Problem-Solving Training as an Active Ingredient of Treatment for Youth Depression: A Scoping Review and Meta-Analysis

Problem-solving (PS) training is a common ingredient of evidence-based therapies for youth depression that can be delivered as part of broader therapy packages or alone. As a stand-alone treatment, Problem-Solving Therapy (PST) is effective for adult depression. Aims: This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of the evidence concerning PS training for depression in youth aged 14 to 24. We searched five bibliographic databases and the grey literature. We included four randomized control trials (524 participants) comparing PST with waitlist controls or comparator interventions; four secondary analyses of PS-related concepts as predictors, moderators, or mediators of treatment response; 23 clinical practice guidelines (CPGs); and insights from a youth advisory panel. One high-quality study found PST helped with personal problems but was not significantly more effective than the control at reducing emotional symptoms. Exploratory evidence suggests PS training may enhance treatment effectiveness if provided alongside other skills in cognitive behavioural therapy. CPGs do not recommend PST as a first-line treatment for youth depression. Exploratory meta-analysis showed a small effect (Hedges’ g = -0.34; 95% CI: -0.92 to 0.23) with high heterogeneity and a very low quality of the evidence. After removing one study at high risk of bias, effect size and heterogeneity were strongly reduced (g = -0.08; 95% CI: -0.26 to 0.10). High-quality trials of PST alone or with other therapies are needed. As per suggestions by youth advisors, PS training may need to be reworked to ensure it is youth-driven, strengths-based, comprehensive, and personalized.

Download Full-text

Problem-solving training as an active ingredient of treatment for youth depression: a scoping review and exploratory meta-analysis

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03260-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Karolin R. Krause ◽

Darren B. Courtney ◽

Benjamin W. C. Chan ◽

Sarah Bonato ◽

Madison Aitken ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Practice Guidelines ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Emotional Symptoms ◽

Problem Solving Therapy ◽

Youth Depression ◽

Secondary Analyses

Abstract Background Problem-solving training is a common ingredient of evidence-based therapies for youth depression and has shown effectiveness as a versatile stand-alone intervention in adults. This scoping review provided a first overview of the evidence supporting problem solving as a mechanism for treating depression in youth aged 14 to 24 years. Methods Five bibliographic databases (APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science) and the grey literature were systematically searched for controlled trials of stand-alone problem-solving therapy; secondary analyses of trial data exploring problem-solving-related concepts as predictors, moderators, or mediators of treatment response within broader therapies; and clinical practice guidelines for youth depression. Following the scoping review, an exploratory meta-analysis examined the overall effectiveness of stand-alone problem-solving therapy. Results Inclusion criteria were met by four randomized trials of problem-solving therapy (524 participants); four secondary analyses of problem-solving-related concepts as predictors, moderators, or mediators; and 23 practice guidelines. The only clinical trial rated as having a low risk of bias found problem-solving training helped youth solve personal problems but was not significantly more effective than the control at reducing emotional symptoms. An exploratory meta-analysis showed a small and non-significant effect on self-reported depression or emotional symptoms (Hedges’ g = − 0.34; 95% CI: − 0.92 to 0.23) with high heterogeneity. Removing one study at high risk of bias led to a decrease in effect size and heterogeneity (g = − 0.08; 95% CI: − 0.26 to 0.10). A GRADE appraisal suggested a low overall quality of the evidence. Tentative evidence from secondary analyses suggested problem-solving training might enhance outcomes in cognitive-behavioural therapy and family therapy, but dedicated dismantling studies are needed to corroborate these findings. Clinical practice guidelines did not recommend problem-solving training as a stand-alone treatment for youth depression, but five mentioned it as a treatment ingredient. Conclusions On its own, problem-solving training may be beneficial for helping youth solve personal challenges, but it may not measurably reduce depressive symptoms. Youth experiencing elevated depressive symptoms may require more comprehensive psychotherapeutic support alongside problem-solving training. High-quality studies are needed to examine the effectiveness of problem-solving training as a stand-alone approach and as a treatment ingredient.

