Evidence Tell Research Articles

Meal Timing Interventions for Weight Loss and Metabolic Health—What Does the Evidence Tell Us So Far?

Meal Timing Interventions for Weight Loss and Metabolic Health—What Does the Evidence Tell Us So Far?

Post-Pandemic Learning Technology Developments in UK Higher Education: What Does the UCISA Evidence Tell Us?

This paper explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning technology developments within UK higher education, informed by the perspectives of the institutional Heads of E-Learning. Using a mixed-methods research design, drawing on Universities and Colleges Information Systems Association (UCISA) technology-enhanced learning (TEL) survey data (2018–2022) and panel discussions with institutional Heads of E-Learning, the paper discusses the key changes arising from the pandemic and the likely long-term impact they will have on technology adoption and usage within UK higher education. The UCISA data highlight an increased level of investment in TEL services in the period from 2020 to 2022, with UK higher education institutions supporting an extended core set of centrally managed tools. Interview data indicate that advances in technology provision and staff support are being used to help deliver more flexible and inclusive learning designs. However, the carrying forward of innovative practices from the emergency remote-teaching phase is far from certain, and contingent on instructional competencies (capability) and the capacity of teaching staff to support these developments. We conclude that institutions will need to commit to offering incentives and ongoing professional development to their teaching staff to support sustained innovation in their teaching and course delivery methods.

Environmental Regulation and Labor Demand: What Does the Evidence Tell Us?

Understanding the potential effect of environmental regulation on employment is of broad interest to key stakeholders. Concerns encompass both short- and longer-term effects on workers within the regulated sector, affected communities that already suffer from a lack of employment opportunities, and net employment in the overall economy. We begin our review by presenting a neoclassical microeconomic framework demonstrating how environmental regulations might affect labor demand. We then summarize the main empirical findings from the literature, including sector-specific partial equilibrium estimates and general equilibrium approaches to identifying the employment impacts of regulations. We also briefly describe the literature on how environmental regulations affect labor supply. Finally, we discuss remaining research gaps.

Ultracongruent Designs Compared to Posterior-Stabilized and Cruciate-Retaining Tibial Inserts – What Does the Evidence Tell Us? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundPosterior-stabilized (PS) and cruciate-retaining (CR) have been the most common tibial designs used in total knee arthroplasty. Ultra-congruent (UC) inserts are becoming popular because they preserve bone without relying on the posterior cruciate ligament balance and integrity. Despite increasing use, there is no consensus on how UC inserts perform versus PS and CR designs. MethodsA comprehensive literature search of 5 online databases was performed for articles from January 2000 to July 2022 comparing the kinematic and clinical outcomes of PS or CR tibial inserts to UC inserts. There were nineteen studies included. There were 5 studies comparing UC to CR and 14 comparing UC to PS. Only one randomized controlled trial (RCT) was rated “good quality”. ResultsFor CR studies, pooled analyses showed no difference in knee flexion (n = 3, P = .33) or Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores (n = 2, P = .58). For PS studies, meta-analyses showed better anteroposterior stability (n = 4, P < .001) and more femoral rollback (n = 2, P < .001) for PS but no difference in knee flexion (n = 9, P = .55) or medio-lateral stability (n = 2, P = .50). There was no difference with WOMAC (n = 5, P = .26), Knee Society Score (n = 3, P = .58), Knee Society Knee Score (n = 4, P = .76), or Knee Society Function Score (n = 5, P = .51). ConclusionAvailable data demonstrates there are no clinical differences between CR or PS and UC inserts in small short-term studies ending around 2 years after surgery. More importantly, high-quality research comparing all inserts is lacking, demonstrating a need for more uniform and longer-term studies beyond 5 years after surgery to justify increased UC usage.

Assessing Recent Efforts to Improve Organization of Cancer Care in Poland: What Does the Evidence Tell Us?

Poland has implemented two major organizational changes in recent years to improve cancer care. In 2015, a dedicated ‘fast pathway’ to diagnostics and treatment was implemented for patients suspected of having cancer. In 2019, the National Oncology Network began pilots in four regions of care pathways for cancer at five sites. Neither has been evaluated—no baseline information was collected, and what assessments were undertaken were limited to process measures. While the 2019 initiative was at least piloted, a national rollout has been announced even while the pilot is still ongoing and when concerns about certain aspects of the model have been raised. Given that cancer is the second largest cause of death in Poland and that cancer outcomes are worse compared to Western European averages, there is a particular need to ensure that models of care are informed by the evidence and adapted to the realities of the Polish healthcare system.

Nonsurgical Versus Surgical Management of Femoroacetabular Impingement: What Does the Current Best Evidence Tell Us.

Controversy exists as to the management of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). When nonsurgical management of symptomatic FAI fails, surgical management is generally indicated. However, many groups with a stake in patient care (particularly payors) have insisted on higher levels of evidence. Recently, there have been several Level I studies published, comparing physical therapy (PT) with hip arthroscopy in the management of symptomatic FAI. All of these studies have used outcomes tools developed and validated for patients with nonarthritic hip pain (the International Hip Outcome Tool). Most highest level evidence confirms that although patients with FAI do benefit from PT, patients who undergo surgical management for FAI with hip arthroscopy benefit more than those who undergo PT (mean difference in the International Hip Outcome Tool 6.8 [minimal clinically important difference 6.1], P = 0.0093). Future large prospective studies are needed to evaluate the effect on the outcomes when there is a delay in surgical management in symptomatic individuals, assess whether FAI surgery prevents or delays osteoarthritis, and determine the role of other advanced surgical techniques.

Insights into Editing in the Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East: What Does Documented Evidence Tell Us about the Transmission of Authoritative Texts?, edited by Reinhard Müller and Juha Pakkala

Insights into Editing in the Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East: What Does Documented Evidence Tell Us about the Transmission of Authoritative Texts?, edited by Reinhard Müller and Juha Pakkala

Trade Liberalization and Fiscal Stability in Developing Countries: What Does the Evidence Tell Us?

AbstractThis paper evaluates the evidence as regards the extent to which trade liberalization has led to a decline in tariff revenue, total tax revenue, government expenditure, and government debt. Conventional theory generally predicts that when tariff losses do occur, they may be recouped through better forms of taxation – though a more sophisticated body of theory suggests otherwise. The empirical evidence is also mixed. Theory driven ex‐ante models of trade liberalization assume that trade agreements are revenue neutral. Ex‐post studies suggest that theory may hold in advanced and upper middle‐income economies. However, the consequences for lower income countries are a matter for concern. The majority of the evidence finds that low income countries lose trade tax revenue and are unable to recoup much of that lost revenue. At a time when fresh bilateral trade and investment treaties are being negotiated and WTO reform is on the global policy agenda, this paper highlights the need to design a treaty regime that enhances the ability of poorer nations to mobilize domestic resources without jeopardizing fiscal and financial stability.

What Does the Evidence Tell Us about ‘Thinking and Working Politically’ in Development Assistance?

This article provides a critical review of the evidence on ‘thinking and working politically’ (TWP) in development. Scholars and practitioners have increasingly recognised that development is a fundamentally political process, and there are concerted efforts underway to develop more politically-informed and adaptive ways of thinking and working in providing development assistance. However, while there are interesting and engaging case studies in the emerging, largely practitioner-based literature, these do not yet constitute a strong evidence base that shows these efforts can be clearly linked to more effective aid programming. Much of the evidence used so far to support these approaches is anecdotal, does not meet high standards for a robust body of evidence, is not comparative and draws on a small number of self-selected, relatively well-known success stories written primarily by programme insiders. The article discusses the factors identified in the TWP literature that are said to enable politically-informed programmes to increase aid effectiveness. It then looks at the state of the evidence on TWP in three areas: political context, sector, and organisation. The aim is to show where research efforts have been targeted so far and to provide guidance on where the field might focus next. In the final section, the article outlines some ways of testing the core assumptions of the TWP agenda more thoroughly, to provide a clearer sense of the contribution it can make to aid effectiveness.

Minimally Invasive versus Open Spine Surgery: What Does the Best Evidence Tell Us?

Background:Spine surgery has been transformed significantly by the growth of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedures. Easily marketable to patients as less invasive with smaller incisions, MIS is often perceived as superior to traditional open spine surgery. The highest quality evidence comparing MIS with open spine surgery was examined.Methods:A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving MIS versus open spine surgery was performed using the Entrez gateway of the PubMed database for articles published in English up to December 28, 2015. RCTs and systematic reviews of RCTs of MIS versus open spine surgery were evaluated for three particular entities: Cervical disc herniation, lumbar disc herniation, and posterior lumbar fusion.Results:A total of 17 RCTs were identified, along with six systematic reviews. For cervical disc herniation, MIS provided no difference in overall function, arm pain relief, or long-term neck pain. In lumbar disc herniation, MIS was inferior in providing leg/low back pain relief, rehospitalization rates, quality of life improvement, and exposed the surgeon to >10 times more radiation in return for shorter hospital stay and less surgical site infection. In posterior lumbar fusion, MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) had significantly reduced 2-year societal cost, fewer medical complications, reduced time to return to work, and improved short-term Oswestry Disability Index scores at the cost of higher revision rates, higher readmission rates, and more than twice the amount of intraoperative fluoroscopy.Conclusion:The highest levels of evidence do not support MIS over open surgery for cervical or lumbar disc herniation. However, MIS TLIF demonstrates advantages along with higher revision/readmission rates. Regardless of patient indication, MIS exposes the surgeon to significantly more radiation; it is unclear how this impacts patients. These results should optimize informed decision-making regarding MIS versus open spine surgery, particularly in the current advertising climate greatly favoring MIS.

Laryngeal Dysplasia: What does the Evidence Tell Us?

Management of laryngeal dysplasia often poses a clinical conundrum, especially so with its unpredictable propensity for malignant transformation. The wide heterogeneity in published results and the dearth of level I evidence makes it challenging to arrive at a consensus or best practice guidelines. In 2010, ENT UK had developed such a guideline based on critical analysis of previously published data and professional opinion. This article examines the available evidence, and attempts to highlight the best possible modalities in investigation and management strategies as objectively as possible. Balasubramanian A, Paleri V. Laryngeal Dysplasia: What does the Evidence Tell Us? International Journal of Head and Neck Surgery, 2018;9(2):87-93.

Effective Word Reading Instruction: What Does the Evidence Tell Us?

This article is a report of recent evidence on methods for teaching young and struggling readers to read words. Specifically, evidence comparing synthetic and analytic phonics instruction was reviewed as well as the benefit of instruction in encoding and morphological awareness. The evidence reviewed suggests that instruction in synthetic and analytic phonics are both effective methods for teaching word reading to young and struggling readers and the inclusion of encoding in early reading instruction may provide added benefit. Furthermore, several investigations have found instruction in morphological awareness to be beneficial for improving young students’ word reading. More research is needed to investigate the effectiveness of incorporating encoding and morphological awareness instruction into early reading programs.

User and Community Co-Production of Public Services: What Does the Evidence Tell Us?

ABSTRACTMuch of the current discussion of user and community co-production makes strong claims for its potential to improve outcomes. How much is actually known about the level, drivers, and potential effects of co-production? In this article, some of the key claims made for co-production are examined and an assessment is made of how they stack up against the empirical evidence. In particular, some areas are identified in which practice must be cautious about the potential contribution of co-production, and where further research is needed.

P160 - Minimally Invasive versus Open Spine Surgery: What Does the Best Evidence Tell Us?

Background: Spine surgery has been transformed significantly by the growth of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedures. Easily marketable to patients as less invasive with smaller incisions, MIS is often perceived as superior to traditional open spine surgery. The highest quality evidence comparing MIS with open spine surgery was examined. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving MIS versus open spine surgery was performed using the Entrez gateway of the PubMed database for articles published in English up to December 28, 2015. RCTs and systematic reviews of RCTs of MIS versus open spine surgery were evaluated for three particular entities: Cervical disc herniation, lumbar disc herniation, and posterior lumbar fusion. Results: A total of 17 RCTs were identified, along with six systematic reviews. For cervical disc herniation, MIS provided no difference in overall function, arm pain relief, or long-term neck pain. In lumbar disc herniation, MIS was inferior in providing leg/low back pain relief, rehospitalization rates, quality of life improvement, and exposed the surgeon to >10 times more radiation in return for shorter hospital stay and less surgical site infection. In posterior lumbar fusion, MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) had significantly reduced 2-year societal cost, fewer medical complications, reduced time to return to work, and improved short-term Oswestry Disability Index scores at the cost of higher revision rates, higher readmission rates, and more than twice the amount of intraoperative fluoroscopy. Conclusion: The highest levels of evidence do not support MIS over open surgery for cervical or lumbar disc herniation. However, MIS TLIF demonstrates advantages along with higher revision/readmission rates. Regardless of patient indication, MIS exposes the surgeon to significantly more radiation; it is unclear how this impacts patients. These results should optimize informed decision-making regarding MIS versus open spine surgery, particularly in the current advertising climate greatly favoring MIS.

An EU Recycling Target: What Does the Dutch Evidence Tell Us?

The European Union (EU) advocates a household waste recycling rate of more than 65 %. Although the Netherlands has already invested heavily in recycling policies, this is still a big challenge as nowadays this rate is approximately 50 % on average and very few no municipalities have a rate above 65 %. Given this practice, it is possible to learn from the Dutch experience which policies are effective in increasing recycling rates. Based on a large panel data set for the Netherlands, we show that unit-based pricing, avoiding a duo-bin for unsorted and compostable waste, and reducing the frequency of collecting unsorted and compostable waste at the curbside are effective in raising the recycling rate. However, only a bag-based pricing system has a substantial effect, but this policy can have some adverse effects. Other unit-based pricing systems have effects of less than 10 % points. In nearly all cases, changing the frequency of collection of recyclables has no or very small effects. Moreover, the complementarity between unit-based pricing and curbside service is low. Overall, it seems very difficult to reach the EU goal of 65 % with the policies applied.

Market Efficiency and Government Intervention Revisited: What Dorecent Evidence Tell Us?

Market Efficiency and Government Intervention Revisited: What Do recent Evidence Tell Us? Joseph Boniface Ajefu, Faith Barde Abstract This essay discusses market efficiency in term of what is required for the market to be efficient and the situations in which the market may fail. It discusses externalities and public goods, imperfect competition and asymmetric information. It looks at efficiency and equity which the market typically ignore but are very important to the society; since efficient demand is backed by ability to pay, unfair income distribution affects demand and therefore the need for government intervention. It also points out the fact that the government provides the foundation on which the market rest. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jibe.v3n1a3

Couple and Family Therapy Outcome Research in the Previous Decade: What Does the Evidence Tell Us?

Meta-analyses of randomized control trials include only a small proportion of the published outcome research of Couple and Family Therapy. This paper surveys the ranges of published research through a systematic review of the outcome studies of family, couple, and systemic therapies published in English language peer reviewed journals in years 2000 through 2009. After application of criteria of relevance to Couple and Family Therapy and systemic practice, 225 studies were identified, summarized, and coded under 14 broad headings giving 125 potential classifications for each article. Analyses of these codings found consistent conclusions of effectiveness; differential availability and quality of research for different conditions; and quite frequent absence of important methodological information. The findings are interpreted as showing that this body of recent research supports claims of effectiveness. Although the journals included many of good quality there are substantial areas of weakness in reporting. It is concluded that there are significant influences on the body of published research that arise both from funding policies and journal practices as well as perhaps author bias. The consequences are to reduce the value of research to practitioners, to favour randomized control trials with positive evidence of the effectiveness of therapy, and to exclude publication of negative findings.

Commentary: Innovations in programming for HIV among adolescents: towards an AIDS-free generation.

Ultimately achieving an AIDS-free generation might rely more than we thought on developing adolescent leaders as agents of change -- not simply behavior change but societal and legal change. Innovative programming may be expanding adolescents’ social networks and engagement increasing their HIV-specific knowledge and increasing demand for HIV testing and treatment; but what is to meet this demand; and how will the effects of these programs be rigorously measured? Technology companies and mobile host sites are not clinicians or experts in evaluation. Even dizzying advances in technology are useless if adolescents have no access to them or are not able to access health promoting information services or networks. Moving forward technology and social innovators -- young and old -- must task themselves with removing barriers to testing and treatment that will reduce the sheer numbers of HIV infections and AIDS deaths in this population. Innovations must support adolescents’ access to a wider array of confidential testing options available in the community and through the health sector link them to biomedical and other prevention services of proven efficacy such as antiretroviral therapy medical male circumcision and to specific harm reduction interventions. In the years to come it is network disruption -- of entrenched social mores stigma attitudes and discriminatory practices -- that will constitute true innovation. (Excerpts)

Deprescribing: What Is It and What Does the Evidence Tell Us?

Deprescribing: What Is It and What Does the Evidence Tell Us?

SP0104 What Does Evidence Tell us About Gender Differences in Psychological Impact and Ways of Coping in People with RMD?

It can be a great challenge for men and women to learn to deal with a rheumatic disease and its consequences. There are numerous indications in scientific literature that men...