A non-randomised feasibility study of a mHealth follow-up program in bariatric surgery

Pilot and Feasibility Studies · 7 authors, 10 centres

AI SUMMARY

FIDELITY 100%

POPULATIONAdults who had bariatric surgery (2019–2021) and owned a smart device

INTERVENTIONUsual postoperative care plus codesigned biweekly text messages, monthly email newsletters, and online resources/videos over 6 months

COMPARISONHistorical control group receiving usual postoperative care (2018)

This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.

AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

TRACE TO SOURCE

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TL;DR

This non-randomised feasibility study assessed a 6-month mHealth follow-up program as an adjunct to usual care for bariatric surgery patients. It found high recruitment and retention rates, with text messages being the most acceptable component, but no significant overall difference in 12-month weight between the intervention and historical control groups.

Full summary

1,049 CHARS

This study was a non-randomised feasibility study to evaluate a mHealth follow-up program for bariatric surgery patients at an Australian tertiary service. It compared a prospective intervention cohort (n=47) with a historical control group (n=129). The intervention added biweekly text messages, monthly email newsletters, and online resources to usual care for 6 months. The study reported a 96% recruitment rate and 98% retention rate for the mHealth program. Qualitative analysis indicated text messages were favoured but needed tailoring. The mean 12-month weight was 86 ± 16 kg in the intervention group and 90 ± 16 kg in the control group, with no statistically significant difference overall. A subgroup of intervention recipients enrolled at 3 months postoperatively showed a statistically significant difference in 12-month weight (p=0.014). The program cost AUD 11.04 per person. Limitations include the non-randomised design, potential for selection bias, low survey response, and the historical context of the 2019 coronavirus pandemic.

PICO

PPOPULATION

Adults who had bariatric surgery (2019–2021) and owned a smart device

IINTERVENTION

Usual postoperative care plus codesigned biweekly text messages, monthly email newsletters, and online resources/videos over 6 months

OOUTCOME

Primary outcomes: feasibility (recruitment and retention rate), acceptability, marginal costs, and weight 12 months postoperatively

STUDY TYPE

cohort

SPECIALTY

surgery

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10580544

A non-randomised feasibility study of a mHealth follow-up program in bariatric surgery

Pilot and Feasibility Studies

READ THE FULL PAPER

ABSTRACT

Background Behavioural support via mobile health (mHealth) is emerging. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, cost, and potential effect on weight of a mHealth follow-up program in bariatric surgery. Methods This was a non-randomised feasibility study describing intervention development and proof in the concept of a mHealth follow-up program in bariatric surgery. The study compares a prospective cohort with a historical control group and was conducted in a tertiary bariatric surgery service in Australia. The intervention group included individuals who had bariatric surgery (2019–2021) and owned a smart device, and the historical control group received usual postoperative care (2018). The intervention involved usual care plus codesigned biweekly text messages, monthly email newsletters, and online resources/videos over a 6-month period. The primary outcome measures included feasibility (via recruitment and retention rate), acceptability (via mixed methods), marginal costs, and weight 12 months postoperatively. Quantitative analysis was performed, including descriptive statistics and inferential and regression analysis. Multivariate linear regression and mixed-effects models were undertaken to test the potential intervention effect. Qualitative analysis was performed using inductive content analysis. Results The study included 176 participants ( n = 129 historical control, n = 47 intervention group; mean age 56 years). Of the 50 eligible patients, 48 consented to participate (96% recruitment rate). One participant opted out of the mHealth program entirely without disclosing their reason (98% retention rate). The survey response rate was low ( n = 16/47, 34%). Participants agreed/strongly agreed that text messages supported new behaviours ( n = 13/15, 87%); however, few agreed/strongly agreed that the messages motivated goal setting and self-monitoring ( n = 8/15, 53%), dietary change ( n = 6/15, 40%), or physical activity ( n = 5/15, 33%). Interviews generated four main themes ( n = 12): ‘motivators and expectations’, ‘preferences and relevance’, ‘reinforced information”, and ‘wanting social support’. The intervention reinforced information, email newsletters were lengthy/challenging to read, and text messages were favoured, yet tailoring was recommended. The intervention cost AUD 11.04 per person. The mean 12-month weight was 86 ± 16 kg and 90 ± 16 kg (intervention and historical control) with no statistically significant difference. Intervention recipients enrolled at 3 months postoperatively demonstrated a statistically significant difference in 12-month weight ( p = 0.014). Conclusion Although this study observed high rates of recruitment and retention, findings should be considered with caution as mHealth may have been embraced more by the intervention cohort as a result of the 2019 coronavirus pandemic. Of the various digital strategies developed and tested, the text message approach was the most acceptable; however, future intervention iterations could be strengthened through tailoring information when possible. The use of email newsletters and online resources/videos requires further testing of effectiveness to determine their value for continued use in bariatric surgery services. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40814-023-01401-3.

CITATION EXPORT

Charlene Wright, Jaimon T. Kelly, Joshua Byrnes et al.. A non-randomised feasibility study of a mHealth follow-up program in bariatric surgery. Pilot and Feasibility Studies. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-023-01401-3

AUTHORS

7 · 10 CENTRES

Charlene Wright, Jaimon T. Kelly, Joshua Byrnes, Katrina L. Campbell, Rebecca Healy, Jane Musial, Kyra Hamilton

1https://ror.org/02sc3r913grid.1022.10000 0004 0437 5432School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, 176 Messines Ridge Road, Mount Gravatt, QLD Australia
2https://ror.org/02sc3r913grid.1022.10000 0004 0437 5432Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, 176 Messines Ridge Road, Mount Gravatt, QLD 4122 Australia
3https://ror.org/00rqy9422grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Centre for Online Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD Australia
4https://ror.org/00rqy9422grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Centre for Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD Australia
5https://ror.org/02sc3r913grid.1022.10000 0004 0437 5432Centre for Applied Health Economics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD Australia
6grid.518311.f0000 0004 0408 4408Healthcare Excellence and Innovation, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Butterfield St, Herston, QLD Australia
7https://ror.org/05p52kj31grid.416100.20000 0001 0688 4634Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Butterfield St, Herston, QLD Australia
8https://ror.org/04mqb0968grid.412744.00000 0004 0380 2017Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, 199 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Australia
9grid.266096.d0000 0001 0049 1282Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, 5200 Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343 USA
10https://ror.org/05n3dz165grid.9681.60000 0001 1013 7965Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland