Effect of tibialis anterior focal muscle vibration for gait rehabilitation in hemiplegic individuals during the subacute phase after stroke: the NEUROVIB-AVC study protocol – a multicentric randomised controlled trial

Introduction
Gait recovery remains one of the most determining factors in social participation for poststroke individuals, in whom ankle dorsiflexor function is closely related to gait speed. Focal muscle vibration has shown promising neurophysiological and clinical effects in neuromotor recovery. However, it remains to be determined whether tibialis anterior focal muscle vibration applied to the paretic limb could improve walking speed when implemented in early rehabilitation after stroke occurrence.

Methods and analysis
This study describes a multicentric randomised controlled trial in which 70 participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the tibialis anterior focal muscle vibration group or the sham group, in addition to their conventional rehabilitation. Participants will receive 100 Hz vibration/sham for 30 min, five times per week, for 8 weeks. The primary outcome will be gait speed, as assessed through a 10 m walking test and will be compared between groups at the end of the intervention. Secondary outcomes will include gait abilities, neuromuscular clinical evaluations and neurophysiological measures. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and across five visits during and after the intervention, until 16 weeks of follow-up.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethics approval was obtained from the French Ethics Committee ‘Protection des Personnes Nord Ouest III’ in 30 May 2023 (IDRCB: 2023-A00489-36). The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at scientific conferences.

Trial registration number
NCT05945212.

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Hidden gender-based violence and its causes among women in Okugu Refugee Camp, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Background
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive global issue that transcends cultural, economic and educational boundaries, with an exceptionally high prevalence among refugees. Despite extensive research on GBV in Ethiopia, evidence of its occurrence in refugee settings remains limited.

Objective
To examine the prevalence and contributing factors of GBV among reproductive-age women in the Okugu Refugee Camp, Gambella, Ethiopia.

Study design
A facility-based cross-sectional study.

Participants
This study analysed 416 reproductive-age women living in Okugu Refugee Camp.

Setting
The study was conducted in the Okugu Refugee Camp from 15 March to 30 May 2023.

Primary and secondary outcome measures
The study’s primary outcome was gender-based violence, while the secondary outcome focused on the factors influencing it.

Result
A total of 422 reproductive-age women participated in the study, with a response rate of 98.6%. The prevalence of gender-based violence was 64.4% (95% CI: 59% to 69%). Among the participants, 51.9% experienced physical violence, while 34.9% had a history of sexual violence. Factors, illiterate women (AOR=2.73, 95% CI: 1.509 to 4.942), those who had lived in the camp for more than 4 years (AOR=3.24, 95% CI: 1.964 to 5.372), women who did not discuss sexual intercourse with their family or intimate partner (AOR=4.7, 95% CI: 2.83 to 7.80) and women who consumed alcohol (AOR=2.19, 95% CI: 1.30 to 3.69) were at significantly higher risk of experiencing gender-based violence.

Conclusion
Gender-based violence in the study area was highly prevalent. Key determinants included illiteracy, alcohol consumption, lack of discussion and prolonged stay in the camp. Stakeholders should prioritise interventions such as promoting female education, fostering open discussions and addressing substance use to mitigate gender-based violence in the refugee camp.

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Association between sedentary behaviour and chronic pelvic pain in women: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction
In light of the rising prevalence of sedentary behaviour worldwide, its impact on health has become a subject of growing interest. To clarify whether there is a significant correlation between sedentary behaviour and chronic pelvic pain in women and to explore its potential clinical implications, this study aims to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between the two. The findings of this study will inform the development of effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Methods and analysis
This study will conduct an exhaustive search across electronic databases, encompassing PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Scopus, for records published up until 26 June 2024. Two independent researchers will conduct the study selection, data extraction and assessment of bias risks, with any discrepancies resolved through the collaboration of a third reviewer. To accurately discern the underlying sources of heterogeneity, sensitivity, subgroup analyses and meta-regression will be conducted in parallel. Additionally, to ensure the rigour and integrity of our research, Begg’s and Egger’s tests will serve as the primary means of evaluating the potential for publication bias within the studies under consideration.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval will not be required for this study, as it will use publicly accessible, non-identifiable data from the published literature. The research team will ensure data privacy and participant confidentiality through anonymised data processing and strict compliance with relevant regulations. The results of this study will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Prospero registration number
CRD42024562443.

