Clinical Research Directory

My Symptoms Young - a New Internet-based Programme for Young People With Persistent Physical Symptoms in Primary Care: Exploration of Effect and Health Literacy Characteristics Among Users

The research programme is an ambitious effort aiming to improve overall functioning and quality of life for young people with bodily distress. Bodily distress is a condition characterized by persistent physical symptoms (PPS), such as headache, nausea or abdominal pain, not explained by a well-defined disease. Over time, PPS can develop into a functional disorder, with detrimental impact on the young person's everyday life and opportunities. Thus, early intervention is crucial, but at present, access to specialized treatment of PPS to young people in primary care is very limited. The investigators have developed the internet-based self-help programme My Symptoms Young as a new digital solution for early intervention of PPS. The intervention was developed using a high degree of user involvement (young people with PPS) and are now ready to be tested. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn and preliminary test the possible effects of the internet-based self-help intervention program My Symptoms Young in young people aged 15-25 who experience PPS (physical symptoms presenting for \>3 months). The main question the investigators aim to answer is: * What are the potential effects of My Symptoms Young In addition, the investigators aim to investigate if participation in the program can reduce overall symptom intensity and interference with daily activity in young people's lives. Finally, the investigators aim to examine if individual levels of health literacy (HL) and eHealth literacy (eHL) will modify the potential effects. * The primary outcomes will be symptom intensity and symptom interference with daily activities * The primary hypothesis will be: Symptom intensity and interference with daily activities will improve after the treatment with My Symptoms Young. The effect will be modified by levels of HL and aspects of eHL. The investigators will include a total of 62 participants. The are no comparison group. Participants will be recruited from a health care professional in primary care (either general practitioner or practising pediatrician; from now on referred to as HCP). The HCP will determine whether referral to the My Symptoms Young programme is relevant. To guide this evaluation, the HCP will use pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria for participation. When a young person has been referred to the project group, a research assistent from the investigator group will contact the young person to provide more detailed information on the research project and the programme. If written consent is obtained, the young person will receive access to the programme. Throughout the intervention, the referring HCP is fully responsible for the health care of the young person. Referral and participation will be documented in the participants' primary care medical journal. If participants experience physical or psychological challenges during the project, they are advised to contact the referring HCP, i.e. the responsible healthcare provider. The programme is accessed through a website, using either tablet, mobile or computer. It consists of seven modules, a closing module on relapse prevention, and a module targeting close relatives plus four tools: don't break the chain, goal setting staircase, symptom registration and notebook for reflections. The seven modules target symptom understanding, physical energy, resources and strains, thoughts, feelings, values, and self-care. Participants will gradually gain access to the modules. The programme encourages young persons to work with various exercises throughout the different modules but with freedom to choose what to work with. Besides text and exercises, the programme also includes explanatory animations, audio files on case stories, audio files on brief meditations and videos on physical exercises. At first login (baseline), the participant will need to complete a set of questionnaires to access the programme. When completed the participant receives access to the programme. The researcher will follow up with participants by phone after one week if they have not logged into the programme and after three weeks if they have logged in but remained inactive. Participants can decide individually how long they wish to use the programme, but they are encouraged and recommended to engage actively at least twice a week for a minimum of 30 minutes. Participants will have access to the program for a total of 8 weeks. They will fill in questionnaires at three time points: Baseline (first login to the programme), End of Treatment (8 weeks after baseline) and 3 months after End of Treatment.

The Effects of a Scenario-based Fact-checking Course on eHealth Literacy and Fact-checking Skills Among Older Adults.

As more older adults use the internet to seek health information, it may be difficult to determine whether online information is trustworthy. Social media posts, advertisements, messages, and product promotions may contain misleading information or scams. This study will examine whether a practical fact-checking course can help older adults make more accurate judgments about online health information. Approximately 100 older adults from senior learning centers in northern Taiwan will participate in this study. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group will receive a four-week health information fact-checking course, and the control group will receive a four-week nutrition education course. Both groups will participate in learning activities; however, only the fact-checking course will involve digital tools and examples of online health information. Participants in the fact-checking course will practice evaluating health information through common real-life situations, including health-related social media posts, online product advertisements, free-gift promotions, and suspicious text messages. The course will teach a fact-checking method called SIFT: Stop: Pause before believing or sharing information. Investigate the source: Check who created or posted the information. Find better coverage: Look for other reliable sources that discuss the same claim. Trace claims to the original context: Locate the original source and determine whether the claim has been presented accurately. Before and after the four-week intervention, participants will complete questionnaires and short activities concerning the use of online health information and the evaluation of health-related messages. The investigators will compare outcomes between the two groups to determine whether the fact-checking course improves confidence and accuracy in judging online health information. This study may inform the development of digital health learning programs for older adults.

