scholarly journals The Assessment of Supportive Accountability in Adults Seeking Obesity Treatment: Psychometric Validation Study

10.2196/17967 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. e17967
Author(s):  
Karishma Chhabria ◽  
Kathryn M Ross ◽  
Shane J Sacco ◽  
Tricia M Leahey

Background Technology-mediated obesity treatments are commonly affected by poor long-term adherence. Supportive Accountability Theory suggests that the provision of social support and oversight toward goals may help to maintain adherence in technology-mediated treatments. However, no tool exists to measure the construct of supportive accountability. Objective This study aimed to develop and psychometrically validate a supportive accountability measure (SAM) by examining its performance in technology-mediated obesity treatment. Methods Secondary data analyses were conducted in 2 obesity treatment studies to validate the SAM (20 items). Study 1 examined reliability, criterion validity, and construct validity using an exploratory factor analysis in individuals seeking obesity treatment. Study 2 examined the construct validity of SAM in technology-mediated interventions involving different self-monitoring tools and varying amounts of phone-based interventionist support. Participants received traditional self-monitoring tools (standard, in-home self-monitoring scale [SC group]), newer, technology-based self-monitoring tools (TECH group), or these newer technology tools plus additional phone-based support (TECH+PHONE group). Given that the TECH+PHONE group involves more interventionist support, we hypothesized that this group would have greater supportive accountability than the other 2 arms. Results In Study 1 (n=353), the SAM showed strong reliability (Cronbach α=.92). A factor analysis revealed a 3-factor solution (representing Support for Healthy Eating Habits, Support for Exercise Habits, and Perceptions of Accountability) that explained 69% of the variance. Convergent validity was established using items from the motivation for weight loss scale, specifically the social regulation subscale (r=0.33; P<.001) and social pressure for weight loss subscale (r=0.23; P<.001). In Study 2 (n=80), the TECH+PHONE group reported significantly higher SAM scores at 6 months compared with the SC and TECH groups (r2=0.45; P<.001). Higher SAM scores were associated with higher adherence to weight management behaviors, including higher scores on subscales representing healthy dietary choices, the use of self-monitoring strategies, and positive psychological coping with weight management challenges. The association between total SAM scores and percent weight change was in the expected direction but not statistically significant (r=−0.26; P=.06). Conclusions The SAM has strong reliability and validity across the 2 studies. Future studies may consider using the SAM in technology-mediated weight loss treatment to better understand whether support and accountability are adequately represented and how supportive accountability impacts treatment adherence and outcomes. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01999244; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01999244

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karishma Chhabria ◽  
Kathryn M Ross ◽  
Shane J Sacco ◽  
Tricia M Leahey

BACKGROUND Technology-mediated obesity treatments are commonly affected by poor long-term adherence. Supportive Accountability Theory suggests that the provision of social support and oversight toward goals may help to maintain adherence in technology-mediated treatments. However, no tool exists to measure the construct of supportive accountability. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop and psychometrically validate a supportive accountability measure (SAM) by examining its performance in technology-mediated obesity treatment. METHODS Secondary data analyses were conducted in 2 obesity treatment studies to validate the SAM (20 items). Study 1 examined reliability, criterion validity, and construct validity using an exploratory factor analysis in individuals seeking obesity treatment. Study 2 examined the construct validity of SAM in technology-mediated interventions involving different self-monitoring tools and varying amounts of phone-based interventionist support. Participants received traditional self-monitoring tools (standard, in-home self-monitoring scale [SC group]), newer, technology-based self-monitoring tools (TECH group), or these newer technology tools plus additional phone-based support (TECH+PHONE group). Given that the TECH+PHONE group involves more interventionist support, we hypothesized that this group would have greater supportive accountability than the other 2 arms. RESULTS In Study 1 (n=353), the SAM showed strong reliability (Cronbach α=.92). A factor analysis revealed a 3-factor solution (representing Support for Healthy Eating Habits, Support for Exercise Habits, and Perceptions of Accountability) that explained 69% of the variance. Convergent validity was established using items from the motivation for weight loss scale, specifically the social regulation subscale (r=0.33; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) and social pressure for weight loss subscale (r=0.23; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). In Study 2 (n=80), the TECH+PHONE group reported significantly higher SAM scores at 6 months compared with the SC and TECH groups (r<sup>2</sup>=0.45; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Higher SAM scores were associated with higher adherence to weight management behaviors, including higher scores on subscales representing healthy dietary choices, the use of self-monitoring strategies, and positive psychological coping with weight management challenges. The association between total SAM scores and percent weight change was in the expected direction but not statistically significant (r=−0.26; <i>P</i>=.06). CONCLUSIONS The SAM has strong reliability and validity across the 2 studies. Future studies may consider using the SAM in technology-mediated weight loss treatment to better understand whether support and accountability are adequately represented and how supportive accountability impacts treatment adherence and outcomes. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01999244; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01999244


10.2196/17919 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e17919
Author(s):  
Charlene L Shoneye ◽  
Barbara Mullan ◽  
Andrea Begley ◽  
Christina M Pollard ◽  
Jonine Jancey ◽  
...  

