Benjamin Kaveladze , Jane Shkel , Stacey Le , Veronique Marcotte , Kevin Rushton , Theresa Nguyen , Stephen M. Schueller
{"title":"Crowdsourcing integrated into a digital mental health platform for anxiety and depression: A pilot randomized controlled trial","authors":"Benjamin Kaveladze , Jane Shkel , Stacey Le , Veronique Marcotte , Kevin Rushton , Theresa Nguyen , Stephen M. Schueller","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100774","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Anxiety and depression are major public health concerns. Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) are effective at reducing anxiety and depression, especially when they leverage human support. However, DMHIs that rely on human supporters tend to be less scalable. “Crowdsourced peer support,” in which a “crowd” of many peers provides users support via structured and focused interactions, may enable DMHIs to provide some of human support's unique benefits at scale.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To conduct a pilot trial of two versions of a digital mental health intervention for anxiety and depression: one with crowdsourced peer support and one without.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a two-armed pilot randomized controlled trial examining two versions of the novel “Overcoming Thoughts” platform: crowdsourced (intervention) vs. non-crowdsourced (control). The crowdsourced version allowed participants to view and interact with other users' content. We randomly assigned 107 participants to use the crowdsourced (<em>n</em> = 56) or non-crowdsourced (<em>n</em> = 51) platform for 8 weeks. Participants completed assessments at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks. At each time point, these assessments included measures of anxiety and depression, including the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS, primary outcome), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9, secondary outcome), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7, secondary outcome). We also collected usage information, including the number of exercises started, and safety data.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Using mixed models controlling for demographic factors, we compared the conditions' effectiveness in reducing depression and anxiety over time. Although we found significant drops over time in the DASS at both Week 8 and Week 16 (<em>p</em>s < 0.01), we did not find significant treatment x time interactions (Week 8, <em>p</em> = 0.35; Week 16, <em>p</em> = 0.68). The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 showed similar results. The median number of times participants used the platform was 3 (mean = 6.99, SD = 9.78). Greater platform use was not associated with a different change in DASS total score, PHQ-9 score, or GAD-7 score over eight weeks (<em>p</em>s > 0.10).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Neither version of the “Overcoming Thoughts” platform (crowdsourced or non-crowdsourced) reduced anxiety or depression significantly more than the other. Future work should investigate how digital platforms can better leverage crowdsourced support, and if crowdsourced support may be especially useful in certain kinds of systems, populations, or target areas. Optimizing intervention engagement and obtaining the large sample sizes needed for appropriate statistical power will be key challenges for similar studies.</div><div>NCT: 04226742</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100774"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142432516","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Emmelkamp , M.A. Wisman , M.H. Nauta , N.I.E. Van Rijn , J.J.M. Dekker , C. Christ
{"title":"Preferences and perceived barriers for internet-based treatment among adolescents with anxiety or depressive disorders: A qualitative study","authors":"J. Emmelkamp , M.A. Wisman , M.H. Nauta , N.I.E. Van Rijn , J.J.M. Dekker , C. Christ","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100770","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100770","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Over the past two decades, the development of internet-based treatments for adolescents with anxiety and depressive disorders has advanced rapidly. To date, adolescents' preferences and perceived barriers for internet-based treatment remain largely unknown, especially in clinical samples. Therefore, this study explored the preferences and perceived barriers of adolescents with anxiety or depression regarding internet-based treatment.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This qualitative study included 21 adolescent patients with anxiety or depressive disorder, and varied levels of experience with internet-based treatment. Two focus groups (N<sub>1</sub> = 5, N<sub>2</sub> = 6) and semi-structured interviews (<em>N</em> = 10) were conducted, recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The thematic analysis yielded five main themes, and 12 subthemes. The main themes were: independence, accessibility, content, therapist contact, and appearance. Adolescents highlighted self-direction as a benefit of internet-based treatment, and motivational challenges as a drawback. They found internet-based interventions convenient and particularly fitting for implementation during waiting periods before formal treatment. Guided interventions were preferred over mere self-help. Furthermore, adolescents stressed the importance of a clear, organized design, and recommended accessibility on both mobile phones and computers.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Findings provide a clear overview of the needs and preferences of adolescents with anxiety or depressive disorder regarding internet-based treatment. To address their diverse needs, internet-based interventions should be tailorable, should incorporate therapist guidance, and should already be available during the treatment waiting period. Results of this study can guide the development and implementation of new internet-based interventions, and may thereby help to further optimize their uptake among adolescent patients.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100770"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000630/pdfft?md5=b7a2e9e4ea286c58deb1351c5cabf34e&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000630-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142172883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sarah J. Egan , Caitlin Munro , Sian B. Pauley-Gadd , Amy O'Brien , Thomas Callaghan , Nicholas Payne , Shravan Raghav , Bronwyn Myers , Christopher Hall , Hayden Wilson , Maarten C. Eisma , Paul A. Boelen , Kirsten V. Smith , Jennifer Wild , Michael Duffy , David Trickey , Elizabeth Bills , Lauren J. Breen
