Cardiovascular disease behavioural risk factors in rural interventions: cross-sectional study

This study aims to (1) assess the distribution of variables within the population and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) behavioural risk factors in patients, (2) identify target risk factor(s) for behaviour modification intervention, and (3) develop an analytical model to define cluster(s) of risk factors which could help make any generic intervention more targeted to the local patient population. Study patients with at least one CVD behavioural risk factor living in a rural region of the Scottish Highlands. The study used the STROBE methodology for cross-sectional studies. Demographic and clinical data of patients (n = 2025) in NHS Highlands hospital were collected at the point of admission for PCI between 04.01.2016 and 31.12.2019. Collected data distributions were analysed by CVD behavioural risk factors for prevalence, associations, and direction of associations. Cluster definition was measured by assignment of a unit score each for the overall level of prevalence and significance of associations, and general logistics modelling for direction and significance of the risk. The mean (SD) age was 69.47(± 10.93) years [95% CI (68.99-69.94)]. The key risk factors were hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, and elevated body mass index (BMI). Approximately 40% of the population have multiple risk factor counts of two. Analytical measures revealed a population risk factor cluster with elevated BMI [77.5% (1570/2025)] that is mostly either hyperlipidaemic [9.43%, co-eff. (17), P = 0.007] or hypertensive [22.72%, co-eff. (17), P = 0.99] as key risk factor clusters. Carefully modelled analyses revealed clustered risk associated with elevated BMI. This information would support a strategy for targeting risk factor clusters in novel interventions to improve implementation efficiency. Exposure to and outcome of an elevated BMI is linked more to the population's socio-economic outcomes rather than to regional rurality or urbanity.

Reducing patient delay in acute coronary syndrome: Randomized controlled trial testing effect of behaviour change intervention on intentions to seek help

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a behaviour change intervention to reduce patient delay with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome.

DESIGN

A 3-arm web-based, parallel randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

The intervention comprised 12 behaviour change techniques (BCTs) embedded in a text-only or text+visual narrative (the techniques were systematically identified through systematic review and a consensus exercise). Between February and November 2017, n = 145 people who had recently experienced acute coronary syndrome were randomly allocated to intervention ('text+visual' or 'text-only') or control. Intentions to phone an ambulance immediately for acute coronary syndrome symptoms were assessed before and after the intervention using symptom scenarios, and the change in intention was compared across the three groups.

RESULTS

Significant increases in intention to phone an ambulance immediately for ACS symptoms were seen following the 'text+visual' intervention but not following 'text-only' or control. However, the study was underpowered to detect any significant changes in intention between the 3 groups. There were no unintended effects on intentions for non-urgent symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

A 'text+visual' BCT-based intervention may significantly increase intention to phone an ambulance with symptoms of ACS. Further testing of the effect of the intervention on actual behaviour is required.

Promoting smoking cessation during pregnancy: A feasibility and pilot trial of a digital storytelling intervention delivered via text-messaging

OBJECTIVE

Smoking during pregnancy causes risks to mother and infant health. We investigated the feasibility and likely success of SKIP-IT, a narrative and picture-based smoking cessation intervention delivered via text messages.

METHODS

A feasibility and pilot trial. We aimed to recruit 70 pregnant women who smoked, randomised to usual care alone, or usual care and the SKIP-IT intervention, between 12 weeks of pregnancy and 6 weeks post due-date. Outcomes assessed were recruitment, retention, acceptability of, and engagement with the intervention, smoking behaviour, intentions, perceived risk, and self-efficacy.

RESULTS

Of 312 women initially approached by smoking cessation services only 54 (17%) agreed to be contacted by the research team. Twenty were then either ineligible or uncontactable and 28 (82%) participated. Most women reported texts to be entertaining and helpful. The proportion of women not smoking at follow-up was lower in the intervention group, but numbers were too small to draw conclusions about effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

The intervention was acceptable, but difficulty in making initial and follow-up contacts meant our methods were unfeasible for a larger trial.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Digital Storytelling interventions could help women quit smoking, but further research is required to identify alternative methods for studies with pregnant women who smoke.

