Search

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) and ergonomic risk factors are very common in bakery workers. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to (1) assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among bakers because they use automated machines or traditional baking, and (2) to determine the strategies to prevent musculoskeletal disorders in bakers. METHODS: A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from the beginning to February 4, 2022, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Mesh keywords and phrases were used to execute the search strategy. Information on MSDs and ergonomic risk factors in bakery workers was collected. Two reviewers worked independently on study selection, data extraction, and paper quality ranking. RESULTS: This study identified 14 papers from seven countries. Although the prevalence of MSDs in bakery workers has been studied, only a handful of them have been studied ergonomic risk factors, and the findings have been very limited. The association between different risk factors and MSDs seemed significant compared to many other occupational diseases. The traditional bread-baking system and lack of mechanization may increase the risk of MSDs in bakery workers. CONCLUSION: WRMSDs for bakery workers have been less studied than other occupational diseases. Our systematic review found several significant relations between the factors influencing the prevalence of MSDs. This study also showed the comparison of traditional and modern cooking systems with diseases of the upper limbs, shoulders, and back pain as possible fields for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This review aims to assess the effect of comprehensive nursing care on liver cancer patients undergoing interventional therapy in China. Methods: In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, we reviewed randomized controlled trials and observational studies assessing the effect of comprehensive nursing care against standard care on liver cancer patients undergoing specific interventional therapies in China, including PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL and CINAHL till June 2023. Data synthesis was conducted using a random‐effects model and reported as pooled odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) or standardized mean differences (SMD). Results: Ten Chinese studies with 1682 participants were evaluated. Comprehensive nursing care significantly enhanced patient outcomes in liver cancer treatment. Quality of life improved markedly (OR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.06–0.41). Notable reductions were observed in anxiety (MD: −8.96, 95% CI: −11.52 to −6.40) and depression (MD: −9.47, 95% CI: −11.79 to −7.14). Patients also experienced increased physical (SMD: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.15–2.25), social (SMD: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.14–2.16) and activity scores (SMD: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.49–2.39), alongside a decrease in post‐treatment complications (OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.21–0.37), demonstrating the multifaceted benefits of comprehensive care. Conclusion: Comprehensive nursing care may improve patient outcomes in liver cancer treatment, offering potential benefits in reducing the side effects of interventional therapy. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Liver cancer patients undergoing interventional therapy often experience significant physical and psychological challenges.Comprehensive nursing care has been hypothesized to offer potential benefits in addressing these challenges.There is limited evidence on the exact impacts of comprehensive nursing care on these patients, leading to knowledge gaps in its applicability and efficacy. What this paper adds? This review demonstrates that comprehensive nursing care can lead to significant improvements in the quality of life for liver cancer patients in China.This review provides evidence that comprehensive care reduces levels of anxiety and depression in these patients.This review shows that this approach boosts physical, social function and activity scores while also reducing post‐treatment complications. The implications of this paper: This paper suggests integrating comprehensive nursing care as a standard practice, given its potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life.This research emphasizes the importance of equipping oncology nurses with comprehensive care skills and expanding their roles to ensure optimal patient outcomes.Despite promising results, there is a need for further high‐quality, randomized controlled trials to confirm these findings and delve deeper into other potential benefits and best practices of comprehensive nursing care for liver cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Team science refers to research initiatives considered in collaboration with scientists from different disciplines or fields. This paper presents a bibliometric analysis for visualization of global research activity concerning the combination of cancer and the COVID-19 pandemic using a team science approach. A bibliometric study was implemented using Web of Science from 2019 to 2021. We analyzed citations to identify description and citations analysis of results, most prolific countries, international research collaboration, most prolific institutions, research areas, most cited papers, and most productive journals. The preliminary data of 2,313 studies that adopted a team science approach were recorded and analyzed. Team science is becoming progressively popular in cancer research. The United States was the most active country, followed by Italy and China. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy had the highest level of cooperation with other countries. The most prolific institution was Harvard University, followed by University of London and the University of Texas System. Head and Neck Journal for the Sciences and Specialties of the Head and Neck, Frontiers in Oncology, and eCancerMedicalScience were the most productive journals. Governments, organizations, policymakers, and researchers should pay attention to team science approach at times of disasters such as cancer and COVID-19 to achieve the best strategies for controlling cancer that is currently a world problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alzheimer's disease threatens the health of older adults, particularly by disrupting executive and memory functions, and many studies have shown that aerobic exercise prevents and improves the symptoms associated with the disease. Objective: The objective was to systematically review the effects of aerobic exercise on executive and memory functions in patients with Alzheimer's disease and to determine the effect factors and mechanisms of the design of aerobic exercise intervention programs. Method: Relevant literature was searched in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO) from January 1, 2014 to March 1, 2023, using a subject-word search method. Data on 10 items, including author and country, were extracted from the literature after screening. The quality of the literature was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, and a systematic review was performed. Results: Twelve papers from seven countries were ultimately included, embodying 11 randomized controlled trials and one study with a repeated-measures design. The overall quality of the studies was good as 657 study participants, aged 45 years and older who had varying degrees of Alzheimer's disease and significant symptoms, were included. Aerobic exercise was found to have a significant positive impact on executive and memory functions in people with Alzheimer's disease. Conclusion: The effects of aerobic exercise on aspects of executive function were mainly characterized by improvements in inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, whereas the effects on aspects of memory function were mainly characterized by improvements in logical memory, situational memory, and short-term memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the effectiveness of nurse‐led multidisciplinary interventions in primary health care. Methods: The following Chinese and English databases were searched for relevant articles: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), from the establishment of the databases until the last updating search 1 April 2022. Two researchers screened the studies independently and extracted the data. Meta‐analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.3 software. Results: A total of 12 studies were included in this review. It was found that nurse‐led multidisciplinary interventions significantly shortened patients' length of stay in hospital (standardized mean differences [SMD] = −1.28, 95%CI: −2.03 to −0.54; P<0.001) and decreased incidences of complications (RR = 0.24, 95%CI:0.10 to 0.54; P = 0.0006) compared to the control group, and lowered patients' anxiety levels (SMD = −1.21, 95%CI: −1.99 to −0.44; P<0.01) and depression levels (SMD = −1.85, 95%CI: −3.42 to −0.28; P<0.0001). Furthermore, the results of subgroup analysis indicated that nurse‐led multidisciplinary interventions had significant effects on patients' self‐management ability (SMD = 4.45, 95%CI:2.45 to 6.44; P<0.0001) and quality of life (SMD = 1.01, 95%CI: 0.63 to 1.40; P<0.0001) compared to the control group. Conclusions: Nurse‐led multidisciplinary interventions had strong effects in primary health care, contributing to shorten patients' length of stay in hospital, decrease incidences of complications and reduce the levels of anxiety and depression. Moreover, nurse‐led multidisciplinary interventions also improved patients' self‐management ability and quality of life. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Chronic diseases with long duration and slow recovery are one of the priorities for management in primary health care.In China and other countries around the world, primary health care is highly regarded for its efforts for the health of all.Several randomized controlled trials have explored the effectiveness of nurse‐led multidisciplinary interventions in primary health care, but the findings of these studies are contradictory. What this paper adds? The review demonstrates that nurse‐led multidisciplinary interventions could shorten patients' length of stay in hospital, decrease the incidence of complications and reduce the levels of anxiety and depression.Nurse‐led multidisciplinary interventions also improve patients' self‐management ability and quality of life.Nurse‐led multidisciplinary interventions are beneficial for promoting health and preventing disease in primary health care. The implications of this paper: Community primary health‐care personnel should be aware of the importance of nurse‐led multidisciplinary interventions in preventing disease and safeguarding health.For people with chronic diseases, community health‐care personnel should adopt multidisciplinary care methods to improve outcomes for patients.High‐quality studies are needed to verify the effects of interventions for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the ageing population in China continues to grow, more people will be living with long-term health conditions and require support from family care-givers. This scoping review therefore aims to explore sources of stress and coping mechanisms adopted by care-givers of older relatives living with long-term conditions in mainland China. Literature searches were conducted in English (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and SCOPUS) and Chinese (CNKI, WANFANG DATA, CQVIP and CBM) databases between October and November 2019. The searches focused on the stressors and coping mechanisms utilised by family care-givers residing in the community. Narrative synthesis was used to identify themes within the data. Forty-six papers were included: 20 papers from English and 26 from Chinese databases. Six themes captured stressors: care-giving time (N = 22), financial resources (N = 17), role and personal strains (N = 42), preparedness (N = 4), social roles (N = 10) and lack of adequate formal support (N = 22); and one theme captured coping (N = 14). Unmet needs of care-givers of older relatives in mainland China were found to be extensive. Only a few studies had attempted to explore the causal link between stressors, coping and the influence of culture. Findings underscore the significance of adequately capturing intricacies around care-givers' unmet needs, rather than generalising on the basis of culture. Qualitative studies are critical to providing a better understanding of the relationship between stressors, coping and resources afforded to care-givers by their cultural environment. Having such understanding is crucial to inform the development of competent care, which promotes self-efficacy and self-actualisation in care-givers in mainland China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Lidcombe Program is a stuttering treatment approach for children between the ages of 3 and 6 years. Most papers about the Lidcombe Program, however, are based on studies conducted in native English-speaking countries. The aim of this paper is to systematically review the delivery and implementation of the Lidcombe Program in non-native English-speaking countries. Summary: A resource search was conducted between October and November 2019. Scopus, PubMed, ASHA, Cochrane Library, ERIC, Google Scholar, and SpeechBITE databases and reference lists of relevant papers were searched for the identification process. Joanna Briggs Institute tools were used for the appraisal of the studies. The search yielded 8 studies conducted in non-native English-speaking countries. The Lidcombe Program is efficacious in non-native English-speaking countries when delivered to both preschool and young school age children who stutter. It is reported to be delivered with minor changes and challenges. The number of weekly clinic visits and the total time needed to reach zero or near-zero stuttering levels with the Lidcombe Program can be up to 3 times greater in non-native English-speaking countries than in native English-speaking countries, mostly due to the increased time needed to introduce the parental verbal contingencies. Key Messages: Speech and language therapists practicing in non-native English-speaking countries are encouraged to use the Lidcombe Program for both preschool and young school age children who stutter, although this can take more time than that reported in native English-speaking countries. Further investigation to explore the therapy process with children and parents in non-native English-speaking countries is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is an important complication following the use of iodinated contrast media. Bilirubin has a protective effect but may also aggravate CI-AKI. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess whether bilirubin is a risk factor for CI-AKI. We searched the databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Ovid Medline, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), VPCS (Vip Paper Check System), Wanfang, and CBM (Chinese BioMedical Literature Database) from the initial date to May 6, 2023. We summarized the results by directly combining the effect-size odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) and identified sources of heterogeneity through subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression analysis. A total of 10 studies (14 data sets) were included: 7 retrospective studies (10 data sets) and 3 prospective studies (4 data sets), involving 12776 participants. The incidence of CI-AKI of 16% (95% CI: 14-19%). Total bilirubin was positively associated with the occurrence of CI-AKI (OR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.36-2.38). Both low and high bilirubin concentrations were risk factors for CI-AKI. The incidence of CI-AKI was higher in the low bilirubin group than in the high bilirubin group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Extensive research focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of various positions throughout active second stage labour, but there is limited focus on midwives' practice. This study aimed to explore midwives' practice of maternal positions throughout the active phase of second stage labour. Methods: An integrative review of three databases was carried out for research papers published between 2015 and 2022. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis and synthesis. Results: Five eligible research papers were included. There were four key findings: maternal positions practised by midwives, midwives as the prime decision maker, midwives' personal convenience and comfort, and barriers to practising maternal positions. Conclusions: Midwives were seen as prime decision makers, who hindered informed decision making on maternal positions during active second stage labour. Inadequate knowledge, skills and confidence were barriers to practice and attributed to midwives adopting positions that were convenient and comfortable for themselves. Strategies are needed to enhance practice through review and evaluation of current clinical settings, regular updates to evidence-based practice and refreshing essential midwifery skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study was to analyse the status, hotspots and trends of research on oral care for the elderly in mainland China in the past 20 years through bibliometrics, which aims to provide new ideas and targets for future clinical work and research. Design: Bibliometric analysis. Methods: Relevant literature was retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Web of Science and PubMed. NoteExpress, Co‐Occurrence and CiteSpace were used to analyse bibliometric features in terms of year of publication, journal of publication, authors, institution and keywords. Results: A total of 716 related articles were obtained. The number of publications shows an increasing trend over time, only 2017–2021; 309 papers were published, accounting for 43.2% of the total number of publications. A total of 238 articles were published in Science Citation Index journals or Chinese core journals, accounting for 33.2% of the total number of articles. The study of oral health‐related quality of life in the elderly is a hot research topic. There is a lack of research on the elderly living in elderly care facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the incidence of facial pressure injuries in health‐care professionals during the COVID‐19 pandemic in a meta‐analysis. Methods: Related studies were obtained through electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) Chinese Scientific Journal (VIP) China Biomedical Literature service systems (CBM) and Wanfang Data (from inception to 27 November 2021). The pooled incidence and the 95% confidence interval of facial pressure injuries were calculated with Review Manager v5.4 software. Results: Overall, 16 studies with 14 430 health‐care professionals were included. Pooled results showed that the pooled incidence of facial pressure injury in health‐care professionals was 58.8% (95% CI: 49.0%–68.7%; p < 0.01). The results of the subgroup analysis showed that the incidence of facial pressure injury in these staff was high, and predominantly stage I pressure injury, in the following cases: in health‐care professionals who wore personal protective equipment for longer than 4 h, in those without any training experience, and on the nose. Conclusion: Administrators and researchers should pay attention to preventing facial pressure injury related to the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) by ensuring all health‐care professionals receive training and by limiting prolonged periods of use. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Facial pressure injury was one of the most common effects experiencedby health‐care professionals wearing facial PPE during COVID‐19, which seriously affected their facial comfort and self‐image.A number of studies have reported the incidence of facial pressure injury in health‐care professionals, but the evidence is inconsistent.Medical staff are the main force during the COVID‐19. What this paper adds? This study showed that the pooled incidence of facial pressure injury in health‐care professionals was 56.8% during COVID‐19.This study showed that there was a higher incidence of facial pressure injury in staff who wore PPE for longer than 4 h and in those without any training experience.This study showed that the nose was the most common part of the face with pressure injury, and Stage I pressure injury was the most prevalent injury type in health‐care professionals. The implications of this paper: This study may provide evidence for managers about the development of guidelines for health‐care professionals to prevent and manage facial pressure injuries and promote the health of health‐care professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is now a growing interest in early-life influences on adult diseases in China. A number of birth cohorts have been established. This systematic review provided a better understanding of the development of mother–baby cohorts in China. Systematic review. We conducted a systematic review for research or profile papers in English/Chinese that reported data from mother–baby cohorts in mainland China, with ≥1y follow-up after birth. We identified 315 papers, corresponding to 31 cohorts from 19 provinces/megacities. All cohorts started in 1999–2017 (21 after 2010) and were set up with broad objectives or specific scientific focus. The baseline sample size varied, from <500 to >300,000 mothers. A majority of cohorts were initiated during pregnancy and followed children to <10y, only six to adolescence and none into adulthood. These cohorts mostly collected samples from mothers and babies, in addition to using interviews/questionnaires to collect information about pregnancy, birth and child health. Most cohorts were recruited from a single province/city. The large western region was understudied. Mother–baby cohorts have developed rapidly in China, but usually with a short follow-up duration. Extending the follow-up of children and developing cross-cohort collaboration will increase the diversity, size and coverage of the sample, allow studying early influences on life-course health and identify targets for early intervention in the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human communities suffered a vast socioeconomic burden in dealing with the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) globally. Real-word data about these burdens can inform governments about evidence-based resource allocation and prioritization. The aim of this scoping review was to map the cost-of-illness (CoI) studies associated with COVID-19. Methods: This scoping review was conducted from January 2019 to December 