Evaluating MyStrenghts, a Strengths-based mHealth tool: An Explorative Feasibility Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stian Jessen ◽  
Jelena Mirkovic ◽  
Elanor Halvorsen Brendmo ◽  
Lise Solberg Nes
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Specific Strength ◽  
Personal Strengths ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Strengths Approach ◽  
Post Trial

BACKGROUND As the number of people living with chronic illnesses increases, providing wide-reaching and easy-to-use support tools is becoming increasingly important. Supporting people in this group to recognize and use more of their personal strengths has the potential to improve quality of life. With this in mind, we have developed the MyStrengths app prototype, a gamefully designed mHealth app aimed at aiding users in both identifying their strengths and using these strengths more actively in their daily life. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to evaluate the user-reported feasibility and usefulness of the MyStrengths app. The study additionally aimed to explore whether the use of MyStrengths could be associated with selected psychosocial outcomes. METHODS A 31-day explorative feasibility trial with a pre/post-test design and an optional end of study interview was conducted. Data collection included system-use log data, demographic information, pre/post psychosocial measures (i.e., Strengths use, Self-efficacy, health-related quality of life, depression), user experience measures (e.g., usability, engagement, flow), and interview data. RESULTS In total, 35 people with at least one chronic condition enrolled in the study, with 26 participants (mean age 48, range 29-62, 1 male) completing the trial. 18 of these were also interviewed post-trial. Participants used the MyStrengths app an average of 6 days during the trial period, with 54% using the app over a period of at least 19 days. In total, 8739 unique app-actions were registered. Of the psychosocial outcome measures, only one subscale, general health, of the RAND36 yielded significant pre-/post-test changes. Post-trial interviews showed that participants considered the MyStrengths app useful, somewhat useful or not useful, evenly distributed into 3 groups. Every participant did, though, voice support for the strengths approach. All participants were able to identify a multitude of personal strengths using the MyStrengths app. Most participants reporting it useful had little or no previous experience with the personal strengths approach. The gameful design choices were welcomed by a multitude of users, and particularly the Dice feature suggesting strengths-exercises, activities that use a specific strength, was well received. CONCLUSIONS Even though reported usefulness, and feedback from use varied, most participants were favorable to the strengths-focused approach to care and support. As such, low threshold and wide-reaching mHealth tools such as MyStrengths can hold the potential to support people living with chronic illness in a strengths-focused approach to self-management and mastery of their life.

scholarly journals Personal Strengths and Health Related Quality of Life in Dementia Caregivers from Latin America

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen K. Trapp ◽  
Paul B. Perrin ◽  
Richa Aggarwal ◽  
Silvina Victoria Peralta ◽  
Miriam E. Stolfi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Personal Strengths ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

The research literature has begun to demonstrate associations between personal strengths and enhanced psychosocial functioning of dementia caregivers, but these relationships have not been examined in the context of dementia caregivers in Latin America. The present study examined whether personal strengths, including resilience, optimism, and sense of coherence, were associated with mental and physical health related quality of life (HRQOL) in 130 dementia caregivers in Mexico and Argentina. Structural equation modeling found that the personal strengths collectively accounted for 58.4% of the variance in caregiver mental HRQOL, and resilience, sense of coherence, and optimism each had unique effects. In comparison, the personal strengths together accounted for 8.9% of the variance in caregiver physical HRQOL, and only sense of coherence yielded a unique effect. These results underscore the need to construct and disseminate empirically supported interventions based in part on important personal strengths, particularly sense of coherence, for this underrepresented group.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Effectiveness of MindfulnessBased Stress Reduction Group Therapy With Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Severity of Pain and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Migraine

