Military Sexual Trauma and Risky Behaviors: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483801989733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon R. Forkus ◽  
Nicole H. Weiss ◽  
Svetlana Goncharenko ◽  
Joseph Mammay ◽  
Michael Church ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Sexual Trauma ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Military Sexual Trauma ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Wide Range

Introduction: Military sexual trauma (MST) is a serious and pervasive problem among military men and women. Recent findings have linked MST with various negative outcomes including risky, self-destructive, and health-compromising behaviors. Objective: The current review summarizes the existing literature on the association between MST and risky behaviors among military men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Method: We systematically searched five electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PSYCINFO, PILOTS, and CINAHL Plus) using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Of the initial 2,021 articles, 47 met the inclusion criteria. Reviewed studies revealed three patterns of findings: (1) largely studied and consistent (i.e., suicidal behaviors, disordered eating), (2) mixed and in need of future research (i.e., alcohol and drug use, smoking), and (3) underexamined (i.e., sexual behaviors, illegal/aggressive behaviors) or completely neglected (e.g., problematic technology use, gambling). Discussion: The current systematic review advances literature by providing strong support for an association between MST and a wide range of risky behaviors. Moreover, it highlights important areas for future research.

scholarly journals Ketamine’s effect on inflammation and kynurenine pathway in depression: A systematic review

2021 ◽  
pp. 026988112110264
Author(s):  
Emma Kopra ◽  
Valeria Mondelli ◽  
Carmine Pariante ◽  
Naghmeh Nikkheslat
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Bipolar Depression ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Kynurenine Pathway ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Downstream Effects ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Background: Ketamine is a novel rapid-acting antidepressant with high efficacy in treatment-resistant patients. Its exact therapeutic mechanisms of action are unclear; however, in recent years its anti-inflammatory properties and subsequent downstream effects on tryptophan (TRP) metabolism have sparked research interest. Aim: This systematic review examined the effect of ketamine on inflammatory markers and TRP–kynurenine (KYN) pathway metabolites in patients with unipolar and bipolar depression and in animal models of depression. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched on October 2020 (1806 to 2020). Results: Out of 807 initial results, nine human studies and 22 animal studies on rodents met the inclusion criteria. Rodent studies provided strong support for ketamine-induced decreases in pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely in interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and indicated anti-inflammatory effects on TRP metabolism, including decreases in the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Clinical evidence was less robust with high heterogeneity between sample characteristics, but most experiments demonstrated decreases in peripheral inflammation including in IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Preliminary support was also found for reduced activation of the neurotoxic arm of the KYN pathway. Conclusion: Ketamine appears to induce anti-inflammatory effects in at least a proportion of depressed patients. Suggestions for future research include investigation of markers in the central nervous system and examination of clinical relevance of inflammatory changes.

scholarly journals A Preliminary Experimental Examination of the Effect of Emotion Dysregulation and Impulsivity on Risky Behaviors Among Women With Sexual Assault–Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 914-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole H. Weiss ◽  
Matthew T. Tull ◽  
Kim L. Gratz
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
To Receive

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with a wide range of risky behaviors (e.g., substance use and risky sexual behaviors); however, few studies have examined mechanisms that may underlie risky behaviors in this population. The present study utilized a prospective experimental design to examine the effects of emotion dysregulation and impulsivity on risky behaviors across time. Thirty women with sexual assault–related PTSD were randomly assigned to receive emotion modulation (EM), impulsivity reduction (IR), or healthy living (HL; comparison condition) skills trainings. Participants completed measures of emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and risky behaviors pre-manipulation and 1-month post-manipulation. Participants in the EM and IR conditions reported a significant reduction in risky behaviors from pre- to post-manipulation relative to the HL condition. Changes in emotion dysregulation from pre- to post-manipulation fully accounted for reductions in risky behaviors over time. Results provide preliminary experimental support for the role of emotion dysregulation in risky behaviors.

scholarly journals A systematic review of provider-and system-level factors influencing the delivery of cardiac rehabilitation for heart failure

