Moderating Effect of Depression on Glycemic Control in an eHealth Intervention Among Black Youth With Type 1 Diabetes: Findings From a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Black adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at increased risk for suboptimal diabetes health outcomes; however, evidence-based interventions for this population are lacking. Depression affects a high percentage of youth with T1D and increases the likelihood of health problems associated with diabetes. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to test whether baseline levels of depression moderate the effects of a brief eHealth parenting intervention delivered to caregivers of young Black adolescents with T1D on youths' glycemic control. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial at 7 pediatric diabetes clinics located in 2 large US cities. Participants (N=149) were allocated to either the intervention group or a standard medical care control group. Up to 3 intervention sessions were delivered on a tablet computer during diabetes clinic visits over a 12-month period. RESULTS: In a linear mixed effects regression model, planned contrasts did not show significant reductions in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) for intervention adolescents compared to controls. However, adolescents with higher baseline levels of depressive symptoms who received the intervention had significantly greater improvements in HbA1c levels at 6-month follow-up (0.94%; P=.01) and 18-month follow-up (1.42%; P=.002) than those with lower levels of depression. Within the intervention group, adolescents had a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c levels from baseline at 6-month and 18-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A brief, culturally tailored eHealth parenting intervention improved health outcomes among Black adolescents with T1D and depressive symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03168867; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03168867.

Translating a motivational interviewing intervention for childhood cancer survivors into an eHealth tool: A user-centered design process.

Childhood cancer survivors have a higher risk of developing cardiomyopathy than members of the general population. Screening echocardiograms can facilitate early detection and treatment of cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, motivational interviewing can increase uptake of cardiac screening. However, such approaches are time- and resource-intensive, which limits their reach to the survivors who need them. We describe how we utilized a user-centered design process to translate an in-person motivational interviewing intervention into an eHealth tool to improve cardiac screening among childhood cancer survivors. We used an iterative, three-phase, user-centered design approach: (i) setting the stage (convening advisory boards and reviewing the original intervention), (ii) content programming and development (writing and programming intervention text and flow), and (iii) intervention testing (research team testing and cognitive interviews.) For cognitive interviews, participants were recruited via institutional participant registries and medical records. Data were analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis. During Phase 1, we identified survivor and provider advisors and outlined elements of the in-person intervention to change for the eHealth tool. During Phases 2 and 3, advisors recommended several modifications that guided the final intervention content and flow. Examples include: acknowledging potential hesitation or apprehension surrounding medical screenings, addressing barriers and facilitators to obtaining screening, and improving the tool's usability and appeal. In Phase 3, cognitive interview participants suggested additional refinements to the intervention language. This translation process shows that continued in-depth engagement of community advisors and iterative testing can improve the applicability of an eHealth to survivors' lived experiences and social contexts.

Childhood cancer survivors have a higher-than-average risk for developing heart damage compared to the general population. One-on-one interviews aimed at educating survivors about the importance of screening for heart damage can increase engagement in screening, but these programs are often too resource-intensive to be made available to large groups of survivors. Programs delivered using digital technology, like websites and smartphone apps, can be a more accessible alternative. In this article, we describe how we translated an in-person counseling program into a digital tool. We convened advisors who were childhood cancer survivors and healthcare providers to review the tool throughout the three-phase translation process: (i) setting the stage (convening advisory boards and reviewing original intervention), (ii) content programming and development (writing, and programming intervention text and flow), and (iii) intervention testing (research team testing and cognitive interviews.). Our translation process shows that continuously engaging with advisory boards and testing apps with participants can improve health programs in line with communities' diverse perspectives.

Diabetes distress in urban Black youth with type 1 diabetes and their caregivers: associations with glycemic control, depression, and health behaviors.

