scholarly journals Twitter-Based Social Support Added to Fitbit Self-Monitoring for Decreasing Sedentary Behavior: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial With Female Patients From a Women’s Heart Clinic

10.2196/20926 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e20926
Author(s):  
Marily Oppezzo ◽  
Jennifer Tremmel ◽  
Manisha Desai ◽  
Michael Baiocchi ◽  
Danielle Ramo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Change Strategies ◽  
Self Monitoring

Background Prolonged sitting is an independent risk behavior for the development of chronic disease. With most interventions focusing on physical activity and exercise, there is a separate need for investigation into innovative and accessible interventions to decrease sedentary behavior throughout the day. Twitter is a social media platform with application for health communications and fostering of social support for health behavior change. Objective This pilot study aims to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of delivering daily behavior change strategies within private Twitter groups to foster peer-to-peer support and decrease sedentary behavior throughout the day in women. The Twitter group was combined with a Fitbit for self-monitoring activity and compared to a Fitbit-only control group. Methods In a 2-group design, participants were randomized to a Twitter + Fitbit treatment group or a Fitbit-only control group. Participants were recruited via the Stanford Research Repository System, screened for eligibility, and then invited to an orientation session. After providing informed consent, they were randomized. All participants received 13 weeks of tailored weekly step goals and a Fitbit. The treatment group participants, placed in a private Twitter support group, received daily automated behavior change “tweets” informed by theory and regular automated encouragement via text to communicate with the group. Fitbit data were collected daily throughout the treatment and follow-up period. Web-based surveys and accelerometer data were collected at baseline, treatment end (13 weeks), and at 8.5 weeks after the treatment. Results The initial study design funding was obtained from the Women’s Heart Clinic and the Stanford Clayman Institute. Funding to run this pilot study was received from the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute under Award Number K01HL136702. All procedures were approved by Stanford University’s Institutional Review Board, #32127 in 2018, prior to beginning data collection. Recruitment for this study was conducted in May 2019. Of the 858 people screened, 113 met the eligibility criteria, 68 came to an information session, and 45 consented to participate in this pilot study. One participant dropped out of the intervention, and complete follow-up data were obtained from 39 of the 45 participants (87% of the sample). Data were collected over 6 months from June to December 2019. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy results are being analyzed and will be reported in the winter of 2021. Conclusions This pilot study is assessing the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of delivering behavior change strategies in a Twitter social support group to decrease sedentary behavior in women. These findings will inform a larger evaluation. With an accessible, tailorable, and flexible platform, Twitter-delivered interventions offer potential for many treatment variations and titrations, thereby testing the effects of different behavior change strategies, peer-group makeups, and health behaviors of interest. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02958189, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02958189 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/20926

scholarly journals Twitter-Based Social Support Added to Fitbit Self-Monitoring for Decreasing Sedentary Behavior: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial With Female Patients From a Women’s Heart Clinic (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marily Oppezzo ◽  
Jennifer Tremmel ◽  
Manisha Desai ◽  
Michael Baiocchi ◽  
Danielle Ramo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Change Strategies ◽  
Self Monitoring

