Controlled Pilot Intervention Research Articles

A controlled pilot intervention on community violence prevention, financial and social capital generation in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

BackgroundCommunity violence has been found to be highly prevalent in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Increasing socioeconomic inequality has been outlined as one of the main causes of community violence. This controlled pilot trial aimed at evaluating the impact of beekeeping and entrepreneurship training on community violence exposure, financial and social capital generation, and employment structure.MethodsPoisson regression was used to compare pre- and post-intervention risk ratios for community violence exposure. Linear regression was used to depict change in weekly income and utu scores. Employment rate structures were determined pre- and post-intervention.ResultsThis study reports that compared to the Control arm beekeeping and entrepreneurship training appears to have protected young men in Dar es Salaam from exposure to community violence (All = 0.62 (0.40–0.96), Beekeeping = 0.57 (0.30–1.08), Entrepreneurship = 0.62 (0.33–1.17)), while increasing financial (All = 23,145 (− 27,155 – 73,444), Beekeeping = 29,310 (− 26,079 – 84,698), Entrepreneurship = 82,334 (12,274 – 152,293)) and partially also social capital (All = − 0.24 (− 1.35–0.87), Beekeeping = 0.85 (− 0.26–1.96), Entrepreneurship = 0.30 (− 1.16–1.77)). Financial dependency across all arms was reduced from 29.1 to 2.2%.ConclusionsOur study reports that beekeeping training and entrepreneurship seminars appear to have a protective effect against exposure to community violence among young men in Dar es Salaam, while partially also increasing financial and social capital, as well as reducing financial dependency. We recommend that these results should lay the foundation for an adequately powered randomized trial to confirm the study’s efficacy.Trial registrationretrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04602416; October 26, 2020).

Randomized pilot study of a special education advocacy program for Latinx/minority parents of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Persistent racial and ethnic disparities in obtaining an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and services have been documented for Latinx children and other racial/ethnic minorities. This study reports on an educational intervention examining the effectiveness and feasibility of a low-intensity (i.e. three sessions), low-cost, parent advocacy for Latinx and other minority parents of children with autism. Results indicated significantly increased parental knowledge and in the immediate intervention group, but this knowledge did not lead to greater empowerment. While parents from low-income, racial/ethnic minority backgrounds, particularly Latinx parents, can significantly increase their advocacy skills with a low-intensity, low-cost program, they may need more support in changing their self-perceptions of empowerment and advocacy.

Formative Research in a Mindfulness-based School Nutrition Intervention to Reduce Food Waste While Improving Fresh Produce Intake (FS16-06-19)

ObjectivesThe purpose of this formative study is to understand food waste behaviors of elementary school students and guide the development of a nutrition promotion program that emphasizes reducing food waste without compromising the goals of school meals through mindful selection and consumption. MethodsUsing a mixed method design, 3 elementary schools were recruited and 5 focus groups (n = 50) with 3rd-5th grade students, 15 in-depth interviews with staff, and 9 cafeteria observations were conducted across the schools to 1) explore students’ perceptions about and understanding of topics related to food waste and mindful eating in order to identify motivating factors and barriers related to reducing food waste while increase produce intake, 2) examine the feasibility of program logistics and potential for integration into the school wellness program, and 3) understand the cafeteria atmosphere and its possible influence on student behavior. ResultsStudents and staff report that vegetables comprise the largest proportion of food waste during lunch. Focus group feedback indicated that students poor limited acceptance of vegetables caused by perceived limited autonomy in selection and that they are motivated to reduce waste when considering moral implications. Interviewees described efforts by schools to offer backpack pantries to increase access for food insecure students but staff expressed concerns regarding healthfulness of foods provided. Cafeteria observations highlighted an opportunity to update cafeteria menus, signage, and sharing tables to improve student intake and reduce waste. Targeted training for cafeteria monitors could encourage produce intake. Recovering uneaten foods to supplement school-based food pantries is an engaging strategy to address nutritional concerns and divert foods from landfills. Strategies can be coupled with mindfulness education to encourage vegetable consumption. ConclusionsResults are being used to plan a quasi-experimental controlled pilot intervention that seeks to increase elementary student vegetable consumption and reduce food waste through mindfulness-focused food system education. This program has the potential to increase the healthfulness of students’ diets, meet the needs of food insecure students, and reduce the environmental impact of school nutrition programs. Funding SourcesUniversity of Maryland, Department of Nutrition and Food Science.

Well on wheels intervention: Satisfaction with life and health for adults with spinal cord injuries

Objective/Background: To examine how demographic and injury characteristics identify satisfaction with life (SWL), and assess the differential effects of a wellness intervention by baseline SWL groups.Design: Baseline and longitudinal analysis of a randomized controlled pilot intervention using decision tree regression and linear mixed models.Setting: Community based.Participants: Seventy-two individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) were randomized to an intervention group (n = 39) or control group (n = 33). Participants were aged 44.1 ± 13.0 years and 13.1 ± 10.6 years post-injury. Most participants were male (n = 50; 69.4%) and had paraplegia (n = 38; 52.7%). Participants were classified as high versus low SWL at baseline using a cutoff score of 20.Interventions: The intervention aimed to increase self-efficacy, and in turn, increase engagement in health-promoting behaviors related to SWL. Six 4-hour in-person workshops were conducted over a 3-month period led by experts and peer-mentors who were available for support.Outcome measure(s): Self-efficacy for health practices, secondary condition severity, health-promoting behaviors, perceived stress, and SWL.Results: At baseline, participants with low SWL were recently injured (<4.5 years), while persons with high SWL were married and younger (<49 years old). Intervention participants with low SWL at baseline significantly improved SWL over time compared to those with high SWL (P = 0.02).Conclusion: Certain injury and demographic characteristics were associated with SWL, and intervention participants with low SWL at baseline improved their SWL over 2 years. Healthcare providers should consider time post-injury, marital status, and age in identifying individuals at risk for low SWL that may benefit from wellness interventions.

I Can Stand Learning: A Controlled Pilot Intervention Study on the Effects of Increased Standing Time on Cognitive Function in Primary School Children

Sedentarism is considered an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of employing standing desks in classrooms on cognitive function. The intervention class (IG; n = 19) was supplied with standing desks and balance pads for 11 weeks. The control class (CG; n = 19) received lessons as usual. Standing time was assessed objectively (accelerometers) and subjectively (self-report sheets, external classroom observers). The impact of standing on the digit span task and Eriksen flanker task was analysed. The standing time of the IG was higher during the school day in comparison to the CG (lesson: p = 0.004; break: p = 0.003). The intra-class correlation coefficient between self-reports and external observation was high (ICC = 0.94). The IG improved slightly on the Digit Span Task compared to CG. Employing standing desks for at least 1 h per school day serves as a feasible and effective opportunity to improve cognitive function.

A Randomized Controlled Pilot Intervention Study of a Mindfulness-Based Self-Leadership Training (MBSLT) on Stress and Performance

The present randomized pilot intervention study examines the effects of a mindfulness-based self-leadership training (MBSLT) specifically developed for academic achievement situations. Both mindfulness and self-leadership have a strong self-regulatory focus and are helpful in terms of stress resilience and performance enhancements. Based on several theoretical points of contact and a specific interplay between mindfulness and self-leadership, the authors developed an innovative intervention program that improves mood as well as performance in a real academic setting. The intervention was conducted as a randomized controlled study over 10 weeks. The purpose was to analyze the effects on perceived stress, test anxiety, academic self-efficacy, and the performance of students by comparing an intervention and control group (n = 109). Findings demonstrated significant effects on mindfulness, self-leadership, academic self-efficacy, and academic performance improvements in the intervention group. Results showed that the intervention group reached significantly better grade point averages than the control group. Moreover, the MBSLT over time led to a reduction of test anxiety in the intervention group compared to the control group. Furthermore, while participants of the control group showed an increase in stress over time, participants of the intervention group maintained constant stress levels over time. The combination of mindfulness and self-leadership addressed both positive effects on moods and on objective academic performance. The effects demonstrate the great potential of combining mindfulness with self-leadership to develop a healthy self-regulatory way of attaining achievement-related goals and succeeding in high-stress academic environments.

