Search

Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud; Asma; Aplicación para teléfonos inteligentes Qualitat de vida relacionada amb la salut; Asma; Aplicació per a telèfons intel·ligents Health-related quality of life; Asthma; Smartphone app Background Asthma impacts children’s physical, emotional, and psychosocial Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL). The EQ-5D-Y is a generic econometric instrument developed to measure HRQL in children. Objective Evaluation of feasibility, validity, reliability, and responsiveness of EQ-5D-Y descriptive system and utility index to allow the assessment of HRQL in children with asthma, aged 8–11 years (self-response version) or under 8 years old (proxy-response version). Methods We used data from baseline to 10 months of follow-up of an observational, prospective study of children with persistent asthma recruited by pediatricians in Spain (2018–2020). HRQL instruments were administered through a smartphone application: ARCA app. The EQ-5D-Y is composed of a 5-dimension descriptive system, a utility index ranging from 1 to − 0.5392, and a general health visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). The Pediatric Asthma Impact Scale (PROMIS-PAIS) includes 8 items, providing a raw score. Construct validity hypotheses were stated a priori, and evaluated following two approaches, multitrait–multimethod matrix and known groups’ comparisons. Reliability and responsiveness subsamples were defined by stability or change in EQ-VAS and the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), to estimate the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the magnitude of change over time. Results The EQ-5D-Y was completed at baseline for 119 children (81 self-responded and 38 through proxy response), with a mean age of 9.1 (1.7) years. Mean (SD) of the EQ-5D-Y utility index was 0.93 (0.11), with ceiling and floor effects of 60.3% and 0%, respectively. Multitrait–multimethod matrix confirmed the associations previously hypothesized for the EQ-5D-Y utility index [moderate with PROMIS-PAIS (0.38) and weak with ACQ (0.28)], and for the EQ-5D-Y dimension “problems doing usual activities” [moderate with the ACQ item (0.35) and weak with the PROMIS-PAIS item (0.17)]. Statistically significant differences were found in the EQ-5D-Y between groups defined by asthma control, reliever inhalers use, and second-hand smoke exposure, with mostly moderate effect sizes (0.45–0.75). The ICC of the EQ-5D-Y utility index in the stable subsamples was high (0.81 and 0.79); and responsiveness subsamples presented a moderate to large magnitude of change (0.68 and 0.78), though without statistical significance. Conclusions These results support the use of the EQ-5D-Y as a feasible, valid, and reliable instrument for evaluating HRQL in children with persistent asthma. Further studies are needed on the responsiveness of the EQ-5D-Y in this population. Financial support for this study was provided through grants by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III FEDER: Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (PI15/00449 and FI16/00071), University of Costa Rica (OAICE-85-2019), and Generalitat de Catalunya (2017 SGR 452). The funding agreements ensure the authors’ independence in designing the study, interpreting the data, and writing and publishing the report.

Rinitis alérgica; Salud móvil; Escalas analógicas visuales Rinitis al·lèrgica; Salut mòbil; Escales analògiques visuals Allergic rhinitis; Mobile health Visual analog scales Background MASK-air® is an app that supports allergic rhinitis patients in disease control. Users register daily allergy symptoms and their impact on activities using visual analog scales (VASs). We aimed to assess the concurrent validity, reliability, and responsiveness of these daily VASs. Methods Daily monitoring VAS data were assessed in MASK-air® users with allergic rhinitis. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating daily VAS values with those of the EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) VAS, the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) score, and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Allergic Specific (WPAI-AS) Questionnaire (work and activity impairment scores). Intra-rater reliability was assessed in users providing multiple daily VASs within the same day. Test–retest reliability was tested in clinically stable users, as defined by the EQ-5D VAS, CARAT, or “VAS Work” (i.e., VAS assessing the impact of allergy on work). Responsiveness was determined in users with two consecutive measurements of EQ-5D-VAS or “VAS Work” indicating clinical change. Results A total of 17,780 MASK-air® users, with 317,176 VAS days, were assessed. Concurrent validity was moderate–high (Spearman correlation coefficient range: 0.437–0.716). Intra-rater reliability intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranged between 0.870 (VAS assessing global allergy symptoms) and 0.937 (VAS assessing allergy symptoms on sleep). Test–retest reliability ICCs ranged between 0.604 and 0.878—“VAS Work” and “VAS asthma” presented the highest ICCs. Moderate/large responsiveness effect sizes were observed—the sleep VAS was associated with lower responsiveness, while the global allergy symptoms VAS demonstrated higher responsiveness. Conclusion In MASK-air®, daily monitoring VASs have high intra-rater reliability and moderate–high validity, reliability, and responsiveness, pointing to a reliable measure of symptom loads. The study was funded by ARIA. Open access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.

