scholarly journals Mechanisms and Effects of a WeChat-Based Intervention on Suicide Among People Living With HIV and Depression: Path Model Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/14729 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. e14729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiran Li ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Y Alicia Hong ◽  
Mengting Zhu ◽  
Chengbo Zeng ◽  
...  

Background People living with HIV and depression have high rates of suicide. Studies of mobile health (mHealth) interventions have shown feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy in improving mental health in people living with HIV and depression. However, few studies have examined the mechanisms and effects of mHealth interventions on suicide. Objective This study was designed to examine the mechanisms and effects of a WeChat-based intervention, Run4Love, on suicide among people living with HIV and depression in China, while considering perceived stress and depressive symptoms as mediators. Methods A sample of 300 People living with HIV and depression was recruited from the outpatient clinic of a large HIV or AIDS treatment hospital and was randomized to the Run4Love group or a control group. Data were collected at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-ups. Path analysis modeling, with longitudinal data, was used in data analyses. Results The Run4Love mHealth intervention had a direct effect on reducing suicide rate at the 6-month follow-up (beta=−.18, P=.02) and indirect effect through reducing perceived stress and depressive symptoms at the 3-month follow-up (beta=−.09, P=.001). A partial mediating effect between perceived stress and depressive symptoms accounted for 33% (–0.09/–0.27) of the total effect. Conclusions Through path analyses, we understood the mechanisms and effects of an mHealth intervention on suicide prevention. The findings underscored the importance of stress reduction and depression treatment in such a program. We call for more effective suicide prevention, especially mHealth interventions targeting the vulnerable population of people living with HIV and depression. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IPR-17012606; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=21019

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiran Li ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Y Alicia Hong ◽  
Mengting Zhu ◽  
Chengbo Zeng ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND People living with HIV and depression have high rates of suicide. Studies of mobile health (mHealth) interventions have shown feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy in improving mental health in people living with HIV and depression. However, few studies have examined the mechanisms and effects of mHealth interventions on suicide. OBJECTIVE This study was designed to examine the mechanisms and effects of a WeChat-based intervention, <italic>Run4Love</italic>, on suicide among people living with HIV and depression in China, while considering perceived stress and depressive symptoms as mediators. METHODS A sample of 300 People living with HIV and depression was recruited from the outpatient clinic of a large HIV or AIDS treatment hospital and was randomized to the <italic>Run4Love</italic> group or a control group. Data were collected at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-ups. Path analysis modeling, with longitudinal data, was used in data analyses. RESULTS The <italic>Run4Love</italic> mHealth intervention had a direct effect on reducing suicide rate at the 6-month follow-up (beta=−.18, <italic>P</italic>=.02) and indirect effect through reducing perceived stress and depressive symptoms at the 3-month follow-up (beta=−.09, <italic>P</italic>=.001). A partial mediating effect between perceived stress and depressive symptoms accounted for 33% (–0.09/–0.27) of the total effect. CONCLUSIONS Through path analyses, we understood the mechanisms and effects of an mHealth intervention on suicide prevention. The findings underscored the importance of stress reduction and depression treatment in such a program. We call for more effective suicide prevention, especially mHealth interventions targeting the vulnerable population of people living with HIV and depression. CLINICALTRIAL Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IPR-17012606; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=21019


10.2196/16715 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. e16715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Guo ◽  
Y Alicia Hong ◽  
Weiping Cai ◽  
Linghua Li ◽  
Yuantao Hao ◽  
...  

