Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Julie C. Lauffenburger, Renee A. Barlev, Ellen S. Sears, Punam A. Keller, Marie E. McDonnell, Elad Yom-Tov, Constance P. Fontanet, Kaitlin Hanken, Nancy Haff, Niteesh K. Choudhry
Summary: The study found that most patients try to incorporate cues into their daily routines to help them with consistent medication taking; many patients leverage some form of technology as a cue to support adherence to medication taking and diabetes self-management behaviors; patients value simplicity and integration of technology solutions used for diabetes care, managing medications, and communicating with health care providers; some patients express reluctance to rely on mobile technology for these diabetes care behaviors; and patients believe they prefer positively framed communication, but communication preferences are highly individualized.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Laura Elizabeth Pathak, Adrian Aguilera, Joseph Jay Williams, Courtney Rees Lyles, Rosa Hernandez-Ramos, Jose Miramontes, Anupama Gunshekar Cemballi, Caroline Astrid Figueroa
Summary: This study aimed to develop motivational text messages in English and Spanish to encourage physical activity in low-income minority patients with diabetes diagnoses and depression symptoms. By combining participant feedback, crowdsourced data, and researcher expertise, 200 messages were designed and iteratively refined, resulting in 54 messages included in the final text message bank.
JMIR MHEALTH AND UHEALTH
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Maya Bunik, Andrea Jimenez-Zambrano, Michael Solano, Brenda L. Beaty, Elizabeth Juarez-Colunga, Xuhong Zhang, Susan L. Moore, Sheana Bull, Jenn A. Leiferman
Summary: This study aimed to explore the impact of a smartphone app called Mother's Milk Messaging (TM) on breastfeeding. Participants were randomized into different groups and their breastfeeding rates, confidence, and social support were observed. The results showed that the app increased women's confidence in breastfeeding and perceived social support. The majority of participants registered the app, and those who engaged with it scored higher over time. Mothers appreciated receiving reliable information through text messages and videos.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Inaki Ucar, Marco Gramaglia, Marco Fiore, Zbigniew Smoreda, Esteban Moro
Summary: This study investigates the digital usage gap using a dataset of 3.7 billion mobile traffic records in a major European country. It reveals significant geographical unevenness in mobile service usage, especially in news, social media, and video streaming, and links this diversity with income, educational attainment, and inequality. The results suggest that the socio-economic status of an area can be accurately inferred from aggregated data traffic, highlighting the importance of understanding the digital usage divide for socio-economic issues.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jamie Ross, Rhiannon E. Hawkes, Lisa M. Miles, Sarah Cotterill, Peter Bower, Elizabeth Murray
Summary: This study aimed to understand engagement with the NHS-digital-DPP and found that almost all participants started using the apps, but there were differences in engagement levels across providers. The findings could inform the design of other digital behavior change interventions.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Bo Hua, Yun Yuan, Yuho Chung, Jianmin Jia
Summary: This study examines the impact of unlimited data plans (UDPs) on the mobile digital divide in China and finds that UDPs have different effects on users of different socioeconomic statuses. It also suggests that promoting UDP alone is not sufficient to narrow the divide for the poor or those in rural areas.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & DECISION MAKING
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Reham Shalaby, Wesley Vuong, Marianne Hrabok, April Gusnowski, Kelly Mrklas, Daniel Li, Mark Snaterse, Shireen Surood, Bo Cao, Xin-Min Li, Russell Greiner, Andrew James Greenshaw, Vincent Israel Opoku Agyapong
Summary: The study evaluated the satisfaction and feedback of Text4Hope subscribers, revealing higher satisfaction among female subscribers compared to male and other gender subscribers. More than 70% of subscribers agreed that Text4Hope helped them cope with stress and anxiety, enhance mental well-being, and manage COVID-19-related issues.
JMIR MHEALTH AND UHEALTH
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Michael Grimm, Elena Link, Martina Albrecht, Fabian Czerwinski, Eva Baumann, Ralf Suhr
Summary: This study aimed to explore the functions of digital health engagement and identify the predictors for successful implementation and use of digital health services. The results showed that while many German internet users engage with digital health services, health disparities still persist in the digital realm.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Frederick Muench, Sean P. Madden, Sherry Oommen, Sarah Forthal, Aradhana Srinagesh, Gertraud Stadler, Alexis Kuerbis, Robert F. Leeman, Brian Suffoletto, Amit Baumel, Cameron Haslip, Nehal P. Vadhan, Jon Morgenstern
Summary: This study aimed to test the differential effects of three 6-month text-messaging interventions on reducing at-risk drinking in help-seeking adults. The results showed that compared to the drink-tracking group, the tailored adaptive messaging group significantly reduced the weekly sum of standard drinks at 6 months and also showed improvements in drinks per drinking day and number of drinking days per week.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Anna L. Beukenhorst, Katherine M. Burke, Zoe Scheier, Timothy M. Miller, Sabrina Paganoni, Mackenzie Keegan, Ella Collins, Kathryn P. Connaghan, Anna Tay, James Chan, James D. Berry, Jukka-Pekka Onnela
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of data collection from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through smartphone-based studies. The results showed that most participants were able to complete surveys and audio recordings long term, with the highest data completeness in passively collected location data. While data completeness tended to decline over time, overall these three studies successfully collected data.
