What is known from the existing literature about self-management of pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse? A scoping review protocol

IntroductionPelvic organ prolapse (POP) can be managed with a pessary; however, regular follow-up may deter women from pessary management due to the inconvenience of frequent appointments, as well as preventing pessary users from autonomous decision-making. Pessary self-management, whereby the woman removes and inserts her own pessary may be a solution to these issues. However, there remains a number of uncertainties regarding the potential benefits and risks of pessary self-management. This scoping review aims to map available evidence about the subject of pessary self-management for POP to identify knowledge gaps providing the basis for future research.Methods and analysisThe scoping review will be conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology and reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. A search of Medline, CINAHL, Embase and PsycInfo will be undertaken to identify relevant articles which meet the eligibility criteria using the search terms ‘pessary’ and ‘self-management’ or ‘self-care’. A hand search of the reference list of non-original research identified during the search but excluded, will be conducted for additional publications which meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data relevant to the topic of pessary self-management will be extracted and critical appraisal of all included publications undertaken.Ethics and disseminationNo ethical or Health Research Authority approval is required to undertake the scoping review. However, it has been registered with The Open Science Framework (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/DNGCP). The findings will inform future research exploring pessary self-management and be disseminated via both a presentation at a national conference and publications in peer reviewed journals.

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Physical Activity Advice and Counselling by Healthcare Providers: A Scoping Review

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9050609 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 609

Author(s):

Uchenna Benedine Okafor ◽

Daniel Ter Goon

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Post Partum ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Original Research ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Physical Activity Advice ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Physical Activity And Exercise

Background: Despite scientific evidence on prenatal physical activity and exercise, synthesized evidence is lacking on the provision of prenatal physical activity and exercise advice and counselling by prenatal healthcare providers. The scoping review seeks to fill this gap by synthesizing available literature on the provision of prenatal physical activity and exercise advice and counselling by prenatal healthcare providers to women during antenatal visits. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) search framework for scoping reviews was applied to retrieve original research articles on the prenatal physical activity and exercise practices of healthcare providers with pregnant women, published between 2010–2020, and available in English. The search databases included Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, EMBASE, The Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), BIOMED Central, Medline and African Journal Online. Studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were retrieved for analysis. Results: Out of the 82 articles that were retrieved for review, 13 met the eligibility criteria. Seven of the articles were quantitative, four qualitative, one mixed-method and one controlled, non-randomised study, respectively. Three themes emerged as major findings. Healthcare providers affirmed their responsibility in providing prenatal physical activity advice and counselling to pregnant women; however, they seldom or rarely performed this role. Major barriers to prenatal physical activity and exercise included insufficient time, lack of knowledge and skills, inadequate or insufficient training, and lack of resources. Conclusion: This review highlights salient features constraining the uptake of prenatal physical activity and exercise advice/counselling by prenatal healthcare providers in both community and clinical settings. Prenatal physical activity advice and counselling are key components to the promotion of physical activity adherence during and post-partum pregnancy; this requires adequate knowledge of physical activity prescriptions and recommendations, which are personalised and contextual to environment. Research is needed to examine the prenatal physical activity advice and counselling from prenatal healthcare providers on issues hindering effective delivery of the aforementioned in the context of promoting prenatal physical activity in clinical or community settings.

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Sickness Absence Culture: A Scoping Review

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1019188/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Erlend Pukstad ◽

Sofie Lorentzen ◽

Torstein Låg ◽

Arnstein Mykletun

Keyword(s):

Sickness Absence ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Future Research ◽

Original Research ◽

Human Sciences ◽

Science Base ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Group Members ◽

Data Screening ◽

Broad Overview

Abstract Background: Several studies show that the absence behavior of co-workers’ influence the absence rates of individual group members so that an employee is more likely to be absent when co-workers are often absent. To our knowledge, there are no systematic scoping reviews or other reviews on the concept of sickness absence culture. The objective of this review is to identify and map existing literature on sickness absence culture. We will also investigate what methods and designs are used.Methods: We will be conducting a systematic scoping review with the aim of getting a broad overview of the preexisting literature. This scoping review will consider any publication on sickness absence culture in the field of human sciences, including also reviews, original research, and opinion pieces. The review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and a populated PRISMA-P checklist (Additional file 1). Two reviewers will independently screen all abstracts for inclusion. We will search the electronic databases: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Clarivate Web of Science, BASE and CINAHL. We will use Covidence for data screening and extraction. The final stage will include a narrative synthesis of the data.Discussion: The results of this scoping review will contribute to identifying and mapping the existing literature on sickness absence culture, which could facilitate future research on the topic. Systematic review registration: Not registered in publicly accessible registry.

