scholarly journals Randomized Controlled Pilot Study Testing Use of Smartphone Technology for Obesity Treatment

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerilyn K. Allen ◽  
Janna Stephens ◽  
Cheryl R. Dennison Himmelfarb ◽  
Kerry J. Stewart ◽  
Sara Hauck

Background. The established interventions for weight loss are resource intensive which can create barriers for full participation and ultimate translation. The major goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of theoretically based behavioral interventions delivered by smartphone technology.Methods. The study randomized 68 obese adults to receive one of four interventions for six months: (1) intensive counseling intervention, (2) intensive counseling plus smartphone intervention, (3) a less intensive counseling plus smartphone intervention, and (4) smartphone intervention only. The outcome measures of weight, BMI, waist circumference, and self-reported dietary intake and physical activity were assessed at baseline and six months.Results. The sample was 78% female and 49% African American, with an average age of 45 years, and average BMI of 34.3 kg/m2. There were trends for differences in weight loss among the four intervention groups. Participants in the intensive counseling plus self-monitoring smartphone group and less intensive counseling plus self-monitoring smartphone group tended to lose more weight than other groups (5.4 kg and 3.3 kg, resp.).Conclusions. The results of this pilot trial of a weight loss intervention provide preliminary support for using a smartphone application for self-monitoring as an adjunct to behavioral counseling.

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1821-1828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Cadmus-Bertram ◽  
Julie B. Wang ◽  
Ruth E. Patterson ◽  
Vicky A. Newman ◽  
Barbara A. Parker ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Collin Popp ◽  
Mark Butler ◽  
David St-Jules ◽  
Lu Hu ◽  
Paige Illiano ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives We compared self-monitoring adherence in participants randomized to two weight loss programs: a STANDARDIZED, one-size-fits-all, low-fat diet, or a diet PERSONALIZED to minimize the postprandial glycemic response. Methods Participants were adults with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, and a BMI >27 k/m2. Both groups were instructed to restrict total calories, monitor dietary intake with the Personal Nutrition Program (PNP) smartphone app, and attend videoconference behavioral counseling sessions on the same intervention schedule. STANDARDIZED (n = 12) received app feedback about intake of total calories and dietary fat. PERSONALIZED (n = 20) received app feedback about intake of total calories plus a meal-specific predicted glycemic score. Total meal entries were measured at 1, 2 and 3 months. Self-monitoring adherence was defined as logging >50% of expected meals each month into the PNP app, assuming 3 meals/day. Session attendance was also measured. Repeated measures binomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess change in adherence due to treatment group, time (i.e., months), and the interaction between treatment and time, adjusting for age, gender and BMI. Results Proportion adherent was 75.0%, 41.7% and 8.3% in the STANDARDIZED group and 85.0%, 80.0% and 75.0% in the PERSONALIZED group during months 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The repeated measures model demonstrated a significant effect of month (P < 0.001) and a treatment*month interaction (P = 0.011). After adjusting for covariates, these effects remained significant, showing a significant reduction in odds of adherence by month (OR [95%CI]: 0.13 [0.05, 0.37]; P < 0.001). Moreover, compared to the STANDARDIZED, PERSONALIZED participants had greater odds of adherence over time (OR [95%CI]: 5.12 [1.49, 17.6]; P = 0.009). Higher BMI was significantly associated with lower adherence (OR [95%CI]: 0.92 [0.87, 0.98]; P = 0.006). The proportion of attendance at videoconference sessions was similar between groups (STANDARDIZED: 77.1%; PERSONALIZED: 77.5%). Conclusions Two weight loss programs having similar calorie targets, behavioral approach, and contact schedule resulted in similar session attendance. However, adherence to self-monitoring was better when feedback was personalized. Funding Sources American Heart Association.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 205566831769623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorna Paul ◽  
Stephen Brewster ◽  
Sally Wyke ◽  
Angus K McFadyen ◽  
Naveed Sattar ◽  
...  

Background Increasing physical activity in older adults has preventative and therapeutic health benefits. We have developed STARFISH, a smartphone application, to increase physical activity. This paper describes the features of STARFISH, presents the views of older users on the acceptability and usability of the app and reports the results of a six week pilot study of the STARFISH app in older adults. Methods The operationalisation of the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) within the STARFISH app was mapped against the BCT Taxonomy of Michie et al. Sixteen healthy older adults (eight women and eight men; age 71.1 ± 5.2 years) used the app, in groups of four, for six weeks. Focus groups explored the user experience and objective measure of steps per day recorded. Results Participants were very positive about using the STARFISH app, in particular the embedded BCTs of self-monitoring, feedback and social support (in the form of group rewards). Objective step data, available for eight participants, showed that step counts increased by an average of 14% ( p = 0.077, d = 0.56). Conclusion The STARFISH app was acceptable and straightforward to use for older adults. STARFISH has potential to increase physical activity in older adults; however, a fully powered randomised controlled trial is required.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e035089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M Eisenhauer ◽  
Fabiana Almeida Brito ◽  
Aaron M Yoder ◽  
Kevin A Kupzyk ◽  
Carol H Pullen ◽  
...  

IntroductionMen who are overweight or obese in the rural Midwestern USA are an unrepresented, at-risk group exhibiting rising rates of cardiovascular disease, poor access to preventive care and poor lifestyle behaviours that contribute to sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet. Self-monitoring of eating and activity has demonstrated efficacy for weight loss. Use of mobile technologies for self-monitoring eating and activity may address rural men’s access disparities to preventive health resources and support weight loss. Our pilot trial will assess the feasibility and acceptability of two mobile applications for weight loss in rural men to inform a future, full-scale trial.Methods and analysisA 6-month randomised controlled trial with contextual evaluation will randomise 80 men using a 1:1 ratio to either a Mobile Technology Plus (MT+) intervention or a basic Mobile Technology (MT) intervention in rural, midlife men (aged 40–69 years). The MT+ intervention consists of a smartphone self-monitoring application enhanced with discussion group (Lose-It premium), short message service text-based support and Wi-Fi scale. The MT group will receive only a self-monitoring application (Lose-It basic). Feasibility and acceptability will be evaluated using number of men recruited and retained, and evaluative focus group feedback. We seek to determine point estimates and variability of outcome measures of weight loss (kg and % body weight) and improved dietary and physical activity behaviours (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption surveys, data from Lose-It! application (kcal/day, steps/day)). Community capacity will be assessed using standard best practice methods. Descriptive content analysis will evaluate intervention acceptability and contextual sensitivity.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol was approved by the University of Nebraska Medical Center Institutional Review Board (IRB# 594–17-EP). Dissemination of findings will occur through ClinicalTrials.gov and publish pilot data to inform the design of a larger clinical trial.Trial registration numberNCT03329079; preresults. Protocol V.10, study completion date 31 August 2020. Roles and responsibilities funder: NIH/NINR Health Disparities Section 1R15NR017522-01.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherry Pagoto ◽  
Bengisu Tulu ◽  
Molly E Waring ◽  
Jared Goetz ◽  
Jessica Bibeau ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Although calorie tracking is one of the strongest predictors of weight loss in behavioral weight loss interventions, low rates of adherence are common. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the feasibility and acceptability of using the Slip Buddy app during a 12-week web-based weight loss program. METHODS We conducted a randomized pilot trial to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of using the Slip Buddy app compared with a popular commercial calorie tracking app during a counselor-led, web-based behavioral weight loss intervention. Adults who were overweight or obese were recruited on the web and randomized into a 12-week web-based weight loss intervention that included either the Slip Buddy app or a commercial calorie tracking app. Feasibility outcomes included retention, app use, usability, slips reported, and contextual factors reported at slips. Acceptability outcomes included ratings of how helpful, tedious, taxing, time consuming, and burdensome using the assigned app was. We described weight change from baseline to 12 weeks in both groups as an exploratory outcome. Participants using the Slip Buddy app provided feedback on how to improve it during the postintervention focus groups. RESULTS A total of 75% (48/64) of the participants were female and, on average, 39.8 (SD 11.0) years old with a mean BMI of 34.2 (SD 4.9) kg/m2. Retention was high in both conditions, with 97% (31/32) retained in the Slip Buddy condition and 94% (30/32) retained in the calorie tracking condition. On average, participants used the Slip Buddy app on 53.8% (SD 31.3%) of days, which was not significantly different from those using the calorie tracking app (mean 57.5%, SD 28.4% of days), and participants who recorded slips (30/32, 94%) logged on average 17.9 (SD 14.4) slips in 12 weeks. The most common slips occurred during snack times (220/538, 40.9%). Slips most often occurred at home (297/538, 55.2%), while working (153/538, 28.4%), while socializing (130/538, 24.2%), or during screen time (123/538, 22.9%). The conditions did not differ in participants’ ratings of how their assigned app was tedious, taxing, or time consuming (all values of P>.05), but the calorie tracking condition gave their app higher helpfulness and usability ratings (all values of P<.05). Technical issues were the most common type of negative feedback, whereas simplicity was the most common type of positive feedback. Weight losses of ≥5% of baseline weight were achieved by 31% (10/32) of Slip Buddy participants and 34% (11/32) of calorie tracking participants. CONCLUSIONS Self-monitoring of dietary lapses and the contextual factors associated with them may be an alternative for people who do not prefer calorie tracking. Future research should examine patient characteristics associated with adherence to different forms of dietary self-monitoring. CLINICALTRIAL Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02615171; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02615171.


10.2196/24249 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e24249
Author(s):  
Sherry Pagoto ◽  
Bengisu Tulu ◽  
Molly E Waring ◽  
Jared Goetz ◽  
Jessica Bibeau ◽  
...  

Background Although calorie tracking is one of the strongest predictors of weight loss in behavioral weight loss interventions, low rates of adherence are common. Objective This study aims to examine the feasibility and acceptability of using the Slip Buddy app during a 12-week web-based weight loss program. Methods We conducted a randomized pilot trial to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of using the Slip Buddy app compared with a popular commercial calorie tracking app during a counselor-led, web-based behavioral weight loss intervention. Adults who were overweight or obese were recruited on the web and randomized into a 12-week web-based weight loss intervention that included either the Slip Buddy app or a commercial calorie tracking app. Feasibility outcomes included retention, app use, usability, slips reported, and contextual factors reported at slips. Acceptability outcomes included ratings of how helpful, tedious, taxing, time consuming, and burdensome using the assigned app was. We described weight change from baseline to 12 weeks in both groups as an exploratory outcome. Participants using the Slip Buddy app provided feedback on how to improve it during the postintervention focus groups. Results A total of 75% (48/64) of the participants were female and, on average, 39.8 (SD 11.0) years old with a mean BMI of 34.2 (SD 4.9) kg/m2. Retention was high in both conditions, with 97% (31/32) retained in the Slip Buddy condition and 94% (30/32) retained in the calorie tracking condition. On average, participants used the Slip Buddy app on 53.8% (SD 31.3%) of days, which was not significantly different from those using the calorie tracking app (mean 57.5%, SD 28.4% of days), and participants who recorded slips (30/32, 94%) logged on average 17.9 (SD 14.4) slips in 12 weeks. The most common slips occurred during snack times (220/538, 40.9%). Slips most often occurred at home (297/538, 55.2%), while working (153/538, 28.4%), while socializing (130/538, 24.2%), or during screen time (123/538, 22.9%). The conditions did not differ in participants’ ratings of how their assigned app was tedious, taxing, or time consuming (all values of P>.05), but the calorie tracking condition gave their app higher helpfulness and usability ratings (all values of P<.05). Technical issues were the most common type of negative feedback, whereas simplicity was the most common type of positive feedback. Weight losses of ≥5% of baseline weight were achieved by 31% (10/32) of Slip Buddy participants and 34% (11/32) of calorie tracking participants. Conclusions Self-monitoring of dietary lapses and the contextual factors associated with them may be an alternative for people who do not prefer calorie tracking. Future research should examine patient characteristics associated with adherence to different forms of dietary self-monitoring. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02615171; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02615171


2021 ◽  
pp. 014544552110107
Author(s):  
Kate Wolitzky-Taylor ◽  
Haley Breland ◽  
Jaclyn Ross ◽  
Amy Sewart

Rumination is theorized to be a cognitive avoidance process that is implicated in several manifestations of psychopathology. Few interventions directly target rumination as a core process maintaining emotional disorder symptoms. This pilot study compared the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of self-directed behavioral approaches for reducing rumination. Participants ( N = 60) with elevations in rumination were randomized to 3 weeks of self-directed interventions: (a) scheduled rumination time; (b) a strategy combining mindfulness, shaping, and disengagement strategies; or (c) self-monitoring control. Both active treatment conditions outperformed self-monitoring control on post-treatment depression scores. Scheduled rumination time significantly outperformed the other two conditions on measures of rumination and worry. No between-group differences emerged on the secondary outcome (i.e., anxiety symptoms). Brief, self-directed, behavioral interventions targeting rumination are feasible and demonstrate preliminary efficacy. Scheduled rumination time shows moderate to large effects. The use of a small, non-treatment seeking sample was the primary limitation.


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