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Mapping the components of the effective implementation of diabetes prevention programmes after gestational diabetes mellitus: a protocol for a scoping review

Introduction
Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a high lifetime risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes prevention programmes may reduce this risk. However, challenges related to the successful implementation of diabetes prevention programmes after GDM exist. Our objective is to map the components of the effective implementation of diabetes prevention programmes after GDM. We also plan to connect the available evidence on the effective implementation of diabetes prevention programmes to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Methods and analysis
We will conduct a scoping review following Levac’s adaptation of Arksey and O’Malley’s framework for scoping reviews. We will report it according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. Using a peer-reviewed search strategy, we will search Medline, Embase, PsycInfo and Emcare for primary studies describing the effective implementation of diabetes prevention programmes after GDM. Study selection will be completed in DistillerSR by two independent reviewers. Data will be extracted by one reviewer and verified by a second reviewer for accuracy using data extraction forms in DistillerSR.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethics approval was not required. Study results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant conferences.

Study registration details
This scoping review protocol was registered with Open Science Framework (OSF; preregistration, 15 April 2024; registration ID: 10.17605/OSF.IO/MPNQD).

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Effects of an extended therapeutic strategy versus standard-of-care therapy on persistent acute kidney injury in high-risk patients after major surgery: study protocol for the randomised controlled single-centre PrevProgAKI trial

Introduction
Persistent acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. In patients with an already established AKI, the new urinary biomarker C-C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CCL14) can predict a persistent AKI. However, it is still unknown whether the implementation of nephroprotective measures in patients with an already established moderate/severe AKI can positively influence the trajectory of AKI and patients’ outcome.

Methods and analysis
The PrevProgAKI trial is a randomised, controlled, single-centre trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of nephroprotective measures in patients with established moderate/severe AKI. We aim to enrol 480 patients with moderate or severe AKI (Kidney Disease: Imroving Global Outcomes, KDIGO, stage 2 or 3) within 72 hours of major surgery. Eligible patients will be randomised to receive either standard of care (control group) or an extended therapeutic strategy that consists of different supportive measures (intervention group). The randomisation will be stratified by urinary CCL14 results (CCL14

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Rationale and design of a randomised phase II multicentre crossover trial investigating a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, dapagliflozin, combined with a novel continuous ketone monitor in adults with type 1 diabetes to reduce the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis: the PARTNER study

Introduction
Sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitors have potential glycaemic and non-glycaemic benefits in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) limits their widespread use. We hypothesise that dapagliflozin 10 mg daily, combined with the use of continuous ketone monitoring (CKM) and education strategies to mitigate progression to DKA, will demonstrate improved glycaemic control without increasing DKA events.

Methods and analysis
PARTNER is a multisite 6-month randomised crossover double-masked study involving Australian adults with T1D who have a Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

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The Fourth of July—A Warning

Some of the costliest lessons learned by mankind are all too often either forgotten or relegated to “innocuous desuetude.” Similarly, the fruits of hard fought battles and their most decisive victories may be lost or fade into insignificance with the growth of the indifference developed by our rapidly changing times. It requires the reminiscences of a Keen, recounting, as he recently has to hundreds of thousands of readers, his personal experiences in three epidemics of that “most loathsome, nauseating, sickening disease,” smallpox, to bring a nation back to the realization of the victory that Jenner’s protective vaccination has meant for mankind. In the Philippines…there were about 40,000 deaths every year from smallpox. In the twelve months after Heiser completed his campaign of vaccination, not a single death occurred. Yet today, in various parts of the world, we are threatened with a recrudescence of the malady that once claimed its millions in death toll—because the lessons of the past are not adequately embodied in the practice of the day. There are all too many unprotected persons indifferent to the importance of being vaccinated.

