Occupational Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review

This paper is a synthesis of the available literature on occupational therapy interventions performed in the adult intensive care unit (ICU). The databases of Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and CINAHL databases were systematically searched from inception through August 2016 for studies of adults who received occupational therapy interventions in the ICU. Of 1,938 citations reviewed, 10 studies met inclusion criteria. Only one study explicitly discussed occupational therapy interventions performed and only one study specifically tested the efficacy of occupational therapy. Future research is needed to clarify the specific interventions and role of occupational therapy in the ICU and the efficacy of these interventions.     

Nutrition Management for Critically Ill Adult Patients Requiring Non-Invasive Ventilation: A Scoping Review

Nutrition management is a core component of intensive care medicine. Despite the increased use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for the critically ill, a paucity of evidence on nutrition management precludes recommendations for clinical practice. A scope of the available literature is required to guide future research on this topic. Database searches of MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were conducted to identify original research articles and available grey literature in English from 1 January 1990 to 17 November 2021 that included adult patients (≥16 years) receiving NIV within an Intensive Care Unit. Data were extracted on: study design, aim, population, nutrition concept, context (ICU type, NIV: use, duration, interface), and outcomes. Of 1730 articles, 16 met eligibility criteria. Articles primarily included single-centre, prospective, observational studies with only 3 randomised controlled trials. Key concepts included route of nutrition (n = 7), nutrition intake (n = 4), energy expenditure (n = 2), nutrition status (n = 1), and nutrition screening (n = 1); 1 unpublished thesis incorporated multiple concepts. Few randomised clinical trials that quantify aspects of nutrition management for critically ill patients requiring NIV have been conducted. Further studies, particularly those focusing on the impact of nutrition during NIV on clinical outcomes, are required to inform clinical practice.     

家庭培养干预方法在新生儿重症监护室早期干预中的研究进展

本文综述了将家庭培养干预方法(FNI)应用于新生儿重症监护室(NICU)中对患儿进行早期干预从而达到促进患儿神经发育、缓解母亲的压力、焦虑、抑郁等不良情绪作用的研究情况,为在NICU中开展FNI治疗以及相关研究提供参考和借鉴。     

Support for Siblings of NICU Patients: An Interdisciplinary Approach

Siblings of hospitalized newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) experience unique thoughts and feelings in response to this situational crisis. Providing an opportunity for siblings and their parents to address both of their concerns can improve sibling adjustment to the NICU, and is also consistent with a family-centered care philosophy. This article traces the development and evolution of sibling policy and program changes at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital (HDVCH) NICU, and describes the current comprehensive model for inclusion of siblings. Particular emphasis will be given to the cornerstone program “Celebrating Siblings Pizza Party.” Infection control considerations and the importance of an interdisciplinary team approach to enhance an array of sibling services are also highlighted.     

Oral Motor Feeding in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Exploring Perceptions of Parents and Occupational Therapists

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of three occupational therapists and three parents regarding occupational therapy services provided in the neonatal intensive care unit. Data were obtained through participant interviews. Role of the occupational therapist, parent training, and time spent with parents were themes that emerged from the therapist interviews. Themes from the parent interviews included occupational therapy intervention and treatment, time spent with occupational therapist, and perceptions. A cross-case analysis addressed two common themes: amount of time spent in parent training and perceptions of training provided. Implications for occupational therapy practice in the neonatal intensive care unit are discussed.     

Body Composition and “Catch-Up” Fat Growth in Healthy Small for Gestational Age Preterm Infants and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

To examine the growth and body composition of small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) very low birth weight infants (VLBW) and their outpatient neurodevelopmental outcomes. From 2006–2012, VLBW infants (n = 57 of 92) admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) had serial air displacement plethysmography (ADP) scans and were followed as outpatients. Serial developmental testing (CAT/CLAMS, Peabody Gross Motor Scales) and anthropometrics were obtained from n = 37 infants (29 AGA and 8 SGA) and analyzed via repeated measures analyses of variances. The percentage of body fat, percentage of lean mass, and weight gain were statistically significant between SGA and AGA groups at the first ADP assessment. There was no difference between the two groups in outpatient neurodevelopmental testing. Weight gain as “catch-up” body fat accrual occurs by 67 weeks of PMA. This catch-up growth is associated with normal SGA preterm neurodevelopment as compared to AGA preterm infants.     

