Effectiveness of interventions involving nurses in secondary stroke prevention: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and purpose: Among members of the health care team, nurses play a large role in actively engaging stroke survivors in secondary stroke prevention programs. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of interventions in which nurses have a primary role on modification of risk factors among stroke survivors. Methods: We systematically searched for randomized controlled trials in relevant databases investigating the role of nurses in secondary stroke prevention. Meta-analyses were conducted using Cochrane Review Manager Software. The mean pooled effect size, a 95% confidence interval (CI), and I-squared ( I2) for heterogeneity were calculated. Results: Sixteen randomized controlled trials were included with a total of 3568 stroke and transient ischemic attack patients. After removing one outlier, the models demonstrated a statistically significant effect on reducing systolic blood pressure (SMD = −0.14 (95% CI = −0.23, –0.05), I2 = 0%; p = 0.002, six studies, n =1885) and diastolic blood pressure (SMD = −0.16 (95% CI = −0.27, –0.05), I2 = 0%; p = 0.003, four studies, n =1316). The interventions also significantly improved physical activity (five studies, n=1234), diet (three studies, n=425), medication adherence (two studies, n=270), and knowledge of risk factors (three studies, n=516). However, there was no effect on smoking cessation or reduction in use of alcohol. Conclusion: We found that interventions in which nurses had a primary role were effective on improving medical and behavioral risk factors, as well as knowledge of risk factors as part of secondary prevention of stroke.

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Almond Consumption and Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Advances in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/advances/nmz043 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1076-1088 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Michelle A Lee-Bravatti ◽

Jifan Wang ◽

Esther E Avendano ◽

Ligaya King ◽

Elizabeth J Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Body Weight ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Meta Analyses

ABSTRACT Evidence suggests that eating nuts may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating almond consumption and risk factors for CVD. MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau, and previous systematic reviews were searched from 1990 through June 2017 for RCTs of ≥3 wk duration that evaluated almond compared with no almond consumption in adults who were either healthy or at risk for CVD. The most appropriate stratum was selected with an almond dose closer to 42.5 g, with a control most closely matched for macronutrient composition, energy intake, and similar intervention duration. The outcomes included risk factors for CVD. Random-effects model meta-analyses and subgroup meta-analyses were performed. Fifteen eligible trials analyzed a total of 534 subjects. Almond intervention significantly decreased total cholesterol (summary net change: −10.69 mg/dL; 95% CI: −16.75, −4.63 mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (summary net change: −5.83 mg/dL; 95% CI: −9.91, −1.75 mg/dL); body weight (summary net change: −1.39 kg; 95% CI: −2.49, −0.30 kg), HDL cholesterol (summary net change: −1.26 mg/dL; 95% CI: −2.47, −0.05 mg/dL), and apolipoprotein B (apoB) (summary net change: −6.67 mg/dL; 95% CI: −12.63, −0.72 mg/dL). Triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, apolipoprotein A1, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and lipoprotein (a) showed no difference between almond and control in the main and subgroup analyses. Fasting blood glucose, diastolic blood pressure, and body mass index significantly decreased with almond consumption of >42.5 g compared with ≤42.5 g. Almond consumption may reduce the risk of CVD by improving blood lipids and by decreasing body weight and apoB. Substantial heterogeneity in eligible studies regarding almond interventions and dosages precludes firmer conclusions.

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