A Framework for Applying Natural Language Processing in Digital Health Interventions

Burkhardt Funk, Shiri Sadeh-Sharvit, Ellen E. Fitzsimmons-Craft, Mickey Todd Trockel, Grace E. Monterubio, Neha J. Goel, Katherine N. Balantekin, Dawn M. Eichen, Rachael E. Flatt, Marie Laure Firebaugh, Corinna Jacobi, Andrea K. Graham, Mark Hoogendoorn, Denise E. Wilfley, C. Barr Taylor

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Digital health interventions (DHIs) are poised to reduce target symptoms in a scalable, affordable, and empirically supported way. DHIs that involve coaching or clinical support often collect text data from 2 sources: (1) open correspondence between users and the trained practitioners supporting them through a messaging system and (2) text data recorded during the intervention by users, such as diary entries. Natural language processing (NLP) offers methods for analyzing text, augmenting the understanding of intervention effects, and informing therapeutic decision making. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present a technical framework that supports the automated analysis of both types of text data often present in DHIs. This framework generates text features and helps to build statistical models to predict target variables, including user engagement, symptom change, and therapeutic outcomes. METHODS: We first discussed various NLP techniques and demonstrated how they are implemented in the presented framework. We then applied the framework in a case study of the Healthy Body Image Program, a Web-based intervention trial for eating disorders (EDs). A total of 372 participants who screened positive for an ED received a DHI aimed at reducing ED psychopathology (including binge eating and purging behaviors) and improving body image. These users generated 37,228 intervention text snippets and exchanged 4285 user-coach messages, which were analyzed using the proposed model. RESULTS: We applied the framework to predict binge eating behavior, resulting in an area under the curve between 0.57 (when applied to new users) and 0.72 (when applied to new symptom reports of known users). In addition, initial evidence indicated that specific text features predicted the therapeutic outcome of reducing ED symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The case study demonstrates the usefulness of a structured approach to text data analytics. NLP techniques improve the prediction of symptom changes in DHIs. We present a technical framework that can be easily applied in other clinical trials and clinical presentations and encourage other groups to apply the framework in similar contexts.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere13855
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research
Volume22
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Feb 2020

Funding

This research was supported by R01 MH100455, T32 HL007456, T32 HL130357, K08 MH120341, K01 DK116925, K23 DK114480, and F32 HD089586 from the National Institutes of Health. The authors sincerely thank the participating universities and students; intervention coaches; and their technology partner, Lantern, for their support, without whom this work would not have been possible. Stanford, Washington University, and DW received royalties from Lantern for the use of the SBED program but did not have any equity in the company.

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentF32HD089586

    Keywords

    • digital health interventions
    • Digital Health Interventions Text Analytics (DHITA)
    • eating disorders
    • guided self-help
    • natural language processing
    • text mining

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