Will they or won't they? Understanding New Zealand adults' attitudes towards using digital interventions.

Background: Digital interventions deliver healthcare via the internet or smartphone application to support people's well-being and health. Yet uptake is relatively poor. Furthermore, several studies exploring attitudes towards digital interventions have found inconsistent attitudes. In addition to this, regional and cultural nuances may further influence attitudes to digital interventions. Objective: This study aimed to understand New Zealand adults' attitudes towards digital interventions and their influences. Results: A mixed-method design consisting of a cross-sectional survey and semi-structured interviews found that New Zealand adults hold varied and complex attitudes towards digital interventions. Attitudes were found to be influenced by group membership and the scenarios in which digital interventions are made available. In addition, beliefs about the benefits and concerns surrounding digital interventions, knowledge, perceived views of others, and previous experience and confidence influenced these attitudes. Conclusions: Findings indicated that digital interventions would be acceptable if offered as part of the healthcare service rather than a standalone intervention. Key modifiable factors that could positively influence attitudes were identified and could be leveraged to increase the perceived acceptability of digital interventions.

Designing an Artifact to Empower Chronic Patients for Monitoring Health During a Pandemic: A COVID-19 Screening App

Chronic diseases have been declared as an invisible epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2005). Over the past fifty years, the prevalence of chronic conditions has increased, leading to the disease burden caused by cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, musculoskeletal conditions, and mental and substance use disorders (DOH, 2021). Chronic patients need to reimagine how they will empower themselves to effectively manage and monitor their health and wellbeing in a COVID-19 era, when frequent in-person health care visits will no longer be feasible. In this study, we propose the features for the design of a mobile based application that will aid chronic patients and end-users to self-manage and monitor their health during the pandemic era. Based on an empirical investigation involving pharmacists and researchers, we designed and developed a prototype capable of empowering chronic patients. This study particularly focuses on how technological interventions can help chronic patients to self-manage and monitor their health and wellbeing related to COVID-19 where the user expectations are met with less attrition rates. © 2023 IEEE Computer Society. All rights reserved.

Types of Digital-Based Nursing Interventions for Reducing Stress and Depression Symptoms on Adolescents During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review.

COVID-19 pandemic can cause problems in adolescent mental health such as anxiety, depression, and stress. This is because the distance barrier becomes an obstacle in handling mental health in adolescents. The use of technology has the potential to deal with mental health problems. The purpose of this study was to describe the types of digital-based nursing interventions to reduce symptoms of stress and depression on adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used the Scoping Review method. Literature from CINAHL, PubMed, and ProQuest databases. The keywords were adolescent, depression, stress, digital, application, and nursing intervention in English. The criteria for articles in this study were full-text articles, the sample of adolescents, digital-based intervention, articles are original research, and time setting 2018-2022. We found 11 articles discussing digital-based nursing interventions to reduce symptoms of stress and depression in adolescents. There are 2 types of intervention, namely mobile-based intervention, and web-based intervention. The two interventions can be combined to become a method of providing digital nursing interventions that are effective and can reach the entire community. Digital-based nursing interventions are carried out by paying attention to physical, psychological, spiritual, and cultural aspects to improve the goals of nursing care so that they can be significant in reducing stress and depression in adolescents during the Covid-19 pandemic. Digital-based nursing interventions consisting of mobile-based intervention and web-based intervention can improve mental health among adolescents by reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and increasing resilience, well-being, and self-efficacy.

An intervention to promote positive homeworker health and wellbeing through effective home-working practices: a feasibility and acceptability study.

