Musculoskeletal pain is a global issue affecting millions of individuals. Healthcare provider gender bias (HCP-GB) in pain management or treatment may have implications. This study aimed to systematically (1) identify and map the scientific and grey literature as it relates to HCP-GB in the assessment, diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal pain, and (2) identify current gaps that necessitate further research.

This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

The following databases were searched: PubMed (National Library of Medicine), Embase (Elsevier), Scopus (Elsevier), CINAHL Complete (Ovid), Academic Search Complete (EBSCOhost), Pre-Prints Database (National Library of Medicine) and Rehabilitation Reference Center from inception to August 2022 and updated in May 2025. Relevant grey literature was identified.

All screening was performed by two reviewers during title/abstract screening and full-text screening stages. Articles published in English, Spanish and German were included if they involved participants with musculoskeletal pain and examined HCP-GB as the dependent variable.

Two reviewers independently extracted data from the bibliometric, study characteristics and pain science variables. Results were descriptively mapped, and the frequency of concepts, population and characteristics was narratively reported.

21 full-text articles were included. All articles were published in North America and Europe. A total of 3694 healthcare providers from various specialty areas were examined. A majority of studies (57.1%; n=12) measured HCP-GB using written case vignettes, 33.3% (n=7) used case vignettes plus virtual human pictures/videos, and 9.5% (n=2) used real patients. The influence of patients’ sex in HCP pain assessment was reported in 28.5% (n=6) of the articles, while 42.9% (n=9) reported gender bias regarding HCP non-pharmacological treatment recommendations. Male patients were more likely to receive exercise recommendations for back pain and laboratory testing, whereas female patients received more psychological treatment recommendations and counselling from their HCP.

While there appears to be inconsistent use of the terms sex and gender, the literature informing this review suggests an existence of gender bias in the management of patients with musculoskeletal pain. Future research should be more purposeful in the use of sex/gender-related terms and consider exploring the impact of implicit bias training to rectify potential gender biases present in HCP.

To evaluate the accuracy of the arterial oxygen partial pressure/inspired oxygen fraction (PaO₂/FiO₂) ratio in predicting mortality among acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients in Vietnam.

A retrospective observational study.

A central hospital in Vietnam.

Adult patients diagnosed with ARDS based on the Berlin definition and admitted to Bach Mai Hospital between August 2015 and August 2023. ARDS severity was converted from descriptive categories to the Berlin score, ranging from 1 (PaO₂/FiO₂>300 mm Hg) to 4 (PaO₂/FiO₂≤100 mm Hg).

All-cause hospital mortality.

Of 345 patients, 67.5% were male, and the median age was 55.0 years (IQR: 39.0–66.0). Hospital mortality was 61.2% (211/345). On the first day of admission, the PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC): 0.585 (95% CI 0.522 to 0.649)) showed limited predictive ability for hospital mortality. Incorporating the PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio into the Berlin score did not substantially improve accuracy (AUROC: 0.578 (95% CI 0.516 to 0.641)). Both measures were less accurate than Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) (AUROC: 0.650 (95% CI 0.590 to 0.711)), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) (AUROC: 0.685 (95% CI 0.628 to 0.742)) and Confusion, Urea >7 mmol/L (20 mg/dL), Respiratory rate ≥30 breaths/min, Blood pressure (systolic 2/FiO₂ values (adjusted OR, AOR: 0.988 (95% CI 0.979 to 0.996)) were independently associated with lower mortality risk, while higher Berlin (AOR: 2.477 (95% CI 1.190 to 5.156)), SOFA (AOR: 1.278 (95% CI 1.102 to 1.482)), APACHE II (AOR: 1.236 (95% CI 1.108 to 1.379)) and CURB-65 (AOR: 7.142 (95% CI 2.581 to 19.763)) scores were associated with increased mortality risk.

In this study of ARDS patients in Vietnam, the PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio demonstrated limited discriminatory ability for hospital mortality, and incorporating it into the Berlin score did not meaningfully improve performance. While less accurate than SOFA, APACHE II and CURB-65 scores, the PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio and Berlin score remained independently associated with mortality risk. These findings should be interpreted cautiously, given the retrospective design, single-centre setting and potential selection bias; further validation in larger, multicentre studies is warranted.

This study aims to identify key determinants and strategies for effectively implementing a reflection method to support adequate use of the ‘Informal Care’ guideline within community nursing. The SPARK (Self & Peer Assessment to Reflect on Quality Standards) reflection method, developed in an earlier participatory design-based study, is a structured group reflection approach designed to help nurses and nursing assistants reflect on and apply guideline recommendations in daily practice.