eCardiacRehab - a Hybrid Patient-Centered eHealth Programme

The overall aim of eCardiacRehab trial is to meet rehabilitation needs of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) regardless of their access to traditional place-based rehabilitation by developing and evaluating the efficacy and cost effectiveness of an interdisciplinary and comprehensive home-based hybrid programme. eCardiacRehab address patient- and system level challenges to increase access to cardiac rehabilitation (CR). We give particular attention to older patients, women, and those with comorbidities or mental health challenges. The vision of the hybrid home-based eCardiacRehab programme is to make CR available to all. eCardiacRehab is a prospective, multicentre randomized open-label blinded end point evaluation (PROBE) trial. The primary endpoint is a hierarchical composite endpoint using a win-ratio framework combining cardiovascular (CV) death, unplanned contacts to the Emergency Department (ED) for observation or admission (\>24 hours) for CV disease, and quality of life. Inclusion criteria are adult Scandinavian speaking patients (≥ 18 years) who have a Norwegian national identification number, with CAD treated with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), are living at home, and have internet available to them and providing signed informed consent. Exclusion criteria are patients with severe aortic stenosis, severe arrhythmias, expected lifetime less than one year as determined by study personnel, otherwise clinically unstable, not fully revascularized, awaits PCI or coronary artery bypass graft operation (CABG) or inability to comply with the study protocol due to any physical disability, somatic disease, cognitive impairment or mental health challenges as determined by study personnel.

Electronic Cardiac Rehabilitation (eCardiacRehab) Feasibility Study

In Norway, more than 11,000 patients undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) annually. However, a very recent study utilizing registry data show a national average of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participation of only 14%, despite its proven beneficial effects on readmissions, physical capacity, psychological distress, self-management, and quality of life. CR is strongly recommended in European guidelines. However, uptake is low and is not systematically identifying those in most need of CR. The primary objective of eCardiacRehab is to meet rehabilitation needs of large patient populations regardless of their access to traditional place-based rehabilitation by developing and evaluating the efficacy and cost effectiveness of an interdisciplinary and comprehensive home-based eCardiacRehab programme. eCardiacRehab address patient- and system level challenges in order to increase access to CR. The investigators give particular attention to older patients, women, and those with comorbidities or mental health challenges. Aspects related to continuity of care between specialist and primary care services, health literacy, adherence to treatment, cost effectiveness and ethics are investigated. The investigators will 1) continue to develop the programme with patients, general practitioners, healthcare experts from both specialist and primary care services, and technology developers, 2) develop treatment modules, 3) establish information and communication infrastructure, 4) evaluate the process and efficacy of treatment modules, 5) ensure knowledge development and transfer of competence to the municipalities, and 6) contribute to fulfil the innovation potential for health service and industry partners. eCardiacRehab has the potential to improve interaction and collaboration between primary and secondary care, modernise and digitalise work processes, and develop more coherent and tailored patient pathways. The vision of the home-based eCardiacRehab is to make CR available to all.

Mentor-Supported Digital Literacy Training

Purpose This study is a randomized controlled experimental trial aiming to evaluate the effects of mentoring-based digital literacy training delivered by young migrants on older migrants' eHealth literacy and their ability to seek and verify health information in digital environments. The study will be conducted among young and older Ahiska Turkish migrants living in the Üzümlü district of Erzincan province. Method The study will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase, young migrants will receive digital literacy training that includes mentoring skills. In the second phase, these individuals will provide training to older migrants. The sample size has been determined based on a power analysis and will consist of a total of 80 participants. Data will be collected using the eHealth Literacy Scale and the Digital Health Information Seeking and Verification Scale. Data will be analyzed using SPSS software, and appropriate parametric and/or non-parametric tests will be applied. Training sessions will be conducted in controlled environments, in small groups, and tailored to participants' needs. Participant follow-up will be maintained throughout the process to support the sustainability of the intervention. Research Hypotheses Primary Hypothesis * H0: Mentoring-based digital literacy training delivered by young migrants has no effect on older migrants' levels of eHealth literacy and digital literacy. * H1: Mentoring-based digital literacy training delivered by young migrants has a significant effect on older migrants' levels of eHealth literacy and digital literacy. Secondary Hypothesis * H0: Mentoring-based digital literacy training delivered by young migrants has no effect on older migrants' eHealth literacy levels. * H2: Mentoring-based digital literacy training delivered by young migrants has a significant effect on older migrants' eHealth literacy levels. Third Hypothesis * H0: Mentoring-based digital literacy training delivered by young migrants has no effect on older migrants' digital literacy levels. * H3: Mentoring-based digital literacy training delivered by young migrants has a significant effect on older migrants' digital literacy levels.

