Participants In Control Group Research Articles

Effectiveness of exercise rehabilitation on aplastic anemia patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAlthough hematopoietic stem cell transplantation provides the chances of survival for aplastic anemia patients, it is also related to many treatment-related physical and psychological side effects that severely influence the quality of life. Exercise interventions have shown positive results in mixed hematology populations. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of exercise rehabilitation in improving the quality of life, fatigue, and physical function in these patients.MethodsThe study will enroll a total of 82 aplastic anemia patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. They will be randomly divided into two groups in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group will participate in structured exercise rehabilitation (plus usual care), while control group participants will receive usual care. The exercise rehabilitation program will be performed from neutrophil and platelet engraftment until 100 days after transplantation. All outcomes will be measured at the following time points: the neutrophil and platelet engraftment (± 1day, T0), discharge from the transplantation module (± 1 day, T1), hospital discharge (± 1 day, T2), and 100 days post-transplantation (± 5 days, T3).DiscussionThis study aims to assess the effectiveness of exercise rehabilitation for aplastic anemia patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a Chinese single center. It is particularly vital to conduct the studies in this population. Moreover, the evidence obtained from the study will provide evidence for future research and clinical practice to exercise in aplastic anemia patients.Trial registrationChiCTR2200060762. Registered on May 2022, www.trialregister.nl/trial/7702.

The effect of a multilevel community health worker-led intervention on patient knowledge and receipt of precision medicine: Updated findings from a randomized clinical trial.

1609 Background: Inequitable access to precision medicine limits its impact. To address disparities, we co-developed a 2-part multi-level intervention with community stakeholders, called the Addressing Latinx CANcer Care Equity Study (NCT04843332). The intervention was designed for low-income and Latinx adults with cancer in rural Monterey County, California. We provided annual training for clinicians about testing guidelines and precision medicine disparities. Trained community health workers educated patients about precision medicine and encouraged them to raise the topic with their oncologist. We tested whether the intervention improved patient knowledge and receipt of precision medicine. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent cancer, age ≥ 18 years, able to consent in English or Spanish, and who self-identified as a racial and ethnic minority OR low-income status OR were insured by public or agricultural company insurance OR uninsured and receiving cancer care at Pacific Cancer Care, a rural community oncology practice in Monterey County, were randomized 1:1 to usual care (control group) or usual care augmented with the multi-level intervention for 12 months (intervention group). The primary outcome was whether the multilevel intervention could increase patient knowledge of precision medicine using a validated 6-question survey from the time of enrollment (baseline) to 6 months post-enrollment between groups. A secondary outcome was the receipt of precision medicine. Patients were followed for 12 months. Results: 110 participants were randomized; 70% (n = 67) reported Spanish as their primary language; 81% (n = 89) identified as Hispanic. The median age was 55 years (55.4 ± 14.3, mean± SD); the majority had annual household incomes (USD) ≤ $34,999 (59.0%, n = 46); the majority obtained a high school diploma/GED or less (67.3%, n = 74). Most had gastrointestinal (35.5%, n = 39) and breast (24.5%, n = 27) cancers and were diagnosed with stage 3 or 4 (64.5%, n = 71) disease. Precision medicine knowledge was low at baseline across both the control and intervention groups (23.5 ± 19.3 versus 23.0 ± 17.7, respectively). Intervention group participants had greater precision medicine knowledge at 6 months (39.2 ± 23.0) than control group participants (24.2 ± 20.0) with a greater increase in knowledge over time than control group participants (p < 0.001).More intervention group participants (n=46, 79.3%) received precision medicine testing than control (n=34, 60.7%). Across both groups, 26 of those tested had an actionable mutation. Of those 26, 66.7% (n=6 of 9) in the control group and 94.1% (n=16 of 17) in the intervention group received targeted therapy (p=0.065). Conclusions: CHW-facilitated interventions may reduce disparities in precision medicine cancer care. Clinical trial information: NCT04843332 .

Rehabilitation of cardiological patients with post-COVID syndrome: morphofunctional data report

INTRODUCTION. Post-COVID is a common complication of COVID-19, occurring in more than a third of patients, and condition will persist for more than 3 months after infection with the SARS-CoV-2. AIM. To evaluate impact and potential effectiveness of a comprehensive physical rehabilitation program on health of cardiac patients with complications of a previously suffered new coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study involved 128 cardiology patients with post-COVID syndrome. The study participants comprised three groups depending on the 12-week physical rehabilitation program. The effectiveness of rehabilitation was assessed through parameters of cardiopulmonary testing, as well as the 6-minute walk exercise test and the degree of dyspnea according to modified mMRC dyspnea questionnaire. RESULTS. The mMCR index in CPR group was 1.0 [0.0–1.0] point, compared with 2.0 [1.0–2.0] in control and comparative groups (p 0.05); exercise tolerance VO2max increased by 8.3 ± 3.8 % (p 0.05); normalization of heart rate and blood pressure in response to physical activity after 12 weeks in intervention group was 5.0 ± 2.1 % compared to comparative and control groups; 6MWT test results 688 m, in the intervention group, versus 490 m, for participants in control group (p 0.05). DISCUSSION. A comparative analysis of previously conducted studies confirmed pattern between the inclusion of combined cardiorespiratory training in the protocol for 12-week rehabilitation of post-COVID complications among cardiac patients, and a decrease in the degree of shortness of breath, as well as an increase in exercise tolerance. CONCLUSIONS. Based on experimental data obtained, it is advisable to analyze the effects of Cardiopulmonary Physical Rehabilitation program in the framework of larger randomized clinical trials. This will allow a more detailed assessment of the clinical consequences, as well as the ability to adjust mode and dose of physical activity of proposed rehabilitation program.

Effectiveness of Psychotherapy for Community-Dwelling Vulnerable Older Adults with Depression and Care Needs: Findings from the PSY-CARE Trial

ABSTRACT Background For older adults with care needs, evidence for the effectiveness of psychotherapy on depression is scarce. Methods In PSY-CARE, a pragmatic randomized controlled trial, N = 197 home-living older adults with depression and care needs were randomized into outpatient psychotherapy or an active control condition. Residential psychotherapists offered age-sensitive cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (at-home if needed). Control group participants received telephone counseling and a self-help guide. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T1), after (T2), 3 months after (T3), and 12 months after the intervention (T4). Results There was a significant decrease in depressive symptoms across both arms with Cohen’s d T4-T1 = .52 in the psychotherapy and .55 in the control group. Mixed models revealed no statistically significant difference in primary and secondary outcomes between interventions. Posthoc, we found control group participants with greater ADL limitations experienced significantly increased depressive symptoms compared to those reporting lower limitations. Conclusions Interventions were successful in reducing depressive symptoms, even though treatment fidelity was decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We could not demonstrate superior effectiveness of psychotherapy for older adults with care needs. Clinical implications Findings suggest that psychotherapy may be an important and superior treatment to circumvent aggravation of depression in older patients with high functional limitations. Trial registration The trial was prospectively registered with the ISRCTN registry (Trial registration number: ISRCTN55646265, February 15, 2019).

The impact of mindfulness training on alleviating COVID-19 fear among international students in China: A quasi-experimental study

This study investigated the effects of mindfulness training on alleviating fear of the COVID-19 epidemic among international students in China during the academic year 2020. The training group participants (N = 41) and the control group participants (N = 44) were surveyed pre-and post-training with the two English questionnaires: The Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the fear of the COVID-19 scale (FCV–19S). The results showed that, regarding the relationship between the two main variables in the study, mindfulness is related negatively to the COVID-19 epidemic. Moreover, compared to the control group, results showed that individuals in the training group demonstrated significant improvements in mindfulness levels and decreased Fear of COVID-19. Thus, findings suggest that a short online mindfulness meditation training may reduce fear of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Effects of positivity training on character strengths, time perspective, and self-awareness in women with depression

