JMIR mHealth and uHealth
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JMIR mHealth and uHealth · Feb 2019
Randomized Controlled TrialComparing Self-Monitoring Strategies for Weight Loss in a Smartphone App: Randomized Controlled Trial.
Self-monitoring of dietary intake is a valuable component of behavioral weight loss treatment; however, it declines quickly, thereby resulting in suboptimal treatment outcomes. ⋯ Regardless of the order in which diet is tracked, using tailored goals and a commercial mobile app can produce clinically significant weight loss. Stand-alone digital health treatments may be a viable option for those looking for a lower intensity approach.
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JMIR mHealth and uHealth · Feb 2019
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyThe Effectiveness and Safety of Utilizing Mobile Phone-Based Programs for Rehabilitation After Lumbar Spinal Surgery: Multicenter, Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.
Rehabilitation is crucial for postoperative patients with low back pain (LBP). However, the implementation of traditional clinic-based programs is limited in developing countries, such as China, because of the maldistribution of medical resources. Mobile phone-based programs may be a potential substitute for those who have no access to traditional rehabilitation. ⋯ This research demonstrated that a mobile phone-based telerehabilitation system is effective in self-managed rehabilitation for postoperative patients with LBP. The effectiveness of eHealth was more evident in participants with higher compliance. Future research should focus on improving patients' compliance.
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JMIR mHealth and uHealth · Feb 2019
Evaluating Motivational Interviewing and Habit Formation to Enhance the Effect of Activity Trackers on Healthy Adults' Activity Levels: Randomized Intervention.
While widely used and endorsed, there is limited evidence supporting the benefits of activity trackers for increasing physical activity; these devices may be more effective when combined with additional strategies that promote sustained behavior change like motivational interviewing (MI) and habit development. ⋯ This study suggests that activity trackers may have beneficial effects on physical activity in healthy adults, but benefits vary based on individual factors. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of habit development surrounding the wear and use of activity trackers and the associated software to promote increases in physical activity.
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JMIR mHealth and uHealth · Feb 2019
Evaluation of Self-Management Support Functions in Apps for People With Persistent Pain: Systematic Review.
Smartphone apps are a potential mechanism for development of self-management skills in people with persistent pain. However, the inclusion of best-practice content items in available pain management apps fostering core self-management skills for self-management support is not known. ⋯ Of the 3 apps (Curable, PainScale-Pain Diary and Coach, and SuperBetter) that met the largest number of items to support skills in self-management of pain, 2 apps (PainScale-Pain Diary and Coach and SuperBetter) were free, suggesting the potential for using apps as a scalable, wide-reaching intervention to complement face-to-face care. However, none provided culturally tailored information. Although 2 apps (Headspace and SuperBetter) were validated to show improved health outcomes, none were tested in people with persistent pain. Both users and clinicians should be aware of such limitations and make informed choices in using or recommending apps as a self-management tool. For better integration of apps in clinical practice, concerted efforts are required among app developers, clinicians, and people with persistent pain in developing apps and evaluating for clinical efficacy.