Implementation of a text message intervention to promote behavioural change and weight loss among overweight and obese Brazilian primary care patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 476-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenn L Gusmão ◽  
Antonio L Ribeiro ◽  
Maíra Viana Rego Souza-Silva ◽  
Paulo R Gomes ◽  
Alline M Beleigoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Message Delivery ◽  
Belo Horizonte ◽  
Text Message Intervention

Introduction Mobile-technology-based interventions are promising strategies for promoting behavioural change in obese patients. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a text message intervention, and to assess the effects of the intervention on body mass index (BMI) and self-reported behavioural change. Methods TELEFIT was a three-phase feasibility study comprising the following stages: (a) the development of text messages; (b) testing; and (c) a quasi-experimental pilot study in which patients who were engaged in obesity/overweight educational groups in public primary care centres in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, were recruited. A bank of text messages was drafted and reviewed by an expert panel, text message delivery software was developed and tested, and a pilot study assessed patients before and after receiving the intervention using validated questionnaires and body measures. The data were analysed using the Wilcoxon test. Results A total of 46 patients completed the follow-up; 93.5% were women and the median age was 42 years (interquartile range (IQR) 34–52 years). At four months, participants had a significant reduction in BMI (median 31.3 (IQR 28.2–34.6) vs. 29.9 (IQR 27.2–34.6) kg/m2, p < 0.001), systolic (median 125 (IQR 120–132) vs. 120 (IQR 110–130) mmHg, p = 0.013) and diastolic blood pressure (median 80 (IQR 70–100) vs. 80 (IQR 70–80) mmHg, p = 0.006), when compared to baseline. All patients reported to be satisfied and willing to continue receiving the intervention, and 93.3% felt that the intervention helped them change their behaviours. Discussion This study has shown that a text message intervention to promote behavioural change and weight loss was feasible and effective in a short-term period. Participants were satisfied and willing to continue receiving the SMS messages.

scholarly journals Feasibility and Effectiveness of an Automated Bilingual Text Message Intervention for Weight Loss: Pilot Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. e48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia K Kolodziejczyk ◽  
Gregory J Norman ◽  
Angelica Barrera-Ng ◽  
Lindsay Dillon ◽  
Simon Marshall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Bilingual Text ◽  
Text Message Intervention

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Healthy Living after Cancer Text Message-Delivered, Extended Contact Intervention using the RE-AIM Framework

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer R. Job ◽  
Elizabeth G. Eakin ◽  
Marina M. Reeves ◽  
Brianna S Fjeldsoe
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Healthy Living ◽  
Intervention Cost ◽  
Adult Cancer Survivors ◽  
Extended Contact ◽  
After Cancer ◽  
Text Message Intervention

Abstract Background: Text message-delivered interventions have potential to prevent weight regain and maintain diet and physical activity behaviours through extending contact with participants following initial weight loss, lifestyle interventions. This study evaluated the adoption, reach, implementation, effectiveness and maintenance of an extended contact text-message intervention following the Healthy Living after Cancer (HLaC) program. HLaC was a 6-month, telephone-delivered intervention targeting healthy diet, physical activity and weight loss for adult cancer survivors, offered by Cancer Councils (CCs) in Australia. Methods: HLaC completers (n=182) were offered extended contact via text messages for 6-months (HLaC+Txt). Text message content/frequency was individually tailored to participant’s preferences, ascertained through two telephone-tailoring interviews with CC staff. Adoption (HLaC+Txt uptake among eligible CCs), reach (uptake by HLaC completers) and implementation (intervention cost/length; text dose) were assessed. The effectiveness of extended contact relative to historic controls was quantified by pre-to-post HLaC+Txt changes in self-reported: weight, moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), fruit and vegetable intake, fat and fibre behaviour. Maintenance, following 6-months of noncontact for the intervention cohort, was assessed for these same variables. Semi-structured interviews with CC staff and participants contextualised outcomes. Results: HLaC+Txt was adopted by all four CCs who had delivered HLaC. In total, 115 participants commenced HLaC+Txt, with reach ranging across CCs from 47–80% of eligible participants. The mean number of weeks participants received the text message intervention ranged across CCs from 18.5 – 22.2 weeks. Participants received (median, 25th,75th percentile) 83 (48, 119) texts, ranging across CCs from 40 to 112. The total cost of HLaC+Txt delivery was on average $AUD85.00/participant. No meaningful (p<0.05) differences in self-reported outcomes were seen between HLaC+Txt and control cohorts. After 6-months no contact the intervention cohort had maintained weight, fruit intake, fat and fibre index scores relative to end of HLaC+Txt outcomes. Participants and CC staff perceived an important intervention component was maintaining accountability. Conclusions: While feasible to implement, HLaC+Txt was not effective in the short term. However, intervention effects during the first 6-months of non-contact suggest the program supports longer term maintenance of weight and diet behaviour. Intervention delivery in this real-world context highlighted key considerations for future implementation.Trial Registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) - ACTRN12615000882527 (registered on 24/08/2015)

