Self-monitoring Assessment Research Articles

Emulating complex simulations by machine learning methods

BackgroundThe aim of the present paper is to construct an emulator of a complex biological system simulator using a machine learning approach. More specifically, the simulator is a patient-specific model that integrates metabolic, nutritional, and lifestyle data to predict the metabolic and inflammatory processes underlying the development of type-2 diabetes in absence of familiarity. Given the very high incidence of type-2 diabetes, the implementation of this predictive model on mobile devices could provide a useful instrument to assess the risk of the disease for aware individuals. The high computational cost of the developed model, being a mixture of agent-based and ordinary differential equations and providing a dynamic multivariate output, makes the simulator executable only on powerful workstations but not on mobile devices. Hence the need to implement an emulator with a reduced computational cost that can be executed on mobile devices to provide real-time self-monitoring.ResultsSimilarly to our previous work, we propose an emulator based on a machine learning algorithm but here we consider a different approach which turn out to have better performances, indeed in terms of root mean square error we have an improvement of two order magnitude. We tested the proposed emulator on samples containing different number of simulated trajectories, and it turned out that the fitted trajectories are able to predict with high accuracy the entire dynamics of the simulator output variables. We apply the emulator to control the level of inflammation while leveraging on the nutritional input.ConclusionThe proposed emulator can be implemented and executed on mobile health devices to perform quick-and-easy self-monitoring assessments.

Effectiveness of companion-intensive multi-aspect weight management in Chinese adults with obesity: a 6-month multicenter randomized clinical trial

BackgroundObesity is a globally increasing health epidemic requiring early lifestyle intervention. Our main objective was to examine the effectiveness of companion-intensive multi-aspect weight management (CIMWM) in Chinese adults with obesity.MethodsIn this 6-month, prospective, open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial, we recruited 272 obese adults aged 18–50 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28.0 kg/m2 and capable of using smartphones. CIMWM (n = 136) offered both daily online instructions and monthly face-to-face guidance by physicians, dietitians, and health managers along with the provision of meal replacements in the first 3 months. Traditional multi-aspect weight management (TMWM, n = 136) provided monthly face-to-face guidance by the same panel of professionals and the same meal replacements as CIMWM group, but required subjects to complete daily self-monitoring instead of offering daily online instructions. Body composition and metabolic parameters were assessed at baseline, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months by physicians. The primary outcomes were clinically-significant weight loss and changes in BMI and body composition.ResultsParticipants in both groups showed significantly reduced BMI, body fat mass (BFM), visceral fat area (VFA), and HOMA-IR (p < 0.05). CIMWM was shown to be superior to TMWM in the improvement of clinically-significant weight loss, BMI, total cholesterol (TC), the body composition parameters BFM and the skeletal muscle mass-to-visceral fat area ratio (S/V) (p < 0.05). The non-alcoholic fatty liver disease score (NFS) was negatively related to S/V at baseline. After weight management, NFS was lowered among individuals with levels in the highest tertile (p < 0.05). Metabolic memory in terms of the continuous reduction of BMI, BFM, and TC was retained up to 6 months in spite of participants transferring to self-monitoring assessment in the final 3 months.ConclusionsThe CIMWM strategy in obese Chinese adults is proved to be more effective than TMWM in weight loss, and motivates greater adherence to intervention and lifestyle reprogramming.Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800017463, Registered July 31, 2018. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=29649.

Assessment of self-monitoring of blood glucose in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents and its influence on quality of life: practice and perspective

BackgroundSelf-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) includes an assessment of the capillary glucose concentration as well as the interpretation of and responding to the readings. The purpose of this study was to assess patients’ compliance to self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG), identify factors and barriers that affect it, and to correlate performance of SMBG to blood glucose monitoring and patients’ quality of life. Three hundred and thirty children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes were subjected to the following: (1) an interview pre-structured questionnaire which included personal, medical history, and details about SMBG; (2) Questionnaire about Quality of Life Index (Diabetes Version-III) by Ferrans and Powers for patients aging 10–16 years; and (3) glycated hemoglobin (HA1C) measurement.ResultsAbout 67% of the patients assessed their blood glucose 3 times per day, while 0.57% assessed blood glucose 7 times. The most influential factors affecting compliance of SMBG were the cost of strips and glucometers, the fear of pain and injection, psychological frustration, lack of availability of information to deal with high reading, and the absence of motivation for doing regular SMBG.The more the frequency of SMBG daily, the better the HA1C of the patients (p < 0.01).Adolescent patients aged 10–16 years who have more frequent SMBG and those with less HA1C have significant better quality of life (p < 0.05).ConclusionsMore frequent SMBG practice was associated with better glycemic control and better quality of life. Patients’ compliance is influenced by several factors which affect their frequency of SMBG.

