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Research Guides@Tufts

Study Designs in the Health Sciences

An introduction to the main features and uses of study designs popular and unique to medicine and the health sciences.

Scoping Reviews

What is a scoping review?

"Scoping reviews serve to synthesize evidence and assess the scope of literature on a topic. Among other objectives, scoping reviews help determine whether a systematic review of the literature is warranted." [1]

Why use this type of study?

  • To examine the extent, range and nature of research activity [2]
  • To determine the value of undertaking a full systematic review [2]
  • To summarize and disseminate research findings [2]
  • To identify research gaps in the existing literature [2]

Format and features

References

  1. The PRISMA Group. PRISMA for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). https://www.prisma-statement.org/scoping. Accessed November 6, 2024.
  2. Arksey, H., & O’Malley, L. Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2005; 8 (1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616

Example

Nutritional Support and Physical Activity Intervention Programs with a Person-Centred Approach in People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a Scoping Review.

Hansen TS, Poulsen I, Nørholm V, Loft MI, Jensen PS.

International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 2024 Oct 2;19:2193-2216. 

Background: The knowledge is sparse in the literature on intervention programs using nutritional support and physical activity for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within a person-centred approach. We aimed to explore and map the existing evidence on intervention programs with a person-centred approach, focusing on nutritional support and physical activity for people with COPD.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted using Arksey & O'Malley's methodological framework. A search in the databases CINAHL and PubMed, and a grey literature search, was conducted in June 2022 and updated in June 2023. We identified studies published between 2012 and 2023. The PRISMA checklist for scoping reviews, supported by The PAGER framework was used for reporting the method.

Results: A total of 15 studies were included. The primary interventions comprised behavior of change or self-management, addressing needs assessment, motivation, personal goals, education, and physical activity. Health-related quality of life and hospital stay displayed no clinically significant variances. However, eight studies demonstrated differences in physical function and activity levels. Nutritional outcomes were addressed in one study, and three studies involved relatives.

Conclusion: This scoping review addresses a knowledge gap in nutritional support interventions with a person-centred approach. It indicates that there is a need to increase nutritional support and consider the patient's physical and social environmental resources within Behavior of change or Self-management intervention programs for patients with COPD. The review found no clinical effect on health-related quality of life, although there were some effects on physical activity. The results highlight how the interdisciplinary team can include the patients' resources when structuring the management of COPD by applying a person-centred approach.