scholarly journals Designing a Chatbot for a Brief Motivational Interview on Stress Management: Qualitative Case Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
SoHyun Park ◽  
Jeewon Choi ◽  
Sungwoo Lee ◽  
Changhoon Oh ◽  
Changdai Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Motivational Interview ◽  
School Life ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Self Reflection

BACKGROUND In addition to addiction and substance abuse, motivational interviewing (MI) is increasingly being integrated in treating other clinical issues such as mental health problems. Most of the many technological adaptations of MI, however, have focused on delivering the action-oriented treatment, leaving its relational component unexplored or vaguely described. This study intended to design a conversational sequence that considers both technical and relational components of MI for a mental health concern. OBJECTIVE This case study aimed to design a conversational sequence for a brief motivational interview to be delivered by a Web-based text messaging application (chatbot) and to investigate its conversational experience with graduate students in their coping with stress. METHODS A brief conversational sequence was designed with varied combinations of MI skills to follow the 4 processes of MI. A Web-based text messaging application, Bonobot, was built as a research prototype to deliver the sequence in a conversation. A total of 30 full-time graduate students who self-reported stress with regard to their school life were recruited for a survey of demographic information and perceived stress and a semistructured interview. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by Braun and Clarke’s thematic method. The themes that reflect the process of, impact of, and needs for the conversational experience are reported. RESULTS Participants had a high level of perceived stress (mean 22.5 [SD 5.0]). Our findings included the following themes: Evocative Questions and Clichéd Feedback; Self-Reflection and Potential Consolation; and Need for Information and Contextualized Feedback. Participants particularly favored the relay of evocative questions but were less satisfied with the agent-generated reflective and affirming feedback that filled in-between. Discussing the idea of change was a good means of reflecting on themselves, and some of Bonobot’s encouragements related to graduate school life were appreciated. Participants suggested the conversation provide informational support, as well as more contextualized feedback. CONCLUSIONS A conversational sequence for a brief motivational interview was presented in this case study. Participant feedback suggests sequencing questions and MI-adherent statements can facilitate a conversation for stress management, which may encourage a chance of self-reflection. More diversified sequences, along with more contextualized feedback, should follow to offer a better conversational experience and to confirm any empirical effect.

scholarly journals The impact of confinement in the psychosocial behaviour due COVID-19 among members of a Brazilian university

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402097131
Author(s):  
Heloísa Monteiro Amaral-Prado ◽  
Filipy Borghi ◽  
Tânia Maron Vichi Freire Mello ◽  
Dora Maria Grassi-Kassisse
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
University Environment ◽  
Final Exams ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Background: The current situation due COVID-19 may cause an eminent impact on mental health because the confinement restrictions. Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare perceived stress, resilience, depression symptoms and coping strategies on the members of University of Campinas, in Brazil, before and during the outbreak of the COVID-19. Methods: Volunteers over 18 years of both sexes, members of the University of Campinas (Unicamp) in Brazil answered instruments related to perceived stress, depression, resilience and coping strategies during final exams at the end of semester during 2018 to 2020. Results: We obtained 1,135 responses (893 before COVID-19 and 242 during COVID-19). The volunteers did not show significant differences for perceived stress, depressive signs and resilience before and during the pandemic. In both periods, men exhibited lower scores for perceived stress and depression and higher scores for resilience when compared to women. Undergraduate and graduate students exhibited higher perceived stress scores, more pronounced depressive signs and lower resilience, and employees and professors presented lower scores for perceived stress, depressive signs and greater resilience. Conclusions: These first months of confinement did not directly affect the scores of perceived stress, depression and resilience, however, each subgroup adapted to the new routine by changing the coping strategy used. This study suggests the importance of monitoring the mental health of member in the university, especially in times of epidemic, in the search for policies that aim to improve the resilience of the population and seek positive and effective coping strategies within the university environment.

scholarly journals Best Paper Selection

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (01) ◽  
pp. 179-180
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Text Mining ◽  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Topic Model ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Health Communities ◽  
Model Approach

