scholarly journals Effectiveness of Text Messaging Interventions on Blood Pressure Control Among Patients With Hypertension: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hon Lon Tam ◽  
Eliza Mi Ling Wong ◽  
Kin Cheung ◽  
Siu Fung Chung
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Reduction Effect ◽  
Text Messaging Intervention

BACKGROUND Controlling blood pressure (BP) is an international health concern, and high BP is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease mortality. Evidence has shown that educational interventions directed at patients potentially improve BP control and adherence to medications and lifestyle modifications. In addition, a text messaging intervention has a potential effect on BP control; however, the dosage of a text messaging intervention has not been determined in previous reviews, resulting in difficult application in practice. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to identify the effectiveness of a text messaging intervention on hypertension management with a specific focus on the dosage of text messaging and the type of additional interventions with text messaging. METHODS A systematic review was conducted and reported on in accordance with PRISMA guideline. Participants were aged 18 years and older and diagnosed with primary hypertension. The included studies used text messaging as a component of the intervention. We searched for randomized controlled trials published until June 30, 2020, from the following health-related electronic databases: Embase, Medline, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Data were extracted for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale was used to assess the methodological quality of each study, and the quality of the included studies was assessed independently by two authors. RESULTS Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall methodological quality was fair (mean score 5.75). The frequency of text message delivery varied from daily to biweekly. Health education was identified in 4 studies as an additional intervention with text messaging. The overall results showed that the text messaging intervention significantly reduced systolic BP (SBP) but not diastolic BP (DBP). There was no significant difference in BP reduction between studies that lasted 6 months or less and those that lasted more than 7 months. Seven studies that lasted 6 months or less involving 1428 patients with hypertension were pooled for further meta-analysis. Text messages delivered at a lower frequency (once per week or less) had a small effect on SBP reduction (effect size 0.35, <i>P</i>&lt;.01) and DBP reduction (effect size 0.28, <i>P</i>=.01). In addition, the use of a text messaging intervention halved the odds of uncontrolled BP among patients with hypertension in 6 months (odds ratio 0.46, <i>P</i>=.02). CONCLUSIONS This review found that a text messaging intervention was effective in BP control. One-way text messaging delivered in a weekly manner was suggested to be effective and required fewer resources. Future studies should use different forms of text message and be integrated into other interventions to improve adherence behaviors and BP control among patients with hypertension.

scholarly journals Moxibustion for Primary Dysmenorrhea at Different Interventional Times: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao-qin Gou ◽  
Jing Gao ◽  
Chen-xi Wu ◽  
Ding-xi Bai ◽  
Hong-yuan Mou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effective Rate ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Primary Dysmenorrhea ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Difference

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is one of the most common diseases in gynecology at present. Some clinical trials have reported the effects of moxibustion and confirmed temporal factors are the important elements influencing the efficacy of moxibustion. However, no systematic review has yet been conducted. In this study, we assessed the effects of moxibustion in patients with PD enrolled in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the difference among different intervention times to start moxibustion. We extracted data for studies searched from 10 electronic databases and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. We discussed three outcomes: effective rate, pain remission, and the level of PGF2αin serum. Current clinical researches showed that, compared with nonmoxibustion treatments for PD, moxibustion leads to higher effective rate and lower level of PGF2αin serum. However, there was no difference in using moxibustion to treat PD at different intervention times. Based on the theory of Chinese medicine and the results of this study, choosing 5 ± 2 days before menstruation to start moxibustion can achieve good efficacy for PD patients. However, more high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm the conclusions.

Skeletal and dental effects of surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 434-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Bortolotti ◽  
Livia Solidoro ◽  
Maria Lavinia Bartolucci ◽  
Serena Incerti Parenti ◽  
Corrado Paganelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Transverse Dimension ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Quality Of Evidence ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Summary Background Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) is a surgical technique developed to correct transverse discrepancies in skeletally mature patients. However, there is limited evidence concerning the immediate skeletal and dental changes obtained only due to SARME. Objective The aim of the present systematic review is to investigate the immediate skeletal and dental effects of SARME in adult patients with transverse maxillary hypoplasia. Search Methods An electronic search of the literature in MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, Lilacs and Scopus databases was performed. Selection Criteria Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studies investigating the skeletal and dental effects of SARME procedures in adult patients were included. Data Collection and Analysis The included studies received a methodological quality scoring according to the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. The quality of evidence was assessed by means of the Grading Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. For each included study and for each analysed parameter, the difference in means and 95 per cent confidence interval was calculated between baseline and immediate post-expansion. A meta-analysis of original outcome data, if possible, was conducted. Results Nine articles were selected. The methodological quality ratings indicated that one study was at low risk of bias, seven presented some concerns and only one was at high risk of bias. In all the included studies, the SARME procedure resulted in a significant expansion of the maxillary transverse dimension. The meta-analysis compared skeletal and dental inter-molar width before and after treatment: the mean difference was of 3.3 mm (2.8–3.9) and 7.0 mm (6.1–7.8), respectively (P-value less than 0.001). The quality of evidence was low-moderate. Conclusions SARME is effective in obtaining a significant expansion of the maxillary transverse dimension. However, the immediate SARME effect is mainly a molar expansion rather than a pure bone transverse widening of the maxilla. Registration The review protocol was registered at PROSPERO database with the registration number CRD42018117967.

