1
|
Henry LM, Hansen E, Chimoff J, Pokstis K, Kiderman M, Naim R, Kossowsky J, Byrne ME, Lopez-Guzman S, Kircanski K, Pine DS, Brotman MA. Selecting an Ecological Momentary Assessment Platform: Tutorial for Researchers. J Med Internet Res 2024; 26:e51125. [PMID: 38175682 PMCID: PMC10797510 DOI: 10.2196/51125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although ecological momentary assessment (EMA) has been applied in psychological research for decades, delivery methods have evolved with the proliferation of digital technology. Technological advances have engendered opportunities for enhanced accessibility, convenience, measurement precision, and integration with wearable sensors. Notwithstanding, researchers must navigate novel complexities in EMA research design and implementation. OBJECTIVE In this paper, we aimed to provide guidance on platform selection for clinical scientists launching EMA studies. METHODS Our team includes diverse specialties in child and adolescent behavioral and mental health with varying expertise on EMA platforms (eg, users and developers). We (2 research sites) evaluated EMA platforms with the goal of identifying the platform or platforms with the best fit for our research. We created a list of extant EMA platforms; conducted a web-based review; considered institutional security, privacy, and data management requirements; met with developers; and evaluated each of the candidate EMA platforms for 1 week. RESULTS We selected 2 different EMA platforms, rather than a single platform, for use at our 2 research sites. Our results underscore the importance of platform selection driven by individualized and prioritized laboratory needs; there is no single, ideal platform for EMA researchers. In addition, our project generated 11 considerations for researchers in selecting an EMA platform: (1) location; (2) developer involvement; (3) sample characteristics; (4) onboarding; (5) survey design features; (6) sampling scheme and scheduling; (7) viewing results; (8) dashboards; (9) security, privacy, and data management; (10) pricing and cost structure; and (11) future directions. Furthermore, our project yielded a suggested timeline for the EMA platform selection process. CONCLUSIONS This study will guide scientists initiating studies using EMA, an in vivo, real-time research tool with tremendous promise for facilitating advances in psychological assessment and intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Henry
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Eleanor Hansen
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Justin Chimoff
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kimberly Pokstis
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Miryam Kiderman
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Reut Naim
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Joe Kossowsky
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Meghan E Byrne
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Silvia Lopez-Guzman
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Katharina Kircanski
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Daniel S Pine
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Melissa A Brotman
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Executive Functioning Constructs in Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, Post-Traumatic Stress, and Related Disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2022; 24:871-880. [PMID: 36401677 PMCID: PMC9676877 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-022-01390-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We synthesize theories proposing complex relations between cognitive functioning and anxiety-related concepts. We evaluate vulnerability theories suggesting that deficits in various cognitive functioning domains predict future anxiety-associated concepts. We examine scar theories asserting the opposite direction of effects (i.e., anxiety predicting cognitive dysfunction). Furthermore, we examine more novel frameworks on this topic. RECENT FINDINGS Reliable evidence exists for the scar and vulnerability theories. This includes mounting data on diverse anxiety symptoms predicting cognitive dysfunction (and conversely) unfolding at between- and within-person levels (dynamic mutualism theory). It also includes data on the stronger effects or central influence of anxiety (versus non-anxiety) symptoms on executive functioning (EF; i.e., higher-order cognitive control governing myriad thinking and action repertoires) versus non-EF domains and vice versa (network theory). In addition, it reviews emerging evidence that enhanced cognitive control can correlate with higher anxiety among children (overgeneralized control theory). The generally inverse relations between anxiety symptoms and cognitive dysfunction are bidirectional and complex within and between persons. Plausible mediators and moderators merit more attention, including immune, metabolism, and neural markers and the social determinants of health.
Collapse
|