BACKGROUND: In the wake of Covid-19, the prevalence of working from home ('home-working') is expected to rise. Yet, working from home can have negative health and wellbeing impacts. Interventions are needed to promote effective ways of working that also protect workers' health and wellbeing. This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention intended to promote home-working practices that would protect and promote health behaviour and wellbeing. METHODS: An uncontrolled, single-arm mixed-methods trial design was employed. Forty-two normally-office-based UK workers, working from home between January-February 2021 (during the Covid pandemic), consented to receive the intervention. The intervention: a digital document offering evidence-based recommendations for home-working in ways conducive to health behaviour and wellbeing. Feasibility and acceptability were quantitatively indexed by: expressions of interest within 1 week (target threshold ≥ 35); attrition across the one-week study period (threshold ≤ 20%); and the absence of any apparent detriments in self-reported physical activity, sedentary behaviour, snacking, and work-related wellbeing prior to and one week after receiving the intervention. Qualitative think-aloud data, obtained while participants read through the intervention, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, explored acceptability. Semi-structured interviews conducted one week after intervention exposure were content-analysed to identify whether and which behaviour changes were adopted. RESULTS: Two feasibility criteria were met: 85 expressions of interest indicated satisfactory intervention demand, and no detriments were observed in health behaviours or wellbeing. Forty-two participants (i.e., maximum capacity for the study; 26 females, 16 males, aged 22-63) consented to take part. 31% dropped out over the one-week study period leaving a final sample of 29 (18 females, 11 males, aged 22-63), exceeding identified attrition thresholds. Think-aloud data showed that participants concurred with intervention guidance, but felt it lacked novelty and practicality. Follow-up interviews produced 18 (62%) participant reports of intervention adherence, where nine recommendations reportedly prompted behaviour change in at least one participant. CONCLUSIONS: Mixed evidence was found for intervention feasibility and acceptability. Whilst the information was deemed relevant and of value, further development is required to increase its novelty. It may also be more fruitful to provide this information via employers, to encourage and emphasise employer endorsement.

Videoconference-based Creativity Workshops for mental health staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 presented significant challenges to psychiatric staff, while social distancing and remote working necessitated digital communications. NHS England prioritised staff wellbeing. Arts-based creativity interventions appear to improve psychological wellbeing, so this study evaluated online Creativity Workshops as a staff support response for COVID-19-related stress. METHODS: Participants were staff from a South London NHS psychiatric hospital. Group Creativity Workshops were facilitated via Microsoft Teams. Acceptability data on pre- and post-workshop mood and attitudes were self-reported by participants. Feasibility data were gathered from adherence to number of workshop components delivered. RESULTS: Eight workshops were delivered in May-September 2020 (N = 55) with high adherence to components. Participants reported significantly increased positive mood and attitudes towards themselves and others; and decreased stress and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Online Creativity Workshops appear feasible and acceptable in reducing stress in psychiatric staff. Integrating a programme of Creativity Workshops within healthcare staff support may benefit staff wellbeing.

Embracing context: Lessons from designing a dialogue-based intervention to address vaccine hesitancy.

Dialogue with people who are vaccine hesitant has been recommended as a method to increase vaccination uptake. The process of cultivating dialogue is shaped by the context in which it occurs, yet the development of interventions addressing vaccine hesitancy with dialogue often overlooks the role of context and favors relatively fixed solutions. This reflexive paper shares three key lessons related to context for dialogue-based interventions. These lessons emerged during a participatory research project to develop a pilot intervention to create open dialogue among healthcare workers in Belgium about COVID-19 vaccination concerns. Through a mixed methods study consisting of in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys, we engaged healthcare workers in the design, testing, and evaluation of a digital platform featuring text-based and video-based (face-to-face) interactions. The lessons are: (1) what dialogue means, entails, and requires can vary for a population and context, (2) inherent tension exists between helping participants voice (and overcome) their concerns and exposing them to others' ideas that may exacerbate those concerns, and (3) interactional exchanges (e.g., with peers or experts) that matter to participants may shape the dialogue in terms of its content and form. We suggest that having a discovery-orientation-meaning to work not only inductively and iteratively but also reflexively-is a necessary part of the development of dialogue-based interventions. Our case also sheds light on the influences between: dialogue topic/content, socio-political landscape, population, intervention aim, dialogue form, ethics, researcher position, and types of interactional exchanges.

The reach and benefits of a digital intervention to improve physical activity in people with a musculoskeletal condition delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.

