Study Design Quality Research Articles

Economic evaluation of quality improvement interventions to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the hospital setting: a systematic review

BackgroundHospitals have implemented diverse quality improvement (QI) interventions to reduce rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). The economic value of these QI interventions is uncertain.ObjectiveTo systematically review economic evaluations...

Remote Research Methods: Considerations for Work With Children.

The growing shift to online research provides numerous potential opportunities, including greater sample diversity and more efficient data collection. While online methods and recruitment platforms have gained popularity in research with adults, there is relatively little guidance on best practices for how to conduct remote research with children. The current review discusses how to conduct remote behavioral research with children and adolescents using moderated (i.e., real-time interactions between the experimenter and child) and unmoderated (i.e., independent completion of study without experimenter interaction) methods. We examine considerations regarding sample diversity and provide recommendations on implementing remote research with children, including discussions about remote software, study design, and data quality. These recommendations can promote the use of remote research amongst developmental psychologists by contributing to our knowledge of effective online research practices and helping to build standardized guidelines when working with children.

The association between dietary patterns and quality and duration of sleep in children and adolescents: A systematic review.

Dietary pattern has been represented as a contributor to the duration and quality of sleep. This study aimed to review the evidence on this relation among children and adolescents. This was a systematic review on the association of dietary pattern and sleep. A literature search was conducted for all articles published between 1980 and August 2020 using the terms "diet" AND "sleep" in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Screening and selection of eligible studies were performed by two separate investigators. Studies reporting the impact of different dietary patterns and indices on sleep duration or quality were included. Fourteen publications (12 cross-sectional, 1 cohort, and 1 clinical trial) were identified. Findings from most studies suggested that long sleep duration was consistently associated with healthy dietary patterns, such as "Vegetables & Healthy Proteins", "Traditional", "Fruit & Vegetables", etc. Results were more mixed and inconclusive regarding the quality of sleep, with 2 studies supporting, 2 studies disapproving, and one study neutral about the association between better sleep quality and healthier dietary patterns. The association between diet and sleep seemed to be affected by confounders and covariates, including sex, physical activity, screen time, etc. CONCLUSIONS: Longer sleep duration appears to be associated with healthier dietary pattern. However, various results in regard to the relation between dietary patterns and sleep quality preclude definitive conclusions. Further research with standard measures of sleep quality and experimental study designs are needed to better define the causal relationship between sleep and diet.

Comparison of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Continued Medical Treatment Therapy for Refractory Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Aim: To compare endoscopic sinus surgery and continued medical treatment in refractory refractory chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients regarding diseases specific quality of life measurement Study design: RCT (Randomized controlled trial) Place and duration of study: Study was conducted at ENT (Ear, nose and throat) department, Railway Hospital Rawalpindi. Study duration was one year (January 2018-Deecember 2018) Methods: A sample size of 22 patients was calculated using WHO calculator. Non probability consecutive sampling was used. A prior ethical approval and consent form was taken. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; Group A was given medical therapy while Group B comprised contain patients in whom medical therapy failed and had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery. Patients were followed for disease specific quality of life scores. Data was analyzed using SPSS version22. Chi-square and t test was applied. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Total of 22 refractory CRS patients were included in study. There were 10(45.5%) males and 12(54.5%) females. Mean age of refractory CRS patients was 33.4 years±6.2SD. Group A (continued medical therapy) N=11, had significantly high SNOTT -22 scores 60.6±7.1SD as compared to endoscopic sinus surgery 21±3.9SD (p=0.000). Group B (endoscopic sinus surgery) had significantly low endoscopic scores 2.7±0.3SD as compared to group A (continued medical therapy) 7.14±0.53SD (p=0.000). Endoscopic sinus surgery group showed significant reduction in work days lost 17.4±4.9SD as compared to continued medical therapy (Group A) 30.1±2.5SD (p=0.000). Conclusion: Endoscopic sinus surgery is an effective treatment option as compared to continued medical therapy with improved quality of life in refractory CRS patients (with reduced baseline disease specific quality of life). Keywords: Refractory chronic rhinosinusitis, endoscopic sinus surgery, quality of life

P–714 Insulin-like growth factor-I as a mediator of the effect of transdermal testosterone in poor responder patients