Background The Tailored Diet and Activity (ToDAy) study aims to build on the campaign by adding a digital intervention with the potential to provide wide-reaching, cost-effective weight management support. Objective The ToDAy study aims to build a tailored intervention using mobile technology to improve diet and physical activity behaviours in adults with overweight and obesity. The main objectives were to identify behavior change techniques for diet and physical activity (PA) change for weight loss and explore preferences for digital intervention features that would be effective in changing diet and PA behaviors. Methods This qualitative study uses the principles of a person-based approach to intervention development; the behavioral intervention technology framework; and the capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior (COM-B) framework. Focus groups and telephone interviews were conducted with 56 adults in Western Australia. Open-ended questions and example intervention features were used to explore the usability and acceptability of the self-monitoring tools, knowledge about effective weight-loss strategies, and acceptability of tailored feedback. Findings from the focus groups and interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Qualitative findings revealed an awareness of key public health messages but a lack of confidence in how to perform these behaviors to help manage their weight. A total of 4 major themes were identified and mapped to the domains of the COM-B framework: (1) misinformation, (2) environmental support, (3) social norms, and (4) confidence. Conclusions This study explores users’ capability, opportunity, and motivation to perform the target behaviors for weight loss. The findings suggested that a digital weight management intervention using a mobile food record and activity trackers to inform tailored feedback may be acceptable and feasible. Participants expressed a preference for simple expert advice, digital self-monitoring tools, and visual feedback. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/12782


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlene L Shoneye ◽  
Barbara Mullan ◽  
Andrea Begley ◽  
Christina M Pollard ◽  
Jonine Jancey ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The Tailored Diet and Activity (ToDAy) study aims to build on the campaign by adding a digital intervention with the potential to provide wide-reaching, cost-effective weight management support. OBJECTIVE The ToDAy study aims to build a tailored intervention using mobile technology to improve diet and physical activity behaviours in adults with overweight and obesity. The main objectives were to identify behavior change techniques for diet and physical activity (PA) change for weight loss and explore preferences for digital intervention features that would be effective in changing diet and PA behaviors. METHODS This qualitative study uses the principles of a person-based approach to intervention development; the behavioral intervention technology framework; and the capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior (COM-B) framework. Focus groups and telephone interviews were conducted with 56 adults in Western Australia. Open-ended questions and example intervention features were used to explore the usability and acceptability of the self-monitoring tools, knowledge about effective weight-loss strategies, and acceptability of tailored feedback. Findings from the focus groups and interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Qualitative findings revealed an awareness of key public health messages but a lack of confidence in how to perform these behaviors to help manage their weight. A total of 4 major themes were identified and mapped to the domains of the COM-B framework: (1) misinformation, (2) environmental support, (3) social norms, and (4) confidence. CONCLUSIONS This study explores users’ capability, opportunity, and motivation to perform the target behaviors for weight loss. The findings suggested that a digital weight management intervention using a mobile food record and activity trackers to inform tailored feedback may be acceptable and feasible. Participants expressed a preference for simple expert advice, digital self-monitoring tools, and visual feedback. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/12782


2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa L. O'Connor ◽  
Susan H. McFadden

This study employed qualitative construct mapping and factor analysis to construct a scale to measure attitudes toward dementia. Five family caregivers, five professionals, and five college students participated in structured interviews. Qualitative analysis of the interviews led to a 46-item scale, which was reduced to 20 items following principal axis factoring with two different samples: college students () and certified nursing assistant students (). Confirmatory factor analysis was then conducted with another sample of college students (). The final scale, titled the Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS), essentially had a two-factor structure; the factors were labeled “dementia knowledge” and “social comfort.” Total-scale Cronbach's alphas ranged 0.83–0.85. Evidence for convergent validity was promising, as the DAS correlated significantly with scales that measured ageism and attitudes toward disabilities (range of correlations = 0.44–0.55; mean correlation ). These findings demonstrate the reliability and validity of the DAS, supporting its use as a research tool.