The Promotion of Well-Being in Aging Individuals Living in Nursing Homes: A Controlled Pilot Intervention with Narrative Strategies

ABSTRACTObjectives: The study aimed: (1) to compare levels of well-being and distress in older adults living in nursing homes with those living in community; and (2) to test the feasibility of a positive narrative intervention for improving well-being versus a control art-and-craft intervention in a nursing home setting.Methods: Sixty older adults participated in the study (M = 77.37; SD = 5.00), Male = 20 (33.3%). In Study 1, 30 adults living in nursing homes were compared with 30 community-dwellers using the following measures: Satisfaction with Life Scale, Psychological Well-being Scale, Social Well-being Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, and sleep quality. In Study 2, the same 30 adults living in nursing homes were allocated to a positive narrative intervention group (N = 20) or to a control group (N = 10) and assessed at post-intervention.Results: In Study 1, older adults in nursing homes presented more depression and impairments in well-being, compared to community-dwellers. In Study 2, at post-treatment, individuals assigned to the narrative intervention reported significantly increased well-being and sleep quality.Conclusions: Although preliminary, results showed that older adults living in nursing homes are more vulnerable than community-dwellers. These patients experienced improvement when given a short group positive narrative intervention applicable in nursing homes.Clinical Implications: A brief group intervention based on fairy tales yielded improvements in well-being and sleep quality in nursing home residents, who enjoyed and appreciated its content. These promising results need to be confirmed by future randomized controlled trials.

The Family Navigator: A Pilot Intervention to Support Intensive Care Unit Family Surrogates.

Communication problems between family surrogates and intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians have been documented, but few interventions are effective. Nurses have the potential to play an expanded role in ICU communication and decision making. To conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial of the family navigator (FN), a distinct nursing role to address family members' unmet communication needs early in an ICU stay. An interprofessional team developed the FN protocol. A randomized controlled pilot intervention trial of the FN was performed in a tertiary referral hospital's ICU to test the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. The intervention addressed informational and emotional communication needs through daily contact by using structured clinical updates, emotional and informational support modules, family meeting support, and follow-up phone calls. Twenty-six surrogate/patient pairs (13 per study arm) were enrolled. Surrogates randomized to the intervention had contact with the FN on 90% or more of eligible patient days. All surrogates agreed that they would recom mend the FN to other families. Open-ended comments from both surrogates and clinicians were uniformly positive. Having a fully integrated nurse empowered to facilitate decision making is a feasible intervention in an ICU and is well-received by ICU families and staff. A larger randomized controlled trial is needed to demonstrate impact on important outcomes, such as surrogates' well-being and decision quality.

Journaling as reinforcement for the resourcefulness training intervention in mothers of technology-dependent children

Resourcefulness, a set of cognitive and behavioral skills used to attain, maintain, or regain health, is a factor related to depressive symptoms in mothers of children with chronic conditions and complex care needs who are dependent on medical technology such as mechanical ventilation or feeding tubes. The purpose of this secondary analysis of a randomized, controlled pilot intervention study was to determine the feasibility, acceptability and fidelity of daily journal writing as a method of reinforcement of resourcefulness training (RT) that teaches the use of social and personal resourcefulness skills. Participants returned their journals to the study office at the end of the four-week journaling exercise. Content analysis from exit interviews and journals supported the feasibility, acceptability and fidelity of daily journaling for reinforcement of RT in this population. Journal writing can be used by pediatric nurses to reinforce and promote resourcefulness skill use in parents of technology-dependent children.

