Pediatric Residents and Interns in an Italian Hospital Perform Improved Bibliographic Searches when Assisted by a Biomedical Librarian

A Review of: Gardois, P., Calabrese, R., Colombi, N., Lingua, C., Longo, F., Villanacci, M., Miniero, R., & Piga, A. (2011). Effectiveness of bibliographic searches performed by paediatric residents and interns assisted by librarian. A randomised controlled trial. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 28(4), 273-284. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2011.00957.x Objective – To establish whether the assistance of an experienced biomedical librarian delivers an improvement in the searching of bibliographic databases as performed by medical residents and interns. Design – Randomized controlled trial. Setting – The pediatrics department of a large Italian teaching hospital. Subjects – 18 pediatric residents and interns. Methods – 23 residents and interns from the pediatrics department of a large Italian teaching hospital were invited to participate in this study, of which 18 agreed. Subjects were then randomized into two groups and asked to spend between 30 and 90 minutes searching bibliographic databases for evidence to answer a real-life clinical question which was randomly allocated to them. Each member of the intervention group was provided with an experienced biomedical librarian to provide assistance throughout the search session. The control group received no assistance. The outcome of the search was then measured using an assessment tool adapted for the purpose of this study from the Fresno test of competence in evidence based medicine. This adapted assessment tool rated the “global success” of the search and included criteria such as appropriate question formulation, number of PICO terms translated into search terms, use of Boolean logic, use of subject headings, use of filters, use of limits, and the percentage of citations retrieved that matched a gold standard set of citations found in a prior search by two librarians (who were not involved in assisting the subjects) together with an expert clinician. Main Results – The intervention group scored a median average of 73.6 points out of a possible 100, compared with the control group which scored 50.4. The difference of 23.2 points in favour of the librarian assisted group was a statistically significant result (p value = 0.013) with a 95% confidence interval of between 4.8 and 33.2. Conclusion – This study presents credible evidence that assistance provided by an experienced biomedical librarian improves the quality of the bibliographic database searches performed by residents and interns using real-life clinical scenarios.

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The Effects of a Mindfulness Program on Mental Health in Students at an Undergraduate Program for Teacher Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Real-Life

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.722771 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Lise Juul ◽

Eva Brorsen ◽

Katinka Gøtzsche ◽

Birgitte Lund Nielsen ◽

Lone Overby Fjorback

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Teacher Education ◽

Student Teachers ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Real Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Undergraduate Program

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of a mindfulness program including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on the mental health of student teachers when offered at their educational institution in a real-life context.Methods: A parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted among self-selected student teachers at a Danish undergraduate program for teacher education in the autumns of 2019 and 2020. Participation was not recommended in case of (1) clinical depression or a diagnosis of psychosis or schizophrenia, (2) abuse of alcohol, drugs, and/or medicine. Randomization was performed by a Statistician who was blinded to the identity of the students. Data was collected using self-reported questionnaires. The primary outcome was a change in perceived stress 3 months from baseline. Secondary outcome measures were symptoms of anxiety and depression, well-being, resilience, mindfulness, and thoughts and feelings during rest. The effects were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle using mixed-effect linear regression models. Mediating effects of mindfulness skills on the mental health outcomes were explored using structural equation modeling.Results: The study group included 67 student teachers with 34 allocated to the intervention group (median age: 25 years; women: n = 24, 71%); and 33 students (median age: 25 years; women: n = 25, 76%) allocated to a waiting list control group. At baseline, mean Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores were 18.88 (SD: 5.75) in the intervention group and 17.91 (SD: 6.36) in the waiting list control group. A total of 56 students completed the questionnaire at a 3-month follow-up (28 in both the intervention- and the control group). Statistically significant effects of the intervention were found on perceived stress, symptoms of anxiety and depression, well-being, and on three of seven resting-state dimensions. No effects were found on resilience or mindfulness. Statistically significant mediated effects via resting-state dimensions were found.Conclusion The findings suggested that offering a mindfulness program at an undergraduate program for teacher education could significantly improve the mental health among self-selected students within 3 months. Results of mediation analysis supported the hypothesis that some of the effects might be explained by reduced distracting thoughts.Clinical Trial Registration: [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04558099].

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Effectiveness of a smartphone-based, augmented reality exposure app to reduce fear of spiders in real-life: a randomized controlled trial

10.31219/osf.io/cjrgk ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anja Zimmer ◽

Nan Wang ◽

Merle Ibach ◽

Bernhard Fehlmann ◽

Nathalie Schicktanz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Augmented Reality ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Real Life ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Distress Scale

Although in vivo exposure therapy is highly effective in the treatment of specific phobias, only a minority of patients seeks therapy. Exposure to virtual objects has been shown to be better tolerated, equally efficacious, but the technology has not been made widely accessible yet. We developed an augmented reality (AR) application (app) to reduce fear of spiders and performed a randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of our app (six 30-min sessions at home over a two-week period) with no intervention. Primary outcome was subjective fear, measured by a Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) in a Behavioural Approach Test (BAT) in a real-life spider situation at six weeks follow-up. Between Oct 7, 2019, and Dec 6, 2019, 66 individuals were enrolled and randomized. The intervention led to significantly lower subjective fear in the BAT compared to the control group (intervention group, baseline: 7·12 [SD 2·03] follow-up: 5·03 [SD 2·19] vs. control group, baseline: 7·06 [SD 2·34], follow-up 6·24 [SD 2.21]; adjusted group difference -1·24, 95% CI -2·17 to -0·31; Cohen’s d=0·57, p=0·01). The repeated use of the AR app reduces subjective fear in a real-life spider situation, providing a low-threshold and low-cost treatment for fear of spiders.

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Adherence to the ABCDE approach in relation to the method of instruction: a randomized controlled simulation study

BMC Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12873-021-00509-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Marjolein Linders ◽

Mathijs Binkhorst ◽

Jos M. T. Draaisma ◽

Arno F. J. van Heijst ◽

Marije Hogeveen

Keyword(s):

Life Support ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Percentage Score ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Method Of Instruction ◽

Based Instruction ◽

Neonatal Ward

Abstract Background The Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure (ABCDE) approach is widely recommended and taught in many resuscitation courses. This study assessed the adherence to the ABCDE algorithm and whether this was affected by the instruction method used to teach this approach. Methods Randomized controlled trial in which simulation was used as investigational method. Between June 2017 and January 2018, neonatal healthcare providers routinely participated in simulated neonatal advanced life support (NALS) scenarios, using a high-fidelity manikin. They were randomly assigned to a video-based instruction (intervention group) or a conventional lecture (control group) as the method of instruction. One blinded researcher evaluated the adherence to the ABCDE approach on video with an assessment tool specifically designed and tested for this study. The primary outcomes were: 1) the overall adherence and 2) the between-group difference in individual adherence to the ABCDE approach, both expressed as a percentage score. Secondary outcomes were: 1) the scores of each profession category (nurses, neonatal ward clinicians, fellows/neonatologists) and 2) the scores for the separate domains (A, B, C, D, and E) of the algorithm. Results Seventy-two participants were assessed. Overall mean (SD) percentage score (i.e. overall adherence) was 31.5% (19.0). The video-based instruction group (28 participants) adhered better to the ABCDE approach than the lecture group (44 participants), with mean (SD) scores of 38.8% (18.7) and 27.8% (18.2), respectively (p = 0.026). The difference in adherence between both groups could mainly be attributed to differences in the adherence to domain B (p = 0.023) and C (p = 0.007). Neonatal ward clinicians (39.9% (18.2)) showed better adherence than nurses (25.0% (15.2)), independent of the study group (p = 0.010). Conclusions Overall adherence to the ABCDE algorithm was rather low. Video-based instruction resulted in better adherence to the ABCDE approach during NALS training than lecturing. Trial registration ISRCTN registry, trial ID ISRCTN95998973, retrospectively registered on October 13th, 2020.