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Daw ◽  
Thomas M. Withers ◽  
Jet J. C. S. Veldhuijzen van Zanten ◽  
Alexander Harrison ◽  
Colin J. Greaves
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
System Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Heart Failure Patients ◽  
Barriers And Enablers ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Background There is a longstanding research-to-practice gap in the delivery of cardiac rehabilitation for patients with heart failure. Despite adequate evidence confirming that comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation can improve quality of life and decrease morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients, only a fraction of eligible patients receives it. Many studies and reviews have identified patient-level barriers that might contribute to this disparity, yet little is known about provider- and system-level influences. Methods A systematic review using narrative synthesis. The aims of the systematic review were to a) determine provider- and system-level barriers and enablers that affect the delivery of cardiac rehabilitation for heart failure and b) juxtapose identified barriers with possible solutions reported in the literature. A comprehensive search strategy was applied to the MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, EThoS and ProQuest databases. Articles were included if they were empirical, peer-reviewed, conducted in any setting, using any study design and describing factors influencing the delivery of cardiac rehabilitation for heart failure patients. Data were synthesised using inductive thematic analysis and a triangulation protocol to identify convergence/contradiction between different data sources. Results Seven eligible studies were identified. Thematic analysis identified nine overarching categories of barriers and enablers which were classified into 24 and 26 themes respectively. The most prevalent categories were ‘the organisation of healthcare system’, ‘the organisation of cardiac rehabilitation programmes’, ‘healthcare professional’ factors and ‘guidelines’. The most frequent themes included ‘lack of resources: time, staff, facilities and equipment’ and ‘professional’s knowledge, awareness and attitude’. Conclusions Our systematic review identified a wide range of provider- and system-level barriers impacting the delivery of cardiac rehabilitation for heart failure, along with a range of potential solutions. This information may be useful for healthcare professionals to deliver, plan or commission cardiac rehabilitation services, as well as future research.

scholarly journals Arts-Based Interventions for Professionals in Caring Roles During and After Crisis: A Systematic Review of the Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Havsteen-Franklin ◽  
Megan Tjasink ◽  
Jacqueline Winter Kottler ◽  
Claire Grant ◽  
Veena Kumari
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Safe Place ◽  
Practice Elements ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Crisis Events ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Crisis events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can have a devastating effect on communities and the care professionals within them. Over recent years, arts-based interventions have helped in a wide range of crisis situations, being recommended to support the workforce during and after complex crisis but there has been no systematic review of the role of arts-based crisis interventions and whether there are cogent themes regarding practice elements and outcomes. We, therefore, conducted a systematic review to (i) define the arts-based change process used during and after crisis events, and (ii) explore the perceptions of intermediate and long-term mental health benefits of arts-based interventions for professionals in caring roles. Our search yielded six studies (all qualitative). All data were thematically aggregated and meta-synthesized, revealing seven practice elements (a safe place, focusing on strengths and protective factors, developing psychosocial competencies to support peers, emotional expression and processing, identifying and naming the impact of the crisis, using an integrative creative approach, and cultural and organizational sensitivity) applied across all six studies, as well as a range of intermediate and long-term benefits shared common features (adapting, growing, and recovering; using the community as a healing resource; reducing or preventing symptoms of stress or trauma reactions, psychophysiological homeostasis). The ways in which these studies were designed independently from one another and yet used the same practice elements in their crisis interventions indicates that there is comparability about how and why the arts-based practice elements are being used and to what effect. Our findings provide a sound basis and meaningful parameters for future research incorporating quantitative and qualitative approaches to firmly establish the effectiveness of art-based interventions, and how arts can support cultural sensitivity, acceptability and indicated outcomes, particularly those relating to stress and trauma during or following a crisis.

scholarly journals Towards the best kidney failure prediction tool: a systematic review and selection aid

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (9) ◽  
pp. 1527-1538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chava L Ramspek ◽  
Ype de Jong ◽  
Friedo W Dekker ◽  
Merel van Diepen
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Kidney Failure ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Prediction Tool ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
And Performance

Abstract Background Prediction tools that identify chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients at a high risk of developing kidney failure have the potential for great clinical value, but limited uptake. The aim of the current study is to systematically review all available models predicting kidney failure in CKD patients, organize empirical evidence on their validity and ultimately provide guidance in the interpretation and uptake of these tools. Methods PubMed and EMBASE were searched for relevant articles. Titles, abstracts and full-text articles were sequentially screened for inclusion by two independent researchers. Data on study design, model development and performance were extracted. The risk of bias and clinical usefulness were assessed and combined in order to provide recommendations on which models to use. Results Of 2183 screened studies, a total of 42 studies were included in the current review. Most studies showed high discriminatory capacity and the included predictors had large overlap. Overall, the risk of bias was high. Slightly less than half the studies (48%) presented enough detail for the use of their prediction tool in practice and few models were externally validated. Conclusions The current systematic review may be used as a tool to select the most appropriate and robust prognostic model for various settings. Although some models showed great potential, many lacked clinical relevance due to being developed in a prevalent patient population with a wide range of disease severity. Future research efforts should focus on external validation and impact assessment in clinically relevant patient populations.

