Evidence-Based Management and Factors Associated With Return to Play After Acute Hamstring Injury in Athletes: A Systematic Review

Background: Considering the lengthy recovery and high recurrence risk after a hamstring injury, effective rehabilitation and accurate prognosis are fundamental to timely and safe return to play (RTP) for athletes. Purpose: To analyze methods of rehabilitation for acute proximal and muscular hamstring injuries and summarize prognostic factors associated with RTP. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: In August 2020, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SPORTDiscus were queried for studies examining management and factors affecting RTP after acute hamstring injury. Included were randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and case series appraising treatment effects on RTP, reinjury rate, strength, flexibility, hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio, or functional assessment, as well as studies associating clinical and magnetic resonance imaging factors with RTP. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool for Randomized Trials or the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). Results: Of 1289 identified articles, 75 were included. The comparative and noncomparative studies earned MINORS scores of 18.8 ± 1.3 and 11.4 ± 3.4, respectively, and 12 of the 17 randomized controlled trials exhibited low risk of bias. Collectively, studies of muscular injury included younger patients and a greater proportion of male athletes compared with studies of proximal injury. Surgery for proximal hamstring ruptures achieved superior outcomes to nonoperative treatment, whereas physiotherapy incorporating eccentric training, progressive agility, and trunk stabilization restored function and hastened RTP after muscular injuries. Platelet-rich plasma injection for muscular injury yielded inconsistent results. The following initial clinical findings were associated with delayed RTP: greater passive knee extension of the uninjured leg, greater knee extension peak torque angle, biceps femoris injury, greater pain at injury and initial examination, “popping” sound, bruising, and pain on resisted knee flexion. Imaging factors associated with delayed RTP included magnetic resonance imaging-positive injury, longer lesion relative to patient height, greater muscle/tendon involvement, complete central tendon or myotendinous junction rupture, and greater number of muscles injured. Conclusion: Surgery enabled earlier RTP and improved strength and flexibility for proximal hamstring injuries, while muscular injuries were effectively managed nonoperatively. Rehabilitation and athlete expectations may be managed by considering several suitable prognostic factors derived from initial clinical and imaging examination.

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Adjuvant Transarterial Chemoembolization Following Curative-Intent Hepatectomy Versus Hepatectomy Alone for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13122984 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 2984

Author(s):

Stepan M. Esagian ◽

Christos D. Kakos ◽

Emmanouil Giorgakis ◽

Lyle Burdine ◽

J. Camilo Barreto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Transarterial Chemoembolization ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Curative Intent ◽

Randomized Controlled

The role of adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing hepatectomy is currently unclear. We performed a systematic review of the literature using the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Random-effects meta-analysis was carried out to compare the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with resectable HCC undergoing hepatectomy followed by adjuvant TACE vs. hepatectomy alone in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Meta-regression analyses were performed to explore the effect of hepatitis B viral status, microvascular invasion, type of resection (anatomic vs. parenchymal-sparing), and tumor size on the outcomes. Ten eligible RCTs, reporting on 1216 patients in total, were identified. The combination of hepatectomy and adjuvant TACE was associated with superior OS (hazard ratio (HR): 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52 to 0.85; p < 0.001) and RFS (HR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.88; p < 0.001) compared to hepatectomy alone. There were significant concerns regarding the risk of bias in most of the included studies. Overall, adjuvant TACE may be associated with an oncologic benefit in select HCC patients. However, the applicability of these findings may be limited to Eastern Asian populations, due to the geographically restricted sample. High-quality multinational RCTs, as well as predictive tools to optimize patient selection, are necessary before adjuvant TACE can be routinely implemented into standard practice. PROSPERO Registration ID: CRD42021245758.

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Effects of Supervised Multimodal Exercise Interventions on Cancer-Related Fatigue: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/328636 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

José Francisco Meneses-Echávez ◽

Emilio González-Jiménez ◽

Robinson Ramírez-Vélez

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Training Interventions ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Cancer Related Fatigue

