Comparative evaluation of group-based mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment and management of chronic pain disorders: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis with indirect comparisons

Abstract Background Chronic pain disorders impact the physical, psychological, social, and financial well-being of between 10%–30% of Canadians. The primary aims of psychological interventions targeting chronic pain disorders are to reduce patients’ pain-related disability and to improve their quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the prevailing treatment for chronic pain, however mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has displayed promise as an alternative treatment option. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare MBSR to CBT in their relative ability to reduce pain-related disability and intensity, to alleviate emotional distress, and to improve global functioning in chronic pain patients. Methods/design We will conduct a systematic review with meta-analyses to compare MBSR to CBT in the treatment of chronic pain disorders in adults. We will report our review according to the recommendations provided by the PRISMA statement. Randomized studies will be included and the literature search will comprise Ovid MEDLINE®, Ovid MEDLINE® In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Embase Classic + Embase, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library on Wiley, including CENTRAL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, DARE, and HTA. Study selection and data extraction will be conducted by independent investigators and in duplicate. Outcomes of interest will include pain interference, pain intensity, emotional functioning, and patient global impression of change. The Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to assess risk of bias of included studies. As we anticipate that scales used to measure participant responses will be related but varied from study to study, standardized mean differences will be used to compare effect sizes between treatment modalities. Given the possibility of little or no head-to-head evidence comparing MBSR with CBT, we will use indirect treatment comparison methodology to assess the relative effectiveness of these interventions. Discussion The findings from this study will assist patients and treatment providers to make informed decisions regarding evidence-based treatment selection for chronic pain disorders. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD4201400935

New cod war of words:'Cod is God' versus 'sod the cod'—Two opposed discourses on the North Sea Cod Recovery Programme

New insights into the North Sea Cod Recovery Programme (CRP), initiated in 2003 by the European Commission to reverse the long-term decline in cod stocks, are presented using discourse analysis. The main conservation measures taken under the CRP have been to reduce catch limits drastically and to increase control over vessels' fishing activities. There has been considerable controversy over the programme from its inception, with protagonists broadly divided into two discourses: (1) 'cod is God'-in which cod has assumed the status of the defining test of the European Union's (EU) resolve to manage fish stocks sustainably in EU waters; (2) 'sod the cod'-in which cod is regarded as one of a number of target commercial fish species, with no special status. Drawing on Frank Fischer's distinction between hegemonic and challenging discourses, we analyse the conflict between them at three levels: empirical; conceptual; and political. We consider moves to reconcile the two discourses in a policy consensus on a revised CRP, which suggest that the challenging discourse (sod-the-cod) has had some success in modifying the impact of the hegemonic discourse (cod-is-God

Governmental Accountability, National Development and the Ombudsman: A Commonwealth Perspective

Governmental Accountability, National Development and the Ombudsman: A Commonwealth Perspectiv

COMBATING THE BRIBERY OF FOREIGN PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND THE 'ART OF PERSUASION'. THE CASE OF ALSTOM AND THE ENERGY SECTOR

This article explores some of the developing strategies designed to tackle the supply side of transnational corruption through the “Art of Persuasion” i.e. how to “persuade” commercial organisations, no matter how powerful, to commit to good governance and integrity in their business. In doing so, it uses Alstom SA as a case study. The article is divided into three parts. Part 1 explores some of “persuasive” techniques designed to combat the bribery of foreign public officials and to enhance corporate good governance and integrity. Part 2 explores some of the lessons and challenges from the Alstom case whilst Part 3 contains a Conclusion which re-visits the “Art of Persuasion”

COMBATING CORRUPTION: SOME REFLECTIONS ON THE USE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE TORT OF MISCONDUCT/MISFEASANCE IN A PUBLIC OFFICE

After several years of controversy and uncertainty, on 8 April 2010 the Bribery Act 2010 received the Royal Assent. The Act swept away the unsatisfactory, fragmented and complex corruption offences at common law and under the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889-1916 and in their place created two general corruption offences (the offence of bribing another person and the offence of being bribed, each of which may be committed in the public or private sector), a discrete offence of the bribery of a foreign public official and an entirely new offence of failure by a commercial organisation to prevent a bribe being paid

The Standard of Proof in Disciplinary Proceedings: Solicitors Regulation Authority v Sharif (2019)

The January 2019 ruling of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in Solicitors Regulation Authority v Sharif1 highlighted the care that legal practitioners must take in order to satisfy their anti-money laundering obligations and the serious consequences of any failure to do so. This is the subject of a separate note in this issueof the Denning Law Journal.2 However, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal applied the criminal standard of proof in the case. The question as to whether this is now the appropriate approach is the subject of this note