scholarly journals Individualized Text Messages about Public Services Fail to Sway Voters: Evidence from a Field Experiment on Ugandan Elections

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Ryan S. Jablonski ◽  
Mark T. Buntaine ◽  
Daniel L. Nielson ◽  
Paula M. Pickering
Keyword(s):  
Voting Behavior ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Service Outcomes ◽  
Better Than

Abstract Mobile communication technologies can provide citizens access to information that is tailored to their specific circumstances. Such technologies may therefore increase citizens’ ability to vote in line with their interests and hold politicians accountable. In a large-scale randomized controlled trial in Uganda (n = 16,083), we investigated whether citizens who receive private, timely, and individualized text messages by mobile phone about public services in their community punished or rewarded incumbents in local elections in line with the information. Respondents claimed to find the messages valuable and there is evidence that they briefly updated their beliefs based on the messages; however, the treatment did not cause increased votes for incumbents where public services were better than expected nor decreased votes where public services were worse than anticipated. The considerable knowledge gaps among citizens identified in this study indicate potential for communication technologies to effectively share civic information. Yet the findings imply that when the attribution of public service outcomes is difficult, even individualized information is unlikely to affect voting behavior.

Should all Hypertensive Patients be Screened for Primary Aldosteronism?

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-56
Author(s):  
Stelina Alkagiet ◽  
Konstantinos Tziomalos
Keyword(s):  
Resistant Hypertension ◽  
Primary Aldosteronism ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The Other ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Hypertensive Patients ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is not only a leading cause of secondary and resistant hypertension, but is also quite frequent in unselected hypertensive patients. Moreover, PA is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, which is disproportionate to BP levels. In addition, timely diagnosis of PA and prompt initiation of treatment attenuate this increased risk. On the other hand, there are limited data regarding the usefulness of screening for PA in all asymptomatic or normokalemic hypertensive patients. More importantly, until now, no well-organized, large-scale, prospective, randomized controlled trial has proved the effectiveness of screening for PA for improving clinical outcome. Accordingly, until more relevant data are available, screening for PA should be considered in hypertensive patients with spontaneous or diuretic-induced hypokalemia as well as in those with resistant hypertension. However, screening for PA in all hypertensive patients cannot be currently recommended.

A Randomized controlled trial of SMS Intervention in Inner Mongolia with Type 2 Diabetes (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Mei Wang ◽  
Dan Liu ◽  
Mao Lin Du ◽  
Rui Qi Hao ◽  
Hui Qiu Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Sms Intervention ◽  
Better Than

BACKGROUND Nonadherence to self-management is common among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and often leads to severe complications. Short messages service (SMS) technology provides a practical medium for delivering content to address patients’ barriers to adherence. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to design a series of SMS intervention templates, and to evaluate the feasibility of the SMS through a short message quality evaluation questionnaire and to explore the intervention effect. METHODS 1. The SMS evaluation was assessed through the 10-point scale SMS Quality Assessment Questionnaire. 2. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. The patients in SMS intervention were randomly divided into intervention group (IG) and control group (CG), which received evaluated messages education and regular education, respectively. The intervention was divided into four phases, a telephone interview was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention after each phase. The main outcome were changes in blood glucose and blood pressure (BP) and their control rates, and secondary outcomes were changes in diet, physical activity, weight control and other health-related behaviors. RESULTS 1. SMS design: 42 SMS text messages were designed to promote healthy behaviors in different stages of behavior change, covering four key domains: healthy knowledge, diet, physical activity, living habits and weight control. 2. SMS evaluation: The average score for healthy knowledge, diet, physical activity, living habits, weight control were 8.0 (SD 0.7), 8.5 (SD 0.6), 7.9 (SD 1.0), 8.0 (SD 0.7), and 8.4 (SD 0.9), respectively. 3. SMS intervention: A total of 146 people completed the four-phase intervention, including 72 in the CG and 74 in the IG. At the end of the intervention period, in the IG, the decrease in fasting blood glucose (FBG, mean 1.5mg/l [SD 3.0] vs 0.4 mg/l [SD 2.8], P=0.011), postprandial blood glucose (PBG, mean 5.8mg/l [SD 5.1] vs 4.2 mg/l [SD 4.7], P=0.028), systolic blood pressure (SBP, mean 9.1mmHg [SD 15.8] vs 2.2mmHg [SD 13.3], P=0.025), FBG control rate (45.9% vs 31.0%, P=0.046) and PBG control rate (57.8% vs 33.7%, P=0.002) were better than the CG. In self-behavior management, the changes of the weight control, diet and physical activity in the IG were better than those in the CG, and the average score of the IG was greater than that of the CG (1.1 vs [-0.3] ), P0.001). CONCLUSIONS The overall quality of SMS content is higher to meet the needs of patients; Diet, physical activity and weight control message need to be focused on push. SMS interventions contribute to the management of blood glucose and BP, and help to promote a series of healthy-related behaviors.

