scholarly journals A Smartphone App to Support Carers of People Living With Cancer: A Feasibility and Usability Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Heynsbergh ◽  
Leila Heckel ◽  
Mari Botti ◽  
Patricia M Livingston
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Technical Support ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
Instructional Videos ◽  
Living With Cancer ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Carers experience unique needs while caring for someone with cancer. Interventions that address carers’ needs and well-being have been developed and tested; however, the use of smartphone apps to support adult carers looking after another adult with cancer has not been assessed. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to test the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of a smartphone app, called the Carer Guide App, for carers of people with colorectal cancer. METHODS We recruited carers of people with colorectal cancer from outpatient day oncology units and provided them with access to the smartphone app for 30 days. Carers had access to video instructions and email contact details for technical support. Carers received 2 email messages per week that directed them to resources available within the app. Carers completed demographic questions at baseline and questions related to feasibility and usability at 30 days post app download. We used recruitment and attrition rates to determine feasibility and relevance of content to carers’ needs as self-reported by carers. We assessed usability through the ease of navigation and design and use of technical support or instructional videos. Acceptability was measured through self-reported usage, usage statistics provided by Google Analytics, and comments for improvement. RESULTS We recruited 31% (26/85) eligible carers into the trial. Of the 26 carers, the majority were female (19, 73%), on average 57 years of age, were caring for a spouse with cancer (19, 73%), and held a university degree (19, 73%). Regarding feasibility, carers perceived the content of the Carer Guide App as relevant to the information they were seeking. Regarding usability, carers perceived the navigation and design of the app as easy to use. Of the 26 carers, 4 (15%) viewed the downloading and navigation video and 7 (27%) used the contact email address for queries and comments. Acceptability: On average, carers used the smartphone app for 22 minutes (SD 21 minutes) over the 30-day trial. Of 26 participants, 19 completed a follow-up questionnaire. Of 19 carers, 7 (37%) logged on 3 to 4 times during the 30 days and 5 (26%) logged on more than 5 times. The majority (16/19, 84%) of carers stated that they would recommend the app be available for all carers. Comments for improvement included individualized requests for specific content. CONCLUSIONS The Carer Guide App was feasible and usable among carers of people with colorectal cancer. Acceptability can be improved through the inclusion of a variety of information and resources. A randomized controlled trial is required to assess the impact of the Carer Guide App on carers’ health and well-being.

A Proposal of an innovative program for informal caregivers of patients with mood disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S603-S603
Author(s):  
J. Cabral ◽  
C. Barreto Carvalho ◽  
P. Castilho Freitas ◽  
C. Pato
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Compassion Focused Therapy ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionIntervention with informal caregivers (IC) of psychiatric patients is internationally recognized as relevant and a priority. However, the existing responses in this area are still insufficient, especially regarding caregivers of individuals with mood disorders (MD). Mindfulness and compassion focused therapy have proven to be an effective approach in stress reduction and in improving emotional and social well-being of caregivers of patients with other conditions. However, no studies testing these new approaches in IC of patients with MD have been carried out. The objective of this work is to present a research project that aims to develop, implement and empirically test the effectiveness of an innovative group program to help informal caregivers of individuals with mood disorders to cope with the negative impact of the disease and reduce caregiver burdens.MethodsThe design of this experimental study to test the program's efficacy is a non-randomised controlled trial (nrct) with 12 months follow-up, with a mixed assessment methodology (quantitative and qualitative analysis). A sample of 60 informal caregivers of individuals with chronic MD will be constituted (n = 30 Control group; n= 30 Experimental group).ResultsWe expect the program to promote significant changes in participants in terms of several emotional variables (eg: burden, stress, resilience, compassion and quality of life).ConclusionsFurther efforts to continue studying the impact of interventions in caregivers should be carried out, as a way to improve the quality of life of caregivers and their ability to provide informal care to MD patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Harnessing Telehealth to Mitigate the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sleep and Well-being: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen P. O'Hora ◽  
Raquel A. Osorno ◽  
Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani ◽  
Mateo Lopez ◽  
Allison Morehouse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Early Treatment ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insomnia Symptoms