AIM: To evaluate a digital intervention to improve physical activity in people in the UK with a musculoskeletal condition delivered during movement restrictions brought about because of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Service evaluation data collected from 26,041 participants over 5 months was assessed against national datasets to understand the reach and representativeness of the digital physical activity intervention. Measures to restrict the movement and interaction of people were in place during these 5 months. Cross-sectional data from 2752 participants across different stages of the 12-week programme assessed levels of physical activity and the components of behaviour as defined by the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation = Behaviour). Regression analysis investigated the relationship between programme stage and physical activity and the components of behaviour. RESULTS: In comparison to the UK population of people with a musculoskeletal condition, the intervention participants were over-represented by females, White, and inactive people. A cross-sectional analysis suggested that the number of participants regularly active increased by programme stage. Scores for the behavioural components of automatic and reflective motivation, physical and psychological capability, and physical opportunity were also improved by programme stage. CONCLUSION: The service evaluation suggests that the digital intervention, designed to improve physical activity in people with a musculoskeletal condition, could be beneficial during measures to restrict movement to slow the spread of infectious disease in those who are already motivated to become or stay active.

Risk factors and digital interventions for anxiety disorders in college students: Stakeholder perspectives.

The worldwide prevalence of anxiety disorders among college students is high, which negatively affects countries, schools, families, and individual students to varying degrees. This paper reviews the relevant literature regarding risk factors and digital interventions for anxiety disorders among college students from the perspectives of different stakeholders. Risk factors at the national and societal levels include class differences and the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. College-level risk factors include the indoor environment design of the college environment, peer relationships, student satisfaction with college culture, and school functional levels. Family-level risk factors include parenting style, family relationship, and parental level of education. Individual-level risk factors include biological factors, lifestyle, and personality. Among the intervention options for college students' anxiety disorders, in addition to traditional cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, psychological counseling, and group counseling, digital mental health interventions are increasingly popular due to their low cost, positive effect, and convenient diagnostics and treatment. To better apply digital intervention to the prevention and treatment of college students' anxiety, this paper suggests that the different stakeholders form a synergy among themselves. The nation and society should provide necessary policy guarantees, financial support, and moral and ethical supervision for the prevention and treatment of college students' anxiety disorders. Colleges should actively participate in the screening and intervention of college students' anxiety disorders. Families should increase their awareness of college students' anxiety disorders and take the initiative to study and understand various digital intervention methods. College students with anxiety disorders should actively seek psychological assistance and actively accept and participate in digital intervention projects and services. We believe that in the future, the application of methods such as big data and artificial intelligence to improve digital interventions and provide individualized treatment plans will become the primary means of preventing and treating anxiety disorders among college students.

"Will it Work as Well on Zoom?" A Natural Experiment During the Covid-19 Pandemic of Delivering Parenting Groups Via Video Conferencing or in Person.

While rates of child maltreatment increased during the Covid-19-pandemic, face-to-face interventions to support families got difficult to carry out due to restrictions. Meanwhile, many services do not have access to parenting programs designed for digital or remote delivery. A solution employed by some services was to use video conferencing (VC) to deliver their regular parenting programs. This study examined the effectiveness of the universal group-based parenting program ABC offered through VC instead of on-site meetings during the pandemic. Pre and post measurements were collected from 469 parents participating in either 1) ABC with VC meetings only, 2) on-site meetings only, or 3) blended - a combination of VC and on-site sessions. In addition, 74 group leaders completed a survey about their experiences of VC groups. Analyses showed general improvements in parent practices and child conduct over time, but no differences in effectiveness depending on the format of the parent group (VC, blended, or on-site). Qualitative analyses of group leaders' experiences revealed four key-themes pertaining to both challenges (e.g., concerns about parents' ability to benefit and learn parenting skills) and benefits (e.g., reaching parents who would not have been able to attend physical meetings) of VC groups. Overall, this study showed no significant differences in outcomes between the VC, blended, or on-site format of delivery. There are however limitations of this trial, and results should be considered preliminary. Effectiveness and potential negative consequences of replacing interventions intended to be delivered on-site with VC alternatives need to be further investigated in future trials.

Real-Time Mental Health Crisis Response in the United States to COVID-19.

Background: Data are scarce on assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people. Aim: To examine changes in crisis text patterns in the United States during the pandemic compared to the prepandemic period. Method: Nonintrusive data from a national digital crisis texting platform were analyzed using an interrupted time series design. Poisson regression with repeated-measures examined help-seeking patterns for stress, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health concerns in the pandemic (March 13 to July 20, 2020) compared to the prepandemic period (March 13 to July 20, 2019). Results: An abrupt increase in national crisis response texts occurred during the pandemic for stress and anxiety, substance abuse, bereavement, isolation, and abuse compared to the prepandemic period. Similar trends of excess texts for isolation and abuse were reported among children (relative risk [RR]abuse: 1.16, CI: 1.03, 1.31; RRisolation: 1.15, CI: 1.09, 1.21) and adolescents (RRabuse: 1.17, CI: 1.11, 1.24; RRisolation: 1.08, CI: 1.05, 1.11), bereavement among Black (RR: 1.31, CI: 1.12, 1.54) and Hispanic (RR: 1.28, CI: 1.10, 1.49) texters, and isolation and bereavement in female (RRisolation: 1.09, CI: 1.06, 1.11; RRbereavement: 1.21, CI: 1.13, 1.28) or nonconforming youth (RRisolation: 1.19, CI: 1.08, 1.32; RRbereavement: 1.50, CI: 1.08, 2.09) texters. Conversely, the risks of reporting bullying, depression, relationship issues, and suicidal thoughts as reasons for texting were significantly lower during COVID-19. Limitations: Results may underestimate crisis support-seeking in some groups because demographic data were not captured on all texters. Conclusion: Findings illuminated the real-time crisis response of young people across the United States and can inform more responsive interventions to alleviate the mental health consequences brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Power and Promise of Postpartum Self Care: Evaluation of a Web-Based Tool for Underserved Women.

OBJECTIVES: Joyuus is a culturally diverse, comprehensive online tool designed to address the self-care needs of underserved postpartum women. The tool provides actionable self-care information, knowledge, and skills to improve postpartum health and identifies red flags for when self-care shifts to seeking care. METHODS: We employed a mixed-methods multiphase design to evaluate the Joyuus prototype, including a pre-post evaluation (N = 87) to assess behavioral health outcomes before and after using the tool for a one-month period. 91% completed the post-test (N = 79). The analysis focused on estimation of treatment effect (via 95% confidence intervals) and fitness of instruments in this population. RESULTS: Participants were between 6 months pregnant and one year postpartum, a mean age of 30 years, 100% female, 99% Black, with nearly equal distribution of married (55%) and not married (44%), and above (47%) and below (46%) annual income of $60 K. Key measures saw significant improvement from pre- (mean = 26.44, SD = 5.39) to post (mean = 28.29, SD = 5.26) on the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (p < 0.001) Trends toward improvement (not statistically significant) were noted for Depression (EPDS) (p = 0.624) and Anxiety (STAI) (p = 0.286), and no meaningful change on MOS Social Support or COVID-19 Mental Health Impacts Measures. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: This pilot study demonstrates that a self-care mobile tool has the potential to address significant health outcomes related to maternal morbidity and mortality. By providing a continuously available companion addressing physical, mental, and real-life questions, it creates value during postpartum for mothers who can often feel overwhelmed or isolated.