Efficacy and Impact of an mHealth Intervention to promote Mental Wellness for American Indian and Alaska Native Teens and Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the BRAVE Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Craig Rushing ◽  
Allyson Kelley ◽  
Sheana Bull ◽  
David Stephens ◽  
Julia Wrobel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Culturally Relevant ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Mental Wellness

BACKGROUND Culturally-relevant interventions are needed to help American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) teens and young adults navigate common risky situations involving family and friends, including drug and alcohol misuse, dating violence, and suicidality. We R Native – a multimedia health resource for Native teens and young adults – designed an intervention for Native youth, delivered via text message, that includes role model videos, mental wellness strategies, and links to culturally-relevant resources (hotlines, chat-lines, websites, etc.) and social support. OBJECTIVE This study aims to test the efficacy of BRAVE to improve participant’s physical, mental, and spiritual health, their use of mental wellness strategies, their help-seeking skills, and associated factors, including cultural resilience, identity, and cultural pride. METHODS The randomized controlled trial was carried out by the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and the mHealth Impact Lab. The team recruited 2,334 AI/AN teens and young adults nationwide (15-24 years old) via social media channels and text message and enrolled 1,044 to participate. AI/AN teens and young adults enrolled in the study received either: 8 weeks of BRAVE text messages designed to improve mental health, help-seeking skills, and cultural resilience; or 8 weeks of STEM text messages, designed to elevate and re-affirm Native voices in science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEM); and then received the other set of messages. Primary and secondary outcomes were tested using linear mixed-effect models and linear regressions. RESULTS A total of 833 AI/AN teens and young adults were included in the analysis. Individuals in the BRAVE and STEM arms showed significant positive trends over the course of the study for all primary outcomes except cultural identity and help seeking behavior. Mean scores were significantly different for health (P<.001), resilience (P<.001), negative coping (P=.027), positive coping (P<.001), self-efficacy (P=.021), and self-esteem (P<.001). Changes in help-seeking self-efficacy were significant for those exhibiting risky behavior at baseline to exit (P=.01). Those who reported positive coping scores at baseline also reported better health on average, but no difference in risky drug and alcohol use (P<.001). The number of participants that used text messages to help themselves increased from 69% at 3-months (427/618) to 75% at 8-months (381/501) (P<.001). Similarly, the number of participants that used text messages to help a friend or family member increased from 22% at 3-months (138/616) to 55% at 8-months (272/498). CONCLUSIONS This is the first nationwide randomized controlled trial for AI/AN teens and young adults to test the efficacy of an mHealth intervention on mental wellness. The findings suggest that culturally-relevant multimedia, mHealth interventions can improve help-seeking behavior. Lessons learned from this study may help other AI/AN-serving organizations, prevention programs, policymakers, researchers, and educators as they support the next generation of AI/AN change-makers.

scholarly journals Randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of mass and spaced learning in microsurgical procedures using computer aided assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Z. W. Teo ◽  
Xiaoke Dong ◽  
Siti Khadijah Bte Mohd Yusoff ◽  
Soumen Das De ◽  
Alphonsus K. S. Chong
Keyword(s):  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Participant Satisfaction ◽  
Learning Group ◽  
Technical Performance ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Spaced Learning ◽  
Suturing Skills ◽  
Suture Placement ◽  
Better Than

AbstractSpaced-learning refers to teaching spread over time, compared to mass-learning where the same duration of teaching is completed in one session. Our hypothesis is that spaced-learning is better than mass-learning in retaining microsurgical suturing skills. Medical students were randomized into mass-learning (single 8-h session) and spaced-learning (2-h weekly sessions over 4 weeks) groups. They were taught to place 9 sutures in a 4 mm-wide elastic strip. The primary outcome was precision of suture placement during a test conducted 1 month after completion of sessions. Secondary outcomes were time taken, cumulative performance, and participant satisfaction. 42 students (24 in the mass-learning group; 18 in spaced-learning group) participated. 3 students in the spaced-learning group were later excluded as they did not complete all sessions. Both groups had comparable baseline suturing skills but at 1 month after completion of teaching, the total score for suture placement were higher in spaced-learning group (27.63 vs 31.60,p = 0.04). There was no statistical difference for duration and satisfaction in either group. Both groups showed an improvement in technical performance over the sessions, but this did not differ between both groups. Microsurgical courses are often conducted in mass-learning format so spaced learning offers an alternative that enhances retention of complex surgical skills.

