Remote Participants Research Articles

The role of learning activities and social presence in synchronous hybrid classrooms: results from a natural experiment

ABSTRACT The synchronous hybrid classroom (SHC) combines on-site and remote learners simultaneously. This study aims to investigate how participation mode (on-site vs. remote) affects students’ perceived learning in a SHC, examining social presence as a mediator. A second aim explores how different learning activity types along the ICAP framework influence students’ perceived learning across both groups, again considering social presence as a potential mediator. A natural experiment was conducted with 241 vocational secondary school students regularly participating in a SHC, either on-site (n = 136) or remotely (n = 105). Results showed that participation mode influenced students’ perceived learning indirectly through social presence. Remote participants perceived their social presence as lower and learning less effective than on-site participants. Interactive learning activities were most frequently used in this SHC implementation. The mediating effect of social presence was particularly strong for active/interactive activities on-site and passive/interactive ones remotely. This study contributes to theory by unravelling the complex interplay of the pedagogical design of a SHC and students’ learning experiences, highlighting the critical role of fostering social presence to optimise learning outcomes in SHC. Furthermore, it underscores the practical necessity for robust technological infrastructure and professional development support for teachers to enhance the efficacy of SHC settings.

B - 120 Participant Satisfaction with Tele-Neuropsychology: the Framingham Heart Study

Abstract Objective Tele-neuropsychological assessments (tele-np) have grown in importance since the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for ongoing surveillance of underserved remote participant populations when traditional in-person evaluations are not practical, convenient, or possible. However, literature addressing satisfaction and acceptance with tele-np is scarce. This study examines participants’ satisfaction with a unique tele-np protocol in a cohort-based epidemiological study, the Framingham Heart Study (FHS). Methods FHS participants who have completed a tele-np evaluation via HIPAA-compliant Zoom since 2021 were included. Tele-np participants completed the same protocol as in-person evaluations. Record forms and a digital pen to capture drawing tasks and Boston Process Approach variables are mailed with a return label to participants. Participants provided feedback on their experience on four, five-point Likert scale questions (1 = strongly negative, 5 = strongly positive). Results Sixty-three largely college-educated (87.30%) participants, with average age of 74.28 years (SD = 7.82), 47.62% female, representing 21 US states completed a tele-np visit. Average completion time was 78.74 minutes (SD = 10.78). 94.83% reported a positive overall experience (M = 4.47, SD = 0.71) with tele-np protocol. Participants reported positive experiences with the use of video conferencing (M = 4.33, SD = 0.73), shipping and test-related materials (M = 4.52, SD = 0.60), and clarity of instructions (M = 4.53, SD = 0.54). Conclusions Older adults positively relate to a tele-np protocol that allows for robust remote assessment of cognition. Tele-np is a feasible and acceptable mode for large scale neuropsychological data collection in older adults and can minimize attrition due to travel limitations. Continued study of participant feedback is imperative as tele-np is expanded to improve accessibility for underserved and diverse populations.

Alone Together, Together Alone: The Effects of Social Context on Nonverbal Behavior in Virtual Reality

Abstract Social virtual reality (VR), by definition, focuses on people using networked VR systems to bring avatars together. Previous studies have examined how different factors affect social interaction, in small groups such as dyads or triads. However, in a typical social VR scene there tends to be dozens of avatars, even those not directly interacting with a given user. Furthermore, beyond the virtual environment, VR users are also situated in various immediate physical social contexts. In two field experiments, we investigate how the presence of virtual and physical people contextualize and influence nonverbal behaviors. Study 1 examines virtual context and asks how interacting with others in a private or public virtual environment influences nonverbal outcomes during interactions in a social VR platform. Across two sessions, participants (n = 104) met either in a private virtual environment with their group members alone or in a public environment surrounded by four other groups. Results showed that participants moved their avatars slower and stood closer to group members in public versus private environments. Study 2 examines physical context and asks how interacting with virtual others while physically together or alone influences nonverbal behaviors. Participants (n = 61) met in virtual environments while they were in either a shared physical environment or separated physical environments. Results showed that, compared to remote participants, participants who were physically together moved their bodies more slowly, but their avatars faster. Moreover, there was more mutual gaze among remote participants. We discuss implications to theories of social influence in VR.

