Interventions for improving adherence to amblyopia treatments in children This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the efficacy and harms of various behavioral interventions, such as educational and reward systems, for improving children's objective adherence to amblyopia treatments. Secondary objective: to assess the subsequent treatment effects of improved adherence to amblyopia treatments and qualitatively explore equity and social determinants of health as factors affecting adherence. This is a protocol....

What are the benefits and risks of covered stents compared with conventional bare stents for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in people with liver cirrhosis? Key messages – Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-covered stents may be more likely to reduce mortality (deaths), upper gastrointestinal bleeding, recurrence of ascites (a condition where fluid collects in spaces within your abdomen), and shunt dysfunction compared with bare stents of the same diameter. – Beneficial effects of ePTFE-covered stents remain unclear when comparing with bare stents of different diameters....

In adults, does oxygen therapy during the non-breathing period before intubation prevent complications? What is intubation? Intubation is a medical procedure that involves insertion of a tube into the breathing passage during the course of anaesthesia before surgery or in life-saving emergency situations such as road-side trauma or in times of critical illness. The breathing tube serves as a portal for assisted ventilation. Why might oxygen therapy help? During the time when a person stops breathing after going to sleep ready for an operation before an oral breathing tube is inserted low...

Vocabulary interventions for second language learners up to six years of age Key messages – Studies included in this review suggest that vocabulary interventions for L2 learners may benefit children's L2 vocabulary learning but have little to no effect on their listening comprehension skills, though the evidence is very uncertain. Vocabulary interventions probably improve their storytelling skills. – There is a need for more high-quality research that follows L2 learners over a longer time to investigate longer-term effects. This should include learners outside the USA. Why is this review...

What are the benefits and harms of brexpiprazole, a new antipsychotic medication, for the treatment of depression when compared to dummy tablets or antidepressants? Key messages – Brexpiprazole added to an antidepressant is better at reducing the symptoms of depression than placebo (dummy tablet) added to an antidepressant. – Brexpiprazole might be more commonly associated with weight gain and akathisia (a feeling of restlessness that causes a compelling need to move all the time). What is depression? Depression is a common mental health condition which leads to low mood, inability to...

Auxiliary procedures following percutaneous treatment to remove kidney stones Review question We wanted to know how important it is to leave a nephrostomy tube (which connects the inside of the kidney to the skin) or a ureteral stent (a small tube that goes from the inside of the kidney through the ureter to the bladder) in people after a percutaneous kidney stone removal operation (percutaneous nephrolithotomy [PNL]). Background Kidney stones is a common disease worldwide. PNL is a method to remove stones from the kidney by creating a connection between the skin and the inside of the kidney...

Invasive management for patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: Primary objective: to assess the effectiveness and safety of invasive PDA closure strategies in preterm infants compared to medical management (pharmacotherapy or conservative) or no treatment. Secondary objective: to analyse subgroups based on the following. Postnatal age at intervention (less than four weeks versus late rescue) Initial mode of treatment versus after failed medical management (based on courses and timing of...

Hyaluronic acid for chronic wound healing What is the aim of this review? The aim of this review was to evaluate the effects of hyaluronic acid on the healing of chronic wounds. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule present in human cells. Chronic wounds are wounds that take a long time to heal. They include pressure ulcers, foot ulcers, and leg ulcers. Key messages We cannot be certain whether dressings and topical agents containing hyaluronic acid are more effective for healing pressure ulcers or foot ulcers in people with diabetes than other dressings and topical agents. When...

What is the evidence that 'microclots' cause the post-COVID-19 syndrome, and is removal using plasmapheresis justified? Key messages 1. The term 'microclots' is not the correct term for the particles being investigated in people with post-COVID-19 syndrome, as they are not clots. The term 'amyloid fibrin(ogen) particles' is more appropriate. 2. The evidence shows that amyloid fibrin(ogen) particles are found in healthy people and those with other diseases, so they are not unique to post-COVID-19 condition. 3. Patients should not receive plasmapheresis for this indication outside...

Cognitive behavioural therapy plus standard care versus standard care for persistent aggressive behaviour or agitation in people with schizophrenia Is cognitive behavioural therapy better than conventional treatment for treating aggression or agitation in people with schizophrenia? Key messages • We did not find enough good-quality evidence about the benefits of cognitive behavioural therapy on aggression in people with schizophrenia. We found only two studies with not enough participants enroled to give reliable results. • Larger, well-designed studies are needed to give better estimates of...

