Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to optimize cognitive function for military mission-readiness: a systematic review and recommendations for the field.

Context: There has been interest in identifying whether nutrients might help optimize cognitive performance, especially for the military tasked with ensuring mission-readiness. Objective: This systematic review assesses the quality of the evidence for n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) across various outcomes related to cognitive function in healthy adult populations in order to develop research recommendations concerning n-3 PUFAs for mission-readiness. Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library were searched. Study Selection: Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials published in the English language were eligible. Data Extraction: Thirteen included trials were assessed for methodological quality, and descriptive data were extracted. Data Synthesis: Of the acceptable-quality (n = 8) and high-quality (n = 1) studies, 2 produced no statistically significant results, 5 produced mixed results, and 2 did not report between-group results. Conclusions: Results indicate that ingestion of n-3 PUFAs does not significantly alter cognitive performance in cognitively healthy persons. Studies exposing subjects to adverse circumstances that would be most relevant for drawing conclusions specifically for the military population are lacking. Several research recommendations are offered to enhance understanding of the role of fatty acids on cognitive functioning.

Whole dietary patterns to optimize cognitive function for military mission-readiness: a systematic review and recommendations for the field.

Context: Optimizing cognitive performance, particularly during times of high stress, is a prerequisite to mission-readiness among military personnel. It has been of interest to determine whether such performance could be enhanced through diet. Objective: This systematic review assesses the quality of the evidence for whole dietary patterns across various outcomes related to cognitive function in healthy adult populations to develop research recommendations for the military. Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library were searched. Study Selection: Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials published in the English language were eligible. Data Extraction: Fifteen included trials were assessed for methodological quality, and descriptive data were extracted. Data Synthesis: Of the 6 acceptable-quality studies, 1 demonstrated statistically nonsignificant results, whereas the other 5 showed conflicting results across the cognitive outcomes assessed. Conclusions: Due to the heterogeneity across the included studies, no recommendations could be reached concerning whether certain whole dietary patterns have an effect on cognitive outcomes in healthy populations. Specific recommendations for future research are offered.

Using a distance-learning program to educate staff on the Joint Commission National Patient Safety.

BACKGROUND: A motion picture expert group (MPEG) distance-learning program was created in 2003 at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC; San Antonio, Texas) on the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals. The 34 2-4-minute scripted video productions addressed the 7 goals and 13 recommendations for 2003 and 2004. For each goal, three MPEGs respectively describe sentinel events pertaining to that goal, root causes and risk-reduction strategies, and Army Medical Department and BAMC recommendations and policies. CREATING THE PROGRAM: The program entailed creating the scripts, narrating video, editing the tapes, and compressing the videos into the MPEG format. LAUNCHING THE PROGRAM: A featured MPEG was emailed weekly to over 3,000 hospital staff with a scripted endorsement and photograph of a key BAMC leader and a link to the MPEG. In addition, the MPEGs were placed on the hospital's intranet site. DISCUSSION: As the National Patient Safety Goal MPEG distance-learning program gained more recognition, different branches of the Army used the program to educate their staff on the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals. The next step is to update the distance-learning program with new MPEGs that will provide guidance on the current National Patient Safety Goals.