Qualitative Meta-analysis Research Articles

Predictors of early intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with cerebral sinus venous thrombosis: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

ObjectivesPatients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) may present with early intracerebral hemorrhage (EICH). The objective of this study was to identify predictors for EICH in CVT patients via a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes associated with the presence of EICH in these patients. MethodsLiterature search on PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases from inception up to 1 February 2024 was conducted. Five studies with predictors of EICH were included in qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. ResultsPooled analysis demonstrated a statistically significant association between female gender and EICH (odd ratios (OR) = 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.23-1.85, p < 0.01). The ICH patients had higher likelihood of seizures (OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.69-5.58, p < 0.01), focal neurological deficits (OR = 4.07, 95% CI = 2.57-6.44, p < 0.01), and decreased level of consciousness (OR=3.89, 95% CI = 2.53-5.87, p < 0.01). Superior Sagittal Sinus thrombosis was associated with higher likelihood of EICH (OR: 1.49, 95% CI 1.05-2.13, P = 0.03). No statistically significant association was demonstrated between presence of EICH and pregnancy, presence of hematological diseases or thrombophilia, or other site of venous thrombosis (deep venous system, or multiple sinuses involvement). Furthermore, patients who exhibited early EICH were notably less likely to attain a favorable functional outcome (mRS 0-2) (OR: 0.28; 95% CI 0.16–0.49; p < 0.001). ConclusionThis meta-analysis demonstrates that among CVT patients, female patients with new onset seizures, focal neurological deficits and decreased level of consciousness are more likely to present with EICH

Endovascular Repair of Aortic Arch Zones 0 to 2 Using Physician-Modified Endografts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to collect all the available evidence concerning technical success and early and mid-term clinical outcomes of physician-modified endografts (PMEGs) for the treatment of aortic arch pathologies in zones 0 to 2. We performed a systematic review to identify all the eligible studies that reported outcomes to the PMEGs for aortic arch pathologies in zones 0 to 2 and then conducted a qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis of the results. The main outcomes were technical success, mortality, stroke rate, bridging stents' complications, and reintervention rate. We estimated pooled proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 134 study titles were identified by the initial search strategy, of which 14 (zone 0 n=6; zone 1 n=1; zones 1 t o2: n=7) were considered eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. A total of 777 patients (80% male; 62±6 years) were identified among the eligible studies. The pooled technical success for the PMEG in zone 0 was 96.6% (95% CI=93.9%-98.2%), whereas in zones 1 to 2 was 95.9% (95% CI=92.9%-97.6%). The pooled 30-day mortality was 4.6% (95% CI=2.0%-10%) and 4.3% (95% CI=2.2%-8.2%) for zones 0 and 1 to 2, respectively, whereas the prevalence of late mortality was 8.2% (95% CI=4.7%-14%) and 3.4% (95% CI=1.9%-6%). The pooled stoke rate was 3.7% (95% CI=2.1%-6.4%) in zone 0 and 2.7% (95% CI=1.4%-5%) in zones 1 to 2. The early reintervention rate was 3.5% (95% CI=1.5%-8.0%) and 4.2% (95% CI=2.4%-7.2%) for zones 0 and 1 to 2, respectively, whereas during the mean follow-up of 26 months was 8.5% (95% CI=3.0%-21%) and 1.9% (95% CI=0.8%-4.3%). The pooled bridging's stent instability was 3.9% (95% CI=1.1%-12.9%) in zone 0 and 3.2% (95% CI=1.8%-5.8%) in zones 1 to 2. Endovascular repair of aortic arch pathologies using PMEGs seems to present a satisfactory level of technical success and a low mortality rate. To attain clearer conclusions, further research employing randomized controlled trials, longer-term follow-up, and consistent reporting of results is warranted. This systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies analyzed the short- and mid-term outcomes of aortic arch aneurysm and/or dissection using physician-modified endografts. It separately examined the outcomes from zones 0 and 1-2 of the aortic arch. Fourteen studies (n=777 patients) were included. Overall technical success rates were 96.6% for zone 0 and 95.9% for zone 1-2. Regarding early mortality and stroke rates, no significant differences were observed, while late mortality was higher in patients in zone 0. The late reintervention rate favored patients treated with PMEGs in zone 1-2. The physician-modified technique appears to be an excellent and rapidly available alternative for the treatment of aortic arch diseases.