JMIR MHEALTH AND UHEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elton H. Lobo, Chandan Karmakar, Mohamed Abdelrazek, Jemal Abawajy, Clara K. Chow, Yuxin Zhang, Muhammad Ashad Kabir, Reza Daryabeygi, Ralph Maddison, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam
Summary: This study presents the design and development process of a smartphone-based lifestyle app integrating a wearable device for hypertension management. The app provides health education, promotes lifestyle modification, and manages blood pressure with the help of a wearable device. It also includes a clinician portal for treatment adherence.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Alexander Prokhorov, Karen Sue Calabro, Ashish Arya, Sophia Russell, Katarzyna W. Czerniak, Gabrielle C. Botello, Minxing Chen, Ying Yuan, Adriana Perez, Damon J. Vidrine, Cheryl L. Perry, Georges Elias Khalil
Summary: This trial found that specific types of messages delivered through SMS text messaging significantly improved the perceived risks of new and traditional tobacco products among young adults in community colleges. Rational, emotional, simple, and gain-framed messages had a more significant impact on increasing the perceived risks of emerging tobacco products.
JMIR MHEALTH AND UHEALTH
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Cabella Lowe, Mitchell Browne, William Marsh, Dylan Morrissey
Summary: This study developed the musculoskeletal Digital Assessment Routing Tool (DART) and assessed and resolved its usability issues. The results showed a positive user experience and system adoption, indicating that DART performs well in addressing musculoskeletal issues. This study provides a blueprint for future researchers of mobile health systems.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Annelies G. Blom, Alexander Wenz, Carina Cornesse, Tobias Rettig, Marina Fikel, Sabine Friedel, Katja Moehring, Elias Naumann, Maximiliane Reifenscheid, Ulrich Krieger
Summary: This study analyzed potential barriers to the large-scale adoption of the official contact tracing app in Germany, finding different attitudes towards app installation and use among different population groups. While potential spreaders have high access and ability to install the app but low willingness to use it, vulnerable groups face barriers in accessing the necessary devices. Information campaigns should target groups with high potential to spread the virus but who are unwilling to adopt the app, while providing support to vulnerable groups to overcome barriers to app adoption.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Matina Kouvari, Melina Karipidou, Thomas Tsiampalis, Eirini Mamalaki, Dimitrios Poulimeneas, Eirini Bathrellou, Demosthenes Panagiotakos, Mary Yannakoulia
Summary: This meta-analysis examined the effect of technology-based interventions on overweight and obesity treatment in children and adolescents. Findings indicate that technology-based interventions significantly decreased BMI metrics in young populations. However, the study had limitations including a small number of clinical trials and study heterogeneity.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Deepiksana Keerthy, Joht Singh Chandan, Juste Abramovaite, Krishna Margadhamane Gokhale, Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, Ed Day, Steven Marwaha, Matthew R. Broome, Krishnarajah Nirantharakumar, Clara Humpston
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between cannabis exposure and the risks of mental illness diagnoses or treatment and finds that cannabis exposure is associated with an increased risk of developing mental health disorders.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Urology & Nephrology
Kulli Kuningas, Joanne Driscoll, Reena Mair, Edward Day, Adnan Sharif
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF KIDNEY DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Adam Holland, Alex Stevens, Magdalena Harris, Dan Lewer, Harry Sumnall, Daniel Stewart, Eilish Gilvarry, Alice Wiseman, Joshua Howkins, Jim McManus, Gillian W. Shorter, James Nicholls, Jenny Scott, Kyla Thomas, Leila Reid, Edward Day, Jason Horsley, Fiona Measham, Maggie Rae, Kevin Fenton, Matthew Hickman
Summary: This article assesses the evidence-based and consistency of the UK Government's ten-year drugs strategy. While the strategy promises significant funding for drug treatment services and supports public health approaches, it also promotes unevidenced and harmful measures of punishment. The article argues for evidence-based measures to mitigate drug-related harm and calls for a more substantial re-orientation of UK drug policy.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Economics
James Shearer, Nicola Metrebian, Tim Weaver, Kimberley Goldsmith, John Strang, Stephen Pilling, Luke Mitcheson, Ed Day, John Dunn, Anthony Glasper, Shabana Akhtar, Jalpa Bajaria, Vikki Charles, Roopal Desai, Farjana Haque, Nicholas Little, Hortencia McKechnie, Franziska Mosler, Julian Mutz, Dilkushi Poovendran, Sarah Byford
Summary: This study conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of two 12-week contingency management schedules targeting heroin abstinence or attendance at weekly keyworker appointments for opioid agonist treatment. The results showed that neither method was cost-effective over the 24-week follow-up period. However, the method targeting attendance at treatment was cost-effective over the 12-week treatment period. Rating: 7 out of 10.