新生儿重症监护室内极低出生体重儿低体温发生的影响因素分析

目的 探讨新生儿重症监护室内极低出生体重儿(VLBWI)低体温发生的影响因素.方法 回顾分析100例VLBWI的临床资料,根据低体温的发生情况分为发生组和未发生组,分析VLBWI低体温发生的影响因素.结果 100例VLBWI的低体温发生率为60.00％.1 min Apgar评分≤7分、新生儿窒息史、剖宫产均是新生儿重...     

If Mothers Had Their Say: Research-Informed Intervention Design for Empowering Mothers to Establish Smoke-Free Homes

The Empowering Mothers to Establish Smoke-free Homes (EMESH) project developed in response to an interdisciplinary health team seeking effective interventions for reducing/eliminating the environmental tobacco smoke exposure of infants with compromised respiratory status. Two study phases that informed the EMESH intervention design are described. Phase I involved semi-structured interviews with 20 caretakers of infants diagnosed with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD). In Phase II, 75 randomly selected medical records of infants with BPD were reviewed to explore the family demographics and staff behavior regarding environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) interventions. Interview results suggest that families are open to partnering with social workers and interdisciplinary team members in addressing infants’ ETS exposure, families’ unique circumstances indicate a need for tailored interventions, and the use of self-efficacy and decisional balance tools are feasible options. Results from the medical records review indicate that many families are economically vulnerable and reside in regions where smoking is common. There is a paucity of staff documentation regarding ETS conversations and interventions, indicating that these conversations may not take place. Together these results suggest a two-pronged approach in the next phases of EMESH: staff training in hosting and documenting ETS conversations and a tailored, parent-driven set of intervention options.     

Risks in Management of Enteral Nutrition in Intensive Care Units: A Literature Review and Narrative Synthesis

Critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) have a high risk of developing malnutrition, and this is associated with poorer clinical outcomes. In clinical practice, nutrition, including enteral nutrition (EN), is often not prioritized. Resulting from this, risks and safety issues for patients and healthcare professionals can emerge. The aim of this literature review, inspired by the Rapid Review Guidebook by Dobbins, 2017, was to identify risks and safety issues for patient safety in the management of EN in critically ill patients in the ICU. Three databases were used to identify studies between 2009 and 2020. We assessed 3495 studies for eligibility and included 62 in our narrative synthesis. Several risks and problems were identified: No use of clinical assessment or screening nutrition assessment, inadequate tube management, missing energy target, missing a nutritionist, bad hygiene and handling, wrong time management and speed, nutritional interruptions, wrong body position, gastrointestinal complication and infections, missing or not using guidelines, understaffing, and lack of education. Raising awareness of these risks is a central aspect in patient safety in ICU. Clinical experts can use a checklist with 12 identified top risks and the recommendations drawn up to carry out their own risk analysis in clinical practice.     

Early Improvement of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Patients With COVID-19 in the Intensive Care Unit: Retrospective Analysis