Distinct Metabolites in Atherosclerosis Based on Metabolomics: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Primarily in Chinese Population

AimsAtherosclerosis is a life-threatening disease that develops when a plaque builds up inside an artery and progresses silently. Identifying the early pathological changes and the biomarkers of atherosclerosis deserves attention. We aimed to systematically study and integrate the various metabolites of atherosclerosis in the level of disease to provide more evidences to support early prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. Data synthesisThe protocol was registered with PROPSERO (CRD42023441845). We searched 14985 records via EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, WanFang data, VIP data, and CNKI databases. The collected metabolites were for qualitative and quantitative meta-analysis. The I2 statistic estimated heterogeneity, with over 50% considered to adopt the random-effects model. A total of 49 articles were included in the meta-analysis. We finally integrated 83 and 16 metabolites presented more than two times in inclusion studies, respectively in blood (plasma and serum) and urine. Among them, the level of citric acid (SMD=-10.35 [95%CI -15.03, -5.67], p<0.001), lactic acid (SMD= 6.32 [95%CI 0.12, 12.52], p<0.001) and TMAO (SMD= 1.40 [95%CI 0.27, 2.53], p<0.001) had significant differences between atherosclerosis and controls. And we observed blood stasis syndrome of atherosclerosis patients present arterial ischemia and energy disorder obviously. ConclusionsThe study provides an in-depth understanding of the roles of metabolites on atherosclerosis progression and prediction primarily in Chinese population, which contributing to development of prevention and therapeutic potential in the future.

특수교육 분야에서 살펴본 고교학점제: 질적 메타분석 연구

Objectives The purpose of this study is to provide policy implications based on the implementation of the high school credit system in the field of special education in relation to the high school credit system that will be fully introduced from 2025. Methods This study conducted a qualitative meta-analysis on eight qualitative studies conducted on special schools and special classes in general high schools that have been designated and operated as high school credit system research and leading schools. Results First, it was confirmed that teachers, parents, and students agreed on the purpose and significance of in-troducing the high school credit system, but were negative about the curriculum, organization, and support sys-tem for those eligible for special education. Second, regarding the implementation of the high school credit sys-tem in the field of special education, education providers and education consumers proposed the establishment of specific systems and guidelines according to the type and characteristics of disabilities and the expansion of administrative and financial support. Third, while social awareness and environment regarding disabilities are changing, there appears to be a demand for a paradigm shift in career and vocational education for students eligi-ble for special education following the implementation of the high school credit system. Conclusions Based on these results, the high school credit system curriculum, support system, and awareness in the special education curriculum that will be implemented from 2025 were discussed and future tasks were presented.

A review of economic, relational, social and environmental measures of agricultural cooperatives performance: trends, sectoral, and geographical association

Abstract There is increasing interest in the performance of agricultural cooperatives. However, there is little consensus on what measures are most appropriate to use or how best to capture the social and environmental impact of these organisations. Despite this, to date, there are no studies that review the literature on agricultural cooperative performance to establish how the most used performance measures have evolved over time and establish any relationship between the sectors and locations of agricultural cooperatives. Thus, this paper seeks to address this gap by (i) identifying the foremost measures that have been used to evaluate the performance of agricultural cooperatives; and (ii) exploring the trends, sectoral and geographical association with the use of these performance measures. A multistage analytical framework, comprising a journal article network analysis and a qualitative meta-analysis, was used to extract relevant information from 124 journal articles and perform content analysis. Subsequently, a non-parametric test was used to examine the association between the year of publication, sector and geographical location of agricultural cooperatives and the performance measures. The results highlight a diverse list of indicators utilised to assess the performance of agricultural cooperatives. However, there is a narrow focus and dominant use of short-term economic metrics, and limited use of environmental and sustainability measures. Also, the results show a significant increase in the use of liquidity indicators in more recent publications. There exists a significant association between the sector of the agricultural cooperative and the most used performance measures but no association with the geographical location. The findings highlight the need to develop performance measures that evaluate the positive spill-over effects of agricultural cooperative activities on non-members, communities, and the natural environment. Also, the findings provide a rubric for benchmarking the performance and identifying best practices that can be shared across different cooperatives.