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 Pandemic led to drastic increases in the prevalence and severity of insomnia symptoms. These increases in insomnia complaints have been paralleled by significant decreases in well-being, including increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidality and decreased quality of life. However, the efficacy and impact of early treatment of insomnia symptoms on future sleep and well-being remains unknown. OBJECTIVE Here, we present the framework and protocol for a novel study that aims to investigate whether a brief telehealth insomnia intervention targeting new insomnia that developed during the pandemic prevents deterioration of well-being, including symptoms of insomnia, depression, anxiety, suicidality, and quality of life. METHODS The protocol details a two-arm randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of a brief, telehealth-delivered, early treatment of insomnia and evaluate its potential to prevent a deterioration of well-being. Participants with clinically significant insomnia symptoms that began during the pandemic are randomized to either a treatment group or a 28-week waitlist control group. Treatment consists of 4 telehealth sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) delivered over 5 weeks. All participants will complete assessments of insomnia symptom severity, well-being, and daily habits checklist at baseline (week 0), and at weeks 1-6, 12, 28, and 56. RESULTS The trial began enrollment June 3, 2020 and closed enrollment June 17, 2021. As of October 2021, 49 participants have been randomized to either immediate treatment or a 28-week waitlist. 23 participants are still active in the protocol. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this protocol would be represent the first study to test an early sleep intervention for improving insomnia that emerged during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The findings of this study could provide information about the utility of CBT-I for symptoms that emerge in the context of other stressors before they develop a chronic course and deepen understanding of the relationship between sleep and well-being. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04409743

scholarly journals A systematic review evaluating the impact of paid home carer training, supervision, and other interventions on the health and well-being of older home care clients

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Cooper ◽  
Blerta Cenko ◽  
Briony Dow ◽  
Penny Rapaport
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Model Learning ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

ABSTRACTBackground:Interventions to support and skill paid home carers and managers could potentially improve health and well-being of older home care clients. This is the first systematic review of interventions to improve how home carers and home care agencies deliver care to older people, with regard to clients’ health and well-being and paid carers’ well-being, job satisfaction, and retention.Methods:We reviewed 10/731 papers found in the electronic search (to January 2016) fitting predetermined criteria, assessed quality using a checklist, and synthesized data using quantitative and qualitative techniques.Results:Ten papers described eight interventions. The six quantitative evaluations used diverse outcomes that precluded meta-analysis. In the only quantitative study (a cluster Randomized Controlled Trial), rated higher quality, setting meaningful goals, carer training, and supervision improved client health-related quality of life. The interventions that improved client outcomes comprised training with additional implementation, such as regular supervision and promoted care focused around clients’ needs and goals. In our qualitative synthesis of four studies, intervention elements carers valued were greater flexibility to work to a needs-based rather than a task-based model, learning more about clients, and improved communication with management and other workers.Conclusions:There is a dearth of evidence regarding effective strategies to improve how home care is delivered to older clients, particularly those with dementia. More research in this sector including feasibility testing of the first home care intervention trials to include health and life quality outcomes for clients with more severe dementia is now needed.

scholarly journals Impact of outdoor nature-related activities on gut microbiota, fecal serotonin, and perceived stress in preschool children: the Play&Grow randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Sobko ◽  
Suisha Liang ◽  
Will H. G. Cheng ◽  
Hein M. Tun
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Serotonin Level ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Connectedness To Nature ◽  
The Impact

AbstractDue to rapid urbanization, children today have fewer opportunities to interact with nature and this may result in a greater risk for developing stress and depression. Outdoor nature-related activities can enhance general well-being. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully delineated. Here we recruited 54 preschool children to participate in a 10-week structured nature-related “Play&Grow” program. Following the intervention, children were assessed for connectedness to nature and perceived stress levels using validated questionnaires. Moreover, fecal serotonin level and gut microbiota profiles were measured by ELISA and 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing, respectively. Children were significantly more connected to nature after the intervention. Their gut microbiota altered, especially by modulating the abundance of Roseburia and the fecal-serotonin level. Moreover, we also observed a reduction in the overall perceived stress, particularly in the frequency of anger among these children. This study is the first to demonstrate the impact of nature-related activities on gut microbiota, fecal serotonin and psychosocial behaviour of preschool children. However, further mechanistic studies are needed to confirm the functional role of gut microbiota in the association between connectedness to nature and improved psychosocial behavior.

