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

ObjectiveTo 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.MethodsParticipants (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.ResultsEighty-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).ConclusionIVR holds promise for follow-up encounters with patients with pre-diabetes.Practice ImplicationsIVR 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.