Background People living with HIV (PLWH) have high rates of depressive symptoms. However, only a few effective mental health interventions exist for this vulnerable population. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a WeChat-based intervention, Run4Love, with a randomized controlled trial among 300 people living with HIV and depression (PLWHD) in China. Methods We recruited PLWH from the HIV outpatient clinic in South China. Participants were screened based on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale. Those who scored 16 or higher were eligible to participate. A total of 300 eligible patients were enrolled. After obtaining informed consent from the participants, completion of a baseline survey, and collection of participants’ hair samples for measuring cortisol, the participants were randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group received the Run4Love program, delivered via the popular social media app WeChat. Cognitive behavioral stress management courses and weekly reminders of exercise were delivered in a multimedia format. Participants’ progress was monitored with timely and tailored feedback. The control group received usual care and a brochure on nutrition for PLWH. Data were collected at 3, 6, and 9 months. The primary outcome was depression, which was measured by a validated instrument. Results Participants in the intervention and control groups were comparable at baseline; about 91.3% (139/150), 88.3% (132/150), and 86.7% (130/150) participants completed the 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-ups, respectively. At the 3-month follow-up, a significant reduction in CES-D score was observed in the intervention group (from 23.9 to 17.7 vs from 24.3 to 23.8; mean difference=−5.77, 95% CI −7.82 to −3.71; P<.001; standard effect size d=0.66). The mean changes in CES-D score from baseline to the 6- and 9-month follow-ups between the two groups remained statistically significant. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions The WeChat-based mobile health (mHealth) intervention Run4Love significantly reduced depressive symptoms among PLWHD, and the effect was sustained. An app-based mHealth intervention could provide a feasible therapeutic option for many PLWHD in resource-limited settings. Further research is needed to assess generalizability and cost-effectiveness of this intervention. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IPR-17012606; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=21019 (Archived by WebCite at https://www.webcitation.org/78Bw2vouF)


10.2196/27897 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. e27897
Author(s):  
Yiran Li ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Y Alicia Hong ◽  
Chengbo Zeng ◽  
Yu Zeng ◽  
...  

Background Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have been shown to effectively improve the quality of life (QOL) among people living with HIV. However, little is known about the long-term effects of mHealth interventions. Objective This study aims to explore the intervention mechanisms of a social media–based intervention, Run4Love, on the QOL of people with HIV over across a 9-month follow-up period. Methods We recruited people living with HIV who were concurrently experiencing elevated depressive symptoms from an HIV outpatient clinic in South China. A total of 300 eligible participants were randomized either to the intervention group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio after they provided informed consent and completed a baseline survey. The intervention group received a 3-month WeChat-based intervention, comprising cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) courses and physical activity promotion. The control group received a printed brochure on nutrition guidelines in addition to the usual care for HIV treatment. Neither participants nor the research staff were blinded to group assignment. All patients were followed at 3, 6, and 9 months. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms. Structural equation model (SEM) with longitudinal data was conducted to examine the sequential mediating effects of HIV-related stigma and depressive symptoms on the long-term intervention effects on participants’ QOL. Results About 91.3% (274/300), 88.3% (265/300), and 86.7% (260/300) of all participants completed follow-up surveys at 3, 6, and 9 months, respectively. Results showed that the intervention had significantly improved participants' QOL at 9 months, via complete mediating effects of reduced HIV-related stigma at 3 months and decreased depressive symptoms at 6 months. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions These findings underscore the critical roles of HIV-related stigma and depressive symptoms in an mHealth intervention with long-term effects on QOL improvements. We call for targeted mHealth interventions to improve QOL among people living with HIV, especially social media–based interventions that can address HIV-related stigma and alleviate depressive symptoms. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IPR-17012606; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=21019


10.2196/25586 ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e25586
Author(s):  
Yiran Li ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Y Alicia Hong ◽  
Yu Zeng ◽  
Aliza Monroe-Wise ◽  
...  