A culturally tailored Internet cancer support group for Asian American breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled pilot intervention study

Introduction The necessity of culturally competent Internet Cancer Support Groups (ICSGs) for ethnic minorities has recently been highlighted in order to increase its attractiveness and usage. The purpose of this study was to determine the preliminary efficacy of a culturally tailored registered-nurse-moderated ICSG for Asian American breast cancer survivors in enhancing the women’s breast cancer survivorship experience. Methods The study included two phases: (a) a usability test and an expert review; and (b) a randomized controlled pilot intervention study. The usability test was conducted among five Asian American breast cancer survivors using a one-month online forum, and the expert review was conducted among five experts using the Cognitive Walkthrough method. The randomized controlled pilot intervention study (a pre-test and post-test design) was conducted among 65 Asian American breast cancer survivors. The data were analysed using content analysis and descriptive and inferential statistics including the repeated ANOVA. Results All users and experts positively evaluated the program and provided their suggestions for the display, educational contents, and user-friendly structure. There were significant positive changes in the support care needs and physical and psychological symptoms (p < 0.05) of the control group. There were significant negative changes in the uncertainty level of the intervention group (p < 0.10). Controlling for background and disease factors, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements than the control group in physical and psychological symptoms and quality of life (p < 0.10). Discussion The findings supported the positive effects of ICSGs on support care needs, psychological and physical symptoms, and quality of life.

Effects of group-based versus individual-based exercise training on motor performance in children with developmental coordination disorder: A randomized controlled study

To compare the effects of group-based and individual-based motor skill training on motor performance in children with developmental coordination disorder. Randomized controlled pilot intervention study. Twenty-three children (4 girls) with developmental coordination disorder (mean age (standard deviation (SD)) 8 years (1 year and 2 months)). Twelve children were randomly assigned to undergo a motor training programme once a week for 8 consecutive weeks in a group setting, and 11 children received the same training on an individual basis during the same period. Each child was also instructed to perform home exercises on a daily basis. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) was used to assess motor ability. Home exercise compliance and parental satisfaction with the programmes were also evaluated. A significant reduction in the MABC total impairment score was found following both group-based (mean -4.4 (SD 5.0), p = 0.003) and individual-based training (mean -5.2 (SD 5.1), p = 0.016). However, the change in total impairment score did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (p = 0.379). There was similarly no significant between-group difference in home exercise compliance (p = 0.288) and parental satisfaction (p = 0.379). Group-based training produced similar gains in motor performance to individual-based training. Group-based training may be the preferred treatment option due to the associated cost savings.

Reducing At-Risk Adolescents' Display of Risk Behavior on a Social Networking Web Site: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Intervention Trial

Reducing At-Risk Adolescents' Display of Risk Behavior on a Social Networking Web Site: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Intervention Trial

A Telephone Based Brief Intervention Using Motivational Enhancement to Facilitate HIV Risk Reduction Among MSM: A Pilot Study

We conducted a randomized controlled pilot intervention to evaluate the efficacy of a telephone-based brief counseling intervention to reduce sexual risk taking among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Seattle, Washington. The study targeted individuals who were currently engaging in unsafe sex but were not committed to making changes toward safer behaviors. Counselors used motivational interviewing strategies in a single 90-min session to enhance readiness for change, promote greater intentions to use condoms, and to support safer sex practices. Results are based on 89 MSM randomly assigned to Immediate counseling or a Delayed counseling control condition. Among minority participants, Immediates were significantly less likely to have engaged in unprotected anal intercourse at follow-up, compared to Delays. Immediate participants reported significantly less ambivalence about practicing safer sex at follow-up, and tended to report greater increases in intentions to use condoms. These findings support the potential efficacy of a brief intervention based upon motivational enhancement principles for promoting safer sex practices among at-risk MSM.