scholarly journals Systematic review of illness uncertainty management interventions for cancer patients and their family caregivers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Guan ◽  
Yousef Qan’ir ◽  
Lixin Song
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Uncertainty Management ◽  
Illness Uncertainty ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Appraisal Support ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Abstract Purpose Illness uncertainty pervades individuals’ experiences of cancer across the illness trajectory and is associated with poor psychological adjustment. This review systematically examined the characteristics and outcomes of interventions promoting illness uncertainty management among cancer patients and/or their family caregivers. Methods PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were systematically searched for relevant literature. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies focusing on interventions for uncertainty management in cancer patients and/or their family caregivers. Results Our database searches yielded 26 studies. Twenty interventions were only offered to cancer patients, who were mostly elder, female, and White. All interventions included informational support. Other intervention components included emotional support, appraisal support, and instrumental support. Most interventions were delivered in person and via telephone (n = 8) or exclusively in person (n = 7). Overall, 18 studies identified positive intervention effects on illness uncertainty outcomes. Conclusion This systematic review foregrounds the promising potential of several interventions—and especially multi-component interventions—to promote uncertainty management among cancer patients and their family caregivers. To further improve these interventions’ effectiveness and expand their potential impact, future uncertainty management interventions should be tested among more diverse populations using rigorous methodologies.

scholarly journals Return to Work Interventions for Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and a Methodological Critique

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristopher Lamore ◽  
Thomas Dubois ◽  
Ulrike Rothe ◽  
Matilde Leonardi ◽  
Isabelle Girard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Major Public Health Issue ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Critical Appraisal Skills

Cancer patients are more at risk of being unemployed or having difficulties to return to work (RTW) compared to individuals without health concerns, and is thus a major public health issue. The aim of this systematic review is to identify and describe the interventions developed specifically to help cancer patients to RTW after treatment. Two researchers independently screened the articles for inclusion and Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklists were used to assess the methodology of the included studies. Ten manuscripts met the inclusion criteria. The type of studies were three quasi-experimental studies, three longitudinal studies, three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and a qualitative study. RTW interventions were conducted in or outside the hospital (n = 6 and 3 respectively), or both (n = 1). Improvements in RTW were only observed in quasi-experimental studies. No improvement in RTW was noted in RCTs, nor in other measures (e.g., quality of life, fatigue). Lack of statistically significant improvement does not necessarily reflect reality, but may be attributed to non-adapted research methods. This systematic review underscores the need for researches in the RTW field to reach a consensus on RTW criteria and their assessment. Recommendations to this effect are suggested.

scholarly journals Between Level Up and Game Over: A Systematic Literature Review of Gamification in Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Manzano-León ◽  
Pablo Camacho-Lazarraga ◽  
Miguel A. Guerrero ◽  
Laura Guerrero-Puerta ◽  
José M. Aguilar-Parra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Current Lines ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Game Elements ◽  
The Impact

Educational gamification consists of the use of game elements and game design techniques in the educational context. The objective of this study is to examine the existing evidence on the impact of educational gamification on student motivation and academic performance in the last five years in order to analyze its distribution over time, educational level, variables, and most used game elements, and know the advantages of its implementation in the classroom. For this, a systematic review is proposed through the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology in three multidisciplinary databases, through an exhaustive search with inclusion and exclusion criteria on quantitative experimental studies that explore gamification in educational centers, which provide information about the most current lines of research. Fourteen studies were included in this review. These used experimental or quasi-experimental designs. Most of them report gamification as a valid learning strategy. The results support the conclusion that educational gamification has a potential impact on the academic performance, commitment, and motivation of students. Therefore, this study implies the need to expand research on the needs and challenges of students when learning with gamified techniques.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Digital Interventions for Psychological Well-Being in the Workplace: A Systematic Review Protocol

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Armaou ◽  
Stathis Konstantinidis ◽  
Holly Blake
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Scientific Databases ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Review Protocol ◽  
Mental Well Being