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At-Home LED Devices May Show Promise for Acne Treatment

At-home light-emitting diode (LED) devices are trending on social media as a new way to treat acne, with the red and blue lights thought to target bacteria and reduce inflammation. A recent study in JAMA Dermatology suggests they could be both safe and effective, although additional research is needed to confirm this.

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Primary care providers experience and satisfaction with personalised breast cancer screening risk communication: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Objective
To describe primary care providers’ (PCPs) experience and satisfaction with receiving risk communication documents on their patient’s breast cancer (BC) risk assessment and proposed screening action plan.

Design
Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Setting
A survey was distributed to all 763 PCPs linked to 1642 women participating in the Personalized Risk Assessment for Prevention and Early Detection of Breast Cancer: Integration and Implementation (PERSPECTIVE I&I) research project in Quebec, approximately 1–4 months after the delivery of the risk communication documents. The recruitment phase took place from July 2021 to July 2022.

Participants
PCPs.

Main outcome measures
Descriptive analyses were conducted to report participants’ experiences and satisfaction with receiving risk communication. Responses to two open-ended questions were subjected to content analysis.

Results
A total of 168 PCPs answered the survey, from which 73% reported being women and 74% having more than 15 years of practice. Only 38% were familiar with the risk-based BC screening approach prior to receiving their patient risk category. A majority (86%) agreed with the screening approach and would recommend it to their patients if implemented at the population level. A majority of PCPs also reported understanding the information provided (92%) and expressed agreement with the proposed BC screening action plan (89%). Some PCPs recommended simplifying the materials, acknowledging the potential increase in workload and emphasising the need for careful planning of professional training efforts.

Conclusion
PCPs expressed positive attitudes towards a risk-based BC screening approach and were generally satisfied with the information provided. This study suggests that, if introduced in Canada in a manner similar to the PERSPECTIVE I&I project, risk-based BC screening would likely be supported by most PCPs. However, they emphasised the importance of addressing concerns such as professional training and the potential impact on workload if the approach were to be implemented at the population level. Future qualitative studies are needed to further explore the training needs of PCPs and to develop strategies for integrating this approach with the high workloads faced by PCPs.

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Point-of-care troponin tests to rule out acute myocardial infarction in the prehospital environment: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background
Chest pain is a major cause of emergency ambulance calls, often linked to acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a critical condition requiring immediate hospitalisation. Current diagnostic methods, such as history taking and ECG, have limitations, especially for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (cTn) assays are more diagnostically sensitive, but the downside is that it needs hospital-based testing, which can delay diagnosis and the necessary treatment protocol. Point-of-care cTn testing, on the other hand, is much faster and done nearer to the patient; hence, it may fundamentally change the prehospital care pathway in terms of diagnostic accuracy, clinical utility and related safety.

Objective
To present a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis that will assess the diagnostic accuracy, clinical utility and safety of point of care (POC) troponin tests, with or without clinical decision aids, for ruling out AMI in adults presenting with cardiac chest pain to emergency ambulance services in prehospital settings.

Methods
This protocol follows BMJ guidelines and adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 reporting standards. It is registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024533117). A comprehensive search strategy will identify relevant studies in MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL, focusing on literature from 2000 onwards. Eligibility criteria include adults with chest pain suspected of AMI, excluding those with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The primary target is type 1 AMI, with secondary outcomes including major adverse cardiac events at 30 days. Risk of bias assessment will be performed using tools such as Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies version 2, Risk of Bias 2, and Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Interventions, while the quality of the economic evaluations will be appraised using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist. Data items extracted will include patient demographics, test characteristics and outcomes. Where possible, meta-analyses will be conducted by fitting hierarchical models for diagnostic accuracy and random effects models for clinical and cost-effectiveness estimates. Subgroup analyses are proposed to quantify the effect of variables such as gender, ethnicity and type of troponin assay on the estimated parameters.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval is not required. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international conferences.

