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Use of Innovative Technologies in Health Behavior Research
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Use of Innovative Technologies in Health Behavior Research

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "TeleHealth and Digital Healthcare".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2022) | Viewed by 23833

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Amar Kanekar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Counseling, Human Performance and Rehabilitation, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Litttle Rock, AR 72204, USA
Interests: health education; public health; epidemiology; research methods; obesity prevention; global health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the current complex and changing world, compounded by the COVID 19 pandemic, it is of utmost importance that health behavior researchers and scholars engage in inventing and testing newer models and theories that hinge on technological novelty. It is safe to presume that future technological applications furthering health behavior research will certainly include digitalized health-based applications such as social-media-based interventions, mobile based applications, and wearable devices [1].  

The purpose of this Special Issue is to invite health behavior scholars and researchers to contribute to filling the research gap between what has worked in past years and what could be seen in years to come by sharing innovations in methodologies, models, theories, and newer modes of research that either include technological advancements or introduce a novel technological concept and/or its implementation. We would like to see articles in the domain of original research, literature reviews (narrative and/or systematic), conceptual works, and essays in this area. 

We anticipate that this Issue will serve as a rich source of creative ideas not only for application in academics but also in health promotion practice. 

Dr. Amar Kanekar
Guest Editor

References

[1] Arigo, D., Jake-Schoffman, D.E., Wolin, K. et al. The history and future of digital health in the field of behavioral medicine. J Behav Med 42, 67–83 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-018-9966-z

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 855 KiB  
Article
Application of the IDEAS Framework in Adapting a Web-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Young Adult College Students
by Kimberly R. Hartson, Lindsay J. Della, Kristi M. King, Sam Liu, Paige N. Newquist and Ryan E. Rhodes
Healthcare 2022, 10(4), 700; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10040700 - 9 Apr 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2363
Abstract
User-centered developmental processes are critical to ensuring acceptability of e-health behavioral interventions, and yet physical activity research continues to be inundated with top-down developmental approaches. The IDEAS (Integrate, Design, Assess, and Share) framework outlines a user-centered process for development of e-health interventions. The [...] Read more.
User-centered developmental processes are critical to ensuring acceptability of e-health behavioral interventions, and yet physical activity research continues to be inundated with top-down developmental approaches. The IDEAS (Integrate, Design, Assess, and Share) framework outlines a user-centered process for development of e-health interventions. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the application of the IDEAS framework in adapting a web-based physical activity intervention for young adult college students. Steps 1–3 emphasized integrating insights from users and theory and Steps 4–7 focused on iterative and rapid design with user feedback. Data were collected via repeat qualitative interviews with young adult college students (N = 7). Resulting qualitative metathemes were engagement, accountability, and cultural fit. Therefore, intervention modifications focused on strategies to foster ongoing engagement with the program (e.g., increase interactivity), support personal and social accountability (e.g., private social media group), and provide a cultural fit within the college lifestyle (e.g., images relevant to student life). The resulting web-based intervention included eight weekly lessons, an expanded resource library, “how-to” videos, step and goal trackers, and a private social media group to be led by a wellness coach. In conclusion, the IDEAS framework guided an efficient, user-centered adaptation process that integrated empirical evidence and behavior change theory with user preferences and feedback. Furthermore, the process allowed us to address barriers to acceptability during the design and build stages rather than at later stages of pilot and efficacy testing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Innovative Technologies in Health Behavior Research)
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14 pages, 782 KiB  
Article
Blended Therapies and Mobile Phones for Improving the Health of Female Victims of Gender Violence
by Yolanda García and Carlos Ferrás
Healthcare 2022, 10(3), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10030445 - 26 Feb 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2397
Abstract
We carried out a case study with a group of female victims of gender violence (n = 39) with the objective of evaluating a blended psychotherapeutic intervention. The results show that blended therapies with mobile text messages combined with face-to-face group therapies [...] Read more.
We carried out a case study with a group of female victims of gender violence (n = 39) with the objective of evaluating a blended psychotherapeutic intervention. The results show that blended therapies with mobile text messages combined with face-to-face group therapies significantly improved the health of these women. Mood states and the symptoms of depression were measured with a PHQ-9 personal health questionnaire and evolved positively. In the group of women (n = 39) the scores improved from an initial 13.5 (SD = 7.2, range 3–34) to 6.0 at the end of the period of messages (SD = 5.2, range 0–18), which was a significant difference (t (39) = 2.02; p = 0.000). Most of the women stated that the messages had helped them improve their mood (91.6%) and their general health (83.3%), which made them feel more connected to their social environment (80.6%). We observed that adherence to medication for each woman improved. With mixed therapies and mobile phones, social service professionals can incorporate technology into daily practices and offer personalized attention and daily counseling to victims of gender-based violence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Innovative Technologies in Health Behavior Research)
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11 pages, 1240 KiB  
Article
Q Methodology in the COVID-19 Era
by Ahmed S. Alanazi, Heather Wharrad, Fiona Moffatt, Michael Taylor and Muhammad Ladan
Healthcare 2021, 9(11), 1491; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9111491 - 2 Nov 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3884
Abstract
All face-to-face studies were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as they could not be run in person due to rules and guidance linked to social distancing which were in force during the outbreak. Finding and testing an available COVID-secure approach for both participants [...] Read more.
All face-to-face studies were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as they could not be run in person due to rules and guidance linked to social distancing which were in force during the outbreak. Finding and testing an available COVID-secure approach for both participants and researchers was important as was the need to continue conducting such studies during this critical time. At present, the extant literature indicates a clear gap in research that elucidates how to carry out a Q methodology study online, step by step. This paper describes an option for online Q methodology using an approach that simulates all of the steps performed in a face-to-face setting using an open-source software known as Easy-HtmlQ. Using a case study in telemedicine adoption as illustration, this paper also considers the perspective of both research participants and Q methodology researchers via semi-structured interviews. Using Easy-HtmlQ V1.1 in online Q methodology studies appears to be an affordable, practical and user-friendly solution. Some of the benefits associated with running Q methodology studies online were the decreased costs, enabling the recruitment of wider number of participants, providing a COVID-19-secure environment and offering convenience to both participants and researchers during the research process. The findings of this study may contribute to increasing the number of online Q methodology studies in the future, as it has succeeded in offering a feasible approach for Q methodology researchers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Innovative Technologies in Health Behavior Research)
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8 pages, 1406 KiB  
Article
Nominal Groups to Develop a Mobile Application on Healthy Habits
by Mª Soledad Palacios-Gálvez, Montserrat Andrés-Villas, Mercedes Vélez-Toral and Ángeles Merino-Godoy
Healthcare 2021, 9(4), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9040378 - 30 Mar 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2467
Abstract
The new pandemic-lockdown situation has caused empowerment of new technologies; mobile phones and computers have gained further importance. Homes have become the new educators of health since health education has decreased or stopped during the pandemic. The lack of knowledge in the child [...] Read more.
The new pandemic-lockdown situation has caused empowerment of new technologies; mobile phones and computers have gained further importance. Homes have become the new educators of health since health education has decreased or stopped during the pandemic. The lack of knowledge in the child and adolescent population about how to incorporate healthy habits in their daily lives, along with the rise of health devices and the introduction of healthcare in the syllabus, has led to the realization of the present study. The aim of this study was to identify the relevant health topics in a sample of adolescents for the later development of a mobile application (Healthy Jeart) that promotes the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits in adolescence. The information was gathered through the technique of nominal groups. The sample was recruited by nonprobability purposive sampling, with a total of 92 students from 4 educational centers of the province of Huelva (Spain). According to the obtained results, the most relevant categories were physical wellbeing (40.81%), psychological wellbeing (22.13%), interpersonal relationships and social skills (21.58%), toxic substances and addictions (10.35%) and sex habits (1.83%). This technique allowed identifying and selecting the most relevant content areas of the “Healthy Jeart” application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Innovative Technologies in Health Behavior Research)
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Review

