scholarly journals Reducing meat consumption by appealing to animal welfare: protocol for a meta-analysis and theoretical review

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya B. Mathur ◽  
Thomas N. Robinson ◽  
David B. Reichling ◽  
Christopher D. Gardner ◽  
Janice Nadler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Meat Consumption ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Point Estimate ◽  
Environmental Damage

Abstract Background Reducing meat consumption may improve human health, curb environmental damage and greenhouse gas emissions, and limit the large-scale suffering of animals raised in factory farms. Previous work has begun to develop interventions to reduce individual meat consumption, often by appealing directly to individual health motivations. However, research on nutritional behavior change suggests that interventions additionally linking behavior to ethical values, identity formation, and existing social movements may be particularly effective and longer-lasting. Regarding meat consumption, preliminary evidence and psychological theory suggest that appeals related to animal welfare may have considerable potential to effectively leverage these elements of human psychology. We aim to conduct a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness of animal welfare-related appeals on actual or intended meat consumption or purchasing. Our investigation will critically synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding psychological mechanisms of intervening on individual meat consumption and empirically identify the psychological characteristics underlying the most effective animal welfare-based interventions. Methods We will systematically search eight academic databases and extensively search unpublished grey literature. We will include studies that assess interventions intended to reduce meat consumption or purchase through the mention or portrayal of animal welfare, that measure outcomes related to meat consumption or purchase, and that have a control condition. Eligible studies may recruit from any human population, be written in any language, and be published or released any time. We will meta-analyze the studies, reporting the pooled point estimate and additional metrics that describe the distribution of potentially heterogeneous effects. We will assess studies’ risk of bias and conduct sensitivity analyses for publication bias. We describe possible follow-up analyses to investigate hypothesized moderators of intervention effectiveness. Discussion The findings of the proposed systematic review and meta-analysis, including any identified methodological limitations of the existing literature, could inform the design of successful evidence-based interventions with broad potential to improve human, animal, and environmental well-being. Systematic review registration The protocol was preregistered via the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/d3y56/registrations).

scholarly journals Interventions to reduce meat consumption by appealing to animal welfare: Meta-analysis and evidence-based recommendations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya B Mathur ◽  
Jacob Peacock ◽  
David Reichling ◽  
Janice Nadler ◽  
Paul Bain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Meat Consumption ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Average Risk ◽  
Short Term

Reducing meat consumption may improve human health, curb environmental damage, and limit the large-scale suffering of animals reared in factory farms. Most attention to reducing consumption has focused on restructuring environments where foods are chosen or making health or environmental appeals. However, psychological theory suggests that interventions appealing to animal welfare might operate on distinct, potent pathways. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness of these interventions. We searched eight academic databases and extensively searched grey literature. We meta-analyzed 100 studies assessing interventions designed to reduce meat consumption or purchase by mentioning or portraying farm animals, that measured behavioral or self-reported outcomes related to meat consumption, purchase, or related intentions, and that had a control condition. The interventions consistently reduced meat consumption, purchase, or related intentions at least in the short term with meaningfully large effects (meta-analytic average risk ratio [RR] = 1.22; 95% CI: [1.13, 1.33]). We estimated that a large majority of true population effects (71%; [95% CI: 58%, 80%]) were stronger than RR=1.1 and that few were in the unintended direction. Via meta-regression, we identified some study and intervention characteristics that were associated with effect size. Risk-of-bias assessments identified both methodological strengths and limitations of this literature; however, results did not differ meaningfully in sensitivity analyses retaining only studies at the lowest risk of bias. Evidence of publication bias was not apparent. In conclusion, animal welfare interventions preliminarily appear effective in these typically short-term studies of primarily self-reported outcomes. Future research should use direct behavioral outcomes that minimize the potential for social desirability bias and are measured over long-term follow-up.

scholarly journals Reducing meat consumption by appealing to animal welfare: Protocol for a meta-analysis and theoretical review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya B Mathur ◽  
Thomas Robinson ◽  
David Reichling ◽  
Christopher D Gardner ◽  
Janice Nadler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Meat Consumption ◽  
Psychological Theory ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Individual Health