Download Full-text

Substance use disorders among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) people in Canada: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-028985 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. e028985

Author(s):

Joseph D Nguemo ◽

Ngozi Iroanyah ◽

Winston Husbands ◽

LaRon E Nelson ◽

Geoffrey Maina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

African Caribbean ◽

Scientific Meetings ◽

English Articles

IntroductionPrevious research demonstrated that substance use continues to be one of the most complex and prevalent problems among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) people. A number of studies were conducted to characterise substance use patterns in this population. To our knowledge, this is the first known review in Canada characterising substance use disorders on ACB people.This scoping review seeks to answer the following research questions: What characterises substance use disorders among ACB people in Canada? What are the different types and prevalence of substance use among ACB people in Canada? Do ACB people in Canada use more than one substance? What factors are associated with substance use among ACB people in Canada? What are the health and social impacts of substance use in ACB people in Canada?Methods and analysesThis study will use the methodological framework for scoping reviews developed by Arksey and O’Malley. We will search electronic bibliographic databases including Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO and CINAHL. We will limit our search to English articles published between 2000and2019. In addition, we will conduct a grey literature search. Two investigators will independently screen citations and full-text articles. Our findings will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for scoping reviews guidelines. We will provide a descriptive summary of the studies and summarise the findings with respect to the outcomes and report any gaps that might require further investigation.Ethics and disseminationOur proposed study does not involve human participants; therefore, research ethics approval is not required. This study will provide evidence that will inform the development of strategies for appropriate interventions, as well as policy and further research. The results will be disseminated through publications in open access peer-reviewed journals, presentations at scientific meetings and to the lay public.

Download Full-text

What Are the Client, Organisational and Employee-Related Outcomes of High Quality Leadership in the Allied Health Professions? A scoping review.

Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management ◽

10.24083/apjhm.v14i2.257 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 19-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Janice McKeever ◽

Ted Brown

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Allied Health ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Future Research ◽

Reference List ◽

High Quality ◽

Allied Health Professionals ◽

Consumer Expectation ◽

Professional Groups ◽

Modern Health Care

Background: Leadership is viewed as the panacea the complex problems in modern health care where chronic disease, contracting budgets and rising consumer expectation are challenging care provision. As the second largest workforce in Australia, Allied Health Professionals (AHP) are core contributors to health teams however they are largely absent from leadership positions and there is little evidence of their impact on client outcomes. Aim: A scoping review was carried out to synthesise evidence on the client, organisational and employee-related outcomes of high quality leadership in Allied Health. Method: A search of grey literature, peer and non-peer reviewed literature was undertaken using Embase, Emcare, SCOPUS and Psychinfo from 2010-2017. Data were sourced from journals, government reports, conference presentations and other grey literature. The reference list of key articles were hand searched for relevant research. Results: A total of 5880 articles were identified and after screening 35 articles were included for in depth review. Leadership contributed towards positive outcomes in all three domains and had influence across professional groups and services. Leaders are highly valued and respected by their teams. Allied Health leaders did not feature in any of the articles and AHP were the focus of only seven studies. The majority of articles were conference papers or case reviews that provided little robust data making it difficult to draw substantive conclusions on the outcome of AHP leadership. Conclusion: There was a lack of robust data specific to AHP leaders. Future research should attempt to gather evidence of the outcomes of AHP leadership through qualitative and quantitative means to substantiate the anecdotal evidence for high quality AHP leaders.

Download Full-text

Systematically Searching Empirical Literature in the Social Sciences: Results from Two Meta-Analyses Within the Domain of Education

Российский психологический журнал ◽

10.21702/rpj.2018.4.10 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 245-265 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David I. Pickup ◽

Robert M. Bernard ◽

Eugene Borokhovski ◽

Anne C. Wade ◽

Rana M. Tamim

Keyword(s):

Information Retrieval ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Full Range ◽

Empirical Literature ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Campbell Collaboration ◽

