Stage 1 Registered Report: Stress regulation via being in nature and social support in adults - a meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Sparacio ◽  
Ivan Ropovik ◽  
Gabriela M. Jiga-Boy ◽  
Hans IJzerman
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Stress Regulation ◽  
Analysis Workflow ◽  
Affective Consequences ◽  
Emotional Social Support ◽  
Stage 1

This meta-analysis explored whether being in nature and emotional social support are effective in reducing levels of stress through a Registered Report. We retrieved all the relevant articles that investigated a connection between one of these two strategies and various components of stress (physiological, affective and cognitive) as well as affective consequences of stress. We followed a stringent analysis workflow (including permutation-based selection models and multilevel regression-based models) to provide publication bias-corrected estimates. We found [no evidence for the efficacy of either strategy/evidence for one of the two strategies/evidence for both strategies] with an estimated mean effect size of [xx/xx] and we recommend [recommendation will be provided if necessary].

scholarly journals Stage 1 Registered Report: Anomalous perception in a Ganzfeld condition - A meta-analysis of more than 40 years investigation

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 826
Author(s):  
Patrizio E. Tressoldi ◽  
Lance Storm
Keyword(s):  
Trend Analysis ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Model ◽  
Moderator Analysis ◽  
Level Of Experience ◽  
Stage 1

This meta-analysis is an investigation into anomalous perception (i.e., conscious identification of information without any conventional sensorial means). The technique used for eliciting an effect is the ganzfeld condition (a form of sensory homogenization that eliminates distracting peripheral noise). The database consists of peer-reviewed studies published between January 1974 and June 2020 inclusive. The overall effect size will be estimated using a frequentist model and a Bayesian random model. Moderator analysis will be used to examine the influence of level of experience of participants and the type of task. Publication bias will be estimated by using three different tests. Trend analysis will be conducted on the cumulative database.

Stress regulation via self-administered mindfulness and biofeedback interventions in adults: A pre-registered meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Sparacio ◽  
Ivan Ropovik ◽  
Gabriela M. Jiga-Boy ◽  
Patrick S. Forscher ◽  
Bastien Paris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Studies ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Stress Regulation ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback ◽  
Regulation Strategies ◽  
Affective Consequences

We conducted a pre-registered meta-analysis to appraise available evidence on two stress regulation strategies: Self-administered mindfulness meditation and heart rate variability biofeedback. We used a combination of keywords to find as many experimental and observational studies as possible, all of which highlighted a link between the two strategies and different components of stress (physiological, affective, and cognitive) and affective consequences of stress. To provide publication bias-corrected estimates, we employed multilevel regression-based methods and permutation-based selection models. We found no evidence for the efficacy of either strategy, which is mostly due to the low quality of the literature, high heterogeneity, high risk of bias, and the lack of Registered Reports. We recommend against relying on these interventions prior to obtaining a more reliable evidence base.

scholarly journals Influence of Mindfulness and Relaxation on Treatment of Essential Hypertension: Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Fushun Zhang ◽  
Yuanyuan Zhang ◽  
Nan Jiang ◽  
Qiao Zhai ◽  
Juanjuan Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Essential Hypertension ◽  
Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Biomedical Literature ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Effect Model

Background. Some studies published previously have shown a strong correlation between hypertension and psychological nature including impulsion emotion or mindfulness and relaxation temperament, among which mindfulness and relaxation temperament might have a benign influence on blood pressure, ameliorating the hypertension. However, the conclusion was not confirmed. Objective. The meta-analysis was performed to investigate the influence of mindfulness and relaxation on essential hypertension interventions and confirm the effects. Methods. Systematic searches were conducted in common English and Chinese electronic databases (i.e., PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database) from 1980 to 2020. A meta-analysis including 5 studies was performed using Rev Man 5.4.1 software to estimate the influence of mindfulness and relaxation on blood pressure, ameliorating the hypertension. Publication bias and heterogeneity of samples were tested using a funnel plot. Studies were analyzed using either a random-effect model or a fixed-effect model. Results. All the 5 studies investigated the influence of mindfulness and relaxation on diastolic and systolic blood pressure, with total 205 participants in the control group and 204 in the intervention group. The random-effects model (REM) was used to calculate the pooled effect for mindfulness and relaxation on diastolic blood pressure (I2 = 0%, t2 = 0.000, P = 0.41 ). The random pooled effect size (MD) was 0.30 (95% CI = −0.81–1.42, P = 0.59 ). REM was used to calculate the pooled effect for mindfulness and relaxation on systolic blood pressure (I2 = 49%, t2 = 3.05, P = 0.10 ). The random pooled effect size (MD) was −1.05 (95% CI = −3.29–1.18, P = 0.36 ). The results of this meta-analysis were influenced by publication bias to some degree. Conclusion. All the results showed less influence of mindfulness and relaxation might act on diastolic or systolic blood pressure, when mindfulness and relaxation are used to intervene in treating CVD and hypertension.