Background and objectivesDepression exerts significant negative impacts across various life domains, including social interactions, occupational functioning, and economic well-being. These effects permeate both personal and interpersonal spheres. However, it seems that character strengths, time perspective, and self-awareness play a critical role in promoting mental well-being. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of positivity training on character strengths, time perspective, and self-awareness in depressed women. MethodPurposive sampling was employed to select 50 participants with depression based on the cut-off point (a score of 20 or greater) in Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II). They were then randomly assigned to a control group (n = 25) and an experimental group (n = 25). This quasi-experimental research adopted a pretest-posttest control group design. The experimental group received eight weekly 90-min sessions of positivity training. The control group participants did not receive any specific intervention related to depression management. The character strength scale, time perspective scale, self-awareness scale, and BDI-II were used to collect data. Data analysis methods included descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (ANCOVA). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software. ResultsThe study included a sample of 50 women diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The participants' mean age was 38.03 years (SD = 7.96). Positivity training enhanced character strengths in women with depression. Moreover, the positivity intervention affected the time perspective factors of those women. It reduced “past negative” and “present fatalistic” and increased “past positive,” “present hedonistic,” and “future.” Finally, positivity training significantly increased self-awareness in women with depression (p < 0.01). LimitationsThe sample size was relatively small, which limits the statistical inferences. ConclusionsIn conclusion, this study provides promising initial evidence for the potential of positivity training as an intervention to improve character strengths, time perspective, and self-awareness in women with MDD. Further research is warranted to confirm and expand upon these findings, ultimately informing the development of more comprehensive treatment approaches for depression.

Effects and mechanisms of computerized cognitive training in Huntington's disease: protocol for a pilot study

Huntington's disease (HD) causes progressive cognitive decline, with no available treatments. Computerized cognitive training (CCT) has shown efficacy in other populations, but its effects in HD are largely unknown. This pilot study will explore the effects and neural mechanisms of CCT in HD. The intervention group participants will complete 12 weeks of multidomain CCT. Control group participants will receive lifestyle education and access to CCT after the study. The primary outcome is change in processing speed. Secondary outcomes include – change in other cognitive domains, functional brain network connectivity (derived from MRI) and psychosocial function. Feasibility outcomes include rates of recruitment, adherence and retention. This study may provide insights into the effects of CCT in HD and guide future trials. Clinical Trial Registration: ACTRN12622000908730 ( ClinicalTrials.gov )

Lifestyle Intervention Improves Parasympathetic Activity in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Background A limited number of studies have investigated the effects of lifestyle interventions in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This study evaluated the effect of a novel lifestyle intervention incorporating physical activity (PA) and dietary nitrate supplementation on heart rate variability (HRV) and haemodynamic measures in HCM. Methods Twenty-eight individuals with HCM were randomised into either the intervention or control group. Frequency-domain HRV measures including low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF) and LF/HF were recorded at rest using bioimpedance. Non-invasive haemodynamic variables were recorded at rest using bioreactance. Participants in the intervention group consumed 6 mmol of nitrate daily (concentrated beetroot juice) and were instructed to increase and maintain daily PA by ≥ 2000 steps/day above baseline for 16 weeks. Control group participants retained their usual lifestyle and monitored daily step counts. Results There was a significant increase in post-intervention HF power (7.54 ± 2.14 vs 8.78 ± 1.60 ms2, P &lt; .01) and LF power (6.89 ± 2.33 vs 8.17 ± 1.55, P &lt; .01) in the intervention but not in the control group. Resting mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) in the intervention group significantly reduced at follow-up (108 ± 6 vs 102 ± 7 mmHg, P &lt; .01). Conclusions A novel lifestyle intervention including PA and dietary nitrate supplementation enhanced parasympathetic activity and resting MABP in HCM.

Cognitive impairment and treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation in older adults: The SAGE-AF study.