BACKGROUND Prolonged sitting is an independent risk behavior for the development of chronic disease. With most interventions focusing on physical activity and exercise, there is a separate need for investigation into innovative and accessible interventions to decrease sedentary behavior throughout the day. Twitter is a social media platform with application for health communications and fostering of social support for health behavior change. OBJECTIVE This pilot study aims to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of delivering daily behavior change strategies within private Twitter groups to foster peer-to-peer support and decrease sedentary behavior throughout the day in women. The Twitter group was combined with a Fitbit for self-monitoring activity and compared to a Fitbit-only control group. METHODS In a 2-group design, participants were randomized to a Twitter + Fitbit treatment group or a Fitbit-only control group. Participants were recruited via the Stanford Research Repository System, screened for eligibility, and then invited to an orientation session. After providing informed consent, they were randomized. All participants received 13 weeks of tailored weekly step goals and a Fitbit. The treatment group participants, placed in a private Twitter support group, received daily automated behavior change “tweets” informed by theory and regular automated encouragement via text to communicate with the group. Fitbit data were collected daily throughout the treatment and follow-up period. Web-based surveys and accelerometer data were collected at baseline, treatment end (13 weeks), and at 8.5 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS The initial study design funding was obtained from the Women’s Heart Clinic and the Stanford Clayman Institute. Funding to run this pilot study was received from the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute under Award Number K01HL136702. All procedures were approved by Stanford University’s Institutional Review Board, #32127 in 2018, prior to beginning data collection. Recruitment for this study was conducted in May 2019. Of the 858 people screened, 113 met the eligibility criteria, 68 came to an information session, and 45 consented to participate in this pilot study. One participant dropped out of the intervention, and complete follow-up data were obtained from 39 of the 45 participants (87% of the sample). Data were collected over 6 months from June to December 2019. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy results are being analyzed and will be reported in the winter of 2021. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study is assessing the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of delivering behavior change strategies in a Twitter social support group to decrease sedentary behavior in women. These findings will inform a larger evaluation. With an accessible, tailorable, and flexible platform, Twitter-delivered interventions offer potential for many treatment variations and titrations, thereby testing the effects of different behavior change strategies, peer-group makeups, and health behaviors of interest. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02958189, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02958189 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/20926

Self-compassion training within a workplace physical activity program: A pilot study

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Duke D. Biber ◽  
Rebecca Ellis ◽  
Ken Rice
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Main Effects

BACKGROUND: Desire2Move (D2M) is an 8-week team-based, workplace program that incorporates competition and self-monitoring to encourage physical activity (PA). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-compassion (SC) intervention within the existing workplace PA program. METHODS: University employees (n = 20) were assigned to a SC treatment group or an attention control group. Participants logged their PA minutes using MapMyRun. Treatment group. participants received a 7-week, SC podcast intervention. Participants self-reported PA, SC, and demographic information at pre- and post-intervention. Separate ANOVAs were used to determine group differences. RESULTS: There was not a statistically significant group x time interaction for SC, F(1, 18) = 0.02, p = 0.90, or main effects for time, F(1, 18) = 0.28, p = 0.61, or group, F(1, 18) = 1.70, p = 0.21, g = –0.42 [95%CI = –3.13, 2.29]. There were not significant differences between groups for total PA minutes during D2M, F(1, 18) = 2.15, p = 0.16, g = –0.63 [–1.53,0.27]. Overall, participants engaged in more than the recommended levels of PA each week. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study provided feedback and guidance for future online SC training within a workplace PA intervention.

Personalized Behavioral Nutrition Intervention in Older Asian Americans with Type 2 Diabetes during COVID-19 Pandemic: Study Protocol for a Pilot, Hybrid, Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jisook Ko ◽  
Yan Du ◽  
Rozmin Jiwani ◽  
Chengdong Li ◽  
Jing Wang
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Glycemic Control ◽  
Asian Americans ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Behavioral Nutrition

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the in-person-based self-management approach (i.e., face-to-face or group approach) of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Older adults with T2D, including Asian Americans (AAs), have experienced worsening of diabetes control due to various reasons, including uncertainty of continuous access to essential diabetes medications, devices, education, limited health literacy, as well as constant anxiety and stress. Hybrid clinical trials that incorporate virtual elements into the in-person-based study could provide these vulnerable populations with accessible and timely interventions OBJECTIVE The primary aims of this pilot study are to determine (1) the effect of personalized behavioral nutrition (PBN) intervention on glycemic control, weight control, and metabolites profiles; and (2) the acceptability of PBN. to enhance glycemic control using personalized behavioral nutrition. METHODS Participants will be recruited with a web-based registry, advertisements in ethnic newspapers, and social network services popular among AAs. A total of 60 AAs, aged 65 years or older, who are descendants of Chinese, Korean, or South Asian, and have a diagnosis of T2D will be randomized into two groups: a PBN group (n=30) and a control group (n=30). A 4-week PBN intervention comprises three components: 1) digital self-monitoring; 2) personal nutrition change goals and recommendations; and 3) diabetes nutrition educations. All participants will complete digital self-monitoring on diet, physical activity, and blood glucose. In addition, all participants will access an interactive digital platform to track their self-monitoring data and communicate with the research team. The effectiveness and acceptability of implementing the intervention will be assessed. RESULTS Funding support and institutional review board approval for this study have been secured. Data collection started in August 2020 and is ongoing. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to determine the effectiveness and acceptability of PBN utilizing a metabolomics approach and digital-assisted intervention with hybrid RCT among older AAs. The findings of this pilot study will inform the development of a full-scale PBN protocol and hybrid clinical trials that can be adapted for people with T2D in the ongoing pandemic.