Abdellaoui R, Foulquié P, Texier N, Faviez C, Burgun A, Schück S. Detection of Cases of Noncompliance to Drug Treatment in Patient Forum Posts: Topic Model Approach. J Med Internet Res 2018;20(3):e85 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5874436/ Jones J, Pradhan M, Hosseini M, Kulanthaivel A, Hosseini M. Novel Approach to Cluster Patient-Generated Data Into Actionable Topics: Case Study of a Web-Based Breast Cancer. JMIR Med Inform 2018;6(4):e45 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6293240/ Park A, Conway M, Chen AT. Examining Thematic Similarity, Difference, and Membership in Three Online Mental Health Communities from Reddit: A Text Mining and Visualization Approach. Comput Human Behav 2018 Jan;78:98-112 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5810583/

scholarly journals Effects of a Digital Mental Health Program on Perceived Stress in Adolescents Aged 13-17 Years: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliane M Boucher ◽  
Haley E Ward ◽  
Julia L Stafford ◽  
Acacia C Parks
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mental Health Program ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
School Based ◽  
Management Techniques

BACKGROUND Stress is an important transdiagnostic risk factor in adolescence and predicts a host of physical and psychological problems in adolescence and adulthood. Adolescence is also a developmental stage in which people may be more sensitive or reactive to stress. Indeed, research has shown that adolescents report high levels of stress, particularly when enrolled in school. However, adolescents report engaging in few, if any, stress management techniques. Consequently, the development of effective programs to help address adolescent stress is particularly important. To date, most stress management programs for adolescents are delivered within schools, and the evidence for such programs is mixed. Furthermore, most of these programs rely on traditional stress management techniques rather than incorporating methods to address the underlying negative cognitive processes, such as rumination, that may contribute to or exacerbate the effects of perceived stress. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to test the short-term effects of a digital mental health program designed for adolescents aged 13-17 years on perceived stress and rumination. METHODS This is a randomized controlled trial in which adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 years, with elevated levels of perceived stress and brooding, will be randomly assigned to complete 8 weeks of a digital mental health program (Happify for Teens) or to a corresponding wait-list control group. The study will take place over 3 months, including the 8-week intervention period and 1-month postintervention follow-up. The primary outcome, perceived stress, along with secondary and exploratory outcomes (ie, brooding, optimism, sleep disturbance, and loneliness) will be assessed via self-report at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks to compare changes in these outcomes across conditions. RESULTS Recruitment is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2021, with a target sample size of 800 participants (400 per condition). Participants will begin the study as they are recruited and will finish in waves, with the first wave of data expected 8 weeks after recruitment begins and the final wave of data expected by the end of the third quarter of 2021. CONCLUSIONS Although school-based stress management programs for adolescents are common, research suggests that they may be limited in their reach and more effective for school-based stress than other types of stress. This trial will be one of the first attempts to examine the potential benefits of a digital mental health program on adolescents to address stress along with negative cognitive processes such as rumination. If successful, this would help introduce a more scalable alternative to school-based programs that offers adolescents greater privacy while also providing insight into novel ways to target adolescent mental health more generally. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04567888; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04567888 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/25545

