Identification of the Most Suitable Mobile Apps to Support Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet Self-Management: Systematic Search of App Stores and Content Analysis

Nutrients, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(15), P. 3476 - 3476

Published: Aug. 6, 2023

Smartphone apps might provide an opportunity to support the Dietary Approaches Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, a healthy diet designed help lower blood pressure. This study evaluated DASH self-management based on their quality, likely effectiveness, and data privacy/security identify most suitable app(s). A systematic search content analysis were conducted of all available in Google Play Apple App Store UK November 2022. Apps included if they provided tracking. previous literature review found some commercial not app store search, these also this review. Three reviewers used Quality Evaluation Tool (AQEL) assess each app’s quality across seven domains: knowledge acquisition, skill development, behaviour change, purpose, functionality, appropriateness for adults with hypertension. Domains score 8 or higher considered high-quality. Two assessed apps’ privacy security then coded Behaviour change techniques (BCTs) linked Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF) underpinning effectiveness apps. Seven assessed, showing limited availability supporting self-management. The AQEL assessment showed that three scored than eight domains. Nineteen BCTs apps, nine TDF action mechanisms may behaviours. Four met standards security. All self-monitoring functionality had sufficient theoretical basis demonstrate effectiveness. However, significant shortcomings. Only two NOOM To TEN, have both adequate thus deemed

Language: Английский

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Health Care Professionals' Engagement With Digital Mental Health Interventions in the United Kingdom and China: Mixed Methods Study on Engagement Factors and Design Implications

JMIR Mental Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12, P. e67190 - e67190

Published: April 4, 2025

Abstract Background Mental health issues like occupational stress and burnout, compounded with the after-effects of COVID-19, have affected care professionals (HCPs) around world. Digital mental interventions (DMHIs) can be accessible effective in supporting well-being among HCPs. However, low engagement rates DMHIs are frequently reported, limiting potential effectiveness. More evidence is needed to reveal factors that impact HCPs’ decision adopt engage DMHIs. Objective This study aims explore motivation identify key affecting their engagement. Amongst these, we include cultural impacting DMHI perception Methods We used a mixed method approach, cross-sectional survey (n=438) semistructured interviews (n=25) HCPs from United Kingdom China. Participants were recruited one major public hospital each country. Results Our results demonstrated generally rate 2 countries. Several affect identified, including belonging underrepresented ethnic groups, limited knowledge, perceived need, lack time, needs for relevance personal-based support, elements self-stigma. The support recommendations Conclusions Although an ideal alternative HCPs, China still due multiple barriers. research develop evaluate tailored unique designs content various backgrounds.

Language: Английский

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Exploring Perceptions, Barriers, and Facilitators of Participation in an Exercise Snack Intervention Among U.S. Office Workers: Findings From a Pilot Study

American Journal of Health Promotion, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 4, 2025

Purpose ‘Exercise snacks’— brief, intermittent sessions of moderate-to-high intensity activity— offer a novel and promising solution for sedentary office workers. However, perceptions experiences related to engaging in this approach are limited or largely unknown. Approach Participants This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with 20 workers who completed pilot exercise snack intervention called Move Often eVeryDay (MOV’D). The sample consisted 10 participants from the MOV'D group self-monitoring group. Setting Interviews were conducted remotely via Zoom. Methods Interview transcripts analyzed using open-coded, thematic analysis, themes subthemes identified both priori inductively during analysis. Results mean (SD) age was 43.8 (11.3) years, 80% as women transgender women, 35% reported being Non-Hispanic White. Emergent included enjoyment components, increased motivation physical activity awareness, knowledge gained. Common barriers time constraints competing obligations. Facilitators engagement behavioral adaptations minimal space needed activities. Key suggestions future iterations having more reminders throughout study, enhanced social connection, adjustments materials. Conclusion Although snacks brief accessible, findings highlight need refine reduce participation support long-term habit formation. insights garnered present actionable recommendations enhancing other similar health promotion interventions. Trial registration trial registered on May 3, 2022 (before recruitment began) at https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05360485 , clinical number: NCT05360485.

Language: Английский

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Methods for evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of direct-to-consumer mobile health apps: a scoping review

BMC Digital Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: June 25, 2024

Abstract Background There is an evaluation crisis in mobile health (mHealth). The majority of mHealth apps are released with little evidence base. While many agree on the need for comprehensive evaluations to assess efficacy and effectiveness apps, field some way from achieving that. This scoping review describes current state direct-to-consumer app so as inform how situation can be improved. Results Findings showed a predominance wellness management focusing fitness, diet, mental health, or other lifestyle factors. Evaluations were conducted by companies at varied financing stages, mix start-ups, scale-ups, public companies. Most studies employed full-scale pilot randomised controlled trial designs. Conclusions Participant demographics indicate more inclusive recruitment strategies around ethnicity gender avoid worsening inequalities. Measurement tools widely, highlighting lack standardisation assessing apps. Promoting evidence-based practices digital should priority organisations this space.