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-117
Author(s):  
Tahereh Haji Seyed Javadi ◽  
Najmeh Aghareb Parast ◽  
Sahar Shahsavani ◽  
Mir Javad Chehraghi ◽  
Leila Razavi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Background: Considering the prevalence of migraine and its detrimental effects on functioning, physical health, and quality of life as well as its psychosocial and social risks. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction treatment with treatment based on acceptance and commitment to the severity of pain and health-related quality of life in migraine patients. Methods: In this study, a semi-experimental design used with pre-test, post-test, a 3-month follow-up, and a control group. Using purposive sampling and considering the inclusion criteria, 45 patients with migraine diagnosis selected from among those referring to the neurology department of Imam Hossein hospital in Tehran. They were then randomly assigned to two experimental groups and a control group. The first experimental group received group therapy based on mindfulness (n = 15; 90-minute sessions), the second experimental group received acceptance and commitment based intervention (n = 15; 90-minute sessions), and the control group (n = 15) received no intervention. All subjects responded to pain intensity and health-related quality of life questionnaires before the intervention (pre-test), after the intervention (post-test), and 3 months after the intervention (follow-up). One-way ANOVA analyzed the collected data. Results: The findings showed that mean scores for the 2 experimental groups were significantly different from the control group in the post-test and follow-up phases in terms of severity of pain and health-related quality of life, while the mean scores for the two experimental groups did not differ significantly. The results emphasize the importance of these interventions for chronic diseases and offer new horizons in clinical interventions. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy could positively affect the severity of pain and health-related quality of life in migraine patients, and any of them can be used to improve the variables mentioned above.

Ageing Well in the Over 45s: Using a Health Check Log

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
June N. Sheriff ◽  
Lynn Chenoweth
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Check ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

This study aimed to promote health awareness, health monitoring skills, timely consultation with health professionals and health-related quality of life for persons 45 years and over through maintaining a specially-designed Health Check Log (HCL). A pre-/post-test quasi-experimental research design was employed with data triangulation, to compare health-related quality of life for treatments with matched controls. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 120 community-dwelling participants and 69 health professionals living and/or working in the South Eastern Sydney/Illawarra Area Health Service catchment area, and volunteer members of the Council on the Ageing. Eighty of the treatment group maintained the HCL for 12 months. Outcome measures included the SF-36 health survey, monthly/bi-monthly telephone/electronic mail interviews, feedback survey, and focus group discussions. The majority of treatments reported that keeping the HCL raised levels of awareness (69%), assisted in developing skills (59%) and confidence (57%) in assessing and monitoring health, and in adopting preventative illness approaches (54%). Stratified analyses of the SF-36 health survey revealed significant differences between groups at post-test; in particular, positive health perceptions in those who are retired and living on their own.

scholarly journals Short-term integrated rehabilitation for people with newly diagnosed thoracic cancer: a multi-centre randomized controlled feasibility trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-219
Author(s):  
Joanne Bayly ◽  
Lucy Fettes ◽  
Eleanor Douglas ◽  
Maria J Teixiera ◽  
Nicola Peat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Standard Care ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Thoracic Cancer

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of recruiting and retaining patients recently diagnosed with thoracic cancer to a trial of short-term integrated rehabilitation; evaluate uptake of theoretically informed components targeting physical function, symptom self-management and participation; estimate sample size requirements for an efficacy trial. Design: Parallel group randomized controlled feasibility trial. Setting: Three U.K. hospitals. Participants: Patients ⩽eight weeks of thoracic cancer diagnosis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status 0–3, any cancer stage and treatment plan. Interventions: Participants randomly allocated (1:1) to short-term integrated rehabilitation and standard care or standard care alone over 30 days. Main measures: Primary: participant recruitment and retention, targeting ⩾30% of eligible patients enrolling and ⩾50% of participants reporting outcomes at 30 days. Secondary: intervention fidelity; missing data and performance of outcome measures for self-efficacy, symptoms, physical activity and health-related quality of life. Results: Of 159 eligible patients approached, 54 (34%) were recruited. A total of 44 (82%) and 39 (72%) participants reported outcomes at 30 and 60 days, respectively. Intervention fidelity was high. Rehabilitation was delivered across 3 (1–3) sessions over 32 (22–45) days (median (range)). Changes in clinical outcomes were modest but most apparent at 60 days for health-related quality of life: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Lung Cancer score median (interquartile range) change 9.7 (−12.0 to 16.0) rehabilitation versus 2.3 (−15.0 to 14.5) standard care. Conclusion: A trial to examine efficacy of short-term integrated rehabilitation for people newly diagnosed with thoracic cancer is feasible. A sample of 336 participants could detect a meaningful effect on health-related quality of life as the primary outcome.

