Digital approaches to chronic pain: A brief meta-review of eHealth interventions - Current evidence and future directions.

Digital approaches to chronic pain are emerging worldwide and rapidly gaining increased empirical support. This brief meta-review aims at providing a comprehensive overview of evidence and recommendations reported in recent reviews (2023-2024) on eHealth interventions for chronic pain promoting self-management. A systematic search provided 2041 records, of which 225 reviews were screened and 20 were synthesized.

How are early-career dementia researchers considered and supported on a national level by dementia plans and organizations? An overview of global policy approaches.

Introduction: Despite representing an essential workforce, it is unclear how global policy efforts target early-career dementia researchers (ECDRs). Thus, this study aimed to provide an overview of policies through which ECDRs are considered and supported by dementia plans and organizations.

Methods: G20 member states were evaluated for their national dementia plan alongside policies of leading dementia organizations.

A Web-Based Intervention Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Family Caregivers of People With Dementia: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study.

Background: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), as an empirically based third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy, has shown promise in enhancing well-being and functioning across diverse populations. However, in the context of caregiving, the effect size of available ACT interventions remains at best moderate, sometimes accompanied by high dropout rates, highlighting the need for more effective and feasible intervention designs.

Objective: The objective of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a fully online ACT program designed for family caregivers of people with dementia.

Child and Parent Risk and Resilience Factors as Predictors of Long-term Recovery in Youth Undergoing Spinal Fusion Surgery.

Objectives: Undertreated pediatric postsurgical pain negatively affects health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and functioning and may lead to chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP). Predictors of recovery have been identified but more research is needed, particularly regarding resilience, social factors, and long-term effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate child and parent risk and resilience factors as predictors of long-term postsurgical recovery for adolescents.

Supporting early-career dementia researchers: Identifying support needs and ways forward via a European study.

Introduction: Early-career researchers contribute significantly to dementia research and clinical practice. However, a growing group of early-career dementia researchers (ECDRs) lack appropriate support throughout their careers. Thus, we aim to (i) explore support needs, (ii) determine recommendations, and (iii) set the agenda for organizations to better support ECDRs.

Feedback based on experience sampling data: Examples of current approaches and considerations for future research.

Methodologies such as the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) or Ecological Momentary Assessment allow the gathering of fine-graded, dynamic, personal data within a patient's daily life. Currently, it is studied whether feedback based on experience sampling data (ESM-based feedback) can be used as a clinical tool to inform shared decision-making in clinical practice. Although the potential of feedback is recognized, little is known on how to generate, use, and implement it.

The use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in informal caregivers of people with dementia and other long-term or chronic conditions: A systematic review and conceptual integration.

Informal caregivers are the primary source of support for adults with chronic conditions and disabilities. Empirical research highlights chronic stress and other risks of adverse outcomes of caregiving. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an emerging evidenced-based practice that shows promise in improving an array of outcomes, theoretically by increasing psychological flexibility as the primary process of change.

Blended intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy for informal caregivers of people with dementia (ACT-IC): protocol of a mixed-methods feasibility study.

Introduction: Numerous caregiver support programmes have shown promise in promoting the mental health of informal caregivers of people with dementia (PwD). However, there is still a lack of evidence-based interventions tailored to the specific needs of this population. This mixed-methods study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a blended intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for informal caregivers of PwD, leading to a better understanding of intervention refinements for future controlled trials.

Using Personas in the development of eHealth interventions for chronic pain: A scoping review and narrative synthesis.

Objectives: Behavioral eHealth interventions can enhance self-management and improve well-being in people with chronic pain. The development of these interventions calls for a user-centered approach to ensure that patient needs are appreciated. However, it may be challenging to involve patients; particularly during the early stages of the process.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early career dementia researchers: A global online survey.

Introduction: The World Health Organization recognizes dementia as a public health priority and highlights research as an action to respond to the consequences, with early career dementia researchers (ECDRs) representing the key driving force. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, biomedical and psychosocial dementia research was strained worldwide. The aim of this study was to understand the impact of the pandemic on ECDRs.

Development, evaluation and implementation of a digital behavioural health treatment for chronic pain: study protocol of the multiphase DAHLIA project.

Introduction: Chronic pain affects about 20%-40% of the population and is linked to mental health outcomes and impaired daily functioning. Pharmacological interventions are commonly insufficient for producing relief and recovery of functioning. Behavioural health treatment is key to generate lasting benefits across outcome domains.

Intervention mechanisms of an experience sampling intervention for spousal carers of people with dementia: a secondary analysis using momentary data.

A psychosocial intervention for spousal carers of people with dementia promoted emotional well-being through self-monitoring and personalized feedback, as demonstrated in a previous randomized controlled trial. The mechanism behind the intervention effects is thought to lie in increased awareness of, and thus, engagement in behaviours that elicit positive emotions (PA). This secondary analysis tests the assumption by investigating momentary data on activities, affect, and stress and explores the relevance of personalized feedback compared to self-monitoring only.

Smartphone-Based Experience Sampling in People With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Feasibility and Usability Study.

Background: Daily functioning of people with cognitive disorders such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is usually depicted by retrospective questionnaires, which can be memory-biased and neglect fluctuations over time or contexts.

Objective: This study examines the feasibility and usability of applying the experience sampling method (ESM) in people with MCI to provide a detailed and dynamic picture of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive patterns in everyday life.

Methods: For 6 consecutive days, 21 people with MCI used an ESM app on their smartphones.

A narrative synthesis systematic review of digital self-monitoring interventions for middle-aged and older adults.

Objective: Self-monitoring is crucial to raise awareness for own behaviors and emotions, and thus facilitate self-management. The composition of self-monitoring within interventions, however, varies and guidelines are currently unavailable. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of technology-based self-monitoring interventions that intend to improve health in middle-aged and older adults (>45 years).

Measuring within-day cognitive performance using the experience sampling method: A pilot study in a healthy population.

Introduction: People with depression, anxiety, or psychosis often complain of confusion, problems concentrating or difficulties cognitively appraising contextual cues. The same applies to people with neurodegenerative diseases or brain damage such as dementia or stroke. Assessments of those cognitive difficulties often occurs in cross-sectional and controlled clinical settings.

The necessity for sustainable intervention effects: lessons-learned from an experience sampling intervention for spousal carers of people with dementia.

Objectives: Caring for a person with dementia can be challenging over the years. To support family carers throughout their entire caregiving career, interventions with a sustained effectivity are needed. A novel 6-week mobile health (mHealth) intervention using the experience sampling method (ESM) showed positive effects on carers' well-being over a period of 2 months after the intervention.

A systematic review on the implementation of eHealth interventions for informal caregivers of people with dementia.

Objectives: The objectives were to (1) systematically review the literature on the implementation of eHealth interventions for informal caregivers of people with dementia, and (2) identify determinants of successful implementation.

Methods: Online databases were searched for articles about eHealth interventions for informal caregivers of people with dementia, providing information on their implementation. Articles were independently screened and inductively analyzed using qualitative analysis.