Digital Technology Interventions for Risk Factor Modification in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Approximately 50% of cardiovascular disease (CVD) cases are attributable to lifestyle risk factors. Despite widespread education, personal knowledge, and efficacy, many individuals fail to adequately modify these risk factors, even after a cardiovascular event. Digital technology interventions have been suggested as a viable equivalent and potential alternative to conventional cardiac rehabilitation care centers. However, little is known about the clinical effectiveness of these technologies in bringing about behavioral changes in patients with CVD at an individual level.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to identify and measure the effectiveness of digital technology (eg, mobile phones, the internet, software applications, wearables, etc) interventions in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and determine which behavior change constructs are effective at achieving risk factor modification in patients with CVD.

METHODS

This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs designed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis) statement standard. Mixed data from studies extracted from selected research databases and filtered for RCTs only were analyzed using quantitative methods. Outcome hypothesis testing was set at 95% CI and P=.05 for statistical significance.

RESULTS

Digital interventions were delivered using devices such as cell phones, smartphones, personal computers, and wearables coupled with technologies such as the internet, SMS, software applications, and mobile sensors. Behavioral change constructs such as cognition, follow-up, goal setting, record keeping, perceived benefit, persuasion, socialization, personalization, rewards and incentives, support, and self-management were used. The meta-analyzed effect estimates (mean difference [MD]; standard mean difference [SMD]; and risk ratio [RR]) calculated for outcomes showed benefits in total cholesterol SMD at -0.29 [-0.44, -0.15], P<.001; high-density lipoprotein SMD at -0.09 [-0.19, 0.00], P=.05; low-density lipoprotein SMD at -0.18 [-0.33, -0.04], P=.01; physical activity (PA) SMD at 0.23 [0.11, 0.36], P<.001; physical inactivity (sedentary) RR at 0.54 [0.39, 0.75], P<.001; and diet (food intake) RR at 0.79 [0.66, 0.94], P=.007. Initial effect estimates showed no significant benefit in body mass index (BMI) MD at -0.37 [-1.20, 0.46], P=.38; diastolic blood pressure (BP) SMD at -0.06 [-0.20, 0.08], P=.43; systolic BP SMD at -0.03 [-0.18, 0.13], P=.74; Hemoglobin A1C blood sugar (HbA1c) RR at 1.04 [0.40, 2.70], P=.94; alcohol intake SMD at -0.16 [-1.43, 1.10], P=.80; smoking RR at 0.87 [0.67, 1.13], P=.30; and medication adherence RR at 1.10 [1.00, 1.22], P=.06.

CONCLUSIONS

Digital interventions may improve healthy behavioral factors (PA, healthy diet, and medication adherence) and are even more potent when used to treat multiple behavioral outcomes (eg, medication adherence plus). However, they did not appear to reduce unhealthy behavioral factors (smoking, alcohol intake, and unhealthy diet) and clinical outcomes (BMI, triglycerides, diastolic and systolic BP, and HbA1c).

A rapid review of the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of healthcare workers: implications for supporting psychological well-being

BACKGROUND

Health and social care workers (HSCWs) have carried a heavy burden during the COVID-19 crisis and, in the challenge to control the virus, have directly faced its consequences. Supporting their psychological wellbeing continues, therefore, to be a priority. This rapid review was carried out to establish whether there are any identifiable risk factors for adverse mental health outcomes amongst HSCWs during the COVID-19 crisis.

METHODS

We undertook a rapid review of the literature following guidelines by the WHO and the Cochrane Collaboration's recommendations. We searched across 14 databases, executing the search at two different time points. We included published, observational and experimental studies that reported the psychological effects on HSCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

The 24 studies included in this review reported data predominantly from China (18 out of 24 included studies) and most sampled urban hospital staff. Our study indicates that COVID-19 has a considerable impact on the psychological wellbeing of front-line hospital staff. Results suggest that nurses may be at higher risk of adverse mental health outcomes during this pandemic, but no studies compare this group with the primary care workforce. Furthermore, no studies investigated the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social care staff. Other risk factors identified were underlying organic illness, gender (female), concern about family, fear of infection, lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and close contact with COVID-19. Systemic support, adequate knowledge and resilience were identified as factors protecting against adverse mental health outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence to date suggests that female nurses with close contact with COVID-19 patients may have the most to gain from efforts aimed at supporting psychological well-being. However, inconsistencies in findings and a lack of data collected outside of hospital settings, suggest that we should not exclude any groups when addressing psychological well-being in health and social care workers. Whilst psychological interventions aimed at enhancing resilience in the individual may be of benefit, it is evident that to build a resilient workforce, occupational and environmental factors must be addressed. Further research including social care workers and analysis of wider societal structural factors is recommended.

