1,721,051 research outputs found
Healthy Paths/Mind Usage Data
Full text linkThis data set contains data on participant characteristics and usage of a web and app stress management intervention collected as part of an observational study.
For more imformation on the study, see the associated journal paper:
Morrison, Leanne; Geraghty, Adam; Lloyd, Scott; Goodman , Natalie; Michaelides, Danius T; Hargood, Charlie; Weal, Mark; Yardley, Lucy / Comparing usage of a web- and smartphone app-delivered stress management intervention: An observational study.
In: Internet Interventions
The data can be requested by bona fide researchers via http://library.soton.ac.uk/datarequest</span
How do users perceive and engage with internet-based interventions to support health-related behaviour change?
No full textTheory-based strategies for enhancing the impact and usage of digital health behaviour change interventions: a review
No full textThere is growing evidence that digital interventions can successfully effect meaningful changes in health-related behaviour. However, optimisation of digital intervention delivery is challenged by low usage, high attrition and small effect sizes. Whilst a number of conceptual frameworks and models exist to guide intervention planning and development, insufficient attention has been paid to how existing psychological theory could inform the optimal implementation and delivery of the design features commonly used in digital health behaviour change interventions. This paper provides a critical review of psychological theories and models in order to consider their implications for the design of digital interventions. The theories reviewed include theories of: persuasion and attitude change; motivation; volition and self-regulation; patient preferences for participation in medical decision making; and social support. A set of theory-based guidelines is provided to inform the development of future intervention
What infection control measures will people carry out to reduce transmission of pandemic influenza? A focus group study
Full text linkBackground: pandemic influenza poses a future health threat against which infection control behaviours may be an important defence. However, there is little qualitative research examining perceptions of infection control measures in the context of pandemic influenza.Methods: eight focus groups and one interview were conducted with a purposive sample of 31 participants. Participants were invited to discuss their perceptions of infection transmission and likely adherence to infection control measures in both non-pandemic and pandemic contexts. Infection control measures discussed included handwashing, social distancing and cough hygiene(e.g. covering mouth, disposing of tissues immediately etc.).Results: thematic analysis revealed that although participants were knowledgeable about infection transmission, most expressed unfavourable attitudes toward control behaviours in non-pandemic situations. However, with the provision of adequate education about control measures and appropriate practical support (e.g. memory aids, access to facilities), most individuals report thatthey are likely to adhere to infection control protocols in the event of a pandemic. Of the behaviours likely to influence infection transmission, handwashing was regarded by our participants as more feasible than cough and sneeze hygiene and more acceptable than social distancing.Conclusion: handwashing could prove a useful target for health promotion, but interventions to promote infection control may need to address a number of factors identified within this study as potential barriers to carrying out infection control behaviour
The person-based approach to intervention development: application to digital health-related behavior change interventions
No full textThis paper describes an approach that we have evolved for developing successful digital interventions to help people manage their health or illness. We refer to this as the “person-based” approach to highlight the focus on understanding and accommodating the perspectives of the people who will use the intervention. While all intervention designers seek to elicit and incorporate the views of target users in a variety of ways, the person-based approach offers a distinctive and systematic means of addressing the user experience of intended behavior change techniques in particular and can enhance the use of theory-based and evidence-based approaches to intervention development. There are two key elements to the person-based approach. The first is a developmental process involving qualitative research with a wide range of people from the target user populations, carried out at every stage of intervention development, from planning to feasibility testing and implementation. This process goes beyond assessing acceptability, usability, and satisfaction, allowing the intervention designers to build a deep understanding of the psychosocial context of users and their views of the behavioral elements of the intervention. Insights from this process can be used to anticipate and interpret intervention usage and outcomes, and most importantly to modify the intervention to make it more persuasive, feasible, and relevant to users. The second element of the person-based approach is to identify “guiding principles” that can inspire and inform the intervention development by highlighting the distinctive ways that the intervention will address key context-specific behavioral issues. This paper describes how to implement the person-based approach, illustrating the process with examples of the insights gained from our experience of carrying out over a thousand interviews with users, while developing public health and illness management interventions that have proven effective in trials involving tens of thousands of users