Defining Adherence to Mobile Dietary Self-Monitoring and Assessing Tracking Over Time: Tracking at Least Two Eating Occasions per Day Is Best Marker of Adherence within Two Different Mobile Health Randomized Weight Loss Interventions

BackgroundMobile dietary self-monitoring methods allow for objective assessment of adherence to self-monitoring; however, the best way to define self-monitoring adherence is not known. ObjectiveThe objective was to identify the best criteria for defining adherence to dietary self-monitoring with mobile devices when predicting weight loss. DesignThis was a secondary data analysis from two 6-month randomized trials: Dietary Intervention to Enhance Tracking with Mobile Devices (n=42 calorie tracking app or n=39 wearable Bite Counter device) and Self-Monitoring Assessment in Real Time (n=20 kcal tracking app or n=23 photo meal app). Participants/settingAdults (n=124; mean body mass index=34.7±5.6) participated in one of two remotely delivered weight-loss interventions at a southeastern university between 2015 and 2017. InterventionAll participants received the same behavioral weight loss information via twice-weekly podcasts. Participants were randomly assigned to a specific diet tracking method. Main outcome measuresSeven methods of tracking adherence to self-monitoring (eg, number of days tracked, and number of eating occasions tracked) were examined, as was weight loss at 6 months. Statistical analyses performedLinear regression models estimated the strength of association (R2) between each method of tracking adherence and weight loss, adjusting for age and sex. ResultsAmong all study completers combined (N=91), adherence defined as the overall number of days participants tracked at least two eating occasions explained the most variance in weight loss at 6 months (R2=0.27; P<0.001). Self-monitoring declined over time; all examined adherence methods had fewer than half the sample still tracking after Week 10. ConclusionsUsing the total number of days at least two eating occasions are tracked using a mobile self-monitoring method may be the best way to assess self-monitoring adherence during weight loss interventions. This study shows that self-monitoring rates decline quickly and elucidates potential times for early interventions to stop the reductions in self-monitoring.

Assessment of Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Not Using Insulin

This database analysis quantifies the rate of use and cost of self-monitoring blood glucose supplies that are potentially used inappropriately, specifically focusing on test strips.

Assessment of self-monitoring of blood glucose in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents: practice and perspective

Assessment of self-monitoring of blood glucose in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents: practice and perspective

Theory-Based Text-Messaging to Reduce Methamphetamine Use and HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men: Automated Unidirectional Delivery Outperforms Bidirectional Peer Interactive Delivery.

Project Tech Support2 was a randomized controlled trial that tested three methods of text message delivery for reducing methamphetamine use and HIV risks among MSM. From March 2014 to January 2016, 286 methamphetamine-using MSM were randomized into: (1) interactive text conversations with Peer Health Educators, plus five-times-a-day automated theory-based messages, plus a weekly self-monitoring text-message assessment (TXT-PHE; n = 94); or, (2) the daily automated messages and weekly self-monitoring assessment (TXT-Auto; n = 99); or, (3) weekly self-monitoring assessment only (AO; n = 93). All three conditions demonstrated reductions in methamphetamine use (coef. = -0.10), sex on methamphetamine (coef. = -0.09), and condomless anal intercourse (CAI) with casual male partners (coef. = -0.06). Only participants in TXT-PHE and TEXT-Auto also reduced CAI with main male partners (coefTXT-PHE = -0.19; coef.TXT-Auto = -0.16), and only TEXT-Auto participants reduced CAI with anonymous male partners (coef. = -0.05). Additionally, both theory-based text-messaging interventions achieved sustained reductions in five of the six outcomes through 9months. Overall, automated delivery outperformed peer-delivered messaging.

The association of 'self-monitoring' with depression in help-seeking Facebook users.

