User engagement in mobile apps for people with schizophrenia: A scoping review

Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the number of mobile apps designed for mental health proposes and mHealth has been perceived as a promising approach to help people with schizophrenia to manage their condition. However, adoption rates are relatively low and long-term user engagement is a major issue. The aim of this study is to identify and better understand what strategies and factors may influence user engagement and facilitate prolonged use of apps for people with schizophrenia to better manage their illness. A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Arksey and O’Malley scoping review framework and following PRISMA ScR guidelines. The sources consisted of searching four electronic databases. Rayyan software was used for this study selection process and a narrative approach was used to synthesize the extracted data. A total of 28 studies which met the inclusion criteria were identified. The engagement strategies included push notifications, message prompts, personalization, application customization, goal setting, game-like features, use of different multimedia formats, social connectedness, support (peers and professionals), reliability of content and quality of feedback received. Some demographic factors may influence adherence such as age, gender, education level and socioeconomic status. Other factors also may play a role impacting engagement: health status, data privacy and security, involvement in design process, incentives for participation, app usage fitting in the user routines, initial training, and constant technical support. Included studies present high heterogeneity in outcome measures and thresholds criteria to assess engagement. Understanding what influences engagement and how to measure it is essential to enhance the design of mobile apps and deliver scalable solutions to help people with schizophrenia better manage their illness in their real-world uptake.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Active lifestyle in schizophrenia: How to combine exercise and therapy in practice?

Schizophrenia is a mental illness with intense effects on a person’s life. In addition to the psychiatric symptoms, patients with schizophrenia generally have multiple somatic comorbidities, such as cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. High prevalence of an unhealthy lifestyle (smoking habits, poor diets, sedentarism) contributes to the increased risk in these patients. Even though schizophrenia treatment focuses on medication in conjunction with talking therapies, it is essential to address lifestyle choices. Nowadays there is a large body of evidence that suggests that physical activity and exercise can help improve not only schizophrenia patients’ physical health but also their mental and psychological wellbeing. This chapter addresses the guidelines for physical activity and exercise interventions for schizophrenia, presenting some programs which combine exercise and therapies to treat schizophrenia, including some novel digital approaches. This chapter also gives some recommendations for an active lifestyle clinical integration providing a literature review on the subject.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The use of mobile technologies to support psychosocial rehabilitation of people with mental health problems

An efficient psychosocial rehabilitation program is essential in order to achieve symptoms’ remission and promote a functional and satisfying life for people with mental ilness. The use of mobile technologies not only has become a prominent term within the practice of medicine, but also have great potential to improve the quality of services (Ben-Zeev, Drake & Brian, 2014; Tomlinson et al., 2013). There is some evidence concerning this topic and it is important to summarize it.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Virtual reality exposure therapy for armed forces veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and focus group [artigo]

Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is an emerging treatment for people diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to the limited accessibility of psychotherapies. This research aims to determine the guidelines for developing a Virtual Reality–War Scenario program for Armed Forces veterans with PTSD and encompasses two studies: Study 1, a systematic electronic database review; Study 2, a focus group of twenty-two Portuguese Armed Forces veterans. Results showed a positive impact of VRET on PTSD; however, there were no group differences in most of the studies. Further, according to veterans, new VRET programs should be combined with the traditional therapy and must consider as requirements the sense of presence, dynamic scenarios, realistic feeling, and multisensorial experience. Regardless, these findings suggest VRET as a co-creation process, which requires more controlled, personalized, and in-depth research on its clinical applicability.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Implementação do Lean manufacturing na produção de travões de tambor

