Scoping review on interventions to improve adherence to reporting guidelines in health research

ObjectivesThe goal of this study is to identify, analyse and classify interventions to improve adherence to reporting guidelines in order to obtain a wide picture of how the problem of enhancing the completeness of reporting of biomedical literature has been tackled so far.DesignScoping review.Search strategyWe searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases and conducted a grey literature search for (1) studies evaluating interventions to improve adherence to reporting guidelines in health research and (2) other types of references describing interventions that have been performed or suggested but never evaluated. The characteristics and effect of the evaluated interventions were analysed. Moreover, we explored the rationale of the interventions identified and determined the existing gaps in research on the evaluation of interventions to improve adherence to reporting guidelines.Results109 references containing 31 interventions (11 evaluated) were included. These were grouped into five categories: (1) training on the use of reporting guidelines, (2) improving understanding, (3) encouraging adherence, (4) checking adherence and providing feedback, and (5) involvement of experts. Additionally, we identified lack of evaluated interventions (1) on training on the use of reporting guidelines and improving their understanding, (2) at early stages of research and (3) after the final acceptance of the manuscript.ConclusionsThis scoping review identified a wide range of strategies to improve adherence to reporting guidelines that can be taken by different stakeholders. Additional research is needed to assess the effectiveness of many of these interventions.

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Interventions to improve adherence to reporting guidelines in health research: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017551 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (11) ◽

pp. e017551 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

David Blanco ◽

Jamie J Kirkham ◽

Douglas G Altman ◽

David Moher ◽

Isabelle Boutron ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Health Research ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Reporting Guidelines ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Improve Compliance ◽

Review Protocol ◽

Journal Policies ◽

Research Stage

IntroductionThere is evidence that the use of some reporting guidelines, such as the Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials, is associated with improved completeness of reporting in health research. However, the current levels of adherence to reporting guidelines are suboptimal. Over the last few years, several actions aiming to improve compliance with reporting guidelines have been taken and proposed. We will conduct a scoping review of interventions to improve adherence to reporting guidelines in health research that have been evaluated or suggested, in order to inform future interventions.Methods and analysisOur review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methods manual. We will search for relevant studies in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases. Moreover, we will carry out lateral searches from the reference lists of the included studies, as well as from the lists of articles citing the included ones. One reviewer will screen the full list, which will be randomly split into two halves and independently screened by the other two reviewers. Two reviewers will perform data extraction independently. Discrepancies will be solved through discussion. In addition, this search strategy will be supplemented by a grey literature search. The interventions found will be classified as assessed or suggested, as well as according to different criteria, in relation to their target (journal policies, journal editors, authors, reviewers, funders, ethical boards or others) or the research stage at which they are performed (design, conducting, reporting or peer review). Descriptive statistical analysis will be performed.Ethics and disseminationA paper summarising the findings from this review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. This scoping review will contribute to a better understanding and a broader perspective on how the problem of adhering better to reporting guidelines has been tackled so far. This could be a major first step towards developing future strategies to improve compliance with reporting guidelines in health research.

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Adolescent undernutrition in South Asia: a scoping review

Nutrition Research Reviews ◽

10.1017/s0954422421000068 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-29

Author(s):

Sara Estecha Querol ◽

Paramjit Gill ◽

Romaina Iqbal ◽

Maartje Kletter ◽

Neslihan Ozdemir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Asia ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Future Research ◽

Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽

Intervention Component ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Undernutrition is a growing public health challenge affecting growth and development during adolescence in many low- and middle-income countries. This scoping review maps the evidence on adolescent undernutrition (stunting, thinness and micronutrient deficiencies) in South Asia and highlights gaps in knowledge. Using Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ Manual, the search included electronic bibliographic databases (Medline (OVID), Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Scopus) as well as various grey literature sources published up to March 2019. In total, 131 publications met the inclusion criteria of this review. All the included evidence used quantitative data and 115 publications used a cross-sectional design. Nearly 70% (n=86) of the included publications were conducted in India. Prevalence of undernutrition was reported based on different growth references and cut-offs. Evidence is divided into publications that included an intervention component (n=12) and publications that did not include an intervention component (n=116), and presented in a narrative synthesis. This scoping review provides a wide range of publications on adolescent undernutrition in South Asia and identifies future research priorities in the field.