2021. We searched cost-of-illness papers published in English within Web of Sciences, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct and ProQuest. For each eligible study, extracted data included country, publication year, study period, study design, epidemiological approach, costing method, cost type, cost identification, sensitivity analysis, estimated unit cost and national burden. All of the analyses were applied in Excel software. Results: 2352 records were found after the search strategy application, finally 28 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Most of the studies were done in the United States, Turkey, and China. The prevalence-based approach was the most common in the studies, and most of studies also used Hospital Information System data (HIS). There were noticeable differences in the costing methods and the cost identification. The average cost of hospitalization per patient per day ranged from 101$ in Turkey to 2,364$ in the United States. Among the studies, 82.1% estimated particularly direct medical costs, 3.6% only indirect costs, and 14.3% both direct and indirect costs. Conclusion: The economic burden of COVID-19 varies from country to country. The majority of CoI studies estimated direct medical costs associated with COVID-19 and there is a paucity of evidence for direct non-medical, indirect, and intangible costs, which we recommend for future studies. To create homogeneity in CoI studies, we suggest researchers follow a conceptual framework and critical appraisal checklist of cost-of-illness (CoI) studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To systematically assess the effect of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on postoperative surgical wound infection, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications after spinal surgery. Relevant studies on the application of NPWT in spinal surgery were conducted via a computerised database search, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang, from inception to June 2023. The identified literature was rigorously screened and data extraction was performed by two investigators independently. The quality of the relevant studies was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS). The effect size for count data was determined by the odds ratio (OR), while the impact size for measurement data was expressed as the standardised mean difference (SMD). The 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for each effect magnitude. Stata 17.0 software was used for the meta‐analysis. Ten papers, totalling 1448 patients, were finally included. This study demonstrated that NPWT led to a statistically significant reduction in the occurrence of postoperative surgical wound infections (OR: 0.377, 95% CI: 0.238–0.598, p < 0.001), fewer postoperative complications (OR: 0.526, 95% CI: 0.360–0.770, p = 0.001) and a shortened hospital stay (SMD: −0.678, 95%CI: −1.324 to −0.031, p = 0.040) after spinal surgery compared with the control group. When compared with other treatment approaches, NPWT also demonstrated a substantial reduction in surgical wound infections and postoperative complications, as well as a shorter duration of hospitalisation after spinal surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of coronavirus disease in 2019 has become a serious threat to human health. Whether meteorological conditions could influence the transmission and virulence of COVID-19 remains controversial. In this study, we systematically reviewed the impact of temperature and humidity on the replication, morbidity, and mortality of COVID-19. We also discussed the main factors underlying the inconsistency across studies. Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus were used to identify papers published up to 7 December 2020. We initially identified 3515 papers, and 28 articles met the inclusion criteria after screening. Most studies showed high temperature and high humidity can partly reduce the reproduction, morbidity, and mortality of COVID-19. But the rest papers failed to identify a significant association. The discrepant results may be related to the difference in the climate context, study design, exposure assessment, policy intervention, socioeconomic status, and public health service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This meta‐analysis aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the effectiveness of psychoeducational interventions on family function among families after stroke. Background: Family function may be improved by psychoeducational intervention, but findings about the effect of psychoeducation on family function among families after stroke have been mixed. Methods: This was a meta‐analysis carried out by searching five international electronic databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINAHL, as well as four national electronic databases, including Chinese Biological Medicine (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP and Wanfang. Two groups of researchers screened the studies independently, assessed the quality of the studies and extracted data. Meta‐analysis was performed by using the RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Five studies on psychoeducational interventions were included. Pooled analysis of these studies showed a small effect of the interventions on improving family function (WMD: −0.13, 95% CI: −0.24 to −0.01, P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed significant differences between the psychoeducation and control groups at 1 month postintervention (WMD: −0.12, 95% CI: −0.18 to −0.05, P < 0.05) and more than 6 months postintervention (WMD: −0.14, 95% CI: −0.24 to −0.04, P < 0.05). The psychoeducational interventions also had positive effect on improving the problem solving (WMD: −0.22, 95% CI: −0.14 to −0.03, P < 0.05) and communication (WMD: −0.23, 95% CI: −0.41 to −0.05, P < 0.05) functions of the family. There were significant differences in the group of dyad intervention (WMD: −0.14, 95% CI: −0.25 to −0.02, P < 0.05) and the group using face to face method (WMD: −0.58, 95% CI: −0.84 to −0.32, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Synthesized results demonstrated the favourable effect of psychoeducational interventions on the improvement of the family function among families after stroke, especially in terms of family problem solving and family communication. Future psychoeducational intervention research design should consider the combination of multiple intervention methods and the applicable population of intervention. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Good family function can promote the physical and mental health of family caregivers, improve the life quality of stroke survivors and lighten a heavy burden on the whole family.Family function may be improved by psychoeducational intervention, but findings about the effect of psychoeducation on family function among families after stroke have been mixed.What this paper adds? The psychoeducational intervention has a positive effect on family function among families after stroke, especially in terms of family problem solving and family communication.The implications of this paper: The psychoeducational intervention can be an acceptable method to improve family function among families after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk quotient (RQ) related to Estrone (E1), 17β–E2 (E2), Estriol (E3) and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) in sediment of water resources in China was calculated using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method. Fifty-four papers with 64 data-reports included in our study. The rank order of steroid hormones in sediment based on log-normal distribution in MCS was E1 (3.75 ng/g dw) > E3 (1.53 ng/g dw) > EE2 (1.38 ng/g dw) > E2 (1.17 ng/g dw). According to results, concentration of steroid hormones including E1, E2 and E3 in sediment of Erhai lake, northern Taihu lake and Dianchi river was higher than other locations. The rank order of steroid hormones based on percentage high risk (RQ > 1) was EE2 (87.00%) > E1 (70.00%) > E2 (62.99%) > E3 (11.11%). Hence, contamination control plans for steroid hormones in sediment of water resources in China should be conducted continuously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screw and pedicle screw (PS) internal fixation in the treatment of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after lumbar fusion. Methods: This study was registered on International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (ID: CRD42023484937). We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang Database, and Wei Pu Database by computer to collect controlled clinical studies on the efficacy and safety of cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screw and pedicle screw (PS) internal fixation in the treatment of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after lumbar fusion from database establishment to November 2023. Two researchers screened the literature, extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies, recorded the authors, and sample size, and extracted the intraoperative blood loss, operation time, Oswestry disability index (ODI), Visual analogue scale (VAS), disc height (DH), hospital length stay and complications in each study. Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 software provided by Cochrane Library. Results: A total of 6 cohort studies (CS) and 1 randomized controlled study with a total of 420 patients were included in this study, including 188 patients in the CBT group and 232 patients in the PS group. The CBT group had lower intraoperative blood loss than the PS group [mean difference (MD) = -129.38, 95% CI (-177.22, -81.55), P < 0.00001] and operation time was shorter than that of the PS group [MD = -1.42, 95% CI (-2.63, -0.20), P = 0.02]. Early postoperative back and leg pain improved more significantly in the CBT group [MD = -0.77, 95% CI (-1.35, -0.19), P = 0.01; MD = -0.24, 95% CI (-0.37, -0.10), P = 0.0005]. Conclusion: Compared with PS, CBT for adjacent segment degeneration after lumbar fusion has the advantages of less intraoperative blood loss, shorter operation time, and less back and leg pain in the early postoperative period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obstetric critical illness is an important factor that leads to an increase in maternal mortality. Early warning assessment can effectively reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. However, there are multiple early warning systems, and the effect and applicability of each system in China still need to be explored. Objectives: To elaborate on the application, effectiveness and challenges of the existing early warning systems for high‐risk obstetric women in China and to provide a reference for clinical practice. Design: A scoping review guided by the Arksey and O'Malley framework and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis for scoping review (PRISMA‐ScR) guidelines. Eligibility criteria: We included original studies related to early warning and excluded those that were guidelines, consensus and reviews. The included studies were published in Chinese or English by Chinese scholars as of June 2021. Data sources: CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Cochrane, CINAHL, Embase, PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched systematically, and the reference sections of the included papers were snowballed. Results: In total, 598 articles were identified. These articles were further refined using keyword searches and exclusion criteria, and 17 articles met the inclusion criteria. We extracted data related to each study's population, methods and results. Early warning tools, outcome indices, effects and challenges are discussed. Conclusions: Although all studies have shown that early warning systems have good application effects, the use of early warning systems in China is still limited, with poor regional management and poor sensitivity for specific obstetric women. Future research needs to develop more targeted early warning tools for high‐risk obstetric women and address the current challenges in clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and late-onset sepsis (LOS) are the major contributors to mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. This updated meta-analysis was aimed to assess the effects of mother's milk on the incidence of NEC, LOS, and other clinical outcomes in preterm infants. Methods. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched for papers published up to October 2022. Results. A total of 13 RCTs with 1330 infants were included in the final analysis. Significant difference in NEC (stage 2 or 3) was found between the intervention group and the control group (RR = 0.508, 95% CI: 0.314–0.822, and P = 0.008). The incidence of proven LOS (RR = 0.809, 95% CI: 0.610–1.071, and P = 0.139) and death (RR = 0.800, 95% CI: 0.571–1.122, and P = 0.196) was comparable between the two groups. Statistical differences in the incidence of proven or probable LOS (RR = 0.705, 95% CI: 0.577–0.862, and P = 0.001) and length of hospitalization (WMD = −4.868, 95% CI: −6.608 to −3.128, and P < 0.001) between the intervention group and the control group were observed. Conclusions. The results of this updated meta-analysis showed that compared to the placebo, mother's milk provides better effects in reducing the incidences of NEC, proven or probable LOS, and the length of stay, whereas no significant benefit of mother's milk was observed in reducing the incidence of proven LOS and death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation among informal carers of individuals with dementia and to identify potential influencing factors. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search across 10 electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Chinese Biomedical, China National Knowledge Internet, and WANFANG. Our search strategy covered the inception of the databases up to September 16, 2023, with an updated search conducted on March 8, 2024. Prevalence estimates of loneliness and social isolation, presented with 95% confidence intervals, were synthesized through meta‐analysis. Subgroup analyses and meta‐regression were employed to explore potential moderating variables and heterogeneity. Results: The study encompassed 27 research papers involving 11,134 informal carers from 17 different countries. The pooled prevalence of loneliness among informal carers of individuals with dementia was 50.8% (95% CI: 41.8%–59.8%), while the pooled prevalence of social isolation was 37.1% (95% CI: 26.7%–47.6%). Subgroup analyses and meta‐regression indicated that various factors significantly influenced the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation. These factors included the caregiving setting, study design, the intensity of loneliness, geographical location (continent), data collection time, and the choice of assessment tools. Conclusions: This study underscores the substantial prevalence of loneliness and social isolation among informal carers of individuals with dementia. It suggests that policymakers and healthcare providers should prioritize the development of targeted interventions and support systems to alleviate loneliness and social isolation within this vulnerable population. Key points: Informal carers of people with dementia contend with unique circumstances that render them susceptible to both loneliness and social isolation.There is a significant prevalence of loneliness and social isolation in informal carers of individuals with dementia.Several significant moderators influence the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation among informal carers of individuals with dementia.Moderator analysis can guide targeted interventions and support systems for at‐risk informal carers of people with dementia to alleviate loneliness and social isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background WHO estimates that seasonal influenza epidemics result in three to five million cases of severe illness (hospitalisations) every year. We aimed to improve the understanding of influenza-associated hospitalisation estimates at a national and global level. Methods We performed a systematic literature review of English- and Chinese-language studies published between 1995 and 2020 estimating influenza-associated hospitalisation. We included a total of 127 studies (seven in Chinese) in the meta-analysis and analyzed their data using a logit-logistic regression model to understand the influence of five study factors and produce national and global estimates by age groups. The five study factors assessed were: 1) the method used to calculate the influenza-associated hospitalisation estimates (rateor time series regression-based), 2) the outcome measure (divided into three envelopes: narrow, medium, or wide), 3) whether every case was laboratory-confirmed or not, 4) whether the estimates were national or sub-national, 5) whether the rates were based on a single year or multiple years. Results The overall pooled influenza-associated hospitalisation rate was 40.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 24.3-67.4) per 100 000 persons, with rates varying substantially by age: 224.0 (95% CI = 118.8-420.0) in children aged 0-4 years and 96.8 (95% CI = 57.0-164.3) in the elderly aged >65 years. The overall pooled hospitalisation rates varied by calculation method; for all ages, the rates were significantly higher when they were based on rate-based methods or calculated on a single season and significantly lower when cases were laboratory-confirmed. The national hospitalisation rates (all ages) varied considerably, ranging from 11.7 (95% CI = 3.8-36.3) per 100 000 in New Zealand to 122.1 (95% CI = 41.5-358.4) per 100 000 in India (all age estimates). Conclusions Using the pooled global influenza-associated hospitalisation rate, we estimate that seasonal influenza epidemics result in 3.2 million cases of severe illness (hospitalisations) per annum. More extensive analyses are required to assess the influence of other factors on the estimates (e.g. vaccination and dominant virus (sub)types) and efforts to harmonize the methods should be encouraged. Our study highlights the high rates of influenza-associated hospitalisations in children aged 0-4 years and the elderly aged 65+ years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify the prognostic value of the pretreatment geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) in colorectal cancer. Several electronic databases were searched up to March 15, 2022, for relevant studies. The primary and secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), respectively. The hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined. Bess's funnel plot and Egger's test were conducted to detect publication bias, and the trim-and-fill method was performed to identify potentially unpublished papers and their impacts on the overall results. Nine studies from Japan and China involving 3440 participants were enrolled in the current meta-analysis. The pooled results indicated that a low pretreatment GNRI was significantly associated with poorer OS (HR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.69–3.07, P < 0.001; I2=63.5%, Pheterogeneity=0.005) and DFS (HR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.35–1.96, P < 0.001; I2=46.4%, Pheterogeneity=0.114). Subgroup analysis stratified by country and treatment showed similar results. Significant publication bias was manifested by the asymmetric Begg's funnel plot and P = 0.012 of Egger's test, but three potentially unpublished studies did not have a significant impact on the overall results. A lower pretreatment GNRI was a novel prognostic risk factor for Japanese and Chinese colorectal cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cancer patients and caregivers have myriad unmet needs which can have detrimental consequences on their psychosocial wellbeing. This systematic review aims to identify the unmet supportive care needs of immigrant and native Chinese cancer patients and caregivers. Methods: We systematically searched various electronic databases (e.g. Scopus, CINAHL, PsycInfo, etc.) from the earliest date available until January 2018. Additional studies were identified through reference lists and citation tracking. Eligibility criteria included: (a) qualitative, quantitative and/or mixed methods studies published in English; (b) immigrant and native Chinese cancer patients and/or caregivers (age ≥18 years); (c) unmet needs and/or their correlates. Studies were assessed for their risk of bias, and a narrative synthesis of findings was performed. Results: Forty‐seven papers from 45 studies met eligibility criteria. The most prevalent area of unmet needs was health system and information. Patients most commonly desired one member of the hospital to talk to about all aspects of their care. Caregivers preferred information about the patient's prognosis and likely outcome. Anxiety was most commonly associated with higher levels of health system and information needs. Conclusion: Chinese patients and caregivers experience a range of unmet health system and information needs, which differ depending on their stage along the cancer trajectory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The publications on elbow pain (EP) in overhead sports are increasing. The results of previous studies mostly focus on the influence of EP in the ball game and throwing sports. Thus, a bibliometric analysis of these publications may show the direction of hot topics and future research trends. The purpose of this study is to identify the research trends on EP in overhead sports. For the methods, the first step is to use the main keywords of 'Elbow pain' and 'Overhead sport' merging auxiliary vocabulary to reach the relevant global publications between 1970 and 2022 in the Web of Science (WoS) database. The literature data set is imported into EndNote literature manager software to remove duplication. Secondly, the duplication-reduced articles are imported to an Excel sheet according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study. In the third step, VOSviewer software is applied as the main analysis tool in extracting data for analysis from the articles. Then, the main research results for three aspects are obtained by VOSviewer software which extracted and analyzed the parameters of author name, article title, publication journal, keywords, organization, publication country/region, and the sum of times cited from 455 qualified papers. The study found that the United States of America made the most outstanding contribution to this theme study. The research on EP in overhead sports in China requires more attention from scholars. EP in swimming is a new research direction worthy of attention. In conclusion, the research results prove the growth trend of EP in overhead sports. The EP problem not only exists in the ball game and throwing sports