In their shoes: Health care professionals walking a day in the life of patients with short bowel syndrome & intestinal failure.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Short bowel syndrome leading to intestinal failure (SBS-IF) is a condition characterised by the inability of the gut to absorb the amount of water, nutrients and micronutrients needed to survive and requires long term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) to sustain life. Health care professionals (HCPs) working with patients with SBS-IF are aware of the daily challenges patients face. However, few have experienced the condition first-hand and put themselves 'in the shoes' of their patients. In Their Shoes (ITS) is an immersive simulation delivered through a smartphone application (app), in which participants experience the typical real-life challenges that somebody with SBS-IF will experience over a 24-h period, including social and psychological challenges. This study evaluated the impact of ITS simulation on HCPs working with adults with SBS-IF. METHODS: A representative sample of 27 multi-disciplinary team (MDT) members working on an Intestinal Failure Unit completed the ITS simulation over a 24-h period. A mixed methods design was used, which included participants completing a survey pre- and post-ITS experience, followed by focus groups and in-depth qualitative interviews. Pre- and post-intervention questions were analysed quantitively via paired t-tests and qualitative data arising from the focus groups and interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: 25 participants (93%) completed 80% of the ITS challenges whilst 27 (100%) completed more than 50% challenges. Participants reported a 16% increase in knowledge, 18% increase in being able to talk to others about SBS and a 2% increase in empathy between pre- and post-simulation. Nineteen team members participated in focus groups and 10 in-depth interviews; qualitative analysis of digital recordings comprised four overarching themes: empathy; admiration and respect; empathy fatigue; learning experience. Despite the small and insignificant increase in empathy scores quantitatively, analysis of open-ended questions and qualitative data found that 74% of participants reported an increase in empathy levels whereas 26% felt it stayed the same. CONCLUSIONS: As a simulation-based learning method, ITS can have a positive impact on HCPs working into the SBS-IF setting. Positive benefits in clinical practice include increased levels of empathy, admiration and respect for patients amongst HCPs. Immersing into the ITS experience also allows HCPs to recognise the function and benefits to MDT working, both in terms of ensuring holistic patient centred care and managing HCP empathy fatigue.

The implementation of a digital group intervention for individuals with subthreshold borderline personality disorder

Context: Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving for Emotional Intensity (STEPPS-EI), a 13-week skills-based group intervention for individuals with subthreshold borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been deemed feasible and clinically effective in primary care [1] [2]. To modernize the service, STEPPS-EI lesson content has recently built onto an eHealth platform (Minddistrict). Due to Covid-19 restrictions, group sessions were additionally delivered remotely via Zoom. This project evaluates the implementation of this digitally blended version of STEPPS-EI within two Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) primary care services. Methods: Service users and pracitioners who participated in the first two groups from March to July 2021 were invited to take part in a feasibility evaluation investigating recruitment, retention, and attendance rates, in addition to self-reported symptoms (BSL-23, QuEST), quality of life (ReQoL), system usability, and qualitative and quantitative measures designed to shed light on the experience and opinions of service users and practitioners during the intervention. Service users participating in following groups (from July to December 2021) were invited to share their symptom and quality of life outcome data only. Results: 14 service users and 5 practitioners agreed to take part in the primary evaluation. Results suggested that 86% of these service users attended at least 75% of the group sessions, and that service users completed on average 70% of the online material. Usability ratings revealed good gradings for Zoom from all participants, yet lower gradings for Minddistrict. Further analyses revealed a generally positive attitude towards digital STEPPS-EI from all parties and practical suggestions on how to improve the intervention. 11 service users from following groups agreed to share their data. Bayesian analyses were conducted for the data of service users who provided ratings at both timepoints. Evidence was found for a decrease in BSL-23 scores and an increase in ReQoL ratings from baseline to post-intervention. Incomplete self-report data-sets limits conclusions. Conclusions: It was found that the implementation of STEPPS-EI delivered in a blended digital format was feasible. The online delivery might increase service users' engagement with the material and group sessions. Yet more training and support on the use of Minddistrict may be required to increase usability. Implications: It may be possible to effectively implement digital interventions for individuals with subthreshold BPD. However, more research on the effect of these on symptom outcomes should follow. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Digital Peer-Supported Self-Management Intervention Codesigned by People With Long COVID: Mixed Methods Proof-of-Concept Study.

BACKGROUND: There are around 1.3 million people in the United Kingdom with the devastating psychological, physical, and cognitive consequences of long COVID (LC). UK guidelines recommend that LC symptoms be managed pragmatically with holistic support for patients' biopsychosocial needs, including psychological, emotional, and physical health. Self-management strategies, such as pacing, prioritization, and goal setting, are vital for the self-management of many LC symptoms. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes the codevelopment and initial testing of a digital intervention combining peer support with positive psychology approaches for self-managing the physical, emotional, psychological, and cognitive challenges associated with LC. The objectives of this study were to (1) codesign an intervention with and for people with LC; (2) test the intervention and study methods; (3) measure changes in participant well-being, self-efficacy, fatigue, and loneliness; and (4) understand the types of self-management goals and strategies used by people with LC. METHODS: The study used a pre-post, mixed methods, pragmatic, uncontrolled design. Digital intervention content was codeveloped with a lived-experience group to meet the needs uncovered during the intervention development and logic mapping phase. The resulting 8-week digital intervention, Hope Programme for Long COVID, was attended by 47 participants, who completed pre- and postprogram measures of well-being, self-efficacy, fatigue, and loneliness. Goal-setting data were extracted from the digital platform at the end of the intervention. RESULTS: The recruitment rate (n=47, 83.9%) and follow-up rate (n=28, 59.6%) were encouraging. Positive mental well-being (mean difference 6.5, P<.001) and self-efficacy (mean difference 1.1, P=.009) improved from baseline to postcourse. All goals set by participants mapped onto the 5 goal-oriented domains in the taxonomy of everyday self-management strategies (TEDSS). The most frequent type of goals was related to activity strategies, followed by health behavior and internal strategies. CONCLUSIONS: The bespoke self-management intervention, Hope Programme for Long COVID, was well attended, and follow-up was encouraging. The sample characteristics largely mirrored those of the wider UK population with LC. Although not powered to detect statistically significant changes, the preliminary data show improvements in self-efficacy and positive mental well-being. Our next trial (ISRCTN: 11868601) will use a nonrandomized waitlist control design to further examine intervention efficacy.

Efficacy of Virtual Care for Depressive Disorders: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has created an epidemic of distress-related mental disorders such as depression, while simultaneously necessitating a shift to virtual domains of mental health care; yet, the evidence to support the use of virtual interventions is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of virtual interventions for depressive disorders by addressing three key questions: (1) Does virtual intervention provide better outcomes than no treatment or other control conditions (ie, waitlist, treatment as usual [TAU], or attention control)? (2) Does in-person intervention provide better outcomes than virtual intervention? (3) Does one type of virtual intervention provide better outcomes than another? METHODS: We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases for trials published from January 1, 2010, to October 30, 2021. We included randomized controlled trials of adults with depressive disorders that tested a virtual intervention and used a validated depression measure. Primary outcomes were defined as remission (ie, no longer meeting the clinical cutoff for depression), response (ie, a clinically significant reduction in depressive symptoms), and depression severity at posttreatment. Two researchers independently selected studies and extracted data using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Risk of bias was evaluated based on Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality guidelines. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) for binary outcomes and standardized mean differences (SMDs) for continuous outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 3797 references, 24 of which were eligible. Compared with waitlist, virtual intervention had higher odds of remission (OR 10.30, 95% CI 5.70-18.60; N=619 patients) and lower posttreatment symptom severity (SMD 0.81, 95% CI 0.52-1.10; N=1071). Compared with TAU and virtual attention control conditions, virtual intervention had higher odds of remission (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.10-3.35; N=512) and lower posttreatment symptom severity (SMD 0.25, 95% CI 0.09-0.42; N=573). In-person intervention outcomes were not significantly different from virtual intervention outcomes (eg, remission OR 0.84, CI 0.51-1.37; N=789). No eligible studies directly compared one active virtual intervention to another. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual interventions were efficacious compared with control conditions, including waitlist control, TAU, and attention control. Although the number of studies was relatively small, the strength of evidence was moderate that in-person interventions did not yield significantly better outcomes than virtual interventions for depressive disorders.

The Effect of the First UK COVID-19 Lockdown on Users of the Drink Less App: Interrupted Time Series Analysis of Sociodemographic Characteristics, Engagement, and Alcohol Reduction.

