Narrative Literature Research Articles

Theoretically grounded music therapy interventions for people with obsessive compulsive disorder

Over two percent of adults experience obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in their lifetime, and research on novel, effective treatments for this condition is needed. OCD is characterized by obsessions and compulsions spanning several domains including but not limited to cleanliness, evenness, and unacceptable or disturbing thoughts. Although there is a deficit of research on music therapy for people with OCD, preliminary research has indicated that music-based interventions and music therapy can help decrease anxiety, rigidity, obsessions, and compulsions in people with OCD. The purpose of this paper was to explore and develop music therapy interventions for people with OCD grounded in theories and concepts related to this diagnosis. The authors conducted a narrative literature review of interdisciplinary research on music therapy and OCD. In this manuscript, the authors reviewed three theories and concepts related to OCD and their applications to music therapy: evaluative conditioning, incompleteness and not just right experiences, and transdiagnostic theory. The authors used these theories to develop music therapy interventions to address areas of life that can be impacted by OCD identified in the Cognitive Assessment Instrument of Obsessions and Compulsions. Empirical research is needed to determine the efficacy, practicality, and generalizability of proposed music therapy interventions.

Javanese Language Learning Media Innovation Post-Covid-19 Pandemic

Entering the new normal, there is a change in the habits of students in using gadgets and technology. However, faceto- face learning activities need to be carried out again to foster a social spirit. The author is interested in knowing the innovations that have been carried out from previous studies and their application in the classroom. So it is hoped that it can be a depiction of innovation and inspiration for teachers throughout Indonesia. The research is a qualitative research with a narrative literature review approach to make an analysis and synthesis of existing knowledge. The results of this study divide innovations into several types, namely: Multimedia classroom learning using learning aids; applications on smartphones in the form of catalogs and games; illustrated stories, print and online comics; audio learning podcasts make it easy to access lessons where and when; as well as youtube javanese videos to maintain the javanese language. Teachers need to have new innovations or use existing innovations to deliver learning materials.

Maternal obesity management: a narrative literature review of health policies

Maternal obesity rates are increasing significantly, posing substantial risks to both mothers and their children. This study aims to introduce health policies addressing maternal obesity, identify preventive interventions, and highlight scientific gaps necessitating further research.We identified documents through electronic searches in PubMed, CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, and grey literature sources (ministry of health websites, national gynecology and obstetrics associations) from January 2013 to August 2023, updated in June 2024. The inclusion criteria focused on English-language documents discussing interventions or health policies that promote weight loss through lifestyle changes during pregnancy.A total of 22 documents (10 studies and 12 guidelines) were included. 12 studies (N=1244) identified via databases; included two Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) from Canada and Singapore. Other 10 CPGs sourced from governmental websites and national associations: England (1), Australia (1), New Zealand (1), combined Australia and New Zealand (1), Canada (3), USA (1), Ireland (1), Germany (1). 10 guidelines focused on obesity in pregnancy, two on weight management during pregnancy. Covered interventions across pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum periods (9 guidelines); pre-pregnancy and pregnancy (2); exclusively postpartum (1). Seven guidelines offered evidence-based recommendations on maintaining healthy weight in mothers, largely based on expert opinions.Maternal obesity poses significant risks to both mothers and children, underscoring the need for effective health policies and systems. However, few countries have integrated adequate responses into their healthcare policies and guidelines for professionals. Limited evidence exists on optimal practices to improve reproductive health outcomes in obese women. Hence, the crucial need to developing comprehensive guidelines and proactive strategies to manage maternal obesity. These measures can improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Increased focus on research and policymaking is essential to protect the health of mothers and their children.

The Miraculous Patterns of the Event in the Heritage Text of Selected Folk Tales by the Novelist Ahmed Ziad Muhabik

We are trying to show the importance of the event patterns and their presence in the wondrous Shuaibi story as a traditional structural form that has its place and manifestations in the literary narrative. It is also considered a suggestive and indicative product of the writer’s imagination, which uses the everyday variable and formulates it in a way different from what it is to show us an interesting miraculous story. Folk tales in general, and the book "Folk Tales" specifically, play a significant role in preserving popular heritage. These tales are transmitted through a chain of narrators or from one storyteller to a group of narrators. Each narrator has their language and method of conveying the story without strict adherence to the original, aiming to reconstruct it according to the situation based on the prominent elements of the tale highlighted by that situation or element. The tale may serve purposes such as entertainment, moral teaching, wisdom, putting children to sleep, or news, or it may involve a miraculous dimension built on the extraordinary and unreal.