Article
Substance Abuse
Joanne Neale, Stephen Parkin, John Strang
Summary: This study explores individuals' decisions to initiate injectable depot buprenorphine based on the concept of the 'informed patient'. The findings show that participants' decisions were influenced by receiving sufficient information and trust in depot buprenorphine, dissatisfaction with current treatment, uncritical perceptions of depot buprenorphine, and limited access to the medication. Overall, participants felt they had enough information to decide on depot buprenorphine, but dissatisfaction with current treatment and limited availability hindered informed decision-making.
DRUGS-EDUCATION PREVENTION AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Joanne Neale, Stephen Parkin, John Strang
Summary: This study analyzed patients' experiences during the first 72 hours after initiating long-acting injectable buprenorphine treatment. Participants reported complex combinations of positive and negative feelings, including withdrawal symptoms, sleep problems, injection-site pain, fatigue, and nausea. However, they also reported improvements in somatic wellbeing, sleep, skin, appetite, and pleasure. Providing information about these effects can help prepare patients and improve medication adherence.
Article
Substance Abuse
Dan Lewer, Thomas D. Brothers, Antonio Gasparrini, John Strang
Summary: The rate of drug poisoning deaths in England and Wales has been increasing annually since 2010. The study found seasonal and cyclical variations in these deaths, with peaks occurring in Spring and briefly at New Year. This suggests the involvement of external triggers.
Article
Substance Abuse
Dominic Oliver, Amir Englund, Edward Chesney, Lucy Chester, Jack Wilson, Simina Sovi, Stina Wigroth, John Hodsoll, John Strang, Robin M. Murray, Tom P. Freeman, Paolo Fusar-Poli, Philip McGuire
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on attentional bias and explicit liking. The results showed that inhaled THC increased attentional bias towards cannabis, while CBD had no influence on this effect.
Editorial Material
Substance Abuse
Keith Humphreys, Rob Calder, John Marsden, Ed Day
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
E. Asquith, K. Bould, J. C. Catling, E. J. Day, A. Holt
Summary: This study aims to investigate factors influencing patients' adherence to treatment regimes for NAFLD. Novel areas of interest such as locus of control, behavioural regulation, and mental health measures were explored due to their connection to poor lifestyle choices and abnormal eating. The results showed significant differences among groups in cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and SAPAS score (a measure of personality disorders). An association between personality disorders and NAFLD was identified.
BMC GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Julia M. A. Sinclair, Betul Aslan, Roberta Agabio, Amith Anilkumar, Mark Brosnan, Ed Day, Nicki A. Dowling, Chelsey Flood, Jon E. Grant, Robyn Halliday, Bjorn Hofvander, Leesa Howes, Rachel Moseley, Bronwyn Myers, Vincent O'Connor, Gabriel Shaya, Shane Thomas, Janine Robinson, Samuel R. Chamberlain
Summary: Autistic individuals are more prone to problematic alcohol and substance use compared to the general population. Research shows that around one in three autistic adults may have an alcohol or substance use disorder, while the evidence for behavioral addictions is less clear. Substance use and addictive behaviors may be used by autistic individuals as a way to cope with social anxiety and challenges. However, the lack of literature on the intersection between autism and these conditions hinders progress in health policy, research, and clinical practice.
COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Kim Donoghue, Sadie Boniface, Eileen Brobbin, Sarah Byford, Rachel Coleman, Simon Coulton, Edward Day, Ranjita Dhital, Anum Farid, Laura Hermann, Amy Jordan, Andreas Kimergard, Maria-Leoni Koutsou, Anne Lingford-Hughes, John Marsden, Joanne Neale, Aimee O'Neill, Thomas Phillips, James Shearer, Julia Sinclair, Joanna Smith, John Strang, John Weinman, Cate Whittlesea, Kideshini Widyaratna, Colin Drummond
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Medication Management in enhancing adherence to acamprosate. The results showed that Medication Management enhanced with Contingency Management is more beneficial for supporting patients to take acamprosate. However, there was no significant difference compared to Medication Management alone.
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Ed Day, Ifigeneia Manitsa, Amanda Farley, John F. Kelly
Summary: Although the concept of recovery is widely used in the addiction field, many individuals with resolved alcohol or drug problems do not identify themselves as being in recovery. This is especially true for those with less severe problems and who have not engaged with formal or informal treatment systems. The understanding of recovery in the UK population studied does not align completely with abstinence from alcohol or drugs.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PREVENTION AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Julie Aitken Schermer, Marisa L. Kfrerer, Michael T. Lynskey
Summary: This study examines the relationship between alcohol dependence and humor styles, and finds a significant correlation between aggressive humor style and alcohol dependence.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Renae Fomiatti, Adrian Farrugia, Suzanne Fraser, Robyn Dwyer, Joanne Neale, John Strang
Summary: Opioid overdose deaths are a significant health issue globally, including in Australia. Although there are programs to provide opioid consumers with take-home naloxone, the implementation and uptake of these programs by mainstream health services and consumers are inconsistent. Research has focused on the educational, training, and logistical obstacles to take-home naloxone distribution, but less attention has been given to the social dynamics, such as stigma, that can affect access. This article explores the role of stigma in hindering access to take-home naloxone and overdose prevention and suggests that addressing stigma is crucial for effective prevention.