Applications and recruitment performance of web-based respondent-driven sampling: a scoping review (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Web-based respondent-driven sampling (webRDS) is a novel sampling method for the recruitment of participants for generating population estimates, studying social network characteristics and delivering health interventions. However, the application, barriers and facilitators, and recruitment performance of webRDS have not yet been systematically investigated. OBJECTIVE Our objectives were to provide an overview of published research using webRDS, and to investigate factors related to webRDS recruitment performance. METHODS We conducted a scoping review on webRDS studies published between 2000 and 2019. We used Moore et al.’s (2015) ‘process evaluation of complex interventions framework’ to gain insights into how webRDS was implemented, what mechanisms of impact drove recruitment, what the role of context was, and how these components together influenced webRDS recruitment performance. RESULTS We included 18 studies from 8 countries, including both high and low-middle income countries, where 12 studies used webRDS for making population estimates, 3 for studying social network characteristics, and 3 for delivering health-related interventions. Studies used webRDS to recruit between 19 and 3448 participants from a variety of target populations. Studies differed greatly in the numbers of seeds recruited, the proportion of successfully recruiting participants, the numbers of recruitment waves, the types of incentives offered to participants, and the duration of data collection. Studies that recruited relatively more seeds, through online platforms, and with less rigorous selection procedures, reported relatively low percentages of successfully recruiting seeds. Studies that did not offer at least one guaranteed material incentive reported relatively fewer waves and lower percentages of successfully recruiting participants. The time of data collection was shortest in studies with university students. CONCLUSIONS WebRDS can be successfully applied to recruit individuals for making population estimates, studying social network characteristics, and delivering health interventions. In general, seed and peer-recruitment may be enhanced by rigorously selecting and motivating seeds, offering at least one guaranteed material incentive, and facilitating adequate recruitment options in regards to target populations’ online connectedness and communication behavior. Potential trade-offs should be taken into account when implementing webRDS. Examples are recruiting many seeds and less opportunities for rigorous seed selection procedures, as well as issues around online rather than physical participation, such as risks of system cheaters through repeat participation. CLINICALTRIAL

Download Full-text

Ketogenic Dietary Therapies in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Facts or Fads? A Scoping Review and a Proposal for a Shared Protocol

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13062057 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 2057

Author(s):

Costanza Varesio ◽

Serena Grumi ◽

Martina Paola Zanaboni ◽

Martina Maria Mensi ◽

Matteo Chiappedi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Dietary Interventions ◽

Web Based ◽

Potential Efficacy ◽

Study Designs

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with increasing incidence. An expanding body of literature is examining connections between ASD and dietary interventions. Existing reports suggest a beneficial effect of ketogenic dietary therapies (KDTs) in improving behavioral symptoms in ASD. In this context, the purpose of this scoping review was to identify and map available evidence in the literature about the feasibility and potential efficacy of KDTs in pediatric patients with ASD and to inform clinical practice in the field. Moreover, based on the resulting data from the literature review, we aimed to provide a shared protocol to develop a personalized KDT intervention in patients with ASD. A comprehensive and structured web-based literature search was performed using PubMed and Scopus and it yielded 203 records. Seven papers were finally selected and included in the review. Data were abstracted by independent coders. High variability was identified in study designs and dietary aspects emerged among selected studies. Results supported the effectiveness of KDTs in promoting behavioral improvements. Clinical recommendations on which patients may benefit most from KDTs implementation and difficulties in dietary adherence were discussed.

Download Full-text

Reply to Diet and Multiple Sclerosis: Scoping Review of Web-Based Recommendations (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.17063 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Terry Wahls ◽

Tyler Titcomb ◽

Babita Bischt ◽

Murali Ramanathan

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Web Based

Download Full-text

Innovative Recruitment Using Online Networks: Lessons Learned From an Online Study of Alcohol and Other Drug Use Utilizing a Web-Based, Respondent-Driven Sampling (webRDS) Strategy

Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs ◽

10.15288/jsad.2012.73.834 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 73 (5) ◽

pp. 834-838 ◽

Cited By ~ 80

Author(s):

José A. Bauermeister ◽

Marc A. Zimmerman ◽

Michelle M. Johns ◽

Pietreck Glowacki ◽

Sarah Stoddard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Respondent Driven Sampling ◽

Web Based ◽

Online Networks ◽

Online Study

Download Full-text

Implementation of Web-Based Respondent-Driven Sampling among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Vietnam

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0049417 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 (11) ◽

pp. e49417 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Linus Bengtsson ◽