Manual Search ◽

Review Team ◽

Meta Analyses

Introduction. This paper provides an overview of the information retrieval strategy employed for two meta-analyses, conducted by a systematic review team at Concordia University (Montreal, QC, Canada). Both papers draw on standards first articulated by H.M. Cooper and further developed by the Campbell Collaboration, which promote a comprehensive approach to systematically searching an extensive array of resources (bibliographic databases, print resources, citation indices, etc.) in order to locate both published and unpublished research. The goal is to verify if searching comprehensively through multiple resources retrieves studies that are unique, and hence, improve the overall representativeness of a diverse body of literature. We also analyze the sensitivity and specificity of the results by data source. Methods. In order to determine the source sensitivity, we consider percentage of results from each source retrieved for full-text review. In order to determine the source specificity, we derive a percentage from the total number of studies included in the final meta-analysis compared against the overall number of initial results found. Results. Results demonstrate the need to search beyond the subject-specific databases of a particular discipline as unique results can be found in many places. Databases for related disciplines provided 129 unique includes to each meta-analysis, and multidisciplinary databases provided 44 and 99 unique includes for the two meta-analyses in question respectively. Manual search techniques were much more sensitive and specific than electronic searches of databases and yield a higher percentage of final includes. Discussion. The results demonstrate the utility of a comprehensive information retrieval methodology like that proposed by the Campbell Collaboration, which goes beyond the main subject databases to locate the full range of information sources, including grey literature.

Download Full-text

Quality of patient, family, caregiver and public engagement in decision-making in healthcare systems: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032788 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. e032788

Author(s):

Clayon Hamilton ◽

M Elizabeth Snow ◽

Nancy Clark ◽

Shannon Gibson ◽

Maryam Dehnadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Family Caregiver ◽

Research Question ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Healthcare Systems ◽

Evaluation Framework ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Scientific Article

IntroductionTo advance person- and family-centred healthcare, government initiatives have supported the engagement of patients and family caregivers in decision-making in healthcare systems. There is, however, no consensus on how to define success for such initiatives. This scoping review aims to identify the key elements for defining the quality of patient and family caregiver engagement in decision-making across the engagement domains (individual, community/organisation, system) of British Columbia’s healthcare system. We will use those elements to develop a conceptual evaluation framework.Methods and analysisThis scoping review follows Arskey and O’Malley’s methodology. (1) The research question was identified through team discussions. (2) Articles for data source will be identified using a librarian-informed search strategy for seven bibliographic databases as well as grey literature sources. (3) Selected articles will be relevant to the evaluation of patient and family caregiver engagement in healthcare systems. (4) Two researchers will independently extract data into predefined and emerging categories. (5) The researchers will reconcile and organise the identified elements. The research team’s collective perspective will then refine the elements, and select, interpret and summarise the results. (6) Persons from key stakeholder groups will be consulted to refine the emergent conceptual framework.Ethics and disseminationWe will seek ethics approval for the stakeholder consultation. This study follows an integrated knowledge translation approach. The results will inform evaluation of the Patients as Partners Initiative of the British Columbia Ministry of Health, and will be disseminated as a scientific article, a research brief, and presentations at conferences and stakeholder meetings.

Download Full-text

Herpes zoster epidemiology in Latin America: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0255877 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0255877

Author(s):

Ariel Esteban Bardach ◽

Carolina Palermo ◽

Tomás Alconada ◽

Macarena Sandoval ◽

Darío Javier Balan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Latin America ◽

Herpes Zoster ◽

Cumulative Incidence ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Case Fatality ◽

Incidence Density ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Hospitalization Rates