"Code Headache": Development of a protocol for optimizing headache management in the emergency room.

Patients presenting at the emergency room (ER) with headache often encounter a hostile atmosphere and experience delays in diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to design a protocol for the ER with the goal of optimizing the care of patients with urgent headache to facilitate diagnosis and expedite treatment. A narrative literature review was conducted via a MEDLINE search in October 2021. The "Code Headache" protocol was then developed considering the available characteristics and resources of the ER at a tertiary care center within the Spanish National Public Health system. The Code Headache protocol comprises three assessments: two scales and one checklist. The assessments identify known red flags and stratify patients based on suspected primary/secondary headaches and the need for pain treatment. Initial assessments, performed by the triage nurse, aim to first exclude potentially high morbidity and mortality etiologies (HEAD1 scale) and then expedite appropriate pain management (HEAD2 scale) based on scoring criteria. HEAD1 evaluates vital signs and symptoms of secondary serious headache disorders that can most benefit from earlier identification and treatment, while HEAD2 assesses symptoms indicative of status migrainosus, pain intensity, and vital signs. Subsequently, ER physicians employ a third assessment that reviews red flags for secondary headaches (grouped under the acronym 'PEACE') to guide the selection of complementary tests and aid diagnosis. The Code Headache protocol is a much needed tool to facilitate quick clinical assessment and improve patient care in the ER. Further validation through comparison with standard clinical practice is warranted.

Navigating the Interoperability Landscape of Electronic Medical Record Systems in Developing Countries: A Narrative Literature Review

Electronic medical records (EMRs) have transformed healthcare by digitizing patient data, improving access to information, and reducing medical errors. However, the lack of interoperability between different EMR systems remains a significant challenge. This paper employs a narrative review approach to examine Electronic Medical Record systems in Developing countries with a focus on their interoperability capabilities as well as the opportunities and challenges they encounter. The findings indicate that developing countries have shown varying levels of success in implementing Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and ensuring interoperability. While some nations have made significant strides through national frameworks and standardized systems, others face challenges due to fragmented systems, inadequate policies, and limited infrastructure. To achieve full interoperability and improve healthcare outcomes, these countries need to develop and implement robust policies, adopt standards, invest in technology, and foster national coordination.

DIFFERENCES IN CARCASS COMPOSITION OF MALE, CASTRATED, AND IMMUNOCASTRATED PIGS: A narrative literature review

The quality of pork is dependent on factors of retail and consumer interest, including appearance, shelf life, as well as tenderness and flavor. One of the factors determining the quality of the animal concerns its castration. Castration of pigs is a procedure carried out to control the odor of the meat and to guarantee the complete quality of the animal for consumption. Therefore, understanding its effects on pig production is essential to have a quality animal and increasingly higher production levels. In this sense, the general objective of this study is to carry out an analysis of the differences in the composition of the pig carcass: male, castrated and immunocastrated through a bibliographical review. The specific objectives were to elucidate the carcass characteristics of male, castrated and immunocastrated pigs and verify the impact of castration on the quality of the animal carcass. Through this study it was possible to conclude that immunocastrated pigs stand out in terms of carcass yield compared to surgically castrated males and intact males, due to the sexual odor, the quality of the meat, the thickness of the bacon and in its entirety.

Micro- and Macronutrients in Endometrial Cancer-From Metallomic Analysis to Improvements in Treatment Strategies.

Endometrial cancer is reported to be one of the most prevalent cancers of the female reproductive organs worldwide, with increasing incidence and mortality rates over the past decade. Early diagnosis is critical for effective treatment. Recently, there has been a growing focus on the role of nutrition and micronutrient and macronutrient status in patients with gynecologic cancers, including endometrial cancer. In the following paper, we have conducted an in-depth narrative literature review with the aim of evaluating the results of metallomic studies specifically concerning the micro- and macronutrient status of patients with endometrial cancer. The main objective of the paper was to analyze the results regarding the nutritional status of endometrial cancer patients and describe the role of chosen elements in the onset and progression of endometrial carcinogenesis. Further, we have focused on the evaluation of the usage of the described elements in the potential treatment of the abovementioned cancer, as well as the possible prevention of cancer considering proper supplementation of chosen elements in healthy individuals. Calcium supplementation has been proposed to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer, although some studies offer conflicting evidence. Deficiencies in phosphorus, selenium, and zinc have been inversely associated with endometrial cancer risk, suggesting they may play a protective role, whereas excessive levels of iron, copper, and cadmium have been positively correlated with increased risk. However, the molecular mechanisms by which these elements affect endometrial carcinogenesis are not fully understood, and current findings are often contradictory. Further research is needed to clarify these relationships and to evaluate the potential of nutritional interventions for the prevention and treatment of endometrial cancer.

