Scoping Review Of Research Research Articles

Looking back and moving forward: A scoping review of research on preschool autism interventions in the field of speech-language pathology.

Speech-language pathology services are frequently accessed by families of children who have suspected or diagnosed autism. This is expected given that social communication differences are a core feature of autism. This review looked broadly at the state of research in the field of speech-language pathology and preschool autism interventions in order to identify the types of studies that could be used to inform the practices of speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and to identify gaps in the field so they can be addressed in future research. Specifically, we examined the extent of research conducted on interventions delivered (at least in part) by SLPs to preschool children with suspected or diagnosed autism, identified the range of skill development areas targeted within the studies, and explored the characteristics of the interventions (i.e., theoretical models underlying the programs, service delivery models, treatment dosage). A scoping review of articles published between 1980 and 2019 was conducted using the five phases outlined by the Arksey and O'Malley framework: (a) articulating the research question; (b) identifying relevant studies; (c) selecting studies; (d) charting the data; and (e) collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. A total of 114 studies met inclusion criteria with most published since 2010 and conducted within North America. Case study or single-subject study designs were the most frequently used. Interventions delivered solely by SLPs and by multiprofessional teams that included SLPs were relatively equally represented. Across the included studies, nine skill development areas were targeted, but interventions targeting social communication, language, and augmentative communication skills made up the vast majority of studies. There was relatively even distribution of interventions informed by child-centered, clinician-directed, and hybrid models. Explicit information detailing intervention characteristics (e.g., treatment dosage, professional training of clinicians delivering the intervention) was poorly reported in many studies. For those studies providing details, there was a great deal of variability in the nature of interventions (e.g., service delivery models, SLPs' role, dosage). This review revealed that research in the area of autism interventions delivered, at least in part, by SLPs has markedly increased over the past 10 years. Still, there remains a need for more research, and greater transparency detailing the nature of the interventions being investigated. The research conducted to date captures the versatility of the SLP's role within preschool autism intervention. Improved reporting and studies with strong methodological rigor focused on capturing the complex and individualized nature of interventions are needed, as are intervention studies aligned with real-world community practice. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the status of research on preschool interventions delivered to children with suspected or diagnosed autism within the field of speech-language pathology. Several directions for future research are provided, as are suggestions for improving the clinical applicability of results to further the development of effective, evidence-informed policy and practice in speech-language pathology.

Insights into multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis: a scoping review.

This paper is a scoping review of research on multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated uveitis to determine its epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features and treatment. A comprehensive search of the medical databases MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane was carried out on 25 November 2019, to identify papers published between 1980 and 2019 that focus on patients with MS-associated uveitis. Based on large cohort studies (n≥1000), the prevalence of uveitis in patients with MS is estimated to be 0.53-1.34% (mean=0.83%), and MS is diagnosed in 0.52-3.20% (mean=1.30%) of patients with uveitis. The condition is most frequent among middle-aged women. Patients usually complain of floaters and/or blurred vision, with bilateral intermediate uveitis (with retinal vasculitis) as the most frequent ophthalmological finding. Both MS and intermediate uveitis are associated with HLA-DRB1*15:01 and IL-2RA gene polymorphism rs2104286 A>G, suggesting a common genetic background. T cells, and possibly B cells, play an important role in both autoimmune disorders. Multiple sclerosis (MS)-related uveitis is classically treated as non-infectious uveitis, with corticosteroids as the first treatment step. Other treatments include immunosuppressants, cryotherapy, laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy. These treatment options have a limited, if any, effect on the course of MS and can be complicated by side-effects. As treatment strategies for MS have increased in the last decade, it would be interesting to evaluate the efficacy of these new treatments during the course of uveitis. Moreover, the correlation between retinal periphlebitis and MS could be established more accurately with the recently developed techniques of wide-field fluorescein angiography in a large cohort of MS patients. MS-associated uveitis is a rare, highly discussed pathology about which much is still unknown. Large epidemiological studies and extrapolation of new MS treatments to this condition are warranted.

