A systematic review of the measures that have been used to assess surface characteristics in relation to their impact on walking and falling.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Lawson R
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10474776 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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A systematic review of the measures that have been used to assess surface characteristics in relation to their impact on walking and falling.
Lawson Rebecca R Thomas Nicholas D A NDA
Systematic reviews 20230902 1
We investigated whether an impediment to progress in understanding the environmental factors that cause falls may be the difficulty in comparing results across studies because walking surfaces are poorly defined and underspecified. We conducted a systematic review of 384 studies from 370 articles that tested how different surfaces influenced human walking and falling. For each study, we report which categories of surfaces were used (indoor, outdoor, treadmill, virtual reality and qualitative), t ...[more]
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Project description:ImportanceStudies of interventions to reduce low-value care are increasingly common. However, little is known about how the effects of such interventions are measured.ObjectiveTo characterize measures used to assess interventions to reduce low-value care.Evidence reviewWe searched PubMed and Web of Science to identify studies published between 2010 and 2016 that examined the effects of interventions to reduce low-value care. We also searched ClinicalTrials.gov to identify ongoing studies. We extracted data on characteristics of studies, interventions, and measures. We then developed a framework to classify measures into the following categories: utilization (e.g., number of tests ordered), outcome (e.g., mortality), appropriateness (e.g., overuse of antibiotics), patient-reported (e.g., satisfaction), provider-reported (e.g., satisfaction), patient-provider interaction (e.g., informed decision-making elements), value, and cost. We also determined whether each measure was designed to assess unintended consequences.FindingsA total of 1805 studies were identified, of which 101 published and 16 ongoing studies were included. Of published studies (N = 101), 68% included at least one measure of utilization, 41% of an outcome, 52% of appropriateness, 36% of cost, 8% patient-reported, and 3% provider-reported. Funded studies were more likely to use patient-reported measures (17% vs 0%). Of ongoing studies (registered trials) (N = 16), 69% included at least one measure of utilization, 75% of an outcome, 50% of appropriateness, 19% of cost, 50% patient-reported, 13% provider-reported, and 6% patient-provider interaction. Of published studies, 34% included at least one measure of an unintended consequence as compared to 63% of ongoing studies.Conclusions and relevanceMost published studies focused on reductions in utilization rather than on clinically meaningful measures (e.g., improvements in appropriateness, patient-reported outcomes) or unintended consequences. Investigators should systematically incorporate more clinically meaningful measures into their study designs, and sponsors should develop standardized guidance for the evaluation of interventions to reduce low-value care.
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Project description:BackgroundWith the continued development of patient-centred healthcare models, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used to evaluate outcomes in patients with upper limb pathology. The aim was to identify valid, reliable and responsive PROMs used to assess outcomes following upper limb pathology, and ascertain how their psychometric properties had been established. A secondary aim was to identify PROMs that have been validated to assess upper limb pathology in the paediatric population.MethodsA review of the Medline and EMBASE database was performed. Articles that analysed the validity of an established PROM used for upper limb pathology were included. Extracted study data included: author, country, PROM(s) investigated, year of publication, study type, sample size, demographics and duration of follow-up.ResultsTwenty-five articles were included, which together investigated the psychometric properties of 23 different PROMs that have been used to assess outcomes in adults following upper limb pathology. No study evaluated the psychometric properties of PROMs used in the paediatric population. Among PROMs that have been used in adults, the Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) had strong content- and construct-validity, reliability and responsiveness in comparison to others.ConclusionThere are currently no studies that have analysed the content validity of PROMs used to assess upper limb pathology in the paediatric population. Prospective studies are required for the development of PROMs that can be utilized in children to assess upper limb pathology.
