Citation Advantage of Promoted Articles in a Cross-Publisher Distribution Platform: 36-month Follow-up to a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Kudlow ◽  
Tashauna Brown

BACKGROUND There are limited evidence-based strategies that have been shown to increase the rate at which peer-reviewed articles are cited. In a previously reported randomized controlled trial we demonstrated that promotion of article links in an online cross-publisher distribution platform (TrendMD) persistently augments citation rates after 12 months, leading to a statistically significant, 50% increase in citations relative to control. OBJECTIVE To investigate if the citation advantage of promoted articles upholds after 36-months. METHODS Three thousand two hundred articles published in 64 peer-reviewed journals across eight subject areas were block randomized at the subject level to either the TrendMD group (n=1600) or the control group (n=1600) of the study. Articles were promoted in the TrendMD Network for 6 months. We compared the citation rates in both groups after 36 months. RESULTS At 36 months, we found the citation advantage endured; articles randomized to TrendMD showed a 28% increase in mean citations relative to control. The difference in mean citations at 36 months for articles randomized to TrendMD versus control was 10.52, 95% CI [3.79, 17.25] and was statistically significant (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first randomized controlled trial to demonstrate how a post-publication article promotion intervention can be used to persistently augment citations of peer-reviewed articles. TrendMD is an efficient digital tool for knowledge translation and dissemination to targeted audiences to facilitate uptake of research.

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 146045822199640
Author(s):  
Faranak Kazemi Majd ◽  
Vahideh Zarea Gavgani ◽  
Ali Golmohammadi ◽  
Ali Jafari-Khounigh

In order to understand if a physician prescribed medical information changes, the number of hospital readmission, and death among the heart failure patients. A 12-month randomized controlled trial was conducted (December 2013–2014). Totally, 120 patients were randomly allocated into two groups of intervention ( n = 60) and control ( n = 60). Accordingly, the control group was given the routine oral information by the nurse or physician, and the intervention group received the Information Prescription (IP) prescribed by the physician as well as the routine oral information. The data was collected via telephone interviews with the follow-up intervals of 6 and 12 months, and also for 1 year after the discharge. The patients with the median age of (IQR) 69.5 years old (19.8) death upon adjusting a Cox survival model, [RR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.46–0.97]. Few patients died during 1 year in the intervention group compared to the controls (7 vs 15) [RR = 0.47, 95%CI: 0.20–1.06]. During a period of 6-month follow-up there was not statistically significant on death and readmission between two groups. Physician prescribed information was clinically and statistically effective on the reduction of death and hospital readmission rates among the HF patients in long term follow-up.


Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Violetta Krämer ◽  
Nadine Eschrig ◽  
Lena Keinhorst ◽  
Luisa Schöchlin ◽  
Lisa Stephan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Many students in Germany do not meet recommended amounts of physical activity. In order to promote physical activity in students, web-based interventions are increasingly implemented. Yet, data on effectiveness of web-based interventions in university students is low. Our study aims at investigating a web-based intervention for students. The intervention is based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), which discriminates between processes of intention formation (motivational processes) and processes of intention implementation (volitional processes). Primary outcome is change in physical activity; secondary outcomes are motivational and volitional variables as proposed by the HAPA as well as quality of life and depressive symptoms. Methods A two-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) of parallel design is conducted. Participants are recruited via the internet platform StudiCare (www.studicare.com). After the baseline assessment (t1), participants are randomized to either intervention group (immediate access to web-based intervention) or control group (access only after follow-up assessment). Four weeks later, post-assessment (t2) is performed in both groups followed by a follow-up assessment (t3) 3 months later. Assessments take place online. Main outcome analyses will follow an intention-to-treat principle by including all randomized participants into the analyses. Outcomes will be analysed using a linear mixed model, assuming data are missing at random. The mixed model will include group, time, and the interaction of group and time as fixed effects and participant and university as random effect. Discussion This study is a high-quality RCT with three assessment points and intention-to-treat analysis meeting the state-of-the-art of effectiveness studies. Recruitment covers almost 20 universities in three countries, leading to high external validity. The results of this study will be of great relevance for student health campaigns, as they reflect the effectiveness of self-help interventions for young adults with regard to behaviour change as well as motivational and volitional determinants. From a lifespan perspective, it is important to help students find their way into regular physical activity. Trial registration The German clinical trials register (DRKS) DRKS00016889. Registered on 28 February 2019


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan Finch ◽  
Kirsty Seward ◽  
Taya Wedesweiler ◽  
Fiona Stacey ◽  
Alice Grady ◽  
...  

