Meta-analytic techniques were used to estimate the effects of flexible and compressed workweek schedules on several work-related criteria (productivity/performance, job satisfaction, absenteeism, and satisfaction with work schedule). In general, the effects of both schedules were positive. However, the effects of both flextime and compressed workweek schedules were different across the outcome criteria (e.g., compressed workweek schedules did not significantly affect absenteeism). Thus, the level of positive impact associated with either schedule is dependent on the outcome criterion under consideration. Further, several variables were found to be moderators of flexible work schedules. For example, highly flexible flextime programs were less effective in comparison to less flexible programs, and the positive benefits of flextime schedules were found to diminish over time.

Background Little is known about disease specific knowledge in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We developed and examined the results of a survey to characterize kidney disease knowledge. Design Survey about kidney disease knowledge, with questions developed by experts. Setting and Participants: 401 adult patients with CKD (Stages 1–5) attending a nephrology clinic from April to October 2009. Outcomes & Measurements We calculated survey reliability using the Kuder-Richardson-20 coefficient, and established construct validity by testing a priori hypotheses of associations between the survey and patient characteristics. We descriptively analyzed survey responses and applied linear regression analyses to evaluate associations with patient characteristics. Health literacy was measured using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine. Results Participants median age was 58 (25th-75th percentile, 46–68) years, 83% were White, 18% had limited literacy, and 77% had CKD Stages 3–5. The 28 question knowledge survey had good reliability (KR-20=0.72), and mean (SD) knowledge score was 66% (15%). In support of construct validity of our knowledge survey, bivariate analysis shows that scores are associated with age (β, −0.01 per ten years; 95% CI, −0.02–−0.005; p=0.003), formal education (β, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.03–0.15; p=0.004), health literacy (β, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03–0.10; p=0.001), kidney education class participation (β, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01–0.09; p=0.009), knowing someone else with CKD (β, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.02–0.08; p=0.001), and awareness of one’s own CKD diagnosis (β, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.04–0.10; p<0.001). Findings were similar in adjusted analyses. Limitations Recruitment from one clinic limits generalizabilty of findings. Conclusions For patients with CKD, this kidney disease knowledge survey (KiKS) is reliable and valid, and identifies areas of and risk factors for poor kidney knowledge. Further study is needed to determine the impact of CKD knowledge on self-care behaviors and clinical outcomes.

Background-The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity underscore the need for evidence-based, easily disseminable interventions for weight management that can be delivered on a population basis. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) offers a promising theoretical framework for multiple behavior weight management interventions.

In this paper, we present a real-time algorithm for automatic recognition of not only physical activities, but also, in some cases, their intensities, using five triaxial wireless accelerometers and a wireless heart rate monitor. The algorithm has been evaluated using datasets consisting of 30 physical gymnasium activities collected from a total of 21 people at two different labs. On these activities, we have obtained a recognition accuracy performance of 94.6% using subject-dependent training and 56.3% using subjectindependent training. The addition of heart rate data improves subject-dependent recognition accuracy only by 1.2% and subject-independent recognition only by 2.1%. When recognizing activity type without differentiating intensity levels, we obtain a subjectindependent performance of 80.6%. We discuss why heart rate data has such little discriminatory power.

Given their convenience, scalability, and ability to deliver tailored messages, automated telecommunications systems can promote self-management of diet and energy balance in urban African-Americans.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a scalable obesity treatment program integrated with pediatric primary care and delivered using interactive voice technology (IVR) to families from underserved populations.Design and MethodsFifty parent-child dyads (child 9–12 yrs, BMI >95th percentile) were recruited from a pediatric primary care clinic and randomized to either an IVR or a wait-list control (WLC) group. The majority were lower-income, African-American (72%) families. Dyads received IVR calls for 12 weeks. Call content was informed by two evidenced-based interventions. Anthropometric and behavioral variables were assessed at baseline and 3 mo follow-up.ResultsForty-three dyads completed the study. IVR parents ate 1 cup more fruit than WLC (p < .05). No other groups differences were found. Children classified as high users of the IVR decreased weight, BMI and BMI z-score compared to low users (p<.05). Mean number of calls for parents and children were 9.1 (5.2 SD) and 9.0 (5.7 SD), respectively. Of those who made calls, >75% agreed that the calls were useful, made for people like them, credible, and helped them eat healthy foods.ConclusionAn obesity treatment program delivered via IVR may be an acceptable and feasible resource for families from underserved populations.

The most common criteria recommended by philosophers of science for evaluating theories were organised within a hierarchy ranging from the least to the most risky tests for theories of health behavior change. The hierarchy progressed across: (1) Clarity; (2) Consistency; (3) Parsimony; (4) Testable; (5) Predictive Power; (6) Explanatory Power; (7) Productivity; (8) Generalisable; (9) Integration; (10) Utility; (11) Efficacy; and (12) Impact. The hierarchy was applied to the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) as an example of a health behavior change theory. The application was from the perspective of critics and advocates of TTM. Examples of basic and applied research challenging and supporting TTM across the hierarchy of criteria are presented. The goal is to provide a model for comparing alternative theories and to evaluate progress across the hierarchy within a particular theory. As theories meet criteria at each step in the hierarchy, the research and applications they generate can have increasing impacts on the science and practice of health behavior change.Les critères les plus courants mis en avant par les philosophes des sciences pour l'évaluation des théories ont été structurés dans le cadre d'une hiérarchie allant des épreuves les moins aux plus exigeantes en ce qui concerne les théories portant sur les changements de comportement relatifs à la santé. Cette hiérarchie progresse ainsi: 1) Clarté; 2) Cohérence; 3) Economie; 4) Accès à la vérifi-cation; 5) Pouvoir prédictif ; 6) Pouvoir explicatif; 7) Valeur heuristique; 8) Possibilités de généralisation; 9) Intégration; 10) Utilité; 11) Efficacité; 12) Impact. Cette hiérarchie a été appliquée au Modèle Transthéorique (TTM) pris comme exemple de théorie du changement comportemental lié à la santé, aussi bien du point de vue des défenseurs que des critiques du TTM. On présente des exemples de recherches fondamentales et appliquées mettant à l'épreuve ou confirmant le TTM à partir de la hiérarchie des critères. L'objectif est d'avoir un modèle permettant de comparer différentes théories et d'évaluer la progression d'une théorie particulière le long de la hiérarchie. Comme les théories trouvent un critère à chaque échelon de la hiérarchie, les recherches et les applications qu'elles génèrent peuvent avoir des retombées croissantes sur la science et la pratique du changement de comportement relatif à la santé.

The new evaluation model offers a potentially effective method for assessing the clinical appropriateness of synchronous interruptive medication alerts prior to evaluating patient outcomes in a comparative trial. More work can determine the generalizability of the framework for use in other settings and other alert types.