Examining a Digital Health Approach for Advancing Schizophrenia Illness Self-Management and Provider Engagement: Protocol for a Feasibility Trial
This study describes the protocol for a feasibility trial evaluating App4Independence (A4i), a digital health platform designed to improve illness self-management and treatment engagement among individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The planned study used a single-blind randomized design, with participants assigned to either A4i or a control condition and followed for six months. Feasibility measures included recruitment and […]
Predicting symptom response and engagement in a digital intervention among individuals with schizophrenia and related psychoses
This study examined whether machine learning could predict individual responses to and engagement with a smartphone-based digital intervention among people with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. Researchers used data from an earlier open trial involving 38 participants with psychosis, primarily schizophrenia spectrum disorders, who used the App4Independence (A4i) psychosocial smartphone intervention for one month. Machine learning models incorporated […]
Patient Perceptions of Text Messaging to Improve Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence: A Qualitative Study of Patients in a Ryan White Clinic
This study explored the experiences and perceptions of people living with HIV (PLHIV) who received text-message reminders to support adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Forty-five uninsured and underinsured adults living with HIV who were part of the intervention arm of a larger study received daily, automated one-way SMS medication reminders for six months. Participants were interviewed face-to-face about what they […]
Automated Behavioral Text Messaging and Face-to-Face Intervention for Parents of Overweight or Obese Preschool Children: Results From a Pilot Study
This pilot study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of TEXT2COPE, a cognitive behavioral intervention combining face-to-face support with tailored SMS text messaging to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among families of overweight or obese preschool-aged children. Fifteen parent-preschooler dyads recruited through pediatric primary care clinics participated in a 7-week cognitive behavioral skills-building intervention. Text messages were personalized to […]
An innovative SMS intervention to improve adherence to stimulants in children with ADHD: Preliminary findings
This study examined whether a text messaging–based intervention could improve adherence to stimulant medication among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study included 87 children aged 6–12 years who had been prescribed stimulant medication for ADHD, primarily through primary care settings. Participants receiving the SMS intervention were compared with age- and sex-matched patients receiving treatment as usual, with […]
SmartMom Text Messaging for Prenatal Education: A Qualitative Focus Group Study to Explore Canadian Women’s Perceptions
SmartMom is an evidence-based prenatal education program designed to deliver timely pregnancy information through one-way SMS text messages. This study explored Canadian women’s preferences for receiving prenatal education by text and assessed the acceptability and usability of the SmartMom program. Researchers conducted seven qualitative focus groups with 40 women across three rural communities in northern British Columbia. […]
Development and Usability of REACH: A Tailored Theory-Based Text Messaging Intervention for Disadvantaged Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
The study describes the development and usability testing of REACH (Rapid Education/Encouragement And Communications for Health), a tailored text-messaging intervention designed to improve self-care adherence among disadvantaged adults with type 2 diabetes. REACH was developed using an evidence- and theory-based approach and was designed to address individual barriers to diabetes self-care. Thirty-six adults with type 2 diabetes recruited […]
Lessons learned developing and deploying a provincial virtual mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual health services, but limited information was available to health leaders about how these services were developed and implemented and what could be learned from these experiences. This article describes lessons learned from the co-design, development, and deployment of SaskWell, a 10-week text-based mental health and wellness service for […]
Supporting population mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada: protocol for a sequential mixed-method study
The study describes the protocol for the development and evaluation of SaskWell, a customized two-way text-messaging service designed to connect Saskatchewan residents with digital mental health and wellness resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study uses the RE-AIM framework to guide a sequential mixed-https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052259methods approach involving co-design, implementation, and evaluation. SaskWell was designed as a 10-week service, providing participants […]
Feasibility and outcomes of a multi-function mobile health approach for the schizophrenia spectrum: App4Independence (A4i)
The study examined the feasibility of A4i, a multi-feature mobile health application designed to support illness self-management among people with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. The study took place in a large urban Canadian centre, with 38 participants using A4i for approximately one month. A pre-post study design was used to assess medication adherence, personal […]