Patient experience of treatment burden in chronic heart failure self-care interventions: a qualitative systematic review protocol

Introduction
Chronic heart failure management can involve considerable healthcare workload for the patient that impacts on well-being and results in treatment being perceived as burdensome. This can result in non-adherence to treatments. This systematic review aims to identify, appraise and synthesise the available qualitative evidence exploring the experience of treatment burden in heart failure patients participating in a self-care intervention. Findings will provide an in-depth understanding of the patient journey, providing knowledge that will enable the development of targeted interventions that reduce the burden of treatment for patients.

Method and analysis
The databases will include Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane and Web of Science. The review protocol is registered in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO ID no 1052512). This review will systematically scour qualitative research studies in databases from 2010 to January 2025 with carefully chosen search terms such as heart failure, self-care and burden. Searches are limited to studies in English. Two reviewers, guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research, will independently appraise the methodological quality of the selected studies. Any disagreements will be resolved through discussion with a third reviewer. This review will employ a rigorous thematic synthesis approach informed by the burden of treatment theory, where two researchers will analyse and synthesise data by double-coding.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review as primary data will not be collected. The result of the review will be disseminated through publication in an academic journal and scientific conferences.

PROSPERO registration number
ID 1052512.

Leggi
Giugno 2025

Evolution of medical students tolerance for uncertainty throughout their curriculum: a systematic mixed studies review protocol

Introduction
Understanding how uncertainty tolerance (UT) evolves in medical students is crucial to identify training needs and implement effective interventions. However, the dynamic nature of UT and the mechanisms behind its changes over time remain poorly understood. This systematic review aims to map the development of UT in medical students across the course of their training by synthesising the available evidence. We will adopt a systematic mixed studies review approach to provide an integrative synthesis of both quantitative and qualitative data, offering a comprehensive overview of UT temporal evolution.

Method and analysis
The protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We will conduct searches in Embase, Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ERIC, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO, from inception to July 2026. We will manually search the references of included studies and track citations through Google Scholar to identify additional eligible studies. Two reviewers will independently extract data from each eligible study using a pre-piloted Microsoft Excel data extraction form. A thematic synthesis will be employed to develop analytic themes from the existing literature, generating new concepts and explanatory hypotheses. Study quality will be evaluated using the QuADS score.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval is not necessary for this systematic review, as no primary data will be collected. The protocol for this review has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews PROSPERO: CRD42024591340.

Leggi
Giugno 2025

Diagnostic performance of point shear wave elastography and vibration-controlled transient elastography in paediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective
This study aimed to comprehensively assess the diagnostic accuracy of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) and vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) in paediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach with random-effects models.

Data sources
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Ovid (Medline), Cochrane, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang and OpenGrey were searched for publications from April 1989 to July 2024.

Eligibility criteria
The study included relevant records on the application of pSWE and VCTE in diagnosing MASLD in children (

Leggi
Giugno 2025

Incidence and predictors of mortality among children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to therapeutic feeding units in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective
To estimate the mortality rate and identify predictors of mortality among under-five children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) admitted to therapeutic feeding units (TFUs) in Ethiopia.

Methods
We searched PubMed, HINARI, Science Direct, Google Scholar and African Journals Online from 1 March to 30 May 2024. The Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to appraise the included studies. Heterogeneity was identified using I2 statistics. Funnel plots and Egger’s tests were used to determine publication bias.

Results
Out of 1085 studies, 15 were included in this analysis. The pooled mortality rate among under-five children with SAM admitted to TFUs in Ethiopia was 8.32 per 1000 person-days of observation (95% CI: 6.25 to 11.06). The mortality rate has not changed over time. HIV infection (HR: 2.84; 95% CI: 1.25 to 6.42), tuberculosis (HR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.35 to 2.56), intravenous fluid use (HR: 3.37; 95% CI: 2.39 to 4.75), altered body temperature (HR: 4.47; 95% CI: 1.90 to 10.51), impaired consciousness (HR: 2.91; 95% CI: 1.94 to 4.37), not receiving F-100 supplementation (HR: 4.51; 95% CI: 3.25 to 6.26), shock (HR: 4.20; 95% CI: 2.92 to 6.04), and nasogastric tube feeding (HR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.67 to 2.44) were predictors of mortality.

Conclusion
The pooled mortality rate in Ethiopia was 8.32 per 1000 person-days, and it has not decreased over time. Most of the identified factors are related to comorbidities and complications of SAM, as well as nutritional therapy. Thus, it is essential to strengthen nutrition policies, programme implementation and healthcare services, which focus on the timely management of SAM complications, integrated care for comorbidities and improved F-100 supplementation.

PROSPERO registration number
CRD42024555014.

Leggi
Giugno 2025

Hospital at home digital twin for the management of patients with frailty: a scoping review protocol

Introduction
Patients with frailty are at risk of adverse outcomes such as mortality, falls, deconditioning and hospital readmissions. With an increasingly ageing population and a greater likelihood of frailty, there is a significant need to ensure that patients are managed in the right place and at the right time. There has been a focus on offering hospital-level care at home as a way to meet this need, incorporating strategies to integrate care and use digital solutions. Digital twin (DT) technology is one advancement, offering a virtual replica of an object/environment, which has the potential to make use of real-time data personalised for an individual patient and/or setting to inform and support patient management decisions. We are yet to realise the full potential of this new way of integrated working and technological advancements. This scoping review aims to ascertain the current evidence for the components of the DT architecture to enable the monitoring and management of patients with frailty living at home.

Methods
This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and will be reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. The following electronic databases will be searched: Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science and Scopus. Relevant websites will be searched for grey literature or case reports to capture the required information, as well as any documents provided by stakeholders. Primary studies, published in the English language from 2019 to the present day, which report on the monitoring or management of patients with long-term conditions and frailty within their home environment, will be included. Screening will be conducted by at least two independent reviewers against eligibility criteria, and a piloted data extraction form will be used to align with the research questions. Qualitative content analysis will be used. Data will be presented in tabular form, as well as descriptive and illustrative formats, to address the objectives of this review.

Ethics and dissemination
This scoping review does not require ethical approval. The findings of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conferences and will support the development of a conceptual model of a hospital-at-home DT for the management of patients with frailty.

Leggi
Giugno 2025

[Articles] Pharmacological agents for procedural sedation and analgesia in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Although no pharmacological regimen demonstrates superior sedation success compared with propofol–opioids, which serve as the standard comparator, etomidate–opioids regimens offer a favorable balance between sedation efficacy and safety, though they warrant attention due to an increased risk of PONV. Esketamine–remimazolam demonstrates superior hemodynamic stability and faster recovery but may be less effective in achieving sedation success. Midazolam-based regimens demonstrate lower efficacy and prolonged recovery and are therefore not recommended.

Leggi
Giugno 2025

Global prevalence of chronic kidney disease and associated risk factors in children and adolescents: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction
While chronic kidney disease (CKD) is well characterised in adults, less is known about the prevalence of CKD in children and adolescents, where it is rare and associated with unique characteristics and implications for long-term health outcomes. This study protocol outlines a systematic review to assess the global prevalence of CKD in children and adolescents along with causes and associated risk factors. This is warranted to better characterise prevalence and to identify at-risk groups that would benefit from screening efforts. We will explore the risk and burden of CKD and its variations by sociodemographic characteristics (age group, race, sex/gender) and geographical regions (country, International Society of Nephrology region and income groups based on World Bank country classifications).

Methods and analysis
We will conduct a systematic review of studies reporting on the prevalence of CKD in children and adolescents following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 (PRISMA-P-2015) and the PRISMA 2020 methodological guidelines (PRISMA 2020). Searches will be undertaken in the following databases with the date range from 2000 to date: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Citation Index (via Clarivate), Web of Science Core Collection, Google Scholar and grey literature sites (registries, government reports) to identify studies that report on the prevalence of CKD in children and adolescents from ages 0 to 18. The primary outcome will be the global prevalence of CKD in children and adolescents. Secondary outcomes will include the causes of and risk factors for CKD, and examining differences and temporal trends in CKD prevalence across countries, geographical regions, income levels and sociodemographic characteristics.