Are antiplatelets an effective treatment for people with COVID-19? Key messages Antiplatelets are a group of different medicines that can prevent potentially fatal clot formation in the blood vessels ('thrombotic events'). For hospitalised patients with COVID-19, they probably slightly reduce thrombotic events but probably do not affect deaths, clinical worsening or improvement in COVID-19 compared with placebo or standard care. However, antiplatelets may result in a slight increase in serious unwanted effects ('adverse events') and probably increase major bleeding. Similarly, in...

Cognitive behavioural therapy for adults with overweight or obesity This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy for weight management in adults with overweight or obesity. This is a protocol....

Healthcare workers’ informal uses of mobile devices to support their work: a qualitative evidence synthesis This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (qualitative). The objectives are as follows: To explore the views, experiences, and practices of healthcare workers, managers and other professionals working in healthcare services regarding their informal, innovative uses of mobile devices to support their work. This is a protocol....

Does follow-up with ultrasound after lower limb arterial vascular surgery improve limb salvage rate and maintenance of the open artery? Key messages Due to the lack of strong evidence, the benefits of intensive surveillance with duplex ultrasound (DUS) after lower limb revascularisation are unclear. No study reported on adverse events relating to DUS surveillance. What are the benefits of DUS surveillance? The obstruction or narrowing of the large arteries of the lower limbs, known as lower extremity atherosclerotic disease or peripheral arterial disease, may require revascularisation...

Rifaximin for prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy in people with cirrhosis Key messages The prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, in people with cirrhosis, largely depends on use of the compound lactulose. Rifaximin is not used to treat hepatic encephalopathy, at present, but it is used as an add-on to lactulose to help prevent hepatic encephalopathy in people whose response to lactulose is inadequate. We found that combining rifaximin with lactulose improved hepatic encephalopathy, reduced the risk of dying, and reduced the risk of developing side effects in...

Is the use of a constricting device (tourniquet) during amputation safe and effective in reducing complications? Background Each year, millions of people worldwide are affected by blockages of their arteries that require amputations. A large volume of blood can be lost during this surgery, which can lead to complications including death. Treating patients with blood transfusions has risks. Tourniquets are devices that squeeze the leg above where it is due to be amputated, and can be used during amputation to reduce blood loss and the need for blood transfusions. Although they are considered...

Which strategies might influence how accurately and how long people with cystic fibrosis complete chest physiotherapy and exercise? Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive and life-limiting genetic condition that affects many systems in the body, especially the lungs. In the UK, 1 in every 2500 babies is diagnosed with CF. Physiotherapy is a very important part of treatment for people with CF. The two main goals of chest physiotherapy are to clear sticky mucus from the airways to prevent repeated infections and lung damage and to maintain physical fitness through exercise. Chest...

Continuous positive airway pressure for apnoea of prematurity Key messages We did not find any study that compared CPAP with supportive care for apnoea of prematurity. We found four studies comparing one type of CPAP to another. The studies were small and the care given by healthcare workers may have been influenced by knowing which treatment the baby was receiving. Therefore, we don’t know from these studies whether there is any difference between different types of CPAP for reducing apnoea in babies born too early. What is apnoea of prematurity? Babies born early (preterm) may experience...

Vedolizumab for induction and maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease Key messages – Vedolizumab is effective in inducing and maintaining remission in people with Crohn's disease when compared to placebo (a dummy treatment). – People receiving vedolizumab are probably no more likely than people receiving placebo to experience side effects, and may be no more likely to experience serious side effects, during induction or maintenance treatment. What did we want to find out? Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affects the gastrointestinal tract (the gut). Vedolizumab is...

Non-surgical therapy for Peyronie's disease Review question In men with Peyronie's disease, how do treatments that are not surgery, such as pills, creams, injections, or treatments using shock waves, affect men's reported sexual function? Background Peyronie's disease may cause penile curvature, pain, or both, which makes it difficult to perform penetrative intercourse. Aside from surgery, many other treatments may or may not help with this disease, but it is unclear how well they work. Methods We used the recommended Cochrane methods, including GRADE to rate the certainty of the...