A mixed method study.

Six community care organisations in the Netherlands.

This mixed-method study collected qualitative data through observations and video recordings of group meetings with community nurses, nursing assistants and a patient representative, alongside quantitative questionnaires. This project included design and test group meetings to develop and evaluate prototypes of the reflection method. Observations were discussed, and video recordings were thematically analysed. The Measurement Instrument for Determinants of Innovations questionnaire was used to identify key determinants for effective implementation. The questionnaire results were analysed descriptively, using the Tailored Implementation in Chronic Diseases (TICD) framework to present preliminary determinants for validation. Implementation strategies were then selected in a group meeting. Based on this input, the research group operationalised the selected implementation strategies.

Twenty-nine determinants for implementing the reflection method were identified across seven TICD domains, including barriers such as limited support, knowledge and time, and facilitators such as team collaboration and prevention of caregiver overload. Based on these findings, three implementation strategies, namely knowledge enhancement, coaching development and leadership strengthening, were formulated to support integration into community nursing practice.

This study identified key determinants and strategies for implementing a reflection method in community nursing. While several determinants align with existing literature, context-specific determinants related to the heterogeneous group of registered nurses and certified nursing assistants also emerged. Strengthening guideline knowledge, coaching competencies and leadership is essential for sustainable, guideline-based reflection in practice.

Growing evidence points towards the integral role of both central and peripheral inflammation across all neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The immune alterations observed in these diseases may occur long before the onset of clinical and cognitive symptoms; however, the exact timing and role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease remains unclear. Findings to date are conflicting, with most work focused on AD rather than other dementias and most studies from single sites and cross-sectional. Through longitudinally examining detailed phenotypes of the peripheral immune system using mass cytometry, the Immune Profiling in Early Cognitive Disorders study aims to uncover specific immune signatures in early AD and DLB, how these signatures change over time and how they relate to disease progression and cognitive changes.

Blood, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva and urine samples will be collected from a cohort of participants with either prodromal (mild cognitive impairment) or early dementia due to Lewy bodies or AD (MCI-LB and DLB; and MCI-AD and AD), alongside healthy controls. Through immunophenotyping with mass cytometry, detailed immune fingerprints will be identified for these groups. We will assess which key combinations of immune cell clusters are predictive of disease phenotype, cognitive decline and progression to dementia. Samples will also be evaluated with novel techniques to measure markers of degenerative pathology and inflammation.

This study was approved by the Preston North West Research Ethics committee (21/NW/0314) and is registered with the ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN62392656). The study is ongoing (since June 2022). Baseline visits are being undertaken, and follow-up visits have started for some participants. Full data analyses will be completed and submitted for publication upon conclusion of the study.

Women with high-risk pregnancies (eg, pre-eclampsia, imminent preterm birth) are often hospitalised due to the need for foetal and maternal monitoring. They are monitored for 30–45 min up to three times a day with conventional cardiotocography (CTG). In the meantime, they reside at the hospital, but the foetal status is not monitored. Continuous foetal monitoring is currently not recommended using CTG, due to the potential temperature rise from consistent exposure to ultrasound waves. For safe 24/7 monitoring, newly developed devices using non-invasive electrophysiological cardiotocography (eCTG) instead of conventional CTG offer a promising alternative. Previous research into eCTG has shown favourable results in monitoring foetal heart rate throughout both pregnancy and labour. This study aims to investigate the effect of implementing continuous antepartum eCTG monitoring in hospitalised high-risk pregnancies on perinatal and maternal outcome.

In this single centre prospective cohort intervention random sampling study, eligible women will be included on the Obstetric High Care of Máxima MC Veldhoven, the Netherlands. In total, 511 pregnant women with a singleton pregnancy between 23+0 and 32+0 weeks of gestation requiring hospitalisation will be recruited. Eligible women will be prospectively included in the cohort receiving standard treatment: intermittent CTG monitoring. From these women, a random sample of the prospective cohort will be offered a new monitoring method: 24/7 eCTG monitoring. For the eCTG monitoring, a wireless abdominal electrode patch, the Nemo Foetal Monitoring System will be used. Additional data from a historical cohort (2014–2019) of 1400 women receiving standard treatment will be included. Perinatal and maternal outcome, along with satisfaction levels of both patient and caregivers, will be compared between groups.

The study is registered on 18 October 2022 to the Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (NL82869.015.22) via https://www.toetsingonline.nl/to/ccmo_monitor.nsf/conceptabr?OpenForm and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Máxima MC (W22.070) on 7 November 2023. Results of the study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed scientific journals and conference presentations.