Cognitive impairment is strongly associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). Rate and rhythm control are the two treatment strategies for AF and the effect of treatment strategy on risk of cognitive decline and frailty is not well established. We sought to determine how treatment strategy affects geriatric-centered outcomes. The Systematic Assessment of Geriatric Elements-AF (SAGE-AF) was a prospective, observational, cohort study. Older adults with AF were prospectively enrolled between 2016 and 2018 and followed longitudinally for 2 years. In a non-randomized fashion, participants were grouped by rate or rhythm control treatment strategy based on clinical treatment at enrollment. Baseline characteristics were compared. Longitudinal binary mixed models were used to compare treatment strategy with respect to change in cognitive function and frailty status. Cognitive function and frailty status were assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Battery and Fried frailty phenotype tools. 972 participants (mean age = 75, SD = 6.8; 49% female, 87% non-Hispanic white) completed baseline examination and 2-year follow-up. 408 (42%) were treated with rate control and 564 (58%) with rhythm control. The patient characteristics of the two groups were different at baseline. Participants in the rate control group were older, more likely to have persistent AF, prior stroke, be treated with warfarin and have baseline cognitive impairment. After adjusting for baseline differences, participants treated with rate control were 1.5 times more likely to be cognitively impaired over 2 years (adjusted OR: 1.47, 95% CI:1.12, 1.98) and had a greater decline in cognitive function (adjusted estimate: -0.59 (0.23), p < 0.01) in comparison to rhythm control. Frailty did not vary between the treatment strategies. Among those who had 2-year follow-up in non-randomized observational cohort, the decision to rate control AF in older adults was associated with increased odds of decline in cognitive function but not frailty.

The impact of mobile-assisted project-based learning on developing EFL students' speaking skills

Combining mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) with project-based learning (PBL) might be the potential framework for enhancing EFL learners' speaking skills. However, only a few studies have scrutinised the impact of modern technologies on project work. More importantly, investigating how MALL, as a new field within ICT with unique pedagogical affordances, and PBL can enhance learners' speaking skills is still lacking in the literature. Accordingly, this study examines how integrating MALL through mobile phones and PBL, defined as mobile-assisted project-based learning or mobile-assisted projects, improves Moroccan secondary school students’ speaking performance. A true experimental study was conducted with 91 students assigned randomly to one experimental group and two control groups. The experimental group received instruction through mobile-assisted projects over one semester. In contrast, participants in the first control group taught speaking through project-based learning, and participants in the second control group received traditional teaching. Two instruments were employed to collect data: a speaking pre- and post-test to evaluate the three groups’ oral proficiency and a 5-Likert scale survey to detect the experimental group participants’ experience and attitudes toward the implementation. Based on independent sample t tests and paired sample t tests (SPSS-26), it was found that instruction through mobile-assisted projects was considerably more effective than project-based learning and conventional teaching in enhancing learners’ overall speaking performance and sub-skills: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Further, the results of the attitude post-questionnaire demonstrated a very high positive perception of the participants toward the implementation. As a result, these findings confirm the pedagogical role of combining MALL with PBL as an innovative mode of instruction in enhancing EFL learners’ speaking performance.

The effectiveness of video-based exercise training program for people with intellectual disability: a multicenter study.