The epidemiology and burden of Herpes Zoster (HZ) are largely unknown, and there are no recent reviews summarizing the available evidence from the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize the epidemiology and burden of HZ in LAC. Bibliographic databases and grey literature sources were consulted to find studies published (January 2000 –February 2020) with epidemiological endpoints: cumulative incidence and incidence density (HZ cases per 100,000 person-years), prevalence, case-fatality rates, HZ mortality, hospitalization rates, and rates of each HZ complication. Twenty-six studies were included with most studies coming from Brazil. No studies reported the incidence of HZ in the general population. In population at higher risk, the cumulative incidence ranged from 318–3,423 cases of HZ per 100,000 persons per year of follow-up. The incidence density was 6.4–36.5 cases per 1,000 person-years. Age was identified as a major risk factor towards HZ incidence which increase significantly in people >50 years of age. Hospitalization rates ranged from 3%–35.7%. The in-hospital HZ mortality rate ranged from 0%–36%. Overall, HZ mortality rates were found to be higher in females across all age groups and countries. The incidence of HZ complications (such as post-herpetic neuralgia, ophthalmic herpes zoster, and Ramsay Hunt syndrome) was higher in the immunosuppressed compared to the immunocompetent population. Acyclovir was the most frequently used therapy. Epidemiological data from Ministry of Health databases (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile y Mexico) and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s Global Burden of Disease project reported stable rates of hospitalizations and deaths over the last 10 years. High-risk groups for HZ impose a considerable burden in LAC. They could benefit from directed healthcare initiatives, including adult immunization, to prevent HZ occurrence and its complications.

Download Full-text

Use of behavioural activation to manage pain: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041036 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. e041036

Author(s):

Sandra Walsh ◽

Martin Jones ◽

Richard John Gray ◽

Marianne Gillam ◽

Kate M Gunn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Empirical Support ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Behavioural Activation ◽

Clinician Training ◽

Psychological Therapies ◽

Clinical Trial Registries

IntroductionChronic pain is a distressing condition and often poorly treated and managed. Psychological therapies are considered first-line intervention for people with chronic pain. Common psychological therapies require extensive clinician training and specialist qualifications. One approach that does not need lengthy training nor specialist qualification, but has empirical support in other health domains, is behavioural activation (BA). BA seeks to increase engagement in behaviours that are valued by the person and progress through behaviours that can increase mood and develop skills that build satisfying routines. BA can help people to manage their condition through scheduling behaviours, promoting routine and mastery over their condition. The extent to which BA has been used to support people living with chronic pain is not clear.Methods and analysisThis scoping review aims to identify published studies describing the application of BA to support people living with chronic pain. To map the evidence regarding BA and chronic pain, including the study type and the associated evidence, a scoping review was adopted. The search will be conducted in bibliographic databases, clinical trial registries and grey literature. No date limits will be applied to the search strategy. Screening of titles and abstracts, and full-text screening, will be independently undertaken by two investigators using Covidence software. Any disagreement between investigators will be resolved by a third investigator. Data from included publications will be extracted using a customised data extraction tool.Ethics and disseminationThe scoping review is an analysis of existing data and therefore ethics approval is not required. The findings of this scoping review will further our understanding of how BA has been used to support people living with chronic pain and inform future training and education programmes in this area.

Download Full-text

Mapping Evidence of Neonatal Resuscitation Training on Practice of Unskilled Birth Attendants in Low- Resource Countries: a scoping review protocol (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.18935 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Adenike Adebola Olaniyi

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Full Text ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Newborn Infants ◽

Neonatal Resuscitation ◽

Birth Asphyxia ◽

Birth Attendants ◽

Resuscitation Training ◽

Review Protocol

BACKGROUND Competence in neonatal resuscitation of the newborn is very critical to ensure the safety and health of the newborn infants. Effects of acquisition of neonatal resuscitation skills improve self-efficacy, thereby reducing neonatal mortality as a result of asphyxia. About one-quarter of all neonatal deaths globally are caused by birth asphyxia. The need for neonatal resuscitation is most imperative in a resource-constrained setting, where access to intrapartum obstetric care is inadequate and poor. OBJECTIVE The protocol describes the methodology of a scoping review on evidence of training in neonatal resuscitation and its association with practice in low-resources countries. The aim of the review is to map available evidence of neonatal resuscitation training proficient on unskilled birth attendants practice. METHODS This scoping review protocol uses the framework proposed by Arksey & O’Malley and refined by Levac et al, published by Joanna Briggs Institute while following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Review Protocols guidelines. The search strategy was developed with the assistance of the college librarian. Five peer-reviewed data-bases (EBSCOhost (PsychINFO, Wiley online), PubMed, MEDLINE with full-text, Google Scholar (Science Direct), CINAHL Plus with full text EBSCOhost), databases committed to grey literature sources, and reference extraction will be used. Two independent reviewers will screen and extract data. Discrepancies will be resolved by the third reviewer. The extracted data will undergo a descriptive analysis of contextual data and a quantitative analysis using appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS NULL CONCLUSIONS NULL

