Early interventions for post-traumatic stress following musculoskeletal trauma: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ferozkhan Jadhakhan, David Evans, Deborah Falla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) can be triggered following exposure to a traumatic event, such as violence, disasters, serious accidents and injury. Little is known about which interventions provide the greatest benefit for PTSS. This systematic review aims to estimate the effects of early interventions on PTSS following musculoskeletal trauma.

METHODS/ANALYSIS: Development of this review protocol was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols checklist. This review will include randomised controlled trials and non-randomised controlled studies evaluating the effect of early (within 3 months of a traumatic event) non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions on PTSS in adults (aged ≥18 years). MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, Zetoc, PROSPERO, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar, as well as key journals/grey literature, will be searched from inception to 31 July 2022. Only articles published in English will be considered. Two independent reviewers will search, screen studies, extract data and assess risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool V.2 (RoB 2) and the Risk Of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I), respectively. Mean difference or standardised mean difference (SMD) will be extracted with accompanying 95% CIs and p values where these are reported. Group effect size will be extracted and reported. Symptoms of PTSS will be ascertained using SMDs (continuous) and diagnosis of PTSS using risk ratio (dichotomous). If possible, study results will be pooled into a meta-analysis. A narrative synthesis of the results will be presented if heterogeneity is high. The overall quality of evidence and risk of bias will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation, RoB 2 and ROBINS-I guidelines, respectively.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review since data from published studies will be used. This review is expected to provide a better understanding of the effect of early intervention for PTSS following musculoskeletal trauma. Findings of this review will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and through national and international conferences.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022333905.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere065590
Number of pages7
JournalBMJ open
Volume12
Issue number9
Early online date23 Sept 2022
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 23 Sept 2022

Bibliographical note

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Meta-Analysis as Topic
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases
  • Research Design
  • Review Literature as Topic
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/therapy
  • Systematic Reviews as Topic

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Early interventions for post-traumatic stress following musculoskeletal trauma: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this