Author(s):  
M. Esther Del-Moral ◽  
Lourdes Villalustre ◽  
María del Rosario Neira-Piñeiro

A description and psychometric validation is offered of the evaluation instrument COMPASS-Ar, conceived to check the level of competence achieved by future teachers—after participating in the ITINER-Ar Project (2018-19)—in the collaborative design of augmented didactic itineraries (ADIs) using augmented reality. This instrument—assessed by experts—consists of 30 items to measure the acquired didactic, digital, socio-collaborative, and creative competences involved in ADI development on the basis of an analytical rubric—created ad hoc and validated by means of the Delphi method—which specifies the requirements of each score through a (1-5) Likert-type scale. After evaluating a sample of 322 subjects, the assessment of reliability provided a Cronbach's alpha = .979. Construct validity was tested using factor analysis. Both the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test and Bartlett's sphericity test revealed that the instrument under study has a unidimensional nature. It can be concluded that this is a valid and reliable instrument.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaheen Tomah ◽  
Noor Mahmoud ◽  
Adham Mottalib ◽  
David M Pober ◽  
Mhd Wael Tasabehji ◽  
...  

ObjectiveWe evaluated the relationship between frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and body weight, A1C, and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity enrolled in a 12-week intensive multidisciplinary weight management (IMWM) program.Research design and methodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 42 patients who electronically uploaded their SMBG data over 12 weeks of an IMWM program and divided them into tertiles based on their average frequency of SMBG per day. Mean (range) SMBG frequencies were 2.3 (1.1–2.9) times/day, 3.4 (3–3.9) times/day, and 5 (4–7.7) times/day in the lowest, middle, and highest tertiles, respectively. Anthropometric and metabolic parameters were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention.ResultsParticipants in the highest tertile achieved a median change (IQR) in body weight of −10.4 kg (−7.6 to −14.4 kg) compared with −8.3 kg (−5.2 to −12.2 kg), and −6.9 kg (−4.2 to −8.9 kg) in the middle and lowest tertiles, respectively (p=0.018 for trend). Participants in the highest tertile had a median change (IQR) in A1C of −1.25% (−0.6 to −3.1%) compared with −0.8% (−0.3% to −2%) and −0.5% (−0.2% to −1.2%) in the middle and lowest tertiles, respectively (p=0.048 for trend). The association between change in body weight and SMBG frequency remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, baseline body mass index, diabetes duration, and use of insulin therapy.ConclusionsIncreased frequency of SMBG during IMWM is associated with significantly better weight loss and improvement of A1C in patients with T2D and obesity. These findings may suggest future clinical recommendations aimed at increasing SMBG frequency to achieve the most favorable outcomes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1516-1534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfram Ziegler ◽  
Anja Staiger ◽  
Theresa Schölderle ◽  
Mathias Vogel