Background The dose–response relationship between patient engagement and long-term intervention effects in mobile health (mHealth) interventions are understudied. Studies exploring long-term and potentially changing relationships between patient engagement and health outcomes in mHealth interventions are needed. Objective This study aims to examine dose–response relationships between patient engagement and 3 psychosocial outcomes in an mHealth intervention, Run4Love, using repeated measurements of outcomes at baseline and 3, 6, and 9 months. Methods This study is a secondary analysis using longitudinal data from the Run4Love trial, a randomized controlled trial with 300 people living with HIV and elevated depressive symptoms to examine the effects of a 3-month mHealth intervention on reducing depressive symptoms and improving quality of life (QOL). We examined the relationships between patient engagement and depressive symptoms, QOL, and perceived stress in the intervention group (N=150) using 4–time-point outcome measurements. Patient engagement was assessed using the completion rate of course assignments and frequency of items completed. Cluster analysis was used to categorize patients into high- and low-engagement groups. Generalized linear mixed effects models were conducted to investigate the dose–response relationships between patient engagement and outcomes. Results The cluster analysis identified 2 clusters that were distinctively different from each other. The first cluster comprised 72 participants with good compliance to the intervention, completing an average of 74% (53/72) of intervention items (IQR 0.22). The second cluster comprised 78 participants with low compliance to the intervention, completing an average of 15% (11/72) of intervention items (IQR 0.23). Results of the generalized linear mixed effects models showed that, compared with the low-engagement group, the high-engagement group had a significant reduction in more depressive symptoms (β=−1.93; P=.008) and perceived stress (β=−1.72; P<.001) and an improved QOL (β=2.41; P=.01) over 9 months. From baseline to 3, 6, and 9 months, the differences in depressive symptoms between the 2 engagement groups were 0.8, 1.6, 2.3, and 3.7 points, respectively, indicating widening between-group differences over time. Similarly, between-group differences in QOL and perceived stress increased over time (group differences in QOL: 0.9, 1.9, 4.7, and 5.1 points, respectively; group differences in the Perceived Stress Scale: 0.9, 1.4, 2.3, and 3.0 points, respectively). Conclusions This study revealed a positive long-term dose–response relationship between patient engagement and 3 psychosocial outcomes among people living with HIV and elevated depressive symptoms in an mHealth intervention over 9 months using 4 time-point repeat measurement data. The high- and low-engagement groups showed significant and widening differences in depressive symptoms, QOL, and perceived stress at the 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-ups. Future mHealth interventions should improve patient engagement to achieve long-term and sustained intervention effects. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IPR-17012606; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=21019


10.2196/20847 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e20847
Author(s):  
Yu Zeng ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Linghua Li ◽  
Y Alicia Hong ◽  
Yiran Li ◽  
...  

Background Associations between higher levels of patient engagement and better health outcomes have been found in face-to-face interventions; studies on such associations with mobile health (mHealth) interventions have been limited and the results are inconclusive. Objective The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between patient engagement in an mHealth intervention and depressive symptoms using repeated measures of both patient engagement and patient outcomes at 4 time points. Methods Data were drawn from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an mHealth intervention aimed at reducing depressive symptoms among people living with HIV and elevated depressive symptoms. We examined the association between patient engagement and depressive symptoms in the intervention group (n=150) where participants received an adapted cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) course and physical activity promotion on their WeChat social media app. Depressive symptoms were repeatedly measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) at baseline and 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months. Patient engagement was correspondingly measured by the completion rate, frequency of items completed, and time spent on the program at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months. Latent growth curve models (LGCMs) were used to explore the relationship between patient engagement and depressive symptoms at multiple time points in the intervention. Results The mean PHQ-9 scores were 10.2 (SD 4.5), 7.7 (SD 4.8), 6.5 (SD 4.7), and 6.7 (SD 4.1) at baseline, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months, respectively. The mean completion rates were 50.6% (SD 31.8%), 51.5% (SD 32.2%), and 50.8% (SD 33.7%) at 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively; the average frequencies of items completed were 18.0 (SD 14.6), 32.6 (SD 24.8), and 47.5 (SD 37.2) at 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively, and the mean times spent on the program were 32.7 (SD 66.7), 65.4 (SD 120.8), and 96.4 (SD 180.4) minutes at 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively. LGCMs showed good model fit and indicated that a higher completion rate (β at 3 months=–2.184, P=.048) and a greater frequency of items completed (β at 3 months=–0.018, P=.04) were associated with fewer depressive symptoms at 3 months. Although not significant, similar trends were found in the abovementioned relationships at 1 and 2 months. There was no significant relationship between time spent on the program and depressive symptoms. Conclusions This study revealed a positive association between patient engagement and health outcomes at 3 months of an mHealth intervention using LGCMs and repeated measures data. The results underscore the importance of improving patient engagement in mHealth interventions to improve patient-centered health outcomes. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IPR-17012606; https://tinyurl.com/yxb64mef International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1186/s12889-018-5693-1


10.2196/15489 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e15489
Author(s):  
Mengting Zhu ◽  
Weiping Cai ◽  
Linghua Li ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Aliza Monroe-Wise ◽  
...  

