The effectiveness of interventions for reducing subjective and objective social isolation among people with mental health problems: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Subjective and objective social isolation are important factors contributing to both physical and mental health problems, including premature mortality and depression. This systematic review evaluated the current evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to improve subjective and/or objective social isolation for people with mental health problems. Primary outcomes of interest included loneliness, perceived social support, and objective social isolation. METHODS: Three databases were searched for relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Studies were included if they evaluated interventions for people with mental health problems and had objective and/or subjective social isolation (including loneliness) as their primary outcome, or as one of a number of outcomes with none identified as primary. RESULTS: In total, 30 RCTs met the review's inclusion criteria: 15 included subjective social isolation as an outcome and 11 included objective social isolation. The remaining four evaluated both outcomes. There was considerable variability between trials in types of intervention and participants' characteristics. Significant results were reported in a minority of trials, but methodological limitations, such as small sample size, restricted conclusions from many studies. CONCLUSION: The evidence is not yet strong enough to make specific recommendations for practice. Preliminary evidence suggests that promising interventions may include cognitive modification for subjective social isolation, and interventions with mixed strategies and supported socialisation for objective social isolation. We highlight the need for more thorough, theory-driven intervention development and for well-designed and adequately powered RCTs.

A Structured Rounding Proforma in the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU): A Quality Improvement Project.

ABSTRACT: Strokes affect 100,000 patients annually in the United Kingdom. These patients are often complex and require multidisciplinary team input, hence why they are often treated within dedicated and highly specialized "hyper acute stroke units". However, such specialist care can prove challenging to recently qualified or more junior doctors, who may miss pertinent aspects of the history or examination within the daily patient rounding documentation. Building on evidence-based practice using structured rounds and checklists, this quality improvement aimed to improve adherence of documentation for 20 predetermined key components of a stroke round by introducing a structured daily stroke rounding proforma. Adherence to documentation for the 20 components improved with the introduction of the stroke rounding proforma, with seven components demonstrating statistically significant positive changes in documentation rates, p < .05. Qualitative feedback was collected to aid in the development and acceptability of the proforma. Our study concluded a structured daily stroke rounding proforma can improve adherence to documentation in stroke care. Chiefly, the proforma was of greatest benefit to junior members of the medical team, particularly as an aid memoire.

Neuroimaging correlates of false memory in 'Alzheimer's disease: A preliminary systematic review.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterised by episodic memory impairment, but people also experience memory distortions, including false memories, which can impact on safety and reduce functioning. Understanding the neural networks that underpin false memories could help to predict the need for intervention and guide development of cognitive strategies to reduce memory errors. However, there is a relative absence of research into how the neuropathology of AD contributes to false memory generation. This paper systematically reviews the methodology and outcomes of studies investigating the neuroimaging correlates of false memory in AD. Four studies using structural imaging and three studies using functional imaging were identified. Studies were heterogenous in methodology and received mostly 'weak' quality assessment ratings. Combined, and consistent with neuroimaging findings in non-AD populations, results from identified studies provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that medial temporal lobe and prefrontal cortex dysfunction may lead to generation of false memories in AD. However, the small number of studies and significant heterogeneity within them means further study is necessary to assess replicability of results.