Literature Search in Focus
Curious to see current topics of interest amongst local healthcare professionals?
Discover the topics and search results from some of the latest literature searches requested by UHD and DHC staff, and compiled by the UHD Knowledge and Library Service team.
The content of this list is curated, does not include all recent literature searches, and is regularly updated.
What is a Literature Search?
A literature or evidence search is a detailed, comprehensive, and systematic search of the published and unpublished literature about specific topics or conditions. We know that our users are busy and don’t often have time to look for the evidence they need themselves, so that’s where the Library Team come in! We search on your behalf and provide you with a report of the results.
Request a Literature Search
Click here to learn more about our Literature Search service, or to request a new search.
Literature Searching skills sessions
If you are interested in carrying out your own literature search, you are welcome to join one of our regular skills sessions on MS Teams for help and guidance. Click here to book.
Recent Literature Searches
- All
- August 2026
- July 2026
- June 2026
- May 2026
- April 2026
- March 2026
- February 2026
- January 2026
- December 2025
- November 2025
- October 2025
- September 2025
Angleman syndrome and mental health
A search for evidence on the presentation of angleman syndrome in adults and the mental health associations it has
Evidence for use of corticosteroid injection for treating De Quervain's syndrome
A search to find evidence for using corticosteroid injections in De Quervain’s Syndrome
How do you clinically diagnose De Quervain's?
A search for information about diagnosis of De Quervain’s Syndrome
Is mixing lidocaine with steroid injection a benefit for soft tissue conditions?
Looking for evidence for the use of lidocaine with steroid injections in soft tissue conditions
Use of AI in enhancing the safety of lone-working nurses
Is being on warfarin a contraindication to having a corticosteriod injection?
A search for contraindications of having a corticosteriod injection when on warfarin
The use of medicines in intravenous training
A search for the use of medications in intravenous training
Understanding value and variation of OT roles within mental health and psychiatric rehab teams
Looking for evidence of occupational therapist roles in mental health teams
Generalisation of speech sounds following SALT intervention
A search for speech sounds after speech and language therapy
Neurodiversity, pregnancy and emergency departments
A search for ED care of neurodiverse pregnant women
Do long day duties impact patient safety and or staff wellbeing?
Evidence on the effects of long day shifts on patient safety and staff wellbeing in inpatient mental health settings
Physiotherapy management of shoulder problems following cervical neck dissection
A search to find articles and evidence about physiotherapy management of shoulder problems following cervical neck dissection
Causes of hoarding behaviour and psychological interventions
This search looked for evidence of psychological interventions for hoarding
Ultra processed foods in UK schools
This search looked for evidence about ultra processed foods in UK school meals
Role of creativity or recovery narratives in mental health recovery
This search identified research about the role that creativity plays in the recovery or sense-making process for adults suffering from mental health disorders
Bespoke fidelity on a budget: rapid development of a localised simulated EPR using generative AI
This search looked for articles and evidence about the benefits of a simulated electronic patient record system
Peripheral nerve blocks for rib fractures in geriatric patients
This systematic review looked for articles about peripheral nerve blocks for rib fractures in geriatric patients
Preceptorship
This search looked for information about how to set up a preceptorship programme
Research to support the use of groups in home treatment teams
This search looked for information about groups in home treatment teams
Conscious sedation training
This search looked for articles that discuss the training requirements for NHS healthcare professionals that undertake conscious sedation, with particular focus on medical specialities such as endoscopy, cardiology and radiology
A realist synthesis of citizenship interventions in mental health
This search looked for articles about the use of a citizenship approach within mental health practice
Collars / orthoses in Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression
This search looked for information about the use and management of collars for patients with Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression
CVAD eLearning in other NHS and non NHS organisations
This search looked at training and elearning for central venous access devices (CVAD) in other NHS trusts and non-NHS organisations
Direct-to-test FibroScan referral care from primary care into hospitals
A search for information about FibroScan at other NHS trusts, in published literature and in national guidance
Early rehabilitation vs. conventional immobilisation in nonoperative treatment of proximal humeral fractures
This search looked for information to support early rehabilitation in proximal humerus fractures
Elective orthopaedics and the impact of therapy on patient treatment
A search for articles relating to elective orthopaedics and the impact that therapy (physio and/or OT) has on patient treatment
Evidence for or against therapists working at weekends in neurorehabilitation
This search looked for articles and cases about weekend working for therapists in neurorehabilitation
Lewy Body Dementia - the Diamond Criteria
Studies related to the DIAMOND Lewy Toolkit – the toolkit used for improving the diagnosis and management of Lewy body dementia
Mothers with a neurodiversity
This search looked for information, studies and articles about neurodiverse mothers and their prenatal, birthing and postpartum experiences
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
An overview of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome and the differences between NMS and malignant catatonia, including looking for any unusual presentations of psychosis seen in PANDAS – Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections
The latest evidence on nutritional psychiatry
This search looked for articles with the latest information and evidence from the field of nutritional psychiatry and how it can be employed in an acute setting
Upper limb rehabilitation and hand resting splints for people with Multiple Sclerosis
A literature review to help develop a pathway for the MS Team to support patients with optimising their upper limb function particularly looking for the use of splints
Improving wound documentation in ED
This search looked for information about wound documentation within emergency departments
Childhood immunisations
Approaches, interventions that have been shown to be effective in increasing childhood immunisations uptake rates in developed countries.