O presente trabalho propõe-se apresentar uma metodologia de implementação do “Lean Manufacturing” numa empresa de produção de Travões de Tambor para a indústria automóvel. O objetivo do projeto é a melhoria da produtividade da mão-de-obra e dos equipamentos. Como Indicadores Chave de Processo para efetuar a monitorização da performance dos processos, são utilizados dois indicadores: Eficiência da Mão-de-Obra (EMO) e Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). Para a obtenção das melhorias de produtividade, foram aplicadas metodologias associadas à Produção “Lean” em regime de Melhoria Continua. Como base do projeto de melhoria efetuou-se uma análise do processo produtivo utilizando o Mapeamento da Fluxo de Valor. De forma progressiva foram-se introduzindo as ferramentas “Lean”, tendo sido aplicadas de forma sequencial as seguintes ferramentas: Mapeamento de Fluxo de Valor, 5S, Trabalho Padronizado, Resolução de Problemas, Troca Rápida de Ferramentas, Manutenção Produtiva Total, Sistema Pull e Controlo de Gestão. Os resultados obtidos comprovam o impacto que as ferramentas “Lean” têm na produtividade dos processos produtivos quando aplicadas de forma estratégica e concertada.This project proposes to present a methodology for the Lean Manufacturing implementation in a Drum Brake production company for the automotive industry. The target of this project is the improvement of the labour and equipment productivity. As Key Process Indicators for monitoring process performance, two indicators are used: Direct Labour Efficiency (EMO) and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). To obtain productivity improvements, methodologies associated with Lean Production under Continuous Improvement were applied. As the basis of the improvement project, an analysis of the production process was performed using Value Stream Mapping. The Lean tools were gradually introduced and the following tools were sequentially applied: Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Standardized Work, Problem Solving, Single Minute Exchange of Die, Total Productive Maintenance, Pull System and Management Control. The results show the impact that Lean tools have in the productivity of production processes when applied strategically and in a concerted manner.Mestrado em Engenharia e Gestão Industria

Aprender com o passado: O projeto Saborea e o rebranding do destino Madeira na era pós-pandémica

Since January 2020, a multisectoral hub of Madeiran institutions has been involved in the INTERREG project SABOREA Mac. The main objective of this regional cluster is to put Madeira on the map of food destinations. The timing could not have been worse: a global disaster that severely affects the tourism industry within the framework of an ongoing pandemic, which no one anticipated. There have been no studies focused on this area of activity and on the impact caused by a health crisis of this magnitude that until recently was completely unthinkable. Learning from the past is a way to respond immediately to the urgent need to re-evaluate the original strategy of the SABOREA consortium, delineated in a totally different conjuncture. In this paper, we analyse the path adopted by the organizers of the 5th Centenary of Madeira’s discovery at the end of (World War 1) WW1. Facing the cumulated impact of the conflict and the Spanish flu, they successfully rebranded Madeira, a strategy that continues to shape the perception of the destination by today’s visitors. This case study serves as a starting point for considering to what extent the SABOREA project still fits into the reality of the post-pandemic era.Desde janeiro de 2020, um consórcio multissetorial de instituições madeirenses está envolvido no projeto INTERREG SABOREA Mac. O principal objetivo deste cluster regional é colocar a Madeira no mapa dos destinos gastronómicos. O momento não poderia ser pior: um desastre à escala mundial que afeta gravemente a indústria do turismo no âmbito de uma pandemia, que ninguém previu. Estamos hoje perante uma falta absoluta de estudos sobre o impacto de uma crise sanitária de tal magnitude, impensável há um ano, nesta área de atividade. Olhar para o passado é uma forma de responder à necessidade de reavaliar no imediato a estratégia delineada anteriormente pelo consórcio SABOREA numa conjuntura totalmente diferente. Neste artigo, analisaremos o plano de ação adotado pelos organizadores do Vº Centenário do Descobrimento da Madeira no final da Primeira Guerra Mundial. Perante os efeitos cumulados do conflito e da gripe espanhola, conceberam uma estratégia de “rebranding”, que continua, ainda hoje, a moldar a perceção do destino Madeira. Este caso de estudo serve como ponto de partida para reavaliar em que medida o projeto em análise ainda se adequa no contexto pós-pandémico. Realça o potencial de uma abordagem histórica para repensar em tempo útil como lidar com mudanças drásticas no mercado de turismo. Confirma também que as estratégias de branding baseadas em valores fortes, multissetorialidade e estratégias participativas podem ser muito resilientes, mesmo em situações extremas.

Virtual reality to improve postural control in patients with schizophrenia: study protocol for a single-blind parallel group randomised controlled trial

Impairment in postural control is prevalent in patients with schizophrenia, and often limit occupational performance. Virtual reality (VR) has proven its benefits for improving postural control and among schizophrenia population. Remarkably, the effectiveness of a VR game-based intervention on postural control in this population has never been evaluated. The primary aim of this study is to examine the effects and impact of VR on postural control parameters in patients with schizophrenia. This is a single-blinded, randomised controlled trial with two parallel groups. Thirty-four patients with schizophrenia are randomly assigned to the virtual reality group (VR) or the inactive control group (CG). The intervention consists of 3 30 min sessions for 4 weeks. Assessments are performed at baseline, post-intervention and 1-month follow-up. The primary outcome is postural control. The center of pressure (COP) displacement and velocity in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions are measured by PhyisoSensing pressure platform. This study protocol comprises parameters that are thought to be crucial to the success of the intervention. There are used objective and quantitative measures to evaluate the outcomes for effectively plan postural control interventions in schizophrenia with more reliable and valid results. The results of the study will be useful to clarify the effect of VR on postural control in patients with schizophrenia and provide insight into the validity of this approach as an intervention technique. It is expected that the results confirm the positive findings supporting the therapeutic prospects of VR.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The asymmetry of business cycles: International evidence using triples test

