Search

Background: Increasingly, patients, clinicians, and regulators call for more evidence on the impact of innovative medicines on quality of life (QoL). We assessed the effects of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) on QoL in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Methods: Randomized trials assessing approved DMTs in PwMS with results for at least one outcome referred to as "quality of life" were searched in PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov. Results: We identified 38 trials published between 1999 and 2023 with a median of 531 participants (interquartile range (IQR) 202 to 941; total 23,225). The evaluated DMTs were mostly interferon-beta (n = 10; 26%), fingolimod (n = 7; 18%), natalizumab (n = 5; 13%), and glatiramer acetate (n = 4; 11%). The 38 trials used 18 different QoL instruments, with up to 11 QoL subscale measures per trial (median 2; IQR 1–3). QoL was never the single primary outcome. We identified quantitative QoL results in 24 trials (63%), and narrative statements in 15 trials (39%). In 16 trials (42%), at least one of the multiple QoL results was statistically significant. The effect sizes of the significant quantitative QoL results were large (median Cohen's d 1.02; IQR 0.3–1.7; median Hedges' g 1.01; IQR 0.3–1.69) and ranged between d 0.14 and 2.91. Conclusions: Certain DMTs have the potential to positively impact QoL of PwMS, and the assessment and reporting of QoL is suboptimal with a multitude of diverse instruments being used. There is an urgent need that design and reporting of clinical trials reflect the critical importance of QoL for PwMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pragmatic trials are increasingly recognized for providing real-world evidence on treatment choices. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the use and characteristics of pragmatic trials in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Systematic literature search and analysis of pragmatic trials on any intervention published up to 2022. The assessment of pragmatism with PRECIS-2 (PRagmatic Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary-2) is performed. Results: We identified 48 pragmatic trials published 1967–2022 that included a median of 82 participants (interquartile range (IQR) = 42–160) to assess typically supportive care interventions (n = 41; 85%). Only seven trials assessed drugs (15%). Only three trials (6%) included >500 participants. Trials were mostly from the United Kingdom (n = 18; 38%), Italy (n = 6; 13%), the United States and Denmark (each n = 5; 10%). Primary outcomes were diverse, for example, quality-of-life, physical functioning, or disease activity. Only 1 trial (2%) used routinely collected data for outcome ascertainment. No trial was very pragmatic in all design aspects, but 14 trials (29%) were widely pragmatic (i.e. PRECIS-2 score ⩾ 4/5 in all domains). Conclusion: Only few and mostly small pragmatic trials exist in MS which rarely assess drugs. Despite the widely available routine data infrastructures, very few trials utilize them. There is an urgent need to leverage the potential of this pioneering study design to provide useful randomized real-world evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) may be propagated by plasticity-enhancing treatments. The myelin-associated nerve outgrowth inhibitor Nogo-A (Reticulon 4, RTN4) pathway has been shown to restrict neuroaxonal plasticity in experimental SCI models. Early randomized controlled trials are underway to investigate the effect of Nogo-A/Nogo-Receptor (NgR1) pathway blockers. This systematic review and meta-analysis of therapeutic approaches blocking the Nogo-A pathway interrogated the efficacy of functional locomotor recovery after experimental SCI according to a pre-registered study protocol. A total of 51 manuscripts reporting 76 experiments in 1572 animals were identified for meta-analysis. Overall, a neurobehavioral improvement by 18.9% (95% CI 14.5–23.2) was observed. Subgroup analysis (40 experiments, N = 890) revealed SCI-modelling factors associated with outcome variability. Lack of reported randomization and smaller group sizes were associated with larger effect sizes. Delayed treatment start was associated with lower effect sizes. Trim and Fill assessment as well as Egger regression suggested the presence of publication bias. Factoring in theoretically missing studies resulted in a reduced effect size [8.8% (95% CI 2.6–14.9)]. The available data indicates that inhibition of the Nogo-A/NgR1pathway alters functional recovery after SCI in animal studies although substantial differences appear for the applied injury mechanisms and other study details. Mirroring other SCI interventions assessed earlier we identify similar factors associated with outcome heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Information technology can enhance timely and individual support for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and their informal carers. Objective: To review the effectiveness of technology-based counselling interventions for people with dementia and informal carers. Methods: Randomized controlled trials of remote dementia counselling interventions were included. We searched CINAHL, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and the Web of Science Core Collection (April 2021) in combination with citation tracking and free web searching (October to November 2021). We provide meta-analyses for caregiver depression, burden, and self-efficacy/mastery and structured reporting for other outcomes. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach and the Risk of Bias 2 tool were applied. Results: We included five randomized controlled trials involving 880 participants. Interventions were provided for carers (four studies) or dyads (one study). Carers were predominantly women and were the spouses or children of people with dementia. Counselling was delivered via telephone or videoconference with two to 23 sessions over 1 to 12 months. Control groups received educational and resource materials only, standard (helpline) services, non-directive support, or home visits. Meta-analysis for our primary outcome, depressive symptoms in carers, revealed no statistically significant effect (SMD –0.15; 95% CI –0.40 to 0.10). There were also no significant effects on burden and self-efficacy/mastery. We rated the certainty of evidence as low to very low and all outcomes at an overall high risk of bias. Conclusion: The effectiveness of technology-based counselling interventions for people with dementia and informal carers remains uncertain. Theory-based approaches are needed for the development and evaluation of these interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citation tracking (CT) collects references with citation relationships to pertinent references that are already known. This scoping review maps the benefit of and the tools and terminology used for CT in health‐related systematic literature searching. We included methodological studies on evidence retrieval by CT in health‐related literature searching without restrictions on study design, language, or publication date. We searched MEDLINE/Ovid, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL/EBSCOhost, LLISFT/EBSCOhost, LISTA/EBSCOhost, conducted web searching via Google Scholar, backward/forward CT of included studies and pertinent reviews, and contacting of experts. Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility. Data extraction and analysis were performed by one reviewer and checked by another. We screened 11,861 references and included 47 studies published between 1985 and 2021. Most studies (96%) assessed the benefit of CT either as supplementary or primary/stand‐alone search method. Added value of CT for evidence retrieval was found by 96% of them. Science Citation Index and Social Sciences Citation Index were the most common citation indexes used. Application of multiple citation indexes in parallel, co‐citing or co‐cited references, CT iterations, or software tools was rare. CT terminology was heterogeneous and frequently ambiguous. The use of CT showed an added value in most of the identified studies; however, the benefit of CT in health‐related systematic literature searching likely depends on multiple factors that could not be assessed with certainty. Application, terminology, and reporting are heterogeneous. Based on our results, we plan a Delphi study to develop recommendations for the use and reporting of CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The admission to a nursing home is a critical life-event for affected persons as well as their families. Admission related processes are lacking adequate participation of older people and their families. To improve transitions to nursing homes, context- and country-specific knowledge about the current practice is needed. Hence, our aim was to summarize available evidence on challenges and care strategies associated with the admission to nursing homes in Germany. Methods: We conducted a scoping review and searched eight major international and German-specific electronic databases for journal articles and grey literature published in German or English language since 1995. Further inclusion criteria were focus on challenges or care strategies in the context of nursing home admissions of older persons and comprehensive and replicable information on methods and results. Posters, only-abstract publications and articles dealing with mixed populations including younger adults were excluded. Challenges and care strategies were identified and analysed by structured content analysis using the TRANSCIT model. Results: Twelve studies of 1,384 records were finally included. Among those, seven were qualitative studies, three quantitative observational studies and two mixed methods studies. As major challenges neglected participation of older people, psychosocial burden among family caregivers, inadequate professional cooperation and a lack of shared decision-making and evidence-based practice were identified. Identified care strategies included strengthening shared decision-making and evidence-based practice, improvement in professional cooperation, introduction of specialized transitional care staff and enabling participation for older people. Conclusion: Although the process of nursing home admission is considered challenging and tends to neglect the needs of older people, little research is available for the German health care system. The perspective of the older people seems to be underrepresented, as most of the studies focused on caregivers and health professionals. Reported care strategies addressed important challenges, however, these were not developed and evaluated in a comprehensive and systematic way. Future research is needed to examine perspectives of all the involved groups to gain a comprehensive picture of the needs and challenges. Interventions based on existing care strategies should be systematically developed and evaluated to provide the basis of adequate support for older persons and their informal caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 50 years, different types of reviews evolved with different objectives. In a summary, 48 review types were identified, which were grouped into seven "review families" with regard to their underlyin g o bjectives and their literature search methods. Among these, the "Focused Mapping Review and Synthesis" (FMRS) approach was not considered. The aim of our short paper is to introduce FMRS as a potential further member of a review family and to highlight its methodological characteristics, potentials, and challenges. FMRS can be used for exploration and focused description of a wide range of topics, but especially fo r a s-pects of knowledge production, i.e., methodological