Highlights

Highlight of Our Recent Publications

Music intervention for older adults with depression

Music interventions have been used to improve depression in older adults. However, the comparative effect of various music interventions features is varied and remains inconclusive. Our study addresses some of the limitations of prior studies in assessing the effects of health services interventions. Our newly developed TIP (Theme, Intensity, Provider) framework, together with a network meta-analytic (NMA) approach, revealed that active music therapy >60 minutes/week by a music therapist is the most effective intervention to alleviate depression in older adults. We also found that low intensity music interventions for less than or equal to 60 minutes per week by any specialty therapist had no impact in improving depression in the older adult population. By considering what is the best intervention and how to deliver it, within the TIP framework, we can provide insights into the effectiveness of different features of music interventions. This generates evidence to inform healthcare providers and caregivers to consider our findings when deciding which music intervention protocol will achieve the best outcome on depression.

Published studies: Dhippayom T, Saensook T, Promkhatja N, Teaktong T, Chaiyakunapruk N, Devine B. Comparative effects of music interventions on depression in older adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. eClinicalMedicine. 2022;101509. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101509.

Support strategies for warfarin self-management

Although the beneficial effects of warfarin self-care are well established, either patient self-testing (PST) or patient self-management (PSM), the best strategies to support effective self-care to patients who are taking warfarin remains inconclusive. Our study has highlighted that patients who undertake warfarin self-care management, either patient self-test (PST) or patient self-management (PSM), should measure their INR value at least once a week or more often to achieve optimal anticoagulation control. If PST is deemed more suitable to a particular patient than PSM, we suggest e-Health should be considered over a direct contact with healthcare practitioners (HCP) to advice the patient on warfarin dosage adjustment. This is because both platforms were not significantly different, but the use of e-Health would help to reduce the burden of HCP.

Published studies: Dhippayom T, Boonpattharatthiti K, Thammathuros T, Dilokthornsakul P, Sakunrag I, Devine B. Clinical Outcomes of Different Warfarin Self-care Strategies: A Systematic Reviews and Network Meta-Analysis. Thromb Haemost. 2022;122:492-505.

Also available in the journal’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/warfarin-self-care-strategy-optimal-anticoagulation-thromb-haemost?trk=public_post-content_share-article

Support strategies for asthma self-care

This study aimed to identify the best support strategy for asthma self-management. We have performed a comprehensive search of relevant randomized controlled trials, characterize different strategies using the newly developed TIP (Theme, Intensity, and Provider/Platform) framework, and compare them by using a network meta-analysis. The current evidence from 35 trials (5,195 patients) suggests that behavioral support on asthma self-management more often than once a month with an aid of e-Health may be better than other self-management strategies in optimizing asthma control. However, the interaction with healthcare personnel may play an important role in preventing the risk of asthma exacerbation.

Published studies: Dhippayom T, Wateemongkollert A, Mueangfa K, Im H, Dilokthornsakul, Devine B. Comparative efficacy of strategies to support self-management in patients with asthma: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022;10:803-14.

Also available in the journal research summary for the public: https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Latest-Research-Summaries/The-Journal-of-Allergy-and-Clinical-Immunology-In/2021/asthma-patient

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