scholarly journals Following the Science to Generate Well-Being: Using the Highest-Quality Experimental Evidence to Design Interventions

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stewart I. Donaldson ◽  
Victoria Cabrera ◽  
Jaclyn Gaffaney
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Equitable Access ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Rigorous Research ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Second Wave

The second wave of devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to dramatic declines in well-being. While much of the well-being literature is based on descriptive and correlational studies, this paper evaluates a growing body of causal evidence from high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that test the efficacy of positive psychology interventions (PPIs). This systematic review analyzed the findings from 25 meta-analyses, 42 review papers, and the high-quality RCTs of PPIs designed to generate well-being that were included within those studies. Findings reveal PPIs have the potential to generate well-being even during a global pandemic, with larger effect sizes in non-Western countries. Four exemplar PPIs—that have been tested with a high-quality RCT, have positive effects on well-being, and could be implemented during a global pandemic—are presented and discussed. Future efforts to generate well-being can build on this causal evidence and emulate the most efficacious PPIs to be as effective as possible at generating well-being. However, the four exemplars were only tested in WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrial, Rich, and Democratic) countries but seem promising for implementation and evaluation in non-WEIRD contexts. This review highlights the overall need for more rigorous research on PPIs with more diverse populations and in non-WEIRD contexts to ensure equitable access to effective interventions that generate well-being for all.

Helping athletes flourish using mindfulness and acceptance approaches – an introduction and mini review

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Third Wave ◽  
Control Techniques ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Randomized Controlled Studies ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Core Concepts

Mindfulness and acceptance are core concepts of the third wave of cognitive and behavioral psychotherapies. Their aim is not to overpower thoughts and emotions by suppression and using control techniques but to change the relationships with them. This article focuses on mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches in sports. It briefly outlines these approaches and concludes that they are characterized by promoting three processes, which are present-moment attention, metacognitive awareness, and acceptance. Subsequently, the paper describes one approach particularly suitable for sports in detail – Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – with a special focus on how athletes can promote psychological flexibility and thrive in their effort to perform. This paper further addresses the question of whether mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches are effective in sports by summarizing research from the past five years in the form of a mini-review. Findings from 19 reviewed studies, including 15 controlled or randomized controlled studies, suggest that different athlete populations can benefit from mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches in terms of athletic performance and well-being. Positive effects on performance and well-being could be mediated by other psychological processes, e.g., enhanced emotion regulation. Further research is needed, especially regarding the mechanisms that impact mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions in sports.

scholarly journals Meditation: Evidence Map of Systematic Reviews

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caio Fábio Schlechta Portella ◽  
Ricardo Ghelman ◽  
Veronica Abdala ◽  
Mariana Cabral Schveitzer ◽  
Rui Ferreira Afonso
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Complementary Therapy ◽  
Evidence Map ◽  
Confidence Levels ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Key Word ◽  
Meta Analyses

Study Basis: This evidence map presents a summary of studies that addressed the effects of meditation on various clinical and health conditions. Meditation is a contemplative practice that has been used for the promotion of health, and the treatment of different conditions.Method: The study is based on the search of four electronic databases for the period 1994-November 2019 and includes systematic reviews, meta-analyses, meta-syntheses, and integrative reviews. 3iE evidence gap map was the methodology of choice, and AMSTAR 2 was used for the analyses. Tableau was used to graphically display the confidence level, number of reviews, health outcomes, and intervention effects.Results: This map encompasses 191 studies, with Mindfulness being the key word that retrieved the highest number of results. Several meditation techniques were evaluated in different contexts, and the confidence levels of 22 studies were high, 84 were moderate, and 82 were low. Two 2 meta-syntheses and 1 integrative review were also included. Most of the studies reported positive effects and a beneficial potential of the practice of meditation. Health outcomes were divided into five groups out of which mental health and vitality, and well-being and quality of life stood out with the largest number of studies.Conclusions: Meditation has been applied in different areas. This Evidence Map intends to be an easy visual tool to access valuable evidence-based information on this complementary therapy for patients, health professionals, and managers.

