Articles: outcome-assessment-health-care.
-
Patients with severe somatoform disorder (in secondary and tertiary care) typically experience functional impairment associated with physical symptoms and mental distress. Although psychotherapy is the preferred treatment, its effectiveness remains to be demonstrated. ⋯ Overall findings suggest that psychotherapy is effective in severe somatoform disorder. Future randomised controlled studies should examine specific interventions and mechanisms of change.
-
Meta Analysis
Quantifying bias in randomized controlled trials in child health: a meta-epidemiological study.
To quantify bias related to specific methodological characteristics in child-relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). ⋯ We found no differences in effect estimates between studies based on risk of bias. A potential explanation is the number of trials included, in particular the small number of studies with low risk of bias. Until further evidence is available, reviewers should not exclude RCTs from systematic reviews and meta-analyses based solely on risk of bias particularly in the area of child health.
-
Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Sep 2013
Review Meta AnalysisPostural control and fear of falling assessment in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review of instruments, international classification of functioning, disability and health linkage, and measurement properties.
To systematically review the instruments used to assess postural control and fear of falling in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to synthesize and evaluate their breadth of content and measurement properties. ⋯ Different instruments with heterogeneous content have been used to assess postural control and fear of falling outcomes. Standardized assessment methods and best evidence on measurement properties is required in the COPD literature.
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Sep 2013
Review Meta AnalysisHydration in advanced cancer: can bioelectrical impedance analysis improve the evidence base? A systematic review of the literature.
Decisions surrounding the administration of clinically assisted hydration to patients dying of cancer can be challenging because of the limited understanding of hydration in advanced cancer and a lack of evidence to guide health care professionals. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been used to assess hydration in various patient groupings, but evidence for its use in advanced cancer is limited. ⋯ The benefits and burdens of providing clinically assisted hydration to patients dying of cancer are unclear. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis shows promise as a hydration assessment tool but requires further study in advanced cancer. Innovative methodologies for research are required to add to the evidence base and ultimately improve the care for the dying.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Assessment of research quality of telehealth trials in pain management: a meta-analysis.
Although telehealth-based pain management research has grown over the last decade, it is difficult to determine the state of the research because of methodological differences and variability in quality among existing studies. In a previous systematic review, we outlined these differences and preliminarily explored the promise of telehealth for pain intervention. We completed a PRISMA compliant meta-analysis of telehealth pain management research to more precisely describe the state of the research and to uncover gaps in the existing literature that highlight directions for future research. ⋯ However, some of the reviewed studies found no benefit for telehealth over control conditions. Some methodological concerns among the examined research included poor research quality, small sample sizes, and the examination of telehealth pain interventions without proven efficacy for in-person treatment. Recommendations for future studies are reviewed.