Resumo: São testadas duas formas distintas de assimetria cíclica, a deepness e a steepness, através da aplicação do teste do coeficiente de enviesamento e do teste triples. A assimetria é analisada em vinte e três países, segundo uma perspectiva secular do PIB real per capita (1820/70 a 2008). Os resultados dos testes sugerem que a deepness não é relevante a nível internacional. Para a steepness, os testes revelam resultados contraditórios, sendo que o coeficiente de enviesamento evidencia a presença de assimetria em onze dos vinte e três países e o teste triples em seis países. A aplicação do teste do coeficiente de enviesamento e do teste triples permite cotejar os resultados obtidos e aferir da robustez dos resultados. Ao contrário do sugerido na literatura, baseada em dados trimestrais, a nossa investigação não é conclusiva acerca da presença, ao nível internacional, de assimetria nos ciclos económicos.We test, using the coefficient of skewness and the triples test, two types of cyclical asymmetry – the deepness and the steepness. The asymmetry, for twenty-three countries, is examined, from over a century data of real GDP per capita (1820/70 to 2008). There is no international evidence of deepness. For the steepness, the tests show mixed results. Indeed, the coefficient of skewness reveal presence of asymmetry for eleven countries, and the triples test for six ones. The assessment of these two tests allows us to judge the results and the robustness of the analyses. On contrary of the most of literature, based on quarterly data, our research is mixed about international evidence of business cycle asymmetries.Palavras-chave Assimetria, Steepness, Deepness, Ciclos Económicos e PIB real per capita. Keywords Asymmetry, Steepness, Deepness, Business Cycles, and PNB real per capita

Validation of the Portuguese version of community attitudes toward people with mental illness (CAMI) [artigo]

Stigma remains a feature that influences the lifestyle of people with mental illness. Negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discrimination are still prevalent in these people’s life. Stigma is considered a public health problem that occurs unconsciously in society, categorizing people. Portugal is the seventh-worst country concerning stigma in Mental Health. There have been few improvements in reducing stigma over time, and there is a great need to create investigations and validate instruments that measure stigma in the population. This study aims to address the gaps in the level of studies and normative instruments that measure the stigma of the Portuguese population in the face of mental illness. It, therefore, aims to adapt and validate community attitudes toward people with mental illness (CAMI) culturally and examine its psychometric properties. Method: The 27-item version of CAMI was translated and back-translated into English, which was analyzed and evaluated by a panel of experts. A sociodemographic survey and CAMI were applied in an online format, in which participated 427 adults representing the Portuguese population in general. Finally, the reliability and validity of the instrument were analyzed. CAMI showed positive values of reliability and validity but not optimal. The confirmatory factor analysis values satisfactory values that indicate good quality of fit: x2 /df=3.296; comparative fit index = 0.601; goodness of fit index = 0.817; and root mean square error of approximation = 0.073, indicates good quality of fit. Cronbach alpha was different for each factor, but it was positive. Spearman coefficient (r=–0.343) obtained a negative but consistent value. This study contributed to the achievement and validation of new measures to assess the stigma of the general population related to people with mental illness. We must continue to analyze this theme, complete the validation of this instrument, and understand the existing levels of stigma, its predominance in society, and the possible creation and implementation of new measures that support literacy in mental illness and anti-stigma.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with lived experience of mental illness integrated into community-based psychosocial rehabilitation structures in Portugal

To analyze the prevalence and impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with lived experience of mental illness integrated into community-based psychosocial rehabilitation structures in Portugal. One hundred and thirty-nine people with lived experience of mental illness integrated into community-based psychosocial rehabilitation structures in Portugal answered an online survey that included dimensions related to COVID-19 pandemic prevalence, routine/lifestyle, social support, access to health care, mental health and well-being during the pandemic and confinement, and life satisfaction and postpandemic future expectations. The results point to a low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in this sample. High levels of resilience and mental well-being were identified in the individuals. We also found that participants were satisfied with the social support during this phase and their routine/lifestyle. The study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic seems not to have had a significant negative impact on people with experience of mental illness integrated into community-based psychosocial rehabilitation structures in Portugal. However, more research in this field should be done in the future.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio