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An J, Fan W, Mittal A, Zhang Y, Chen AT. Mobile App Use among Persons with Fibromyalgia: A Cross-Sectional Survey. J Pain 2024:S1526-5900(24)00435-8. [PMID: 38522593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Persons with fibromyalgia experience a diverse set of symptoms. Recommendations for management generally focus on multidisciplinary approaches involving multiple modalities. Mobile apps can be an essential component for self-management, yet little is known about how persons with fibromyalgia use mobile apps for health-related purposes. A cross-sectional survey (N=663) was conducted to understand the real-world use of apps among persons with fibromyalgia. The survey included two main foci: 1) eHealth literacy and use of information sources, and 2) mobile app use patterns and preferences for health-related purposes, including the types of apps used and usage characteristics of apps that they used, as well as those that they had discontinued. Respondents' average eHealth literacy as measured by eHEALS was 31.4 (SD=7.1), and they utilized diverse information sources. Approximately two-thirds of the sample used mobile apps; the remaining one-third did not. Diverse health management needs were represented in the apps reported, including scheduling/time management, notetaking, fitness, and wellness. Compared to apps that had been discontinued, participants rated apps that they still used higher in terms of ease of use and used them more frequently. Reasons for discontinuing app use included issues with privacy, the effort required, lack of interest, and lack of perceived quality. Other reasons for app non-use were lack of awareness and how-to knowledge, indicating that disseminating information about apps and addressing other barriers, such as providing user support, are critical to increasing uptake. These study findings can inform both app design and dissemination. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents how persons with fibromyalgia use mobile apps to manage their health. The findings could inform the development of digital interventions or programs for this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin An
- School of Information, University of Texas at Austin.
| | - Wei Fan
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Seattle.
| | - Anant Mittal
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle.
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Information, University of Texas at Austin.
| | - Annie T Chen
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Seattle.
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Cáceres Rivera DI, Rojas LMJ, Rojas LZ, Gomez DC, Castro Ruiz DA, López Romero LA. Using Principles of Digital Development for a Smartphone App to Support Data Collection in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Physical Activity Intolerance: Case Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e33868. [PMID: 38498019 DOI: 10.2196/33868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in health have highlighted the need to implement technologies as a fundamental part of the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of patients at risk of or with health alterations. For this purpose, digital platforms have demonstrated their applicability in the identification of care needs. Nursing is a fundamental component in the care of patients with cardiovascular disorders and plays a crucial role in diagnosing human responses to these health conditions. Consequently, the validation of nursing diagnoses through ongoing research processes has become a necessity that can significantly impact both patients and health care professionals. OBJECTIVE We aimed to describe the process of developing a mobile app to validate the nursing diagnosis "intolerance to physical activity" in patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS We describe the development and pilot-testing of a mobile system to support data collection for validating the nursing diagnosis of activity intolerance. This was a descriptive study conducted with 11 adults (aged ≥18 years) who attended a health institution for highly complex needs with a suspected diagnosis of coronary syndrome between August and September 2019 in Floridablanca, Colombia. An app for the clinical validation of activity intolerance (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association [NANDA] code 00092) in patients with acute coronary syndrome was developed in two steps: (1) operationalization of the nursing diagnosis and (2) the app development process, which included an evaluation of the initial requirements, development and digitization of the forms, and a pilot test. The agreement level between the 2 evaluating nurses was evaluated with the κ index. RESULTS We developed a form that included sociodemographic data, hospital admission data, medical history, current pharmacological treatment, and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction risk score (TIMI-RS) and GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) scores. To identify the defining characteristics, we included official guidelines, physiological measurements, and scales such as the Piper fatigue scale and Borg scale. Participants in the pilot test (n=11) had an average age of 63.2 (SD 4.0) years and were 82% (9/11) men; 18% (2/11) had incomplete primary schooling. The agreement between the evaluators was approximately 80% for most of the defining characteristics. The most prevalent characteristics were exercise discomfort (10/11, 91%), weakness (7/11, 64%), dyspnea (3/11, 27%), abnormal heart rate in response to exercise (2/10, 20%), electrocardiogram abnormalities (1/10, 9%), and abnormal blood pressure in response to activity (1/10, 10%). CONCLUSIONS We developed a mobile app for validating the diagnosis of "activity intolerance." Its use will guarantee not only optimal data collection, minimizing errors to perform validation, but will also allow the identification of individual care needs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lyda Z Rojas
- Centro de Investigaciones, Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia, Floridablanca, Colombia
| | - Diana Canon Gomez
- Centro de Investigaciones, Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia, Floridablanca, Colombia
| | | | - Luis Alberto López Romero
- Departamento de Pediatría, de Obstetricia y Ginecología y de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Veneman T, Koopman FS, Oorschot S, Koomen PG, Nollet F, Voorn EL. A Mobile Health App to Support Home-Based Aerobic Exercise in Neuromuscular Diseases: Usability Study. JMIR Hum Factors 2024; 11:e49808. [PMID: 38488838 DOI: 10.2196/49808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Home-based aerobic exercise in people with neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) has benefits compared to exercise in the hospital or a rehabilitation center because traveling is often cumbersome due to mobility limitations, and societal costs are lower. Barriers to home-based aerobic exercise include reduced possibilities for monitoring and lack of motivation. To overcome these and other barriers, we developed a mobile health app: Keep on training with ReVi (hereafter referred to as ReVi). OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine the usability of the ReVi app. METHODS Patients followed a 4-month, polarized, home-based aerobic exercise program on a cycle or rowing ergometer, with 2 low-intensity sessions and 1 high-intensity session per week supported by the ReVi app. The app collected training data, including heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion, provided real-time feedback on reaching target intensity zones, and enabled monitoring via an online dashboard. Physiotherapists instructed patients on how to use the ReVi app and supervised them during their training program. Patients and physiotherapists separately evaluated usability with self-developed questionnaires, including 9 questions on a 5-point Likert scale, covering the usability elements efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction. RESULTS Twenty-nine ambulatory adult patients (n=19 women; mean age 50.4, SD 14.2 years) with 11 different slowly progressive NMDs participated. Both patients and physiotherapists (n=10) reported that the app, in terms of its efficiency, was easy to use and had a rapid learning curve. Sixteen patients (55%) experienced 1 or more technical issue(s) during the course of the exercise program. In the context of effectiveness, 23 patients (81%) indicated that the app motivated them to complete the program and that it helped them to exercise within the target intensity zones. Most patients (n=19, 70%) and physiotherapists (n=6, 60%) were satisfied with the use of the app. The median attendance rate was 88% (IQR 63%-98%), with 76% (IQR 69%-82%) of time spent within the target intensity zones. Four adverse events were reported, 3 of which were resolved without discontinuation of the exercise program. CONCLUSIONS The usability of the ReVi app was high, despite the technical issues that occurred. Further development of the app to resolve these issues is warranted before broader implementation into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Veneman
- Amsterdam University Medical Center location University of Amsterdam, Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation & Development, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Fieke Sophia Koopman
- Amsterdam University Medical Center location University of Amsterdam, Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation & Development, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sander Oorschot
- Amsterdam University Medical Center location University of Amsterdam, Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation & Development, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Pien G Koomen
- Amsterdam University Medical Center location University of Amsterdam, Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation & Development, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Frans Nollet
- Amsterdam University Medical Center location University of Amsterdam, Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation & Development, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eric L Voorn
- Amsterdam University Medical Center location University of Amsterdam, Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation & Development, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Lang AL, Bruhn RL, Fehling M, Heidenreich A, Reisdorf J, Khanyaree I, Henningsen M, Remschmidt C. Feasibility Study on Menstrual Cycles With Fitbit Device (FEMFIT): Prospective Observational Cohort Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2024; 12:e50135. [PMID: 38470472 DOI: 10.2196/50135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite its importance to women's reproductive health and its impact on women's daily lives, the menstrual cycle, its regulation, and its impact on health remain poorly understood. As conventional clinical trials rely on infrequent in-person assessments, digital studies with wearable devices enable the collection of longitudinal subjective and objective measures. OBJECTIVE The study aims to explore the technical feasibility of collecting combined wearable and digital questionnaire data and its potential for gaining biological insights into the menstrual cycle. METHODS This prospective observational cohort study was conducted online over 12 weeks. A total of 42 cisgender women were recruited by their local gynecologist in Berlin, Germany, and given a Fitbit Inspire 2 device and access to a study app with digital questionnaires. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics on user behavior and retention, as well as a comparative analysis of symptoms from the digital questionnaires with metrics from the sensor devices at different phases of the menstrual cycle. RESULTS The average time spent in the study was 63.3 (SD 33.0) days with 9 of the 42 individuals dropping out within 2 weeks of the start of the study. We collected partial data from 114 ovulatory cycles, encompassing 33 participants, and obtained complete data from a total of 50 cycles. Participants reported a total of 2468 symptoms in the daily questionnaires administered during the luteal phase and menses. Despite difficulties with data completeness, the combined questionnaire and sensor data collection was technically feasible and provided interesting biological insights. We observed an increased heart rate in the mid and end luteal phase compared with menses and participants with severe premenstrual syndrome walked substantially fewer steps (average daily steps 10,283, SD 6277) during the luteal phase and menses compared with participants with no or low premenstrual syndrome (mean 11,694, SD 6458). CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate the feasibility of using an app-based approach to collect combined wearable device and questionnaire data on menstrual cycles. Dropouts in the early weeks of the study indicated that engagement efforts would need to be improved for larger studies. Despite the challenges of collecting wearable data on consecutive days, the data collected provided valuable biological insights, suggesting that the use of questionnaires in conjunction with wearable data may provide a more complete understanding of the menstrual cycle and its impact on daily life. The biological findings should motivate further research into understanding the relationship between the menstrual cycle and objective physiological measurements from sensor devices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosa-Lotta Bruhn
- Faculty of Health, University Witten Herdecke, Witten Herdecke, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Maike Henningsen
- Faculty of Health, University Witten Herdecke, Witten Herdecke, Germany
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Ramos N, Besoain F, Cancino N, Gallardo I, Albornoz P, Fresno A, Spencer R, Schott S, Núñez D, Salgado C, Campos S. Development of a Multiplatform Tool for the Prevention of Prevalent Mental Health Pathologies in Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Control Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e52324. [PMID: 38466982 DOI: 10.2196/52324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of depression and anxiety has increased in recent years, with many individuals having trouble accessing mental health support. Smartphones have become an integral part of modern life, with apps offering new ways to deliver evidence-based self-help strategies to cope with common mental health symptoms. However, most of them do not have empirical evidence of their overall effectiveness or the effectiveness of their components, which could pose a risk for users. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the modules of evaluation, psychoeducation, and emotional regulation strategies in a multiplatform self-help mental health mobile app in the Maule region of Chile. METHODS A sample of 196 adults will be selected, who will be randomly assigned to different components of the app for a fixed period to assess its ability to reduce symptomatology. RESULTS The trial is not yet recruiting and is expected to end in October 2024. The first results are expected in April 2024. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study in Chile to develop and test the effectiveness of a mobile app to manage anxiety and depression symptoms in adults. The intervention proposed is based on evidence suggesting that the internet or remote intervention tools and self-management of prevalent symptomatology could be the future of mental health care systems in the digital era. If the effects of the intervention are positive, wide implementation in Chile and other Spanish-speaking countries could be possible in the future. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/52324.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Ramos
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
- Center of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Felipe Besoain
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Natalia Cancino
- Center of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
- Doctorate in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
| | | | - Paula Albornoz
- Center of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Andres Fresno
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
| | | | | | - Daniel Núñez
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Carolina Salgado
- Center of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
- Medical School, Universidad Catolica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Susana Campos
- Center of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
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Shin JH, Shields R, Lee J, Skrove Z, Tredinnick R, Ponto K, Fields B. Quality and Accessibility of Home Assessment mHealth Apps for Community Living: Systematic Review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2024; 12:e52996. [PMID: 38466987 DOI: 10.2196/52996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Home assessment is a critical component of successful home modifications, enabling individuals with functional limitations to age in place comfortably. A high-quality home assessment tool should facilitate a valid and reliable assessment involving health care and housing professionals, while also engaging and empowering consumers and their caregivers who may be dealing with multiple functional limitations. Unlike traditional paper-and-pencil assessments, which require extensive training and expert knowledge and can be alienating to consumers, mobile health (mHealth) apps have the potential to engage all parties involved, empowering and activating consumers to take action. However, little is known about which apps contain all the necessary functionality, quality appraisal, and accessibility. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the functionality, overall quality, and accessibility of mHealth home assessment apps. METHODS mHealth apps enabling home assessment for aging in place were identified through a comprehensive search of scholarly articles, the Apple (iOS) and Google Play (Android) stores in the United States, and fnd.io. The search was conducted between November 2022 and January 2023 following a method adapted from PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). Reviewers performed a content analysis of the mobile app features to evaluate their functionality, overall quality, and accessibility. The functionality assessment used a home assessment component matrix specifically developed for this study. For overall quality, the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) was used to determine the apps' effectiveness in engaging and activating consumers and their caregivers. Accessibility was assessed using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 (A and AA levels). These 3 assessments were synthesized and visualized to provide a comprehensive evaluation. RESULTS A total of 698 apps were initially identified. After further screening, only 6 apps remained. Our review revealed that none of the apps used thoroughly tested assessment tools, offered all the functionality required for reliable home assessment, achieved the "good" quality threshold as measured by the MARS, or met the accessibility criteria when evaluated against WCAG 2.1. However, DIYModify received the highest scores in both the overall quality and accessibility assessments. The MapIt apps also showed significant potential due to their ability to measure the 3D environment and the inclusion of a desktop version that extends the app's functionality. CONCLUSIONS Our review revealed that there are very few apps available within the United States that possess the necessary functionality, engaging qualities, and accessibility to effectively activate consumers and their caregivers for successful home modification. Future app development should prioritize the integration of reliable and thoroughly tested assessment tools as the foundation of the development process. Furthermore, efforts should be made to enhance the overall quality and accessibility of these apps to better engage and empower consumers to take necessary actions to age in place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Hye Shin
- Department of Design Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Rachael Shields
- Department of Design Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jenny Lee
- Department of Design Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Zachary Skrove
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Ross Tredinnick
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Kevin Ponto
- Department of Design Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Beth Fields
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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Côté LP, Lane J. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Suicide.ca, Quebec's Digital Suicide Prevention Strategy Platform: Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e46195. [PMID: 38446536 PMCID: PMC10955392 DOI: 10.2196/46195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2017, the Quebec government assigned the Association québécoise de prévention du suicide (AQPS) to develop a digital suicide prevention strategy (DSPS). The AQPS responded by creating a centralized website that provides information on suicide and mental health, identifies at-risk individuals on the internet, and offers direct crisis intervention support via chat and text. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of suicide.ca, Quebec's DSPS platform. METHODS This study used a cross-sectional descriptive design. The study population comprised internet users from Quebec, Canada, who visited the suicide.ca platform between October 2020 and October 2021. Various data sources, such as Google Analytics, Firebase Console, and Customer Relation Management data, were analyzed to document the use of the platform. To understand the profile of suicide.ca users, frequency analyses were conducted using data from the self-assessment module questionnaires, the intervention service's triage questionnaire, and the counselors' intervention reports. The effectiveness of the platform's promotional activities on social media was assessed by examining traffic peaks. Google Analytics was used to evaluate the effectiveness of AQPS' strategy for identifying at-risk internet users. The impact of the intervention service was evaluated through an analysis of counselors' intervention reports and postintervention survey results. RESULTS The platform received traffic from a diverse range of sources, with promotional efforts on social media directly contributing to the increased traffic. The requirement of a user account posed a barrier to the use of the mobile app, and a triage question that involved personal information led to a substantial number of dropouts during the intervention service triage. AdWords campaigns and fact sheets addressing suicide risk factors played a crucial role in driving traffic to the platform. With regard to the profile of suicide.ca users, the findings revealed that the platform engaged individuals with diverse levels of suicidal risk. Notably, users of the chat service displayed a higher suicide risk than those who used the self-assessment module. Crisis chat counselors reported a positive impact on approximately half of the contacts, and overall, intervention service users expressed satisfaction with the support they received. CONCLUSIONS A centralized digital platform can be used to implement a DSPS, effectively reaching the general population, individuals with risk factors for suicide, and those facing suicidal issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis-Philippe Côté
- Centre for Research and Intervention on Suicide, Ethical Issues and End-of-life practices, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Julie Lane
- Centre RBC d'expertise universitaire en santé mentale, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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Lázaro-García A, Láinez-González D, González-Rodríguez M, Cano Alsua S, Suárez M EU, Solán-Blanco L, Cornago-Navascués J, López-Lorenzo JL, Llamas-Sillero P, Alonso-Domínguez JM. Music Listening in Stem Cell Transplantation and Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024:S0885-3924(24)00649-3. [PMID: 38447622 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.02.567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Music listening (ML) has been shown to have a beneficial effect on patients with cancer. However, novel intervention approaches are needed. OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine whether ML based on the iso-principle, conducted using a mobile application (GloMus), improves symptom burden, quality of life (QoL), anxiety, and depression in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT) and intensive induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS In this randomized controlled clinical trial, we assigned 71 patients to the ML or standard care (SC) groups, stratified by the reason for admission (AML, allogeneic-SCT, or inpatient/outpatient autologous-SCT). Upon admission, participants in the ML groups were invited to undergo daily ML sessions designed to change negative moods into positive ones (iso-principle). The intervention consisted of listening to pre-recorded classical music ordered by beats per minute and tonality. Symptom burden (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Revised) was assessed in the ML groups before and after each session. Anxiety, depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and QoL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplantation/Leukemia) were measured weekly in the ML and SC groups. RESULTS Symptom burden in both allogeneic- and inpatient autologous-SCT ML groups reduced after the intervention. In all experimental groups, clinically important improvements were observed after ML sessions. No differences were found between the groups (ML vs. SC) at different weeks of admission regarding anxiety, depression, and QoL. CONCLUSIONS ML based on our innovative iso-principle strategy, conducted using GloMus, reduced the symptom burden in patients undergoing allogeneic- and inpatient autologous-SCT (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05696457).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Lázaro-García
- Department of Hematology (A.L.-G., E.U.S.M., L.S.-B., J.C.-N., J.L.L.-L., P.L.-S., J.M..A.-D.), Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Daniel Láinez-González
- Experimental Hematology (D.L.-G., P.L.-S., J.M.A.-D.), Fundación Jiménez Díaz Health Research Institute - Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Santiago Cano Alsua
- Computing Services (S.C.A.), Research Support Center, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Edwin Uriel Suárez M
- Department of Hematology (A.L.-G., E.U.S.M., L.S.-B., J.C.-N., J.L.L.-L., P.L.-S., J.M..A.-D.), Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Solán-Blanco
- Department of Hematology (A.L.-G., E.U.S.M., L.S.-B., J.C.-N., J.L.L.-L., P.L.-S., J.M..A.-D.), Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Cornago-Navascués
- Department of Hematology (A.L.-G., E.U.S.M., L.S.-B., J.C.-N., J.L.L.-L., P.L.-S., J.M..A.-D.), Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis López-Lorenzo
- Department of Hematology (A.L.-G., E.U.S.M., L.S.-B., J.C.-N., J.L.L.-L., P.L.-S., J.M..A.-D.), Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Llamas-Sillero
- Department of Hematology (A.L.-G., E.U.S.M., L.S.-B., J.C.-N., J.L.L.-L., P.L.-S., J.M..A.-D.), Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Experimental Hematology (D.L.-G., P.L.-S., J.M.A.-D.), Fundación Jiménez Díaz Health Research Institute - Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Alonso-Domínguez
- Department of Hematology (A.L.-G., E.U.S.M., L.S.-B., J.C.-N., J.L.L.-L., P.L.-S., J.M..A.-D.), Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Experimental Hematology (D.L.-G., P.L.-S., J.M.A.-D.), Fundación Jiménez Díaz Health Research Institute - Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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9
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Merolli M, Francis JJ, Vallance P, Bennell KL, Malliaras P, Hinman RS. Evaluation of Patient-Facing Mobile Apps to Support Physiotherapy Care: Systematic Review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2024; 12:e55003. [PMID: 38437018 PMCID: PMC10949126 DOI: 10.2196/55003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile health interventions delivered through mobile apps are increasingly used in physiotherapy care. This may be because of the potential of apps to facilitate changes in behavior, which is central to the aims of care delivered by physiotherapists. A benefit of using apps is their ability to incorporate behavior change techniques (BCTs) that can optimize the effectiveness of physiotherapeutic interventions. Research continues to suggest that despite their importance, behavior change strategies are often missing in patient management. Evaluating mobile apps that physiotherapists can use to drive behavior change may inform clinical practice and potentially improve patient outcomes. Examining the quality of apps and exploring their key features that can support behavior change and physiotherapy care are important aspects of such an evaluation. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this study was to describe the range of mobile apps in app stores that are intended for use by patients to support physiotherapy care. The secondary aims were to assess app quality, BCTs, and their behavior change potential. METHODS A systematic review of mobile apps in app stores was undertaken. The Apple App Store and Google Play were searched using a 2-step search strategy, using terms relevant to the physiotherapy discipline. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied: apps had to be intended for use by patients and be self-contained (or stand-alone) without the requirement to be used in conjunction with a partner wearable device or another plugin. Included apps were coded for BCTs using the Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy version 1. App quality was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale, and the App Behavior Change Scale was used to assess the app's potential to change behavior. RESULTS In total, 1240 apps were screened, and 35 were included. Of these 35 apps, 22 (63%) were available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play platforms. In total, 24 (69%) were general in their focus (eg, not condition-specific), with the remaining 11 (31%) being more specific (eg, knee rehabilitation and pelvic floor training). The mean app quality score (Mobile App Rating Scale) was 3.7 (SD 0.4) of 5 (range 2.8-4.5). The mean number of BCTs identified per app was 8.5 (SD 3.6). BCTs most frequently included in the apps were instruction on how to perform a behavior (n=32), action planning (n=30), and self-monitoring of behavior (n=28). The mean behavior change potential score (App Behavior Change Scale) was 8.5 (SD 3.1) of 21 (range 3-15). CONCLUSIONS Mobile apps available to support patient care received from a physiotherapist are of variable quality. Although they contain some BCTs, the potential for behavior change varied widely across apps. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/29047.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Merolli
- Centre for Health, Exercise & Sports Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Digital Transformation of Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jill J Francis
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Patrick Vallance
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Prosthetics and Orthotics, School of Allied Health, Human Service and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kim L Bennell
- Centre for Health, Exercise & Sports Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Malliaras
- Department of Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Prosthetics and Orthotics, School of Allied Health, Human Service and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rana S Hinman
- Centre for Health, Exercise & Sports Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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10
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Augustin M, Wenzel AS, Licata-Dandel M, Breeman LD, Bilgin A, Wolke D, Ziegler M, Mall V, Friedmann A. App-based intervention for parents of children with crying, sleeping, and feeding problems: Usability, usefulness and implications for improvement. Internet Interv 2024; 35:100700. [PMID: 38221943 PMCID: PMC10784306 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2023.100700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background There is a lack of evidence-based app guidance for parents of children with crying, sleeping, and feeding problems who are often highly burdened and not likely to seek professional help. A new psychoeducational app for parents providing scientifically sound information via text and videos, a diary function, selfcare strategies, a chat forum and a regional directory of specialized counseling centers may serve as a low-threshold intervention for this target group. Objective We investigated how parents perceived the app in terms of the following: (1) overall impression and usability, (2) feedback on specific app functions regarding usefulness and (3) possible future improvements. Methods Our clinical sample of N = 137 parents of children aged from 0 to 24 months was recruited from a cry baby outpatient clinic in Southern Germany between 2019 and 2022. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used to collect and analyse cross-sectional data on app evaluation. After app use within the framework of a clinical trial, parents filled in an app evaluation questionnaire. Results Most participants used the app at least once a week (86, 62.8 %) over an average period of 19.06 days (SD = 15.00). Participants rated overall impression and usability as good, and the informational texts, expert videos and regional register of counseling centers as appealing and useful. The diary function and chat forum were found to be helpful in theory, but improvements in implementation were requested, such as a timer function for the diary entry. Regarding future functionality, parents posed several suggestions such as the option to contact counseling centers directly via app, and the inclusion of the profile of their partners. Conclusions Positive ratings of overall impression, usability, and specific app functions are important prerequisites for the app to be effective. App-based guidance for this target group should include easy-to-use information. The app is intended to serve as a secondary preventive low-threshold offer and to complement professional counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Augustin
- Social Pediatrics, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Heiglhofstr. 65, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Anne Sophie Wenzel
- Social Pediatrics, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Heiglhofstr. 65, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Licata-Dandel
- Social Pediatrics, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Heiglhofstr. 65, 81377 Munich, Germany
- kbo-Kinderzentrum Munich, Heiglhofstr. 65, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Charlotte-Fresenius-University, Infanteriestr.11a, 80797 Munich, Germany
| | - Linda D. Breeman
- Health, Medical, and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Ayten Bilgin
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Dieter Wolke
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7HL, United Kingdom
| | - Margret Ziegler
- kbo-Kinderzentrum Munich, Heiglhofstr. 65, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Volker Mall
- Social Pediatrics, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Heiglhofstr. 65, 81377 Munich, Germany
- kbo-Kinderzentrum Munich, Heiglhofstr. 65, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Friedmann
- Social Pediatrics, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Heiglhofstr. 65, 81377 Munich, Germany
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Keogh A, Brennan C, Johnston W, Dickson J, Leslie SJ, Burke D, Megyesi P, Caulfield B. Six-Month Pilot Testing of a Digital Health Tool to Support Effective Self-Care in People With Heart Failure: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e52442. [PMID: 38427410 PMCID: PMC10959238 DOI: 10.2196/52442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital tools may support people to self-manage their heart failure (HF). Having previously outlined the human-centered design development of a digital tool to support self-care of HF, the next step was to pilot the tool over a period of time to establish people's acceptance of it in practice. OBJECTIVE This study aims to conduct an observational pilot study to examine the usability, adherence, and feasibility of a digital health tool for HF within the Irish health care system. METHODS A total of 19 participants with HF were provided with a digital tool comprising a mobile app and the Fitbit Charge 4 and Aria Air smart scales for a period of 6 months. Changes to their self-care were assessed before and after the study with the 9-item European HF Self-care Behavior Scale (EHFScBS) and the Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire (MLwHFQ) using a Wilcoxon signed rank test. After the study, 3 usability questionnaires were implemented and descriptively analyzed: the System Usability Scale (SUS), Wearable Technology Motivation Scale (WTMS), and Comfort Rating Scale (CRS). Participants also undertook a semistructured interview regarding their experiences with the digital tool. Interviews were analyzed deductively using the Theoretical Domains Framework. RESULTS Participants wore their devices for an average of 86.2% of the days in the 6-month testing period ranging from 40.6% to 98%. Although improvements in the EHFScBS and MLwHFQ were seen, these changes were not significant (P=.10 and P=.70, respectively, where P>.03, after a Bonferroni correction). SUS results suggest that the usability of this system was not acceptable with a median score of 58.8 (IQR 55.0-60.0; range 45.0-67.5). Participants demonstrated a strong motivation to use the system according to the WTMS (median 6.0, IQR 5.0-7.0; range 1.0-7.0), whereas the Fitbit was considered very comfortable as demonstrated by the low CRS results (median 0.0, IQR 0.0-0.0; range 0.0-2.0). According to participant interviews, the digital tool supported self-management through increased knowledge, improved awareness, decision-making, and confidence in their own data, and improving their social support through a feeling of comfort in being watched. CONCLUSIONS The digital health tool demonstrated high levels of adherence and acceptance among participants. Although the SUS results suggest low usability, this may be explained by participants uncertainty that they were using it fully, rather than it being unusable, especially given the experiences documented in their interviews. The digital tool targeted key self-management behaviors and feelings of social support. However, a number of changes to the tool, and the health service, are required before it can be implemented at scale. A full-scale feasibility trial conducted at a wider level is required to fully determine its potential effectiveness and wider implementation needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Keogh
- Insight Centre Data Analytics, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Carol Brennan
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - William Johnston
- Insight Centre Data Analytics, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jane Dickson
- Physiotherapy Department, Beacon Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Cardiology, Beacon Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - David Burke
- Cardiology, Beacon Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter Megyesi
- Insight Centre Data Analytics, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brian Caulfield
- Insight Centre Data Analytics, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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12
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Tang TS, Yip AKW, Klein G, Moore L, Hessler D, Polonsky WH, Fisher L. Training peers to deliver mental health support to adults with type 1 diabetes using the REACHOUT mobile app. Diabet Med 2024; 41:e15210. [PMID: 37634222 DOI: 10.1111/dme.15210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
AIMS While peer support research is growing in the Type 1 diabetes (T1D) community, the peer supporter training (PST) process is rarely documented in detail. This study provides a comprehensive description of PST and evaluation for the REACHOUT mental health support intervention, and examines the feasibility and perceived utility of PST. METHODS Fifty-three adults with T1D were recruited to participate in a 6-hour, zoom-based PST program for mental health support. The program was structured in three parts: (1) internal motivation, resilience and empathy; (2) mindfulness, emotions and diabetes distress; and (3) active listening and deferring clinical questions to professionals. Candidates were evaluated based on eight pre-established competency criteria during a 5-day support trial with an assigned standardized T1D participant. Perceived usefulness of training skills was also assessed 3 months into the REACHOUT mental health support intervention. RESULTS Fifty-one of the fifty-three candidates who completed training achieved the criteria to graduate. Mean scores for the eight competency domains were: listens actively (4.55); asks open-ended questions (4.12); expresses empathy (4.42); avoids passing judgment (4.67); sits with strong emotions (4.44); refrains from giving advice (4.38); makes reflections (4.5); and defers medical questions (4.58). Of the skills learned during the PST, 95% rated interpreting and discussing diabetes distress profile and expressing empathy as moderately to extremely useful. CONCLUSIONS Findings demonstrate that it is feasible to recruit and graduate the number of trainees needed using a rigorous process. Only by making training protocols available can the PST be replicated and translated to other T1D populations (e.g. adolescents, parents of children with T1D).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tricia S Tang
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Annie K W Yip
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Gerri Klein
- BCDiabetes, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lauren Moore
- Lauren Moore Counseling, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Danielle Hessler
- Department of Family Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - William H Polonsky
- Behavioral Diabetes Institute, San Diego, California, USA
- University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Lawrence Fisher
- Department of Family Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA
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13
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Willms A, Liu S. Exploring the Feasibility of Using ChatGPT to Create Just-in-Time Adaptive Physical Activity mHealth Intervention Content: Case Study. JMIR Med Educ 2024; 10:e51426. [PMID: 38421689 PMCID: PMC10940976 DOI: 10.2196/51426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Achieving physical activity (PA) guidelines' recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per week has been shown to reduce the risk of many chronic conditions. Despite the overwhelming evidence in this field, PA levels remain low globally. By creating engaging mobile health (mHealth) interventions through strategies such as just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) that are tailored to an individual's dynamic state, there is potential to increase PA levels. However, generating personalized content can take a long time due to various versions of content required for the personalization algorithms. ChatGPT presents an incredible opportunity to rapidly produce tailored content; however, there is a lack of studies exploring its feasibility. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to (1) explore the feasibility of using ChatGPT to create content for a PA JITAI mobile app and (2) describe lessons learned and future recommendations for using ChatGPT in the development of mHealth JITAI content. METHODS During phase 1, we used Pathverse, a no-code app builder, and ChatGPT to develop a JITAI app to help parents support their child's PA levels. The intervention was developed based on the Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) framework, and the necessary behavior change techniques targeting the M-PAC constructs were implemented in the app design to help parents support their child's PA. The acceptability of using ChatGPT for this purpose was discussed to determine its feasibility. In phase 2, we summarized the lessons we learned during the JITAI content development process using ChatGPT and generated recommendations to inform future similar use cases. RESULTS In phase 1, by using specific prompts, we efficiently generated content for 13 lessons relating to increasing parental support for their child's PA following the M-PAC framework. It was determined that using ChatGPT for this case study to develop PA content for a JITAI was acceptable. In phase 2, we summarized our recommendations into the following six steps when using ChatGPT to create content for mHealth behavior interventions: (1) determine target behavior, (2) ground the intervention in behavior change theory, (3) design the intervention structure, (4) input intervention structure and behavior change constructs into ChatGPT, (5) revise the ChatGPT response, and (6) customize the response to be used in the intervention. CONCLUSIONS ChatGPT offers a remarkable opportunity for rapid content creation in the context of an mHealth JITAI. Although our case study demonstrated that ChatGPT was acceptable, it is essential to approach its use, along with other language models, with caution. Before delivering content to population groups, expert review is crucial to ensure accuracy and relevancy. Future research and application of these guidelines are imperative as we deepen our understanding of ChatGPT and its interactions with human input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Willms
- School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Sam Liu
- School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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14
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Waki K, Tsurutani Y, Waki H, Enomoto S, Kashiwabara K, Fujiwara A, Orime K, Kinguchi S, Yamauchi T, Hirawa N, Tamura K, Terauchi Y, Nangaku M, Ohe K. Efficacy of StepAdd, a Personalized mHealth Intervention Based on Social Cognitive Theory to Increase Physical Activity Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e53514. [PMID: 38393770 PMCID: PMC10924262 DOI: 10.2196/53514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing physical activity improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have been proven to increase exercise, but engagement often fades with time. As the use of health behavior theory in mHealth design can increase effectiveness, we developed StepAdd, an mHealth intervention based on the constructs of social cognitive theory (SCT). StepAdd improves exercise behavior self-efficacy and self-regulation through the use of goal-setting, barrier-identifying, and barrier-coping strategies, as well as automatic feedback functions. A single-arm pilot study of StepAdd among 33 patients with T2D showed a large increase in step count (mean change of 4714, SD 3638 daily steps or +86.7%), along with strong improvements in BMI (mean change of -0.3 kg/m2) and hemoglobin A1c level (mean change of -0.79 percentage points). OBJECTIVE In this study, we aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of StepAdd, an mHealth exercise support system for patients with T2D, via a large, long, and controlled follow-up to the pilot study. METHODS This is a randomized, open-label, multicenter study targeting 160 patients with T2D from 5 institutions in Japan with a 24-week intervention. The intervention group will record daily step counts, body weight, and blood pressure using the SCT-based mobile app, StepAdd, and receive feedback about these measurements. In addition, they will set weekly step count goals, identify personal barriers to walking, and define strategies to overcome these barriers. The control group will record daily step counts, body weight, and blood pressure using a non-SCT-based placebo app. Both groups will receive monthly consultations with a physician who will advise patients regarding lifestyle modifications and use of the app. The 24-week intervention period will be followed by a 12-week observational period to investigate the sustainability of the intervention's effects. The primary outcome is between-group difference in the change in hemoglobin A1c values at 24 weeks. The secondary outcomes include other health measures, measurements of steps, measurements of other behavior changes, and assessments of app use. The trial began in January 2023 and is intended to be completed in December 2025. RESULTS As of September 5, 2023, we had recruited 44 patients. We expect the trial to be completed by October 8, 2025, with the follow-up observation period being completed by December 31, 2025. CONCLUSIONS This trial will provide important evidence about the efficacy of an SCT-based mHealth intervention in improving physical activities and glycemic control in patients with T2D. If this study proves the intervention to be effective and safe, it could be a key step toward the integration of mHealth as part of the standard treatment received by patients with T2D in Japan. TRIAL REGISTRATION Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (JRCT) jRCT2032220603; https://rctportal.niph.go.jp/en/detail?trial_id=jRCT2032220603. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/53514.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayo Waki
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Planning, Information and Management, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuya Tsurutani
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Center, Yokohama Rosai Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hironori Waki
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Syunpei Enomoto
- Department of Planning, Information and Management, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kashiwabara
- Data Science Office, Clinical Research Promotion Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Fujiwara
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kazuki Orime
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Sho Kinguchi
- Department of Medical Science and Cardiorenal Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Toshimasa Yamauchi
- Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhito Hirawa
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kouichi Tamura
- Department of Medical Science and Cardiorenal Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yasuo Terauchi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masaomi Nangaku
- Division of Nephrology and Endocrinology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ohe
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Planning, Information and Management, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Gheisari M, Ghaderzadeh M, Li H, Taami T, Fernández-Campusano C, Sadeghsalehi H, Afzaal Abbasi A. Mobile Apps for COVID-19 Detection and Diagnosis for Future Pandemic Control: Multidimensional Systematic Review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2024; 12:e44406. [PMID: 38231538 PMCID: PMC10896318 DOI: 10.2196/44406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the modern world, mobile apps are essential for human advancement, and pandemic control is no exception. The use of mobile apps and technology for the detection and diagnosis of COVID-19 has been the subject of numerous investigations, although no thorough analysis of COVID-19 pandemic prevention has been conducted using mobile apps, creating a gap. OBJECTIVE With the intention of helping software companies and clinical researchers, this study provides comprehensive information regarding the different fields in which mobile apps were used to diagnose COVID-19 during the pandemic. METHODS In this systematic review, 535 studies were found after searching 5 major research databases (ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and IEEE). Of these, only 42 (7.9%) studies concerned with diagnosing and detecting COVID-19 were chosen after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol. RESULTS Mobile apps were categorized into 6 areas based on the content of these 42 studies: contact tracing, data gathering, data visualization, artificial intelligence (AI)-based diagnosis, rule- and guideline-based diagnosis, and data transformation. Patients with COVID-19 were identified via mobile apps using a variety of clinical, geographic, demographic, radiological, serological, and laboratory data. Most studies concentrated on using AI methods to identify people who might have COVID-19. Additionally, symptoms, cough sounds, and radiological images were used more frequently compared to other data types. Deep learning techniques, such as convolutional neural networks, performed comparatively better in the processing of health care data than other types of AI techniques, which improved the diagnosis of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS Mobile apps could soon play a significant role as a powerful tool for data collection, epidemic health data analysis, and the early identification of suspected cases. These technologies can work with the internet of things, cloud storage, 5th-generation technology, and cloud computing. Processing pipelines can be moved to mobile device processing cores using new deep learning methods, such as lightweight neural networks. In the event of future pandemics, mobile apps will play a critical role in rapid diagnosis using various image data and clinical symptoms. Consequently, the rapid diagnosis of these diseases can improve the management of their effects and obtain excellent results in treating patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Gheisari
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
- Department of Cognitive Computing, Institute of Computer Science and Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Chennai, India
| | - Mustafa Ghaderzadeh
- School of Nursing and Health Sciences of Boukan, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Huxiong Li
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Tania Taami
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | | | | | - Aaqif Afzaal Abbasi
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Johnson SG, Espehaug B, Larun L, Ciliska D, Olsen NR. Occupational Therapy Students' Evidence-Based Practice Skills as Reported in a Mobile App: Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Med Educ 2024; 10:e48507. [PMID: 38381475 PMCID: PMC10918542 DOI: 10.2196/48507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an important aspect of the health care education curriculum. EBP involves following the 5 EBP steps: ask, assess, appraise, apply, and audit. These 5 steps reflect the suggested core competencies covered in teaching and learning programs to support future health care professionals applying EBP. When implementing EBP teaching, assessing outcomes by documenting the student's performance and skills is relevant. This can be done using mobile devices. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess occupational therapy students' EBP skills as reported in a mobile app. METHODS We applied a cross-sectional design. Descriptive statistics were used to present frequencies, percentages, means, and ranges of data regarding EBP skills found in the EBPsteps app. Associations between students' ability to formulate the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome/Population, Interest, and Context (PICO/PICo) elements and identifying relevant research evidence were analyzed with the chi-square test. RESULTS Of 4 cohorts with 150 students, 119 (79.3%) students used the app and produced 240 critically appraised topics (CATs) in the app. The EBP steps "ask," "assess," and "appraise" were often correctly performed. The clinical question was formulated correctly in 53.3% (128/240) of the CATs, and students identified research evidence in 81.2% (195/240) of the CATs. Critical appraisal checklists were used in 81.2% (195/240) of the CATs, and most of these checklists were assessed as relevant for the type of research evidence identified (165/195, 84.6%). The least frequently correctly reported steps were "apply" and "audit." In 39.6% (95/240) of the CATs, it was reported that research evidence was applied. Only 61% (58/95) of these CATs described how the research was applied to clinical practice. Evaluation of practice changes was reported in 38.8% (93/240) of the CATs. However, details about practice changes were lacking in all these CATs. A positive association was found between correctly reporting the "population" and "interventions/interest" elements of the PICO/PICo and identifying research evidence (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS We assessed the students' EBP skills based on how they documented following the EBP steps in the EBPsteps app, and our results showed variations in how well the students mastered the steps. "Apply" and "audit" were the most difficult EBP steps for the students to perform, and this finding has implications and gives directions for further development of the app and educational instruction in EBP. The EBPsteps app is a new and relevant app for students to learn and practice EBP, and it can be used to assess students' EBP skills objectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne G Johnson
- Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
| | - Birgitte Espehaug
- Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lillebeth Larun
- Division of Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Donna Ciliska
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Nina Rydland Olsen
- Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
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Toma MV, Turcu CE, Turcu CO, Vlad S, Tiliute DE, Pascu P. Extended Reality-Based Mobile App Solutions for the Therapy of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Systematic Literature Review. JMIR Serious Games 2024; 12:e49906. [PMID: 38373032 PMCID: PMC10913001 DOI: 10.2196/49906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has driven research interest on the therapy of individuals with autism, especially children, as early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can lead to improvement in the condition. With the widespread availability of virtual reality, augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality technologies to the public and the increasing popularity of mobile devices, the interest in the use of applications and technologies to provide support for the therapy of children with autism is growing. OBJECTIVE This study aims to describe the literature on the potential of virtual reality, AR, and mixed reality technologies in the context of therapy for children with ASD. We propose to investigate and analyze the temporal distribution of relevant papers, identify the target audience for studies related to extended reality apps in ASD therapy, examine the technologies used in the development of these apps, assess the skills targeted for improvement in primary studies, explore the purposes of the proposed solutions, and summarize the results obtained from their application. METHODS For the systematic literature review, 6 research questions were defined in the first phase, after which 5 international databases (Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and ACM Digital Library) were searched using specific search strings. Results were centralized, filtered, and processed applying eligibility criteria and using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The results were refined using a technical and IT-oriented approach. The quality criteria assessed whether the research addressed ASDs, focused on children's therapy, involved targeted technologies, deployed solutions on mobile devices, and produced results relevant to our study. RESULTS In the first step, 179 publications were identified in Zotero reference manager software (Corporation for Digital Scholarship). After excluding articles that did not meet the eligibility or quality assessment criteria, 28 publications were finalized. The analysis revealed an increase in publications related to apps for children with autism starting in 2015 and peaking in 2019. Most studies (22/28, 79%) focused on mobile AR solutions for Android devices, which were developed using the Unity 3D platform and the Vuforia engine. Although 68% (19/28) of these apps were tested with children, 32% (9/28) were tested exclusively by developers. More than half (15/28, 54%) of the studies used interviews as an evaluation method, yielding mostly favorable although preliminary results, indicating the need for more extensive testing. CONCLUSIONS The findings reported in the studies highlight the fact that these technologies are appropriate for the therapy of children with ASD. Several studies showed a distinct trend toward the use of AR technology as an educational tool for people with ASD. This trend entails multidisciplinary cooperation and an integrated research approach, with an emphasis on comprehensive empirical evaluations and technology ethics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian-Vladut Toma
- Faculty of Economics, Administration and Business, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Cristina Elena Turcu
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Corneliu Octavian Turcu
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Sorin Vlad
- Faculty of Economics, Administration and Business, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Doru Eugen Tiliute
- Faculty of Economics, Administration and Business, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Paul Pascu
- Faculty of Economics, Administration and Business, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
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18
