Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of a Brief Online Sexual Health Program for Adolescents.
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SUBMITTER: Widman L
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6949421 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:OBJECTIVE:Sexual concerns are often unaddressed for breast cancer patients; one reason is inadequate clinician training. We examined the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits of a novel intervention, improving Sexual Health and Augmenting Relationships through Education (iSHARE) for breast cancer clinicians. METHODS:Clinicians received training in communicating about sexual concerns with breast cancer patients. Intervention feasibility and acceptability were measured through enrollment/participation and postintervention program evaluations, respectively. Intervention effects were assessed through (1) clinician self-reported beliefs about sexual health communication, assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 1- or 6-month follow-up, (2) clinical communication coded from audio recorded, transcribed clinic encounters at preintervention or postintervention, and (3) patient satisfaction with clinical care, reported immediately after the clinic visit. Patients also reported sociodemographic characteristics and level of sexual concerns. RESULTS:Seven breast cancer clinicians enrolled (88% participation), completed the intervention, and were audio recorded in clinic encounters with 134 breast cancer outpatients (67 each at preintervention or postintervention). Program evaluations supported intervention acceptability. Effect sizes suggest iSHARE increased clinicians' self-efficacy (d = 0.27) and outcome expectancies for communicating about sexual concerns (d = 0.69) and reduced communication barriers (d = -0.14). Clinicians' sexual health communication behaviors increased from baseline to postintervention, including for raising the topic (28% vs 48%), asking questions (33% vs 45%), and offering information (18% vs 24%). Neither patient satisfaction nor duration of sexual health communication changed (mean duration less than 1 minute at both time points). CONCLUSIONS:The iSHARE intervention was feasible and well received by clinicians and may change breast cancer clinicians' beliefs and communication behaviors regarding sexual health.
| S-EPMC6445732 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Study designPilot nonrandomized clinical trial.ObjectivesTo examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of performing handcycling high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for 6 weeks in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.SettingParticipant's home.MethodsParticipants completed pre- and postgraded exercise stress tests, exercise surveys and 6 weeks of handcycling HIIT. The HIIT program consisted of two weekly, 25 min supervised at-home sessions (2-3 min warm-up, then ten intervals of cycling with a ratio of 1 min work at 90% peak power output (PPO) to 1 min recovery at 0-20% PPO, then 2-3 min cool down). Real-time power output and heart rate were recorded via sensors and a bike computer. The sensor data were analyzed to evaluate training efficacy.ResultsSeven of the ten enrolled participants (70%) completed the study. All but one completed the required 12 sessions. The participants met at least 1 of the HIIT target intensity criteria in 76 out of 89 total sessions (85.4%) performed. Participants expressed a high level of enjoyment on the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale, mean (SD) = 114.8 (11.3), and satisfaction with the overall experience. Five of the seven participants (71%) who completed the study felt an increase in endurance, function, and health. Objective physiological changes showed mixed results.ConclusionsSix weeks of handcycling HIIT appears to be safe, feasible and acceptable. A longer HIIT work interval may be needed to elicit significant physiological responses. Future investigation of the feasibility and efficacy of differing HIIT parameters is needed.
| S-EPMC7854955 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Mental wellness is a critical component of healthy development in emerging adulthood and serves to protect against stress and promote resilience against psychopathology. Emotion regulation is a key mechanism for effective prevention because of its role in socio-emotional competence and its transdiagnostic significance for psychopathology. In this feasibility study, a brief, time and cost-effective emotion regulation training program for emerging adults (BERT) was developed and tested using the RE-AIM framework. Importantly, building interventions within the context of an implementation framework, such as the RE-AIM framework, enhances the chances that an intervention will be able to scale out and scale up. First, the brainwriting premortem method was utilized to refine program content, conducting focus groups a priori to identify potential program failures prior to program implementation. Undergraduate students (n = 12) attended four focus groups presenting initial program content. Four clinicians were also interviewed to determine program barriers. Qualitative analyses aggregated participant feedback to identify compliments, changes, and concerns about BERT and critical feedback was immediately implemented prior to initial testing. BERT was rooted in cognitive-behavioral practices and informed by the Gross model of emotion regulation. The 5-week program was then examined in a college sample (N = 42) to evaluate implementation (low attrition, high content engagement, favorable attitudes, low incidence of technical errors, costs), reach (enrollment and completion demographics comparable to the population in which recruitment took place), and efficacy (positive change in emotion regulation pre- to post-program). Of the recruited participants, 36 remained in the study where 27 completed at least 80% of program content. Repeated-measures ANOVAs exhibited significant improvements in emotion regulation, psychological distress, and negative affectivity, suggesting promising initial efficacy. Initial data provide support for feasibility and a future randomized control trial. BERT has potential significance for promoting healthy development as its brief electronic format reduced barriers and the program development process incorporated stakeholder feedback at multiple levels to inform better implementation and dissemination.
| S-EPMC9226550 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo assess the acceptability and feasibility of S2S, a newly adapted behavior intervention to address high-risk sexual behavior.DesignPilot randomized controlled trial.SettingThe Internet and text messages with no in-person interactions.ParticipantsEighty-eight Black women, ages 18 to 24 years, were randomly assigned to the intervention or control groups and self-enrolled in the respective text message program.MethodsParticipants in the intervention group were sent text messages about sexual health, whereas those in the control group were sent text messages about diet and/or exercise. Participants in each group received 24 text messages, including text-only messages, memes, and infopics. Participants in the intervention group also received videos links. All text messages were sent three times per week for 8 weeks. Quantitative methods were used to analyze data from the message and video platform reports. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze participants' responses to an acceptability and feasibility survey.ResultsOverall, the delivery of health promotion text messages was viewed as acceptable and feasible by participants in both groups. Most of the short answer responses from participants were favorable, and responses to the acceptability and feasibility survey yielded a total mean score of 4.01 on a 5-point scale.ConclusionResults from this study support the idea that evidence-based interventions can be adapted for delivery by text message. This delivery modality is acceptable to young adult Black women and may help decrease barriers that would otherwise prevent them from receiving health promotion messages.
| S-EPMC6366328 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Sexual and dating violence (SDV) is a social and health but preventable public issue. Most evidence-based prevention programs have been evaluated using an in-person delivery mechanism. Project Dream, Own and Tell (DOT) is a 13- to 18-week SDV prevention program targeting youth from traditionally underserved communities in New York City that shifted from in-person to online delivery in response to social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the current study was to understand how youth perceive learning SDV prevention in an online environment (acceptability and feasibility of the online DOT program). A mixed methods triangulation design was used including responses to Ecological Momentary Assessments (n = 25), a brief post survey with Likert-scale items (n = 18), and semi-structured interviews with 12 participants. The sample comprised Latinx/Hispanic, Asian American, Arab American, and African American youth between the ages of 15 and 21 from urban communities. Youth indicated both strengths and challenges of the online format. Strengths included ease of fitting the program into their schedules, avoiding long commutes, and the potential to create a safe online space for participants to engage in sexual violence prevention discussions and thus, feel less exposed. Challenges included internet connectivity issues, difficulties in building trustworthy relationships with other participants when not sharing the same physical space, some characteristics of the program's activities, and the lack of adequate space from which to attend the program (i.e., shared spaces). Findings suggest that synchronous online prevention program delivery is a feasible and acceptable strategy for engaging adolescents in relationship violence prevention.
| S-EPMC10076173 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Although fitness may benefit cognition in youth, most attention has been given to cardiorespiratory fitness despite the health benefits of muscular fitness. Few studies have examined interventions that incorporate both cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness or have been offered during school recess. Furthermore, most fitness intervention studies examining cognitive outcomes have not reported on implementation information. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy on fitness and cognition of a recess intervention in elementary school children. Two schools were randomized to either a 3-month cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness intervention (15 minutes/weekday during recess) or control condition (standard recess activities). Process evaluation (feasibility and acceptability) measures were recorded daily (research staff questionnaire), weekly (accelerometer and heart rate monitors), and post-intervention (participant and school-staff questionnaires). Preliminary efficacy measures included pre- and post-intervention inhibition/attention, working memory, and cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness scores. Some feasibility and acceptability measures were favorable (88% of the lessons were implemented, 78% of the lessons were implemented as planned, and the majority of students and school staff were satisfied with most aspects of the intervention). However, intensity adherence during the intervention sessions based on accelerometry (% of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous activity: 41.7 ± 14.5) and participation (19.4% attendance rate) were lower than expected. Preliminary efficacy of the intervention on cognitive and fitness outcomes was not demonstrated. This study provided evidence that some aspects of the fitness intervention were acceptable during school recess. However, important implementation factors (i.e., intervention exposure) should be targeted to improve youth fitness programs offered during this school setting.
| S-EPMC6886619 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background and objectivesTo examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a positive affect skills intervention for middle-aged and older adults with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).Research design and methodsNinety-five participants with FMS aged 50 and older (94% female) were randomized to 1 of 2 conditions: (a) Lessons in Affect Regulation to Keep Stress and Pain UndeR control (LARKSPUR; n = 49) or (b) emotion reporting/control (n = 46). LARKSPUR included 5 weeks of skill training that targeted 8 skills to help foster positive affect, including (a) noticing positive events, (b) savoring positive events, (c) identifying personal strengths, (d) behavioral activation to set and work toward attainable goals, (e) mindfulness, (f) positive reappraisal, (g) gratitude, and (h) acts of kindness. Outcome data were collected via online surveys at baseline, postintervention, and 1-month follow-up.ResultsCompletion rates (88%) and satisfaction ratings (10-point scale) were high (LARKSPUR: M = 9.14, standard deviation (SD) = 1.49; control: M = 8.59, SD = 1.97). Improvements were greater in LARKSPUR participants compared with control participants on measures of positive affect (Cohen's d = 0.19 [0.15, 0.24]), negative affect (Cohen's d = -0.07 [-0.11, -0.02]), and pain catastrophizing (Cohen's d = -0.14 [-0.23, -0.05]). Improvements in positive affect (Cohen's d = 0.17 [0.13, 0.22]) and negative affect (Cohen's d = -0.11 [-0.15, -0.06]) were maintained at 1-month follow-up. Dose-response analyses indicated that intervention engagement significantly predicted pre-to-post and post-to-follow-up reductions in pain catastrophizing.Discussion and implicationsThe current preliminary findings add to existing literature and highlight the specific potential of internet-delivered positive affect skills programs for adults with FMS.Clinical trial registrationNCT04869345.