Opportunities and challenges for smartphone applications in supporting health behavior change
No full textBackground: There is increasing interest from academics and clinicians in harnessing smartphone applications (apps) as a means of delivering behavioral interventions for health. Despite the growing availability of a range of health-related apps on the market, academic research on the development and evaluation of such apps is in the relatively early stages. A few existing studies have explored the views of various populations on using mobile phones for health-related issues and some studies are beginning to report user feedback on specific apps. However, there remains little in depth research on users’ (and potential users’) experiences and views on a wide range of features and technologies that apps are, or will soon be, capable of. In particular, research on young adults is lacking, which is an unfortunate omission considering that this group comprises of a good number of mobile technology adoptors.Objective: The current study sought to explore young adults’ perspectives on apps related to health behavior change. It sought their experiences and views of features that might support health behavior change and issues that contribute to interest in and willingness to use such apps.Methods: Four focus groups were conducted with 19 students and staff at a University in the United Kingdom. Participants included 13 females and 6 males with a mean age of 23.79 (SD 7.89). The focus group discussions centred on participants’ experiences of using smartphone apps to support a healthy lifestyle, and their interest in and feelings about features and capabilities of such apps. The focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.Results: Study findings suggested that young, currently healthy adults have some interest in apps that attempt to support health-related behavior change. Accuracy and legitimacy, security, effort required, and immediate effects on mood emerged as important influences on app usage. The ability to record and track behavior and goals and the ability to acquire advice and information “on the go” were valued. Context-sensing capabilities and social media features tended to be considered unnecessary and off-putting.Conclusions: This study provided insight into the opportunities and challenges involved in delivering health-related behavioral interventions through smartphone apps. The findings suggested a number of valued features and characteristics that app developers may wish to consider when creating health behavior apps. Findings also highlighted several major challenges that appeared to need further consideration and research to ensure the development of effective and well-accepted behavior change apps
Older individual’s perceptions of appetite, its loss, influencing factors and adaptions to poor appetite. A qualitative study
No full textAppetite loss in later life is common and associated with malnutrition; however, there is limited knowledge on older individuals’ perspectives of appetite. This study aimed to explore what ‘appetite’ means to older adults, how they experience its change and perceived influences on this experience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen participants, aged ≥65 years, in their own home, following a recent arm fracture. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis with inductive coding resulting in three themes. 1. ‘Appetite as an emotional experience’ encompassed positive or negative thoughts and feelings driving or undermining desire to eat. Mood, the appeal of food, cooking and effects of interaction and experiences with other people were factors in this narrative. 2. ‘Appetite reflects a physical need’ comprised physical bodily sensations or requirements as a driver for appetite with poor appetite resulting from early or over fullness. Declines with age, illness and less activity, were factors in this narrative. 3. ‘Adaption to poor appetite aligns with perception of appetite and wider physical health’ accounts for how experiential strategies, or practical strategies were used to mitigate poor appetite depending on the narrative of appetite loss, alongside perceptions of physical health and unplanned weight loss. Most individuals used one narrative in their discussions and reflections but for some, perceptions of appetite and its change were more complex. Understanding relationships between these perceptions of appetite and influential factors could facilitate development of multi-component, person-centred, strategies that are optimally meaningful and relevant to address appetite loss in later life
Application of the lifeGuide: a think-aloud study of users' experiences of the 'internet doctor'
No full textThe LifeGuide is an Internet-based set of resources that social scientists with no programming skills can use to design, develop and modify Internet-based health behaviorinterventions. ‘Think aloud’ interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 26 adult participants. Participants were encouraged to share their views of the ‘Internet Doctor’, a website which provides tailored advice for the self-care of cold and influenza symptoms.Thematic analysis revealed that participants were generally complimentary about the content of the ‘Internet Doctor’, but many experienced problems navigating the website. Future Internet-based health interventions may need to address some of the issues identified in thisstudy in order to promote optimal user engagement. The findings also have implications for the future development of LifeGuide
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