OBJECTIVES: Adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their caregivers endorse high diabetes distress (DD). Limited studies have documented the impact of DD on Black youth. The aims of the present study were to (1) describe DD among a sample of Black adolescents with T1D and their caregivers, (2) compare their DD levels with published normative samples, and (3) determine how DD relates to glycemic outcomes, diabetes self-management, parental monitoring of diabetes, and youth depressive symptoms. METHODS: Baseline data from a multicenter clinical trial were used. Participants (N = 155) were recruited from 7 Midwestern pediatric diabetes clinics. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and measures of DD, parental monitoring of diabetes care, youth depression and diabetes management behaviors were obtained. The sample was split into (1) adolescents (ages 13-14; N = 95) and (2) preadolescents (ages 10-12; N = 60). Analyses utilized Cohen's d effect sizes, Pearson correlations, t-tests, and multiple regression. RESULTS: DD levels in youth and caregivers were high, with 45%-58% exceeding either clinical cutoff scores or validation study sample means. Higher DD in youth and caregivers was associated with higher HbA1c, lower diabetes self-management, and elevated depressive symptoms, but not with parental monitoring of diabetes management. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for DD in Black youth with T1D and caregivers is recommended, as are culturally informed interventions that can reduce distress levels and lead to improved health outcomes. More research is needed on how systemic inequities contribute to higher DD in Black youth and the strategies/policy changes needed to reduce these inequities.

Influence of provider openness and leadership behaviors on adherence to motivational interviewing training implementation strategies: Considerations for evidence-based practice delivery.

Background: Adherence to intervention training implementation strategies is at the foundation of fidelity; however, few studies have linked training adherence to trainee attitudes and leadership behaviors to identify what practically matters for the adoption and dissemination of evidence-based practices. Through the conduct of this hybrid type 3 effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized controlled trial, we collected Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) data and merged it with tailored motivational interviewing training adherence data, to elucidate the relationship between provider attitudes toward evidence-based practices, leadership behaviors, and training implementation strategy (e.g., workshop attendance and participation in one-on-one coaching) adherence. Method: Our sample included data from providers who completed baseline (pre-intervention) surveys that captured inner and outer contexts affecting implementation and participated in tailored motivational interviewing training, producing a dataset that included training implementation strategies adherence and barriers and facilitators to implementation (N = 77). Leadership was assessed by two scales: the director leadership scale and implementation leadership scale. Attitudes were measured with the evidence-based practice attitude scale (EBPAS-50). Adherence to training implementation strategies was modeled as a continuous outcome with a Gaussian distribution. Analyses were conducted in SPSS. Results: Of the nine general attitudes toward evidence-based practice, openness was associated with training adherence (estimate [EST] = 0.096, p < .001; 95% CI = [0.040, 0.151]). Provider general (EST = 0.054, 95% CI = [0.007, 0.102]) and motivational interviewing-specific (EST = 0.044, 95% CI = [0.002, 0.086]) leadership behaviors were positively associated with training adherence (p < .05). Of the four motivational interviewing-specific leadership domains, knowledge and perseverant were associated with training adherence (p < .05). As these leadership behaviors increased, knowledge (EST = 0.042, 95% CI = [0.001, 0.083]) and perseverant (EST = 0.039, 95% CI = [0.004, 0.075]), so did provider adherence to training implementation strategies. Conclusions: As implementation science places more emphasis on assessing readiness prior to delivering evidence-based practices by evaluating organizational climate, funding streams, and change culture, consideration should also be given to metrics of leadership. A potential mechanism to overcome resistance is via the implementation of training strategies focused on addressing leadership prior to conducting training for the evidence-based practice of interest.

Researchers and practitioners, who aim to improve the uptake of evidence-based practices, continue to seek ways in which to improve provider participation in training implementation strategies. The persistent challenge in addressing provider disengagement, while linking this disinterest to poor patient outcomes, has been ascertaining how to quantify relevant delivery considerations, for example, provider attitudes and leadership behaviors that may influence commitment to learning or apathy to behavior change, concurrently with training adherence. Through the conduct of this study, we collected both types of data: (1) provider attitudes and leadership behaviors and (2) training adherence outcomes. We found that provider openness, general leadership behaviors, and motivational interviewing-specific leadership behaviors were associated with adherence to training implementation strategies. As more emphasis is placed on assessing clinic readiness prior to adopting new evidence-based practices, a discussion on including metrics of provider attitudes to evidence-based practice, innovation, and the specific intervention is warranted, alongside consideration for how implementation training strategies focused on addressing leadership can bolster change-supportive behaviors prior to delivery of innovations.