BACKGROUND: The first UK COVID-19 lockdown had a polarizing impact on drinking behavior and may have impacted engagement with digital interventions to reduce alcohol consumption. OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of lockdown on engagement, alcohol reduction, and the sociodemographic characteristics of users of the popular and widely available alcohol reduction app Drink Less. METHODS: This was a natural experiment. The study period spanned 468 days between March 24, 2019, and July 3, 2020, with the introduction of UK lockdown measures beginning on March 24, 2020. Users were 18 years or older, based in the United Kingdom, and interested in drinking less. Interrupted time series analyses using generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) were conducted for each outcome variable (ie, sociodemographic characteristics, app downloads and engagement levels, alcohol consumption, and extent of alcohol reduction) for existing (downloaded the app prelockdown) and new (downloaded the app during the lockdown) users of the app. RESULTS: Among existing users of the Drink Less app, there were increases in the time spent on the app per day (B=0.01, P=.01), mean units of alcohol recorded per day (B>0.00 P=.02), and mean heavy drinking (>6 units) days (B>0.00, P=.02) during the lockdown. Previous declines in new app downloads plateaued during the lockdown (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=1.00, P=.18). Among new app users, there was an increase in the proportion of female users (B>0.00, P=.04) and those at risk of alcohol dependence (B>0.00, P=.01) and a decrease in the proportion of nonmanual workers (B>-0.00, P=.04). Among new app users, there were step increases in the mean number of alcohol units per day (B=20.12, P=.03), heavy-drinking days (B=1.38, P=.01), and the number of days the app was used (B=2.05, P=.02), alongside a step decrease in the percentage of available screens viewed (B=-0.03, P=.04), indicating users were using less of the intervention components within the app. CONCLUSIONS: Following the first UK lockdown, there was evidence of increases in engagement and alcohol consumption among new and existing users of the Drink Less app.

Adapting DIALOG+ in a School Setting-A Tool to Support Well-being and Resilience in Adolescents Living in Postconflict Areas During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Exploratory Study.

BACKGROUND: Colombia has a long history of an armed conflict that has severely affected communities with forced internal displacement and violence. Victims of violence and armed conflicts have higher rates of mental health disorders, and children and adolescents are particularly affected. However, the mental health needs of this population are often overlooked, especially in low- and middle-Income countries, where scarcity of resources exacerbates the problem that has been further compounded by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, special attention should be paid to the development of interventions that target this population. OBJECTIVE: Our research aims to adapt an existing patient-centered digital intervention called DIALOG+ from a clinical setting to an educational setting using stakeholders' (teachers' and students') perspectives. We aim to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and estimated effect of implementing this intervention as a tool for the identification and mobilization of personal and social resources to mitigate the impact of social difficulties and to promote mental well-being. METHODS: We will conduct an exploratory mixed methods study in public schools of postconflict areas in Tolima, Colombia. The study consists of 3 phases: adaptation, exploration, and consolidation of the DIALOG+ tool. The adaptation phase will identify possible changes that the intervention requires on the basis of data from focus groups with teachers and students. The exploration phase will be an exploratory cluster randomized trial with teachers and school counselors to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and estimated effect of DIALOG+ for adolescents in school settings. Adolescents' data about mental health symptoms and wellness will be collected before and after DIALOG+ implementation. During this phase, teachers or counselors who were part of the intervention group will share their opinions through the think-aloud method. Lastly, the consolidation phase will consist of 2 focus groups with teachers and students to discuss their experiences and to understand acceptability. RESULTS: Study recruitment was completed in March 2022, and follow-up is anticipated to last through November 2022. CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory study will evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and estimated effect of DIALOG+ for adolescents in postconflict school settings in Colombia. The use of this technology-supported tool aims to support interactions between teachers or counselors and students and to provide an effective student-centered communication guide. This is an innovative approach in both the school and the postconflict contexts that could help improve the mental health and wellness of adolescents in vulnerable zones in Colombia. Subsequent studies will be needed to evaluate the effectiveness of DIALOG+ in an educational context as a viable option to reduce the gap and inequities of mental health care access. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN14396374; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14396374?q=ISRCTN14396374. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/40286.

