Background:
For systematic reviews to be rigorous, deliverable and useful they need a well-defined review question. Scoping for a review also requires the specification of clear inclusion criteria and planned synthesis methods. Guidance is lacking on how to develop these, especially within the context of undertaking rapid and responsive systematic reviews to inform health services and health policy.

Objective:
This report describes and discusses the experiences of review scoping of three commissioned research centres that conducted evidence syntheses to inform health and social care organisation, delivery and policy in the UK, between 2017 and 2020.

Data sources:
Researcher recollection, project meeting minutes, e-mail correspondence with stakeholders, and scoping searches; from allocation of a review topic through to review protocol agreement.

Methods:
We produced eight descriptive case studies of selected reviews from the three teams. From these we identified key issues that shape the processes of scoping and question formulation for evidence synthesis. The issues were then discussed and lessons drawn.

Findings:
Across the eight diverse case studies we identified 14 recurrent issues that were important in shaping the scoping processes and formulating a review’s questions. These were ‘consultative issues’, relating to securing input from review commissioners, policy customers, experts, patients and other stakeholders: managing and deciding priorities; reconciling different priorities/perspectives; achieving buy-in and engagement; educating the end-user about synthesis processes and products, and; managing stakeholder expectations. There were ‘interface issues’ relating to the interaction between review team and potential review users: identifying the niche/gap and optimising value; assuring and balancing rigour/reliability/relevance, and; assuring transferability/applicability of study evidence to specific policy/service user contexts. There were also ‘technical issues’ associated with the methods and conduct of the review: choosing the method(s) of synthesis; balancing fixed versus fluid review questions/components/definitions; taking stock of what research already exists; Mapping vs Scoping vs Reviewing; scoping/relevance as a continuous process not just at initial stage, and; calibrating general versus specific and broad versus deep coverage of topics.

Limitations:
As a retrospective joint reflection by review teams on their experiences of scoping processes, this report is not based on prospectively collected research data. Also, our evaluations were not externally validated by, for example, policy and service evidence users or patients and the public.

Conclusions:
We have summarised our reflections on scoping from this programme of reviews as 14 common issues and 28 practical ‘lessons learned’. Effective scoping of rapid, responsive reviews extends beyond information exchange and technical procedures for specifying a ‘gap’ in the evidence. These considerations work alongside social processes, in particular the building of relationships and shared understanding between reviewers, research commissioners and potential review users that may be reflective of consultancy, negotiation, and co-production models of research and information use.

Funding:
Commissioned by the National Institute of Health Research Heath Services and Delivery Research programme as NIHR132708 (including work from Award IDs:. 16/47/11, 16/47/17, 16/47/22).

OBJECTIVES: to describe and reflect on the methods and influence of involvement of young people with lived experience within a complex evidence synthesis. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Linked syntheses of quantitative and qualitative systematic reviews of evidence about interventions to improve the mental health of children and young people (CYP) with long-term physical conditions (LTCs). METHODS: Involvement was led by an experienced patient and public involvement in research lead. Young people with long-term physical conditions and mental health issues were invited to join a study-specific Children and Young People's Advisory Group (CYPAG). The CYPAG met face to face on four occasions during the project with individuals continuing to contribute to dissemination following report submission. RESULTS: Eight young people joined the CYPAG. Their views and experiences informed (a) a systematic review evaluating the effectiveness of interventions intended to improve the mental health of CYP with LTCs, (b) a systematic review exploring the experiences of interventions intended to improve the mental well-being of CYP with LTCs and (c) an overarching synthesis. The CYPAG greatly contributed to the team's understanding and appreciation of the wider context of the research. The young people found the experience of involvement empowering and felt they would use the knowledge they had gained about the research process in the future. CONCLUSION: Creating an environment that enabled meaningful engagement between the research team and the CYPAG had a beneficial influence on the young people themselves, as well as on the review process and the interpretation, presentation and dissemination of findings.

BACKGROUND: Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is an immune-mediated allergic response to proteins in milk that is common in infants. Broad CMPA symptoms make diagnosis a challenge, particularly in primary care. Symptom scores may improve a clinician's awareness of symptoms, indicating a need for further testing. This systematic review examined the development and evaluation of such symptom scores for use in infants. METHODS: CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases were searched from inception to 3 December 2019 (Updated 14 November 2020) for diagnostic accuracy studies, randomised controlled trials, observational studies, economic evaluations, qualitative studies and studies reporting development of the tools. Data were not suitable for meta-analysis due to clinical and methodological heterogeneity, so were narratively synthesised. RESULTS: We found two symptom scores evaluated in one and fourteen studies, respectively. Estimated sensitivity and specificity ranged from 37% to 98% and 38% to 93%. The evaluations of each tool were at high risk of bias or failed to address issues such as clinical and cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Estimates of accuracy of symptom scores for CMPA offered so far should be interpreted cautiously. Rigorous, conflict-free research based on well-defined roles for the tools is urgently required.

Objective to conduct a systematic review of the clinical literature to determine whether ultrasound can be used to improve the reduction of distal radius fractures in adults in the ED. Methodology a study protocol was registered on PROSPERO. EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov of the US National Library of Medicine were searched for studies evaluating ultrasound-assisted distal radial fracture reductions in comparison with standard care. The primary outcome of interest was manipulation success rates, defined as the proportion of fracture manipulations resulting in acceptable anatomical alignment, with secondary outcome being subsequent surgical intervention rates in ultrasound and standard care group of patients. Results 248 were screened at title and abstract, and 10 studies were included for a narrative synthesis. The quality of this evidence is limited but suggests ultrasound is accurate in determining distal radius fracture reduction and may improve the quality of reduction compared with standard care. However, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether this affects the rate of subsequent surgical intervention or functional outcome. Conclusion There is a lack of evidence that using ultrasound in the closed reduction of distal radius fractures benefits patients. Properly conducted randomised controlled trials with patient-orientated outcomes are crucial to investigate this technology.

AbstractMulticomponent peri-operative interventions offer to accelerate patient recovery and improve cost-effectiveness. The recent National Institute of Health Research-commissioned evidence synthesis review by Nunns et al. considers the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of all types of multicomponent interventions for older adults undergoing elective inpatient surgery. Enhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) were the most commonly evaluated intervention. An association between ERPs and decreased length of stay was observed, whilst complication rates and time to recovery were static or sometimes reduced. Important areas which lack research in the context of ERPs are patient-reported outcome measures, patients with complex needs and assessment of factors pertaining to successful ERP implementation. The next generation of ERP studies should seek to develop our understanding in these key areas.

Background
A ‘strengths-based approach’ focusses on peoples’ goals and resources rather than their problems. Social care professionals and organisations are striving to practise in a strengths-based way and since the Care Act of 2014 it is an even stronger requirement. However, there are challenges in implementing strengths-based approaches into practise, and uncertainty remains about their effectiveness.
Objective
To summarise research evidence on the effectiveness and the implementation of different strengths-based approaches within adult social work in the UK.
Data sources
We searched seven databases: MEDLINE ALL, PsycINFO, Social Policy and Practice, HMIC, CINAHL, ASSIA and the Campbell Library. Supplementary web searches were conducted. No date or language limits were used.
Review methods
Eligible studies were about adults (≥18 years) being supported or assessed by social workers; or about initiatives involving adult social care teams. For the effectiveness question, outcomes could be directly related to people’s individual outcomes or outcomes at the level of families or communities. The Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care group’s Risk of Bias Tool was chosen to appraise the quality of effectiveness studies, and qualitative implementation studies were assessed using the Wallace criteria. Findings were tabulated and analysed using framework synthesis, based on the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research (CFIR). Studies that were not synthesised were summarised descriptively.
Findings
Of 5,030 studies screened, none met our inclusion criteria for the effectiveness question. Fifteen qualitative or mixed methods studies met the criteria for the implementation question, six of which were assessed as ‘good quality’. Seven examined Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) and the remaining eight studies examined Local Area Coordination, Solution Focused Therapy, Family Group Conferencing, Asset-based Community Development, Strengths-based with Relationship-based Approach, Asset-based approaches, and Motivational Interviewing.
Seven studies on Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP), were synthesised into the following themes of implementation factors: 1) MSP as an intervention: seen as initially demanding but with long-term advantages; required significant practice change; needed tailoring to local settings. 2) Culture and Settings: required broad cultural changes; ‘outward facing’ and smaller/specialist councils tended to find this easier. 3) Individual characteristics: enhancing the knowledge, skills and confidence of stakeholders in MSP facilitated delivery; depended on practitioner skill in engaging people being supported; and people’s willingness to engage. 4) Embedding and sustaining MSP: depended on strong leadership and active engagement at all levels; required extensive planning and shaping of safeguarding practice that was user-focussed.
For the remaining eight studies of seven strengths-based approaches, we provide a summary of their findings.
Limitations
Our findings are mainly limited by the lack of available evidence in the UK. Higher quality studies may have revealed richer explanations of implementation.
Conclusions
There is a lack of good quality research evidence evaluating the effectiveness or implementation of strengths-based approaches. The synthesis revealed a wide range of factors that enabled or inhibited successful implementation of Making Safeguarding Personal. These factors may have wider relevance for the implementation of other strengths-based models of social work practice.
Future work
Higher quality evaluations of different strengths-based social work models are required.
Study registration: PROSPERO CRD42020166870
Funding
Commissioned by the NIHR HS&DR programme as a review project (NIHR130867) within NIHR HS&DR programme, reference number 16/47/22.

