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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.
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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
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Álvarez-Cadenas L, García-Vázquez P, Ezquerra B, Stiles BJ, Lahera G, Andrade-González N, Vieta E. Detection of bipolar disorder in the prodromal phase: A systematic review of assessment instruments. J Affect Disord 2023; 325:399-412. [PMID: 36623571 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early detection of prodromal symptoms may contribute to improving the prognosis of patients with bipolar disorder (BD). The main objective of this systematic review is to present the different procedures for the identification of initial and relapse prodromes in these patients. METHODS PsycINFO, Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched using a predetermined strategy, until January 4, 2022. Then, by means of a regulated process, studies that used a BD prodrome detection procedure, in English-language and all ages participants were selected. Quantitative and qualitative studies were assessed using a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and by Critical Appraisals Skills Programme checklist, respectively. RESULTS Forty-five studies were selected. Of these, 26 used procedures for identifying initial prodromes (n = 8014) and 19 used procedures for detecting relapse prodromes (n = 1136). The interview was the most used method in the detection of both types of prodromes (k = 30 papers, n = 4068). It was variable in its degree of structure. Mobile applications and digital technologies are gaining importance in the detection of the relapse prodromes. LIMITATIONS A retrospective design in most papers, small samples sizes, existence of persistent subsyndromal symptoms and difficulty to identify the end of the prodrome and the onset of the disorder. CONCLUSIONS There is a wide variety of assessment instruments to detect prodromes in BD, among which the clinical interview is most frequently used. Future research should consider development of a brief tool to be applied in different formats to patients and family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Álvarez-Cadenas
- Central University Hospital of Asturias, Health Service of Principality of Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Paula García-Vázquez
- Central University Hospital of Asturias, Health Service of Principality of Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Berta Ezquerra
- Rey Juan Carlos University Hospital, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bryan J Stiles
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Guillermo Lahera
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; IRyCIS, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain; Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nelson Andrade-González
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine, Alfonso X el Sabio University, Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
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Al Mahmud A, Wu J, Mubin O. A scoping review of mobile apps for sleep management: User needs and design considerations. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1037927. [PMID: 36329917 PMCID: PMC9624283 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1037927] [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: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep disorders are prevalent nowadays, leading to anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and other health problems. Due to the proliferation of mobile devices and the development of communication technologies, mobile apps have become a popular way to deliver sleep disorder therapy or manage sleep. This scoping review aims to conduct a systematic investigation of mobile apps and technologies supporting sleep, including the essential functions of sleep apps, how they are used to improve sleep and the facilitators of and barriers to using apps among patients and other stakeholders. We searched articles (2010 to 2022) from Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore using the keyword sleep apps. In total, 1,650 peer-reviewed articles were screened, and 51 were selected for inclusion. The most frequently provided functions by the apps are sleep monitoring, measuring sleep, providing alarms, and recording sleep using a sleep diary. Several wearable devices have been used with mobile apps to record sleep duration and sleep problems. Facilitators and barriers to using apps were identified, along with the evidence-based design guidelines. Existing studies have proved the initial validation and efficiency of delivering sleep treatment by mobile apps; however, more research is needed to improve the performance of sleep apps and devise a way to utilize them as a therapy tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al Mahmud
- Centre for Design Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - Jiahuan Wu
- School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Omar Mubin
- School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
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