A better use of the shoulders we stand on: meta-analyses in the history of education

PurposeThis article argues that the potential of the vast amount of research, published each year in the history of education, remains untapped. Given the rapidly growing number of academic publications in the field, there is a need for research that is based on articles, chapters and monographs already published. While analyses of existing research publications are widely used in other academic disciplines, such approaches remain under-utilized in the history of education.Design/methodology/approachThe argument of this article is supported in three steps. Firstly, we distinguish between different forms of research using existing data and research publications, in particular secondary analyses, systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses. Due to the heterogeneous nature of research publications in educational history, this article argues for the method of qualitative meta-analysis. Secondly, we discuss the risks and methodological pitfalls of research using existing research publications, outlining possible areas of application and discuss examples of meta-analyses in educational history. Finally, the article explores the implications of an increased use of meta-analyses, especially for the editors of scientific journals.FindingsThis article provides an introduction to the main features of meta-analysis as applied in history of education. By promoting qualitative meta-analyses as original research, we argue that journals could help ensure that the potential for vibrant and highly productive research in the history of education is fully realized.Originality/valueDespite that the use of published research is widely discussed in the behavioural and social sciences, there is a lack of reflection on how to use the knowledge produced in the history of education. By presenting qualitative meta-analysis, this article provides a starting point for such a discussion.

학교상담자의 윤리적 갈등과 대처 경험에 대한 질적 메타분석

The purpose of this study is to examine what school counselors experienced both inside and outside of psychology while encountering ethical conflicts and coping experiences. To this end, a qualitative meta-analysis was conducted on seven qualitative studies addressing the ethical conflicts and coping experiences of school counselors. Qualitative meta-analysis is a research method that synthesizes the results and discussions of individual qualitative studies to derive overarching themes and extended interpretations that permeate the individual studies. The ethical conflict and coping experiences of school counselors were described through the process of data coding and preparation of key statements from the analyzed papers, cross-comparative analysis of individual studies, derivation of central concepts and descriptive topics, and derivation and visualization of comprehensive topics and results. As a result of the analysis, 18 descriptive topics, 3 comprehensive topics, and 1 core topic were derived. School counselors, inevitably experiencing ethical conflicts on the “challenging path that school counselors must take,” were aiming for ethical growth by “seeking ways to coexist” and insisted on preparing institutional measures by “calling for structural changes.” The core topic was derived as “fully residing in the universal uncertainty and ambiguity that must be shouldered.” Based on these results, the meaning of the findings was discussed, along with the significance, implications and limitations of the study for school counseling, and suggestions for follow-up research were presented. It is hoped that the results of this study will contribute to providing meaningful interpretations of school counselors' ethical conflicts and coping experiences and foundational data for the establishment of school counseling legislation.

초등교사의 창의적 체험활동 경험에 관한 질적 메타분석

Objective: Using a qualitative meta-analysis, this study examines whether elementary school teachers' experiences in organizing and operating creative experiential activities are being implemented in actual school sites as intended and proposes ways to internalize the quality of these activities. Methods: Eight domestic qualitative studies on the said experience were analyzed in a larger framework of curriculum organization, implementation, and evaluation according to Novlit and Hare’s (1998) seven-step qualitative meta-analysis approach. Results: Elementary school teachers had conflicting views on teacher autonomy in organizing, managing, and evaluating creative experiential activities. Further, they differed in their experiences in different areas of creative experiential and out-of-school activities. The study also elicited opinions on how to evaluate creative experiential activities and improve professional development related activities. Conclusions: Suggestions were made for improving the creative experiential activity curriculum and follow-up research, such as providing opportunities to cultivate teacher expertise related to creative experiential activities, exploring teacher and student experiences by activity area and alternative creative experience evaluation measures.

INTEGRATION OF AUGMENTED REALITY TECHNOLOGY FOR LEARNING: AN QUALITATIVE META-ANALYSIS STUDY

Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the most popular technologies used in the field of education. AR technology is widely used as a learning medium or to develop engaging, innovative textbooks for students. However, there is still much debate regarding the use of AR at various levels of education, starting from elementary school to the higher education level. This qualitative meta-analysis research explores the urgency of implementing AR technology in schools and the readiness of the main subjects of learning (teachers and students) to use AR in the classroom. The synthesis method used is the narrative review model. This synthesis model is used to analyze 100 research results in non-numeric data by identifying the research results documents found. The study results show that teachers at the elementary to high school level and lecturers at the higher education level feel that AR technology is crucial to implement in the learning process. However, from all levels, teachers' and lecturers' readiness to make AR-based learning tools still needs to be improved. In addition, another finding in this study is that the percentage of teachers in elementary school (52%) readiness to use AR technology is higher than that of lecturers in higher education (21%).

