ABSTRACT
Background/objective: This paper aimed to summarize the findings of the third (2022) Active Healthy Kids Hong Kong Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents and evaluate the secular trends of physical activity related indicators. Methods: Five behavioral indicators (Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport and Physical Activity, Active Play, Active Transportation, and Sedentary Behavior), three outcome indicators (Physical Fitness, Sleep, and Obesity) and four sources of influence indicators (Family and Peers, School, Community and Environment, and Government) were assigned a letter grade (ranging from A+ to F or incomplete) based on the best available evidence following a harmonized approach developed by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance. Data sources included published journal articles, government reports, manual searches, and personal contacts;and consisted of both pre-COVID-19 and after-COVID-19 evidence. Results: Grades for Overall Physical Activity (D−∗∗) and Sedentary Behavior (D) deteriorated compared to the 2018 Report Card. The other three behavioral indicators, Organized Sport and Physical Activity, Active Play, and Active Transportation, were assigned B−, D, and B+, respectively. Physical Fitness (D), Sleep (C−), and Obesity (D−) obtained the same grades as in the 2018 Report Card. School (B) and Government (C+) grades slightly improved, while Community and Environment grade (B) was stable. Family and Peers was not graded due to insufficient evidence. Conclusions: Despite slight improvements in influence indicators, physical activity and sedentary behavior have changed unfavorably for children and adolescents in Hong Kong. Strategic investments are needed to improve adoption and implementation of effective interventions. © 2022 The Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for multiple myeloma (MM) entails sudden life changes including acute symptom burden, changes in physical function, and shifting caregiver dynamics. Several studies have shown that anxiety, insomnia, and distress rise in the initial weeks following ASCT before slowly recovering. Long-term consequences of these acute exacerbations include persistent quality of life (QOL) impairments (El-Jawahri 2016), post-traumatic stress disorder (Griffith 2020), and the usage of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) for symptom management (Banerjee 2021). We have recently completed a pilot study of digital life coaching (DLC), whereby life coaches work with patients via phone calls and text messages to provide longitudinal support, education, and accountability to meet wellbeing-related goals. Our pilot study of 15 patients demonstrated the feasibility of DLC during this period, with bidirectional patient-coach engagement occurring every 5-7 days even during index hospitalizations for ASCT (Banerjee 2021). Based on these positive results, we have now launched a randomized Phase 2 study of DLC versus usual care among patients with MM undergoing ASCT. STUDY DESIGN: Our study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04589286. We plan to enroll 60 adult patients with MM undergoing first ASCT at our institution. Inclusion criteria include English language proficiency and ownership of a personal cellphone. However, neither smartphones nor specific mobile apps are required for study participation. All patients, including those in the control arm, receive brief wellness-related tips with each request for PRO data as outlined below. As shown in the Figure, patients in the DLC arm are paired with a trained life coach beginning at Day -10 before ASCT. Coaches use structured frameworks to assist patients longitudinally with identifying and accomplishing wellbeing-related goals. Specific coaching topics can vary from week to week and are set by each patient. In addition to weekly coach-led phone calls, patients are encouraged to maintain bidirectional communication via phone/text/email as often as desired. Patients in the control arm do not receive access to DLC. Our primary endpoint is the total usage of sedative-class PIMs - including lorazepam, temazepam, zolpidem, and other similar medications - prescribed for anxiety or insomnia during each of 4 four-week study subperiods identified in the Figure. Secondary endpoints include patient-reported outcome (PRO) assessments of QOL (PROMIS Global Health), distress (NCCN Distress Thermometer), and insomnia (PROMIS Sleep Disturbances 4A). PRO assessments are collected exclusively using automated REDCap emails every 1-2 weeks as shown in the Figure. PROGRESS TO DATE: As of the data cutoff (7/31/21), 19 patients have enrolled onto our study and 5 have completed all follow-up. The median age of enrolled patients is 62 (range: 31-77), with 26% of patients aged 70 or older. As shown in our pilot study (Banerjee 2021), PRO collection via automated REDCap emails is feasible. Specifically, of 93 email-based requests for PRO assessments as of the data cutoff, 92 (99%) have been completed. Analyses of PRO assessment responses and PIM usage will be conducted after study completion. DISCUSSION: Improving patient wellbeing during the acute peri-ASCT period is an unmet need in multiple myeloma. Published supportive strategies during this time include music therapy (Bates 2017), acupuncture (Deng 2018), palliative care (El-Jawahri 2017), and programmed hospital room lighting (Valdimarsdottir 2018). DLC may offer unique advantages given its easy accessibility and unified patient-facing