and theoretical issues. A specific search in PubMed and medRxiv revealed nine publi-cations on FMRS between 2016 and 2022, the majority of which addressed research practice as the object of investigation, rather than topics of clinical research. The inclusion of the FMRS in a review family would be welcome due to the peculiarities of the systematisation of literature search within the approach of FMRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activities are important to maintain and promote physical functioning and activities of daily living in people with dementia. Nurses are in a key position to deliver physical activity interventions in nursing homes. However, synthesized strategies for sustainable implementation of physical activity interventions in nursing homes for people with dementia are lacking. We aimed at synthesizing the evidence on nurse-led physical activity interventions and at identifying facilitators and barriers to sustainable implementation of physical activity interventions for people with dementia. Systematic review. We performed a comprehensive literature search combining database searches (MEDLINE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of Science Core Collection; last search: September 27, 2023) and supplementary search methods (citation tracking, web searching, clinical guideline database searching). We considered studies on nurse-led physical activity interventions for people with dementia living in nursing homes for eligibility; published as journal articles and related material in English, French, German language, without restrictions on primary study design and publication year. Independently and in duplicate, we assessed the references' eligibility and the quality of the included studies. We used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool to appraise quality of included studies. We piloted and double-checked data extractions, and summarized the results narratively and graphically (harvest plot). We prospectively registered our review (PROSPERO CRD42021271833). We identified 24 studies (of which eleven were randomized trials) assessing various interventions that we categorized into physical exercise (n = 8), care-integrated physical activity (n = 6), outdoor or walking activity (n = 5), technology-supported physical exercise (n = 3), and dancing (n = 2). Types of outcomes and length of follow-up varied widely. Effects were inconclusive, except for outdoor or walking activities showing an overall positive impact on physical outcomes. For eight interventions, we identified evidence on implementation barriers (b) and facilitators (f), including staff shortage (b), staff time resources (b), or ease of implementation for staff (f) and adaptability of interventions (f) or refusal to participate of people with dementia (b). The results of our review provide a comprehensive overview on types, characteristics and effects of nurse-led physical activity interventions for people with dementia in nursing homes. Based on evidence from a range of study designs and sources, we came to the conclusion that all stakeholders involved considered physical activity interventions for people with dementia as useful and relevant. Outcome measures varied widely and a clear conclusion on effectiveness remains open. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent transfer of RefHunter to a web format (https://refhunter.org/) describes a decisive step in its further development. As a practical aid to systematic literature research, the site now offers customisable search, filter, and display functions of the database overviews previously available in tabular form. In addition, further research aids have been expanded and made available in an improved format. A community area serves to develop RefHunter as a platform for cooperation and interprofessional exchange. To establish a cooperative updating and further development process, the database overviews can be edited by registered users in wiki style. An integrated forum and mutual notification as well as newsletter functions facilitate the establishment of a "research community" for the maintenance and further development of the website as well as interdisciplinary exchange regarding the topic of literature research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the quality of literature searches and their updating and adaptation require careful, comprehensive and transparent documentation. Guidelines exist for documenting the development and progress of a literature search. However, the authors are not aware of an editable template that can be used to document the literature search. Therefore, this paper aims to present a search template for the systematic and transparent development and documentation of a comprehensive literature search. The template includes essential steps of the database search as well as supplementary search options and offers a possibility for methodical and content-related justification of the included steps. It considers current guidelines for reporting search strategies. The search template is provided free of charge and is editable with common text editing programs. The contents are to be adapted according to the individual search strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methodological issues (e.g., ignoring missing data, irrelevant outcomes, flawed subgroup analyses) often limit the value of health research. One reason is that health researchers cannot easily find relevant methods guidance. To improve the findability of methods guidance, we initiated the development of the Library of Guidance for Health Scientists (LIGHTS, https://lights.science/). LIGHTS is a new open access database to effectively support health researchers, statisticians, methods consultants, methods developers, ethics boards, peer reviewers, journal editors, funding bodies, and others who are searching for optimal