scholarly journals Understanding the Effect of Adding Automated and Human Coaching to a Mobile Health Physical Activity App for Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of the Stay Strong Intervention (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine R Buis ◽  
Felicia A McCant ◽  
Jennifer M Gierisch ◽  
Lori A Bastian ◽  
Eugene Z Oddone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Coaching ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Activity Monitoring ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Over Time

BACKGROUND Although maintaining a healthy weight and physical conditioning are requirements of active military duty, many US veterans rapidly gain weight and lose conditioning when they separate from active-duty service. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions that incorporate wearables for activity monitoring have become common, but it is unclear how to optimize engagement over time. Personalized health coaching, either through tailored automated messaging or by individual health coaches, has the potential to increase the efficacy of mHealth programs. In an attempt to preserve conditioning and ward off weight gain, we developed Stay Strong, a mobile app that is tailored to veterans of recent conflicts and tracks physical activity monitored by Fitbit Charge 2 devices and weight measured on a Bluetooth-enabled scale. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to determine the effect of activity monitoring plus health coaching compared with activity monitoring alone. METHODS In this randomized controlled trial, with Stay Strong, a mobile app designed specifically for veterans, we plan to enroll 350 veterans to engage in an mHealth lifestyle intervention that combines the use of a wearable physical activity tracker and a Bluetooth-enabled weight scale. The Stay Strong app displays physical activity and weight data trends over time. Enrolled participants are randomized to receive the Stay Strong app (active comparator arm) or Stay Strong + Coaching, an enhanced version of the program that adds coaching features (automated tailored messaging with weekly physical activity goals and up to 3 telephone calls with a health coach—intervention arm) for 1 year. Our primary outcome is change in physical activity at 12 months, with weight, pain, patient activation, and depression serving as secondary outcome measures. All processes related to recruitment, eligibility screening, informed consent, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act authorization, baseline assessment, randomization, the bulk of intervention delivery, and outcome assessment will be accomplished via the internet or smartphone app. RESULTS The study recruitment began in September 2017, and data collection is expected to conclude in 2019. A total of 465 participants consented to participate and 357 (357/465, 77%) provided baseline levels of physical activity and were randomized to 1 of the 2 interventions. CONCLUSIONS This novel randomized controlled trial will provide much-needed findings about whether the addition of telephone-based human coaching and other automated supportive-coaching features will improve physical activity compared with using a smartphone app linked to a wearable device alone. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02360293; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02360293 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/75KQeIFwh) INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/12526

scholarly journals Tracking Valued and Avoidant Functions with Health Behaviors: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Matrix Mobile App

2020 ◽  
pp. 014544552091398
Author(s):  
Michael E. Levin ◽  
Jennifer Krafft ◽  
Seth Seifert ◽  
Jason Lillis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Over Time

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the acceptability and additive effects of self-monitoring avoidant and valued functions of behavior, in the context of self-monitoring physical activity and dietary behavior in a mobile app. The self-monitoring approach was based on the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Matrix. A sample of 102 adults interested in improving their diet and physical activity were randomized to a Health Behavior Tracking app (HBT), HBT plus ACT matrix app (HBT+ACT), or waitlist condition. Online self-report assessments were completed at baseline, mid (2 weeks), and post-intervention (4 weeks). Participants reported high usability, but mixed satisfaction with both apps. About half of the prompted app check-ins were completed on average, with 14% never using the ACT app. Participants in the HBT+ACT app condition reported greater self-reported physical activity over time relative to HBT and waitlist, potentially due to protecting against a decrease over time in physical activity observed in the other two conditions. HBT and HBT+ACT conditions both improved self-reported sedentary behavior relative to waitlist. HBT+ACT improved cognitive restraint with eating more than HBT. Neither the HBT or HBT+ACT app improved other health behavior outcome measures or values processes relative to the waitlist. Overall, findings suggest some benefits of the ACT Matrix app for addressing physical activity by tracking valued/avoidant functions, but mixed findings on acceptability, outcomes, and processes of change suggests impact may be relatively limited.

