scholarly journals Old-Fashioned Technology in the Era of “Bling”: Is There a Future for Text Messaging in Health Care? (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane C Willcox ◽  
Rosie Dobson ◽  
Robyn Whittaker
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Change ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Healthy Behavior ◽  
Positive Effects

UNSTRUCTURED In the quest to discover the next high-technology solution to solve many health problems, proven established technologies are often overlooked in favor of more “technologically advanced” systems that have not been fully explored for their applicability to support behavior change theory, or used by consumers. Text messages or SMS is one example of an established technology still used by consumers, but often overlooked as part of the mobile health (mHealth) toolbox. The purpose of this paper is to describe the benefits of text messages as a health promotion modality and to advocate for broader scale implementation of efficacious text message programs. Text messaging reaches consumers in a ubiquitous real-time exchange, contrasting the multistep active engagement required for apps and wearables. It continues to be the most widely adopted and least expensive mobile phone function. As an intervention modality, text messaging has taught researchers substantial lessons about tailored interactive health communication; reach and engagement, particularly in low-resource settings; and embedding of behavior change models into digital health. It supports behavior change techniques such as reinforcement, prompts and cues, goal setting, feedback on performance, support, and progress review. Consumers have provided feedback to indicate that text messages can provide them with useful information, increase perceived support, enhance motivation for healthy behavior change, and provide prompts to engage in health behaviors. Significant evidence supports the effectiveness of text messages alone as part of an mHealth toolbox or in combination with health services, to support healthy behavior change. Systematic reviews have consistently reported positive effects of text message interventions for health behavior change and disease management including smoking cessation, medication adherence, and self-management of long-term conditions and health, including diabetes and weight loss. However, few text message interventions are implemented on a large scale. There is still much to be learned from investing in text messaging delivered research. When a modality is known to be effective, we should be learning from large-scale implementation. Many other technologies currently suffer from poor long-term engagement, the digital divide within society, and low health and technology literacy of users. Investing in and incorporating the learnings and lessons from large-scale text message interventions will strengthen our way forward in the quest for the ultimate digitally delivered behavior change model.

scholarly journals Old-Fashioned Technology in the Era of “Bling”: Is There a Future for Text Messaging in Health Care?

10.2196/16630 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. e16630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane C Willcox ◽  
Rosie Dobson ◽  
Robyn Whittaker
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Change ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Healthy Behavior ◽  
Positive Effects

In the quest to discover the next high-technology solution to solve many health problems, proven established technologies are often overlooked in favor of more “technologically advanced” systems that have not been fully explored for their applicability to support behavior change theory, or used by consumers. Text messages or SMS is one example of an established technology still used by consumers, but often overlooked as part of the mobile health (mHealth) toolbox. The purpose of this paper is to describe the benefits of text messages as a health promotion modality and to advocate for broader scale implementation of efficacious text message programs. Text messaging reaches consumers in a ubiquitous real-time exchange, contrasting the multistep active engagement required for apps and wearables. It continues to be the most widely adopted and least expensive mobile phone function. As an intervention modality, text messaging has taught researchers substantial lessons about tailored interactive health communication; reach and engagement, particularly in low-resource settings; and embedding of behavior change models into digital health. It supports behavior change techniques such as reinforcement, prompts and cues, goal setting, feedback on performance, support, and progress review. Consumers have provided feedback to indicate that text messages can provide them with useful information, increase perceived support, enhance motivation for healthy behavior change, and provide prompts to engage in health behaviors. Significant evidence supports the effectiveness of text messages alone as part of an mHealth toolbox or in combination with health services, to support healthy behavior change. Systematic reviews have consistently reported positive effects of text message interventions for health behavior change and disease management including smoking cessation, medication adherence, and self-management of long-term conditions and health, including diabetes and weight loss. However, few text message interventions are implemented on a large scale. There is still much to be learned from investing in text messaging delivered research. When a modality is known to be effective, we should be learning from large-scale implementation. Many other technologies currently suffer from poor long-term engagement, the digital divide within society, and low health and technology literacy of users. Investing in and incorporating the learnings and lessons from large-scale text message interventions will strengthen our way forward in the quest for the ultimate digitally delivered behavior change model.

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 Dose and engagement during an extended contact physical activity and dietary behavior change intervention delivered via tailored text messaging: exploring relationships with behavioral outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brianna S Fjeldsoe ◽  
Ana D Goode ◽  
Jennifer Job ◽  
Elizabeth G Eakin ◽  
Kate L Spilsbury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Dietary Behaviors ◽  
Fixed Dose ◽  
Participant Engagement ◽  
Extended Contact