scholarly journals Effectiveness of an 8-Week Web-Based Mindfulness Virtual Community Intervention for University Students on Symptoms of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/18595 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. e18595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christo El Morr ◽  
Paul Ritvo ◽  
Farah Ahmad ◽  
Rahim Moineddin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background A student mental health crisis is increasingly acknowledged and will only intensify with the COVID-19 crisis. Given accessibility of methods with demonstrated efficacy in reducing depression and anxiety (eg, mindfulness meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT]) and limitations imposed by geographic obstructions and localized expertise, web-based alternatives have become vehicles for scaled-up delivery of benefits at modest cost. Mindfulness Virtual Community (MVC), a web-based program informed by CBT constructs and featuring online videos, discussion forums, and videoconferencing, was developed to target depression, anxiety, and experiences of excess stress among university students. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an 8-week web-based mindfulness and CBT program in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (primary outcomes) and increasing mindfulness (secondary outcome) within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with undergraduate students at a large Canadian university. Methods An RCT was designed to assess undergraduate students (n=160) who were randomly allocated to a web-based guided mindfulness–CBT condition (n=80) or to a waitlist control (WLC) condition (n=80). The 8-week intervention consisted of a web-based platform comprising (1) 12 video-based modules with psychoeducation on students’ preidentified life challenges and applied mindfulness practice; (2) anonymous peer-to-peer discussion forums; and (3) anonymous, group-based, professionally guided 20-minute live videoconferences. The outcomes (depression, anxiety, stress, and mindfulness) were measured via an online survey at baseline and at 8 weeks postintervention using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Form (FFMQ-SF). Analyses employed generalized estimation equation methods with AR(1) covariance structures and were adjusted for possible covariates (gender, age, country of birth, ethnicity, English as first language, paid work, unpaid work, relationship status, physical exercise, self-rated health, and access to private mental health counseling). Results Of the 159 students who provided T1 data, 32 were males and 125 were females with a mean age of 22.55 years. Participants in the MVC (n=79) and WLC (n=80) groups were similar in sociodemographic characteristics at T1 with the exception of gender and weekly hours of unpaid volunteer work. At postintervention follow-up, according to the adjusted comparisons, there were statistically significant between-group reductions in depression scores (β=–2.21, P=.01) and anxiety scores (β=–4.82, P=.006), and a significant increase in mindfulness scores (β=4.84, P=.02) compared with the WLC group. There were no statistically significant differences in perceived stress for MVC (β=.64, P=.48) compared with WLC. Conclusions With the MVC intervention, there were significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms but no significant effect on perceived stress. Online mindfulness interventions can be effective in addressing common mental health conditions among postsecondary populations on a large scale, simultaneously reducing the current burden on traditional counseling services. Trial Registration ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN12249616; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12249616

scholarly journals Building a web-based app for persons with physical disabilities: A collaboration between game developers and rehabilitation researchers (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Terrill ◽  
Justin J. MacKenzie ◽  
Maija Reblin ◽  
Jackie Tyne Einers ◽  
Jesse Ferraro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Software Development ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Physical Disabilities ◽  
End Users ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Software Development Process ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Cord Injury

BACKGROUND Individuals with disability and their partners, who often provide care, are both at risk for depression and lower quality of life. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are promising to address barriers for mental health care. Rehabilitation researchers and software development researchers must collaborate effectively with each other, and with clinical and patient stakeholders to ensure successful mHealth development. OBJECTIVE To aid researchers interested in mHealth software development by describing the collaborative process between a team of rehabilitation researchers, software development researchers, and stakeholders. Thus, we provide a framework (conceptual model) for other teams to replicate in order to build a web-based mHealth app for individuals with physical disability. METHODS Rehabilitation researchers, software development researchers, and stakeholders (people with physical disabilities and clinicians) are involved in an iterative software development process. The overall process to develop an mHealth intervention includes initial development meetings and a co-design method called “designbox”, in which the needs and key elements of the app are discussed. Based on the objectives outlined, a prototype is developed and goes through scoping iterations with feedback from stakeholders and end-users. The prototype is then tested by users to identify technical errors and gather feedback on usability and accessibility. RESULTS Illustrating the overall development process, we present a case study based on our experience developing an app (SupportGroove) for couples coping with spinal cord injury. Examples of how we addressed specific challenges are also included. For example, feedback from stakeholders resulted in development of app features for individuals with limited functional ability. Initial designs lacked accessibility design principles made visible by end-users. Solutions included large text, single-click, and minimal scrolling to facilitate menu navigation for individuals using eye-gaze technology. Prototype testing allowed further refinement and demonstrated high usability and engagement with activities in the app. Qualitative feedback indicated high levels of satisfaction, accessibility, and confidence in potential utility. We also present key lessons learned about working in a collaborative interdisciplinary team. CONCLUSIONS mHealth promises to help overcome barriers to mental health intervention access. However, the development of these interventions can be challenging because of the disparate and often siloed expertise required. By describing the mHealth software development process and illustrating it with a successful case study of rehabilitation researchers, software development researchers, and stakeholders collaborating effectively, our goal is to help other teams avoid challenges we faced and benefit from our lessons learned. Ultimately, good interdisciplinary collaboration will benefit individuals with disabilities and their families. CLINICALTRIAL n/a