BackgroundSince the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been over 2 million deaths globally. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may be the main cause of death.ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe the clinical features, outcomes, and ARDS characteristics of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in Chongqing, China.MethodsThe epidemiology of COVID-19 from January 21, 2020, to March 15, 2020, in Chongqing, China, was analyzed retrospectively, and 75 ICU patients from two hospitals were included in this study. On day 1, 56 patients with ARDS were selected for subgroup analysis, and a modified Poisson regression was performed to identify predictors for the early improvement of ARDS (eiARDS).ResultsChongqing reported a 5.3% case fatality rate for the 75 ICU patients. The median age of these patients was 57 (IQR 25-75) years, and no bias was present in the sex ratio. A total of 93% (n=70) of patients developed ARDS during ICU stay, and more than half had moderate ARDS. However, most patients (n=41, 55%) underwent high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy, but not mechanical ventilation. Nearly one-third of patients with ARDS improved (arterial blood oxygen partial pressure/oxygen concentration >300 mm Hg) in 1 week, which was defined as eiARDS. Patients with eiARDS had a higher survival rate and a shorter length of ICU stay than those without eiARDS. Age (<55 years) was the only variable independently associated with eiARDS, with a risk ratio of 2.67 (95% CI 1.17-6.08).ConclusionsA new subphenotype of ARDS—eiARDS—in patients with COVID-19 was identified. As clinical outcomes differ, the stratified management of patients based on eiARDS or age is highly recommended.     

Effectiveness of Hearing Rehabilitation for Care Home Residents With Dementia: A Systematic Review

ObjectivesTo report the effectiveness of, and barriers and facilitators to, hearing rehabilitation for care home residents with dementia.DesignSystematic review.Setting and ParticipantsCare home residents with dementia and hearing loss.MethodsNo restrictions on publication date or language were set and gray literature was considered. Eligible studies were critically appraised and presented via a narrative review.ResultsSixteen studies, most of low to moderate quality, were identified. Hearing rehabilitation, including hearing devices, communication techniques, and visual aids (eg, flashcards), was reported to improve residents' communication and quality of life and reduce agitation, with improvements in staff knowledge of hearing loss and job satisfaction. Residents' symptoms of dementia presented barriers, for example, losing or not tolerating hearing aids. Low staff prioritization of hearing loss due to time pressures and lack of hearing-related training for staff were further barriers, particularly for residents who required assistance with hearing devices. Adopting a person-centered approach based on residents’ capabilities and preferences and involving family members facilitated hearing device use.Conclusions and ImplicationsResidents with dementia can benefit from hearing rehabilitation. Identifying and implementing efficient, individualized hearing rehabilitation is necessary for those with complex cognitive needs. Increased funding and support for the social care sector is required to address systemic issues that pose barriers to hearing rehabilitation, including time pressures, lack of training for staff and access to audiology services for residents.     

Standardised Outcome Reporting for the Nutrition Management of Complex Chronic Disease: A Rapid Review

Individuals with coexisting chronic diseases or with complex chronic disease are among the most challenging and costly patients to treat, placing a growing demand on healthcare systems. Recommending effective treatments, including nutrition interventions, relies on standardised outcome reporting from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to enable data synthesis. This rapid review sought to determine how the scope and consistency of the outcomes reported by RCTs investigating nutrition interventions for the management of complex chronic disease compared to what is recommended by the core outcome sets (COS) for individual disease states. Peer-reviewed RCTs published between January 2010 and July 2020 were systematically sourced from PubMed, CINAHL and Embase, and COS were sourced from the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurements (ICHOM) and the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) database. A total of 45 RCTs (43 studies) and 7 COS were identified. Outcomes were extracted from both the RCTs and COS and were organised using COMET Taxonomy Core Areas. A total of 66 outcomes and 439 outcome measures were reported by the RCTs. The RCTs demonstrated extensive outcome heterogeneity, with only five outcomes (5/66, 8%) being reported with relative consistency (cited by ≥50% of publications). Furthermore, the scope of the outcomes reported by studies was limited, with a notable paucity of patient-reported outcomes. Poor agreement (25%) was observed between the outcomes reported in the RCTs and those recommended by the COS. This review urges greater uptake of the existing COS and the development of a COS for complex chronic disease to be considered so that evidence can be better synthesised regarding effective nutrition interventions.     