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Gagnon J, Probst S, Chartrand J, Lalonde M. mHealth App Usability Questionnaire for Stand-Alone mHealth Apps Used by Health Care Providers: Canadian French Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Validation (Part 1). JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e50839. [PMID: 38349710 PMCID: PMC10900083 DOI: 10.2196/50839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing number of health care professionals are using mobile apps. The mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ) was designed to evaluate the usability of mobile health apps by patients and providers. However, this questionnaire is not available in French. OBJECTIVE This study aims to translate (from English to Canadian French), cross-culturally adapt, and initiate the validation of the original version of MAUQ for stand-alone mobile health apps used by French-speaking health care providers. METHODS A cross-cultural research study using a well-established method was conducted to translate MAUQ to Canadian French by certified translators and subsequently review it with a translation committee. It was then back translated to English. The back translations were compared with the original by the members of the committee to reach consensus regarding the prefinal version. A pilot test of the prefinal version was conducted with a sample of 49 potential users and 10 experts for content validation. RESULTS The statements are considered clear, with interrater agreement of 99.14% among potential users and 90% among experts. Of 21 statements, 5 (24%) did not exceed the 80% interrater agreement of the experts regarding clarity. Following the revisions, interrater agreement exceeded 80%. The content validity index of the items varied from 0.90 to 1, and the overall content validity index was 0.981. Individual Fleiss multirater κ of each item was between 0.89 and 1, showing excellent agreement and increasing confidence in the questionnaire's content validity. CONCLUSIONS This process of translation and cultural adaptation produced a new version of MAUQ that was validated for later use among the Canadian French-speaking population. An upcoming separate study will investigate the psychometric properties of the adapted questionnaire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Gagnon
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Département des sciences de la santé, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC, Canada
| | - Sebastian Probst
- Haute École Spécialisée de Suisse occidentale, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Geneva, Switzerland
- Care Directorate, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- College of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Julie Chartrand
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michelle Lalonde
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Institut du Savoir Montfort, Montfort Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Pierz KA, Locantore N, McCreary G, Calvey RJ, Hackney N, Doshi P, Linnell J, Sundaramoorthy A, Reed CR, Yates J. Investigation of the Impact of Wellinks on the Quality of Life and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Interventional Research Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e47555. [PMID: 38335023 PMCID: PMC10891483 DOI: 10.2196/47555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wellinks is a remote disease management solution that provides novel chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care delivery. OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the satisfaction, engagement, and clinical outcomes of Wellinks participants. This study also investigated the cadence of health coaching for patients with COPD. METHODS A 24-week interventional study was conducted by Wellinks and the COPD Foundation in 2022. Adults with COPD were recruited by the COPD Foundation in the United States and determined to be eligible if they had phone and internet access, owned a smartphone, and were not currently participating in pulmonary rehabilitation. All study participants provided written informed consent. The Wellinks solution included remote health coaching, pulmonary rehabilitation, and group education; participants were provided the Wellinks app and smart spirometry and pulse oximetry devices. Participants were offered 6 coaching sessions in the first 12 weeks. For the second 12-week period, participants either reduced frequency or discontinued coaching; all other components of the Wellinks solution remained unchanged. The COPD Self-Efficacy Scale, Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale, pulmonary function, pulse oximetry, and patient-reported healthcare resource utilization were the clinical outcome measures. Nonclinical outcomes included engagement and satisfaction with Wellinks and net promoter score. RESULTS In total, 141 adults consented and completed Wellinks onboarding; 84.4% (n=119) of whom remained engaged throughout the 24-week study. Participants had a mean age of 70 (SD 7.8; range 48-88) years, and 55.7% (n=78) were female. Most participants (n=119, 84.4%) completed all 6 coaching sessions during the first 12-week period. Compliance with spirometer and pulse oximeter use was 82.3% and 89.4%, respectively, at week 1 but waned over the study period to 8.5% and 9.2%, respectively, at the end of the study. Participants indicated a high degree of satisfaction with Wellinks, with 95.5% (n=85) and 91% (n=81) of participants indicating that they agreed or strongly agreed that the educational content and health coaching, respectively, were valuable. At the end of the study, the net promoter score was +64 and +55 in the coaching continuation and discontinuation arms, respectively. A significant improvement from baseline to end of the study was observed in the COPD Self-Efficacy Scale total score (P<.001) and domain scores (P<.001 for each domain). In total, 35.1% (n=27) of participants improved by at least 1 category of change on the 5-point Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale from baseline to week 24. CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed the feasibility of using a remote model of care delivery to support people living with COPD. The insights gained in this study have allowed for further refinement and personalization of the Wellinks care model. Findings related to the combined use of technology and personal care delivery should be considered by others developing remote disease management tools. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05259280; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05259280.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerri A Pierz
- Wellinks (Convexity Scientific, Inc), New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | | | - Robert J Calvey
- Wellinks (Convexity Scientific, Inc), New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Nickole Hackney
- Wellinks (Convexity Scientific, Inc), New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Pooja Doshi
- Wellinks (Convexity Scientific, Inc), New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | | | - Carol R Reed
- Wellinks (Convexity Scientific, Inc), New Haven, CT, United States
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20
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Ocké M, Dinnissen CS, van den Bogaard C, Beukers M, Drijvers J, Sanderman-Nawijn E, van Rossum C, Toxopeus I. A Smartphone Food Record App Developed for the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey: Relative Validity Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2024; 12:e50196. [PMID: 38335009 PMCID: PMC10891498 DOI: 10.2196/50196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey, dietary intake has been assessed since 2003 through 24-hour dietary recalls using the GloboDiet software. A new self-administered smartphone food record app called DitEetIk! was developed for potential use in future surveys. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the data collected using the DitEetIk! app and its relative validity for food group, energy, and nutrient intake compared with the previous dietary assessment method (GloboDiet 24-hour dietary recalls). METHODS A total of 300 participants aged 18 to 79 years were recruited from a consumer panel. Participants were asked to keep a record of their consumption using the DitEetIk! app on 3 nonconsecutive days. Trained dietitians conducted a 24-hour dietary recall interview by telephone using the GloboDiet software (International Agency for Research on Cancer) regarding 1 of 3 DitEetIk! recording days. Nutrient intake was calculated using the NEVO database (version 2021/7.0). Relative validity was studied by comparing data from GloboDiet 24-hour dietary recalls and the DitEetIk app for the same day. Participants with implausible records, defined as days with energy intake of <0.6 or >3.0 basal metabolic rate, were excluded from the analyses. For 19 food groups and 29 nutrients, differences in median intake were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, and Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated. Bland-Altman plots with mean differences and 95% limits of agreement were created for energy intake and the contribution to energy intake from fat, carbohydrates, and protein. RESULTS A total of 227 participants completed a combination of a DitEetIk! app recording day and a 24-hour dietary recall interview for the same day. Of this group, 211 participants (n=104, 49.3% men and n=107, 50.7% women) had plausible recording days. Of all recorded food items, 12.8% (114/894) were entered via food barcode scanning, and 18.9% (169/894) were searched at the brand level. For 31% (5/16) of the food groups, the median intake assessed using the DitEetIk! app was >10% lower than that assessed using 24-hour dietary recalls; this was the case for fruit (P=.005), added fats (P=.001), milk and milk products (P=.02), cereal products (P=.01), and sauces (P<.001). This was also the case for 14% (4/29) of the nutrients (all P<.001). Regarding mean intake, differences were generally smaller. Regarding energy intake, the mean difference and 95% limits of agreement were 14 kcal (-1096 to 1124). Spearman correlation coefficients between intake assessed using the DitEetIk! app and 24-hour dietary recalls ranged from 0.48 to 0.88 (median 0.78) for food groups and from 0.58 to 0.90 (median 0.72) for nutrients. CONCLUSIONS Compared with GloboDiet 24-hour dietary recalls, the DitEetIk! app assessed similar mean energy intake levels but somewhat lower median intake levels for several food groups and nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marga Ocké
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Marja Beukers
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - José Drijvers
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | | | - Caroline van Rossum
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Ido Toxopeus
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
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21
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Peake E, Miller I, Flannery J, Chen L, Lake J, Padmanabhan A. Preliminary Efficacy of a Digital Intervention for Adolescent Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res 2024; 26:e48467. [PMID: 38324367 PMCID: PMC10882470 DOI: 10.2196/48467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent depression is a significant public health concern; however, access to effective mental health care is limited. Digital therapeutics (DTx) can improve access to evidence-based interventions; however, their efficacy in adolescents is sparsely documented. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the efficacy of a mobile app DTx versus an active control as an adjunct treatment for adolescent depression symptoms. METHODS An internet-based open-label randomized control trial was conducted nationwide with a partial crossover design, and 168 adolescents aged 13 to 21 years with symptoms of depression were recruited between November 2020 and September 2021. Participants were randomized (1:1) to the cognitive behavioral therapy-based treatment app (Spark) or to a psychoeducational control app (control), which they would use for a duration of 5 weeks. The primary outcome was a between-group (Spark vs control) difference in the change in depression symptoms from baseline to postintervention, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) using a linear mixed-effects analysis. The PHQ-8 ranges from 0 to 24, with scores of 5 to 9 indicating mild depression symptoms, scores of 10 to 14 indicating moderate symptoms, scores of 15 to 19 indicating moderately severe symptoms, and scores of 20 to 24 indicating severe symptoms. A minimal clinically important difference (5-point reduction between baseline and postintervention) in the Spark arm and group differences in remission and treatment response rates based on the PHQ-8 at postintervention were also investigated. RESULTS A total of 160 participants were randomized, 80 in the Spark arm (mean age 16.89, SD 2.5 y) and 80 in the control arm (mean age 16.79, SD 2.59 y). Data from 121 participants (Spark: n=63; control: n=58) with moderate to severe (PHQ-8≥10) symptoms at baseline were included in the primary analyses following a modified intention-to-treat principle. A linear mixed-effect analysis revealed a nonsignificant difference between the study arms in depression symptom change over the intervention period. The Spark arm met a minimal clinically important difference threshold (mean -5.08, 95% CI -6.72 to -3.42). The remission rate in the Spark arm was significantly higher than that in the control arm (11/63, 17% vs 2/58, 3%; χ21=6.2; P=.01; false discovery rate-adjusted P=.03). The treatment response rates were not significantly different between the study arms (P=.07; false discovery rate-adjusted P=.16). Post hoc analyses including participants with mild to severe (PHQ-8 score ≥5) symptoms at baseline revealed promising evidence that Spark is effective in those with mild to severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS There is initial evidence that a self-guided, cognitive behavioral therapy-based DTx intervention may effectively treat mild to severe depression symptoms in adolescents. DTx may improve access to mental health care for adolescents or serve as an important adjunct to the standard of care. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04524598; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04524598.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Peake
- Limbix Health Inc, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Big Health Inc, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Ian Miller
- Limbix Health Inc, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Digital Medicine Society, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jessica Flannery
- Limbix Health Inc, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Akili, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lang Chen
- Neuroscience Unit, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, United States
| | - Jessica Lake
- Limbix Health Inc, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Big Health Inc, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Aarthi Padmanabhan
- Limbix Health Inc, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Big Health Inc, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Jones C, Chandarana S, Vyas A, Napolitano M. Attitudes, Barriers, and Motivators Toward Daily Walking and a Mobile App to Increase Walking Among Women: Web-Based Anonymous Survey. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e48668. [PMID: 38319695 PMCID: PMC10879972 DOI: 10.2196/48668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are disparities in the prevalence of physical activity (PA) with women engaging in less PA than men, a gap which widens during midlife. Walking is a generally accepted form of PA among women and should be encouraged. Motivations, barriers, and attitudes to engaging in walking change with age, but the influencing factors are not well understood nor are the features of mobile apps that facilitate daily walking. OBJECTIVE This study explores the relationship between age and women's self-reported motivations, barriers, attitudes, and beliefs toward daily walking. It further assesses attitudes toward features of a mobile app designed to sync with a wearable step tracker to increase and maintain levels of daily walking among women. METHODS A web-based anonymous survey was completed by 400 women, aged 21-75 years. The 31-item survey captured women's perceived barriers and motivators toward daily walking and attitudes toward mobile apps to support and maintain daily walking. For analysis, responses to the survey were grouped into 2 categories of women: ages 21-49 years and ages 50-75 years. Bivariate analyses were conducted through SPSS (IBM Corp) for each of the survey questions using chi-square for dichotomous variables and 1-tailed t tests for scales and continuous variables to identify significant differences between the groups. One-tailed t tests were run for scaled variables to identify significant differences between the 10-year age increments. RESULTS Significant barriers to daily walking were observed in the 21-49-year group for personal and work responsibilities, motivational and psychosocial factors, and physical and environmental factors. Motivators to walk daily in the 21- 49-year group were significantly higher to reduce stress and anxiety, and motivators to walk daily in the 50-75-year group were significantly higher to help manage or lose weight and to reduce the risk of chronic illness. Women's walking preferences, beliefs around their walking behaviors, and their perceived importance of the features of a future mobile app for walking designed specifically for women showed significant variation according to age. When asked about the importance of features for a mobile app, women aged 21-49 years indicated a significantly higher number of positive responses for the following features: digital community support, rewards or point system, and seeing a daily or weekly or monthly progress chart. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that barriers, motivators, and beliefs around daily walking and the importance of preferred features of a mobile app vary according to women's ages. Messaging and app features should be tailored to different age groups of women. These study results can be viewed as a foundation for future research and development of mobile health interventions to effectively increase daily walking among women of all ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Jones
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Shikha Chandarana
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Amita Vyas
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Melissa Napolitano
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
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Liu P, Wang L, Wang F. Evaluation of Chinese HIV Mobile Apps by Researchers and Patients With HIV: Quality Evaluation Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2024; 12:e52573. [PMID: 38277215 PMCID: PMC10858422 DOI: 10.2196/52573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Against the backdrop of globalization, China remains one of the most heavily burdened countries in Asia with regard to AIDS. However, many high-risk groups and patients affected by AIDS may be less likely to actively seek care from medical institutions because of fear of experiencing shame or discrimination. Mobile apps provide a promising avenue for supporting the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of AIDS. However, a comprehensive systematic evaluation of these mobile apps' functionality and quality has not been conducted yet. OBJECTIVE This study aims to identify the available mobile apps for AIDS in China, assess and discuss the functional features and quality of these Chinese AIDS mobile apps, and offer decision support for patients and clinical practitioners in accessing high-quality AIDS mobile apps. Furthermore, based on the evaluation results, recommendations for improvement will be provided. METHODS A systematic search was conducted on the Qimai app data platform, the Aladdin WeChat applet data platform, and WeChat to identify mobile apps related to AIDS. A snowball sampling method was used to supplement the potentially overlooked apps. The selected mobile apps underwent a rigorous screening process based on unified criteria. Subsequently, assessments were independently undertaken by 3 separate researchers and 2 patients with HIV, using both the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and the User Mobile App Rating Scale (uMARS). Quantitative interpretations of the data were facilitated by the MedCalc statistical software (version 20.217, MedCalc Software). RESULTS A total of 2901 AIDS mobile apps were included in the study, with 2897 identified through information retrieval and an additional 4 added via snowball sampling. After a rigorous selection process, 21 apps were determined to be usable. Among them, the Hong Feng Wan app achieved the highest combined average score, calculated based on the MARS (3.96, SD 0.33) and uMARS (4.47, SD 0.26). Overall, there was no significant correlation between MARS and uMARS (rapp quality total score=0.41; P=.07; rsubjective quality=0.39; P=.08). A notable issue was the widespread lack of user privacy protection, with only 24% (5/21) of the apps offering this feature. CONCLUSIONS The number of available Chinese AIDS mobile apps is limited, with WeChat applets dominating the market. Nonetheless, the performance of WeChat mini-apps is generally inferior to that of independent apps, and there may be significant discrepancies between assessments conducted by researchers and those provided by genuine end users, emphasizing the necessity of involving real users in the development and evaluation of HIV mobile apps. In addition, developers of these Chinese HIV mobile apps need to devote attention to improving privacy protection mechanisms, in addition to considering the evaluations of researchers and real users. This will help attract more users and increase user loyalty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Liu
- School of Health Management, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
- Innovation Team of Health Information Management and Application Research, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Lingmeng Wang
- School of Health Management, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Fuzhi Wang
- School of Health Management, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
- Innovation Team of Health Information Management and Application Research, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
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Vanderkruik RC, Ferguson C, Kobylski LA, Locascio JJ, Hamlett GE, Killenberg PC, Lewis R, Jones N, Rossa ET, Dineen H, Picard R, Cohen LS. Testing a Behavioral Activation Gaming App for Depression During Pregnancy: Multimethod Pilot Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e44029. [PMID: 38277191 PMCID: PMC10858420 DOI: 10.2196/44029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression during pregnancy is increasingly recognized as a worldwide public health problem. If untreated, there can be detrimental outcomes for the mother and child. Anxiety is also often comorbid with depression. Although effective treatments exist, most women do not receive treatment. Technology is a mechanism to increase access to and engagement in mental health services. OBJECTIVE The Guardians is a mobile app, grounded in behavioral activation principles, which seeks to leverage mobile game mechanics and in-game rewards to encourage user engagement. This study seeks to assess app satisfaction and engagement and to explore changes in clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety among a sample of pregnant women with elevated depressive symptoms. METHODS This multimethod pilot test consisted of a single-arm, proof-of-concept trial to examine the feasibility and acceptability of The Guardians among a pregnant sample with depression (N=18). Participation included two web-based study visits: (1) a baseline assessment to collect demographic and obstetric information and to assess clinical symptoms and (2) an exit interview to administer follow-up measures and explore user experience. Participants completed biweekly questionnaires (ie, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) during the trial to assess depression and anxiety symptom severity. App satisfaction was measured using 2 self-report scales (ie, Mobile Application Rating Scale and Player Experience of Needs Satisfaction scale). Engagement with The Guardians was captured using game interaction metric data. We used backward-eliminated mixed effects longitudinal models to examine the effects of app engagement and satisfaction and length of time in the study on symptoms of depression and anxiety. Content analysis was conducted on qualitative data from exit interviews. RESULTS The 15-day and 30-day overall app retention rates were 26.6% and 15.1%, respectively. Mixed effects models found significant negative main effects of week in study (β=-.35; t61=-3.05; P=.003), number of activities completed (β=-.12; t61=-2.05; P=.04), days played (β=-.12; t58=-2.9; P=.005), and satisfaction, according to the Mobile Application Rating Scale (β=-3.05; t45=-2.19; P=.03) on depressive symptoms. We have reported about similar analyses for anxiety. There is preliminary evidence suggesting harder activities are associated with greater mood improvement than easier activities. Qualitative content analysis resulted in feedback falling under the following themes: activities, app design, engagement, fit of the app with lifestyle, perceived impact of the app on mood, and suggestions for app modifications. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary results from this multimethod study of The Guardians indicate feasibility and acceptability among pregnant women with depression. Retention and engagement levels were more than double those of previous public mental health apps, and use of the app was associated with significant decrease in depressive symptom scores over the 10-week trial. The Guardians shows promise as an effective and scalable digital intervention to support women experiencing depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Vanderkruik
- Center for Women's Mental Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Craig Ferguson
- MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Lauren A Kobylski
- Center for Women's Mental Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Joseph J Locascio
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Parker C Killenberg
- Center for Women's Mental Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Robert Lewis
- MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Noah Jones
- MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Ella T Rossa
- Center for Women's Mental Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hannah Dineen
- Center for Women's Mental Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rosalind Picard
- MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Lee S Cohen
- Center for Women's Mental Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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25
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Abstract
Opioid use disorder is a growing public health concern in the United States, causing economic burden and hindered by stigma. New forms of data, including location data, may improve the effectiveness of interventions for preventing and treating opioid use disorder and/or misuse, increase access to treatment and address racial and ethnic disparities. This qualitative study aimed to identify factors that contribute to users' experience with a publicly available location-tracking mobile app - and investigate their privacy and ethical concerns. The study was conducted through two 15-minute interviews within a 48-h time frame. Participants were recruited from a pool of past research participants, Facebook ads, and referrals, and had to meet certain inclusion criteria related to opioid use disorder and/or misuse. The study had a final sample of 30 participants, 15 male and 15 female. The study suggests that a simple onboarding process and convenient experience can enhance participant adherence to the study app and other similar location-based research apps. However, the study also found that participants had concerns about privacy and transparency about locational privacy when sharing their location data. To improve the app, researchers suggest incorporating user behavior earlier in the app development stage. The study also highlights the importance of addressing ethical and privacy concerns such as limiting the types of collected data, incorporating data encryption and retention strategies, giving access to research staff only, and not sharing the data with third-party companies or law enforcement agencies to increase user satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Hassani
- Department of Informatics, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Sean D Young
- Department of Informatics, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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26
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Antoniou P, Dafli E, Giannakoulas G, Igimbayeva G, Visternichan O, Kyselov S, Lykhasenko I, Lashkul D, Nadareishvili I, Tabagari S, Bamidis PD. Education of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Mobile Virtual Patient Environment: Protocol for a Multicenter Pseudorandomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e45946. [PMID: 38261376 PMCID: PMC10848131 DOI: 10.2196/45946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Patient knowledge about AF and its management is paramount but often limited. Patients need to be appropriately informed about treatment options, medicinal adherence, and potential consequences of nonadherence, while also understanding treatment goals and expectations from it. Mobile health apps have experienced an explosion both in their availability and acceptance as "soft interventions" for patient engagement and education; however, the prolific nature of such solutions revealed a gap in the evidence base regarding their efficacy and impact. Virtual patients (VPs), interactive computer simulations, have been used as learning activities in modern health care education. VPs demonstrably improved cognitive and behavioral skills; hence, they have been effectively implemented across undergraduate and postgraduate curricula. However, their application in patient education has been rather limited so far. OBJECTIVE This work aims to implement and evaluate the efficacy of a mobile-deployed VP regimen for the education and engagement of patients with AF on crucial topics regarding their condition. A mobile VP app is being developed with the goal of each VP being a simple scenario with a set goal and very specific messages and will be subsequently attempted and evaluated. METHODS A mobile VP player app is being developed so as to be used for the design of 3 educational scenarios for AF management. A pseudorandomized controlled trial for the efficacy of VPs is planned to be executed at 3 sites in Greece, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan for patients with AF. The Welch t test will be used to demonstrate the performance of patients' evaluation of the VP experience. RESULTS Our study is at the development stage. A preliminary study regarding the system's development and feasibility was initiated in December 2022. The results of our study are expected to be available in 2024 or when the needed sample size is achieved. CONCLUSIONS This study aims to evaluate and demonstrate the first significant evidence for the value of VP resources in outreach and training endeavors for empowering and patients with AF and fostering healthy habits among them. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/45946.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Antoniou
- Lab of Medical Physics and Digital Innovation, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Dafli
- Lab of Medical Physics and Digital Innovation, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George Giannakoulas
- 1st Cardiology Department, AHEPA University General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Olga Visternichan
- Internal Medicine Department, Karaganda Medical University, Karaganda, Kazakhstan
| | - Serhii Kyselov
- Department of Internal Diseases No.1 and Simulation Medicine, Zaporizhzhia State Medical University, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine
| | - Ivetta Lykhasenko
- Department of Propedeutics of Internal Diseases, Radiation Diagnostics and Radiation, Zaporizhzhia State Medical University, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine
| | - Dmytro Lashkul
- Department of Internal Diseases No.1 and Simulation Medicine, Zaporizhzhia State Medical University, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine
| | - Ilia Nadareishvili
- AIETI Medical School, David Tvildiani Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Sergo Tabagari
- AIETI Medical School, David Tvildiani Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Panagiotis D Bamidis
- Lab of Medical Physics and Digital Innovation, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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27
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Handa T, Onoue T, Kobayashi T, Maeda R, Mizutani K, Yamagami A, Kinoshita T, Yasuda Y, Iwama S, Miyata T, Sugiyama M, Takagi H, Hagiwara D, Suga H, Banno R, Azuma Y, Kasai T, Yoshioka S, Kuwatsuka Y, Arima H. Effects of Digitization of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose Records Using a Mobile App and the Cloud System on Outpatient Management of Diabetes: Single-Armed Prospective Study. JMIR Diabetes 2024; 9:e48019. [PMID: 38241065 PMCID: PMC10837757 DOI: 10.2196/48019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, technologies promoting the digitization of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) records including app-cloud cooperation systems have emerged. Studies combining these technological interventions with support from remote health care professionals have reported improvements in glycemic control. OBJECTIVE To assess the use of an app-cloud cooperation system linked with SMBG devices in clinical settings, we evaluated its effects on outpatient management of diabetes without remote health care professional support. METHODS In this multicenter, open-label, and single-armed prospective study, 48 patients with diabetes (including type 1 and type 2) at 3 hospitals in Japan treated with insulin or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and performing SMBG used the app-cloud cooperation system for 24 weeks. The SMBG data were automatically uploaded to the cloud via the app. The patients could check their data, and their attending physicians reviewed the data through the cloud prior to the patients' regular visits. The primary outcome was changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. RESULTS Although HbA1c levels did not significantly change in all patients, the frequency of daily SMBG following applying the system was significantly increased before induction at 12 (0.60 per day, 95% CI 0.19-1.00; P=.002) and 24 weeks (0.43 per day, 95% CI 0.02-0.84; P=.04). In the subset of 21 patients whose antidiabetic medication had not been adjusted during the intervention period, a decrease in HbA1c level was observed at 12 weeks (P=.02); however, this significant change disappeared at 24 weeks (P=.49). The Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire total score and "Q4: convenience" and "Q5: flexibility" scores significantly improved after using the system (all P<.05), and 72% (33/46) patients and 76% (35/46) physicians reported that the app-cloud cooperation system helped them adjust insulin doses. CONCLUSIONS The digitization of SMBG records and sharing of the data by patients and attending physicians during face-to-face visits improved self-management in patients with diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT) jRCTs042190057; https://jrct.niph.go.jp/en-latest-detail/jRCTs042190057.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Handa
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takeshi Onoue
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomoko Kobayashi
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ryutaro Maeda
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Keigo Mizutani
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ayana Yamagami
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tamaki Kinoshita
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Yasuda
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shintaro Iwama
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takashi Miyata
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Mariko Sugiyama
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takagi
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Daisuke Hagiwara
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Suga
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Banno
- Research Center of Health, Physical Fitness and Sports, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Azuma
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Japanese Red Cross Aichi Medical Center Nagoya Daini Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takatoshi Kasai
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tosei General Hospital, Seto, Japan
| | - Shuko Yoshioka
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tosei General Hospital, Seto, Japan
| | - Yachiyo Kuwatsuka
- Department of Advanced Medicine, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Arima
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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28
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Coradduzza E, Loi F, Porcu F, Mandas D, Secci F, Pisanu ME, Pasini C, Zuddas C, Cherchi M, Denurra D, Bandino E, Pintore A, Guberti V, Cappai S. Passive Surveillance as a Key Tool for African Swine Fever Eradication in Wild Boar: A Protocol to Find Carcasses Tested and Validated in the Mediterranean Island of Sardinia. Viruses 2024; 16:136. [PMID: 38257836 PMCID: PMC10820949 DOI: 10.3390/v16010136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is one of the most important and serious contagious hemorrhagic viral diseases affecting domestic pigs and wild boar and is associated with high mortality rates while also having an extensive sanitary and socioeconomic impact on the international trade of animal and swine products. The early detection of the disease is often hampered by inadequate surveillance. Among the surveillance strategies used, passive surveillance of wild boars is considered the most effective method for controlling the African swine fever virus (ASFV). Otherwise, the design of a sufficiently sensitive ASF surveillance system requires a solid understanding of the epidemiology related to the local eco-social context, especially in the absence of virus detection. Even if the number of carcasses needed to demonstrate ASF eradication has been established, the scientific context lacks detail compared to protocols applied in the active search for wild boar carcasses. The aim of this study was to describe the protocol applied in the active search for carcasses, providing detailed information on the number of people and dogs as well as the amount of time and space used within the Mediterranean area. Using a specific tool developed to record, trace, and share field data (the GAIA observer app), a total of 33 active searches for wild boar carcasses were organized during 2021-2023. Most of these searches were planned to find carcasses that had previously been reported by hunters. A total of 24 carcasses were found, with only 2 carcasses not previously reported. The final protocol applied involved four people, with an average speed of 1.5 km/h. When a carcass had been previously reported, about 2 km of distance had to be covered in about 1.5 h to find the carcass, and even less time was spent when a dog (untrained) was present. In conclusion, it can be stated that, when searching for carcasses, solid collaboration with local hunters or other forest visitors is necessary to ensure carcasses are reported. The process involves small groups of experts actively searching for carcasses, possibly with the use of hunting dogs without special training. The data presented could be of valid support for those countries characterized by Mediterranean vegetation that are faced with the need to plan active carcass searches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Coradduzza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (E.C.); (M.C.); (D.D.); (E.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Federica Loi
- Osservatorio Epidemiologico Veterinario Regionale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 09125 Cagliari, Italy; (F.P.); (D.M.); (C.P.); (C.Z.); (S.C.)
| | - Francesca Porcu
- Osservatorio Epidemiologico Veterinario Regionale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 09125 Cagliari, Italy; (F.P.); (D.M.); (C.P.); (C.Z.); (S.C.)
| | - Daniela Mandas
- Osservatorio Epidemiologico Veterinario Regionale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 09125 Cagliari, Italy; (F.P.); (D.M.); (C.P.); (C.Z.); (S.C.)
| | - Fabio Secci
- Local Sanitary Agency of Sulcis Iglesiente, 09013 Carbonia, Italy;
| | | | - Cinzia Pasini
- Osservatorio Epidemiologico Veterinario Regionale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 09125 Cagliari, Italy; (F.P.); (D.M.); (C.P.); (C.Z.); (S.C.)
| | - Carlo Zuddas
- Osservatorio Epidemiologico Veterinario Regionale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 09125 Cagliari, Italy; (F.P.); (D.M.); (C.P.); (C.Z.); (S.C.)
| | - Marcella Cherchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (E.C.); (M.C.); (D.D.); (E.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Daniele Denurra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (E.C.); (M.C.); (D.D.); (E.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Ennio Bandino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (E.C.); (M.C.); (D.D.); (E.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonio Pintore
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (E.C.); (M.C.); (D.D.); (E.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Vittorio Guberti
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), 00144 Roma, Italy;
| | - Stefano Cappai
- Osservatorio Epidemiologico Veterinario Regionale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 09125 Cagliari, Italy; (F.P.); (D.M.); (C.P.); (C.Z.); (S.C.)
