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PubMed2026

Effects of an actuated ankle exoskeleton on walking stability in healthy adults: a controlled laboratory study.

BACKGROUND: Ankle exoskeletons are widely used to reduce the metabolic cost of walking, yet their effects on walking stability during unperturbed gait remain insufficiently understood. Walking stability can be characterized using complementary measures that capture stride-to-stride variability, global temporal organization, and local dynamic stability. Understanding how walking with an actuated ankle exoskeleton system influences these different aspects of gait stability is essential for the safe design and control of wearable robotic devices. METHODS: Eighteen healthy adults walked on a treadmill at a constant speed (1.1 m/s) with and without an actuated bilateral ankle exoskeleton in a randomized crossover design. Spatiotemporal variability was quantified using coefficients of variation (CoV) of stride length, step width, and stance ratio. Global gait stability was assessed using detrended fluctuation analysis of stride time. Local dynamic stability was evaluated using maximum Lyapunov exponent calculated for the trunk, hip, upper leg, lower leg, and foot. Paired-samples two-sided t-tests were used to compare conditions. RESULTS: Walking with the ankle exoskeleton resulted in increased stride-to-stride spatiotemporal variability, reflected by higher CoV values for stride length (p < 0.001) and stance ratio (p = 0.005), while mean stride length and step width remained unchanged. Mean stance ratio was reduced in the exoskeleton condition (p < 0.001). Global gait stability did not differ between conditions, indicating preserved long-range temporal gait organization. Local dynamic stability increased at the lower leg (p < 0.001) and foot (p = 0.019) when walking with the exoskeleton. CONCLUSIONS: Walking with the actuated ankle exoskeleton alters gait control across multiple levels during steady walking. While stride-to-stride variability in stride length and stance ratio increased, global gait stability remained unchanged. Local dynamic stability was increased at the lower leg and foot, suggesting segment-specific effects of ankle-level assistance close to the assisted joint. However, these findings should be interpreted as the combined effect of wearing the exoskeleton and receiving active assistance, rather than the isolated effect of plantarflexion assistance. These results provide insight for the design and control of ankle exoskeletons with respect to stability-related effects during walking.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Assessing the effects of non-invasive transcranial electrical stimulation (tACS and tDCS) on electrophysiological sleep parameters - a systematic review.

Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), is considered a safe method to modulate cortical activity and endogenous brain oscillations. Given the therapeutic potential of tES across various clinical conditions and the central role of sleep in restoration and memory consolidation, numerous studies have investigated its effects on sleep and sleep-related parameters, yielding inconsistent results. This systematic review provides an up-to-date synthesis of 51 studies assessing the impact of tES on objectively measured electrophysiological sleep outcomes in both healthy individuals and clinical populations. The reviewed studies demonstrate heterogeneous effects, reflecting substantial variability in study designs. Nonetheless, consistent trends emerge, including reduced NREM1 and increases in total sleep time, NREM2, and NREM3 following tES. Moreover, slow-oscillatory tES increased slow-wave power during sleep. Here we show that tES, particularly slow-oscillatory tES, may positively influence sleep architecture and continuity by modulating endogenous brain oscillations. However, due to heterogeneous stimulation protocols, inconsistent findings, the limited number of significant effects and substantial risk of bias the current evidence remains inconclusive. Well-designed, large-scale trials targeting specific sleep outcomes are needed to clarify the therapeutic potential of tES.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Assessing AI literacy and attitudes among medical students: implications for integration into healthcare practice.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess AI literacy and attitudes among medical students and explore their implications for integrating AI into healthcare practice. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A quantitative research design was employed to comprehensively evaluate AI literacy and attitudes among 374 Lusaka Apex Medical University medical students. Data were collected from April 3, 2024, to April 30, 2024, using a closed-ended questionnaire. The questionnaire covered various aspects of AI literacy, perceived benefits of AI in healthcare, strategies for staying informed about AI, relevant AI applications for future practice, concerns related to AI algorithm training and AI-based chatbots in healthcare. FINDINGS: The study revealed varying levels of AI literacy among medical students with a basic understanding of AI principles. Perceptions regarding AI's role in healthcare varied, with recognition of key benefits such as improved diagnosis accuracy and enhanced treatment planning. Students relied predominantly on online resources to stay informed about AI. Concerns included bias reinforcement, data privacy and over-reliance on technology. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study contributes original insights into medical students' AI literacy and attitudes, highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions and ethical considerations in AI integration within medical education and practice.

