Digital encounters: Human interactions in mHealth behavior change interventions

Precision prevention in occupational health: a conceptual analysis and development of a unified understanding and an integrative framework

Introduction

Precision prevention implements highly precise, tailored health interventions for individuals by directly addressing personal and environmental determinants of health. However, precision prevention does not yet appear to be fully established in occupational health. There are numerous understandings and conceptual approaches, but these have not yet been systematically presented or synthesized. Therefore, this conceptual analysis aims to propose a unified understanding and develop an integrative conceptual framework for precision prevention in occupational health.

Methods

Firstly, to systematically present definitions and frameworks of precision prevention in occupational health, six international databases were searched for studies published between January 2010 and January 2024 that used the term precision prevention or its synonyms in the context of occupational health. Secondly, a qualitative content analysis was conducted to analyze the existing definitions and propose a unified understanding. Thirdly, based on the identified frameworks, a multi-stage exploratory development process was applied to develop and propose an integrative conceptual framework for precision prevention in occupational health.

Results

After screening 3,681 articles, 154 publications were reviewed, wherein 29 definitions of precision prevention and 64 different frameworks were found, which can be summarized in eight higher-order categories. The qualitative content analysis revealed seven themes and illustrated many different wordings. The proposed unified understanding of precision prevention in occupational health takes up the identified themes. It includes, among other things, a contrast to a "one-size-fits-all approach" with a risk- and resource-oriented data collection and innovative data analytics with profiling to provide and improve tailored interventions. The developed and proposed integrative conceptual framework comprises three overarching stages: (1) data generation, (2) data management lifecycle and (3) interventions (development, implementation and adaptation).

Discussion

Although there are already numerous studies on precision prevention in occupational health, this conceptual analysis offers, for the first time, a proposal for a unified understanding and an integrative conceptual framework. However, the proposed unified understanding and the developed integrative conceptual framework should only be seen as an initial proposal that should be critically discussed and further developed to expand and strengthen both research on precision prevention in occupational health and its practical application in the workplace.

An Artificial Intelligence-Based App for Self-Management of Low Back and Neck Pain in Specialist Care: Process Evaluation From a Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Self-management is endorsed in clinical practice guidelines for the care of musculoskeletal pain. In a randomized clinical trial, we tested the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence-based self-management app (selfBACK) as an adjunct to usual care for patients with low back and neck pain referred to specialist care.

OBJECTIVE

This study is a process evaluation aiming to explore patients' engagement and experiences with the selfBACK app and specialist health care practitioners' views on adopting digital self-management tools in their clinical practice.

METHODS

App usage analytics in the first 12 weeks were used to explore patients' engagement with the SELFBACK app. Among the 99 patients allocated to the SELFBACK interventions, a purposive sample of 11 patients (aged 27-75 years, 8 female) was selected for semistructured individual interviews based on app usage. Two focus group interviews were conducted with specialist health care practitioners (n=9). Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Nearly one-third of patients never accessed the app, and one-third were low users. Three themes were identified from interviews with patients and health care practitioners: (1) overall impression of the app, where patients discussed the interface and content of the app, reported on usability issues, and described their app usage; (2) perceived value of the app, where patients and health care practitioners described the primary value of the app and its potential to supplement usual care; and (3) suggestions for future use, where patients and health care practitioners addressed aspects they believed would determine acceptance.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the app's uptake was relatively low, both patients and health care practitioners had a positive opinion about adopting an app-based self-management intervention for low back and neck pain as an add-on to usual care. Both described that the app could reassure patients by providing trustworthy information, thus empowering them to take actions on their own. Factors influencing app acceptance and engagement, such as content relevance, tailoring, trust, and usability properties, were identified.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04463043; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04463043.

Successes and lessons learned from a mobile health behavior intervention to reduce pain and improve health in older adults with obesity and chronic pain: a qualitative study

Introduction

Chronic pain is a prevalent issue among older adults in the United States that impairs quality of life. Physical activity has emerged as a cost-effective and non-pharmacological treatment for chronic pain, offering benefits such as improved physical functioning, weight loss, and enhanced mood. However, promoting physical activity in older individuals with chronic pain is challenging, given the cyclical relationship between pain and sedentary behavior. The Mobile Intervention to Reduce Pain and Improve Health (MORPH) trial was designed as an innovative, mobile health (mHealth) supported intervention to address this issue by targeting daylong movement, weight loss, and mindfulness to manage pain in older adults with chronic multisite pain. The objective of this paper is to provide the result of a qualitative analysis conducted on post-intervention interviews with MORPH participants.

Methods

At the conclusion of the MORPH study, 14 participants were interviewed regarding their experience with the program. All interviews were conducted by phone before being transcribed and verified. A codebook of significant takeaways was created based on these accounts. Summaries were further synthesized into themes using the principles of thematic analysis.

Results

Three key themes of the MORPH intervention emerged from the qualitative interviews: MORPH technology (smart scales, Fitbit, MORPH Companion App) facilitated program adherence and accountability; MORPH intervention components (food tracking and mindfulness activities) facilitated program adherence and awareness, respectively; and, group meetings provided motivational support and accountability. Mobile health technologies, including a dedicated MORPH app, facilitated self-monitoring strategies, helped to break the cycle of old habits, and provided participants with immediate feedback on successes; however, technical issues required timely support to maintain engagement. Food tracking contributed to adherence and accountability for weight loss. Mindfulness activities increased participants' awareness of anxiety provoking thoughts and pain triggers. Finally, social support via group meetings and connection, played a crucial role in behavior change, but participants noted consistency in the delivery medium was essential to fostering genuine connections.

Conclusion

Overall, the study results highlight the key considerations related to program technology, intervention components, and the value of social support that can help to guide the development of future interventions similar to MORPH.

A mobile healthy lifestyle intervention to promote mental health in adolescence: a mixed-methods evaluation

BACKGROUND

A healthy lifestyle may improve mental health. It is yet not known whether and how a mobile intervention can be of help in achieving this in adolescents. This study investigated the effectiveness and perceived underlying mechanisms of the mobile health (mHealth) intervention #LIFEGOALS to promote healthy lifestyles and mental health. #LIFEGOALS is an evidence-based app with activity tracker, including self-regulation techniques, gamification elements, a support chatbot, and health narrative videos.

METHODS

A quasi-randomized controlled trial (N = 279) with 12-week intervention period and process evaluation interviews (n = 13) took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adolescents (12-15y) from the general population were allocated at school-level to the intervention (n = 184) or to a no-intervention group (n = 95). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), psychological well-being, mood, self-perception, peer support, resilience, depressed feelings, sleep quality and breakfast frequency were assessed via a web-based survey; physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep routine via Axivity accelerometers. Multilevel generalized linear models were fitted to investigate intervention effects and moderation by pandemic-related measures. Interviews were coded using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Non-usage attrition was high: 18% of the participants in the intervention group never used the app. An additional 30% stopped usage by the second week. Beneficial intervention effects were found for physical activity (χ21 = 4.36, P = .04), sedentary behavior (χ21 = 6.44, P = .01), sleep quality (χ21 = 6.11, P = .01), and mood (χ21 = 2.30, P = .02). However, effects on activity-related behavior were only present for adolescents having normal sports access, and effects on mood only for adolescents with full in-school education. HRQoL (χ22 = 14.72, P < .001), mood (χ21 = 6.03, P = .01), and peer support (χ21 = 13.69, P < .001) worsened in adolescents with pandemic-induced remote-education. Interviewees reported that the reward system, self-regulation guidance, and increased health awareness had contributed to their behavior change. They also pointed to the importance of social factors, quality of technology and autonomy for mHealth effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

#LIFEGOALS showed mixed results on health behaviors and mental health. The findings highlight the role of contextual factors for mHealth promotion in adolescence, and provide suggestions to optimize support by a chatbot and narrative episodes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov [NCT04719858], registered on 22/01/2021.

Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Technology Acceptance and Its Applications

Technological innovation has become an integral aspect of our daily life, such as wearable and information technology, virtual reality and the Internet of Things which have contributed to transforming healthcare business and operations. Patients will now have a broader range and more mindful healthcare choices and experience a new era of healthcare with a patient-centric culture. Digital transformation determines personal and institutional health care. This paper aims to analyse the changes taking place in the field of healthcare due to digital transformation. For this purpose, a systematic bibliographic review is performed, utilising Scopus, Science Direct and PubMed databases from 2008 to 2021. Our methodology is based on the approach by Wester and Watson, which classify the related articles based on a concept-centric method and an ad hoc classification system which identify the categories used to describe areas of literature. The search was made during August 2022 and identified 5847 papers, of which 321 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for further process. Finally, by removing and adding additional studies, we ended with 287 articles grouped into five themes: information technology in health, the educational impact of e-health, the acceptance of e-health, telemedicine and security issues.

The Use of Information and Communication Technology-Based Self-management System DialBeticsLite in Treating Abdominal Obesity in Japanese Office Workers: Prospective Single-Arm Pilot Intervention Study

BACKGROUND

Making lifestyle changes is an essential element of abdominal obesity (AO) reduction. To support lifestyle modification and self-management, we developed an information and communication technology-based self-management system-DialBeticsLite-with a fully automated dietary evaluation function for the treatment of AO.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of DialBeticsLite among Japanese office workers with AO.

METHODS

A 2- to 3-month prospective single-arm pilot intervention study was designed to assess the effects of the intervention using DialBeticsLite. The information and communication technology system was composed of 4 modules: data transmission (body weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, and pedometer count); data evaluation; exercise input; and food recording and dietary evaluation. Eligible participants were workers who were aged ≥20 years and with AO (waist circumference ≥85 cm for men and ≥90 cm for women). Physical parameters, blood tests, nutritional intake, and self-care behavior were compared at baseline and after the intervention.

RESULTS

A total of 48 participants provided completed data for analysis, which yielded a study retention rate of 100%. The average age was 46.8 (SD 6.8) years, and 92% (44/48) of participants were male. The overall average measurement rate of DialBeticsLite, calculated by dividing the number of days with at least one measurement by the number of days of the intervention, was 98.6% (SD 3.4%). In total, 85% (41/48) of the participants reported that their participation in the study helped them to improve their lifestyle. BMI, waist circumference, and visceral fat area decreased significantly after the intervention (P<.001). In addition, the daily calorie intake reduced significantly (P=.02). There was a significant improvement in self-care behavior in terms of exercise and diet (P=.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Using DialBeticsLite was shown to be a feasible and potentially effective method for reducing AO by providing users with a motivational framework to evaluate their lifestyle behaviors.

Exploring the Black Box of an mHealth Intervention (LIFE4YOUth): A Qualitative Process and Outcome Evaluation of End-User Engagement

The effectiveness of mHealth interventions rely on whether the content successfully activate mechanisms necessary for behavior change. These mechanisms may be affected by end-users' experience of the intervention content. The aim of this study was to explore how the content of a novel mHealth intervention (LIFE4YOUth) was understood, interpreted, and applied by high school students, and the consequences of engaging with the content. Qualitative content analysis was used inductively and deductively to analyze interview data (n = 16) based on think-aloud techniques with Swedish high school students aged 16-19 years. Theoretical constructs from social cognitive theory framed the deductive analysis. The analysis resulted in four categories which describe central activities of intervention engagement among end-users: defining, considering, centralizing, and personalizing. End-users engaged in these activities to different degrees as illustrated by four typologies: Literal, Vague, Rigid, and Creative engagement. Most informants knew about the risks and benefits of health behaviors, but engagement with intervention content generally increased informants' awareness. In conclusion, this study provides in-depth knowledge on the cognitive process when engaging with mHealth content and suggests that deliberate and flexible engagement most likely deepens end-users' understanding of why and how health behavior change can be managed.

