Methods in Evidence Synthesis seminar (MESS)
Worldwide, hypertension affects more than 30% of people aged 30-79 years, and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and peripheral arterial disease. Relaxation therapies (such as yoga, mindfulness and breathing control) have long been considered potential adjuncts to manage hypertension but are not currently recommended in most clinical guidelines. The NIHR Bristol Evidence Synthesis Group (ESG) have recently conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of the effectiveness of relaxation and stress management therapies for people with hypertension and pre-hypertension. In the MESS we will present the findings of the review, and discuss some of the issues and challenges we encountered during the process.
Monika Halicka is a Senior Research Associate in the NIHR Evidence Synthesis Group at the University of Bristol. She completed her PhD in Psychology at the University of Bath and held postdoctoral research roles at the University of Liverpool and UCLouvain (Belgium). Her previous research has broadly focused on chronic pain from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience and predicting treatment outcomes.
Katie Webster is a Research Fellow in the NIHR Bristol Evidence Synthesis Group. She has a clinical background, working predominantly in obstetrics and gynaecology. Her research focused on potential biomarkers of endometriosis (a common cause of subfertility and pelvic pain in women). After finishing her PhD, she moved into evidence synthesis. She worked for NICE for several years before taking a role with Cochrane ENT in 2019, then joining the ESG in April 2023.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://bristol-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/97861199295?pwd=opiAXagNqdg72b5H0NNfLGtJvTf7zf.1