Students, Medical↗

PubMed2026

Implementation of Mobile Health Intervention Targeting Belongingness and Burdensomeness: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study of Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors in LGBTQ+ Individuals.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this paper was to test a mobile health intervention designed to reduce self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in LGBTQ+ individuals. The intervention consisted of brief messages aimed at increasing feelings of belongingness and meaning. METHOD: We recruited LGBTQ+ individuals (N = 55) with past-month self-injurious thoughts and/or behaviors. Participants completed 14 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of minority stress, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. Then, participants were randomly assigned to receive brief messages designed to instill belongingness and meaning/purpose, or no intervention for 14 days. Then, participants completed an additional 14 days of EMA. RESULTS: Our results showed that participants in the control condition had significant increases in self-injurious thoughts and planning over time, whereas those in the intervention condition showed no significant change. For self-injurious behavior, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness, there were significant decreases in the intervention condition, but no changes in the control condition. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide support for the interpersonal theory of suicide and indicate a potentially scalable mobile health intervention. PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE: This paper found evidence that a brief mobile health intervention reduced suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious thoughts and behaviors among LGBTQ+ individuals.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Shared Medical Appointments for Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Shared medical appointments (SMAs) integrate group-based clinical care with individual medical management and are increasingly used in the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) to improve access, engagement, and care coordination. However, their use, outcomes, and implementation in SUD care have not been systematically synthesized. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review registered with PROSPERO (CRD42025639504). MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Cochrane Central were searched from database inception through September 2025. Randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and qualitative studies examining SMAs among adults with SUDs were included. Outcomes of interest included treatment engagement and retention, substance use outcomes, mental health and patient-reported outcomes, and implementation characteristics. Study quality was assessed across quantitative and qualitative designs, and findings were synthesized descriptively. RESULTS: Fourteen studies, representing approximately 578 participants, met inclusion criteria. Twelve studies focused exclusively on opioid use disorder, 1 included both alcohol and opioid use disorders, and 1 did not specify substance type. Treatment retention was reported in 6 studies, with a median 6-month retention of 72.9%. Three studies reported reductions in substance use outcomes, and 2 reported improvements in depression or anxiety. Qualitative studies consistently described high patient satisfaction, peer support, and shared accountability. Implementation studies demonstrated feasibility across diverse outpatient settings, with substantial heterogeneity across study designs and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: SMAs appear feasible and acceptable for addiction care and may support treatment retention and patient experience. Evidence remains heterogeneous and largely observational, highlighting the need for rigorous comparative studies to better define effectiveness and implementation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Population-level impact of HPV vaccination: a global systematic review of ecological, cross-sectional, and cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes approximately 4.5% of cancers globally, with the highest burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Since their introduction in 2006, HPV vaccination programs have led to substantial declines in HPV-related outcomes, although impact varies across settings. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the population-level impact of HPV vaccination on HPV infection, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or higher (CIN2+), genital warts, invasive cervical cancer (ICC), and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), and examined the influence of coverage, age at initiation, and vaccine type. The review followed PRISMA 2020. RESULTS: Of 13,549 records screened, 63 were included: 9 assessed HPV infection, 24 on CIN2+, 25 on genital warts, and 7 on ICC. Greatest reductions were observed in settings with at least 70% coverage and early vaccination prior to sexual debut, typically achieved through school-based programs. Reported declines ranged from 58-100% for HPV infection, 30-88% for CIN2+, 60-90% for genital warts, and 70-88% for ICC. CONCLUSIONS: HPV vaccination offers strong protection, especially when delivered early and at high coverage within schools. Expanding access and prioritizing underserved populations are essential to achieving global cancer prevention goals. Limitations include heterogeneity across designs, outcome definitions, and follow-up.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Frequent readmissions after hospitalization for alcohol withdrawal: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal syndrome impose substantial clinical and economic burdens, with repeated hospitalizations being common. We aimed to systematically review readmission rates following inpatient detoxification, assess variation across study designs and hospital settings, and identify key risk and protective factors. METHODS: We performed a literature search in Embase and Pubmed on 10/04/2026 focusing on studies assessing in hospital alcohol detoxification. Exclusion criteria included studies on substance use other than alcohol and outpatient or residential treatment. Main outcome was rehospitalization, and meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled readmission proportions. Secondary outcomes were risk factors and protective factors influencing the rate of rehospitalization. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies were included. The pooled proportion of readmissions following alcohol detoxification was estimated at 17% (95% CI: 14%-21%; 13 studies, n = 287,896) within 1 month, increasing to 44% (95% CI: 36%-52%; 8 studies, n = 2,877) at 1 year. Substantial between-study heterogeneity was observed. Subgroup analyses found no significant differences by hospital setting or time period. Findings for study aim and study design were mixed and based on limited data A small number of studies suggested associations with housing stability, employment, and treatment engagement. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that approximately one in six patients are readmitted within 1 month and nearly half within 1 year after inpatient alcohol detoxification. However, readmission rates varied considerably across settings and populations. Future research should evaluate targeted interventions to reduce readmissions among high-risk patient groups.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Evaluation of Prevalence of Obstetric Violence and its Associated Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Obstetric violence (OV) begins with a woman's initial contact with a health institution and can persist throughout pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. Despite this, previous research has largely focused on the labor process. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of OV experienced by women during pregnancy, labor, or the postpartum period. We conducted systematic searches in five electronic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL Ultimate, MEDLINE Ultimate, and OVID) between April 27 and August 7, 2024. Studies were included if they involved women aged 18 and above who experienced mistreatment, abuse, disrespect, or OV during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period; employed quantitative cohort, descriptive, or cross-sectional designs; were written in English; reported the prevalence of OV and/or associated factors; and were published between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2023. Data synthesis involved meta-analysis, meta-regression, and narrative synthesis methods. A total of 41 studies, including 43,977 participants from 17 countries, were included. The meta-analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of OV was 61.7% (95% CI [0.549, 0.680]; I²: 99.258%). The meta-regression analysis showed that variables such as the country of study, income level of countries, study setting, study design, and risk of bias had statistically significant effects on OV. In addition, 40 risk factors and 14 protective factors were identified through narrative synthesis. This highlights the high prevalence of OV and the need to address the associated factors.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The future of precision oncology and artificial intelligence in Belgium: scenarios and policy responses.