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15 pages, 1485 KiB  
Review
Review of Active Extracorporeal Medical Devices to Counteract Freezing of Gait in Patients with Parkinson Disease
by Mónica Huerta, Boris Barzallo, Catalina Punin, Andrea Garcia-Cedeño and Roger Clotet
Healthcare 2022, 10(6), 976; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10060976 - 24 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2839
Abstract
Parkinson Disease (PD) primarily affects older adults. It is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, more than 10 million people suffer from PD, and this number is expected to grow, considering the increasing global longevity. Freezing of Gait (FoG) is [...] Read more.
Parkinson Disease (PD) primarily affects older adults. It is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, more than 10 million people suffer from PD, and this number is expected to grow, considering the increasing global longevity. Freezing of Gait (FoG) is a symptom present in approximately 80% of advanced-stage PD’s patients. FoG episodes alter the continuity of gait, and may be the cause of falls that can lead to injuries and even death. The recent advances in the development of hardware and software systems for the monitoring, stimulus, or rehabilitation of patients with FoG has been of great interest to researchers because detection and minimization of the duration of FoG events is an important factor in improving the quality of life. This article presents a review of the research on non-invasive medical devices for FoG, focusing on the acquisition, processing, and stimulation approaches used. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Innovative Technologies in Health Behavior Research)
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Other

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13 pages, 796 KiB  
Systematic Review
Influencing Factors of Acceptance and Use Behavior of Mobile Health Application Users: Systematic Review
by Chen Wang and Huiying Qi
Healthcare 2021, 9(3), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9030357 - 22 Mar 2021
Cited by 59 | Viewed by 8460
Abstract
Purpose/Significance: Mobile health applications provide a convenient way for users to obtain health information and services. Studying the factors that influence users’ acceptance and use of mobile health applications (apps or Apps) will help to improve users’ actual usage behavior. Method/Process: Based on [...] Read more.
Purpose/Significance: Mobile health applications provide a convenient way for users to obtain health information and services. Studying the factors that influence users’ acceptance and use of mobile health applications (apps or Apps) will help to improve users’ actual usage behavior. Method/Process: Based on the literature review method and using the Web of Science core database as the data source, this paper summarizes the relevant research results regarding the influencing factors of the acceptance and use behavior of mobile health application users and makes a systematic review of the influencing factors from the perspectives of the individual, society, and application (app or App) design. Result/Conclusion: In terms of the individual dimension, the users’ behavior is influenced by demographic characteristics and motivations. Social attributes, source credibility, and legal issues all affect user behavior in the social dimension. In the application design dimension, functionality, perceived ease of use and usefulness, security, and cost are the main factors. At the end of the paper, suggestions are given to improve the users’ acceptability of mobile health applications and improve their use behavior. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Innovative Technologies in Health Behavior Research)
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