Objective: Psychological well-being has been associated with desirable individual and organisational outcomes. This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of digital interventions for the improvement of psychological well-being and/or the prevention/management of poor mental well-being in the workplace. Methods: This review protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019142428). Scientific databases including MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and EMBASE will be searched for relevant studies published between January 1990 and July 2019. Studies will be included if they report specific primary and secondary outcomes of digital interventions delivered to adults in the workplace for the improvement of their psychological wellbeing and/or the prevention/management of poor mental well-being and were published in English. Following screening of titles and abstracts, full texts of potentially eligible papers will be screened in duplicate to identify studies that assess the effectiveness of those digital interventions. Discrepancies will be resolved through consensus or by consulting a third reviewer. An integrated narrative synthesis will assess included studies’ findings, and a meta-analysis will be performed if included studies appear to be homogeneous. The “Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias” tool and the JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Quasi-Experimental Studies will be used to appraise included studies. Conclusion: The results of this work will provide recommendations on the use of digital interventions for the promotion of psychological well-being at work. It will also guide the development of future workplace digital interventions and subsequent primary research in this field.

scholarly journals Fatigue self-management led by occupational therapists and/or physiotherapists for chronic conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 174239532110397
Author(s):  
Sungha Kim ◽  
Ying Xu ◽  
Kelly Dore ◽  
Rebecca Gewurtz ◽  
Nadine Larivière ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of occupational therapist-/physiotherapist-guided fatigue self-management for individuals with chronic conditions. Methods Eight databases, including MEDLINE and EMBASE, were searched until September 2019 to identify relevant studies. Randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies of self-management interventions specifically developed or delivered by occupational therapists/physiotherapists to improve fatigue symptoms of individuals with chronic conditions were included. A narrative synthesis and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the effectiveness of fatigue self-management. Results Thirty-eight studies were included, and fatigue self-management approaches led by occupational therapists/physiotherapists were divided into six categories based on the intervention focus: exercise, energy conservation, multimodal programmes, activity pacing, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and comprehensive fatigue management. While all exercise programmes reported significant improvement in fatigue, other categories showed both significant improvement and no improvement in fatigue. Meta-analysis yielded a standardised mean difference of the overall 13 studies: 0.42 (95% confidence interval:−0.62 to − 0.21); standardised mean difference of the seven exercise studies was −0.55 (95% confidence interval: −0.78 to −0.31). Discussion Physical exercises inspired by the self-management principles may have positive impacts on fatigue symptoms, quality of life, and other functional abilities.

scholarly journals Interventions to improve infant and young child feeding practices in Ethiopia: a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e048700
Author(s):  
Kedir Y. Ahmed ◽  
Kingsley Emwinyore Agho ◽  
Andrew Page ◽  
Amit Arora ◽  
Felix Akpojene Ogbo
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Young Child ◽  
Health Facility ◽  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Infant And Young Child ◽  
Quasi Experimental

ObjectiveIn Ethiopia, despite the implementation of several interventions to improve infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, no published studies have highlighted the most effective IYCF interventions in the country. This systematic review investigated the impacts of various interventions on IYCF in Ethiopia.Source of informationA systematic search was conducted on seven computerised bibliographic databases (Embase, ProQuest Central, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, MEDLINE/PubMed and CINAHL) to locate experimental or quasi-experimental studies published between the year 2000 and May 2021.Study eligibility criteriaInterventional studies that measured IYCF indicators (early initiation of breast feeding (EIBF), exclusive breast feeding (EBF), the introduction of complementary foods, minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF) and minimum acceptable diet) as outcome variables were included.Study appraisal and synthesisAll included studies were examined for biases related to interventional studies (ie, selection bias, performance bias, attrition bias, detection bias and reporting bias). Author reports of effect size measures were used to narratively report the findings of each study.ResultsOf the 23 eligible studies, 14 studies were quasi-experimental and 9 studies were cluster randomised trials (CRTs). Eight quasi-experimental studies had a serious risk of bias, while two CRTs had a high risk of bias. Four studies for EBF and six studies for EIBF showed significant impacts of policy advocacy, health service strengthening, interpersonal communication, community mobilisation and mass media campaigns. Six studies for MDD and three studies for MMF indicated significant effects of community-level and health facility complementary feeding promotions on infants and young children. Interventions that delivered in combination increased the impacts in improving EIBF, MDD and MMF compared with a single intervention.ConclusionOur review showed that 12 out of 21 eligible studies that implemented in the form of community-level and health facility interventions improved EIBF, EBF, and/or MDD in Ethiopia.Protocol registration numberPROSPERO, CRD42020155519.