{"title":"A protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of unguided internet cognitive behaviour therapy for grief in adolescents","authors":"Sarah J. Egan , Caitlin Munro , Sian B. Pauley-Gadd , Amy O'Brien , Thomas Callaghan , Nicholas Payne , Shravan Raghav , Bronwyn Myers , Christopher Hall , Hayden Wilson , Maarten C. Eisma , Paul A. Boelen , Kirsten V. Smith , Jennifer Wild , Michael Duffy , David Trickey , Elizabeth Bills , Lauren J. Breen","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100771","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100771","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Grief is highly prevalent in adolescents, however, there have been no studies investigating internet delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for grief in adolescents (ICBT-G-A). In this paper, the co-design of an unguided ICBT-G-A intervention is described, and a protocol outlined for a pilot randomised controlled trial of the intervention. Participants will be randomised to the intervention (delivered via eight modules over a four-week period) or a four-week waitlist control. Intervention participants will complete a follow-up assessment at one-month post-intervention (eight weeks from the pre-intervention assessment). The intervention outcomes assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow-up include wellbeing and symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and prolonged grief. User feedback on experiences and acceptability of the intervention will be sought and feasibility assessed via programmatic data on recruitment and attrition.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100771"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000642/pdfft?md5=e26570565acf7767a4b081ca5a3acd0b&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000642-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142151750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frida Johnson , Sara Frygner Holm , Andrea Hess Engström
{"title":"Experiences of digital physiotherapy during pregnancy and after childbirth: A qualitative study","authors":"Frida Johnson , Sara Frygner Holm , Andrea Hess Engström","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100768","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100768","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Pelvic girdle pain, low back pain, and pelvic floor dysfunction can affect women's mobility, quality of life, and well-being during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Digital interventions for treating perinatal depression and lifestyle changes have been studied. Research on digital physiotherapy for musculoskeletal issues related to pregnancy and the postpartum period is sparse.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This qualitative study involved in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 19 participants, of whom six were pregnant and 13 had given birth. Participants were recruited from a private clinic in Sweden through convenience sampling and had received digital physiotherapy prior to the interviews. An interview guide with questions exploring participants' experiences of digital physiotherapy, including its impact on musculoskeletal issues and daily life, and their motivation for seeking digital healthcare was used. Data were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The analysis resulted in two main categories: <em>Finding a new way into physiotherapy treatment</em> and <em>Personalized progress through tailored physiotherapy</em>. These main categories encompassed four generic categories: <em>Convenience and dissatisfaction motivators for digital physiotherapy</em>, <em>A dual experience – appreciated but not always comprehensive, Being involved in the rehabilitation process,</em> and <em>Perceived physical and mental improvements after digital physiotherapy</em>.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Digital physiotherapy was well-accepted and perceived as beneficial for managing musculoskeletal symptoms during pregnancy and after childbirth. High accessibility and flexibility were considered advantages. However, inability to undergo a physical assessment was a challenge. Digital physiotherapy may be recommended as a complement to usual care, particularly for women with limited access to a physiotherapist specialized in women's health. Future studies exploring digital physiotherapy's efficacy for musculoskeletal issues during pregnancy and after childbirth are highly recommended.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100768"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000617/pdfft?md5=e77688a45c799f7d74aa5e7e469fb98c&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000617-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142040616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anabela G. Silva , Ana Isabel Martins , Rosa Andias , Ellen Nery , Telmo Silva , Óscar Ribeiro , Gonçalo Santinha , Nelson P. Rocha
