scholarly journals Use of behaviour change techniques by direct support professionals to support healthy lifestyle behaviour for people with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelies Overwijk ◽  
Annette A. J. Putten ◽  
Cees P. Schans ◽  
Mariël Willems ◽  
Thessa I. M. Hilgenkamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviour ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Direct Support Professionals

scholarly journals Implementation of a program to support direct support professionals to promote a healthy lifestyle for people with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Overwijk ◽  
T. I. M. Hilgenkamp ◽  
C. P. van der Schans ◽  
W. P. Krijnen ◽  
K. Vlot-van Anrooij ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Training And Education ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Time Investment ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Direct Support Professionals ◽  
Preparation Phase ◽  
E Learning

Abstract Background There is a lack of theory-based interventions for direct support professionals (DSPs) to support a healthy lifestyle for people with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities (ID) despite their major role in this. This study aims to evaluate the preparation, implementation, and preliminary outcomes of a theory-based training and education program for DSPs to learn how to support these individuals. Methods The program consisting of e-learning, three in-person sessions, and three assignments was implemented. The implementation process was evaluated with a mixed method design with the following components: preparation phase, implementation phase, and the outcomes. These components were measured with project notes, questionnaires, interviews, reflections, assignments, food diaries, Actigraph/Actiwatch, and an inventory of daily activities. Results Regarding the preparation phase, enough potential participants met the inclusion criteria and the time to recruit the participants was 9 months. The program was implemented in four (residential) facilities and involved individuals with moderate to profound ID (n = 24) and DSPs (n = 32). The e-learning was completed by 81% of the DSPs, 72–88% attended the in-person sessions, and 34–47% completed the assignments. Overall, the fidelity of the program was good. DSPs would recommend the program, although they were either negative or positive about the time investment. Mutual agreement on expectations were important for the acceptability and suitability of the program. For the outcomes, the goals of the program were achieved, and the attitudes of DSPs towards a healthy lifestyle were improved after 3 months of the program (nutrition: p = < 0.01; physical activity: p = 0.04). A statistically significant improvement was found for food intake of people with ID (p = 0.047); for physical activity, no statistically significant differences were determined. Conclusions The theory-based program consisting of a training and education section for DSPs to support a healthy lifestyle for people with moderate to profound ID was feasible to implement and, despite some barriers regarding time capacity and mutual expectations, it delivered positive changes in both persons with moderate to profound ID and DSPs. Thus, the program is a promising intervention to support DSPs.

Conversational agent for healthy lifestyle behaviour change: an online feasibility study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorainne Tudor Car ◽  
Dhakshenya Ardhithy Dhinagaran ◽  
Sathish Thirunavukkarasu ◽  
AiJia Soong ◽  
Yin-Leng Theng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Conversational Agent ◽  
Conversational Agents ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviour ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Target Sample

BACKGROUND The rising incidence of chronic diseases is a growing concern, especially in Singapore with amongst the highest prevalence of diabetes in developed countries. Interventions promoting healthy lifestyle changes have been proven effective in reducing the progression of prediabetes to diabetes, but their in-person delivery may not be feasible at a large scale. Novel technologies such as conversational agents are a potential alternative for delivery of behavioural interventions towards healthy lifestyle change for the public. OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility and acceptability of using a conversational agent promoting healthy lifestyle changes in the general population in Singapore. METHODS We performed an online, single-arm feasibility study. Participants were recruited via Facebook over four weeks. The Facebook Messenger conversational agent was used to deliver the intervention. The conversations focused on diet, exercise, sleep and stress and aimed to promote healthy lifestyle changes and improve participants’ knowledge of diabetes. Messages were sent to participants four times a week (once for each of the four topics of focus) for four weeks. We assessed feasibility of recruitment, defined as at least 75% of our target sample of 200 participants in four weeks, as well as retention, defined as 33% of the recruited sample completing the study. We also assessed participants’ satisfaction with and usability of the conversational agent. We also performed baseline and follow-up assessments of quality of life (QoL), diabetes knowledge and risk perception, diet, exercise, sleep and stress. RESULTS We recruited 37.5% (75/200) of the target sample size in one month. Of the eligible participants, 60 provided digital informed consent and completed baseline assessments whilst 56 followed the study through till completion. Retention was high, at 93% (56/60), along with engagement, denoted by 50% of participants communicating with the conversational agent at each interaction. Acceptability, usability, and satisfaction were generally high. Preliminary efficacy of the intervention showed no definitive improvements in health-related behaviour. CONCLUSIONS The delivery of a conversational agent for healthy lifestyle behaviour change via Facebook manager was feasible and acceptable. We were unable to recruit our planned sample solely using free options in Facebook. However, participant retention and conversational agent engagement rates were high. Our findings provide important insights to inform the design of a future randomised controlled trial.

Efficacy of online lifestyle interventions targeting lifestyle behaviour change in depressed populations: A systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 834-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire L Young ◽  
Karen Trapani ◽  
Samantha Dawson ◽  
Adrienne O’Neil ◽  
Frances Kay-Lambkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Lifestyle Interventions ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviour ◽  
Online Lifestyle ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Background: It is well established that depression and non-communicable diseases are highly co-morbid and bi-directional in nature. ‘Lifestyle medicine’ has recently gained traction in the field of psychiatry, aimed at improvement of both physical and mental health. Online interventions can be an effective and inexpensive alternative or supplement to therapy that is delivered using more traditional modes, overcoming barriers that may prohibit people from accessing treatment by promoting flexibility and accessibility. Methods: This systematic review evaluates the existing evidence for the efficacy or effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for (1) individuals with depressive symptoms, (2) clinically depressed populations or discussing the outcomes of depression within a subset of a larger cohort that are delivered online or via smart phone. Included studies were randomised controlled trials, with active comparator conditions, in adult populations and with reported lifestyle and depression-related outcomes. The analysis examined attrition, engagement, adherence and behaviour change techniques employed to achieve the target behaviours. Results: Seven studies were included in the review and targeted behaviour change in five domains: alcohol reduction, improved sleep quality/insomnia reduction, increased physical activity, reduced/cessation of substance abuse and smoking cessation. Four of the studies achieved significant improvements in the targeted behaviour; of these three also reported significant improvements in depressive symptoms. No studies reported significant improvements in depressive symptoms without a change in the target lifestyle behaviour. Conclusion: The results of this review highlight the potential of online lifestyle interventions as adjunctive treatments for depression, and the possibility of achieving significant improvements in depressive symptoms when targeting lifestyle behaviour change.

scholarly journals Lifestyle behaviour change for preventing the progression of chronic kidney disease: a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e031625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Evangelidis ◽  
Jonathan Craig ◽  
Adrian Bauman ◽  
Karine Manera ◽  
Valeria Saglimbene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviour

ObjectivesModifying lifestyle can prevent the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) but the specific elements which lead to favourable behaviour change are not well understood. We aimed to identify and evaluate behaviour change techniques and functions in lifestyle interventions for preventing the progression of CKD.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesMEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO.Eligibility criteriaTrials of lifestyle behaviour change interventions (including diet, physical activity, smoking and/or alcohol) published to September 2018 in adults with CKD stages 1–5.Data extraction and synthesisTrial characteristics including population, sample size, study setting, intervention, comparator, outcomes and study duration, were extracted. Study quality was independently assessed by two reviewers using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy v1 was used to identify behaviour change techniques (eg, goal setting) and the Health Behaviour Change Wheel was used to identify intervention functions (eg, education). Both were independently assessed by three reviewers.ResultsIn total, 26 studies involving 4263 participants were included. Risk of bias was high or unclear in most studies. Interventions involved diet (11), physical activity (8) or general lifestyle (7). Education was the most frequently used function (21 interventions), followed by enablement (18), training (12), persuasion (4), environmental restructuring (4), modelling (2) and incentivisation (2). The most common behaviour change techniques were behavioural instruction (23 interventions), social support (16), behavioural demonstration (13), feedback on behaviour (12) and behavioural practice/rehearsal (12). Eighteen studies (69%) showed a significant improvement in at least one primary outcome, all of which included education, persuasion, modelling and incentivisation.ConclusionLifestyle behaviour change interventions for CKD patients frequently used education, goal setting, feedback, monitoring and social support. The most promising interventions included education and used a variety of intervention functions (persuasion, modelling and incentivisation).PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019106053.

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