Dore‐Stites 2007.
Methods |
Included as process evaluation Intervention study design: quasi‐experimental single‐group intervention examining change pre‐post intervention Unit of allocation: N/A Process evaluation methods: descriptive/bivariate (hypothesis testing) |
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Participants |
Setting: 5 elementary schools in the Detroit area, USA Age of children: 5 to 10 years (mean age, 9.1 years) Child characteristics (BME/SES): 39% African American, 14% Hispanic, and 18% mixed ethnicity children; 34.6% were from low‐income families (< USD20,000 per annum) Asthma status: asthmatic only Intervention recipients: children and parents |
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Interventions |
School type: primary/elementary Intervention description: treatment consisted of 3 components: a computer‐based educational game (Asthma: Quest for the Code), home activities, and caregiver information. The computer game included modules on: Lung Physiology; Symptom Recognition; Trigger Recognition; Peak Flow Meter Usage; Appropriate Use of Long‐Term and Reliever Medication; Correct Usage of Common Asthma Medication; and Effect of Asthma Medications on Lungs. The study author reports: "The self‐directed activities spanned from 10 to 20 minutes per session and were presented to participants individually during their school day. Modules were embedded within a larger, multiphase game and advancement to the next level occurred contingent upon answering quiz questions correctly. Children completed one or two modules per session dependent upon progression through each section and academic schedule. At a minimum, an individual participant could complete all activities in Asthma: Quest for the Code in approximately 1.25 hours although typically children utilised the CD‐ROM for approximately 20 minutes once per week over the course of eight to nine weeks for an approximate total time of 2.5 hours in instruction" Control description: N/A Theoretical framework: not 1 overarching theory utilised, but the study draws upon several theoretical standpoints |
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Outcomes | Core processes evaluated (child level): attrition | |
Notes |
Process evaluation category: integrated Breadth and depth: neither broad nor deep Voice of children given prominence: sufficient coverage Funding source: Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation |
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Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Unclear risk | N/A |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | N/A |
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | N/A |
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | N/A |
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | N/A |
Selective reporting (reporting bias) | Unclear risk | N/A |
Other bias | Unclear risk | N/A |
Transparent and clearly stated aims | Low risk | Study aims were clearly stated and were related to exploring feasibility |
Explicit theories underpinning and/or literature review | Unclear risk | Sufficent literature was provided to support the study, drawing upon several theoretical standpoints |
Transparent and clearly stated methods and tools | Low risk | Methods and tools were clearly stated |
Selective reporting | Unclear risk | Parental engagement was a key component of the study but was deemed to have not been reported in full |
Harmful effects | High risk | Not fully addressed ‐ implementation data on the support needed to get children to play the game were lacking |
Population and sample described well | Unclear risk | Caregiver demographics were not reported in full |
Continuous evaluation | Low risk | A pre‐post design was utilised |
Evaluation participation equity and sampling | Low risk | All participants involved in the programme had the opportunity to participate in the evaluation |
Design and methods overall approach | Unclear risk | This was reported; however not much information was provided |
Tools and methods of data collection reliable/credible | Low risk | Tools that were used were well described and were recognised tools |
Tools and methods of data analysis reliable/credible | Low risk | Analytical plan seems to be appropriate for the data; however it is unclear how (or if) the hierarchical nature of the data was accounted for |
Performance bias/neutrality/credibility/conformability | Unclear risk | Not addressed by the study author |
Reliability of findings and recommendations | High risk | The study sample was very small, reducing the reliability of study findings |
Transferability of findings | High risk | Transferability of findings is unclear; however given the small sample size, transferability of study findings should be limited |
Overall risk of bias of process evaluation | High risk | Data regarding dosage and adherence are limited. Moreover, the small sample size compromised the study as a whole |