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Health Promotion Using New Technology

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Digital Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 17326

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, 101 Currie St, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
Interests: evidence-based medicine; public policy; health education; augmented reality and mixed reality technologies; respiratory medicine; tobacco control; Indigenous health; health promotion; technology-based interventions

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Guest Editor
Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments, University of South Australia, 101 Currie St, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
Interests: evidence-based medicine; public policy; health education; augmented reality and mixed reality technologies; respiratory medicine; tobacco control; Indigenous health; health promotion; technology-based interventions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is no question that technology is rapidly evolving and is regularly being reinvented. Innovations in the field comprise multi-billion-dollar industries for areas like gaming, education, and entertainment. For health promotion, the evaluation of new technologies extends across all disciplines and timepoints within the healthcare journey. These technologies extend from artificial intelligence, mixed reality technologies, robotics, and sensors, to wearable technologies, genome sequencing, telemedicine, and electronic health record systems. Opportunities for innovation are limited only by the imagination, willpower, and securing openminded research funders.

However, health is notoriously slow to adapt to technological developments, despite a growing evidence base supporting effectiveness across many health outcomes in many areas. There remain ongoing concerns of cyber security, data privacy, and low access among the most disadvantaged, which risks widening health inequality gaps.

The aim of this Special Issue is to explore the latest research in technological innovation across the health-promotion spectrum. It will provide an overview of how technological disruptors have revolutionized health promotion over time, identify barriers and enablers for existing technology-delivered health-promotion programs, identify the next wave of technological innovation for health promotion, and provide a scaffold for future health promotion programs that intend to use technology-supported mechanisms for delivery and evaluation.

Prof. Kristin Carson-Chahhoud
Prof. Ross T. Smith
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • technology
  • innovation
  • health and health promotion
  • well-being
  • behavior change
  • artificial intelligence
  • machine learning
  • mixed reality technology
  • augmented reality
  • virtual reality
  • wearable technology
  • telemedicine and telehealth
  • genome sequencing
  • sensors
  • robotics
  • electronic health record systems

