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. 2015 Dec 16;3(4):e97.
doi: 10.2196/mhealth.4603.

Web-Based and Mobile Delivery of an Episodic Future Thinking Intervention for Overweight and Obese Families: A Feasibility Study

Yan Yan Sze  1 , Tinuke Oluyomi Daniel, Colleen K Kilanowski, R Lorraine Collins, Leonard H Epstein
Affiliations

Web-Based and Mobile Delivery of an Episodic Future Thinking Intervention for Overweight and Obese Families: A Feasibility Study

Yan Yan Sze et al. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. .

Abstract

Background: The bias toward immediate gratification is associated with maladaptive eating behaviors and has been cross-sectionally and prospectively related to obesity. Engaging in episodic future thinking, which involves mental self-projection to pre-experience future events, reduces this bias and energy intake in overweight/obese adults and children. To examine how episodic future thinking can be incorporated into clinical interventions, a Web-based system was created to provide training for adults and children in their everyday lives.

Objective: Our study examined the technical feasibility, usability, and acceptability of a Web-based system that is accessible by mobile devices and adapts episodic future thinking for delivery in family-based obesity interventions.

Methods: We recruited 20 parent-child dyads (N=40) from the surrounding community and randomized to episodic future thinking versus a nutritional information thinking control to test the feasibility of a 4-week Web-based intervention. Parents were 44.1 (SD 7.8) years of age with BMI of 34.2 (SD 6.8) kg/m(2). Children were 11.0 (SD 1.3) years of age with BMI percentile of 96.0 (SD 1.8). Families met weekly with a case manager for 4 weeks and used the system daily. Adherence was collected through the Web-based system, and perceived acceptance of the Web-based system was assessed postintervention. Measurements of body composition and dietary intake were collected at baseline and after the 4 weeks of intervention.

Results: All 20 families completed the intervention and attended all sessions. Results showed parents and children had high adherence to the Web-based system and perceived it to be easy to use, useful, and helpful. No differences between conditions were found in adherence for parents (P=.65) or children (P=.27). In addition, results suggest that basic nutrition information along with episodic future thinking delivered through our Web-based system may reduce energy intake and weight.

Conclusions: We showed that our Web-based system is an accepted technology and a feasible utility. Furthermore, results provide initial evidence that our system can be incorporated into family-based treatments targeting behaviors related to weight control. These results show promising utility in using our Web-based system in interventions.

Keywords: Web-based; ecological momentary intervention; episodic future thinking; health behavior; obesity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: LHE is a consultant and has equity in Kurbo. Others have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Consort participant recruitment and retention diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Participant log-in and default landing page (audio page).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Participant menu page.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Administrator menu page.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Administrator data manager page.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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