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Periodontitis, Low-Grade Inflammation and Systemic Health: A Scoping Review

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina56060272 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (6) ◽

pp. 272

Author(s):

Gennaro Cecoro ◽

Marco Annunziata ◽

Morena Tina Iuorio ◽

Livia Nastri ◽

Luigi Guida

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Inflammatory Factors ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Low Grade ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Hand Search ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Systemic Health ◽

Low Grade Inflammation

Background and objectives: Periodontitis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory infectious disease in which an infection is necessary, but not sufficient, for development of the condition. Individual susceptibility strictly linked to the immune and inflammatory response of the organism must also be present. Low-grade inflammation (LGI) is a systemic status of chronic sub-clinical production of inflammatory factors. This condition represents a risk factor for many chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease and cancer. This scoping review aims to clarify, summarize and disseminate current knowledge on the possible link between periodontitis, LGI and systemic health. Materials and Methods: PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines were followed. An ad-hoc created keyword string was used to search the electronic databases of PubMed/Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov. A hand search of specialized journals and their reference lists was also performed. Results: 14 studies that respected eligibility criteria were selected and analyzed. There is emerging evidence of strong links between periodontitis, LGI and systemic health. On the one hand, periodontitis influences the systemic status of LGI and on the other hand, the systemic production of inflammatory factors affects periodontitis with a bidirectional connection. Conclusions: LGI and the subsequent onset of a systemic inflammatory phenotype can be considered the common substrate of many chronic inflammatory diseases including periodontitis, with multiple mutual connections between them. Understanding of the biological principles and mechanisms underlying such a complex interrelationship could lead to significant improvements in the field of personalized diagnostics and therapeutic protocols.

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Online Romance Scams: Relational Dynamics and Psychological Characteristics of the Victims and Scammers. A Scoping Review

Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health ◽

10.2174/1745017902016010024 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 24-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anna Coluccia ◽

Andrea Pozza ◽

Fabio Ferretti ◽

Fulvio Carabellese ◽

Alessandra Masti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Sensation Seeking ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Psychological Characteristics ◽

Future Research ◽

Personality Profiles ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Relational Dynamics ◽

Scoping Reviews

Background: Digital communication technologies can overcome physical, social and psychological barriers in building romantic relationships. Online romance scams are a modern form of fraud that has spread in Western societies along with the development of social media and dating apps. Through a fictitious Internet profile, the scammer develops a romantic relationship with the victim for 6-8 months, building a deep emotional bond to extort economic resources in a manipulative dynamic. There are two notable features: on the one hand, the double trauma of losing money and a relationship, on the other, the victim's shame upon discovery of the scam, an aspect that might lead to underestimation of the number of cases. Objectives: This paper presents a scoping review of the quantitative and qualitative evidence on this issue, focusing on epidemiological aspects, relational dynamics, and the psychological characteristics of victims and scammers. Methods: A literature scoping review was conducted using electronic databases and descriptors. Studies were included if they had analyzed the phenomenon in any population or the relationship dynamics characterizing it through whatsoever typology of design. Scoping reviews are a form of knowledge synthesis, which incorporates a range of study designs and wide eligibility criteria to comprehensively summarize evidence with the aim of informing practice, programs, and policy and providing direction to future research priorities. Results: Twelve studies were included. Sixty-three percent of social media users and 3% of the general population report having been a victim at least once. Some psychological variables appear to be associated with the risk of being scammed, such as female gender, middle-age, higher levels of neuroticism, tendencies to the romantic idealization of affective relations, sensation seeking, impulsiveness and susceptibility to addiction. We analyse literature limitations and future directions. Conclusion: Since this emerging phenomenon is still largely unrecognized, understanding the psychological characteristics of victims and scammers will allow at-risk personality profiles to be identified and prevention/intervention strategies to be developed.