interface across hospital/clinic/home transitions. These strengths may be particularly relevant in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, where home-based follow-up after ASCT has become more common. That being said, broadening the accessibility of DLC to include patients with limited English proficiency or patients without personal cell phones are important priorities for fu ure studies. In summary, our randomized Phase 2 study of DLC versus usual care is ongoing. If shown to reduce PIM prescription rates while improving wellbeing-related PRO trajectories longitudinally, DLC may become a standard of care for patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing ASCT. [Formula presented] Disclosures: Banerjee: Pack Health: Research Funding;SparkCures: Consultancy;Sanofi: Consultancy. Knoche: Amgen: Honoraria. Brassil: Abbvie: Research Funding;Astellas: Research Funding;BMS: Research Funding;Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding;Genentech: Research Funding;GSK: Research Funding;Sanofi: Research Funding;Pack Health: Current Employment. Jackson: Pack Health: Current Employment. Patel: Pack Health: Current Employment. Lo: Oncopeptides: Consultancy;EUSA Pharma: Consultancy. Chung: Caelum: Research Funding. Wong: Amgen: Consultancy;Genentech: Research Funding;Fortis: Research Funding;Janssen: Research Funding;GloxoSmithKlein: Research Funding;Dren Biosciences: Consultancy;Caelum: Research Funding;BMS: Research Funding;Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Wolf: Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy;Teneobio: Consultancy;Sanofi: Consultancy;Amgen: Consultancy. Martin: Oncopeptides: Consultancy;Sanofi: Research Funding;Amgen: Research Funding;Janssen: Research Funding;GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy. Shah: Bluebird Bio: Research Funding;GSK: Consultancy;Janssen: Research Funding;Indapta Therapeutics: Consultancy;BMS/Celgene: Research Funding;CareDx: Consultancy;CSL Behring: Consultancy;Kite: Consultancy;Nektar: Research Funding;Karyopharm: Consultancy;Amgen: Consultancy;Oncopeptides: Consultancy;Poseida: Research Funding;Precision Biosciences: Research Funding;Sanofi: Consultancy;Sutro Biopharma: Research Funding;Teneobio: Research Funding.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for multiple myeloma (MM) face sudden exacerbations of anxiety, insomnia, and other symptoms within the initial weeks following ASCT. Even as these symptoms abate in subsequent months, long-term consequences include post-traumatic stress disorder (Griffith 2020), quality of life (QOL) impairments (El-Jawahri 2016), and chronic reliance on higher-risk medications such as benzodiazepines (Banerjee 2020). These findings are particularly relevant to MM patients given their older age at diagnosis, longer expected post-ASCT survival, and poorer QOL at baseline compared with other cancer patients (Kent 2015). Compared to other integrative interventions in the peri-ASCT setting, life coaching transcends a symptomatic focus while directly addressing the root determinants of impaired QOL. Life coaches work with patients using structured frameworks (Figure 1A) to provide longitudinal support, education, and accountability to meet patient-identified wellness goals. Digital life coaching (DLC) combines the strengths of life coaching with the capabilities of digital health by channeling patient-coach communication through patients' personal phones. Compared to in-person coaching, DLC is location-agnostic and allows patients to work their coaches more conveniently and frequently. DLC is feasible among ASCT survivors (Chen 2016) but has not yet been studied in the active peri-ASCT setting. We are conducting a pilot study of a 16-week DLC subscription to assess its feasibility and effects on QOL during an intensive period spanning from pre-ASCT hospitalization through Day +100 after ASCT. If successful, we plan to then pursue a randomized Phase II study comparing DLC versus usual care in the peri-ASCT setting. METHODS: Our study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04432818. We plan to enroll 27 adult patients with MM undergoing first ASCT at our institution. Inclusion criteria include English language proficiency and ownership of a personal cellphone. Notably, neither ownership of a smartphone nor installation of a specific mobile app is required for patient enrollment. Enrolled patients will receive unlimited access to a certified life coach beginning at Day -5 before ASCT;bidirectional communication is encouraged via phone, text, or email. The life coaches will reach out at least once per week to help patients accomplish self-identified goals such as symptom management, stress reduction, and physical activity. Our study's primary endpoint is ongoing patient engagement, defined as least one patient-initiated outreach to their coach during each of four 4-week study subperiods. Our study's secondary endpoints include patient-reported outcome (PRO) assessments of QOL, distress, and sleep disturbances (to be collected using electronic surveys every 1-2 weeks as shown in Figure 1B). Exploratory endpoints include benzodiazepine usage and rates of electronic/phone communication with patients’ treatment teams. We will analyze endpoints using descriptive methods, including stratification of secondary & exploratory endpoints by DLC usage and specific 4-week study subperiod. PROGRESS TO DATE: Of 18 approached patients as of the data cutoff (8/1/20), 15 (83%) have expressed interest. Reasons for