Regression of cardiac amyloid deposits with novel therapeutics: reaching new frontiers in cardiac ATTR amyloidosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Chacko ◽  
A Martinez-Naharro ◽  
T Kotecha ◽  
R Martone ◽  
D Hutt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Cardiac Amyloidosis ◽  
T1 Mapping ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cardiac Amyloid ◽  
Attr Amyloidosis ◽  
Amyloid Load ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Cardiac involvement is the main driver of outcome in ATTR amyloidosis. Advances in therapeutics hold potential in transforming the course of the disease but the impact on cardiac amyloid load is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of patisiran, a new double stranded RNA based gene silencing therapy and a stabilizer, diflunisal, on cardiac amyloid load as measured by CMR and T1 mapping, in patients with ATTR amyloidosis. Methods and results Thirty-two patients with hereditary cardiac amyloidosis were studied. Sixteen patients received treatment with patisiran, and sixteen control subjects did not receive any disease modifying treatment. Patients were assessed with echocardiogram, CMR, NT-proBNP and six-minute walk time measurements at baseline and at 1 year (Mean interval 11.45±3.08 months in treatment group, mean interval 12.82±5.06 months in the control group). CMR analysis comprised LV volumes, T1 mapping to measure the extracellular volume (ECV) occupied by amyloid, T2 mapping and late gadolinium enhancement imaging. At 1-year follow-up, there was a substantial reduction in cardiac amyloid burden, in keeping with cardiac amyloid regression in 45% of patients on treatment. Overall the treatment group showed a reduction in ECV at 1 year follow up compared to an increase in ECV at 1 year in the control group (−1.37%, 95% CI: −3.43 to 0.68% versus 5.02%, 95% CI: 2.86% to 7.18% respectively, p<0.001). The treatment group also showed an improvement in change in 6MWT at 1 year follow up compared to 6MWT at 1 year in the control group (−8.12 meters, 95% CI: −50.8 to 34.6 meters in the treatment group versus −132.27 meters, 95% CI: −216 to −48.6 meters in the control group, p=0.002). The treatment group showed a reduction in BNP at 1 year follow up compared to an increase in the control group (−567.87, 95% CI: −1288.90 to 153.15 in the treatment group versus 2004, 95% CI: 12.82 to 3995.45 in the control group, p<0.001). There was no significant difference from baseline and 1-year data between the control and treatment groups for the difference in echocardiographic parameters, native T1, T2. There was a significant reduction in the percentage of injected dose by 99Tc-DPD scintigraphy in treated patients at 1 year compared to baseline. Conclusions These findings provide the first compelling evidence of substantial cardiac amyloid regression in ATTR amyloidosis, as well as the potential for CMR to be used to track response in treated patients with ATTR cardiac amyloidosis. Combination therapy with transthyretin knock down and stabilizing agents may well be synergistic given enhanced stoichiometry of stabilizers in the face of much reduced plasma transthyretin concentration. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals 83 A Medication Self-Management Intervention to Improve Medication Adherence For Older People with Multimorbidity: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i12-i42
Author(s):  
C Yang ◽  
Z Hui ◽  
S Zhu ◽  
X Wang ◽  
G Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Medication Knowledge ◽  
Management Intervention ◽  
Patient Reported