Assessment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Detterman ◽  
Jenny Ventura ◽  
Lihi Rosenthal ◽  
Ken Berrick
Keyword(s):  
General Education ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Logic Model ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Climate Assessment ◽  
School Year ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Culture And Climate

By now it should be apparent that unconditional education (UE) is both comprehensive in its scope and ambitious in its goals. This chapter will help outline the formative assessment process that has been created as a means to inform high-quality program planning and implementation and summative assessments used to measure the extent to which the model promotes positive outcomes for students and schools. The two overarching goals of implementing this model are (1) to increase the academic performance and social-emotional well-being of the most struggling students and (2) to increase the capacity of schools serving highly stressed communities to deliver effective interventions through the implementation of a transdisciplinary multi-tiered framework. The second goal relates to capacity building and systems change within the school community itself; while the first relates to the outcomes these changes bring about. More information about the model’s overall theory of action can be found in the logic model in Appendix 7.1. The logic model also highlights the four key components of UE and the implementation strategies related to them. These key components are as follows: …System efficiency, resources match the level of identified student need and schools are able to leverage braided funding, including general education, special education, and mental health dollars. Coordination of services, a transdisciplinary team reviews data, assigns students to intervention, and monitors their progress. Universal supports/Tier 1, a culture and climate team engages in a schoolwide assessment and planning process explained in great detail later in this chapter. Targeted and intensive supports, data-informed, high-quality interventions are implemented with fidelity and monitored for effectiveness…. The strategies related to these four key components are expected to influence a set of comprehensive, long-term outcomes. These outcomes measure the extent to which the model has improved school culture and climate (as measured by the School Climate Assessment Instrument), increased academic achievement (as measure by standardized tests), improved behavior outcomes (as measured by suspension rates), and increased attendance. While data are reviewed at the end of every school year, it is not until the third year that a substantial impact on these long-term measures is expected.

scholarly journals Predicting suicidal behaviours using clinical instruments: Systematic review and meta-analysis of positive predictive values for risk scales

2017 ◽  
Vol 210 (6) ◽  
pp. 387-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Carter ◽  
Allison Milner ◽  
Katie McGill ◽  
Jane Pirkis ◽  
Nav Kapur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Modifiable Risk Factors ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Meta Analyses

BackgroundPrediction of suicidal behaviour is an aspirational goal for clinicians and policy makers; with patients classified as ‘high risk’ to be preferentially allocated treatment. Clinical usefulness requires an adequate positive predictive value (PPV).AimsTo identify studies of predictive instruments and to calculate PPV estimates for suicidal behaviours.MethodA systematic review identified studies of predictive instruments. A series of meta-analyses produced pooled estimates of PPV for suicidal behaviours.ResultsFor all scales combined, the pooled PPVs were: suicide 5.5% (95% CI 3.9–7.9%), self-harm 26.3% (95% CI 21.8–31.3%) and self-harm plus suicide 35.9% (95% CI 25.8–47.4%). Subanalyses on self-harm found pooled PPVs of 16.1% (95% CI 11.3–22.3%) for high-quality studies, 32.5% (95% CI 26.1–39.6%) for hospital-treated self-harm and 26.8% (95% CI 19.5–35.6%) for psychiatric in-patients.ConclusionsNo ‘high-risk’ classification was clinically useful. Prevalence imposes a ceiling on PPV. Treatment should reduce exposure to modifiable risk factors and offer effective interventions for selected subpopulations and unselected clinical populations.

scholarly journals Son of a Lesser God: The Case of Cell Therapy for Refractory Angina

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Bassetti ◽  
Erica Rurali ◽  
Elisa Gambini ◽  
Giulio Pompilio
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Refractory Angina ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Recommended Treatment ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Current Guidelines

In the last decades, various non-pharmacological solutions have been tested on top of medical therapy for the treatment of patients affected by refractory angina (RA). Among these therapeutics, neuromodulation, external counter-pulsation and coronary sinus constriction have been recently introduced in the guidelines for the management of RA in United States and Europe. Notably and paradoxically, although a consistent body of evidence has proposed cell-based therapies (CT) as safe and salutary for RA outcome, CT has not been conversely incorporated into current international guidelines yet. As a matter of fact, published randomized controlled trials (RCT) and meta-analyses (MTA) cumulatively indicated that CT can effectively increase perfusion, physical function and well-being, thus reducing angina symptoms and drug assumption in RA patients. In this review, we (i) provide an updated overview of novel non-pharmacological therapeutics included in current guidelines for the management of patients with RA, (ii) discuss the Level of Evidence stemmed from available clinical trials for each recommended treatment, and (iii) focus on evidence-based CT application for the management of RA.

