The effectiveness of non-pharmacologic treatments compared to pharmacologic treatments in veterans with sleep disturbances: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

Objective: The objective is to determine the effectiveness of non-pharmacologic treatments compared to pharmacologic treatments in veterans with sleep disturbances.

Introduction: Sleep disturbances in veterans are a common occurrence. If left untreated, these individuals are susceptible not only to accidents and injuries but long-term psychiatric and/or cardiovascular complications.

Inclusion criteria: This review will consider studies of veterans, aged 18 and over, with a diagnosis of sleep disturbances. This study will exclude patients with psychotic disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, or other medical illnesses causing disrupted sleep.

Methods: This review will use the JBI methodology for evidence of effectiveness. The search will be limited to studies published in English after 1970. The databases to be searched include MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL (EBSCO), Embase (Elsevier), Scopus (Elsevier), and PsycINFO (EBSCO). The trial registers to be searched include US National Library of Medicine (ClinicalTrials.gov) and Cochrane Library. The search for unpublished studies will include ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, MedNar, and WorldWideScience. Eligible studies will undergo critical appraisal and data extraction by two independent reviewers using standardized critical appraisal instruments and a data extraction tool from JBI. Studies will be pooled in statistical meta-analysis when possible. When statistical pooling is not possible, the findings will be presented in narrative form with tables and figures.

Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO (CRD42019140804).