Overcoming the Challenges of Experimental Research: Lessons From a Criminal Justice Case Study Involving TASER Exposure

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 358-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Todak ◽  
Michael D. White ◽  
Lisa M. Dario ◽  
Andrea R. Borrego
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Human Subjects Research ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To provide guidance to criminologists for conducting experiments in light of two common discouraging factors: the belief that they are overly time-consuming and the belief that they can compromise the ethical principles of human subjects’ research. Method: A case study approach is used, based on a large-scale randomized controlled trial experiment in which we exposed participants to a 5-s TASER shock, to describe how the authors overcame ethical, methodological, and logistical difficulties. Results: We derive four pieces of advice from our experiences carrying out this experimental trial: (1) know your limitations, (2) employ pilot testing, (3) remain flexible and patient, and (4) “hold the line” to maintain the integrity of the research and the safety of human subjects. Conclusions: Criminologists have an obligation to provide the best possible evidence regarding the impact and consequences of criminal justice practices and programs. Experiments, considered by many to be the gold standard of empirical research methodologies, should be used whenever possible in order to fulfill this obligation.

scholarly journals Effect of automated messaging on oral hygiene in adolescent orthodontic patients: A randomized controlled trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 262-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike C. Ross ◽  
Phillip M. Campbell ◽  
Larry P. Tadlock ◽  
Reginald W. Taylor ◽  
Peter H. Buschang
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Oral Hygiene ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Orthodontic Patients ◽  
Hygiene Compliance

ABSTRACTObjective:To determine whether automated text messages sent daily to adolescent orthodontic patients improves oral hygiene more than weekly reminders.Materials and Methods:A blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effects of automated messages on oral hygiene. Subjects were recruited from patients undergoing orthodontic treatment at the Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics. They were being treated with a variety of fixed full appliances in both arches. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a once-a-week text message group or a daily text message group. There were 52 females and 27 males who were 12 to 17 years of age. Oral hygiene was measured at the beginning of the study and again 8.6 ± 0.9 weeks later.Results:The daily reminder group (N = 42) had significantly greater improvements in oral hygiene compliance than the weekly reminder group (N = 37). The daily score decreases were 48%, 21% and 19% for the bleeding index (BI), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI), respectively. The weekly score decreases were 27%, 14% and 13% for the BI, PI, and GI. There were no sex differences in hygiene changes during the study. The 42% of patients who completed the survey at the end of the study wanted more frequent messages and reported that messages related to decreasing treatment time were the most effective, while those related to oral hygiene were the least effective.Conclusions:Daily text messages are more effective at improving oral hygiene than weekly text messages.

scholarly journals Reliable and rapid smooth extubation after Ketofol for induction of general anesthesia in Laparoscopic Drilling of polycystic ovary: A randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atef Mohamed Sayed Mahmoud ◽  
Joseph Makram Botros ◽  
Safaa Gaber Ragab
Keyword(s):  
General Anesthesia ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Airway Response ◽  
American Society ◽  
American Society Of Anesthesiologists ◽  
Better Than

Abstract Background the outcome of ketofol on the hemodynamics and the airway response during induction of general anesthesia has been studied before. Its effect on smoothness of extubation has not been studied before. So, we aimed to assess the effect of ketofol on the smoothness of extubation and compare it with propofol only for induction of general anesthesia. Methods This double-blind, randomized, and controlled study was conducted on one hundred and six American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical status ''ASA PS'' class I and II female patients aged 18–40 years old and scheduled for laparoscopic drilling for polycystic ovary disease under general anesthesia. The patients were assigned into one of two groups (53) patients each; group KP = ketofol and group P = propofol. Results There was good sedation score during suction and extubation in the ketofol group. Airway response and smoothness of extubation were better in the ketofol group better than the propofol group. Conclusion Ketofol as an induction anesthetic agent was effective in attenuating the airway response during extubation more than profofol only. Trial registration: This trial was retrospectively registered at the Clinical Trial.gov with the Identification Number: NCT04365686.

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