Abstract Study question Is insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) a mediator of the effect of transdermal testosterone (TT) in poor responder (PR) patients? Summary answer IGF-I might be a mediator of the effect of TT in PR patients who undergo an IVF cycle What is known already Many strategies have been tried to improve the results in PR patients. Androgen supplementation with TT is the only that has significantly increased live birth rate in these patients. The mechanism by which TT might influence on the better results remains unclear but it is likely mediated or facilitated by IGF-I. Testosterone increases the number of primordial follicles, increase IGF-I by threefold and increase IGF-I receptor mRNA by fivehold in primordial follicles in primates. Some studies have suggested that IGF-I could be a parameter that reflects the endocrinological environment of mature follicles, which is correlated with oocyte and embryonic quality Study design, size, duration This prospective cohort study of 93 women PR according Bologna criteria treated with TT and IVF/ICSI was conducted between May 2015 and December 2016 Participants/materials, setting, methods Exogenous andogenization with TT for 5 days prior to ovarian stimulation was carried out. Hormonal parameters were evaluated: basal FSH, LH and Estradiol, AMH, IGF–1 pre and post TT. Ultrasound parameterswere also analysed: antral follicle count (AFC) and number of pre-ovulatory follicles the day of HCGr. We compared these parameters according to the ovarian response: adequate (> 4 oocytes) or insufficient (<3 oocytes), as well as the pregnancy was achieved or not. Main results and the role of chance Baseline characteristics of the patients were: 36.9 years, FSH 11.8, AMH 0.86 and RFA 5.3. In 83% of the patients the oocyte retrieval was carried out, obtaining an average of 3.8 MII oocytes and 2.9 embryos of 2pn with a clinical pregnancy rate per transfer of 33.3%. The FORT Test (AFC/pre-ovulatory follicles x100) was 70%, higher than that observed in other studies with patients with PR without TT (55%). In cases in which an insufficient response was obtained (<3 oocytes) or the cycle was canceled, a higher age and FSH and lower AMH were observed (p < 0.05). There were no differences in the rest of the parameters. Evaluating the hormonal and ultrasound parameters depending on whether or not pregnancy was achieved, a significant increase in IGF1 pre and post-TT was observed in the cases of pregnancy (31.5%) compared to those cases where there was no pregnancy (10.9%) (p = 0’01). There were no differences in the rest of the parameters. A significant correlation was found between AMH, AFC and increase in IGF-I levels (p < 0’05). Limitations, reasons for caution This a prospective cohort study with limited number of patients included. Wider implications of the findings: The significant increase in serum levels of IGF–1 in pregnant patients would indicate the existence of a more favorable clinical setting for the administration of testosterone, probably related to a more favorable ovarian reserve as demonstrated by its correlation with serum levels of AMH and with the AF. Trial registration number Not applicable

Psychological interventions with older adults during inpatient postacute rehabilitation: A systematic review.

Objective: Older adults in inpatient postacute care settings report high rates of depression and anxiety. Psychological interventions address these symptoms through educational, cognitive, behavioral, relaxation, and/or psychosocial approaches. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the quality of existing literature on psychological interventions for depression and/or anxiety among older adults during an inpatient postacute care stay. Method: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar were searched for key concepts. Studies were included that (a) sampled skilled nursing facility or inpatient rehabilitation facility patients, (b) evaluated a psychological intervention, (c) measured depression and/or anxiety symptoms before and after interventions, and (d) had a mean or median age of 65+. Two raters assessed articles for inclusion and risk of bias. Results: Search strategies identified 7,506 articles for screening; nine met inclusion criteria. Included studies varied by study design, intervention type, and methodological quality. Only one study had low overall risk of bias. Four studies demonstrated preliminary treatment benefits for depression symptoms; none reported benefits for anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: Most of the included studies were limited by small sample size and high risk of bias. Thus, currently, there is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of psychological interventions for depression or anxiety among older adults during an inpatient postacute care stay. The authors offer a detailed discussion of methodological limitations, empirical gaps, and future directions to develop this body of literature. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Quality, health, and spending in Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare.

To compare Medicare Advantage (MA) and traditional Medicare (TM) performance on quality, health, and cost outcomes in peer-reviewed literature published since 2010. Systematic review of peer-reviewed papers published between January 1, 2010, and May 1, 2020. To identify relevant research papers, we searched MEDLINE, EBSCO, and ProQuest. We excluded any studies that did not meet several inclusion criteria. Titles, abstracts, and full-text articles were independently reviewed by 1 author and several trained research assistants. Disagreements were resolved through discussion. We also reviewed the bibliographies of included studies and consulted subject matter experts to identify additional papers.For each eligible study, we extracted the first author, year published, study design, data sources, study years, sample sizes, relevant measures, and study quality. To ensure consistent and complete data extraction, each article was reviewed by 2 reviewers. Study quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Thirty-five studies including 208 analyses were included. All included studies were observational. Two-thirds of studies were of high methodological quality for observational studies, and 49% addressed selection bias. Analyses compared quality of care (41%), health outcomes (44%), and spending (15%). Overall, 65% of analyses found a statistically significant relationship: 52% favored MA and 13% favored TM. More than half of recent analyses comparing MA and TM find that MA delivers significantly better quality of care, better health outcomes, and lower costs compared with TM.