Abstract P386: Design of a Tailored Text-message Intervention for Weight Loss

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Kolodziejczyk ◽  
Anglica Barrera ◽  
Kevin Patrick ◽  
Lindsay Dillon ◽  
Simon Marshall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Text Message ◽  
User Preferences ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Text Message Intervention

Introduction: Tailoring information is a commonly used health communication technique to individualize behavior change programs. However, few studies have applied individualized tailoring to a text-message intervention. Using tailoring with text-messages may be a powerful behavior change tool as this technology is inexpensive, asynchronous, and is ubiquitous across socio-economic segments. We developed a tailored, “push/pull,” text-message intervention for overweight/obese English and Spanish-speaking participants that targets weight management behaviors. The development of the theory-driven logic rules for individualized text-messages is described. Methods: A robust web-based participant intake system was developed to gather and store the data needed to individualize the messages by personalization, feedback, and content matching. Feedback and content matching was based on both a baseline weight management behavior survey and continual text message-based assessments related to individual behaviors and perceived barriers. The system is designed so that participants who show rapid and sustained progress can advance through the content, while those having difficulties can receive additional tips and suggestions. Participants will be scheduled to receive 3-4 interactive messages per day from our library of over 6,000 text messages. We categorized the messages into five groups: 1) Subject matter: Content related to nutrition and physical activity behaviors; 2) Behavioral core strategies based on Self-Regulation Theory (e.g. self-monitoring, goal setting); 3) Message type (e.g. reminder, feedback); 4) Personalization (e.g. favorite restaurants, friends’ names); and 5) Location related messages. We also developed a “like/ don’t like” feature so that the system can continuously learn user preferences for message types and adjust the type of future messages sent accordingly. Conclusion: A large-scale randomized controlled trial is underway to evaluate the efficacy of this text-message intervention. While this intervention is aimed at weight loss, our tailoring technique will likely apply to other health behaviors as well.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Healthy Living after Cancer text message-delivered, extended contact intervention using the RE-AIM framework

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer R. Job ◽  
Elizabeth G. Eakin ◽  
Marina M. Reeves ◽  
Brianna S. Fjeldsoe
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Healthy Living ◽  
Intervention Cost ◽  
Extended Contact ◽  
After Cancer ◽  
Text Message Intervention

Abstract Background Text message-delivered interventions have potential to prevent weight regain and maintain diet and physical activity behaviours through extending contact with participants following initial weight loss, lifestyle interventions. Using the RE-AIM Framework, this study evaluated the adoption, reach, implementation, effectiveness, and maintenance of an extended contact text-message intervention following the Healthy Living after Cancer (HLaC) program. HLaC was a 6-month, telephone-delivered intervention targeting healthy diet, physical activity and weight loss for adult cancer survivors, offered by Cancer Councils (CCs) in Australia. Methods HLaC completers (n = 182) were offered extended contact via text messages for 6-months (HLaC+Txt). Text message content/frequency was individually tailored to participant’s preferences, ascertained through two telephone-tailoring interviews with CC staff. Adoption (HLaC+Txt uptake among eligible CCs), reach (uptake by HLaC completers) and implementation (intervention cost/length; text dose) were assessed. The effectiveness of extended contact relative to historic controls was quantified by pre-to-post HLaC+Txt changes in self-reported: weight, moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), fruit and vegetable intake, fat and fibre behaviour. Maintenance, following 6-months of noncontact for the intervention cohort, was assessed for these same variables. Semi-structured interviews with CC staff and participants contextualised outcomes. Results HLaC+Txt was adopted by all four CCs who had delivered HLaC. In total, 115 participants commenced HLaC+Txt, with reach ranging across CCs from 47 to 80% of eligible participants. The mean number of weeks participants received the text message intervention ranged across CCs from 18.5–22.2 weeks. Participants received (median, 25th,75th percentile) 83 (48, 119) texts, ranging across CCs from 40 to 112. The total cost of HLaC+Txt delivery was on average $AUD85.00/participant. No meaningful (p < 0.05) differences in self-reported outcomes were seen between HLaC+Txt and control cohorts. After 6-months no contact the intervention cohort had maintained weight, fruit intake, fat and fibre index scores relative to end of HLaC+Txt outcomes. Participants/CC staff perceived an important intervention component was maintaining accountability. Conclusions While feasible to implement, HLaC+Txt was not effective in the short term. However, intervention effects during the non-contact period suggest the program supports longer term maintenance of weight and diet behaviour. Intervention delivery in this real-world context highlighted key considerations for future implementation. Trial registration Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) - ACTRN12615000882527 (registered on 24/08/2015).