HPV self-sampling implementation strategies to engage under screened communities in cervical cancer screening: a scoping review to inform screening programs.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as a method of cervical cancer screening can be performed by healthcare providers or by patients through self-sampling directly in the community, removing several barriers experienced by under screened populations. The objective of this scoping review was to determine which HPV self-sampling implementation and engagement strategies have been used to engage under screened populations (i.e., Indigenous, newcomer, and rural and remote communities) in cervical cancer screening. A scoping review was conducted searching MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and SocINDEX from inception to August 2023. The inclusion criteria were: (1) Indigenous, newcomer, and rural and remote communities; (2) countries identified as members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development; and (3) intervention included HPV self-sampling. The review was registered prior to conducting the search (https://osf.io/zfvp9). A total of 26 studies out of 2,741 studies met the inclusion criteria. In-person engagement with trusted community leaders was the most widely used and accepted recruitment and engagement strategy across all three populations. Six out of seven studies with Indigenous communities distributed HPV self-sampling kits to eligible participants in person in a clinical setting for collection on site or at home. Similarly, nine of the identified studies that engaged newcomers recruited participants in person through the community, where eligible participants were either given a kit (n = 7) or received one in the mail (n = 2). Lastly, of the 10 identified studies engaging rural and remote participants in HPV self-sampling, six recruited eligible participants in person at various community locations and four used electronic medical records or registries to identify and mail kits to participants. HPV self-sampling through in person kit distribution and mail out of HPV self-sampling kits is an effective way to increase participation rates amongst under screened populations.

Designing for Networked Learning in 360VR - A scenographic turn in online learning environments?

Despite the growing popularity of Virtual Reality (VR) in Higher Education (HE), there is a lack of studies dealing with networked and collaborative activities in VR (Radianti et al., 2020). Historically, VR has been promoted as an educational technology that can give access to exotic places or dangerous situations through computer-generated virtual worlds. Another area of application of VR has been therapeutical sessions exposing individuals to unknown situations. Concepts like interactivity, immersion and presence has been shaping the discourse of educational VR (Markowitz & Bailenson, 2019), but that is not necessarily supporting a networked or collaborative learning approach. Recently, 360-degree video cameras has made it possible to record situated practices, which can then be used as the canvas in the virtual world (McIlvenny & Davidsen, 2017). Pirker et al. (2021) argued that 360VR could potentially be a game-changer for distant education, but it is also clear that 360VR pose a new medium for supporting Networked Learning. Basically, 360VR presents a transition from logocentric platforms (e.g. Moodle) emphasising the exchange of text between peers towards platforms that build upon ideas of immersion, inhabitation and multimodality. The aim of the workshop is to discuss how principles of Networked Learning can inform the design of 360VR activities in HE. CAVA360VR is a prototype Unity-based Windows application supporting 20 simultaneous participants to collaboratively analyse, visualise and annotate 360° video in VR. CAVA360VR is developed by the BigSoftVideo team (www.bigvideo.aau.dk) in Aalborg University (McIlvenny, 2020). In CAVA360VR, remote participants can share, view and interact with a 360° video together, draw on the 360° video, use a ‘mirror-cam’ to see what is behind you, use a laser pointer to guide others’ attention, import a 2D image, view a transcript, and view a synced 2D video with the 360° video. Further, participants can talk to each other, and the audio is spatialized in the VR environment. In CAVA360VR, each participant is represented with an avatar that follows the orientation of the Head Mounted Display (HMD) of the individual participant and the controllers are showed as pair of avatar hands. The potential of CAVA360VR is also particularly interesting in the context of Networked Learning as it offers a new platform for designing for learning. CAVA360VR is not only available in VR, but can also run as a standard desktop application, which allows a larger, mixed group to participate in the analysis of the recorded data. Not all of the features available in VR are available in non-VR mode. For two years, CAVA360VR has been used in many video data sessions (Jordan & Henderson, 1995; McIlvenny, 2020) with participants – for example, from Ghana, Finland and Denmark – analysing 360° video data together. The potential of CAVA360VR is also particularly interesting in the context of Networked Learning as it offers a new platform for designing for learning. This includes addressing how to collect 360 video data, how to pedagogically design activities, and how to support students negotiating of meaning in 360VR, etc.