Epidèmia del COVID-19; Exercici; Lesió medul·lar Epidemia de COVID-19; Ejercicio; Lesión medular COVID-19 epidemic; Exercise; Spinal cord injury Background: Although mHealth tools have great potential for health interventions, few experimental studies report on their use by people with spinal cord injuries in physical activity. Objective: The main objective of this study was to analyze the effect of the ParaSportAPP on different physical and psychological variables in people with paraplegia. Methods: Fourteen of these subjects made up the final sample. All the participants performed two pre-tests (control period) and a post-test with 8 months between the evaluations (COVID-19 broke out between pre-test 2 and the post-test). The ParaSportAPP was installed on their smartphones when they performed pre-test 2. The same tests were performed in the same order in all the evaluations: (i) the questionnaires PASIPD, HADS, RS-25; SCIM III and AQoL-8D, (ii) respiratory muscle strength, (iii) spirometry and (iv) cardiopulmonary exercise test. Results: The results showed no differences in any of the variables studied between the measurement times. Conclusions: Although none of the variables experienced improvements, the ParaSportAPP mobile application was able to lessen the impact of the pandemic on the variables studied. This work was supported by the Fundació la Marató de la TV3 under grant number 201720-10.

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Aplicacions digitals; Rastreig de contactes Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Aplicaciones digitales; Rastreo de contactos Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Digital applications; Contact tracing Aquest document ha analitzat les aplicacions desenvolupades per diferents governs internacionals que tenen com a principal objectiu realitzar el rastreig de contactes (Contact Tracing Mobile Applications) de COVID-19 a través del telèfon mòbil i notificar al usuari si ha estat en contacte amb persones exposades a la malaltia. L’objectiu d’aquestes aplicacions és identificar nous riscos de contagi que permetin aplicar les mesures adients per tal d’interrompre la propagació de la malaltia i, d’aquesta, manera fer front a la situació actual.

mSalud; Aplicaciones móviles; Tecnologías sanitarias; Evaluación mHealth; Mobile applications; Health technologies; Evaluation mSalut; Aplicacions mòbils; Tecnologies sanitàries; Avaluació La actual proliferación del uso de tecnologías de mSalud en el campo de la promoción de la salud y la prevención y/o el control de enfermedades ha hecho necesario el diseño de marcos evaluativos que permitan conocer su aceptabilidad, factibilidad, usabilidad, validez, fiabilidad o sus potenciales efectos sobre variables de salud. La aplicación de estos marcos evaluativos a aplicaciones móviles es indispensable para pilotar su adecuación y viabilidad. El objeto de este desarrollo metodológico es proponer una herramienta para la evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias de mSalud. The current proliferation of the use of mHealth technologies in the field of health promotion and prevention and/ or disease control requires the necessity to design evaluation frameworks to know their acceptability, feasibility, usability, validity, reliability or their potential effects on health variables. The application of evaluation frameworks to assess the quality of mobile solutions is essential to pilot their suitability and viability. The objective of this methodological development is to propose a tool for the evaluation mHealth solutions. L’actual proliferació de l’ús de tecnologies de mSalud en el camp de la promoció de la salut i la prevenció i/o el control de malalties ha fet necessari el disseny de marcs avaluatius que en permetin conèixer l’acceptabilitat, factibilitat, usabilitat, validesa, fiabilitat o els efectes potencials sobre variables de salut. L’aplicació d’aquests marcs avaluatius en aplicacions mòbils és indispensable per pilotar-ne l’adequació i la viabilitat. L’objecte d’aquest desenvolupament metodològic és proposar una eina per a l’avaluació de tecnologies sanitàries de mSalud.

