The Impact of Foot Orthoses and Exercises on Pain and Navicular Drop for Adult Flatfoot: A Network Meta-Analysis

Background: Adult flatfoot leads to injury and decreased quality of life. The most widely applied noninvasive approaches are wearing foot orthoses or exercising. Both interventions raise controversy about reducing pain and neutralizing foot posture. This study investigated the impact of foot orthoses and exercise on pain and navicular drop (present for foot posture). Methods: Four databases were used: MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane, from the earliest records to November 2020. Randomized controlled studies focused on adult flatfoot that evaluated the effect of exercise and foot orthoses on pain and navicular drop were extracted. We used data analysis to estimate the relative effect of heterogeneity using I2 and publication bias using funnel plots. Results: Ten studies were identified through to November 2020. Active interventions (AIs) were exercise and exercise combined with foot orthoses; passive interventions (PIs) were foot orthoses and added stretching. Both AIs and PIs decreased pain significantly (SMD −0.94, 95% CI −1.35, −0.54 and SMD −1.4, 95% CI −1.87, −0.92). The AIs reduced pain level better than PIs. Controversially, no treatment was found to affect navicular drop. Conclusion: Both exercise and foot orthoses can reduce pain but not realign foot posture. Exercise alone or combined with foot orthoses showed a better effect on adult flatfoot than only wearing foot orthoses. Active intervention was shown to have better efficacy in reducing pain than passive intervention.

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Virtual Reality-Based Therapy Improves Fatigue, Impact, and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. A Systematic Review with a Meta-Analysis

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21217389 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (21) ◽

pp. 7389

Author(s):

Irene Cortés-Pérez ◽

Marcelina Sánchez-Alcalá ◽

Francisco Antonio Nieto-Escámez ◽

Yolanda Castellote-Caballero ◽

Esteban Obrero-Gaitán ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Simple Observation ◽

High Level ◽

The Impact ◽

Better Than

Patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have a high level of fatigue and a reduced quality of life (QoL) due to the impact of multiple sclerosis (MS). Virtual reality-based therapy (VRBT) is being used to reduce disability in PwMS. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of VRBT on fatigue, the impact of MS, and QoL in PwMS. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted through a bibliographic search on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro up to April 2021. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with PwMS that received VRBT in comparison to conventional therapy (CT) including physiotherapy, balance and strength exercises, and stretching or physical activity, among others; or in comparison to simple observation; in order to assess fatigue, MS-impact, and QoL. The effect size was calculated using Cohen’s standardized mean difference with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: Twelve RCTs that provided data from 606 PwMS (42.83 ± 6.86 years old and 70% women) were included. The methodological quality mean, according to the PEDro Scale, was 5.83 ± 0.83 points. Our global findings showed that VRBT is effective at reducing fatigue (SMD −0.33; 95% CI −0.61, −0.06), lowering the impact of MS (SMD −0.3; 95% CI −0.55, −0.04), and increasing overall QoL (0.5; 95% CI 0.23, 0.76). Subgroup analysis showed the following: (1) VRBT is better than CT at reducing fatigue (SMD −0.4; 95% CI −0.7, −0.11), as well as in improving the mental dimension of QoL (SMD 0.51; 95% CI 0.02, 1); (2) VRBT is better than simple observation at reducing the impact of MS (SMD −0.61; 95% CI −0.97, −0.23) and increasing overall QoL (SMD 0.79; 95% CI 0.3, 1.28); and (3) when combined with CT, VRBT is more effective than CT in improving the global (SMD 0.6, 95% CI 0.13, 1.07), physical (SMD 0.87; 95% CI 0.3, 1.43), and mental dimensions (SMD 0.6; 95% CI 0.08, 1.11) of QoL. Conclusion: VRBT is effective at reducing fatigue and MS impact and improving QoL in PwMS.