but also swimming. Sport commercialization and the involvement of related professional sports organizations determine the degree of EP's attention in a specific sport and the development of solutions. The development of a region or country also affects the depth and scope of EP study. Clinical research development and in-depth exploration are one of the bases to solve EP problems. Non-clinical action is beneficial to EP patients, but it still needs to be explored and studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to systematically review and critically appraise the literature describing the phonetic characteristics and accuracy of the consonants, vowels and tones produced by Mandarin-speaking children with cochlear implants (CIs). The protocol in this review was designed in conformity with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. EBSCOhost, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, ProQuest Central databases were searched for relevant articles which met the inclusion criteria. A total of 18 journal papers were included in this review. The results revealed that Mandarin-speaking children with CIs perform consistently more poorly in their production of consonants, in particular on fricatives, have a smaller and less well-defined vowel space, and exhibit greater difficulties in tone realisation, notably T2 and T3, when compared to their normal-hearing (NH) peers. The results from acoustic and accuracy analyses are negatively correlated with CI implantation age, but largely positively correlated with hearing age. Findings of this review highlight the factors that influence consonant, vowel and tone production in Mandarin-speaking children with CIs, thereby providing critical information for clinicians and researchers working with this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To establish an understanding of healthcare professionals' dementia knowledge and attitudes towards dementia care, and family carers' perceptions of dementia care in China. Background: Healthcare professionals and family carers of people with dementia deliver most of the dementia care in China. However, little research on healthcare professionals' dementia knowledge and attitudes towards dementia care, and family carers' dementia care perceptions has been conducted in China. Methods: An integrative review was conducted and reported based on the PRISMA guidelines and Whittemore and Knafl's framework. Eight English databases were searched without date restriction: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO and Scopus; and three Chinese databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chongqing Weipu and Wanfang, plus a manual search of reference lists. Results: Thirty‐eight primary research papers were included in the review. Three themes were identified from the synthesis: (a) knowledge and competency; (b) attitudes towards dementia care; and (c) carers' burden and unmet needs. Healthcare professionals' dementia knowledge ranged from low to moderate levels and attitudes towards dementia care were generally negative. With low levels of knowledge of dementia and negative attitudes including stigma, family carers were under stress with insufficient support, and they expected more support from community nurses. Conclusions: There is an apparent need for a national policy on healthcare professional education and training to improve dementia care practice in China. Such a policy may improve support services for family carers. Relevance to clinical practice: Nurses, and particularly community nurses, are well‐positioned to support family carers in China. However, healthcare professionals in China are not prepared for this. Therefore, education and training on dementia care should be integrated into medical and nursing undergraduate programmes and provided for healthcare professionals after commencing employment, and strategies to reduce stigma are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to clarify the concept of perceived health from the perspective of rural adults in China. Methods: Walker and Avant's concept analysis was applied. Findings: Perceived health from rural adults in China is a subjective assessment of their health status, which is deeply affected by Chinese traditional culture and being in a rural environment. Conclusions: Most rural adults in China could perceive their health as good or poor, however, rural areas have disadvantages in health care, geographical location, and educational resources compared with urban counterparts, which may lead to some unscientific health attitudes and lifestyles and hinder their healthcare‐seeking behaviors. Implication for Nursing Practice: To help nurses understand better the concept of perceived health with the rural background, which is different from urban areas. Perceived health provides rich information resources for nurses to carry out holistic care, and to lead rural adults in China to form a correct and positive attitude and lifestyle as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to urbanisation in China, about 7.74 million older people have migrated to urban centres, where their adult children reside and work, to care for their grandchildren. While older migrants may benefit from family reunion and mutual support, empirical studies have identified challenges to adaptation, integration and mental health. Employing a systematic literature review approach, this paper examines recent empirical studies on the mental health of older migrants migrating along with adult children in China, focusing on mental health and wellbeing outcomes and determinants and directions for social work interventions. It identifies directions for considering diversity in conceptualisations of mental health and in theoretical perspectives to enrich understanding of the experiences of Chinese older migrants migrating along with adult children and potential interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review explores the influences of family and school members on children in China, in order to promote healthy eating behaviours among children and prevent childhood malnutrition in the Global South. Family members and school members are defined as parents, guardians (such as grandparents and other relatives), siblings, peers, and teachers. A search of four databases returned 94 articles, 18 of which met the eligibility criteria. Most of the included studies were from mainland China; a few were from Hong Kong and Taiwan. More quantitative than qualitative studies were found, among which, cross-sectional studies were dominant. The 18 papers included in the study explored the influences of family members and school members on the eating behaviours of children, based on seven themes: (1) social–demographic characteristics, (2) food intake of parents, (3) nutritional knowledge and health awareness of family or school members, (4) parents' perceptions of their children's body weight, (5) feeding strategies of family members, (6) family relationships, and (7) intergenerational differences of caregivers. In the current analysis, parental education levels, mother's occupation, health awareness of parents and teachers, and positive feeding styles, such as encouraging healthy eating and controlling overeating, were positively correlated with the healthy eating behaviours of children. Meanwhile, healthy eating behaviours of children were negatively associated with caregivers' lack of nutritional knowledge, misperception of weight, instrumental and/or emotional feeding, and working on nonstandard shifts. More related research using cross-disciplinary approaches is needed and there should be more discussions about how teachers, siblings, and peers affect the dietary behaviours of children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ageing population has been rapidly growing over recent years. Theoretically, religion seemingly plays an important role in improving older people's health. This study examines whether believing in religion is related to better health conditions among Chinese older adults through a meta-analysis. Two researchers independently extracted the studies from a comprehensive database and grey literature search and evaluated their scientific quality. From the 3,777 potentially eligible papers, just 76 were selected. The pooled effect size detected no significant difference between Chinese religious and non-religious older adults' overall health and wellbeing. Dividing the outcomes into different categories, religious older adults reported both a higher level of anxiety (Hedge's g = −0.392, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.494, −0.290; p = 0.004) and yet a higher level of happiness (Hedge's g = 0.342, 95% CI = 0.074, 0.610; p = 0.018). Having a higher proportion of females in the sample is related to a smaller effect size in overall health outcomes (β = −2.205, 95% CI = −3.800, −0.613; p = 0.007) and social support specifically (β = −4.660, 95% CI = −6.261, −3.058; p < 0.0001). This study is among the first to synthesise the quantitative evidence regarding health differences between older religion believers and non-believers in China. It calls for future studies investigating the pathways underlying the religion–health relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may have special advantages in facilitating smoking cessation, but consensus on effectiveness is lacking. We aim to comprehensively review, update, and refine current evidence on TCM effectiveness and safety. METHODS Nine databases were searched from their inception up to 28 February 2023. Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analysis of TCM for smoking cessation were identified and retrieved. Additional databases and hand searches of RCTs from included SRs were performed for data pooling. Cochrane ROB tools and AMSTAR-2 were used to evaluate the methodological quality of RCTs and SRs, respectively. RCT data are presented as relative risks (RR) or mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using RevMan 5.4. RESULTS Thirteen SRs involving 265 studies with 33081 participants were included. Among these 265 studies, 157 were duplicates (58.36%) and 52 were non-RCTs (19.62%). Combined with the remaining 56 RCTs identified through hand searches, 88 RCTs involving 12434 participants were finally included for data synthesis. All the SRs focused on acupoint stimulation, and the majority were of low or very low quality. The methodological quality of RCTs was either unclear or high risk. For continuous abstinence rate, TCM external interventions were better than placebo in 6 months to 1 year (RR=1.60; 95% CI: 1.14-2.25; I²=27%; n=5533 participants). Compared with placebo, TCM external application was effective in reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and the effect was gradually stable and obvious in the fourth week (MD= -4.46; 95% CI: -5.43 -- -3.49; n=165 participants). Twelve RCTs reported adverse events as outcome indicators for safety evaluation, and no serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS Despite the methodological limitations of the original studies, our review suggests that TCM intervention shows potential effectiveness on the continuous abstinence rate. Extending the intervention time can enhance the effect of TCM on nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Referred to adverse events, more data for safety evaluation are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article?: • To familiarise yourself with the