scholarly journals User Perception of a Smartphone App to Promote Physical Activity Through Active Transportation: Inductive Qualitative Content Analysis Within the Smart City Active Mobile Phone Intervention (SCAMPI) Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Karin Lindqvist ◽  
Stina Rutberg ◽  
Emmie Söderström ◽  
Anna Ek ◽  
Christina Alexandrou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Smart City ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Active Transportation ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is globally recognized as a major risk factor for morbidity, particularly the incidence of noncommunicable diseases. Increasing physical activity (PA) is therefore a public health priority. Engaging in active transportation (AT) is a viable approach for promoting daily PA levels. Mobile health interventions enable the promotion of AT to a larger population. The Smart City Active Mobile Phone Intervention (SCAMPI) study was a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the ability of a behavior change program delivered via a smartphone app to motivate participants to increase their PA by engaging in AT. OBJECTIVE This qualitative study aims to examine the acceptance and user experience of the app promoting AT that was used in the SCAMPI trial (the TRavelVU Plus app). METHODS A total of 17 residents of Stockholm County (13 women; age range 25-61 years) who completed the 3-month app-based behavioral change program (delivered through the TRavelVU Plus app) in the SCAMPI randomized controlled trial during 2018 agreed to participate in a semistructured telephone-based interview. These participants were well representative of the whole intervention group (n=127) in terms of baseline characteristics such as age, sex, and area of residence. The interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using an inductive qualitative content analysis. RESULTS The content analysis revealed 2 themes and 4 subcategories. The first theme, “main motivators: monitoring and messages,” highlighted that monitoring AT and being able to set weekly goals using the app were the primary motivators reported by study participants. The second theme, “acceptable but modifiable,” reflects that the app was well accepted and effectively encouraged many participants to use more AT. Nevertheless, there were functions in the app that require modification. For example, while the semiautomated travel tracking feature was appreciated, participants found it time-consuming and unreliable at times. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes novel insight into adults’ experiences of using a mobile app to promote the use of AT. The results showed that the app was well accepted and that self-monitoring and goal setting were the main motivators to engage in more AT. The semiautomated tracking of AT was appreciated; however, it was also reported to be energy- and time-consuming when it failed to work. Thus, this feature should be improved going forward. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03086837; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03086837 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1186/s12889-018-5658-4

scholarly journals Financial Incentives and Health Coaching to Improve Physical Activity Following Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 732-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Losina ◽  
Jamie E. Collins ◽  
Bhushan R. Deshpande ◽  
Savannah R. Smith ◽  
Griffin L. Michl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Total Knee Replacement ◽  
Knee Replacement ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Coaching ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Total Knee

scholarly journals An Artificial Intelligence–Based, Personalized Smartphone App to Improve Childhood Immunization Coverage and Timelines Among Children in Pakistan: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Momin Kazi ◽  
Saad Ahmed Qazi ◽  
Sadori Khawaja ◽  
Nazia Ahsan ◽  
Rao Moueed Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Childhood Immunization ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND The immunization uptake rates in Pakistan are much lower than desired. Major reasons include lack of awareness, parental forgetfulness regarding schedules, and misinformation regarding vaccines. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and distancing measures, routine childhood immunization (RCI) coverage has been adversely affected, as caregivers avoid tertiary care hospitals or primary health centers. Innovative and cost-effective measures must be taken to understand and deal with the issue of low immunization rates. However, only a few smartphone-based interventions have been carried out in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to improve RCI. OBJECTIVE The primary objectives of this study are to evaluate whether a personalized mobile app can improve children’s on-time visits at 10 and 14 weeks of age for RCI as compared with standard care and to determine whether an artificial intelligence model can be incorporated into the app. Secondary objectives are to determine the perceptions and attitudes of caregivers regarding childhood vaccinations and to understand the factors that might influence the effect of a mobile phone–based app on vaccination improvement. METHODS A mixed methods randomized controlled trial was designed with intervention and control arms. The study will be conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital vaccination center. Caregivers of newborns or infants visiting the center for their children’s 6-week vaccination will be recruited. The intervention arm will have access to a smartphone app with text, voice, video, and pictorial messages regarding RCI. This app will be developed based on the findings of the pretrial qualitative component of the study, in addition to <i>no-show</i> study findings, which will explore caregivers’ perceptions about RCI and a mobile phone–based app in improving RCI coverage. RESULTS Pretrial qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted in February 2020. Enrollment of study participants for the randomized controlled trial is in process. Study exit interviews will be conducted at the 14-week immunization visits, provided the caregivers visit the immunization facility at that time, or over the phone when the children are 18 weeks of age. CONCLUSIONS This study will generate useful insights into the feasibility, acceptability, and usability of an Android-based smartphone app for improving RCI in Pakistan and in LMICs. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04449107; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04449107 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/22996

scholarly journals Mobile Health App (AGRIPPA) to Prevent Relapse After Successful Interdisciplinary Treatment for Patients With Chronic Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Elbers ◽  
Jan Pool ◽  
Harriët Wittink ◽  
Albère Köke ◽  
Else Scheffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Treatment Program ◽  
Treatment Condition ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Interdisciplinary Treatment ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Over Time