Xin Lu ◽

Quoc Cuong Nguyen ◽

Martin Camitz ◽

Nguyen Le Hoang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respondent Driven Sampling ◽

Web Based ◽

Sex With Men

Download Full-text

Intervention and Evaluation of Mobile Health Technologies in Management of Patients Undergoing Chronic Dialysis: Scoping Review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.15549 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Yang Yang ◽

Helen Chen ◽

Hammad Qazi ◽

Plinio P Morita

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mobile Health ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Behavioral Change ◽

User Acceptance ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Chronic Dialysis ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Web Based

BACKGROUND Studies have shown the effectiveness and user acceptance of mobile health (mHealth) technologies in managing patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, incorporating mHealth technology into the standard care of patients with CKD still faces many challenges. To our knowledge, there are no reviews on mHealth interventions and their assessments concerning the management of patients undergoing dialysis. OBJECTIVE This study provided a scoping review on existing apps and interventions of mHealth technologies in adult patients undergoing chronic dialysis and identified the gaps in patient outcome assessment of mHealth technologies in the literature. METHODS We systematically searched PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases, as well as gray literature sources. Two keywords, “mHealth” and “dialysis,” were combined to address the main concepts of the objectives. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) mHealth interventions, which are on a smartphone, tablet, or web-based portals that are accessible through mobile devices; and (2) adult patients (age ≥18 years) on chronic dialysis. Only English papers published from January 2008 to October 2018 were included. Studies with mHealth apps for other chronic conditions, based on e-consultation or videoconferencing, non-English publications, and review papers were excluded. RESULTS Of the 1054 papers identified, 22 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most studies (n=20) were randomized controlled trials and cohort studies. These studies were carried out in 7 countries. The main purposes of these mHealth interventions were as follows: nutrition or dietary self-monitoring (n=7), remote biometric monitoring (n=7), web-based portal (n=4), self-monitoring of in-session dialysis-specific information (n=3), and self-monitoring of lifestyle or behavioral change (n=1). The outcomes of the 22 included studies were organized into five categories: (1) patient satisfaction and acceptance, (2) clinical effectiveness, (3) economic assessment, (4) health-related quality of life, and (5) impact on lifestyle or behavioral change. The mHealth interventions showed neutral to positive results in chronic dialysis patient management, reporting no to significant improvement of dialysis-specific measurements and some components of the overall quality of life assessment. Evaluation of these mHealth interventions consistently demonstrated evidence in patients’ satisfaction, high level of user acceptance, and reduced use of health resources and cost savings to health care services. However, there is a lack of studies evaluating safety, organizational, sociocultural, ethical, and legal aspects of mHealth technologies. Furthermore, a comprehensive cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis of adopting mHealth technologies was not found in the literature. CONCLUSIONS The gaps identified in this study will inform the creation of health policies and organizational support for mHealth implementation in patients undergoing dialysis. The findings of this review will inform the development of a comprehensive service model that utilizes mHealth technologies for home monitoring and self-management of patients undergoing chronic dialysis.

Download Full-text

Social Cognitive Theories and Electronic Health Design: Scoping Review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.11544 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Patricia Grace-Farfaglia

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Digital Health ◽

Health Intervention ◽

Health Interventions ◽

Design Features ◽

Social Design ◽

Web Based ◽

Cognitive Theories ◽

Social Cognitive Theories

BACKGROUND There are several social cognitive theories (SCTs) and models that support platform design in electronic health (eHealth) promotion trials. The rationale for this scoping review was to determine how social design features (informational aid, expressive support, gaming, and tailored content) are used to promote self-efficacy, engagement, knowledge, and behavior change. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to review a broad spectrum of digital health interventions in the literature seeking trials that use SCTs for the design of eHealth applications. METHODS The author conducted a systematic scoping review of 161 Web-based health interventions from published randomized clinical trials using 1 or more tools to address the social cognitive determinants in their website design from January 2006 to April 2016. An iterative approach was used in the selection of studies and data extraction. The studies were analyzed for quality and coded for type of social design features employed. RESULTS Expressive interaction tools were found in 48.6% (54/111) of studies categorized as a strong recommendation by the Joanna Briggs Institute criteria. Overall, less than half of the studies addressed participant social support and motivational needs (43.8%). The vast majority of studies (100%) relied on the use of the Web for delivery of informational aid and tailored content for the individual participant (75.9%). CONCLUSIONS This review fills a research gap by linking social theory to Web strategy to improve the impact and sustainability of eHealth interventions. A Digital Health Intervention Model was developed to provide a framework to enhance future Web-based health intervention design and execution.

Download Full-text