Objective. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common and devastating problem in cancer patients even after successful treatment. This study aimed to determine the effects of supervised multimodal exercise interventions on cancer-related fatigue through a systematic review and meta-analysis.Design. A systematic review was conducted to determine the effectiveness of multimodal exercise interventions on CRF. Databases of PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, and OVID were searched between January and March 2014 to retrieve randomized controlled trials. Risk of bias was evaluated using the PEDro scale.Results. Nine studiesn=772were included in both systematic review and meta-analysis. Multimodal interventions including aerobic exercise, resistance training, and stretching improved CRF symptoms (SMD=-0.23; 95% CI: −0.37 to −0.09;P=0.001). These effects were also significant in patients undergoing chemotherapyP<0.0001. Nonsignificant differences were found for resistance training interventionsP=0.30. Slight evidence of publication bias was observedP=0.04. The studies had a low risk of bias (PEDro scale mean score of 6.4 (standard deviation (SD) ± 1.0)).Conclusion. Supervised multimodal exercise interventions including aerobic, resistance, and stretching exercises are effective in controlling CRF. These findings suggest that these exercise protocols should be included as a crucial part of the rehabilitation programs for cancer survivors and patients during anticancer treatments.

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Tools to assess the Risk of bias and Reporting Quality of Randomized Controlled Trials in Rehabilitation

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1016/j.apmr.2021.04.007 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Susan Armijo-Olivo ◽

Michele Patrini ◽

Ana Izabela S de Oliveira-Souza ◽

Liz Dennett ◽

Chiara Arienti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Reporting Quality ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Randomized Controlled

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Therapies for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The Open Ophthalmology Journal ◽

10.2174/1874364101711010346 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 346-354 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kannan Sridharan ◽

Gowri Sivaramakrishnan

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Meibomian Gland ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Present Review ◽

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Schirmer’S Test ◽

Randomized Controlled

Introduction: Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a common, often overlooked, chronic condition affecting eyes for which various therapies are being evaluated. Considering the absence of a systematic review and meta-analysis, the present review was carried out. Methods: An appropriate search strategy eligibility criteria were framed and electronic databases were scrutinized for appropriate literature. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) enrolling patients diagnosed with MGD were included. Outcome measures were Tear Break Up Time (TBUT), Schirmer’s test, Meibomian Gland (MG) secretion score, MG plugging score, OSDI and SPEED. Cochrane’s tool was used to assess the risk of bias and Forest plot were generated either with fixed or random effects model, with Standardized Mean Difference (SMD). Results: TBUTs, Schirmer’s test and OSDI scores for systemic antimicrobials with placebo were 1.58 [1.33, 1.83], 2.93 [0.78, 5.09] and -3.58 [-4.28, -2.89] respectively. No quantitative synthesis was attempted for either mebiomian plugging or meibomian secretion scores and no significant changes were observed with any other outcome parameter. Conclusion: Only the systemic antimicrobials were found to improve the clinical features of meibomian gland dysfunction. Varying effects of different therapeutic agents (heat therapies, omega-3-fatty acids and castor oil) were identified for MGD but the risk of bias pertaining to randomization and allocation concealment was found to be associated with most of the current RCTs. More high quality evidence is required to confirm the findings of the present review.

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RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIALS OF CHRONIC PAIN IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Archives of Disease in Childhood ◽

10.1136/archdischild-2015-310148.69 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 101 (1) ◽

pp. e1.66-e1

Author(s):

Rym Boulkedid ◽

Armiya Yousouf Abdou ◽

Emilie Desselas ◽

Marlène Monegat ◽

Corinne Alberti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Recurrent Pain ◽

Pharmacological Agents ◽

Randomized Controlled

BackgroundApproximately 15 to 30% of children and adolescents suffer from daily pain persistent over more than 3 months and there is evidence supporting that the prevalence of chronic pain is steadily increasing in this population. Chronic pain is known to have a negative impact on children's development and social behaviour, leading often to severe psychological distress and physical disability. We reviewed medical literature to assess the characteristics and quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies in chronic and recurrent pain in the paediatric population.MethodsWe performed a systematic search of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library up to March 2014. Bibliographies of relevant articles were also hand-searched. We included all RCTs that involved children and adolescents (age 0 to 18 years) and evaluated the use of a pharmacological agent or a non-pharmacological approach in the context of chronic or recurrent pain. The latter was defined as pain persisting for more than 3 months. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for inclusion and evaluated methodological quality.ResultsA total of 52 randomized controlled trials were selected and included in the analysis. The majority were conducted in single hospital institutions, with no information on study funding. Median sample size was 45 (34–57) participants. Almost 50% of the RCTs included both adults and children with a median age at inclusion of 13 years. Non-pharmacological approaches were more commonly tested whereas evaluation of pharmacological agents concerned less than 30% of RCTs. Abdominal pain and headache were the most common types of chronic pain experienced among trial participants. Overall, the methodological quality was poor and did not parallel the number of RCTs that increased over the years. The risk of bias was high or unclear in 70% of the trials.ConclusionsThis is the first systematic review of RCTs conducted to evaluate pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies in chronic and recurrent pain in children and adolescents. Although, management of pain in adults has significantly improved over the years due to the evaluation of numerous analgesic therapies, our results highlight the existing knowledge gap with regards to children and adolescents. Therapeutic strategies, in particular pharmacological agents, applied to relieve chronic or recurrent pain in children and adolescents are not evaluated through high quality RCTs. The need to improve analgesic therapy in children and adolescents with chronic pain is still unmet. We discuss possible research constraints and challenges related to this fact as well as adequate methodologies to circumvent them.

