A parallel-group, randomised controlled trial of a multimedia, self-directed, coping skills training intervention for patients with cancer and their partners: design and rationale

Introduction:

African culturally and linguistically diverse communities’ blood donation intentions in Australia: integrating knowledge into the theory of planned behavior

Background 

Behavior change techniques used to promote walking and cycling : a systematic review

Objective: Evidence on the effectiveness of walking and cycling interventions is mixed. This may be partly attributable to differences in intervention content, such as the cognitive and behavioral techniques (BCTs) used. Adopting a taxonomy of BCTs, this systematic review addressed two questions: (a) What are the behavior change techniques used in walking and cycling interventions targeted at adults? (b) What characterizes interventions that appear to be associated with changes in walking and cycling in adults?

Method: Previous systematic reviews and updated database searches were used to identify controlled studies of individual-level walking and cycling interventions involving adults. Characteristics of intervention design, context, and methods were extracted in addition to outcomes. Intervention content was independently coded according to a 26-item taxonomy of BCTs.

Results: Studies of 46 interventions met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-one reported a statistically significant effect on walking and cycling outcomes. Analysis revealed substantial heterogeneity in the vocabulary used to describe intervention content and the number of BCTs coded. “Prompt self-monitoring of behavior” and “prompt intention formation” were the most frequently coded BCTs.

Conclusion: Future walking and cycling intervention studies should ensure that all aspects of the intervention are reported in detail. The findings lend support to the inclusion of self-monitoring and intention formation techniques in future walking and cycling intervention design, although further exploration of these and other BCTs is required. Further investigation of the interaction between BCTs and study design characteristics would also be desirable.

Growing Self Organizing Map with an Imposed Binary Search Tree for Discovering Temporal Input Patterns

In this paper the Binary Search Tree Imposed Growing Self Organizing Map (BSTGSOM) is presented as an extended version of the Growing Self Organizing Map (GSOM), which has proven advantages in knowledge discovery applications. A Binary Search Tree imposed on the GSOM is mainly used to investigate the dynamic perspectives of the GSOM based on the inputs and these generated temporal patterns are stored to further analyze the behavior of the GSOM based on the input sequence. Also, the performance advantages are discussed and compared with that of the original GSOM.

Organic Solvent-Based Graphene Oxide Liquid Crystals: A Facile Route toward the Next Generation of Self-Assembled Layer-by-Layer Multifunctional 3D Architectures

We introduce soft self-assembly of ultralarge liquid crystalline (LC) graphene oxide (GO) sheets in a wide range of organic solvents overcoming the practical limitations imposed on LC GO processing in water. This expands the number of known solvents which can support amphiphilic self-assembly to ethanol, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, N-dimethylformamide, N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone, and a number of other organic solvents, many of which were not known to afford solvophobic self-assembly prior to this report. The LC behavior of the as-prepared GO sheets in organic solvents has enabled us to disperse and organize substantial amounts of aggregate-free single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs, up to 10 wt %) without compromise in LC properties. The as-prepared LC GO-SWNT dispersions were employed to achieve self-assembled layer-by-layer multifunctional 3D hybrid architectures comprising SWNTs and GO with unrivalled superior mechanical properties (Young’s modulus in excess of 50 GPa and tensile strength of more than 500 MPa).

Cardiovascular disease self-management: pilot testing of an mHealth healthy eating program

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is crucial in the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet attendance is poor. Mobile technology (mHealth) offers a potential solution to increase reach of CR. This paper presents two development studies to determine mobile phone usage in adults with CVD and to evaluate the acceptability of an mHealth healthy eating CR program. Methods: CR attendees were surveyed to determine mobile phone usage rates. A second single-subject pilot study investigated perceptions of a 4-week theory-based healthy eating mHealth program and explored pre-post changes in self-efficacy. Results: 74 adults with CVD completed the survey (50/74 male; mean age 63 ± 10). Nearly all had mobile phones (70/74; 95%) and used the Internet (69/74; 93%), and most were interested in receiving CR by text message (57/74; 77%). 20 participants took part in the healthy eating pilot study. Participants read all/most of the text messages, and most (19/20) thought using mobile technology was a good way to deliver the program. The website was not widely used as visiting the website was reported to be time consuming. Exploratory t-tests revealed an increase in heart healthy eating self-efficacy post program, in particular the environmental self-efficacy subset (Mean = 0.62, SD = 0.74, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Text messaging was seen as a simple and acceptable way to deliver nutrition information and behavior change strategies; however, future research is needed to determine the effectiveness of such programs.