Exploring the Intersection of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Dermatological Conditions: A Narrative Review.

This narrative literature review examined the intricate relationship between body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and dermatological conditions, with a brief focus on those characterized by conspicuous skin irregularities such as acne vulgaris, psoriasis, and vitiligo. Highlighting the significant prevalence of BDD among individuals afflicted with dermatological issues, our analysis illuminated the profound psychological repercussions stemming from an exaggerated preoccupation with perceived skin imperfections. Through an exploration of the underlying BDD symptoms, we analyzed the complex dynamics between skin health and mental well-being, emphasizing the disorder's impact on patients' psychological and social functioning. This narrative review further investigated the consequential effects of BDD on essential aspects of dermatological treatment, including patient adherence to therapeutic regimens, overall quality of life (QOL), and the effectiveness of available treatments. In addition to presenting current therapeutic approaches, we advocate for the integration of psycho-dermatological interventions tailored to mitigate the dual burden of skin conditions and psychological distress. Future research directions proposed include longitudinal studies to assess the long-term effects of BDD on skin disease prognosis and psychosocial well-being, which aim to refine and optimize treatment modalities to contribute to a more holistic understanding of BDD within dermatological practice.

Understanding the motivations behind deliberate lightening of skin among burkinabe women through a socio-anthropological analysis

Deliberate lightening of skin among African women is a complex phenomenon that intersects with cultural identity, health, beauty, and societal influence. The scientific literature has scarcely explored a comprehensive approach by interviewing users of skin lightening products. This article aims to analyze, through a comprehensive approach, the motivations underlying the deliberate lightening of skin among Burkinabe women. The research encompasses a narrative literature review and a qualitative field study in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. It targeted 59 women, categorized into current users, former users, and non-users of skin lightening products. Individual interviews and focus groups were utilized to gather qualitative data. The comprehensive approach enabled contextualization of the phenomenon, focusing on personal and collective motivations, while adhering to ethical principles. Participants gived various motivations for deliberate lightening of skin, including the pursuit of beauty, seduction, and social valorization. The majority used fairthese products to achieve a lightly pigmented, equating it with beauty and allure. Some aimed to enhance their seductive capital or improve their social status. Reasons for discontinuing the practice included awareness of health risks, societal pressure, and unmet objectives. Non-users cited reasons such as attachment to their natural skin tone, health concerns, and financial constraints. Deliberate lightening of skin can be viewed as a strategy to increase various forms of capital: aesthetic, seductive, social, and symbolic. This practice reflects socio-cultural dynamics and environmental influences, emphasizing the role of the body as capital in contemporary society. The findings reveal a heightened awareness among women of their body as a multifaceted capital, convertible into other forms of capital under certain conditions.

The Resource Curse in the Gulf Region: Charting a Path for Long-term Economic Sustainability

The economies of the Gulf States have been reliant on abundant petroleum resources for over a century. The region has experienced substantial economic success in recent decades, attributed to its competitive advantage as the world's oil empire. This success is especially noteworthy given that oil is a major economic resource in the area. However, a new debate has emerged, focusing on the concept of the resource curse resulting from the overdependence of Gulf economies on the petrol dollar. This reliance jeopardizes the long-term and future economic sustainability of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. This piece employs a narrative literature review to illustrate how petroleum has shaped the economic landscape, and also the oil market volatility on the economic landscape of the region. The review emphasizes on the necessity for the region to shift its economic and institutional over-dependence away from the petrol dollar to other sustainable alternative economic domains. The review proposes strategic economic directions to guide the region towards a diversified and sustainable economic portfolio, reflecting significant potential for the economy of the region and its states. Sustainable economic development portfolios such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, smart cities, real estate development, sports, banking, tourism, and travel were analyzed.