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Mask shortage during epidemics and pandemics: a scoping review of interventions to overcome limited supply

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040547 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. e040547

Author(s):

Abirami Kirubarajan ◽

Shawn Khan ◽

Tiffany Got ◽

Matthew Yau ◽

Jennifer M Bryan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Literature Search ◽

Search Strategy ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Face Mask ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Published Evidence

ObjectiveTo characterise published evidence regarding preclinical and clinical interventions to overcome mask shortages during epidemics and pandemics.DesignSystematic scoping review.SettingsAll healthcare settings relevant to epidemics and pandemics.Search strategyEnglish peer-reviewed studies published from January 1995 to June 2020 were included. Literature was identified using four databases (Medline-OVID, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library), forwards-and-backwards searching through Scopus and an extensive grey literature search. Assessment of study eligibility, data extraction and evidence appraisal were performed in duplicate by two independent reviewers.ResultsOf the 11 220 database citations, a total of 47 articles were included. These studies encompassed six broad categories of conservation strategies: decontamination, reusability of disposable masks and/or extended wear, layering, reusable respirators, non-traditional replacements or modifications and stockpiled masks. Promising strategies for mask conservation in the context of pandemics and epidemics include use of stockpiled masks, extended wear of disposable masks and decontamination.ConclusionThere are promising strategies for overcoming face mask shortages during epidemics and pandemics. Further research specific to practical considerations is required before implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Conceptualising, operationalising and measuring trust in participatory health research networks: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038840 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. e038840

Author(s):

Meghan Gilfoyle ◽

Anne MacFarlane ◽

Jon Salsberg

Keyword(s):

Social Networks ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Health Research ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Community Based Participatory Research ◽

Community Health Services ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Research Partnerships ◽

Participatory Health Research ◽

Review Protocol

IntroductionA participatory approach to co-creating new knowledge in health research has gained significant momentum in recent decades. This is founded on the described benefits of community-based participatory research (CBPR), such as increased relevance of research for those who must act on its findings. This has prompted researchers to better understand how CBPR functions to achieve these benefits through building sustainable research partnerships. Several studies have identified ‘trust’ as a key mechanism to achieve sustainable partnerships, which themselves constitute social networks. Although existing literature discuss trust and CBPR, or trust and social networks, preliminary searches reveal that none link all three concepts of trust, CBPR and social networks. Thus, we present our scoping review protocol to systematically review and synthesise the literature exploring how trust is conceptualised, operationalised and measured in CBPR and social networks.Methods and analysisThis protocol follows guidelines from Levac et al (Scoping studies: advancing themethodology. Implement Sci 2010;5:69), which follow the methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley. This scoping review explores several electronic databases including Scopus, Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar and PsychINFO. Grey literature such as theses/dissertations and reports will be included. A search strategy was identified and agreed on by the team in conjunction with a research librarian. Two independent reviewers will screen articles by title and abstract, then by full text based on pre-determined exclusion/inclusion criteria. A third reviewer will arbitrate discrepancies regarding inclusions/exclusions. We plan to incorporate a thematic analysis.Ethics and disseminationEthics is not required for this review specifically. It is a component of a larger study that received ethical approval from the University of Limerick research ethics committee (#2018_05_12_EHS). Translation of results to key domains is integrated through active collaboration of stakeholders from community, health services and academic sectors. Findings will be disseminated through academic conferences, and peer review publications targeting public and patient involvement in health research.

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Hypnotherapy for Procedural Pain and Distress in Children: A scoping Review Protocol

Pain Medicine ◽

10.1093/pm/pnab038 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daly Geagea ◽

Zephanie Tyack ◽

Roy Kimble ◽

Lars Eriksson ◽

Vince Polito ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Procedural Pain ◽

Future Research ◽

Theoretical Frameworks ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Pharmacological Agents ◽

Review Protocol ◽

Meta Analyses

Abstract Objective Inadequately treated pain and distress elicited by medical procedures can put children at higher risks of acute and chronic biopsychosocial sequelae. Children can benefit from hypnotherapy, a psychological tailored intervention, as an adjunct to pharmacological agents to address the multiple components of pain and distress. Despite providing evidence on the effectiveness and potential superiority of hypnotherapy to other psychological interventions, research on hypnotherapy for paediatric procedural pain and distress has been predominantly limited to oncology and needle procedures. Plus, there is a lack of reporting of intervention manuals, factors influencing hypnotic responding, pain unpleasantness outcomes, theoretical frameworks, adverse events, as well as barriers and facilitators to the feasibility of delivering the intervention and study procedures. The proposed review aims to map the range and nature of the evidence on hypnotherapy for procedural pain and distress in children to identify gaps in literature and areas requiring further investigation. Methods This review will follow the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) methodology and incorporate additional scoping review recommendations by The Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses. Relevant studies will be identified through searching published literature databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science) and grey literature in addition to hand-searching of reference lists and key journals. Two authors will independently screen titles and abstracts of search results followed by full-texts review against eligibility criteria. Conclusion Findings are anticipated to guide future research and inform the development of tailored hypnotic interventions in children.