scholarly journals A Model of Intervention and Implementation of Quality Building and Quality Control in Childcare Centers to Strengthen the Mental Health and Development of 1-3–Year Olds: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of Thrive by Three (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ratib Lekhal ◽  
May Britt Drugli ◽  
Turid Suzanne Berg-Nielsen ◽  
Elisabet Solheim Buøen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Child Development ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Childcare Centers ◽  
Teacher Report ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Universal, high-quality childcare offers a unique opportunity to prevent developmental trajectories leading to mental health problems. Yet, growing evidence has shown that the process quality of Norwegian childcare centers varies considerably, and that research-based models for quality building are significantly lacking. OBJECTIVE To examine whether a model for quality building in childcare centers, Thrive by Three, increases the quality of child–caregiver interactions, and promotes child development, well-being, and mental health. METHODS The Thrive by Three study is a clustered randomized controlled trial involving 187 toddler groups in childcare centers across 7 municipalities within southern and central Norway. Each center is randomly allocated to the intervention or wait-list control group. Data are collected at 4 points: preintervention (T1), midway (T2), postintervention (T3), and 1-year postintervention (T4). Primary outcomes are changes in childcare quality measured by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System toddler version (CLASS), Student–Teacher Relationship Scale, Short Form (STRS-SF), and Life in Early Childhood Programs (LECP), as well as child development and mental health measured by The Brief Infant Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA, parent and teacher report), the Caregiver–Teacher Report Form (C-TRF), and Child Behavior Checklist (parent report) from the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) from 1.5 to 5 years, and child well-being measured by the Leiden Inventory for Child’s Well-Being in Day Care (LICW-D). Secondary outcomes are child cortisol levels, assessed in a subsample of 372 children. RESULTS As of August 2020, a total of 1531 children and 769 staff from 187 toddler groups were recruited. Because of turnover, the recruitment of staff will be ongoing until August 2020. As of January 2020, the intervention group has been working with Thrive by Three for 1.5 years. Data at T1, T2, and T3 from both the intervention and control groups have been completed and T4 will be completed in August 2020. CONCLUSIONS This study makes an important contribution to the field of quality building in childcare centers. The results will provide greater insight into how high quality can be obtained and the effects of high-quality early childcare on child mental health. This in turn will be significant for policymakers and to the Norwegian society at large. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03879733; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03879733 and Norwegian Research Council 260624/H10; https://prosjektbanken.forskningsradet.no/#/project/NFR/260624/Sprak=en INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/17726

scholarly journals Effects of Telemetric Interventions on Maternal and Fetal or Neonatal Outcomes in Gestational Diabetes: Systematic Meta-Review

JMIR Diabetes ◽  
10.2196/24284 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e24284
Author(s):  
Claudia Eberle ◽  
Stefanie Stichling
Keyword(s):  
Glycemic Control ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Hemoglobin A1c ◽  
Glycated Hemoglobin ◽  
Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Meta Analyses

Background In 2019, 1 of 6 births was affected by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) globally. GDM results in adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes in the short and long term, such as pregnancy and birth complications, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. In the context of “transgenerational programming,” diabetes mellitus during pregnancy can contribute to “programming” errors and long-term consequences for the child. Therefore, early therapy strategies are required to improve the clinical management of GDM. The interest in digital therapy approaches, such as telemetry, has increased because they are promising, innovative, and sustainable. Objective This study aimed to assess the current evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness of telemetric interventions in the management of GDM, addressing maternal glycemic control, scheduled and unscheduled visits, satisfaction, diabetes self-efficacy, compliance, maternal complications in pregnancy and childbirth, as well as fetal and neonatal outcomes. Methods Medline via PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases were systematically searched from January 2008 to April 2020. We included randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials in English and German. Study quality was assessed using “A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews” and “Effective Public Health Practice Project.” Results Our search identified 1116 unique studies. Finally, we included 11 suitable studies (including a total of 563 patients and 2779 patient cases): 4 systematic reviews or meta-analyses (1 of high quality and 3 of moderate quality), 6 randomized controlled trials (2 of high quality and 4 of moderate quality), and 1 low-quality nonrandomized controlled trial. We classified 4 “asynchronous interventions” and 3 “asynchronous and real-time interventions.” Our findings indicate that telemetric therapy clearly improves glycemic control and effectively reduces glycated hemoglobin A1c levels. Furthermore, in 1 study, telemetry proved to be a significant predictor for a better glycemic control (hazard ratio=1.71, 95% CI 1.11-2.65; P=.02), significantly fewer insulin titrations were required (P=.04), and glycemic control was achieved earlier. Telemetric therapy significantly reduced scheduled and unscheduled clinic visits effectively, and women were highly satisfied with the treatment (P<.05). From fetal and neonatal short-term outcomes, some improving tendencies in favor of telemetry were determined. No long-term outcomes were detected. Conclusions Telemetric interventions clearly improved glycemic control, notably glycated hemoglobin A1c levels, and reduced scheduled and unscheduled clinic visits effectively, which reinforces this digital approach in the treatment of GDM.