Ethics and dissemination
No direct involvement with patient data will be used in this systematic review, as data will be obtained from previously published reports. Ethical approval is therefore not required. Our findings will be published in an open-access peer-reviewed journal and presented at scientific conferences.

PROSPERO registration number
CRD42024547467.

Leggi
Giugno 2025

Nursing research landscape in Malaysia: a systematic scoping review protocol on journal publications from 2015 to 2024

Introduction
The nursing profession has undergone significant evolution over the past century, shifting from a role traditionally viewed as an auxiliary to physicians to one of autonomous healthcare professionals equipped with specialised skills and expertise. This shift is driven by the increasing recognition of the importance of evidence-based practice in enhancing patient outcomes and advancing the field of nursing. Consequently, nursing research has emerged as a critical priority in the profession. This study seeks to explore the nursing research landscape in Malaysia, where data remain limited, by examining trends before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods and analysis
This scoping review will be conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework, using four electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL for journal articles published between 2015 and 2024, and Web of Science for conference proceedings from the same period.

Ethics and dissemination
The findings from this scoping review will provide an overview of the nursing research landscape in the Malaysian context, offering insights that could guide the future advancement of nursing research in the country. The results will be disseminated through submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal for publication. Ethical approval is not required for this scoping review, as it involves the synthesis of data from available published literature.

Leggi
Giugno 2025

Mapping the use of extended reality (XR) in radiation oncology education: a scoping review protocol

Introduction
As the field of radiation oncology continues to evolve with rapidly advancing technologies, the need for innovative educational methods is critical. Extended reality (XR) technologies—including virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality—have emerged as transformative tools in medical education. While the potential of XR in healthcare education is recognised, there is a lack of comprehensive exploration specifically in the context of radiation oncology education. This scoping review aims to map the existing literature on XR technologies in radiation oncology training and education, identify barriers to their adoption and highlight opportunities for broader integration into curricula.

Methods
This scoping review will follow the Arksey and O’Malley framework with enhancements by Levac et al and will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. A comprehensive search will be conducted across databases, including MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science, to identify relevant studies on the use of XR technologies in radiation oncology education. Studies will be selected based on predetermined inclusion criteria using the population, concept, context framework. Data extraction will focus on the types of XR technologies used, educational settings, learning outcomes, barriers to adoption and methodologies for evaluating XR effectiveness. The results will be synthesised through descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis. A consultation phase will engage experts to refine findings and ensure the practical relevance of the review.

Ethics and dissemination
This protocol does not require ethics approval at the current stage as it involves a scoping review of publicly available literature. Ethics approval will be obtained prior to initiating the consultation phase involving experts. Written informed consent will be obtained from all individual participants included in the study. The study will be conducted in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations and was approved by the Chang Gung Medical Foundation Institutional Review Board on 13 May 2025 (ref.: 202500731B0). The findings of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and tailored executive summaries aimed at educators, policymakers and stakeholders in radiation oncology education.

Leggi
Giugno 2025

Assessing motor control and movement quality in patients with non-specific low back pain: a scoping review and development of an ICF-based conceptual framework

Objective
To describe frequently investigated and recommended movement tasks, the underlying motor control functions and the domains of movement quality that are assessed in patients with non-specific low back pain (LBP).

Design
A scoping review. Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews and JBI methodology for scoping reviews were followed. A thematic approach was used in an iterative process to identify broader themes in the data synthesis.

Data sources
MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, COSMIN database and DiTA were systematically searched as part of a three-step search strategy (last search: 22 April 2025).

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies
Various types of evidence (qualitative and quantitative, primary and secondary) exploring and discussing movement tasks for assessing lumbopelvic motor control and movement quality in adult patients with non-specific LBP were considered. Grey literature was excluded.

