scholarly journals Interventions that prevent or reduce obesity in children from birth to five years of age: A systematic review

2020 ◽  
pp. 136749352091786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katia Narzisi ◽  
Joan Simons

Childhood obesity worldwide affects 5.6% or 38.3 million children under five years of age. The longer children are overweight or obese, the more likely they are to become obese adults with all the contingent morbidity involved. An extensive number of preventive interventions to combat childhood obesity have been carried out worldwide. This article reports a systematic review of interventions aimed to reducing or preventing obesity under-fives. The search was performed with six different databases: Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane, PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were independently assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Thirty studies involving 23,185 children across nine countries were included. Twenty-two were randomised controlled trials, and 8 quasi-experimental pretest/post-test design with comparison. These studies fell into four different categories: home-based interventions with family involvement ( n = 12), preschool/early childhood settings ( n = 9), multicomponent interventions across multiple settings ( n = 6) and healthcare setting ( n = 3). Future research should focus on increasing the accessibility of education on diet and physical activity for deprived families as well as the cultural acceptability of interventions to prevent childhood obesity.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishaq Salim Al-Naabi

In light of contemporary pedagogical methods, the flipped classroom has been recognised as an effective pedagogy in English as a Foreign Language (EFL). This study employed a quasi-experimental one-group research design to investigate the impact of flipped learning on Omani EFL learners’ grammar and to examine students’ perceptions on the flipped classroom. An intact group of students (n=28) enrolled at the foundation programme in Arab Open University-Oman was randomly selected. Seven videos on English grammar were developed and shared with the students prior to the class. A varaiety of activities were conducted in the class following task-based language teaching. Students met for 8 lessons over the period of 8 weeks. Pre-test, post-test and semi-structured interviews were used in the study. The findings indicated that flipped learning had a positive impact on students’ understanding and usage of English grammar. Students’ perceptions on the flipped approach were positive. The study also provided pedagogical insights for the flipped classroom and recommendations for future research. 


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e052547
Author(s):  
Amy Coe ◽  
Catherine Kaylor-Hughes ◽  
Susan Fletcher ◽  
Elizabeth Murray ◽  
Jane Gunn

ObjectiveTo identify and characterise activities for deprescribing used in general practice and to map the identified activities to pioneering principles of deprescribing.SettingPrimary care.Data sourcesMedline, EMBASE (Ovid), CINAHL, Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), Clinicaltrials.gov, ISRCTN registry, OpenGrey, Annals of Family Medicine, BMC Family Practice, Family Practice and British Journal of General Practice (BJGP) from inception to the end of June 2021.Study selectionIncluded studies were original research (randomised controlled trial, quasi-experimental, cohort study, qualitative and case studies), protocol papers and protocol registrations.Data extractionScreening and data extraction was completed by one reviewer; 10% of the studies were independently reviewed by a second reviewer. Coding of full-text articles in NVivo was conducted and mapped to five deprescribing principles.ResultsFifty studies were included. The most frequently used activities were identification of appropriate patients for deprescribing (76%), patient education (50%), general practitioners (GP) education (48%), and development and use of a tapering schedule (38%). Six activities did not align with the five deprescribing principles. As such, two principles (engage practice staff in education and appropriate identification of patients, and provide feedback to staff about deprescribing occurrences within the practice) were added.ConclusionActivities and guiding principles for deprescribing should be paired together to provide an accessible and comprehensive guide to deprescribing by GPs. The addition of two principles suggests that practice staff and practice management teams may play an instrumental role in sustaining deprescribing processes within clinical practice. Future research is required to determine the most of effective activities to use within each principle and by whom.


Perfusion ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 026765912110370
Author(s):  
Kristina Frain ◽  
Paul Rees

Objectives: Mortality rates in patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) remain persistently high despite advances over the past decade in percutaneous mechanical circulatory support. This systematic review aims to analyse the existing literature to compare mortality outcomes in patients mechanically supported by intra-aortic balloon pump or percutaneous Impella 2.5/CP© for AMI-CS undergoing emergency revascularisation. Methods: The following MeSH terms were applied to the databases Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science: ‘Intra-aortic balloon pump’, ‘Impella’, ‘Cardiogenic shock’, ‘Myocardial Infarction’ and ‘Mortality’. This yielded 2643 studies. Using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, the studies were initially screened by title and abstract before full text analysis. Results: Fourteen studies met eligibility criteria: two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and 12 observational studies. Data from a total of 21,006 patients were included across the studies. Notably, one study claimed reduced mortality with IABP versus control, and one study concluded that Impella© improved survival rates over the IABP. The average 30-day all-cause mortality in patients supported by IABP was 38.1%, 54.3% in Impella© groups and 39.4% in control groups. Conclusion: AMI-CS presents an important cohort of patients in whom conducting RCTs is difficult. As a result, the literature is limited. Analysis of the available literature suggests that there is insufficient evidence to support superior survival in those supported by IABP or Impella© when compared to control despite suggestions that the Impella© offers superior haemodynamic support. Limitations of the studies have been discussed to outline suggestions for future research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (5) ◽  
pp. 415-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Bannon ◽  
K E Stewart ◽  
M Bannister