The Role of Race and Ethnicity in Parental Ethnic-Racial Socialization: A Scoping Review of Research

Over the past 35 years, ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) has been a widely studied topic in psychological and cultural research. Most popular among the populations that ERS research centers are Black/African American families and youth. However, a small, but emerging body of research on the ERS processes of other racial/ethnic groups suggest that ERS is not limited to Black/African American families. Recently, scholars have begun to ask more critical questions regarding the differential effects of ethnic-racial socialization on non-Black youth’s psychological development. Therefore, the current review of research draws together studies on Black/African American, Biracial, Latinx, Asian American, and White American families to demonstrate the role of racial/ethnic group identification in soliciting the exchange of ERS messages from parents to children. The methodology used to execute this review follows a modified framework which includes four key phases of searching and selecting appropriate studies. From three multidisciplinary and psychological databases, 24 studies were selected based on the inclusion criteria set by the researcher. The studies discussed in this scoping review all revealed how racial/ethnic group identification solicits the exchange of ERS messages from parents to children in some way.

A Scoping Review of Research on the Human Milk Microbiome.

The human milk microbiome is an emerging scientific area. Careful, accurate collection and measurement for microbial sequencing is imperative. There is controversy about a core microbiome, and little is known about factors that influence composition. Even less known are ways that the milk microbiome might seed the infant gut and affect health. The aim of this paper is to provide a critical appraisal of milk microbiome research. The four areas of critical appraisal were collection and measurement, composition, effects on composition, and potential health effects for infants related to the milk microbiome. Using a PRISMA-ScR scoping review, we reviewed sources of evidence extracted from PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, and PSYCHINFO data sets using the following criteria: English language, published in past 6 years, primary data, and sequencing using Next Generation Sequencing. Charting of sources of evidence included authors, title, journal year, sample, design, and results. The research questions posed were: How is human milk collected and how are the microbes identified? What is the composition and what factors affect the human milk microbiome? What is the relationship of the human milk microbiome to infant biology and health? The reviewed studies were quantitative, cross sectional, or longitudinal. A core microbiome may be present. The microbiome may seed the early infant gut and promote physiological functions and thus influence human health. We have suggested concerns about collection and measurement that lead to gaps in knowledge generation, and mechanistic studies are lacking.

Social media, teenagers, and the school context: a scoping review of research in education and related fields

This scoping review of research explores which disciplines have studied social media as it relates to education and, more broadly, use by students of high school and college age. The sample explores 10 years of research (2009–2018). A search of Web of Science yielded 580 relevant peer-reviewed articles published through the end of 2018, with 260 (44.8%) of these articles focused on education. Research in this area has been on a steady upward trajectory since 2009, the first year when relevant social media articles appeared. About half of this research was conducted in North American settings, and quantitative surveys were the most popular data collection method. Findings show that within education, the dominant themes of research on social media were use as a teaching and learning tool; adoption, use, and beliefs; digital literacy; effects of use; and identity. Outside of education, the dominant themes were negative behaviors, health issues, identity development and expression, digital citizenship, and social relationships. This review shows several areas where education researchers and practitioners would benefit from attending to research conducted outside of our discipline. Although the field of educational research sufficiently addresses issues like teacher professional development and pedagogical uses of social media, the larger issues that affect our students and, in turn, the school context are being explored in other disciplines.

Ethics Reporting Practices in Aging Research From the Arab Region.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the extent of ethics reporting practices in aging research from Arab countries. Methods: A systematic scoping review of research on aging in 22 Arab countries from seven databases (1994-2013) identified 637 publications warranting institutional ethical approval and 612 publications warranting informed consent. We used multivariable regression analysis to examine variations by time, place, and study characteristics. Results: Only 36.6% of articles reported approval from a Research Ethics Committee and 38.7% reported informed consent. Reporting of ethical research practices increased significantly over time and as research collaborations and journal impact factor increased, and when sampling frame included institutionalized participants. In contrast, failure to report ethical research practices was significantly more common in non-English articles and those that did not report a funding source. Discussion: Despite gains across time, reporting of ethical research practices remains suboptimal in the Arab region. Further guidelines and capacity building are needed.

Supplemental Material for A Systematic Scoping Review of Research on Black Participants in the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network

Supplemental Material for A Systematic Scoping Review of Research on Black Participants in the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network

Misophonia: A scoping review of research.

To scope the literature describing misophonia populations, management, and research opportunities. Literature searches for research studies describing patients diagnosed with misophonia, defining a patient profile, or outlining development or testing of an intervention for misophonia. A data extraction form was developed and piloted before data from each article were independently charted by two researchers. Researchers then agreed on a final data set for each article. Thirty-one records were included. The misophonia population was described in terms of onset age, triggers, reaction, coping strategies, and comorbid conditions. We identified nine outcome measures. Case studies on treatments included cognitive behavioral therapy, counterconditioning, mindfulness and acceptance, dialectical behavioral therapy, and pharmaceuticals. Future research priorities identified included clarifying the phenomenology and prevalence of misophonia, and randomized controlled trials of treatments. Misophonia is under-researched but there are strong foundations for future research to finalize diagnostic criteria, validate outcome measures, and trial treatments.