BACKGROUND To facilitate adherence to adaptive pain management behaviors after interdisciplinary multimodal pain treatment, we developed a mobile health app (AGRIPPA app) that contains two behavior regulation strategies. OBJECTIVE The aims of this project are (1) to test the effectiveness of the AGRIPPA app on pain disability; (2) to determine the cost-effectiveness; and (3) to explore the levels of engagement and usability of app users. METHODS We will perform a multicenter randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups. Within the 12-month inclusion period, we plan to recruit 158 adult patients with chronic pain during the initial stage of their interdisciplinary treatment program in one of the 6 participating centers. Participants will be randomly assigned to the standard treatment condition or to the enhanced treatment condition in which they will receive the AGRIPPA app. Patients will be monitored from the start of the treatment program until 12 months posttreatment. In our primary analysis, we will evaluate the difference over time of pain-related disability between the two conditions. Other outcome measures will include health-related quality of life, illness perceptions, pain self-efficacy, app system usage data, productivity loss, and health care expenses. RESULTS The study was approved by the local Medical Research Ethics Committee in October 2019. As of March 20, 2020, we have recruited 88 patients. CONCLUSIONS This study will be the first step in systematically evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the AGRIPPA app. After 3 years of development and feasibility testing, this formal evaluation will help determine to what extent the app will influence the maintenance of treatment gains over time. The outcomes of this trial will guide future decisions regarding uptake in clinical practice. CLINICALTRIAL Netherlands Trial Register NL8076; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8076 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/18632

scholarly journals Applying Mobile Technology to Sustain Physical Activity After Completion of Cardiac Rehabilitation: Acceptability Study

10.2196/25356 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e25356
Author(s):  
Abdelaziz Elnaggar ◽  
Julia von Oppenfeld ◽  
Mary A Whooley ◽  
Stephanie Merek ◽  
Linda G Park
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background Many patients do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity after completing a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program. Wearable activity trackers and mobile phone apps are promising potential self-management tools for maintaining physical activity after CR completion. Objective This study aims to evaluate the acceptability of a wearable device, mobile app, and push messages to facilitate physical activity following CR completion. Methods We used semistructured interviews to assess the acceptability of various mobile technologies after participation in a pilot randomized controlled trial. Intervention patients in the randomized controlled trial wore the Fitbit Charge 2, used the Movn mobile app, and received push messages on cardiovascular disease prevention and physical activity for over 2 months. We asked 26 intervention group participants for feedback about their experience with the technology and conducted semistructured individual interviews with 7 representative participants. We used thematic analysis to create the main themes from individual interviews. Results Our sample included participants with a mean age of 66.7 (SD 8.6) years; 23% (6/26) were female. Overall, there were varying levels of satisfaction with different technology components. There were 7 participants who completed the satisfaction questionnaires and participated in the interviews. The Fitbit and Movn mobile app received high satisfaction scores of 4.86 and 4.5, respectively, whereas push messages had a score of 3.14 out of 5. We identified four main themes through the interviews: technology use increased motivation to be physically active, technology use served as a reminder to be physically active, recommendations for technology to improve user experience, and desire for personal feedback. Conclusions By applying a wearable activity tracker, mobile phone app, and push messages, our study showed strong potential for the adoption of new technologies by older adults to maintain physical activity after CR completion. Future research should include a larger sample over a longer period using a mixed methods approach to assess the efficacy of technology use for promoting long-term physical activity behavior in older adults.

An early interactive human coaching via a mobile application to improve quality of life in patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer: Design and protocol of a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hak Jin Kim ◽  
Hong Man Yoon ◽  
Keun Won Ryu ◽  
Young-Woo Kim ◽  
So Young Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Coaching ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND After gastrectomy, patients may experience the postgastrectomy syndrome and face difficulties adapting to everyday diet. Recently, human health coaching via a mobile application (app) has been used for obese patients or patients with chronic diseases, with significant improvements in clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the effects of human health coaching via a mobile app and conventional face-to-face counseling in patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancers. METHODS This study is a single-institution, prospective randomized controlled trial comparing the mobile health and face-to-face counselling groups. After randomization, participants assigned to the mobile health coaching group will receive health coaching via a mobile app for 3 months after discharge, and the assigned coaches will provide personalized advice based on the self-recorded health data. Participants in the face-to-face group will have 1- and 3-months postoperative dietary consultations with a clinical dietitian. The primary endpoint is the food restriction score on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-STO22, and secondary endpoints included all other quality of life scale scores and nutritional parameters. The calculated sample size is 180, and the outcomes will be measured until 1-year post-surgery. RESULTS Recruitment started in May, 2020 and currently 51 patients have enrolled in the study. Anticipated date for the completion of enrolment is December 31, 2021 and entire data collection is expected to be completed by December 2022. CONCLUSIONS This study will show the efficacy of human health coaching via a mobile app on dietary adaptation in patients who underwent gastrectomy. A relational approach based on personal data and timely intervention using a mobile platform could reduce patients’ trial and error and improve QoL. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04394585; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT040394585

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