scholarly journals Is rituximab effective for systemic sclerosis? A systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Maria Vieira de Figueiredo Caldas ◽  
Kesley Pablo Morais de Azevedo ◽  
Ana Clara de França Nunes ◽  
Victor Hugo de Oliveira ◽  
Isac Davidson Santiago Fernandes Pimenta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Manual Search

Abstract Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a clinically complex and challenging disease, that leads to skin fibrosis. Its most frequent complication is interstitial lung disease (ILD), which leads to a worse prognosis. In this situation, cyclophosphamide is considered the gold standard for its treatment, despite the controversies regarding its efficacy and toxicity. However, studies using rituximab (RTX) have shown that this drug may be a promising therapeutic option. Objectives This paper objective was to analyze the scientific evidence on the RTX effects on SSc. Methods A systematic review (SR) was performed including clinical trials (CTs) on the use of RTX in SSc, published up to May 2020. The studies were identified through systematic searches in bibliographic databases using a predefined search strategy. The following databases were used: PUBMED, SCOPUS, SCIELO, LILACS, SCIENCE DIRECT, WEB OF SCIENCE, COCHRANE, WHOLIS, PAHO and EMBASE. Also, a manual search was performed. The methodological quality of the studies was determined using Jadad scale, Risk of Bias Tool (RoB 2.0) and Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies - of Interventions tool (ROBINS-I). A meta-analysis of the randomized CTs was performed, using Review Manager. Results Ten CTs were included in this SR. Of these, three were randomized and seven were non-randomized. Five showed a statistically significant improvement in forced vital capacity (FVC) at some time during follow-up. Regarding the skin, eight studies showed statistically significant improvements according toa the modified Rodnan skin score. The meta-analysis found positive effects of RTX in SSc, with a statistical significance for lung disease. Conclusion Rituximab is a promising strategy for the SSc-associated ILD and cutaneous fibrosis treatment. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019132018.

scholarly journals Effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for insomnia: a protocol for a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e029206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu He ◽  
Nianyi Sun ◽  
Zhiqiang Wang ◽  
Wenchen Zou
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation approach, might be a promising technique in the management of insomnia. A systematic review of the available literature on this topic is warranted. The systematic review described in this protocol aims to investigate the efficacy of rTMS as a physical therapy in patients with insomnia.Methods and analysisThis protocol was developed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols. We will retrieve relevant literatures across the following electronic bibliographic databases: CENTRAL, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, PEDro, CBM, CNKI, WANFANG and VIP. A manual search of the reference lists of all relevant articles will be performed for any additional studies. We will include randomised controlled trials published in English and Chinese examining efficacy of rTMS on patients with insomnia. Two reviewers will independently complete the article selection, data extraction and rating. PEDro scale will be used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Narrative and quantitative synthesis will be done accordingly.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval will not be required for this review. The results of this review will be disseminated in a peer-review journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018115033.

scholarly journals Effect of yoga on sleep quality and insomnia in women with sleep problems: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weili Wang ◽  
Kuang-Huei Chen ◽  
Ying-Chieh Pan ◽  
Szu-Nian Yang ◽  
Yuan-Yu Chan
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Objectives To examine the effectiveness and safety of yoga for women with sleep problems by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods Medline/PubMed, Clincalkey, ScienceDirect, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library were searched throughout the month of June 2019. Randomized controlled trials comparing yoga groups with control groups in women with sleep problems were included. Two reviewers independently evaluated risk of bias by using the risk of bias tool suggested by the Cochrane Collaboration for programming and conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The main outcome measure was sleep quality or the severity of insomnia, which was measured using subjective instruments, such as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia severity index (ISI), or objective instruments, such as polysomnography, actigraphy, and safety of the intervention. For each outcome, standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined. Results Nineteen studies including 1832 participants were included in this systematic review. Meta-analyses revealed positive effects of yoga using PSQI or ISI scores in 16 randomized control trials (RCTs) compared with the control group in improving sleep quality in women, PSQI (SMD = −0.54; 95% CI = −0.89 to −0.19 ; P = 0.003). However, three RCTs revealed no effects of yoga compared with the control group in reducing the severity of insomnia in women using ISI (SMD = −0.13; 95% CI = −0.74 to 0.48; P = 0.69). Seven RCTs revealed no evidence for effects of yoga compared with the control group in improving sleep quality for women with breast cancer using PSQI (SMD = −0.15 ; 95% CI = −0.31 to 0.01; P = 0.5). Four RCTs revealed no evidence for the effects of yoga compared with the control group in improving the sleep quality for peri-or postmenopausal women using PSQI (SMD = −0.31; 95% CI = −0.95 to 0.33; P = 0.34).Yoga was not associated with serious adverse events. Discussion This systematic review and meta-analysis found that yoga intervention in some groups of women was beneficial in managing sleep problems. Despite certain disadvantages in methodology in the included studies, yoga may be recommended as a complementary therapy to women.