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Men’s education on planning and encouraging breastfeeding improves the mothers’ performance and exclusive breastfeeding: a randomized controlled trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-96629/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Farideh Panahi ◽

masoumeh simbar ◽

farzaneh rashidi fakari ◽

Razieh Lotfi ◽

Mitra Rahimizadeh

Keyword(s):

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Infant Health ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Sampling ◽

Before And After ◽

And Control ◽

Interventional Group

Abstract Background: men’s participation is crucial for promoting of breastfeeding. There are a few studies on the effectiveness of father’s education on the nursery performance. Therefore, this study aims to assess the mothers’ performance following father’s education on breastfeeding. Method: This randomized clinical trial was performed on 76 fathers in two groups of control (38 men) and intervention (38 men) in a selected health center in Iran. They were spouses of primiparous women; fathers of a healthy, single neonates. Two groups of intervention and control were selected using randomized sampling method. The tools for data collection were: a “Demographic and Maternal-Infant Information Questionnaire”, and a “Fathers’ support for Breastfeeding Assessment Tool”, a “Checklist to Assess Mothers’ Breastfeeding Performance” and an “Exclusive Breastfeeding Questionnaire”. The intervention was: fathers’ education about “breastfeeding” and “the ways of support including encouragement and planning for breastfeeding”. The education was performed in the intervention group in two sessions with one-week interval. Fathers in the control group did not receive the education. Mothers’ breastfeeding performance, father’s support for breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding was compared before and after intervention, and between groups after four months’ intervention. Data was analyzed using SPSS 26. Results: Between groups comparison showed, before intervention, the mean scores for breastfeeding performance was not significantly different between two groups (P=0.7). However, after the intervention, it was higher in the interventional group comparing to the control group (T test; p<0.001). Intra-groups comparison demonstrated, after intervention, the improvement was not seen after 4 months in the control group (p=0.6), while there was a significant improvement in the intervention group comparing to before intervention (Paired test; p<0.001). Conclusion: The results showed that father’s education improves breastfeeding performance of nursery mothers. Since, breastfeeding is an important factor for maternal-infant health, providing fathers’ participation education to promote breastfeeding programs leads to long and effective exclusive breastfeeding.Trial Registration: IRCT201508248801N10. Registered 31 August 2016.

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Do Parenting Programmes for Severe Child Antisocial Behaviour Work over the Longer Term, and for Whom? One Year follow-up of a Multi-Centre Controlled Trial

Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1017/s135246580500233x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 403-421 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Stephen Scott

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Treatment Effectiveness ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Real Life ◽

Antisocial Behaviour ◽

Control Group ◽

Incredible Years ◽

One Year

The aim of the study was to see whether there were lasting effects of a behaviourally-based group parenting programme when delivered in a real life, regular clinical practice setting. Follow-up was one year after the end of a controlled trial that involved four local child and adolescent mental health services in London and Southern England. The participants were fifty-nine children aged 3–8 years referred with antisocial behaviour, whose parents received the Webster-Stratton Incredible Years basic videotape group programme. Those in the waiting list control group were not followed up as some went on to receive the same intervention. Measures included the semi-structured parent interview (PACS) and questionnaire (SDQ) about child behaviour. At follow-up, the original improvement in the intervention group was found to have persisted, with no loss of treatment effectiveness (effect size compared to pre-treatment score 0.91 standard deviations, compared to post treatment score −0.06 SD). The proportion of children in the clinical range before treatment was 68%, at follow-up 37%. Children with the most severe initial problems changed the most; risk factors such as low income, being a lone parent, or being in an ethnic minority did not reduce treatment effectiveness. Parenting groups can reduce serious child antisocial behaviour effectively in the longer term. This is an important ongoing benefit for the children and their families. If this trajectory continues to be maintained in the future, then the poor long-term prognosis, which includes criminality and social exclusion, is likely to be improved.

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Promoting the Community's Ability to Detect and Respond to Suicide Risk Through an Online Bystander Intervention Model-Informed Tool

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000708 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Karien Hill ◽

Shawn Somerset ◽

Ralf Schwarzer ◽

Carina Chan

Keyword(s):

Suicide Prevention ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Bystander Intervention ◽

