Karen Christina Walker

Ms. Karen Christina Walker


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

20Years (2007-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
1 January 2018 in Patient Preference and Adherence
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
KWKaren Christina Walker
Karen Christina Walker
LVLaura Staun Valentiner
Laura Staun Valentiner
HLHenning Langberg
Henning Langberg
Aim: To explore motivational factors for initiating, implementing, and maintaining physical activity following a rehabilitation program for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Semi-structured, individual, qualitative interviews with five informants from the InterWalk trial were conducted at three separate occasions; at initiation of the rehabilitation program, at completion of the 12-week program, and 52 weeks after enrolment. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed according to Systematic Text Condensation. The framework of Self-Determination Theory was applied to guide analysis after identification of preliminary themes. Results: Commitment and obligation were emphasized as being motivational in initiating physical activity. Toward the termination of the program, this was challenged by an expressed need for autonomy. Successful behavioral change was characterized by transfer of commitment to a new structure in everyday life, which also honored the request for autonomy. Feeling capable of participating in physical activity was facilitated through knowledge, practical experience, and progress and considered motivational, whereas lack of progress extinguished motivation. Finally, enjoyment of the activity was determining for long-term maintenance of physical activity behavior. Conclusion: Satisfaction of innate psychological needs leads to more autonomous regulation of behavior and, through this study, we investigated determining factors for extrinsically motivated behavior and factors of importance to the internalization process.

CKChristoffer Bruun Korfitsen
Christoffer Bruun Korfitsen
MMMarie-Louise Kirkegaard Mikkelsen
Marie-Louise Kirkegaard Mikkelsen
AUAnja Ussing
Anja Ussing
KWKaren Christina Walker
Karen Christina Walker
JRJeanett Friis Rohde
Jeanett Friis Rohde
Mina HändelMina Händel
Mina Händel
The Danish Health Authority develops clinical practice guidelines to support clinical decision-making based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system and prioritizes using Cochrane reviews. The objective of this study was to explore the usefulness of Cochrane reviews as a source of evidence in the development of clinical recommendations. Evidence-based recommendations in guidelines published by the Danish Health Authority between 2014 and 2021 were reviewed. For each recommendation, it was noted if and how Cochrane reviews were utilized. In total, 374 evidence-based recommendations and 211 expert consensus recommendations were published between 2014 and 2021. Of the 374 evidence-based recommendations, 106 included evidence from Cochrane reviews. In 28 recommendations, all critical and important outcomes included evidence from Cochrane reviews. In 36 recommendations, a minimum of all critical outcomes included evidence from Cochrane reviews, but not all important outcomes. In 33 recommendations, some but not all critical outcomes included evidence from Cochrane reviews. Finally, in nine recommendations, some of the important outcomes included evidence from Cochrane reviews. In almost one-third of the evidence-based recommendations, Cochrane reviews were used to inform clinical recommendations. This evaluation should inform future evaluations of Cochrane review uptake in clinical practice guidelines concerning outcomes important for clinical decision-making.

29 September 2017 in Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MKMalte Bue Kongstad
Malte Bue Kongstad
LVLaura Staun Valentiner
Laura Staun Valentiner
MRMathias Ried-Larsen
Mathias Ried-Larsen
KWKaren Christina Walker
Karen Christina Walker
CJCarsten Bogh Juhl
Carsten Bogh Juhl
HLHenning Langberg
Henning Langberg
Objectives: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the effectiveness of remote feedback intervention compared with standardized treatment on physical activity levels in persons with type 2 diabetes. Further, to investigate the influence of the length of intervention, number of contacts, study size, delivery of feedback, and preliminary face-to-face sessions. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in May 2017, with a priori defined eligibility criteria: randomized controlled trials investigating remote feedback interventions in adult persons with type 2 diabetes, using physical activity as outcome. The effect size was calculated as standardized mean difference (SMD) and was pooled in a meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Meta-regression analyses were performed to examine if the observed effect size could be attributed to study- or intervention characteristics using these as covariates. Results: The literature search identified 4455 articles of which 27 met the eligibility criteria. The meta-analysis including a total of 4215 participants found an overall effect size in favour of remote feedback interventions compared to standardized treatment, SMD = 0.33 (95% CI: 0.17 to 0.49), I2 = 81.7%). Analyses on study characteristics found that the effect on physical activity was only influenced by study size, with a larger effect in small studies. Conclusion: Adding remote feedback to standardized treatments aimed at increasing physical activity in persons with type 2 diabetes showed a small to moderate additional increase in physical activity levels. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42016033479.

