Investigating Ecological Momentary Assessed Physical Activity and Core Executive Functions in 18- to 24-Year-Old Undergraduate Students

Although evidence for young children (<10) and older adults (>64) highlights an association between physical activity (PA) and executive functions (EFs), there is a paucity of research on adolescents aged 18–24 years. Thus, this study examined the associations between PA and EF and the difference in EF between individuals who achieve the moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) guidelines and those who do not. Forty-seven participants engaged in a Stroop task, a reverse Corsi-block test, and a task-switching test, to measure inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, respectively. An ecological momentary assessment (EMA) was used to determine the participant’s MVPA and step count, through the “Pathverse” app. Multiple regressions were run to predict the task-switch cost, the Stroop effect, and the backward Corsi span from time spent in MVPA. A two-way ANCOVA examined the effects of achieving the MVPA guidelines on EF. MVPA and step count did not significantly predict EF. There were no significant differences in EF between participants achieving the MVPA guidelines and those that did not. Time spent in MVPA and step count were not significantly associated with working memory, cognitive flexibility, or inhibition in adolescents. Further research is warranted to understand other factors that may significantly affect EF, within and outside an individual’s control

SafeSpot:An innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools - a qualitative analysis as part of a mixed methods study

Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate teachers’ and pupils’ perceptions about the effect of the SafeSpot mental health curriculum on the well‐being of young people and on their knowledge of mental health conditions. This trial intends to determine the acceptability and benefits of web and mobile technology in delivering emotional well‐being in schools, through use of the SafeSpot programme. Background: With 10% of young people aged 5 to 16 diagnosed with a mental disorder, there is pressure for schools to address their pupils’ emotional well‐being. However, many educators report that their schools have insufficient provisions and feel inadequately equipped to support pupils’ mental health. Methods: This qualitative analysis was embedded within a randomly allocated stepped‐wedge design, conducted in six West of Scotland secondary schools. A total of 2320 pupils (aged 11 to 14 years) and 90 teachers were included. Young people’s understanding of health‐seeking, and teacher’s confidence in delivering and accessing well‐being information was assessed qualitatively. Results: Qualitative analysis revealed themes highlighting the beneficial nature of SafeSpot, including pupil engagement, content of tutorials, perceived impact of SafeSpot and level of training provided for teachers. Conclusions: Web technology could potentially offer a more structured way for staff to support their pupils’ mental health, whilst reducing stigma. SafeSpot was perceived, by pupils and teachers, to be engaging

Electronic Clinical Communications Implementation (ECCI) in Scotland:A mixed-methods programme evaluation

Aims: The Electronic Clinical Communications Implementation programme aims to facilitate implementation of electronic systems for primary-secondary care communication, focusing on laboratory results reporting, outpatient appointment booking, referral, discharge and clinic correspondence, and clinical e-mail. This independent programme evaluation explored the processes and outcomes of implementation, barriers and facilitators to system adoption, and benefits and drawbacks for professional users. Methods: The mixed methods approach incorporated document review, surveys, stakeholder interviews, consensus exercises, and monthly recording of quantitative process and outcome variables. Results: Qualitative and survey work highlighted wide variation in the technologies and implementation approaches adopted. A consensus process was used to instigate a national minimum dataset. To date, implementation of laboratory results reporting has demonstrated the greatest success and electronic outpatient booking the least. A mixed-format survey of users in clinical practice revealed a more detailed picture of behaviour and attitudes demonstrating that where systems are available and accepted they are utilized, while product usability, process complexity and user-engagement methods influence uptake. Conclusions: The evaluation has demonstrated the difficulties faced when attempting to implement a multifaceted technological and behavioural change intervention on a national scale, but has also revealed unexpected benefits, including general improvements in Information Management &amp; Technology capability across the Scottish health service.</p

Electronic Clinical Communications Implementation (ECCI) in Scotland:A mixed-methods programme evaluation

Aims: The Electronic Clinical Communications Implementation programme aims to facilitate implementation of electronic systems for primary-secondary care communication, focusing on laboratory results reporting, outpatient appointment booking, referral, discharge and clinic correspondence, and clinical e-mail. This independent programme evaluation explored the processes and outcomes of implementation, barriers and facilitators to system adoption, and benefits and drawbacks for professional users. Methods: The mixed methods approach incorporated document review, surveys, stakeholder interviews, consensus exercises, and monthly recording of quantitative process and outcome variables. Results: Qualitative and survey work highlighted wide variation in the technologies and implementation approaches adopted. A consensus process was used to instigate a national minimum dataset. To date, implementation of laboratory results reporting has demonstrated the greatest success and electronic outpatient booking the least. A mixed-format survey of users in clinical practice revealed a more detailed picture of behaviour and attitudes demonstrating that where systems are available and accepted they are utilized, while product usability, process complexity and user-engagement methods influence uptake. Conclusions: The evaluation has demonstrated the difficulties faced when attempting to implement a multifaceted technological and behavioural change intervention on a national scale, but has also revealed unexpected benefits, including general improvements in Information Management &amp; Technology capability across the Scottish health service.</p

Il gioco dell'agente segreto

Published version of a chapter in the book: Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction. Aging and Assistive Environments. Also available from the publisher at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07446-7_36We have developed a tablet computer game app for low vision users that can be used to introduce a platform for gaming, internet and visual rehabilitation to older users who have not had prior experience with information communication technology (ICT). Our target user group is people diagnosed with Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The primary goal of the app is to present a fun and engaging means for participants to engage with Information Communication Technology (ICT). A long-term goal of the project is to build a platform to gather data on current and on-going visual function by creating a suite of games that could generate sufficient regular visual engagement to enable perceptual learning in the preserved peripheral retina that is spared in AMD. The inclusive design process took into consideration the perceptual and cognitive constraints of the user group in. The 'Tapology©' app was formally launched at a large computer games festival where we gathered data from a range of users to inform the development of the gameplay. The initial results and feedback inform the ultimate goal of creating a suite of applications that have a wide social and geographic reach to promote and inform e-inclusion and e-health