'Self-monitoring' refers to the extent to which people control how they act in social situations. Some evidence suggests that those with various mental health issues engage in less self-monitoring than those without such issues. In the current study, we investigated the association of (offline and online) self-monitoring with depression in help-seeking Facebook users. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of an anonymised dataset generated using the myPersonality Facebook application ( N = 1,857). Participants were those who accessed an application for depressive symptom-reporting that was linked to the myPersonality application. The odds of depression were 1.85 times greater in low self-monitors than high self-monitors (odds ratio = 1.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.50, 2.27]). The association remained significant after adjusting for 'big five' personality traits (odds ratio = 1.48; 95% CI = [1.18, 1.86]). In fully adjusted analyses involving different operationalisations of self-monitoring, (1) the odds of depression were 1.38 times greater in low acquisitive self-monitors than high acquisitive self-monitors (odds ratio = 1.38; 95% CI = [1.10, 1.74]) and (2) the odds of depression were 1.48 times greater in low protective self-monitors than high protective self-monitors (odds ratio = 1.48; 95% CI = [1.18, 1.85]). The utility of self-monitoring in interventions for depression is worthy of investigation. Moreover, the assessment of self-monitoring may offer insights into clients' social skills, motivation and self-awareness.

CaRiSMA 1.0: Cardiac Risk Self-Monitoring Assessment

Background:Sport-related sudden cardiac death (SRSCD) can only be fought through prevention.Objective:The aim of this study is to propose an innovative software application, CaRiSMA 1.0 (Cardiac Risk Self-Monitoring Assessment), as a potential tool to help contrasting SRSCD and educating to a correct training.Methods:CaRiSMA 1.0 analyzes the electrocardiographic and heart-rate (HR) signals acquired during a training session through wearable sensors and provides intuitive graphical outputs consisting of two traffic lights, one related to cardiac health, based on resting QTc (a parameter quantifying the duration of ventricular contraction and subsequent relaxation), and one related to training, based on exercise HR. Safe and worthwhile training sessions have green traffic lights. A red QTc traffic light indicates the need of a medical consultation, whereas a red HR traffic light indicate the need of a reduction of training intensity. By way of example, CaRiSMA 1.0 was applied to sample data acquired in 10 volunteers (age= 27±11 years; males/females 3/7).Results:Two acquisitions (20.0%) were rejected because too noisy, indicating that wearable sensors may record poor quality signals. The QTc traffic light was red in 1 case, indicating that people practicing sport may not be aware of being at risk. The HR traffic light was red in 0 cases.Conclusion:CaRiSMA 1.0 is a software application that, for the first time in the sport context, uses QTc, the most important index of cardiac risk in clinics. Thus, it has the potential for giving a contribution in the fight against SRSCD.

Auditing for Score Inflation Using Self-Monitoring Assessments: Findings From Three Pilot Studies

Test-based accountability often produces score inflation. Most studies have evaluated inflation by comparing trends on a high-stakes test and a lower stakes audit test. However, Koretz and Beguin (2010) noted weaknesses of audit tests and suggested self-monitoring assessments (SMAs), which incorporate audit items into high-stakes tests. This article reports the first three trials of SMAs, evaluating whether SMAs can detect inflation that had already been documented. The studies were conducted with mathematics tests in three grades. Despite severe conservative biases, the audit component functioned as expected in many of the trials. The difference in performance between nonaudit and audit items was associated with factors that earlier research showed to be related to test preparation and score inflation, such as scoring just below the Proficient cut in the previous year and school poverty. However, a number of null findings underscore the need for additional research into the design of audit items.

Appraising the duality of self-monitoring: Psychometric qualities of the Revised Self-Monitoring Scale and the Concern for Appropriateness Scale in French.

Revising Snyder’s (1974) original Self-Monitoring Scale, Lennox and Wolfe’s (1984) double-sided approach distinguishes two aspects of self-monitoring: (a) the active, high self-esteem, and extrovert side, measured by the Revised Self-Monitoring Scale (RSMS); and (b) the protective, low self-esteem and anxious side, measured by the Concern for Appropriateness Scale (CAS). This study aims at moving forward the assessment of self-monitoring by providing a valid French translation of these two scales. Six hundred and 34 participants were asked to complete the RSMS and the CAS, as well as other measures to assess construct validity. Distribution, scale score reliability, temporal stability, and factor structure were examined. Using a split-sample procedure, construct validity was also investigated, using several criteria (self-esteem, social desirability, extraversion, openness, trait anxiety, self-consciousness, gregariousness, straightforwardness), including new criteria that provide a more accurate definition of the two underlying constructs. The French RSMS and the French CAS replicate the psychometric properties of the other versions (Bachner-Melman, Bacon-Shnoor, Zohar, Elizur, & Ebstein, 2009; O’Cass, 2000) and appear to be psychometrically robust. Strengths, weaknesses, and potential uses of both scales are discussed.

Issues with Self-Monitoring Assessments: Comments on Koretz and Béguin (2010)

Issues with Self-Monitoring Assessments: Comments on Koretz and Béguin (2010)

Validate High Stakes Inferences by Designing Good Experiments, Not Audit Items: A Comment on “Self-Monitoring Assessments Educational Accountability Systems”

Validate High Stakes Inferences by Designing Good Experiments, Not Audit Items: A Comment on “Self-Monitoring Assessments Educational Accountability Systems”

Self-Monitoring Assessments for Educational Accountability Systems

Test-based accountability is now the cornerstone of U.S. education policy, and it is becoming more important in many other nations as well. Educators sometimes respond to test-based accountability in ways that produce score inflation. In the past, score inflation has usually been evaluated by comparing trends in scores on a high-stakes test to trends on a lower-stakes audit test. However, separate audit tests are often unavailable, and their use has several important drawbacks, such as potential bias from motivational differences. As an alternative, we propose self-monitoring assessments (SMAs) that incorporate audit components into operational high-stakes assessments. This paper provides a framework for designing SMAs. It describes 5 specific SMA designs that could be incorporated into the non-equivalent groups anchor test linking approaches used by most large-scale assessments and discusses analytical issues that would arise in their use.

Direct and retrospective assessment of factors contributing to compulsive buying

Compulsive buying is a disorder that has begun to receive attention from researchers in recent years. The results of a handful of studies suggest that compulsive buying occurs in response to negative emotions and results in a decrease in the intensity of the negative emotions. In this investigation, we used interview and self-monitoring methods to evaluate the antecedents and consequences of compulsive buying in a sample of women who met criteria for compulsive buying on the compulsive buying scale (J. Consumer Res. 19 (1992) 459). As a group, the participants reported negative emotions as the most common antecedents to compulsive buying, and euphoria or relief from the negative emotions as the most common consequence of compulsive buying. These findings were consistent across the interview and self-monitoring assessment methods. The implications for assessment and treatment are discussed.

Psychometric considerations in self-monitoring assessment.

Psychometric considerations in self-monitoring assessment.

Psychometric considerations in self-monitoring assessment.

The application of psychometric concepts of accuracy, reliability, and validity to the evaluation of self-monitoring as an assessment procedure is described. Examples from the literature are used to illustrate both the procedural application of these concepts and their importance in ensuring the utility of self-monitored data for a variety of purposes. Common threats to accuracy, reliability, and validity are briefly discussed.

Diet and diabetes (i): Assessing dietary self-care in patients with insulin dependent diabetes

Diet is an important component of the management of Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), yet it has been difficult to obtain effective measures of dietary management. Two studies were conducted assessing the frequency and antecedents of problems in dietary self-care in IDDM. In study one the Diet Problem Setting Inventory (DPSI), a self-report inventor assessing the settings in which poor dietary management occur, was developed. One hundred and thirty-seven individuals with IDDM completed the DPSI, and a factor analysis revealed three internally consistent factors. In study two, 41, IDDM patients self-monitored, and were interviewed daily about their diet, to ascertain the frequency and antecedents of problems in dietary self-care. Subjects also completed the DPSI twice to assess its test-retest reliability. The total score on the DPSI showed high test-retest reliability, and moderate convergent validity with self-monitored dietary management. The more intensive self-monitoring assessment provided greater information on the settings in which poor dietary management occurred. It was concluded that global self-report inventories, such as the DPSI, have value as screening instruments, but that self-monitoring provides additional information of clinical utility.

Assessment of Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose in Pregnant Diabetics

Assessment of Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose in Pregnant Diabetics