The current status of apathy in patients with dementia and its factors: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the current status of apathy in dementia patients and its associated factors. METHODS: We searched Chinese and English databases to collect studies on the associated factors of apathy in patients with dementia from inception to March 14, 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, evaluated the quality, and extracted the data RESULTS: A total of 20 studies were included, and the incidence of apathy in patients with dementia ranged from 21 % to 90 %. According to the model of apathy proposed by Massimo in 2018, the associated factors were divided into individual factors for dementia patients, caregiver factors, and environmental factors. The individual factors of apathy in patients with dementia mainly include demographic characteristics, the severity of cognitive impairment, a combination of other behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, acute medical problems or adverse drug reactions, unmet needs, and malnutrition. Caregiver factors mainly include emotional expressions of hostility or criticism towards dementia patients and caregivers' expectations for a better life in the future. Environmental factors mainly include too high or too low stimulation and a lack of daytime activities CONCLUSIONS: Existing studies have shown that the incidence of apathy in dementia patients is high and is affected by multi-dimensional factors. There are more studies on individual factors in dementia patients and fewer studies on caregivers and environmental factors. In the future, a large number of high-quality studies are needed to demonstrate the mechanism of apathy in dementia patients and to find more related factors.

Artificial intelligence (AI) for home support interventions in dementia: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Dementia has become one of the significant causes of disability and dependency among older people globally. The proportion of people with dementia who are cared for at home has soared. The rapid growth of technology and data has stimulated artificial intelligence (AI) in patients with dementia at home. However, there are still tremendous opportunities and challenges in applying AI to patients with dementia at home, and there is no systematic overview. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The review will adopt the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology. The structure and content of this protocol follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. The proposed study will consider applying AI technology for dementia patients living at home and their families. Authors will conduct systematic searches: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, China Biology Medicine disc, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science Cochrane database, EBSCO, Ovid, PsycINFO, Embase. The extracted data will be processed qualitatively and described through tables. The findings are integrated by a narrative synthesis. This review aims to evaluate the nature and extent of the application of AI technology in patients with dementia at home through a systematic search of the literature. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Scoping review is an analysis of existing data and therefore does not require ethical approval. We will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal.Scoping review protocol registration . DOI:10.17605/OSF.IO/3NU9C.

Interventions to promote the implementation of pressure injuries prevention measures in nursing homes: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, various guidelines and documents on the prevention of pressure injuries have been published, but there are many serious lags in the actual practice in nursing homes. So some interventions are required to promote the implementation of normative practices. There was a review of preventive interventions for pressure injuries in long-term care facilities, but there is no systematic review of how to promote the implementation of preventive measures. This review aims to summarise interventions that promote the implementation of pressure injuries prevention measures in nursing homes, explore the research scope and gaps in this field and provide evidence and striving direction for global nursing homes to improve existing preventive behaviours. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review will combine the Arksey and O'Malley framework with further clarification and advice of the scoping review by Levac et al as methodological guidance. Systematic retrieval of relevant literature databases, grey literature and references included studies will be conducted. Two reviewers will screen titles and abstracts independently, and then screen the full text of potentially relevant articles to determine final inclusion. After that, two reviewers will extract data based on a predesigned data extraction table independently. Inductive analysis and narrative analysis will be used to collate, summarise and report the results. Finally, managers of nursing homes in China will be consulted for additional information and their viewpoints on the research findings. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Since the scoping review is a secondary analysis of the literature, there is no need to apply for ethical approval. Our goal is to share the results with key stakeholders to help them find the direction of effort and improve clinical practice. Therefore, dissemination plans include publication in international journals and sharing it at conferences to inform more healthcare workers about the scope and gaps of the studies.

Factors associated with breast cancer screening participation among women in mainland China: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Although detecting breast cancer at an early stage through screening has been clearly shown to be an effective strategy, the screening participation rate in China remains low. This systematic review sought to synthesise the current evidence to identify factors associated with breast cancer screening participation among women in mainland China. DESIGN: This study was a systematic review. DATA SOURCES: Studies were collected from PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE and three major Chinese databases, specially China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chongqing VIP and Wanfang Data. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: All included papers were original research studies with a longitudinal or cross-sectional study design that considered associated factors of breast cancer screening participation among women in mainland China. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers, involving a third to help reach a consensus when necessary. Primary outcomes of interest included factors associated with breast cancer screening participation. RESULTS: A total of 19 studies were included in this review. Based on these studies, geographical region, a personal history of breast disease, past screening behaviours for breast disease, physical examination and the availability of medical specialists/equipment for breast examination were consistently associated with participation in breast cancer screening, while residential area, ethnicity and attitude towards breast cancer screening appeared to be associated with participation in breast cancer screening. There were additionally some factors with even more limited evidence with which to ascertain their association with screening participation. CONCLUSIONS: There exists a wide range of factors that influence breast cancer screening participation in mainland China. These findings could help to inform future research and policy efforts.

Factors associated with resilience of adult survivors five years after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China.

Given the paucity of quantitative empirical research on survivors' resilience and its predictors in the context of long-term recovery after disasters, we examined how resilience predictors differed by gender among adult survivors five years after the Sichuan earthquake. This was a cross-sectional survey study of adult survivors (N = 495; aged 18-60) living in reconstructed communities five years into the recovery process after the Wenchuan earthquake. The instruments we used included assessments of sociodemographic characteristics and earthquake exposure level, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Social Support Rating Scale. Support-seeking behaviors emerged as a significant predictor of male survivors' resilience, while subjective support and marital status were found to be predictors of female survivors' resilience. Annual household income and chronic disease were predictors for both male and female groups. The findings of this study can be used in devising methods to boost survivors' resilience by promoting their satisfaction with social support and their ability to obtain effective support. Additionally, the results suggest how to assist survivors who may have relatively poor resilience.

Comparison of three different time points of starting treadmill training in spinal cord injured rats.

OBJECTIVE: It has been widely acknowledged that early treadmill training plays an important role in rewiring neurons in a functionally meaningful manner in spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment. However, it is still unclear how early to start treadmill training to obtain the most efficacious results after SCI. The purpose of this study was to find the earliest time point when treadmill training was most effective in rewiring neurons. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into five groups: a sham group, control group, and three treadmill groups based on training start time post-injury: a 24 h group, 48 h group, and 72 h group. RESULTS: The results revealed that in the 72 h group, Basso, Beattie, and Bresnaham scores increased and apoptotic cells decreased significantly compared to the other groups. There were no statistically differences in neuron counting and 5-bromo-2V-deoxyuridine assays between the groups. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that the best start time for treadmill training is 72 h after SCI.