Tailored Text Message Prompts to Increase Therapy Homework Adherence: A Single-Case Randomised Controlled Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-191
Author(s):  
Sven Alfonsson ◽  
Joakim Englund ◽  
Thomas Parling
Keyword(s):  
Single Case ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
Positive Treatment ◽  
Homework Adherence ◽  
Randomised Controlled

AbstractBackground:Psychotherapy homework completion is associated with positive treatment outcomes, but many patients show low adherence to prescribed assignments. Whether text-message prompts are effective in increasing adherence to assignments is unknown.Aims:To evaluate whether tailored daily text-message prompts can increase homework adherence in a stress/anxiety treatment.Method:This study used a randomised controlled single-case alternating treatment design with parallel replication in seven participants. Participants received a five-week relaxation program for stress and anxiety with daily exercises. The intervention consisted of daily text messages tailored for each participant. Phases with or without text messages were randomly alternated over the study course. Randomisation tests were used to statistically analyse differences in mean number of completed relaxation exercises between phases.Results:There was a significant (combinedp= .018) effect of daily text messages on homework adherence across participants with weak to medium effect size improvements. No negative effects of daily text messages were identified.Conclusions:Tailored text messages can marginally improve adherence to assignments for patients in CBT. Further studies may investigate how text messages can be made relevant for more patients and whether text messages can be used to increase homework quality rather than quantity.

scholarly journals Effects of weekly pain monitoring on back pain outcomes: a non-randomised controlled study

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Kongsted ◽  
Tue Secher Jensen ◽  
Klaus Doktor ◽  
Lise Hestbæk
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Activity Limitation ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Randomised Controlled Study ◽  
Pain Outcomes ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Disease monitoring is an important element of self-management of several chronic diseases. Pain monitoring has become very easily available, but the role in musculoskeletal pain conditions is not clear. Awareness of pain might be helpful for people to understand pain, but focusing on pain may on the contrary negatively affect pain experience and behaviours. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential impact of pain monitoring on low back pain (LBP), specifically to determine if pain intensity, activity limitation and pain control, differed between patients with weekly pain monitoring over 12 months and patients with follow-ups at 2 weeks, 3 months and 12 months. Methods This was a non-randomised controlled study embedded in a cohort study with data collection November 1st 2016 to December 21st 2018. Adults seeking care for LBP were enrolled at the first visit to a chiropractor and followed with surveys after 2 weeks, 3 months and 12 months. Those enrolled first, n = 1,623, furthermore received weekly SMS-questions about pain frequency and pain intensity, whereas those enrolled next was the control group, n = 1,269 followed only by surveys. Outcomes at 12-months were compared, adjusting for group differences on baseline parameters. Results LBP intensity (0–10) was slightly lower at 12-months follow-up in the SMS group than the control group (adjusted beta − 0.40 (95% CI: − 0.62; − 0.19)). No relevant between-group differences were observed for activity limitation (0–100) (1.51 (95% CI: − 0.83; 3.85)) or ability to control pain (0–10) (− 0.08 (95% CI − 0.31; 0.15)). Conclusions Frequent pain monitoring did not demonstrate any negative effects of weekly pain monitoring, and it was perhaps even helpful. The role of self-monitoring as part of self-managing LBP should be explored further including optimal frequencies, formats, and methods for feedback. Trial registration The study was not registered as a clinical trial.

Effects of Acupressure on Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 353-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doreen W H Au ◽  
Hector W H Tsang ◽  
Paul P M Ling ◽  
Christie H T Leung ◽  
P K Ip ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Citation Index ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Allocation Concealment ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Physiological Indicators ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Objective To evaluate the evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quantify the effects of acupressure on anxiety among adults. Methodology RCTs published between January 1997 and February 2014, comparing acupressure with sham control, were identified from the databases Science Citation Index/Social Sciences Citation Index, Scopus, PubMed and PsycINFO. Meta-analysis of eligible studies was performed and the magnitude of the overall effect size was calculated for the anxiety outcome. Revised STRICTA (the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture) criteria were used to appraise the acupressure procedures, and the Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. Results Of 39 potentially relevant studies, seven RCTs met the inclusion criteria for review while five studies met the criteria for meta-analysis. All studies reported the positive effect of acupressure on relieving anxiety from the anticipation of surgery or treatment. EX-HN3 ( Yintang), HT7 ( Shenmen) were the commonest points selected and two studies used bilateral points. The acupressure procedure was generally well reported and studies had a low risk of bias. The combined results of the five trials showed a greater overall reduction in anxiety in the acupressure group than in the sham controls (standardised mean differences (SMD)=−1.11; 95% CI −1.61 to −0.61; p<0.0001 heterogeneity: I2=75%; χ2=16.17; p=0.003; r=0.485). Conclusions Acupressure seems to be effective in providing immediate relief of pretreatment anxiety among adults, and has a medium effect size. However, conflicting results were found for the improvements on physiological indicators. More rigorous reporting, including allocation concealment procedure, is needed to strengthen the results.

