| 1. |
- Chan, William W., et al.
(författare)
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The Challenges in Designing a Prevention Chatbot for Eating Disorders : Observational Study
- 2022
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Ingår i: JMIR Formative Research. - : JMIR Publications Inc. - 2561-326X. ; 6:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Chatbots have the potential to provide cost-effective mental health prevention programs at scale and increase interactivity, ease of use, and accessibility of intervention programs. Objective: The development of chatbot prevention for eating disorders (EDs) is still in its infancy. Our aim is to present examples of and solutions to challenges in designing and refining a rule-based prevention chatbot program for EDs, targeted at adult women at risk for developing an ED. Methods: Participants were 2409 individuals who at least began to use an EDs prevention chatbot in response to social media advertising. Over 6 months, the research team reviewed up to 52,129 comments from these users to identify inappropriate responses that negatively impacted users experience and technical glitches. Problems identified by reviewers were then presented to the entire research team, who then generated possible solutions and implemented new responses. Results: The most common problem with the chatbot was a general limitation in understanding and responding appropriately to unanticipated user responses. We developed several workarounds to limit these problems while retaining some interactivity. Conclusions: Rule-based chatbots have the potential to reach large populations at low cost but are limited in understanding and responding appropriately to unanticipated user responses. They can be most effective in providing information and simple conversations. Workarounds can reduce conversation errors.
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| 2. |
- Fitzsimmons-Craft, Ellen E., et al.
(författare)
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Effectiveness of a chatbot for eating disorders prevention: A randomized clinical trial
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Journal of Eating Disorders. - : WILEY. - 0276-3478 .- 1098-108X. ; 55:3, s. 343-353
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective Prevention of eating disorders (EDs) is of high importance. However, digital programs with human moderation are unlikely to be disseminated widely. The aim of this study was to test whether a chatbot (i.e., computer program simulating human conversation) would significantly reduce ED risk factors (i.e., weight/shape concerns, thin-ideal internalization) in women at high risk for an ED, compared to waitlist control, as well as whether it would significantly reduce overall ED psychopathology, depression, and anxiety and prevent ED onset. Method Women who screened as high risk for an ED were randomized (N = 700) to (1) chatbot based on the StudentBodies (c) program; or (2) waitlist control. Participants were followed for 6 months. Results For weight/shape concerns, there was a significantly greater reduction in intervention versus control at 3- (d = -0.20; p = .03) and 6-m-follow-up (d = -0.19; p = .04). There were no differences in change in thin-ideal internalization. The intervention was associated with significantly greater reductions than control in overall ED psychopathology at 3- (d = -0.29; p = .003) but not 6-month follow-up. There were no differences in change in depression or anxiety. The odds of remaining nonclinical for EDs were significantly higher in intervention versus control at both 3- (OR = 2.37, 95% CI [1.37, 4.11]) and 6-month follow-ups (OR = 2.13, 95% CI [1.26, 3.59]). Discussion Findings provide support for the use of a chatbot-based EDs prevention program in reducing weight/shape concerns through 6-month follow-up, as well as in reducing overall ED psychopathology, at least in the shorter-term. Results also suggest the intervention may reduce ED onset. Public Significance We found that a chatbot, or a computer program simulating human conversation, based on an established, cognitive-behavioral therapy-based eating disorders prevention program, was successful in reducing womens concerns about weight and shape through 6-month follow-up and that it may actually reduce eating disorder onset. These findings are important because this intervention, which uses a rather simple text-based approach, can easily be disseminated in order to prevent these deadly illnesses. Trial registration: OSF Registries;
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| 3. |
- Fitzsimmons-Craft, Ellen E., et al.
(författare)
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Harnessing mobile technology to reduce mental health disorders in college populations : A randomized controlled trial study protocol
- 2021
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Ingår i: Contemporary Clinical Trials. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. - 1551-7144 .- 1559-2030. ; 103
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- About a third of college students struggle with anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder, and only 20?40% of college students with mental disorders receive treatment. Inadequacies in mental health care delivery result in prolonged illness, disease progression, poorer prognosis, and greater likelihood of relapse, highlighting the need for a new approach to detect mental health problems and engage college students in services. We have developed a transdiagnostic, low-cost mobile mental health targeted prevention and intervention platform that uses population-level screening to engage college students in tailored services that address common mental health problems. We will test the impact of this mobile mental health platform for service delivery in a large-scale trial across 20+ colleges. Students who screen positive or at high-risk for clinical anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder and who are not currently engaged in mental health services (N = 7884) will be randomly assigned to: 1) intervention via the mobile mental health platform; or 2) referral to usual care (i.e., campus health or counseling center). We will test whether the mobile mental health platform, compared to referral, is associated with improved uptake, reduced clinical cases, disorder-specific symptoms, and improved quality of life and functioning. We will also test mediators, predictors, and moderators of improved mental health outcomes, as well as stakeholder-relevant outcomes, including cost-effectiveness and academic performance. This population-level approach to service engagement has the potential to improve mental health outcomes for the millions of students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities.