Impact of Early Incorporation of Nutrition Interventions as a Component of Cancer Therapy in Adults: A Review

Malnutrition is prevalent among oncology patients and can adversely affect clinical outcomes, prognosis, quality of life, and survival. This review evaluates current trends in the literature and reported evidence around the timing and impact of specific nutrition interventions in oncology patients undergoing active cancer treatment. Previous research studies (published 1 January 2010–1 April 2020) were identified and selected using predefined search strategy and selection criteria. In total, 15 articles met inclusion criteria and 12/15 articles provided an early nutrition intervention. Identified studies examined the impacts of nutrition interventions (nutrition counseling, oral nutrition supplements, or combination of both) on a variety of cancer diagnoses. Nutrition interventions were found to improve body weight and body mass index, nutrition status, protein and energy intake, quality of life, and response to cancer treatments. However, the impacts of nutrition interventions on body composition, functional status, complications, unplanned hospital readmissions, and mortality and survival were inconclusive, mainly due to the limited number of studies evaluating these outcomes. Early nutrition interventions were found to improve health and nutrition outcomes in oncology patients. Future research is needed to further evaluate the impacts of early nutrition interventions on patients’ outcomes and explore the optimal duration and timing of nutrition interventions.     

Comparison of Cognitive Intervention Strategies for Older Adults With Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease: A Bayesian Meta-analytic Review

Objectives

We aimed to identify the best form of cognitive therapy among 3 main cognitive interventions of Alzheimer's disease (AD) including cognitive training (CT), cognitive stimulation (CS), and cognitive rehabilitation (CR).

Barriers to Implementation of Case Management for Patients With Dementia: A Systematic Mixed Studies Review

PURPOSE

Results of case management designed for patients with dementia and their caregivers in community-based primary health care (CBPHC) were inconsistent. Our objective was to identify the relationships between key outcomes of case management and barriers to implementation.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic mixed studies review (including quantitative and qualitative studies). Literature search was performed in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Library (1995 up to August 2012). Case management intervention studies were used to assess clinical outcomes for patients, service use, caregiver outcomes, satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness. Qualitative studies were used to examine barriers to case management implementation. Patterns in the relationships between barriers to implementation and outcomes were identified using the configurational comparative method. The quality of studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

RESULTS

Forty-three studies were selected (31 quantitative and 12 qualitative). Case management had a limited positive effect on behavioral symptoms of dementia and length of hospital stay for patients and on burden and depression for informal caregivers. Interventions that addressed a greater number of barriers to implementation resulted in increased number of positive outcomes. Results suggested that high-intensity case management was necessary and sufficient to produce positive clinical outcomes for patients and to optimize service use. Effective communication within the CBPHC team was necessary and sufficient for positive outcomes for caregivers.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians and managers who implement case management in CBPHC should take into account high-intensity case management (small caseload, regular proactive patient follow-up, regular contact between case managers and family physicians) and effective communication between case managers and other CBPHC professionals and services.     