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the published literature on non-technical skills in otolaryngology surgery and examine the applicability of any research to others’ practice, and to explore how the published literature can identify areas for further development and guide future research.MethodsA systematic review was conducted using the following key words: ‘otolaryngology’, ‘otorhinolaryngology’, ‘ENT’, ‘ENT surgery’, ‘ear, nose and throat surgery’, ‘head and neck surgery’, ‘thyroid surgery’, ‘parathyroid surgery’, ‘otology’, ‘rhinology’, ‘laryngology’ ‘skull base surgery’, ‘airway surgery’, ‘non-technical skills’, ‘non technical skills for surgeons’, ‘NOTSS’, ‘behavioural markers’ and ‘behavioural assessment tool’.ResultsThree publications were included in the review – 1 randomised, controlled trial and 2 cohort studies – involving 78 participants. All were simulation-based studies involving training otolaryngology surgeons.ConclusionLittle research has been undertaken on non-technical skills in otolaryngology. Training surgeons’ non-technical skill levels are similar across every tested aspect. The research already performed can guide further studies, particularly amongst non-training otolaryngology surgeons and in both emergency and elective non-simulated environments.


Author(s):  
James Nobles ◽  
Carolyn Summerbell ◽  
Tamara Brown ◽  
Russell Jago ◽  
Theresa Moore

Abstract Background Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are often regarded as the gold standard of evidence, and subsequently go on to inform policymaking. Cochrane Reviews synthesise this type of evidence to create recommendations for practice, policy, and future research. Here, we critically appraise the RCTs included in the childhood obesity prevention Cochrane Review to understand the focus of these interventions when examined through a wider determinants of health (WDoH) lens. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of the interventions included in the Cochrane Review on “Interventions for Preventing Obesity in Children”, published since 1993. All 153 RCTs were independently coded by two authors against the WDoH model using an adaptive framework synthesis approach. We used aspects of the Action Mapping Tool from Public Health England to facilitate our coding and to visualise our findings against the 226 perceived causes of obesity. Results The proportion of interventions which targeted downstream (e.g. individual and family behaviours) as opposed to upstream (e.g. infrastructure, environmental, policy) determinants has not changed over time (from 1993 to 2015), with most intervention efforts (57.9%) aiming to change individual lifestyle factors via education-based approaches. Almost half of the interventions (45%) targeted two or more levels of the WDoH. Where interventions targeted some of the wider determinants, this was often achieved via upskilling teachers to deliver educational content to children. No notable difference in design or implementation was observed between interventions targeting children of varying ages (0–5 years, 6–12 years, 13–18 years). Conclusions This study highlights that interventions, evaluated via RCTs, have persisted to focus on downstream, individualistic determinants of obesity over the last 25 years, despite the step change in our understanding of its complex aetiology. We hope that the findings from our analysis will challenge research funders, researchers, policymakers and practitioners to reflect upon, and critique, the evidence-based paradigm in which we operate, and call for a shift in focus of new evidence which better accounts for the complexity of obesity.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Kafa Mohammad Bani Khalaf

This study aims to examine the potential effect of an e-mail and WhatsApp based instructional program on Jordanian EFL tenth-grade students' skimming and scanning skills of reading. To collect the data, two instrument were utilized: a pre-test and a post-test. The study used a quasi-experimental design. The participants of the study were 60 Jordanian tenth-grade female students from four sections who were purposefully chosen from Bahraini Basic School for Girls in Jordan. 15 students comprised the control group and 45 comprised three experimental groups of 15 students each. The findings reveal significant differences (at 0.05) in the students' mean scores on the post-test, in favour of the students in the WhatsApp group, the e-mail and WhatsApp combination group and the e-mail group respectively. The findings also reveal a significantly high effect of the instructional program on scanning than on skimming. A number of implications and recommendations for future research are put forth.