To examine the effectiveness of a specially designed video-based exercise program in promoting physical and balance performance in people with intellectual disability. This study was a multicenter controlled trial. Participants with intellectual disability were divided into exercise group and control group by cluster sampling. The participants in the exercise group received 1 h exercise training sessions twice a week for 8 weeks, and the controls continued their usual care without exercise training. The exercises were specially designed to match the physical ability level of the participants classified as high and low, and a third group called "special" was designed for those wheelchair-bound persons with limited mobility. Elements of light-tempo music and animation were introduced in the videos to motivate the participants. Recording the exercises in video format makes it easier for the class instructors and participants to perform the exercises together, and ensure consistency across different exercise groups conducted in different centers. Each participant underwent the pre- and post-intervention assessment including 30-s chair stand repetitions, five-time chair stand duration, 4-m comfortable walk time, standing static balance level, 6-min walk test, and short physical performance battery score. These variables were compared within each group at pre- and post-intervention stages, and they were also compared between the two groups. A total of 180 participants were enrolled in 16 subcenters, including 160 participants in the exercise group and 20 participants in the control group. After 8 weeks of exercise training, there were significant improvements in their physical performance including 30-s chair stand repetitions and five-time chair stand duration, 4-m comfortable walk time and also 6-min walk test, within the exercise group (all P < 0.05). Approximately 39% of the participants in the exercise group also showed significant improvement in standing static balance level. No significant differences were found when compared with the control group participants who did not have any regular exercise participation. A specially designed video-based exercise program has demonstrated some positive effects on physical and balance performance after 8 weeks of training among adults with intellectual disability.

Innovative continuum of care to promote exclusive breast feeding in Pakistan: protocol of a pilot randomised controlled trial

BackgroundBreastmilk being the ideal nutrition from birth to 2 years and beyond has many health benefits for both newborn and mothers. This study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of...

A randomized controlled trial of a brief motivational interviewing-based group intervention for emerging adults experiencing homelessness: 24-month effects on alcohol use.

Despite rates of alcohol misuse being higher among emerging adults experiencing homelessness compared to those who are stably housed, there are few brief evidence-based risk reduction programs for this population that focus on alcohol use and assess outcomes for more than 1 year. This study examines alcohol outcomes from a 24-month evaluation of AWARE, a brief motivational interviewing-based group risk reduction intervention for emerging adults experiencing homelessness. In a cluster randomized crossover trial, 18- to 25- year-olds received AWARE (n = 132) or standard care (n = 144) at one of three drop-in centers serving young people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County. We evaluated intervention effects on past month alcohol use, consequences, and related cognitions such as motivation to change behavior. AWARE participants showed significant reductions over 24 months in alcohol use and negative consequences from drinking and reported significant increases in their use of drinking protective strategies. Except for drinking frequency, control group participants did not show a significant change in these outcomes. Findings build on earlier work by demonstrating that AWARE is effective in reducing alcohol use and related problems among emerging adults experiencing homelessness over a 2-year period. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Community Participation Transition After Stroke (COMPASS) Randomized Controlled Trial: Effect on Adverse Health Events

ObjectiveTo compare adverse health events in intervention versus control group participants in the Community Participation Transition After Stroke trial to reduce barriers to independent living for community-dwelling stroke survivors. DesignRandomized controlled trial. SettingInpatient rehabilitation (IR) to home and community transition. ParticipantsStroke survivors aged ≥50 years being discharged from IR who had been independent in activities of daily living prestroke (N=183). InterventionsParticipants randomized to intervention group (n=85) received home modifications and self-management training from an occupational therapist over 4 visits in the home. Participants randomized to control group (n=98) received the same number of visits consisting of stroke education. Main Outcome MeasuresDeath, skilled nursing facility (SNF) admission, 30-day rehospitalization, and fall rates after discharge from IR. ResultsTime-to-event analysis revealed that the intervention reduced SNF admission (cumulative survival, 87.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 78.6%-96.6%) and death (cumulative survival, 100%) compared with the control group (SNF cumulative survival, 78.9%; 95% CI, 70.4%-87.4%; P=.039; death cumulative survival, 87.3%; 95% CI, 79.9%-94.7%; P=.001). Thirty-day rehospitalization also appeared to be lower among intervention participants (cumulative survival, 95.1%; 95% CI, 90.5%-99.8%) than among control participants (cumulative survival, 86.3%; 95% CI, 79.4%-93.2%; P=.050) but was not statistically significant. Fall rates did not significantly differ between the intervention group (5.6 falls per 1000 participant-days; 95% CI, 4.7-6.5) and the control group (7.2 falls per 1000 participant-days; 95% CI, 6.2-8.3; incidence rate ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.46-1.33; P=.361). ConclusionsA home-based occupational therapist–led intervention that helps stroke survivors transition to home by reducing barriers in the home and improving self-management could decrease the risk of mortality and SNF admission after discharge from rehabilitation.