methods guidance in clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to determine overlaps and optimal combination of multiple database retrieval and citation tracking for evidence synthesis, based on a previously conducted scoping review on facilitators and barriers to implementing nurse-led interventions in dementia care. Methods: In our 2019 scoping review, we performed a comprehensive literature search in eight databases (CENTRAL, CINAHL, Embase, Emcare, MEDLINE, Ovid Nursing Database, PsycINFO, and Web of Science Core Collection) and used citation tracking. We retrospectively analyzed the coverage and overlap of 10,527 retrieved studies published between 2015 and 2019. To analyze database overlap, we used cross tables and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). Results: Of the retrieved studies, 6,944 were duplicates and 3,583 were unique references. Using our search strategies, considerable overlaps can be found in some databases, such as between MEDLINE and Web of Science Core Collection or between CINAHL, Emcare, and PsycINFO. Searching MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science Core Collection and using citation tracking were necessary to retrieve all included studies of our scoping review. Conclusions: Our results can contribute to enhancing future search practice related to database selection in dementia care research. However, due to limited generalizability, researchers and librarians should carefully choose databases based on the research question. More research on optimal database retrieval in dementia care research is required for the development of methodological standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the needs and expectations of persons with dementia regarding dementia‐related information on the internet concerning content, presentation, navigation, language and design. Background: Research on internet‐related needs of persons with dementia is lacking. However, the importance of the internet as a source of health information is increasing. To improve health literacy and to ensure participation in therapy decisions, target group‐specific health information is necessary, especially for persons with chronic conditions like dementia. Design: We conducted a qualitative interview study between April 2019 and April 2020 in the German‐speaking part of Switzerland. To report the study, we used the COREQ checklist. Methods: We analysed the interview data using content analysis according to Mayring. Results: Four interviews with five persons with dementia took place. We identified two main themes: (1) 'use of media and changing needs' and (2) 'information about dementia on the internet'. The first theme is related to changing user habits due to progressing dementia. The second theme is focussed on requirements concerning design and content. Critical reception and assessment of internet‐based information are also addressed. Conclusions: Information should be adapted to the course of disease. Opportunities and positive aspects should also be mentioned. The presentation should be well‐structured. Health professionals might support persons with dementia in searching and interpreting internet‐based information. Relevance to clinical practice: Website operators should consider specific needs of persons with dementia regarding design and content. Involving persons with dementia in the development of website content and design could be an opportunity for better meeting their needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: RobotReviewer is a machine learning system for semi‐automated assistance in risk of bias assessment. The tools's performance in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the field of nursing remains unknown. We aimed therefore to evaluate the agreement in risk of bias assessment between RobotReviewer and human reviewers. Design: Evaluation study using a retrospective diagnostic design. Methods: We used RobotReviewer as the index test and human reviewers' risk of bias assessment reported in Cochrane reviews as the reference test. A convenience sample of electronically available English‐language full texts of RCTs included in Cochrane reviews with nurs* in the title were eligible for inclusion. In this context, we assessed random sequence generation, allocation concealment, and blinding (personnel or participants and assessors) corresponding to Cochrane risk of bias version 2011. Two independent research teams performed and double‐checked data extraction and analysis. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the area under the ROC curve, predictive values, observed percentage of agreement, and Cohen's kappa (including confidence intervals, if applicable). Findings: The selection process yielded 190 RCTs published between 1958 and 2016 in 23 Cochrane reviews published between 2000 and 2018. Missing assessments of risk of bias domains in Cochrane reviews or RobotReviewer yielded varying sample sizes per risk of bias domain. Sensitivity ranged from 0.44 to 0.88 and specificity from 0.48 to 0.95. Positive predictive value was highest for allocation concealment (0.79) and lowest for blinding assessors (0.25). Cohen's kappa was moderate for randomization (0.52), allocation concealment (0.60), and for blinding of personnel/patients (0.43). Blinding of outcome assessors had only slight agreement (0.04). Conclusions: This is the first evaluation of risk of bias assessment by RobotReviewer in RCTs included in nursing‐related Cochrane reviews. It yielded a moderate degree of agreement with human reviewers for randomization and allocation concealment, and an adequate sensitivity for detecting low risk of selection bias. Clinical Relevance: Based on our results, using the RobotReviewer for risk of bias assessment in RCTs can be supportive in some risk of bias domains. However, human reviewers should supervise the semi‐automated