Search Results (246)

Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) enables educators to build custom learning tools, but the feasibility and impact of educator-driven, AI-assisted development (“vibe coding”) in medical education remain unclear. This study describes the rapid development of a custom ECG learning application using Gemini 3.1 Pro, evaluates its association with exam performance using difference-in-differences (DiD) and triple-difference (DDD) analyses, and assesses student perceptions with the user version of the Mobile App Rating Scale (uMARS). The app was implemented at one WWAMI site (intervention) with five sites as controls; aggregate performance from two first-year medical student cohorts (E24 vs. E25) was analyzed, comparing ECG-focused (focal) to non-ECG (baseline) exam items. DDD effects were inconsistent across exams, with no overall pooled effect on focal performance relative to baseline versus controls. In contrast, students rated the app highly (overall uMARS 4.57/5), particularly for quiz customization and waveform annotations. These findings support the feasibility of rapidly building and deploying tailored educational tools via genAI-assisted workflows and suggest strong perceived usability and acceptability among students. However, the study did not demonstrate a definitive short-term learning effectiveness effect on exam performance. Vibe coding is therefore positioned as a practical model for faculty-driven, context-specific educational innovation that requires further evaluation across broader implementations. Full article

Global environmental challenges—ranging from climate change to resource depletion—require not only technological innovation but also sustained shifts in household behavior. Two principal policy tools have emerged to promote such shifts in residential communities: financial incentives (e.g., subsidies, rebates, dynamic pricing) and educational campaigns (e.g., information provision, social norms messaging, feedback systems); yet rigorous comparative evidence on their relative intervention effectiveness —defined here as the magnitude of behavioral change achieved—remains fragmented. The aim of this review is to systematically compare the effectiveness of financial incentives and educational campaigns for promoting pro-environmental behaviors in residential communities, and to identify the conditions under which each approach performs best. This systematic review addresses: How do financial incentives compare to educational campaigns in promoting pro-environmental behaviors in residential communities? Through PRISMA 2020 methodology, synthesizing 51 studies including 5 major meta-analyses (2015–2024), comparative intervention effectiveness evidence is provided. Financial incentives achieve modest reductions (1.8–6.0%, g = 0.36) with rapid adoption but substantial rebound effects (35–60% offset) and poor persistence post-removal. Educational campaigns show higher variability (g = 0.23 to 0.93), with targeted approaches achieving up to 8% reductions, better persistence (57% effect retention at 24 months), and lower rebounds (15–30%). Combined approaches demonstrate the largest effects (g = 0.64) and optimal cost-effectiveness. Context determines effectiveness: financial incentives excel for high-cost technology adoption; and educational campaigns for habitual behaviors. Technology-mediated delivery (smart meters, mobile apps) enhances both approaches. The principal contribution of this review is a comprehensive umbrella synthesis to directly compare both intervention paradigms while simultaneously accounting for rebound effects, moral licensing, age-specific moderators, and cost-effectiveness, offering practitioners an integrated evidence base for intervention selection. We conclude with evidence-based recommendations for intervention selection. Full article

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant global public health issue that requires accessible, scalable, and contextually appropriate interventions. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies provide a promising platform to deliver support, information, and safety planning tools for individuals at risk of IPV. This study aimed to develop and pilot-test iCanPlan, a mobile application designed to support IPV prevention in Thailand. The application evaluates IPV risk, identifies indicators of danger, and provides a countrywide list of assistance sources. iCanPlan consists of four main components: (1) an IPV risk assessment tool, (2) a list of support resources, (3) educational materials presented in the form of infographics, and (4) encouraging quotes from well-known public figures. The app features a clean, user-friendly interface with intuitive navigation and color-coded components to enhance usability. In addition, a preliminary study was conducted with 30 experts from multidisciplinary fields, including gender-based violence research, social work, psychology, public health, and non-governmental organizations. Participants used the application for one month and subsequently evaluated it using a structured questionnaire based on heuristic evaluation principles. The questionnaire assessed usability, safety features, content quality, cultural appropriateness, language clarity, ethical considerations, and overall evaluation using a five-point Likert scale. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) in SPSS. The findings demonstrated excellent performance across all domains, with high mean scores for usability (M = 4.93), safety features (M = 4.73), and content quality (M = 4.82), while cultural appropriateness, language clarity, ethical considerations, and overall evaluation achieved perfect scores (M = 5.00). These results indicate strong agreement among experts regarding the application’s usability, safety, and relevance. The study highlights the potential of iCanPlan as a culturally appropriate and user-friendly digital intervention for IPV prevention. Further research involving the target population is needed to evaluate its effectiveness and long-term impact on help-seeking behavior and IPV-related outcomes. Full article