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1059 KiB  
Article
Self-Regulated Learning Strategies for Nursing Students: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
by Jiwon An, Juyeon Oh and Kyongok Park
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9058; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159058 - 25 Jul 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3001
Abstract
Distance learning (DL) based on information and communication technologies is gaining importance due to its convenience and cost savings. However, there is not enough evidence to identify the effect of DL on students requiring a high level of self-regulated learning (SRL). Therefore, this [...] Read more.
Distance learning (DL) based on information and communication technologies is gaining importance due to its convenience and cost savings. However, there is not enough evidence to identify the effect of DL on students requiring a high level of self-regulated learning (SRL). Therefore, this study aims to compare the effects of the use of augmented reality (AR) as an innovative learning method and the use of a textbook as a conventional learning method. Both methods were based on SRL strategies. In this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), SRL using an AR group (n = 31) and a textbook group (n = 31) was performed. Perceived learning (PL) competency, knowledge, SRL competency, academic stress, and learning flow were measured to evaluate the effect of intervention. Although, there was not significant interaction between the effects of time and the intervention in PL competency, knowledge, academic stress, and learning flow. In the subdomains of SRL competency, environmental structuring, task strategies, time management, help seeking, and self-evaluation were significantly improved after intervention. SRL using innovative methods is more important after COVID 19. Therefore, well-designed larger RCTs are required to identify the effect of SRL strategy using innovative method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion Using New Technology)
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24 pages, 2110 KiB  
Article
Neuroendocrine Response and State Anxiety Due to Psychosocial Stress Decrease after a Training with Subject’s Own (but Not Another) Virtual Body: An RCT Study
by Dalila Burin, Gabriele Cavanna, Daniela Rabellino, Yuka Kotozaki and Ryuta Kawashima
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 6340; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106340 - 23 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5741
Abstract
Previous research involving healthy participants has reported that seeing a moving virtual body from the first person perspective induces the illusion of ownership and agency over that virtual body. When a person is sitting and the virtual body runs, it is possible to [...] Read more.
Previous research involving healthy participants has reported that seeing a moving virtual body from the first person perspective induces the illusion of ownership and agency over that virtual body. When a person is sitting and the virtual body runs, it is possible to measure physiological, behavioral and cognitive reactions that are comparable to those that occur during actual movement. Capitalizing on this evidence, we hypothesized that virtual training could also induce neuroendocrine effects that prompt a decreased psychosocial stress response, as occurs after physical training. While sitting, 26 healthy young adults watched a virtual avatar running for 30 min from the first person perspective (experimental group), while another 26 participants watched the virtual body from the third person perspective (control group). We found a decreased salivary alpha-amylase concentration (a biomarker for the stress response) after the virtual training among the experimental group only, as well as a decreased subjective feeling of state anxiety (but no difference in heart rate). We argue that the virtual illusion of a moving body from the first person perspective can initiate a cascade of events, from the perception of the visual illusion to physiological activation that triggers other biological effects, such as the neuroendocrine stress response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion Using New Technology)
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12 pages, 1385 KiB  
Article
Profile of Whole Body Electromyostimulation Training Users—A Pilot Study
by Luiz Rodrigues-Santana, Hugo Louro, Ángel Denche-Zamorano, Alejandro Vega-Muñoz, Nicolás Contreras-Barraza and Jose Carmelo Adsuar
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4711; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084711 - 13 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2177
Abstract
(1) Introduction: Whole Body Electromyostimulation is a technological and time efficient personal training practiced all over the world. With the increase of practitioners in the last 10 years, the need to study more about practitioners has arisen, so this pilot study aims to [...] Read more.
(1) Introduction: Whole Body Electromyostimulation is a technological and time efficient personal training practiced all over the world. With the increase of practitioners in the last 10 years, the need to study more about practitioners has arisen, so this pilot study aims to trace a user profile of this method through the analysis of socio-demographic data for a better understand of the profile of people looking for this type of training to improve the effectiveness of the intervention and develop programs that are in accordance with the motivation of practitioners. (2) Methods: 270 users from 5 countries answered an online questionnaire with socio-demographic questions. Data were treated using descriptive statistics. Possible differences between sexes and between groups were analyzed by means of non-parametric statistical tests: Mann–Whitney U-test (continuous variables); in addition to studying possible dependence relationships and differences between proportions, using the Chi-square statistic with pairwise z-test using the Bonferroni correction (categorical variables). (3) Results: Middle-aged women are the main user of this type of training. The majority of WB-EMS users do another type of physical activity with significant difference between men and woman (p < 0.05) men are more active than women. Weight loss, health and wellness and muscle mass increase are the main goals of the WB-EMS users. There are significant differences in weight loss and rehabilitation between genders (p < 0.05). Women look much more than men to lose weight and men look more than women to rehabilitation. (4) Conclusions: The user profile is a physically active woman, aged 35–49 years, with normal weight and high educational level, who carries out twice weekly full body electrostimulation training with the goals of weight loss, health and/or wellness and muscle mass gain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion Using New Technology)
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21 pages, 1023 KiB  
Article
Perspectives and Experiences of Smartphone Overuse among University Students in Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Analysis
by Mohammad Saud Alotaibi, Mim Fox, Robyn Coman, Zubair Ahmed Ratan and Hassan Hosseinzadeh
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4397; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074397 - 6 Apr 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5657
Abstract
Smartphone overuse and addiction is a growing concern worldwide. However, there are limited studies about smartphone addiction and its impacts on university students in Saudi Arabia. This qualitative study aimed to elicit students’ and university staff’s perspectives and experiences about smartphone overuse/addiction in [...] Read more.
Smartphone overuse and addiction is a growing concern worldwide. However, there are limited studies about smartphone addiction and its impacts on university students in Saudi Arabia. This qualitative study aimed to elicit students’ and university staff’s perspectives and experiences about smartphone overuse/addiction in Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), Saudi Arabia. Fifteen undergraduate students and 18 university staff (13 lecturers and five professionals) were recruited for the purpose of this study. The study data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The qualitative data comprising 33 participants (students and staff) identified four major themes including the perception of smartphone use; causes of smartphone overuse; negative impacts of smartphone overuse; and strategies to reduce the overuse of smartphone. The overall findings confirmed that students and staff alike held both positive and negative perceptions about using a smartphone. Potential factors leading to smartphone overuse included personal factors (extended free time and low self-confidence, irresponsibility/escaping certain social gatherings/passing the time); smartphone factors (reasonable price, attractive advertisements (ads), and engaging smartphone Apps); and social factors (social pressure and fear of losing a connection). The main negative impacts of smartphone overuse were found to be related to low academic productivity, poor physical health (body pain, lack of sleep, and low exercise), compromised mental well-being (stress and negative emotions), and decreased socialisation (social isolation and a reduction in face-to-face communication). Our findings suggested that awareness campaigns about smartphone overuse, promoting family and social events, encouraging physical activities, and limiting internet use can reduce smartphone usage among university students. This finding has significant implications for decision-makers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion Using New Technology)
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