Background Mobile apps provide an accessible way to test new health-related methodologies. Tobacco is still the primary preventable cause of death in industrialized countries, constituting an important public health issue. New technologies provide novel opportunities that are effective in the cessation of smoking tobacco. Objective This paper aims to evaluate the efficacy and usage of a mobile app for assisting adult smokers to quit smoking. Methods We conducted a cluster randomized clinical trial. We included smokers older than 18 years who were motivated to stop smoking and used a mobile phone compatible with our mobile app. We carried out follow-up visits at 15, 30, and 45 days, and at 2, 3, 6, and 12 months. Participants of the intervention group had access to the Tobbstop mobile app designed by the research team. The primary outcomes were continuous smoking abstinence at 3 and 12 months. Results A total of 773 participants were included in the trial, of which 602 (77.9%) began the study on their D-Day. Of participants in the intervention group, 34.15% (97/284) did not use the app. The continuous abstention level was significantly larger in the intervention group participants who used the app than in those who did not use the app at both 3 months (72/187, 38.5% vs 13/97, 13.4%; P Conclusions Regular use of an app for smoking cessation is effective in comparison with standard clinical practice. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01734421; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01734421

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Contact tracing; Bluetooth Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Trazabilidad de contactos; Bluetooth Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Traçabilitat de contactes; Bluetooth Davant la propera situació de desconfinament de la pandèmia de COVID-19, una de les mesures que s’està estudiant per part dels governs és el fet de realitzar una traçabilitat de contactes (‘contact tracing’) de COVID-19 a través del mòbil i advertir als altres usuaris si han estat a prop d’una persona amb la malaltia. L’objectiu d’aquesta traçabilitat és per un cantó, interrompre la cadena de contagi i d’altra banda impedir que sorgeixi un repunt important de casos en el període de desconfinament. Les aplicacions mòbils poden permetre aquesta traçabilitat de contactes i la creació d’alarmes de manera ràpida; disminuint així la transmissió i donant consells sanitaris i de confinament en cas d’haver estat en contacte amb alguna persona positiva per COVID-19. Aquestes funcionalitats han de garantir en tot moment la seguretat i privacitat dels usuaris i complir amb les directrius de la llei de protecció de dades vigent. Cal tenir en compte, a més, que l’ús d’aquestes apps és voluntari. S’han identificat tres sistemes principals per fer aquesta traçabilitat: mitjançant la geolocalització per part de l’operador, fent servir els sistemes de localització que el terminal mòbil ja té disponibles (GNSS), la que es calcula amb la informació de tercers (informació de l’operador mòbil o de xarxes wifi disponibles) o amb el Bluetooth, que permet una localització relativa entre terminals. L’informe se centra en la valoració del Bluetooth.

COVID-19; App; Pneumonia COVID-19; App; Pneumònia COVID-19; App; Neumonía Introduction: In the midst of a pandemic, apps can be used to provide close follow-up, ensure that patients are monitored at home, avoid excessive pressure on medical facilities, prevent the movement of people (both patients and health professionals), and reduce the risk of infection. Objective: To adapt and validate the use of a smartphone application for outpatient follow-up of COVID-19 patients after hospital discharge. Methods: We conducted an open-label clinical trial at Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona, Spain. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to be followed by the Farmalarm app or by their primary care center. The primary endpoint was the reduction in the need for in-person return visits. Results: From 31 March to 4 May 2020, 150 patients were enrolled in the study at hospital discharge: 74 patients were randomized to the experimental group, and 76 to the control group. All patients in the control group and all except for six in the experimental group completed the study. During hospitalization, before study inclusion, all but 4 (97.3%) had viral pneumonia, 91 (60.7%) required supplemental oxygen, and 16 (10.7%) required intensive care unit (ICU) admission. COVID-19–related return visits to the emergency department were significantly higher in the control group (7.9% vs. 0%; p = 0.028) in the per-protocol analysis. Telephone consultations with the emergency department were performed by 12 (15.8%) patients in the control group and 0 (0%) in the experimental group (p < 0.001). Satisfaction with outpatient monitoring was rated higher by the experimental group (5 vs. 4 points; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Following COVID-19 hospital discharge, home follow-up via a mobile app was effective in reducing in-person return visits without undermining patient satisfaction or perception of health, compared with standard follow-up.

Qualitative research; Mobile apps; Smoking cessation; Social support Recerca qualitativa; Aplicacions mòbils; Deshabituació del tabac; Suport social Investigación cualitativa; Aplicaciones móviles; Deshabituación del tabaco; Apoyo social Background: Smoking is one of the most significant factors contributing to low life expectancy, health inequalities, and illness at the worldwide scale. Smoking cessation attempts benefit from social support. Mobile phones have changed the way we communicate through the use of freely available message-oriented apps. Mobile app-based interventions for smoking cessation programs can provide interactive, supportive, and individually tailored interventions. Objective: This study aimed to identify emotions, coping strategies, beliefs, values, and cognitive evaluations of smokers who are in the process of quitting, and to analyze online social support provided through the analysis of messages posted to a chat function integrated into a mobile app. Methods: In this descriptive qualitative study, informants were smokers who participated in the chat of Tobbstop. The technique to generate information was documentary through messages collected from September 2014 through June 2016, specifically designed to support a smoking cessation intervention. A thematic content analysis of the messages applied 2 conceptual models: the Lazarus and Folkman model to assess participant's experiences and perceptions and the Cutrona model to evaluate online social support. Results: During the study period, 11,788 text messages were posted to the chat by 101 users. The most frequent messages offered information and emotional support, and all the basic emotions were reported in the chat. The 3 most frequent coping strategies identified were physical activity, different types of treatment such as nicotine replacement, and humor. Beliefs about quitting smoking included the inevitability of weight gain and the notion that not using any type of medications is better for smoking cessation. Health and family were the values more frequently described, followed by freedom. A smoke-free environment was perceived as important to successful smoking cessation. The social support group that was developed with the app offered mainly emotional and informational support. Conclusions: Our analysis suggests that a chat integrated into a mobile app focused on supporting smoking cessation provides a useful tool for smokers who are in the process of quitting, by offering social support and a space to share concerns, information, or strategies.

