Systematic Evidence Synthesis Research Articles

Influences on ethnic minority women’s experiences and access to contraception in the UK: a systematic qualitative evidence synthesis

BackgroundAccessible contraception is critical for promoting the health and well-being of women and their families. In the UK, contraception is free at the point of access, but only 55% of...

Prevalence and associated factors of post-traumatic stress disorder in pediatric populations in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent challenge faced by individuals following traumatic events. Given the substantial impact of PTSD on the well-being of young people, comprehensive assessment of the available evidence can inform more effective prevention and intervention strategies to support the mental health and resilience of children in the African context. Despite its high incidence, there has been no up-to-date systematic synthesis of evidence to measure the magnitude of PTSD in pediatric populations in Africa. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to quantify the prevalence of PTSD and identify associated factors in this vulnerable population. A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Science Direct, and the search engines Google Scholar and Google, covering the period from 2014 up to May 15, 2024. The primary objective of this search was to identify relevant studies. Subsequently, a meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models to estimate the pooled effect size for each outcome of interest. Additionally, subgroup analysis was conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity, with study characteristics considered as covariates. The pooled prevalence estimate for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among pediatric individuals was 36% (95% CI: 28-44%). Notably, significant heterogeneity existed among the studies (I2 = 98.41%, p value < 0.001), prompting us to employ a random effect model analysis. Furthermore, our meta-analysis revealed that children above 14 years of age and those who experienced family deaths due to traumatic events were significantly associated with PTSD. This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that the prevalence of PTSD among pediatric individuals aged 0-18 years in Africa was high. Notably, older children and those who experienced family deaths due to traumatic events were at a significantly higher risk of developing PTSD. These findings underscore the need for early intervention, age-specific support, and trauma-informed care to address the mental health challenges faced by pediatric populations.

Networking Your Way into Mental Illness: SLR of Social Media Usage Among Malaysian Youth

Youths are the most common group with social media utilisation as they are the biggest group of internet users. Their social media usage, however, poses a threat to them in the form of mental illness. Besides, there are still insufficient studies that systematically review existing literature on Malaysian youth groups concerning their social media usage and mental illness. Following that, this study aims to identify the forms of mental illness that are affecting Malaysian youths. It also highlights the specific areas and content of research that should be the focus of future studies. Therefore, this systematic literature review on the mental illness outcomes associated with social media usage among Malaysian youth is guided by ROSES (Reporting Standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses). This study selected articles from reputable and widely recognised databases including Scopus and PubMed. Based on the thematic analysis, this review has four main themes focusing on the mental illness outcome from social media usage, namely 1) distress, 2) fear, 3) depression, and 4) anxiety. The identified themes contribute to a deeper understanding of the potential psychological impact of social media on this population thereby facilitating the development of targeted interventions and strategies to promote mental well-being among Malaysian youths. Keywords: Social media, mental illness, Malaysian, youths, literature review.

Care partner engagement in patient safety at the direct care level in hospital: a qualitative systematic review protocol.

The objective of this systematic review is to understand the experiences of care partner engagement in patient safety at the direct care level from the perspective of care partners, patients, and health care professionals. Care partner engagement is a strategy for promoting patient safety in hospitals at the direct care level (ie, at the point where patient care is delivered). When present, care partners can increase safety by watching, listening, and taking action to protect admitted patients. To improve care partner presence policies and safety engagement strategies within hospitals, a comprehensive understanding of the current qualitative evidence about the breadth of experiences of care partner engagement in patient safety is required. This review will include qualitative studies that consider the experiences of care partners, adult patients, and health care professionals. The engagement of care partners in patient safety within pediatric hospital settings will not be considered. This review will follow the JBI methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. A preliminary literature search was conducted in MEDLINE and a full search strategy was developed for MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO (all via Ovid), as well as the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and JBI Evidence Synthesis. The JBI approach to study selection, critical appraisal, data extraction, data synthesis, and assessment of confidence will be followed. Two reviewers will test the screening criteria and data extraction protocol. PROSPERO CRD42023476286.

Nursing staff's attitudes towards the prevention of adverse events among hospitalized people with dementia: Protocol of qualitative systematic review and evidence synthesis.