Purpose Standardized clinical assessment of dysarthria is essential for management and research. We present a new, fully standardized dysarthria assessment, the Bogenhausen Dysarthria Scales (BoDyS). The measurement model of the BoDyS is based on auditory evaluations of connected speech using 9 scales (traits) assessed by 4 elicitation methods. Analyses of the BoDyS' reliability and construct validity were performed to test this model, with the aim of gauging the auditory dimensions of speech impairment in dysarthria. Method Interrater agreement was examined in 70 persons with dysarthria. Construct validity was examined in 190 persons with dysarthria using a multitrait-multimethod design with confirmatory factor analysis. Results Interrater agreement of < 1 on a 5-point scale was found in 91% of cases across listener pairs and scales. Average reliability was .85. Inspection of the multitrait-multimethod matrix pointed at a high convergent and discriminant validity. Modeling of the BoDyS trait and method factors using confirmatory factor analysis yielded high goodness of fit. Model coefficients confirmed high discriminant and convergent validity and revealed meaningful relationships between scales and methods. Conclusions The 9 auditory scales of the BoDyS provide a reliable and valid profile of dysarthric impairment. They permit standardized measurement of clinically relevant dimensions of dysarthric speech.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3839-3839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Scherber ◽  
Amylou Dueck ◽  
Jean-Jacques Kiladjian ◽  
Stephanie Slot ◽  
Sonja Zweegman ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3839 BACKGROUND: We have previously reported on the validation of the 18 item Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Assessment Form (MPN-SAF) (Blood 2011;118:401–408) given in conjunction with the 9 item Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) (Cancer 1999;85:1186–1196) to assess symptomatic burden in an international sample of MPN patients (pts), including validation in English, Italian, Swedish, German, French, Spanish, and Dutch. We desired to assess the utility of an average total symptom score (TSS) from the most pertinent and representative MPN symptoms for purposes of assessing the burden of symptoms in MPN pts, and subsequent tracking in response to therapy. METHODS: Data was collected among an international cohort of MPN pts and their physicians, including patient demographics and disease features and completion the BFI, MPN-SAF and the EORTC-QLQ-C30. Among pts who completed at least 5 of 10 specific items on the BFI and MPN-SAF, an average score was calculated as the TSS. TSS items included “worst” fatigue from the BFI and 9 items from the MPN-SAF including concentration, early satiety, inactivity, night sweats, itching, bone pain, abdominal discomfort, weight loss and fever. The TSS thus had a possible range of 0–10 with 10 representing the highest level of symptom severity. Data was then analyzed for internal consistency, and divergent, convergent validity, and construct validity. RESULTS: Patient Demographic and Disease Characteristics:1433 MPN pts were prospectively enrolled (Argentina 22, France 482, Germany 59, Italy 186, Netherlands 236, Puerto Rico 10, United Kingdom 57, United States 102, Spain 157, Sweden 114, Uruguay 8) including 594 ET, 538 PV and 293 MF pts (8 missing; MF: 61% Primary MF, 23% post-ET MF, 15% post-PV MF). 1408 pts completed at least 5 of the 10 items necessary to calculate a TSS. Pts were of characteristic age (mean 62, range 20–94) and gender (54% female) common to disease. TSS Burden of MPN Symptoms: Consistent with prior studies, the majority of pts (>50%) were symptomatic in each TSS item except for items associated with high disease severity, namely bone pain (48.6%), weight loss (30.6%) and fever (18.4%). Fatigue carried the highest symptom intensity (4.4, SD=2.8), followed by problems with concentration (2.5, SD=2.8) and early satiety (2.5, SD=2.7). Overall mean TSS was 2.1 (SD=1.6). Divergent Validity: TSS significantly differed among MPN disease subtypes (p<0.001) with means of 1.9 (SD=1.5), 2.2 (SD=1.6), and 2.5 (SD=1.7) for ET, PV, and MF pts, respectively. Statistically significant differences in TSS were also observed between pts with clinically deficient (>4, n=480) versus non-clinically deficient QOL (<4, n=894; mean 3.3 versus 1.5; p<0.001). When comparing to MD perceptions, TSS was significantly higher when MDs rated >2 of 6 common MPN-related symptoms as clinically significant (2.8, n=400) versus <2 symptoms (1.6, n=726; p<0.001). No significant trends were observed when comparing disease type by the presence of a current medical therapy. Convergent Validity: The TSS was strongly correlated with patient-reported QOL (r=0.59, p<0.001). Overall excellent correlations existed between the TSS and EORTC-QLQ-C30 functional subscales (all p<0.001 and r>0.50 except social functioning [r=0.48]). Additionally, excellent correlations were observed between the TSS and EORTC-QLQ-C30 fatigue and pain symptom scales (r>0.5, p<0.001). Internal Consistency and Construct Validity: The TSS had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.83). Factor analysis identified a single underlying construct among the 10 TSS items (significant eigenvalues being >1). Factor loadings ranged from 0.43 for fever and weight loss to 0.71 for inactivity. The single factor suggests that the arithmetic mean of the 10 items is an appropriate global TSS score. CONCLUSION: The TSS demonstrated excellent psychometric properties. Overall, results of validity and internal consistency indicate that the TSS is a concise, valid, and accurate assessment of symptom burden among MPN pts. This new scoring will facilitate ease of implementation of the MPN-SAF into larger clinical trials and reduce ambiguity associated with interpreting response outcomes. Future analyses to investigate the impact of therapies on TSS are ongoing. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2000 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Popkess-Vawter ◽  
Mary M. Gerkovich ◽  
Shirley Wendel

This study presents the development and testing of the Overeating Tension Scale. Overeating tension was defined operationally as the total discrepancy score resulting from differences between subjects’ ratings of actual and desired feelings before overeating. The 32-item Overeating Tension Scale, derived from Apter’ s Reversal Theory, measures reported overall tension and motivation-specific tension. The scale initially included 48 items, six items for each of eight motivational states. After two instrument development studies (N = 373, N = 208), items were refined and reduced to a total of 32, or four for each of eight motivational states. The final version of the instrument was tested in two additional studies (N = 330, N = 130) that provided evidence to support the internal consistency reliability of the Overeating Tension Scale. There was support for construct validity using contrasted groups (overweight and normal weight subjects), convergent validity, and factor analysis.


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