Conclusion : Systemic changes to academic and funding structures could better support eHealth tool availability and may reduce potential for research waste .
Abstract Introduction : Numerous eHealth tools for pain assessment and management have been developed and evaluated with promising results regarding psychometric properties , efficacy , and effectiveness .
Although considerable re sources are spent on developing and evaluating these tools with the aim of increasing access to care , current evidence suggests they are not made available to end users , reducing their impact and creating potential research waste .
The iPeer2Peer Program: a pilot randomized controlled trial in adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Background Adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis ( JIA ) are at risk for physical , emotional , social and role challenges that negatively impact quality of life .  Peer mentoring has been shown to improve positive health behaviours in adolescents with chronic disease while simultaneously providing social support . The objectives of this paper are to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an online peer mentoring program ( iPeer2Peer Program ) for adolescents with JIA . Methods The iPeer2Peer program was examined using a waitlist pilot r and omized control trial ( RCT ) . Participants were r and omly allocated to the intervention or wait-list control group via a secure , web-based r and omization service . Health care providers and investigators were blinded to participant group allocation . Trained peer mentors ( 16–25 years ; successfully managing their JIA ) were matched to participants ( 12–18 years ; diagnosed with JIA ) r and omized to the intervention group to provide peer support and education for effective self-management of JIA . Participant-mentor pairings connected ten times over 8 weeks using Skype video calls . Primary outcomes focused on implementation ( i.e. measures of feasibility and acceptability ) . Secondary outcomes focused on effectiveness ( i.e. measures of self-management , self-efficacy , pain , social support and quality of life ) . Results Thirty adolescents ( mean age 14.3 ± 1.7 years , 97 % female ) completed the RCT ( intervention n = 16 , control n = 14 ) . Primary outcomes : One third ( 32 % ) of adolescents approached agreed to participate , completed baseline measures and were r and omized . Half of pairings completed ten calls within 8 weeks . Average call length was twice the required amount with call lengths of 44.72 ± 15.76 min . Participants reported satisfaction with the program and all reported that they would recommend it to their peers . Participants ’ mean engagement level with the program was 8.53/10 ( range = 7–10 ) . Secondary outcomes : Participants who completed the iPeer2Peer Program demonstrated improvements in their perceived ability to manage JIA ( p < 0.04 ) , compared to controls . No adverse events were reported . Conclusion The iPeer2Peer Program is a promising intervention that improves acceptability of self-management and peer support treatments for adolescents with JIA . By using the Internet to connect mentors to adolescents with JIA it may also improve accessibility to these re sources . Findings will be used to adapt the program and refine the methodology for a full-scale RCT .Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov Identifier : NCT01986400 . Registered November 11 , 2013
Conclusion : Systemic changes to academic and funding structures could better support eHealth tool availability and may reduce potential for research waste .
Abstract Introduction : Numerous eHealth tools for pain assessment and management have been developed and evaluated with promising results regarding psychometric properties , efficacy , and effectiveness .
Although considerable re sources are spent on developing and evaluating these tools with the aim of increasing access to care , current evidence suggests they are not made available to end users , reducing their impact and creating potential research waste .