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An overview of the features of technologies implemented during the first wave of COVID-19: A scoping review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.29136 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alaa Abd-Alrazaq ◽

Asmaa Hassan ◽

Israa Abuelezz ◽

Arfan Ahmed ◽

Mahmood Alzubaidi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Health Condition ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Future Research ◽

Reference List ◽

Web Based ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Common Purpose ◽

Novel Coronavirus

BACKGROUND Technology has been extensively implemented in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). While several reviews were conducted regarding technologies used during COVID-19, they were limited either by focusing on a certain technology or feature, or by technology that was proposed rather than implemented. OBJECTIVE This review aims to explore the features of technologies implemented during the first wave of COVID-19 as reported in the literature. METHODS The authors conducted a scoping review following the guidelines of PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Studies were retrieved through searching 8 electronic databases and conducting backward and forward reference list checking. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility of studies and extracted data from the included articles. We then used a narrative approach to synthesize the extracted data. RESULTS Of 7,374 retrieved studies, 126 were deemed eligible. Telemedicine was the most common type of technology (85%) implemented in the first wave of COVID-19. The most common mode of telemedicine was synchronous (93.5%). The most common purpose of the technologies was providing consultation (59.5%), followed by following up with patients (35.7%) and monitoring their health status (17.4%). Zoom (17.5%) and WhatsApp (9.5%) were the most common social media and video-conferencing platforms. Both healthcare professionals and health consumers were the most common target users (81.7%). The health condition most frequently targeted by the implemented technologies was COVID-19 (30.2%), followed by any physical health conditions (16.7%) and mental health conditions (10.3%). Technologies were web-based in 84.1% of the included studies. Technologies in the included studies could be used through 11 venues. The most common venue of technologies was mobile applications (68.3%), followed by desktop applications (57.9%), telephone calls (38.9%), and websites (35.7%). CONCLUSIONS Technology played a crucial role in mitigating the COVID-19 challenges. Our review did not find other technologies that were implemented during the first wave of COVID-19 (e.g., contact-tracing apps, drones, blockchain). Further, technologies in this review were used for other purposes (e.g., drugs and vaccines discovery, social distancing, and immunity passport). Future research on studies about such technologies and purposes is recommended. Further reviews are required to investigate technologies implemented in the following waves of COVID-19.

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Virtual reality in medical students’ education: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046986 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. e046986

Author(s):

Jiang Haowen ◽

Sunitha Vimalesvaran ◽

Bhone Myint Kyaw ◽

Lorainne Tudor Car

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Real Life ◽

Future Research ◽

Review Author ◽

Reference List ◽

Scoping Reviews

BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) is a technology that produces a virtual manifestation of the real world. In recent years, VR has been increasingly used as a tool in medical education. The use of VR in medical education has large potential, as it allows for distance learning and training which may be challenging to deliver in real life. VR encompasses different tools and applications. There is a need to explore how VR has been employed in medical education to date.ObjectiveThe objective of this scoping review is to conceptualise the VR tools available and the applications of VR in undergraduate medical education as reported in the literature. This scoping review will identify any gaps in this field and provide suggestions for future research.Methods and analysisThe relevant studies will be examined using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework for scoping studies. A comprehensive search from a total of six electronic databases and grey literature sources will be performed. The reference list of included studies will be screened for additional studies. The screening and data extraction will be done in parallel and independently by two review authors. Any discrepancies will be resolved through consensus or discussion with a third review author. A data extraction form has been developed using key themes from the research questions. The extracted data will be qualitatively analysed and presented in a diagrammatic or tabular form, alongside a narrative summary, in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis: extension for Scoping Reviews reporting guidelines.Ethics and disseminationAll data will be collected from published and grey literature. Ethics approval is therefore not a requirement. We will present our findings at relevant conferences and submit them for publications in peer-reviewed journals.

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A Scoping Review on Cue Reactivity in Methamphetamine Use Disorder

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17186504 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (18) ◽

pp. 6504

Author(s):

Lee Seng Esmond Seow ◽

Wei Jie Ong ◽

Aditi Hombali ◽

P. V. AshaRani ◽

Mythily Subramaniam

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Drug Users ◽

Best Practice ◽

Cue Reactivity ◽

Future Research ◽

Original Research ◽

Autonomic Reactivity ◽

Hand Search ◽

Methamphetamine Use ◽

Key Terms

The experience of craving via exposure to drug-related cues often leads to relapse in drug users. This study consolidated existing empirical evidences of cue reactivity to methamphetamine to provide an overview of current literature and to inform the directions for future research. The best practice methodological framework for conducting scoping review by Arkey and O’Malley was adopted. Studies that have used a cue paradigm or reported on cue reactivity in persons with a history of methamphetamine use were included. Databases such as Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL were searched using key terms, in addition to citation check and hand search. The search resulted in a total of 32 original research articles published between 2006 to 2020. Three main themes with regard to cue reactivity were identified and synthesized: (1) effects of cue exposure, (2) individual factors associated with cue reactivity, and (3) strategies that modulate craving or reactivity to cues. Exposure to methamphetamine-associated cues elicits significant craving and other autonomic reactivity. Evidence suggests that drug cue reactivity is strongly associated with indices of drug use and other individual-specific factors. Future studies should focus on high quality studies to support evidence-based interventions for reducing cue reactivity and to examine cue reactivity as an outcome measure.