Prenatal stress and child development: A scoping review of research in low- and middle-income countries.

IntroductionPast research has shown relationships between stress during pregnancy, and related psychosocial health measures such as anxiety and depressive symptoms, with infant, child, and adult outcomes. However, most research is from high-income countries. We conducted a scoping review to identify research studies on prenatal stress and outcomes of the pregnancy or offspring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and to synthesize the stress measures and outcomes assessed, the findings observed, and directions for future research.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO for English-language abstracts published from Jan 1960-Jan 2017. Search terms were related to stress and psychosocial health; pregnancy; infant or child development; and LMICs.Results48 articles were identified. Sixty percent of studies were in upper-middle, 25% in lower-middle, and 15% in low income countries. Most studies used questionnaires, either existing or tailor-made, to assess stress. Eight assessed cortisol. Most studies (n = 31) assessed infant outcomes at birth, particularly gestational age or preterm birth (n = 22, 12 showing significant relationships), and birthweight (n = 21, 14 showing significant relationships). Five studies analyzed outcomes later in infancy such as temperament and motor development, all showing significant results; and nine in childhood such as behavioral development, asthma, and physical growth, with eight showing significant results.ConclusionsResults highlight the importance of prenatal stress on infant and child outcomes in LMICs. Methods used in high-income countries are successfully employed in LMICs, but tailored tools remain necessary. Careful assessment of covariates is needed to foster analyses of interactive effects and pathways. Studies including longer-term follow-up should be prioritized.

A Scoping Review of Research on the Cranial Molecular Counter-Current Transfer in Mammals

Various cephalic sites of the molecular transport and counter-current transfer have been identified in mammalian species, including the choroid plexus blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (CPB-CFB), the cavernous sinus-carotid rete complex as well as the nasal vasculature exchange pathway. The present literature review has been conducted to incorporate articles highlighting the key findings, conclusions, and the anticipated impact of studies aimed to elucidate the counter-current transfer processes in the brain. Although cephalic sites of the molecular counter-current transport of biologically active substances have been clearly defined and their undeniable importance for neurohomeostatic regulations and reproductive physiology has been recognized, a scarcity of most recent reports have slightly dampened the optimism that in the nearest future these sites will be exploited to their full therapeutic potential.

Design Elements of Listeria Environmental Monitoring Programs in Food Processing Facilities: A Scoping Review of Research and Guidance Materials.

Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the causative agent of listeriosis, in food processing facilities presents considerable challenges to food producers and food safety authorities. Design of an effective, risk-based environmental monitoring (EM) program is essential for finding and eliminating Lm from the processing environment to prevent product contamination. A scoping review was conducted to collate and synthesize available research and guidance materials on Listeria EM in food processing facilities. An exhaustive search was performed to identify all available research, industry and regulatory documents, and search results were screened for relevance based on eligibility criteria. After screening, 198 references were subjected to an in-depth review and categorized according to objectives for conducting Listeria sampling in food processing facilities and food sector. Mapping of the literature revealed research and guidance gaps by food sector, as fresh produce was the focus in only 10 references, compared to 72 on meat, 52 on fish and seafood, and 50 on dairy. Review of reported practices and guidance highlighted key design elements of EM, including the number, location, timing and frequency of sampling, as well as methods of detection and confirmation, and record-keeping. While utilization of molecular subtyping methods is a trend that will continue to advance understanding of Listeria contamination risks, improved study design and reporting standards by researchers will be essential to assist the food industry optimize their EM design and decision-making. The comprehensive collection of documents identified and synthesized in this review aids continued efforts to minimize the risk of Lm contaminated foods.

