Research Strategies to Discern Active Psychological Therapy Components: A Scoping Review

Some clinical scientists are shifting from research on complete named therapy protocols to a more elemental approach—research on specific therapy components that contribute to therapy goals. To characterize and evaluate this emerging field, we systematically searched PsycINFO and Medline for studies evaluating therapy components. We identified 208 studies. In a scoping review, we map, explain, and critically appraise the seven research strategies employed: (a) expert opinion, (b) shared components, (c) associations between the presence of components and therapy effects, (d) associations between fidelity to components and therapy effects, (e) microtrials, (f) additive and dismantling trials, and (g) factorial experiments. Our examination reveals a need for (a) renewed emphasis on experimental trials (vs. meta-analyses testing associations less rigorously), (b) expanded efforts to locate components within the emerging fields of process-based and principle-guided psychotherapy, and (c) a shift from innovative stand-alone studies to development of a coherent science of therapy components.

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A scoping review of the evidence for efficacy of acupuncture in companion animals

Animal Health Research Reviews ◽

10.1017/s1466252317000068 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 177-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Wesley J. Rose ◽

Jan M. Sargeant ◽

W. J. Brad Hanna ◽

David Kelton ◽

Dianna M. Wolfe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Case Reports ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Case Series ◽

Complex Nature ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Experimental Trials

AbstractAcupuncture has become increasingly popular in veterinary medicine. Within the scientific literature there is debate regarding its efficacy. Due to the complex nature of acupuncture, a scoping review was undertaken to identify and categorize the evidence related to acupuncture in companion animals (dogs, cats, and horses). Our search identified 843 relevant citations. Narrative reviews represented the largest proportion of studies (43%). We identified 179 experimental studies and 175 case reports/case series that examined the efficacy of acupuncture. Dogs were the most common subjects in the experimental trials. The most common indication for use was musculoskeletal conditions, and the most commonly evaluated outcome categories among experimental trials were pain and cardiovascular parameters. The limited number of controlled trials and the breadth of indications for use, outcome categories, and types of acupuncture evaluated present challenges for future systematic reviews or meta-analyses. There is a need for high-quality randomized controlled trials addressing the most common clinical uses of acupuncture, and using consistent and clinically relevant outcomes, to inform conclusions regarding the efficacy of acupuncture in companion animals.

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Prognostic Awareness in Advanced Disease: A Review Update and Concept Analysis

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.629050 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Franziska Kühne ◽

Myriel Hermann ◽

Martina Preisler ◽

Amy Rohrmoser ◽

Anne Letsch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Advanced Disease ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Operational Definition ◽

Subjective Knowledge ◽

Analysis Techniques ◽

Therapy Goals ◽

Definition Of ◽

Meta Analyses

PurposeAlthough subjective knowledge about the prognosis of an advanced disease is extremely important for coping and treatment planning, the concept of prognostic awareness (PA) remains inconsistently defined. The aims of the scoping review were to synthesize a definition of PA from the most recent literature, describe preconditions, correlates and consequences, and suggest a conceptual model.MethodsBy using scoping review methodology, we searched the Web of Science and PubMed databases, and included publications, reviews, meta-analyses or guidelines on all physical diagnoses, as well as publications offering a conceptual or an operational definition of PA. The data were analyzed by means of content analysis techniques.ResultsOf the 24 included publications, 21 referred exclusively to cancer, one to patients with hip fractures and two to palliative care in general. The deduced definition of PA comprised the following facets: adequate estimation of chances for recovery, knowledge of limited time to live, adequate estimation of life expectancy, knowledge of therapy goals, and knowledge of the course of the disease. Further content analysis results were mapped graphically and in a detailed table.ConclusionThere appears to be a lack of theoretical embedding of PA that in turn influences the methods used for empirical investigation. Drawing on a clear conceptual definition, longitudinal or experimental studies would be desirable.

