Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Elizabeth Fong-Chy Kuo, Jacklyn Cho, Iredia Olaye, Diana Delgado, Nicola Dell, Madeline R. Sterling
Summary: Home health aides (HHAs) face challenges in communicating with other healthcare professionals and accessing educational resources. This study conducted a literature review and landscape analysis to identify technology-based tools and apps designed for HHAs. The results showed that only a limited number of studies and mobile apps have been developed to support HHAs, highlighting the need for further research and evaluation of these tools.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sarah J. Iribarren, Tokunbo O. Akande, Kendra J. Kamp, Dwight Barry, Yazan G. Kader, Elizabeth Suelzer
Summary: The literature shows a steady increase in the rigorous evaluation of health-related apps aimed at modifying behavior, but the evidence of their ability to improve health outcomes is weak. This highlights the need for improved methodologies in developing and assessing healthcare improvement apps.
JMIR MHEALTH AND UHEALTH
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Leah Grout, Kendra Telfer, Nick Wilson, Christine Cleghorn, Anja Mizdrak
Summary: The study aimed to assess the impact of prescribing smartphone apps for promoting physical activity in primary care settings in New Zealand. The results indicated modest health gains and cost savings at the population level, but the effectiveness was highly sensitive to assumptions on intervention uptake and decay. Ongoing improvements in app design and increased promotion by health workers may lead to increased benefits.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Saki Amagai, Sarah Pila, J. Aaron Kaat, J. Cindy Nowinski, C. Richard Gershon
Summary: The use of mHealth apps in studies presents challenges with participant retention. Factors such as specific app features and research strategies have been identified as important in promoting participant retention, while obstacles like lack of support features and technical difficulties hinder retention. The findings suggest that understanding these factors can inform strategies to improve participant retention in future studies.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Tehmina Gladman, Grace Tylee, Steve Gallagher, Jonathan Mair, Rebecca Grainger
Summary: This study systematically searched for and evaluated the quality of clinical skills mobile apps as learning tools. The research found that the quality of apps varied, but two apps- Geeky Medics-OSCE revision and OSCE PASS: Medical Revision- rated highly in both versions and with both quality measures.
JMIR MHEALTH AND UHEALTH
(2021)
Article
Social Issues
Carmen del Pilar Gallardo Montes, Antonio Rodriguez Fuentes, Maria Jesus Caurcel Cara
Summary: The assessment of 155 apps available on the Play Store for autism professionals using a system of previously validated indicators and search terms in English and Spanish resulted in a ranking of apps aimed at people with autism, with only 14 apps obtaining notably higher scores than the rest.
TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rizwana Biviji, Karmen S. Williams, Joshua R. Vest, Brian E. Dixon, Theresa Cullen, Christopher A. Harle
Summary: Users prioritize apps that are low cost or free, with high-quality content, superior features, and user-friendly interfaces. User engagement and satisfaction are also influenced by app developer responsiveness and the opportunity for user involvement in the app development process.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ajla Mujcic, Matthijs Blankers, Brigitte Boon, Anne H. Berman, Heleen Riper, Margriet van Laar, Rutger Engels
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a digital alcohol moderation intervention, MyCourse, compared to a noninteractive digital brochure for cancer survivors. The results showed that both interventions led to a reduction in alcohol use at 6 months, with no significant differences between the groups. However, the cost-effectiveness analysis showed that MyCourse led to a larger reduction in drinking units over time at lower societal costs.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Elina Vaeyrynen, Sanna Hakola, Anniina Keski-Salmi, Hannaleena Jaemsa, Raija Vainionpaa, Saujanya Karki
Summary: The study found that the use of patient-oriented mobile phone apps in oral health is increasing, mainly focusing on promoting oral health. However, other areas such as teledentistry, which have great potential, have only recently started to receive attention.
JMIR MHEALTH AND UHEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Aline Sarradon-Eck, Tiphanie Bouchez, Lola Auroy, Matthieu Schuers, David Darmon
Summary: This study investigated French GPs' attitudes towards the prescription of mHealth apps to patients, categorizing them into three groups: digital engagement, patient protection, and doctor protection. Understanding GPs' expectations and concerns is crucial in motivating them to recommend mHealth apps to patients.