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of an intervention including training, provision of written menu feedback, and printed resources on increasing childcare compliance with nutrition guidelines. Design: Parallel group randomized controlled trial. Setting: Hunter New England region, New South Wales, Australia. Participants: Forty-four childcare centers that prepare and provide food on-site to children while in care. Intervention: The intervention was designed using the Theoretical Domains Framework, targeted managers, and cooks and included implementation strategies that addressed identified barriers. Measures: Outcomes included the proportion of menus providing food servings (per child) compliant with overall nutrition guideline recommendations and each individual food group assessed via menu assessments. Cook knowledge of recommendations, intervention acceptability, adverse events, and barriers were also assessed via questionnaires with cooks and managers. Analysis: Logistic regression models, adjusted for baseline values of the outcome. Results: At baseline and follow-up, zero centers in the intervention and control groups were compliant with the overall menu guidelines or for the vegetable and meat food groups. Follow-up between-group differences in compliance for discretionary (33.3 vs 5, P = .18), dairy (41.7 vs 15, P = .16), breads and cereals (8.3 vs 10 P = 1.00), and fruit (16.7 vs 10, P = .48) were all nonsignificant. Relative to the control group, intervention centers showed a significantly greater increase in percentage of cooks with correct knowledge for vegetable servings (93.3 vs 36.4, P = .008). Conclusion: Although the application of the theoretical framework produced a broader understanding of the determinants of menu compliance, due to the complexity of guidelines, limited follow-up support, lower training uptake, and low intervention dose, the intervention was not effective in supporting the practice change required.


2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (08) ◽  
pp. 661-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eveling Rojas-Roncancio ◽  
Richard Tyler ◽  
Hyung-Jin Jun ◽  
Tang-Chuan Wang ◽  
Haihong Ji ◽  
...  

Background: Several tinnitus sufferers suggest that manganese has been helpful with their tinnitus. Purpose: We tested this in a controlled experiment where participants were committed to taking manganese and Lipoflavonoid Plus® to treat their tinnitus. Research Design: Randomized controlled trial. Study Sample: 40 participants were randomized to receive both manganese and Lipoflavonoid Plus® for 6 months, or Lipoflavonoid Plus® only (as the control). Data Collection and Analysis: Pre- and postmeasures were obtained with the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire, Tinnitus Primary Functions Questionnaire, and tinnitus loudness and annoyance ratings. An audiologist performed the audiogram, the tinnitus loudness match, and minimal masking level. Results: Twelve participants were dropped out of the study because of the side effects or were lost to follow-up. In the manganese group, 1 participant (out of 12) showed a decrease in the questionnaires, and another showed a decrease in the loudness and annoyance ratings. No participants from the control group (total 16) showed a decrease in the questionnaires ratings. Two participants in the control group reported a loudness decrement and one reported an annoyance decrement. Conclusions: We were not able to conclude that either manganese or Lipoflavonoid Plus® is an effective treatment for tinnitus.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 3246
Author(s):  
Juan P. Sanabria-Mazo ◽  
Jesus Montero-Marin ◽  
Albert Feliu-Soler ◽  
Virginia Gasión ◽  
Mayte Navarro-Gil ◽  
...  