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Exercise efficacy and prescription during treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a systematic review

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-020-07733-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dominic O’Connor ◽

Malcolm Brown ◽

Martin Eatock ◽

Richard C. Turkington ◽

Gillian Prue

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Pancreatic Cancer ◽

Adjuvant Therapy ◽

Physical Function ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Surgical resection remains the only curative treatment for pancreatic cancer and is associated with significant post-operative morbidity and mortality. Patients eligible for surgery, increasingly receive neo-adjuvant therapy before surgery or adjuvant therapy afterward, inherently exposing them to toxicity. As such, optimizing physical function through exercise during treatment remains imperative to optimize quality of life either before surgery or during rehabilitation. However, current exercise efficacy and prescription in pancreatic cancer is unknown. Therefore, this study aims to summarise the published literature on exercise studies conducted in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing treatment with a focus on determining the current prescription and progression patterns being used in this population. Methods A systematic review of four databases identified studies evaluating the effects of exercise on aerobic fitness, muscle strength, physical function, body composition, fatigue and quality of life in participants with pancreatic cancer undergoing treatment, published up to 24 July 2020. Two reviewers independently reviewed and appraised the methodological quality of each study. Results Twelve studies with a total of 300 participants were included. Heterogeneity of the literature prevented meta-analysis. Exercise was associated with improvements in outcomes; however, study quality was variable with the majority of studies receiving a weak rating. Conclusions High quality evidence regarding the efficacy and prescription of exercise in pancreatic cancer is lacking. Well-designed trials, which have received feedback and input from key stakeholders prior to implementation, are required to examine the impact of exercise in pancreatic cancer on key cancer related health outcomes.

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The impact on quality of life in patients with burning mouth syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology ◽

10.1016/j.oooo.2020.11.019 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Juliana Vianna Pereira ◽

Ana Gabriela Costa Normando ◽

Carla Isabelly Rodrigues-Fernandes ◽

César Rivera ◽

Alan Roger Santos-Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Burning Mouth Syndrome ◽

Burning Mouth ◽

The Impact

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The Impact of Between-Wave Engagement Strategies on Response to a Longitudinal Survey

International Journal of Market Research ◽

10.2501/ijmr-2015-046 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 57 (4) ◽

pp. 533-554 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrew Cleary ◽

Nigel Balmer

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Survey ◽

Longitudinal Surveys ◽

Face To Face ◽

Participant Engagement ◽

Engagement Strategies ◽

Design Attributes ◽

New Research ◽

The Impact ◽

Better Than

Maintaining participant engagement in longitudinal surveys has been a key focus of survey research, and has implications for the quality of response and cost of administration. This paper presents new research measuring the impact of the design of between-wave keeping-in-touch mailings on response to the mailing and subsequent wave of a longitudinal survey. Three design attributes of the mailings were randomly implemented: the form of response request (whether respondents were asked to respond only if their address had changed, or in all cases to confirm or update their address); the newsletter included with the mailing (contrasting a newsletter with content tailored to respondent characteristics with a general newsletter and no newsletter); and the outgoing postage used (stamped or franked). The experiments were fielded on a new longitudinal study, the English and Welsh Civil and Social Justice Panel Survey (CSJPS), and took place between waves one and two. Fieldwork for both waves was conducted by Ipsos MORI face-to-face interviewers. Our main finding was that the tailored newsletter was associated with a significant increase in the wave-two response rate. However, in relation to response to the request, the tailored newsletter, or sending no newsletter at all, were equally effective at inducing response, and significantly better than the general newsletter. We also found that, in relation to the form of request, the ‘change of address’ request was as effective as the more costly ‘confirmation’ request. Findings are discussed with reference to the design of keeping-in-touch mailings for longitudinal surveys.

