Background
The scoping review has become an increasingly popular approach for synthesizing research evidence. It is a relatively new approach for which a universal study definition or definitive procedure has not been established. The purpose of this scoping review was to provide an overview of scoping reviews in the literature.

Methods
A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley framework. A search was conducted in four bibliographic databases and the gray literature to identify scoping review studies. Review selection and characterization were performed by two independent reviewers using pretested forms.

Results
The search identified 344 scoping reviews published from 1999 to October 2012. The reviews varied in terms of purpose, methodology, and detail of reporting. Nearly three-quarter of reviews (74.1%) addressed a health topic. Study completion times varied from 2 weeks to 20 months, and 51% utilized a published methodological framework. Quality assessment of included studies was infrequently performed (22.38%).

Conclusions
Scoping reviews are a relatively new but increasingly common approach for mapping broad topics. Because of variability in their conduct, there is a need for their methodological standardization to ensure the utility and strength of evidence. © 2014 The Authors. Research Synthesis Methods published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jrsm.1123

A scoping review of scoping reviews: advancing the approach and enhancing the consistency

Background: The goals of people with aphasia should guide service delivery. Services are increasingly influenced by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) (WHO, 2001), but little is yet known about whether the goals of people with aphasia span the full spectrum of the ICF. Aims: The purpose of this study was to describe the goals of people with aphasia and to code the goals according to the ICF. Methods & Procedures: A qualitative descriptive research approach was used involving semi-structured in-depth interviews with 50 participants with aphasia post-stroke. Interviews were videotaped and transcribed verbatim and then analysed using qualitative content analysis. The goals of a 30% consecutive subsample were then coded using the ICF. Outcomes & Results: Nine broad categories of goals were identified. Participants with aphasia wanted to return to their pre-stroke life and to communicate not only their basic needs but also their opinions. They also wanted information a...

/pdf/what-people-with-aphasia-want-their-goals-according-to-the-43coyezu9t.pdf

What people with aphasia want: their goals according to the ICF

There is an extensive body of literature on health system quality reporting that has yet to be characterized. Scoping is a novel methodology for systematically assessing the breadth of a body of literature in a particular research area. Our objectives were to showcase the scoping review methodology in the review of health system quality reporting, and to report on the extent of the literature in this area. A scoping review was performed based on the York methodology outlined by Arksey and O'Malley from the University of York, United Kingdom. We searched 14 peer reviewed and grey literature databases limiting the search to English language and non-English language articles with English abstracts published between 1980 and June 2006 with an update to November 2008. We also searched specific websites, reference lists, and key journals for relevant material and solicited input from key stakeholders. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied to select relevant material and qualitative information was charted from the selected literature. A total of 10,102 articles were identified from searching the literature databases, 821 were deemed relevant to our scoping review. An additional 401 were identified from updates, website searching, references lists, key journals, and stakeholder suggestions for a total of 1,222 included articles. These were categorized and catalogued according to the inclusion criteria, and further subcategories were identified through the charting process. Topic areas represented by this review included the effectiveness of health system report cards (n = 194 articles), methodological issues in their development (n = 815 articles), stakeholder views on report cards (n = 144 articles), and ethical considerations around their development (n = 69 articles). The scoping review methodology has permitted us to characterize and catalogue the extensive body of literature pertaining to health system report cards. The resulting literature repository that our review has created can be of use to researchers and health system stakeholders interested in the topic of health system quality measurement and reporting.

/pdf/overview-of-a-formal-scoping-review-on-health-system-report-390julz2zj.pdf

Overview of a formal scoping review on health system report cards

The purpose of this article was to provide a comprehensive review of the exercise intervention literature on persons with physical and cognitive disabilities. Electronic searches were conducted to identify research articles published from 1986 to 2006. Of the 80 physical activity/exercise interventions identified in the literature, only 32 were randomized controlled trials. The remaining studies were nonrandomized controlled trials with (n = 16) and without (n = 32) a control group. There was a mixture of exercise training modalities that involved aerobic (26%), strength (25%), and combined aerobic and strength (23%) exercises, but there were no overlapping studies using the same dose of exercise for any of the 11 disability groups. Almost half the studies targeted stroke (20%), multiple sclerosis (15%), and intellectual disability (13%), with significantly fewer studies targeting other disability groups. The current literature on exercise and disability is extremely broad in scope and has limited generalizability to any specific disability group. A new body of evidence is needed with stronger research designs that adhere to precise dosing characteristics for key health outcomes (e.g., pain/fatigue reduction, improved cardiorespiratory health). Multicenter trials will be needed for low-prevalence populations to strengthen research designs and increase generalizability of study findings.

Exercise intervention research on persons with disabilities: what we know and where we need to go

A scoping review of studies on physical activity and nutrition health promotion interventions for individuals with intellectual disabilities was conducted. Searches included MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases from 1986 through July 2006. The final number included 11 articles comprising 12 studies. Generally, this review indicated some evidence for fitness and psychosocial benefits of community-based physical activity and exercise programs for adults with intellectual disabilities. When combined with a more comprehensive health behavior education program incorporating exercise and nutrition information, some evidence exists for reductions in weight.

Physical activity and nutrition health promotion interventions: what is working for people with intellectual disabilities?

Stroke affects many aspects of the lives of stroke survivors and their family caregivers. Supporting long-term recovery and rehabilitation are necessary to help stroke survivors adapt to living wit...

Optimizing Stroke Systems of Care by Enhancing Transitions Across Care Environments

This article explores the current literature surrounding transitions into palliative care. Transitions in care have become more frequent and complex in the Canadian healthcare system. Plagued with difficulty, fear and misunderstanding, the transition into palliative care is one of the most confusing and traumatic transitions a patient and family can face. Despite this, however, transitions into palliative care have been commonly overlooked in transitional research. A scoping review of the existing literature on transitions and palliative care was conducted and three key areas complicating the transition into palliative care were noted: the intrinsic nature of the transitions, the timing of the transition, and the lack of information surrounding this transition. This article highlights a need for further research into the complicated area of transitions into palliative care.

http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/pdf/10.12968/ijpn.2009.15.4.41967

Exploring the literature surrounding the transition into palliative care: a scoping review.

Objective: To explore stroke survivors’, caregivers’, and health care professionals’ perceptions of weekend passes offered during inpatient rehabilitation and its role in facilitating the transition home. Design: Qualitative descriptive. Subjects: Sixteen stroke survivors, 15 caregivers, and 20 health care professionals’ from a rehabilitation hospital. Methods: Participants discussed their perceptions of the purpose of the weekend pass, experiences with the weekend pass including supports needed, and weekend pass administration. Focus group and interview data were audio recorded, professionally transcribed, checked for accuracy, and analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: We identified 3 key themes: i) preparing for patients to be safe at home; ii) gaining insight through the weekend pass; and iii) the emotional context of the weekend pass. These themes varied by participant group. Conclusions: When offering weekend passes, stroke care systems should carefully consider patients’ and caregivers’ readiness, emotional state, and preparation for weekend passes. The weekend pass experience can inform in-patient therapy, provide patients and caregivers with insight into life after stroke, and help prepare patients and families for the ultimate transition home.

/pdf/stroke-survivors-caregivers-and-health-care-professionals-2nzl2dyx63.pdf

Amanda Marsella

Papers

Optimizing Stroke Systems of Care by Enhancing Transitions Across Care Environments

Exploring the literature surrounding the transition into palliative care: a scoping review.

Stroke survivors', caregivers', and health care professionals' perspectives on the weekend pass to facilitate transition home.