People with dementia are more likely than people without dementia to be hospitalized and to experience in-hospital preventable adverse events, such as falls, skin injury, and infection, compared to other hospitalized groups. Negative attitudes towards people with dementia are common among acute healthcare workers and have been linked to a cascade of negative adverse events in this population. However, no qualitative systematic review has ever been conducted to synthesize the existing evidence in this area, which hampers the development of preventative measures. This is a protocol for a qualitative systematic review aimed at exploring and synthesizing existing qualitative evidence regarding the attitudes of nursing staff towards the prevention of adverse events among hospitalized people with dementia. Literature searches will be performed in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Biblioteca Virtual de Salud, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. The references of eligible studies will be checked for eligibility. All primary qualitative or mixed-methods studies with a qualitative component published in peer-reviewed academic journals in English, Portuguese, or Spanish will be eligible. There will be no limitations to the date of publication. The selection process will be conducted independently by two researchers using the software Rayyan and then compared and discussed. Any disagreements regarding eligibility will be discussed among the entire research team and resolved via consensus. Methodological quality will be assessed using Cochrane's guidance. A meta-aggregative approach will be employed to extract and synthesize the evidence using the software package QARI from the JBI. The confidence in the findings will be graded using ConQual. This review will help identify and better understand specific attitudinal and psychosocial aspects that influence nursing care delivery for people with dementia in hospital settings. Such data can be used to generate novel explanatory models of nursing behaviors in dementia care, as well as capacity building and training to enhance hospital care for people with dementia globally.

Ultra-processed foods, allergy outcomes and underlying mechanisms in children: An EAACI task force report.

Consumption of ultra-processed foods [UPFs] may be associated with negative health outcomes. Limited data exist regarding the potential role of UPFs in the occurrence of allergic diseases. The underlying mechanisms underpinning any such associations are also poorly elucidated. We performed a systematic review and narrative evidence synthesis of the available literature to assess associations between UPF consumption and pediatric allergy outcomes (n = 26 papers), including data on the association seen with the gut microbiome (n = 16 papers) or immune system (n = 3 papers) structure and function following PRISMA guidelines. Dietary exposure to fructose, carbonated soft drinks, and sugar intake was associated with an increased risk of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergies in children. Commercial baby food intake was associated with childhood food allergy. Childhood intake of fructose, fruit juices, sugar-sweetened beverages, high carbohydrate UPFs, monosodium glutamate, UPFs, and advanced glycated end-products (AGEs) was associated with the occurrence of allergic diseases. Exposure to UPFs and common ingredients in UPFs seem to be associated with increased occurrence of allergic diseases such as asthma, wheezing, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis, in many, but not all studies. More preclinical and clinical studies are required to better define the link between UPF consumption and the risk of allergies and asthma. These observational studies ideally require supporting data with clearly defined UPF consumption, validated dietary measures, and mechanistic assessments to definitively link UPFs with the risk of allergies and asthma.

Multistakeholder Perspectives on the Determinants of Family Fundamental Movement Skills Practice: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

Childhood obesity is a significant public health crisis that is exposing children to associated morbidities and premature mortality. However, parents can positively influence physical activity trajectories and improve health outcomes by nurturing fundamental movement skills (FMS) in children. This is the first study to explore the determinants of family FMS practice via a systematic synthesis of qualitative evidence. Keyword searches were completed in SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. Studies that offered perspectives relating to influences on the FMS of 2-6-year-old children in the family context via qualitative approaches, including visual methodologies that provided an important voice to children, were included. A thematic analysis was used to establish key themes. The emergent themes included parent knowledge and beliefs, self-efficacy of parents to teach, and the home environment. Parents often undervalued FMS and lacked the self-efficacy to teach due to poor understanding, conflicting priorities, and multifaceted societal influences. Children preferred autonomous play and socialisation but were negatively influenced by technology and restrictive household rules. Greater knowledge exchange between stakeholders is necessary to empower parents and enhance FMS application at home. More community initiatives could facilitate greater access to outdoor spaces, facilities, and equipment, which may improve family engagement with FMS.