non-enrollment include skepticism about the value of interactions with coaches who do not themselves have MM. Of the 15 patients who have expressed interest in the study, the median age is 65 (range: 50-81) and all but one patient report owning a personal smartphone. All 6 patients with finalized ASCT hospitalization dates have been enrolled and paired with life coaches. Adherence to weekly electronic PRO assessments has been 100% (n = 9 timepoints) to date, consistent with previous studies (Wood 2013). CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot study is ongoing. Our findings to date suggest that certain MM patients are phone-savvy and would be interested in digital health tools, which will continue to gain prominence in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Strengths of DLC include it scalability across institutional lines and its ability to reach patients at home in an integrative manner. Results of this study will inform innovative approaches to support the wellbeing of patients with hematologic malignancies, both in the peri-transplantation setting and beyond. [Formula presented] Disclosures: Brassil: Pack Health: Current Employment. Patel: Pack Health: Current Employment. Jackson: Pack Health: Current Employment. Wong: Janssen: Research Funding;Roche: Research Funding;Amgen: Consultancy;Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;GSK: Research Funding;Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding;Fortis: Research Funding. Wolf: Adaptive: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Martin: Seattle Genetics: Research Funding;AMGEN: Research Funding;GSK: Consultancy;Sanofi: Research Funding;Janssen: Research Funding. Shah: BMS, Janssen, Bluebird Bio, Sutro Biopharma, Teneobio, Poseida, Nektar: Research Funding;GSK, Amgen, Indapta Therapeutics, Sanofi, BMS, CareDx, Kite, Karyopharm: Consultancy.
ABSTRACT
Background: Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) experience acute quality of life (QOL) exacerbations following autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) that can lead to long-term complications. Life coaching can improve QOL in a structured & personalized manner. We investigated the feasibility of a digital life coaching (DLC) platform, where coaching is accomplished through phone calls and text messages, for patients with MM during ASCT. Methods: Our pilot study (clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT04432818) enrolled adult patients with MM, English proficiency, and cellphone ownership (smartphone not required). The 16-week DLC program, beginning at Day -5 before ASCT, included unlimited digital access to a certified life coach to help with identifying and accomplishing wellness-related goals. Our primary outcome was ongoing DLC engagement (≥ 1 bidirectional conversation every 4 weeks). Secondary outcomes were ePRO assessments of QOL (PROMIS Global Health), insomnia (PROMIS Sleep Disturbances), and distress (NCCN DT). Electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) assessments were delivered via automated REDCap emails every 1-2 weeks. Results: Of 18 screened patients, 15 (83%) enrolled in our study;2 patients dropped out before initiating DLC (including 1 who was unable to connect with her coach between Day -5 and 0). Of 13 remaining patients, median age was 65 (range 50-81) and 23% had an ECOG performance status of 1 (remainder 0). DLC conversations occurred a mean of every 7.6 days (range 3-28) overall and every 6.5 days (range 2.8-14) during the initial 28- day period including high-dose melphalan and hospitalization. 80% of patients maintained ≥ 1 conversation every 4 weeks. Selected ePRO results (mean ± standard error) are shown in the table. Conclusions: Certain MM patients are able to engage digitally with a life coach and complete email-based ePRO assessments during and after ASCT. Limitations of our study include selection bias and the Day -5 start date, which may be too late logistically and symptom-wise (given our ePRO findings suggestive of peak distress pre- ASCT). DLC may play an innovative and scalable role given the emphasis on remotely delivered care during the COVID-19 pandemic. A Phase II randomized study of DLC versus usual care is under way (clinicaltrials.gov ID:.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events in the acute setting. However, the abnormal thrombotic diathesis is not known to persist into the recovery phase of COVID-19 infection. We described 3 cases of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in healthy male patients who recovered from COVID-19 with no prior cardiovascular risk factors. They shared features of elevated von Willebrand factor antigen, factor VIII and D-dimer level. One patient had a borderline positive lupus anticoagulant. Intravascular ultrasound of culprit vessels revealed predominantly fibrotic plaque with minimal necrotic core. Clot waveform analysis showed parameters of hypercoagulability. They were treated with dual antiplatelet therapy, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor, beta blocker and statin. These cases highlight the strong thrombogenic nature of COVID-19 that persisted among patients who recovered from infection. Several suspected mechanisms could explain the association between vascular thrombosis in the convalescent period (endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulability, systemic inflammatory response and vasculopathy). Additional studies on "long COVID" are essential for identifying endotheliopathy and thrombotic sequalae.