mHealth; Information integration; Telemedicine; Telemonitoring; Mobile phone mSalud; Integración de la información; Telemedicina; Televigilancia; Teléfono móvil mSalut; Integració de la informació; Telemedicina; Televigilància; Telèfon mòbil Background: The use of new mobile technologies in the health and social welfare sectors is already a reality. The ICT Social Health Foundation, in accordance with the technology strategy of the Catalan government's Ministry of Health and its Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Families, is leading an initiative to create a public library of apps for its AppSalut Site. Objective: The objective of this paper is to present an account of the design of the project, with a global perspective, applied to the Catalan ecosystem, which can be divided into 3 areas: the framework governing the recommendation and prescription of apps, the subset of interoperability for mobile environments, and the data storage infrastructure. Methods: The security and credibility of the apps included in the catalog is ensured by submitting them to an accreditation process in the public domain that provides users with the guarantee that they are fit for purpose and trustworthy for the management and care of their health, while providing health care professionals with the possibility of recommending the apps in the doctor's surgery, as well as adding the information generated by the users' mobile devices to the information systems of the various organizations concerned. Results: An examination of the abovementioned areas suggests possibilities for improvements in the future. The experience obtained from the development of this element has shown the heterogeneity of the vocabularies used, as expected, due to the lack of awareness on the part of the developers regarding the need to standardize the information generated by the app, requiring the foundation to take on the role of consultant. Conclusions: The project has evolved in keeping with changes in the technological and social paradigm and responds very satisfactorily to the needs posed to it. It can be seen as a landmark experience in mobile strategies in the fields of health and welfare of any public health system. The experience has shown itself to be feasible in organizational terms, necessary in any attempt to integrate mobile technologies into public health practice, and a global pioneer in the field. This study was conducted with the support of the Secretary of Universities and Research of the Department of Business and Knowledge at the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Biblioteques; Tecnologia mòbil; Serveis Libraries; Mobile technology; Services Bibliotecas; Tecnología móvil; Servicios La tecnologia mòbil cada vegada està més present en la societat, i els usuaris de biblioteques demanden cada cop més el poder accedir a serveis i informació de les biblioteques a través de dispositius mòbils. Esperen que les Biblioteques estem presents a les xarxes socials, així com disposar de connectivitat 100% en els equipaments de Biblioteca. La importància que una web es visualitzi correctament en qualsevol dispositiu no suposa cap novetat a aquestes alçades. Malgrat això encara avui ens podem trobar amb continguts web de biblioteques que no compleixen aquest requisit. Des de fa uns anys l’objectiu es anar-nos dotant de les infrastructures necessàries per poder donar un servei amb cobertura total i des de qualsevol lloc. Mobile technology is increasingly present in society and library users increasingly demand access to the library and information services through mobile devices. They expect libraries are present on social networks and have 100% connectivity facilities Library. The importance of a website is displayed correctly on any device poses no news at this point. Yet even today we can find web content libraries that do not meet this requirement. For several years the aim is to us providing the infrastructure needed to provide a service with full coverage from any place. La tecnología móvil cada vez está más presente en la sociedad, y los usuarios de bibliotecas demandan cada vez más el poder acceder a servicios e información de las bibliotecas a través de dispositivos móviles. Esperan que las Bibliotecas estemos presentes en las redes sociales, así como disponer de conectividad 100% en los equipamientos de Biblioteca. La importancia que una web se visualice correctamente en cualquier dispositivo no supone ninguna novedad a estas alturas. A pesar de ello aún hoy nos podemos encontrar con contenidos web de bibliotecas que no cumplen este requisito. Desde hace unos años el objetivo es irnos dotando de las infraestructuras necesarias para poder dar un servicio con cobertura total y desde cualquier lugar.

mHealth; Dieta; Activitat física mHealth; Dieta; Actividad física mHealth; Diet; Physical activity Background: mHealth has experienced a huge growth during the last decade. It has been presented as a new and promising pathway to increase self-management of health and chronic conditions in several populations. One of the most prolific areas of mHealth has been healthy lifestyles promotion. However, few mobile apps have succeeded in engaging people and ensuring sustained use. Objective: This paper describes the pilot test protocol of the PReventive Care Infrastructure based on Ubiquitous Sensing (PRECIOUS) project, aimed at validating the PRECIOUS system with end users. This system includes, within a motivational framework, the Bodyguard2 sensor (accelerometer with heart rate monitoring) and the PRECIOUS app. Methods: This is a pilot experimental study targeting morbidly obese prediabetic patients who will be randomized to three conditions: (1) Group 1 - Control group (Treatment as usual with the endocrinologist and the nurse + Bodyguard2), (2) Group 2 - PRECIOUS system (Bodyguard2 + PRECIOUS app), and (3) Group 3 - PRECIOUS system (Bodyguard2 + PRECIOUS app + Motivational Interviewing). The duration of the study will be 3 months with scheduled follow-up appointments within the scope of the project at Weeks 3, 5, 8, and 12. During the study, several measures related to healthy lifestyles, weight management, and health-related quality of life will be collected to explore the effectiveness of PRECIOUS to foster behavior change, as well as user acceptance, usability, and satisfaction with the solution. Results: Because of the encouraging results shown in similar scientific work analyzing health apps acceptance in clinical settings, we expect patients to widely accept and express satisfaction with PRECIOUS. We also expect to find acceptable usability of the preventive health solution. The recruitment of the pilot study has concluded with the inclusion of 31 morbidly obese prediabetic patients. Results are expected to be available in mid-2017. Conclusions: Adopting and maintaining healthy habits may be challenging in people with chronic conditions who usually need regular support to ensure mid/long-term adherence to recommendations and behavior change. Thus, mHealth could become a powerful and efficient tool since it allows continuous communication with users and immediate feedback. The PRECIOUS system is an innovative preventive health care solution aimed at enhancing inner motivation from users to change their lifestyles and adopt healthier habits. PRECIOUS includes ubiquitous sensors and a scientifically grounded app to address three main components of health: physical activity, diet, and stress levels. The PRECIOUS project Grant Agreement No. 611366 is a project supported by the European Commission through the 7th Framework Programme. PRECIOUS has eight beneficiaries from six countries (FI, UK, ES, AT, FR, BE) and is coordinated by AALTO-Korkeakoulusäätiö (FI).