JMIR MHEALTH AND UHEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
MingXin Liu, SiYu Zhou, Qun Jin, Shoji Nishimura, Atsushi Ogihara
Summary: This study investigates contact-tracing apps (CTAs) used worldwide and identifies issues related to technology, policy, and user acceptance. The study finds problems with contact-tracing methods, accuracy, infection detection rates, and lack of interoperability among countries. Useful guidance and suggestions are provided for improving existing CTAs and developing new ones.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sarah Hatem, Janet C. Long, Stephanie Best, Zoe Fehlberg, Brona Nic Giolla Easpaig, Jeffrey Braithwaite
Summary: This study identified 29 mobile apps specifically developed for rare disease patients, with a focus on cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, and thalassemia. The apps primarily provided information and symptom tracking features, but scored low in engagement. Developers are recommended to improve app engagement, include consumers and clinicians in design, and always provide high-quality information.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Trent Ernest Hammond, Lisa Lampe, Andrew Campbell, Steve Perisic, Vlasios Brakoulias
Summary: The study identified 1043 apps related to social anxiety in the Australian Apple App and Google Play Stores, but only 12 apps were evaluated (3 iOS apps and 9 Android apps). Some of the apps were for treatment purposes, some provided supportive resources, some were for self-assessment, and some were designed for multiple purposes. Overall app quality was acceptable according to the Mobile App Rating Scale, but there was a lack of empirical information and clinical evidence to recommend their use.
JMIR MHEALTH AND UHEALTH
(2021)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ohoud Alkhaldi, Brian McMillan, Noha Maddah, John Ainsworth
Summary: This study aimed to classify and evaluate interventions encouraging healthcare providers (HCPs) to prescribe mHealth apps. A systematic literature search identified 11 studies, most of which showed positive findings, including increased knowledge, self-efficacy, and confidence among HCPs, as well as increased app prescriptions. Interventions mainly involved environmental restructuring and educational training.
JMIR MHEALTH AND UHEALTH
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Holly Alice Bear, Lara Ayala Nunes, John DeJesus, Shaun Liverpool, Bettina Moltrecht, Lakshmi Neelakantan, Elinor Harriss, Edward Watkins, Mina Fazel
Summary: This review examines the implementation of evidence-based mental health apps in real-world settings and explores the impact of key implementation determinants on successful implementation and sustainability. The study found that only a few apps have been successfully implemented, and factors such as high cost, funding constraints, and lengthy research processes have hindered implementation. The authors suggest embedding implementation strategies from the outset of research, collaborating with existing partners, and adapting interventions and platforms for local contexts or target populations.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Surgery
Yi Quan Tan, Ziting Wang, Qai Ven Yap, Yiong Huak Chan, Roger C. Ho, Agus Rizal Ardy Hariandy Hamid, Aitor Landaluce-Olavarria, Gianluca Pellino, Vineet Gauhar, Manish Chand, Marcelo Langer Wroclawski, B. M. Zeeshan Hameed, Samuel Ka-Kin Ling, Shomik Sengupta, Gaetano Gallo, Peter Ka-Fung Chiu, Yiloren Tanidir, M. Pilar Villanova Tallada, Bernardo Nunez Garcia, Ramiro Colleoni, Zainal Adwin Zainal Abiddin, Riccardo Campi, Francesco Esperto, Diego Carrion, Dean Elterman, Amanda Shu Jun Chung, Anthony Chi Fai Ng, Marco Moschini, Juan Gomez Rivas, Julio Mayol, Jeremy Yuen-Chun Teoh, Edmund Chiong
Summary: This study assessed the psychological impact on surgical providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that many healthcare workers experienced symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD, especially those involved in COVID-19 work and those who knew or lost someone with COVID-19. Surgeons in the head and neck specialty were more likely to experience psychological distress. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of long-term mental health care for healthcare personnel, especially for those who have personal connections to COVID-19 cases.