Author(s):  
Ihda Al Adawiyah MZ ◽  
Neti Juniarti ◽  
Citra Windani Mambang Sari

Dementia is a symptom caused by memory diseases, cognitive and behavioral disorders.Various quantitative studies about the dementia interventions have been reported. However, most of the studies used single intervention which did not give a comprehensive approach for the client. The purpose of the article was to determine types of interventions that are effective to overcome dementia problems among elderly people. This review used a scoping review method. Electronic literature searching was conducted using databases: Google Scholar, Proquest, EBSCOhost, PubMed, Scopus and DOAJ, using keywords Dementia, Elderly, and Intervention. The inclusion criteria were:peer-reviewed articles, published between2007-2017, research design included quasi-experimental, experimental and Randomised Controlled Trial. Exclusion criteria were non-English papers and the sample size was fewer than 30 participants. Scoping review method were used. Results: A total of 38,100 papers were retrieved: however, 79 enter into the inclusion criteria, and further 60 papers were excluded. Thus, only 19 articles were included in the analysis. Five out of 19 articles used multi-interventions. The types of interventions were occupational therapy, physical activity, reminiscence program, diet, and cognitive therapy. Multi-intervention approach has shown more positive results compared to single intervention.However,most studies did not involve family or caregiver in the interventions. Multi-intervention studies have more potential to produce effective outcomes for treating or preventing dementia and improve quality of life than those with one intervention.Further research is requested to examine the effect of multi-intervention combined with family involvement to prevent or treat dementia among elderly in the community.  


Author(s):  
Syed Ghulam Sarwar Shah ◽  
David Nogueras ◽  
Hugo Cornelis van Woerden ◽  
Vasiliki Kiparoglou

Objective: To review the latest literature on the effectiveness of DTIs in reducing loneliness in (older) adults. Data Sources: Electronic searches in PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and Web of Science covering publication period from 1 January 2010 to 31 July 2019. Subjects: Adult men and women Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis Main Outcome Measure: Loneliness. Study Selection: Primary studies that used DTIs for tackling loneliness in adults (aged ≥18 years) with follow-up measurements at least three months or more and publication in the English language. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Two researchers independently screened articles and extracted data on several variables: participants, interventions, comparators and outcomes. Data was extracted on the primary outcome i.e. loneliness measured at the baseline and follow-up measurements at three, four, six and twelve months after the intervention. Results: Six studies were selected from 4939 articles screened. Selected studies included 5 clinical trials (4 RCTs and 1 quasi experimental study) and one before and after study, which enrolled 646 participants (men =154 (24%), women =427 (66%), no gender information =65 (10%) with average age between 73 and 78 years (SD 6-11). Five clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis and standardised mean differences (SMD) were calculated for each trial and pooled across studies using a random effects model. The overall effect estimates were not statistically significant in follow-up measurements at three months (SMD= 0.02, 95% CI= -0.36, 0.40; P=0.92), four months (SMDs= -1.11, 95% CI= -2.60, 0.38; P=0.14) and six months (SMD= -0.11, 95% CI= -0.54, 0.32; P=0.61). The quality of evidence was very low to moderate in these trials. Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to make conclusions that DTIs are effective in reducing loneliness in older adults. Future research may consider RCTs with larger sample sizes and longer duration of interventions and follow-up.


2020 ◽  
pp. 152483802095798
Author(s):  
Laura Johnson ◽  
Amanda M. Stylianou

Coordinated community responses (CCRs) are a commonly used intervention in the field of domestic violence (DV), yet research findings on CCRs to DV have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine the current state of CCRs to DV, with a specific focus on those responses that involve law enforcement officers as key players. A systematic review of 31 databases resulted in 18 peer-reviewed manuscripts for inclusion in this study. Manuscripts were included if they were written in English and published in 1999 or later; focused specifically on DV and criminal justice and/or community responses; research outcomes were specific to cases, victims, or offenders; the intervention was clearly described and evaluated using an experimental or quasi-experimental design; and was implemented in the United States. Findings suggest that there is a great deal of variability across CCR studies involving law enforcement officers with regard to (a) whether studies used the term “coordinated community response” to describe the intervention being evaluated, (b) the types of cases included, (c) the nature of the CCR being evaluated, (d) the outcomes that were examined, and (e) how these outcomes were operationalized. These variations make it difficult for scholars to draw broader conclusions about the effectiveness of CCR interventions. Future research should include the identification of core outcomes that can be used across studies to allow for comparison studies and meta-analyses. There is also a need for studies to focus on identifying which components of CCR interventions are most critical to producing positive outcomes.


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