Mediators of the relationship between sedentary behavior and depressive symptoms amongst disadvantaged women

Statement of problem
Associations between sedentary behavior (e.g. time spent sitting watching TV/using the computer) and physical health have been well documented, however, studies are increasingly reporting a positive relationship between certain sedentary behaviors and poor mental health (e.g. depression). Little is known about the underlying factors that may explain the link between sedentary behavior and likelihood of depression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of selected intra-personal and social factors as potential mediators of the relationship between sedentary behavior and depressive symptoms among women from disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Method
Cross-sectional survey data were provided by 4065 women (aged 18–45) living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Women self-reported their sedentary behavior (total sitting time and screen time), depressive symptoms (CES-D 10), as well as a number of intra-personal (leisure-time physical activity, diet quality, weight status) and social (social cohesion, interpersonal trust, club membership) factors.
Results
Mediating analyses, controlling for confounders, showed that women's leisure-time physical activity partly mediated the relationship between total sitting time and increased likelihood of depressive symptoms. Women's diet quality, and social cohesion partly mediated the relationship between screen time and increased likelihood of depressive symptoms.
Conclusions
Acknowledging the cross-sectional study design, findings suggest that there may be several factors that explain the increased likelihood of depressive symptoms associated with greater sedentary time. Although future studies should test the mediating relationships longitudinally, these findings may help inform interventions aimed at reducing the likelihood of depression in disadvantaged women with high sitting time.

Patient engagement strategies used for hypertension and their influence on self-management attributes

Background. Several effective methods to facilitate patient self-management of hypertension are available in primary care. These include direct support from community pharmacists and general practice, and the use of home blood pressure (BP) monitoring. The aim of this study is to establish the prevalence of use of key strategies and to determine their independent relationship with patient self-management attributes.

Methods. A survey of patients with treated hypertension was undertaken in 27 community pharmacies. This established recent use of BP monitoring and advice from health professionals. Patient awareness of BP and targets, appropriateness of BP targets and adherence to anti-hypertensive medications were assessed as indicative self-management outcomes. Predictors of outcomes were determined using binary logistic regression.

Results. Overall, 215 surveys were returned. Two-thirds of patients were aged >65 years, and 45% had conditions warranting tighter BP control (<130/80 mmHg). Almost all patients reported monitoring of their BP in the previous year and 63% could report their most recent BP reading. Just 36% reported knowing a target BP, and 78% of reported targets were within guidelines recommendations. One-fifth (22%) monitored their own BP, and 15% reported non-adherence to medication. Doctors provided the large majority of professional advice. Self-monitoring or documentation of BP readings was independently associated with increased likelihood of BP and target BP being known.

Conclusions. Regular monitoring of BP does not automatically translate to professional advice. Increased uptake of patient self-monitoring should be promoted as a means of enabling self-management.

Associations between behavior regulation, competence, physical activity, and health for adolescent females

This study investigated the association between the different types of behavior regulation and competence on sport and physical activity (PA) and perceived health, and the influence of school year level (ie, year 7 and year 11) and setting (ie, metropolitan and rural) on these relationships.

A case study illustrating therapist-assisted internet cognitive behavior therapy for depression

Randomized controlled trials show that therapist-assisted Internet cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) is efficacious in the treatment of depression. Given that this is a novel way of delivering cognitive behavior therapy, however, clinical service providers may have questions about how to provide therapist-assisted ICBT in clinical practice, particularly with respect to therapist assistance. To exemplify this approach, we present a case study of an older adult male who received 12 modules of therapist-assisted ICBT for depression over the course of 5. months. Highlights of the therapeutic exchanges that occurred over email are provided to illustrate the type of information clients may share with therapists and the nature of therapist assistance. Treatment progress was assessed via self-report questionnaires measuring depression, anxiety, and adjustment. Consistent with the research evidence, significant improvement was observed on all symptom measures at posttreatment. Satisfaction with the therapist-assisted ICBT program and a strong therapeutic alliance was also reported. The case will expand clinician understanding of therapist-assisted ICBT and may serve to stimulate clinician interest in the provision of therapist-assisted ICBT. Future research directions stemming from this case are presented. © 2013 .

Therapist-assisted Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for depression and anxiety: translating evidence into clinical practice.

