By Research Director Filip Drozd, Changetech.
All PCP programmes developed by Changetech are evidence based. All the components in these programmes are sourced from documented research, and we test all Changetech programmes once they are finished. The aim is to document how users experience them, and also to drive continuous improvement.
User surveys are carried out as an integral part of the programmes by using SurveyMonkey web-based survey solutions, while clinical studies are conducted in collaboration with independent research bodies that include the Centre for Addiction Research (University of Oslo, Norway), the Department of Information Processing Science (University of Oulu, Finland), the Infectious Diseases Department (University of Oslo), and the Department of Psychology (University of Oslo).
These collaborative projects also contribute to education at higher level (master’s, doctoral and post-doctoral degrees), and more new projects are under way – see further down in the article.
Here are some selected results from user surveys conducted during the last six months:
Results from the Focus programme (living better with ADHD)(Marketed by Janssen-Cilag) |
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| 80,1% | replied that the programme had been useful. |
| 82,4% | said that the content was relevant. |
| 83,5% | would recommend the programme to others. |
| (Total number of users in the four Nordic countries) | |
Results from the Stress Less programme(Marketed by Telenor Online) |
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| 82,5% | replied that the programme had been useful. |
| 82,7% | said they were satisfied with the programme. |
| 85,6% | would recommend the programme to others. |
Results from the Hjertego’ lifestyle programme(Marketed by Mills DA) |
|
| 70,0% | replied that the programme had been useful. |
| 75,0% | said they were satisfied with the programme. |
| 80,0% | would recommend the programme to others. |
The first clinical studies of a PCP programme were two randomised clinical trials of the Happy Ending smoking cessation programme, conducted by the Department of Psychology at the University of Oslo, Norway.
The first study* showed that the chances of successfully quitting smoking were nearly 3.5 times greater for participants in the Happy Ending group (20% versus 7%, OR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.60 - 7.34, p = .002) than in the control group.
In the second study** , both groups received nicotine replacement products (Nicorette). The results showed that participants who used the Happy Ending programme in addition to a nicotine replacement product doubled their chances of quitting smoking compared with the control group (22.3% versus 13.1%, OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.12 - 3.26, p = 0.02), who received Nicorette in addition to a self-help booklet.
These studies constituted research of sufficiently high quality for both studies to be included in Cochrane Reviews***.
We will get results from several more clinical studies in the course of 2013. We already have some preliminary results from ongoing studies, showing that the Balance alcohol reduction programme (as carried out by the Centre for Addiction Research) resulted in the general population having lower rates of absence from work due to sickness, and in lower alcohol consumption among employees in companies.
In another study in collaboration with the University of Oslo, the preliminary results of the Avanti programme showed increases in positive emotions, and greater satisfaction with life and general mood among HIV-positive patients, who often struggle with negative feelings and depression.
In addition, there are three clinical studies of stress, communication and positive psychology being carried out by the Department of Psychology at the University of Oslo. Preliminary results indicate that participants who took part in the PCP stress programme encountered less stress, and those who took part in the positive psychology programme had fewer depressive symptoms.
In October 2011, we started a project in collaboration with the Department of Information Processing Science at the University of Oulu in Finland to study a weight-loss programme in terms of how it works as an information system (i.e. how users experience the programme).
Changetech also participates in research collaboration with a view to the development of new products and new fields of business with European organisations that focus on accessibility and usability, interoperability and integration between different information systems, such as sensor technology and medical records systems.
*Brendryen, H., Drozd, F. & Kraft, P. (2008). A digital smoking cessation program delivered through Internet and cell phone without nicotine replacement therapy (Happy Ending): Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 10(5): e51.doi:10.2196/jmir.1005.
**Brendryen, H. & Kraft, P. (2008). Happy Ending: A randomized controlled trial of a digital multi-media smoking cessation intervention. Addiction, 103, 478-484. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2007.02119.x
***Civljak, M., Sheikh, A., Stead, L. F. & Car, J. (2010). Internet-based interventions for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 9, Art. No.: CD007078. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007078.pub3.