Background Physical inactivity is associated with worse asthma outcomes. African American women experience disparities in both physical inactivity and asthma relative to their white counterparts. We conducted a modified evidence-based walking intervention supplemented with mobile health (mHealth) technologies to increase physical activity (PA). Objective This study aimed to assess the preliminary feasibility of a 7-week walking intervention modified for African American women with asthma. Methods African American women with suboptimally controlled asthma were identified from a health system serving low-income minorities. At a baseline data collection visit, participants performed spirometry and incremental shuttle walk test, completed questionnaires, and were given an accelerometer to wear for 1 week. The intervention comprised an informational study manual and 3 in-person group sessions over 7 weeks, led by a nurse interventionist, in a community setting. The supplemental mHealth tools included a wearable activity tracker device (Fitbit Charge HR) and one-way text messages related to PA and asthma 3 times per week. A secure Web-based research platform, iCardia, was used to obtain Fitbit data in real time (wear time, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA] and sedentary time) and send text messages. The feasibility of the intervention was assessed in the domains of recruitment capability, acceptability (adherence, retention, engagement, text messaging, acceptability, complaints, and concerns), and preliminary outcome effects on PA behavior (change in steps, duration, and intensity). Results We approached 22 women, of whom 10 were eligible; 7 consented, enrolled and completed the study. Group session attendance was 71% (5/7), 86% (6/7), and 86% (6/7), respectively, across the 3 sessions. All participants completed evaluations at each group session. The women reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the program (eg, location, time, and materials). None of them had concerns about using, charging, or syncing the Fitbit device and app. Participants wore their Fitbit device for at least 10 hours per day in 44 out of the 49 intervention days. There was an increase in Fitbit-measured MVPA from week 1 (19 min/week, SD 14 min/week) to the last week of intervention (22 min/week, SD 12 min/week; Cohen d=0.24, 95% CI 0.1 to 6.4). A slight decrease in step count was observed from week 1 (8926 steps/day, SD 2156 steps/day) to the last week of intervention (8517 steps/day, SD 1612 steps/day; Cohen d=−0.21, 95% CI −876.9 to 58.9). Conclusions The initial feasibility results of a 7-week community-based walking intervention tailored for African American women with asthma and supplemented with mHealth tools are promising. Modifications to recruitment, retention, and the intervention itself are needed. These findings support the need to conduct a further modified pilot trial to collect additional data on feasibility and estimate the efficacy of the intervention on asthma and PA outcomes.

Consumer-based physical activity (PA) trackers, also known as wearables, are increasingly being used in research studies as intervention or measurement tools. One of the most popular and widely used brands of PA trackers is Fitbit. Since the release of the first Fitbit in 2009, hundreds of experimental studies have used Fitbit devices to facilitate PA self-monitoring and behavior change via goal setting and feedback tools. Fitbit’s ability to capture large volumes of PA and physiological data in real time creates enormous opportunities for researchers. At the same time, however, it introduces a number of challenges (eg, technological, operational, logistical), most of which are not sufficiently described in study publications. Currently, there are no technical reports, guidelines, nor other types of publications discussing some of these challenges and offering guidance to researchers on how to best incorporate Fitbit devices in their study design and intervention to achieve their research goals. As a result, researchers are often left alone to discover and address some of these issues during the study through “trial and error.” This paper aims to address this gap. Drawing on our cumulative experience of conducting multiple studies with various Fitbit PA trackers over the years, we present and discuss various key challenges associated with the use of Fitbit PA trackers in research studies. Difficulties with the use of Fitbit PA trackers are encountered throughout the entire research process. Challenges and solutions are categorized in 4 main categories: study preparation, intervention delivery, data collection and analysis, and study closeout. Subsequently, we describe a number of empirically tested strategies used in 4 of our interventional studies involving participants from a broad range of demographic characteristics, racial/ethnic backgrounds, and literacy levels. Researchers should be prepared to address challenges and issues in a timely fashion to ensure that the Fitbit effectively assists participants and researchers in achieving research and outcome goals.

Sistema de avaliação: às cegas por pares (double blind review).

No abstract

RESUMOO presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a relação entre o estilo parental, a motivação e a satisfação atlética de jogadores de beisebol da categoria juvenil. Oitenta e oito atletas (16,20 anos ±1,18) participantes do campeonato brasileiro da categoria juvenil responderam ao questionário SMS para avaliar a motivação atlética, EMBU-p para os estilos parentais e QSA para a satisfação atlética. Na análise dos dados utilizou-se o teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov para os dados descritivos, U Mann-Whitney para a comparação de grupos, Spearman para a correlação das variáveis e um modelo de regressão múltipla, adotando p<0,05. Verificou-se que atletas de beisebol são mais intrinsecamente motivados, têm estilos parentais de suporte emocional e estão satisfeitos atleticamente, havendo correlações entre estas três variáveis. Conclui-se que atletas com estilos parentais de suporte emocional são autodeterminados e satisfeitos com seu esporte.Palavras-chave: Beisebol. Motivação. Pais.

Introduction: Brain donation is a critical part of advancing research addressing Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD). Studies on ADRD with an option for brain donation are reliant on family members to fulfill the research participant’s plan for brain donation. Thus, family members play a pivotal role in increasing brain donation rates, particularly among under-represented groups. Methods: This study examines knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about brain donation for research among Latinos. Latino men (N=4) and Latina women (N=11) 18 years of age or older with a parental figure age 65 years and over were invited to participate in a focus group. Results: Data analyses revealed 3 themes. Two themes focused on factors influencing a family’s willingness to support brain donation: (a) social and cultural contexts, and (b) lack of knowledge and information about the brain donation process. The last theme provided recommendations for engaging older Latino adults in ADRD research and brain donation. Discussion: Results suggest being inclusive of family members during all stages of the research process, from recruitment to dissemination. In addition, addressing information gaps among Latinos about the process and benefits of brain donation may help mitigate mistrust and misperceptions and increase participation rates in brain donation.

RESUMOO objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a adaptação transcultural da Escala de Motivação para o Esporte-II (SMS-II). Para tanto, foram realizados três estudos. O primeiro consistiu em traduzir a SMS-II para o português e adaptar seu conteúdo para o contexto brasileiro. No segundo, 364 atletas de modalidades individuais e coletivas responderam à versão adaptada da SMS-II. No estudo 3, 50 atletas responderam à SMS-II em dois momentos. O estudo 1 evidenciou que a versão em português contém questões claras e relevantes (CVC > 0,80). O estudo 2 mostrou que a SMS-II possui boa consistência interna em todas as dimensões (α > 0,70/CC > 0,70), com exceção da regulação introjetada (α > 0,61/CC > 0,56). A análise fatorial confirmatória demonstrou que todos os itens, exceto 1 e 7 (regulação introjetada), apresentaram cargas fatoriais aceitáveis; o modelo final da SMS-II (modificado) teve ajuste satisfatório e a análise multigrupos apontou a invariância entre homens e mulheres. Ademais, o estudo 3 evidenciou a estabilidade temporal da escala (CCI > 0,70). Concluiu-se que a adaptação transcultural da SMS-II para a língua portuguesa apresentou propriedades psicométricas aceitáveis; entretanto, suas limitações devem ser exploradas em futuras pesquisas.

Brain donation is a critical part of advancing research addressing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Latinos are at a higher risk of developing ADRD compared to non-Latino Whites. However, there is limited knowledge regarding causes and mechanisms related to ADRD health disparities among Latinos partially due to lower research participation and brain donation rates. Family members play a pivotal role in increasing brain donation rates, particularly, among underrepresented groups. In this study, we examine the perceptions of brain donation among adult children of older Latinos. We invited Latino men and women (N=15) with a parental-figure who was 65 years and over to participate in one of three focus groups. During the focus groups, participants discussed the meaning of brain donation for research, reasons to donate or not, and their reactions to the possibility of their parental-figure being a brain donor. All focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed with transcripts used for data analysis. We used a Grounded Theory Approach to analyze focus group data. Results yielded three themes: (1) social and cultural factors influencing a family’s willingness to support organ donation; (2) lack of knowledge about the brain donation process; and (3) recommendations for engaging more Latinos in ADRD research and brain donation. Findings provide insight into how family participation may facilitate increased brain donation rates in ADRD studies among older Latinos. A main recommendation for researchers is to adopt a family-centered approach throughout the research process with a focus on addressing information gaps - from recruitment to dissemination.