Article
Psychiatry
Natalie A. Chan, Zhisong Zhang, Guoxing Yin, Zhimeng Li, Roger C. Ho
Summary: This review article introduces the role and application of hypnotherapy for common psychiatric presentations, and examines its efficacy through summarizing recent evidence from high-quality outcome studies and meta-analyses.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Thu Minh Bui, Richard Chiu, Ryan G. Chiu, Quang N. Nguyen, Long Hoang Nguyen, Huong Lan Thi Nguyen, Linh Gia Vu, Giang Thu Vu, Toan Van Ngo, Thuc Minh Thi Vu, Bach Xuan Tran, Carl A. Latkin, Cyrus S. H. Ho, Roger C. M. Ho
Summary: This study assessed the correlation between depressive symptoms and HIV outcomes in Vietnam by measuring CD4 cell count. The results demonstrated that moderate to severe depressive symptoms are associated with lower CD4 cell counts, indicating poorer HIV outcomes due to comorbid depression. The study suggests that future policy and treatment options for HIV in Vietnam should take into account the presence of comorbid mental health conditions in order to provide more suitable and effective treatment, aiming to improve the quality of life for PLWH.
PSYCHOLOGY HEALTH & MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Muhammad Youshay Jawad, Joshua D. Di Vincenzo, Sebastian Badulescu, Kayla M. Teopiz, Aniqa Tabassum, Felicia Ceban, Andrea Mckenzie, Shakila Meshkat, Joshua D. Rosenblat, Roger C. Ho, Roger S. McIntyre
Summary: Ketamine has emerged as a novel and effective antidepressant, with the potential to improve various domains of depressive symptomatology. While its effectiveness in reducing depression severity is well-studied, more research is needed to explore its effects on cognition, anhedonia, suicidality, and psychosocial functionality. Findings suggest that ketamine is most effective in reducing suicidality but further studies are required to assess its effectiveness in other domains.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Shakila Meshkat, Roger C. Ho, Bing Cao, Kayla M. Teopiz, Joshua D. Rosenblat, Taeho Greg Rhee, Joshua D. Di Vincenzo, Felicia Ceban, Muhammad Youshay Jawad, Roger S. McIntyre
Summary: Ketamine, a NMDA receptor antagonist, has rapid acting antidepressant effect with high efficacy. However, not all patients respond to ketamine and some may even experience symptom deterioration. The discovery of repeatable and mechanistically relevant biomarkers is needed for treatment response prediction.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Emily S. Gillissie, Gia Han Le, Taeho Greg Rhee, Bing Cao, Joshua D. Rosenblat, Rodrigo B. Mansur, Roger C. Ho, Roger S. McIntyre
Summary: This meta-analysis examined the relationship between anhedonia and suicidality, and found a significant and moderate correlation between the two, especially in psychiatric populations. The results suggest that anhedonia may be a core risk factor for suicidal ideation and behaviors.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Bach Xuan Tran, Tham Thi Nguyen, Laurent Boyer, Guillaume Fond, Pascal Auquier, Hao Si Anh Nguyen, Ha Thi Nhi Tran, Hung Manh Nguyen, Jongkwan Choi, Huong Thi Le, Carl A. Latkin, Kalpana Isabel Nathan, Syeda F. Husain, Roger S. McIntyre, Cyrus S. H. Ho, Melvyn W. B. Zhang, Roger C. M. Ho
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the use of a portable fNIRS device as a diagnostic tool for assessing hemodynamics in people with schizophrenia in Vietnam. The results showed that individuals with schizophrenia did not exhibit significant activation in the frontal lobe during cognitive tasks. However, during the Verbal Fluency Test, certain areas of the prefrontal cortex showed promising diagnostic potential for schizophrenia.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Vu Anh Trong Dam, Ha Ngoc Do, Thao Bich Thi Vu, Khanh Long Vu, Hoang Minh Do, Nga Thu Thi Nguyen, Tham Thi Nguyen, Thuc Minh Thi Vu, Thao Phuong Thi Nguyen, Pascal Auquier, Laurent Boyer, Guillaume Fond, Carl A. Latkin, Cyrus S. H. Ho, Roger C. M. Ho
Summary: This study aims to explore the associations of the parent-child relationship, self-esteem, and resilience on the mental wellbeing and satisfaction with life of Vietnamese adolescents. The results showed that factors such as family support and sharing, higher academic performance, self-esteem, and resilience had a positive effect on life satisfaction and mental wellbeing. Female participants had higher satisfaction with life but lower mental wellbeing scores compared to male participants.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Keith M. Harris, Lu Wang, Guanglun M. Mu, Yanxia Lu, Cheryl So, Wei Zhang, Jing Ma, Kefei Liu, Wei Wang, Melvyn Wei-bin Zhang, Roger C. Ho