Abstract Introduction Medication self-management support has been recognised as an essential element in primary health care to promote medication adherence and health outcomes for older people with chronic conditions. A patient-centred intervention empowering patients and supporting medication self-management activities could benefit older people. This pilot study tested a newly developed medication self-management intervention for improving medication adherence among older people with multimorbidity. Method This was a two-arm randomised controlled trial. Older people with multimorbidity were recruited from a community healthcare centre in Changsha, China. Participants were randomly allocated to either a control group receiving usual care (n = 14), or to an intervention group receiving three face-to-face medication self-management sessions and two follow-up phone calls over six weeks, targeting behavioural determinants of adherence from the Information-Motivation-Behavioural skills model (n = 14). Feasibility was assessed through recruitment and retention rates, outcome measures collection, and intervention implementation. Follow-up data were measured at six weeks after baseline using patient-reported outcomes including medication adherence, medication self-management capabilities, treatment experiences, and quality of life. Preliminary effectiveness of the intervention was explored using generalised estimating equations. Results Of the 72 approached participants, 28 (38.89%) were eligible for study participation. In the intervention group, 13 participants (92.86%) completed follow-up and 10 (71.42%) completed all intervention sessions. Ten participants (71.42%) in the control group completed follow-up. The intervention was found to be acceptable by participants and the intervention nurse. Comparing with the control group, participants in the intervention group showed significant improvements in medication adherence (β = 0.26, 95%CI 0.12, 0.40, P < 0.001), medication knowledge (β = 4.43, 95%CI 1.11, 7.75, P = 0.009), and perceived necessity of medications (β = −2.84, 95%CI -5.67, −0.01, P = 0.049) at follow-up. Conclusions The nurse-led medication self-management intervention is feasible and acceptable among older people with multimorbidity. Preliminary results showed that the intervention may improve patients’ medication knowledge and beliefs and thus lead to improved adherence.

Efficacy of corticosteroid therapy in the treatment of long- lasting olfactory disorders in COVID-19 patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
pp. 0-0
Author(s):  
L.A. Vaira ◽  
C. Hopkins ◽  
M. Petrocelli ◽  
J.R. Lechien ◽  
S. Cutrupi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Spontaneous Recovery ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Initial Control ◽  
Group A ◽  
Control Study

BACKGROUND: The growing number of COVID-19 patients with long-lasting olfactory disorders makes it necessary to identify effective treatments that enhance the spontaneous recovery of olfactory function. METHODS: Multicentre randomised case-control study that involved 18 patients with COVID-19 related anosmia or severe hyposmia for more than 30 days. Nine patients were prescribed systemic prednisone and nasal irrigation with betamethasone, ambroxol and rinazine for 15 days. The other 9, untreated, patients were used as controls. The olfactory function was evaluated with CCCRC test at 20 and 40 days from the first evaluation. RESULTS: In the control group, a median olfactory score of 20 (IQR 30) was detected at baseline. At the 20-day control there was no significant improvement in olfactory function. The improvement in olfactory performance became significant at the 40-day follow-up compared to baseline scores [60 (IQR 60) versus 20 (IQR 30)]. In the treatment group, patients had a mean olfactory score of 10 (IQR 15) at initial control. At the 20-day control, a significant im-provement in the olfactory scores, compared to the baseline, was detected [70 (IQR 40) versus 10 (IQR 15)]. Olfactory function further improved at 40 days [median score 90 (IQR 50)]. Patients in the treatment group reported significantly higher improvements of the olfactory scores than the controls at both the 20-day [40 (IQR 45) versus 10 (IQR 15)] and 40-day [60 (IQR 40) versus 30 (IQR 25)] evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, the mix of drugs including steroids could represent a useful specific therapy to reduce the prevalence of this long-term morbidity.

Preferred versus Nonpreferred Treatment, and Self-Control Training versus Determination Raising as Treatments of Obesity: A Pilot Study

1976 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Self Control ◽  
The Other ◽  
Significant Weight Loss ◽  
Overweight Women

Of 12 overweight women half received 10 wk. of self-control training and the rest received an equal period aimed at increasing determination to lose weight. Half of each treatment group had expressed a preference for the type of treatment they received and half for the other type of treatment. Both groups lost a statistically significant amount of weight, and at a 3-mo. follow-up there was still a significant weight loss. Follow-up at 6 mo. on 9 of the 12 original subjects indicated both groups regained much of their lost weight. There was no evidence that either type of treatment or receiving one's preferred type of treatment was related to weight loss.