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Development of a Best Practice Statement on the Use of Ankle-Foot Orthoses Following Stroke in Scotland

Prosthetics and Orthotics International ◽

10.3109/03093646.2010.486392 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 245-253 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Roy Bowers ◽

Karyn Ross

Keyword(s):

Health Service ◽

Working Group ◽

Best Practice ◽

Foot Orthoses ◽

Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽

Expert Working Group ◽

Health Service Quality ◽

The Impact ◽

Successes And Challenges

A National Health Service Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) scoping exercise in 2007 identified the use of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) following stroke as a clinical improvement priority, leading to the development of a best practice statement (BPS) on AFO use after stroke. This paper outlines the development process of the BPS which is available from NHS QIS. The authors were involved as part of a working group that included practitioners from the fields of orthotics, physiotherapy, stroke nursing and bioengineering, staff of NHS QIS and a patient representative. In consultation with an NHS QIS health services researcher, the authors undertook a systematic literature review to evidence where possible the recommendations made in the BPS. Where evidence was unavailable, consensus was reached by the expert working group. As the BPS was designed for the non-specialist and non-orthotic practitioner the authors also developed educational resources which were included within the BPS to aid the understanding of the principles underpinning orthotic design and prescription. The BPS has been widely distributed throughout the health service in Scotland and is available electronically at no cost via the NHS QIS website. As part of an ongoing evaluation of the impact of the BPS on the quality of orthotic provision, NHS QIS has invited feedback regarding successes and challenges to implementation.

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Baduanjin Exercise for Adults Aged 65 Years and Older: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/07334648211059324 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 073346482110593

Author(s):

Cindy Jones ◽

Meiling Qi ◽

Zihui Xie ◽

Wendy Moyle ◽

Benjamin Weeks ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Mainland China ◽

Walking Ability ◽

Search Terms ◽

Randomized Controlled Studies ◽

Chinese Studies ◽

Older Chinese

This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the health effects of Baduanjin exercise on adults aged 65 years and older. Chinese and English databases were electronically searched using search terms related to the PICO model from inception through June 2021. The study quality assessment and meta-analysis were conducted using the PEDro scale and RevMan 5.4 software. Eleven included Chinese studies, published between 2015 and 2021, recruited participants from the mainland of China. The aggregated results showed significant benefits of Baduanjin on physical function, walking ability, balance, and anxiety. A long-term Baduanjin intervention could also improve quality of life and reduce falls and pain. Baduanjin appears to have the potential to improve the health of older adults, but conclusions are limited due to the lack of rigorous and robust studies within and outside of mainland China. Larger, well-designed RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.

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The Influence of Rooting Substrate and Growth Regulators Indol butyric Acid and Naphthalene Acetic Acid in the Number and Length of Adventitious Roots to Hardwood Cuttings in Blueberry cv. ‘Bluecrop’ (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Journal of Agricultural Studies ◽

10.5296/jas.v4i4.10013 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 28

Author(s):

Sabri Braha ◽

Petrit Rama

Keyword(s):

Growth Regulators ◽

Growing Season ◽

Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽

Naphthalene Acetic Acid ◽

Important Variation ◽

Physiological Processes ◽

One Year ◽

The Impact ◽

Better Than

The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of the turf-only substrate and turf–perlite in the ratio 2:1 and of growth regulators in the quality of adventive roots ( the number and length) of well lignified one-year old branches without fruit buds in the Bluecrop cultivar (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) taken at the end of the latent period before budding at the February 15 th during the -2015 growing season. In order to support the increase of the number of roots and their length the hardwood cuttings are treated with different IBA and NAA concentrations (1500, 3000, 4500 ppm), while a part of cuttings were untreated control. The number and the length of roots have increased in relation to the increase of concentration from 1500 to 3000 ppm followed by a decline of these values in concentrations over 3000 ppm. Respectively, the number of roots (8) and the higher values of root length (4.6 cm) are achieved in the turf–perlite substrate, IBA 3000 ppm (compared to the turf-only substrate). The presence of perlite helps the aeration of the substrate and supports biochemical and physiological processes which lead to the inducing of adventive roots. Regarding the number and length of roots an important variation for (p<0.05) was observed between different concentrations of IBA and NAA. In general the effect of IBA was a lot better than the effect of NAA.