The Effect of Distance Reiki on State Test Anxiety and Test Performance: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Nursing Students.

This randomized controlled, pretest-post-test intervention study examined the effect of distance reiki on state test anxiety and test performance. First-year nursing students (n = 71) were randomized into two groups. One week before the examination, intervention group participants performed reiki remotely for 20 minutes for 4 consecutive days, and control group participants received no intervention. The intervention group had lower posttest cognitive and psychosocial subscale scores than pretest scores (p > .05). The control group had a significantly higher mean posttest physiological subscale score than pretest score (p < .05). Final grade point averages were not significantly different between the intervention and control groups (p > .05). One quarter of the intervention group participants noted reiki reduced their stress and helped them perform better on the examination. Reiki is a safe and easy-to-practice method to help students cope with test anxiety. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(5):298-303.].

The effect of symbolic play activities on first reading and writing skills

The aim of this research is to reveal the effects of symbolic play content activities organized in kindergarten to first reading and writing skills. For this purpose, mixed-method research has been designed. In the first stage of this research, four experiments, including pretest-posttest applied, a paired experiment-control group, were applied. 30 kindergarten students from 15 experimental and 15 control group-students participated. The data obtained from the experimental process were analyzed with the Man-Whitney U Test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. In the second stage, the data were collected through semi-structured observation and interview forms. 20 first-grade students from 10 experimental and 10 control group-students participated. Qualitative data were analyzed through descriptive analysis. The control group participants who successfully acquired the read-write preparation outcomes in the kindergarten and passed to the first grade were more successful in obtaining the first reading and first writing compared to the supervisory set participants who passed the first grade without acquiring the literacy preparation achievements in the kindergarten.

Apple cider vinegar effervescent tablets on gut health, obesity and user experience – A randomized controlled trial

Research indicates that apple cider vinegar (ACV) may benefit health by lowering blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, body weight, waist circumference, and BMI. To investigate further, a 60-day randomized controlled trial was conducted at Sudha Institute of Medical Science involving 77 participants with abnormal weight. They were divided into control and ACV groups. The ACV group consumed a daily ACV effervescent tablet, engaged in mild exercise, and followed a low-sugar diet, while the control group followed only the exercise and diet regimen. Anthropometric measurements and participant satisfaction data were collected throughout. The analysis revealed significant reductions in weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, and waist-hip ratio over the 60-day period. Additionally, improvements were observed in abnormal food intake and various digestive issues such as appetite, constipation, cravings, and gas problems in the ACV group. Notably, 56.25% of control group participants and 44.44% of ACV group participants were categorized as overweight. Data analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel, utilizing descriptive statistics such as mean and percentage. The study concluded that daily consumption of ACV effervescent tablets has a positive impact on weight loss and alleviates issues related to digestion and appetite. These findings underscore the potential benefits of incorporating ACV into dietary and lifestyle interventions for individuals with abnormal weight, suggesting its role as a complementary approach to promote overall health and well-being.

Effects of brief mindfulness meditation training on attention and dispositional mindfulness in young adult males

This study examined the impact of brief mindfulness meditation (BMM) training on attention function and dispositional mindfulness in young males. 126 male participants aged 18–26 from the security industry were recruited, with 66 participants (M = 22.84, SD = 2.41) undergoing 4-week mindfulness meditation training and 60 participants (M = 23.07, SD = 2.29) in the active control group. The intervention was integrated into the participants' schedules. Measures included Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaires (FFMQ), concentration and assignment attention tasks, Attention Network Test (ANT), and saliva cortisol concentration. Findings indicate that brief mindfulness meditation training led to significant improvements in participants' FFMQ scores), with marginally significant enhancements in the executive control network. However, it had no discernible effect on alertness and orientation networks. Additionally, brief mindfulness meditation training enhanced attention allocation to light stimulation and prolonged individual attention. Surprisingly, there was no observed decrease in saliva cortisol concentration among meditation training participants. However, this study did not find a decrease in saliva cortisol concentration in the brief mindfulness meditation group. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of a 4-week brief mindfulness meditation training program to enhance dispositional mindfulness and specific aspects of attention function in young men, offering practical insights into the benefits of mindfulness meditation practices for this demographic.

