Effect of commercial wearables and digital behaviour change resources on the physical activity of adolescents attending schools in socio-economically disadvantaged areas: the RAW-PA cluster-randomised controlled trial

Abstract Background There has been increasing interest in using wearable activity trackers to promote physical activity in youth. This study examined the short- and longer-term effects of a wearable activity tracker combined with digital behaviour change resources on the physical activity of adolescents attending schools in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. Methods The Raising Awareness of Physical Activity (RAW-PA) Study was a 12-week, multicomponent intervention that combined a Fitbit Flex (and accompanying app), and online digital behaviour change resources and weekly challenges delivered via Facebook. RAW-PA was evaluated using a cluster-randomised controlled trial with 275 adolescents (50.2% female; 13.7 ± 0.4 years) from 18 Melbourne secondary schools (intervention n = 9; wait-list control group n = 9). The primary outcome was moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), measured using hip-worn ActiGraph accelerometers. The secondary outcome was self-reported physical activity. Data were collected at baseline, 12-weeks (immediately post-intervention), and 6-months post-intervention (follow-up). Multilevel models were used to determine the effects of the intervention on daily MVPA over time, adjusting for covariates. Results No significant differences were observed between intervention and wait-list control adolescents’ device-assessed MVPA immediately post-intervention. At 6-months post-intervention, adolescents in the intervention group engaged in 5 min (95% CI: − 9.1 to − 1.0) less MVPA per day than those in the wait-list control group. Males in the intervention group engaged in 11 min (95% CI: − 17.6 to − 4.5) less MVPA than males in the wait-list control group at 6-months post-intervention. No significant differences were observed for females at either time point. For self-reported physical activity, no significant effects were found at 12-weeks and 6-months post-intervention. Conclusions Combining a wearable activity tracker with digital behaviour change resources and weekly challenges did not increase inactive adolescents’ accelerometer-derived and self-reported physical activity levels immediately post-intervention. This contrasts previous research that has suggested wearable activity tracker may increase youth physical activity levels in the short-term. Lower engagement in MVPA 6-months post-intervention was observed for males but not for females, though it is unclear why this finding was observed. The results suggest wearable activity trackers, in combination with supporting materials, may not be effective for increasing physical activity levels in adolescents. Trial registration ACTRN12616000899448. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Registered 7 July 2016.

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Formative Evaluation of a Home-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Adolescent Girls—The HERizon Project: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Children ◽

10.3390/children8020076 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 76

Author(s):

Emma S. Cowley ◽

Paula M. Watson ◽

Lawrence Foweather ◽

Sarahjane Belton ◽

Chiara Mansfield ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Formative Evaluation ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Muscular Endurance ◽

Body Appreciation ◽

Wait List Control Group ◽

Wait List Control ◽

Home Based

Background. This is a formative evaluation study of the HERizon Project, a home-based multi-component physical activity (PA) intervention for adolescent girls in the UK and Ireland. Although not intended, this study coincided with the initial COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Methods. A total of 42 female participants, aged 13 to 16 years old (mean = 14.2, SD = 1.1), were randomly allocated to: (i) the HERizon group (n = 22) or (ii) the wait-list control group (n = 20). Participants in the six-week HERizon group were asked to complete three PA sessions each week and engage in weekly behaviour change support video calls. The primary outcome measure was self-reported habitual PA. Secondary outcomes measures included cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m shuttle run), muscular strength (standing long jump), muscular endurance (push up test), and psychosocial outcomes (Perceived Competence Scale, Body Appreciation Scale, Self-Esteem Questionnaire, Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire). Quantitative and qualitative process evaluation data were also collected. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after the six-week intervention. Results. There was no significant change in habitual PA between groups (LMM group*time interaction: p = 0.767). The HERizon group had significantly increased cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.001), muscular endurance (p = 0.022), intrinsic motivation (p = 0.037), and body appreciation (p < 0.003) in comparison to the wait-list control group. All participants in the intervention group completed the intervention and compliance to the intervention was high (participants completed 18 ± 2 sessions). Conclusions. Although no change in PA was observed, HERizon resulted in improved physical fitness and psychosocial outcomes. These preliminary findings, alongside positive findings for feasibility and acceptability, highlight potential benefits from the home-based intervention, thus further investigation is warranted.