scholarly journals Quantifying the Effects of Motivation on Listening Effort: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Carolan ◽  
Antje Heinrich ◽  
Kevin Munro ◽  
Rebecca Millman
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Perceived Competence ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Motivational Factors ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Individual Traits ◽  
Meta Analyses

Motivation influences the amount of listening effort (LE) exerted or experienced under challenging conditions, such as in high-noise environments. This systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to quantify the effects of motivation on LE. The review was pre-registered in PROSPERO, and performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies examined the influence of motivation or individual traits (related to motivation) on LE in adults. Motivational factors, coded as independent variables, included financial reward, evaluative threat, perceived competence, feedback and individual traits. LE outcomes were categorised as subjective, behavioural or physiological. The quality of evidence was assessed using an adaptation of the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. Nested random-effects meta-analyses were performed to quantify and compare the influence of motivational factors across LE outcomes. After assessing 3532 records, 48 studies met the inclusion criteria and 43 were included in the meta-analyses. Risk of bias was high e.g. many studies lacked sample size justification. Motivational factors had a small-to-medium effect (mean Cohen’s d = 0.34, range: 0.11 – 0.72) on LE. When LE outcomes were considered collectively, an external manipulation of motivation (perceived competence) produced a larger mean effect size compared with individual traits. Some combinations of motivational factors and LE outcomes produced more robust effects than others, e.g. evaluative threat and subjective LE outcomes. Although wide prediction intervals and high risk of bias mean that significant positive effects cannot be guaranteed, these findings provide useful guidance on the selection of motivational factors and LE outcomes for future research.

scholarly journals Effectiveness and Safety of Using Chatbots to Improve Mental Health: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

10.2196/16021 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. e16021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaa Ali Abd-Alrazaq ◽  
Asma Rababeh ◽  
Mohannad Alajlani ◽  
Bridgette M Bewick ◽  
Mowafa Househ
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Visual Language ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Reference List ◽  
Weak Evidence

Background The global shortage of mental health workers has prompted the utilization of technological advancements, such as chatbots, to meet the needs of people with mental health conditions. Chatbots are systems that are able to converse and interact with human users using spoken, written, and visual language. While numerous studies have assessed the effectiveness and safety of using chatbots in mental health, no reviews have pooled the results of those studies. Objective This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of using chatbots to improve mental health through summarizing and pooling the results of previous studies. Methods A systematic review was carried out to achieve this objective. The search sources were 7 bibliographic databases (eg, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO), the search engine “Google Scholar,” and backward and forward reference list checking of the included studies and relevant reviews. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted data from the included studies, and assessed the risk of bias. Data extracted from studies were synthesized using narrative and statistical methods, as appropriate. Results Of 1048 citations retrieved, we identified 12 studies examining the effect of using chatbots on 8 outcomes. Weak evidence demonstrated that chatbots were effective in improving depression, distress, stress, and acrophobia. In contrast, according to similar evidence, there was no statistically significant effect of using chatbots on subjective psychological wellbeing. Results were conflicting regarding the effect of chatbots on the severity of anxiety and positive and negative affect. Only two studies assessed the safety of chatbots and concluded that they are safe in mental health, as no adverse events or harms were reported. Conclusions Chatbots have the potential to improve mental health. However, the evidence in this review was not sufficient to definitely conclude this due to lack of evidence that their effect is clinically important, a lack of studies assessing each outcome, high risk of bias in those studies, and conflicting results for some outcomes. Further studies are required to draw solid conclusions about the effectiveness and safety of chatbots. Trial Registration PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42019141219; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42019141219

