Use of Relational Agents to Improve Family Communication in Type 1 Diabetes: Methods

Overview

Journal JMIR Res Protoc

Publisher JMIR Publications

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2016 Jul 30

PMID 27468762

Citations 9

Authors

Debbe Thompson

Karen W Cullen

Maria J Redondo

Barbara Anderson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Physiological and environmental risk factors interact to undermine blood glucose control during early adolescence. This has been documented to be associated with family conflict and poor adherence to diabetes management tasks. Family Teamwork is an efficacious program demonstrated to enhance family communication and reduce conflict during this vulnerable period. It was designed to be delivered to families in-person, which limited reach and potential impact.

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to present the protocol for adapting Family Teamwork for Web-based delivery.

Methods: Formative research with health care providers, parents, and adolescents will help modify Family Teamwork for Web-based delivery by a relational agent (ie, a computerized character with human-like features and actions). Sessions will be interactive, requiring both parent and adolescent participation, with the relational agent serving as a health coach. After programming, usability testing will be conducted to help ensure the program is easy to use. Video and instructional materials will be developed to facilitate use, and a small pilot study will be conducted to assess feasibility. Families will provide written informed consent prior to participation in any phase of the study. The Institutional Review Board at Baylor College of Medicine reviewed and approved the protocol (H-37245).

Results: Formative research is underway. No results are available at this time.

Conclusions: This research has the potential to make an important contribution to diabetes management by using technology to enhance the reach of an efficacious program.

Citing Articles

Conversational Agents and Avatars for Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Lifestyle-Related Behaviors: Scoping Review.

Lyzwinski L, Elgendi M, Menon C JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2023; 11:e39649.

PMID: 37227765 PMC: 10251225. DOI: 10.2196/39649.

JPP Student Journal Club Commentary: Advancing Transition Medicine for Adolescents and Young Adults with Chronic Conditions.

Eshtehardi S, Hilliard M J Pediatr Psychol. 2020; 46(1):12-14.

PMID: 33306795 PMC: 7819714. DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsaa109.

Using Relational Agents to Promote Family Communication Around Type 1 Diabetes Self-Management in the Diabetes Family Teamwork Online Intervention: Longitudinal Pilot Study.

Thompson D, Callender C, Gonynor C, Cullen K, Redondo M, Butler A J Med Internet Res. 2019; 21(9):e15318.

PMID: 31538940 PMC: 6754689. DOI: 10.2196/15318.

Promoting Relational Agent for Health Behavior Change in Low and Middle - Income Countries (LMICs): Issues and Approaches.

Kabir M, Schulman D, Abdullah A J Med Syst. 2019; 43(7):227.

PMID: 31190131 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-019-1360-z.

Diabetes-specific family conflict and responsibility among emerging adults with type 1 diabetes.

Campbell M, Wang J, Cheng Y, Cogen F, Streisand R, Monaghan M J Fam Psychol. 2019; 33(7):788-796.

PMID: 31021129 PMC: 6776682. DOI: 10.1037/fam0000537.

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