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McCarthy MJ, Wicker A, Roddy J, Remiker M, Roy I, McCoy M, Cerino ES, Baldwin J. Feasibility and utility of mobile health interventions for depression and anxiety in rural populations: A scoping review. Internet Interv 2024; 35:100724. [PMID: 38352194 PMCID: PMC10863305 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2024.100724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the potential of mobile health (mHealth) to address high rates of depression and anxiety in underserved rural communities, most mHealth interventions do not explicitly consider the realities of rural life. The aim of this scoping review is to identify and examine the available literature on mHealth interventions that consider the needs of rural populations in order to gauge their feasibility and utility for addressing depression and anxiety. Additionally, we provide an overview of rural users' perceptions about and preferences for mHealth-delivered mental health screening and intervention systems. Out of 169 articles identified, 16 met inclusion criteria. Studies were conducted across a wide range of countries, age groups, and rural subpopulations including individuals with bipolar disorder, anxiety, perinatal depression, PTSD, and chronic pain, as well as refugees, veterans, and transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals. All interventions were in the feasibility/acceptability testing stage for rural users. Identified strengths included their simplicity, accessibility, convenience, availability of support between sessions with providers, and remote access to a care team. Weaknesses included problems with charging phone batteries and exceeding data limits, privacy concerns, and general lack of comfort with app-based support. Based upon this review, we provide recommendations for future mHealth intervention development including the value of developer-user coproduction methods, the need to consider user variation in access to and comfort with smartphones, and potential data or connectivity limitations, mental health stigma, and confidentiality concerns in rural communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. McCarthy
- Department of Social Work, Northern Arizona University, 19 W McConnell Dr., Flagstaff, AZ 86011, United States of America
| | - Alexandra Wicker
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 1100 S Beaver St., Flagstaff, AZ 86011, United States of America
| | - Juliette Roddy
- Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, Northern Arizona University, 5 E McConnell Dr., Flagstaff, AZ 86011, United States of America
| | - Mark Remiker
- Center for Health Equity Research, Northern Arizona University, 1395 Knoles Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, United States of America
| | - Indrakshi Roy
- Center for Health Equity Research, Northern Arizona University, 1395 Knoles Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, United States of America
| | - Megan McCoy
- Department of Social Work, Northern Arizona University, 19 W McConnell Dr., Flagstaff, AZ 86011, United States of America
| | - Eric S. Cerino
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 1100 S Beaver St., Flagstaff, AZ 86011, United States of America
| | - Julie Baldwin
- Center for Health Equity Research, Northern Arizona University, 1395 Knoles Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, United States of America
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Luo X, Zhang Z, Shi X, He C, Wang J, Wu Q, Huang G. Arts therapies for mental disorders in COVID-19 patients: a comprehensive review. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1289545. [PMID: 38111478 PMCID: PMC10726037 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1289545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objective The COVID-19 global pandemic has necessitated the urgency for innovative mental health interventions. We performed a comprehensive review of the available literature on the utility and efficacy of arts therapies in treating mental health problems, with special emphasis on their deployment during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to provide some evidence for the application of this therapy. Methods The potential studies were systematically sourced from five authoritative databases: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and the CNKI database. The evaluation of these studies was conducted based on stringent criteria, including validity, suitability, therapeutic potential, and consistency. Each piece of included literature was meticulously scored in accordance with these criteria, thus ensuring the inclusion of only the most robust studies in this review. The data from these Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were carefully extracted using the PICO(S) framework, ensuring a comprehensive and systemic approach to data collection. In order to emphasize the variability in the effects of differing arts therapies on COVID-19-induced psychiatric disturbances, the sourced literature was systematically categorized and scrutinized based on distinct modalities. Results Out of the 7,250 sourced articles, 16 satisfied the inclusion conditions. The therapies were predominantly meditation (n = 7), supplemented by individual studies on color therapy (n = 3), music therapy (n = 2), and single studies on horticultural therapy, dance therapy, mindfulness and music therapy, and yoga and music therapy (n = 4 collectively). These various forms of arts therapies had a positive short to medium-term impact on the mental health of COVID-19 patients. Besides improving patients' physical and mental health, these therapies can also be employed to mitigate mental health issues among healthcare professionals. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has profound and long-lasting implications for public mental health. Diverse forms of arts therapies are potentially effective in addressing related psychiatric symptoms. The integration of artificial intelligence might further enhance the efficacy and scalability of arts therapies in future implementations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuexing Luo
- Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Zheyu Zhang
- Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Xiaojun Shi
- Department of Hepatology, The 4th People's Hospital of Qinghai Province, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Caihong He
- Operation Management Centre, Guangzhou Wanqu Cooperative Institute of Design, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qibiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guanghui Huang
- Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
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Desai RH, Hollingsworth H, Stark S, Putnam M, Eyler A, Wehmeier A, Morgan K. Social participation of adults aging with long-term physical disabilities: A cross-sectional study investigating the role of transportation mode and urban vs rural living. Disabil Health J 2023; 16:101503. [PMID: 37455234 PMCID: PMC10686629 DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2023.101503] [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: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adults aging with long-term physical disabilities (AAwPDs) experience barriers in the built environment that can hinder their participation in meaningful social roles and activities. However, interventions addressing built environment barriers to participation for AAwPD are limited. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine how the built environment and other socioenvironmental factors influence the social participation of AAwPD to inform future interventions and service provision. We hypothesized that social participation would be significantly different between AAwPD using private versus public transportation and living in urban versus rural areas. METHODS This cross-sectional study of 331 Missouri-dwelling AAwPD reports findings on relationships among transportation mode, urban versus rural residence, and ability to participate in social roles and activities using PROMIS measures. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) explored differences in social participation across transportation mode and residential location. Linear regression examined associations among socioenvironmental factors, individual factors, and social participation. RESULTS The MANCOVA demonstrated significant differences in social participation across transportation mode and urban versus rural residential location. Specifically, AAwPD using paratransit and living in urban areas reported significantly higher social participation than rural-dwelling individuals and private transportation users (p < .001). The linear regression revealed that individual factors served a larger role in predicting social participation than built or social environmental factors. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that transportation mode plays a significant role in shaping social participation outcomes for AAwPD. However, compared to built and social environmental factors, individual factors (i.e., physical function, 'aging-with-disability' symptoms) may restrict social participation more.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Heeb Desai
- Washington University School of Medicine, Program in Occupational Therapy, 4444 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Holly Hollingsworth
- Washington University School of Medicine, Program in Occupational Therapy, 4444 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Susy Stark
- Washington University School of Medicine, Program in Occupational Therapy, 4444 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michelle Putnam
- Simmons University, School of Social Work, 300 the Fenway, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy Eyler
- Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Dr., Brown School of Public Health, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Aimee Wehmeier
- Paraquad Center for Independent Living, 5240 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kerri Morgan
- Washington University School of Medicine, Program in Occupational Therapy, 4444 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis, MO, USA
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O'Donnell K, Dunbar M, Speelman D. Effectiveness of Daily Mindfulness Meditation App Usage to Reduce Anxiety and Improve Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Cureus 2023; 15:e42432. [PMID: 37637657 PMCID: PMC10448000 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study examined the effect of 10-minute daily meditation app usage for 30 days on adult anxiety and mental well-being during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Participants were randomized into intervention (10 minutes of daily usage of the Insight Timer app) or control groups. Participants completed surveys to assess anxiety and well-being pre- and post-study. Data were analyzed using t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), or nonparametric equivalents. Results Pre-study results were comparable between groups. The pre- vs. post-study General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scores for anxiety decreased in the intervention group (n=18, median 5.5 vs. 3.0 (pre vs. post), p=0.0233, d=0.50), but not in the control group (n=28). The intervention group had a lower median GAD-7 score than the control group post-study (3.0 vs. 8.0, p=0.0223, d=0.35). Pre- vs. post-study mean 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) scores were improved in both the control (11.6 vs. 12.9 (pre vs. post), p=0.0408, d=0.36) and intervention groups (12.0 vs. 16.3 (pre vs. post), p=0.0001, d=0.77), although it was higher in the intervention group (16.3 vs. 12.9, p=0.0056, d=0.88). Conclusion Ten minutes of daily meditation app usage for 30 days may reduce anxiety and improve well-being in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie O'Donnell