scholarly journals Foetal origins of depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis of low birth weight and later depression

2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Wojcik ◽  
W. Lee ◽  
I. Colman ◽  
R. Hardy ◽  
M. Hotopf
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Normal Birth ◽  
Trim And Fill

BackgroundThe foetal origins hypothesis suggests an association between low birth weight and later depression, yet evidence supporting this association has been inconsistent.MethodWe systematically reviewed evidence for an association between low birth weight and adult depression or psychological distress in the general population by meta-analysis. We searched EMBASE, Medline, PsycINFO and ISI Web of Science for studies reporting observational data with low birth weight as the exposure and self- or clinician-rated depression or psychological distress measures as an outcome. Selective studies of exposures such as famine or outcomes such as severe illness only were excluded. Altogether,1454 studies were screened for relevance, 26 were included in the qualitative synthesis, 18 were included in the meta-analysis. A random effects meta-analysis method was used to obtain a pooled estimate of effect size.ResultsThe odds of depression or psychological distress was greater for those of low birth weight (<2500 g) compared to those of normal birth weight (>2500 g) or greater [odds ratio (OR) 1.15, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.00–1.32]. However, this association became non-significant after trim-and-fill correction for publication bias (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.92–1.27). Using meta-regression, no differences in effect size were observed by gender, outcome measure of depression or psychological distress, or whether the effect size was adjusted for possible confounders.ConclusionsWe found evidence to support a weak association between low birth weight and later depression or psychological distress, which may be due to publication bias. It remains possible that the association may vary according to severity of symptoms or other factors.

scholarly journals Predictive physiological anticipatory activity preceding seemingly unpredictable stimuli: An update of Mossbridge et al’s meta-analysis

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Duggan ◽  
Patrizio Tressoldi
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Intervals ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Statistical Estimation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Weighted Mean ◽  
Weighted Effect Size ◽  
Credible Intervals ◽  
Weighted Effect ◽  
Anticipatory Activity

Background: This is an update of the Mossbridge et al’s meta-analysis related to the physiological anticipation preceding seemingly unpredictable stimuli which overall effect size was 0.21; 95% Confidence Intervals: 0.13 - 0.29 Methods: Nineteen new peer and non-peer reviewed studies completed from January 2008 to June 2018 were retrieved describing a total of 27 experiments and 36 associated effect sizes. Results: The overall weighted effect size, estimated with a frequentist multilevel random model, was: 0.28; 95% Confidence Intervals: 0.18-0.38; the overall weighted effect size, estimated with a multilevel Bayesian model, was: 0.28; 95% Credible Intervals: 0.18-0.38. The weighted mean estimate of the effect size of peer reviewed studies was higher than that of non-peer reviewed studies, but with overlapped confidence intervals: Peer reviewed: 0.36; 95% Confidence Intervals: 0.26-0.47; Non-Peer reviewed: 0.22; 95% Confidence Intervals: 0.05-0.39. Similarly, the weighted mean estimate of the effect size of Preregistered studies was higher than that of Non-Preregistered studies: Preregistered: 0.31; 95% Confidence Intervals: 0.18-0.45; No-Preregistered: 0.24; 95% Confidence Intervals: 0.08-0.41. The statistical estimation of the publication bias by using the Copas selection model suggest that the main findings are not contaminated by publication bias. Conclusions: In summary, with this update, the main findings reported in Mossbridge et al’s meta-analysis, are confirmed.

scholarly journals Stage 2 Registered Report: Anomalous perception in a Ganzfeld condition - A meta-analysis of more than 40 years investigation

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 234
Author(s):  
Patrizio E. Tressoldi ◽  
Lance Storm
Keyword(s):  
Regression Model ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Close Agreement ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Effect Model ◽  
Questionable Research Practices ◽  
Effect Model ◽  
Meta Regression ◽  
Stage 1

This meta-analysis is an investigation into anomalous perception (i.e., conscious identification of information without any conventional sensorial means). The technique used for eliciting an effect is the ganzfeld condition (a form of sensory homogenization that eliminates distracting peripheral noise). The database consists of studies published between January 1974 and December 2020 inclusive. The overall effect size estimated both with a frequentist and a Bayesian random-effect model, were in close agreement yielding an effect size of .088 (.04-.13). This result passed four publication bias tests and seems not contaminated by questionable research practices. Trend analysis carried out with a cumulative meta-analysis and a meta-regression model with Year of publication as covariate, did not indicate sign of decline of this effect size. The moderators analyses show that selected participants outcomes were almost three-times those obtained by non-selected participants and that tasks that simulate telepathic communication show a two-fold effect size with respect to tasks requiring the participants to guess a target. The Stage 1 Registered Report can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.24868.3

