Effectiveness Evaluation of Smart Home Technology in Preventing and Detecting Falls in Community and Residential Care Settings for Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of smart home technologies (SHTs) in preventing and detecting falls among older adults in community and residential care settings.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials on SHTs, which reported fall incidence, fear of falling, or hospitalization outcomes, was conducted. Searches were conducted across 6 academic databases for scholarly articles (PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, and IEEE Xplore) and 2 databases for gray literature (ProQuest and ClinicalTrials.

Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in improving sleep quality after cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sleep disturbance is highly prevalent among post-operative cardiac patients, with negative impacts on surgical recovery and rehabilitation. Post-operative pain and anxiety commonly seen in cardiac surgery patients are associated with poor sleep. Sleep medications commonly used are not ideal with prolonged usage, and non-pharmacological interventions can be good alternatives or complements.

Relationships of person-related, problem-related, and environment-related factors to self-care behaviours and the mediating role of self-confidence among patients with heart failure: Cross-sectional analysis of structural equation modelling.

Background: Promoting self-care behaviours in heart failure management is an important goal and challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. Using the situation-specific theory of heart failure self-care, this study examined the relationships of person-related, problem-related, and environment-related factors to self-care behaviours and the mediating role of self-care confidence in these relationships.

Method: We analysed the baseline data from a previous randomised controlled trial study involving 213 patients with heart failure.

Factors associated with registered nurses' academic performance in advanced practice nursing preparatory education: A retrospective cohort study.

Aim: To explore factors associated with academic performance in the Master of Nursing programme.

Background: Advanced practice nursing preparatory education generally involves completion of the Master of Nursing programme. While prior clinical experiences and on-the-job training are believed to underpin the preparation for such education, studies have suggested only weak or no associations between nurses' academic success in graduate schools and their clinical experiences.

Association of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo with Depression and Anxiety-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the extent to which Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is associated with a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients.

Data Sources: Three databases including PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library were searched by two independent authors from inception to June 12, 2022 for observational studies and randomized controlled trials investigating the association between BPPV and depression and anxiety. We included studies published as full-length articles in peer-reviewed journals with an adult population aged at least 18 years who have BPPV, detected through validated clinical methods like clinical diagnosis, interview and Dix-Hallpike test.

Performance of the Palliative Prognostic Index for cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Clinician predicted survival for cancer patients is often inaccurate, and prognostic tools may be helpful, such as the Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI). The PPI development study reported that when PPI score is greater than 6, it predicted survival of less than 3 weeks with a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 85%. When PPI score is greater than 4, it predicts survival of less than 6 weeks with a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 77%.

Effectiveness of the chronic care model for adults with type 2 diabetes in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Mixed evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of the Chronic Care Model (CCM) with patient outcomes. The aim of this review is to examine the effectiveness of CCM interventions on hemoglobin A1c (HbA), systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), LDL cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) among primary care adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from January 1990 to June 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CCM interventions against usual care among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary care with HbA, SBP, DBP, LDL cholesterol and BMI as outcomes.

The predictors of health-enhancing physical activity among working women in Singapore two years into COVID-19: a cross-sectional study.

Physical activity (PA) levels may have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these changes are not well understood. The study aimed to describe the PA level and examine the predictive factors of a health-enhancing PA level among working women in Singapore two years into the COVID-19 pandemic.

Characteristics, methodological, and reporting quality of scoping reviews published in nursing journals: A systematic review.

Introduction: Given the diversity of the scope for inquiry and methodologies used in nursing research, the synthesis of primary research may not be as straightforward as conducting a meta-analysis or systematic review on clinical trials. Scoping reviews offer an option to nursing academics for inquiries involving a range of applications and interpretations. Given the continual advances in evidence-based research, it is, therefore, crucial for nursing to constantly substantiate its research capabilities and uphold standards in its research inquiry.

Air quality and the risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Singapore (PAROS): a time series analysis.

Background: Previous studies have reported positive associations between out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and air pollutant concentrations, but there are inconsistencies across studies. We aimed to investigate the association between pollutant concentrations and the risk of OHCA in Singapore.

Methods: We did a time series analysis of all cases of OHCA in Singapore reported between July 1, 2010, and Dec 31, 2018, to the Pan-Asian Resuscitation Outcomes Study (PAROS), a prospective, population-based registry.

The clinical impact of anti-hypertensive treatment drug-gene pairs in the asian population: a systematic review of publications in the past decade.