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Factors Related to Positive Memory Count Among Trauma-Exposed Individuals: A Scoping Review

Trauma Violence & Abuse ◽

10.1177/15248380211013130 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 152483802110131

Author(s):

Ateka A. Contractor ◽

Stephanie V. Caldas ◽

Megan Dolan ◽

Nicole H. Weiss

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Longitudinal Research ◽

Trauma Exposure ◽

Memory Specificity ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Study Designs ◽

Positive Memories

To examine the existing knowledge base on trauma experiences and positive memories, we conducted a scoping review of trauma and post-trauma factors related to positive memory count. In July 2019, we searched PubMed, Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, and PTSDpubs for a combination of words related to “positive memories/experiences,” “trauma/posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” and “number/retrieval.” Twenty-one articles met inclusion criteria (adult samples, original articles in English, peer-reviewed, included trauma-exposed group or variable of trauma exposure, trauma exposure examined with a trauma measure/methodology, assessed positive memory count, empirical experimental/non-experimental study designs). Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, two authors reviewed abstracts, completed a secondary search, and independently extracted data. Our review indicated (1) that depression and PTSD were most researched; (2) no conclusive relationships of positive memory count with several psychopathology (depression, acute stress disorder, eating disorder, and anxiety), cognitive/affective, neurobiological, and demographic factors; (3) trends of potential relationships of positive memory count with PTSD and childhood interpersonal traumas (e.g., sexual and physical abuse); and (4) lower positive memory specificity as a potential counterpart to greater overgeneral positive memory bias. Given variations in sample characteristics and methodology as well as the limited longitudinal research, conclusions are tentative and worthy of further investigations.

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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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Effectiveness of Tai Chi for Health Promotion of Older Adults: A Scoping Review of Meta-Analyses

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine ◽

10.1177/15598276211001291 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 155982762110012

Author(s):

Fei-Chi Yang ◽

Aishwarya B. Desai ◽

Pelareh Esfahani ◽

Tatiana V. Sokolovskaya ◽

Doreen J. Bartlett

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Promotion ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Scoping Review ◽

General Health ◽

Tai Chi ◽

Well Being ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Care Providers ◽

Meta Analyses

Background. Tai Chi is a form of exercise that is accessible to people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, making it a potentially valuable activity for health promotion of older adults. Purpose. The objective of this scoping review was to summarize the current knowledge about the effectiveness of Tai Chi for older adults across a range of general health outcomes from published, peer reviewed, unique meta-analyses. Methods. Meta-analyses were retrieved from Medline, Embase, AMED, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PsychINFO, Web of Science, PubMed Health, and the Cochrane Library from database inception to late August 2019. Multistage deduplication and screening processes identified eligible full-length meta-analyses. Two people independently appraised 27 meta-analyses based on the GRADE system and organized results into 3 appendices subsequently collated into heterogeneous, statistically significant, and statistically insignificant tables. Results. “High” and “moderate” quality evidence extracted from these meta-analyses demonstrated that practicing Tai Chi can significantly improve balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, cognition, mobility, proprioception, sleep, and strength; reduce the incidence of falls and nonfatal stroke; and decrease stroke risk factors. Conclusions. Health care providers can now recommend Tai Chi with high level of certainty for health promotion of older adults across a range of general health outcomes for improvement of overall well-being.

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Role of occupational therapy in musicians’ health: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040922 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. e040922

Author(s):

Bethany Villas ◽

Uira Duarte Wisnesky ◽

Sandra Campbell ◽

Lauren Slavik ◽

Amynah S. Mevawala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Occupational Therapy ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Study Selection ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Review Protocol ◽

And Performance ◽

Meta Analyses

Review question/objectiveThe purpose of this proposed review is twofold: first, to understand the role of occupational therapy presented in the musicians’ health literature; and second, to explore the potential for this role.IntroductionThe intense movement, awkward postures, concentration and emotional communication required of musicians can place them at increased risk of music-related health conditions, such as musculoskeletal disorders and performance anxiety. The development of music-related health conditions can be emotionally and financially devastating. The role of occupational therapy in musicians’ health has been previously discussed; however, no rigorous reviews of the scholarly literature have been published. We will, therefore, undertake a scoping review with the following research questions: (1) what is known about the role of occupational therapy in instrumental musicians’ health? and (2) what is the potential role of occupational therapy in musicians’ health?Methods and analysisA preliminary search of Medline, CINAHL, SCOPUS and Web of Science was previously undertaken by the first author to determine the extent of the research on this topic and to confirm that no other reviews have been conducted or are in progress. Study selection and analysis will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews guidelines for conducting a scoping review.Ethics and disseminationFormal ethics approval is not required at our institution for a review of published literature. The results of this review will be shared through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and traditional and social media.

