Impact of Mobile Phone Texting Service to Support Weight Loss
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Efficacy of mobile telehealth Short Message Service(SMS)as a facilitator for weight management: A randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
212362
Contact name
Elizabeth McAnally
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Margaret University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Will a mobile health Short Message Texting Service be successful in helping obese patients lose weight ?
Obesity, a chronic progressive disease, has become a major public health concern due to its increasing prevalence and association with many adverse health conditions including type 2 diabetes, many cancers and heart disease. The number of individuals requiring weight management intervention is increasing necessitating the need to prioritize limited resources and to explore other initiatives to engage greater numbers with improved clinical outcomes.
Developments in health technology are growing in popularity in the UK and there is increasing evidence that this type of intervention for obesity can significantly improve clinical outcomes. Mobile phones are a popular means of communication that provide a convenient, inexpensive means to deliver a health technology intervention. Short message service(SMS) by mobile phone has the potential to serve as an intervention medium to promote weight loss that is accessible and can be easily used by service users.
The aim of the current study is to determine if using short message texting by mobile phone, is as effective at facilitating weight loss than the existing Lothian weight management group intervention.
The study will be a randomised controlled trial with participants recruited from referral to the existing Lothian weight management group intervention. Participants will be randomized into either standard care (60 participants) or into the intervention(60 participants) for a period of 3 months. The frequent short messages will be informative and motivational to help participants feel more involved in managing their own healthcare.
The primary outcome of the study is weight change at the end of the proposed three- month study, comparing the intervention short message service group to the control Lothian weight management group.REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
16/SS/0200
Date of REC Opinion
21 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion