hallucinations and Delusions

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1072-1085 ◽  
Author(s):  
David T Turner ◽  
Simone Burger ◽  
Filip Smit ◽  
Lucia R Valmaggia ◽  
Mark van der Gaag
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Key Comparisons ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Case Formulation ◽  
Analytic Review ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Fail Safe

Abstract Objective Following 2 decades of research on cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis (CBTp), it is relevant to consider at which point the evidence base is considered sufficient. We completed a cumulative meta-analysis to assess the sufficiency and stability of the evidence base for hallucinations and delusions. Method We updated the systematic search from our previous meta-analytic review from August 2013 until December 2019. We identified 20 new randomized controlled trials (RCTs) resulting in inclusion of 35 RCTs comparing CBTp with treatment-as-usual (TAU) or active controls (AC). We analyzed data from participants with psychosis (N = 2407) over 75 conventional meta-analytic comparisons. We completed cumulative meta-analyses (including fail-safe ratios) for key comparisons. Publication bias, heterogeneity, and risk of bias were examined. Results Cumulative meta-analyses demonstrated sufficiency and stability of evidence for hallucinations and delusions. The fail-safe ratio demonstrated that the evidence base was sufficient in 2016 for hallucinations and 2015 for delusions. In conventional meta-analyses, CBTp was superior for hallucinations (g = 0.34, P < .01) and delusions (g = 0.37, P < .01) when compared with any control. Compared with TAU, CBTp demonstrated superiority for hallucinations (g = 0.34, P < .01) and delusions (g = 0.37, P < .01). Compared with AC, CBT was superior for hallucinations (g = 0.34, P < .01), but not for delusions although this comparison was underpowered. Sensitivity analyses for case formulation, primary outcome focus, and risk of bias demonstrated increases in effect magnitude for hallucinations. Conclusions The evidence base for the effect of CBTp on hallucinations and delusions demonstrates sufficiency and stability across comparisons, suggesting limited value of new trials evaluating generic CBTp.

Development of a National Physical Activity Plan for the United States

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel B. Bornstein ◽  
Russell R. Pate ◽  
David M. Buchner
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
The United States ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
National State ◽  
State And Local ◽  
Local Levels ◽  
National Physical Activity

Background:Efforts to increase population levels of physical activity are increasingly taking the form of strategic plans at national, state/regional, and local levels. The processes employed for developing such plans have not been described previously. The purpose of this article is to chronicle the processes employed in and lessons learned from developing the US National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP).Methods:The Coordinating Committee oversaw development of the NPAP. Key steps in the process included creating a private–public coalition based in the private sector, organizing the NPAP around 8 societal sectors, reviewing the evidence base for promotion of physical activity in each sector, conducting a national conference to initiate development of the NPAP’s core content, ensuring broad participation in developing and refining the NPAP, and launching the NPAP through a press event that attracted national attention.Results and Conclusion:The 3-year effort to develop the NPAP was guided by a private–public collaborative partnership involving private sector organizations and government agencies. Launched in May 2010, the NPAP included more than 250 evidence-based recommendations for changes to policy and practice at the national, state, and local levels across 8 societal sectors.

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