Piloting co-developed behaviour change interventions to reduce exposure to air pollution and improve self-reported asthma-related health.

Exposure to air pollution can exacerbate asthma with immediate and long-term health consequences. Behaviour changes can reduce exposure to air pollution, yet its 'invisible' nature often leaves individuals unaware of their exposure, complicating the identification of appropriate behaviour modifications. Moreover, making health behaviour changes can be challenging, necessitating additional support from healthcare professionals. This pilot study used personal exposure monitoring, data feedback, and co-developed behaviour change interventions with individuals with asthma, with the goal of reducing personal exposure to PM2.5 and subsequently improving asthma-related health. Twenty-eight participants conducted baseline exposure monitoring for one-week, simultaneously keeping asthma symptom and medication diaries (previously published in McCarron et al., 2023). Participants were then randomised into control (n = 8) or intervention (n = 9) groups. Intervention participants received PM2.5 exposure feedback and worked with researchers to co-develop behaviour change interventions based on a health behaviour change programme which they implemented during the follow-up monitoring week. Control group participants received no feedback or intervention during the study. All interventions focused on the home environment. Intervention group participants reduced their at-home exposure by an average of 5.7 µg/m³ over the monitoring week (-23.0 to +3.2 µg/m³), whereas the control group had a reduction of 4.7 µg/m³ (-15.6 to +0.4 µg/m³). Furthermore, intervention group participants experienced a 4.6% decrease in participant-hours with reported asthma symptoms, while the control group saw a 0.5% increase. Similarly, the intervention group's asthma-related quality of life improved compared to the control group. This pilot study investigated a novel behaviour change intervention, utilising personal exposure monitoring, data feedback, and co-developed interventions guided by a health behaviour change programme. The study aimed to reduce personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and improve self-reported asthma-related health. Conducting a randomised controlled trial with 28 participants, co-developed intervention successfully targeted exposure peaks within participants' home microenvironments, resulting in a reduction in at-home personal exposure to PM2.5 and improving self-reported asthma-related health. The study contributes valuable insights into the environmental exposure-health relationship and highlights the potential of the intervention for individual-level decision-making to protect human health.

Health and Wellness Coaching Can Improve Usage of Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Participants With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been tied to chronic conditions, such as obesity. Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device is an effective treatment, device discomfort impacts treatment adherence. Health and wellness coaching (HWC) can increase weight loss (WL) and adherence across other treatment types. This study aims to determine whether participants undergoing an HWC program improve CPAP device usage and WL compared to control group (CG). Participants were randomly selected to participate in the HWC group in conjunction with standard care. The HWC participants were gender, age, weight, CPAP usage (e.g., hours, days), and race matched to CG participants receiving standard care only. Variables collected include demographics (i.e., age, gender), CPAP device usage, and weight across four time points (baseline, 3-, 6-, and 9-months). Paired samples t-test and Pearson’s coefficient correlation were conducted to determine how outcomes differ between groups. Of 232 participants studied, those in the HWC group significantly increased CPAP usage over time ( P &lt; .001) vs CG (6.5 ± 1.8, and 5.0 ± 2.3 hours, respectively). The HWC group had significantly more weight loss (11.0 ± 14.5 lbs.) than CG (5.7 ± 16.1 lbs.) across the 9-month timeline ( P &lt; .001). This study provides evidence that HWC can improve CPAP adherence and weight loss.