Lobectomy vs. sublobectomy for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

BackgroundAlthough lobectomy is widely regarded as the treatment of choice for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), sublobectomy (segmentectomy and wedge resection) has emerged as an alternative modality over the years. Only a handful of studies has compared the treatment effects of these two surgical interventions. This study aimed to analyze the treatment effects between lobectomy and sublobectomy on the survival outcomes of patients with stage I NSCLC systematically.MethodsPubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched from their inception up to February 2019 for studies that compared the survival outcomes of lobectomy and sublobectomy. Studies that reported the diagnosis of stage I NSCLC by imaging or pathophysiology, lobectomy as intervention, sublobectomy as control, and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) as outcomes were included. The mean OS and DFS rates were calculated using the fixed-effects model.ResultsA total of 12 studies that included 4,373 patients with stage I NSCLC were included in the meta-analysis. The patients who underwent lobectomy showed a significant improvement in OS than those who underwent sublobectomy (P=0.025). These results differed when stratified by publication year (before 2010 and after 2010), study design (prospective and retrospective), country (Eastern and Western), control (segmentectomy and wedge), and study quality (high and low), but no significant differences were observed in DFS. These results were not altered in the sensitivity and subgroup analyses.ConclusionsStage I NSCLC patients who undergo sublobectomy display poor OS, whereas the DFS is similar for both methods.

P16: PHYSICAL THERAPIES FOR DVT PROPHYLAXIS IN SURGICAL PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND EVIDENCE QUALITY APPRAISAL

Abstract Introduction Venous thromboembolism represents a significant clinical and socioeconomic burden. Surgical patients are an inherently high-risk cohort for VTE although traditional prophylactic pharmacological therapies are contraindicated in select cohorts. Novel physical therapies such as calf exercises and electrostimulation have been proposed for such patients. The aim of this systematic review is to appraise the clinical utility of novel physical therapies used for DVT prophylaxis in surgical and trauma patients. Method A systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL using a PRISMA-compliant methodology up to July 2019 was conducted. Abstract screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate. Risk of bias and quality assessments were performed for each study using the GRADE framework. Result A total of 272 articles were identified, of which 10 met inclusion criteria. Five studies evaluated the use of calf electrostimulation, the remaining studies evaluated active toe movement, bespoke compression bandages, blood flow restriction exercises, calf massage and a portable compression device. Four randomized controlled trials demonstrated a significant reduction in radiological DVT incidence with electrostimulation, post-operative massage and pneumatic compression versus controls. All included studies had a moderate to high risk of bias. Conclusion The role of physical therapies as prophylactic measures in VTE remain equivocal. No study demonstrated a significant reduction in clinically evident DVT. The physical therapies can be beneficial in patients who also received pharmacological therapy, whilst physical therapies alone may be of no benefit. Heterogenous study design and poor methodological quality limit comparison of study findings at present. Take-home message Physical therapies as prophylactic measures in venous thromboembolism may offer benefit when combined with pharmacotherapy. When used alone, physical therapies may offer no benefit.

Evaluating health service outcomes of public involvement in health service design in high-income countries: a systematic review

BackgroundInternationally, it is expected that health services will involve the public in health service design. Evaluation of public involvement has typically focused on the process and experiences for participants. Less is known about outcomes for health services. The aim of this systematic review was to a) identify and synthesise what is known about health service outcomes of public involvement and b) document how outcomes were evaluated.MethodsSearches were undertaken in MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and CINAHL for studies that reported health service outcomes from public involvement in health service design. The review was limited to high-income countries and studies in English. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and critical appraisal guidelines for assessing the quality and impact of user involvement in health research. Content analysis was used to determine the outcomes of public involvement in health service design and how outcomes were evaluated.ResultsA total of 93 articles were included. The majority were published in the last 5 years, were qualitative, and were located in the United Kingdom. A range of health service outcomes (discrete products, improvements to health services and system/policy level changes) were reported at various levels (service level, across services, and across organisations). However, evaluations of outcomes were reported in less than half of studies. In studies where outcomes were evaluated, a range of methods were used; most frequent were mixed methods. The quality of study design and reporting was inconsistent.ConclusionWhen reporting public involvement in health service design authors outline a range of outcomes for health services, but it is challenging to determine the extent of outcomes due to inadequate descriptions of study design and poor reporting. There is an urgent need for evaluations, including longitudinal study designs and cost-benefit analyses, to fully understand outcomes from public involvement in health service design.