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| 4. |
- Smith, Arielle C., et al.
(författare)
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Digital Overload among College Students : Implications for Mental Health App Use
- 2021
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Ingår i: Social Sciences. - : MDPI. - 2076-0760. ; 10:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mental health phone applications (apps) provide cost-effective, easily accessible support for college students, yet long-term engagement is often low. Digital overload, defined as information burden from technological devices, may contribute to disengagement from mental health apps. This study aimed to explore the influence of digital overload and phone use preferences on mental health app use among college students, with the goal of informing how notifications could be designed to improve engagement in mental health apps for this population. A semi-structured interview guide was developed to collect quantitative data on phone use and notifications as well as qualitative data on digital overload and preferences for notifications and phone use. Interview transcripts from 12 college students were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants had high daily phone use and received large quantities of notifications. They employed organization and management strategies to filter information and mitigate the negative effects of digital overload. Digital overload was not cited as a primary barrier to mental health app engagement, but participants ignored notifications for other reasons. Findings suggest that adding notifications to mental health apps may not substantially improve engagement unless additional factors are considered, such as users motivation and preferences.
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| 5. |
- Taylor, Craig Barr, et al.
(författare)
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Optimizing eating disorder treatment outcomes for individuals identified via screening: An idea worth researching
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Eating Disorders. - : WILEY. - 0276-3478 .- 1098-108X. ; 52:11, s. 1224-1228
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In recent years, online screens have been commonly used to identify individuals who may have eating disorders (EDs), many of whom may be interested in treatment. We describe a new empirical approach that takes advantage of current evidence on empirically supported, effective treatments, while at the same time, uses modern statistical frameworks and experimental designs, data-driven science, and user-centered design methods to study ways to expand the reach of programs, enhance our understanding of what works for whom, and improve outcomes, overall and in subpopulations. The research would focus on individuals with EDs identified through screening and would use continuously monitored data, and interactions of interventions/approaches to optimize reach, uptake, engagement, and outcome. Outcome would be assessed at the population, rather than individual level. The idea worth researching is to determine if an optimization outcome model produces significantly higher rates of clinical improvement at a population level than do current approaches, in which traditional interventions are only offered to the few people who are interested in and able to access them.
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| 6. |
- Topooco, Naira, et al.
(författare)
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Digital interventions to address mental health needs in colleges : Perspectives of student stakeholders
- 2022
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Ingår i: Internet Interventions. - : Elsevier. - 2214-7829. ; 28
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The need for clinical services in U.S. colleges exceeds the supply. Digital Mental health Interventions (DMHIs) are a potential solution, but successful implementation depends on stakeholder acceptance. This study investigated the relevance of DMHIs from students perspectives. Methods: In 2020-2021, an online cross-sectional survey using mixed methods was conducted with 479 students at 23 colleges and universities. Respondents reported views and use of standard mental health services and DMHIs and rated the priority of various DMHIs to be offered through campus services. Qualitative data included open-ended responses. Findings: Among respondents, 91% reported having experienced mental health problems, of which 91% reported barriers to receiving mental health services. Students highlighted therapy and counseling as desired and saw flexible access to services as important. With respect to DMHIs, respondents had the most experience with physical health apps (46%), mental health questionnaires (41%), and mental well-being apps (39%). Most were unaware of or had not used apps or self-help programs for mental health problems. Students were most likely to report the following DMHIs as high priorities: a crisis text line (76%), telehealth (66%), websites for connecting to services (62%), and text/messaging with counselors (62%). They considered a self-help program with coach support to be convenient but some also perceived such services to be possibly less effective than in-person therapy. Conclusions: Students welcome DMHIs on campus and indicate preference for mental health services that include human support. The findings, with particular focus on characteristics of the DMHIs prioritized, and students awareness and perceptions of scalable DMHIs emphasized by policymakers, should inform schools looking to implement DMHIs.
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