Recruiting men from across the socioeconomic spectrum via GP registers and community outreach to a weight management feasibility randomised controlled trial

Background

Men, particularly those living in disadvantaged areas, are less likely to participate in weight management programmes than women despite similar levels of excess weight. Little is known about how best to recruit men to weight management interventions. This paper describes patient and public involvement in pre-trial decisions relevant to recruitment and aims to report on recruitment to the subsequent men-only weight management feasibility trial, including the: i) acceptability and feasibility of recruitment; and ii) baseline sample characteristics by recruitment strategy.

Methods

Men with BMI ≥30 kg/m² and/or waist circumference ≥ 40 in. were recruited to the feasibility trial via two strategies; community outreach (venue information stands and word of mouth) and GP letters, targeting disadvantaged areas. Recruitment activities (e.g. letters sent, researcher venue hours) were recorded systematically, and baseline characteristics questionnaire data collated. Qualitative interviews (n = 50) were conducted three months post-recruitment. Analyses and reporting followed a complementary mixed methods approach.

Results

105 men were recruited within four months (community n = 60, GP letter n = 45). Community outreach took 2.3 recruiter hours per participant and GP letters had an opt-in rate of 10.2% (n = 90/879). More men were interested than could be accommodated. Most participants (60%) lived in more disadvantaged areas. Compared to community outreach, men recruited via GP letters were older (mean = 57 vs 48 years); more likely to report an obesity-related co-morbidity (87% vs 44%); and less educated (no formal qualifications, 32% vs 10%, degree educated 11% vs 41%). Recruitment strategies were acceptable, a sensitive approach and trusting relationships with recruiters valued, and the ‘catchy’ study name drew attention.

Conclusions

Targeted community outreach and GP letters were acceptable strategies that successfully recruited participants to a men-only weight management feasibility trial. Both strategies engaged men from disadvantaged areas, a typically underserved population. Using two recruitment strategies produced samples with different health risk profiles, which could add value to research where either primary or secondary prevention is of interest. Further work is required to examine how these strategies could be implemented and sustained in practice.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03040518, 2nd February 2017.

Text messaging and financial incentives to encourage weight loss in men with obesity: the Game of Stones feasibility RCT

Background

In 2016, 26% of UK men were estimated to be obese. Systematic reviews suggest that few men engage in formal weight loss interventions that support weight reduction and improve health.

Objective

To co-produce, with patient and public involvement, an acceptable and feasible randomised controlled trial design to test a men-only weight management intervention.

Design

This was a two-phase feasibility study. Phase 1 was the development of intervention components, study procedures and materials including a discrete choice experiment with survey questions. Phase 2 was an individually randomised three-arm feasibility trial over 12 months. Qualitative interviews were conducted at 3 and 12 months.

Setting

The setting was two sites in Scotland that had disadvantaged urban and rural areas and differed in employment levels and ethnic groups.

Participants

In phase 1, 1045 men with obesity were recruited by Ipsos MORI (London, UK; www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk) to represent the UK population. In phase 2, 105 men with obesity were recruited in the community or through general practice obesity registers. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 50 men at 3 months and with 33 men at 12 months.

Interventions

The trial arms were narrative short message service (SMS) for 12 months (SMS only), financial endowment incentive informed by loss aversion and linked to achievement of weight loss targets plus narrative SMS for 12 months (SMS + I), and waiting list control group for 12 months followed by 3 months of an alternative SMS style developed based on feedback from men who had received the narrative SMS (control).

Main outcome measures

The main outcome measures were acceptability and feasibility of recruitment, retention, engagement, intervention components and trial procedures. Outcomes were assessed by examining procedural, quantitative and qualitative data at 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results

The most acceptable incentive strategy, based on the discrete choice experiment results, was to verify weight loss of 5% at 3 months, verify weight loss of 10% at 6 months and maintain weight loss of 10% at 12 months. Overall, 105 men with obesity from across the socioeconomic spectrum were successfully recruited to target, 59% of whom lived in more disadvantaged areas. Retention at 12 months was acceptable (74%) and was higher among individuals from disadvantaged areas. Narrative SMS were acceptable to many men, with a minority reporting negative reactions. Incentives were acceptable but were not the primary motivation for behaviour change. Twelve men in the incentive arm (33%) secured at least some money and three (8%) secured the full amount. Both intervention arms lost some weight, with greater weight loss in the arm that received SMS and incentives. The alternative SMS based on men’s feedback received no strong negative reactions.