What evidence exists relating the impact of different grassland management practices to soil carbon in livestock systems? A systematic map protocol

BackgroundGrasslands are essential for providing vital resources in the livestock sector and delivering invaluable ecosystem services such as biodiversity and soil carbon (C) sequestration. Despite their critical importance, these ecosystems face escalating threats from human disturbances, human degradation, and climate change, compromising their ability to effectively stock C. Restoring degraded grasslands emerges as a pragmatic and cost-effective approach to tackling climate change. However, the successful implementation of grassland management toward this goal, faces significant challenges. A systematic mapping approach will help to compile a comprehensive global inventory of studies investigating the impact of differing grassland management practices on soil carbon. In addition, the potential for trade-offs with other greenhouse gas emissions further underlines the value of a systematic assessment. This approach aims to identify knowledge clusters (i.e., well-represented subtopics that are amenable to full synthesis) for potential systematic reviews and pinpoint knowledge gaps requiring further primary research efforts, all contributing to a better understanding of the evidence surrounding this topic.MethodsFollowing systematic evidence synthesis standards, we developed the question to address in the systematic map protocol using the PICO framework. We established a preliminary search string by combining search terms for the Population (Grasslands), Intervention (management) and Outcome (soil carbon) categories, as well as with one additional group (Study types—to focus on farm and field experiments). We will conduct a comprehensive literature search of relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature using Web of Science, Scopus, CABI platforms, Google Scholar, and specialised websites (e.g., Agrotrop). Searches will be conducted in the English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and Mongolian languages, as per the linguistic capabilities of the research team. The comprehensiveness of the search will be assessed by comparing the literature collected to a test-list of forty relevant articles. The repeatability of the literature screening process will be ensured by a list of inclusion/exclusion criteria and inter-reviewer consistency statistical tests. Data extraction will be organised into four complementary sections (article information, PICO categories, study characteristics, measurable parameters), on which we will perform queries to produce the tables, figures and evidence maps that will compose the systematic map. The results will identify and describe knowledge gaps and clusters.

Contextual factors and G6PD diagnostic testing: a scoping review and evidence and gap map

BackgroundTesting for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an important consideration regarding treatment for malaria. G6PD deficiency may lead to haemolytic anaemia during malaria treatment and, therefore, determining G6PD deficiency in malaria treatment strategies is extremely important.MethodsThis report presents the results of a scoping review and evidence and gap map for consideration by the Guideline Development Group for G6PD near patient tests to support radical cure of Plasmodium vivax. This scoping review has investigated common diagnostic tests for G6PD deficiency and important contextual and additional factors for decision-making. These factors include six of the considerations recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) handbook for guideline development as important to determining the direction and strength of a recommendation, and included ‘acceptability’, ‘feasibility,’ ‘equity,’ ‘valuation of outcomes,’ ‘gender’ and ‘human rights’. The aim of this scoping review is to inform the direction of future systematic reviews and evidence syntheses, which can then better inform the development of WHO recommendations regarding the use of G6PD deficiency testing as part of malaria treatment strategies.ResultsA comprehensive search was performed, including published, peer-reviewed literature for any article, of any study design and methodology that investigated G6PD diagnostic tests and the factors of ‘acceptability’, ‘feasibility,’ ‘equity,’ ‘valuation of outcomes,’ ‘gender’ and ‘human rights’. There were 1152 studies identified from the search, of which 14 were determined to be eligible for inclusion into this review. The studies contained data from over 21 unique countries that had considered G6PD diagnostic testing as part of a malaria treatment strategy. The relationship between contextual and additional factors, diagnostic tests for G6PD deficiency and study methodology is presented in an overall evidence and gap, which showed that majority of the evidence was for the contextual factors for diagnostic tests, and the ‘Standard G6PD (SD Biosensor)’ test.ConclusionsThis scoping review has produced a dynamic evidence and gap map that is reactive to emerging evidence within the field of G6PD diagnostic testing. The evidence and gap map has provided a comprehensive depiction of all the available literature that address the contextual and additional factors important for decision-making, regarding specific G6PD diagnostic tests. The majority of data available investigating the contextual factors of interest relates to quantitative G6PD diagnostic tests. While a formal qualitative synthesis of this data as part of a systematic review is possible, the data may be too heterogenous for this to be appropriate. These results can now be used to inform future direction of WHO Guideline Development Groups for G6PD near patient tests to support radical cure of P. vivax malaria.