scholarly journals Using Simulated Data to Estimate the Impact of Different Types of Survey Missingness on Population Estimates and Odds Ratios: A Back-of-the-Envelope Approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Echo GQ Nelson ◽  
Maureen Murdoch ◽  
Siamak Noorbaloochi
Keyword(s):  
Response Bias ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Sexual Trauma ◽  
Sampling Error ◽  
Military Sexual Trauma ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Odds Ratios ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
True Value ◽  
Survey Error

Background: Total Survey Error is typically operationalized as non-response bias plus measurement error without considering sampling error’s contribution to total error. Bias’ impact on effect sizes is also not well described.Objective: To explore the risk of obtaining survey values importantly different from true population values through sampling error alone, to explore sampling error’s unique contribution to total survey error, and to identify how much non-response bias can be tolerated before odds ratios deviate significantly from the true value. Methods: Using R, we simulated a population of 20,000 “men” and “women” based on an actual population of Veterans. We assigned attributes of being exposed/unexposed to military combat or sexual trauma and of having or not having disability benefits for posttraumatic stress disorder (“service connection”). We then simulated multiple surveys using samples sizes and response rates commonly seen in survey research. Results: Through sampling error alone, individual sample prevalences differed from the true value by 10 full percentage points at probabilities between 2.7% (combat) and 55% (military sexual trauma) for sample sizes ≤ 300 (“men” and “women” combined). Mean sampling error frequently exceeded non-response bias. Across all sample size/response rate combinations (“men/women” combined), individual sampling errors ranged from -18.2% to 17.2% for combat, -40.9% to 41.8% for military sexual assault, and -45.9% to 69.1% for service connection. Modeling showed that biases as small as 1 percentage point within an individual cell of a 2X2 contingency table altered the odds ratio estimates between combat, military sexual trauma, and service connection substantially, whereas altering the marginal totals of the 2X2 table did not affect the odds ratio at all.Conclusions: Sampling error’s impact on total survey error can be substantial, while even small degrees of non-response bias can distort odds ratios. Back-of-the-envelope techniques could help investigators plan for and avoid these issues.

scholarly journals Virtual Reality Technology Use in Cigarette Craving and Smoking Interventions (I “Virtually” Quit): Systematic Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merel Keijsers ◽  
Maria Cecilia Vega-Corredor ◽  
Melanie Tomintz ◽  
Simon Hoermann
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Avoidance Task ◽  
Nicotine Delivery ◽  
Approach Avoidance

BACKGROUND Over the last 2 decades, virtual reality technologies (VRTs) have been proposed as a way to enhance and improve smoking cessation therapy. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aims to evaluate and summarize the current knowledge on the application of VRT in various smoking cessation therapies, as well as to explore potential directions for future research and intervention development. METHODS A literature review of smoking interventions using VRT was conducted. RESULTS Not all intervention studies included an alternative therapy or a placebo condition against which the effectiveness of the intervention could be benchmarked, or a follow-up measure to ensure that the effects were lasting. Virtual reality (VR) cue exposure therapy was the most extensively studied intervention, but its effect on long-term smoking behavior was inconsistent. Behavioral therapies such as a VR approach-avoidance task or gamified interventions were less common but reported positive results. Notably, only 1 study combined Electronic Nicotine Delivery Devices with VRT. CONCLUSIONS The inclusion of a behavioral component, as is done in the VR approach-avoidance task and gamified interventions, may be an interesting avenue for future research on smoking interventions. As Electronic Nicotine Delivery Devices are still the subject of much controversy, their potential to support smoking cessation remains unclear. For future research, behavioral or multicomponent interventions are promising avenues of exploration. Future studies should improve their validity by comparing their intervention group with at least 1 alternative or placebo control group, as well as incorporating follow-up measures. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals Find New RoadsTM? A Systematic Review on the Impacts of Off-Road Vehicle Activity on Soil, Vegetation, and Wildlife

