Technology Interventions to Curb Obesity: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature

Abstract Obesity is a public health crisis that has reached epidemic proportions. Although intensive behavioral interventions can produce clinically significant weight loss, their cost to implement, coupled with resource limitations, pose significant barriers to scalability. To overcome these challenges, researchers have made attempts to shift intervention content to the Internet and other mobile devices. This article systematically reviews the recent literature examining technology-supported interventions for weight loss and maintenance among overweight and obese adults. Thirteen studies were identified that satisfied our inclusion criteria (12 weight loss trials, 1 weight maintenance trial). Our findings suggest that technology interventions may be efficacious at producing weight loss. However, several studies are limited by methodologic shortcomings. There are insufficient data to evaluate their efficacy for weight maintenance. Further research is needed that employs state-ofthe-art methodology, with careful attention being paid to adherence and fidelity to intervention protocols

The impact of team science collaborations in health care: a synopsis and comment on “Interprofessional collaboration: effects of practice-based interventions on professional practice and healthcare outcomes”

The eighth column on evidence-based behavioral medicine is a synthesis of the study of Zwarenstein et al. (1). which examines the effects of practice-based interventions to improve interprofessional collaboration. Poor interprofessional collaboration may have deleterious effects on quality of care. The purpose of the systematic review was to investigate whether interventions aimed at improving interprofessional collaboration affect patient satisfaction and/or the effectiveness and efficiency of care. Five randomized controlled trials were reviewed, examining studies that differed across setting, interventions, and outcomes. Of the five studies reviewed, three showed improvements in patient care, one found no effect, and one had mixed findings. Findings indicate that interventions aimed at improving interprofessional care may improve outcomes, but interpretation of these findings is limited due to the small sample size and heterogeneity across studies reviewed

Factors and predictors of cognitive impairment in the elderly: A synopsis and comment on “Systematic Review: Factors associated with risk for and possible prevention of cognitive decline in later life”

The sixth column on Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine is focused on Plassman et al.\u27s (Ann Internal Med 153:182–193, 2010) systematic review on factors associated with risk for and prevention of cognitive decline among the elderly. A total of 250 studies were included in the final analyses. Cognitive training was most consistently and negatively associated with cognitive decline. Evidence was largely consistent across observational and randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies. Other factors, such as physical activity, some healthy nutritional patterns, and not smoking might also be protective against cognitive decline, but the available evidence is not adequate to draw conclusions about the strength of these relationships. Future research addressing these limitations should include well-designed RCTs that attempt to replicate the finding that cognitive training is protective, and well as high-quality observational and interventional studies that examine the impact of health behaviors on cognitive decline

The future of pain research, education, and treatment: a summary of the IOM report “Relieving pain in America: a blueprint for transforming prevention, care, education, and research”

The fifth column on Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine is focused on the Institute of Medicine\u27s (IOM) report entitled “Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research.” The IOM has reported that chronic pain affects 116 million American adults, which is greater than the total of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes combined. It is recommended that data collection takes place at regular intervals using standardized questions, survey protocols, and electronic medical records with the aim of the identifying the following: subpopulations at risk; characteristics of acute and chronic pain; health consequences of pain, including death, disease, and disability; and longitudinal trends of pain. In addition, health education programs should be redesigned to include information about self-management, actions to prevent injuries at the individual and community level, advocacy for pain treatment, and support for improved prevention and control policies. Through teamwork between various professions, from physicians, nurses, and psychologists to physical therapists, pharmacists, and policy makers, advancements in pain awareness, education, research, and treatment should begin to materialize

Technology Interventions to Curb Obesity: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature

Obesity is a public health crisis that has reached epidemic proportions. Although intensive behavioral interventions can produce clinically significant weight loss, their cost to implement, coupled with resource limitations, pose significant barriers to scalability. To overcome these challenges, researchers have made attempts to shift intervention content to the Internet and other mobile devices. This article systematically reviews the recent literature examining technology-supported interventions for weight loss and maintenance among overweight and obese adults. Thirteen studies were identified that satisfied our inclusion criteria (12 weight loss trials, 1 weight maintenance trial). Our findings suggest that technology interventions may be efficacious at producing weight loss. However, several studies are limited by methodologic shortcomings. There are insufficient data to evaluate their efficacy for weight maintenance. Further research is needed that employs state-of-the-art methodology, with careful attention being paid to adherence and fidelity to intervention protocols