Detecting and correcting for publication bias in meta-analysis – A truncated normal distribution approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 2722-2741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiaohao Zhu ◽  
KC Carriere
Keyword(s):  
Normal Distribution ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Truncated Normal Distribution ◽  
Random Effects Models ◽  
Funnel Plot ◽  
Fixed And Random Effects ◽  
Truncated Normal

Publication bias can significantly limit the validity of meta-analysis when trying to draw conclusion about a research question from independent studies. Most research on detection and correction for publication bias in meta-analysis focus mainly on funnel plot-based methodologies or selection models. In this paper, we formulate publication bias as a truncated distribution problem, and propose new parametric solutions. We develop methodologies of estimating the underlying overall effect size and the severity of publication bias. We distinguish the two major situations, in which publication bias may be induced by: (1) small effect size or (2) large p-value. We consider both fixed and random effects models, and derive estimators for the overall mean and the truncation proportion. These estimators will be obtained using maximum likelihood estimation and method of moments under fixed- and random-effects models, respectively. We carried out extensive simulation studies to evaluate the performance of our methodology, and to compare with the non-parametric Trim and Fill method based on funnel plot. We find that our methods based on truncated normal distribution perform consistently well, both in detecting and correcting publication bias under various situations.

scholarly journals The importance of maternal diet quality during pregnancy on cognitive and behavioural outcomes in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e016777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiril Cecilie Borge ◽  
Heidi Aase ◽  
Anne Lise Brantsæter ◽  
Guido Biele
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Affective Domain ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Child Neurodevelopment

ObjectivesThis systematic review and meta-analysis provides a quantitative summary of the literature exploring the relationship between maternal diet quality during pregnancy and child cognitive and affective outcomes. We investigate whether there are indications for robust associations and aim to identify methodological strengths and challenges of the current research to provide suggestions of improvement for future research.Design and participantsRelevant studies were identified through a systematic literature search in relevant databases. All studies investigating maternal diet quality during pregnancy in relation to child cognitive or affective functioning in children of elementary school age or younger were assessed for inclusion.Results18 relevant studies, comprising 63 861 participants were identified. The results indicated a small positive association between better maternal diet quality during pregnancy and child functioning. We observed publication bias and significant heterogeneity between studies, where type of diet classification, publication year and outcome domain together accounted for about 30% of this heterogeneity. Trim and fill analysis substantiated the presence of publication bias for studies in the affective domain and showed an adjusted effect size of Hedge’s g=0.088 (p=0.0018) (unadjusted g=0.093 (p=0.03)). We observed no publication bias in the cognitive domain, where results indicated a slightly larger effect size (g=0.14 (p<0.0001)) compared with that of the affective domain. The overall summary effect size was g=0.075 (p<0.0001) adjusted for publication bias (unadjusted g=0.112 (p=0.0001)). Child diet was not systematically controlled for in the majority of the studies.ConclusionThe results indicated that a better maternal diet quality during pregnancy has a small positive association with child neurodevelopment, with more reliable results seen for cognitive development. These results warrant further research on the association between maternal diet quality during pregnancy and cognitive and affective aspects of child neurodevelopment, whereby it is crucial that future studies account for child diet in the analysis.

scholarly journals Association of Self-Compassion With Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors and Non-suicidal Self Injury: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Suh ◽  
Jisun Jeong
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Studies ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors

Objectives: Self-compassion functions as a psychological buffer in the face of negative life experiences. Considering that suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are often accompanied by intense negative feelings about the self (e.g., self-loathing, self-isolation), self-compassion may have the potential to alleviate these negative attitudes and feelings toward oneself. This meta-analysis investigated the associations of self-compassion with STBs and NSSI.Methods: A literature search finalized in August 2020 identified 18 eligible studies (13 STB effect sizes and seven NSSI effect sizes), including 8,058 participants. Two studies were longitudinal studies, and the remainder were cross-sectional studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted using CMA 3.0. Subgroup analyses, meta-regression, and publication bias analyses were conducted to probe potential sources of heterogeneity.Results: With regard to STBs, a moderate effect size was found for self-compassion (r = −0.34, k = 13). Positively worded subscales exhibited statistically significant effect sizes: self-kindness (r = −0.21, k = 4), common humanity (r = −0.20, k = 4), and mindfulness (r = −0.15, k = 4). For NSSI, a small effect size was found for self-compassion (r = −0.29, k = 7). There was a large heterogeneity (I2 = 80.92% for STBs, I2 = 86.25% for NSSI), and publication bias was minimal. Subgroup analysis results showed that sample characteristic was a moderator, such that a larger effect size was witnessed in clinical patients than sexually/racially marginalized individuals, college students, and healthy-functioning community adolescents.Conclusions: Self-compassion was negatively associated with STBs and NSSI, and the effect size of self-compassion was larger for STBs than NSSI. More evidence is necessary to gauge a clinically significant protective role that self-compassion may play by soliciting results from future longitudinal studies or intervention studies.

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