4 May 2020 in Epilepsia
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
ISIna Olmer Specht
Ina Olmer Specht
FTFanney Thorsteinsdottir
Fanney Thorsteinsdottir
KWKaren Christina Walker
Karen Christina Walker
JOJørn Olsen
Jørn Olsen
BHBerit Lilienthal Heitmann
Berit Lilienthal Heitmann

12 October 2017 in Obesity Facts
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
JRJohanne Aviaja Rosing
Johanne Aviaja Rosing
KWKaren Christina Walker
Karen Christina Walker
Benjamin JensenBenjamin Jensen
Benjamin Jensen
BHBerit Lilienthal Heitmann
Berit Lilienthal Heitmann
Background: Recent studies have shown an association between weight change and the makeup of the intestinal microbiota in humans. Specifically, Lactobacillus, a part of the entire gastrointestinal tract's microbiota, has been shown to contribute to weight regulation. Aim: We examined the association between the level of oral Lactobacillus and the subsequent 6-year weight change in a healthy population of 322 Danish adults aged 35-65 years at baseline. Design: Prospective observational study. Results: In unadjusted analysis the level of oral Lactobacillus was inversely associated with subsequent 6-year change in BMI. A statistically significant interaction between the baseline level of oral Lactobacillus and the consumption of complex carbohydrates was found, e.g. high oral Lactobacillus count predicted weight loss for those with a low intake of complex carbohydrates, while a medium intake of complex carbohydrates predicted diminished weight gain. A closer examination of these relations showed that BMI change and Lactobacillus level was unrelated for those with high complex carbohydrate consumption. Conclusion: A high level of oral Lactobacillus seems related to weight loss among those with medium and low intakes of complex carbohydrates. Absence, or a low level of oral Lactobacillus, may potentially be a novel marker to identify those at increased risk of weight gain.

28 April 2023 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
KWKaren Christina Walker
Karen Christina Walker
FTFanney Thorsteinsdottir
Fanney Thorsteinsdottir
HChenrik thybo christesen
henrik thybo christesen
VHVibeke Elisabeth Hjortdal
Vibeke Elisabeth Hjortdal
BHBerit Lilienthal Heitmann
Berit Lilienthal Heitmann
Mina HändelMina Händel
Mina Händel
Maternal dietary factors have been suggested as possible contributing influences for congenital anomalies (CAs). We aimed to assess the association between vitamin D supplementation or vitamin D status (s-25OHD) during pregnancy and CAs in the offspring. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the three electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Included studies were critically appraised using appropriate tools (risk of bias 2, ROBINS-I). A protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42019127131). A meta-analysis of four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) including 3931 participants showed no effect of vitamin D supplementation on CAs, a relative risk of 0.76 (95% CI 0.45; 1.30), with moderate certainty in the effect estimates by GRADE assessment. Of the nine identified observational studies, six were excluded due to a critical risk of bias in accordance with ROBINS-I. Among the included observational studies, two studies found no association, whereas one case-control study identified an association between s-25OHD < 20 nmol/L and neural tube defects, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.34 (95% CI: 1.07; 5.07). Interpretation of the results should be cautious given the low prevalence of CAs, RCTs with onset of supplementation after organogenesis, and low-quality observational studies.