PROSPERO registration number
This protocol is registered with PROSPERO, the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, under the ID CRD42024533117. Any future amendments will be updated in the PROSPERO record.

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Unlocking insights: exploring mammography beliefs among Teshie community mothers – a qualitative exploratory descriptive study

Background
Breast cancer is a global concern, especially for women of African descent, with rising cases in Ghana. While awareness and diagnostic screening have improved, studies in Ghana and many African countries have prioritised breast self-examinations, with limited focus on mammography.

Objective
Our study explores beliefs and attitudes towards mammography screening among mothers at Teshie Community in Ghana.

Methods
The study methodology was qualitative and an exploratory design was used. Convenience sampling was used to select 30 participants until saturation was reached. Indepth, one-on-one interviews were conducted with a semistructured interview guide with probes until saturation was reached. Then data were audiotaped audiotaped, transcribed and coded. Content analysis was done to generate themes and subthemes.

Findings
Most participants, 93%, had not undergone mammography screening. Only two individuals (7%) had experienced mammography screening. The study identified two major themes: beliefs and perceptions regarding mammography, and attitudes towards mammography screening. Participants generally displayed limited knowledge of mammography screening, along with mixed attitudes and varying degrees of motivation. Notably, many participants enjoyed strong spousal support for mammography screening.

Conclusion
It was recommended that nurses should create awareness of mammography to increase the knowledge of women and the general population about mammography, as this is believed to increase the uptake of mammography screening.

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Effects of exercise with music in frail older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives
Frail older adults need to improve their health through exercise, and effective interventions are necessary to ensure their participation. Exercise with music has been shown to enhance adherence among older adults and improve both physical and mental health outcomes, making it a suitable intervention for frail older adults. This study evaluated the impact of exercise with music on the physical and emotional health of frail, community-dwelling older adults.

Design
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

Data sources
MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Google Scholar and the Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library were last searched on 14 March 2025.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs that applied exercise with music to community-dwelling frail older adults.

Data extraction and synthesis
Five independent reviewers used standardised methods to search, screen and code included studies. Study quality was assessed using the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tool. A meta-analysis and narrative synthesis were conducted, and the findings were summarised using Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation evidence profiles. Publication bias was checked, and sensitivity analyses were used to assess the robustness of the results.

Results
After screening the initial 1425 studies, 17 studies (13 RCTs and 4 non-RCTs) were analysed. The overall risk of bias indicated that two had high risk and three had serious risk among the RCTs, and two had serious risk and two had moderate risk among the non-RCTs included in the meta-analysis. As for physical health outcomes, studies reported on frailty, Timed Up and Go (TUG), handgrip strength, falls, balance, gait speed, endurance and other performance. As for emotional health outcomes, studies reported on depression, social support and activities, quality of life or satisfaction and cognitive function. The pooled analysis suggested that exercise with music may have a positive effect on reducing frailty (standardised mean difference (SMD)=–0.20, 95% CI=–0.34 to –0.07, p=0.003, I2=0%; very low certainty) and decreasing depression levels (SMD=–0.40, 95% CI=–0.65 to –0.15, p=0.002, I2=0%; very low certainty) compared with control group outcomes in non-RCTs. However, there was no effect on the TUG and handgrip strength. A narrative synthesis of evidence suggested potential beneficial effects on frailty and depression.

Conclusions
Exercise with music may help improve frail older adults’ physical and emotional health and potentially reduce the burden of frailty. However, further rigorous investigation is needed, as the evidence has a very low level of certainty. Additionally, results from this review should be interpreted with caution because of concerns associated with the risk of bias. Community-based health professionals should consider using music when providing exercise interventions to frail older adults, while applying tailored approaches that consider their unique needs.

PROSPERO registration number
CRD42022369774.

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