Varenicline OTC Trial on Efficacy and Safety.

Varenicline helps people who smoke quit at rates 2-3 times greater than placebo. Currently in the U.S., varenicline is not available over the counter (OTC). In this study, we assessed the safety and efficacy of 1mg and 0.5mg varenicline as an OTC medication for smoking cessation in comparison to placebo. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed at two clinical sites in the United States of n=313 people. The treatment period was 12 weeks. During the COVID pandemic, the protocol was modified to allow remote participation; verification of smoking status was via breath carbon monoxide levels for in-person visits and mailed urine cotinine kits for the remote participants. There was no difference in biologically confirmed continuous abstinence by condition between Weeks 8-12; however, the odds of biologically confirmed point prevalence abstinence were higher for those in the 1mg b.i.d. condition than for those in the placebo condition at Week 12 (OR 3.39; 95% CI 1.49, 7.71), and were higher for those assigned to the 1.0mg b.i.d. condition than the 0.5mg b.i.d. condition at Week 12 (OR 2.37; 95% CI 1.11, 5.05). Adverse events were modest, and as expected (vivid dreams and nausea in the medication conditions). The results are suggestive that varenicline is safe and effective as an OTC medication.

The clash between physical and digital realm: hybrid movement training during the pandemic

This article is based on ethnographic research conducted in one of the physical training institutions that offer the Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies (LBMS) certification program in 2021. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the training was held in a hybrid format in which some participants were in the studio while others were attending remotely via Zoom. Zoom-mediated movement training for long hours revealed how the intervention of telematic technologies challenged practitioners’ sensorial experience and sense-making process. Moreover, bringing co-located and remote participants’ experiences together in the hybrid setting disclosed different modes of interaction dynamics in the studio and online. Overall, participants described their hybrid experience as a clash. In the article, starting from unfolding those clashes from the enactive perspective, I discuss how remote intercorporeality through an audio–video streaming system, Zoom, challenges participants’ sensorial experience and how remote interaction affects the shared sense-making process in the hybrid format setting.

Comparing the effectiveness of delivery style in produce safety training for growers.

The Produce Safety Alliance grower training has been offered since 2016. Prior to the pandemic, the course was offered exclusively in-person. During the pandemic, trainers were allowed to offer the course remotely. The effectiveness of in-person and remote delivery options was compared utilizing four methods: course evaluations completed at the training; a pre- and post-training knowledge assessment; a 1-year follow-up survey; and focus groups with course trainers. All methods, except the focus groups, were used as evaluation tools starting before and continuing during the pandemic. On the course evaluations, remote delivery and in-person participants rated their satisfaction with the training and their confidence in their ability to make changes at the same high rate. The knowledge assessment found remote delivery participants scored higher on the posttest than in-person participants when controlling for pretest score (p<0.001); the effect size was between low and medium (ηp 2=0.025). On the follow-up survey, remote delivery participants reported making changes to food safety practices or infrastructure at a higher rate than in-person participants (68% vs. 53%, respectively, Χ2 (1, N=700)=6.372, p=0.012, Cramer's V=0.012 (very low)). There were demographic differences in educational level, job description, and number of years farming between the two populations. The focus group revealed advantages and disadvantages of both delivery methods, including internet availability, engagement activity, and course logistics and planning. Because no practical differences in outcome were measured between delivery methods and each had unique strengths, researchers recommend that educators should utilize both methods in the future. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: 1. When deciding between offering in-person or synchronous virtual training, trainers can feel confident that both delivery methods result in positive experiences from participants, learning, and behavior change. 2. PSA trainers may choose to offer the training remotely to increase accessibility for people who live in areas where there may not be enough growers to warrant holding an in-person training nearby, but should also consider that reliable high-speed internet access may not be available to all. 3. Remote delivery trainings can be smoother by hosting remote delivery participants at local extension or other partner offices where high-speed internet is available.