PURPOSE: Precision medicine, also known as personalized medicine, enables the provision of tailored health services to patients. In the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancers, precision medicine is highly promising, given the increasing use of genomic profiling for diagnosis and adapting therapies in several tumor types. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support this process by analyzing vast amounts of relevant data. However, high-quality data and financial investments in the health system are essential for the implementation of precision medicine and AI solutions in routine cancer care. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Building on the quantitative outcomes of a foresight exercise published in another study, this article collects qualitative data to gain more detailed insights into the future of precision oncology in Belgium and discusses the role of AI in this field. It reports the results of a series of expert workshops, focusing on four hypothetical future scenarios that are centered around technological and economic issues that must be overcome for the widespread use of precision oncology in Belgium. FINDINGS: The study concludes that all four scenarios discussed in the workshops would require supportive policy measures in Belgium, which should go beyond mere technological and economic considerations, such as involving patient associations and the public in policy design or creating multi-disciplinary expert groups for precision medicine. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to employ foresight methodology to illustrate possible future scenarios, scrutinize feasible approaches for implementing precision oncology in Belgium, and discuss the use of AI in this context.

Belgium↗

PubMed2026

Evaluation of the intraoperative analgesic effects of perioperative electroacupuncture: a randomised, blinded clinical trial in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of perioperative electroacupuncture (EA) on intraoperative analgesic requirements in dogs undergoing tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomised, blinded, controlled clinical study. ANIMALS: A group of 29 client-owned dogs diagnosed with cranial cruciate ligament rupture that underwent TTA surgery. METHODS: Dogs were treated with EA at predefined acupuncture points (LI-4, ST-36, LIV-3, SP-6 and GB-34) perioperatively as additional analgesia (group EA, n = 14) or were allocated to the control group (group C, n = 15). All dogs were anaesthetised with a standardised protocol including methadone, dexmedetomidine, propofol and ketamine. The intraoperative delivery of sevoflurane and fentanyl was guided in response to signs of nociception by a purpose-designed flowchart, by the same anaesthetist who was blinded to treatment group. A Wilcoxon rank sum test was applied for the fentanyl consumption analysis. Heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure and end-tidal sevoflurane were descriptively analysed between groups for specific time points. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The EA group needed significantly less fentanyl with 0.7 (0-2.7) μg kg-1 hour-1 administered versus 2.0 (1.2-5.5) μg kg-1 hour-1 in group C (p = 0.031). Fifty percent of the EA group was not administered a fentanyl bolus, whereas all dogs in group C required at least one bolus. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Perioperative EA reduced mean fentanyl consumption by more than 60% in dogs undergoing TTA surgery.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Association between youth athletes' sports specialization and injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the specialization-injury relationship, and explore whether the specialization-injury relationship is moderated by study design, sport type, age, sex, and injury measurement type, injury mechanism, and anatomical location. METHODS: We searched eight databases by related keywords and assessed the quality of the included studies using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) statistical software 3.7 examined heterogeneity, sensitivity, publication bias, overall effect size of specialization-injury relationship, and moderation effects. This review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251233318). Searches were conducted in eight electronic databases from inception to March, 2026. RESULTS: The 15 included studies showed moderate heterogeneity, stable sensitivity analyses, and no publication bias. The overall odds ratio of the sports specialization-injury relationship was 2.00 (95% confidence interval [1.58-2.55], p < .001). Moderation analyses indicated that sport type significantly influenced the specialization-injury relationship, whereas no significant moderation effects were observed for study design, sex, age, injury measurement type, injury mechanism, and injury anatomical location. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate a positive association between sport specialization and injury risk among youth athletes, with variation across sport participation contexts. Specifically, athletes in both contact and non-contact sports demonstrated higher pooled odds of injury than those involved in multiple sports. Although the evidence is heterogeneous and should be interpreted with caution, these findings highlight the potential role of diversified sport participation in relation to injury.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

How prevalent is fear of cancer recurrence beyond 5 years: a systematic review of validated assessments across tumour types.

PURPOSE: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is an established challenge for cancer survivors. Research however has largely focussed early in treatment, with varying assessments and often single tumour sites. This systematic review set out to determine prevalence of FCR in survivors beyond 5 years across all tumour types. METHOD: We designed a search strategy to identify publications assessing FCR in survivors beyond 5 years with sample size greater than 50, using validated measures. Applying PRISMA methodology and with defined inclusion and exclusion criteria two authors independently assessed the studies for eligibility. Data extraction recorded number of participants, tumour type, study design, FCR tool, time points for assessment and reported prevalence. Risk of bias was assessed to address quality. RESULTS: Ten papers were included, reporting FCR from 5 years to beyond 20 years. Validated tools employed were FCRI-SF and FOP-Q-SF. Sample sizes ranged from 64 to 5983 participants, with a heterogeneous mix of tumour types and age. Only two studies reported longitudinal measurements. Prevalence of FCR above defined threshold ranged from 13 to 33.9% for those studies with acceptable risk of bias reporting distinct cohorts beyond 5 years. CONCLUSION: The limited evidence suggests that clinically relevant FCR persists in some survivors at 5 years. Our review demonstrates the challenge of heterogeneous patient populations in FCR research emphasising the need for improved consensus on measurements and more prospective longitudinal research representing a comprehensive variety of tumour types. We address the clinical implications of persistent FCR and the need to implement effective interventions.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The Moral of the Story-Perception of Leadership With Moral Distress in Registered Nurses: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