NCT06151613.

As global health education becomes more embedded in university curricula, the availability of experiential learning opportunities in this field has expanded as well. These programmes offer students valuable exposure to diverse cultural perspectives and help develop essential competencies in global health. However, concerns have arisen regarding the persistence of colonial-era dynamics, power imbalances and the potential negative impacts on host organisations in low- and middle-income countries. Much of the existing literature on this topic centres on short-term medical student experiences and is focused on the perspectives of the sending organisations. This study aims to fill this gap by examining a semester-long undergraduate global health experiential learning programme through the perspectives of host organisation staff.

This qualitative case study draws on interviews with 18 key informants from host organisations across seven countries. The research design, data collection and analysis were developed using an analytical framework based on recommendations made by previous studies.

Host organisations across seven countries participated in the study. Interviews were conducted remotely via Zoom. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded in Dedoose software and analysed for emerging patterns and themes.

Eighteen key informants from host organisations were interviewed, representing seven countries — Tanzania, Ghana, Mexico, India, Bangladesh, Australia and the Philippines — and a range of institutions including research institutes, government agencies and UN bodies.

Participants generally viewed their engagement in experiential learning courses positively. They emphasised the importance of their role in mentoring American and other foreign global health students, building their research skills and cultural competency, and providing valuable insights into power dynamics, local health systems and the wider context in which global health operates. Beyond financial remuneration, participants emphasised multiple non-financial benefits for host organisations. The study identified three key themes in developing strong programmes: partnership, communication and cultural competence. These findings reinforce the value of longer-term programmes and offer actionable recommendations for their continued evolution in global health education.

Young women with disabilities (WWDs) face multiple barriers in accessing maternal healthcare services in low-resource settings. Consequently, they are at an increased risk of adverse maternal health outcomes due to young age and having a disability. This review focuses on synthesising evidence regarding the extent of access to maternal healthcare services and the barriers faced by young WWDs in Sub-Saharan Africa.

We will conduct a scoping review guided by the updated Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, Global Health, African Journal Online and Women’s Studies International will be performed to identify relevant articles published in English from 2007 to 2025. A team of two reviewers will independently screen the retrieved articles for relevancy based on the inclusion criteria, and a thematic synthesis will be undertaken to develop a descriptive analysis.

Since this review will only involve the analysis of published data, it does not require ethical approval. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

This review has been registered with the Open Science Framework DOI; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Q7Y8S.

Ebola virus disease remains a significant public health concern. For protection from Ebola virus, the main target populations are epidemiologically identified and often include healthcare workers and refugees. These target populations are also routinely offered vaccines for other vaccine-preventable diseases. However, concomitant use of rVSVG-ZEBOV-GP with other vaccines is not recommended, given the absence of data regarding its reactogenicity and antigen-specific immunogenicity profile when co-administered. The EbolaCov trial aims to inform whether rVSVG-ZEBOV-GP can be administered concurrent to a Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 booster dose without an unacceptable increase in reactogenicity and/or loss of humoral immunogenicity to Ebola vaccine antigen.

This is a single-centre, randomised, single-blinded, vaccine safety and immunogenicity study in healthy adults living in Rwanda. Seventy-two participants will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to two study groups, the first receiving rVSVG-ZEBOV-GP with a placebo, the second group receiving rVSVG-ZEBOV-GP concurrently with a Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 booster dose. The primary outcome measures are quantitative serum anti-glycoprotein (GP) antibody responses, as measured by ELISA, 28 days after vaccination, and frequency and severity of adverse events in the 7 days following vaccination. Secondary outcome measures include day 28 and day 180 serum anti-GP and serum SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike protein-specific geometric mean antibody titres.

This trial was approved by the Rwanda National Ethics Committee (reference 442/2024) and the University of Birmingham (reference ERN_2661-Jun2024). All participants were required to provide written informed consent in accordance with good clinical practice. Dissemination of results will be through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR202407764378004) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06587503)

Thanks to the introduction of recent national guidelines for treating herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis, health outcomes have improved. This paper evaluates the health system costs and the health-related quality of life implications of these guidelines.

A sub-analysis of data from a prospective, multi-centre, observational cohort ENCEPH-UK study conducted across 29 hospitals in the UK from 2012 to 2015.

Data for patients aged ≥16 years with a confirmed HSV encephalitis diagnosis admitted for treatment with aciclovir were collected at discharge, 3 and 12 months.