Self Report ◽

Innovative Technology ◽

Control Group ◽

Intervention Model ◽

Standard Material

Abstract. Background: The public health sector has advocated for more innovative, technology-based, suicide prevention education for the community, to improve their ability to detect and respond to suicide risk. Emerging evidence suggests addressing the bystander effect through the Bystander Intervention Model (BIM) in education material may have potential for suicide prevention. Aims: The current study aimed to assess whether BIM-informed tools can lead to improved readiness, confidence and intent in the community to detect and respond to suicide risk in others. Method: A sample of 281 adults recruited from the community participated in a randomized controlled trial comprising a factsheet designed according to the BIM (intervention group) and a standard factsheet about suicide and mental health (control group). Participants' self-reported detecting and responding to suicide risk readiness, confidence, and intent when presented with a suicidal peer was tested pre- and postintervention and compared across time and between groups. Results: The intervention group had significantly higher levels of detecting and responding to suicide risk readiness, confidence, and intent than the control group at postintervention (all p < .001) with moderate-to-large effect sizes. Limitations: The study was limited by a homogenous sample, too low numbers at follow-up to report, and self-report data only. Conclusion: This study demonstrates BIM-informed suicide prevention training may enhance the community's intervention readiness, confidence, and intent better than current standard material. Further testing in this area is recommended. While results were statistically significant, clinical significance requires further exploration.

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Breastfeeding Training through Role-Play and Effects on Mother-infant Attachment Behaviours: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ◽

10.25159/2520-5293/6232 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Farokh Saljughi ◽

Mitra Savabi-Esfahani ◽

Shahnaz Kohan ◽

Soheila Ehsanpour

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Maternal Employment ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Role Play ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Maternal Behaviour ◽

Infant Attachment ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of

Mother-infant attachment is an intimate, lasting and satisfying relationship that leads to better cognitive, emotional and social growth of the infant. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of breastfeeding training by role-play on mother-infant attachment behaviours. This research was a randomised clinical trial (parallel design). Inclusion criteria were: no history of mental disorders; ability to read and write the Persian language to complete the questionnaire; no history of drug and tobacco intake in primigravida women. The sample comprised 100 pregnant women (in 2 groups), selected through simple random sampling at healthcare centres. The researcher reviewed prenatal care registries of selected healthcare centres and extracted the names of pregnant women in their early third trimester. The data were imported into randomisation software. The control group received routine breastfeeding training, while the intervention group received routine training together with training through role-play. The data collection tool was the Maternal Behaviour Inventory Questionnaire. Consequently 75 samples were analysed in SPSS16. Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were used to examine the difference between the two groups. Results showed that the mean score of mother-infant attachment one week after delivery was significantly higher in the intervention group in comparison to that in the control group (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in maternal age, age of marriage, neonatal gender, maternal employment and education, number of parity, and number of abortions (P>0.05). Since breastfeeding training through role-play could affect mother-infant attachment, it is suggested that this type of training should be provided for pregnant women to promote mother-infant attachment and exclusive breastfeeding.

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The Effect of Reflexology on Labor Pain and Length Among Primiparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

International Electronic Journal of Medicine ◽

10.31661/iejm805 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Azita Kamjoo

Keyword(s):

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Active Phase ◽

Labor Pain ◽

Control Group ◽

Singleton Pregnancy ◽

Group Data ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Labor Length ◽

Primiparous Women

Background: Pain control is considered as the key issue in modern midwifery. Along with medical painkillers, reflexology is viewed as a non-medical and noninvasive method. Hence, we aimed to investigate the effect of reflexology on the intensity of pain and length of labor. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, participants included 240 Iranian primiparous women with term and singleton pregnancy. Having a 3-4 cm cervical dilatation once they visited the hospital. Through a convenient sampling method, they were selected and then randomly divided into two groups. In the intervention group, reflexology was performed, and the intensity of pain during the active phase of labor along with the length of labor in the active phase was measured by visual analog scale (VAS) and compared with the control group. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U-test. Result: Data analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the intensity of pain in the 5-7 and 8-10 cm dilatation in the two groups (P=0.01). Moreover, the labor length in the active phase was found to be significantly shorter in the intervention group (P<0.001). Conclusion: It appears that reflexology can lead to a reduction in the pain and length of labor. Therefore, through instructing this technique, a goal of midwifery, which is reducing labor pain and its length can be achieved. Keywords: Reflexology, Labor Pain, Labor Length, Primiparous Women

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Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention in Reducing New International Postgraduates’ Acculturative Stress in Malaysian Public Universities: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.12950 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Musheer Abdulwahid Al-Jaberi ◽