Influence of Digital Intervention Messaging on Influenza Vaccination Rates Among Adults With Cardiovascular Disease in the United States: Decentralized Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Seasonal influenza affects 5% to 15% of Americans annually, resulting in preventable deaths and substantial economic impact. Influenza infection is particularly dangerous for people with cardiovascular disease, who therefore represent a priority group for vaccination campaigns. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the effects of digital intervention messaging on self-reported rates of seasonal influenza vaccination. METHODS: This was a randomized, controlled, single-blind, and decentralized trial conducted at individual locations throughout the United States over the 2020-2021 influenza season. Adults with self-reported cardiovascular disease who were members of the Achievement mobile platform were randomized to receive or not receive a series of 6 patient-centered digital intervention messages promoting influenza vaccination. The primary end point was the between-group difference in self-reported vaccination rates at 6 months after randomization. Secondary outcomes included the levels of engagement with the messages and the relationship between vaccination rates and engagement with the messages. Subgroup analyses examined variation in intervention effects by race. Controlling for randomization group, we examined the impact of other predictors of vaccination status, including cardiovascular condition type, vaccine drivers or barriers, and vaccine knowledge. RESULTS: Of the 49,138 randomized participants, responses on the primary end point were available for 11,237 (22.87%; 5575 in the intervention group and 5662 in the control group) participants. The vaccination rate was significantly higher in the intervention group (3418/5575, 61.31%) than the control group (3355/5662, 59.25%; relative risk 1.03, 95% CI 1.004-1.066; P=.03). Participants who were older, more educated, and White or Asian were more likely to report being vaccinated. The intervention was effective among White participants (P=.004) but not among people of color (P=.42). The vaccination rate was 13 percentage points higher among participants who completed all 6 intervention messages versus none, and at least 2 completed messages appeared to be needed for effectiveness. Participants who reported a diagnosis of COVID-19 were more likely to be vaccinated for influenza regardless of treatment assignment. CONCLUSIONS: This personalized, evidence-based digital intervention was effective in increasing vaccination rates in this population of high-risk people with cardiovascular disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04584645; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04584645.

Waiting Lists for Psychotherapy and Provider Attitudes Toward Low-Intensity Treatments as Potential Interventions: Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: Common mental disorders, including depression and anxiety, are leading causes of disability worldwide. Digital mental health interventions, such as web-based self-help and other low-intensity treatments (LITs) that are not digital (eg, bibliotherapy), have the potential to reach many individuals by circumventing common barriers present in traditional mental health care. It is unclear how often LITs are used in clinical practice, or whether providers would be interested in their use for treatment waiting lists. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to (1) describe current practices for treatment waiting lists, (2) describe providers' attitudes toward digital and nondigital LITs for patients on a waiting list, and (3) explore providers' willingness to use digital and nondigital LITs and their decisions to learn about them. METHODS: We surveyed 141 practicing mental health care providers (eg, therapists and psychologists) and provided an opportunity for them to learn about LITs. RESULTS: Most participants reported keeping a waiting list. Few participants reported currently recommending digital or nondigital LITs, though most were willing to use at least one for patients on their waiting list. Attitudes toward digital and nondigital LITs were neutral to positive. Guided digital and nondigital LITs were generally perceived to be more effective but less accessible, and unguided interventions were perceived to be less effective but more accessible. Most participants selected to access additional information on LITs, with the most popular being web-based self-help. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest providers are currently not recommending LITs for patients on treatment waiting lists but would be willing to recommend them. Future work should explore barriers and facilitators to implementing digital and nondigital LITs for patients on treatment waiting lists.

Social distance "nudge:" a context aware mHealth intervention in response to COVID pandemics.

The impact of the COVID pandemic to our society is unprecedented in our time. As coronavirus mutates, maintaining social distance remains an essential step in defending personal as well as public health. This study conceptualizes the social distance "nudge" and explores the efficacy of mHealth digital intervention, while developing and validating a choice architecture that aims to influence users' behavior in maintaining social distance for their own self-interest. End-user nudging experiments were conducted via a mobile phone app that was developed as a research artifact. The accuracy of social distance nudging was validated in both United States and Japan. Future work will consider behavioral studies to better understand the effectiveness of this digital nudging intervention.