title: The effectiveness of self-management support interventions for men with long-term conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of self-management support interventions in men with long-term conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quantitative systematic review with meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was searched to identify published reviews of self-management support interventions. Relevant reviews were screened to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of self-management support interventions conducted in men alone, or which analysed the effects of interventions by sex.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on relevant outcomes, patient populations, intervention type and study quality were extracted. Quality appraisal was conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Meta-analysis was conducted to compare the effects of interventions in men, women, and mixed-sex sub-groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  40 RCTs of self-management support interventions in men, and 20 eligible RCTs where an analysis by sex was reported, were included in the review. Meta-analysis suggested that physical activity, education, and peer support-based interventions have a positive impact on quality of life in men. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to make strong statements about whether self-management support interventions show larger, similar or smaller effects in men compared with women and mixed-sex groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians may wish to consider whether certain types of self-management support (eg, physical activity, education, peer support) are particularly effective in men, although more research is needed to fully determine and explore this.
authors: Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Galdas
authors: Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Fell
authors: NIHR School for Primary Care Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Bower
authors: School of Health and Life Sciences/Institute for Applied Health Research, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Kidd
authors: NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) Greater Manchester, Centre for Primary Care, Institute of Population Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Blickem
authors: School of Health and Life Sciences/Institute for Applied Health Research, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
authors: Kerri
authors: K
authors: McPherson
authors: MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Hunt
authors: Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Gilbody
authors: Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK.
authors: Gerry
authors: G
authors: Richardson
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054526:Men's Health; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D012944:Social Support
keywords: PRIMARY CARE; PUBLIC HEALTH