scholarly journals The effect of yoga on sleep quality and insomnia in women with sleep problems: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weili Wang ◽  
Kuang-Huei Chen ◽  
Ying-Chieh Pan ◽  
Szu-Nian Yang ◽  
Yuan-Yu Chan
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Background: To examine the effectiveness and safety of yoga of women with sleep problems by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Medline/PubMed, ClinicalKey, ScienceDirect, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library were searched throughout the month of June, 2019. Randomized controlled trials comparing yoga groups with control groups in women with sleep problems were included. Two reviewers independently evaluated risk of bias by using the risk of bias tool suggested by the Cochrane Collaboration for programming and conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The main outcome measure was sleep quality or the severity of insomnia, which was measured using subjective instruments, such as the Pittsburgh Sleep QualityIndex (PSQI),Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), or objective instruments such as polysomnography, actigraphy, and safety of the intervention. For each outcome, a standardized mean difference (SMD) and confidence intervals (CIs) of 95% were determined. Results: Nineteen studies in this systematic review included 1832 participants. The meta-analysis of the combined data conducted according to Comprehensive Meta-Analysis showed a significant improvement in sleep (SMD =−0.327, 95% CI=−0.506 to −0.148,P<0.001).Meta-analyses revealed positive effects of yoga using PSQI scores in 16 randomized control trials (RCTs), compared with the control group in improving sleep quality among women usingPSQI (SMD = −0.54; 95% CI = −0.89 to −0.19; P = 0.003). However, three RCTs revealed no effects of yoga compared to the control groupin reducing insomnia among women using ISI (SMD = −0.13; 95% CI = −0.74 to 0.48; P = 0.69).Yoga was not associated with any serious adverse events. Discussion: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that yoga intervention in women can be beneficial whencompared to non-active control conditions in term of managing sleep problems.The moderator analyses suggest that participants in the non-breast cancer subgroup and participants in the non-peri/postmenopausal subgroup were associated with greater benefits, with a direct correlation of total class time with quality of sleep among other related benefits.

scholarly journals Effect of yoga on sleep quality and insomnia in women with sleep problems: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weili Wang ◽  
Kuang-Huei Chen ◽  
Ying-Chieh Pan ◽  
Szu-Nian Yang ◽  
Yuan-Yu Chan
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Complementary Therapy ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Objectives To examine the effectiveness and safety of yoga for women with sleep problems by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods Medline/PubMed, Clincalkey, ScienceDirect, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library were searched throughout the month of June 2019. Randomized controlled trials comparing yoga groups with control groups in women with sleep problems were included. Two reviewers independently evaluated risk of bias by using the risk of bias tool suggested by the Cochrane Collaboration for programming and conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The main outcome measure was sleep qualityor the severity of insomnia, which was measured using subjective instruments, such as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia severity index (ISI), or objective instruments, such as polysomnography, actigraphy, and safety of the intervention. For each outcome, standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined.Results Nineteen studies including 1832 participants were included in this systematic review. Meta-analyses revealed positive effects of yoga using PSQI or ISI scores in 16 randomized control trials (RCTs) compared with the control group in improving sleep quality in women, PSQI (SMD = −0.54; 95% CI = −0.89 to −0.19 ; P = 0.003). However, three RCTs revealed no effects of yoga compared with the control group in reducing the severity of insomnia in women using ISI (SMD = −0.13; 95% CI = −0.74 to 0.48; P = 0.69). Seven RCTs revealed no evidence for effects of yoga compared with the control group in improving sleep quality for women with breast cancer using PSQI (SMD = −0.15 ; 95% CI = −0.31 to 0.01; P = 0.5). Four RCTs revealed no evidence for the effects of yoga compared with the control group in improving the sleep quality for peri-or postmenopausal women using PSQI (SMD = −0.31; 95% CI = −0.95 to 0.33; P = 0.34).Yoga was not associated with serious adverse events.Discussion This systematic review and meta-analysis found that yoga intervention in some groups of women was beneficial in managing sleep problems. Despite certain disadvantages in methodology in the included studies, yoga may be recommended as a complementary therapy to women.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of listening to the Holy Quran to improve mental disorders and psychological well-being: Systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaa Abd-alrazaq ◽  
Ashraf A Malkawi ◽  
Ahmed H Maabreh ◽  
Tanvir Alam ◽  
Bridgette M Bewick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Complementary Therapy ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Reference List ◽  
Psychological Well Being