| S-EPMC10714916 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundPersons with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) experience significantly higher rates of mental distress and impaired health related quality of life (HrQoL) than the general population. Given limited evidence, but a high need, our primary aim was to assess feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week, online, mind-body wellness program in people with PBC.MethodsThis was a single-group, sequential mixed-methods, pre-post feasibility, and acceptability study. Core program components included follow-along movement, meditation and breathwork videos, and cognitive behavioural therapy informed activities. This was supplemented by weekly phone check-ins. Feasibility was assessed by recruitment, adherence, and retention. The pre-post exploratory efficacy assessment included surveys for fatigue, perceived stress, anxiety, depression, HrQoL, and resilience. A qualitative descriptive approach with semi-structured interviews evaluated study experiences.ResultsThirty-two participants were recruited within 30 days and 29 (91%) were retained to end-of-study. Of these, 25 (86%) adhered to carrying out the mind-body practice at least 2-3 days per week. Feedback supported acceptability (satisfaction score 90%). Significant improvements were observed in fatigue (13%, p = 0.004), anxiety (30%, p = 0.005), depression (28%, p = 0.004), and five PBC-40 domains (itch, fatigue, cognitive, emotional, general symptoms). Qualitative interviews revealed improved stress management, better coping, and a more positive mindset. Fatigue and self-sabotaging thoughts were cited as barriers to participation.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that a 12-week online mind-body intervention is feasible and acceptable in patients with PBC. After iterative refinement, a randomized controlled trial will be designed using this feedback.
| S-EPMC10652984 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PurposeGuy2Guy is one of the first mHealth HIV prevention programs for sexual minority boys aged 14-18 years, evaluated nationally. Here, we examine the program's feasibility and acceptability and explore participants' feedback about program content and components intended to invigorate program engagement.MethodsGuy2Guy was tested in a randomized controlled trial of 302 youth assigned to either the intervention or an attention-matched control group. At 3-month follow-up, participants completed a survey that included questions about feasibility and acceptability. Focus groups were conducted with a subset of intervention participants (n = 45) to further understand their program experience.ResultsThe protocol and program appeared to be feasible: 94% completed the 3-month follow-up survey. The intervention also appeared to be acceptable: 93% of intervention participants said they somewhat or strongly agreed that they liked the program. Although ∼20% boys agreed that the program sent too many messages, only 10% said they stopped reading the messages by the end. Focus group participants were largely enthusiastic about program content and generally appreciated receiving information and skills-building messages that talked about HIV risk reduction. Some indicated a desire for more content that addressed condom negotiation. Program engagement components, particularly the weekly "level up" quiz, also were generally well received.ConclusionsSexual minority boys are willing to engage in Guy2Guy, an intensive, multiweek sexual health intervention via text messaging, and most would recommend the program to their friends.
| S-EPMC7182121 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Capitalizing on emerging data suggesting that HIV-preventive behaviors can be positively affected by Internet-based programs, we developed and tested CyberSenga, an Internet-based, comprehensive sexuality education program for adolescents in Mbarara, Uganda. Three hundred and sixty-six secondary school students were randomly assigned to either the five-lesson program (+ booster) or a treatment-as-usual control. At three-month follow-up, intervention participants provided feedback on the program acceptability. Six focus groups with intervention participants were additionally conducted after the final follow-up at 6 months. Data support a hypothesis of feasibility: despite schedule interruptions, 95% of intervention participants completed all the five modules; only 17% deviated from the once-a-week intended delivery schedule. Internet service was uninterrupted during the field period and, in general, the technology performed to specifications. The intervention also appears to be acceptable: 94% of intervention youth somewhat or strongly agreed that they learned a lot and 93% said they were somewhat or very likely to recommend the program. Although more than two in three youth somewhat or strongly agreed that the program talked too much about sex (70%) and condoms (75%), 89% somewhat or strongly disagreed that "I do not think kids like me should do the CyberSenga program." Feedback from focus group participants further suggested that the content was generally acceptable and did not contradict local norms in most cases. In fact, despite concerns from some local stakeholders to the contrary, information about condoms did not appear to be confusing or contradictory for youth who were abstinent. Nonetheless, some of the sexual topics seemed to be unfamiliar or uncomfortable for some participants - particularly brief references to oral and anal sex. Together, both qualitative and quantitative data suggest that the program is a feasible and acceptable way of delivering HIV preventive information to both sexually experienced and inexperienced adolescents in Mbarara, Uganda.
| S-EPMC3947249 | biostudies-literature