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The impact of COVID-19 on healthcare delivery for people who use opioids: a scoping review

Substance Abuse Treatment Prevention and Policy ◽

10.1186/s13011-021-00395-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Karen Alexander ◽

Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz ◽

Angela Gerolamo ◽

Nadia Hassen ◽

Erin L. Kelly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African Americans ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Healthcare Delivery ◽

Research Literature ◽

Administrative Database ◽

Future Research ◽

Original Research ◽

Opioid Overdose ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

The Impact

Abstract Research objective The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare delivery worldwide with likely negative effects on people who use opioids (PWUO). This scoping review of the original research literature describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare delivery for PWUO and identifies gaps in the literature. Methods This scoping review of the original research literature maps the available knowledge regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare delivery for PWUO. We utilized the methodology developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute for scoping reviews, and content analyses methodology to characterize the current state of the literature. Results Of the 14 included studies, administrative database (n = 11), cross-sectional (n = 1) or qualitative (n = 2) studies demonstrated service gaps (n = 7), patient/provider experiences (n = 3), and patient outcomes for PWUO (n = 4). In March 2020, healthcare utilization dropped quickly, sharply increasing only for reasons of opioid overdose by May 2020. Service gaps existed in accessing treatment for new patients during the pandemic due to capacity and infrastructure limits. Physicians reported difficulty referring patients to begin an outpatient opioid treatment program due to increased restrictions in capacity and infrastructure. Patients also reported uncertainty about accessing outpatient treatment, but that telehealth initiation of buprenorphine increased access to treatment from home. Disproportionate increases in overdose rates among African Americans were reported in two studies, with differences by race and gender not examined in most studies. Fatal overdoses increased 60% in African Americans during the pandemic, while fatal overdoses in Non-Hispanic White individuals decreased. Conclusions In summary, this beginning evidence demonstrates that despite early reluctance to use the healthcare system, opioid overdose-related use of healthcare increased throughout the pandemic. Service delivery for medications to treat OUD remained at or above pre-pandemic levels, indicating the ability of telehealth to meet demand. Yet, racial disparities that existed pre-pandemic for PWUO are intensifying, and targeted intervention for high-risk groups is warranted to prevent further mortality. As the pandemic progresses, future research must focus on identifying and supporting subgroups of PWUO who are at heightened risk for experiencing negative outcomes and lack of access to care.

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Applied sport science and medicine of women’s rugby codes: a systematic-scoping review and consensus on future research priorities protocol

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001108 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. e001108

Author(s):

Omar Heyward ◽

Stacey Emmonds ◽

Gregory Roe ◽

Sean Scantlebury ◽

Keith Stokes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Consensus Method ◽

Future Research ◽

Delphi Consensus ◽

Medicine Research ◽

Sport Science ◽

Priority Areas ◽

Wide Range ◽

Scoping Reviews

Women’s rugby (rugby league, rugby union and rugby sevens) has recently grown in participation and professionalisation. There is under-representation of women-only cohorts within applied sport science and medicine research and within the women’s rugby evidence base. The aims of this article are: Part 1: to undertake a systematic-scoping review of the applied sport science and medicine of women’s rugby, and Part 2: to develop a consensus statement on future research priorities. This article will be designed in two parts: Part 1: a systematic-scoping review, and Part 2: a three-round Delphi consensus method. For Part 1, systematic searches of three electronic databases (PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, SPORTDiscus (EBSCOhost)) will be performed from the earliest record. These databases will be searched to identify any sport science and medicine themed studies within women’s rugby. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews will be adhered to. Part 2 involves a three-round Delphi consensus method to identify future research priorities. Identified experts in women’s rugby will be provided with overall findings from Part 1 to inform decision-making. Participants will then be asked to provide a list of research priority areas. Over the three rounds, priority areas achieving consensus (≥70% agreement) will be identified. This study has received institutional ethical approval. When complete, the manuscript will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The findings of this article will have relevance for a wide range of stakeholders in women’s rugby, including policymakers and governing bodies.

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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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