Language: Английский

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Effects of 72-hour abstinence from instant messaging on craving, withdrawal, and affect

Computers in Human Behavior, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 160, P. 108389 - 108389

Published: July 29, 2024

The effects of abstinence from digital services and/or devices (aka "digital detox") on mental health have received increased interest in recent years. Regular breaks and abstinent periods are advised to help individuals who overuse technology, but the psychological benefits related consequences require empirical attention. While some studies examined impact smartphone or social networks (SN) health, there is a dearth literature Instant Messaging (IM) services. This study association between 72-h IM subjective craving toward IM, withdrawal-like symptoms, affect (positive negative), time spent IM. Thirty-five undergraduates regularly engaged were assessed one day before (baseline), during (daily), after, week after refraining using for 72 h. Results revealed moderate-to-large decrease (η2 = 0.438) negative 0.386) abstinence, whereas symptoms positive remained stable 0.009 0.140). One participants reported small-to-moderate their use (d 0.32). These results suggest that associated with reduced preoccupation obsession (i.e., craving) this lower affect. However, did not change. findings support recommendations users experiencing states may benefit short-term abstinence. Further research should investigate strategies undertaking regulating device use.

Language: Английский

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Personal Goals, User Engagement, and Meal Adherence within a Personalised AI-Based Mobile Application for Nutrition and Physical Activity

Life, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(10), P. 1238 - 1238

Published: Sept. 27, 2024

Mobile applications have been shown to be an effective and feasible intervention medium for improving healthy food intake in different target groups. As part of the PeRsOnalized nutriTion hEalthy livINg (PROTEIN) European Union H2020 project, PROTEIN mobile application was developed as end-user environment, aiming facilitate healthier lifestyles through artificial intelligence (AI)-based personalised dietary physical activity recommendations. Recommendations were generated by AI advisor user groups, combining users' personal information preferences with a custom knowledge-based system experts create personalised, evidence-based nutrition plans. The app piloted across groups five countries (Belgium, Germany, Greece, Portugal, United Kingdom). Data from app's database (

Language: Английский

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Methods for Evaluating the Efficacy and Effectiveness of Direct-to-Consumer Mobile Health Apps: A Scoping Review

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 3, 2024

Background There is an evaluation crisis in mobile health (mHealth). The majority of mHealth apps are released with little evidence base. While many agree on the need for comprehensive evaluations to assess efficacy and effectiveness apps, field some way from achieving that. This scoping review describes current state direct-to-consumer app so as inform how situation can be improved. Results Findings showed a predominance wellness management focusing fitness, diet, mental health, or other lifestyle factors. Evaluations were conducted by companies at varied financing stages, mix start-ups, scale-ups, public companies. Most studies employed full-scale pilot randomised controlled trial designs. Conclusions Participant demographics indicate more inclusive recruitment strategies around ethnicity gender avoid worsening inequalities. Measurement tools widely, highlighting lack standardisation assessing apps. Promoting evidence-based practices digital should priority organisations this space.

Language: Английский

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Incorporating nonparametric methods for estimating causal excursion effects in mobile health with zero-inflated count outcomes

Biometrics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 80(2)

Published: March 27, 2024

In mobile health, tailoring interventions for real-time delivery is of paramount importance. Micro-randomized trials have emerged as the "gold-standard" methodology developing such interventions. Analyzing data from these provides insights into efficacy and potential moderation by specific covariates. The "causal excursion effect," a novel class causal estimand, addresses inquiries. Yet, existing research mainly focuses on continuous or binary data, leaving count largely unexplored. current work motivated Drink Less micro-randomized trial UK, which zero-inflated proximal outcome, i.e., number screen views in subsequent hour following intervention decision point. To be specific, we revisit concept effect, specifically outcomes, introduce estimation approaches that incorporate nonparametric techniques. Bidirectional asymptotics are established proposed estimators. Simulation studies conducted to evaluate performance methods. As an illustration, also implement methods data.

Language: Английский

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Estimating causal effects for binary outcomes using per-decision inverse probability weighting

Biostatistics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 30, 2024

SUMMARY Micro-randomized trials are commonly conducted for optimizing mobile health interventions such as push notifications behavior change. In analyzing trials, causal excursion effects often of primary interest, and their estimation typically involves inverse probability weighting (IPW). However, in a micro-randomized trial, additional treatments can occur during the time window over which an outcome is defined, this greatly inflate variance effect estimator because IPW would involve product numerous weights. To reduce improve efficiency, we propose two new estimators using modified version IPW, call “per-decision IPW.” The second further improves efficiency projection idea from semiparametric theory. These applicable when binary be expressed maximum series sub-outcomes defined sub-intervals time. We establish estimators’ consistency asymptotic normality. Through simulation studies real data applications, demonstrate substantial improvement proposed existing estimators. used to precision secondary analyses with outcomes.

Language: Английский

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Exploring user preferences: customisation and attitudes towards notifications in mobile health and well-being applications

Behaviour and Information Technology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 17

Published: Dec. 2, 2024

In mobile technologies for health and well-being (mHealth), push notifications are a widely used tool to implement persuasive strategies. However, little research has been carried out investigate the impact of in such users' attitudes towards them. this study, we address gap by exploring role their customisation context applications that promote social, mental, or physical well-being. Based on observational data collected from 152 participants, preferences explore how they differ along demographic dimensions. addition, then verified these results with behavioural measures attitude ratings through user study (N = 31), which saw participants interacting prototype mHealth application. Our findings show is desired feature can be improve aspect applications. Implications derived our provide guidance researchers practitioners alike when designing app create better motivating, meaningful, experiences.

Language: Английский

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