[In press at Systematic Reviews]Background: Reducing meat consumption may improve human health, curb environmental damage and greenhouse gas emissions, and limit the large-scale suffering of animals raised in factory farms. Previous work has begun to develop interventions to reduce individual meat consumption, often by appealing directly to individual health motivations. However, research on nutritional behavior change suggests that interventions additionally linking behavior to ethical values, identity formation, and existing social movements may be particularly effective and longer-lasting. Regarding meat consumption, preliminary evidence and psychological theory suggest that appeals related to animal welfare may have considerable potential to effectively leverage these elements of human psychology. We aim to conduct a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness of animal welfare-related appeals on actual or intended meat consumption or purchasing. Our investigation will critically synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding psychological mechanisms of intervening on individual meat consumption and empirically identify the psychological characteristics underlying the most effective animal welfare-based interventions.Methods: This protocol details our planned inclusion criteria, search strategies to identify published and unpublished studies, quality assessment criteria, data extraction methods, and statistical analysis methods that rigorously characterize evidence strength with possible effect heterogeneity and assess for publication bias. We delineate possible follow-up analyses to investigate hypothesized moderators of intervention effectiveness, methods to summarize effect sizes in terms of their direct societal impacts, and methods to compare the effectiveness of appeals regarding animal welfare to those regarding individual health or the environment.Discussion: The findings of the proposed systematic review and meta-analysis, including any identified methodological limitations of the existing literature, could inform the design of successful evidence-based interventions with broad potential to improve human, animal, and environmental well-being.Systematic review registration: The protocol was preregistered via the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/dtxcf/). Registration is additionally underway via the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews.

scholarly journals Protocol for the SAFEST review: the Shock-Absorbing Flooring Effectiveness SysTematic review including older adults and staff in hospitals and care homes

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e032315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Drahota ◽  
Lambert M Felix ◽  
Bethany E Keenan ◽  
Chantelle C Lachance ◽  
Andrew Laing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Publication Ethics ◽  
Knowledge To Action ◽  
Safety Incident

IntroductionFalls in hospitals and care homes are a major issue of international concern. Inpatient falls are the most commonly reported safety incident in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), costing the NHS £630 million a year. Injurious falls are particularly life-limiting and costly. There is a growing body of evidence on shock-absorbing flooring for fall-related injury prevention; however, no systematic review exists to inform practice.Methods and analysisWe will systematically identify, appraise and summarise studies investigating the clinical and cost-effectiveness, and experiences of shock-absorbing flooring in hospitals and care homes. Our search will build on an extensive search conducted by a scoping review (inception to May 2016). We will search electronic databases (AgeLine, CINAHL, MEDLINE, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, Scopus and Web of Science; May 2016–present), trial registries and grey literature. We will conduct backward and forward citation searches of included studies, and liaise with study researchers. We will evaluate the influence of floors on fall-related injuries, falls and staff work-related injuries through randomised and non-randomised studies, consider economic and qualitative evidence, and implementation factors. We will consider risk of bias, assess heterogeneity and explore potential effect modifiers via subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses. Where appropriate we will combine studies through meta-analysis. We will use the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) approach to evaluate the quality of evidence and present the results using summary of findings tables, and adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines.Ethics and disseminationWe will follow the ethical principles of systematic review conduct, by attending to publication ethics, transparency and rigour. Our dissemination plan includes peer-reviewed publication, presentations, press release, stakeholder symposium, patient video and targeted knowledge-to-action reports. This review will inform decision-making around falls management in care settings and identify important directions for future research.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019118834.

scholarly journals Prevalence of common mental health issues among migrant workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260221
Author(s):  
Siti Idayu Hasan ◽  
Anne Yee ◽  
Ariyani Rinaldi ◽  
Adlina Aisya Azham ◽  
Farizah Mohd Hairi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression

Previous literature has shown that migrant workers manifested higher common mental issues (especially depressive symptom) compared to local workers due to stressors such as financial constraint and lack of access to healthcare. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the current body of evidence for the prevalence of depression and anxiety among migrant workers as well as exploring the risk factors and the availability of social support for migrant workers. Seven electronic databases, grey literature and Google Scholar were searched for studies from 2015 to 2021 related to mental health, social support and migrant workers. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-QARI). Study heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics. Random effects meta-analysis results were presented given heterogeneity among studies. The search returned 27 articles and only seven studies were included in meta-analysis, involving 44 365 migrant workers in 17 different countries. The overall prevalence of depression and anxiety among migrant workers was 38.99% (95% CI = 0.27, 0.51) and 27.31% (95% CI = 0.06, 0.58), respectively. Factors such as age, biological (health issue, family history of psychiatric disorder), individual (poor coping skills), occupational (workplace psychosocial stressors, poor working condition, salary and benefits issue, abuse), environmental (limited access towards healthcare, duration of residence, living condition) and social factor (limited social support) were associated with a mental health outcome in migrant workers. The availability of social support for migrant workers was mainly concentrated in emotional type of support. A high prevalence of depression and anxiety was found among migrant workers across the globe. This finding warrants a collective effort by different parties in providing assistance for migrant workers to promote their mental well-being.