scholarly journals Assessing the acceptability of a text messaging service and smartphone app to support patient adherence to medications prescribed for high blood pressure: a pilot study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aikaterini Kassavou ◽  
Charlotte A Court ◽  
Jagmohan Chauhan ◽  
James Brimicombe ◽  
Debbi Bhattacharya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Delivery Mode ◽  
Log Files ◽  
Intervention Content

Abstract Aims and objectives. This paper describes a pilot non-randomised controlled study of a highly tailored 56-days text message and smartphone app prototype intervention to increase adherence to anti-hypertensive medication in primary care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of the intervention and obtain patients views about the intervention content, delivery mode, and the mechanisms by which the intervention supported medication adherence. Methods. Patients diagnosed with hypertension were invited to the study via general practice text messages and were recruited face to face by the researcher team. Participants were asked to test the text message intervention for 28 consecutive days and switch to the smartphone app for 28 more days. Participants completed baseline and follow up questionnaires and took part in semi-structured telephone interviews. Digital log files captured patients’ usage of the intervention. Participant transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data from questionnaires and log files. A mixed methods analysis generated data to respond to the research questions. Results. 79 patients expressed interest to participate in this study, of whom 23 (64% male, 82% above 60 years old) were recruited to take part. With one drop-out, 22 participants tested the text message delivery mode (with 20 being interviewed) and four of them (17%) switched to the app (with 3 being interviewed). All participants engaged and interacted with the text message and app notifications, and most participants found the intervention content and delivery mode acceptable. They also self-reported that the interactive elements of the intervention motivated them to take their medications as prescribed. Conclusion. This study provides evidence that the digital intervention is acceptable by hypertensive patients recruited in primary care. Future research could usefully investigate its feasibility and effectiveness using rigorous research methods.

scholarly journals Beneficial Influence of Mindfulness Training Promoted by Text Messages on Self-Reported Aerobic Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 406-414
Author(s):  
Nicolas Robin ◽  
Lucette Toussaint ◽  
Stéphane Sinnapah ◽  
Olivier Hue ◽  
Guillaume R. Coudevylle
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Experimental Conditions

Inactivity is known to have harmful effects on the physical and mental health of older adults. This study used a randomized, parallel trial design to evaluate whether daily text prompts to practice mindfulness would have a positive impact on the time that adults aged 50 years or older spend in aerobic physical activity. The participants were recruited from a certified fitness center and divided into mindfulness and control groups. For 4 weeks, they were exposed to the experimental conditions, with or without the morning text message. In the morning message condition, the mindfulness groups received a text message with the instruction to practice audio-guided mindfulness for 10 min, and the control group received a placebo message. The participants practicing mindfulness reported significantly more weekly minutes of aerobic physical activity and higher intrinsic motivation than the control participants. Mindfulness training was effective at increasing aerobic physical activity duration and might complement physical activity programs.

scholarly journals Pre-notification and personalisation of text-messages to retain participants in a smoking cessation pregnancy RCT: an embedded randomised factorial trial

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 637
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Coleman ◽  
Rachel Whitemore ◽  
Laura Clark ◽  
Karen Daykin ◽  
Miranda Clark
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Completion Rate ◽  
Factorial Trial ◽  
Study Within A Trial ◽  
Early Text ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Background:  Low response rates in randomised controlled trials can compromise the reliability of the results, so ways to boost retention are often implemented. Although there is evidence to suggest that sending a text message to participants increases retention, there is little evidence around the timing or personalisation of these messages.  Methods:  A two-by-two factorial SWAT (study within a trial) was embedded within the MiQuit-3 trial, looking at smoking cessation within pregnant smokers. Participants who reached their 36-week gestational follow-up were randomised to receive a personalised or non-personalised text message, either one week or one day prior to the telephone follow-up. Primary outcomes were completion rate of questionnaire via telephone. Secondary outcomes included: completion rate via any method, time to completion, and number of reminders required.  Results  In total 194 participants were randomised into the SWAT; 50 to personalised early text, 47 to personalised late text, 50 to non-personalised early text, and 47 to non-personalised late text. There was no evidence that timing of the text message (early: one week before; or late: one day before) had an effect on any of the outcomes. There was evidence that a personalised text would result in fewer completions via telephone compared with a non-personalised text (adjusted OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.22–0.87, p=0.02). However, there was no evidence to show that personalisation or not was better for any of the secondary outcomes.  Conclusion  Timing of the text message does not appear to influence the retention of participants. Personalisation of a text message may be detrimental to retention; however, more SWATs should be undertaken in this field.

A randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of different electric breast pumps (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mabel Qi He Leow ◽  
Peter Kay Chai Tay ◽  
Azaizah Binte Mohamed Afif ◽  
Boh Boi Wong ◽  
Lester Chee Hao Leong
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Dropout Rate ◽  
Estimating Equation ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
Breast Pump ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Electric breast pump could be more effective than manual pumps or hand expression of milk. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of current electric breast pumps, which have additional functions such as massage and ability to vary the rate and pressure. The study will also evaluate the impact of electric pump on breast engorgement, which is a common postpartum complication. METHODS A three-group randomised controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted on Mothers who are breastfeeding and using breast pumps. Adult Mothers who are 21-39 years old will be included. We propose a medium effect size of 0.40 for the study. Taking into account of about 20% dropout rate, 180 participants will be recruited (60 in each group). In addition, 120 control participants who are not using breast pump or not breastfeeding will be recruited. Data collection will include baseline maternal data and clinical data, quantity of expressed milk and duration taken, complications of breast pumping/feeding, and psychosocial data. Quantitative outcomes will be analysed using STATA, using univariate analyses, Pearson’s correlations, generalised estimating equation and two-way ANOVA repeated measures. RESULTS Na CONCLUSIONS Na CLINICALTRIAL Not required

Sham-neurofeedback as an Intervention: Placebo or Nocebo?

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S253-S254
Author(s):  
G. Arina ◽  
E. Osina ◽  
O. Dobrushina ◽  
G. Aziatskaya
Keyword(s):  
Single Case ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Post Evaluation ◽  
Nocebo Effects ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
To Receive

IntroductionSham-controlled studies of neurofeedback are aimed to provide evidence-based data regarding its efficacy. However, a sophisticated sham procedure may turn out to be an intervention rather that a neutral control.MethodsData from a single-case cross-over sham-controlled study of NF in migraine were analyzed to access the effects of sham-NF. The study included 5 females with chronic migraine and was divided into 4 phases: pre-evaluation (≥ 2 weeks), treatment 1 (5 weeks), treatment 2 (5 weeks), post-evaluation (≥ 2 weeks), where treatment 1 and 2 included 10 infra-low frequency NF and 10 sham-NF sessions at T3T4 site in randomized order. Participants filled out a computerized diary about headache and emotions.ResultsSham-NF resulted in some reduction of the level of tension (0.8 ± 0.7 vs. 1.1 ± 0.5, P = 0.1) and anxiety (0.56 ± 0.5 vs. 0.95 ± 0.4, P = 0.07) as measured by the mean value in the diary (rating from 0 - no emotion, to 3 - very intense). While the total frequency of headache was not influenced by sham-NF (40 ± 11% vs. 40 ± 7% days, P = 1), a tendency towards an increase in quantity of severe headaches (42 ± 18% vs. 20 ± 18% days, P = 0.07) and in the need for drug intake (74 ± 27% vs. 44 ± 30% days, P = 0.07) was observed. We supposed that expectation of feedback and failure to receive it during sham sessions may have possible negative effects, while frequent visits to the clinic and contact with the therapist may explain reduction in anxiety.ConclusionSham-NF seems to have both placebo and nocebo effects, which should be considered during interpretation of results of the studies.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Intervention development of a brief messaging intervention for a randomised controlled trial to improve diabetes treatment adherence in sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Leon ◽  
Hazel Namadingo ◽  
Kirsty Bobrow ◽  
Sara Cooper ◽  
Amelia Crampin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Adherence ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Diabetes Treatment ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Brief messaging interventions, including Short Message Service (SMS) text-messages, delivered via mobile device platforms, show promise to support and improve treatment adherence. To understand how these interventions work, and to facilitate transparency, we need clear descriptions of the intervention development process. Method We describe and reflect on the process of designing and pretesting an evidence- and theory-informed brief messaging intervention, to improve diabetes treatment adherence in sub-Saharan Africa. We followed the stepwise approach recommended by the Medical Research Council, United Kingdom (MRC UK) Framework for Development and Evaluation of Complex Health Interventions and guidance for mobile health intervention development. Results We used a four-phase, iterative approach that first generated primary and secondary evidence on the lived experience of diabetes, diabetes treatment services and mobile-phone use. Second, we designed a type 2 diabetes-specific, brief text-message library, building on our previous hypertension text-message library, as well as drawing on the primary and secondary data from phase one, and on expert opinion. We then mapped the brief text-messages onto behaviour change (COM-B) theoretical constructs. Third, we refined and finalised the newly developed brief text-message library through stakeholder consultation and translated it into three local languages. Finally, we piloted the intervention by pre-testing the automated delivery of the brief text-messages in the trial sites in Malawi and South Africa. The final SMS text Adherence suppoRt for people with type 2 diabetes (StAR2D) intervention was tested in a randomised controlled trial in Malawi and South Africa (trial registration: ISRCTN70768808). Conclusion The complexity of public health interventions requires that we give more attention to intervention development work. Our documentation and reflection on the StAR2D intervention development process promotes transparency, replicability, assessment of intervention quality, and comparison with other studies.