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Contact tracing; Bluetooth Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Trazabilidad de contactos; Bluetooth Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Traçabilitat de contactes; Bluetooth Davant la propera situació de desconfinament de la pandèmia de COVID-19, una de les mesures que s’està estudiant per part dels governs és el fet de realitzar una traçabilitat de contactes (‘contact tracing’) de COVID-19 a través del mòbil i advertir als altres usuaris si han estat a prop d’una persona amb la malaltia. L’objectiu d’aquesta traçabilitat és per un cantó, interrompre la cadena de contagi i d’altra banda impedir que sorgeixi un repunt important de casos en el període de desconfinament. Les aplicacions mòbils poden permetre aquesta traçabilitat de contactes i la creació d’alarmes de manera ràpida; disminuint així la transmissió i donant consells sanitaris i de confinament en cas d’haver estat en contacte amb alguna persona positiva per COVID-19. Aquestes funcionalitats han de garantir en tot moment la seguretat i privacitat dels usuaris i complir amb les directrius de la llei de protecció de dades vigent. Cal tenir en compte, a més, que l’ús d’aquestes apps és voluntari. S’han identificat tres sistemes principals per fer aquesta traçabilitat: mitjançant la geolocalització per part de l’operador, fent servir els sistemes de localització que el terminal mòbil ja té disponibles (GNSS), la que es calcula amb la informació de tercers (informació de l’operador mòbil o de xarxes wifi disponibles) o amb el Bluetooth, que permet una localització relativa entre terminals. L’informe se centra en la valoració del Bluetooth.

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Contact tracing; Bluetooth Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Trazabilidad de contactos; Bluetooth Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Traçabilitat de contactes; Bluetooth Davant la propera situació de desconfinament de la pandèmia de COVID-19, una de les mesures que s’està estudiant per part dels governs és el fet de realitzar una traçabilitat de contactes (‘contact tracing’) de COVID-19 a través del mòbil i advertir als altres usuaris si han estat a prop d’una persona amb la malaltia. L’objectiu d’aquesta traçabilitat és per un cantó, interrompre la cadena de contagi i d’altra banda impedir que sorgeixi un repunt important de casos en el període de desconfinament. Les aplicacions mòbils poden permetre aquesta traçabilitat de contactes i la creació d’alarmes de manera ràpida; disminuint així la transmissió i donant consells sanitaris i de confinament en cas d’haver estat en contacte amb alguna persona positiva per COVID-19. Aquestes funcionalitats han de garantir en tot moment la seguretat i privacitat dels usuaris i complir amb les directrius de la llei de protecció de dades vigent. Cal tenir en compte, a més, que l’ús d’aquestes apps és voluntari. S’han identificat tres sistemes principals per fer aquesta traçabilitat: mitjançant la geolocalització per part de l’operador, fent servir els sistemes de localització que el terminal mòbil ja té disponibles (GNSS), la que es calcula amb la informació de tercers (informació de l’operador mòbil o de xarxes wifi disponibles) o amb el Bluetooth, que permet una localització relativa entre terminals. L’informe se centra en la valoració del Bluetooth.