Background Although several studies have investigated the effects of mobile health (mHealth) interventions on depression among people living with HIV, few studies have explored mediators of mHealth-based interventions to improve mental health in people living with HIV. Identifying influential mediators may enhance and refine effective components of mHealth interventions to improve mental health of people living with HIV. Objective This study aimed to examine mediating factors of the effects of a mHealth intervention, Run4Love, designed to reduce depression among people living with HIV using 4 time-point measurement data. Methods This study used data from a randomized controlled trial of a mHealth intervention among people living with HIV with elevated depressive symptoms in Guangzhou, China. A total of 300 patients were assigned to receive either the mHealth intervention (n=150) or a waitlist control group (n=150) through computer-generated block randomization. Depressive symptoms, coping, and HIV-related stigma were measured at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-ups. The latent growth curve model was used to examine the effects of the intervention on depressive symptoms via potential mediators. Mediating effects were estimated using bias-corrected 95% bootstrapped CIs (BCIs) with resampling of 5000. Results Enhanced positive coping and reduced HIV-related stigma served as effective treatment mediators in the mHealth intervention. Specially, there was a significant indirect effect of the mHealth intervention on the slope of depressive symptoms via the slope of positive coping (beta=–2.86; 95% BCI –4.78 to –0.94). The indirect effect of the mHealth intervention on the slope of depressive symptoms via the slope of HIV-related stigma was also statistically significant (beta=–1.71; 95% BCI –3.03 to –0.40). These findings indicated that enhancement of positive coping and reduction of HIV-related stigma were important mediating factors of the mHealth intervention in reducing depression among people living with HIV. Conclusions This study revealed the underlying mediators of a mHealth intervention to reduce depression among people living with HIV using latent growth curve model and 4 time-point longitudinal measurement data. The study results underscored the importance of improving positive coping skills and mitigating HIV-related stigma in mHealth interventions to reduce depression among people living with HIV.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Zeng ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Linghua Li ◽  
Y Alicia Hong ◽  
Yiran Li ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Associations between higher levels of patient engagement and better health outcomes have been found in face-to-face interventions; studies on such associations with mobile health (mHealth) interventions have been limited and the results are inconclusive. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between patient engagement in an mHealth intervention and depressive symptoms using repeated measures of both patient engagement and patient outcomes at 4 time points. METHODS Data were drawn from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an mHealth intervention aimed at reducing depressive symptoms among people living with HIV and elevated depressive symptoms. We examined the association between patient engagement and depressive symptoms in the intervention group (n=150) where participants received an adapted cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) course and physical activity promotion on their WeChat social media app. Depressive symptoms were repeatedly measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) at baseline and 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months. Patient engagement was correspondingly measured by the completion rate, frequency of items completed, and time spent on the program at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months. Latent growth curve models (LGCMs) were used to explore the relationship between patient engagement and depressive symptoms at multiple time points in the intervention. RESULTS The mean PHQ-9 scores were 10.2 (SD 4.5), 7.7 (SD 4.8), 6.5 (SD 4.7), and 6.7 (SD 4.1) at baseline, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months, respectively. The mean completion rates were 50.6% (SD 31.8%), 51.5% (SD 32.2%), and 50.8% (SD 33.7%) at 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively; the average frequencies of items completed were 18.0 (SD 14.6), 32.6 (SD 24.8), and 47.5 (SD 37.2) at 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively, and the mean times spent on the program were 32.7 (SD 66.7), 65.4 (SD 120.8), and 96.4 (SD 180.4) minutes at 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively. LGCMs showed good model fit and indicated that a higher completion rate (β at 3 months=–2.184, <i>P</i>=.048) and a greater frequency of items completed (β at 3 months=–0.018, <i>P</i>=.04) were associated with fewer depressive symptoms at 3 months. Although not significant, similar trends were found in the abovementioned relationships at 1 and 2 months. There was no significant relationship between time spent on the program and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed a positive association between patient engagement and health outcomes at 3 months of an mHealth intervention using LGCMs and repeated measures data. The results underscore the importance of improving patient engagement in mHealth interventions to improve patient-centered health outcomes. CLINICALTRIAL Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IPR-17012606; https://tinyurl.com/yxb64mef INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1186/s12889-018-5693-1


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-153
Author(s):  
S O Adeyemi