{"title":"A web step-based digital solution's impact on physical, cognitive and psychosocial functioning of community-dwelling older adults: A mixed methods randomized and controlled trial","authors":"Anabela G. Silva , Ana Isabel Martins , Rosa Andias , Ellen Nery , Telmo Silva , Óscar Ribeiro , Gonçalo Santinha , Nelson P. Rocha","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100766","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100766","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>As the population ages, innovative responses are urgently needed to promote physical activity at scale. Thus, this study investigated whether a step-based activity mediated by a digital solution impacts the physical functioning of community-dwelling older adults. The secondary aims were to assess whether the same activity impacts cognitive and psychosocial functioning and explore participants' views towards the activity.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A mixed method, randomized, and controlled study with one group performing a step-based activity using DanceMove (recommended dosage: twice a week for 20 to 30 min for eight weeks) and the other their usual activities. DanceMove was used at the individuals' homes without any direct supervision. Clinical tests and questionnaires administered in person were used to assess participants at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. The primary outcome of interest was gait velocity. Secondary outcomes were balance, pain intensity, cognitive functioning, self-efficacy, social support, loneliness, and quality of life. Also, at the end of the intervention, a semi-structured individual interview was conducted with participants in the experimental group.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Seventy participants were randomized to the control (<em>n</em> = 37) and experimental (<em>n</em> = 33) groups. Of the 33 participants in the experimental group, four did not use the DanceMove at all and two used it for only 3 min. The remaining 26 participants used it for a total time over the eight weeks that varied between 15 and 991 min (mean ± SD = 306.55 ± 258.83 min). The step-based activity was not more effective than usual activities for any of the variables assessed (<em>P</em> > .05). Difficulties, positive and negative aspects regarding the digital solution, and reasons for not using it were identified in the interviews.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Eight weeks of a step-based activity mediated by a digital solution did not impact the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning of community-dwelling healthy older adults. However, the activity was enjoyable and safe to be performed at home without direct supervision. Further studies are needed to explore aspects that could modulate the impact of this type of technology-mediated activity.</p></div><div><h3>Trial registration</h3><p>The study was registered at <span><span>clinialtrials.gov</span><svg><path></path></svg></span> (NCT 05460039) before the enrolment of the first participant.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100766"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000599/pdfft?md5=038606212db04921de0b3fa5907c7932&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000599-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142083267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped telepsychology: Insights from an Italian survey","authors":"Fabiana Ruggiero , Eleonora Zirone , Denise Mellace , Benedetta Capetti , Maria Takeko Molisso , Roberta Ferrucci , Sergio Barbieri , Lucia Di Guida , Susanna Pizzo , Francesca Mameli","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100764","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100764","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic rapidly boosted the introduction of certain changes in mental healthcare services, consequently driving up the adoption of remote care delivery options. We conducted an online Italian survey to evaluate telepsychology use, attitudes, acceptance, and training needs, as well as to understand patient-professional interactions in video-consultations, aiming to inform future mental healthcare practices and policies. The current study's survey responses were collected using an anonymous, self-reported questionnaire on the ‘REDCap’ platform from 25 October 2022 to 26 July 2023. In total, 128 mental health professionals and 113 patients completed the survey. In our sample, 69 % of patients and 79.7 % of mental health professionals reported having used telepsychology during COVID-19 pandemic; in particular, 84.6 % of patients and 95.1 % of professionals selected video-consultation modality. Data showed that participants expressed high satisfaction with this communication tool. The increase in satisfaction was directly proportional to increase in the quality of interactions and in relation to the quality of the experiences. The critical factors influencing the video-consultation experience include communication style, information completeness, patient-centredness, and the comfort underscoring the central role of the professional-patient relationship, which, substantially, remains a key element in the psychological treatment process. These findings reinforce the need for continued refinement and expansion of telepsychology services, thus highlighting the potential for integrating innovative technologies into mental health practise.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100764"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000575/pdfft?md5=8f5d472886430f0f547bb8b85395d74c&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000575-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142095010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rongjuan Zhu , Xiaoliang Ma , Ziyu Wang , Qi Hui , Xuan Wang , Xuqun You
{"title":"Multisensory training based on an APP for enhanced verbal working memory in older adults","authors":"Rongjuan Zhu , Xiaoliang Ma , Ziyu Wang , Qi Hui , Xuan Wang , Xuqun You","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100767","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100767","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>With the increasing aging population, contemporary society faces the imperative to develop approaches that efficiently delay the age-related decline in working memory capacity, which is a critical area within cognitive aging research. Nevertheless, there is insufficient evidence to support the efficacy of verbal working memory training across various sensory modalities (visual, auditory, and audiovisual) in enhancing the verbal working memory capacity of older adults. In this study, 60 healthy older adults (mean age = 67.07 ± 3.79 years, comprising 34 women and 26 men, mean education = 15.55 ± 2.53 years) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: visual verbal working memory (V-VWM) group, auditory verbal working memory (A-VWM) group, visual-auditory verbal working memory (VA-VWM) group, and a control group. The training duration spanned 12 days. We also investigated whether baseline level and education predicted the outcomes. Findings indicated that V-VWM training had a large effect on improving V-VWM task performance (<em>Cohen's d</em> = 1.765), A-VWM training showed a substantial effect on A-VWM task performance (<em>Cohen's d</em> = 1.904), and VA-VWM training demonstrated a significant effect on VA-VWM task performance (<em>Cohen's d</em> = 2.319) over pretest scores in older adults. Enhancements achieved through V-VWM training exhibited near transfer effects, improving performance in both A-VWM and VA-VWM tasks. In contrast, gains from A-VWM training were selectively transferred to the VA-VWM task. Furthermore, VA-VWM training led to improvements not only in V-VWM and A-VWM tasks but also extended to verbal operation span task with a significant 29.7 % increase. However, no significant transfer effects were observed for the DSF and DSB tasks across the three training groups. The maintenance effect of VA-VWM training persisted for two weeks across tasks involving VA-VWM, V-VWM, and A-VWM. The baseline of VWM span score influence the effect of V-VWM training and transfer effect of VA-VWM training. Education level did not predict the training effects of V-VWM, A-VWM, and VA-VWM. These findings highlight the nuanced effects of sensory-specific verbal working memory training in older adults, emphasizing the potential of tailored interventions to enhance specific aspects of cognitive function, while also highlighting the promising applications of mobile device training in enhancing cognitive skills among the elderly.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100767"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000605/pdfft?md5=87eee274697ccc61ba1ec20332bd067c&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000605-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142006373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"PandaMom – Feasibility and acceptability of an internet- and mobile-based intervention to enhance peripartum mental well-being and to prevent postpartum depression","authors":"Juliane Schmidt-Hantke, Bianka Vollert, Barbara Nacke, Franziska Hagner, Hannah Brüderl, Corinna Jacobi","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100765","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100765","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Mental disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period can have far-reaching consequences. To enhance peripartum mental well-being and prevent peripartum mental disorders, internet- and mobile-based interventions appear promising. They can overcome help-seeking barriers associated with face-to-face conditions and have proven to be effective. However, previous findings are scarce and mixed. The primary objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an internet-based program aimed at enhancing peripartum mental well-being and preventing postpartum depression.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>In total, 149 pregnant, German-speaking women were assigned to the internet-based intervention PandaMom. The program comprises a total of 10 basic and supplementary modules related to pregnancy and postpartum, based on cognitive-behavioral principles. Additionally, PandaMom offers professional, individualized guidance and a moderated group-chat. Assessments were conducted at baseline (pre-intervention), as well as two and five weeks postpartum. The primary outcomes included feasibility, user satisfaction, and adherence to the intervention. Secondary outcomes included depressive symptomatology, anxiety and stress.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>PandaMom was found to be feasible, and evaluation of module content and length satisfaction indicated that the intervention was well accepted. Nearly half of the participants utilized the guidance service by responding to individual messages from their intervention moderator. Regarding working alliance, participants reported a strong bond with their intervention moderator. Of the 149 participants, 132 logged into the platform at least once. 113 participants accessed at least one module, with an average of 4.7 modules opened per participant. However, only 16 participants completed the basic modules.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The findings of this study support previous evidence that internet-and mobile-based interventions are feasible and acceptable during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Further research is needed to address the challenge of low adherence and to evaluate the efficacy of PandaMom.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 100765"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000587/pdfft?md5=4dee886fb3951c9852736a0ad5082a98&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000587-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141985207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laura M. Pape , Annemieke van Straten , Sascha Y. Struijs , Philip Spinhoven , Niki Antypa
{"title":"Effectiveness of a guided digital self-help intervention to improve sleep and the biological clock in university students – Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial","authors":"Laura M. Pape , Annemieke van Straten , Sascha Y. Struijs , Philip Spinhoven , Niki Antypa","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100763","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100763","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Sleep problems occur in many university students which affects their mental health and daily functioning. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been proven effective in adults but research in university students, who struggle to maintain a 24-hour rhythm, is still limited. We hypothesize that a guided digital CBT-I intervention, enriched with components on the biological clock (<em>‘i-Sleep & BioClock’</em>) will be effective in reducing insomnia severity and improving mental health outcomes for students with sleep problems.