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Comparison of three different exercise training modalities (aerobic, strength and mixed) in patients with schizophrenia: study protocol for a multicentre randomised wait-list controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046216 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. e046216

Author(s):

Laura García-Garcés ◽

Sergio Lacamara Cano ◽

Yago Cebolla Meliá ◽

María I Sánchez-López ◽

David Marqués Azcona ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Body Composition ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control Group ◽

Wait List Control ◽

Training Groups

IntroductionNumerous studies support the practice of different physical exercise modalities as an effective treatment to address the problems associated with schizophrenia, reporting that they result in improvements in patient symptoms and quality of life. Given the lack of studies comparing different types of training in controlled environments, the aim of this proposed study will be to compare the effects of three physical exercise programmes (strength, aerobic and mixed) on the symptoms, body composition, level of physical activity and health-related quality of life of patients with schizophrenia.Methods and analysisA multicentre, single-blinded (evaluator), randomised, wait-list controlled (ratio 2:2:2:1) trial will be conducted with 105 patients recruited from different psychosocial care centres. The participants will be randomised into three 16-week training groups comprising 48 sessions lasting 1 hour each, or to the wait-list control group. The training groups will complete aerobic, strength or mixed (aerobic+strength) training. The participants will be assessed before, immediately after and 6 months after the end of the intervention. The patients in the wait-list control group (n=15) will receive one of the three trainings immediately after the intervention. The study variables will include positive, negative and general symptomology (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) as the primary outcome; as secondary outcome: body composition (by assessing body mass index, body fat mass and waist circumference), physical activity levels (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form) and quality of life (abbreviated WHO Quality of Life questionnaire).Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the ethics committees for Biomedical Research at the CEU Cardenal Herrera University of Valencia, Spain (CEI18/215). Participants will be fully informed of the purpose and procedures of the study, and written informed consent will be obtained. The results from this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented in scientific conferences.Trial registration numberNCT04987151.

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A Digital Intervention to Alleviate Loneliness and Depression Among Older Persons During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.3347 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 933-934

Author(s):

Stav Shapira ◽

Ella Cohn-Schwartz ◽

Daphna Yeshua-Katz ◽

Limor Aharonson-Daniel ◽

A Mark Clarfield ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control Group ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Wait List Control

Abstract Social distancing has been proven to be effective in reducing infections but may cause ill effects on the mental health of older adults. We evaluated the effects of a short-term virtual group intervention that provided tools to promote better coping, and mitigate adverse mental health effects during the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic. A Randomized controlled trial tested the effects of a guided intervention comprised of seven online group sessions in which cognitive-behavioral techniques targeting maladaptive beliefs and appraisals were learned and practiced via ZOOM. A total of 82 community-dwelling adults from Israel, aged between 65 - 90 were randomized to either an intervention group (n=64) or a wait-list control group (n=18). Loneliness (UCLA loneliness scale) and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) were measured pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up. The findings showed a significant decrease in loneliness and depression scores in the intervention group with results maintained at 1-month follow-up. There were no significant changes in the wait-list control group. In addition, ten participants (16%) from the intervention group demonstrated a clinically meaningful decrease in depression between baseline and post-intervention, and this was maintained among 7 participants (10%) at 1-month follow-up, compared to only 1 participant (5%) in the control group. Our intervention presents a simple and easy-to-implement tool. Its relevance extends beyond the current pandemic as the skills acquired can be applied in other forms of social crises and during routine life, in order to promote the mental health of older adults who live alone and/or reside in remote areas.

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Both Individual and Group-Based Neuropsychological Interventions of Dyslexia Improve Processing Speed in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study

Journal of Learning Disabilities ◽

10.1177/0022219419895261 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 53 (3) ◽

pp. 213-227

Author(s):

Johanna M. Nukari ◽

Erja T. Poutiainen ◽

Eva P. Arkkila ◽

Marja-Leena Haapanen ◽

Jari O. Lipsanen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Group Intervention ◽

Self Report ◽

Control Group ◽

Cognitive Symptoms ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control Group ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Wait List Control

Effectiveness of individual and group-based neuropsychological interventions on cognitive aspects of dyslexia in young adults was evaluated. Dyslexic adults were randomly assigned into individual intervention ( n = 40), group intervention ( n = 40), or wait-list control group ( n = 40). The interventions focused on cognitive strategy learning, supporting self-esteem, and using psychoeducation. Cognitive performance and symptoms were assessed via psychometric testing and self-report questionnaires at baseline, after the intervention/wait-list control time at 5 months and at 10 months. And, 15 months post intervention long-term status was checked via mailed inquiry. Wait-list control group also received an intervention after the 5-month control period. No significant effects were found in primary self-report outcome measures. Both interventions had a positive effect on a measure of processing speed and attention and the effect remained after the 5-month follow-up period. In self-reported cognitive symptoms, a positive trend was evident in self-reported reading habits. Furthermore, minor self-evaluated benefits reaching up to 15 months post intervention were found. There were no significant differences between the results of individual and group intervention as both interventions improved cognitive performance. The results indicate that a structured neuropsychological intervention could be effective in ameliorating dyslexia-related cognitive symptoms in young adults.