The Role of Social Media in Promoting Sustainable Brands: Influencing Consumer Perceptions and Behavior Towards Sustainable Products

Sustainability has become a primary concern for consumers and businesses, and the need for brands to communicate their environmental initiatives effectively has significantly increased. Social media platforms have become powerful tools for shaping consumer perceptions and behaviors toward sustainable products. This study investigates how social media influences consumer trust, engagement, and purchase intentions related to sustainable brands. The study uses a mixed-method approach that includes qualitative meta-analysis, case studies, and a quantitative online survey. The study examines how transparency, influencer marketing, and consumer engagement on social media impact consumer attitudes and behaviors. Results indicate significant correlations between social media transparency and purchase intentions. According to the study results, influencer credibility is crucial in driving engagement with sustainable products. Case studies of brands such as Patagonia, IKEA, Unilever, and Tesla demonstrate how real-world companies use social media to promote sustainability, which further confirms the relevance of the study's findings.

Supplemental Material for Client Experiences of Drama Therapy: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Meta-Analysis

Supplemental Material for Client Experiences of Drama Therapy: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Meta-Analysis

Letter to the Editor: Comment on Bocanegra-Oyola et al’s “Clinical Characteristics of Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

ABSTRACT The work by Bocanegra-Oyola et al. provides a qualitative analysis and meta-analysis of ocular pemphigoid characteristics. This correspondence discusses the need for diagnostic process optimization to better differentiate between ocular pemphigoid and its mimicker pseudopemphigoid.

Is Oral Iron and Folate Supplementation during Pregnancy Protective against Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth in Africa? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Despite recent evidence demonstrating iron and folate supplementation reduces the risk of low birth weight and preterm births, synthesis of the evidence is not sufficient to understand their impacts in Africa. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus, CHINAL, Web of Science, Cochrane databases, and Google Scholar were searched for the published and grey literature. Either iron-only, folate-only, or iron-folic acid (IFA) oral supplementation during pregnancy was the primary exposure/intervention. The focus of this review was low birth weight and preterm births in the African region. Qualitative synthesis, meta-analysis, and subgroup analysis were employed. In the qualitative synthesis (n = 4), IFA supplementation showed a positive impact on reducing preterm birth. Additionally, the meta-analysis showed that IFA and iron-only supplementation reduced the odds of low birth weight by 63% (OR 0.37; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.48) and 68% (OR 0.32; 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.50), respectively. Both iron-only and IFA supplementation are effective in reducing the risk of low birth weight in Africa. There is also promising evidence suggesting a potential reduction in preterm births. Consequently, further research is needed, particularly targeting high-risk groups such as women residing in rural areas with limited support and low levels of literacy.

Processes of Collaborative Innovation: A Qualitative Meta Analysis

Processes of Collaborative Innovation: A Qualitative Meta Analysis

Clinical Characteristics of Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT Purpose To synthesize the evidence and generate a combined weighted measure on the frequency of ocular manifestations of mucous membrane pemphigoid (OMMP). Methods Systematic literature review and meta-analysis, searching PubMed, Embase, VHL, and Google Scholar. Articles reporting patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid and ocular involvement were included. At least, two reviewers independently and in parallel participated in all the following phases; preliminary screening, full-text review, risk of bias assessment by validated tools, and data extraction. Qualitative analysis and meta-analysis were conducted. This study was previously registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023451844). Results Thirty-five studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 1,439 patients and 1,040 eyes summarized in qualitative analysis. Twenty-eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. Ages included ranged from 60.4 to 75 years. Women were reported with more frequency. The mean time for diagnosis was 55.1 months, usually with bilateral ocular disease in 90% (95% CI 78%; 96%). Trichiasis and entropion were the most frequent manifestations in up to 92%, followed by symblepharon and punctate keratitis. Ankyloblepharon, persistent epithelial defects, and visual impairment were less frequent complications. Direct immunofluorescence positivity in conjunctival biopsies was 54% (95% CI 43%; 64%). Extraocular involvement was highly frequent, being oral and skin involvement the most frequently reported. Conclusions Our systematic review and meta-analysis evidenced that patients around 60 years of age are the most affected population with a female preponderance, usually with bilateral ocular involvement. Trichiasis and entropion were the most frequent findings; although visual impairment and persistent epithelial defects were less reported, they should not be overlooked in suspected OMMP.