A Pilot Study of Mobile Telephone Message Interventions with Suicide Attempters in China

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Chen ◽  
Brian L. Mishara ◽  
Xiao Xian Liu
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Mobile Telephone ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Quick Method ◽  
Suicide Attempters ◽  
To Receive

Background: In China, where follow-up with hospitalized attempters is generally lacking, there is a great need for inexpensive and effective means of maintaining contact and decreasing recidivism. Aims: Our objective was to test whether mobile telephone message contacts after discharge would be feasible and acceptable to suicide attempters in China. Methods: Fifteen participants were recruited from suicide attempters seen in the Emergency Department in Wuhan, China, to participate in a pilot study to receive mobile telephone messages after discharge. All participants have access to a mobile telephone, and there is no charge for the user to receive text messages. Results: Most participants (12) considered the text message contacts an acceptable and useful form of help and would like to continue to receive them for a longer period of time. Conclusions: This suggests that, as a low-cost and quick method of intervention in areas where more intensive follow-up is not practical or available, telephone messages contacts are accessible, feasible, and acceptable to suicide attempters. We hope that this will inspire future research on regular and long-term message interventions to prevent recidivism in suicide attempters.

A Newsletter/Text Message Intervention Promoting Beverage-Related Parenting Practices: Pilot Test Results

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 897-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arwa Zahid ◽  
Marla Reicks
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Parenting Practices ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Reduce Sugar ◽  
Text Message Intervention ◽  
Home Availability

Positive beverage parenting practices may reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption by children and prevent potential health problems. An online newsletter/text message intervention was conducted with parents of children 6 to 12 years to improve beverage parenting practices. Newsletters and text messages were sent weekly over a 4-week period providing gain-framed messages encouraging parenting practices including role modeling and controlling home beverage availability. Pre–post surveys included measures of home availability of beverages and parent beverage intake as an indication of parenting practices. Parents were primarily White, well-educated, and female. About one third lived in rural areas. Results from 100 parents with pre–post data from baseline to 4 weeks showed decreased reported home availability of regular soda pop (p = .008), decreased parent intake of sweetened beverages (p = .004), and decreased parent-reported child intake of regular soft drinks (p = .001), and sweetened juice drink beverages (p < .0001). Most parents (82%) reported reading all three newsletters and indicated that the information provided was relevant (93%). A brief newsletter/text message intervention may be a positive and convenient approach to promote positive beverage parenting practices.

scholarly journals Improved Diabetes Care Management Through a Text-Message Intervention for Low-Income Patients: Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

JMIR Diabetes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. e15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L Watterson ◽  
Hector P Rodriguez ◽  
Stephen M Shortell ◽  
Adrian Aguilera
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Diabetes Care ◽  
Care Management ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Message Intervention

scholarly journals A Mobile Health Intervention for Adolescents Exposed to Secondhand Smoke: Pilot Feasibility and Efficacy Study

10.2196/18583 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. e18583
Author(s):  
Natalie Nardone ◽  
Jeremy Giberson ◽  
Judith J Prochaska ◽  
Shonul Jain ◽  
Neal L Benowitz
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Secondhand Smoke ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Urinary Cotinine ◽  
Mhealth Intervention ◽  
Shs Exposure

Background Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in children and adolescents has adverse health effects. For adolescents of lower socioeconomic status (SES), exposure is widespread, evidenced in the measurement of urinary cotinine, a major metabolite of nicotine. Direct intervention with exposed children has been proposed as a novel method, yet there is minimal evidence of its efficacy. Combining this approach with a mobile health (mHealth) intervention may be more time and cost-effective and feasible for adolescent populations. Objective In this pilot study, we assessed the feasibility and preliminary evidence of efficacy of a 30-day text message–based mHealth intervention targeted at reducing SHS exposure in adolescent populations of low SES. Methods For the study, 14 nonsmoking and nonvaping participants between the ages of 12-21 years exposed to SHS were enrolled. The intervention consisted of a daily text message sent to the participants over the course of a month. Text message types included facts and information about SHS, behavioral methods for SHS avoidance, or true-or-false questions. Participants were asked to respond to each message within 24 hours as confirmation of receipt. Feasibility outcomes included completion of the 30-day intervention, receiving and responding to text messages, and feedback on the messages. Efficacy outcomes included a reduction in urinary cotinine, accuracy of true-or-false responses, and participants’ perceptions of effectiveness. Results Of the 14 participants that were enrolled, 13 completed the intervention. Though not required, all participants had their own cell phones with unlimited text messaging plans. Of the total number of text messages sent to the 13 completers, 91% (372/407) of them received on-time responses. Participant feedback was generally positive, with most requesting more informational and true-or-false questions. In terms of efficacy, 54% (6/11) of participants reduced their cotinine levels (however, change for the group overall was not statistically significant (P=.33) and 45% (5/11) of participants increased their cotinine levels. Of the total number of true-or-false questions sent across all completers, 77% (56/73) were answered correctly. Participants’ ratings of message effectiveness averaged 85 on a scale of 100. Conclusions In this pilot study, the intervention was feasible as the majority of participants had access to a cell phone, completed the study, and engaged by responding to the messages. The efficacy of the study requires further replication, as only half of the participants reduced their cotinine levels. However, participants answered the majority of true-or-false questions accurately and reported that the messages were helpful.

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