A175 BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE-RELATED DISTRESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease-associated psychological distress (IBD-PD) (inclusive of anxiety, depression, and high levels of stress) is prevalent amongst persons living with IBD. IBD-PD impairs quality of life (QoL) and worsens disease outcomes. Research relating to the efficacy of behavioral interventions for IBD-PD has been limited. Aims This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based interventions for the management of IBD-PD and QoL in persons living with IBD. Methods Pre-defined criteria were used to identify randomized controlled studies reporting on the efficacy of CBT-based interventions for IBD-PD and QoL in adults living with IBD. Electronic databases including CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycArticles, PsycInfo, Pubmed, and Web of Science were searched from inception to May 30, 2020. Studies published in English or French were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool by two independent reviewers (CH and MRF). Data was extracted and summarized qualitatively. A random-effects model was used to generate pooled estimates. Results Eight studies (922 participants) met criteria for inclusion in this review. The studies evaluated outcomes of quality of life and IBD-PD using the IBD Questionnaire (IBDQ), United Kingdom IBDQ, Short IBSQ, 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), Short Health Scale, Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21). Of the 8 studies, 2 were low, 2 high, and 4 at intermediate risk of bias. Interventions, duration, and outcome assessments differed across studies and observed attrition rates were high. The pooled odds ratio for the short-term impact of CBT on IBDQ (n=3) was 0.30 (95% CI 0.17- 0.44) favoring CBT. Perceived stress (PSQ and PSS-10) were only reported in 3 studies as secondary outcomes. Overall, CBT had no observed benefit for perceived stress. Measurement of anxiety and depression was inconsistent across studies. The impact of CBT on anxiety and depression varied with studies revealing both neutral and positive results. Conclusions In patients IBD-PD, CBT-based interventions were observed to lead to short-term improvements in disease-related QoL. The impact of CBT on IBD-PD remains unclear due to limitations in study quality and heterogeneity in study design. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of CBT-based interventions for IBD-PD and to define the role of behavioral interventions delivered within the context of collaborative, biopsychosocial models of care. Expert consensus on best practice for CBT-based interventions and IBD-PD evaluation are needed. Funding Agencies None

Association between particulate matter air pollution and risk of depression and suicide: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

An increasing number of studies examined the potential effects of ambient particulate matter (PM: PM2.5 and PM10-PMs with diameters not greater than 2.5 and 10μm, respectively) pollution on the risk of depression and suicide; however, the results have been inconclusive. This study aimed to determine the overall relationship between PM exposure and depression/suicide based on current evidence. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of current available studies. Thirty articles (20 for depression and 10 for suicide) with data from 1,447,313 participants were included in the meta-analysis. For a 10μg/m3 increase in short-term exposure to PM2.5, we found a 2% (p < 0.001) increased the risk of depression and a 2% (p = 0.001) increased risk of suicide. A 10μg/m3 increase in long-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with a more apparent increase of 18% (p = 0.005) in depression risk. In addition, a 10μg/m3 increase in short-term exposure to PM10 was associated with a 2% (p = 0.003) increase in depression risk and a 1% (p = 0.002) increase in suicide risk. Subgroup analyses showed that associations between PM and depression were more apparent in people over 65years and from developed regions. Besides, the study design and study quality might also have an impact on their associations. The meta-analysis found that an increase in ambient PM concentration was strongly associated with an increased risk of depression and suicide, and the associations for depression appeared stronger for smaller particles (PM2.5) and at a long-term time pattern.

