METHODS: A systematic review was conducted, and a protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022346051). Publications from 30 April 1980 to 30 April 2023 were retrieved from multiple databases. Data were analysed using random-effects and common-effects models with subgroup and sensitivity analyses.
FINDINGS: Forty-four studies met the inclusion criteria, with 29 studies used for meta-analysis of vaginal prolapse surgery outcomes. Sixteen studies focused on patients who had undergone hysterectomy alongside prolapse repair.
INTERPRETATION: Patients who underwent vaginal prolapse surgery with hysterectomy experienced higher operative and postoperative complication rates than those without hysterectomy. Increased risks included hospital readmission, POP recurrence and re-operation. The review highlighted a lack of diversity in terms of ethnicity, age and comorbidity status, which are essential to fully understanding the impact of POP. Future research should focus on these underrepresented factors.
METHODS: A traditional F2F workshop on hepatitis management was conducted with 364 students in 2021 and was compared with a virtual self-run escape room game called Hepatitiscape™, which was used by 417 students in 2022. The outcomes were final examination and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) scores for hepatitis stations. An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was used to compare costs and outcomes. Student perceptions of the delivery of Hepatitiscape™ were also captured using an online questionnaire.
RESULTS: Delivering the hepatitis case workshop via Hepatitiscape™ yielded an additional 4.77% increase in the final examination score and a 21.04% increase in the OSCE score at an additional cost of AUD $4212 in the first year compared with F2F delivery. This equated to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of AUD 883 per additional score of final examination and AUD 200 per additional score of OSCE for hepatitis stations. Hepatitiscape™ became cost saving from the second year onward. Student perception data revealed their recall of content was higher owing to the iterative design of the gaming elements.
CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitiscape™ is likely to be a cost-effective strategy to deliver workshops that are routinely delivered F2F to test knowledge-based constructs. In addition, virtual gaming has a logistical advantage over F2F delivery in that it enhances student participation from remote locations and allows for better control and flexibility of content delivery with increasing or decreasing cohort sizes, and can have potential long-term sustainable savings.
PURPOSE: We propose and detail here the approach of "minimal, adequate, and accurate" sport-science support to ensure that programs of work and solutions are both economical and effective.
METHODS: Our support provision advocates for utilization of "minimal" resources (employing the least amount of time, tools, and funding) necessary to achieve the desired outcomes. We strive for "adequate" information that fulfills specific objectives without excess and with the requirement that methods and data used are "accurate" (valid and reliable). To illustrate the principles of this approach, we outline a real-world example of supporting 100-m track (athletics) sprinters preparing and competing in an international competition. The provision of performance support emphasizes an integrated approach, combining knowledge and insights from multiple sport-science disciplines. The key facets managed under this approach are (1) neuromuscular readiness, (2) wellness monitoring, (3) movement observation, (4) motivation, (5) biomechanics and performance analysis, and (6) qualitative feedback. These facets are based on the specific performance determinants and influencing factors of an event (100-m dash).
CONCLUSIONS: Application of this quantitative and qualitative approach can enhance the ability to make informed decisions. Nevertheless, the approach must be planned, evaluated, and refined on a regular basis to enable effective decision making in sport-science support. The 3-element approach of "minimal, adequate, and accurate" should be codesigned and supported by the athletes, coaches, and staff to ensure successful implementation.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Leveraging on Virtual Engagement for Maternal Understanding & Mood-enhancement (LoVE4MUM) mobile app, which was developed based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and psychoeducation and serves as an intervention to prevent postpartum depression.
METHODS: This single-blinded, pilot randomized controlled trial includes 64 mothers recruited from the postnatal ward and randomized using a 1:1 ratio to receive either postpartum care (treatment as usual) or postpartum care (treatment as usual) plus the self-guided LoVE4MUM mobile app. The primary outcome is the effectiveness of the mobile app at improving postpartum depression. Secondary outcomes are changes in the mental health literacy score and negative automatic thoughts, which are collected using a self-reported questionnaire.
RESULTS: Patient recruitment began on September 1, 2024. As of January 1, 2025, recruitment was successfully completed, with a total of 72 participants enrolled: 36 in the intervention group and 36 in the control group . The final results are anticipated to be available by March 2025, and publication is expected by the end of 2025.
CONCLUSIONS: By examining the LoVE4MUM app alongside standard postpartum care, this pilot randomized controlled trial seeks to offer preliminary evidence on the potential of mHealth tools to improve maternal mental health as well as to reduce postpartum depression symptoms. The findings are expected to contribute to the future development of effective, accessible, and scalable interventions for mothers.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06366035; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06366035.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/63564.