Obesity and outpatient rehabilitation using mobile technologies: the potential mHealth approach

Abstract

Obesity is currently an important public health problem of epidemic proportions (globesity). Inpatient rehabilitation interventions that aim at improving weight-loss, reducing obesity-related complications and changing dysfunctional behaviors, should ideally be carried out in a multidisciplinary context with a clinical team composed of psychologists, dieticians, psychiatrists, endocrinologists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, etc. Long-term outpatient multidisciplinary treatments are likely to constitute an essential aspect of rehabilitation. Internet-based technologies can improve long-term obesity rehabilitation within a collaborative approach by enhancing the steps specified by psychological and medical treatment protocols. These outcomes may be augmented further by the mHealth approach, through creating new treatment delivery methods to increase compliance and engagement. mHealth (m-health, mobile health) can be defined as the practice of medicine and public health, supported by mobile communication devices for health services and information. mHealth applications which can be implemented in weight loss protocols and obesity rehabilitation are discussed, taking into account future research directions in this promising area.

Technology-based interventions for weight management: current randomized controlled trial evidence and future directions

“…Over the past 5 years, many reviews and meta-analyses have synthesized the available evidence for eHealth interventions for weight loss, maintenance, and associated health behaviors (Bennett et al, 2014; Burke et al, 2015; Castelnuovo et al, 2014; Coons et al, 2012; Harris et al, 2011; Neve et al, 2010; Rao et al, 2011; Reed et al, 2012; Siopis et al, 2015; Stephens & Allen, 2013; Tang et al, 2014; Wieland et al, 2012). In 2010, the American Heart Association published a Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM)-endorsed systematic review of eHealth interventions for weight loss and maintenance from years 2002–2010 that included all types of technology (e.g., text messages, mobile devices, web-based interventions; Rao et al, 2011).…”

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Current Paths in the Management of Obesity

“…Scientific literature is full of examples about how interventions exclusively aimed at weight loss results in bankruptcy over time, with a regaining of the weight lost during hospitalization within 3 years [5,6]. It becomes clear that the multifactorial nature of this pathology requires multidisciplinary interventions, able to combine the different needs and urges of each individual, from a clinical, psychological, and social perspective.…”

“…Over many years, review and meta-analysis have highlighted the available evidence for eHealth interventions for weight management [6]; Burke [20] conducted a study in which they compared the use of a personal digital assistant with dietary and exercise software, with and without a feedback message, and a paper diary/record, in order to determine which type of treatment results in greater weight loss and improved self-monitoring adherence. The results showed that all participants had a significant weight loss, but those who received a personal digital assistant with a feedback message lost more than 5% weight compared to other groups.…”

“…Self-management techniques and more cognitive-emotional approaches concur to promote lifestyle change in obese individuals, teaching new wave to cope with stress, difficult thoughts, food craving, and to support changes related to eating habits and physical activity patterns. Best practice maximizing long-term weight loss and relapse prevention should include increasing social support, managing emotions, adaptive problem solving, and incorporating reinforcing, rewarding activities, and also exercise, relaxation [6].…”

mHealth, Health, and Mobility: A Culture-Centered Interrogation

“…Moreover, many of the proposed benefits of mHealth have been largely speculative in the literature (see Hall et al, 2014). For example, scholars may speculate about mHealth's potential in transforming health care (Steinhubl, Muse, & Topol, 2013), posit psychological mechanisms in using mHealth to combat obesity (Castelnuovo et al, 2014), recommend the potential use of mHealth apps for managing cannabis use (Norberg et al, 2015), or opine that mHealth has the potential to aid asthma self-management (Pinnock, Slack, Pagliari, Price, & Sheikh, 2007). However, such postulations remain largely unsubstantiated and there is yet to be concrete evidence justifying the use of mHealth, prompting scholars to pause for a "reality check" (PLOS Medicine Editors, 2013).…”