Does liquid nitrogen recycled autograft for treatment of bone sarcoma impact local recurrence rate? A systematic review

The gold standard treatment for primary bone sarcomas has been surgical resection with wide margins. However, there is no consensus regarding an optimal method for limb salvage reconstruction. In 2005, a technique for recycling resected bone after intraoperative treatment with liquid nitrogen was described. This technique has been reported to have a spectrum of advantages; nonetheless, acceptance for routine use has been limited, primarily for fear of local recurrence. A systematic search of the literature using PubMed and Google Scholar was performed. Full-text articles published between 2008 and 2023 were included if the study presented sufficient information regarding patients with a diagnosis of a primary bone sarcoma of the limbs or pelvis who had undergone reconstruction with liquid nitrogen recycled autografts. Sixteen studies that included 286 patients met criteria for analyses. Local recurrence occurred in 25 patients (8.7 %) during the first 4 years following limb salvage reconstruction using recycled autografts for treatment of primary bone sarcomas, which compares favorably to the 15–30 % local recurrence rates reported for patients undergoing limb salvage reconstruction using artificial implants. Systematic synthesis of the current evidence regarding local recurrence rates following use of the liquid nitrogen recycled autograft technique for limb salvage reconstruction after bone sarcoma resection suggests a favorable comparison to other limb salvage reconstruction options. As such, this technique warrants further consideration as a viable option for indicated patients based on relative advantages regarding costs, availability, and biologic and surgical reconstruction benefits.

The Impacts of Climate Change on the Emergence and Reemergence of Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Temperate Zones: An Umbrella Review Protocol.

Mosquito-borne diseases represent a global public health concern and are responsible for over 700 000 deaths globally every year. Additionally, many mosquito species have undergone a dramatic global expansion due to various factors, including climate change, and forecasts indicate that mosquito populations will persist in dispersing beyond their present geographic range, namely in temperate climates. The research literature on this topic has grown in recent years, including some systematic evidence synthesis. However, to provide a comprehensive overview of this growing literature needed for policy action, a summary of this evidence, including existing systematic reviews, is required. This study aims to undertake an umbrella review that explores the impacts of climate change on the emergence and reemergence of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes in temperate zones and the publication of the protocol is a fundamental step to ensure the credibility, transparency and reproducibility of this research. Studies published in scientific journals indexed by PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, and Web of Science Core Collection to be included in this umbrella review will meet the following criteria: the topic of study (climate change and mosquito-borne diseases), regions (temperate zones), study designs (systematic reviews and meta-analysis), language (any) and date (since inception until December 31st, 2023). Titles and abstracts from selected articles will be evaluated by two authors independently and any discrepancy will be resolved through consensus or, if not possible, through a third author. The data will be extracted, and the risk of bias will be evaluated. The quality of the methodology of the included reviews will be assessed using AMSTAR 2. A narrative synthesis will examine the included systematic reviews. The quality of evidence for all outcomes will be judged using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation working group methodology.

Exploring Theories for Enhancing School Children's Path to Success as Entrepreneurs: A proposed systematic review

The objective of this study was to investigate the fundamental learning theories that can be utilized to foster motivation and aspiration among students, with the ultimate goal of cultivating their potential to become successful entrepreneurs or business owners. There is a scarcity of research or scholarly inquiry pertaining to the learning theories and the determinants that impact students' motivation to achieve success as entrepreneurs or business proprietors. The study employs the use of Reporting Standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses (ROSES). This study could enhance student motivation in dynamic educational settings that foster an entrepreneurial mindset.

Virtual teaching and learning for autistic students amidst the pandemic: a systematic literature review

Teaching and learning for autistic students during the COVID-19 pandemic pose challenges for educators. This systematic literature review (SLR) aimed to explore the effectiveness of virtual teaching and learning (VTL) by employing the reporting standards for systematic evidence syntheses (ROSES) framework. Articles from databases like Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were systematically examined, focusing on themes such as support, coping strategies, teaching methods, flexibility, and communication. The review identified 14 sub-themes within these categories, providing tailored coping and teaching strategies for parents, teachers, and caregivers working with autistic students. From 706 initially identified articles, 376 were selected, with 17 specifically relevant to virtual teaching for autistic students during the pandemic. These findings contribute insights to the existing literature and offer practical implications to enhance VTL experiences for autistic students facing pandemic challenges.

