Do drugs that suppress the immune system improve outcomes in those with or at risk from atherosclerosis? Do drugs that suppress the immune system improve outcomes in those with or at risk from atherosclerosis? Key messages - We found some limited evidence that some agents may reduce the risk of developing heart failure, but we are very uncertain about the results. - We found no difference in death rates or any evidence that these agents reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. - Due to the limitations of the available studies, more robust research is needed to draw firm conclusions about...

Immunotherapy for advanced and recurrent malignant pleural mesothelioma This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors (single-agent or combination therapy) in people with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma in a first-line or salvage setting. This is a protocol....

What are the benefits and risks of occlusal treatment in people with temporomandibular (jaw) joint disorders? Key messages For people with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), using a type of mouth guard known as an occlusal splint may reduce pain in muscles when chewing compared to receiving no treatment, but the results are very uncertain. There is little or no evidence that occlusal splints can give other benefits, but these results are also uncertain. Further research is needed to find clear evidence of whether occlusal splints or occlusal adjustments (i.e. grinding down teeth) are...

Psychedelic-assisted therapy for treating anxiety, depression and existential distress in people with life-threatening diseases Key messages - In people with life-threatening diseases (e.g. cancer), we found that psychedelic-assisted therapy with “classical” psychedelics (i.e. psilocybin ('magic mushrooms'), LSD), may result in a reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms. - We also found that existential distress (such as feeling that life has no meaning) and quality of life may be improved by classical psychedelics, but the evidence is mixed and very uncertain. - Data regarding these...

What are the benefits and risks of different treatments that could delay or slow the progression of progressive multiple sclerosis? Key messages • Overall, we are very uncertain about the effects of treatments on relapses and slowing the worsening of disability. We did find evidence that rituximab after two years and interferon beta-1b after three years of treatment probably slightly reduce the number of people who experience relapses. • The number of people who stop taking a drug because of harmful events is slightly higher with interferon beta-1a, and probably slightly higher with...

What are the benefits and harms of lubricating eye drops for contact lens discomfort? Key messages • Lubricating eye drops, including saline, may help to reduce contact lens discomfort in adults. The drops do not appear to cause irritation or harm to the surface of the eye. • Treating contact lens discomfort with lubricating drops (including saline) is a viable option. However, more studies are needed to measure their effect and to determine which drops work best with different contact lenses and wearing schedules. What is contact lens discomfort? Contact lens discomfort means eye irritation...

Vestibular stimulation for promoting development and preventing morbidity in preterm infants This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of vestibular stimulation compared to standard care or non-vestibular stimulation for physical and neurological development in preterm infants. To assess whether the effects of vestibular stimulation differ according to gestational age at birth; the type, frequency, and duration of the intervention; and settings, such as the country where the study is conducted. This is a protocol....

Interventions for smoking cessation in inpatient psychiatry settings This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of smoking cessation interventions on tobacco smoking in adults receiving inpatient psychiatry treatment. To assess whether the effects of smoking cessation interventions differ according to psychiatric diagnosis or type of intervention or comparator condition. This is a protocol....

Which exercise is better for reducing fatigue caused by cancer: cardiovascular or resistance training? Key messages – The evidence is very uncertain about the effects of cardiovascular and resistance training on fatigue caused by cancer, well-being, and unwanted effects. There were only a few small studies. – We need more research to decide if one type of exercise is better than another. This research should also include different types of cancer and cancer treatments. What is fatigue caused by cancer? Fatigue caused by cancer is a feeling of extreme tiredness that lasts for a long time. It...

Treatments of unscheduled vaginal bleeding due to progestin-only contraception This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and side effects associated with the usage of different treatments for unscheduled vaginal bleeding in premenopausal women using progestin-only pills. This is a protocol....

Shorter versus longer duration antibiotic regimens for treatment of suspected neonatal sepsis This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the safety and effectiveness of shorter versus longer duration antibiotic regimens for the treatment of suspected neonatal sepsis. This is a protocol....

What are the benefits of transitional discharge care for people with schizophrenia? Key messages – Transitional discharge care (an intervention that supports a person move from a stay in hospital to the community) may make little to no difference in admissions to hospital and quality of life, and may improve how well a person functions in day-to-day life and how happy they are with their treatment when they return home, but we are very uncertain about the results. – The results on costs of running the transitional discharge care program are inconclusive, and the studies provided no...

Vascular access devices for prolonged intravenous therapy regimens in people diagnosed with cancer This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the relative effectiveness and vascular access device (VAD)-related complications of VADs in people requiring prolonged systemic anti-cancer treatment. This is a protocol....

Local corticosteroid injection compared to surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome Key messages – We found very uncertain evidence on improvements in symptoms, function and quality of life after treatment with corticosteroid injection or surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, from which we could not draw conclusions. – We could not assess differences in unwanted effects, although serious unwanted effects were infrequent. – Electrical studies of nerve function may improve slightly more after surgery than after corticosteroid injection when measured at three months of follow-up (monitoring). What is...

Are there any treatments to prevent harm to the remaining leg in people with amputations resulting from disorders of blood vessels? Key messages • There is not enough evidence to know if any treatment helps to reduce injury to the remaining leg in amputees. • More research is needed into treatments to prevent harm to the remaining leg in this group. Why are amputations of the leg performed? Amputations of the leg are commonly performed due to problems with the blood supply of the leg, typically because of diabetes or problems with the circulation caused by older age, smoking, high blood...

What are healthcare workers' views, experiences and practices regarding their informal use of personal mobile phones to support their work? Key messages • Healthcare workers sometimes use their personal mobile (or 'cell') phones informally to plug gaps in the healthcare system. • Our findings suggest that this can help them work more efficiently. It can also help them be more responsive to patients and health workers' needs. • However, it can also lead to problems for patients and healthcare workers, and it can weaken the healthcare system. What is informal mobile phone use? Healthcare...

Does diabetes increase the risk of tuberculosis? Key messages Having diabetes probably increases the risk of developing tuberculosis disease to about double the population risk (1.5 to 2.4 times increased risk). These results apply to the general adult population; the risk for other groups, such as adolescents and children, is unclear. What is tuberculosis? Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other sites in the body. TB spreads through the air when a person with TB disease coughs or sneezes....

Nutritional therapy for reducing disability and improving activities of daily living in people after stroke Key messages ° Nutritional therapy using oral energy and protein supplements may improve daily activities (very uncertain evidence). ° Nutritional therapy using oral energy and protein supplements may not reduce disability (uncertain evidence). ° We identified various types of nutritional interventions for disabilities and daily activities. More high-quality studies are needed to determine the effect of each type of nutritional therapy on disability and daily activities in people after...

Olfactory stimulation for promoting development and preventing morbidity in preterm infants This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To evaluate the benefits and harms of olfactory stimulation with different odorants in the NICU for promoting development and preventing morbidity in preterm infants. This is a protocol....

Care pathways versus usual care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of care pathways (CPs) compared to usual care/no CPs for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is a protocol....