A scoping review of research on digital game-based language learning

The continuing attention to the educational value of digital games highlights the need for more focused literature reviews in order to identify critical gaps and opportunities in domain-specific areas. The current study thus set out to provide a scoping overview of empirical evidence on the use and impacts of digital games in language education from 2007 to 2016, as a means to advance the emerging research on digital game-based language learning (DGBLL). A total of 50 selected studies were systematically analyzed, revealing the following findings: (1) Most of the selected DGBLL studies adopted mixed methods to examine the educational use of digital games; (2) Immersive games, notably massively multiplayer online role-playing games, were the most common genre in the current DGBLL literature; (3) Most of the games for language learning were custom-built by DGBLL researchers; (4) Personal computers were the most common platforms for playing games to support language learning; (5) Most of the DGBLL studies adopted games to facilitate the learning of English as a second or foreign language; (6) Most of the research on DGBLL investigated learners with mixed levels of language proficiency; (7) University students were the most frequently selected samples in the existing DGBLL literature; and (8) The majority of DGBLL studies featured positive outcomes in regard to student learning, with the most frequently reported ones being related to affective or psychological states, closely followed by language acquisition. Taken as a whole, these findings reflect the diverse nature of this field and suggest the overall feasibility of using digital games for promoting the language and literacy learning of both native and non-native speakers in various aspects. Several promising but under-researched areas were also identified in this review, along with discussions on their implications for future investigations.

Human Health Risk Assessment Applied to Rural Populations Dependent on Unregulated Drinking Water Sources: A Scoping Review

Safe drinking water is a global challenge for rural populations dependent on unregulated water. A scoping review of research on human health risk assessments (HHRA) applied to this vulnerable population may be used to improve assessments applied by government and researchers. This review aims to summarize and describe the characteristics of HHRA methods, publications, and current literature gaps of HHRA studies on rural populations dependent on unregulated or unspecified drinking water. Peer-reviewed literature was systematically searched (January 2000 to May 2014) and identified at least one drinking water source as unregulated (21%) or unspecified (79%) in 100 studies. Only 7% of reviewed studies identified a rural community dependent on unregulated drinking water. Source water and hazards most frequently cited included groundwater (67%) and chemical water hazards (82%). Most HHRAs (86%) applied deterministic methods with 14% reporting probabilistic and stochastic methods. Publications increased over time with 57% set in Asia, and 47% of studies identified at least one literature gap in the areas of research, risk management, and community exposure. HHRAs applied to rural populations dependent on unregulated water are poorly represented in the literature even though almost half of the global population is rural.

Linking Neuroscience, Function, and Intervention: A Scoping Review of Sensory Processing and Mental Illness.

Sensory approaches to mental illness are increasingly prominent in occupational therapy. Despite indicators of efficacy, a paucity of literature supports these approaches. This article provides a scoping review of research on the relationship between sensory processing and mental illness. Using Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework, we mapped this area of research and identified gaps in the knowledge base. We searched PubMed, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, OTseeker, and the Cochrane Library using the terms sensory and mental health. We found a growing body of neuroscientific research, primarily using electroencephalography and functional MRI, that links atypical neurosensory activity to mental illness. The occupational therapy literature has primarily focused on the efficacy of sensory rooms in psychiatric inpatient settings. Research on the efficacy of sensory approaches needs to be expanded, including on how atypical sensory processing in adults with mental illness affects meaningful occupational participation.

Context and Implications Document for: A scoping review of research on play‐based pedagogies in kindergarten education

This guide accompanies the following article: Pyle, A., DeLuca, C., & Danniels, E. (2017) A scoping review of research on play‐based pedagogies in kindergarten education. Review of Education, https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3097

A scoping review of research on play‐based pedagogies in kindergarten education

Across a number of countries, play‐based learning is the mandated pedagogy in early years’ curricula. However, a lack of consensus remains both in research and practice regarding the value and role of play in children's learning. This scoping review analyses 168 articles addressing play‐based learning for 4–5 year old children divided into three categories: research on play for developmental learning, research on play for academic learning and factors influencing play in kindergarten classrooms. Much of the research endorsed play as fulfilling an important role in early learning. However, two disparate perspectives concerning the role of play for developmental versus academic learning demonstrate different orientations towards the value and potential benefits of play. Research focused on developmental learning endorsed the use of free play and a passive teacher role, while research focused on academic learning endorsed teacher‐directed and mutually directed play where the teacher fulfills an active play role. A similar lack of consensus was found among research with educators regarding the role and benefits of play. These findings indicate a need to move away from a binary stance regarding play and towards an integration of perspectives and practices, with different types of play perceived as complementary rather than incompatible.

Landscape of Research on Older Adults' Health in the Arab Region: Is It Demography-Driven or Development-Dependent?

To describe the quantity, methods, themes, and collaboration profiles of research on older adults' health in the Arab world, and map research productivity against demographic, economic, and development indicators. A scoping review of research on older adults' health drawing from 7 databases and covering the period 1994-2013. Aging research output has increased 6-fold over the study period, with middle-income countries showing the sharpest rise. The majority of the reviewed publications are descriptive in nature, oriented toward examining the extent of disease or factors associated with various morbidity and mortality outcomes (88.5%). Despite the increasing regional instability, there is a dearth of studies on "seniors in emergencies." Collaboration with international coauthors (16.0%) has been more frequent than with regional coauthors (4.2%). Correlation analysis suggests that research production has been more strongly influenced by literacy rates than by population aging indicators, Gross Domestic Product, or government investment in research and development. This study lays the basis for a "roadmap" for research on older adults' health in the Arab region. It calls for cooperation among various stakeholders to produce a targeted and well-informed research agenda that is more responsive to emerging and context-specific needs of older adults in the region.

A scoping review of research on the prescribing practice of Canadian pharmacists.

Pharmacists in Canada have been prescribing since 2007. This review aims to explore the volume, array and nature of research activity on Canadian pharmacist prescribing and to identify gaps in the existing literature. We conducted a scoping review to examine the literature on prescribing by pharmacists in Canada according to methodological trends, research areas and key findings. We searched for peer-reviewed research articles and abstracts in the Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts databases without any date limitations. A standardized form was used to extract information. We identified 156 articles; of these, 26 articles and 12 abstracts met inclusion criteria. One-half of the research studies (20) used quantitative methods, including surveys, trials and experimental designs; 11 studies used qualitative methods and 7 used other methods. Research on pharmacist prescribing demonstrated an improvement in patient outcomes (13 studies), varied stakeholder perceptions (10 studies) and factors that influence this practice change (11 studies). Pharmacist prescribing was adopted when pharmacists practised patient-centred care. Stakeholders held contrasting perceptions of pharmacist prescribing. Canadian research has demonstrated the benefit of pharmacist prescribing on patient outcomes, which is not present in the international literature. Future research may consider a meta-analysis addressing the impact on patient health. Gaps in research include comparisons between provinces, effects on physicians' services, overall patient safety and access to health care systems and economic implications for society. A growing body of research on pharmacist prescribing has captured the early impact of prescribing on patient outcomes, perceptions of practice and practice change. Opportunities exist for pan-Canadian research that examines the system impact.

Unacknowledged Caregivers: A Scoping Review of Research on Caregiving Youth in the United States

With over 43 million family caregivers living in the United States, families are the largest providers of informal care in this country. Despite the extensive caregiving literature about prevalence, characteristics of care providers and care recipients, risks to caregivers’ health and well-being, economic costs, impact on personal and family well-being, evidence-based interventions, and model community-based programs and supports for adult caregivers, gaps exist, specifically relating to caregiving youth, i.e., children under the age of 18 years. With no previous comprehensive review to assess what is known about US youth caregivers, a scoping review, focusing on mapping the key concepts, including the main sources and types of evidence available, was undertaken. By drawing conclusions about the overall state of research activity and identifying research gaps and priorities in the existing literature, this study provides a baseline assessment of youth caregiver research published in peer-reviewed journals from 1996 to 2015. A total of 22 articles were included in the analysis. Beyond inconsistencies with naming and defining young/youth caregivers, the review found significant knowledge gaps in crucial areas including SES status of families who rely on caregiving youth, the role of race, ethnicity and culture, support across schools, communities and medical professions, and the lack of caregiving programs and polices inclusive of youth under 18. The results underscore the need for further inquiry, including longitudinal study, into the lives and experiences of caregiving youth, informing the development of youth caregiver focused supports and polices across the US.

A Scoping Review of Research on the Arts, Aging, and Quality of Life.

Artistic engagement has been identified as a promising way to improve older adults' quality of life (QoL) and health. This has resulted in a growing, yet diverse, knowledge base. The purpose of this scoping review was to describe and map the nature and extent of research conducted on the arts, aging, and either QoL or health for well older adults. We followed scoping review procedures. Research librarians developed a comprehensive search strategy to capture published and gray literature across 16 databases. We systematically screened 9,720 titles/abstracts and extracted data. Findings were collated by tabulating frequencies and textual data organized according to themes. 94 articles were included, spanning nine disciplines, and most were published after 2000 (72%). Most of the studies were conducted in the United States (52%). Research teams rarely published more than one study about the arts and QoL/health. The studies used qualitative (49%), quantitative (38%), or mixed methods (10%). The most common art form examined was music (40%). Artistic engagement was usually active (70%) and frequently occurred in groups (56%). Health and QoL were conceptualized and operationalized in many different ways. There is a need for programs of research (instead of teams conducting only one study), the development and application of conceptual frameworks, and multiple perspectives in order to build knowledge about how the arts contribute to health and QoL for older adults.