Summary: Clinicians face challenges in providing accurate and useful mental health assessments, especially in emergency situations. The development of a reliable and accessible Suicidality Scale (SS) addresses the urgent need for better suicide risk assessment tools. Through rigorous testing and validation, the SS has demonstrated strong psychometric properties and is applicable to diverse populations. This open-source scale represents a significant advancement in accurate assessment for individuals aged 13 and older.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ainsley Ryan Yan Bin Lee, Chun En Yau, Chen Ee Low, Jiaqi Li, Roger C. M. Ho, Cyrus Su Hui Ho
Summary: A diagnosis of cancer and treatment can be highly traumatic for paediatric cancer patients. This study found that depressive and anxiety symptoms significantly increased in PYACPs immediately after diagnosis, but started to decrease significantly after 12 months. Post-traumatic stress symptoms remained elevated throughout the follow-up period. Unhealthy family functioning, concomitant depression or anxiety, poor cancer prognosis, and experiencing cancer and treatment-related side effects were significant predictors of poorer psychological outcomes. Timely identification and psycho-oncological intervention are crucial.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Linh Phuong Doan, Nam Gia Dao, Duy Cao Nguyen, Trang Huyen Thi Dang, Giang Thu Vu, Long Hoang Nguyen, Linh Gia Vu, Huong Thi Le, Carl A. Latkin, Cyrus S. H. Ho, Roger C. M. Ho
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ye Sheng Phang, Creighton Heaukulani, Wijaya Martanto, Robert Morris, Mian Mian Tong, Roger Ho
Summary: This study aims to determine the perceived usability, acceptability, and usefulness of mindline.sg among individuals with diagnosed mental disorders in a clinical setting. The study found that mindline.sg is generally perceived as usable and acceptable by individuals with diagnosed mental disorders, but individuals with lower education levels rate its usability lower.
JMIR HUMAN FACTORS
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Dania Akbar, Taeho Greg Rhee, Felicia Ceban, Roger Ho, Kayla M. Teopiz, Bing Cao, Mehala Subramaniapillai, Angela T. H. Kwan, Joshua D. Rosenblat, Roger S. McIntyre
Summary: This systematic review assessed the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action of AXS-05 in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). The results showed that AXS-05 had a significant effect in reducing depression severity and was well-tolerated. The findings also supported the role of glutamatergic and sigma 1 signaling in the pathophysiology of MDD.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Quy-Chau Ngo, Lan Phuong Thi Doan, Giap Van Vu, Thu-Phuong Phan, Hanh Thi Chu, Anh Tu Duong, Quan-Hoang Vuong, Manh-Tung Ho, Minh-Hoang Nguyen, Thu-Trang Vuong, Tham Thi Nguyen, Hien Thu Nguyen, Anh Hai Tran Nguyen, Cyrus S. H. Ho, Roger C. M. Ho
Summary: This study examined the satisfaction of smokers who used the QUITLINE service and identified factors associated with their quit attempts and cessation. The results showed that 65.5% of participants were completely satisfied with the counseling service, but the smoking relapse rate was relatively high. The study also found that staff's capacity and motivation were associated with quit attempts and successful cessation, suggesting the need to focus on preventing smoking relapse and strengthening staff training to improve client motivation.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Linh Phuong Doan, Long Hoang Nguyen, Ha Ngoc Do, Tham Thi Nguyen, Giang Thu Vu, Hoa Thi Do, Carl A. Latkin, Roger C. M. Ho, Cyrus S. H. Ho
Summary: This study reviewed recent changes in Vietnam's population policies and assessed the intention of giving birth before 30 in young Vietnamese to provide insights into the potential effectiveness of the policy changes among young people. Results showed that measures relating to age, socioeconomic and biological characteristics, resources of the local health systems, as well as a clean and safe living environment should be incorporated under this policy, implying that further interventions need to be taken into account to cope with delayed childbearing.