Prenatal Maternal Anxiety as a Risk Factor for Preterm Birth and the Effects of Heterogeneity on This Relationship: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background.Systematic reviews (SR) and meta-analyses (MA) that previously explored the relationship between prenatal maternal anxiety (PMA) and preterm birth (PTB) have not been comprehensive in study inclusion, failing to account for effects of heterogeneity and disagree in their conclusions.Objectives.This SRMA provides a summary of the published evidence of the relationship between PMA and PTB while examining methodological and statistical sources of heterogeneity.Methods.Published studies from MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and EMBASE, until June 2015, were extracted and reviewed.Results.Of the 37 eligible studies, 31 were used in this MA; six more were subsequently excluded due to statistical issues, substantially reducing the heterogeneity. The odds ratio for PMA was 1.70 (95% CI 1.33, 2.18) for PTB and 1.67 (95% CI 1.35, 2.07) for spontaneous PTB comparing higher levels of anxiety to lower levels.Conclusions.Consistent findings indicate a significant association between PMA and PTB. Due to the statistical problem of including collinear variables in a single regression model, it is hard to distinguish the effect of the various types of psychosocial distress on PTB. However, a prenatal program aimed at addressing mental health issues could be designed and evaluated using a randomised controlled trial to assess the causal nature of different aspects of mental health on PTB.

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The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Cognition and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

10.31234/osf.io/rj5mk ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Darren Lee Dunning ◽

Kirsty Griffiths ◽

Willem Kuyken ◽

Catherine Crane ◽

Lucy Foulkes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Active Control ◽

Random Effects ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Meta Analyses

Background: Mindfulness based interventions (MBIs) are an increasingly popular way of attempting to improve the behavioural, cognitive and mental health outcomes of children and adolescents, though there is a suggestion that enthusiasm has moved ahead of the evidence base. Most evaluations of MBIs are either uncontrolled or nonrandomized trials. This meta-analysis aims to establish the efficacy of MBIs for children and adolescents in studies that have adopted a randomized, controlled trial (RCT) design. Methods: A systematic literature search of RCTs of MBIs was conducted up to October 2017. Thirty-three independent studies including 3,666 children and adolescents were included in random effects meta-analyses with outcome measures categorized into cognitive, behavioural and emotional factors. Separate random effects meta-analyses were completed for the seventeen studies (n = 1,762) that used an RCT design with an active control condition. Results: Across all RCTs we found significant positive effects of MBIs, relative to controls, for the outcome categories of Mindfulness, Executive Functioning, Attention, Depression, Anxiety/Stress and Negative Behaviours, with small effect sizes (Cohen’s d), ranging from .16 to .30. However, when considering only those RCTs with active control groups, significant benefits of an MBI were restricted to the outcomes of Mindfulness (d = .42), Depression (d = .47) and Anxiety/Stress (d = .18) only.Conclusions: This meta-analysis reinforces the efficacy of using MBIs for improving the mental health and wellbeing of youth as assessed using the gold standard RCT methodology. Future RCT evaluations should incorporate scaledup definitive trial designs to further evaluate the robustness of MBIs in youth, with an embedded focus on mechanisms of action. Keywords: Mindfulness; meta-analysis; intervention; adolescence; attention.

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Preterm Birth and Subsequent Risk of Acute Childhood Leukemia: a Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000447828 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 1229-1238 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Qi-tao Huang ◽

Yun-fei Gao ◽

Mei Zhong ◽

Yan-hong Yu

Keyword(s):

Preterm Birth ◽

Childhood Leukemia ◽

Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Subsequent Risk

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) has been recognized as a crucial long term risk factor for multiple non-communicable diseases. However, studies between the relationship of PTB and the risk of acute childhood leukemia have yielded inconclusive results. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to systematically review the current literature to investigate whether PTB is associated with increased risk of acute childhood leukemia. Methods: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE) were searched up to December 1st, 2015. Relevant studies reporting the association between PTB and subsequent risk of acute childhood leukemia were included for further evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed using Revmen 5.3 and Stata 10.0. Results: A total of 12 studies for acute childhood leukemia, eight studies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and seven studies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were included in the current meta-analyses. We calculated pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to evaluate the relationship between PTB and acute childhood leukemia as well as its two subtypes: ALL and AML. Our results suggested that PTB was significantly associated with increased risk of acute childhood leukemia (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02-1.17, P = 0.01) and AML (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.21-1.67, P < 0.01). However, PTB was not significantly associated with an increased risk of ALL (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.96-1.13, P = 0.29). Conclusion: Our data showed that PTB increased the risk of AML. Further studies are required to explore causality and dissect the biological mechanisms involved.

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The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Stress, Depression and Anxiety During the Perinatal Period in Women Without Pre-existing Stress, Depressive or Anxiety Disorders: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Controlled Trials

Mindfulness ◽

10.1007/s12671-021-01697-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Linda Corbally ◽

Mick Wilkinson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Perinatal Period ◽

Health Issues ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Trial Evidence

Abstract Objectives The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine controlled trial evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on stress, anxiety and depression in the perinatal period in women without pre-existing mental health issues. Methods Six databases were searched for studies exploring the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on mental health outcomes of women during the perinatal period. Quality of both controlled trial meeting inclusion criteria were assessed using a tool specifically designed for meta-analyses of mindfulness-based interventions. Effect sizes were extracted for measures of mindfulness, depression, stress and anxiety outcomes. Effects were pooled in separate meta-analyses for all outcomes except anxiety which lacked sufficient studies. Results Twelve studies were analysed. Pooled effects suggest that mindfulness-based interventions cause small but clear increases in mindfulness and reductions in depression in women without pre-existing disorders. Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on other outcomes were unclear and confounded by heterogeneity. Conclusions Available controlled trial evidence suggests that mindfulness-based interventions improve mindfulness and decrease symptoms of depression during pregnancy in women without pre-existing mental health issues and might be a useful approach to prevent or attenuate the development of depression in the perinatal period.