scholarly journals A systematic review and meta-analysis of published research data on COVID-19 infection-fatality rates

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz ◽  
Lea Merone
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Point Estimate ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractAn important unknown during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the infection-fatality rate (IFR). This differs from the case-fatality rate (CFR) as an estimate of the number of deaths as a proportion of the total number of cases, including those who are mild and asymptomatic. While the CFR is extremely valuable for experts, IFR is increasingly being called for by policy-makers and the lay public as an estimate of the overall mortality from COVID-19.MethodsPubmed and Medrxiv were searched using a set of terms and Boolean operators on 25/04/2020. Articles were screened for inclusion by both authors. Meta-analysis was performed in Stata 15.1 using the metan command, based on IFR and confidence intervals extracted from each study. Google/Google Scholar was used to assess the grey literature relating to government reports.ResultsAfter exclusions, there were 13 estimates of IFR included in the final meta-analysis, from a wide range of countries, published between February and April 2020.The meta-analysis demonstrated a point-estimate of IFR of 0.75% (0.49-1.01%) with significant heterogeneity (p<0.001).ConclusionBased on a systematic review and meta-analysis of published evidence on COVID-19 until the end of April, 2020, the IFR of the disease across populations is 0.75% (0.49-1.01%). However, due to very high heterogeneity in the meta-analysis, it is difficult to know if this represents the ‘true’ point estimate. It is likely that different places will experience different IFRs. More research looking at age-stratified IFR is urgently needed to inform policy-making on this front.

scholarly journals Behavioral and Emotional Disorders and Transportation Noise among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Schubert ◽  
Janice Hegewald ◽  
Alice Freiberg ◽  
Karla Starke ◽  
Franziska Augustin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Road Traffic Noise ◽  
Transportation Noise

Children and adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to environmental influences such as noise which can affect mental well-being. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of transportation noise on behavioral and emotional disorders in children and adolescents using a meta-analytic approach. Therefore, we searched four databases (Pubmed, Embase, PsychINFO, and PSYNDEX) and grey literature until February of 2019. We identified 14 articles from 10 studies examining the effect of transportation noise exposure on the mental health of children. These studies predominately used the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and mainly focused on schoolchildren and adolescents aged 9–10 years and 15–17 years in Europe. Three studies could be included in the meta-analysis. In sum, the odds for hyperactivity/inattention and total difficulties was significantly increased by 11% (Odds Ratio, OR = 1.11 (95% Confidence Interval, CI 1.04–1.19), respectively 9% (95% CI 1.02–1.16) per 10 dB road traffic noise. Thus, we obtained evidence for an effect of road traffic noise on hyperactivity/inattention and total difficulties, although we could consider few studies. Future studies are needed that use similar techniques to assess outcomes and exposures at schools and in homes. This would make it possible to conduct an individual participant data pooled analysis of the data.

The Prevalence of Occupational Burnout Among Ophthalmologists: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 003329412095413
Author(s):  
Ronald Cheung ◽  
Brian Yu ◽  
Yiannis Iordanous ◽  
Monali S. Malvankar-Mehta
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Personal Accomplishment ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Occupational Burnout ◽  
Negative Effect

Objective To investigate the prevalence of occupational burnout among ophthalmologists in order to better understand the mental and physical well-being of eye physicians and surgeons in the professional workplace. Study Design A systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods Online computer databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses were searched systematically and thoroughly. Conferences held through Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and Canadian Society of Ophthalmology were searched. Studies were screened using Covidence software. Data on reported burnout prevalence was extracted. STATA 15.0 was used to conduct meta-analysis. Synthesis: Our search strategy identified 318 records from online databases and 11 records from grey literature search, which were screened at 2-levels. Title and abstracts of each record were screened resulting in 24 records moving to full-text screening. Total of 9 records were utilized for quantitative analysis in the data extraction stage. Our results indicated significant professional burnout among ophthalmologists (ES = 0.41; CI: [0.26, 0.56]) with significant emotional exhaustion (ES = 0.43; CI: [0.33, 0.53]), depersonalization (ES = 0.29; CI: [0.13, 0.46]), and a low sense of personal accomplishment (ES = 0.36; CI: [0.08, 0.63]). Conclusions Significant occupational burnout among ophthalmologists is concerning because burnout can have a negative effect on the physical and mental health of eye physicians and surgeons. It could impact productivity, cutbacks in work hours, or lead to early retirement from the profession. Contributing factors in ophthalmologist burnout including work overload need to be addressed in a timely manner.