Mechanism of Action of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Pain Relief-A Systematic Review.

Background: Currently, no systematic evidence synthesis of the mechanism of action of mindfulness-based approaches exists for pain conditions. Aim: To identify and synthesize experimental and clinical studies examining aspects of the mechanism of action of mindfulness for pain relief. Methods: The following databases and search interfaces were searched: Embase (via Embase.com) and Medline (via PubMed). Additional references were identified via bibliographies of included studies. The following were the inclusion criteria applied: (1) original studies published in peer-reviewed journals, (2) in adult populations that (3) examined the mechanism of action of mindfulness meditation on pain outcomes or (4) provided conclusions regarding the potential mechanism of action of mindfulness meditation. The studies were selected by two independent reviewers. Discrepancies were resolved by discussion. Results: A total of 21 studies published in English met the inclusion criteria, of which 5 studies were clinical studies, which included patients with chronic pain, and 16 studies used experimental pain induction. The investigation into brain mechanisms through functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging revealed mindfulness meditation's ability to modulate brain activity, particularly in the anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, and orbitofrontal cortex, and to enhance structural and functional connectivity in regions associated with pain perception. Regarding the role of opioids, findings across five studies indicated that the analgesic effects of mindfulness are maintained even when opioid receptors are blocked, suggesting a nonopioidergic pathway for pain modulation. Pain perception studies highlighted that mindfulness practices foster pain acceptance and modify pain control beliefs, serving as key mediators in improving pain outcomes. For experienced versus novice mindfulness practitioners, results demonstrated that long-term practice enhances pain threshold and reduces pain unpleasantness through increased activity in salience and attentional control regions. Conclusion: This systematic review highlights mindfulness meditation as a multifaceted approach to pain management, utilizing mechanisms such as cognitive and emotional reappraisal, nonopioidergic pathways, and enhanced attention in control regions. It emphasizes the role of mindfulness in fostering pain acceptance and altering pain control perceptions, showcasing its broad impact on the neurological and experiential dimensions of pain. However, the predominance of studies on healthy subjects and methodological variations across experiments necessitates careful interpretation of the findings. The review calls for further research to explore the mechanisms of mindfulness in chronic pain populations more deeply, distinguishing the specific effects of mindfulness from nonspecific effects and expanding its applicability in clinical settings for chronic pain management.

Involving different stakeholders in prioritising outcomes to assess healthcare systems response for type 1 diabetes management: Using co-creation approaches in Peru.

Engaging diverse stakeholders in developing core outcome sets (COSs) can produce more meaningful metrics as well as research responsive to patient needs. The most common COS prioritisation method, Delphi surveys, has limitations related to selection bias and participant understanding, while qualitative methods like group discussions are less frequently used. This study aims to test a co-creation approach to COS development for type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in Peru. Using a co-creation approach, we aimed to prioritise outcomes for T1DM management in Peru, incorporating perspectives from people with T1DM, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and decision-makers. A set of outcomes were previously identified through a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis. Through qualitative descriptive methods, including in-person workshops, each group of stakeholders contributed to the ranking of outcomes. Decision-makers also discussed the feasibility of measuring these outcomes within the Peruvian healthcare system. While priorities varied among participant groups, all underscored the significance of monitoring healthcare system functionality over mortality. Participants recognized the interconnected nature of healthcare system performance, clinical outcomes, self-management, and quality of life. When combining the rankings from all the groups, metrics related to economic impact on the individual and structural support, policies promoting health, and protecting those living with T1DM were deemed more important in comparison to measuring clinical outcomes. We present the first COS for T1DM focused on low-and-middle-income countriesand show aspects of care that are relevant in this setting. Diverse prioritisation among participant groups underscores the need of inclusive decision-making processes. By incorporating varied perspectives, healthcare systems can better address patient needs and enhance overall care quality.

A Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis of Acoustic Measures of Prosody in Parkinson's Disease.

Linguistic prosody is affected in Parkinson's disease (PD), which implicates the basal ganglia's role in the production of prosody. However, there is no recent systematic synthesis of the available acoustic evidence of prosodic impairment in PD. This study aimed to identify the acoustic features of linguistic prosody that are consistently affected in PD. The authors systematically reviewed articles that reported acoustic features of prosodic production in PD. Articles focused on fundamental frequency (F0) and its variability, intensity and its variability, speech and articulation rate, and pause duration and ratio. From a total of 648 records identified, 36 met criteria for inclusion and exclusion. For each acoustic measurement and task, data from people with PD (PwPD) were compared with those from controls to extract effect sizes. Pooled effect sizes were estimated using robust Bayesian hierarchical regression models. PD was associated with decreased F0 variability and increased pause duration. There was limited evidence of reduced intensity variability and speech rate in PwPD. No evidence was found to suggest that PD affects articulation rate or pause ratio. The primary acoustic parameters of prosody affected by PD are F0 variability and pause duration. The identification of these acoustic parameters has important clinical implications for the selection of PD management strategies. The association of F0 variability and pause duration with PD suggests that the neural circuits controlling these parameters are at least partly shared and might include the basal ganglia. While the current study focused on the phonetic realization of prosodic cues, future studies should examine whether and how PD affects prosody at higher levels of processing. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.25892923.

Review of forest ecosystem services evaluation studies in East Africa

The East African region hosts diverse forest ecosystems, such as woodlands, highland forests, and coastal mangrove forests. These ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity and support various plant and animal species. They provide essential resources, benefiting livelihoods directly and indirectly. Examining regional and global variations in forest ecosystem valuation, especially regarding livelihood benefits, is crucial for sustainable resource management aligned with forest-based climate solutions. The aim of this review is to assess how regional contextual factors and global trends impact the valuation of ecosystem services (ES) in East Africa, with two main objectives (1) to identify the most evaluated ES in East Africa and (2) to identify the preferred ES valuation methods and approaches applied in East Africa. Data from the Web of Science/Clarivate platform was used in the systematic review process using the Reporting standard for Systematic Evidence Syntheses to retrieve and analyse 222 articles. The ES were categorized using the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework and the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services in order to create a review database. Provisioning services i.e., wood biomass and food production were the most assessed at 55%, followed by 30% regulating services i.e., carbon storage, 8.6% support services i.e., habitat and 6.4% cultural services i.e., ecotourism which reflected communities’ direct reliance on forest resources. The preferred direct ES valuation techniques included market price at 14.9% for assessing provisioning services and travel cost methods at 10.4% for cultural services. Amongst the indirect ES valuation techniques, remote sensing at 14.7% were preferred as they proved efficient for large and remote tropical forest areas. Participatory methods such as interviews at 11.8% were also preferred because they offer holistic perspectives on community priorities. This review provides spatial context on the regional priorities of ES valuation which is vital for safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

FinTech application in Islamic social finance in Asia region: a systematic literature review