Limitations

Fewer participants from the SMS + I arm (64%) completed the study at 12 months than did those in the SMS-only (79%) and control (83%) arms. The reasons for this difference were complex.

Conclusions

The men-only weight management intervention consisting of narrative SMS and financial incentives was acceptable and feasible, meeting the progression criteria for a full trial. Tailoring of SMS may improve acceptability and retention.

Future work

Minor refinements to the intervention components based on the study findings will be made prior to testing in a multisite definitive randomised controlled trial.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03040518.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 8, No. 11. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Game of Stones: feasibility randomised controlled trial of how to engage men with obesity in text message and incentive interventions for weight loss

OBJECTIVES

To examine the acceptability and feasibility of narrative text messages with or without financial incentives to support weight loss for men.

DESIGN

Individually randomised three-arm feasibility trial with 12 months' follow-up.

SETTING

Two sites in Scotland with high levels of disadvantage according to Scottish Index for Multiple Deprivation (SIMD).

PARTICIPANTS

Men with obesity (n=105) recruited through community outreach and general practitioner registers.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants randomised to: (A) narrative text messages plus financial incentive for 12 months (short message service (SMS)+I), (B) narrative text messages for 12 months (SMS only), or (C) waiting list control.

OUTCOMES

Acceptability and feasibility of recruitment, retention, intervention components and trial procedures assessed by analysing quantitative and qualitative data at 3, 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS

105 men were recruited, 60% from more disadvantaged areas (SIMD quintiles 1 or 2). Retention at 12 months was 74%. Fewer SMS+I participants (64%) completed 12-month assessments compared with SMS only (79%) and control (83%). Narrative texts were acceptable to many men, but some reported negative reactions. No evidence emerged that level of disadvantage was related to acceptability of narrative texts. Eleven SMS+I participants (31%) successfully met or partially met weight loss targets. The cost of the incentive per participant was £81.94 (95% CI £34.59 to £129.30). Incentives were acceptable, but improving health was reported as the key motivator for weight loss. All groups lost weight (SMS+I: -2.51 kg (SD=4.94); SMS only: -1.29 kg (SD=5.03); control: -0.86 kg (SD=5.64) at 12 months).

CONCLUSIONS

This three-arm weight management feasibility trial recruited and retained men from across the socioeconomic spectrum, with the majority from areas of disadvantage, was broadly acceptable to most participants and feasible to deliver.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03040518.

Head-Mounted Virtual Reality and Mental Health: Critical Review of Current Research

BACKGROUND

eHealth interventions are becoming increasingly used in public health, with virtual reality (VR) being one of the most exciting recent developments. VR consists of a three-dimensional, computer-generated environment viewed through a head-mounted display. This medium has provided new possibilities to adapt problematic behaviors that affect mental health. VR is no longer unaffordable for individuals, and with mobile phone technology being able to track movements and project images through mobile head-mounted devices, VR is now a mobile tool that can be used at work, home, or on the move.

OBJECTIVE

In line with recent advances in technology, in this review, we aimed to critically assess the current state of research surrounding mental health.

METHODS

We compiled a table of 82 studies that made use of head-mounted devices in their interventions.

RESULTS

Our review demonstrated that VR is effective in provoking realistic reactions to feared stimuli, particularly for anxiety; moreover, it proved that the immersive nature of VR is an ideal fit for the management of pain. However, the lack of studies surrounding depression and stress highlight the literature gaps that still exist.

CONCLUSIONS

Virtual environments that promote positive stimuli combined with health knowledge could prove to be a valuable tool for public health and mental health. The current state of research highlights the importance of the nature and content of VR interventions for improved mental health. While future research should look to incorporate more mobile forms of VR, a more rigorous reporting of VR and computer hardware and software may help us understand the relationship (if any) between increased specifications and the efficacy of treatment.