Results
In total, 354 articles from 34 countries were included. Among them, 224 were primary research studies in laboratory settings, 68 studies in clinical settings, 7 meta-analyses, 13 systematic reviews and 42 articles classified as ‘other sources’. Overall, 20 movement task clusters were identified, with ‘hip movements in various positions’ and ‘forward bending’ being the two most common. A conceptual framework was constructed, consisting of five International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-based broad motor control functions and 10 movement quality domains, namely flexibility, stability, accuracy, symmetry, speed, smoothness, adaptability, variability, efficiency and coordination.

Conclusion
The provided conceptual framework for motor control functions and movement quality domains can serve as a structural foundation for future research on the content validity of assessment approaches in the context of LBP.

Leggi
Giugno 2025

Unpacking the black box of interprofessional collaboration within healthcare networks: a scoping review

Introduction
Health systems are facing increasingly complex healthcare challenges, including system fragmentation, silos culture, lack of accountability, budgetary constraints and epidemiological transitions. Many governments adopted healthcare networks as a new strategy to address the complex healthcare challenges (eg, multidisciplinary care) by fostering effective clinical and interprofessional collaboration (IPC) across clinical pathways. Yet, limited evidence exists on how IPC is fostered within healthcare networks (ie, happening inside the structure of the network—including processes, systems, communication and practices).

Objectives
This review aims to identify the underlying processes and drivers for effective IPC within healthcare networks, as well as facilitators and barriers.

Design
We followed the scoping review guidance developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Reviews reporting guidelines.

Data sources
We searched five databases (PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Web of Science, Research4Life and BDSP).

Eligibility criteria
We included peer-reviewed articles published between 2010–2024 in French or English that addressed IPC within healthcare networks.

Data extractions and synthesis
Data charting included the general characteristics of included studies, IPC characteristics, barriers and facilitators and implications for policy and practice. Thematic analysis was guided by the levels of IPC at individual, professional, interactional and organisational levels.

Results
29 studies were included in this review. Most scholars from the included studies indicated that IPC is a complex, socially stratified process that includes four levels: individual, interactional, professional role and organisational characteristics. The main barriers were poor communication, lack of shared knowledge and decision-making, hierarchy and power imbalances. Key facilitators included clarifying roles, building formal structures for IPC, enhancing communication and promoting interprofessional education and training.

Conclusion
Promoting IPC necessitates systemic interventions that target multiple levels, including the individual, interactional, professional and organisational dimensions. Additional research is needed to understand how to foster effective IPC and develop strategies to ensure high-quality patient care.

Leggi
Giugno 2025

Correlates of HIV-TB co-infection and mental health of adults living in countries across sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Introduction
HIV and tuberculosis (TB) are two of the most devastating disease conditions of public health concern globally. A co-infection of the two diseases poses serious health challenges to patients including mental health problems, ranging from mild to severe, with differing outcomes. This systematic review aims to assess the correlates of HIV-TB co-infection and mental health of adults living in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods and analysis
We will conduct comprehensive database and non-database searches for studies (published and unpublished). We will search Google Scholar, PubMed, CINAHL, LILACS, JSTOR, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, HINARI and African Journals Online from inception to 31 May 2025, without restriction on language. We will also search the grey literature, including conference proceedings, preprint repositories, databases of dissertations, WHO and governmental databases. In the event where there is a need to contact experts and corresponding authors for further information, the review team will do so to enrich the content of the review. At least three reviewers will independently undertake study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment using validated tools. We will resolve discrepancies or disagreements through discussion. We will analyse dichotomous data as risk ratio, OR or proportion and continuous data as mean difference with their SD; all estimates will be presented with their 95% CI. Where applicable, we will determine SD from point estimates and the appropriate denominators assuming a binomial distribution. The magnitude of heterogeneity between the included studies will be assessed quantitatively using the index of heterogeneity (I2 statistic). The I2 values of 25%, 50% and 75% will be considered to represent low, moderate and significant heterogeneity. The significance of heterogeneity will be determined by the p value of the I2 statistic, and a p value of

Leggi
Giugno 2025