scholarly journals An evaluation of a personalised text message reminder compared to a standard text message on postal questionnaire response rates: an embedded randomised controlled trial

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Cochrane ◽  
Charlie Welch ◽  
Caroline Fairhurst ◽  
Sarah Cockayne ◽  
David J. Torgerson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Binary Data ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Postal Questionnaire ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Standard Text ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Background: Research outcome data is commonly collected using postal questionnaires; however, poor response can introduce bias and reduce statistical power. Text messaging is simple, cost-effective, and can be customised to the individual. Personalised, reminder text messages may improve response rates. Methods: A two-arm, parallel group ‘Study within a Trial’ (SWAT) was embedded within the Occupational Therapist Intervention Study (OTIS), a randomised controlled trial of a home assessment for falls prevention in older people.  OTIS participants who provided a mobile phone number were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive either a personalised text message (Title, Surname, plus York Trials Unit (YTU) text) or the standard YTU text alone, prior to receiving their four-month post-randomisation follow-up postal questionnaire. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of participants who returned the questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were: time to response, completeness of response, requirement of a reminder letter, and cost-effectiveness. Binary data were compared using logistic regression and time to response by Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: A total of 403 participants were randomised: 201 to the personalised text and 202 to the standard text.  Of the 283 participants included in the final analysis, 278 (98.2%) returned their questionnaire; 136 (97.8%) for the personalised text versus 142 (98.6%) for the standard text (adjusted odds ratio 0.64, 95% CI 0.10 to 3.88, p=0.63).  The median time to response was nine days in both groups.  In total, 271 (97.5%) participants returned a complete questionnaire; 133 (97.8%) in the personalised text versus 138 (97.2%) for the standard text.  In total, 21 reminder letters were sent. The additional cost of personalised text messages was £0.04 per participant retained. Conclusions: Personalised texts were not superior to standard texts in any outcome assessed in our study. Further SWATs are needed to perform a meta-analysis and obtain more evidence. Registration: ISRCTN22202133; SWAT 35.

scholarly journals Text Messages Promoting Mental Imagery Increase Self-Reported Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 462-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Robin ◽  
Lucette Toussaint ◽  
Guillaume R. Coudevylle ◽  
Shelly Ruart ◽  
Olivier Hue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Placebo Group ◽  
Mental Imagery ◽  
Trial Design ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Objective: This study tested whether text messages prompting adults 50 years of age and older to perform mental imagery would increase aerobic physical activity (APA) duration using a randomized parallel trial design. Method: Participants were assigned to an Imagery 1, Imagery 2, or placebo group. For 4 weeks, each group was exposed to two conditions (morning text message vs. no morning text message). In the morning message condition, the imagery groups received a text message with the instruction to mentally imagine performing an APA, and the placebo group received a placebo message. All participants received an evening text message of “Did you do your cardio today? If yes, what did you do?” for 3 days per week. Results: Participants of the imagery groups reported significantly more weekly minutes of APA in the morning text message condition compared with the no morning message condition. Conclusion: Electronic messages were effective at increasing minutes of APA.

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