Exploring predictors of first appointment attendance at a pain management service.

BACKGROUND: Individual characteristics such as gender, employment and age have been shown to predict attendance at pain management services (PMS). The characteristics of those who drop out of pain management programmes have also been explored, but as yet no studies have analysed the characteristics of those who do not attend the service following referral. PURPOSE: To explore the characteristics and predictors of those who attend and those who do not attend their first appointment with a PMS. METHOD: Predictive factors in the two groups - attenders (n = 425) and non-attenders (n = 69) - were explored using logistic regression. RESULTS: Non-attendance was significantly predicted by the patient being a smoker and the appointment being in the morning. Non-attenders also scored higher on the Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire, indicating higher levels of somatic pain. DISCUSSION: Predictors of non-attendance were different from those for individuals who drop out of pain services. Implications and recommendations are made for PMS.

The use of a smartwatch as a prompting device for people with acquired brain injury: a single case experimental design study.

Prompting-based memory compensation is a potential application for smartwatches. This study investigated the usability and efficacy of a Moto360 smartwatch as a memory aid. Four community dwelling adults with memory difficulties following acquired brain injury (ABI) were included in an A-B-A single case experimental design study. Performance of everyday memory tasks was tested over six weeks with the smartwatch and software provided during weeks three and four. Participants were asked to use their usual memory aids and strategies during the control phases (weeks 1-2, 5-6). Three participants successfully used the smartwatch throughout the intervention weeks and gave positive usability ratings. A fourth participant experienced a seizure and subsequently left the study before the intervention phase. Three participants showed improved memory performance when using the smartwatch. Nonoverlap of all pairs (NAP) analysis showed a non-significant small increase in memory performance between baseline and intervention phases (mean NAP = 0.1, p = .84). There was a larger, significant decline between the intervention and return to baseline (mean NAP = 0.58, p < .01). The use of an off-the-shelf smartwatch device and software was feasible for people with ABI in the community. It was effective compared to practice as usual, although this was only apparent on withdrawal of the device.