Remote operation of the DIII-D National Fusion Facility

Full remote scientific operation of the DIII-D National Fusion Facility is now possible through significant advances in the computer science hardware and software infrastructure made over the last decade. Capabilities around information visualization, data movement, and communication have all been enhanced. The level of capability deployed to remotely operate DIII-D required an infrastructure advancement over what had previously been achieved in the fusion community. The large quantity of real-time data that is automatically displayed on DIII-D’s control room screens can now be visualized by remote participants via web-based applications. New audio/video solutions using the VoIP and instant messaging application Discord have been implemented to mimic the dynamic and ad-hoc scientific conversations that are critical in successfully operating an experimental campaign. Discord’s ability for a user to rapidly move between audio channels, text with images, and share screens is a significant enhancement over traditional videoconferencing tools. In addition, multiple combinations of broadcast audio are made available via a web-based application to allow remote participants to simultaneously listen to general announcements/sounds while conducting their own specific conversations. Secure methodologies have been put into place to allow remote control of hardware including DIII-D’s plasma control system application. Secure methods also included the ability of the on-site team to closely coordinate their work with remote team members which has been enhanced through extensions to the wireless network and the use of tablet computers for audio/video/screen sharing. However, no amount of software can fully replace the need for ‘hands on hardware.’ This infrastructure was severely stress tested during the COVID-19 pandemic where occupancy of the DIII-D control room was restricted. Operational efficiency during the pandemic, measured in discharges per hour, remained high (3.8 ± 0.8) compared to values obtained pre-pandemic (3.7 ± 0.8).

Produce safety alliance grower training knowledge assessment results

The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training (GT) curriculum was developed to provide produce growers with training that meets requirements in §112.22(c) of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR). Four regional food safety centers evaluated course attendees’ knowledge change over four years (2019 to 2022) using a pre- and post-test quiz. Knowledge assessment results showed (a) respondents gained knowledge on each of the seven modules presented in the curriculum; (b) the curriculum content had a large effect on knowledge gain; (c) knowledge gain differed significantly between years, but the differences were not of practical importance; (d) remote participants learned significantly more than in-person participants, but differences were not of practical importance; and (e) the quiz consisted of low and moderate difficulty questions (no questions were high difficulty) and had generally acceptable discriminant properties. Implementation of the FSMA PSR has progressed from an educational to a regulatory phase, and the authors recommend replacing the knowledge assessment with a tool that measures how the PSA course prepares growers for compliance.

238 Equity Considerations and Impacts when Implementing Remote Technologies

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The Institute of Translational Health Science (ITHS) Remote Technologies for Research Reference Center (REMOTECH) aims to support researchers using remote technologies. Understanding barriers specifically for engagement of diverse populations is critical to improve equitable access and increase diverse participation in research. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We conducted semi-structured interviews with researchers (N=30) within the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) region, identified through participation in a previous survey as well as those known to have previously implemented remote technologies at ITHS institutions. We solicited specific concerns regarding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) related to remote research participant recruitment, retention, and implementation, as well as outcomes and potential solutions. Interview transcripts were coded, summarized, and emerging themes were identified. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The pandemic necessitated a shift to the use of remote research engagement strategies. Our interview findings show that researchers have a desire to: increase diversity through remote engagement options; decrease participant burden; and understand and include strategies that advance equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) efforts. While geographic diversity was positively impacted by the use of remote technologies, significant barriers and challenges currently exist in the use of remote technologies with respect to other types of diversity, for example access to technologies and limited financial resources. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Remote technologies in research could increase diversity, but interviewees shared barriers and challenges that prevent that from happening. Researchers would benefit from equity-oriented digital literacy resources to use with diverse populations. Such tools can also be used to guide study design/procedures, materials, and processes.