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Impact of eating disorders on paid or unpaid work participation and performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Journal of Eating Disorders ◽

10.1186/s40337-021-00525-2 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fatima Safi ◽

Anna M. Aniserowicz ◽

Heather Colquhoun ◽

Jill Stier ◽

Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Eating Disorders ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Work Participation ◽

Unpaid Work ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

And Performance ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Eating disorders (ED) can reduce quality of life by limiting participation and performance in social and occupational roles, including paid or unpaid work. The association between ED pathologies and work participation and performance must be well understood to strengthen vocational rehabilitation programmes and prevent occupational disruptions in the ED population. The aims of this study are: (1) to examine the degree of association between ED pathologies and work participation and performance in 15-year-olds and older; (2) to highlight the specific ED symptoms that are most correlated with changes in work performance and participation; (3) to compile the most common metrics and assessments used to measure work participation and performance with ED. Methods Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library will be searched for observational and experimental studies that meet the following criteria: (1) a clinical sample of typical or atypical ED; (2) paid or unpaid employment or training; (3) an association between ED pathologies and work participation or performance. Unpublished data will also be examined. Title and abstract, and full-text screening will be conducted in duplicate. Risk of bias and quality of evidence assessments will be completed. A random-effect meta-analysis will be performed. Discussion This synthesis can clarify knowledge and gaps around the impact of ED on work functioning, thereby allowing better evaluation, improvements and development of current workplace assessments, interventions, and policies. Trial registration The registration number for this systematic review on PROSPERO is CRD42021255055.

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The impact of music on health-related quality of life, as quantified by the SF-36: A systematic review and meta-analysis

10.1101/2021.11.30.21267066 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

J. Matt McCrary ◽

Eckart Altenmuller ◽

Clara Kretschmer ◽

Daniel S. Scholz

Keyword(s):

Standard Treatment ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Music Listening ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Sf 36 ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

The Impact

Background/Objectives: Increasing evidence supports the ability of music to broadly promote wellbeing and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, the magnitude of music effects on HRQOL is still unclear, particularly relative to established interventions, limiting inclusion of music interventions in health policy and care. The SF-36 is the most widely used instrument to evaluate HRQOL, with broad validity in evaluating the effects of a range of interventions. This study aims to synthesize and contextualize the impact of music interventions on HRQOL, as assessed by the SF-36. Methods: MEDLINE; EMBASE; Web of Science; PsycINFO, clinicaltrials.gov, and ICTRP databases were searched on 30 July 2021. Randomized and single-group studies of music interventions which reported SF-36 data at pre- and post-intervention timepoints were included. Observational studies were excluded. The quality and certainty of evidence provided by included articles and meta-analysis results was appraised using GRADE. Inverse variance random effects meta-analyses quantified changes in SF-36 mental and physical component summary scores (respectively, MCS and PCS) pre- to post-intervention and vs. common control groups. Results: Analyses included 764 participants from 25 studies. Music interventions (music listening, 10 studies; music therapy, 7 studies; singing, 7 studies; gospel music, 1 study) significantly improved MCS (Mean difference (MD) [95% confidence interval]=3.0 [1.4, 4.6]; p<.001) and PCS (MD=1.0 [0.1, 2.0; p<.04) scores. In a subgroup (8 studies; music group, N=254; control, N=257) addition of music to standard treatment for a range of conditions significantly improved MCS scores vs. standard treatment alone (MD=3.7 [0.4, 7.1; p<.03). Effects did not vary between music listening, therapy and singing intervention types or doses (p>.12); no evidence of small study or publication biases was present in any analysis (p>.31). Music impact on MCS scores meets SF-36 minimum important difference thresholds (MD>/=3) and is within the range of established interventions. Conclusions: This study provides Moderate quality evidence that music interventions can generally be used to provide clinically meaningful improvements in HRQOL. Further study is needed to determine optimal music interventions and doses for distinct clinical and public health scenarios. Funding: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Registration: PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021276204)

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