scholarly journals Rehabilitation After Hip Fracture for Nursing Home Residents: A Controlled Feasibility Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (9) ◽  
pp. 1518-1525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren A Beaupre ◽  
Jay S Magaziner ◽  
C Allyson Jones ◽  
Gian S Jhangri ◽  
D William C Johnston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background This study compared functional outcomes at 3 months after hip fracture surgery between nursing home residents participating in a 10-week outreach rehabilitation program and those receiving usual care. Function, health-related quality of life, and mortality were also compared over 12 months, and outreach program feasibility was assessed. Methods A feasibility trial was undertaken in Canadian nursing homes; of 77 participants, 46 were allocated to Outreach and 31 to Control prior to assessing function or cognition. Outreach participants received 10 weeks of rehabilitation (30 sessions), and Control participants received usual posthospital fracture care in their nursing homes. The primary outcome was the Functional Independence Measure Physical Domain (FIMphysical) score 3 months post-fracture; we also explored FIM Locomotion and Mobility. Secondary outcomes were FIM scores, EQ-5D-3L scores, and mortality over 12 months. Program feasibility was also evaluated. Results The mean age was 88.7 ± 7.0 years, 55 (71%) were female, and 58 (75%) had severe cognitive impairment with no significant group differences (p > .14). Outreach participants had significantly higher FIM Locomotion than usual care (p = .02), but no significant group differences were seen in FIMphysical or FIM Mobility score 3 months post-fracture. In adjusted analyses, Outreach participants reported significant improvements in all FIM and EQ-5D-3L scores compared with Control participants over 12 months (p < .05). Mortality did not differ by group (p = .80). Thirty (65%) Outreach participants completed the program. Conclusions Our feasibility trial demonstrated that Outreach participants achieved better locomotion by 3 months post-fracture compared with participants receiving usual postfracture care; benefits were sustained to 12 months post-fracture. In adjusted analyses, Outreach participants also showed sustained benefits in physical function and health-related quality of life.

scholarly journals Outcomes of the Rope Skipping ‘STAR’ Programme for Schoolchildren

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy S. Ha ◽  
Angus Burnett ◽  
Raymond Sum ◽  
Nikola Medic ◽  
Johan Y. Y. Ng
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Physical activity in children and adolescents is on a decline trend. To this end, we conducted a matched-pair randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of a 4-week STAR (School-based; Train-the-trainer; Accessibility of resources; Recreational) skipping programme. 1,386 schoolchildren from 20 primary and secondary schools were recruited. Schools were randomized into the experimental or wait-list control group. Participants self-reported their health-related quality of life using the KIDSCREEN-27. Accelerometers were used to measure the time a subgroup of participants (n = 480) spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during school hours on five consecutive days. Measures were taken at pre- and post-test. At post-test, students in the experimental group, compared to those in the control group, engaged in less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during school hours. Health-related quality of life from two groups of students was similar, but the experimental group reported higher levels of autonomy and parent relationships. Results suggested that although the intervention did not increase students’ physical activity levels, it slightly improved their health-related quality of life. Future studies should explore personal factors that might mediate the effect of the intervention.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Nurse Led Intervention on Health Related Quality of Life among Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Oman: A Pilot Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Suthan Pandarakutty ◽  
Kamala Murali ◽  
Judie Arulappan ◽  
Deepa Shaji Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Introduction. The children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) generally have poor Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse led intervention on HRQOL among children with SCD. Methods. A total of 30 samples were selected using convenient sampling. Children with SCD and their caregivers completed Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) SCD-Module version 3.0. The nurse led intervention was given to the study group for 10 consecutive weeks. The control group received the routine medical care. On completion of 10 weeks, the post-test was conducted. Results. The participants in study group had poor HRQOL scores P>0.05 in pre-test. After nurse led intervention, the HRQOL score in the study group significantly improved P<0.05. The control group did not show any significant difference in the pretest and post-test. Discussion. Therefore nurse led intervention is effective in improving HRQOL among children with SCD.

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