Students’ Experiences When Using Real-Time Automated Captions and Subtitles in Live Online Presentations: A Phenomenological Study

According to the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, as a text-based alternative to auditory information in videos or presentations, captions can make the content equally accessible, and multilingual subtitles can promote a cross-linguistic understanding of the content. We conducted a phenomenological study to understand the common meaning of the participants’ experiences when using real-time automated captions/subtitles during live online class presentations. Twenty-four remote student participants were placed in three study groups. All participants were fluent in spoken and written English, eight could read in one or more additional languages, and none had a hearing disability. We used Microsoft PowerPoint Present Live via Zoom to deliver the online presentation to each group with real-time automated captions/subtitles, and then we conducted a focus group session with each group. Ten themes emerged and were clustered into three overarching themes: challenges, benefits, and interactions with subtitles. Overall, participants described a positive experience, perceiving the captions/subtitles as useful and accurate. Participants found the tool easy to use and highlighted the benefits of using captions/subtitles, such as providing access to live instruction for a wide audience and reinforcing learning for diverse student types. While they were able to troubleshoot connectivity and technological issues encountered, they experienced an apparent split-attention effect and noted limitations in the tool's inability to recognize different dialects. Findings contribute to educational research related to accessible live instruction in multilingual settings and could aid educators in selecting and integrating tools with real-time captioning/subtitling, in line with the UDL guidelines.

Interaction, Integration, Sectoral and Corporate Projects: Results of the All-Russian Library Forum

The Annual Meeting of Heads of Federal and Central Regional Libraries of Russia was held in Moscow on November 28—29, 2023. The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Russian State Library and the Russian National Library. The Russian State Children’s Library took part in the preparation and holding of the meeting.The participants of the largest forum in the industry were heads and specialists from all eight federal districts of Russia (Central, North-West, South, North Caucasus, Volga, Ural, Siberian, Far East). Colleagues from the Donetsk People’s Republic, Lugansk People’s Republic, Zaporozhye region and Kherson region made presentations. 77 regions of the Russian Federation were represented at the meeting. Specialists from the Republic of Serbia were also participants in the event. The meeting was held in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and remote participation. Over the two days of its work, 300 in-person participants and 3,724 remote participants were registered.The main theme of the Annual Meeting of Heads of Federal and Central Regional Libraries of Russia 2024 was “Working together to create a successful future for libraries: sectoral projects, interaction, integration, sharing best practices”. The programme included five main thematic blocks: “Together. Integration of libraries of the new subjects of the Russian Federation into the library space of the country: plans and ongoing projects”, seminar-meeting “Educational and personnel policy of the industry”, “Development of the library fund: acquisition, disclosure, preservation”, “Digital transformation, artificial intelligence, neural networks for libraries, formation of the Russian electronic knowledge space”, “Modernization of libraries”.The topics discussed and the number of participants in the meeting in recent years testify to the increasing consolidation of the industry and the unflagging interest in this event.

Interaction, Integration, Sectoral and Corporate Projects: Results of the All-Russian Library Forum

The Annual Meeting of Heads of Federal and Central Regional Libraries of Russia was held in Moscow on November 28—29, 2023. The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Russian State Library and the Russian National Library. The Russian State Children’s Library took part in the preparation and holding of the meeting.The participants of the largest forum in the industry were heads and specialists from all eight federal districts of Russia (Central, North-West, South, North Caucasus, Volga, Ural, Siberian, Far East). Colleagues from the Donetsk People’s Republic, Lugansk People’s Republic, Zaporozhye region and Kherson region made presentations. 77 regions of the Russian Federation were represented at the meeting. Specialists from the Republic of Serbia were also participants in the event. The meeting was held in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and remote participation. Over the two days of its work, 300 in-person participants and 3,724 remote participants were registered.The main theme of the Annual Meeting of Heads of Federal and Central Regional Libraries of Russia 2024 was “Working together to create a successful future for libraries: sectoral projects, interaction, integration, sharing best practices”. The programme included five main thematic blocks: “Together. Integration of libraries of the new subjects of the Russian Federation into the library space of the country: plans and ongoing projects”, seminar-meeting “Educational and personnel policy of the industry”, “Development of the library fund: acquisition, disclosure, preservation”, “Digital transformation, artificial intelligence, neural networks for libraries, formation of the Russian electronic knowledge space”, “Modernization of libraries”.The topics discussed and the number of participants in the meeting in recent years testify to the increasing consolidation of the industry and the unflagging interest in this event.

Perceived Access to Healthcare of Indigenous Peoples in Canada With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Their First-Degree Relatives.

There are complex and interrelated factors that lead to inequitable healthcare delivery in Canada. Many of the factors that underlie these inequities for Canada's geographically dispersed Indigenous peoples remain underexamined. A cohort of 831 First Nations (FN) individuals from urban and remote communities were recruited into a longitudinal study of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk from 2005 to 2017. Data from each participant's initial enrollment visit were assessed using a survey that captured concerns with healthcare access. We found that remote participants with RA reported poor access compared to remote first-degree relatives (FDRs; P < 0.001); this difference was not observed for urban participants with RA. We observed substantial differences based on sex; female participants perceived access to care to be more difficult than male participants in both urban and remote cohorts (P < 0.001). We also observed that male participants with RA reported poor access to care compared to male FDRs. Importantly, access to care in remote communities appeared to improve over the duration of the study (P = 0.01). In a logistic regression analysis, female sex, remote location, and older age were independent predictors of poor access to care. Predictors of poor access in participants with RA also included female sex, remote location, and older age. FN peoples living in remote communities, particularly those with an established RA diagnosis, report more problems accessing health care. Sex-based inequities exist, with FN female individuals reporting greater difficulties in accessing appropriate health care, regardless of RA diagnosis. Addressing these sex-based inequities should be a high priority for improving healthcare delivery.

Concept of Hybrid-Flexible Lecture using H.323 Protocol of Remote Conference System

This paper explores the innovative concept of Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) lectures, utilizing the H.323 protocol in remote conferencing systems, a timely response to the evolving educational landscape accelerated by the global pandemic. Yamaguchi University's multi-campus model adopted H.264 codec teleconferencing systems to facilitate remote lectures and conferences. However, the onset of COVID-19 and the subsequent surge in online learning necessitated a more versatile approach. This study delves into integrating on-premises conferencing systems with cloud-based services like Webex, showcasing a novel solution that marries traditional and online teaching methods. The paper details the technological underpinnings, particularly the H.264 codec and H.323 protocol, which are essential for high-quality, efficient multimedia communication. It then illustrates the practical application of these technologies in creating a HyFlex environment, demonstrating their effectiveness through a series of feasibility tests conducted at Yamaguchi University. These tests reveal how the Hybrid-Flexible model can overcome typical challenges such as cost, technology infrastructure, and student engagement, providing an equitable learning experience for remote and in-person participants. Conclusively, the paper presents an insightful case study of adapting to change in the educational sector, offering a scalable and efficient model for universities worldwide. It underscores the potential of leveraging existing technology in restructuring to bridge the gap between traditional and digital learning, heralding a new era in education that is more inclusive, flexible, and resilient to unforeseen challenges.