Abstract Background: Listening to the Quran is one of spiritual therapies that have been used for treating mental disorders. Many studies have been conducted to assess the effect of listening to the Quran on mental health and psychological wellbeing. Several reviews were conducted to summarise results of such evidence. However, they either focused on studies published in a certain country (Iran), focused on certain setting (intensive care unit), or were written by Persian language. Moreover, none of them synthesised results of studies statistically.Objective: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of listening to the Quran to improve mental disorders and psychological well-being by summarizing and pooling the findings of previous literature.Methods: A systematic review was conducted to accomplish this objective. The search sources included 6 bibliographic databases (e.g., MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINHAL), the search engine “Google Scholar”, and backward and forward reference list checking of the included studies and relevant reviews. Two reviewers independently carried out the study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and quality of evidence evaluation. Results of the included studies were synthesized narratively and statistically, as appropriate.Results: Of 1724 citations retrieved, 11 studies met the eligibility criteria. Of these studies, 7 were included in meta-analysis. The evidence showed that listening to the Quran is significantly effective in improving state anxiety, trait anxiety, general anxiety, depression, stress and mental health. However, the evidence quality ranged from very low to low due to the high risk of bias, heterogeneity, and impression.Conclusion: Listening to the Quran has the potential to improve mental disorders and psychological well-being. Until high-quality studies approve its effect, health professionals and individuals should consider listening to the Quran as a complementary therapy to already available interventions. Researchers should conduct further studies to compare the effectiveness of reciting and listening to the Quran and Al-Ruqya Al-Shariya with active interventions on mental disorders and psychological well-being among Muslims and non-Muslims from different countries.

The Affection of Temporal Factors on Acupuncture for Insomnia after Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis Chao

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao-qin Gou ◽  
Li-xia Guo ◽  
Chong Zhang ◽  
Li-ying Xie ◽  
Xiao-xia Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Effective Rate ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Temporal Factors ◽  
The Mind

<br>Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the affection of temporal factors on acupuncture for insomnia after stroke.<br><br>Methods: Eight databases were searched from inception through September2019 without language restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTS) were included if pure acupuncture was compared to Western medicine for the treatment of insomnia after stroke.<br><br>Results: Thirty-two studies involving a total of 2347 participants were included. Comparing to Western medicine, the subgroup analysis showed there was no statistical significance among 9-12 am, 3-6 pm, and2 hours before sleep to start the acupuncture for post-stroke insomnia on improving the effective rate(P=0.66) or the sleep quality (P=0.95). The cumulative meta-analysis showed that with the amount of treatment increased, the confidence interval was narrowed and the accuracy of the effect value was improved gradually.<br><br>Conclusions: The results of this study showed that acupuncture therapy was performed 2 hours before sleep, the insomnia could be improved by calming the mind and inducing the Yang into the Yin based on the theory of midnight-midday ebb flow. The most commonly used needle retention time of 30 minutes was effective in clinical, and with the amount of stimulation increases, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture could be sustained and stable. Since the overall risk of bias was evaluated as unclear, application of these conclusions needs to be cautious.

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