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, USA
| | - Melanie Dunbar
- Behavioral Health, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, USA
| | - Diana Speelman
- Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, USA
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Jiwani Z, Tatar R, Dahl C, Wilson-Mendenhall CD, Hirshberg MJ, Davidson RJ, Goldberg SB. Examining Equity in Access and Utilization of a Freely Available Meditation App. NPJ MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2023; 2:5. [PMID: 37159797 PMCID: PMC10164442 DOI: 10.1038/s44184-023-00025-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Digital interventions have the potential to alleviate mental health disparities for marginalized and minoritized communities. The current study examined whether disparities in access and utilization of meditation in the United States (US) were reduced for a freely available meditation app. We analyzed demographic and usage data from US-based users of the Healthy Minds Program (HMP; N = 66,482) between October 2019 and July 2022. College education was associated with a greater likelihood of accessing (65.0% of users vs. 32.9% of the US population) and continuing to utilize the app (β = .11-.17). Conversely, identifying as African American was associated lower likelihood of accessing (5.3% vs. 13.4% of US population) and continuing to utilize the app (β = -.02-.03). African Americans were more likely to access content from an African American meditation teacher, but this did not appear to increase utilization. Additional efforts are warranted to identify factors which might reduce disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zishan Jiwani
- Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin – Madison
| | - Raquel Tatar
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Healthy Minds Innovations
| | - Cortland Dahl
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Healthy Minds Innovations
| | | | | | - Richard J. Davidson
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Healthy Minds Innovations
| | - Simon B. Goldberg
- Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Simon B. Goldberg, Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 335 Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI, 53706.
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Sun Y, Wang P, Tang J. Impact of mental health, job insecurity, and COVID-19 symptoms on protective behavior changes among White, Black, and other minorities in the US. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1040413. [PMID: 36478929 PMCID: PMC9720273 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1040413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Job insecurity such as loss of jobs or reduced wages has become a serious social problem in the US since COVID-19 started. Combined with psychological distress and experience of COVID-19 symptoms, the changes of people's protective behaviors vary across states in the US. METHODS This research investigated racial differences in the COVID-19 related factors among White, Black, and other minorities in the US, and examined how mental health mediated the impact of job insecurity on protective behaviors, and how the COVID-19 symptoms moderated the mediation effect of mental health. The 731 valid responses in a cross-sectional survey from May 23 to 27, 2020, in the US were analyzed with independent sample t-tests, Pearson's chi-square tests, and path analysis. RESULTS The findings showed that there were significant differences in job insecurity and Nonpharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) practice among White, Black, and other minorities. Job insecurity was significantly negatively associated with NPIs practice and was significantly positively associated with mental health. Mental health significantly partially mediated the effect of job insecurity on NPIs practice, in that job insecurity is a better predictor of NPIs practice for individuals with worse mental health than that for individuals with better mental health. Experience of COVID-19 symptoms moderates the mediation effect of mental health on the relationship between job insecurity and NPIs practice, in that mental health is a better predictor of NPIs practice for individuals with a higher experience of COVID-19 symptoms than for individuals with a lower experience of COVID-19 symptoms. DISCUSSION The findings in this study shed lights on psychological and behavioral studies of people's behavior changes during a pandemic. The study indicates the importance of treating mental health to promote protective behaviors during a pandemic, as well as advocating for employees by identifying the needs for those whose jobs were negatively impacted the most.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Sun
- School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Wang
- College of Business, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | - Jun Tang
- School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
