Intersections of Intimate Partner Violence and Natural Disasters: A Systematic Review of the Quantitative Evidence.

Natural disasters and extreme weather events are increasing in both intensity and frequency. Emerging evidence suggests that there is a relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and natural disasters. However, there is a scarcity of methodologically sound research in this area with no systematic review to date. To address the gap, this paper systematically assesses the quantitative evidence on the association between IPV with natural disasters between 1990 and March 2023. There were 27 articles that meet the inclusion criteria for the data extraction process. A quantitative critical appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of each study and a narrative synthesis approach to explore the findings. The review found an association between IPV and disasters, across disaster types and countries. However, more research is needed to explore the nuances and gaps within the existing knowledge base. It was unclear whether this relationship was causal or if natural disasters heightened existing risk factors. Further, it is inconclusive as to whether disasters create new cases of IPV or exacerbate existing violence. The majority of studies focused on hurricanes and earthquakes with a dearth of research on "slow onset disasters." These gaps represent the need for further research. Further research can provide a more thorough understanding of IPV and natural disasters, increasing stakeholders' ability to strengthen community capacity and reduce IPV when natural disasters occur.

Comparative Patient Satisfaction and Feasibility of a Pilot Parkinson's Disease Enrichment Program.

BACKGROUND: Available treatment options for Parkinson's disease (PD) are primarily aimed at pharmacological and/or neurosurgical management of motor symptoms. However, many patients also experience chronic non-motor symptoms (NMS), including significant cognitive and mood changes. Currently, there is a gap in the neuropsychological literature regarding the efficacy of nonpharmacological treatment options for cognitive and mood changes in PD. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and patient satisfaction of a pilot nonpharmacological intervention for alleviating NMS in patients with PD. METHODS: Twenty-three independently functioning nondemented patients with PD participated in a 5-week Parkinson's Disease Enrichment Program. Each 4-hour weekly session included content which addressed the following components: education, exercise, recreation, and socialization/support. Participants received a pre-assessment, including cognitive tests and questionnaires for depression and quality of life. After the completion of the program, participants completed post-assessment batteries to measure changes in neurocognitive and psychiatric status, as well as patient satisfaction regarding the program. RESULTS: Neuropsychological data from pre- and post-assessments revealed significant improvements in measures of executive functioning, memory, and depressive symptoms. No significant changes were observed on the remaining mood or cognitive measures. One hundred percent of participants reported enjoyment from socialization with other participants with PD and satisfaction with the program overall. CONCLUSIONS: Positive preliminary results suggest that further expansion of this nonpharmacological pilot program for treatment of NMS may be beneficial for patients with PD. Future studies will investigate a larger cohort of participants with PD and cross-validate findings in demographically diverse samples.