assessment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Using non-pharmacological interventions is a current approach in dementia care to manage responsive behaviors, to maintain functional capacity, and to reduce emotional stress. Novel technologies such as social robot interventions might be useful to engage people with dementia in activities and interactions as well as to improve their cognitive, emotional, and physical status.Objective: Assessing the effects and the quality of reporting of social robot interventions for people with dementia.Methods: In our systematic review, we included quasi-experimental and experimental studies published in English, French, or German, irrespective of publication year. Searching CINAHL, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science Core Collection was supplemented by citation tracking and free web searching. To assess the methodological quality of included studies, we used tools provided by the Joanna Briggs Institute. To assess the reporting of the interventions, we applied CReDECI 2 and TIDieR.Results: We identified sixteen studies published between 2012 and 2018, including two to 415 participants with mostly non-defined type of dementia. Eight studies had an experimental design. The predominant robot types were pet robots (i.e., PARO). Most studies addressed behavioral, emotion-related, and functional outcomes with beneficial, non-beneficial, and mixed results. Predominantly, cognitive outcomes were not improved. Overall, studies were of moderate methodological quality.Conclusion: Heterogeneous populations, intervention characteristics, and measured outcomes make it difficult to generalize the results with regard to clinical practice. The impact of social robot interventions on behavioral, emotion-related, and functional outcomes should therefore be assessed considering the severity of dementia and intervention characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The authors reviewed educational interventions for improving literature searching skills in the health sciences. Methods: We performed a scoping review of experimental and quasi-experimental studies published in English and German, irrespective of publication year. Targeted outcomes were objectively measurable literature searching skills (e.g., quality of search strategy, study retrieval, precision). The search methods consisted of searching databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science), tracking citations, free web searching, and contacting experts. Two reviewers performed screening and data extraction. To evaluate the completeness of reporting, the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) was applied. Results: We included 6 controlled trials and 8 pre-post trials from the 8,484 references that we screened. Study participants were students in various health professions and physicians. The educational formats of the interventions varied. Outcomes clustered into 2 categories: (1) developing search strategies (e.g., identifying search concepts, selecting databases, applying Boolean operators) and (2) database searching skills (e.g., searching PubMed, MEDLINE, or CINAHL). In addition to baseline and post-intervention measurement, 5 studies reported follow-up. Almost all studies adequately described their intervention procedures and delivery but did not provide access to the educational material. The expertise of the intervention facilitators was described in only 3 studies. Conclusions: The results showed a wide range of study populations, interventions, and outcomes. Studies often lacked information about educational material and facilitators' expertise. Further research should focus on intervention effectiveness using controlled study designs and long-term follow-up. To ensure transparency, replication, and comparability, studies should rigorously describe their intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a template for detailed reporting assessment of literature searching skills in the health sciences.

Objective: The authors reviewed educational interventions for improving literature searching skills in the health sciences. Methods: We performed a scoping review of experimental and quasi-experimental studies published in English and German, irrespective of publication year. Targeted outcomes were objectively measurable literature searching skills (e.g., quality of search strategy, study retrieval, precision). The search methods consisted of searching databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science), tracking citations, free web searching, and contacting experts. Two reviewers performed screening and data extraction. To evaluate the completeness of reporting, the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) was applied. Results: We included 6 controlled trials and 8 pre-post trials from the 8,484 references that we screened. Study participants were students in various health professions and physicians. The educational formats of the interventions varied. Outcomes clustered into 2 categories: (1) developing search strategies (e.g., identifying search concepts, selecting databases, applying Boolean operators) and (2) database searching skills (e.g., searching PubMed, MEDLINE, or CINAHL). In addition to baseline and post-intervention measurement, 5 studies reported follow-up. Almost all studies adequately described their intervention procedures and delivery but did not provide access to the educational material. The expertise of the intervention facilitators was described in only 3 studies. Conclusions: The results showed a wide range of study populations, interventions, and outcomes. Studies often lacked information about educational material and facilitators' expertise. Further research should focus on intervention effectiveness using controlled study designs and long-term follow-up. To ensure transparency, replication, and comparability, studies should rigorously describe their intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To describe the characteristics of interventions for reducing physical restraints in general hospital settings. Background: Physical restraints, such as bedrails and belts in beds and chairs, are commonly used in general hospital settings. However, there is no clear evidence on their effectiveness but some evidence on potential risks for harm. Design: Scoping review. Methods: We conducted a systematic database search (MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library; March 2020) and snowballing techniques. We included both interventional studies and quality improvement projects conducted in general hospital settings and published in English or German language. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection and data extraction. The Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) Checklist was used. Results: We included 31 articles (published between 1989 and 2018), 15 quality improvement projects and 16 intervention studies. Only five studies used a controlled design. Most studies and quality improvement projects investigated multicomponent interventions including education (predominantly for nursing staff) and additional components (e.g. case conferences). Three studies examined simple educational programmes without additional components. Conclusions: A large number of multicomponent interventions for preventing and reducing physical restraints in general hospital settings have been developed. The interventions differed widely regarding the components, contents and settings. Well‐designed evaluation studies investigating the effects of such interventions are lacking. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Multicomponent educational interventions might be one approach to change clinical practice, but only insufficient information is available about potential effects of these approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a basis for systematic reviews and thus for evidence-based clinical decision making, conducted literature searches often show methodological weaknesses and errors. Educational interventions such as training or workshops are a potential way to improve searching skills and enhance the methodological quality of literature searches in the health care sector. In a scoping review, we investigated what is known about educational interventions to improve searching skills, what the objectives of such interventions are and how good the quality of their reporting is. This article summarizes and discusses the main findings and provides implications for future research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since February 2018, the RefHunter manual provides tabular overviews of the basic and special functions of health-related databases as downloadable PDFs. For the purpose of further development, the transition to a web format is now being carried out. The web format will provide new, enhanced and need-oriented search and filter functions, information and presentation formats as well as improved possibilities for collaborative work and exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression after a stroke is a common complication that negatively influences stroke rehabilitation. Early identification, followed by adequate treatment of depression, improves recovery from stroke. To support early identification, the Post-stroke Depression Prediction Scale (DePreS) was developed to predict in the first week after stroke, the risk of depression in the second month. In this study we investigate the predictive accuracy of the DePreS in stroke patients.Methods: In this prospective multicenter observational study, hospitalized stroke patients were included from three stroke units in the Netherlands and Germany using consecutive sampling. In the first week after stroke, the predicted risk for depression was estimated with the DePreS. Two months after stroke, major depressive disorder was determined with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.Results: Of the 93 included patients, 17 (18.3%) showed symptoms of major depressive disorder. With a cut-off value of ≥ 0, DePreS performed optimally with a sensitivity of 0.65 (95% CI 0.42-0.87), specificity of 0.74 (95% CI 0.64-0.84), positive predictive value of 0.35 (95% CI 0.19-0.52), and negative predictive value of 0.90 (95% CI 0.80-1.00). The AUC was 0.71 (95% CI 0.56-0.86).Limitations: The generalizability of the study findings is limited to patients able to communicate adequately.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the DePreS is an adequate instrument for early and reliable identification of stroke patients who are not at risk of MDD in the second months after stroke. This limits the need for structural diagnostic follow-up to patients with a high risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection of databases in the context of systematic reviews should be well-reflected since it can affect the overall result of the literature search or the subsequent literature evaluation and analysis. Methodological criteria to be considered step by step in the selection of databases include the thematic focus of the databases and a sensitive or specific approach to searching. Pragmatic considerations such as database accessibility do not correspond to a high-quality methodical approach. However, they cannot always be disregarded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive literature search (CLS) describes a complex search with the aim to identify as many studies as possible to answer an underlying research question of a systematic review. However, concrete recommendations or a definition of the CLS are not available. The present article introduces a framework of the CLS, presents the associated challenges and points to methodological implications as well as potential future research topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of medication literacy in patients is an important step in assisting clinicians to plan for education, prescription simplification, assistance and/or medication aids. There have been several attempts to develop a standardised, objective measure of medication literacy. The objectives of this systematic review were to critically appraise, compare and summarise the measurement properties of existing instruments that assess medication literacy in adult recipients of care. A systematic review was performed. Search methods: Structured searches were conducted in Embase, MEDLINE PubMed, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO and Web of Science Core Collection in March 2020. Additional searches were performed in ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, DART Europe, and Google Scholar, followed by citation tracking of included studies. Two researchers independently identified eligible studies. Two researchers then assessed the methodological quality of the studies and quality of measurement properties, using the Consensus-based Standards for selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) guidelines. A best-evidence synthesis for each instrument was performed. From the 5035 citations, 17 studies were included that concerned 13 instruments using different administration methods (i.e., performancebased or self-report), medication type (i.e., prescribed or nonprescribed) and context of use (i.e., clinical or community settings). Very low- to moderate-quality evidence supported satisfactory content validity regarding relevance and comprehensibility, while comprehensiveness remained inconsistent. Other measurement properties were less frequently examined and were supported by moderate-quality evidence (i.e., structural validity) to low- or very low-quality evidence (i.e., internal consistency, reliability, construct validity). The bestvalidated instrument is the unidimensional 14-item Medication Literacy in Spanish and English assessment tool (MedLitRxSE), based on direct testing of participant performance regarding four hypothetical scenarios on medication use. Nine instruments have the potential to be recommended but require additional research, while for others, their psychometric soundness is too limited and they require content revisions. This is the first systematic review to identify instruments for medication literacy. None of the identified instruments had all measurement properties properly assessed and none reported measurement invariance, measurement error and responsiveness of the instrument. Further research is necessary for a better theoretical understanding of medication literacy in order to assist health professionals in identifying patient needs for education, regimen simplification, assistance and/or medication aids. Such research will help conceptualise new instruments that not only cover relevant domains dedicated to specific populations (e.g., polymorbid and/or older individuals), but also exhibit satisfactory measurement properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RefHunter, a manual for literature search in databases, was published in February 2018. A main focus of the manual are information sheets showing functions and specifics of relevant health-scientific databases in table format. With the recently published version 2.0, the manual was updated for the first time and comprehensively reviewed and expanded, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peer review is at the heart of the scientific process. With the advent of digitisation, journals started to offer electronic articles or publishing online only. A new philosophy regarding the peer review process found its way into academia: the open peer review. Open peer review as practiced by BioMed Central (BMC) is a type of peer review where the names of authors and reviewers are disclosed and reviewer comments are published alongside the article. A number of articles have been published to assess peer reviews using quantitative research. However, no studies exist that used qualitative methods to analyse the content of reviewers' comments.Methods: A focused mapping review and synthesis (FMRS) was undertaken of manuscripts reporting qualitative research submitted to BMC open access journals from 1 January - 31 March 2018. Free-text reviewer comments were extracted from peer review reports using a 77-item classification system organised according to three key dimensions that represented common themes and sub-themes. A two stage analysis process was employed. First, frequency counts were undertaken that allowed revealing patterns across themes/sub-themes. Second, thematic analysis was conducted on selected themes of the narrative portion of reviewer reports.Results: A total of 107 manuscripts submitted to nine open-access journals were included in the FMRS. The frequency analysis revealed that among the 30 most frequently employed themes "writing criteria" (dimension II) is the top ranking theme, followed by comments in relation to the "methods" (dimension I). Besides that, some results suggest an underlying quantitative mindset of reviewers. Results are compared and contrasted in relation to established reporting guidelines for qualitative research to inform reviewers and authors of frequent feedback offered to enhance the quality of manuscripts.Conclusions: This FMRS has highlighted some important issues that hold lessons for authors, reviewers and editors. We suggest modifying the current reporting guidelines by including a further item called "Degree of data transformation" to prompt authors and reviewers to make a judgment about the appropriateness of the degree of data transformation in relation to the chosen analysis method. Besides, we suggest that completion of a reporting checklist on submission becomes a requirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]