Effectiveness of an innovative and comprehensive eye care model for individuals in residential care facilities: results of the residential ocular care (ROC) multicentred randomised controlled trial

2020 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2019-315620
Author(s):  
Ryan Eyn Kidd Man ◽  
Alfred Tau Liang Gan ◽  
Marios Constantinou ◽  
Eva K Fenwick ◽  
Edith Holloway ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Residential Care Facilities ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundTo assess the clinical and patient-centred effectiveness of a novel residential ocular care (ROC) model in Australian individuals residing in residential care.MethodsIn this prospective, multicentred, randomised controlled trial conducted in 38 Australian aged-care facilities (2015–2017), 178 visually impaired individuals living in residential care facilities (mean age ±SD: 83.9±8.6 years; 65.7% women) were cluster randomised to ROC (n=95) or usual care (n=83) pathways. The ROC arm comprised a tailored and comprehensive within-site eye examination and care rehabilitation pathway, while usual care participants were given a referral to an external eyecare provider. Outcomes included presenting distance and near visual acuity (PNVA); Rasch-transformed Reading, Emotional and Mobility scores from the Impact of Vision Impairment questionnaire; quality of vision (QoV comprising Rasch-transformed Frequency, Severity and Bother domains) scores; Euroqol-5-Dimensions (raw scores); Cornell Scale for Depression (raw scores) and 6-month falls frequency, assessed at baseline and 6 months post intervention. Within-group and between-group comparisons were conducted using linear mixed models, adjusted for baseline differences in characteristics between the two arms.ResultsAt 6 months, intention-to-treat analyses showed significant between-group improvements in ROC residents compared with usual care for PNVA, Emotional and QoV scores (all p<0.05) These significant findings were retained in per-protocol analyses. No other between-group changes were observed.ConclusionOur ROC model was effective in improving near vision, emotional well-being and perceived burden of vision-related symptoms in residential care dwellers in Australia with vision impairment. Future studies to evaluate the cost effectiveness and implementation of ROC in Australia are warranted.

Aspirin as adjuvant treatment for colorectal cancer: Rationale and progress of the Add-Aspirin trial.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS3624-TPS3624
Author(s):  
Ruth E Langley ◽  
Richard H. Wilson ◽  
Fay Helen Cafferty ◽  
Nalinie Joharatnam ◽  
Janet Shirley Graham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Adjuvant Treatment ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Subsequent Treatment ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Pik3ca Mutations ◽  
The Impact