scholarly journals Effectiveness of an 8-Week Web-Based Mindfulness Virtual Community Intervention for University Students on Symptoms of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christo El Morr ◽  
Paul Ritvo ◽  
Farah Ahmad ◽  
Rahim Moineddin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND A student mental health crisis is increasingly acknowledged and will only intensify with the COVID-19 crisis. Given accessibility of methods with demonstrated efficacy in reducing depression and anxiety (eg, mindfulness meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT]) and limitations imposed by geographic obstructions and localized expertise, web-based alternatives have become vehicles for scaled-up delivery of benefits at modest cost. Mindfulness Virtual Community (MVC), a web-based program informed by CBT constructs and featuring online videos, discussion forums, and videoconferencing, was developed to target depression, anxiety, and experiences of excess stress among university students. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an 8-week web-based mindfulness and CBT program in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (primary outcomes) and increasing mindfulness (secondary outcome) within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with undergraduate students at a large Canadian university. METHODS An RCT was designed to assess undergraduate students (n=160) who were randomly allocated to a web-based guided mindfulness–CBT condition (n=80) or to a waitlist control (WLC) condition (n=80). The 8-week intervention consisted of a web-based platform comprising (1) 12 video-based modules with psychoeducation on students’ preidentified life challenges and applied mindfulness practice; (2) anonymous peer-to-peer discussion forums; and (3) anonymous, group-based, professionally guided 20-minute live videoconferences. The outcomes (depression, anxiety, stress, and mindfulness) were measured via an online survey at baseline and at 8 weeks postintervention using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Form (FFMQ-SF). Analyses employed generalized estimation equation methods with AR(1) covariance structures and were adjusted for possible covariates (gender, age, country of birth, ethnicity, English as first language, paid work, unpaid work, relationship status, physical exercise, self-rated health, and access to private mental health counseling). RESULTS Of the 159 students who provided T1 data, 32 were males and 125 were females with a mean age of 22.55 years. Participants in the MVC (n=79) and WLC (n=80) groups were similar in sociodemographic characteristics at T1 with the exception of gender and weekly hours of unpaid volunteer work. At postintervention follow-up, according to the adjusted comparisons, there were statistically significant between-group reductions in depression scores (β=–2.21, <i>P</i>=.01) and anxiety scores (β=–4.82, <i>P</i>=.006), and a significant increase in mindfulness scores (β=4.84, <i>P</i>=.02) compared with the WLC group. There were no statistically significant differences in perceived stress for MVC (β=.64, <i>P</i>=.48) compared with WLC. CONCLUSIONS With the MVC intervention, there were significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms but no significant effect on perceived stress. Online mindfulness interventions can be effective in addressing common mental health conditions among postsecondary populations on a large scale, simultaneously reducing the current burden on traditional counseling services. CLINICALTRIAL ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN12249616; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12249616

Evaluation of My Stress Control, a web-based stress management program for persons experiencing work-related stress: A randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Eklund ◽  
Anne Söderlund ◽  
Magnus L Elfström
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Stress Control ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Stress is one of the most common reasons for sick leave. Web-based interventions have the potential to reach an unlimited number of users at a low cost and have been shown effective at addressing several health-related problems. To handle stress on an individual level is about behavior change. To support behavior change in stress management My Stress Control (MSC) was developed. The development of MSC was based on several health psychology theories and models but central in the development was Social Cognitive Theory, Theory of Reasoned Action, Theory of Planned Behavior, Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping and the Transtheoretical Model and Stages of Change. MSC is a fully automated program. The program is tailored to the user's specific need for stress management and behavior change. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the extent to which MSC affected perceived stress in persons experiencing work-related stress. METHODS This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial with two arms. Study participants were recruited by visiting worksites and workplace meetings. Participants were assigned to intervention or wait list group. Web-based questionnaires were used pre- and post-intervention to collect data. Perceived stress measured with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) was the primary outcome measurement. Analyses were conducted for both between- and within-group changes. RESULTS A total of 92 participants were included in this study, 48 in intervention group and 44 in waitlist group. Twelve participants in the intervention group and 19 participants in the waitlist group completed the post intervention assessment. There were no significant effects on perceived stress between the intervention and wait list groups or within the groups. A small effect size (dCohen=0.25) was found when comparing mean change over time on the primary outcome measure between the intervention and wait list groups. Additionally, a small effect size was found between pre- and post-intervention assessment within the intervention group (dCohen=0.38) as well as within the wait list group (dCohen=0.25). CONCLUSIONS It is still uncertain what effect My Stress Control (MSC) may have on perceived stress. Because adherence was low in the intervention group, elements or features that facilitate adherence must be further developed before firmer conclusions of the effect of MSC can be studied. CLINICALTRIAL This RCT was registered at clinicaltrials.gov, protocol record 2015/0646.

scholarly journals Effects of a mobile health intervention on activities of stress self-management for workers: A randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Joo Lee
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Health Intervention ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background: Mobile health interventions are being widely tried because of their attractive advantages. However, there is not enough evidence for its effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mobile app-based stress management intervention (mSMI) on highly stressed workers. Methods: A sample of 82 white-collar workers with elevated symptoms of perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10≥22) were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The mSMI consisted of three modules: self-management including a work diary, counseling based on cognitive behavioral therapy and interventions focused on music, meditation, relaxation and image healings. Self-report data were collected the baseline and post-intervention. Study outcomes were perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and work engagement. Data were assessed using analysis of covariance with covariates. Results: There was significantly reduced perceived stress from baseline to 6 weeks in mSMI (t=5.788, p<.001) and control group (t=3.184, p=.003). After adjusting for covariates, the between-group difference in the perceived stress was significantly different (F=4.051, p=.048); however, the effect size was small. There was no significant intervention effect on anxiety, depression, and work engagement. The process evaluation indicated that most participants (85.3%) were satisfied with the intervention and their mental health benefited. Conclusion: This study found that mobile health intervention facilitated stress management for highly stressed workers. Further studies should address job-related outcomes and mental health symptoms in workers by applying the latest information technology and addressing the limitations of mobile interventions. Trial Registration: Not applicable.

scholarly journals Levels of Stress and Characteristics of Perfectionism in CSD Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Beck ◽  
Heidi Verticchio
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Perceived Stress Scale ◽  
Electronic Survey ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Similarities And Differences

An electronic survey was sent to the Midwest Clinic Directors’ Listserv requesting they distribute it to students in their CSD programs. The survey collected information about demographics, and students’ top three stressors and stress management practices. Students were also asked to complete the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; Cohen, 1994) and the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R; Slaney, Rice, Mobley, Trippi, & Ashby, 2001). A total of 278 CSD undergraduate and graduate students from 15 Midwest institutions responded to the survey. No differences were found between undergraduate and graduate responses to the PSS and the APS-R. Twenty-six percent of the respondents were classified as nonperfectionists, 33% as adaptive perfectionists, and 41% as maladaptive perfectionists. A relationship was found between perceived stress and perfectionism such that respondents with higher levels of perceived stress tended to be classified as maladaptive perfectionists and those with lower levels of perceived stress tended to be classified as adaptive perfectionists. Similarities and differences were found between undergraduates and graduate students in terms of stressors; close to 45% engaged in a stress management practice. Importance of such practices is discussed.

scholarly journals Designing a Chatbot for a Brief Motivational Interview on Stress Management: Qualitative Case Study

10.2196/12231 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. e12231 ◽  
Author(s):  
SoHyun Park ◽  
Jeewon Choi ◽  
Sungwoo Lee ◽  
Changhoon Oh ◽  
Changdai Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Management ◽  
Motivational Interview ◽  
Qualitative Case Study
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