Against the backdrop of extreme weather, flooding has become one of Taiwan’s main disaster risks, highlighting the importance of promoting self-reliant disaster prevention communities and strengthening residents’ autonomous response capabilities. This study aims to examine community residents’ perceptions of flood risk and their disaster preparedness attitudes, while analyzing the influence of participation in disaster prevention education and demographic background variables. In the results of an online questionnaire survey and inferential statistical analysis, residents who participated in disaster prevention education demonstrated significantly higher risk perceptions and disaster preparedness attitudes than non-participants. The participants showed a significantly increased willingness to use the mobile water situation app (a government-provided real-time flood information application), strongly proving the effectiveness of localized educational interventions in promoting the application of digital disaster prevention tools. The analysis results of demographic variables revealed that age and years of community residence significantly influenced disaster preparedness attitudes and participation willingness. Overall, this study confirms that localized disaster prevention education effectively enhances community resilience, providing an empirical foundation for advancing self-reliant disaster prevention communities and refining disaster prevention and mitigation policies. Full article

Background: Assessing food and nutrient intake is an important yet challenging component of nutrition research, particularly in populations at higher risk for dietary underreporting. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary measurement characteristics of augmenting interviewer-administered 24 h dietary recalls with a photo-based mobile food record application (mCC: my Circadian Clock). Design: This was a randomized cross-over feasibility study in which each participant completed two sets of three 24 h dietary recalls. One set consisted of standard interviewer-administered recalls, while the other incorporated dietary intake captured via the mCC app during the 24 h preceding the recall to guide the interview. Participants: Participants (n = 10) were adults aged 18–65 years with obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m²) and less than a college-level education, recruited from a general community setting. Main Outcome Measures: Primary feasibility outcomes included recall adherence, protocol completion, participant burden, and usability of the mobile application. Secondary and exploratory outcomes included average energy intake (kcal/day), number of food items and eating occasions reported, Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 scores, and recall duration. Statistical Analyses: Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to explore differences between methods; analyses were considered exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Results: All enrolled participants completed every scheduled recall, resulting in 100% adherence and protocol completion. Most participants (70%) rated the mCC app as easy or very easy to use, although 60% reported greater burden with the Augmented Recalls. Average energy intake was 274 kcal/day lower with the augmented method compared with Standard Recalls (95% CI: −597, 50; p = 0.09), with no clear differences observed in reported food items, eating occasions, HEI-2015 scores, or recall duration. Conclusions: Augmenting interviewer-administered 24 h dietary recalls with a photo-based mobile food record is feasible and acceptable in adults with obesity, though it did not demonstrate clear improvements in dietary intake capture in this small feasibility sample. These findings provide practical guidance for refining technology-assisted recall protocols and informing the design of future, adequately powered studies. Full article

Background: Maintaining optimal oral hygiene during fixed orthodontic treatment is critical yet challenging. This study assessed oral hygiene knowledge, practices, and challenges among fixed orthodontic patients and developed a patient-centered guidance form. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 fixed orthodontic patients (150 males, 150 females) age range 13–31+ years followed by in-depth interviews with 15 purposively selected patients. Quantitative data were analyzed using non-parametric tests and multiple regression; qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Results: Scale reliability was acceptable to excellent (α = 0.681–0.941). Females demonstrated higher knowledge (p < 0.001); males showed better recall (p = 0.005). Knowledge increased with age and education (p < 0.001). A substantial knowledge–behavior gap was evident: 85% recognized interdental brushes as essential, but only 23% used them daily. Discomfort was the main barrier (77%), and 71% preferred mobile app reminders. Knowledge of auxiliary aids predicted recall (β = 1.912, p < 0.001), explaining 81.9% of variance. Notably, 100% reported current instructions are physically difficult to execute; 86% prioritized technique guidance. Conclusions: Fixed orthodontic patients demonstrate adequate knowledge but poor translation into practice. The patient-centered guidance form provides a practical resource to support oral hygiene self-management. Full article