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Project description:BackgroundThere is a lack of standardization regarding how to assess and categorize alcohol intake in older adults. The aim of this study was to systematically review methods used in epidemiological studies to define drinking patterns and measure alcohol consumption among older adults.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in the MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases for studies published from January 2009 to April 2021. Studies were included if they were observational studies with a quantitative design; the mean age of the participants was ≥ 65 years; questionnaires, screening tools, or diagnostic tools were used to define alcohol consumption; and alcohol consumption was self-reported.ResultsOf 492 studies considered, 105 were included. Among the 105 studies, we detected 19 different drinking patterns, and each drinking pattern had a wide range of definitions. The drinking patterns abstaining from alcohol, current drinking, and risk drinking had seven, 12 and 21 diverse definitions, respectively. The most used questionnaire and screening tools were the quantity-frequency questionnaire, with a recall period of 12 months, and the full and short versions of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, respectively.ConclusionNo consensus was found regarding methods used to assess, define, and measure alcohol consumption in older adults. Identical assessments and definitions must be developed to make valid comparisons of alcohol consumption in older adults. We recommend that alcohol surveys for older adults define the following drinking patterns: lifetime abstainers, former drinkers, current drinkers, risk drinking, and heavy episodic drinking. Standardized and valid definitions of risk drinking, and heavy episodic drinking should be developed. The expanded quantity-frequency questionnaire including three questions focused on drinking frequency, drinking volume, and heavy episodic drinking, with a recall period of 12 months, could be used.
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Project description:ObjectivesAccurate record linkage (RL) enables consolidation and de-duplication of data from disparate datasets, resulting in more comprehensive and complete patient data. However, conducting RL with low quality or unfit data can waste institutional resources on poor linkage results. We aim to evaluate data linkability to enhance the effectiveness of record linkage.Materials and methodsWe describe a systematic approach using data fitness ("linkability") measures, defined as metrics that characterize the availability, discriminatory power, and distribution of potential variables for RL. We used the isolation forest algorithm to detect abnormal linkability values from 188 sites in Indiana and Colorado, and manually reviewed the data to understand the cause of anomalies.ResultWe calculated 10 linkability metrics for 11 potential linkage variables (LVs) across 188 sites for a total of 20 680 linkability metrics. Potential LVs such as first name, last name, date of birth, and sex have low missing data rates, while Social Security Number vary widely in completeness among all sites. We investigated anomalous linkability values to identify the cause of many records having identical values in certain LVs, issues with placeholder values disguising data missingness, and orphan records.DiscussionThe fitness of a variable for RL is determined by its availability and its discriminatory power to uniquely identify individuals. These results highlight the need for awareness of placeholder values, which inform the selection of variables and methods to optimize RL performance.ConclusionEvaluating linkability measures using the isolation forest algorithm to highlight anomalous findings can help identify fitness-for-use issues that must be addressed before initiating the RL process to ensure high-quality linkage outcomes.
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Project description:BackgroundThe prevalence of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is estimated between 0.15 and 1.2%, with many of those patients experiencing severe fatigue. Current axSpA assessment guidance recommends use of a single-item visual analogue scale for fatigue severity. However, concerns have been raised about the ability of such a limited assessment to identify patients with major fatigue, to detect important change in fatigue or to reflect the multi-dimensional nature of fatigue. The proposed systematic review will identify and evaluate the quality and acceptability of single- and multi-item patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used to assess fatigue in axSpA, seeking to make recommendations for the 'best' measures for research and/or clinical practice.Methods/designThe review will seek to include published studies which report evidence of the development and/or measurement and/or practical properties of clearly defined and reproducible measures of fatigue following completion by patients with axSpA. Five major databases will be searched from 1980 to August 2017: MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE (OVID), PsycINFO (OVID), World of Science and CINAHL. Study methodological quality will be assessed against the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. The measurement and/or practical properties of reviewed measures will be assessed against current international standards. A short list of the 'best'-quality PROMs will be produced. The review will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.DiscussionThis study will provide the first robust and transparent evaluation of patient-reported measures of fatigue used in the axSpA population, synthesising evidence of quality, relevance and acceptability. The review will benefit patients, clinicians, health professionals and researchers wishing to enhance axSpA-fatigue assessment in routine practice, service evaluation and research. The findings will impact future research which seeks to better understand the nature of axSpA fatigue and evaluate the relative benefit of fatigue-management strategies.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42016042271.
| S-EPMC6081943 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Aims/hypothesisIt is generally accepted that hypoglycaemia can negatively impact the quality of life (QoL) of people living with diabetes. However, the suitability of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used to assess this impact is unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to identify PROMs used to assess the impact of hypoglycaemia on QoL and examine their quality and psychometric properties.MethodsSystematic searches (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and The Cochrane Library databases) were undertaken to identify published articles reporting on the development or validation of hypoglycaemia-specific PROMs used to assess the impact of hypoglycaemia on QoL (or domains of QoL) in adults with diabetes. A protocol was developed and registered with PROSPERO (registration no. CRD42019125153). Studies were assessed for inclusion at title/abstract stage by one reviewer. Full-text articles were scrutinised where considered relevant or potentially relevant or where doubt existed. Twenty per cent of articles were assessed by a second reviewer. PROMS were evaluated, according to COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines, and data were extracted independently by two reviewers against COSMIN criteria. Assessment of each PROM's content validity included reviewer ratings (N = 16) of relevance, comprehensiveness and comprehensibility: by researchers (n = 6); clinicians (n = 6); and adults with diabetes (n = 4).ResultsOf the 214 PROMs used to assess the impact of hypoglycaemia on QoL (or domains of QoL), seven hypoglycaemia-specific PROMS were identified and subjected to full evaluation: the Fear of Hypoglycemia 15-item scale; the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey; the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey version II; the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey-II short-form; the Hypoglycemic Attitudes and Behavior Scale; the Hypoglycemic Confidence Scale; and the QoLHYPO questionnaire. Content validity was rated as 'inconsistent', with most as '(very) low' quality, while structural validity was deemed 'unsatisfactory'. Other measurement properties (e.g. reliability) varied, and evidence gaps were apparent across all PROMs. None of the identified studies addressed cross-cultural validity or measurement error. Criterion validity and responsiveness were not assessed due to the lack of a 'gold standard' measure of the impact of hypoglycaemia on QoL against which to compare the PROMS.Conclusions/interpretationNone of the hypoglycaemia-specific PROMs identified had sufficient evidence to demonstrate satisfactory validity, reliability and responsiveness. All were limited in terms of content and structural validity, which restricts their utility for assessing the impact of hypoglycaemia on QoL in the clinic or research setting. Further research is needed to address the content validity of existing PROMs, or the development of new PROM(s), for the purpose of assessing the impact of hypoglycaemia on QoL.Prospero registrationCRD42019125153.
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Project description:BackgroundAccurate prediction of mastectomy skin flap viability is vital as necrosis causes significant morbidity, potentially compromising results and delaying oncological management. Traditionally assessed by clinical judgement, a more objective evaluation can be provided using intraoperative imaging modalities. This systematic review aimed to compare all intraoperative techniques for assessment of mastectomy flap viability.MethodsA systematic literature review was performed using MEDLINE and Embase databases. Primary outcomes reported included specificity, sensitivity and predictive values of each test, and mean rates of mastectomy flap necrosis and reoperation. Secondary outcomes included cost analysis.ResultsSome 18 studies were included. Designs were prospective cohort study (8), retrospective case series (4), prospective case series (3), retrospective case-control study (1), prospective pilot trial (1) and cost analysis study (1). The studies compared indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) (16 studies) and fluorescein dye angiography (FA) (3 studies) with clinical judgement. Sensitivity and specificity were highest for ICGA (5 studies) ranging from 38 to 100 and 68 to 91 per cent respectively. Both methods overpredicted necrosis. Mean rates of flap necrosis and reoperation decreased with ICGA (7·9 and 5·5 per cent respectively) and FA (3 and 0 per cent) compared with clinical judgement (19·4 and 12·9 per cent). Two studies were designed to define numerical parameters corresponding to perfusion using intraoperative techniques. Two studies performed a cost analysis for ICGA; one claimed a cost benefit and the other advocated its use in high-risk patients only.ConclusionICGA and FA are potentially useful tools for mastectomy flap assessment. However, the predictive accuracy is subject to the specific settings and model of equipment used. Current recommendations support their use in high-risk patients.