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Quality and Risk of Bias in Panax ginseng Randomized Controlled Trials: A Review

The American Journal of Chinese Medicine ◽

10.1142/s0192415x13500171 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 41 (02) ◽

pp. 231-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Johannah L. Shergis ◽

Anthony L. Zhang ◽

Wenyu Zhou ◽

Charlie C. Xue

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Panax Ginseng ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Publication Date ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Clinical Benefits

Panax ginseng is one of the most frequently used herbs in the world. Numerous trials have evaluated its clinical benefits. However, the quality of these studies has not been comprehensively and systematically assessed. We reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Panax ginseng to evaluate their quality and risk of bias. We searched four English databases, without publication date restriction. Two reviewers extracted details about the studies' methodological quality, guided by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist and its extension for herbal interventions. Risk of bias was determined using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Of 475 potentially relevant studies, 58 met our inclusion criteria. In these 58 studies, 48.3% of the suggested CONSORT checklist items and 35.9% of the extended herbal items were reported. The quality of RCTs published after the CONSORT checklist improved. Until 1995 (before CONSORT) (n = 4), 32.8% of the items were reported in studies. From 1996–2006 (CONSORT published and revised) (n = 30), 46.1% were reported, and from 2007 (n = 24), 53.5% were reported (p = 0.005). After the CONSORT extension for herbal interventions was published in 2006, RCT quality also improved, although not significantly. Until 2005 (n = 34), 35.2% of the extended herbal items were reported in studies; and from 2006 onwards (n = 24), 37.3% were reported (p = 0.64). Most studies classified risk of bias as "unclear". Overall, the quality of Panax ginseng RCT methodology has improved since the CONSORT checklist was introduced. However, more can be done to improve the methodological quality of, and reporting in, RCTs.

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Risk of bias does not differ between full papers and letters reporting dermatological randomized controlled trials

British Journal of Dermatology ◽

10.1111/bjd.14455 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 175 (1) ◽

pp. 210-211 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

D.N. Chauhan ◽

S.R. Wilkes ◽

S. Ratib ◽

E. Doney ◽

J.M. Batchelor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Randomized Controlled

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Smartphone-Based Self-Monitoring, Treatment, and Automatically Generated Data in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults With Psychiatric Disorders: Systematic Review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.17453 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sigurd Melbye ◽

Lars Vedel Kessing ◽

Jakob Eyvind Bardram ◽

Maria Faurholt-Jepsen

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Young Adults ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Literature Search ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Smartphone App ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Meta Analyses

BACKGROUND Psychiatric disorders often have an onset at an early age, and early identification and intervention help improve prognosis. A fine-grained, unobtrusive, and effective way to monitor symptoms and level of function could help distinguish severe psychiatric health problems from normal behavior and potentially lead to a more efficient use of clinical resources in the current health care system. The use of smartphones to monitor and treat children, adolescents, and young adults with psychiatric disorders has been widely investigated. However, no systematic review concerning smartphone-based monitoring and treatment in this population has been published. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aims at describing the following 4 features of the eligible studies: (1) monitoring features such as self-assessment and automatically generated data, (2) treatment delivered by the app, (3) adherence to self-monitoring, and (4) results of the individual studies. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature search of the PubMed, Embase, and PsycInfo databases. We searched for studies that (1) included a smartphone app to collect self-monitoring data, a smartphone app to collect automatically generated smartphone-based data, or a smartphone-based system for treatment; (2) had participants who were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders or received treatment for a psychiatric disorder, which was verified by an external clinician; (3) had participants who were younger than 25 years; and (4) were published in a peer-reviewed journal. This systematic review was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The risk of bias in each individual study was systematically assessed. RESULTS A total of 2546 unique studies were identified through literature search; 15 of these fulfilled the criteria for inclusion. These studies covered 8 different diagnostic groups: psychosis, eating disorders, depression, autism, self-harm, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal behavior. Smartphone-based self-monitoring was used in all but 1 study, and 11 of them reported on the participants’ adherence to self-monitoring. Most studies were feasibility/pilot studies, and all studies on feasibility reported positive attitudes toward the use of smartphones for self-monitoring. In 2 studies, automatically generated data were collected. Three studies were randomized controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of smartphone-based monitoring and treatment, with 2 of these showing a positive treatment effect. In 2 randomized controlled trials, the researchers were blinded for randomization, but the participants were not blinded in any of the studies. All studies were determined to be at high risk of bias in several areas. CONCLUSIONS Smartphones hold great potential as a modern, widely available technology platform to help diagnose, monitor, and treat psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. However, a higher level of homogeneity and rigor among studies regarding their methodology and reporting of adherence would facilitate future reviews and meta-analyses.

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Exercise and Quality of Life in Women with Menopausal Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17197049 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (19) ◽

pp. 7049

Author(s):

Thi Mai Nguyen ◽

Thi Thanh Toan Do ◽

Tho Nhi Tran ◽

Jin Hee Kim

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Menopausal Symptoms ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Study Objective ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Randomized Controlled

Menopausal symptoms are associated with deterioration in physical, mental, and sexual health, lowering women’s quality of life (QoL). Our study objective is to examine the effect of exercise on QoL in women with menopausal symptoms. After initially identifying 1306 studies published on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library before June 2020, two researchers independently selected nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which any type of exercise was compared with no active treatment. We assessed the risk of bias in the included studies using the Cochrane risk-of-bias 2.0 tool for RCTs and computed the converged standardized mean difference with a 95% confidence interval. We found evidences for the positive effects of exercise on physical and psychological QoL scores in women with menopausal symptoms. However, there was no evidence for the effects of exercise on general, social, and menopause-specific QoL scores. The most common interventions for women with menopausal and urinary symptoms were yoga and pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), respectively. In our meta-analyses, while yoga significantly improved physical QoL, its effects on general, psychological, sexual, and vasomotor symptoms QoL scores as well as the effect of PFMT on general QoL were not significant. Our findings suggest that well-designed studies are needed to confirm the effect of exercise on QoL in women with menopausal symptoms.

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Moving stroke rehabilitation evidence into practice: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215519847253 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 33 (10) ◽

pp. 1586-1595 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Marie-Louise Bird ◽

Tiev Miller ◽

Louise A Connell ◽

Janice J Eng

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Stroke Rehabilitation ◽

Educational Interventions ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Practice Change ◽

Audit And Feedback ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Multicomponent Interventions

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at moving research evidence into stroke rehabilitation practice through changing the practice of clinicians. Data sources: EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane and MEDLINE databases were searched from 1980 to April 2019. International trial registries and reference lists of included studies completed our search. Review methods: Randomized controlled trials that involved interventions aiming to change the practice of clinicians working in stroke rehabilitation were included. Bias was evaluated using RevMan to generate a risk of bias table. Evidence quality was evaluated using GRADE criteria. Results: A total of 16 trials were included (250 sites, 14,689 patients), evaluating a range of interventions including facilitation, audit and feedback, education and reminders. Of which, 11 studies included multicomponent interventions (using a combination of interventions). Four used educational interventions alone, and one used electronic reminders. Risk of bias was generally low. Overall, the GRADE criteria indicated that this body of literature was of low quality. This review found higher efficacy of trials which targeted fewer outcomes. Subgroup analysis indicated moderate-level GRADE evidence (103 sites, 10,877 patients) that trials which included both site facilitation and tailoring for local factors were effective in changing clinical practice. The effect size of these varied (odds ratio: 1.63–4.9). Education interventions alone were not effective. Conclusion: A large range of interventions are used to facilitate clinical practice change. Education is commonly used, but in isolation is not effective. Multicomponent interventions including facilitation and tailoring to local settings can change clinical practice and are more effective when targeting fewer changes.

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