Pharmacogenetics play an important role in determining the anti-hypertensive effects of blood pressure-lowering medications and have the potential to improve future patient care. Current literature on the topic, however, has a heavy focus on Caucasians and may not be generalisable to the Asian populations. Therefore, we have conducted this systematic review to summarise and evaluate the literature of the past decade.

Change of air quality knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and practices during and post-wildfires in the United States.

Amid worsening climate change, the recurrent wildfires have substantially worsened air quality in the Western United States (U.S.).

A Nurse-Led Integrated Chronic Care E-Enhanced Atrial Fibrillation (NICE-AF) Clinic in the Community: A Preliminary Evaluation.

The current physician-centric model of care is not sustainable for the rising tide of atrial fibrillation. The integrated model of care has been recommended for managing atrial fibrillation. This study aims to provide a preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of a Nurse-led Integrated Chronic care E-enhanced Atrial Fibrillation (NICE-AF) clinic in the community.

Vitamin E, Alpha-Tocopherol, and Its Effects on Depression and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Recently, it has been discovered that anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative pathways play a role in depression and anxiety. Lower serum levels of antioxidants, such as vitamin E, have been implicated in both depression and anxiety.

Methods: This PROSPERO-registered systematic review (Reference: CRD42021260058) is reported according to PRISMA guidelines.

Development and validation of a new scale to assess air quality knowledge (AQIQ).

Background: Air pollution is a leading public health concern around the world. Assessing the public's knowledge about air quality is critical to calibrate public health interventions. However, previous efforts to measure knowledge about air quality (AQIQ) have not relied on consistent and validated measures, thus precluding cross-country comparisons.

Impacts of COVID-19 and partial lockdown on family functioning, intergenerational communication and associated psychosocial factors among young adults in Singapore.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily lives. Most of the working adults adopted the work-from-home arrangement while students shifted to home-based learning. Being confined together allows families to foster stronger bonds.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors for people with cardiovascular disease: a network meta-analysis.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death globally. Recently, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) and sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) were approved for treating people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although metformin remains the first-line pharmacotherapy for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a body of evidence has recently emerged indicating that DPP4i, GLP-1RA and SGLT2i may exert positive effects on patients with known CVD.

Effectiveness of home-based cardiac telerehabilitation as an alternative to Phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation of coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic saw the suspension of centre-based cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR) and has underscored the need for home-based cardiac telerehabilitation (HBCTR) as a feasible alternative rehabilitation delivery model. Yet, the effectiveness of HBCTR as an alternative to Phase 2 CBCR is unknown. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to quantitatively appraise the effectiveness of HBCTR.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of swimming on lung function and asthma control in children with asthma.

Background: Swimming has been considered the most appropriate activity for children with asthma for its lower asthmogenicity compared to land-based activities. However, the benefits of swimming have been hampered by reports of increased asthma risks, airway inflammation and bronchial hyper-responsiveness from exposure to chlorine by-products in swimming pools. Thus, the role of swimming for children with asthma remains unclear.

Association between air quality, meteorological factors and COVID-19 infection case numbers.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic affecting many countries, including Singapore. Previous studies have investigated the relationship of air pollutant levels and meteorological factors with respiratory disease risk and hospital admission rates. However, associations between air pollutant concentrations and meteorological factors with COVID-19 infection have been equivocal.

The development and psychometric evaluation of the Clinicians' Attitudes towards Responding and Escalating care of Deteriorating patients scale.

Background: Validated measures of ward nurses' safety cultures in relation to escalations of care in deteriorating patients are lacking.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Clinicians' Attitudes towards Responding and Escalating care of Deteriorating patients (CARED) scale for use among ward nurses.

Methods: The study was conducted in two phases: scale development and psychometric evaluation.

Nurse-Physician Communication Team Training in Virtual Reality Versus Live Simulations: Randomized Controlled Trial on Team Communication and Teamwork Attitudes.

Background: Interprofessional team training is needed to improve nurse-physician communication skills that are lacking in clinical practice. Using simulations has proven to be an effective learning approach for team training. Yet, it has logistical constraints that call for the exploration of virtual environments in delivering team training.

The Global Prevalence of Anxiety Among Medical Students: A Meta-Analysis.

Anxiety, although as common and arguably as debilitating as depression, has garnered less attention, and is often undetected and undertreated in the general population. Similarly, anxiety among medical students warrants greater attention due to its significant implications. We aimed to study the global prevalence of anxiety among medical students and the associated factors predisposing medical students to anxiety.