Skip to main content
ABCT 2024 58th Annual Convention Main banner
Psychology Tools Ad
Final Program


Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.
Presentation Icons
Recorded Session
Recorded Session
Ticketed Session
Ticketed Session
Back
ViewAttendees 7

Symposia

Technology/Digital Health

Tutorials in Leveraging Technology for Clinical Assessment and Intervention

1 - (SYM 17) Selecting an Ecological Momentary Assessment Platform: A Tutorial for Researchers and Clinicians

Friday, November 15, 2024
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
Location: Grand Ballroom A, Level 5, Downtown Marriott
Abstract Body



Background: Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a tool used for the repeated collection of naturalistic data in real time. EMA has numerous benefits when applied to clinical research and practice, including opportunities for measuring dynamic clinical phenomena that are otherwise difficult to track with high levels of ecological validity. EMA has been applied in psychological research for decades. Critically, with recent technological advances, integrating of EMA into clinical research and practice has become increasingly feasible. However, researchers and clinicians new to EMA may face challenges getting started with this digital tool. The current presentation provides guidance for clinicians and researchers to integrate EMA in their laboratories (“labs”) and practices.



Methods: In qualitative research, we tested several EMA platforms in our labs at BLIND and BLIND; we study children and families with irritability, anxiety, and depression and youth with chronic and acute pain, mental health, and substance use disorders. In the current presentation, we share our five-step process for identifying EMA platforms with the best fit to our research, including (1) creating a list of extant EMA platforms, (2) conducting a web-based review, (3) considering institutional security, privacy, and data management requirements, (4) meeting with platform developers, and (5) testing each of our candidate EMA platforms for one week. We also consider the EMA platform selection process in the context of clinical practice.



Results: Our five-step process resulted in the selection of two different EMA platforms for our labs, underscoring the importance of determining individualized priorities toward a best-fitting platform. We share 11 considerations for researchers and clinicians in selecting an EMA platform (e.g., location, developer involvement, sample characteristics, and security, privacy, and data management). We share resources, including a suggested timeline for the EMA platform selection process; a template for determining individual, prioritized needs; sample questions to ask EMA developers; and a framework for comparing candidate EMA platforms. Further, we discuss strategies for promoting equitable access to EMA in clinical communities, including vulnerable and historically marginalized populations.



Conclusion: EMA is a technology-based tool with tremendous promise for clinical assessment in research and practice settings. The current presentation will guide researchers and clinicians interested in initiating EMA.