Ecological Momentary Assessment in Behavioral Research: Addressing Technological and Human Participant Challenges.
Ecological Momentary Assessment in Behavioral Research: Addressing Technological and Human Participant Challenges.
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DOI：
10.2196/jmir.7138
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发表时间：
2017-03-15
影响因子：
7.4
通讯作者：
Rathbun SL
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Burke LE;Shiffman S;Music E;Styn MA;Kriska A;Smailagic A;Siewiorek D;Ewing LJ;Chasens E;French B;Mancino J;Mendez D;Strollo P;Rathbun SL
生态瞬时评估 (EMA) 评估个人在自然环境中实时发生的当前经历、行为和情绪。 EMA 研究，特别是那些持续时间较长的研究，非常复杂，需要基础设施来支持数据流和 EMA 完成情况的监控。我们的目标是为开发和实施 EMA 研究提供实用指南，重点关注进行此类研究的方法和后勤工作。 EMPOWER 研究是一项为期 12 个月的研究，使用 EMA 来检查有意减肥后失误和复发的触发因素。我们报告了为 EMPOWER 研究的实施提供信息的几项研究：(1) 一系列试点研究，(2) EMPOWER 研究的基础设施，(3) 对研究参与者使用智能手机和 EMA 协议进行培训，以及 (4) 用于提高坚持完成 EMA 调查的策略。该研究招募了 151 名成年人，12 个月时的保留率为 87.4% (132/151)。我们在开发基础设施以支持为期 12 个月研究的 EMA 评估方面的学习经验涵盖多个主题领域。其中包括 EMA 提示的最佳频率，以最大限度地收集数据，而不会给参与者带来负担过重； EMA 提示的时间和安排；支持纵向研究的技术课程，例如 Android 智能手机、Web 服务器和数据库服务器之间的正确通信；使用可访问系统 EMA 数据收集功能的电话，以避免数据丢失并最大限度地减少网络连接丢失的影响。这些对于一项针对可能旅行的参与者的为期一年的研究尤其重要。它还可以保护数据收集免受任何服务器端故障的影响。定期监测参与者对 EMA 提示的反应至关重要，因此我们制定了激励措施来提高 EMA 调查的完成率。在 12 个月的研究间隔的前 6 个月内，尽管 EMA 数据收集持续时间较长并且实施方面存在挑战，但完成 EMA 调查的依从性很高，随机评估完成率为 88.3%（66,978/75,888），时间评估完成率为约 90%（23,411/25,929 和 23,343/26,010）。这项工作让我们了解了使用智能手机技术规划和准备纵向研究所需的初步步骤，以及确保参与者参与可能繁琐的协议（历时 12 个月）的关键要素。虽然这是一项技术支持和编程的研究，但它需要密切监督，以确保所有要素正常运行，特别是在人类参与者参与后。
Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) assesses individuals’ current experiences, behaviors, and moods as they occur in real time and in their natural environment. EMA studies, particularly those of longer duration, are complex and require an infrastructure to support the data flow and monitoring of EMA completion. Our objective is to provide a practical guide to developing and implementing an EMA study, with a focus on the methods and logistics of conducting such a study. The EMPOWER study was a 12-month study that used EMA to examine the triggers of lapses and relapse following intentional weight loss. We report on several studies that informed the implementation of the EMPOWER study: (1) a series of pilot studies, (2) the EMPOWER study’s infrastructure, (3) training of study participants in use of smartphones and the EMA protocol and, (4) strategies used to enhance adherence to completing EMA surveys. The study enrolled 151 adults and had 87.4% (132/151) retention rate at 12 months. Our learning experiences in the development of the infrastructure to support EMA assessments for the 12-month study spanned several topic areas. Included were the optimal frequency of EMA prompts to maximize data collection without overburdening participants; the timing and scheduling of EMA prompts; technological lessons to support a longitudinal study, such as proper communication between the Android smartphone, the Web server, and the database server; and use of a phone that provided access to the system’s functionality for EMA data collection to avoid loss of data and minimize the impact of loss of network connectivity. These were especially important in a 1-year study with participants who might travel. It also protected the data collection from any server-side failure. Regular monitoring of participants’ response to EMA prompts was critical, so we built in incentives to enhance completion of EMA surveys. During the first 6 months of the 12-month study interval, adherence to completing EMA surveys was high, with 88.3% (66,978/75,888) completion of random assessments and around 90% (23,411/25,929 and 23,343/26,010) completion of time-contingent assessments, despite the duration of EMA data collection and challenges with implementation. This work informed us of the necessary preliminary steps to plan and prepare a longitudinal study using smartphone technology and the critical elements to ensure participant engagement in the potentially burdensome protocol, which spanned 12 months. While this was a technology-supported and -programmed study, it required close oversight to ensure all elements were functioning correctly, particularly once human participants became involved.