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29
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Ghozali MT, Mutiara TA. Promoting knowledge of metered dose inhaler (MDI) usage among pharmacy professional students through a mobile app. J Asthma 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38236014 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2024.2306622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Efficient asthma management necessitates optimal usage of metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). As future health professionals, pharmacy students are pivotal in disseminating accurate methodologies for MDI usage. Despite having hands-on experience, there is room to enhance their comprehension, highlighting the need for prompt patient educational interventions. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile app-assisted educational method in improving pharmacy students' understanding of MDI usage. METHODS A pre-experimental study was conducted from March to August 2021 with 45 participants enrolled in the Pharmacist Professional Study Program at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta. Using a one-group pretest-post-test design, the study measured the app's impact on students' knowledge and MDI usage skills. RESULTS The intervention significantly improved students' scores on a 9-step MDI usage checklist, with increases ranging from 0.10 to 0.50 across verbal and motor components. A Mann-Whitney U test validated these findings, showing a statistically significant p-value of 0.001. CONCLUSION The mobile app-assisted educational approach substantially enhanced pharmacy students' proficiency in MDI use. The significant rise in mean scores for the 9-step checklist, along with the notable p-value, supports the effectiveness of this intervention in healthcare education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Thesa Ghozali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Management, School of Pharmacy, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Tasya Aulia Mutiara
- Undergraduate Program, School of Pharmacy, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia
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30
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Rupp A, Rietzler S, Di Lellis MA, Weiland T, Tschirner C, Kreuter M. Digital smoking cessation with a comprehensive guideline-based app - results of a nationwide, multicentric, parallel, randomized controlled trial in Germany. Nicotine Tob Res 2024:ntae009. [PMID: 38243574 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntae009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smoking tobacco implies significant health hazards. Digital cessation support can get more smokers in contact with guideline-based cessation. The objective was to test the efficacy of a guideline-based smoking cessation app (NichtraucherHelden®). The hypothesis was a significant higher cessation rate in the intervention group. METHODS The study was a nationwide, multicentric, prospective, parallel, randomized controlled trial in Germany from November 2021 to March 2023. Recruitment took place in medical practices and by telephone via study centres. Eligible participants were adult tobacco-dependent smokers according to ICD-10 (F17.2). Randomization (1:1) was operated by a computer-generated stratified 1:1 block procedure. Intervention (IG; n = 336) and control group (CG; n = 325) were briefly advised with regard to stop smoking, IG was additionally treated with the cessation app. Primary endpoint was the self-reported 7-day-point-abstinence after 6 months with an intention to treat analysis. Secondary endpoints comprised prolonged abstinence and biochemically verified abstinence. The study was registered at the German Registry of Clinical Trials (DRKS00025933, UTN U1111-1268-2181) and was approved by the competent ethic committees (leading ethic committee Berlin #Eth-52/20). RESULTS 336 participants (IG) and 325 (CG) were analysed. Seven-day point prevalence was significantly higher in the app group (IG) (20% vs. 10%, OR 2.2 (1.4 - 3.4)). Additionally, the prolonged abstinence and the objective abstinence rate were significantly higher in the app group. CONCLUSIONS The NichtraucherHelden App doubles the abstinence rate. Apps can bridge the gap between the small numbers of therapeutic offers and the need for modern evidence-based cessation support. IMPLICATIONS The study is the first to provide evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of guideline-based digital smoking cessation provided by a smartphone app for the German statutory health insurance system (SHI). Smoking cessation support by smartphone apps could be broadly distributed and thus bring more smokers in contact with guideline-based cessation support than to date and increase the number of successful quitters substantially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Rupp
- Outpatient Clinic for Pulmonary Medicine (Pneumologische Praxis im Zentrum (PiZ)), Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael Kreuter
- Mainz Centre for Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pneumology, Mainz University Medical Centre and Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Marienhaus Klinikum Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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31
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Shanmugavel A, Shakya PR, Shrestha A, Nepal J, Shrestha A, Daneault JF, Rawal S. Designing and Developing a Mobile App for Management and Treatment of Gestational Diabetes in Nepal: User-Centered Design Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e50823. [PMID: 38231562 PMCID: PMC10831589 DOI: 10.2196/50823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile apps can aid with the management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by providing patient education, reinforcing regular blood glucose monitoring and diet/lifestyle modification, and facilitating clinical and social support. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe our process of designing and developing a culturally tailored app, Garbhakalin Diabetes athawa Madhumeha-Dhulikhel Hospital (GDM-DH), to support GDM management among Nepalese patients by applying a user-centered design approach. METHODS A multidisciplinary team of experts, as well as health care providers and patients in Dhulikhel Hospital (Dhulikhel, Nepal), contributed to the development of the GDM-DH app. After finalizing the app's content and features, we created the app's wireframe, which illustrated the app's proposed interface, navigation sequences, and features and function. Feedback was solicited on the wireframe via key informant interviews with health care providers (n=5) and a focus group and in-depth interviews with patients with GDM (n=12). Incorporating their input, we built a minimum viable product, which was then user-tested with 18 patients with GDM and further refined to obtain the final version of the GDM-DH app. RESULTS Participants in the focus group and interviews unanimously concurred on the utility and relevance of the proposed mobile app for patients with GDM, offering additional insight into essential modifications and additions to the app's features and content (eg, inclusion of example meal plans and exercise videos).The mean age of patients in the usability testing (n=18) was 28.8 (SD 3.3) years, with a mean gestational age of 27.2 (SD 3.0) weeks. The mean usability score across the 10 tasks was 3.50 (SD 0.55; maximum score=5 for "very easy"); task completion rates ranged from 55.6% (n=10) to 94.4% (n=17). Findings from the usability testing were reviewed to further optimize the GDM-DH app (eg, improving data visualization). Consistent with social cognitive theory, the final version of the GDM-DH app supports GDM self-management by providing health education and allowing patients to record and self-monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, carbohydrate intake, physical activity, and gestational weight gain. The app uses innovative features to minimize the self-monitoring burden, as well as automatic feedback and data visualization. The app also includes a social network "follow" feature to add friends and family and give them permission to view logged data and a progress summary. Health care providers can use the web-based admin portal of the GDM-DH app to enter/review glucose levels and other clinical measures, track patient progress, and guide treatment and counseling accordingly. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first mobile health platform for GDM developed for a low-income country and the first one containing a social support feature. A pilot clinical trial is currently underway to explore the clinical utility of the GDM-DH app.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarthi Shanmugavel
- Department of Health Informatics, School of Health Professions, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Prabin Raj Shakya
- Biomedical Knowledge Engineering Lab, Department of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Democratic People's Republic of Korea
| | - Archana Shrestha
- Institute for Implementation Science and Health, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Department of Public Health, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Nepal
- Department of Chronic Disease and Epidemiology, Center of Methods for Implementation and Prevention Science, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jyoti Nepal
- Department of Public Health, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Nepal
| | - Abha Shrestha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dhulikhel Hospital, Dhulikhel, Nepal
| | - Jean-Francois Daneault
- Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, School of Health Professions, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Shristi Rawal
- Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences, School of Health Professions, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
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Piernas C, Lee C, Hobson A, Harmer G, Payne Riches S, Noreik M, Jebb SA. A Behaviorally Informed Mobile App to Improve the Nutritional Quality of Grocery Shopping (SwapSHOP): Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2024; 12:e45854. [PMID: 38206671 PMCID: PMC10811579 DOI: 10.2196/45854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interventions targeting the nutritional quality of grocery shopping have the potential to help improve diet and health outcomes. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of receiving advice on healthier food purchases through SwapSHOP, a behaviorally informed smartphone app that allows users to scan barcodes of grocery products from the United Kingdom, providing nutritional information and personalized swap suggestions to encourage healthier purchases. METHODS We randomized adult volunteers in a 6-arm parallel-group controlled feasibility trial. Participants used the SwapSHOP app to record their grocery shopping during a 2-week run-in period and were individually randomized in a 3:1 ratio to either intervention or control arms within 3 strata related to a nutrient of concern of their choice: saturated fat (SFA), sugar, or salt. Participants randomized to the intervention received the SwapSHOP app with a healthier swap function, goal setting, and personalized feedback. Participants in the control group were instructed to use a simpler version of the app to log all their food purchases without receiving any guidance or advice. The primary outcome was the feasibility of progression to a full trial, including app use and follow-up rates at 6 weeks. The secondary outcomes included other feasibility outcomes, process and qualitative measures, and exploratory effectiveness outcomes to assess changes in the nutrient content of the purchased foods. RESULTS A total of 112 participants were randomized into 3 groups: SFA (n=38 intervention and n=13 control), sugar (n=40 intervention and n=15 control), and salt (n=5 intervention and n=1 control, not analyzed). The 2 progression criteria were met for SFA and sugar: 81% (30/37) and 87% (34/39) of intervention participants in the SFA and sugar groups, respectively, used the app to obtain healthier swaps, and 89% (68/76) of intervention participants and 96% (23/24) of control participants completed follow-up by scanning all purchases over the follow-up period. The process and qualitative outcomes suggested that the intervention was acceptable and has the potential to influence shopping behaviors. There were reductions of -0.56 g per 100 g (95% CI -1.02 to -0.19) in SFA and -1 g per 100 g (95% CI -1.97 to -0.03) in total sugars across all food purchases in the intervention groups. CONCLUSIONS People were willing to use the SwapSHOP app to help reduce sugar and SFA (but not salt) in their grocery shopping. Adherence and follow-up rates suggest that a full trial is feasible. Given the suggestive evidence indicating that the intervention resulted in reductions in sugars and SFA, a definitive trial is necessary to target improvements in health outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN13022312; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN13022312.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Piernas
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INYTA), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Charlotte Lee
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alice Hobson
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Georgina Harmer
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Payne Riches
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michaela Noreik
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Food and Nutrition Sciences, Hochschule Niederrhein, Mönchengladbach, Germany
| | - Susan A Jebb
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Josefsson C, Liljeroos T, Hellgren M, Pöder U, Hedström M, Olsson EMG. The Sukaribit Smartphone App for Better Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e46222. [PMID: 38198200 PMCID: PMC10809162 DOI: 10.2196/46222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A new app, Sukaribit, was designed to enable contact between the caregiver and the patient with the intent to improve self-care and glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]). OBJECTIVE This study investigated the feasibility of the study methodology and the intervention in preparation for a larger effectiveness study. METHODS Adults with type 2 diabetes were recruited in this randomized controlled feasibility study with a mixed methods design. The intervention group (n=28) tried Sukaribit for 2 months. They were encouraged to report blood glucose levels and medications, and they received feedback from a physician. The control group (n=31) received standard care. Both groups were evaluated with pre and postmeasurements of glycemic control (HbA1c), diabetes distress, physical activity, and self-care. Feasibility was evaluated against 5 progression criteria regarding recruitment, study methods, and active participation. RESULTS Of the 5 progression criteria, only 2 were met or partially met. The recruitment process exceeded expectations, and data collection worked well for self-reported data but not for HbA1c measured with a home testing kit. The participants were less active than anticipated, and the effect sizes were small. Only the number of blood glucose tests per day was positively affected by the intervention, with 0.6 more tests per day in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS Recruitment of participants to a future fully powered study may work with minor adjustments. The collection of HbA1c using home testing constituted a major problem, and an alternative strategy is warranted. Finally, the app was not used as intended. In order to proceed with a larger study, the app and study procedures need improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Josefsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Thea Liljeroos
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Ulrika Pöder
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mariann Hedström
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erik M G Olsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Espinola CW, Nguyen B, Torres A, Sim W, Rueda A, Beavers L, Campbell DM, Jung H, Lou W, Kapralos B, Peter E, Dubrowski A, Krishnan S, Bhat V. Digital Interventions for Stress Among Frontline Health Care Workers: Results From a Pilot Feasibility Cohort Trial. JMIR Serious Games 2024; 12:e42813. [PMID: 38194247 PMCID: PMC10783335 DOI: 10.2196/42813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the mental health of health care workers, increasing the rates of stress, moral distress (MD), and moral injury (MI). Virtual reality (VR) is a useful tool for studying MD and MI because it can effectively elicit psychophysiological responses, is customizable, and permits the controlled study of participants in real time. OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using an intervention comprising a VR scenario and an educational video to examine MD among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and to use our mobile app for longitudinal monitoring of stress, MD, and MI after the intervention. METHODS We recruited 15 participants for a compound intervention consisting of a VR scenario followed by an educational video and a repetition of the VR scenario. The scenario portrayed a morally challenging situation related to a shortage of life-saving equipment. Physiological signals and scores of the Moral Injury Outcome Scale (MIOS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were collected. Participants underwent a debriefing session to provide their impressions of the intervention, and content analysis was performed on the sessions. Participants were also instructed to use a mobile app for 8 weeks after the intervention to monitor stress, MD, and mental health symptoms. We conducted Wilcoxon signed rank tests on the PSS and MIOS scores to investigate whether the VR scenario could induce stress and MD. We also evaluated user experience and the sense of presence after the intervention through semi-open-ended feedback and the Igroup Presence Questionnaire, respectively. Qualitative feedback was summarized and categorized to offer an experiential perspective. RESULTS All participants completed the intervention. Mean pre- and postintervention scores were respectively 10.4 (SD 9.9) and 13.5 (SD 9.1) for the MIOS and 17.3 (SD 7.5) and 19.1 (SD 8.1) for the PSS. Statistical analyses revealed no significant pre- to postintervention difference in the MIOS and PSS scores (P=.11 and P=.22, respectively), suggesting that the experiment did not acutely induce significant levels of stress or MD. However, content analysis revealed feelings of guilt, shame, and betrayal, which relate to the experience of MD. On the basis of the Igroup Presence Questionnaire results, the VR scenario achieved an above-average degree of overall presence, spatial presence, and involvement, and slightly below-average realism. Of the 15 participants, 8 (53%) did not answer symptom surveys on the mobile app. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated VR to be a feasible method to simulate morally challenging situations and elicit genuine responses associated with MD with high acceptability and tolerability. Future research could better define the efficacy of VR in examining stress, MD, and MI both acutely and in the longer term. An improved participant strategy for mobile data capture is needed for future studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrails.gov NCT05001542; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05001542. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/32240.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline W Espinola
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Binh Nguyen
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrei Torres
- maxSIMhealth Group, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, Canada
| | - Walter Sim
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alice Rueda
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lindsay Beavers
- Allan Waters Family Simulation Program, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Douglas M Campbell
- Allan Waters Family Simulation Program, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hyejung Jung
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wendy Lou
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bill Kapralos
- maxSIMhealth Group, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Peter
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg, Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adam Dubrowski
- maxSIMhealth Group, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sridhar Krishnan
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Venkat Bhat
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Chung C, Lee JW, Lee SW, Jo MW. Clinical Efficacy of Mobile App-Based, Self-Directed Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2024; 12:e41753. [PMID: 38179689 PMCID: PMC10786334 DOI: 10.2196/41753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Pulmonary rehabilitation is well known to improve clinical symptoms (including dyspnea), quality of life, and exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, researchers have reported difficulties in practicing center-based pulmonary rehabilitation. Recently, mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation has become available in clinical practice. We investigated the clinical outcomes of mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD. Objective The objective of our study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation versus conventional center-based pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with COPD, using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods A systematic search of the literature published between January 2007 and June 2023 was performed, using the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases to identify relevant randomized controlled trials involving patients with COPD. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs needed to provide an exercise program on a smartphone app. Study outcomes, including exercise capacity, symptom scores, quality of life, and hospitalization, were evaluated. The meta-analysis evaluated mean differences in 6-minute walk test distances (6MWDs), COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale scores, St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores, and risk ratios for hospitalization resulting from disease exacerbation. Results Of the 1173 screened studies, 10 were included in the systematic review and 9 were included in the meta-analysis. Further, 6 studies were multicenter studies. There were a total of 1050 participants, and most were aged ≥65 years. There were discrepancies in the baseline participant characteristics, smartphone apps, interventions, and study outcomes among the included studies. In the meta-analysis, 5 studies assessed 6MWDs (mean difference 9.52, 95% CI -3.05 to 22.08 m), 6 studies assessed CAT scores (mean difference -1.29, 95% CI -2.39 to -0.20), 3 studies assessed mMRC dyspnea scale scores (mean difference -0.08, 95% CI -0.29 to 0.13), 2 studies assessed SGRQ scores (mean difference -3.62, 95% CI -9.62 to 2.38), and 3 studies assessed hospitalization resulting from disease exacerbation (risk ratio 0.65, 95% CI 0.27-1.53). These clinical parameters generally favored mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation; however, a statistically significant difference was noted only for the CAT scores (P=.02). Conclusions Despite some discrepancies in the baseline participant characteristics and interventions among studies, mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation resulted in favorable exercise capacity, symptom score, quality of life, and hospitalization outcomes when compared with conventional pulmonary rehabilitation. In the meta-analysis, the CAT scores of the mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P=.02). In real-world practice, mobile app-based pulmonary rehabilitation can be a useful treatment option when conventional center-based pulmonary rehabilitation is not feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiwook Chung