Comparison of Early Implant Failure Rates Between Subjects With and Without Orthodontic Treatment Before Dental Implantation

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-34
Author(s):  
Li-ching Chang ◽  
I-ming Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Failure Rate ◽  
Orthodontic Treatment ◽  
Implant Failure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Failure Rates ◽  
Implant Surgery ◽  
Dental Implantation ◽  
And Control

The present study compared early dental implant failure rates between patients with and without orthodontic treatment before dental implantation. The data of adults who had undergone dental implantation between January 2007 and December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 124 subjects with 255 implants were divided into a treatment group (46 subjects, 85 teeth) consisting of patients who had undergone implant surgery after orthodontic treatment and a control group of patients who had not undergone preimplant orthodontic treatment. Implants that failed before permanent crown fabrication were defined as failures. No significant differences in gender or age were found between the treatment group and controls. No significant differences were found in implant failure rates in either jaw between the treatment and control groups. However, the failure rate was still higher in the treatment group (14.81%) than in the control group (3.28%) for the maxilla. Results of this study demonstrate an increased implant failure rate only in the maxilla of patients who underwent orthodontic treatment before dental implantation, especially implant surgery combined with a sinus lift procedure. Further study with a larger sample size and longer follow-up period is necessary to confirm results of the present study and identify other confounding factors.

scholarly journals Expressive arts therapy for hospitalized children: a pilot study measuring cortisol levels

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garret Yount ◽  
Kenneth Rachlin ◽  
Jane Siegel
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Expressive Arts ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hospitalized Children ◽  
Expressive Arts Therapy ◽  
Wait List Control Group ◽  
Wait List Control ◽  
Group A ◽  
Cortisol Levels

This pilot study aimed at assessing the feasibility of capturing physiological evidence of reduced stress for hospitalized children following expressive arts therapy. Twenty-five patients were offered a novel form of expressive arts therapy, termed Healing Sock Creatures, during their stay in the hospital. Saliva samples were collected at two times in the afternoon for the purpose of measuring salivary cortisol levels. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups, a treatment group or a wait-list control group. A trend of decreased cortisol levels was apparent following therapy in the treatment group and concurrent steroid treatment, which is common in intensive care units, does not appear to interfere with the ability to measure decreased cortisol levels following therapy. Our results support the design of a formal study to assess physiological biomarkers of stress in hospital settings. To our knowledge, this is the first in-patient study assessing a biomarker of stress following expressive arts therapy for children

scholarly journals Auricular acupressure for hot flashes in patients with prostate cancer: protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianfu Zhou ◽  
Rongwu Lin ◽  
Xuehua Liu ◽  
Liguo Lv ◽  
Shusheng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Hot Flashes ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Random Allocation ◽  
Clinical Trial Registry ◽  
Auricular Acupressure

Abstract BackgroundHot flashes, characterized by intense heat sensation and diaphoresis, are common side effects resulted from hormonotherapy in patients with prostate cancer. Cumulated studies have revealed beneficial role of acupuncture as complementary and alternative recipe for the management of hot flashes. However, little is known about the auricular acupressure (AA), a micro-acupuncture technique whose therapeutic purpose is similar with conventional acupuncture. Therefore, this current study aims to explore the effects and determine the feasibility of AA for hot flashes in patients with prostate cancer.Methods/DesignThis proposed pilot study is a two-arm parallel, single-blinded, randomized sham-controlled trial. A total of 72 participants of prostate cancer suffered with hot flashes will be recruited and randomly allocated into two groups in a 1:1 ratio. Equal randomization is conducted using a computer-generated random allocation sequence. Sheng Zhi Qi (TF2), Nei Fen Mi (CO18), Shen Men (TF4), Shen (CO10) and Pi Zhi Xia (AT4) are selected as experimental acupressure points, and five helix points (HX 8-12) are used as sham control acupressure points. Participants in the experimental group and control group will receive AA and sham-AA treatment, respectively. The duration of the treatment is 6 weeks with two sessions per week, and the follow-up period is 12 weeks. The primary outcome is Hot Flash Score (HFS). The secondary outcomes include Quality of Life (QoL), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS). All outcomes measurement will be conducted before and through treatment period as well as follow-up period. Safety assessment will be carried out through treatment and follow-up period.DiscussionThis pilot study will for the first time advance our knowledge on feasibility of AA in alleviating hot flashes in patients of prostate cancer and provide preliminary evidence for a further full-scale trial.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900026694. Registered on 19 October 2019.

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