Download Full-text

Peer support programs for people experiencing suicidality – A systematic scoping review of current literature

10.21203/rs.2.16656/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

MARISA SCHLICHTHORST ◽

Ingrid Ozols ◽

Lennart Reifels ◽

Amy Morgan

Keyword(s):

Peer Support ◽

Suicide Prevention ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Support Programs ◽

Research Knowledge ◽

Definition Of ◽

Clinical Trials Registry

Abstract Background Peer-led support models have gained increasing popularity in mental healthcare. Yet little is known about the types of peer support programs that exist in suicide prevention and whether these are effective in improving the health and wellbeing of people at risk of suicide.Method We conducted a systematic scoping review, involving a search of three academic (Medline, PsycINFO, Embase), and selected grey literature databases (Google Scholar, WHO Clinical Trials Registry) for publications between 2000 and 2019. We also contacted suicide prevention experts and relevant internet sites to identify peer support programs that exist but have not been evaluated. The screening of records followed a systematic two-stage process in alignment with PRISMA guidelines.Results We identified 8 records accounting for 7 programs focused on peer-led support programs in suicide prevention. These programs employed a range of different designs and included a variety of settings (schools, communities, rural and online). Only 4 of these 7 programs contained data on the effectiveness of the program, and this evaluation data was descriptive on all accounts but showed promising results. With the small number of eligible programs in this review our findings are limited and must be interpreted with caution.Conclusions Despite the increased focus of policymakers on the importance of peer support programs in suicide prevention, our scoping review confirms an evidence gap in research knowledge regarding design, implementation, and effectiveness of programs. More rigour is required in reporting peer support initiatives to clarify the underlying definition of peer support and to enhance our understanding of the types of current peer support programs available to those experiencing suicidality. Further, we need formal and high-quality evaluations of peer support suicide prevention programs to better understand their effectiveness on participant health across different settings and delivery modalities and to allow for comprehensive systematic reviews and meta-analysis in future.

Download Full-text

Haemorrhage control in the prehospital setting: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029051 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. e029051 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Chibuike Ezeibe ◽

Justin C McCarty ◽

Muhammad A Chaudhary ◽

Elzerie De Jager ◽

Juan Herrera-Escobar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Search Strategy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Prehospital Setting ◽

Future Research ◽

Injury Death ◽

Haemorrhage Control ◽

The Usa ◽

The Military

IntroductionPrehospital haemorrhage control has saved thousands of lives in the military over the last decade. While uncontrolled haemorrhage is a leading cause of preventable injury death in the USA for individuals under 45, military prehospital haemorrhage control techniques have not fully translated to the civilian sector in the USA. The effective implementation of haemorrhage control for civilian prehospital trauma is dependent on a more complex array of system and personnel-level factors than the military.ObjectiveThis protocol describes the methodology of a scoping review on haemorrhage control strategies in the prehospital setting; specifically, education, logistics and implementation of these strategies. The aim of the review is to identify research gaps and create recommendations for future research surrounding prehospital layperson haemorrhage control.MethodsThe protocol uses the framework published by The Joanna Briggs Institute and Arksey and O’Malley, while following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Review Protocols guidelines. The search strategy was refined with the help of a medical librarian. Three peer-reviewed databases (EMBASE, PubMed and Web of Science), databases dedicated to grey literature sources, and reference mining will be used. Two investigators will independently screen and extract data. Discrepancies will be resolved by a third investigator. The extracted data will undergo descriptive analysis of the contextual data and a quantitative analysis using the appropriate statistical methods. In addition, this search strategy will be supplemented by a grey literature search.Ethics and disseminationResearch ethics approval is not required for this scoping review. This scoping review will serve to highlight existing gaps within the literature to guide further research and develop future strategies to improve prehospital haemorrhage management. The results of this review will be presented at relevant national and international conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Download Full-text