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The global evolution of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. J Affect Disord 2022; 315:70-95. [PMID: 35842064 PMCID: PMC9278995 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health, but the global evolution of mental health problems during the pandemic is unknown. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies to evaluate the global evolution of mental health problems during the pandemic. METHODS To conduct this systematic review, we searched for published articles from APA PsycInfo (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Embase (Ovid), MEDLINE (Ovid), and Web of Science. Longitudinal (at least 2 waves during the COVID-19 pandemic) and peer-reviewed articles on mental health problems conducted as from 2020 and after were included in the current study. Of 394 eligible full texts, 64 articles were included in the analysis. We computed random effects, standardized mean differences, and log odds ratio (LOR) with 95 % CIs. The meta-analysis protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021273624). RESULTS Results showed that anxiety (LOR = -0.33; 95 % CI, -0.54, -0.12) and depression symptoms (LOR = -0.12; 95 % CI, -0.21, -0.04) decreased from baseline to follow up. However, other mental health problems showed no change. Higher prevalence rates (40.9 %; 95 % CI, 16.1 %-65.8 %) of psychological distress were found in months after July 2020, respectively, while there were no significant month differences for the prevalence of other mental health problems. Higher means of anxiety (d = 3.63, 95 % CI, 1.66, 5.61), depression (d = 3.93; 95 % CI, 1.68, 6.17), and loneliness (d = 5.96; 95 % CI, 3.22, 8.70) were observed in May 2020. Higher prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD and higher means of anxiety, depression and loneliness were observed in North America. The prevalence of psychological distress and insomnia was higher in Latin America and Europe, respectively. LIMITATIONS There is a lack of longitudinal studies in some parts of the world, such as Africa, the Caribbean, India, the Middle East, in Latin America, and Asia. CONCLUSIONS Results indicated that anxiety and depression symptoms decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic while other mental health problems showed no statistical change. The findings reveal that mental health problems peaked in April and May 2020. Prevalence of mental health problems remains high during the pandemic and mental health prevention, promotion and intervention programs should be implemented to mitigate the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global population.
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Gordon JS, Sbarra D, Armin J, Pace TWW, Gniady C, Barraza Y. Use of a Guided Imagery Mobile App (See Me Serene) to Reduce COVID-19-Related Stress: Pilot Feasibility Study. JMIR Form Res 2021; 5:e32353. [PMID: 34546941 PMCID: PMC8491644 DOI: 10.2196/32353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to concerns about mental health resulting from regional and national lockdowns, social isolation, job loss, and concern about disease exposure. Objective We describe results of the pilot feasibility study of the See Me Serene mHealth app. The app provides users with immersive, vivid, nature experiences to reduce stress and anxiety related to COVID-19 and other isolation. The goals of the study were to develop the See Me Serene app and test the feasibility and acceptability of study procedures, and explore the potential impact of the app on stress and anxiety. Methods We developed and tested the See Me Serene app and our study procedures for feasibility, and gathered preliminary data with a goal of 100 participants. The research was conducted in 2 phases: (1) development and internal testing of the app; and (2) feasibility and pilot testing with participants recruited online through earned media (eg, news stories), presentations at a university campus, and social media (eg, online sharing of earned media and presentations). The feasibility study employed a mixed methods, within-subjects, pre-/posttest design. At baseline and 30-day follow-up, we assessed stress-related variables via validated self-report measures and saliva samples for determination of cortisol concentrations. Results We met or surpassed all our feasibility benchmarks for recruitment (101 participants recruited), retention (91% [90/99] of 30-day assessment completed), and data collection (99 participants completed all baseline data; 85% [84/99] of salivary cortisol samples returned). Participants adhered to the intervention. On average, participants listened to 48.2 audio files over 30 days or approximately 1.6 audio files per day. Participants were satisfied with the app, with 87% (78/90) rating the app as helpful in dealing with stress and anxiety. The app showed the potential to reduce stress, anxiety, loneliness, and worry. We did not find significant differences (P=.41) in cortisol levels over time. Our findings suggest that future research is warranted to test the efficacy of the See Me Serene app with a representative, diverse sample. Conclusions There is a need for evidence-based and easily disseminable stress-reduction interventions. See Me Serene is a feasible intervention and has the potential to reduce stress related to COVID-19 and other forms of social isolation. More research on See Me Serene is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith S Gordon
- College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - David Sbarra
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Julie Armin
- Department of Family and Community of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Thaddeus W W Pace
- College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Chris Gniady
- Department of Computer Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Yessenya Barraza
- College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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