Review Some of the Latest Peer Reviewed Research on Health Coaching
“Effectiveness of Different Online Intervention Modalities for Middle-Aged Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A 20-Year Systematic Review and Meta-analysis”
Key Takeaway:
“University of Missouri researcher Mansoo Yu has completed a long-term study that highlights which specific features of online weight loss interventions are most likely to lead to long-term weight loss and maintenance. Yu found that counseling with professional health coaches and social support from other users are the two most beneficial features of online weight-loss programs for middle-aged adults (ages 35-55) with obesity or overweight.”
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Abstract
“The main objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis study include evaluating the methodological quality of existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for weight loss and features of online intervention [OI]s in each trial, examining the associations between the methodological quality, intervention features and the effectiveness of OIs, and comparing the effectiveness of OIs and other intervention modalities through systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic searches were conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and PsycINFO in the past two decades (2000 through 2019). Inclusion criteria includes Online intervention (intervention modality), middle-aged adults with overweight or obesity, at least six months or longer study period, an RCT, and 70% plus retention rate. Risk of Bias was assessed using Miller et al. in (Hester, Miller (eds) Handbook of alcoholism treatment approaches: Effective alternatives (3rd ed.). Allyn & Bacon, Boston, 2003)’s Methodological Quality Rating Scale (MQRS) and GRADE. MOOSE guidelines was referred for data synthesis. In total, 29 OIs were evaluated using 10 criteria for methodological quality and eight criteria for intervention features. Results revealed that the mean methodological quality score of the RCTs was 12.1 (out of 16), and the mean intervention features score was 6.6 (out of 8). RCTs with higher scores were more effective in weight loss than those with lower scores. Results of meta-regression showed that methodological quality was more important than intervention features to increase the effectiveness. Results of meta-analysis showed that OIs were significantly more effective than controls. Compared to OIs only, OIs with interactions with others and professionals were more effective. The study limitation includes assessing ‘effectiveness’ based on weight only due to lack of other indicators to compare between studies; some results are self-reported; and feedback from intervention participants were hard to review. Nevertheless, this study may contribute to improving the effectiveness of existing OIs for weight loss considering methodological quality and better intervention features.”
Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10935-023-00761-z
“Health Coaching for People With Disabilities: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study”
Key Takeaway:
“The results of this pilot study indicate health coaching appears to be effective for improving (Health-Related Quality of Life) HRQOL and health behavior, especially physical activity, for people with disabilities. Apparent key factors include enthusiasm for personally meaningful goals, having tailored information, and social support.”
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Abstract
“Purpose
To expand the reach of health-promotion efforts for people with disabilities, we piloted a health-coaching intervention with a disability-specific curriculum. We evaluated the intervention’s effects on health-related quality of life and health behavior change.
Design
Mixed-methods research design using pre-post measures and semi-structured interviews.
Setting/Participants
A convenience sample of community-dwelling adults with disabilities (n = 39).
Intervention
Participants engaged in a curriculum-based health coaching intervention, titled Health My Way, which used weekly one-on-one coaching for up to 12 weeks.
Methods
Participants completed pre- and post-intervention surveys including questions from the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) measure and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. A subset of participants completed in-depth interviews to explore how health coaching influences health behavior change (n = 12).
Results
We found statistically significant effects on poor-health days due to physical and mental health, and effects on physical activity. We saw additional effects with engagement in relevant curriculum content. Qualitative main themes (tailoring of information, enthusiasm for personally meaningful goals, and social support) indicated processes by which health coaching supported health behavior changes.
Conclusions
The results of this pilot study indicate health coaching appears to be effective for improving HRQOL and health behavior, especially physical activity, for people with disabilities. Apparent key factors include enthusiasm for personally meaningful goals, having tailored information, and social support.”
Link:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/08901171221109524
“Effect of health coaching on blood pressure control and behavioral modification among patients with hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials”
Key Takeaway:
“Current evidence suggested that health coaching could reduce blood pressure, improve dietary behaviors, and increase self-efficacy among patients with hypertension and thus could be an effective and alternative method in the management of hypertension. The most common and effective types of health coaching were phone-based and nurse-delivered interventions. Thus, more strategies and policies may be needed to implement these types of interventions to more patients with hypertension.”
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Abstract
“Background
Health coaching has emerged as a potential supporting tool for improving hypertension health behavior. However, health coaching efficacy on hypertension has not been reviewed systematically.
Objective
To evaluate the effects of health coaching on blood pressure and behavioral changes among patients with hypertension in randomized controlled trials.
Design
A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods
We searched Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Proquest, and Scopus from inception to November 30, 2021. All randomized controlled trials that estimated the effects of health coaching on blood pressure and behavioral changes in adults with hypertension were included. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects or fixed-effects meta-analysis. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were also conducted.
Results
A total of 1655 studies were screened and 12 randomized controlled trials were selected for inclusion, with 2497 participants were included. Most of the studies were at low risk of bias and the quality of evidence was high. The meta-analysis demonstrated that health coaching could significantly reduce systolic blood pressure (SMD: − 0.26, 95 % CI: − 0.39, − 0.13, p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure in hypertension (SMD: − 0.13, 95 % CI: − 0.22, − 0.03, p = 0.009). In addition, health coaching showed statistically significant positive effects on dietary behaviors (SMD: 0.76, 95 % CI: 0.08, 1.44, p = 0.02) and self-efficacy (SMD: 0.39, 95 % CI: 0.05, 0.73, p = 0.02). Subgroup analysis indicated that the most common and effective type of health coaching was the phone-based interventions (systolic blood pressure: SMD: − 0.27, 95 % CI: − 0.44, − 0.10, p = 0.002; diastolic blood pressure: SMD: − 0.14, 95 % CI: − 0.25, − 0.03, p = 0.02). The effects of nurse-delivered interventions were larger than other health care professionals (systolic blood pressure: SMD: − 0.42, 95 % CI: − 0.68, − 0.16, p = 0.002; diastolic blood pressure: SMD: − 0.19, 95 % CI: − 0.35, − 0.04, p = 0.02).
Conclusion
Current evidence suggested that health coaching could reduce blood pressure, improve dietary behaviors, and increase self-efficacy among patients with hypertension and thus could be an effective and alternative method in the management of hypertension. The most common and effective types of health coaching were phone-based and nurse-delivered interventions. Thus, more strategies and policies may be needed to implement these types of interventions to more patients with hypertension.”
Link:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0020748922002358