Piloting a behavioral intervention delivered through interactive voice response telephone messages to promote weight loss in a pre-diabetic population

Abstract

Objective: To pilot test the feasibility and effectiveness of interactive voice response (IVR) calls targeting physical activity and healthful eating as strategies for weight loss for patients with pre-diabetes.

Methods: Participants (N=77) who engaged in a 90-min diabetes prevention class were randomly assigned to receive IVR support targeting physical activity and nutrition weight loss strategies or to a no-contact control. Physical activity, dietary intake, and body weight were assessed prior to and following the 3-month intervention.

Results: Eighty-five percent of the intervention participants completed at least half of the intervention. Participants assigned to receive the intervention lost an average of 2.6% of body weight during the 3 months while control participants lost an average of 1.6%. To determine the effect of the calls when used we found that those who used the system lost approximately 3% of body weight which approached significance when compared to controls (p<.06).

Conclusion: IVR holds promise for follow-up encounters with patients with pre-diabetes.

Practice implications: IVR can be used to provide physical activity and nutrition counseling that can enhance the potential reach and effectiveness of health professionals working with patients who have diabetes while placing a minimal burden on financial resources and staff time.