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DigiKnowIt News: Educating youth about pediatric clinical trials using an interactive, multimedia educational website

Journal of Child Health Care ◽

10.1177/13674935211003774 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136749352110037

Author(s):

Alison E. Parker ◽

Tracy M. Scull ◽

Abigail M. Morrison

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Interactive Multimedia ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control Group ◽

Wait List Control ◽

Satisfaction Questionnaire ◽

Study Participants

Pediatric clinical trials allow for the testing of appropriate and effective treatments for children. However, some challenges exist with recruitment. This study examined the effectiveness of DigiKnowIt News, an interactive, multimedia website (which includes activities, videos, and comic books) designed to educate children about clinical trials. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2018 with 91 participants ( M age = 10.92 years; SD = 2.06). Participants were randomly assigned to intervention or wait-list control groups and completed questionnaires at pretest and posttest (1 week later) about their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs about clinical trials, and self-efficacy for participating in clinical trials. Participants in the intervention group received access to DigiKnowIt News between pretest and posttest and completed a satisfaction questionnaire at posttest. At the end of the study, participants in the wait-list control group were offered the option to use the website and complete a satisfaction questionnaire. At posttest, participants in the intervention group, compared to participants in the wait-list control group, had more knowledge about clinical trials and more reported confidence for participating in clinical trials. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with DigiKnowIt News. The findings suggest that an educational website can improve factors related to increasing rates of participation in clinical trials.

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Combined Memory Training: An Approach for Episodic Memory Deficits in Traumatic Brain Injury

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00075 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (2S) ◽

pp. 920-932

Author(s):

Elisabeth Cochran D'Angelo ◽

Beth A. Ober ◽

Gregory K. Shenaut

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Semantic Memory ◽

Memory Deficits ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control Group ◽

Wait List Control

Purpose The study aimed to test a combination of semantic memory and traditional episodic memory therapies on episodic memory deficits in adults with traumatic brain injury. Method Twenty-five participants who had been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and had episodic memory deficits were randomly assigned either to a combined memory treatment group ( n = 16) or to a wait-list control group ( n = 9). Before and after treatment, they completed standardized neuropsychological testing for episodic memory and related cognitive domains, including the California Verbal Learning Test–Second Edition, the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, the University of Southern California Repeatable Episodic Memory Test, the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence–Second Edition Matrices, the Test of Everyday Attention, the Memory Assessment Clinics Self-Rating Scale, the Expressive Vocabulary Test–Second Edition, and the Story Recall subtest from the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test. In addition to a traditional episodic memory therapy, the treatment group received a novel semantic memory–focused therapy, which involved participants finding meaningful connections between diverse concepts represented by sets of two or three words. Results The treatment group demonstrated statistically significant improvement in memory for list learning tasks, and there was a significant difference from pretest to posttest between the treatment group and the wait-list control group. Clinical significance was demonstrated for the treatment group using minimally important difference calculations. Conclusion Combined memory therapy resulted in significant improvements in episodic memory, semantic memory, and attention, in comparison to no treatment. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14049968

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A personalised smartphone-delivered just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITABug) to increase physical activity in older adults: A feasibility pilot study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.34662 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jacqueline Louise Mair ◽

Lawrence Hayes ◽

Amy Campbell ◽

Duncan Buchan ◽

Chris Easton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Data Collection ◽

Real Time ◽

Behaviour Change ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Activity Level ◽