Positive Health, Dignity, and Prevention (PHDP) is a term for HIV prevention interventions with people living with HIV. Negative attitudes toward HIV medications may restrict utilization of antiretroviral therapy. Young adults with HIV are less likely to be adherent to ART. We investigated the effectiveness of mobile Positive Health Dignity and Prevention messages on the attitudes of HIV positive young adults (18-30 years) enrolled in care in the ART comprehensive sites in Yola, Nigeria. This was a randomized controlled trials study consisting of 371 young people living with HIV enrolled into antiretroviral treatment (ART) in 6 comprehensive sites in Yola. In addition to the routine care received during ART refill, the intervention group (186) received a total of 48 daily mobile PHDP text messages for the duration of 48 days while the control group (185) also received 48 daily mobile personal hygiene text messages for the duration of 48 days as placebo. A pre- validated structured questionnaire was used for data collected. Data was collected at baseline, two, four and six months respectively. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24. Test of significance was at α level 0.05. Mean ± SD attitude scores at baseline and 6-month follow-up were 38.46±4.657 and 40.04±4.943 respectively in the intervention group. The control group had mean ± SD attitude score of 35.92±4.677 at baseline and 35.88±4.704 at 6-month follow-up period. A repeated measures ANOVA with a Greenhouse-Geisser correction showed a significant increase in the mean attitude scores from based line to 6 months follow up differed statistically significantly between the time points (F (1.162, 210.381) = 155.479 p<0.001) in intervention group. The repeated ANOVA measures for the control group from baseline to 6 months follow up did not show a statistical difference between the time points (F (1.906, 343.144) = 0.950 p=0.384), and indicate no statistically significance was seen. Mobile positive health dignity and prevention text messages were effective in improving the attitude of young PLWHA towards ART in Nigeria.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiran Li ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Y Alicia Hong ◽  
Yu Zeng ◽  
Aliza Monroe-Wise ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The dose–response relationship between patient engagement and long-term intervention effects in mobile health (mHealth) interventions are understudied. Studies exploring long-term and potentially changing relationships between patient engagement and health outcomes in mHealth interventions are needed. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine dose–response relationships between patient engagement and 3 psychosocial outcomes in an mHealth intervention, Run4Love, using repeated measurements of outcomes at baseline and 3, 6, and 9 months. METHODS This study is a secondary analysis using longitudinal data from the Run4Love trial, a randomized controlled trial with 300 people living with HIV and elevated depressive symptoms to examine the effects of a 3-month mHealth intervention on reducing depressive symptoms and improving quality of life (QOL). We examined the relationships between patient engagement and depressive symptoms, QOL, and perceived stress in the intervention group (N=150) using 4–time-point outcome measurements. Patient engagement was assessed using the completion rate of course assignments and frequency of items completed. Cluster analysis was used to categorize patients into high- and low-engagement groups. Generalized linear mixed effects models were conducted to investigate the dose–response relationships between patient engagement and outcomes. RESULTS The cluster analysis identified 2 clusters that were distinctively different from each other. The first cluster comprised 72 participants with good compliance to the intervention, completing an average of 74% (53/72) of intervention items (IQR 0.22). The second cluster comprised 78 participants with low compliance to the intervention, completing an average of 15% (11/72) of intervention items (IQR 0.23). Results of the generalized linear mixed effects models showed that, compared with the low-engagement group, the high-engagement group had a significant reduction in more depressive symptoms (<i>β</i>=−1.93; <i>P</i>=.008) and perceived stress (<i>β</i>=−1.72; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) and an improved QOL (<i>β</i>=2.41; <i>P</i>=.01) over 9 months. From baseline to 3, 6, and 9 months, the differences in depressive symptoms between the 2 engagement groups were 0.8, 1.6, 2.3, and 3.7 points, respectively, indicating widening between-group differences over time. Similarly, between-group differences in QOL and perceived stress increased over time (group differences in QOL: 0.9, 1.9, 4.7, and 5.1 points, respectively; group differences in the Perceived Stress Scale: 0.9, 1.4, 2.3, and 3.0 points, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study revealed a positive long-term dose–response relationship between patient engagement and 3 psychosocial outcomes among people living with HIV and elevated depressive symptoms in an mHealth intervention over 9 months using 4 time-point repeat measurement data. The high- and low-engagement groups showed significant and widening differences in depressive symptoms, QOL, and perceived stress at the 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-ups. Future mHealth interventions should improve patient engagement to achieve long-term and sustained intervention effects. CLINICALTRIAL Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IPR-17012606; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=21019


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