The MethodologicAl STandards for Epidemiological Research (MASTER) scale demonstrated a unified framework for bias assessment

ObjectiveThis paper presents a unified framework for assessment of the methodological quality of analytic study designs. Study Design and SettingA systematic review of 393 methodological quality assessment tools that updated a previous assessment with 100 tools. Tool items were extracted, examined and reworded. Bias domains and finally methodological standards to be fulfilled were defined. ResultsThere were 36 unique methodological safeguards that were categorized into seven methodological standards to be fulfilled in the MASTER scale. These methodological standards reflect initial and ongoing equivalence in particular areas, including equal recruitment, equal retention, equal ascertainment, equal implementation, equal prognosis, sufficient analysis, and temporal precedence. ConclusionThis approach unifies existing methods for methodological quality assessment and will be useful for (1) clinical researchers when a bias assessment of clinical research studies is required across analytical designs, (2) promoting a unified framework for bias assessment.

PROTOCOL: The effects of cannabis liberalization laws on health, safety, and socioeconomic outcomes: An evidence and gap map.

PROTOCOL: The effects of cannabis liberalization laws on health, safety, and socioeconomic outcomes: An evidence and gap map.

The Use of Essential Oils and Their Isolated Compounds for the Treatment of Oral Candidiasis: A Literature Review.

In this literature review, we present the main scientific findings on the antifungal activity of essential oils (EOs) applicable for a new drug formulation to treat oral candidiasis. Seven literature databases were systematically searched for eligible in vitro and clinical trials. Selected articles were screened for biological activity, botanical species, phytochemical composition, study design, and methodological quality. A total of 26 articles were included in the review, of which 21 were in vitro studies and 5 clinical trials. The most promising EOs were obtained from Allium tubeorosum, Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Coriandrum sativum L. Among the phytochemicals, citral and thymol were the most active. Clinical trials indicated that the EOs from Pelargonium graveolens and Zataria multiflora are potentially effective to treat oral candidiasis. Further nonclinical and clinical studies with these EO are warranted to determine their potential use and safety for the treatment of oral candidiasis.

Biomechanics of the tongue during swallowing after total laryngectomy: an integrative review.

To synthesize the state of scientific knowledge about biomechanics of the tongue during swallowing after total laryngectomy. The PICO question and combinations of descriptors and single terms were formulated in the PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, LILACS, and SciELO databases. Articles in Portuguese, English, or Spanish were included, without time limit, with results on the biomechanics of the tongue during swallowing and total laryngectomy, and studies on randomized or non-randomized clinical trials, cohort, case control, cross-sectional, case series, and case studies. year, country, population, objective, study design, assessment methods, main outcomes, and methodological quality were analyzed. There were four studies in the United States, one in Australia, and one in Brazil, all published between 1986 and 2014. In all studies, the biomechanics of the tongue was the secondary outcome. Most articles had low methodological quality, small samples, predominance of the male gender, and a prevalent cross-sectional design. The assessment instruments were fluoroscopy, manometry, accelerometer or a device to capture tongue pressure. Main results indicated a higher propulsion force of the tongue base to overcome the high resistance of the neopharynx to the bolus flow, reduced contact and pressure between the base of the tongue and the posterior pharyngeal wall, residues in the tongue base after swallowing, increased pressure, and reduced resistance of the oral tongue. There are indications of compensatory tongue movements during swallowing after total laryngectomy; however, the scientific evidence is insufficient.

Telemedicine in haemophilia during COVID-19 and beyond: a comprehensive review

Abstract Introduction Patients with haemophilia require regular assessments and physical examinations. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the rapid adoption of telemedicine to enable virtual consultations and reduce hospital visits. However, the process of virtual consultations is new to many haemophilia clinics. A better understanding of best practices in telemedicine is important to ensure optimal quality of care for patients with haemophilia. Objectives To summarise the current literature on the use of direct-to-consumer telemedicine for patients with haemophilia and to describe the effectiveness and potential limitations of the technology and methods used. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases using terms referring to the concepts “haemophilia” AND “telemedicine” and their synonyms. There were no time or language restrictions. Title, abstracts, and full texts were screened. Included articles involved telemedicine interventions to facilitate clinical services directly between patients and providers without the use of third-party personnel. The primary outcome was the satisfaction of providers and patients. Secondary outcomes included economic considerations and clinical outcomes. Information was extracted based on study-specific, patient-specific, intervention-specific, and outcome-specific data. Results Of the 925 articles screened, six were identified and summarised. Three described telemedicine within the context of COVID-19. Technologies used included telephone calls, videoconferencing, text messaging, and email. All studies involved a multidisciplinary team. Telemedicine in haemophilia care was found to positively impact the patient experience. Providers were satisfied with telemedicine. It was also suggested to be economically beneficial and positively impacted patient outcomes. However, none of the articles reported on how telemedicine was specifically used to perform assessments during the virtual consultation process. Conclusions There is preliminary evidence that telemedicine may be beneficial in haemophilia care. Overall, patients and providers reported high satisfaction with the usage of direct-to-consumer telemedicine. This positive reception warrants improvements in standardisation of reporting and quality of study design to better assess its clinical and economic impact. Developing a standard guideline for virtual consultations would support healthcare practitioners in how to best incorporate telemedicine to improve quality of care.