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Mood Disorders and Gluten: It’s Not All in Your Mind! A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10111708 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1708 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Eleanor Busby ◽

Justine Bold ◽

Lindsey Fellows ◽

Kamran Rostami

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Mood Disorders ◽

Prospective Studies ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Future Research ◽

One Year ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

The Relationship

Gluten elimination may represent an effective treatment strategy for mood disorders in individuals with gluten-related disorders. However, the directionality of the relationship remains unclear. We performed a systematic review of prospective studies for effects of gluten on mood symptoms in patients with or without gluten-related disorders. Six electronic databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library) were searched, from inception to 8 August 2018, for prospective studies published in English. Meta-analyses with random-effects were performed. Three randomised-controlled trials and 10 longitudinal studies comprising 1139 participants fit the inclusion criteria. A gluten-free diet (GFD) significantly improved pooled depressive symptom scores in GFD-treated patients (Standardised Mean Difference (SMD) −0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.55 to −0.20; p < 0.0001), with no difference in mean scores between patients and healthy controls after one year (SMD 0.01, 95% CI −0.18 to 0.20, p = 0.94). There was a tendency towards worsening symptoms for non-coeliac gluten sensitive patients during a blinded gluten challenge vs. placebo (SMD 0.21, 95% CI −0.58 to 0.15; p = 0.25). Our review supports the association between mood disorders and gluten intake in susceptible individuals. The effects of a GFD on mood in subjects without gluten-related disorders should be considered in future research.

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Comparison of splint and conventional cast for treating wrist torus fractures in children (systematic review)

Advanced Emergency Medicine ◽

10.18686/aem.v6.107 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Abdulrahman Alsawadi ◽

Mustafa Abbas

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Easy Access ◽

Fractures In Children ◽

Cost Effective Treatment ◽

Electronic Database Search ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Meta Analyses

<span>Wrist torus fractures in children are common. Although it might be simple and straightforward, the management of these injuries remains controversial and depends on the personal experience and preference of the treating physician. The consensus agreement, however, is that these fractures are inherently stable. Some authors argue that splints should replace the traditional method of cast immobilisation. The splints are viewed as easier to use, more convenient and do not require follow up clinics for removal. It has also been argued that splints are more cost-effective than casts. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of removable splints versus casts in the treatment of torus wrist fractures of children in the current literature. This review followed the Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement for reporting. Comprehensive electronic database search and handsearch were conducted. Studies were considered for review if they were randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trial and compared removable splints and casts for treating torus fractures of distal radius and/or ulna in children. Four papers identified by two reviewers as potentially eligible for inclusion were appraised and two identified for inclusion were further assessed for any risk of bias. Data were narratively presented and discussed as meta-analysis would not have been possible for the identified studies. The limited available data favours the use of splint as a clinically effective and more cost-effective method of immobilisation. However, the findings of the systematic review are limited by the quality of the identified studies. It has been viewed that explanation to patients and parents and involving them in the decision, plus implementation of safety protocol to avoid under-treatment of misdiagnosed fractures and allow easy access of patients to the clinic, is an alternative way to provide safe, convenient and cost-effective treatment. </span>

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Patient preference randomised controlled trials in mental health research

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.188.4.303 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 188 (4) ◽

pp. 303-304 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Louise Howard ◽

Graham Thornicroft

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Patient Preference ◽

Randomised Controlled Trials ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Mental Health Research ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

The Relationship

SummaryThe relationship between psychiatric patients' preferences for different treatments and the outcome of interventions is unclear, as the few relevant trials have tended to be underpowered. Strong patient preferences result in patients refusing to enter a trial. This leads to bias and limits generalisability, and the patient preference randomised controlled trial (RCT) design has been proposed as an alternative. Limitations and advantages of patient preference RCTs are discussed.

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A Meta-Analysis of Interviews and Cognitive Ability

Journal of Personnel Psychology ◽

10.1027/1866-5888/a000091 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 157-169 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Philip L. Roth ◽

Allen I. Huffcutt

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Ability ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Incremental Validity ◽

Employment Interviews ◽

Moderator Analysis ◽

The Future ◽

Research Questions ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

The Relationship

The topic of what interviews measure has received a great deal of attention over the years. One line of research has investigated the relationship between interviews and the construct of cognitive ability. A previous meta-analysis reported an overall corrected correlation of .40 ( Huffcutt, Roth, & McDaniel, 1996 ). A more recent meta-analysis reported a noticeably lower corrected correlation of .27 ( Berry, Sackett, & Landers, 2007 ). After reviewing both meta-analyses, it appears that the two studies posed different research questions. Further, there were a number of coding judgments in Berry et al. that merit review, and there was no moderator analysis for educational versus employment interviews. As a result, we reanalyzed the work by Berry et al. and found a corrected correlation of .42 for employment interviews (.15 higher than Berry et al., a 56% increase). Further, educational interviews were associated with a corrected correlation of .21, supporting their influence as a moderator. We suggest a better estimate of the correlation between employment interviews and cognitive ability is .42, and this takes us “back to the future” in that the better overall estimate of the employment interviews – cognitive ability relationship is roughly .40. This difference has implications for what is being measured by interviews and their incremental validity.

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