Generative artificial intelligence tools are reshaping design by enabling novice designers to produce professional-quality user interfaces rapidly. However, for novice designers, exposure to AI-generated outputs that are far beyond their capabilities can inhibit creative growth. In this work, we investigate AI overperformance, when superior AI outputs lower the creative confidence of novices, and explore whether human-centred and explainable AI interfaces can mitigate such effects while sustaining creative agency. We conducted a within-subjects experiment with 75 novice designers using a web-based research platform. Participants completed mobile app design tasks under three conditions: Human-Only (baseline), AI Overmatch (exposure to superior AI outputs), and XAI-Enhanced (exposure to AI outputs with an embedded explainable interface). A repeated-measures ANOVA indicated that creative self-efficacy varied significantly, F = 24.67, p < 0.001, η² = 0.18. While creative self-efficacy was significantly decreased in the AI Overmatch condition, M = −1.18, SD = 0.32, when compared to the Human-Only conditions, M = 0.08, SD = 0.15, this was significantly increased in the XAI-Enhanced condition, M U= 0.42, SD = 0.18. This also led to a rise in creative performance across both ideation and output quality. The results showed that the AI Overmatch condition significantly reduced creative self-efficacy and originality; however, this negative effect was mitigated by the XAI-Enhanced interface, which enhanced confidence and idea quality. Mediation analysis demonstrated that expectancy disconfirmation explains the negative impact of AI overperformance on human creativity. These findings provide constructive design principles for educational AI tools and contribute to HCI theory by demonstrating that pedagogically oriented, transparent AI supports human–AI collaboration without diminishing human agency. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dietary behaviors among young adults in Japan have become increasingly polarized, highlighting the limitations of traditional knowledge-based health education. Behavioral science-based approaches such as nudging and gamification may offer alternative strategies. This study aimed to develop and examine a Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)-based path model of healthy dietary choice behavior among young Japanese adults and to examine patterns associated with a star-rating gamification feature embedded in a nutrition management mobile application. Methods: A total of 188 participants aged 18–39 years completed an online survey assessing TPB constructs and normative factors. Participants used either a star-rating or non-rating version of the FoodLog Athl application. Composite-score-based path analysis and conditional process analyses were conducted to examine relational patterns among constructs. Results: Intention and self-efficacy jointly explained 48% of the variance in dietary behavior, with self-efficacy emerging as the strongest predictor. Several moderation patterns were observed, including those of gender, university year, diet app use, awareness of consequences, and ascription of responsibility. Compared with users of the non-rating version, star-rating users were observed to show higher nutrient scores but lower self-efficacy and dietary behavior scores, along with greater awareness of dietary consequences. These post-intervention findings are exploratory. Conclusions: Self-efficacy plays a central role in healthy dietary choice behavior among young adults, and its association with behavior appears to be shaped by perceived consequences and responsibility. By applying a composite-score-based path analysis within an SEM framework, this study clarifies the structural relationships among TPB components in everyday dietary choice behavior among Japanese young adults. Star-rating feedback may enhance reflective awareness and shows potential as a gamified nudging tool but further research is needed to clarify its effects. Full article

The world is constantly challenged by complex crises—from the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions to economic uncertainty and severe environmental disasters. During these critical times, individuals need to reflect on ethical values and demonstrate responsible decision-making, integrity, and preparedness to mitigate the impact of future crises. Education can play an instrumental role in these endeavours. This study presents the user experience and usability evaluation of PREPARED App—an educational mobile application developed to raise users’ awareness on the ethical dimensions of global challenges through real-life case studies. The captivating narratives, clear structure, ease-of-use, and multimedia content were reported as key strengths of the mobile app by both users (n = 54) and experts (n = 4). Suggestions were also captured for enriching the learning experience through enhanced customisation options, personalised feedback mechanisms, and accessibility features. A set of pedagogical guidelines is extracted to enable instructional designers, educators, and mobile application developers to create accessible and engaging mobile learning experiences. Full article

