This review aims to map oral health plans, programmes and policies worldwide in countries with universal health coverage.
This protocol describes a scoping review that will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Scoping Review checklist, guided by the PCC framework: Population—countries with universal health coverage (78 globally recognised); Concept—oral health plans, programmes and policies; Context—integration into health systems. Searches will be conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Health System Evidence and Epistemonikos, with no restrictions on date, language or study type. Grey literature will be accessed through Google Scholar, OpenThesis and the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations. Official documents from ministries of health and international bodies, including the WHO and the International Monetary Fund, will also be reviewed. Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts; a third will resolve disagreements. Eligible records will undergo full-text review. Data will be extracted into predefined categories reflecting health system components: population, structure, services, governance and oral health indicators. Results will be presented using tables, charts and figures to illustrate strategies and innovations.
This review does not involve primary data collection and does not require ethical approval. Results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication and presentations at academic conferences and scientific events.
Open Science Framework (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/RCP8N).
Cognitive stimulation (CS) is a non-pharmacological intervention aimed at enhancing cognitive function. However, the effectiveness of CS in individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of CS in improving cognitive function, psychological well-being, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with MCI, based on randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Six English databases were systematically searched, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, American Psychological Association PsycInfo and Academic Search Premier.
RCTs about CS for individuals with MCI, published between January 2003 and December 2024.
Data were extracted and assessed using the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised trials by independent researchers. The meta-analysis was conducted using the standardised mean difference (SMD) and 95% CIs of the included studies.
The meta-analysis included five eligible studies for the primary outcomes of cognitive function and three eligible studies for the secondary outcomes of psychological wellness. In the pooled samples, the CS intervention had a significant effect on cognitive function (SMD=0.63, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.01; p=0.001) and depression symptoms (SMD=–0.29, 95% CI –0.55 to –0.03; p=0.03) in individuals with MCI. However, no significant improvements in anxiety symptoms were identified after the CS intervention (SMD=–0.05; 95% CI –0.31 to 0.21; p=0.71).
The CS intervention can effectively improve cognitive function and alleviate depression symptoms. Although a meta-analysis was not conducted for IADL and QoL due to the limited number of included studies, positive trends in enhancing IADL performance and augmenting QoL were observed in individuals with MCI. However, due to the scarcity of relevant studies in this research field, more comprehensive RCTs are warranted to provide a better understanding of the potential benefits of CS and to guide its clinical application in the future.
CRD42023494685.
Sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitors have potential glycaemic and non-glycaemic benefits in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) limits their widespread use. We hypothesise that dapagliflozin 10 mg daily, combined with the use of continuous ketone monitoring (CKM) and education strategies to mitigate progression to DKA, will demonstrate improved glycaemic control without increasing DKA events.
PARTNER is a multisite 6-month randomised crossover double-masked study involving Australian adults with T1D who have a Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
The study has received ethical approval from the St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC reference 302/23). The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international diabetes conferences.
ACTRN12624000448549.