Evaluation of a social media campaign to increase COVID-19 testing in migrant groups: A cluster randomized trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingeborg Hess Elgersma ◽  
Atle Fretheim ◽  
Thor Indseth ◽  
Anita Thorolvsen Munch ◽  
Live Bøe Johannessen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Media Campaign ◽  
Predicted Probability ◽  
Simple Language ◽  
Media Intervention ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
Migrant Groups

BACKGROUND A low test positivity rate is key to keeping the COVID-19 pandemic under control. Several migrant groups in Norway have seen higher rates of confirmed COVID-19 and related hospitalizations, while test positivity has remained high in the same groups. Social media sponsored ads have been an important part of the government’s strategy to reach these groups. OBJECTIVE In this study we aimed to investigate whether such a targeted Facebook campaign increased the rate of testing in certain migrant groups. METHODS We randomly assigned 386 Norwegian municipalities and city districts, to intervention or control groups. Individuals born in Syria, Pakistan, Eritrea, Turkey, Russia and Iraq residing in intervention areas were targeted with a social media campaign aiming at increasing the COVID-19 test rate. The campaign message was in simple language and conveyed in the users’ main language or in English. RESULTS During the follow-up period of two weeks, the predicted probability of conducting a COVID-19 test was 4.82 % (CI: 4.47 % - 5.18 %) in the control group, and 5.58 % (CI: 5.20 % - 5.99 %) in the intervention group (P=.004). CONCLUSIONS Our targeted social media intervention led to a modest, but potentially important, increase in test rates among migrants in Norway. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04866589.

scholarly journals If I tweet will you cite later? Follow-up on the effect of social media exposure on article downloads and citations

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (9) ◽  
pp. 1797-1802
Author(s):  
Thomy Tonia ◽  
Herman Van Oyen ◽  
Anke Berger ◽  
Christian Schindler ◽  
Nino Künzli
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Media Exposure ◽  
Observation Time ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Media Intervention ◽  
Relative Differences

Abstract Objectives We previously reported that random assignment of scientific articles to a social media exposure intervention did not have an effect on article downloads and citations. In this paper, we investigate whether longer observation time after exposure to a social media intervention has altered the previously reported results. Methods For articles published in the International Journal of Public Health between December 2012 and December 2014, we updated article download and citation data for a minimum of 24-month follow-up. We re-analysed the effect of social media exposure on article downloads and citations. Results There was no difference between intervention and control group in terms of downloads (p = 0.72) and citations (p= 0.30) for all papers and when we stratified by open access status. Conclusions Longer observation time did not increase the relative differences in the numbers of downloads and citations between papers in the social media intervention group and papers in the control group. Traditional impact metrics based on citations, such as impact factor, may not capture the added value of social media for scientific publications.

The Effect of Theory-lead Intervention for Knee Osteoarthritis in Older Adults: A Cluster Randomized Trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Limin Wang ◽  
Hongbo Chen ◽  
Han Lu ◽  
Yunlin Wang ◽  
Congying Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Transtheoretical Model ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Exercise Adherence ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Knee Function ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cluster Randomized

Abstract Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common joint disease in people over 60 years old. Exercise therapy is one of the most effective non-pharmacological treatments for KOA, but low exercise adherence needs to be improved. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the transtheoretical model-lead home exercise intervention (TTM-HEI) program on exercise adherence, KOA symptoms and knee function in older adults with KOA. Methods: A two-arm, superiority, assessor-blinded, cluster randomized trial was conducted. Community-dwelling older adults with KOA were recruited from 14 community centers in Beijing, China via print and social media advertisements from April to October 2018. The intervention was a two-stage and 24-week transtheoretical model-based exercise program, and the control group underwent a same length but non-theory-based exercise program. Exercise adherence was measured by an 11-point numerical self-rating scale at weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 after the program started. KOA symptoms (pain intensity and joint stiffness) and knee function (lower limb muscle strength and balance) were measured at baseline, week 24, and week 48. Latent growth model (GLM), repeated measures ANOVA and independent t-test were the main statistical tests.Results: A total of 189 older adults (intervention group: n = 103, control group: n = 86) were enrolled. Differences of any outcome measures at baseline were not significant between groups. The growth rate of exercise adherence in the intervention group increased 2.175 units compared with the control group (unstandardized coefficient of slope on group B2 = 2.175, p < 0.001), and the intervention program maintained participants’ exercise adherence with 5.56 (SD = 1.00) compared with 3.16 (SD = 1.31) in the control group at week 48. In addition, TTM-HEI program showed significant effects on relieving KOA symptoms and improving knee function.Conclusion: The TTM-HEI could improve the participants’ exercise adherence, knee osteoarthritis symptoms and knee function over time.

