The effectiveness of different attentional foci on the acquisition of sport-specific motor skills in healthy adults: a systematic review with network meta-analysis.

Background: The acquisition of motor skills is a key element in many sports. A motor learning principle, which is frequently used to support skill acquisition is the application of different attentional foci. The effectiveness of different attentional foci on performance and the learning of motor skills has been investigated in various sports using randomised controlled trials. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of different attentional foci (such as external (EFA) and internal attentional foci (IFA), but also holistic and switching foci) on the performance and learning of a sport-specific motor task in healthy individuals. Methods: This study was a systematic review with network meta-analysis. We followed the Prisma reporting guideline and the Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews. Cinahl, Embase, Medline and Cochrane Central were searched for eligible studies. Network meta-analyses were performed for the post-acquisition, retention and transfer test endpoints. Results: Twelve studies were included in the review. At post-acquisition an EFA was the most effective intervention compared to the control intervention (SMD: 0.9855; 95% CI [0.4-1.57]; p: 0.001). At the retention and transfer test endpoints, a holistic focus of attention had the highest effectiveness compared to an IFA (SMD 0.75; 95% CI [-0.1 to 1.6]; p: 0.09) and (SMD 1.16; 95% CI [0.47-1.86]; p: 0.001). Discussion: For all three endpoints, we analysed a greater effectiveness of an EFA and holistic focus compared to an IFA. Several promising different attentional focus interventions were identified. The largest effects were analysed for a holistic focus. However, only one study used this intervention and therefore there remains uncertainty about the effectiveness. With regard to the inconsistency observed, the analysis at post-acquisition should be interpreted with caution. Modified versions of the EFA were the imagined and the dynamic EFA. Both were only explored in single studies and should therefore be investigated in further follow-up studies that directly compare them.

Development of a tool to assess environmental factors to support home care - a Delphi study.

BACKGROUND: Living in an adequate environment suited to one's abilities and needs is an essential condition to function in daily life. However, no complete tool currently exists to provide a rapid overview of a person's environment, both material (accommodation and auxiliary means) and social (entourage and available services). Our aim was to develop a tool to identify potentially problematic environmental factors and to determine when an in-depth assessment is necessary. METHODS: Health professionals experienced in home-based treatment participated in a three-round Delphi process. The first round aimed to define which items the tool should contain, the second to collect participants' opinions on a first version of the tool, and the third to collect the participants' opinions on the adapted version of the tool. RESULTS: A total of 29 people participated in the first round, 21 in the second and 18 in the third. The final tool contains 205 items divided into four categories (basic information about the inhabitant and their home, inhabitant's level of independence and autonomy, home, tools and means at the inhabitant's disposition) and two annexes (stairs to access to the home, internal staircase to the dwelling). CONCLUSIONS: A complete tool allowing professionals working in patients' homes to obtain an overview of the environmental factors that could represent obstacles to the independence of the inhabitant, or to the possibility of providing quality care could be developed. This tool is very complete but relatively long. To facilitate its usability, it would be relevant that a digital version to focus on individual relevant categories be elaborated.

A social network analysis to explore collaborative practice in home care: research protocol.

BACKGROUND: The conceptualization of the home as a care environment and maintaining a high standard of care requires different professionals to collaborate. This study will explore collaborative practice in home care, needs and expectations of the stakeholders involved, and identify their roles and tasks. Secondly, it will investigate possible strategies to improve home care management and, more particularly, optimize collaborative practice in home care. METHODS: The study will be conducted during three distinct consecutive phases, within a multiphase mixed-methods design. Phase 1 will use a quantitative approach in which a social network analysis will be conducted to have an overview of collaborative practice in home care in French-speaking Switzerland. Phases 2 and 3 will be qualitative and focus on three different situations involving different locations (rural and urban) and different home care functioning (home care provided by agencies and home care providing by independent caregivers). In each situation, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with home care recipients and their home caregivers. In phase 2, results of phase 1's network analysis will be discussed, such as roles, needs, and expectations of all stakeholders involved in home care. In phase 3, phase 2's findings will be discussed and strategies to improve home care and to optimize collaborative practice will be explored. DISCUSSION: Over the past years, home care has grown considerably. Therefore, more and more different caregivers are involved in the recipients' homes. Since optimal coordination between these different caregivers is a prerequisite for quality and safe care, it is essential to investigate the existing collaborative practice and how it is functioning. This study will provide knowledge on roles, needs and expectations of different caregivers involved in home care. It will also allow for strategies to optimize collaborative practice and thus ensure comprehensive care for recipients. Finally, it will serve as a basis for future studies that can be conducted to address identified needs.

Effects of exercise training and dietary supplement on fat free mass and bone mass density during weight loss - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: After a diet- or surgery induced weight loss almost 1/3 of lost weight consists of fat free mass (FFM) if carried out without additional therapy. Exercise training and a sufficient supply of protein, calcium and vitamin D is recommended to reduce the loss of FFM. Objective: To investigate the effect of exercise training, protein, calcium, and vitamin D supplementation on the preservation of FFM during non-surgical and surgical weight loss and of the combination of all interventions together in adults with obesity. Methods: A systematic review was performed with a pairwise meta-analysis and an exploratory network meta-analysis according to the PRISMA statement. Results: Thirty studies were included in the quantitative analysis. The pairwise meta-analysis showed for Exercise Training + High Protein vs. High Protein a moderate and statistically significant effect size (SMD 0.45; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.86), for Exercise Training + High Protein vs. Exercise Training a high but statistically not significant effect size (SMD 0.91; 95% CI -0.59 to 2.41) and for Exercise Training alone vs. Control a moderate but statistically not significant effect size (SMD 0.67; 95% CI -0.25 to 1.60). In the exploratory network meta-analysis three interventions showed statistically significant effect sizes compared to Control and all of them included the treatment Exercise Training. Conclusions: Results underline the importance of exercise training and a sufficient protein intake to preserve FFM during weight loss in adults with obesity. The effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation remains controversial and further research are needed.

Needs, benefits, and issues related to home adaptation: a user-centered case series applying a mixed-methods design.

INTRODUCTION: Home adaptation can be a key contributor to successfully aging at home, allowing older adults to remain in a familiar environment while maintaining their quality of life and well-being despite progressing functional difficulties. Although several theoretical studies on home adaptations exist, the benefits of custom home adaptations remain poorly evaluated. The present study's primary aims were to explore older adults' expectations and needs regarding home adaptations and evaluate the impact of individualized home adaptations on quality of life, fear of falling, independence, and difficulties using adapted rooms. Its secondary aim was to describe the barriers and facilitators of home adaptation. METHOD: The 15 homes in this case series were adapted using an inclusive, interdisciplinary approach. Adaptations' effects were assessed using a parallel mixed-methods design. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. An architect and a health professional visited each home twice to assess the older adult's expectations and needs, evaluate the home's technical aspects, and co-create an adaptation plan with that study participant. They assessed the older adult's perceived quality of life, fear of falling, independence, and difficulties using the rooms needing adaptations. Inhabitants received two more visits after the adaptations (one or two months and six months later) to assess their benefits. RESULTS: Most homes had their bathroom adapted. Participants reported improved safety, independence, ease of use, positive feelings, and comfort. They also reported lower perceived levels of difficulties during the activities of daily living in the adapted rooms (reductions of 93.4% [SD = 12.7] of bathrooms and 100% of kitchens), an improvement in quality of life of 9.8% (SD = 27.6), and a reduction in fear of falling of 12.5% (SD = 9.7). CONCLUSION: Home adaptations are beneficial to older adults' activities of daily living and improve their quality of life; however, several factors hinder the implementation of those adaptations.

The role of the dominant leg while assessing balance performance. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Good balance is a pre-requisite for various activities of daily life and sports. Physiotherapists thus regularly assess and train patient's balance capacities. In order to interpret the test results of unilateral balance tests, a comparison with normative data is common. In patients who had an injury or a surgery, the performance of the injured leg is often compared with performance of the non-injured leg. Nevertheless, it remains unclear if unilateral balance performance differs between the dominant and non- dominant legs. If so, this should take into consideration when interpreting test results. RESEARCH QUESTION: This meta-analysis summarized the current evidence to determine if the balance performance of healthy adults was influenced by the leg's dominance. METHODS: Articles were searched in PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane and Embase. Data from studies meeting the pre-defined inclusion criteria were extracted in a standardized form. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random effect model. RESULTS: Forty-six studies were included. Their data were allocated in 7 categories of balance tests. Significant differences between the dominant and the non-dominant legs were not found in any of the categories (surface stable, eyes open: -0.04, 95 % CI -0.12 to 0.05, surface stable eyes closed: -0.06, 95 % CI -0.22 to 0.11, surface unstable, eyes open: -0.15, 95 % CI -0.38 to 0.07, surface unstable, eyes closed: -0.06, 95 % CI -0.27 to 0.15, BESS (Balance Error Scoring System): 0.03, 95 % CI -1.09 to 1.14, SEBT (Star Excursion Balance Test)/YBT (Y Balance Test): 0.06, 95 % CI -0.04 to 0.16, jump: 0.04, 95 % CI -0.28 to 0.36). SIGNIFICANCE: Results indicate that balance performance is not influenced by the leg's dominance. This means that performances of both legs can be used as reference. Evidence is strong for the one leg stance. However, future studies are needed to confirm our results for stabilization tasks after a jump landing.