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura W. Ploughe ◽  
Lauchlan H. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Desert Ecosystems ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Vehicle Activity

The global use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) in natural environments has accelerated rapidly over the last few decades, resulting in significant social and environmental consequences. As the demand, use, and promotion of light-duty ORVs like all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, four-wheel drive trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) increases in remote wilderness, the landscape is becoming fragmented into disorganized and destructive networks of trails and roads. Substantial ecological impacts to a wide range of ecosystem structures and functions will likely result from ORV activity. Applying a global systematic review, we examine 105 publications about plant, soil, and wildlife responses to ORV traffic in different habitats to help guide the direction of future research, monitoring programs, and mitigation efforts. Most studies investigated impacts to animals, followed by soils, then vegetative responses. Soil studies primarily focused on physical impacts to the soil (i.e., compaction, erosion, rut depth), but some studies suggest that soil chemical and biological properties may also be impacted by ORV traffic. The literature on plant responses to ORV activities primarily explored vegetation loss, although impacts on the plant community were also investigated. Animal studies investigated impacts of ORV use on invertebrates, mammals, birds, and to a lesser extent reptiles/amphibians, including population-level, community-level, and behavioral responses. Overall, research on environmental impacts of ORV traffic is biased to coastal and desert ecosystems in the northern hemisphere (primarily in the US), often does not address mechanisms that may produce ecological impacts (e.g., intensity of vehicular disturbance and ecosystem- or species-specific sensitivity to ORV activities), and frequently focused on short-term responses. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms that cause the different responses of soil, plant, and animals to ORVs over the long-term in a broad range of ecosystems to support real-time management and conservation efforts.

scholarly journals Health assets in a global context: a systematic review of the literature

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e023810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tine Van Bortel ◽  
Nuwan Darshana Wickramasinghe ◽  
Antony Morgan ◽  
Steven Martin
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Health Assets

ObjectiveTo provide an up-to-date overview of health assets in a global context both from a theoretical perspective and its practical applications to address health inequalities and achieve sustainable health.DesignA systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Data sourcesA comprehensive search, including 10 electronic bibliographic databases and hand searches, was undertaken to capture the wide range of terms associated with ‘health assets’ and ‘asset-based approaches to health’.Eligibility criteriaAny peer-reviewed published and grey literature in English related to ‘health assets’ or ‘assets’ in a ‘health’ context was included without any date, country or study design restrictions and the quality of evidence was appraised according to the Oxford Level of Evidence.OutcomesA broad consideration of all outcome measures including clinical outcomes, patient-level, community-level and population-level impacts and costs, was adopted.Results478 publications were included. Health assets were researched in 40 countries, predominantly in the West such as the USA and the UK. A number of broad health assets were identified including community and individual assets. Even though research was conducted in a number of different settings, most occurred in the community, clinical, care or educational settings. A wide variety of interventions and approaches were implemented, most commonly related to education and/or training, asset mapping or asset approaches.ConclusionsGlobally, authors most often referred to general ‘health assets’, ‘assets’ or some form of ‘community asset’ in relation to health. Overall, the idea of health assets is framed within a positive paradigm focusing on health creation rather than curative approaches. The sustained credibility of the global ‘health assets’ literature depends on future research on definitional, theoretical and evaluative issues in order to convince policy-makers and service commissioners of its necessity and added value to the traditional deficit approach.

A Systematic Review of State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency-Based Literature

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 352-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heike Boeltzig-Brown ◽  
Allison R. Fleming ◽  
Miriam Heyman ◽  
Martha Gauthier ◽  
Julisa Cully ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Program Outcomes ◽  
Data Collection Methods ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Rehabilitation Services Administration ◽  
Rehabilitation Agency ◽  
Collection Methods

Purpose:To conduct a systematic review (SR) of 550 studies produced between 1970 and 2008 that focus on programs and/or services provided by state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies believed to impact client and/or program outcomes.Method:Authors used a 5-step SR protocol to evaluate and summarize study content and outcomes, study design, and data collection methods.Results:Results indicate that the VR research base is highly varied in terms of the research focus with respect to programs and services, populations, and outcomes and that it spans across a wide range of research designs and data collection methods.Conclusions:The majority of the studies included in this review relied on administrative data, particularly Rehabilitation Services Administration data, and surveys. Only a small number of studies employed some type of experimental design, suggesting a lack of application of this type of research design. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

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