scholarly journals Effectiveness and Safety of Aromatherapy in Managing Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 273-297
Author(s):  
Becky Siu Yin Li ◽  
Carmen Wing Han Chan ◽  
Minjie Li ◽  
Irene Kit Yee Wong ◽  
Yvonne Hoi Un Yu
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Adherence Monitoring ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is the most prominent and distressing manifestation for older persons with dementia (PWD) and caregivers. Aromatherapy has demonstrated its effectiveness in managing BPSD in various studies. However, previous studies and systematic reviews have obtained inconsistent findings, and a review of qualitative studies is yet to be conducted. <b><i>Method:</i></b> A mixed-methods systematic review with a convergent segregated approach was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of aromatherapy in improving the BPSD and quality of life (QoL) of PWD and in relieving the distress and burden of caregivers, as well as its safety for PWD. Both published and unpublished quantitative and qualitative studies written in English and Chinese between January 1996 and December 2020 were retrieved from 28 databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science, based on the prespecified criteria. The methodological quality was assessed by using critical appraisal tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Quantitative synthesis, qualitative synthesis, and integration of quantitative and qualitative evidence were performed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 12 randomized controlled trials, 10 quasi-experimental studies, and 2 qualitative studies were included in the review. Some inconsistent findings regarding the effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing the severity of BPSD were observed. Some studies reported that aromatherapy significantly improved the QoL of PWD and relieved the distress and burden of caregivers, promoted a positive experience among caregivers, and had very low adverse effects on PWD (with aromatherapy inhalation reporting no adverse effects). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Aromatherapy, especially in the inhalation approach, could be a potentially safe and effective strategy for managing BPSD. However, more structuralized and comparable studies with sufficient sample size, adherence monitoring, and sound theoretical basis could be conducted to obtain conclusive findings.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Topical Applications on Reducing Uremic Pruritus: A Systematic Review

Jurnal NERS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 252
Author(s):  
Gabriel Wanda Sinawang ◽  
Rohmatul Faizah ◽  
Mohamad Roni Alfaqih ◽  
Andrik Hermanto
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Almond Oil ◽  
Uremic Pruritus ◽  
Chia Seed ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Topical Applications

Introduction: Uremic pruritus is an unpleasant sensation that has been recognized as a frequent complication in patients with chronic kidney disease. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of topical applications for reducing pruritus.Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar to create an integrative 12 articles review focusing on a 10 year period from 2009 to 2018. The language used was English and the studies focused on pruritus, itching, hydration, chronic kidney disease and where the patient did not undergo a kidney transplant. The articles in this systematic review were experimental studies (pre-experimental, true experimental and quasi-experimental).Results: Most of the findings of the studies showed that a topical application for reducing uremic pruritus (clove oil, almond oil, cromolyn sodium 4%, baby oil, sweet almond oil, vinegar and avenasativa, glycerol and paraffin, sericin cream and chia seed oil) can be used as an adjuvant moisturizing agents for pruritis.Conclusion: Topical applications have a positive effect on itching and decreased pruritus. Topical applications are simple, safe, inexpensive and easily applied, so it can be used on many people.

scholarly journals Potential Benefits of Multimedia-Based Home Catheter Management Education in Patients With Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters: Systematic Review

10.2196/17899 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. e17899
Author(s):  
Kija Malale ◽  
Jili Fu ◽  
William Nelson ◽  
Helena Marco Gemuhay ◽  
Xiuni Gan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Management Education ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters ◽  
Current Systematic Review ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Central Catheters

Background In recent years, there have been many suggestions to use multimedia as a strategy to fully meet the educational needs of patients with peripherally inserted central catheters. However, the potential benefits remain unreliable in the literature. Objective In this study, we identified the potential benefits of multimedia-based home catheter management education in patients with peripherally inserted central catheters and discussed the clinical implications. Methods We performed systematic searches of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase Ovid, Medline, BioMed Central-cancer (BMC-cancer), ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases without date constraints until November 30, 2019. The methodological quality of the eligible studies was appraised using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Narrative synthesis of the study findings was conducted. Results A total of 6 intervention studies met the inclusion criteria, including 3 randomized controlled trials and 3 case-control studies/quasi-experimental studies. The studies included a total of 355 subjects, including a total of 175 in the multimedia groups and 180 in the control groups. We identified 4 potential benefits to patients: (1) improved knowledge, (2) increased satisfaction, (3) reduced incidence of catheter-related complications, and (4) reduced number of cases of delayed care after complications. Conclusions The current systematic review highlights the potential benefits of multimedia-based home catheter management education for patients with peripherally inserted central catheters.

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