Racial Residential Segregation and the Health of Black Youth With Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: Black youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at heightened risk for suboptimal glycemic control. Studies of neighborhood effects on the health of youth with T1D are limited. The current study investigated the effects of racial residential segregation on the diabetes health of young Black adolescents with T1D. METHODS: A total of 148 participants were recruited from 7 pediatric diabetes clinics in 2 US cities. Racial residential segregation (RRS) was calculated at the census block group level based on US Census data. Diabetes management was measured via self-report questionnaire. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) information was gathered from participants during home-based data collection. Hierarchical linear regression was used to test the effects of RRS while controlling for family income, youth age, insulin delivery method (insulin pump versus syringe therapy), and neighborhood adversity. RESULTS: HbA1c was significantly associated with RRS in bivariate analyses, whereas youth-reported diabetes management was not. In hierarchical regression analyses, whereas family income, age, and insulin delivery method were all significantly associated with HbA1c in model 1, only RRS, age, and insulin delivery method were significantly associated with HbA1c in model 2. Model 2 explained 25% of the variance in HbA1c (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: RRS was associated with glycemic control in a sample of Black youth with T1D and accounted for variance in HbA1c even after controlling for adverse neighborhood conditions. Policies to reduce residential segregation, along with improved screening for neighborhood-level risk, hold the potential to improve the health of a vulnerable population of youth.

Adapting the self-assessment of contextual fit scale for implementation of evidence-based practices in adolescent HIV settings.

BACKGROUND: Contextual fit is an important variable in the implementation of evidence-based programs (EBPs). The objectives of the current study were to examine the psychometric properties of the adapted Self-Assessment of Contextual Fit (SACF) measure for HIV clinical care settings (calling it SACF-HIV) and explore how perceptions of contextual fit varied across two different interventions (an intervention to scale up tailored motivational interviewing and an individually focused HIV prevention intervention) and 12 clinical sites. METHODS: We collected SACF-HIV data as part of a larger cross-project implementation science study (ATN 153). The study sample includes 128 clinicians, community health workers, interventionists, adherence counselors, and other members of the prevention and care team who engage in the implementation of EBPs at 12 HIV prevention and clinical care sites in the USA. We assessed the internal consistency of the SACF-HIV using Cronbach's alpha and examined the sub-dimensionality of the scale with an exploratory factor analysis. To explore concurrent validity, we examined Pearson's correlation coefficients between the adapted scale and fit-related sub-scale scores from the Evidence-Based Practice Attitudes Scale-50 (EBPAS-50). Variation in perceptions of fit by intervention was examined using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Internal consistency of the adapted scale was strong (α=0.895). Factor analyses revealed two sub-scales-one capturing general insights regarding contextual fit, such as perceptions of skill, experience, and alignment with client needs (loadings ranging from .5 to .84), and a second centering perceptions regarding implementation support, such as resources and administrative support (loadings ranging from .89 to .97). Concurrent validity was supported by statistically significant correlations in the expected direction with EBPAS-50 fit-related sub-scales (r=.33-.35, p ≤ 0.05). SACF-HIV mean fit scores varied by intervention and the difference was statistically significant (2.78 vs. 2.53, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There are relatively few tools assessing perceptions of contextual fit in HIV clinical settings. These results suggest the 12-item adapted SACF is a reliable, valid global assessment of perceptions of contextual fit and implementation support. The SACF-HIV can be used by practitioners and researchers interested in understanding an implementation context when planning to prepare and support EBP implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: TMI ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03681912; YMPH ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03488914.

Using the Exploration-Preparation-Implementation-Sustainment (EPIS) Framework to prepare for the implementation of evidence-based practices into adolescent HIV settings.