| S-EPMC6069344 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundWorking dogs are selected based on predictions from tests that they will be able to perform specific tasks in often challenging environments. However, withdrawal from service in working dogs is still a big problem, bringing into question the reliability of the selection tests used to make these predictions.MethodsA systematic review was undertaken aimed at bringing together available information on the reliability and predictive validity of the assessment of behavioural characteristics used with working dogs to establish the quality of selection tests currently available for use to predict success in working dogs.ResultsThe search procedures resulted in 16 papers meeting the criteria for inclusion. A large range of behaviour tests and parameters were used in the identified papers, and so behaviour tests and their underpinning constructs were grouped on the basis of their relationship with positive core affect (willingness to work, human-directed social behaviour, object-directed play tendencies) and negative core affect (human-directed aggression, approach withdrawal tendencies, sensitivity to aversives). We then examined the papers for reports of inter-rater reliability, within-session intra-rater reliability, test-retest validity and predictive validity.ConclusionsThe review revealed a widespread lack of information relating to the reliability and validity of measures to assess behaviour and inconsistencies in terminologies, study parameters and indices of success. There is a need to standardise the reporting of these aspects of behavioural tests in order to improve the knowledge base of what characteristics are predictive of optimal performance in working dog roles, improving selection processes and reducing working dog redundancy. We suggest the use of a framework based on explaining the direct or indirect relationship of the test with core affect.
| S-EPMC5982092 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background and objectivesNeighborhood walkability can influence walking behaviors in older adults. However, its associations of walkability with walking may differ by demographic, socioeconomic, health, social, and residential characteristics due to factors such as increased vulnerability to environmental factors or increased resilience.Research design and methodsIn a sample of older adults (n = 493, median age = 82 [range 78-89], 56% female, 31% Black), a walkability index was derived from audits of Google Street View images of participants' immediate neighborhoods. Walking was self-reported in the past week. Effect modifiers by demographic (age, race, gender, marital status), socioeconomic (education, income), health (gait speed, falls, knee pain, depressive symptoms, cognitive status, perceived energy), social (driving status, social engagement), and residential/neighborhood (residence type, neighborhood socioeconomic status [SES], population density) characteristics were assessed by interaction terms in logistic regression models, adjusted for gender, race, gait speed, prior falls, high depressive symptoms, currently driving, and cognitive status. When effect modification was suggested (p for interaction <.1), adjusted analyses of walkability with walking stratified on the effect modifier were conducted.ResultsIn this sample, 59% walked in the past week and greater walkability was associated with greater odds of walking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.34). This association (p for interaction range 0.002-0.07) was present for those who were not currently married (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.17-1.56), who reported knee pain (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.14-1.72) or high depressive symptoms (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.06-1.60), or who had declining cognitive function (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.09-1.55).Discussion and implicationsHigh walkability may influence physical activity, particularly for those with vulnerabilities related to social, pain, and brain health characteristics. These results should inform neighborhood planning and targeted interventions for vulnerable older adults.
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Project description:This protocol explores the use of online patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to assess recovery following hand trauma surgery. Hand injuries significantly impact patients' functional abilities and quality of life, making PROMs crucial for tracking recovery and guiding rehabilitation. This study leverages online versions of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) and Hand Injury Severity Score (HISS) to assess patient perceptions of their recovery over time. Our prospective cohort study involves 250 participants who will complete these PROMs at four intervals post-surgery. We aim to understand how demographic factors such as age, gender, and injury severity influence recovery perceptions and outcomes. This research seeks to enhance patient care by identifying factors that influence postoperative outcomes and by tailoring rehabilitation strategies accordingly.•Prospective cohort study following hand trauma surgery.•Online PROMs using the MHQ and HISS.•Data collection at four time points: baseline, 2-4 weeks, 6-8 weeks, and 10-14 weeks post-surgery.By making these tools accessible online, this protocol aims to improve patient engagement, increase response rates, and provide valuable insights to guide personalized rehabilitation strategies.
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