Measures of stimulant medications: A population-based study in Alberta, Canada

ObjectivesStimulants are a class of drugs approved for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. However, they are also often used “off-label” as adjunct therapies for the treatment of obesity and depression. The objective of this study is to summarize how stimulant use is globally measured in the literature and to explore rates of stimulant use in Alberta, Canada. MethodsA traditional narrative literature review was conducted to summarize global methods of stimulant assessment. Then using definitions guided by the literature and current regulatory bodies in Alberta, we conducted a series of descriptive analyses to assess how frequent stimulant use was in Alberta patients from 2019 to 2021: 1) number of dispenses by year; 2) average days of drug supply; 3) proportion of days covered (PDC); and 4) defined daily dose (DDDs). ResultsIn the literature review, the most frequently used measures of stimulant drug use were trends over time (prevalence), types of drug use, and dispensations of prescriptions. In all, there is a global trend of increased use of stimulants among both adults and children. In Alberta, 173,789 patients were prescribed stimulant medication in 2019–2021, representing approximately 4 % of the entire Alberta population. Overall, 61.1 % were between the ages of 10–34 and 46.8 % were female. The number of dispensations rose from 713,896 in 2019 to 973,930 in 2021 – with up to 43 % being lisdexamfetamine stimulant dispenses. ConclusionsAlthough stimulant use in AB was measured using similar trend estimates as the literature, there is a lack of research to support whether these measures are accurate and effective at the population-level. Future steps to standardize both medical and nonmedical use of prescription stimulants are warranted in efforts to fully quantify both benefits and risks associated with stimulant use.

"A Critical Analysis of Socioeconomic Determinants Explaining Health Inequalities in Hepatitis B and C Among Male Prisoners in Nigeria: A Narrative Literature Review"

"A Critical Analysis of Socioeconomic Determinants Explaining Health Inequalities in Hepatitis B and C Among Male Prisoners in Nigeria: A Narrative Literature Review"

A Patient-Centered Conceptual Model of AYA Cancer Survivorship Care Informed by a Qualitative Interview Study.

Purpose: Conceptual models provide frameworks to illustrate relationships among patient-, provider-, system-, and community-level factors that inform care delivery and research. Existing models of cancer survivorship care focus largely on pediatric or adult populations whose needs differ from adolescents and young adults (AYAs). We developed a patient-centered conceptual model of AYA survivorship care. Methods: We conducted a narrative literature review of current conceptual and theoretical models of care. We engaged AYA cancer survivors (n = 25) in semi-structured one-hour telephone interviews. Most participants were in their 20s and 30s, and the majority (84%) were women. Recruitment was stratified by age and time since cancer diagnosis. We conducted a thematic analysis of interview transcripts to identify themes that exemplified patient-centered care. Results: Most participants identified as white and female. Leukemia and breast cancer were the most common cancer types. Main themes included the need for (1) care coordination, (2) ongoing mental health support, (3) connection to AYA peer support, (4) support during fertility preservation efforts, (5) support with financial burden, (6) support for quality of life, (7) information about and support with side effects and late effects, and (8) attention to the unique needs of young adults. Conclusions: We present a patient-centered conceptual model of AYA survivorship care needs that can inform future cancer care delivery and research.

Enhancing the Chain of Survival: The Role of Smartphone Applications in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

This review explores the role of smartphone applications in providing real-time guidance for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) practices and highlights their potential to improve CPR quality among laypersons. A narrative literature review was conducted on the effectiveness of mobile CPR applications for smartphones. Studies published between 2014 and 2024 were included to ensure that new technological advances were examined. Our findings revealed that guided CPR applications significantly improve most critical parameters for efficacious resuscitation. Application users demonstrated that they achieved performance comparable to or even better than CPR-certified individuals. However, these tools have limitations, mostly related to familiarity, which may result in a delay in activating the application and, therefore, in initiating CPR. While smartphone applications are promising tools for enhancing bystander CPR, their integration into emergency medical response requires careful consideration. To fully take advantage of these applications, they should be incorporated into public health campaigns and standard CPR training. This would be even more successful if the application's functionality were standardized across different regions. Our research indicates that a combination of education and technology will likely play a major role in CPR training in the future, improving the efficacy and accessibility of life-saving measures. Smartphone applications could greatly improve the chain of survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) events. The design and accessibility of these applications as well as the integration of these applications with current emergency response frameworks should be the main areas of future research.