Antimicrobially Impregnated Catheters: An Overview of Randomized Controlled Trials

2003 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 102-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Gastmeier ◽  
I. Zuschneid ◽  
C. Geffers
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Catheter Colonization ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
End Point ◽  
Meta Analyses

In order to acquire an overview of the effectiveness of antimicrobially impregnated catheters on the prevention of catheter related bloodstream infections (CRI), we conducted a systematic review concentrating on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The analysis end point was CRI; therefore, studies focussing only on catheter colonization were excluded. We did not consider abstracts for analysis. We identified 24 RCTs investigating the effectiveness of antimicrobially impregnated catheters. In addition, we discovered five meta-analyses and four studies investigating cost effectiveness. For the majority of antimicrobially impregnated catheter types only a few studies were available, and not enough to draw conclusions. Therefore, despite a relatively large number of RCTs available, the routine use of antimicrobially impregnated catheters as a measure for CRI prevention remains controversial, with a need for more high quality studies.

scholarly journals Physical Exercise for Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge E.P.M. van Haren ◽  
Hans Timmerman ◽  
Carin M. Potting ◽  
Nicole M.A. Blijlevens ◽  
J. Bart Staal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Meta Analyses

Background The treatment-related burden for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may be relieved by physical exercises. Purpose The purpose of this study was to summarize and analyze the evidence provided by randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on physical exercise interventions among patients with cancer undergoing HSCT. Data Sources PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and PEDro were searched for relevant RCTs up to October 1, 2011. Study Selection Two reviewers screened articles on inclusion criteria and indentified relevant RCTs. Data Extraction Two authors assessed the selected articles for risk of bias. Data extraction was performed by 1 reviewer. Meta-analyses were undertaken to estimate the outcomes quality of life (QOL), psychological well-being and distress, and fatigue. Data Synthesis Eleven studies were included, with study populations consisting of recipients undergoing either an allogeneic or autologous HSCT (n=734). Four studies had low risk of bias. The exercise interventions were performed before, during, and after hospitalization for the HSCT. Different exercise programs on endurance, resistance and/or activities of daily living training, progressive relaxation, and stretching were used. Meta-analyses showed that exercise during hospitalization led to a higher QOL (weighted mean difference=8.72, 95% confidence interval=3.13, 14.31) and less fatigue (standardized mean difference=0.53, 95% confidence interval=0.16, 0.91) in patients with an allogeneic HSCT at the moment of discharge from the hospital. No marked effects were found for psychological well-being and distress. Individual study results suggested significant positive effects on QOL, fatigue, psychological well-being and distress, and physical functioning. Limitations Prevalent shortcomings in the included studies were the heterogeneity among studies and the lack of blinding of participants, personnel, and outcome assessment. Conclusions The results suggest that recipients of HSCT may benefit from physical exercise.

scholarly journals Introduction to Special Issue. Distancing, Disease and Distress: The Young and COVID-19: Exploring Young People’s Experience of Inequalities and Their Resourcefulness During the Pandemic

Young ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-330
Author(s):  
Tea Torbenfeldt Bengtsson ◽  
Shane Blackman ◽  
Hannah King ◽  
Jeanette Østergaard
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Everyday Lives ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

The COVID-19 global pandemic has impacted everyone’s lives—young and old. When the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on 11 March 2020 and one country after another went into lockdown, we as editors of YOUNG and youth researchers living in five different countries naturally started to think about and reflect on what impact the pandemic would have on young people’s everyday lives, their well-being and futures across different national settings. In response to this uncertainty and in the interest of capturing young people’s experiences, we as editors called for this special issue to focus on young people and COVID-19, exploring their changed everyday lives and how they adapted to the global pandemic. To accommodate the immense interest and the high quality of many of the submissions, this special issue of YOUNG is a double issue with 11 articles.

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