Improving eHealth Literacy of Older Adults in Hong Kong

This study is an randomized controlled trial (RCT) study to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a community-based health promotion education intervention for improving the eHealth literacy of older adults

Digital Literacy Training and Acceptance of Physical Activity Apps in Older Women

This randomized controlled study examined whether a structured digital literacy training program could improve eHealth literacy, acceptance of physical activity applications, and behavioral intentions among older women. Participants aged 55 years and older with prior experience using physical activity applications were randomly assigned to either a 9-week face-to-face digital literacy training intervention or a control group that continued usual daily activities without receiving any educational program. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. The study evaluated whether improving digital literacy enhances technology acceptance and supports intentions to use physical activity applications and engage in physical activity.

eHealth Literacy Intervention for Spanish Speaking Older Adults in the US

The PI will assess the feasibility and acceptability of an eHealth literacy intervention with Spanish-preferred older adult Latinos. This proposal will generate novel data to justify a future R01 proposal to advance aging research with high-risk populations and assess the efficacy of the intervention.

Digital Preparation for Bariatric Surgery: Feasability Pilot Trial

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is in increasing demand due to the growing prevalence of severe obesity and the cumulating evidence of long-term benefits on weight loss, cardiometabolic and functional health outcomes, and quality of life for individuals living with severe obesity. The time spent on the waiting list for an MBS follow the same trend with an estimated waiting time of more than 18 months and rising. The lack of resources and multidisciplinary capabilities among MBS centers impacts the quality of care and outcomes, which greatly contributes to delayed surgery. In 2023, 31% of patients who had an initial appointment with the MBS nurse at the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute - Laval University(IUCPQ) did not proceed with the surgery due to fear, uncertainty, or timing issues. Additionally, 49% reported that their concerns (e.g., financial, home support) were not addressed before MBS. These data highlight the urgent need to implement strategies to optimize wait time and ensure that MBS preparation is tailored to patients' expectations. Telehealth has significantly impacted surgical preparation, including for MBS, by enhancing accessibility, reducing dropout rates, and maintaining clinical outcomes that are comparable to traditional in-person visits but it requires real-time multidisciplinary execution, limiting the applicability for MBS waiting list patients. An interesting complement to telehealth intervention is online education platforms which offer digital flexibility, a significant advantage over in-person session. To date, most MBS online resources are fee-based or driven by commercial interests and lack of clinical evidence, which raises concerns about their efficacy and safety for users who are seeking reliable support during their MBS journey. A free online education platform could optimize the time spent on the MBS waiting list by increasing patients' readiness for MBS, furnishing invaluable insights into the patient journey to MBS, and empowering individuals undergoing MBS. The IUCPQ is in the process of working on the care trajectory of patients with obesity. The Healthcare Direction and the Bariatric Surgery Clinic decided to use a platform called Precare. This platform offers personalized educational content as well as a calendar and appointment management system. It has been accredited by the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services. The present research focuses on the pilot testing the implementation and effectiveness of the PreCare solution for patients awaiting bariatric surgery at the IUCPQ. The objectives of the research proposal are: 1) To assess the usability and acceptability of the Precare platform using a mixed design methodology; 2) To evaluate the logistical feasibility of using the platform in a clinical setting; 3) To determine whether extensive self-questionnaire assessments may impact the use of the Precare platform; 4) To explore barriers and facilitators to enhance patient engagement and knowledge retention; and 5) To derive estimates variables related to gender, ethnicity, cultural background, learners and psychological profiles for future phases. Our hypotheses are: 1. The Precare platform will exhibit high usability and acceptability. 2. Testing the Precare platform in real clinical settings is viable and will yield promising results for improving patient readiness for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.