Searching the literature for studies for a systematic review. Part 1: Identifying search concepts in a question

Pregnancy loss among Muslim women: A narrative review

Background

Diversity in spirituality, religion, and cultural norms among women leads to varying attitudes, grieving processes, and coping mechanisms after a pregnancy loss. Despite this, there is a limited understanding of grief, coping mechanisms, and mental health outcomes following pregnancy loss among Muslim women.

Objectives

This study aims to examine the impact of religion, spirituality, and faith communities on the psychological health of Muslim women during pregnancy loss.

Method

We systematically searched six databases with the key concepts, 'pregnancy loss' and 'Muslim women,' in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, APA PsycINFO, and Academic Search. The search strategy was developed in line with the PCOT framework: Population - Muslim Women with "pregnancy loss," "miscarriage," "stillbirth, Context - "religion," faith, "spirituality," "faith communities," Outcome - "religious practices," perception, coping mechanism, "psychological health."Studies were screened, their quality appraised, and narratively sized in line with the review aim. The review protocol was registered at Open Science Framework (OSF): https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/52QTA.

Result

Findings from the reviewed articles addressed the following themes: (a) Overwhelming Grief and Loss, (b) social isolation and stigmatization, (c) impact on mental health, and (d) trust in divine destiny. Islamic beliefs were strongly featured in how Muslim women processed pregnancy loss. Concepts such as tawakkul and yaqeen (trusting and certainty) were used to interpret pregnancy loss, with many women acknowledging that their Islamic faith eased the sorrow of pregnancy loss, facilitated acceptance, and strengthened their Islamic belief system.

Conclusion

This review revealed that there is limited information on Muslim women's experience of pregnancy loss. Professionals helping Muslim women dealing with the grief of pregnancy loss need to be aware that spirituality and faith communities play a major role in shaping their coping mechanisms. Future studies on the development of culturally congruent bereavement care models and supportive interventions for Muslim women facing pregnancy loss.

Literature search strategies in dental education and research

A well-organized literature search is a fundamental requirement for research-based dental education. The execution of a literature search is not beneficial unless researchers possess basic knowledge about it. In this article, all basic strategies and research tools essentially required for a literature search, including Boolean operators, correct use of keywords, database selection, and the evaluation of filtered data and limitations, are discussed. The present article offers vital information and literature search guidelines for early career dental researchers and dental students. In addition, it contains a collection of all the essential information related to the generally used electronic databases in dentistry research. This will be helpful for dental students, residents, consultants, and allied science researchers.

Reporting of the methodological quality of search strategies in orthodontic quantitative systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the reporting of the methodological quality of search strategies undertaken in orthodontic quantitative systematic reviews (SRs) and hence their reproducibility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search of a single electronic database (Medline via PubMed) was undertaken to identify interventional orthodontic SRs with meta-analysis published within a 10-year period. The Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews was also sourced. Full articles were reviewed by two assessors against the eligibility criteria. The reporting quality of each search strategy was assessed using a previously validated checklist with a score of 1 or 2 given for each of the eight items. Cumulative totals were calculated. Guided by previous research, the authors agreed the following cut-offs to categorize the overall level of quality: 8-10 (poor), 10-12 (fair), and greater than 13 (good).

RESULTS

A total of 127 SRs were analysed. The overall median quality score for the reporting of the search strategy was 14 [interquartile range (IQR): 13-15]. Cochrane SRs and those originating in Europe received higher aggregate scores, whereas no difference was evident based on Prospero registration. The continent of the corresponding author predicated the overall score. Non-Cochrane reviews achieved lower overall scores compared to Cochrane reviews (-1.0, 95% confidence interval: -1.65, -0.34, P = 0.003). The most frequently searched database was EMBASE (N = 93) and the median number of authors was 5 (IQR 4-6). Authors of 26.8% of SRs searched the grey literature. Language restrictions were applied to the search strategies of 88 (69.3%) SRs.

CONCLUSIONS

The reporting quality of search strategies undertaken in orthodontic SRs is at a good level but differences between Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews currently exist. The reporting of searching of the grey literature and application of no language restrictions can be improved.

Pervasiveness of speech-language disorders and fatigue in stroke: A systematic scoping review

BACKGROUND

After a stroke, it is highly likely that an individual will experience substantial fatigue that can significantly affect recovery and function; stroke survivors also have more than a 50% chance of having at least one speech-language disorder. Current reviews of post-stroke fatigue have not provided evidence focused on speech-language disorders or the potential influence they may have on post-stroke fatigue and related recovery.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this review was to determine how speech-language disorders are represented in post-stroke fatigue research and to catalogue methods used to identify speech-language disorders and measure fatigue.

METHODS

A systematic scoping review was conducted to identify studies measuring post-stroke fatigue. To identify these studies, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using relevant databases and grey literature sources, followed by several stages of review that adhered to PRISMA guidelines. We evaluated these studies using pre-established eligibility criteria and extracted data regarding the inclusion/exclusion of persons with speech-language disorders and the assessment methods used.

RESULTS

The scoping review analysis was conducted on 161 studies. Of these, 41 (26%) excluded all speech-language disorders, 71 (44%) excluded severe speech-language disorders, and 49 (30%) included participants with speech-language disorders. Of the 120 studies that did not explicitly exclude all speech-language disorders, only 34 were confirmed to report data from at least one person with a speech-language disorder. Further, only 5 studies reported data that could be used to determine a relationship between speech-language disorders and fatigue.

CONCLUSIONS

Persons with speech-language disorders are underrepresented in post-stroke fatigue research and very few studies have examined the relationship between post-stroke fatigue and speech-language disorders, limiting conclusions that can be drawn. This is problematic because medical professionals relying on this evidence to guide clinical practice are likely to be treating individuals with co-occurring fatigue and speech-language disorders and the current research does not provide enough information about the potential impact of fatigue on speech-language disorders or vice versa. To bridge this gap, we suggest methods of assessment that could provide ways to more accurately 1) reflect the real population in post-stroke fatigue studies, and 2) measure and document fatigue in post-stroke speech-language disorder studies. We also propose the Filter-Funnel Model of Post-Stroke Fatigue, which considers the role of speech-language disorders and communicative demands in the context of post-stroke fatigue.