Multimodality perioperative interventions could accelerate patient recovery and improve cost-effectiveness. An evidence review found an association between enhanced recovery after surgery and decreased length of stay, while complications and recovery time were unchanged or reduced. More specialties should develop and implement enhanced recovery after surgery pathways.

BACKGROUND: Children and young people with long-term physical health conditions are at increased risk of experiencing mental health and well-being difficulties. However, there is a lack of research that explores the experiences of and attitudes towards interventions aiming to improve their mental health and well-being. This systematic review seeks to address this gap in the literature by exploring what children and young people with long-term conditions, their caregivers, and health practitioners perceive to be important aspects of interventions aiming to improve their mental health and well-being. METHODS: an information specialist searched five academic databases using predefined criteria for qualitative evaluations of interventions aiming to improve the mental health or well-being of children with long-term physical conditions. Reviewers also performed supplementary citation and grey literature searches. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts that met the inclusion criteria and conducted data extraction and quality assessment. Meta-ethnography was used to synthesize the findings. RESULTS: Screening identified 60 relevant articles. We identified five overarching constructs through the synthesis: (a) Getting in and Staying In, (b) Therapeutic Foundation, (c) Social Support, (d) a Hopeful Alternative, and (e) Empowerment. The line of argument that links these constructs together indicates that when interventions can provide an environment that allows young people to share their experiences and build empathetic relationships, it can enable participants to access social support and increase feelings of hope and empowerment. CONCLUSION: These findings may provide a framework to inform the development of mental health interventions for this population and evaluate existing interventions that already include some of the components or processes identified by this research. Further research is needed to establish which of the constructs identified by the line of argument are most effective in improving the mental well-being of young people living with long-term conditions.

Objectives: This prospective study investigated anatomical and biomechanical risk factors for second and third metatarsal stress fractures in military recruits during training. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Anatomical and biomechanical measures were taken for 1065 Royal Marines recruits at the start of training when injury-free. Data included passive range of ankle dorsi-flexion, dynamic peak ankle dorsi-flexion and plantar pressures during barefoot running. Separate univariate regression models were developed to identify differences between recruits who developed second (n = 7) or third (n = 14) metatarsal stress fracture and a cohort of recruits completing training with no injury (n = 150) (p < 0.05). A multinomial logistic regression model was developed to predict the risk of injury for the two sites compared with the no-injury group. Multinomial logistic regression results were back transformed from log scale and presented in Relative Risk Ratios (RRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Lower dynamic arch index (high arch) (RRR: 0.75, CI: 0.63–0.89, p < 0.01) and lower foot abduction (RRR: 0.87, CI: 0.80–0.96, p < 0.01) were identified as increasing risk for second metatarsal stress fracture, while younger age (RRR: 0.78, CI: 0.61–0.99, p < 0.05) and later peak pressure at the second metatarsal head area (RRR: 1.19, CI: 1.04–1.35, p < 0.01) were identified as risk factors for third metatarsal stress fracture. Conclusions: for second metatarsal stress fracture, aspects of foot type have been identified as influencing injury risk. For third metatarsal stress fracture, a delayed forefoot loading increases injury risk. Identification of these different injury mechanisms can inform development of interventions for treatment and prevention.