scholarly journals Implementation of French Recommendations for the Prevention and the Treatment of Hospital-acquired Pneumonia: A Cluster-randomized Trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Roquilly ◽  
Gérald Chanques ◽  
Sigismond Lasocki ◽  
Arnaud Foucrier ◽  
Brice Fermier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Baseline Period ◽  
Audit And Feedback ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Icu Stay ◽  
Hospital Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Abstract Background We determined whether an audit on the adherence to guidelines for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) can improve the outcomes of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Methods This study was conducted at 35 ICUs in 30 hospitals. We included consecutive, adult patients hospitalized in ICUs for 3 days or more. After a 3-month baseline period followed by the dissemination of recommendations, an audit on the compliance to recommendations (audit period) was followed by a 3-month cluster-randomized trial. We randomly assigned ICUs to either receive audit and feedback (intervention group) or participate in a national registry (control group). The primary outcome was the duration of ICU stay. Results Among 1856 patients enrolled, 602, 669, and 585 were recruited in the baseline, audit, and intervention periods, respectively. The composite measures of compliance were 47% (interquartile range [IQR], 38–56%) in the intervention group and 42% (IQR, 25–53%) in the control group (P = .001). As compared to the baseline period, the ICU lengths of stay were reduced by 3.2 days in the intervention period (P = .07) and by 2.8 days in the control period (P = .02). The durations of ICU stay were 7 days (IQR, 5–14 days) in the control group and 9 days (IQR, 5–20 days) in the intervention group (P = .10). After adjustment for unbalanced baseline characteristics, the hazard ratio for being discharged alive from the ICU in the control group was 1.17 (95% confidence interval, .69–2.01; P = .10). Conclusions The publication of French guidelines for HAP was associated with a reduction of the ICU length of stay. However, the realization of an audit to improve their application did not further improve outcomes. Clinical Trials Registration NCT03348579.

Effect of a Community-led Total Sanitation Intervention on the Incidence and Prevalence of Diarrhea in Children in Rural Ethiopia: A Cluster-randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seungman Cha ◽  
Sunghoon Jung ◽  
Dawit Belew Bizuneh ◽  
Tadesse Abera ◽  
Young-Ah Doh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Period Prevalence ◽  
Rural Villages ◽  
Diary Methods ◽  
Diarrhea Incidence ◽  
Cluster Randomized

We conducted a cluster-randomized trial in 48 rural villages of Ethiopia to assess the effect of community-led total sanitation (CLTS) on the diarrhea incidence of children. Twenty-four villages were randomly assigned to the intervention group and the other 24 were assigned to the control group. A CLTS intervention was implemented from January 2016 through January 2017. Baseline data collection was conducted during October and November 2015. At baseline, 906 children were recruited and followed-up until January 2017. These 906 children were randomly selected among all children in the 48 villages. To determine the 7-day period prevalence of diarrhea, four household-based surveys were conducted by independent data collectors at 3, 5, 9, and 10 months after the CLTS was initiated. To determine the incidence and longitudinal prevalence, the presence of daily diarrhea presence was recorded for 140 days using diary methods. The loss to follow-up rates were 95% for period prevalence and 93% for incidence and longitudinal prevalence. The incidence ratio and longitudinal prevalence ratio were 0.66 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45–0.97; P = 0.03) and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.52–0.95; P = 0.02) after adjusting for clustering and stratification. The relative risk of period prevalence was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.45–0.98; P = 0.04) at 3 months after initiation. Improved toilet coverage increased from 0.0% at baseline to 35.0% at 10 months in the intervention villages, whereas it increased from 0.7% to 2.8% in the control villages. Adherence to the intervention was comparable with that of previous studies; therefore, we suggest that the findings of this study are replicable.

The Effect of Transtheoretical Model-lead Intervention for Knee Osteoarthritis in Older Adults: A Cluster Randomized Trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Limin Wang ◽  
Hongbo Chen ◽  
Han Lu ◽  
Yunlin Wang ◽  
Congying Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Transtheoretical Model ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Exercise Adherence ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Knee Function ◽  
Home Exercise ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cluster Randomized