Reducing patient delay in Acute Coronary Syndrome (RAPiD): research protocol for a web-based randomized controlled trial examining the effect of a behaviour change intervention

AIMS

To evaluate the efficacy of a behaviour change technique-based intervention and compare two possible modes of delivery (text + visual and text-only) with usual care.

BACKGROUND

Patient delay prevents many people from achieving optimal benefit of time-dependent treatments for acute coronary syndrome. Reducing delay would reduce mortality and morbidity, but interventions to change behaviour have had mixed results. Systematic inclusion of behaviour change techniques or a visual mode of delivery might improve the efficacy of interventions.

DESIGN

A three-arm web-based, parallel randomized controlled trial of a theory-based intervention.

METHODS

The intervention comprises 12 behaviour change techniques systematically identified following systematic review and a consensus exercise undertaken with behaviour change experts. We aim to recruit n = 177 participants who have experienced acute coronary syndrome in the previous 6 months from a National Health Service Hospital. Consenting participants will be randomly allocated in equal numbers to one of three study groups: i) usual care, ii) usual care plus text-only behaviour change technique-based intervention or iii) usual care plus text + visual behaviour change technique-based intervention. The primary outcome will be the change in intention to phone an ambulance immediately with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome ≥15-minute duration, assessed using two randomized series of eight scenarios representing varied symptoms before and after delivery of the interventions or control condition (usual care). Funding granted January 2014.

DISCUSSION

Positive results changing intentions would lead to a randomized controlled trial of the behaviour change intervention in clinical practice, assessing patient delay in the event of actual symptoms.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02820103.

Identification of a sterol mutant of Neurospora crassa deficient in delta 14,15-reductase activity

A mutant (erg-3) of Neurospora crassa resistant to the polyene antibiotic nystatin was compared with its sensitive, wild-type parent to detect differences in sterol composition using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major sterol in wild-type mycelia, comprising 80% of the total, was ergosterol. The major sterols in mutant mycelia, comprising 86% of the total, were delta 8,14-sterols. It is proposed that the nystatin-resistant strain is unable to synthesize ergosterol because it lacks delta 14,15-reductase activity as a result of a mutation in the erg-3 gene.

Sterol content and enzyme defects of nystatin-resistant mutants of Neurospora crassa

Non-saponifiable cell extracts of wild type and sterol mutants of N. crassa were analysed by means of gas-liquid chromatography. The wild-type contained ergosterol and episertol in a 10:1 ratio. None of the mutants was able to synthesize ergosterol. Three of the mutants carry single recessive gene mutations cauisng blocks in the terminal steps of ergosterol biosynthesis: erg-1 has an inactive delta 8 leads to delta 7 isomerase erg-2 has an inactive 24(28) hydrogenase, and erg-4 has an inactive C-24 methyl transferase. Some of the mutants accumulated novel sterols as a result of their enzyme defects. The genes erg-1 and erg-2 were mapped close to inl on the right arm of chromosome V.

Variations in enzyme phenotypes and their underlying genotypes among wild strains of the genus Neurospora

Twenty-three exotic strains of four species ofNeurospora(N. crassa, N. sitophila, N. intermediaandN. tetrasperma) were grown in minimal medium and their enzyme phenotypes were compared. The exotic strains did not differ substantially with respect to the specific activities of the biosynthetic enzymes, ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC), carbamyl phosphokinase and aspartate transcarbamylase. Exotic strains ofN. crassaandN. sitophilawere crossed with laboratory mutants ofN. crassato determine whether there were significant differences among the exotic strains in the gene complexes underlying their enzyme phenotypes. Most of the exotic strains carried similar OTC structural genes and similar genetic modifiers of OTC activity: their OTC structural genes were expressed normally in the genomes of the parent strains, in the alien genomes of standard laboratory mutants and in the mixed genomes of parent × mutant hybrids. One exoticN. crassacarried a distinctive OTC structural gene that elevated OTC activity when transferred into the genome of a standard laboratory mutant. A second exoticN. crassacarried distinctive genetic modifiers of OTC activity: two mutations,c-andhi, interacted in the exotic parent to normalize OTC activity and rate of growth, buthiled to extremely high OTC activities and to a reduction in rate of growth when separated fromc-by interstrain recombination.