Despite advances in evidence-based practices (EBP) to support HIV prevention and treatment, youth ages 13-24 experience significant disparities in HIV risk and outcomes. An important factor in this disparity is poor EBP implementation, yet implementation research is limited, particularly in youth-serving settings. This study used the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework to guide the implementation of four Motivational Interviewing (MI) and MI-framed interventions into youth-serving HIV prevention and treatment settings. Key stakeholders (n = 153) across 13 sites completed pre-implementation interviews. Stakeholders' comments identified two critical factors for effective implementation: fit with the patient population and provider receptivity, including concerns about scope of practice, buy-in, and time. Stakeholders recommended strategies for structuring training, fidelity monitoring, and facilitating implementation including engaging informal leaders, collaboratively developing the implementation strategy, and site-wide implementation. Results highlight the importance of pre-implementation contextual assessment and strategic planning for identifying provider concerns and developing responsive implementation strategies.

RESUMEN: A pesar de los avances en las prácticas basadas en evidencia (EBP, por sus siglas en inglés) para apoyar la prevención y el tratamiento del VIH, los jóvenes de 13 a 24 años atraviesan disparidades significativas en el riesgo y los desenlaces del VIH. Un factor importante en esta disparidad es la implementación deficiente de las EBP, aunque la investigación sobre la implementación es limitada, particularmente en entornos que atienden a jóvenes. Este estudio utilizó el marco de Exploración, Preparación, Implementación, Mantenimiento (EPIS) para guiar la implementación de cuatro entrevistas motivacionales (MI) e intervenciones enmarcadas en MI en entornos de prevención y tratamiento del VIH que atienden a jóvenes. Las partes interesadas clave (n = 153) en 13 sitios completaron las entrevistas previas a la implementación. Los comentarios de las partes interesadas identificaron dos factores críticos para una implementación efectiva: idoneidad para la población de pacientes y receptividad de los proveedores, incluidas las preocupaciones sobre el alcance de la práctica, la aceptación y el tiempo. Las partes interesadas recomendaron estrategias para estructurar la capacitación, monitorear la fidelidad, y facilitar la implementación, incluyendo la participación de líderes informales, el desarrollo colaborativo de la estrategia de implementación y la implementación en todo el sitio. Los resultados destacan la importancia de la evaluación contextual previa a la implementación y la planificación estratégica para identificar las preocupaciones de los proveedores y desarrollar estrategias de implementación que respondan a ellas.

Technology-Delivered Adaptations of Motivational Interviewing for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Diseases: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Motivational interviewing (MI) can increase health-promoting behaviors and decrease health-damaging behaviors. However, MI is often resource intensive, precluding its use with people with limited financial or time resources. Mobile health-based versions of MI interventions or technology-delivered adaptations of MI (TAMIs) might increase reach. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to understand the characteristics of existing TAMIs. We were particularly interested in the inclusion of people from marginalized sociodemographic groups, whether the TAMI addressed sociocontextual factors, and how behavioral and health outcomes were reported. METHODS: We employed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for scoping reviews to conduct our scoping review. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycInfo from January 1, 1996, to April 6, 2022, to identify studies that described interventions incorporating MI into a mobile or electronic health platform. For inclusion, the study was required to (1) describe methods/outcomes of an MI intervention, (2) feature an intervention delivered automatically via a mobile or electronic health platform, and (3) report a behavioral or health outcome. The exclusion criteria were (1) publication in a language other than English and (2) description of only in-person intervention delivery (ie, no TAMI). We charted results using Excel (Microsoft Corp). RESULTS: Thirty-four studies reported the use of TAMIs. Sample sizes ranged from 10 to 2069 participants aged 13 to 70 years. Most studies (n=27) directed interventions toward individuals engaging in behaviors that increased chronic disease risk. Most studies (n=22) oversampled individuals from marginalized sociodemographic groups, but few (n=3) were designed specifically with marginalized groups in mind. TAMIs used text messaging (n=8), web-based intervention (n=22), app + text messaging (n=1), and web-based intervention + text messaging (n=3) as delivery platforms. Of the 34 studies, 30 (88%) were randomized controlled trials reporting behavioral and health-related outcomes, 23 of which reported statistically significant improvements in targeted behaviors with TAMI use. TAMIs improved targeted health behaviors in the remaining 4 studies. Moreover, 11 (32%) studies assessed TAMI feasibility, acceptability, or satisfaction, and all rated TAMIs highly in this regard. Among 20 studies with a disproportionately high number of people from marginalized racial or ethnic groups compared with the general US population, 16 (80%) reported increased engagement in health behaviors or better health outcomes. However, no TAMIs included elements that addressed sociocontextual influences on behavior or health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that TAMIs may improve some health promotion and disease management behaviors. However, few TAMIs were designed specifically for people from marginalized sociodemographic groups, and none included elements to help address sociocontextual challenges. Research is needed to determine how TAMIs affect individual health outcomes and how to incorporate elements that address sociocontextual factors, and to identify the best practices for implementing TAMIs into clinical practice.

Asthma and Technology in Emerging African American Adults (The ATHENA Project): Protocol for a Trial Using the Multiphase Optimization Strategy Framework.

BACKGROUND: Asthma causes substantial morbidity and mortality in the United States, particularly among African American emerging adults (AAEAs; aged 18-30 years), but very few asthma programs have targeted this population. Interventions that provide education and address underlying motivation for managing asthma may be the most effective. However, intensive face-to-face interventions are often difficult to implement in this population. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to develop an effective mobile asthma management intervention to improve control among AAEAs. METHODS: We will assess the ability of multiple technologic components to assist and improve traditional asthma education. The first component is the Motivational Enhancement System for asthma management. It is a mobile 4-session intervention using supported self-regulation and motivational interviewing. Personalized content is based on each participant's activity level, daily experiences, and goals. The second component is supportive accountability. It is administered by asthma nurses using targeted mobile support (Skype/voice calls) to provide education, promote self-efficacy, and overcome barriers through a motivational interviewing-based framework. The third component is SMS text messaging. It provides reminders for asthma education, medication adherence, and physical activity. The fourth component is physical activity tracking. It uses wearable technology to help meet user-defined physical activity goals. Using a multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) framework, we will test intervention components and combinations of components to identify the most effective mobile intervention. The MOST framework is an innovative, and cost- and time-effective framework that uses engineering principles to produce effective behavioral interventions. We will conduct a component selection experiment using a factorial research design to build an intervention that has been optimized for maximum efficacy, using a clinically significant improvement in asthma. Participants (N=180) will be randomized to 1 of 6 intervention arms. Participants will be recruited from multiple sites of the American Lung Association-Airway Clinical Research Centers network and ambulatory care clinics at the Detroit Medical Center. Data collections will occur at baseline, and 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: At study completion, we will have an empirically supported optimized mobile asthma management intervention to improve asthma control for AAEAs. We hypothesize that postintervention (3, 6, and 12 months), participants with uncontrolled asthma will show a clinically significant improvement in asthma control. We also hypothesize that improvements in asthma management behaviors (including physical activity), quality of life, symptoms, adherence, and exacerbation (secondary outcomes) will be observed. CONCLUSIONS: AAEAs are disproportionately impacted by asthma, but have been underrepresented in research. Mobile asthma management interventions may help improve asthma control and allow people to live healthier lives. During this project, we will use an innovative strategy to develop an optimized mobile asthma management intervention using the most effective combination of nurse-delivered asthma education, a smartphone app, and text messaging. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/37946.

Tailored Motivational Interviewing (TMI): A Pilot Implementation-Effectiveness Trial to Promote MI Competence in Adolescent HIV Clinics.

This brief report describes results of piloted Tailored Motivational Interviewing (TMI). Tailoring focused on site-specific training needs, target patient behaviors, and implementation facilitators and barriers that staff anticipated. Participating staff (N = 31) at two adolescent HIV clinics completed a pre-training qualitative interview (N = 27), and MI competency assessments based on three pre- and six post-training standard patient role-plays (N = 27). Results included pre- to post-training MI competence improvement (t (153) = - 4.13, p ≤ 0.001) and change in competency category distribution (X2 = (2, N = 155) = 15.72, p ≤ 0.001), providing initial support for the implementation of TMI in adolescent HIV clinic settings.