Muhamad Hanafiah Juni ◽

Hayati Kadir Shahar ◽

Siti Irma Fadhilah Ismail ◽

Murad Abdu Saeed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

International Students ◽

Acculturative Stress ◽

Educational Program ◽

Public Universities ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Cluster Randomized

BACKGROUND Universities around the world, including Malaysia, have attracted many international students from different countries. Research has reported that acculturative stress resulting from international students’ attempts to adjust to the cultures of host countries is one of the most challenging issues that affects their lives in general and academic lives in particular. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the effectiveness of an educational intervention on acculturative stress among new postgraduate international students joining Malaysian public universities. METHODS A cluster randomized controlled trial design with Malaysian public universities as the unit of randomization will be used in this study. Public universities will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to be either in the intervention (educational program) or control group (waiting list). Participants in the intervention group will receive 7 sessions in 9 hours delivered by an expert in psychology and the researcher. The control group will receive the intervention once the 3-month follow-up evaluation is completed. RESULTS The data will be analyzed using the generalized estimation equation with a confidence interval value of 95%; significant differences between and within groups are determined as <i>P</i><.05. The results of the study underlie the effectiveness of educational program in decreasing acculturative stress of new international students and enabling them to cope with a new environment. The results of this study will contribute to previous knowledge of acculturative stress, acculturation, and adjustment of international students. Furthermore, such results are expected to play a role in raising university policy makers’ awareness of their postgraduate international students’ acculturative stress issues and how they can help them avoid such stress and perform well in their academic life. CONCLUSIONS We expect that the intervention group will score significantly lower than the wait-list group on the immediate and 3-month postintervention evaluation of acculturative stress and achieve a higher level of adjustment. Results will have implications for international students, policy makers at universities, the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, and future research. CLINICALTRIAL Clinical Trials Registry India CTRI/2018/01/011223; http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/showallp.php?mid1= 21978&amp;EncHid=&amp;userName=Muhamad%20Hanafiah%20Juni INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/12950

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Effectiveness of a web-based medication adherence tool with patient centered communication: Results of a clustered randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.16141 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jan van Lieshout ◽

Joyca Lacroix ◽

Aart van Halteren ◽

Martina Teichert

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Medication Adherence ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Community Pharmacies ◽

Web Based ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Tailored Interventions ◽

Increased Risk

BACKGROUND Growing numbers of people use medication for chronic conditions; non-adherence is common, leading to poor disease control. A newly developed web-based tool to identify an increased risk for non-adherence with related potential individual barriers might facilitate tailored interventions and improve adherence. OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of the newly developed tool to improve medication adherence. METHODS A cluster randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of this adherence tool in patients initiating cardiovascular or oral blood glucose lowering medication. Participants were included in community pharmacies. They completed an online questionnaire comprising an assessments of their risk for medication non-adherence and subsequently of barriers to adherence. In pharmacies belonging to the intervention group, individual barriers displayed in a graphical profile on a tablet were discussed by pharmacists and patients at high non-adherence risk in face to face meetings and shared with their general practitioners and practice nurses. Tailored interventions were initiated by the healthcare providers. Barriers of control patients were not presented or discussed and these patients received usual care. The primary outcome was the difference in medication adherence at 8 months follow-up between patients with an increased non-adherence risk from intervention and control group, calculated from dispensing data. RESULTS Data from 492 participants in 15 community pharmacies were available for analyses (intervention 253, 7 pharmacies; control 239, 8 pharmacies). The intervention had no effect on medication adherence (-0.01; 95%CI -0.59 – 0.57; P= .96), neither in the post hoc per protocol analysis (0.19; 95%CI -0.50 – 0.89; P=.58). CONCLUSIONS This study showed no effectiveness of a risk stratification and tailored intervention addressing personal barriers for medication adherence. Various potential explanations for lack of effect were identified. These explanations relate for instance to high medication adherence in the control group, study power and fidelity. Process evaluation should elicit possible improvements and inform the redesign of intervention and implementation. CLINICALTRIAL The Netherlands National Trial Register: NTR5186. Date: May 18, 2015 (http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=5186)

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