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Parental Bereavement in Older Age: A Scoping Review

Illness Crisis & Loss ◽

10.1177/1054137321995811 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105413732199581

Author(s):

Patricia Moyle Wright

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Adult Child ◽

Older Age ◽

Parental Bereavement ◽

Older Parents ◽

Physical Decline ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Cultural Mores ◽

Meta Analyses

A scoping review of parental bereavement in older age was conducted to identify the unique needs of older adults after the loss of an adult child. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed in accordance with the stated objectives of this review, which was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). In total, 26 research studies were included. The data were then analyzed using a systematic approach for organizing and synthesizing key data. The results indicated that some consequences and mediators of parental bereavement are similar regardless of age. But, older adults experience greater loneliness, isolation, and stigma than their younger counterparts. Older parents are also at greater risk for physical decline, mortality, and institutionalization following the death of an adult child. Religious and cultural mores also have influence on the bereavement process.

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Primary Crime Prevention Apps: A Typology and Scoping Review

Trauma Violence & Abuse ◽

10.1177/1524838020985560 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 152483802098556

Author(s):

Mark A. Wood ◽

Stuart Ross ◽

Diana Johns

Keyword(s):

Crime Prevention ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Decision Aid ◽

English Language ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Smartphone Apps ◽

Initial Sample ◽

Language Research ◽

Meta Analyses

In the last decade, an array of smartphone apps have been designed to prevent crime, violence, and abuse. The evidence base of these apps has, however, yet to analyzed systematically. To rectify this, the aims of this review were (1) to establish the extent, range, and nature of research into smartphone apps with a primary crime prevention function; (2) to locate gaps in the primary crime prevention app literature; and (3) to develop a typology of primary crime prevention apps. Employing a scoping review methodology and following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, studies were identified via Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar. We included English-language research published between 2008 and 2020 that examined smartphone applications designed explicitly for primary crime prevention. Sixty-one publications met our criteria for review, out of an initial sample of 151 identified. Our review identified six types of crime prevention app examined in these publications: self-surveillance apps, decision aid apps, child-tracking apps, educational apps, crime-mapping/alert apps, and crime reporting apps. The findings of our review indicate that most of these forms of primary crime prevention apps have yet to be rigorously evaluated and many are not evidence-based in their design. Consequently, our review indicates that recent enthusiasm over primary crime prevention apps is not supported by an adequate evidence base.

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Sensory-Based Priming for Upper Extremity Hemiparesis After Stroke: A Scoping Review

OTJR Occupation Participation and Health ◽

10.1177/15394492211032606 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 153944922110326

Author(s):

Mary E. Stoykov ◽

Courtney Heidle ◽

Shamshir Kang ◽

Lisa Lodesky ◽

Lindsay E. Maccary ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Motor Skills ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Motor Impairment ◽

Cochrane Collaboration ◽

Prisma Statement ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

The Cochrane Collaboration

Sensory priming is a technique to facilitate neuroplasticity and improve motor skills after injury. Common sensory priming modalities include peripheral nerve stimulation/somatosensory electrical stimulation (PNS/SES), transient functional deafferentation (TFD), and vibration. The aim of this study was to determine whether sensory priming with a motor intervention results in improved upper limb motor impairment or function after stroke. PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science, and EMBASE were the databases used to search the literature in July 2020. This scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and recommendations for the Cochrane collaboration. In total, 30 studies were included in the analysis: three studies examined TFD, 16 examined PNS/SES, 10 studied vibration, and one combined the three stimulation techniques. Most studies reported significant improvements for participants receiving sensory priming. Given the low risk, it may be advantageous to use sensory-based priming prior to or concurrent with upper limb training after stroke.

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