Optimizing Recruitment of Black Adolescents into Behavioral Research: A Multi-Center Study.

OBJECTIVES: Adolescents of color are underrepresented in behavioral health research. Study aims were to quantify the amount and types of outreach effort needed to recruit young Black adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their primary caregiver into a clinical trial evaluating a parenting intervention and to determine if degree of recruitment difficulty was related to demographic, diabetes-related, or family characteristics. METHODS: Data were drawn from a multi-center clinical trial. Participants (N = 155) were recruited from seven pediatric diabetes clinics. Contact log data were used to quantify both number/type of contacts prior to study enrollment as well as length of time to enrollment. Families were coded as having expedited recruitment (ER) or prolonged recruitment (PR). Baseline study data were used to compare ER and PR families on sociodemographic factors, adolescent diabetes management and health status and family characteristics such as household organization and family conflict. RESULTS: Mean length of time to recruit was 6.6 months and mean number of recruitment contacts was 10.3. Thirty-nine percent of the sample were characterized as PR. These families required even higher levels of effort (mean of 9.9 months to recruit and 15.4 contacts). There were no significant between-group differences on any baseline variable for ER and PR families, with the exception of family income. CONCLUSIONS: Researchers need to make persistent efforts in order to successfully enroll adolescents of color and their caregivers into clinical trials. Social determinants of health such as family resources may differentiate families with prolonged recruitment within such samples.

Managing Outliers in Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire Data.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to explore the impact of 5 decision rules for removing outliers from adolescent food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data. DESIGN: This secondary analysis used baseline and 3-month data from a weight loss intervention clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: African American adolescents (n = 181) were recruited from outpatient clinics and community health fairs. VARIABLES MEASURED: Data collected included self-reported FFQ and mediators of weight (food addiction, depressive symptoms, and relative reinforcing value of food), caregiver-reported executive functioning, and objectively measured weight status (percentage overweight). ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics examined patterns in study variables at baseline and follow-up. Correlational analyses explored the relationships between FFQ data and key study variables at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: Compared with not removing outliers, using decision rules reduced the number of cases and restricted the range of data. The magnitude of baseline FFQ-mediator relationships was attenuated under all decision rules but varied (increasing, decreasing, and reversing direction) at follow-up. Decision rule use increased the magnitude of change in FFQ estimated energy intake and significantly strengthened its relationship with weight change under 2 fixed range decision rules. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest careful evaluation of outliers and testing and reporting the effects of different outlier decision rules through sensitivity analyses.

Effects of family and neighborhood risks on glycemic control among young black adolescents with type 1 diabetes: Findings from a multi-center study.

While individual and family risk factors that contribute to health disparities in children with type 1 diabetes have been identified, studies on the effects of neighborhood risk factors on glycemic control are limited, particularly in minority samples. This cross-sectional study tested associations between family conflict, neighborhood adversity and glycemic outcomes (HbA1c) in a sample of urban, young Black adolescents with type 1 diabetes(mean age = 13.4 ± 1.7), as well as whether neighborhood adversity moderated the relationship between family conflict and HbA1c. Participants (N = 128) were recruited from five pediatric diabetes clinics in two major metropolitan US cities. Diabetes-related family conflict was measured via self-report questionnaire (Diabetes Family Conflict Scale; DFCS). Neighborhood adversity was calculated at the census block group level based on US census data. Indictors of adversity were used to calculate a neighborhood adversity index (NAI) for each participant. Median family income was $25,000, suggesting a low SES sample. In multiple regression analyses, DFCS and NAI both had significant, independent effects on glycemic control (ß = 0.174, P = 0.034 and ß = 0.226 P = 0.013, respectively) after controlling for child age, family socioeconomic status and insulin management regimen. Tests of effects of the NAI and DFCS interaction on HbA1c found no significant moderating effects of neighborhood adversity. Even within contexts of significant socioeconomic disadvantage, variability in degree of neighborhood adversity predicts diabetes-related health outcomes in young Black adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Providers should assess social determinants of health such as neighborhood resources that may impact adolescents' ability to maintain optimal glycemic control.

Provider behaviors that predict motivational statements in adolescents and young adults with HIV: a study of clinical communication using the Motivational Interviewing framework.

Medical care providers' use of Motivational Interviewing (MI) is linked to improved medication adherence, viral load, and associated behaviors in adolescents and young adults living with HIV. Mastering MI is difficult for busy providers; however, tailoring MI training to the specific MI communication strategies most relevant for HIV treatment context may be a strategy to increase proficiency. The present study aimed to identify communication strategies likely to elicit motivational statements among adolescent-young adult patients living with HIV. Language used by MI-exposed providers during 80 HIV medical clinic visits was transcribed and coded to characterize patient-provider communication within the MI framework. Sequential analysis, an approach to establish empirical support for the order of behavioral events, found patients were more likely to express motivational statements after provider questions phrased to elicit motivation, reflections of motivational statements, and statements emphasizing patients' decision-making autonomy. Patients were more likely to express amotivational statements when providers asked questions phrased to elicit amotivational statements or reflected amotivational language. Training providers to strategically phrase their questions and reflections to elicit change language and to emphasize patients' autonomy may be critical skills for working with adolescents and young adults living with HIV.

Identifying Effective Motivational Interviewing Communication Sequences Using Automated Pattern Analysis.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based strategy for communicating with patients about behavior change. Although there is strong empirical evidence linking "MI-consistent" counselor behaviors and patient motivational statements (i.e., "change talk"), the specific counselor communication behaviors effective for eliciting patient change talk vary by treatment context and, thus, are a subject of ongoing research. An integral part of this research is the sequential analysis of pre-coded MI transcripts. In this paper, we evaluate the empirical effectiveness of the Hidden Markov Model, a probabilistic generative model for sequence data, for modeling sequences of behavior codes and closed frequent pattern mining, a method to identify frequently occurring sequential patterns of behavior codes in MI communication sequences to inform MI practice. We conducted experiments with 1,360 communication sequences from 37 transcribed audio recordings of weight loss counseling sessions with African-American adolescents with obesity and their caregivers. Transcripts had been previously annotated with patient-counselor behavior codes using a specialized codebook. Empirical results indicate that Hidden Markov Model and closed frequent pattern mining techniques can identify counselor communication strategies that are effective at eliciting patients' motivational statements to guide clinical practice.

Deep Neural Architectures for Discourse Segmentation in E-Mail Based Behavioral Interventions.

Communication science approaches to develop effective behavior interventions, such as motivational interviewing (MI), are limited by traditional qualitative coding of communication exchanges, a very resource-intensive and time-consuming process. This study focuses on the analysis of e-Coaching sessions, behavior interventions delivered via email and grounded in the principles of MI. A critical step towards automated qualitative coding of e-Coaching sessions is segmentation of emails into fragments that correspond to MI behaviors. This study frames email segmentation task as a classification problem and utilizes word and punctuation mark embeddings in conjunction with part-of-speech features to address it. We evaluated the performance of conditional random fields (CRF) as well as multi-layer perceptron (MLP), bi-directional recurrent neural network (BRNN) and convolutional recurrent neural network (CRNN) for the task of email segmentation. Our results indicate that CRNN outperforms CRF, MLP and BRNN achieving 0.989 weighted macro-averaged F1-measure and 0.825 F1-measure for new segment detection.

Physical Activity as a Predictor of Changes in Systolic Blood Pressure for African-American Adolescents Seeking Treatment for Obesity.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to examine changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and whether physical activity and obesity status predicted SBP change for African-American adolescents (n = 181) participating in a behavioral weight control trial. METHODS: Data were collected at baseline, 7 months (end-of-treatment), and 9 months (2-month follow-up). RESULTS: Nearly half of adolescents achieved clinically significant SBP reductions at 7 and 9 months. Significantly, fewer adolescents had elevated SBP at 7 and 9 months compared with baseline (both p < .001). Changes in percent overweight and moderate-to-vigorous activity predicted changes in SBP over time. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity reduction and increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity may predict short-term, clinically meaningful reductions in SBP for African American adolescents with obesity.