早期神经发展计划对早产儿神经发育影响的前瞻性研究

目的探讨本研究自行制定的早产儿新生儿重症监护病房(NICU)内早期干预+出院后早期干预的早期神经发展计划,对其神经系统发育的影响。方法本研究采用前瞻性研究方法,选择2017年3月至2018年3月,于广西壮族自治区妇幼保健院NICU住院治疗的204例早产儿(28周≤胎龄<34周)为研究对象。根据早产儿监护人是否同意对早产儿实施早期神经发展计划,将其分为干预组(n=113,接受NICU内早期干预+出院后早期干预措施)和对照组(n=91,仅接受出院后常规随访指导)。对2组早产儿出院后均定期随访,直至其校正胎龄12个月龄时。采用独立样本t检验及秩和检验,对2组患儿一般临床资料、并发症发生情况及住院情况进行比较;采用χ2检验,对2组患儿不同校正胎龄的神经发育评估指标异常率,进行统计学比较。本研究获得本院伦理委员会批准(审查日期:2017年2月27日),所有受试儿监护人签署临床研究知情同意书。结果①2组早产儿呼吸窘迫综合征(NRDS)、支气管肺发育不良(BPD)、喂养不耐受、败血症、高胆红素血症、轻度窒息及Ⅲ度颅内出血发生率,以及呼吸机使用时间比较,差异均无统计学意义(均为P>0.05)。干预组患儿静脉营养时间及住院时间,均短于对照组,并且差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。②干预组患儿校正胎龄40周时的振幅整合脑电图(aEEG)、新生儿20项行为神经测查(NBNA)评分及脑干听觉诱发电位(BAEP)异常率,以及校正胎龄1、3个月龄时的全身运动(GMs)评估异常率,分别为15.0%、15.0%、13.3%、12.4%、9.7%,均显著低于对照组的26.4%、26.4%、24.2%、23.1%、22.0%,并且差异均有统计学意义(χ2=4.029、P=0.045,χ2=4.029、P=0.045,χ2=4.035、P=0.045,χ2=4.051、P=0.044,χ2=5.863、P=0.015)。③2组患儿校正胎龄34、37周时的aEEG异常率,以及校正胎龄40周时的头颅MRI异常率比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。④干预组患儿校正胎龄6、12个月龄时的《Gesell发育量表》大运动行为、精细动作行为、语言行为、适应行为及个人社交行为5项能区发育异常率,分别为7.1%、6.2%,8.8%、7.1%,6.2%、6.2%,8.0%、6.2%,9.7%、7.1%,均显著低于对照组的17.6%、16.5%,19.8%、17.6%,18.7%、17.6%,17.6%、15.4%,20.9%、18.7%,并且差异均有统计学意义(均为P<0.05)。结论采取本研究自行制定的早期神经发展计划,对早产儿是安全、有效的,较仅接受出院后常规随访指导的早产儿,可更好促进其中脑损伤高危早产儿的神经系统发育。     

Guidelines for the Provision and Assessment of Nutrition Support Therapy in the Pediatric Critically Ill Patient: Society of Critical Care Medicine and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition

This document represents the first collaboration between 2 organizations—the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and the Society of Critical Care Medicine—to describe best practices in nutrition therapy in critically ill children. The target of these guidelines is intended to be the pediatric critically ill patient (>1 month and <18 years) expected to require a length of stay >2–3 days in a PICU admitting medical, surgical, and cardiac patients. In total, 2032 citations were scanned for relevance. The PubMed/MEDLINE search resulted in 960 citations for clinical trials and 925 citations for cohort studies. The EMBASE search for clinical trials culled 1661 citations. In total, the search for clinical trials yielded 1107 citations, whereas the cohort search yielded 925. After careful review, 16 randomized controlled trials and 37 cohort studies appeared to answer 1 of the 8 preidentified question groups for this guideline. We used the GRADE criteria (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) to adjust the evidence grade based on assessment of the quality of study design and execution. These guidelines are not intended for neonates or adult patients. The guidelines reiterate the importance of nutrition assessment—particularly, the detection of malnourished patients who are most vulnerable and therefore may benefit from timely intervention. There is a need for renewed focus on accurate estimation of energy needs and attention to optimizing protein intake. Indirect calorimetry, where feasible, and cautious use of estimating equations and increased surveillance for unintended caloric underfeeding and overfeeding are recommended. Optimal protein intake and its correlation with clinical outcomes are areas of great interest. The optimal route and timing of nutrient delivery are areas of intense debate and investigations. Enteral nutrition remains the preferred route for nutrient delivery. Several strategies to optimize enteral nutrition during critical illness have emerged. The role of supplemental parenteral nutrition has been highlighted, and a delayed approach appears to be beneficial. Immunonutrition cannot be currently recommended. Overall, the pediatric critical care population is heterogeneous, and a nuanced approach to individualizing nutrition support with the aim of improving clinical outcomes is necessary.