Purpose This study aims to analyse the existing literature on the utilisation of financial technology (FinTech) in the Islamic social finance (ISF) sector, focusing on tools, applications and benefits. From this study, it is to provide insights for literature or for practitioners on how FinTech can be used in ISF, such as using blockchain (tools) in waqf (application) that can help to enhance transparency and trust (benefits) with donors. It is important to explore new available tools or applications in ISF markets so that such effort can benefit the industry in promoting its growth. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) was carried out using Reporting Standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses (ROSES) which has been based on quality evaluation criteria, beginning with 41,945 entries in Scopus, 25,386 entries in the Web of Science and 1,590 entries in the Google Scholar databases and ending with 35 articles from data abstraction and analysis, all of which focus on tools, applications and benefits of FinTech in ISF sector. Findings This review yielded three primary themes and eleven sub-themes addressing FinTech, namely applications (four sub-themes: crowdfunding, blockchain, banking service and peer-to-peer (P2P), tools (three sub-themes: waqf, zakat and sadaqah), as well as benefits (four sub-themes: transparency, innovation, inclusiveness and efficiency). Research limitations/implications This study emphasises on innovative application of FinTech used in ISF industry which focuses on applications, tools and benefits of FinTech to the industry. However, the findings indicate that there is plenty of room for future investigation. The current work outlines several methodological issues and concerns as well as provides recommendations for future research. Various challenges associated with FinTech applications include inadequate regulations, complex permit application procedures, misuse of FinTech for terrorist financing, the existence of fraudulent FinTech companies and consumer disputes in the FinTech sector concerning ISF. There are few in-depth studies on the possible use of FinTech models in ISF, compared to studies focusing on upcoming challenges. This study also highlights the methodological limitations in previous research efforts, which can be used to improve future studies in this area. To offer a more comprehensive analysis, additional search keywords and engines that have not been included in this study could be used in future investigations with different methodologies. Practical implications For practitioners, the paper has significant managerial consequences. The analysis provides insights into real-life opportunities, limits and solutions for improving performance management by looking at FinTech applications from a larger and more diverse perspective. The practitioners, especially the State Islamic Religious Council, can recognise the benefits of using FinTech technology in ISF (waqf, zakat and sadaqah), namely under their jurisdiction. Originality/value This systematic literature assessment identifies critical knowledge gaps that must be addressed such as the applications of FinTech that are still ambiguous, with certain applications not completely embraced in the ISF industry. This study uses SLR technique to categorise literature, identify gaps in current studies and provide recommendations for the research issue (Paul and Criado, 2020), instead of using the other previous methodology such as content analysis or qualitative review. Hence, FinTech is considered an innovative or new approach in ISF industry.

Treatment and prevention of chronic ankle instability: An umbrella review of meta-analyses

BackgroundChronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common and highly disabling condition. Although several studies have evaluated and analyzed prevention and treatment strategies for CAI, an unbiased and systematic synthesis of evidence is required to provide the most powerful and comprehensive evidence-based measures for the its prevention and treatment of CAI. This study aimed to synthesize evidence from the existing literature addressing the treatment and prevention of CAI. MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for relevant studies from inception to December 12, 2023. Data on effect sizes and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals for selected intervention measures were extracted. Systematic reviews were assessed for quality of included studies using a measurement tool (i.e., “AMSTAR 2”). ResultsIn total, 37 studies were included, among which 21 (57 %) were of high or moderate quality. Strong evidence suggested that lower weight (P < 0.001), lower body mass index (P = 0.002), and non-stability defects (P = 0.04) significantly reduced the risk of developing CAI. Strong evidence supported exercise and moderate evidence supported manual therapy, acupuncture, and surgery for improving CAI. Additionally, external support plays an active role in the treatment process of CAI. ConclusionThis is the first study synthesizing evidence supporting interventions for the treatment and prevention of CAI. Low body weight and body mass index were effective preventive measures against CAI. Exercise, manual therapy, acupuncture, and surgery can improve ankle function in patients with CAI. Plantar sensory treatment and neuromuscular training may be good therapeutic options for patients with CAI. Level of evidenceLevel I

Issues and Challenges of Primary Education Toward Implementing Technical and Vocational Education Training to Meet the Fourth Industrial Revolution Demand: A Systematic Literature Review

The present wave of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technology and trends is drastically affecting nearly every economic sector and preparing for profound changes in people’s lives. The benefits of the technology include higher safety, better decision-making, increased productivity, efficiency, and quality in processes, as well as increased competitiveness. Thus, every effort towards raising awareness of the 4IR should begin early in primary education. This study critically evaluated the literature on the issues and challenges of implementing Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) preliminary courses in primary education in Malaysia towards raising awareness of the future 4IR. Using two databases, namely Scopus and Web of Science, the review was conducted in accordance with the ROSES (Reporting Standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses) publishing standard. The findings showed that the role of primary education in facilitating skills development for socio-economic and technological development for the students was significant. Based on the thematic analysis, two primary themes emerged: a lack of 21st-century skills and support, supplemented by six sub-themes. In addition, the issues and challenges of other countries’ primary education in meeting the 4IR demand are also discussed. The paper offered solutions for the issues that arose to fulfil the objective of TVET preparatory courses: to increase pupil awareness of the present 4IR in elementary education in Malaysia.