healthcare needs of overseas Chinese students • To understand the barriers experienced by overseas Chinese students when accessing UK student primary healthcare • To enhance your knowledge of strategies to increase access to healthcare services for this population Individuals from China comprise the largest cohort of international students in the UK, making up almost one quarter of those coming to the country to study. The large Chinese student population at UK universities means there are considerable numbers each year who require access to student primary healthcare. This article describes a literature and narrative review that aimed to critically review the evidence concerning whether the primary healthcare needs of overseas Chinese students studying at UK universities are being met. Three themes were identified: primary healthcare accessibility and potential barriers for overseas Chinese students; health-seeking behaviour and health needs; and cultural and spiritual foundations of health needs and trusted health-seeking frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A scoping study provides a better understanding of how local authorities in China support care-experienced young people. • Twenty-two social policies in China are mapped and examined. • Across localities, housing and employment services are prioritised to support care-experienced young people. • Current policy responses are insufficient, and people's opportunities to access the stipulated support are quite limited. An increasing amount of attention is being paid to young people with care experience on an international scale. They are often associated with negative outcomes after leaving care, such as low educational attainment, unstable housing, job instability and social exclusion. While many countries have prescribed social policies for supporting them for a more fruitful transition out of care, there is little information available in the context of China at local levels. Given this, this paper maps and examines existing local policies, exploring how local authorities support care-experienced young people in China. To achieve, it adopts a scoping review. The findings highlight (i) China's local polices as a whole prescribe a variety of services, resources, and/or measures to support care-experienced young people, of which housing and employment are at the top of the list; (ii) current policy responses are insufficient, and opportunities of this group of people to access the stipulated support are quite limited. The findings of this study indicate that policymakers need to improve local policies in order to make them more operable, sophisticated, and comprehensive, so that care-experienced young people can reap the greatest benefits from them. Also, a national leaving-care policy that provides guidance to local authorities should be considered, adding consistency and clarity to relevant policies across the country. The limitations of this paper relate mainly to its review methods, which point to the need to expand data sources and conduct cross-reviews to enhance the findings' credibility and robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a global public health concern. We performed this systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects and safety of traditional Chinese mind-body exercises (TCME) for patients with CFS. Methods We comprehensively searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP databases, and Wanfang Data from inception to October 2022 for eligible RCTs of TCME for CFS management. We used Cochran's Q statistic and I2 to assess heterogeneity and conducted subgroup analyses based on different types of TCME, background therapy, and types of fatigue. We also assessed the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. Results We included 13 studies (n=1187) with a maximal follow-up of 12 weeks. TCME included Qigong and Tai Chi. At the end of the treatment, compared with passive control, TCME probably reduces the severity of fatigue (standardised mean differences (SMD)=0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.64, 1.07, moderate certainty), depression (SMD=0.53; 95% CI=0.34, 0.72, moderate certainty), anxiety (SMD=0.29; 95% CI=0.11, 0.48, moderate certainty), sleep quality (SMD=0.34; 95% CI=0.10, 0.57, low certainty) and mental functioning (SMD=0.90; 95% CI=0.50, 1.29, low certainty). Compared with other active control therapies, TCME results in little to no difference in the severity of fatigue (SMD= 0.08; 95% CI = -0.18, 0.34, low certainty). For long-term outcomes, TCME may improve anxiety (SMD= 1.74; 95% CI = 0.44, 3.03, low certainty) compared to passive control. We did not identify TCME-related serious adverse events. Conclusions In patients with CFS, TCME probably reduces post-intervention fatigue, depression, and anxiety and may improve sleep quality and mental function compared with passive control, but has limited long-term effects. These findings will help health professionals and patients with better clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Due to their known variation by geography and economic development, we aimed to evaluate the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) in China over the past decades and identify factors associated with CRC among the Chinese population to provide targeted information on disease prevention. Methods We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis of epidemiolocal studies on the incidence, mortality, and associated factors of CRC among the Chinese population, extracting and synthesising data from eligible studies retrieved from seven global and Chinese databases. We pooled age-standardised incidence rates (ASIRs) and mortality rates (ASMRs) for each province, subregion, and the whole of China, and applied a joinpoint regression model and annual per cent changes (APCs) to estimate the trends of CRC incidence and mortality. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses to assess the effect estimates of identified associated risk factors. Results We included 493 articles; 271 provided data on CRC incidence or mortality, and 222 on associated risk factors. Overall, the ASIR of CRC in China increased from 2.75 to 19.39 (per 100 000 person-years) between 1972 and 2019 with a slowed-down growth rate (APC1 = 5.75, APC2 = 0.42), while the ASMR of CRC decreased from 12.00 to 7.95 (per 100 000 person-years) between 1974 and 2020 with a slight downward trend (APC = -0.89). We analysed 62 risk factors with synthesized data; 16 belonging to the categories of anthropometrics factors, lifestyle factors, dietary factors, personal histories and mental health conditions were graded to be associated with CRC risk among the Chinese population in the meta-analysis limited to the high-quality studies. Conclusions We found substantial variation of CRC burden across regions and provinces of China and identified several associated risk factors for CRC, which could help to guide the formulation of targeted disease prevention and control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background China has a high burden of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections. Immunocompromised populations, such as those with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), are at a higher risk of being infected with NTM than immunocompetent individuals. Yet, there is a paucity of information on the clinical features of positive NTM isolates from patients with HIV/AIDS in China. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies, comparing them against current expert consensus to provide guidance for clinical practice. Methods Two researchers independently searched eight databases (SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) from inception to 26 December 2022 to retrieve published Chinese- and English-language studies reporting clinical features of NTM-positive isolates among patients with HIV/AIDS in China. Results We included 28 studies with 1861 patients. The rate of positive NTM isolates detected from men among all patients was 87.3%. NTM species distribution was mainly Mycobacterium avium complex (64.3%), which was predominant in different regions. The five most common clinical symptoms were fever (68.5%), cough or expectoration (67.0%), appetite loss (49.4%), weight loss (45.5%), and superficial lymphadenectasis (41.1%). The prevalence of laboratory tests were as follows: albumin <35 g/L (55.6%), erythrocyte sedimentation rate >20 mm/h (91.4%), anaemia (59.0%), predominantly mild, CD4+ T cell count ≥50 pieces/µL (70.3%), and CD4+ T cell count 51-200 pieces/µL (22.1%). Lesion manifestations in thoracic imaging mainly included bilateral lung involvement (83.8%), showed stripe shadows (60.3%), patchy shadows (42.9%), nodules (40.6%), and bronchiectasis (38.6%). Accompanied signs included thoracic lymph node enlargement (49.5%). Seventy per cent of symptoms improved after treatment. Conclusions Focusing on clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, and thoracic imaging helps with initial screening for NTM infections. Physicians should raise awareness of the diagnosis and treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex, providing guidance for experimental treatment, screening of priority populations for NTM infections, and prophylactic treatment of NTM disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To systematically evaluate the impact of just-in-time teaching methods on nursing students' learning outcomes. Methods: Through the databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science, the randomized controlled trials of just-in-time teaching in nursing field were collected from the establishment of the databases to the publication in November 2022. After literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.3 and Stata16.0 software. Results: Twenty articles were included, with a total of 1,865 nursing students. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with the traditional teaching method, the just-in-time teaching method had statistically significant differences in nursing students' theoretical examination scores (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03 to 1.48, P < 0.001), operational skills scores (SMD = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.21 to 1.90, P < 0.001), self-learning ability (SMD = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.91, P < 0.001) and just-in-time teaching method satisfaction (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The just-in-time teaching method combines the advantages of traditional teaching and networked teaching, improves nursing students' theoretical performance, skill operation level and teaching satisfaction, and cultivates nursing students' self-learning ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Perioperative cognitive maintenance and protection in older adults is an important patient safety imperative. In addition to foundational care, one area of growing interest is integrating cognitive prehabilitation into the surgical trajectory. This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of cognitive prehabilitation on cognitive functional capacity and postoperative cognitive outcomes among older adults undergoing elective surgery. Methods: The MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PEDro, CBM, CNKI, WANFANG, and VIP databases were systematically searched up to September 5, 2024, to identify randomized controlled trials published for English or Chinese. Two authors independently completed the study selection process, data extraction process and methodological quality assessment. The Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Study design framework was used to construct the search strategy. The predefined primary outcomes of interest included the incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) and the incidence of delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR). The quality of the studies was evaluated by the PEDro scale. Owing to the small number of trials and clinical and methodological diversity, a narrative synthesis was undertaken in accordance with the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis guidelines. This study was conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Results: Six studies were analysed. These trials involved 645 total participants, with 316 in the intervention group (mean age, 66.0-73.8 years; 38.4-77.8% male) and 329 in the comparator group (mean age, 67.5-72.6 years; 31.8-88.9% male). The effects of preoperative cognitive training on reducing the incidence of dNCR, the incidence of POD, the length of hospital stay and the incidence of postsurgical complications as well as improving postoperative global cognitive function and activities of daily living are quite uncertain. The results of this study should be interpreted with caution owing to the limited number of trials and low to very low certainty of evidence. Conclusion: Current evidence on the effectiveness and safety of cognitive prehabilitation on cognitive and noncognitive outcomes in older patients undergoing elective surgery is limited and unclear. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=277191, Identifier CRD42021277191. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Occupational biomonitoring is essential for assessing health risks linked to workplace exposures. The use of 'omics' technologies, such as metabolomics and proteomics, has become crucial in detecting subtle biological alterations induced by occupational hazards, thereby opening novel avenues for biomarker discovery. Aims: This systematic review aims to evaluate the application of metabolomics and proteomics in occupational health. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for original human studies that use metabolomics or proteomics to assess occupational exposure biomarkers. The risk of bias was assessed by adapting the Cochrane Collaboration tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Results: Of 2311 initially identified articles, 85 met the eligibility criteria. These studies were mainly conducted in China, Europe, and the United States of America, covering a wide range of occupational exposures. The findings revealed that metabolomics and proteomics approaches effectively identified biomarkers related to chemical, physical, biomechanical, and psychosocial hazards. Analytical methods varied, with mass spectrometry-based techniques emerging as the most prevalent. The risk of bias was generally low to moderate, with specific concerns about exposure measurement and confounding factors. Conclusions: Integrating metabolomics and proteomics in occupational health biomonitoring significantly advances our understanding of exposure effects and facilitates the development of personalized preventive interventions. However, challenges remain regarding the complexity of data analysis, biomarker specificity, and the translation of findings into preventive measures. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and biomarker validation across diverse populations to improve the reliability and applicability of occupational health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review assesses interventions to reduce loneliness in Chinese older adults, analyzing 36 studies involving 3965 participants. Focusing on individuals aged 50 and over, the meta-analysis reveals a significant overall effect size (Hedges' g = 0.937, 95% CI [0.71,1.16], p<0.001), highlighting the effectiveness of psychological and mixed-method approaches. Despite promising results, methodological concerns suggest cautious interpretation. Future research should aim to refine intervention quality and examine the impact of technology-supported methods on loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of autologous blood preparations, namely Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF), and Concentrated Growth Factor (CGF), in maxillary sinus floor elevation surgery. The focus was on their impact on new bone formation, maxillary sinus floor height, and soft tissue healing. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases up to April 2024. This systematic review included both randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) that evaluated the efficacy of autologous blood preparations in maxillary sinus floor elevation surgery. The primary outcomes measured were the percentage of new bone formation, maxillary sinus floor height, and he percentage of soft tissue area. Data from the selected studies were extracted and analyzed to determine the impact of autologous blood preparations on these outcomes. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane's risk of bias tool and ROBINS-I, and meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4 software to calculate effect sizes and integrate results from multiple studies. Results: Among the 507 screened articles, 30 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results indicated that the application of PRP significantly increased new bone formation during maxillary sinus floor elevation surgery (primary outcome, MD = 4.40, CI = 0.37 to 8.44, P = 0.03), as well as improving maxillary sinus floor height elevation (secondary outcome, MD = 1.00, CI = 0.78 to 1.23, P < 0.00001). The absence of PRP during surgery had a statistically significant effect on the percentage of soft tissue area (secondary outcome, MD= -5.25, CI= -7.29 to 3.20, P < 0.00001). However, based on the research findings, PRF did not show significant effects on enhancing new bone formation, maxillary sinus floor height elevation, and promoting soft tissue regeneration. Conclusions: PRP demonstrates efficacy in maxillary sinus floor elevation surgery by enhancing new bone formation and increasing sinus height. Further studies are needed to validate the outcomes of PRF and CGF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adiponectin is a factor secreted by adipocytes and has been shown to play an important role in many physiological and pathological processes. Previous studies have shown that adiponectin levels are closely related to the occurrence and prognosis of ischemic stroke, but the results of different studies are conflicting. Therefore, this study aimed to update the data in this area to explore the relationship between adiponectin levels and the occurrence and prognosis of ischemic stroke. Results: After searching 762 records, 14 studies were finally included, including 10 studies on the incidence of ischemic stroke and 4 studies on the prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke. The results of Meta-analysis showed that the correlation between the level of adiponectin and the occurrence and prognosis of ischemic stroke was not significant. The risk of ischemic stroke was not significantly changed in the population with high adiponectin levels (pooled RR=1.00, 95% CI=0.86-1.16, P=1.00). Similarly, there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality among those with high adiponectin levels compared with ischemic stroke patients with low adiponectin levels (pooled RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.47-0.80). However, significant heterogeneity was found during the meta-analysis, P<0.0001; I2=72% and P<0.0001; I2=88%, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that factors such as study design, follow-up time and publication time could partly explain this heterogeneity. Conclusions: In conclusion, adiponectin level is not significantly correlated with the occurrence and prognosis of ischemic stroke, suggesting that adiponectin level may not be used as a potential biomarker for ischemic stroke risk assessment and patient prognosis prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving mental well-being is essential for social workers. Self-care services are often facilitated to enhance it, but there is limited research exploring their characteristics and effectiveness. We conducted a systematic review of self-care interventions targeting the mental well-being of social workers. A comprehensive search of four English and one Chinese databases yielded 2969 studies for initial screening. Fourteen eligible studies were finally included and reviewed. The results underscored mindfulness as prevalent and effective, with social work students being the main service recipients. Although with limitations, the findings inform future research and self-care services for social workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The fragility index (FI), which is the minimum number of changes in status from "event" to "non-event" resulting in a loss of statistical significance, serves as a significant supplementary indicator for clinical physicians in interpreting clinical trial results and aids in understanding the outcomes of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In this systematic literature survey, we evaluated the FI for RCTs evaluating Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and explored potential associations between study characteristics and the robustness of RCTs. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in four databases in Chinese and four databases in English from their inception to January 1, 2023. RCTs encompassed 1:1 ratio into two parallel arms and reported at least one binary outcome that demonstrated statistical significance were included. FI was calculated by the iterative reduction of a target outcome event in the treatment group and concomitant subtraction of a non-target event from that group, until positive significance (defined as P < 0.05 by Fisher's exact test) is lost. The lower the FI (minimum 1) of a trial outcome, the more fragile the positive result of the outcome was. Linear regression models were adopted to explore influence factors of the value of FI. Results: A total of 30 trials from 2 4118 potentially relevant citations were finally included. The median FI of total trials included was 1.5 (interquartile range [IQR], 1–5), and half of the trials (n = 15) had a FI equal to 1. In 12 trials (40%), the total number of participants lost to follow-up surpassed the respective FI. The study also identified that increased FI was significantly associated with no TCM syndrome differentiation for inclusion criteria of the patients, larger total sample size, low risk of bias, and larger numbers of events. Conclusions: The majority of CHM IBS RCTs with positive results were found to be fragile. Ensuring adequate sample size, scientifically rigorous study design, proper control of confounding factors, and a quality control calibration for consistency of TCM diagnostic results among clinicians should be addressed to increase the robustness of the RCTs. We recommend reporting the FI as one of the components of sensitivity analysis in future RCTs to facilitate the assessment of the fragility of trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The misallocation of scarce healthcare resources globally raises concerns regarding the underuse of high‐value care and the overuse of low‐value care. Economic evaluations can help policy makers determine whether an intervention presents a better value for money and desirable clinical benefits, thus realizing value‐based care. Aim. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of the economic evaluations of clinical nursing practices to advance knowledge on value‐based care. Methods. A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, Health Technology Assessment, and Tufts CEA Registry for full economic evaluations of clinical nursing practices from January 2013 to January 2023. Outcomes were incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios, incremental cost‐utility ratios, incremental cost‐benefit ratios, incremental net benefit, and the differences in costs for cost‐minimization studies. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Consensus Health Economic Criteria–extended checklist. Results were synthesized using permutation matrices for all studies. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023415918). Results. Thirty‐five studies were included in this review, with 27 studies categorized as good methodological quality and 8 as moderate quality. Clinical nursing practices were dominant (i.e., more effective and less costly) in 19 studies, potentially cost‐effective depending on willingness‐to‐pay thresholds in 15 studies, and were dominated (i.e., less effective and more costly) in 1 study. Conclusion. Our study advanced knowledge on value‐based care for clinical nursing practices. Results suggest that most clinical nursing practices studied may be clearly economically favourable or potentially favourable. Implications for Nursing Management. The results of this review provide valuable insights into value‐based care in nursing and facilitate the decision‐making of healthcare policymakers regarding health resource allocation to achieve value‐based care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trigger thumb is a prevalent hand condition observed in children, and its management remains a topic of considerable debate, ranging from mere observation to surgical intervention. In recent times, there has been a growing interest in exploring nonoperative treatments as alternatives to surgical procedures for managing pediatric trigger thumb. Gaining insight into the prevalence of spontaneous resolution in pediatric trigger thumb is of paramount importance. However, the literature presents a wide variation in estimates regarding the prevalence of this spontaneous resolution, highlighting the need for further investigation and consensus. The aim of this review was to estimate the overall prevalence of spontaneous resolution among pediatric trigger thumb. Methods: This study meticulously followed the PRISMA guidelines and registered in the PROSPERO. The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for all relevant studies up to May 2024.Inclusion criteria were studies reported only observation spontaneous resolution pediatric trigger thumb, aged up to 14 years, reported at least 10 thumbs and followed up time at least 3 months. Confounded intervention treatment measure studies were excluded. To synthesize the prevalence rates from individual studies, we employed a random-effects meta-analysis. In order to uncover the sources of heterogeneity and to compare prevalence estimates across different groups, we performed sensitivity and subgroup analyses. To meticulously evaluate the quality of the included studies, the Joanna Briggs Institute's quality assessment checklist was employed. Furthermore, to assess the heterogeneity among the studies, both Cochran's Q test and the I² statistic were utilized. Results: A total of eleven studies were included for the final analysis, with 599 pediatric trigger thumbs. Our final meta-analysis showed that more than one-third of these pediatric trigger thumb cases resolved spontaneously, with a resolution rate of 43.5% (95% CI 29.6–58.6). Subgroup analyses showed that in terms of age at the first visit, the prevalence of spontaneous resolution in the less than 24 months group and in the 24 months or older group was 38.7%(95% CI 18.1–64.4)and 45.8%(95% CI 27.4–65.4), respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups(P = 0.690). When analyzing follow up time, the prevalence of spontaneous resolution in the 24 months or longer group and in the less than 24 months group was 58.9%(95% CI 41.6–74.2)and 26.8%(95% CI 14.7–43.8), respectively.There was significant statistical differences between the two groups(P = 0.009). Based on the initial severity of interphalangeal (IP) joint flexion contracture, the prevalence of spontaneous resolution in the 30 degrees or less group and in the other measurements group was 54.1%(95% CI 31.5–75.1)and 37.1%(95% CI 21.9–55.4), respectively.There was no significant difference between the two groups(P = 0.259). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that a significant proportion of pediatric trigger thumbs resolve spontaneously. This finding highlights the benefits of early observation in managing this condition. By prioritizing non-operative observation, both parents and surgeons are better equipped to make informed decisions regarding the treatment of pediatric trigger thumb, potentially reducing the need for surgical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In China, the proportion of the elderly population is gradually increasing, followed by the increasing medical demands of elderly patients. Hip fracture is a common fracture in the elderly. The elderly are prone to serious postoperative complications, resulting in failure to restore normal hip function, which seriously affects patients' quality of life and further increases their mortality rate. Thus, hip fracture represents a remarkable public health issue within the realm of geriatric medical care. Significance: This study systematically evaluated the impact of comprehensive rehabilitation training, with a focus on balance function, on elderly individuals with hip fractures' postoperative recovery and functional outcomes. Result: Results showed a significant difference in BBS scores favoring comprehensive rehabilitation training based on balance function over conventional intervention. Similarly, AM-PAC scores favored the balance-focused training. TUTG meta-analysis indicated its adoption in comprehensive rehabilitation training. FIM scores showed improvement with balance-focused training. Harris score meta-analysis also favored this approach. A funnel plot analysis revealed potential publication bias, likely due to study heterogeneity and limited publications. Conclusions: In conclusion, comprehensive rehabilitation training centered around balance function displayed clinical efficacy in enhancing postoperative hip joint function in elderly hip fracture patients. This approach improved balance, coordination, and posture control, facilitating lower limb function recovery and overall prognosis. It holds promise as a valuable treatment approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analysed the incidence of lower extremity amputation and its associated risk factors in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. This study systematically searched both Chinese and English databases, including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science, to identify cohort studies related to lower extremity amputation and associated risk factors in patients with diabetic foot ulcers up to October 2023. The patients were stratified based on whether they underwent lower extremity amputation, and relevant data, including basic information, patient characteristics, complications, comorbidities and pertinent laboratory test data, were extracted from the included studies. The literature quality assessment in this study utilized the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale to screen for high‐quality literature, resulting in the inclusion of 16 cohort studies, all of which were of at least moderate quality. Meta‐analysis of outcome indicators was conducted using the Stata 14.0 software. The results indicate that the overall amputation rate of lower extremities in patients with diabetic foot ulcers is 31% (0.25, 0.38). Among the 16 variables evaluated, gender (male), smoking history, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, white blood cell count, haemoglobin and albumin levels were found to be correlated with the occurrence of lower extremity amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. However, no significant correlation was observed between age, diabetes type, duration of diabetes, stroke, glycosylated haemoglobin, creatinine and total cholesterol levels and lower extremity amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. This meta‐analysis indicates that the overall amputation rate in patients with diabetic foot ulcers is 31%. Factors such as gender (male), smoking history, high BMI, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, white blood cell count, haemoglobin and albumin levels are identified as significant risk factors for lower extremity amputation in diabetic foot ulcer patients. These findings suggest that attention should be focused on these risk factors in patients with diabetic foot ulcers to reduce the risk of lower extremity amputation. Therefore, preventive and intervention measures targeting these risk factors are of significant importance in clinical practice. (Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier [CRD42024497538]). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of different nonpharmacological treatments for severe radiation‐induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. Background: Radiation‐induced oral mucositis is highly prevalent in patients with head and neck cancer. Current medications for radiation‐induced oral mucositis are limited in effectiveness and susceptible to side effects, and while there is an increasing adoption of nonpharmacological interventions, the optimal one remains unclear. Design: Systematic review and network meta‐analysis based on the PRISMA‐NMA guidelines. Methods: Six databases were searched. Two authors independently performed the literature screening, data extraction and methodological quality assessment of the included studies. Traditional pairwise meta‐analysis was performed by R Studio. A network meta‐analysis was then conducted to assess the effects of nonpharmacological interventions for severe radiation‐induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. Results: Fifty‐two studies involving seven types of nonpharmacological interventions were enrolled. The network meta‐analysis indicated that natural plant‐based therapies might be the most effective, health education interventions might be the second most effective, and honey might be the third most effective interventions for reducing the incidence of severe radiation‐induced oral mucositis. For reducing the incidence of severe oral mucositis‐related pain, the pairwise meta‐analysis showed that only natural plant‐based therapies and health education interventions were effective. Conclusions: Nonpharmacological interventions are effective in the management of severe radiation‐induced oral mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer. Relevance to clinical practice: Nonpharmacological interventions are a category of safe and effective adjunctive therapies that should be encouraged in clinical practice. Trial registration details: CRD42023400745. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]