Just In Time ◽

Activity Tracker ◽

Wearable Activity Tracker

BACKGROUND Just-in-time-adaptive-interventions (JITAIs) provide real-time ‘in the moment’ behaviour change support to people when they need it most. JITAIs could be a viable way to provide personalised physical activity support to older adults in the community. However, it is unclear how feasible it is to remotely deliver a physical activity intervention via a smartphone to older adults, or how acceptable older adults would find a JITAI targeting physical activity in everyday life. OBJECTIVE (1) to describe the development of “JITABug”, a personalised smartphone and activity tracker delivered JITAI designed to support older adults to increase or maintain their physical activity level; (2) to explore the acceptability of JITABug in a free-living setting, and (3) to assess the feasibility of conducting an effectiveness trial of the JITABug intervention. METHODS The intervention development process was underpinned by the Behaviour Change Wheel. The intervention consisted of a wearable activity tracker (Fitbit) and a companion smartphone app (JITABug) which delivered goal setting, planning, reminders, and just-in-time adaptive messages to encourage achievement of personalised physical activity goals. Message delivery was tailored based on time of day, real-time physical activity tracker data, and weather conditions. We tested the feasibility of remotely delivering the JITAI with older adults in a 6-week trial using a mixed-methods approach. Data collection involved assessment of physical activity by accelerometery and activity tracker, self-reported mood and mental wellbeing via ecological momentary assessment, and contextual information on physical activity via voice memos. Feasibility and acceptability outcomes included: (1) recruitment capability and adherence to the intervention; (2) intervention delivery ‘in the wild’; (3) appropriateness of data collection methodology; (4) adverse events and; (5) participant satisfaction. RESULTS Of 46 recruited older adults (aged 56-72 years old), 65% completed the intervention. The intervention was successfully delivered as intended; 27 participants completed the intervention independently, 94% of physical activity messages were successfully delivered, and 99% of Fitbit and 100% of weather data calls were successful. Wrist-worn accelerometer data were obtained from 96% at baseline and 96% at follow up. On average, participants recorded 8/16 (50%) voice memos, 3/8 (38%) mood assessments, and 2/4 (50%) wellbeing assessments via the app. Overall acceptability of the intervention was very good (77% satisfaction). Participant feedback suggested that more diverse and tailored physical activity messages, app usage reminders, technical refinements regarding real-time data syncing, and an improved user interface could improve the intervention and make it more appealing. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that a smartphone delivered JITAI utilizing a wearable activity tracker is an acceptable way to support physical activity in older adults in the community. Overall, the intervention is feasible, however based on user feedback, the JITABug app requires further technical refinements that may enhance usage, engagement, and user satisfaction before moving to effectiveness trials. CLINICALTRIAL Non-Applicable

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Metta-based group meditation and individual cognitive behavioral therapy (MeCBT) for chronic depression: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-019-3815-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Artjom Frick ◽

Isabel Thinnes ◽

Ulrich Stangier

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽

Positive Affect ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Chronic Depression ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control Group ◽

Wait List Control

Abstract Background Depression is a widespread disorder with severe impacts for individuals and society, especially in its chronic form. Current treatment approaches for persistent depression have focused primarily on reducing negative affect and have paid little attention to promoting positive affect. Previous studies have shown that metta meditation increases positive affect in chronically depressed patients. Results from previous trials provide evidence for the efficacy of a stand-alone metta meditation group treatment in combination with mindfulness-based approaches. Further research is needed to better understand the implementation of meditation practice into everyday life. Therefore, mindfulness and metta meditation in a group setting are combined with individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into a new, low-intensity, cost-effective treatment (“MeCBT”) for chronic depression. Methods/design In this single-center, randomized, observer-blinded, parallel-group clinical trial we will test the efficacy of MeCBT in reducing depression compared to a wait-list control condition. Forty-eight participants in a balanced design will be allocated randomly to a treatment group or a wait-list control group. Metta-based group meditation will be offered in eight weekly sessions and one additional half-day retreat. Subsequent individual CBT will be conducted in eight fortnightly sessions. Outcome measures will be assessed at four time points: before intervention (T0); after group meditation (T1); after individual CBT (T2); and, in the treated group only, at 6-month follow-up (T3). Changes in depressive symptoms (clinician rating), assessed with the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms (QIDS-C) are the primary outcome. We expect a significant decline of depressive symptoms at T2 compared to the wait-list control group. Secondary outcome measures include self-rated depression, mindfulness, benevolence, rumination, emotion regulation, social connectedness, social functioning, as well as behavioral and cognitive avoidance. We will explore changes at T1 and T2 in all these secondary outcome variables. Discussion To our knowledge this is the first study to combine a group program focusing on Metta meditation with state-of-the art individual CBT specifically tailored to chronic depression. Implications for further refinement and examination of the treatment program are discussed. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN97264476. Registered 29 March 2018 (applied on 14 December 2017)—retrospectively registered.

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