This dissemination study examined the effectiveness of therapist-assisted Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy (ICBT) when offered in clinical practice. A centralized unit screened and coordinated ICBT delivered by newly trained therapists working in six geographically dispersed clinical settings. Using an open trial design, 221 patients were offered 12 modules of ICBT for symptoms of generalized anxiety (n=112), depression (n=83), or panic (n=26). At baseline, midpoint and post-treatment, patients completed self-report measures. On average, patients completed 8 of 12 modules. Latent growth curve modeling identified significant reductions in depression, anxiety, stress and impairment (d=.65-.78), and improvements in quality of life (d=.48-.66). Improvements in primary symptoms were large (d=.91-1.25). Overall, therapist-assisted ICBT was effective when coordinated across settings in clinical practice, but further attention should be given to strategies to improve completion of treatment modules.

The influence of mindfulness meditation on angry emotions and violent behavior on Thai technical college students

Introduction: Violence among technical college students is a significant issue in Thailand, South East Asia, and yet few interventions are available for use with this group. In this study the outcomes of a culturally appropriate intervention, mindfulness meditation (MM), on anger and violent behavior are reported. The MM intervention was delivered over three consecutive weeks to technical college students (n = 40) and the effects compared to a comparison group (n = 56) who attend classes as usual. Methods: Both the intervention and comparison group completed a series of validated self-report measures on aggressive and violent behavior perpetration and victimization on three occasions (pre-intervention, 1 month and 3 month post-intervention). Results: Program participants reported lower levels of anger expression at one month follow-up, but there were no observed group. ×. time interactions for self-reported violent behavior. Rates of victimization changed over time, with one interaction effect observed for reports of being threatened. Conclusions: MM may have the potential to improve emotional self-control, but is likely to only impact on violent behavior when this is anger mediated.

Ionic conductivity and molecular dynamic behavior in supramolecular ionic networks; the effect of lithium salt addition

Supramolecular ionic networks combine singular properties such as self-healing behaviour and ionic conductivity. In this work we present an insight into the ionic conductivity and molecular dynamic behaviour of an amorphous and semicrystalline supramolecular ionic networks (iNets) that were synthesised by self-assembly of difunctional imidazolium dicationic molecules coupled with (trifluoromethane-sulfonyl) imide dianionic molecules. Relatively low ionic conductivity values were obtained for the semicrystalline iNet below its melting point (Tm =101°C) in comparison with the amorphous iNet for which the conductivity significantly increased (~3 orders of magnitude) above 100°C. Upon LiTFSI doping, the semicrystalline iNet reached conductivity values ~ 10-3 Scm-1 due to enhanced mobility of the network which was supported by solid-state static NMR. Furthermore, the overlapping of 19F and 7Li resonance lines from both the semicrystalline network and the LiTFSI suggests fast molecular motions.

Reported and observed controlling feeding practices predict child eating behavior after 12 months

BACKGROUND: Controlling feeding practices are linked to children's self-regulatory eating practices and weight status. Maternal reports of controlling feeding practices are not always significantly related to independently rated mealtime observations. However, prior studies only assessed 1 mealtime observation, which may not be representative of typical mealtime settings or routines. OBJECTIVES: The first aim was to examine associations between reported and observed maternal pressure to eat and restriction feeding practices at baseline (T1) and after ∼12 mo (T2). The second aim was to evaluate relations between maternal and child factors [e.g., concern about child weight, child temperament, child body mass index (BMI)-for-age z scores (BMIz)] at T1 and reported and observed maternal pressure to eat and restriction feeding practices (T1 and T2). The third aim was to assess prospective associations between maternal feeding practices (T1) and child eating behaviors (T2) and child BMIz (T2). METHODS: A sample of 79 mother-child dyads in Victoria, Australia, participated in 2 lunchtime home observations (T1 and T2). BMI measures were collected during the visits. Child temperament, child eating behaviors, maternal parenting styles, and maternal feeding practices were evaluated at T1 and T2 via questionnaires. Associations were assessed with Pearson's correlation coefficients, paired t tests, and hierarchical regressions. RESULTS: Reported restriction (T1) was inversely associated with observed restriction at T1 (r = -0.24, P < 0.05). Reported pressure to eat (T2) was associated with observed pressure to eat (T2) (r = 0.48, P < 0.01) but only for mothers of girls. Maternal weight concern was associated with reported restriction at T1 (r = 0.29, P < 0.01) and T2 (r = 0.36, P < 0.01), whereas observed restriction (T1) was prospectively associated child BMI at T2 (β = -0.18, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal reports may not always reflect feeding practices performed during mealtimes; it is possible some mothers may not be aware of their practices or observations may not capture covert controlling strategies.