TPS3624 Background: There is now a body of evidence indicating a potential role for aspirin in colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention. In cardiovascular trials, effects on incidence of cancer metastases and short-term mortality suggest further possible roles in the treatment setting, supported by observational studies of aspirin use after cancer diagnosis. In the prevention setting, aspirin use has been limited by toxicity concerns, particularly of serious bleeding. In the adjuvant setting, benefits associated with reducing recurrence and subsequent treatment may outweigh these risks. The Add-Aspirin trial will investigate this, and will also consider possible mechanisms of action for aspirin effects, including the impact of PIK3CA mutations, where there are currently several theories and conflicting data. Methods: Add-Aspirin (ISRCTN74358648) is an international, phase III, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial recruiting patients who have undergone surgery and relevant adjuvant treatment for stage II or III CRC, as well as those with completely resected CRC liver metastases. Parallel randomised cohorts will address the question in breast, gastro-oesophageal and prostate cancer. Participants take aspirin 100mg daily for an 8-week run-in, to assess adherence and toxicity, and those suitable to proceed are randomised (1:1:1) to aspirin 100mg, aspirin 300mg or placebo daily for at least 5 years. A number of measures – including blood pressure control and PPI use where relevant - are in place to reduce bleeding risk. The primary outcome is disease-free survival (target hazard ratio = 0.8, n = 2600 in 5 years) with a long term analysis of survival planned across the tumour groups. Translational work includes a sub-study monitoring urinary thromboxane B2 as a marker of platelet activation in a subgroup (n = 500) to investigate mechanisms of action. Add-Aspirin opened in 2015 and recruited 1505 CRC patients during the first 3 years from 137 UK centres. 1282 (85%) proceeded to randomisation. A pre-planned feasibility analysis of run-in data (n = 2253 across all 4 tumour groups) provided reassuring data on safety, tolerability and adherence, and recruitment continues with centres in India and Republic of Ireland recently joining. Clinical trial information: 74358648.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Seven-Week Web-Based Happiness Training to Improve Psychological Well-Being, Reduce Stress, and Enhance Mindfulness and Flourishing: A Randomized Controlled Occupational Health Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Feicht ◽  
M. Wittmann ◽  
G. Jose ◽  
A. Mock ◽  
E. von Hirschhausen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Attention Network ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Background. As distress in society increases, including work environments, individual capacities to compete with stress have to be strengthened.Objective. We examined the impact of a web-based happiness training on psychological and physiological parameters, by self-report and objective means, in an occupational health setting.Methods. Randomized controlled trial with 147 employees. Participants were divided into intervention (happiness training) and control groups (waiting list). The intervention consisted of a seven-week online training. Questionnaires were administered before, after, and four weeks after training. The following scales were included: VAS (happiness and satisfaction), WHO-5 Well-being Index, Stress Warning Signals, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, Recovery Experience Questionnaire, and Flourishing Scale. Subgroup samples for saliva cortisol and alpha-amylase determinations were taken, indicating stress, and Attention Network Testing for effects on attention regulation.Results. Happiness (P=0.000;d=0.93), satisfaction (P=0.000;d=1.17), and quality of life (P=0.000;d=1.06) improved; perceived stress was reduced (P=0.003;d=0.64); mindfulness (P=0.006;d=0.62), flourishing (P=0.002;d=0.63), and recovery experience (P=0.030;d=0.42) also increased significantly. No significant differences in the Attention Network Tests and saliva results occurred (intergroup), except for one saliva value.Conclusions. The web-based training can be a useful tool for stabilizing health/psychological well-being and work/life balance.

scholarly journals Norms and Social Network–Centric Behavior Change Intervention (Nam Nalavazhvu) for Improved Toilet Usage in Peri-Urban Communities of Tamil Nadu: Protocol for a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sania Ashraf ◽  
Cristina Bicchieri ◽  
Maryann G Delea ◽  
Upasak Das ◽  
Kavita Chauhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Change ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Behavior Change Intervention ◽  
Behavior Change Interventions ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Inconsistent toilet usage is a continuing challenge in India. Despite the impact of social expectations on toilet usage, few programs and studies have developed theoretically grounded norm-centric behavior change interventions to increase toilet use in low-income settings. OBJECTIVE The objective of this paper is to detail the rationale and design of an ex ante, parallel cluster-randomized trial evaluating the impact of a demand-side, norm-centric behavior change intervention on exclusive toilet use and maintenance in peri-urban Tamil Nadu, India. METHODS Following formative research, we developed an evidence-based norm-centric behavior change intervention called Nam Nalavazhvu (Tamil for “our well-being”). The multilevel intervention aims to improve toilet usage by shifting empirical expectations or beliefs about other relevant people’s sanitation practices. It also provides action-oriented information to aid individuals to set goals and overcome barriers to own, consistently use, and maintain their toilets. This trial includes 76 wards in the Pudukkottai and Karur districts, where half were randomly assigned to receive the intervention and the remaining served as counterfactuals. RESULTS We enrolled wards and conducted a baseline survey among randomly selected individuals in all 76 wards. The 1-year behavior change intervention is currently ongoing. At the endline, we will collect relevant data and compare results between study arms to determine the impacts of the Nam Nalavazhvu intervention on sanitation-related behavioral, health, and well-being outcomes and potential moderators. This study is powered to detect differences in the prevalence of exclusive toilet use between study arms. We are also conducting a process evaluation to understand the extent to which the intervention was implemented as designed, given the special pandemic context. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this trial will inform norm-centric behavior change strategies to improve exclusive toilet usage. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04269824; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04269824 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/24407

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