Depression in Gulf War veterans: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 1565-1580 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Blore ◽  
M. R. Sim ◽  
A. B. Forbes ◽  
M. C. Creamer ◽  
H. L. Kelsall
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Gulf War ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
War Veterans ◽  
Gulf War Veterans

BackgroundAlthough post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been a focus of attention in 1990/1991 Gulf War veterans, the excess risk of depression has not been clearly identified. We investigated this through a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing depression in Gulf War veterans to depression in a comparison group of non-deployed military personnel.MethodMultiple electronic databases and grey literature were searched from 1990 to 2012. Studies were assessed for eligibility and risk of bias according to established criteria.ResultsOf 14 098 titles and abstracts assessed, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Gulf War veterans had over twice the odds of experiencing depression [odds ratio (OR) 2.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.88–2.76] and dysthymia or chronic dysphoria (OR 2.39, 95% CI 2.0–2.86) compared to non-deployed military personnel. This finding was robust in sensitivity analyses, and to differences in overall risk of bias and psychological measures used.ConclusionsDespite divergent methodologies between studies, depression and dysthymia were twice as common in Gulf War veterans and are important medical conditions for clinicians and policymakers to be aware of in managing Gulf War veterans’ health.

scholarly journals Factors leading to effective social participation promotion interventions for people with intellectual disability: a protocol for a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Aparicio ◽  
Paulina Arango ◽  
Rosario Espinoza ◽  
Vicente Villate ◽  
Marcela Tenorio
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract Background People with intellectual disabilities have been historically excluded from decision-making processes. Previous literature indicates that increasing social participation may be an effective way to address this exclusion, but no systematic review of interventions designed to increase social participation of people with intellectual disabilities have been conducted. This study aims to identify and organize the factors associated with interventions that increase the social participation of people with intellectual disabilities and to provide a set of best of practices for future interventions. Methods/design The databases Web of Science, Scopus, LILACS, and PubMed will be searched for articles from January 2004 onwards; grey literature search will be identified through searching additional databases (such as Google Scholar and EBSCO databases). Randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled trials, and controlled pre–post studies will be included. Noncontrolled pre–post studies will also be included. Observational or qualitative studies will be excluded. The primary outcomes are measures of social participation. Secondary outcomes include measures of well-being, stigma, knowledge about rights, and advocacy processes. Two reviewers will independently screen articles, extract relevant data, and assess the quality of the studies. We will provide a meta-analysis of included studies if possible, or a quantitative narrative synthesis otherwise. Discussion This systematic review will add to our understanding of effective social participation interventions for people with intellectual disability. It will allow us to identify and organize which factors lead to an increase in social participation and help us define a set of best practices to be followed by future interventions. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42020189093

scholarly journals Effects of a Short Daytime Nap on the Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10212
Author(s):  
Frédéric Dutheil ◽  
Benjamin Danini ◽  
Reza Bagheri ◽  
Maria Livia Fantini ◽  
Bruno Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Work Efficiency ◽  
Sleep Inertia ◽  
Daytime Nap

Background: Napping in the workplace is under debate, with interesting results on work efficiency and well-being of workers. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the benefits of a short daytime nap on cognitive performance. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect and PsycInfo databases were searched until 19 August 2021. Cognitive performance in working-aged adults, both before and following a daytime nap or under control conditions (no nap), was analysed by time and by type of cognitive function (alertness, executive function and memory). Results: We included 11 studies (all in laboratory conditions including one with a subgroup in working conditions) for a total of 381 participants. Mean duration of nap was 55.4 ± 29.4 min. Overall cognitive performance did not differ at baseline (t0) between groups (effect size −0.03, 95% CI −0.14 to 0.07), and improved in the nap group following the nap (t1) (0.18, 0.09 to 0.27), especially for alertness (0.29, 0.10 to 0.48). Sensitivity analyses gave similar results comparing only randomized controlled trials, and after exclusion of outliers. Whatever the model used, performance mainly improved until 120 min after nap, with conflicting results during the sleep inertia period. Early naps in the afternoon (before 1.00 p.m.) gave better cognitive performance (0.24, −0.07 to 0.34). The benefits of napping were independent of sex and age. Duration of nap and time between nap and t1 did not influence cognitive performance. Conclusions: Despite the fact that our meta-analyses included almost exclusively laboratory studies, daytime napping in the afternoon improved cognitive performance with beneficial effects of early nap. More studies in real work condition are warranted before implementing daytime napping at work as a preventive measure to improve work efficiency.

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