Patient health outcomes were measured by the Glasgow outcome score (GOS), modified ranking score (mRS) and the EuroQoL; healthcare costs were estimated per patient at discharge from hospital and at 12 months follow-up. In addition, Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) were calculated from the EQ-5D utility scores. Cost–utility analysis was performed using the NHS and Social Care perspective.

A total of 49 patients were included; 35 were treated within 48 hours, ‘early’ (median (IQR) 8.25 [3.7–20.5]) and 14 were treated after 48 hours ‘delayed’ (median (IQR) 93.9 [66.7–100.1]). At discharge, 30 (86%) in the early treatment group had a good mRS outcome score (0–3) compared with 4 (29%) in the delayed group. According to GOS, 10 (29%) had a good recovery in the early treatment group, but only 1 (7%) in the delayed group. EQ-5D-3L utility value at discharge was significantly higher for early treatment (0.609 vs 0.221, p

This study suggests that early treatment may be associated with better health outcomes and reduced patient healthcare costs, with a potential for savings to the NHS with faster treatment.

Hand-arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremities (HABIT-ILE) is an intensive rehabilitation programme for children with cerebral palsy (CP) delivered in a day camp setting recognised to promote the acquisition of specific functional abilities and independence. Currently, during HABIT-ILE camps, families are minimally involved in their child’s motor learning processes. This explains the challenges reported by both families and therapists, including difficulties in reinforcing skills at home, limited transfer to other functional goals and a lack of confidence in parents’ adaptive competence (self-determination and empowerment). Increasing family involvement in intensive motor rehabilitation programmes and the child’s developmental process by reinforcing skills at home could help reduce the parental impact of the child’s disability, enhance family satisfaction and strengthen their resources to support their child’s daily learning during and after the camp.

To address this, we developed the PARTNER programme, which combines HABIT-ILE with a structured home component focused on parent coaching.

We designed a non-inferiority, mixed-methods, multicentre randomised controlled trial to compare the efficacy at 3 months of the PARTNER programme (35 hours HABIT-ILE+15 hours home programme) with the standard HABIT-ILE programme (50 hours) on the bimanual performance (Assisting Hand Assessment) of children with unilateral CP aged 3–5 years. The secondary aims are to compare the 3-month efficacy of the programmes on occupational performance, functional skills and upper limb activity levels, as well as families’ resources, the parent–child relationship, the quantity and quality of resources available in the home to stimulate the child’s motor development, and parental perceptions of their child’s disability and their child’s abilities (qualitative study). The tertiary aim is to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of care consumption in each group up to 6 months after the end of the programmes.

Target recruitment is 66 children (33 in each group) from 3 centres in France. Outcomes will be evaluated before the interventions, immediately after, at 3 months and up to 6 months for the cost-effectiveness analysis. Families in the PARTNER group will receive specific coaching and extensive support to perform the home programme. The coaching will focus on enhancing their resources.

The study protocol has been reviewed, and ethics approval obtained from the Protection of Persons Committee (PPC) (PPC number: 2024-A01051-46). The results from this study will be actively disseminated through manuscript publications and conference presentations.

NCT06963151.

Recent studies have demonstrated a beneficial role of steroids in severe community-acquired pneumonia, severe COVID-19 infection and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of diverse aetiology. This multicentre randomised controlled trial in severe scrub typhus pneumonitis and ARDS will compare the effects of 6 mg of dexamethasone once per day with placebo, in addition to standard treatment, on ventilator-free days (VFD), mortality and ventilatory requirement.

The study, involving six sites, will recruit 440 patients with severe scrub typhus pneumonitis or ARDS to concealed, block-randomised, site-specific assignment of dexamethasone or placebo for 4–7 days. The primary outcome will be VFD, defined as days alive and free of ventilation at 28 days. Secondary outcomes will include 28-day mortality, need and duration of ventilation, and treatment failure, defined as death, or escalation of respiratory support from simple devices (nasal cannula, mask) to non-invasive or invasive ventilation, or the use of open-labelled steroids for worsening shock. The study will also ascertain if antinuclear antibody (ANA) expression during the acute phase of illness will predict steroid responsiveness. Subgroup analyses will be conducted a priori on ANA expression and the need for ventilation. All analyses will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis. The trial, which commenced in April 2025, would clarify the role of corticosteroids in scrub typhus pneumonitis.

The Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee of the lead site, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India, has approved the study (IRB Min No 15920 (INTERVE) dated 22 November 2023). The remaining five sites have obtained approval from their respective ethics committees. Study results will be published in an international peer-reviewed journal.

CTRI/2024/12/077709. Registered 5 December 2024.