AIM: To understand how Registered Nurses perceive the impact of nursing leadership on managing moral distress and mitigating burnout. BACKGROUND: Moral distress and burnout are pervasive issues in nursing, compromising well-being, patient safety and workforce sustainability. Leadership is a critical factor in shaping workplace culture and mitigating these challenges, yet evidence remains limited. DESIGN: Qualitative systematic review. METHODS: A qualitative systematic review was conducted following JBI methodology and PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive searches across MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL and Scopus identified 5927 articles, with two studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were appraised using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist and synthesised via meta-aggregation. Confidence in findings was assessed using the ConQual approach. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged: (1) Behind the barriers, (2) Breaking point, (3) Weathering the storm and (4) Leadership for lasting change. Leadership influenced nurses' psychological safety, ethical decision-making and resilience. Inadequate support amplified moral distress, and effective strategies included authentic communication, team solidarity and systemic interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Leadership plays a pivotal role in mitigating moral distress and burnout. Evidence highlights the need for structural changes and support to sustain registered nurses' well-being and retention. RELATIVE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Findings offer direction for leadership strategies that promote ethical workplaces, shared decision-making and mental health supports to enhance resilience and patient care. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Strengthening leadership capability is vital for workforce sustainability, care quality and nurse retention. REPORTING METHOD: Authors have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study did not involve patients or the public in its design, conduct or reporting.

Leadership↗

PubMed2026

Pharmacogenomics of antipsychotic-induced weight gain: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG) is a major clinical concern, affecting approximately 30% of patients. Clinical predictors explain only part of AIWG risk. Genetic and molecular variations are hypothesized to contribute to susceptibility. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent results to identify replicated and novel findings. STUDY DESIGN: Applying PRISMA guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO (May 2018-May 2026) for studies on genetic and molecular associations with AIWG, extending our prior review. Reviews, editorials, and conference abstracts were excluded. We extracted study characteristics (design, diagnosis, antipsychotic exposure, sample size, ancestry, genetic variants, and AIWG outcomes) (e.g., ≥7% weight gain, BMI change). RESULTS: Fifty-three studies met inclusion criteria. In candidate gene studies, the most consistently replicated genes associated with AIWG were observed for DRD2, HTR2C, and MC4R. Multiple novel associations were identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) (e.g., MAP2K1, ZDBF2, PEPD), polygenic risk scores (PRS) (e.g., body mass index PRS), gene expression (e.g., CYP3A4, EP300), and epigenetic analyses (e.g., cg12034943 at CRTC1). CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms in candidate genes related to neurotransmission and appetite regulation continue to be investigated for associations with AIWG, while novel findings have emerged from GWAS, gene expression, and epigenetic studies. Evidence remains inconsistent due to limited replication, methodological variability, sparse ancestry data, and geographical underrepresentation. No single genetic variant is ready for clinical use, and multi-omic and multi-ancestry models are needed to improve prediction and clinical utility.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The role of media in reducing and reinforcing stigma: A randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of positive and negative representations of visible difference.

OBJECTIVES: Individuals with visible differences often experience appearance-related stigma and discrimination, reinforced by negative media portrayals. In contrast, positive portrayals may challenge stereotypes and promote acceptance. This study examined whether exposure to positive, negative or neutral images of visible difference influences appearance-related stigma, body appreciation and broad conceptualizations of beauty. It was hypothesized that positive images would decrease stigma and increase body appreciation and broad conceptualizations of beauty, whereas negative images would increase stigma and reduce broad conceptualizations of beauty. DESIGN: An online randomized controlled experiment using a mixed repeated-measures design compared three conditions (positive, negative, neutral) across pre- and post-exposure. METHODS: A sample of 103 adults viewed 10 images of individuals with visible differences presented in one of three conditions: positive (positive captions), negative (villains with visible differences and negative captions) or neutral (without captions). Participants completed pre- and post-measures of appearance-related stigma, body appreciation and broad conceptualizations of beauty. Repeated-measures ANOVAs examined within- and between-group changes. RESULTS: Appearance-related stigma significantly increased in the negative condition, while remaining unchanged in the positive and neutral groups. Body appreciation significantly increased from pre- to post- across all conditions. No significant effects emerged for broad conceptualizations of beauty. CONCLUSIONS: Negative portrayals of visible difference may reinforce stigma, highlighting the need to discourage such depictions in media. While positive exposure did not significantly reduce stigma, viewing images of visible difference increased observers' body appreciation, indicating potential downward social comparison. Future research should explore strategies to strengthen stigma reduction and broaden conceptualizations of beauty.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Lifestyle interventions to prevent gestational and type 2 diabetes among migrant women from low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