Evidence for Dysphagia and compensatory strategies
What is the evidence for dysphagia therapy (including, but not limited to, EMST and Shaker) and compensatory strategies (like Mendelsohn Maneuver, supraglottic and super supraglottic swallow, chin tuck, head turn) actually improving swallow function and increasing swallow safety?
Falls prevention strategies in ED
This search looked for information about falls prevention strategies in emergency healthcare environments
Lipoprotein (a)
Lipoprotein (a) risk factors, genelogy, impact on patient health around cardiac and cardiovascular diseases.
Mononeuritis Monoplex
What are the causes / aetiology/ management and prognosis of mononeuritis multiplex?
New guidance on MRSA
MRSA latest evidence of practice from 2019 onwards and also a horizon scan from other NHS trusts (SOP)
Stammering
Where does stammering fit within the social model of disability and neurodiversity movement, and how should that shape our practice?
What effect does long term lithium treatment have on renal function?
This search looked at long term lithium use and it’s impact on renal function, specifically for older patients.
Integrated nursing teams across community and primary care nursing
Are there any examples of community integrated teams where community nursing and primary care nursing are truly integrated as per the national agenda for integrated neighbourhood working?
Removal of peripheral cannulas
Removal of peripheral cannula for standard operating procedure for adults. The latest evidence of practice from 2019 onwards and also a horizon scan from other NHS trusts (SOP)
VTE prophylaxis in ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke
Evidence of starting VTE prophylaxis for ischemic stroke earlier than current practice
Use of impact mats to reduce risk of injury
A search to look for information about the use of impact mats to reduce the risk of injury in hospital settings
Frequency of Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) in CYP with ADHD
A search to find information about rejection sensitivity dysphoria and the impact of learning and school absences
CPI flags
This search looked for evidence related to the introduction of critical information flags for cancer care
The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treatment or management of endometriosis
This search looked for evidence of the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for managing or treating endometriosis
Shoulder stabilisation surgery
A search to find tests to determine the return to sport post shoulder stabilisation surgery
Validated and reliable tests that support return-to-sport decisions for traumatic and atraumatic shoulder dislocations
A search to find information about validated and reliable tests that support return-to-sport decisions for shoulder dislocations
Occupational Therapy in acute care
This search looked for articles that demonstrate the impact of occupational therapy in an acute medical setting.
Bracing of Patella
Management and assessment of dysphagia in FND
This search looked for guidance on how to manage and assess functional neurological dysphagia.
Effectiveness of corticosteroid injections
This search looked for information regarding treatment and the use of corticosteroid injections for the shoulder.
Views of online rehabilitation in stroke neuro rehabilitation
This search looked for information about the experiences and perceptions of patients and healthcare staff on remote rehabilitation.
Employee files policy
Hospital-acquired thrombosis
Mindfulness and psychosis
This search looked for information about how mindfulness might affect the experiences of people living with psychosis.
The correlation between dyslexia and speech language disorders
This search looked for information about dyslexia and speech/language disorders.
Breath regulation for persistent spinal pain
This search looked for evidence of breathing exercises in the management of chronic back pain
Hyperacute screen tool
This search looked for hyperacute screening tools in high dependency units and psychiatric intensive care units
Therapeutic relationship or alliance and ethics
This search looked for information about the ethical aspects of the therapeutic relationship or alliance.
