258169 Use of Health Diaries and Journals in Integrative Studies for Minority Populations

Monday, October 29, 2012

Kimberly R. Middleton, BSN, MPH , Nursing Research and Translational Science, NIH/Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD
Sinthujah Velummylum, BA, BS , Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
Alyssa Todaro, BS , Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD
Gwenyth Wallen, RN, PhD , Nursing Research and Translational Science, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD
Background: Diaries/journals have been successfully used to gather data about daily activities in research studies. However, there can be limitations with self-reported data collection methods such as participant motivation, literacy, missing data, and non-adherence. Examining quantitative and qualitative approaches for obtaining self-reported information in integrative studies can provide guidelines for monitoring treatment fidelity in future self-care studies.

Objectives: This presentation will discuss the use of diaries/journals to collect outcome measures in pilot studies of hypnosis and yoga as self-care modalities.

Methods: Structured paper diaries were used to document the frequency of home practice (dosage) of behavioral self-hypnosis in a randomized controlled, study of sickle cell disease patients. These diaries also captured daily painful crises, hospital utilization, and sleep patterns for 12-24 weeks. A second study uses open-ended journals to document home practice and personal experiences in an 8-week yoga study of arthritis patients in a previously reported low literacy, bilingual population.

Results: The hypnosis study collected data (n=31) from a predominantly African American, highly educated (32.3% graduate or post-grad) population. Only 52% of those who completed the study completed all of the diaries requested. Experience with the hypnosis study facilitated using a more conservative journal design for the yoga study, focused on collecting only dosage and at-home experience.

Implications: Appropriate ways to measure and document the dosage of self-reported integrative modalities, without adding unnecessary burden, needs further evaluation. Future directions may include adjusting the length of the data collection period, using computerized data capture methods, and obtaining participant input during the development stage.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Diversity and culture
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
To discuss the benefits and burdens of using diaries and journals as self-reported data collection methods in two integrative studies

Keywords: Data Collection, Minority Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been an investigator on the studies presented in this abstract. Among my scientific interests are integrative health studies, survey methodology/measurement, and minority populations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.