Adaptation of an Evidence-Based Diabetes Management Intervention for Delivery in Community Settings: Findings From a Pilot Randomized Effectiveness Trial.

Objective: To adapt an evidence-based intervention targeting diabetes management in adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes for use in a community setting by community health workers (CHWs) and to conduct pilot testing of the new intervention, REACH for Control (RFC). The study was conducted as a collaboration between university researchers and a federally qualified health center. Methods In a pilot effectiveness trial, feasibility and acceptability of RFC were evaluated based on participant enrollment, treatment dose, and consumer satisfaction. RFC effects on adolescent adherence, health outcomes, and quality of life were also assessed. The trial used a parallel group design. Families were randomized to 6 months of RFC plus standard medical care (n = 26) or standard care (SC) only (n = 24). Data were collected at baseline and 7-month posttest. A mixed-methods approach was used to analyze data. Results: Qualitative analyses suggested that caregivers viewed RFC and delivery of a home-based intervention by CHWs positively. Furthermore, adolescents who received RFC had statistically significant (p = .05) and clinically meaningful improvements in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (0.7%) and reported significant improvements in quality of life from baseline to follow-up (p = .001). No significant changes were found for adolescents in standard medical care. However, while dose of primary intervention session delivered was acceptable, dose of follow-up sessions used for skills practice was low. Conclusions: Results provide preliminary support for RFC's acceptability and effectiveness to improve health status and quality of life when used in community settings serving high-risk, low-income families. Additional testing in a full-scale effectiveness trial appears warranted.

Predicting the Outcome of Patient-Provider Communication Sequences using Recurrent Neural Networks and Probabilistic Models.

The problem of analyzing temporally ordered sequences of observations generated by molecular, physiological or psychological processes to make predictions about the outcome of these processes arises in many domains of clinical informatics. In this paper, we focus on predicting the outcome of patient-provider communication sequences in the context of the clinical dialog. Specifically, we consider prediction of the motivational interview success (i.e. eliciting a particular type of patient behavioral response) based on an observed sequence of coded patient-provider communication exchanges as a sequence classification problem. We propose two solutions to this problem, one that is based on Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) and another that is based on Markov Chain (MC) and Hidden Markov Model (HMM), and compare the accuracy of these solutions using communication sequences annotated with behavior codes from the real-life motivational interviews. Our experiments indicate that the deep learning-based approach is significantly more accurate than the approach based on probabilistic models in predicting the success of motivational interviews (0.8677 versus 0.7038 and 0.6067 F1-score by RNN, MC and HMM, respectively, when using undersampling to correct for class imbalance, and 0.8381 versus 0.7775 and 0.7520 F1-score by RNN, MC and HMM, respectively, when using over-sampling). These results indicate that the proposed method can be used for real-time monitoring of progression of clinical interviews and more efficient identification of effective provider communication strategies, which in turn can significantly decrease the effort required to develop behavioral interventions and increase their effectiveness.

Building Motivation in African American Caregivers of Adolescents With Obesity: Application of Sequential Analysis.

Objective: We sought to examine communication between counselors and caregivers of adolescents with obesity to determine what types of counselor behaviors increased caregivers' motivational statements regarding supporting their child's weight loss. Methods: We coded 20-min Motivational Interviewing sessions with 37 caregivers of African American 12-16-year-olds using the Minority Youth Sequential Coding for Observing Process Exchanges. We used sequential analysis to determine which counselor communication codes predicted caregiver motivational statements. Results: Counselors' questions to elicit motivational statements and emphasis on autonomy increased the likelihood of both caregiver change talk and commitment language statements. Counselors' reflections of change talk predicted further change talk, and reflections of commitment language predicted more commitment language. Conclusions: When working to increase motivation among caregivers of adolescents with overweight or obesity, providers should strive to reflect motivational statements, ask questions to elicit motivational statements, and emphasize caregivers' autonomy.