A narrative literature review on optimization of manufacturing processes using weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) method

A narrative literature review on optimization of manufacturing processes using weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) method

Internalized Misogyny: A Transnational Exploration of Select Literary Narratives

Patriarchy is a pervasive global phenomenon, that creates social, cultural and political disparities and perpetuates gender inequality, discrimination and bias. It is deeply embedded in various discourses of human civilization, operating through both identifiable and unidentifiable mechanisms. Internalized misogyny, many a time is a subtle apparatus that manifests and maintains patriarchy and gender inequality. Identifying internalized misogyny is a complex task owing to the fact that its practices are often legitimized and internalized by women, thus making it unrecognized. Periodically, when overt structures of patriarchal hegemonies are criticized, the covert means of hegemonic functioning, particularly internalized misogyny remains underrepresented and uncritiqued. Thus, addressing the problem of internalized misogyny is the need of the hour. This study adopts two literary narratives namely, The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan and Idris: Keeper of the Light by Anita Nair for the ongoing discussion on internalized misogyny. The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan inquire into multigenerational reverberations of internalized misogyny, through the traction of mothers and daughters impelling Chinese traditions and gender roles upon themselves and other women around them. Idris: Keeper of the Light by Anita Nair clasps the reader’s attention towards 17th Century India and how the female characters grapples with societal norms that incarcerate them into subservient roles. Hence, this proposed paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the select works to identify and examine the discourse of internalized misogyny, that perpetuates gender inequality. By scrutinizing both works, this paper divulges into the omnipresent nature of internalized misogyny irrespective of contrasting historical and cultural contexts.

The Impact of Wearable Devices on Public Health Outcomes in The Treatment of Chronic Diseases Through Continuous Physiological Monitoring

Chronic illnesses contribute to elevated levels of disability and death. The active involvement of patients in the treatment of chronic diseases is a crucial element of healthcare systems that are focused on chronic diseases. Wearable devices provide real-time health information focused on the patient, enabling them to make informed decisions about self-management. Although wearables are believed to offer advantages in enhancing the self-management of chronic illnesses, their impact on healthcare outcomes still needs to be well comprehended. This study sought to investigate the effect of wearables on healthcare results in adults with chronic conditions by conducting a comprehensive analysis of existing evidence for physiological monitoring. A narrative systematic literature review was performed by searching six databases for randomized and observational research published from January 2018 to July 2023. These studies focused on utilizing a wearable intervention in a group of individuals with chronic diseases to evaluate its effect on a predetermined end measure. The outcomes were defined as any impact on patient or practitioner experience, cost-effectiveness, or healthcare outcomes resulting from the wearable intervention. The findings from the research included in the analysis were gathered according to 6 main themes, which were used as the foundation for a qualitative summary. This research adhered to the requirements outlined in the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) declaration.

The benefits of nursing professional governance nursing research and evidenced-based practice councils for new graduate nurses

New graduate nurses are an untapped population for nursing professional governance and nursing research and evidenced-based practice councils. New graduate nurses can offer new insights into the management of patient care and nursing workflow. By educating new graduate nurses about the benefits of nursing research and evidence-based practice councils at the start of their careers, an early standard of excellence in the empowerment of applying evidenced-based practice principles to improve patient care quality can occur. This narrative literature inquiry explores new graduate nurses perspective of research and evidence-based practice councils, with the targeted goal of engagement for professional and personal growth as a nurse leader.

Preoperative coagulation tests: A narrative review of current guidelines

IntroductionHemostasis tests are traditionally requested for all patients requiring any surgical act or invasive diagnostic-therapeutic procedure to prevent hemorrhagic complications. The aim of this study is to assess the necessity of requesting standard pre-procedure hemostasis tests. MethodologyA narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed data-base. Search terms included «Hemostasis» or «Blood coagulation» in combination with «Preoperative care», «Preoperative period», or «Preoperative procedure». Additionally, a targeted search was performed to find recommendations from international societies related to the topic. ResultsA total of 233 articles were found, 17 were pre-selected, and after full-text evaluation, 14 relevant articles were identified. The targeted search yielded an additional 12 articles.The request for tests should be individualized according to the clinical history. Standardized screening questionnaires for hemostasis disorders are useful and complement the aforementioned approach. Factors such as age, ASA classification, bleeding potential-complexity of the procedure, and anesthetic technique may influence their request. DiscussionThe incidence of hemostasis disorders in the general population is very low, and these can mostly be detected through clinical history. Thus, it is the clinical history that should guide the need for laboratory test requests. ConclusionsPreoperative hemostasis tests should not be indiscriminately requested for all patients needing an intervention or invasive diagnostic-therapeutic procedure, but rather when there are doubts about their hemostatic competence or as advised by the nature of the procedure they are undergoing.