</p></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a guided online sleep and biological clock self-help intervention in improving sleep, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, functioning, academic performance, and quality of life in university students at 6 weeks and 18 weeks.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This is a two-arm parallel-group superiority randomized controlled trial, comparing a 5-week guided online <em>‘i-Sleep & BioClock’</em> intervention to online psychoeducation (PE). We aim to include 192 university students (Bachelor, Master, and PhD) with at least subthreshold insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index ≥10), aged ≥16, who can speak Dutch or English. We are excluding students with current risk for suicide or night shifts. The primary outcome is insomnia severity. Secondary outcomes include sleep estimates (sleep and light exposure diary), depression, anxiety, functioning, quality of life, and academic performance. The effectiveness of the intervention compared to online PE will be evaluated using linear mixed models.</p></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><p>The current study tests the effectiveness of an online self-help intervention for university students who suffer from sleep problems. This trial builds upon an open feasibility study and will provide evidence of an online guided self-help program for students. The findings of this study will determine the potential wider dissemination of the intervention to address the high need for available and accessible help for students experiencing insomnia.</p></div><div><h3>Trial registration</h3><p><span><span>ClinicalTrials.Gov</span><svg><path></path></svg></span> (<span><span>NCT06023693</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>), registered on August 3rd, 2023.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 100763"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000563/pdfft?md5=49f2d440da19fa522b756da0c6c420b2&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000563-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141953724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Urs Alexander Fichtner , Iris Tinsel , Matthias Sehlbrede , Phillip Maiwald , Martina Bischoff , Gloria Metzner , Christian Schlett , Judith Brame , Jan Kohl , Daniel König , Rainer Bredenkamp , Ramona Wurst , Erik Farin-Glattacker
{"title":"Effects of a digital intervention on physical activity in adults: A randomized controlled trial in a large-scale sample","authors":"Urs Alexander Fichtner , Iris Tinsel , Matthias Sehlbrede , Phillip Maiwald , Martina Bischoff , Gloria Metzner , Christian Schlett , Judith Brame , Jan Kohl , Daniel König , Rainer Bredenkamp , Ramona Wurst , Erik Farin-Glattacker","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100762","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100762","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Physical inactivity is associated with health risks, contributing to various diseases and all-cause mortality. Despite recommendations for regular physical activity (PA), many adults remain inactive, influenced by socioeconomic and environmental factors. Digital interventions, particularly web-based PA programs, offer promising possibilities to promote PA across populations. These programs vary in their effectiveness, reflecting differences in design, user engagement, and behavior change techniques employed.</p></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><p>This study evaluates the effectiveness of the 12-week multimodal web-based TKFitnessCoach. The PA online program is part of the TK-HealthCoach. This study investigates the program's impact on self-reported PA levels, goal attainment, healthrelated quality of life, body weight, and eating behavior, comparing an interactive personalized web-based intervention and non-interactive web-based health information.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), participants were allocated to either the intervention group (IG), receiving access to the interactive TK-FitnessCoach, or the control group (CG) that was provided a static website with evidence-based information on PA. The study targeted a German-speaking adult population interested in improving health behavior. Data was assessed at T0 (beginning of the study), T1 (postintervention), T2, 6 months, and T3, 12 months follow-ups, focusing on self-reported PA at T3 and on various secondary outcomes.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>We achieved equally distributed sociodemographics in both the IG and the CG with a mean age of 42.8 (IG), resp. 43.1 years (CG), and female participants of 76.1 % (IG), resp. 74.7 % (CG). PA at baseline was 277.9 min/week in the IG and 273.3 min/week in the CG. Both, the IG (<em>n</em> = 1153 in the Intention-to-treat (ITT) dataset) and CG (<em>n</em> = 1177 in the ITT dataset) exhibited significant increases in PA over time (IG(T3-T0) = 72.92 min/week; CG(T3-T0) = 74.12 min/week).</p><p>However, the study did not find significant differences in the effectiveness of the interactive TK-FitnessCoach compared to the non-interactive control in terms of improving PA and related health outcomes. The intensity of using the TK-FitnessCoach was not associated with PA.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Both programs were effective in promoting PA among adults, with no significant differences observed between the two RCT groups. This highlights the potential of digital interventions in addressing physical inactivity, suggesting that the effectiveness of such programs may not solely depend on their interactivity but also on the quality and relevance of the information provided. Further research is needed to explore optimization strategies for such interventions, especially for persons with low PA, including user engagement, behavior change techniques, and the integration of objective PA track","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 100762"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000551/pdfft?md5=7767d12241cf01f2f7bba16f85835bf3&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000551-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141948137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}