Vocabulary learning has been a challenge for second language (L2) learners, often due to its repetitive nature and the massive time investment it requires. To address these challenges, digital gamification features have been introduced to L2 learners and educators in higher education contexts to enhance the learning experience and foster learner grit. This study examined the impact of a mobile collaborative gamification feature, the learning-pal activity, on L2 vocabulary acquisition, focusing on learners’ vocabulary learning grit and perceived social presence. Using a quasi-experimental design, 100 L2 students from a Chinese university were divided into two groups: an experimental group (N = 62), which used the learning-pal feature within the Shanbay Danci (SBDC) app, and a control group (N = 38), which used the app without the collaborative feature. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study found that participation in the learning-pal activity significantly improved learners’ vocabulary learning grit. However, the activity did not significantly enhance perceived social presence; notably, the experimental group reported lower levels of perceived social presence than the control group. These findings suggest that mobile collaborative gamification can effectively foster sustained vocabulary learning efforts but provide limited opportunities for social interaction during the vocabulary learning process. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team approach to rehabilitation of persons with aphasia (PWA). However, the efficacy of treatment provided by SLPs can vary due to several factors related to clinicians, patients, and the availability of services. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating current practices in aphasia rehabilitation, key challenges, and future directions as perceived by the SLPs in the Indian context. Methods: The study was conducted using a web-based survey comprising a 32-item questionnaire to gather information related to demographic and professional details, knowledge and use of aphasia rehabilitation approaches, patient education, counselling, bilingual & multilingual contexts, and challenges faced by SLPs. A total of 142 responses were analyzed after initial screening to assess the knowledge, use, and confidence of aphasia rehabilitation along with challenges faced by SLPs in the Indian context. Results: The results indicated significant challenges in the assessment of aphasia due to a lack of formal screening and diagnostic languages in several languages. Further, the results also indicated variations in the knowledge level and confidence in the use of various approaches to aphasia rehabilitation, which warrants the urgent need for organizing short-term training programs for SLPs. The participants also self-reported significant challenges in managing bilingual and multilingual patients with aphasia due to differences in their knowledge and confidence in the selection of language for treatment. On the other side, major patient-related challenges include inadequate logistics, lack of funding, unavailability of speech and language therapy services, social acceptance, and support from family members. The participants also reported the necessity of improving tele-rehabilitation services and developing materials and mobile apps for rehabilitation in Indian languages as future directions for aphasia rehabilitation. Conclusions: The present study through a self-reported questionnaire identified key challenges in aphasia rehabilitation related to the clinician and PWA in the Indian context. The results of the study warrant the need for immediate action to overcome the challenges to enhance the rehabilitation services to PWAs. Full article

Mobile devices are increasingly embedded in primary school-aged children’s daily lives, yet parents’ views of their developmental impact remain mixed. This study examined Italian parents’ perceived benefits and concerns about children’s use of apps on mobile devices and whether these perceptions vary by sociodemographic factors. The final analytic sample comprised 969 parents of children (6–10 years) who completed an online questionnaire assessing perceived impacts of children’s use of apps on mobile devices across motor, cognitive, language and communication, interpersonal, and emotional development domains, collecting sociodemographic information. Overall, parents reported moderate benefits alongside concerns. Benefits exceeded concerns for motor, cognitive, language and communication, and emotional domains, with the largest gap for the interpersonal domain alone, suggesting perceived support for social connection. Higher parental education levels and occupational status were associated with both higher perceived positive effects and higher concerns, suggesting a more engaged and reflective appraisal. Co-residing older siblings predicted higher perceived benefits and lower concerns, whereas higher perceived social status and living in a two-parent household predicted greater concerns. Overall, perceptions varied by social position and family composition, underscoring the need for guidance that helps families balance app-related opportunities and risks in coordination with schools. Full article