Abstract Background Extended contact interventions delivered via text messaging are a low-cost option for promoting the long-term continuation of behavior change. This secondary analysis of a text message–delivered extended contact intervention (‘Get Healthy, Stay Healthy’ (GHSH)) explores the extent to which changes in physical activity, dietary behaviors and body weight were associated with the frequency of text messages (dose) and contact between the health coach and participant (engagement). Methods Following a telephone coaching program, participants were randomised to receive extended contact via tailored text messages (GHSH, n = 114) or no additional contact (n = 114) over a 6-month period. Message dose, timing, and content were based on participant preferences, ascertained during two tailoring telephone calls. All incoming and outgoing messages were recorded. At baseline and 6 months, participants self-reported body weight and dietary behaviors (fruit and vegetable servings/day). Moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was assessed via accelerometry. Results Median dose (25th, 75th percentile) was 53 (33, 72) text messages in total across six months. Mean fortnightly dose in weeks 1–2 was 5.5 (95 % CI: 4.3, 6.6) text messages, and remained stable (with the exception of planned decreases in weeks involving additional intervention contacts). Offset against the average fortnightly dose of goal checks (1.6, 95 % CI: 1.3, 2.0 and 1.5, 95 % CI: 1.2, 1.8, for physical activity and diet respectively), mean replies to goal checks were highest in weeks 1–2 (1.4, 95 % CI: 1.4, 1.5 and 1.3, 95 % CI: 1.2, 1.4, respectively) and tended to become lower in most weeks thereafter. Greater weight loss was positively associated with text message dose (P = 0.022), with a difference of 1.9 kg between participants receiving the most and fewest texts. There was no association between engagement and changes in outcome measures. Conclusions A fixed dose of texts does not seem suitable to meet participants’ individual preferences. Higher self-selected text doses predicted better weight outcomes. However, greater participant engagement through text replies does not predict more favourable outcomes, despite being a suggested facilitator of successful behavior change maintenance. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number: ACTRN12613000949785. Date registered: 27 August 2013. Retrospectively registered. http://www.anzctr.org.au/.

Text Messaging as a Mental Health Treatment Intervention: A Corpus-Based Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Partch ◽  
Cass Dykeman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Treatment Session ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Emotional Tone

Mental health treatment providers seek high-impact and low-cost means of engaging clients in care. As such, text messaging is becoming more frequently utilized as a means of communication between provider and client. Research demonstrates that text message interventions increase treatment session attendance, decrease symptomology, and improve overall functioning. However, research is lacking related to the linguistic make up of provider communications. Text messages were collected from previously published articles related to the treatment of mental health disorders. A corpus of 39 mental health treatment text message interventions was composed totaling 286 words. Using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software, messages were analyzed for prevalence of terminology thought to enhance client engagement. Clout, demonstrating the writer’s confidence and expertise, and positive Emotional Tone were found to be at a high level within the corpus. Results demonstrated statistical significance for five linguistic variables. When compared with national blog norms derived from Twitter, Clout, Emotional Tone, and use of Biological terminology were found to be at higher rates than expected. Authenticity and Informal terminology were found at significantly lesser rates.

The Disconnected Values Model: Intervention Strategies for Exercise Behavior Change

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark H. Anshel
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Exercise Behavior ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Behavioral Strategies ◽  
Values And Beliefs ◽  
Long Term Consequences

This article proposes a new approach to health behavior change, the disconnected values (intervention) model (DVM). The DVM consists of predetermined cognitive-behavioral strategies for initiating and maintaining changes in health behavior, such as the implementation of an exercise program. The model consists of helping clients (a) examine the benefits, in contrast to the costs and long-term consequences, of the habit they most want to change; (b) identify their deepest values and beliefs (e.g., health, family, faith, integrity); (c) detect a “disconnect” between the negative habit and the identified values; and (d) conclude whether the disconnect is acceptable, given its costs and long-term consequences. The client’s conclusion that the disconnect is unacceptable creates incentive and commitment for health behavior change. The theoretical foundations of the DVM are explained, and its specific application for exercise behavior change is described. Three outcome studies also are reported, as well as a brief case study. Implications for practitioners and suggestions for future research are provided.

Nudge me: tailoring text messages for prescription adherence through N-of-1 interviews

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy Waughtal ◽  
Phat Luong ◽  
Lisa Sandy ◽  
Catia Chavez ◽  
P Michael Ho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽  
Medication Refill ◽  
Interactive Text ◽  
Prompt Action ◽  
Negative Messages

Abstract Almost 50% of patients with cardiovascular diseases face challenges in taking medications and increased morbidity and mortality. Text messaging may impact medication refill behavior and can be delivered at scale to patients by texting mobile phones. To obtain feedback from persons with chronic conditions on the design of interactive text messages and determine language of message for making messages that can motivate patients to refill medications on time. We purposively sampled 35 English and Spanish speaking patients with at least one chronic condition from three large healthcare delivery systems to participate in N-of-1 video-based synchronous interviews. Research assistants shared ideas for theory-informed text messages with content intended to persuade patients to refill their medication. We transcribed recorded interviews and conducted a content analysis to identify strategies to employ generating a dynamic interactive text message library intended to increase medication refill. Those interviewed were of diverse age and race/ethnicity and typical of persons with multiple chronic conditions. Several participants emphasized that personally tailored and positively framed messages would be more persuasive than generic and/or negative messages. Some patients appreciated humor and messages that could evoke a sense of social support from their providers and rejected the use of emojis. Messages to remind patients to refill medications may facilitate improvements in adherence, which in turn can improve chronic care. Designing messages that are persuasive and can prompt action is feasible and should be considered given the ease with which such messages can be delivered automatically at scale.

scholarly journals Preventive Health Behavior Change Text Message Interventions: A Meta-analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashleigh A. Armanasco ◽  
Yvette D. Miller ◽  
Brianna S. Fjeldsoe ◽  
Alison L. Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Preventive Health ◽  
Preventive Health Behavior

scholarly journals Long-Term and Transfer Effects of an Action Control Intervention in Overweight Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using Text Messages

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corina Berli ◽  
Urte Scholz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Action Control ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Transfer Effects ◽  
Control Intervention

Keeping a physically active lifestyle requires consistent self-regulatory effort such as action control (e.g., continuously monitoring and evaluating a behavior in terms of one’s goals). Involving the romantic partner in interventions might be particularly effective in the long run. The present study examined the long-term and transfer effects of an action control intervention in couples using text messaging for promoting target persons’ and partners’ physical activity, anthropometric measures and physical fitness 6 months post baseline. A total of 121 overweight and obese romantic couples, randomly allocated to an intervention (n = 60; information + action control text messages) or a control group (n = 61; information only) and to participating as target person or partner, completed baseline assessments (T1). 100 couples (82.6%) completed the 6-month follow-up (T3) assessment. Primary outcomes included self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and objective MVPA and MVPA adherence using triaxial accelerometers across a diary period of 14 days after T3. Secondary outcomes included BMI, waist-to-hip circumference and physical fitness (target persons only) using a submaximal aerobic cycle test. At T3, there were no significant between-group differences between target persons and partners with regard to their objective MVPA, self-reported MVPA, BMI, waist-hip ratio or physical fitness. No significant changes in outcomes were observed from T1 to T3; however, changes in BMI from T1 to T3 between target persons and partners in the intervention group were associated. Overall, the brief 14-days action control intervention was not effective in improving target person’s physical activity, body measures and physical fitness in the long-term. Moreover, no long-term benefits for partners emerged. While brief ecological momentary interventions might be a promising tool for short-term effects, future studies are needed to test features enhancing long-term effectiveness. Associations in romantic partners’ changes suggest that dyadic interventions can be a promising approach, as changes induced in one partner may then transfer over to the other (controlled-trials.com ISRCTN15705531).

scholarly journals Developing and Pretesting a Text Messaging Program for Health Behavior Change: Recommended Steps

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. e107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorien C Abroms ◽  
Robyn Whittaker ◽  
Caroline Free ◽  
Judith Mendel Van Alstyne ◽  
Jennifer M Schindler-Ruwisch
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Health Behavior Change

Recovery Following Peer and Text Messaging Support after Discharge from Acute Psychiatric Care: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reham Shalaby ◽  
Marianne Hrabok ◽  
Pamela Spurvey ◽  
Rabab M. Abou El-Magd ◽  
Michelle Knox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Psychiatric Care ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Treatment As Usual ◽  
Usual Condition ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Care

BACKGROUND Peer support (PS) is emotional, social, and practical help that is provided by non-professionals to assist others in sustaining health behaviours. PS is valued in recovery-oriented models of mental health and is becoming implemented increasingly at the organizational level. Text messaging is a relatively low cost, high impact, and easily scalable program that uses existing technology, is devoid of geographic barriers, and is easily accessible to end users. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the effect of an innovative peer support system plus supportive text messaging program on the recovery of discharged patients from acute psychiatric care. METHODS This is a prospective, rater-blinded, pilot randomized controlled trial, including 180 patients discharged from acute psychiatric care. Patients were randomized to one of four conditions: treatment as usual (follow-up care), daily supportive text messages, peer-support only, or peer-support plus daily supportive text messages. A standardized self-report measure of recovery (Recovery Assessment Scale; RAS) was completed at baseline, six weeks, three months, and six months. Descriptive analysis, One-Way ANOVA, and repeated measures MANCOVA were deployed to examine the changes in RAS among the study groups and over the follow-up time points. RESULTS Sixty-five patients completed assessments at each time-point. For the overall sample, higher scores were found for the peer-support plus text message condition compared to the text message only and treatment as usual condition on several scales (i.e., Willingness to ask for help and Personal Confidence and Hope) and total score on the RAS. CONCLUSIONS Peer support plus supportive text messaging results in improved recovery compared to other interventions. It is advisable to incorporate the two interventions as a part of routine practice for patients with psychiatric disorders upon their hospital discharge. CLINICALTRIAL The study received ethical approval from the Health Ethics Research Board of the University of Alberta (Ref # Pro00078427) and operational approval from the Alberta Health Services regional health authority. All patients provided written informed consent. The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (Trial registration number NCT03404882).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document