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Mapping evidence on the effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy on the hard and soft tissues of the craniofacial complex in transgender people: a protocol for a scoping review

Systematic Reviews ◽

10.1186/s13643-021-01668-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

M. F. Van den Bosch ◽

C. M. Wiepjes ◽

M. Den Heijer ◽

L. J. Schoonmade ◽

R. E. G. Jonkman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Soft Tissues ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Sex Characteristics ◽

Transgender People ◽

Link Type ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Craniofacial Complex

Abstract Background Gender-affirming hormone (GAH) therapy aims to support the transition of transgender people to their gender identity. GAHs can induce changes in their secondary sex characteristics such as the development of breasts in transgender females and increased muscle mass in transgender males. The face and its surrounding tissues also have an important role in gender confirmation. The aim of this scoping review is to systematically map the available evidence in order to provide an overview of the effects of GAH therapy on the hard and soft tissues of the craniofacial complex in transgender people. Methods/design The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA) extension for Scoping Reviews was consulted for reporting this protocol. The methods were based on the Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and the Reviewer’s Manual of the Joanna Briggs Institute for conducting scoping reviews. Ten transgender people were involved in the development of the primary research question through short interviews. The eligibility criteria were defined for transgender people undergoing GAH therapy and for quantitative and qualitative outcomes on the hard and soft tissues of the craniofacial complex. Eligible sources of evidence include observational, experimental, qualitative, and mixed method studies. No exclusion criteria will be applied for the language of publication and the setting. To identify eligible sources of evidence, we will conduct searches from inception onwards in PubMed, Embase.com, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, CINAHL, LIVIVO, and various grey literature sources such as Google Scholar. Two reviewers will independently select eligible studies in these information sources and will subsequently conduct data extraction. The same operators will chart, categorize, and summarize the extracted data. A narrative summary of findings will be conducted. Frequency counts of quantitative and qualitative data on items such as concepts, populations, interventions, and other characteristics of the eligible sources will be given. Where possible, these items will be mapped descriptively. Discussion We chose the scoping review over the systematic review approach, because the research questions are broad-spectrum and the literature is expected to be widely scattered. No systematic review has previously assessed this topic. Identifying knowledge gaps in this area and summarizing and disseminating research findings are important for a wide spectrum of stakeholders, in particular, for transgender people who want to undergo additional interventions such as plastic or orthognathic surgery or orthodontics. Systematic review registration This protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/e3qj6

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Scoping review protocol: bladder cancer in Nigeria: what are the gaps in clinical care and research?

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041894 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e041894

Author(s):

Joyce Kibaru ◽

Pinky Kotecha ◽

Abdulkarim Muhammad Iya ◽

Beth Russell ◽

Muzzammil Abdullahi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bladder Cancer ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Low Income ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Case Series ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Future Research ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Local Risk

IntroductionBladder cancer (BC) is the 10th common cancer worldwide and ranks seventh in Nigeria. This scoping review aims to identify the gaps in clinical care and research of BC in Nigeria as part of the development of a larger national research programme aiming to improve outcomes and care of BC.Methods and analysisThis review will be conducted according to Arksey and O’Malley scoping review methodology framework. The following electronic databases will be searched: Medline (using the PubMed interface), Ovid Gateway (Embase and Ovid), Cochrane library and Open Grey literature. Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts and subsequently screen full-text studies for inclusion, any lack of consensus will be discussed with a third reviewer. Any study providing insight into the epidemiology or treatment pathway of BC (RCTs, observations, case series, policy paper) will be included. A data chart will be used to extract relevant data from the included studies. Results will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews. A consultation process will be carried out with a multidisciplinary team of Nigerian healthcare professionals, patients and scientists.Ethics and disseminationThe results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. By highlighting the key gaps in the literature, this review can provide direction for future research and clinical guidelines in Nigeria (and other low-income and middle-income countries), where BC is more prevalent due to local risk factors and healthcare settings.