A Qualitative Meta-Analysis of Kahoot! in Language Instruction

Mobile- and computer-based applications have become more prominent and popular since the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital tools have been used by teachers and students worldwide for educational purposes and in language classrooms. One such application is Kahoot!, which is an in-classroom or online testing and practice application released in 2013 and widely used in a variety of classrooms for entertaining practice for students, and a way for teachers to test students’ gains. Even though Kahoot! is extensively used and researched in language teaching/learning contexts, a meta-analysis of studies with particular focus on qualitative findings has been out of radar. This proposal addresses this gap by offering an in-depth meta-analysis of qualitative studies and findings investigating the application. Research articles utilizing qualitative methods published between 2013, Kahoot!'s official beta release, and 2022 were gathered and analyzed to reveal trends, limitations, and gaps in the literature. The findings revealed that the majority of students and teachers who participated in Kahoot! quizzes reported positive sentiments, though several concerns were raised regarding their effective use. This analysis suggests that improving instructional effects in educational settings hinges upon well-informed decision-making processes, skilful classroom management, and proficient computer literacy. When strategically employed, these factors can significantly enrich educational practices.

Psychotherapists’ experience with spirituality and religiousness in psychotherapy: A qualitative meta-analysis.

Psychotherapists’ experience with spirituality and religiousness in psychotherapy: A qualitative meta-analysis.

Standardised integration requirements for naturalisation: less rights and less discretion? A qualitative meta-analysis of ethnographic studies of naturalisation procedures in Europe

Since the late 1990s and early 2000s, in what can be called an ‘integrationist wave’, standardised integration requirements for naturalisation have become increasingly common in Europe. To examine the impact of such measures, I combine original ethnographic data on institutions involved in the implementation of citizenship policies in Belgium and the UK with a qualitative meta-analysis of existing ethnographic studies of the implementation of citizenship policies. I show how, in addition to introducing new obstacles to naturalisation, standardised requirements have also reduced the discretion inscribed in earlier procedures, albeit not uniformly across different cases. The integrationist wave could thus be understood not simply as the introduction of restrictive notions of integration, but also as the systemisation of earlier evaluation practices. I further show signs of a more recent tendency for states to retreat from examining the integration of candidates to citizenship, outsourcing the evaluation directly or indirectly to private actors.

The Effect of Probiotics on the Management of Pain and Inflammation in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Studies.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Recently, research has focused on the role of intestinal microbiome dysbiosis in OA. The aim of this study was to systematically review randomized intervention clinical studies investigating the effect of probiotics on the management of OA-related pain and inflammation. Pre-clinical studies and non-randomized trials were excluded. A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Study quality was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB2) tool and the Risk of Bias in N-of-1 Trials (RoBiNT) scale. RevMan was used for the meta-analysis. Outcome measures assessed self-reported pain, stiffness and impediment, and serum hs-CRP. Three studies, with 501 participants, were considered eligible for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. A significant reduction in symptoms across all outcomes measured, except stiffness, was evident with Lactobacillus casei Shirota. However, all other probiotics reviewed did not seem to have any effect on the measured outcomes. Pre-clinical evidence, along with the RCTs reviewed, suggests that probiotics of the Lactobacillus strains might be of use for managing pain and inflammation in OA. Considering the small number of studies included in the present review and the possible risk of bias, we conclude that further studies on the role of probiotics in humans with OA are warranted.

Systematic review and meta analysis of psychological interventions to prevent or treat pediatric chronic disease in rural communities.

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the effectiveness of psychological interventions at improving physical or mental health outcomes for youth living in rural communities who have, or are at-risk for, any chronic medical condition in comparison to control interventions conducted in rural communities. Following prospective registration (OSF.IO/7TDQJ), 7 databases were searched through July 1, 2023. Studies were included if they were a randomized control trial of a psychological intervention conducted with youth living in a rural area who had, or were at-risk for, a chronic medical condition. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias version 2 tool. A qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis were conducted. 15 studies met inclusion criteria. Obesity studies (n = 13) primarily focused on body mass index metrics, with limited significant findings across studies. Asthma treatment interventions (n = 2) showed no impact on hospitalizations. 3 studies evaluated mental health outcomes with no significant group differences observed. We meta-analytically analyzed 9 studies that evaluated body mass index z-scores and identified an overall null effect (Hedge's g = 0.01, 95% CI [-0.07, 0.09], p = .85). Most included studies focused on pediatric obesity, and there was a limited range of health outcomes reported. Compared to controls, minimal significant improvements in health outcomes were identified for psychological interventions for youth living in rural communities. Future efforts may benefit from situating this work more systematically within a health disparities framework with a focus on understanding mechanisms of disparities and translating this work into interventions and policy changes.