OBJECTIVE: Children and young people (CYP) with cancer undergo painful and distressing procedures. We aimed to systematically review the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions to reduce procedural anxiety in CYP. METHODS: Extensive literature searches sought randomised controlled trials that quantified the effect of any nonpharmacological intervention for procedural anxiety in CYP with cancer aged 0 to 25. Study selection involved independent title and abstract screening and full text screening by two reviewers. Anxiety, distress, fear, and pain outcomes were extracted from included studies. Where similar intervention, comparator, and outcomes presented, meta-analysis was performed, producing pooled effect sizes (Cohen's d) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). All other data were narratively described. Quality and risk of bias appraisal was performed, based on the Cochrane risk of bias tool. RESULTS: Screening of 11 727 records yielded 56 relevant full texts. There were 15 included studies, eight trialling hypnosis, and seven nonhypnosis interventions. There were large, statistically significant reductions in anxiety and pain for hypnosis, particularly compared with treatment as usual (anxiety: d = 2.30; 95% CI, 1.30-3.30; P 

Background: Third metatarsal stress fractures are relatively common during Royal Marines recruit training; however, their aetiology is poorly understood. Mathematical modelling of the third metatarsal may aid in understanding risk factors for stress fracture, particularly if the influence of footwear on peak bending stresses can be determined. This study built on previous models of metatarsal bending stress by integrating individual metatarsal geometry and gait data. Methods: Data from five males with size 11 (UK) feet were acquired. MRI images were digitised to determine cross-sectional bone parameters. Gait variables included vertical ground reaction forces, plantar pressure and foot orientation. The magnitude and location of peak bending stresses were calculated for barefoot running, before standard issue combat boots and trainers were compared. Findings: Estimated peak compressive, tensile and torsional stresses were greater in combat assault boots than in trainers (p < 0.05) with medium effect sizes but wide confidence intervals. However, differences in bone geometry between individuals had a much greater influence on estimated peak stresses. Interpretation: Results suggest that bone geometry has a greater influence on third metatarsal stress fracture risk than footwear. Future bone stress simulations should account for bone geometry. Further development of the model in a variety of participants should proceed to verify these suggestions.

Background/Aims: Analogy learning is a motor learning strategy that uses biomechanical metaphors to chunk together explicit rules of a to-be-learned motor skill. This proof-of-concept study aims to establish the feasibility and potential benefits of analogy learning in enhancing stride length regulation in people with Parkinson’s.
Methods: Walking performance of thirteen individuals with Parkinson’s was analysed using a Codamotion analysis system. An analogy instruction; “following footprints in the sand” was practiced over 8 walking trials. Single- and dual- (motor and cognitive) task conditions were measured before training, immediately after training and 4-weeks post training. Finally, an evaluation form was completed to examine the interventions feasibility.
Findings: Data from 12 individuals (6 females and 6 males, mean age 70, Hoehn and Yahr I-III) were analysed, one person withdrew due to back problems. In the single task condition, statistically and clinically relevant improvements were obtained. A positive trend towards reducing dual task costs after the intervention was demonstrated, supporting the relatively implicit nature of the analogy. Participants reported that the analogy was simple to use and became easier over time.
Conclusions: Analogy learning is a feasible and potentially implicit (i.e. reduced working memory demands) intervention to facilitate walking performance in people with Parkinson’s.

Plantar loading may influence comfort, performance and injury risk in soccer boots. This study investigated the effect of cleat configuration and insole cushioning levels on perception of comfort and in-shoe plantar pressures at the heel and fifth metatarsal head region. Nine soccer academy players (age 15.7 ± 1.6 years; height 1.80 ± 0.40 m; body mass 71.9 ± 6.1 kg) took part in the study. Two boot models (8 and 6 cleats) and two insoles (Poron and Poron/gel) provided four footwear combinations assessed using pressure insoles during running and 180° turning. Mechanical and comfort perception tests differentiated boot and insole conditions. During biomechanical testing, the Poron insole generally provided lower peak pressures than the Poron/gel insole, particularly during the braking step of the turn. The boot model did not independently influence peak pressures at the fifth metatarsal, and had minimal influence on heel loads. Specific boot-insole combinations performed differently (P 

Background: Tibial stress fractures cause a significant burden to Royal Marines recruits. No prospective running gait analyses have previously been performed in military settings.
Aim: We aimed to identify biomechanical gait factors and anthropometric variables associated with increased risk of TSF.
Methods: 1065 Royal Marines recruits were assessed in week-2 of training. Bilateral plantar pressure and 3D lower limb kinematics were obtained for barefoot running at 3.6 m.s-1, providing dynamic arch index, peak heel pressure and lower limb joint angles. Age, bimalleolar breadth, calf girth, passive hip internal/external range of motion and body mass index (BMI) were also recorded. Ten recruits who sustained a TSF during training were compared with 120 recruits who completed training injury-free using a binary logistic regression model to identify injury risk factors.
Results: Four variables significantly (p

Barefoot running has increased in popularity over recent years, with suggested injury risk and performance benefits. However, despite many anecdotal descriptions of barefoot running styles, there is insufficient evidence regarding the specific characteristics of barefoot running. The present study provided reference data for four footstrike modalities adopted across a large cohort of habitually shod male runners while running barefoot: heel strikers (HS), midfoot strikers (MS), forefoot strikers (FS) and a newly defined group, toe runners (TR - contact made only with the forefoot), compared with the three modalities previously reported. Plantar pressure analysis was used for the classification of footstrike modality, with clearly distinguishable pressure patterns for different modalities. In the present study, the distribution of footstrike types was similar to that previously observed in shod populations. The absence of differences in ground contact time and stride length suggest that potential performance benefits of a non-HS style are more likely to be a function of the act of running barefoot, rather than of footstrike type. Kinematic data for the knee and ankle indicate that FS and TR require a stiffer leg than HS or MS, while ankle moment and plantar pressure data suggest that a TR style may put greater strain on the plantar-flexors, Achilles tendon and metatarsal heads. TR style should therefore only be adopted with caution by recreational runners. These findings indicate the importance of considering footstrike modality in research investigating barefoot running, and support the use of four footstrike modalities to categorise running styles.

Background: Ankle inversion injury is common in military populations but associated biomechanical risk factors are largely unknown. This prospective study examined the association between pressure and kinematic variables, and ankle inversion injury risk in Royal Marine (RM) recruits. It was hypothesised that a more medially concentrated pressure at the heel-off phase of stance, greater impulse and peak pressure at the first metatarsal head, greater peak rearfoot eversion angle and greater eversion excursion would be associated with ankle inversion injury. Methods: Data from 145 male, injury-free RM recruits were recorded in week-2 of a 32-week military training programme. Each recruit completed five running trials at 3.6ms-1, along a 2m pressure plate. Kinematic data were simultaneously recorded. Injuries sustained during the training programme were prospectively recorded. Findings: Data from eleven recruits who had suffered an ankle inversion injury during RM training were compared with 20 uninjured controls. The injury group displayed a higher (P < 0.05) peak first metatarsal pressure, peak metatarsal impulse and more medially concentrated pressure at heel-off than control recruits. There were no differences in kinematic variables between groups. The injury group had a lower body mass than controls (P < 0.05). Interpretations: the findings from this study support existing literature, providing evidence that high medial concentration of vertical forces when running are associated with increased ankle inversion injury risk. This may be due to the lateral ankle ligaments being less accustomed to loading, resulting in relatively weak lateral ligaments, or ligaments less able to deal with fatigue than those of the control group. © 2013.