NHS waiting rooms
This search looked for evidence that decorations were beneficial in NHS waiting rooms.
Trials without catheters
Best practice approaches for learning disability diagnosis and IQ score impacts
This search looked for up to date evidence about diagnosing learning disabilities, particularly concerning the use or not of IQ testing.
Staff engagement impact in the NHS
This search looked for information about how staff engagement in the NHS impacts working practices, patient care and staff wellbeing
Occupational Therapist in community mental health team for older people
This search looked for information about interventions and assessments used by OTs working in community mental health for older people
A best practice model for hospital at home services associated with an acute hospital
This search looked for information and evidence about how hospital at home services are defined, structured and delivered
Step strategies for individuals with Parkinson's
This search looked for information and evidence about strategies for managing steps, ramps and door thresholds for people with Parkinson’s
Disorders of gut-brain interaction
This search looked for articles that discuss the gut-brain axis and how gut-brain disorders can impact psychiatric disorders
Spirulina and chronic leg ulcer
This search looked for evidence-based research about spirulina and chronic leg ulcer healing
Are corticosteroid injections effective in treating SIRVA?
This search looked for evidence about the use of corticosteroids with shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration
Rehabilitation following Cap-Flex PIP joint replacement
This search looked for evidence and information about rehabilitation following Cap-Flex PIP joint replacement
The effect of ECT in terms of tinnitus as a side effect
A search to explore if there is a link between ECT and tinnitus
The relationship between poor oral hygiene and pneumonia in inpatient units
This search looked for information about oral hygiene and the risk of pneumonia development in inpatient settings
What is the evidence around anti-depressant efficacy in someone who is misusing alcohol a significant amount?
A search to find information about the use of antidepressants in alcohol misuse
Incidence of fibromyalgia diagnosis in individuals living with obesity and impact on quality of life
This search looked for evidence and information about the links between fibromyalgia and obesity
Management of paratonia and contractures
This search looked for recent research on best management of paratonia and contractures related to stiffness
Needlestick injuries guidance
This literature search looked for guidance on whether we should encourage bleeding freely with or without squeezing following a needlestick injury
Quality improvement project regarding management guidelines for ischaemic colitis
Pressure ulcers
Policies and guidelines for the management of Pressure Ulcers to inform the creation of a teaching programme
The overlap of ADHD and neurodiversity and FND
Looking for articles about the overlap of ADHD and neurodiversity and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
The role and impact of an Advanced Clinical Practitioner within a perioperative medicine service for older people
A search to find evidence of an ACP role working within a perioperative medicine service for older people undergoing surgery
Implementation framework for Dissonance-based eating disorders (ED) prevention programmes
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) - latest evidence and national guidance
A search to find the latest evidence and/or national guidance for managing a blocked PICC line
The medial branch block and denervation procedure
The overlap of ADHD and neurodiversity and adult-onset ABI symptoms
Evidence-based early interventions for children at risk of developing disordered eating or restrictive diets
This literature search looked for evidence-based early interventions for children at risk of developing disordered eating or restrictive diets
Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis with coexisting vasculitis case report
An ambulatory / SAU pathway for patients with ischaemic colitis
A search to find evidence based pathways for adults with ischaemic colitis
Does wheelchair weight have a direct impact on self propelling efficiency?
Guidance for lateral transfers
Delayed angioedema
Pressure relieving cushions
A search to find evidence into the most cost effective pressure relieving cushions for use in the Trust.
Strategies to overcome neglect or inattention in wheelchair users
A search to find evidence for the best strategies to treat neglect in people with ABI who use wheelchairs
Young adult stroke survivors
Effect of alcohol on sensory profile of adults with learning difficulties
A search looking for the specific effects of alcohol use on sensory processing and preferences in individuals with learning disabilities or autism. Evidence is limited or indirect on this topic.
Personality disorders / structured clinical management
The role of breath in persistent pain
Disclaimer: All searches have been anonymised and user details have been deleted. These evidence searches do not constitute NHS policy and the results are pertinent to the date they were completed. Please be advised, some searches include links to articles with content that individuals may find distressing or upsetting. If you have any questions, please contact us uhd.library@nhs.net.