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Addressing barriers to the conduct and application of research in complementary and alternative medicine: a scoping review

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies ◽

10.1186/s12906-021-03371-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yasamin Veziari ◽

Saravana Kumar ◽

Matthew Leach

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Educational Strategies ◽

The Cochrane Library ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Background Over the past few decades, the popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has grown considerably and along with it, scrutiny regarding its evidence base. While this is to be expected, and is in line with other health disciplines, research in CAM is confronted by numerous obstacles. This scoping review aims to identify and report the strategies implemented to address barriers to the conduct and application of research in CAM. Methods The scoping review was undertaken using the Arksey and O’Malley framework. The search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, ERIC, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, JBI and the grey literature. Two reviewers independently screened the records, following which data extraction was completed for the included studies. Descriptive synthesis was used to summarise the data. Results Of the 7945 records identified, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Using the oBSTACLES instrument as a framework, the included studies reported diverse strategies to address barriers to the conduct and application of research in CAM. All included studies reported the use of educational strategies and collaborative initiatives with CAM stakeholders, including targeted funding, to address a range of barriers. Conclusions While the importance of addressing barriers to the conduct and application of research in CAM has been recognised, to date, much of the focus has been limited to initiatives originating from a handful of jurisdictions, for a small group of CAM disciplines, and addressing few barriers. Myriad barriers continue to persist, which will require concerted effort and collaboration across a range of CAM stakeholders and across multiple sectors. Further research can contribute to the evidence base on how best to address these barriers to promote the conduct and application of research in CAM.

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Nodding syndrome: bridging the gap—a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035269 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. e035269

Author(s):

Ana Cristina De Castro ◽

Ivan Ortega-Deballon

Keyword(s):

Social Science ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Science Citation Index ◽

Citation Index ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Social Science Citation Index ◽

Science Citation ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Future Research ◽

Nodding Syndrome

IntroductionNodding syndrome (NS) is an encephalopathy of unknown origin that affects children aged between 3 and 15 years old. Cases have been reported since the 1950 in Tanzania and South Sudan, the most heavily affected population is the Acholi community in Uganda. In response to the high incidence of the disease, the Ugandan Government has developed a management algorithm, but access to such measures in affected communities is limited. There is little funding for research on the disease, consequently, few studies have been conducted to date. Nevertheless, the number of scientific publications on NS has increased since 2013, reporting several aetiological hypotheses, management algorithms and cases of stigmatisation; however, none has obtained conclusive results.This document describes a protocol for a scoping review of NS to date aimed at obtaining a broad overview of the disease. The results will identify gaps in knowledge in order to better guide future research, intervention strategies, health policies in areas at risk and cooperation and development programmes.Methods and analysisTo identify the relevant data, we will conduct a literature search using the electronic databases PubMed/Medline, Embase, Social Science Citation Index Scopus, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud (LILACS), Social Science Citation Index Expanded and The Cochrane Library. We will also include grey literature. The search strategy will be designed by a librarian.Two members of the team will work independently to identify studies for inclusion and perform data extraction. The search results will be assessed by two independent reviewers and data from the included studies will be charted and summarised in duplicate. The data will be summarised in tables and figures to present the research landscape and describe and map gaps.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required. The scoping review will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews andMeta-Analyses-ScR guidelines. The results will be disseminated at scientific congresses and meetings.

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A scoping review of considerations and practices for benefit sharing in biobanking

BMC Medical Ethics ◽

10.1186/s12910-021-00671-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Allan Sudoi ◽

Jantina De Vries ◽

Dorcas Kamuya

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Health Research ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Benefit Sharing ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Online Databases ◽

Expected Benefits ◽

Future Policy ◽

Distinct Features

Abstract Background Despite the rapid global growth of biobanking over the last few decades, and their potential for the advancement of health research, considerations specific to the sharing of benefits that accrue from biobanks have received little attention. Questions such as the types and range of benefits that can arise in biobanking, who should be entitled to those benefits, when they should be provided, by whom and in what form remain mostly unanswered. We conducted a scoping review to describe benefit sharing considerations and practices in biobanking in order to inform current and future policy and practice. Methods Drawing on the Arksey and O’Malley framework, we conducted a scoping review of the literature in three online databases (PubMed, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar). We extracted and charted data to capture general characteristics, definitions and examples of benefits and benefit sharing, justification for benefit sharing, challenges in benefit sharing, governance mechanisms as well as proposed benefit sharing mechanisms. Results 29 articles published between 1999 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria for the study. The articles included 5 empirical and 24 non-empirical studies. Only 12 articles discussed benefit sharing as a stand-alone subject, while the remaining 17 integrated a discussion of benefits as one issue amongst others. Major benefit sharing challenges in biobanking were found to be those associated with uncertainties around the future use of samples and in resultant benefits. Conclusion Most of the benefit sharing definitions and approaches currently in use for biobanking are similar to those used in health research. These approaches may not recognise the distinct features of biobanking, specifically relating to uncertainties associated with the sharing and re-use of samples. We therefore support approaches that allow decisions about benefit sharing to be made progressively once it is apparent who samples are to be shared with, the intended purpose and expected benefits. We also highlight gaps in key areas informing benefit sharing in biobanking and draw attention to the need for further empirical research.

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