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Gangneung Asan Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Won Lee
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sei Won Lee
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Woo Jo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Cooray N, Ho C, Bestman A, Adams S, Nassar N, Keay L, Brown J. Exploring the Potential of a Behavior Theory-Informed Digital Intervention for Infant Fall Prevention: Mixed Methods Longitudinal Study. JMIR Pediatr Parent 2024; 7:e47361. [PMID: 38170580 PMCID: PMC10794959 DOI: 10.2196/47361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Falls are the most common hospitalized injury mechanism in children aged ≤1 years, and currently, there are no targeted prevention interventions. The prevention of falls in children of this age requires changes in the behavior of their caregivers, and theoretically informed digital behavior change interventions (DBCIs) may provide a unique mechanism for achieving effective intervention. However, user acceptance and the ability of DBCIs to effect the required changes in behavior are critical to their likelihood of success. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate a behavior theory-informed digital intervention developed following a user-centered approach for user experience, the potential for this intervention to prevent infant falls, and its impact on behavioral drivers underpinning fall risk in young children. METHODS Parents of infants aged <1 year were recruited and asked to use the intervention for 3 months. A pre-post longitudinal design was used to examine the change in the potential to reduce the risk of falls after a 3-month exposure to the intervention. Postintervention data on behavioral drivers for fall prevention, user acceptability, and engagement with the app were also collected. Interviews were conducted to explore user experiences and identify areas for further improvement of the intervention. RESULTS A total of 62 parents participated in the study. A statistically significant effect on the potential to reduce falls was observed after the intervention. This effect was higher for new parents. Parents agreed that the intervention targeted most of the target behavior drivers. The impact of behavior drivers and intervention on the potential for fall prevention had a positive correlation. The intervention demonstrated good levels of acceptability. Feedback from participants was mostly positive, and the primary area identified for further improvement was widening the scope of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the promise of a newly developed digital intervention to reduce the risk of infant falls, particularly among new parents. It also showed a positive influence of the DBCI on the drivers of parental behaviors that are important for fall reduction among infants. The acceptability of the app was high, and important insights were gained from users about how to further improve the app.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nipuna Cooray
- The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Barangaroo, Australia
| | - Catherine Ho
- The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Barangaroo, Australia
| | - Amy Bestman
- The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Barangaroo, Australia
| | - Susan Adams
- The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Barangaroo, Australia
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, Australia
| | - Natasha Nassar
- Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lisa Keay
- The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Barangaroo, Australia
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Julie Brown
- The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Barangaroo, Australia
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Lee Y, Kim I, Lee S, Yu S. Information and Communication Technology-Based Application for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy among Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Insomnia: Development and Validation Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:106. [PMID: 38201011 PMCID: PMC10778576 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This study developed an information and communication technology-based mobile application to administer cognitive behavioral therapy to community-dwelling older adults with insomnia. First, the content of the application was determined through a systematic review and preference survey. Preference data on the perception, needs, and preference for non-face-to-face service content were collected from 15 July 2021 to 31 August 2021 from 100 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older. In the design stage, the structure and function of the application were determined, and an interface was designed. The application was developed in conjunction with design experts and programmers using Android Studio software (Android 9). Usability tests were conducted during the implementation stage, followed by an evaluation stage. The evaluation revealed that the application's structure and functions should comprise sleep information, sleep-habit improvement, sleep assistance, video, real-time counseling, and exercise services. These elements were finalized after receiving the results of a preference analysis and advice from an advisory panel of experts in different fields. The developed application was rated with a score of four or higher in all areas. This study successfully developed, implemented, and evaluated a new mobile application called Smart Sleep for community-dwelling older adults with insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeonhee Lee
- Department of Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea;
| | - Inseong Kim
- Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, Wonju-si 26465, Republic of Korea;
| | - Seonheui Lee
- Department of Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea;
| | - Soyoung Yu
- College of Nursing, CHA University, Pocheon 11160, Republic of Korea
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Hakami AM, Almutairi B, Alanazi AS, Alzahrani MA. Effect of Mobile Apps on Medication Adherence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review of Recent Studies. Cureus 2024; 16:e51791. [PMID: 38192533 PMCID: PMC10772302 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Medication adherence is a critical aspect of managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and achieving optimal clinical outcomes. Mobile app-based interventions have emerged as a promising tool to enhance adherence and glycemic control in T2DM patients. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile app interventions in improving medication adherence and glycated hemoglobin among T2DM patients. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar for studies published between September 2018 and September 2023. Studies were included if they were published in English and investigated the effectiveness of mobile apps in enhancing medication adherence among patients with T2DM. Studies were excluded if they included additional interventions, such as electronic pillboxes, phone calls, or SMS text messages, or if they focused on populations with chronic illnesses other than T2DM. Five studies involving 527 participants from diverse geographic locations were included in the review. The findings from the included studies show that mobile-based app interventions can significantly improve medication adherence in patients with T2DM. From the included studies, the mean HbA1c change for the intervention group was -0.664 (95%CI -0.823 to -0.506), while the mean change in HbA1c for the control group was -0.103 (95%CI -0.305 to 0.099). Studies have demonstrated the potential of mobile app-based interventions to enhance medication adherence and improve glycemic control in T2DM; further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of these interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bader Almutairi
- Family Medicine, King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dammam, SAU
| | - Ahmad S Alanazi
- Family Medicine, King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dammam, SAU
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Messer LH, D'Souza E, Merchant G, Mueller L, Farnan J, Habif S, Pinsker JE. Smartphone Bolus Feature Increases Number of Insulin Boluses in People With Low Bolus Frequency. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2024; 18:10-13. [PMID: 37605474 PMCID: PMC10899852 DOI: 10.1177/19322968231191796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The t:connect mobile app from Tandem Diabetes Care recently added a feature to allow t:slim X2 insulin pump users to initiate an insulin bolus from their personal smartphone. User experience and user interface considerations prioritized safety and ease of use, and we examined whether the smartphone bolus feature changed bolus behavior in individuals who bolused less than three times/day. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of t:slim X2 insulin pump users in the United States who had remotely updated their insulin pump software to be compatible with the smartphone bolus version of the app and who gave less than three boluses per day prior to the smartphone bolus update. RESULTS Of the 4470 early adopters who met these criteria, the median number of boluses was 2.2 per day (prior to smartphone bolus update) versus 2.7 per day (after smartphone bolus update), equating to approximately half a bolus more delivered per day (P < .001). Overall, a median of one bolus per day was administered by smartphone app as opposed to being initiated from the screen on the insulin pump. CONCLUSION This analysis found a significant increase in bolusing behavior among early adopters of the smartphone bolus feature of the t:connect mobile app.
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Son S, Yoo BR, Jeong YM. Digital therapeutics-based lumbar core exercise for patients with low back pain: A prospective exploratory pilot study. Digit Health 2024; 10:20552076231218154. [PMID: 38205039 PMCID: PMC10777809 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231218154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to implement a digital therapeutics-based approach based on motion detection technology and analyze the clinical results for patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Methods A prospective, single-arm clinical trial was conducted with 22 patients who performed mobile app-based sitting core twist exercise for 12 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) for LBP, Oswestry Disability Index-Korean version (K-ODI), and EuroQol-5 dimension 5-level version (EQ-5D-5L) every 4 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Laboratory tests for factors associated with muscle metabolism, plain X-ray for evaluating sagittal balance, and magnetic resonance imaging for calculating cross-sectional area (CSA) of back muscles were performed at pretreatment and 12 weeks post-treatment. Results The study population included 20 female patients with an average age of 45.77 ± 15.45 years. The clinical outcomes gradually improved throughout the study period in the VAS for LBP (from 6.05 ± 2.27 to 2.86 ± 1.86), K-ODI (from 16.18 ± 6.19 to 8.64 ± 5.58), and EQ-5D-5L (from 11.09 ± 3.24 to 7.23 ± 3.89) (p < 0.001, respectively). The laboratory test results did not show significant changes. Pelvic incidence (from 53.99 ± 9.70° to 50.80 ± 9.20°, p = 0.002) and the mismatch between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (from 8.97± .67° to 5.28 ± 8.57°, p = 0.027) decreased significantly. Additionally, CSA of erector spinae and total back muscles increased by 5.20% (p < 0.001) and 3.08% (p = 0.013), respectively. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the efficacy of digital therapy-based lumbar core exercise for LBP is favorable. However, further large-scale randomized controlled studies are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Son
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Byung Rhae Yoo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Yu Mi Jeong
- Department of Radiology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
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Abdelhameed F, Pearson E, Parsons N, Barber TM, Panesar A, Summers C, de la Fosse M, Hanson P. Health Outcomes Following Engagement With a Digital Health Tool Among People With Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Prospective Evaluation Study. JMIR Diabetes 2023; 8:e47224. [PMID: 38016426 PMCID: PMC10784975 DOI: 10.2196/47224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes is a worldwide chronic condition causing morbidity and mortality, with a growing economic burden on health care systems. Complications from poorly controlled diabetes are associated with increased socioeconomic costs and reduced quality of life. Smartphones have become an influential platform, providing feasible tools such as health apps to deliver tailored support to enhance the ability of patients with diabetes for self-management. Gro Health is a National Health Service division X-certified digital health tool used to deliver educational and monitoring support to facilitate the development of skills and practices for maintaining good health. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess self-reported outcomes of the Gro Health app among users with diabetes and prediabetes and identify the factors that determine engagement with the digital health tool. METHODS This was a service evaluation of self-reported data collected prospectively by the developers of the Gro Health app. The EQ-5D questionnaire is a standardized tool used to measure health status for clinical and economic appraisal. Gro Health users completed the EQ-5D at baseline and 6 months after using the app. Users provided informed consent for the use of their anonymized data for research purposes. EQ-5D index scores and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were calculated at baseline and 6 months for individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Descriptive statistics and multiple-regression models were used to assess changes in the outcome measures and determine factors that affected engagement with the digital tool. RESULTS A total of 84% (1767/2114) of Gro Health participants completed EQ-5D at baseline and 6 months. EQ-5D index scores are average values that reflect people's preferences about their health state (1=full health and 0=moribund). There was a significant and clinically meaningful increase in mean EQ-5D index scores among app users between baseline (0.746, SD 0.23) and follow-up (0.792, SD 0.22; P<.001). The greatest change was observed in the mean VAS score, with a percentage change of 18.3% improvement (61.7, SD 18.1 at baseline; 73.0, SD 18.8 at follow-up; P<.001). Baseline EQ-5D index scores, age, and completion of educational modules were associated with significant changes in the follow-up EQ-5D index scores, with baseline EQ-5D index scores, race and ethnicity, and completion of educational modules being significantly associated with app engagement (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence of a significant positive effect on self-reported quality of life among people living with type 2 diabetes engaging with a digital health intervention. The improvements, as demonstrated by the EQ-5D questionnaire, are facilitated through access to education and monitoring support tools within the app. This provides an opportunity for health care professionals to incorporate National Health Service-certified digital tools, such as Gro Health, as part of the holistic management of people living with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Abdelhameed
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Eilish Pearson
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Parsons
- Statistics and Epidemiology Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas M Barber
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Arjun Panesar
- Diabetes Digital Media Health, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Petra Hanson
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
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Folkvord F, Bol N, Stazi G, Peschke L, Lupiáñez-Villanueva F. Preferences in the Willingness to Download an mHealth App: Discrete Choice Experimental Study in Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e48335. [PMID: 38145470 PMCID: PMC10775037 DOI: 10.2196/48335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the worldwide growth in mobile health (mHealth) tools and the possible benefits for both patients and health care providers, the adoption of mHealth is low, and only a limited number of studies have examined the intention to download mHealth apps. OBJECTIVE In this study, we investigated individuals' preferences in the adoption of a health app. METHODS We conducted a discrete choice experimental study in 3 countries (Spain: n=800, Germany: n=800, and the Netherlands: n=416) with 4 different attributes and levels (ie, price: €1.99 vs €4.99 [a currency exchange rate of €1=US $1.09 is applicable] vs for free, data protection: data protection vs no information, recommendation: patients' association vs doctors, and manufacturer: medical association vs pharmaceutical company). Participants were randomly assigned. For the analyses, we used the conditional logistic model separately for each country. RESULTS The results showed that price and data protection were considered important factors that significantly increased the probability to download an mHealth app. In general, the source of the recommendation and the manufacturer affected the probability to download the mHealth app less. However, in Germany and the Netherlands, we found that if the app was manufactured by a pharmaceutical company, the probability to download the mHealth app decreased. CONCLUSIONS mHealth tools are highly promising to reduce health care costs and increase the effectiveness of traditional health interventions and therapies. Improving data protection, reducing costs, and creating sound business models are the major driving forces to increase the adoption of mHealth apps in the future. It is thereby essential to create trustworthy standards for mobile apps, whereby prices, legislation concerning data protection, and health professionals can have a leading role to inform the potential consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frans Folkvord
- Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
- PredictBy, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nadine Bol
- Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | | | - Lutz Peschke
- Department of Communication and Design, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Francisco Lupiáñez-Villanueva
- PredictBy, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Information and Communication Science, Universidad Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
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Liu F, Song T, Yu P, Deng N, Guan Y, Yang Y, Ma Y. Efficacy of an mHealth App to Support Patients' Self-Management of Hypertension: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e43809. [PMID: 38113071 PMCID: PMC10762623 DOI: 10.2196/43809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertension is a significant global disease burden. Mobile health (mHealth) offers a promising means to provide patients with hypertension with easy access to health care services. Yet, its efficacy needs to be validated, especially in lower-income areas with a high-salt diet. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the efficacy of an mHealth app-based intervention in supporting patients' self-management of hypertension. METHODS A 2-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted among 297 patients with hypertension at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. Participants selected via convenience sampling were randomly allocated into intervention and control groups. Intervention group participants were trained and asked to use an mHealth app named Blood Pressure Assistant for 6 months. They could use the app to record and upload vital signs, access educational materials, and receive self-management reminders and feedback from health care providers based on the analysis of the uploaded data. Control group participants received usual care. Blood pressure (BP) and 2 questionnaire surveys about hypertension knowledge and lifestyle behavior were used to assess all participants at baseline and 6 months. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software using 2-tailed t tests and a chi-square test. RESULTS There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics and medication use between the 2 groups (all P>.05). After 6 months, although both groups show a significant pre-post improvement (P<.001 each), the BP control rate (ie, the proportion of patients with a systolic BP of <140 mm Hg and diastolic BP of <90 mm Hg) in the intervention group was better than that in the control group (100/111, 90.1% vs 75/115, 65.2%; P<.001). The mean systolic and diastolic BP were significantly reduced by 25.83 (SD 8.99) and 14.28 (SD 3.74) mm Hg in the intervention group (P<.001) and by 21.83 (SD 6.86) and 8.87 (SD 4.22) mm Hg in the control group (P<.001), respectively. The differences in systolic and diastolic BP between the 2 groups were significant (P<.001 and P=.01, respectively). Hypertension knowledge significantly improved only in the intervention group in both pre-post and intergroup comparisons (both P<.001). However, only intragroup improvement was observed for lifestyle behaviors in the intervention group (P<.001), including medication adherence (P<.001), healthy diet (P=.02), low salt intake (P<.001), and physical exercises (P=.02), and no significant difference was observed in the control group or on intergroup comparisons. CONCLUSIONS This research shows that the mHealth app-based intervention has the potential to improve patient health knowledge and support self-management among them toward a healthier lifestyle, including medication adherence, low-salt diets, and physical exercises, thereby achieving optimal BP control. Further research is still needed to verify the specific effects of these interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900026437; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=38801.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- Health Management Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Ting Song
- Centre for Digital Transformation, School of Computing and Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Ping Yu
- Centre for Digital Transformation, School of Computing and Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Ning Deng
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingping Guan
- Health Management Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yuanji Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute Of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for International Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Williamson G, Carr E, Fear NT, Dymond S, King K, Simms A, Goodwin L, Murphy D, Leightley D. Digital Therapeutic Intervention for Women in the UK Armed Forces Who Consume Alcohol at a Hazardous or Harmful Level: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e51531. [PMID: 38113103 PMCID: PMC10762616 DOI: 10.2196/51531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol misuse is common in the United Kingdom Armed Forces (UKAF), with prevalence significantly higher than in the general population. To date, digital health initiatives to support alcohol misuse have focused on male individuals, who represent approximately 89% of the UKAF. However, female veterans drink disproportionally more than female members of the public. OBJECTIVE This 2-arm participant-blinded (single-blinded) confirmatory randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to assess the efficacy of a brief alcohol intervention (DrinksRation) in reducing weekly self-reported alcohol consumption between baseline and a 3-month follow-up (day 84) among women who have served in the UKAF. METHODS In this 2-arm single-blinded RCT, a smartphone app that includes interactive user-focused features tailored toward the needs of female veterans and designed to enhance participants' motivations to reduce the amount of alcohol they consume is compared with the UK Chief Medical Officer guidance on alcohol consumption. The trial will be conducted among women who have served at least 1 day of paid service in the UKAF. Recruitment, consent, and data collection will be carried out automatically through the DrinksRation app or the BeAlcoholSmart platform. The primary outcome is change in self-reported weekly alcohol consumption between baseline (day 0) and the 3-month follow-up (day 84) measured using the Timeline Follow Back for alcohol consumption. The secondary outcome is the change in the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score measured at baseline and 3-month follow-up between the control and intervention groups. The process evaluation measures include (1) app use and (2) usability ratings as measured by the mHealth App Usability Questionnaire. RESULTS RCT recruitment will begin in January 2024 and last for 5 months. We aim to complete all data collection, including interviews, by May 2024. CONCLUSIONS This study will assess whether a smartphone app tailored to the needs of women who have served in the UKAF is efficacious in reducing self-reported alcohol consumption. If successful, the digital therapeutics platform could be used not only to support women who have served in the UKAF but also for other conditions and disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05970484; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05970484. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/51531.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Williamson
- King's Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ewan Carr
- Biostatistics & Health Informatics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola T Fear
- King's Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Academic Department of Military Health, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Dymond
- School of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, Reykjavík University, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Kate King
- King's Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Academic Department of Military General Practice, Defence Medical Services, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Amos Simms
- Academic Department of Military Health, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Goodwin
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic Murphy
- King's Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Combat Stress, Leatherhead, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Leightley
- King's Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Bhagavathula AS, Aldhaleei WA, Atey TM, Assefa S, Tesfaye W. Efficacy of eHealth Technologies on Medication Adherence in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JMIR Cardio 2023; 7:e52697. [PMID: 38113072 PMCID: PMC10762619 DOI: 10.2196/52697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suboptimal adherence to cardiac pharmacotherapy, recommended by the guidelines after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been recognized and is associated with adverse outcomes. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that eHealth technologies are useful in reducing cardiovascular risk factors. However, little is known about the effect of eHealth interventions on medication adherence in patients following ACS. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of the eHealth interventions on medication adherence to selected 5 cardioprotective medication classes in patients with ACS. METHODS A systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted between May and October 2022, with an update in October 2023 to identify RCTs that evaluated the effectiveness of eHealth technologies, including texting, smartphone apps, or web-based apps, to improve medication adherence in patients after ACS. The risk of bias was evaluated using the modified Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for RCTs. A pooled meta-analysis was performed using a fixed-effect Mantel-Haenszel model and assessed the medication adherence to the medications of statins, aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, and β-blockers. RESULTS We identified 5 RCTs, applicable to 4100 participants (2093 intervention vs 2007 control), for inclusion in the meta-analysis. In patients who recently had an ACS, compared to the control group, the use of eHealth intervention was not associated with improved adherence to statins at different time points (risk difference [RD] -0.01, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.03 at 6 months and RD -0.02, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.02 at 12 months), P2Y12 inhibitors (RD -0.01, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.02 and RD -0.01, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.02), aspirin (RD 0.00, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.07 and RD -0.00, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.06), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (RD -0.01, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.02 and RD 0.01, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.05), and β-blockers (RD 0.00, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.03 and RD -0.01, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.03). The intervention was also not associated with improved adherence irrespective of the adherence assessment method used (self-report or objective). CONCLUSIONS This review identified limited evidence on the effectiveness of eHealth interventions on adherence to guideline-recommended medications after ACS. While the pooled analyses suggested a lack of effectiveness of such interventions on adherence improvement, further studies are warranted to better understand the role of different eHealth approaches in the post-ACS context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula
- Department of Public Health, College of Health and Human Services, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States
| | - Wafa Ali Aldhaleei
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Tesfay Mehari Atey
- Clinical Pharmacy Unit, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Solomon Assefa
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Wubshet Tesfaye
- Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Simkó G, Uvacsek M. The effectiveness of an mHealth intervention on diabetes risk factors and body composition. Physiol Int 2023; 110:342-355. [PMID: 38112682 DOI: 10.1556/2060.2023.00209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Early identification and lifestyle intervention is beneficial for people with risk for diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in healthy overweight or obese women using the FINDRISC score and a twelve-week long mobile app-based lifestyle intervention.Fifty-four subjects were involved and forty-eight were analysed, n = 28 in the intervention group (online group: OG) and n = 20 in the control group (CG). Body composition was assessed using the InBody 720 device and diabetes risk was evaluated with the Finnish Diabetes Risk Questionnaire. The calorie intake and macronutrients were evaluated by a 3-day diary. Group differences and pre- and post-results were analysed using student t-tests by TIBCO Statistica 13.40.14.Significantly decreased body mass index (28.0 ± 2.5 kg m-2 vs 25.8 ± 4.3 kg m-2, P = 0.00), body fat percentage (37.5 ± 6.3% vs 34.1 ± 5.9%, P = 0.03), waist circumference (100.8 ± 7.2 cm vs 94.7 ± 8.2 cm, P = 0.00) and visceral fat (124.0 ± 29.2 cm³ vs 109.0 ± 24.6 cm³, P = 0.04) were found in the OG. By the end of the programme, both groups showed significant decrease in food consumption, daily calorie intake (OG: 2,348.6 ± 348.0 vs 1,483.1 ± 114.4, CG: 2,372.4 ± 464.2 vs 1,654.1 ± 201.3 kcal day-1, P = 0.00), fibre (OG: 19.5 ± 3.7 vs 26.1 ± 3.4, CG: 17.8 ± 3.9 vs 22.0 ± 4.8 g day-1, P = 0.00) and cholesterol consumption (OG: 365.2 ± 58.9 vs 266.2 ± 65.8, CG: 377.4 ± 72.1 vs 269.2 ± 42.7 mg day-1, P = 0.00). OG had a more significant reduction in body mass index (P = 0.03) and body fat percentage (P = 0.04) values at the end of the programme compared to the control group.In this study, it was found that mHealth intervention is a useful and effective method in the Hungarian female population. Further studies are needed to investigate modifications of this intervention to achieve more health-related effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Simkó
- 1School of Doctoral Studies, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Martina Uvacsek
- 2Department of Health Sciences and Sport Medicine, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, Hungary
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Bell I, Arnold C, Gilbertson T, D'Alfonso S, Castagnini E, Chen N, Nicholas J, O'Sullivan S, Valentine L, Alvarez-Jimenez M. A Personalized, Transdiagnostic Smartphone Intervention (Mello) Targeting Repetitive Negative Thinking in Young People With Depression and Anxiety: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e47860. [PMID: 38090786 PMCID: PMC10753417 DOI: 10.2196/47860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is a key transdiagnostic mechanism underpinning depression and anxiety. Using "just-in-time adaptive interventions" via smartphones may disrupt RNT in real time, providing targeted and personalized intervention. OBJECTIVE This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluates the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary clinical outcomes and mechanisms of Mello-a fully automated, personalized, transdiagnostic, and mechanistic smartphone intervention targeting RNT in young people with depression and anxiety. METHODS Participants with heightened depression, anxiety, and RNT were recruited via social media and randomized to receive Mello or a nonactive control over a 6-week intervention period. Assessments were completed via Zoom sessions at baseline and at 3 and 6 weeks after baseline. RESULTS The findings supported feasibility and acceptability, with high rates of recruitment (N=55), uptake (55/64, 86% of eligible participants), and retention (52/55, 95% at 6 weeks). Engagement was high, with 90% (26/29) and 59% (17/29) of the participants in the Mello condition still using the app during the third and sixth weeks, respectively. Greater reductions in depression (Cohen d=0.50), anxiety (Cohen d=0.61), and RNT (Cohen d=0.87) were observed for Mello users versus controls. Mediation analyses suggested that changes in depression and anxiety were accounted for by changes in RNT. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that mechanistic, targeted, and real-time technology-based solutions may provide scalable and effective interventions that advance the treatment of youth mental ill health. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12621001701819; http://tinyurl.com/4d3jfj9f.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imogen Bell
- Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Chelsea Arnold
- Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tamsyn Gilbertson
- Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Simon D'Alfonso
- Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emily Castagnini
- Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicola Chen
- Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jennifer Nicholas
- Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Shaunagh O'Sullivan
- Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lee Valentine
- Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mario Alvarez-Jimenez
- Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Masmoudi A, Zouari A, Bouzid A, Fourati K, Baklouti S, Ben Amar M, Boujelben S. Predicting Waist Circumference From a Single Computed Tomography Image Using a Mobile App (Measure It): Development and Evaluation Study. JMIRx Med 2023; 4:e38852. [PMID: 38234160 PMCID: PMC10958995 DOI: 10.2196/38852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Background Despite the existing evidence that waist circumference (WC) provides independent and additive information to BMI when predicting morbidity and mortality, this measurement is not routinely obtained in clinical practice. Using computed tomography (CT) scan images, mobile health (mHealth) has the potential to make this abdominal obesity parameter easily available even in retrospective studies. Objective This study aimed to develop a mobile app as a tool for facilitating the measurement of WC based on a cross-sectional CT image. Methods The development process included three stages: determination of the principles of WC measurement from CT images, app prototype design, and validation. We performed a preliminary validity study in which we compared WC measurements obtained both by the conventional method using a tape measurement in a standing position and by the mobile app using the last abdominal CT slice not showing the iliac bone. Pearson correlation, student t tests, and Q-Q and Bland-Altman plots were used for statistical analysis. Moreover, to perform a diagnostic test evaluation, we also analyzed the accuracy of the app in detecting abdominal obesity. Results We developed a prototype of the app Measure It, which is capable of estimating WC from a single cross-sectional CT image. We used an estimation based on an ellipse formula adjusted to the gender of the patient. The validity study included 20 patients (10 men and 10 women). There was a good correlation between both measurements (Pearson R=0.906). The student t test showed no significant differences between the two measurements (P=.98). Both the Q-Q dispersion plot and Bland-Altman analysis graphs showed good overlap with some dispersion of extreme values. The diagnostic test evaluation showed an accuracy of 83% when using the mobile app to detect abdominal obesity. Conclusions This app is a simple and accessible mHealth tool to routinely measure WC as a valuable obesity indicator in clinical and research practice. A usability and validity evaluation among medical teams will be the next step before its use in clinical trials and multicentric studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amine Zouari
- Surgery Department, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Ahmed Bouzid
- Surgery Department, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Kais Fourati
- Surgery Department, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
| | | | - Mohamed Ben Amar
- Surgery Department, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Salah Boujelben
- Surgery Department, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
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Alder G, Taylor D, Rashid U, Olsen S, Brooks T, Terry G, Niazi IK, Signal N. A Brain Computer Interface Neuromodulatory Device for Stroke Rehabilitation: Iterative User-Centered Design Approach. JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol 2023; 10:e49702. [PMID: 38079202 PMCID: PMC10750233 DOI: 10.2196/49702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rehabilitation technologies for people with stroke are rapidly evolving. These technologies have the potential to support higher volumes of rehabilitation to improve outcomes for people with stroke. Despite growing evidence of their efficacy, there is a lack of uptake and sustained use in stroke rehabilitation and a call for user-centered design approaches during technology design and development. This study focuses on a novel rehabilitation technology called exciteBCI, a complex neuromodulatory wearable technology in the prototype stage that augments locomotor rehabilitation for people with stroke. The exciteBCI consists of a brain computer interface, a muscle electrical stimulator, and a mobile app. OBJECTIVE This study presents the evaluation phase of an iterative user-centered design approach supported by a qualitative descriptive methodology that sought to (1) explore users' perspectives and experiences of exciteBCI and how well it fits with rehabilitation, and (2) facilitate modifications to exciteBCI design features. METHODS The iterative usability evaluation of exciteBCI was conducted in 2 phases. Phase 1 consisted of 3 sprint cycles consisting of single usability sessions with people with stroke (n=4) and physiotherapists (n=4). During their interactions with exciteBCI, participants used a "think-aloud" approach, followed by a semistructured interview. At the end of each sprint cycle, device requirements were gathered and the device was modified in preparation for the next cycle. Phase 2 focused on a "near-live" approach in which 2 people with stroke and 1 physiotherapist participated in a 3-week program of rehabilitation augmented by exciteBCI (n=3). Participants completed a semistructured interview at the end of the program. Data were analyzed from both phases using conventional content analysis. RESULTS Overall, participants perceived and experienced exciteBCI positively, while providing guidance for iterative changes. Five interrelated themes were identified from the data: (1) "This is rehab" illustrated that participants viewed exciteBCI as having a good fit with rehabilitation practice; (2) "Getting the most out of rehab" highlighted that exciteBCI was perceived as a means to enhance rehabilitation through increased engagement and challenge; (3) "It is a tool not a therapist," revealed views that the technology could either enhance or disrupt the therapeutic relationship; and (4) "Weighing up the benefits versus the burden" and (5) "Don't make me look different" emphasized important design considerations related to device set-up, use, and social acceptability. CONCLUSIONS This study offers several important findings that can inform the design and implementation of rehabilitation technologies. These include (1) the design of rehabilitation technology should support the therapeutic relationship between the patient and therapist, (2) social acceptability is a design priority in rehabilitation technology but its importance varies depending on the use context, and (3) there is value in using design research methods that support understanding usability in the context of sustained use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Alder
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Denise Taylor
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Usman Rashid
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sharon Olsen
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thonia Brooks
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gareth Terry
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Imran Khan Niazi
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Chiropractic Research, New Zealand College of Chiropractic, Auckland, New Zealand
- Sensory Motor Integration, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Nada Signal
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
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Hoernke K, Shrestha A, Pokhrel B, Timberlake T, Giri S, Sapkota S, Dalglish S, Costello A, Saville N. Children in All Policies (CAP) 2030 Citizen Science for Climate Change Resilience: a cross-sectional pilot study engaging adolescents to study climate hazards, biodiversity and nutrition in rural Nepal. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 8:570. [PMID: 38434744 PMCID: PMC10904941 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18591.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Young people will suffer most from climate change yet are rarely engaged in dialogue about it. Citizen science offers a method for collecting policy-relevant data, whilst promoting awareness and capacity building. We tested the feasibility and acceptability of engaging Nepalese adolescents in climate change and health-related citizen science. Methods We purposively selected 33 adolescents from two secondary schools in one remote and one relatively accessible district of Nepal. We contextualised existing apps and developed bespoke apps to survey climate hazards, waste and water management, local biodiversity, nutrition and sociodemographic information. We analysed and presented quantitative data using a descriptive analysis. We captured perceptions and learnings via focus group discussions and analysed qualitative data using thematic analysis. We shared findings with data collectors using tables, graphs, data dashboards and maps. Results Adolescents collected 1667 biodiversity observations, identified 72 climate-change related hazards, and mapped 644 geolocations. They recorded 286 weights, 248 heights and 340 dietary recalls. Adolescents enjoyed learning how to collect the data and interpret the findings and gained an appreciation of local biodiversity which engendered 'environmental stewardship'. Data highlighted the prevalence of failing crops and landslides, revealed both under- and over-nutrition and demonstrated that children consume more junk foods than adults. Adolescents learnt about the impacts of climate change and the importance of eating a diverse diet of locally grown foods. A lack of a pre-established sampling frame, multiple records of the same observation and spurious nutrition data entries by unsupervised adolescents limited data quality and utility. Lack of internet access severely impacted feasibility, especially of apps which provide online feedback. Conclusions Citizen science was largely acceptable, educational and empowering for adolescents, although not always feasible without internet access. Future projects could improve data quality and integrate youth leadership training to enable climate-change advocacy with local leaders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Hoernke
- Children in All Policies-2030, University College London, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | | | - Bhawak Pokhrel
- Kathmandu Living Labs, 1474 Lamtangin Marg, Chundevi, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Thomas Timberlake
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Santosh Giri
- HERD International, Sainbu Awas Cr-10 Marga, Bhaisepati, Lalitpur, Nepal, Nepal
| | - Sujan Sapkota
- HERD International, Sainbu Awas Cr-10 Marga, Bhaisepati, Lalitpur, Nepal, Nepal
| | - Sarah Dalglish
- Children in All Policies-2030, University College London, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Anthony Costello
- Children in All Policies-2030, University College London, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Naomi Saville
- Children in All Policies-2030, University College London, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
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