What is the Best Latent Structure of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia? A Systematic Review

BackgroundDetermining the best latent structure of negative symptoms in schizophrenia could benefit assessment tools, neurobiological research, and targeted interventions. However, no review systematically evaluated studies that assessed and validated latent models of negative symptoms. ObjectiveTo identify and evaluate existing latent structure models in the literature of negative symptoms and to determine the best model. MethodSystematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus on July 19, 2020, for confirmatory factor analysis models of negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. The available evidence was assessed through 2 sets of criteria: (1) study design quality—based on negative symptoms assessment and modeling strategy and (2) psychometric quality and model fit—based on fit indices and factor definition quality. ResultsIn total, 22 studies (n = 17 086) from 9 countries were included. Studies differed greatly regarding symptom scales, setting, and sample size (range = 86–6889). Dimensional models included 2–6 factors (median = 4). Twelve studies evaluated competing models and adopted appropriate instruments to assess the latent structure of negative symptoms. The 5-factor and hierarchical models outperformed unitary, 2-factor, and 3-factor models on all direct comparisons, and most of the analyses derived from the Brief Negative Symptom Scale. Considering the quality criteria proposed, 5-factor and hierarchical models achieved excellent fit in just one study. ConclusionsOur review points out that the 5-factor and hierarchical models represent the best latent structure of negative symptoms, but the immaturity of the relevant current literature may affect the robustness of this conclusion. Future studies should address current limitations regarding psychometric properties and also address biological and clinical validity to refine available models.

Cross-National Comparisons of Cognitive and Physical Health in Older Adults Across China, Japan, and Korea: A Systematic Review.

BackgroundCross-national studies are an emerging research area in public health. Specifically, cross-national health comparisons are important for understanding the factors driving the success or failure of public health policies. Therefore, this study systematically analyzed studies that compared health status (physical health and cognition) of the older adults using national panel data for three East Asian countries—China, Japan, and Korea.MethodsGoogle Scholar and PubMed were used for the literature search. The search strategy targeted papers published between 2005 and 2020, yielding a total of 2690 papers, of which seven were selected for the review. The Center for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) criteria was used to assess study design quality. The risk of bias for non-randomized studies (RoBANS) tool, a quality assessment tool developed in Korea to evaluate non-randomized interventional studies, measured risk of bias.ResultsOf the seven included papers, two studies performed cognitive comparisons, four studies performed physical health comparisons, and one study compared both cognition and physical health. The studies selected for this study by CEBM criteria included four prospective cohort studies (Level 2B) and three expert opinions without explicit critical appraisal (Level 5). Risk of bias using the RoBANS tool found a risk of confounding variables in four out of seven papers. Finally, measurement items of cognitive and physical health differed across all three countries’ panel surveys.ConclusionThese results suggest that in order to compare East Asian health policies according to the aging society, it is necessary to develop consistent cognitive and physical health evaluation tools in the future.

No Evidence That Music Training Benefits Speech Perception in Hearing-Impaired Listeners: A Systematic Review.

As musicians have been shown to have a range of superior auditory skills to non-musicians (e.g., pitch discrimination ability), it has been hypothesized by many researchers that music training can have a beneficial effect on speech perception in populations with hearing impairment. This hypothesis relies on an assumption that the benefits seen in musicians are due to their training and not due to innate skills that may support successful musicianship. This systematic review examined the evidence from 13 longitudinal training studies that tested the hypothesis that music training has a causal effect on speech perception ability in hearing-impaired listeners. The papers were evaluated for quality of research design and appropriate analysis techniques. Only 4 of the 13 papers used a research design that allowed a causal relation between music training and outcome benefits to be validly tested, and none of those 4 papers with a better quality study design demonstrated a benefit of music training for speech perception. In spite of the lack of valid evidence in support of the hypothesis, 10 of the 13 papers made claims of benefits of music training, showing a propensity for confirmation bias in this area of research. It is recommended that future studies that aim to evaluate the association of speech perception ability and music training use a study design that differentiates the effects of training from those of innate perceptual and cognitive skills in the participants.