Abstract Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common joint disease in people over 60 years old. Exercise therapy is one of the most effective non-pharmacological treatments for KOA, but low exercise adherence needs to be improved. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the Transtheoretical Model-lead home exercise intervention (TTM-HEI) program on exercise adherence, KOA symptoms, and knee function in older adults with KOA. Methods: A two-arm, superiority, assessor-blinded, cluster randomized trial was conducted. Community-dwelling older adults with KOA were recruited from 14 community centers in Beijing, China, via print and social media advertisements from April to October 2018. The present study lasted 48 weeks, with an intervention duration of 0–24 weeks and follow-up time of 24–48 weeks. The intervention was a two-stage and 24-week TTM-based exercise program, and the control group underwent a same-length exercise program guidance without any exercise-adherence interventions. The primary outcome was exercise adherence to the prescribed home exercise program and was measured using an 11-point numerical (0=not at all through and 10=completely as instructed) self-rating scale at week 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 after the program started. KOA symptoms (pain intensity and joint stiffness) were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and knee function (lower limb muscle strength and balance) was measured using the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST) and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) at baseline, week 24 and week 48. Latent growth model (GLM), repeated measures ANOVA, and independent t-test were the main statistical tests used.Results: A total of 189 older adults (intervention group: n = 103, control group: n = 86) were enrolled. Differences of any outcome measures at baseline were not significant between groups. The growth rate of exercise adherence in the intervention group increased 2.175 units compared with the control group (unstandardized coefficient of slope on group B2 = 2.175, p < 0.001), and the intervention program maintained participants’ exercise adherence with 5.56 (SD = 1.00) compared with 3.16 (SD = 1.31) in the control group at week 48. In addition, TTM-HEI program showed significant effects on relieving KOA symptoms and improving knee function.Conclusion: Over time, TTM-HEI could improve participants’ exercise adherence, KOA symptoms, and knee function.Trial registration: This study was approved by the ethics committee (IRB00001052-17066) in July 2017 and was registered at Chinese Clinical Trails Registry (website: www.chictr.org.cn, registry number: ChiCTR1800015458).

Apathy in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia: Results From A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Treusch ◽  
T. Majic ◽  
J. Page ◽  
H. Gutzmann ◽  
A. Heinz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Dementia Patients ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
One Year

AbstractPurpose:Here we evaluate an interdisciplinary occupational and sport therapy intervention for dementia patients suffering from apathy.Subjects and methods:A prospective, controlled, rater-blinded, clinical trial with two follow-ups was conducted as part of a larger cluster-randomized trial in 18 nursing homes in Berlin. n = 117 dementia patients with apathy, defined as a score of 40 or more on the apathy evaluation scale (AES) or presence of apathy on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), were randomly assigned to intervention or control group. The intervention included 10 months of brief activities, provided once a week. The primary outcome measure was the total score on the AES scale measured directly after the intervention period and again after 12 months.Results:We found significant group differences with respect to apathy during the 10 month intervention period (F2,82 = 7.79, P < 0.01), which reflected an increase in apathy in the control group, but not in the intervention group. Within one year after the intervention was ceased, the treatment group worsened and no longer differed significantly from the control group (P = 0.55).Conclusions:Our intervention was effective for the therapy of apathy in dementia, when applied, but not one year after cessation of therapy.

Improving Quality of Work life for Care Providers by Fostering the Emotional well-being of Persons with Dementia: A Cluster-randomized Trial of a Nursing Intervention in German long-term Care Settings

Dementia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1286-1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Berendonk ◽  
Roman Kaspar ◽  
Marion Bär ◽  
Matthias Hoben
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Nursing Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Cluster Randomized

We tested the feasibility of a nursing intervention (DEMIAN) in routine care and its effects on care providers’ job satisfaction, motivation, and work strain. This cluster-randomized trial was conducted in 20 German long-term care facilities. We randomly assigned 20 facilities to an intervention group (84 care providers, 42 residents with dementia) or a control group (96 care providers, 42 residents with dementia). Intervention group providers received two training days on the intervention; 68 providers attended both training days. Sixty two providers completed both baseline and follow-up questionnaires. Trained providers created individualized mini-intervention plans for participating residents. Control group residents received ‘usual care’. Intervention group providers stated that the intervention was feasible and helped them improve emotional well-being of residents with dementia. We found significantly decreased time pressure and decreased job dissatisfaction for intervention group providers. DEMIAN is an effective and pragmatic contribution to implementing person-centred care in long-term care, with positive effects on providers’ working conditions.

scholarly journals The Effect of Theory-Led Intervention for Knee Osteoarthritis in Older Adults: A Cluster Randomized Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 529-529
Author(s):  
Limin Wang ◽  
Hongbo Chen ◽  
Han Lu ◽  
Jieru Chen ◽  
Shaomei Shang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Transtheoretical Model ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Exercise Adherence ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Knee Function ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cluster Randomized