How Does Mindfulness Affect Cognition? A Reflection on Confounding Issues Surrounding Mindfulness-based Intervention Research Targeting Cognitive Outcomes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R Vago ◽  
Resh Gupta ◽  
Sara Lazar
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Existing Data

One potential pathway by which mindfulness-based meditation improves health outcomes is through changes in cognitive functioning. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) was conducted with a focus on assessing the state of the evidence for effects on cognitive processes and associated assays. Here, we comment on confounding issues surrounding the reporting of these and related findings, including 1) criteria that appropriately define an MBI; 2) limitations of assays used to measure cognition; and 3) methodological quality of MBI trials and reporting of findings. Because these issues contribute to potentially distorted interpretations of existing data, we offer constructive means for interpretation and recommendations for moving the field of mindfulness research forward regarding the effects on cognition.

scholarly journals Acupuncture for Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzi S. Y. Mansu ◽  
Haiying Liang ◽  
Shefton Parker ◽  
Meaghan E. Coyle ◽  
Kaiyi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Acne Vulgaris ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Lesion Count ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Reporting Requirements ◽  
Auricular Acupressure

Purpose. To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the current best available evidence of the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and related therapies for acne vulgaris. Methods. Eleven English and Chinese databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acne vulgaris compared to pharmacotherapies, no treatment, and sham or placebo acupuncture. Methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan software. Results. Twelve RCTs were included in the qualitative review and 10 RCTs were included in meta-analysis. Methodological quality of trials was generally low. The chance of achieving ≥30% change in lesion count in the acupuncture group was no different to the pharmacotherapy group (RR: 1.07 [95% CI 0.98, 1.17]; I2=8%) and ≥50% change in lesion count in the acupuncture group was not statistically different to the pharmacotherapy group (RR: 1.07 [95% CI 0.98, 1.17]; I2=50%). Conclusions. While caution should be exercised due to quality of the included studies, acupuncture and auricular acupressure were not statistically different to guideline recommended treatments but were with fewer side effects and may be a treatment option. Future trials should address the methodological weaknesses and meet standard reporting requirements stipulated in STRICTA.

scholarly journals The comparison between total hip arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty in patients with femoral neck fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on 25 randomized controlled trials

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiumei Tang ◽  
Duan Wang ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
Jiali Chen ◽  
Zongke Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Total Hip Arthroplasty ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Femoral Neck Fractures ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Acetabular Erosion

Abstract Background We performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis which enrolled 25 prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the outcomes between total hip arthroplasty (THA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA) in patients with femoral neck fractures (FNFs). Methods We searched English databases which included PubMed, Embase (vis OvidSP), The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, and Chinese databases Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, Wang Fang, and China Biology Medicine Disc (CBM) in July 2020. The quality of each study was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias. Risk ratios (RRs) and weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were pooled with random-effects models. Data regarding baseline characteristics, hospital and surgery outcomes, clinical outcomes, patients’ quality of life, common complications, prothesis-related complications, mortality, and costs were reported. Results A total of 25 RCTs involving 3223 patients (1568 THA and 1655 HA) were included. THA had longer hospital length (WMD = 0.721, P < 0.0001) and surgery time (WMD = 20.044, P < 0.0001), and more blood loss compared with HA (WMD = 69.109, P < 0.0001). THA showed better ratings in the Harris Hip Score during follow-up periods between 1 and 5 years while no differences within 6 months and after 9 years. THA was associated with higher quality-of-life EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) scores after 2 years of surgery but no difference within 1 year. There was no difference in common complications. THA had significant higher rate of dislocation (WMD = 1.897, P = 0.002) and lower acetabular erosion (WMD = 0.030, P = 0.001). For mortality, there was no difference during all the follow-up periods except for slightly higher 2-year mortality after surgery. Conclusion This meta-analysis demonstrates that THA has better medium-term functional results and quality of life and lower acetabular erosion rate, while HA shows better in reducing hospital stay, surgery time, and blood loss and also has lower dislocation rate.

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