The lack of highly effective treatments for fibromyalgia (FM) represents a great challenge for public health. The objective of this parallel, pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was two-fold: (1) to analyze the clinical effects of mindfulness plus amygdala and insula retraining (MAIR) compared to a structurally equivalent active control group of relaxation therapy (RT) in the treatment of FM; and (2) to evaluate its impact on immune-inflammatory markers and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in serum. A total of 41 FM patients were randomized into two study arms: MAIR (intervention group) and RT (active control group), both as add-ons of treatment as usual. MAIR demonstrated significantly greater reductions in functional impairment, anxiety, and depression, as well as higher improvements in mindfulness, and self-compassion at post-treatment and follow-up, with moderate to large effect sizes. Significant decreases in pain catastrophizing and psychological inflexibility and improvements in clinical severity and health-related quality of life were found at follow-up, but not at post-treatment, showing large effect sizes. The number needed to treat was three based on the criteria of ≥50% Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) reduction post-treatment. Compared to RT, the MAIR showed significant decreases in BDNF. No effect of MAIR was observed in immune-inflammatory biomarkers (i.e., TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and hs-CRP). In conclusion, these results suggest that MAIR, as an adjuvant of treatment-as-usual (TAU), appears to be effective for the management of FM symptoms and for reducing BDNF levels in serum.


Author(s):  
Kristina Sinadinovic ◽  
Magnus Johansson ◽  
Ann-Sofie Johansson ◽  
Thomas Lundqvist ◽  
Philip Lindner ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a web-based treatment program with therapist guidance for adults and adolescents with regular cannabis use from the general population. Methods A double blinded randomized controlled trial with a parallel group design was conducted (intervention group n = 151, wait-list control group n = 152). Follow-up 12 weeks from treatment commencement of a 13-module intervention. The primary outcome was frequency of cannabis use. Time by group interaction effects were modeled using generalized estimated equations and the instrumental variable approach was used to estimate the effect of intervention adherence. Results At follow-up, the intention to treat (ITT) analyses did not show any significant time by group effects. A significant association between intervention adherence and scores on the cannabis abuse screening test (CAST) was found. Secondary analysis excluding participants who had received other professional help revealed time by group effects for secondary outcomes gram cannabis consumed past week, number of dependency criteria and CAST score. Due to methodological limitations, these latter results should be interpreted with caution. Conclusions In this study we did not find a web-based treatment program with therapist guidance to be more effective than a waiting-list in reducing frequency of cannabis use. Trial registration The trial was pre-registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02408640) April 3, 2015


Author(s):  
Pernille Lunde ◽  
Asta Bye ◽  
Astrid Bergland ◽  
Birgitta Blakstad Nilsson

Abstract Background Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are evidence-based and widely recommended. However, benefits from CR are likely lost among individuals who discontinue their regular exercise routines and healthy habits. One possible approach to enhance adherence to lifestyle advice after completion of CR, may be individualized follow-up enabled by a smartphone application (app). Methods A protocol of a single-blinded, pragmatic randomized controlled trial. The study will take place in the eastern part of Norway, and will include heart patients who have completed CR. Participants will be recruited from two CR centers. Based on power calculation, 113 participants will be included. The intervention group will receive individualized follow-up through an app on a weekly basis throughout a year. The app will be set up with the participant’s own goals, and the follow-up will be based on these individual goals. The control group will receive usual care, including general advice regarding physical activity, exercise and diet. The participants will be assessed at baseline (at completion of CR) and 12 months after baseline. Primary outcome of the study will be peak oxygen uptake. Secondary outcomes include exercise performance, quality of life, health status, health literacy, self-perceived goal achievement, exercise habits, body weight, blood pressure as well as lipids and triglycerides. Discussion To our knowledge, this will be the first study to examine the effects of individualized follow-up with an app for one year, in patients completing CR. Hence, it is reasonable to assume that the study may be groundbreaking. Due to the large sample size and the theoretically based intervention, the study has the potential to generate new knowledge that may improve the design of future technology-based follow-up interventions of patients that have completed rehabilitation. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03174106. First registration, 19/05/2017.


2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 1401-1412 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Otero ◽  
F. Smit ◽  
P. Cuijpers ◽  
A. Torres ◽  
V. Blanco ◽  
...  