Digital Intervention Barriers Scale–7 (DIBS-7): Development, Evaluation, and Preliminary Validation (Preprint)

BACKGROUND

The translation of mental health services into digital formats, deemed digital mental health interventions (DMHIs), has the potential to address long-standing obstacles to accessing care. However, DMHIs have barriers of their own that impact enrollment, adherence, and attrition in these programs. Unlike in traditional face-to-face therapy, there is a paucity of standardized and validated measures of barriers in DMHIs.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we describe the preliminary development and evaluation of such a scale, the Digital Intervention Barriers Scale-7 (DIBS-7).

METHODS

Following an iterative QUAN → QUAL mixed methods approach, item generation was guided by qualitative analysis of feedback from participants (n=259) who completed a DMHI trial for anxiety and depression and identified barriers related to self-motivation, ease of use, acceptability, and comprehension of tasks. Item refinement was achieved through DMHI expert review. A final item pool was administered to 559 treatment completers (mean age 23.02 years; 438/559, 78.4% female; 374/559, 69.9% racially or ethnically minoritized). Exploratory factor analyses and confirmatory factor analyses were estimated to determine the psychometric properties of the measure. Finally, criterion-related validity was examined by estimating partial correlations between the DIBS-7 mean score and constructs related to treatment engagement in DMHIs.

RESULTS

Statistical analyses estimated a 7-item unidimensional scale with high internal consistency (α=.82, ω=0.89). Preliminary criterion-related validity was supported by significant partial correlations between the DIBS-7 mean score and treatment expectations (pr=-0.25), number of modules with activity (pr=-0.55), number of weekly check-ins (pr=-0.28), and treatment satisfaction (pr=-0.71).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, these results provide preliminary support for the use of the DIBS-7 as a potentially useful short scale for clinicians and researchers interested in measuring an important variable often associated with treatment adherence and outcomes in DMHIs.

Use of Smartphone Health Apps Among Patients Aged 18 to 69 Years in Primary Care: Population-Based Cross-sectional Survey

Background

The World Health Organization has defined mobile health (mHealth) as the “use of mobile and wireless technologies to support the achievement of health objectives.” Smartphones currently represent one of the main media forms for mHealth democratization. Health apps can be an interesting tool for changing health behaviors. However, their use in France is still poorly documented.

Objective

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of use of health apps among patients consulting in the primary care setting in France. The secondary aims were to evaluate the use of health apps according to the sociodemographic and medical characteristics of patients and to determine their use.

Methods

A population-based cross-sectional survey was carried out between November 2017 and January 2018 in the Grenoble area of France among patients aged between 18 and 69 years who were consulting at 13 primary care physician offices. Patients were provided with anonymous paper self-questionnaires. The main criterion for participation was the use of a smartphone health app, defined for the purpose of this study as any app supporting patients in efforts to be healthy.

Results

The participation rate was 49.27% (739/1500; 95% CI 46.7%-51.8%). The smartphone use was estimated at 82.6% (597/723; 95% CI 79.6%-85.2%). Of 597 smartphone owners, 47.7% (283/595; CI 43.6%-51.6%) used at least one smartphone health app. Health apps identified in this study were mainly related to wellness, prevention, and fitness (66.1%), as well as medication, treatments, and follow-up care (50.0%). The main factors associated with health app use were: use of social networks (odds ratio [OR] 3.4, 95% CI 2.1-5.3), age under 30 years (OR 2.7, CI 1.4-4.9), city size between 5001 and 10,000 inhabitants (OR 1.8, CI 1.1-2.8), and city size more than 10,000 inhabitants (OR 2.1, CI 1.4-3.2).

Conclusions

In this survey, nearly one out of two patients reported the use of smartphone health apps, which are currently focused on wellness, prevention, and fitness, and are largely used by the younger population.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03351491; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03351491