Abstract Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common joint disease in people over 60 years old. Exercise therapy is one of the most effective non-pharmacological treatments for KOA, but low exercise adherence needs to be improved. This two-arm cluster randomized trial study was to evaluate the effect of the transtheoretical model-lead home exercise intervention (TTM-HEI) program on exercise adherence, KOA symptom (pain intensity and joint stiffness) and knee function (lower limb muscle strength and balance) in Chinese older adults diagnosed with KOA. A total of 189 community-dwelling older adults with KOA (intervention group: n = 103, control group: n = 86) were enrolled from 14 community centers in Beijing, China in 2018. The intervention was a two-stage and 24-week transtheoretical model-based exercise program, and the control group underwent a same length but non-theory-based exercise program. Exercise adherence was measured at weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 after the program started, KOA symptoms and knee function were measured at baseline, week 24, and week 48. Results showed that the growth rate of exercise adherence in the intervention group increased 2.175 units compared with the control group (unstandardized coefficient of slope on group B2 = 2.175, p &lt; 0.001), and the intervention program maintained participants’ exercise adherence with 5.56 (SD = 1.00) compared with 3.16 (SD = 1.31) in the control group at week 48. In addition, TTM-HEI program showed significant effects on relieving KOA symptoms and improving knee function. This study provided an effective strategy for KOA intervention.

Effects of a Knowledge-Translation Intervention on Early Dialysis Initiation: A Cluster Randomized Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. ASN.2020091254
Author(s):  
Navdeep Tangri ◽  
Amit X. Garg ◽  
Thomas W. Ferguson ◽  
Stephanie Dixon ◽  
Claudio Rigatto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Translation ◽  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Dialysis Initiation ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Inpatient Setting ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Cluster Randomized

BackgroundThe Initiating Dialysis Early and Late (IDEAL) trial, published in 2009, found no clinically measurable benefit with respect to risk of mortality or early complications with early dialysis initiation versus deferred dialysis start. After these findings, guidelines recommended an intent-to-defer approach to dialysis initiation, with the goal of deferring it until clinical symptoms arise.MethodsTo evaluate a four-component knowledge translation intervention aimed at promoting an intent-to-defer strategy for dialysis initiation, we conducted a cluster randomized trial in Canada between October 2014 and November 2015. We randomized 55 clinics, 27 to the intervention group and 28 to the control group. The educational intervention, using knowledge-translation tools, included telephone surveys from a knowledge-translation broker, a 1-year center-specific audit with feedback, delivery of a guidelines package, and an academic detailing visit. Participants included adults who had at least 3 months of predialysis care and who started dialysis in the first year after the intervention. The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of patients who initiated dialysis early (at eGFR >10.5 ml/min per 1.73 m2). The secondary outcome was the proportion of patients who initiated in the acute inpatient setting.ResultsThe analysis included 3424 patients initiating dialysis in the 1-year follow-up period. Of these, 509 of 1592 (32.0%) in the intervention arm and 605 of 1832 (33.0%) in the control arm started dialysis early. There was no difference in the proportion of individuals initiating dialysis early or in the proportion of individuals initiating dialysis as an acute inpatient.ConclusionsA multifaceted knowledge translation intervention failed to reduce the proportion of early dialysis starts in patients with CKD followed in multidisciplinary clinics.Clinical Trial registry name and registration number:ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02183987. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02183987

Impact of a store-and-forward teledermatology intervention versus usual care on delay before beginning treatment: A pragmatic cluster-randomized trial in ambulatory care

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 725-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edouard Piette ◽  
Michel Nougairède ◽  
Valerie Vuong ◽  
Beatrice Crickx ◽  
Viet-Thi Tran
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Referral Letter ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Clinical Images ◽  
Store And Forward ◽  
Cluster Randomized

Introduction In France, 66% of patients forego getting specialized care by dermatologists because of difficulty obtaining appointments. Store-and-forward teledermatology could improve how promptly treatment begins by reducing the delay in obtaining a specialist’s opinion. In this study, we compared the delay before care between general practitioners (GPs) using a store-and-forward teledermatology intervention and GPs addressing their patients with a standard referral letter. Methods We performed an open-label, pragmatic cluster-randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms. GP clinics in Paris (France) were randomly assigned to use either teledermatology referral (use of electronics to send clinical images taken using a mobile phone) or conventional referral (using standard letters) to care for patients for whom a dermatologist’s advice was needed for the diagnosis or treatment of skin lesions. Dermatologists integrated responses to teledermatology requests in their usual schedule. Patients were followed up for three months. Primary outcome was the delay, in days, between the GP’s consultation and a reply by the specialist allowing treatment to begin. Analyses were adjusted for clustering of GPs and identities of dermatologists. Results Between February and June 2014, 103 patients were included in the study (53 patients of 20 GPs in the intervention group). The median delay between the initial GP’s consultation and the reply allowing for treatment to begin was four days in the intervention group and 40 days in the control group (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.55; p < 0.011). Discussion We showed that a simple store-and-forward teledermatology intervention significantly reduced the delay before beginning care (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02122432).

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