Background/Objectives: Older adults often face nutrition challenges due to mobility issues, chronic conditions, and limited access to adequate nutrition. Digital and technology-based interventions, including those with nutrition education, nutrition counseling and Medically Tailored Meals [MTMs], can help address these barriers. However, the extent and characteristics of such programs in the United States remain unclear. This scoping review aimed to map the existing evidence on digital and technology-based (“digi-tech”) nutrition interventions for older adults in the United States, with particular attention to the presence, characteristics, and gaps related to MTMs. Methods: This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR framework to map existing evidence on technology-enabled nutrition care interventions for older adults aged ≥ 60 years in the United States. Systematic searches were conducted across multiple databases, yielding 18,177 records. Following title and abstract screening, full-text review, and eligibility assessment, 16 intervention studies were included. Study designs comprised randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental and non-randomized studies, mixed-methods feasibility studies, pilot studies, and one retrospective longitudinal cohort study. Data were extracted on study design, population characteristics, intervention components, technology modalities, outcomes, feasibility, acceptability, and reported barriers. Results: Interventions varied in duration [8 weeks to ≥12 months] and content. Foci ranged from remote nutrition education and mobile app-based tracking to multicomponent interventions integrating exercise, nutrition counseling, health literacy, and meal delivery. Telehealth was the most commonly used technology modality, followed by mobile health applications, wearable devices, and online educational platforms. Most interventions reported high feasibility and acceptability, with improvements in diet quality, adherence to healthy eating patterns, clinical measures such as HbA1c and blood pressure, and functional performance. Common implementation barriers included declining technology use over time, digi-tech literacy, and access to devices or the internet. Notably, no studies evaluated a digi-tech-based MTMs intervention exclusively for older adults in the U.S. Conclusions: Digital and technology-based nutrition interventions show promise for improving dietary and health outcomes in older adults, but there is insufficient empirical evidence. Future research might develop and evaluate hybrid digi-tech intervention models that leverage the potential of digi-tech tools while addressing barriers to technology adoption among older adults. Full article

Informal learning in institutional settings plays a vital role in lifelong education by fostering self-directed knowledge acquisition. With the increasing integration of digital media into these environments, augmented reality (AR) has emerged as a particularly promising technology due to its ability to overlay virtual content in real-time and across multiple sensory modalities. This systematic literature review investigates the use of AR in institutional informal learning places (IILPs) from 2018 to 2025, aiming to synthesize findings across the following overall research questions: (1) In which IILP contexts has AR been implemented, and what are the characteristics of the technology? (2) What learning-relevant functions and (3) outcomes are associated with AR in these settings? (4) Which learning theories underpin the design of AR interventions? Following the PRISMA guidelines, empirical studies were identified through comprehensive database searches (Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, FIS Bildung) and cross-referencing. Forty-four studies were analyzed via qualitative content analysis. The goal is to provide a descriptive overview of findings, patterns, and relationships. Findings indicate that AR is widely adopted across diverse domains and institutional contexts, primarily through mobile-based AR applications for K–12 learning. Native app development signals growing technological maturity. AR enhances both cognitive and emotional-motivational outcomes, though its potential to support social interaction remains insufficiently investigated. The predominant function of AR is the provision of information. Most of the examined studies are grounded in constructivist or cognitivist learning theories, particularly the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning. Only limited references to emotional-motivational frameworks and minimal references to behaviorist frameworks were found. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mobile health (mHealth) technologies are increasingly used to support preventive oral care and patient self-management. CarieCheck is a Portuguese app intended to improve oral health literacy and support caries-risk self-assessment. This prospective pilot study focused on users’ perceived app quality and usability, assessed with uMARS-PT. Methods: Thirty participants from the academic community of Egas Moniz School of Health and Science used the app for 30 days and completed the uMARS-PT questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate mean scores for Engagement, Functionality, Aesthetics, Information Quality, Subjective Quality, and Perceived Impact. Results: The overall mean uMARS-PT score was 4.22, indicating excellent perceived quality. The highest domain scores were Functionality (4.51), Aesthetics (4.45), and Information Quality (4.22). Engagement (3.71) and Subjective Quality (3.05) were moderate. Perceived Impact (3.85) reflected self-reported perception of increased awareness and motivation regarding oral health behaviors. Conclusions: CarieCheck was rated highly in usability, aesthetics, and information quality. These findings suggest that CarieCheck may be considered as a digital tool for preventive education and user-supported caries-risk self-assessment. Larger, longer-term studies in diverse populations using objective behavioral and clinical outcomes are warranted. Full article