Migrant women from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) living in high-income settings experience disproportionately high risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This review aimed to identify and synthesise culturally adapted lifestyle interventions for preventing or managing GDM and T2DM among migrant women from LMICs, focusing on intervention components, cultural adaptation strategies, and behavioural and metabolic outcomes. Five databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Central) were searched using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies included experimental designs involving lifestyle interventions delivered to migrant women from LMICs in high-income countries, reporting outcomes related to GDM or T2DM targeting behaviour change. Data were synthesised narratively; study quality was appraised using RoB2 for RCTs and a structured narrative approach for non-randomised designs. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Sample sizes ranged from 28 to 641 participants. Intervention duration varied from 6 weeks to 12 months. Most interventions incorporated atleast one culturally tailored component, such as bilingual delivery, culturally adapted dietary education, or community-based engagement. Improvements were reported across dietary behaviours, physical activity, glycaemic measures, or diabetes-related knowledge; however, effect sizes were modest and inconsistent. Interventions combining dietary modification, physical activity, and culturally adapted delivery demonstrated greater improvements than exercise-only or digital-only programmes. Overall certainty of evidence ranged from low to moderate. Culturally adapted, multi-component lifestyle interventions show promise for improving behavioural and metabolic outcomes among migrant women from LMICs; however, the evidence base remains limited.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Foot exercise plus education versus brief advice for the treatment of plantar heel pain (FEET Trial): a feasibility randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite foot muscle strengthening being a target of exercise interventions for plantar heel pain (PHP) no study has measured foot muscle outcomes, and existing research is limited by a lack of control (no treatment) comparisons. OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial and investigate the acceptability and credibility of comprehensive progressive foot exercise and education compared to brief advice for PHP. DESIGN: Randomised parallel group feasibility trial. METHOD: People with PHP were randomised (1:1 concealed allocation) to receive either foot exercise plus education or brief advice for twelve weeks. Primary outcomes included willingness to enrol, recruitment rate, adherence, logbook completion, dropout rate, early withdrawal reasons, adverse events, additional treatments sought, and credibility/expectancy. RESULTS: Twenty people with PHP (16 women; age 50 ± 9 years; body mass index = 30.7 ± 4.6 kg/m2) were recruited over 15 weeks (1.3 participants per week). Primary outcomes were willingness to enrol (80%), adherence (physiotherapy sessions attended: foot exercise plus education 85%, brief advice 100%; home exercise program: 62% daily sessions completed, 72% thrice weekly sessions completed), logbook completion (foot exercise plus education 75%, brief advice 90%), dropout rate (15%), and additional treatments sought (69%). There were no intervention-related adverse events, and credibility scores were higher for foot exercise plus education. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms feasibility and acceptability of a protocol comparing foot exercise plus education with brief advice in individuals with PHP, generating key insights to inform future trial design.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Acceptability of capillary point-of-care testing: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and synthesise evidence on the acceptability and perceived experience of finger-prick point-of-care testing (POCT) among patients and clinicians across healthcare settings. DESIGN: Systematic review conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Cochrane and Web of Science were searched from inception to January 2024 and re-run in July 2025, supplemented by citation tracking of relevant studies. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies reporting patient and clinicians' experiences, perceptions, satisfaction or acceptability relating to finger-prick POCT for any health condition or blood parameter were eligible. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods designs were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and synthesised using thematic analysis and narrative synthesis. Methodological quality was appraised using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: 21 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 9128 participants (17 quantitative, 3 qualitative, 1 mixed methods). Across diverse clinical contexts, finger-prick POCT was reported as generally acceptable, less distressing and perceived as a convenient alternative to venous sampling in comparative studies. Thematic synthesis identified two major themes: (1) enhancing the patient-clinician relationship through improved engagement, communication and understanding of care and (2) clinical implications of finger-prick POCT on clinicians' workflow, confidence and skill acquisition. Finger-prick POCT was perceived to promote personalised consultations, enable immediate discussion of results and streamline decision-making. Clinicians highlighted its potential to expand task sharing, improve efficiency and strengthen continuity of care, although concerns regarding training, reliability and quality assurance were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Finger-prick POCT is generally acceptable to patients and clinicians, improving comfort, convenience, engagement and perceived efficiency. Implementation should prioritise training, infrastructure and quality assurance frameworks to maximise clinical and experiential benefits. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024512130.

Humans↗