“Navigating chaos”: Urban, Rural, and Remote Patient Experiences in Accessing Healthcare with Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Perspectives of Living with Chronic Low Back Pain

ABSTRACT Background Healthcare access for chronic low back pain is complex and should consider not only the health system, but patient care seeking experiences as well. People who live in rural and remote communities and/or identify as being Indigenous may often encounter additional barriers to accessing care for chronic low back pain; thus, these contexts must be considered to fully understand barriers and facilitators. Aims The aim of this study was to understand care-seeking experiences of people living with chronic back pain in Saskatchewan and determine unique experiences facing urban, rural, remote, and/or Indigenous peoples. Methods Thirty-three participants with chronic low back pain completed a preliminary survey followed by individual semistructured interviews. Participants were categorized as urban, rural, or remote including Indigenous status. A qualitative interpretive research approach with inductive thematic analysis was employed. Results Three overarching themes were identified with the following subthemes: (1) healthcare access challenges: challenges to accessing care, challenges within the health system, and challenges leading to self-directed management/coping strategies; (2) healthcare access facilitators: funded care, participant education and knowledge, patient–provider communication, and care closer to home; and (3) participant recommendations for improved care provision: coordination of care, integrative and holistic care, and patient-centered care and support. Rural and remote participants highlighted travel as a main barrier. Indigenous participant experiences emphasized communication with healthcare providers and past experiences influencing desire to access care. Conclusion Participants identified a range of challenges and facilitators as well as recommendations for improving access to care for chronic low back pain, with unique barriers for rural, remote, and Indigenous participants.

Feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a community-based group psychosocial support model for conflict survivors in Colombia: An assessment of in-person and remote intervention modalities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background Community-based psychosocial support (CB-PSS) interventions utilizing task sharing and varied (in-person, remote) modalities are essential strategies to meet mental health needs, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding feasibility and effectiveness. Methods This study assesses feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a CB-PSS intervention for conflict-affected adults in Colombia through parallel randomized controlled trials, one delivered in-person (n = 165) and the other remotely (n = 103), implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and national protests. Interventions were facilitated by nonspecialist community members and consisted of eight problem-solving and expressive group sessions. Findings Attendance was moderate and fidelity was high in both modalities. Participants in both modalities reported high levels of satisfaction, with in-person participants reporting increased comfort expressing emotions and more positive experiences with research protocols. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder improved among in-person participants, but there were no significant changes for remote participants in comparison to waitlist controls. Implications This CB-PSS intervention appears feasible and acceptable in both in-person and remote modalities and associated with reduction in some forms of distress when conducted in-person but not when conducted remotely. Methodological limitations and potential explanations and areas for future research are discussed, drawing from related studies.

Modeling the Sense of Presence of Remote Participants in Hybrid Communication and Its Application to the Design of Avatar Robot’s Intervention Behavior

Modeling the Sense of Presence of Remote Participants in Hybrid Communication and Its Application to the Design of Avatar Robot’s Intervention Behavior

Remote versus onsite proctored exams: comparing students’ results in physical fitness testing

Background and Study Aim. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, distance learning has become a widespread practice in educational institutions worldwide, leading to the adoption of remote electronic examinations (e-exams) as a primary method of assessment. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of admission tests for the sport sciences department, contrasting traditional face-to-face onsite testing with online-based remote testing. Material and Methods. A total of 500 students applied (n =177 distance learning students, n =323 onsite students). From the tests, differences in levels of physical fitness (long jump, sit-ups, burpees, and pull-ups/push-ups) were compared between the remote and the onsite participants. Results. According to univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA), there was a significant difference in the level of physical fitness (long jump, sit-up, burpees, and pull-up/push-up tests) between the remote participants (154.01 ± 83.1 cm; 13.85 ± 8.21 reps/60 sec; 6.76 ± 6.52 reps/30 sec; 11.36 ± 8.0 pull-ups/push-ups, respectively) and the onsite participants (172.34 ± 27.0; 15.28 ± 4.01 reps/60 sec; 27.29 ± 6.61 reps/30 sec; 14.76 ± 9.47 pull-ups/push-ups, respectively). Conclusions. The results of the present study indicate that the outcomes of physical fitness tests were significantly higher among onsite participants compared to remote participants. Despite the successful implementation of admission test procedures in the distance sport sciences department, the findings suggest a preference for physical fitness tests among onsite participants due to various factors, including 1) increased motivation, 2) model friction, and 3) competitive atmosphere.