BackgroundAlthough depression is a common problem among non-professional caregivers, only one trial has evaluated the efficacy of indicated prevention targeting this population and the long-term efficacy is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of a brief intervention for the indicated prevention of depression in a sample of female caregivers.MethodA randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 173 participants (mean age 53.9 years) who were allocated to the intervention (n = 89) or the usual-care control group (n = 84). Blinded interviewers conducted assessments at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up. The main outcome measure was the incidence of major depression and the secondary outcomes were compliance with treatment, depressive symptoms, emotional distress and caregiver burden.ResultsAt the 12-month follow-up, a lower incidence of depression as evaluated using the Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I Disorders of the DSM-IV was found in the intervention group compared with the control group (10.1%v.25.0%). The relative risk was 0.40 and statistically significant [χ2 = 6.68, degrees of freedom = 1,p = 0.010, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20–0.81], and the number needed to treat was 7 (95% CI 4–27). There was a significant delay in the onset of depression in the intervention group (p = 0.008). The good complier caregivers had a lower incidence of depression. The intervention effect on depressive symptoms, emotional distress and caregiver burden were maintained for 12 months.ConclusionsThis is the first study to demonstrate that a brief problem-solving intervention can prevent the onset of depression among non-professional caregivers over the longer term.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chung-Yuan Hsu ◽  
Ko-Hung Lee ◽  
Hsin-Chia Huang ◽  
Zi-Yu Chang ◽  
Hsing-Yu Chen ◽  
...  

Radial bone adjustment manipulation treatment may be effective to reduce pain rapidly in lateral epicondylalgia patients and the pathological tension in the biceps brachii muscle is highly concerned. To prove this hypothesis, we conducted a randomized controlled trial and included 35 patients with lateral epicondylalgia for more than 2 months. Either manipulation treatment (n=16) or acupuncture (n=19) was given to these patients for 2 weeks and all patients’ symptoms were followed up for 8 weeks after treatment. Both groups demonstrated changes in pain VAS score, grip strength, and DASH questionnaire. Lateral epicondylalgia patients who received manipulation treatment felt pain relief sooner than those who had acupuncture treatments during the first few treatments. However, both acupuncture and manipulation are effective, while the difference has no significance at the 8-week follow-up. The trial was registered with Current Controlled TrialsISRCTN81308551on 5 February 2016.


2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1378-1383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Wilby ◽  
Carlo A Marra ◽  
Jack H da Silva ◽  
Maja Grubisic ◽  
Stephanie Harvard ◽  
...  

Background:: Antiretroviral therapy for the management of HIV typically requires the chronic use of 3 or more medications. As such, patients with HIV are required to manage complex dosing schedules and are at risk of multiple potential adverse effects. The use of pictograms on medication vials as a means of improving patients' understanding of medication information has been shown to positively influence understanding and adherence compared to those using text atone. Objective: To determine whether pictograms (Pharmaglyph) increase patient recall of targeted information associated with HIV medications and whether patients can interpret the intended meaning of pictograms that they had not seen previously. Methods: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in HIV-positive patients aged 19 years or older who were receiving a new prescription for an antiretroviral medication from the ambulatory pharmacy at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Participants were randomized to receive either pictogram-enhanced medication information or standard counseling. At the first follow-up visit, each patient's recall of the medication information was evaluated, and differences between groups were compared. Results: Eighty-two subjects were randomized, 40 to the intervention group and 42 to the control arm. The mean (SD) number of HIV medications was nearly equal between the intervention and control groups: 3.0 (1.5) and 3.1 (1.4), respectively. After a mean of 34 days, 33 patients in the intervention arm and 39 in the control arm completed the study. The majority (88%) of the targeted pieces of information in the intervention group were correctly identified at follow-up, compared to only 2% in the control group (Fisher exact test; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Pictograms improve the recall of targeted medication information among patients receiving antiretroviral therapy for HIV management; however, this appears to be dependent on the fact that these patients received a verbal explanation of each pictogram prior to use.


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