CONSORT-EHEALTH Checklist V1.6.2 Report

1b-i) Key features/functionalities/components of the intervention and comparator in the METHODS section of the ABSTRACT The abstract mentions some of the key features and components of the intervention. The comparator group were not provided with an intervention; instead, they were asked to continue with their usual self and medical care. "Group one were provided with the web-based component of a service called Imperative Health. This WBP supports positive dietary and physical activity changes and assists in managing weight and other cardiovascular risk factors. It combines objective monitoring of weight and physical activity with automated, tailored feedback. Group two were asked to continue with their usual self-care. " 1b-ii) Level of human involvement in the METHODS section of the ABSTRACT Human involvement was not part of the intervention. "Imperative Health is a service that consists of a web-based program and human (email and telephone) support that assists in lifestyle change; however, for this particular study only the web-based program was evaluated in order to determine its specific impact, i.e. the human support (telephone and email) component of the service was removed. " 1b-iii) Open vs. closed, web-based (self-assessment) vs. face-to-face assessments in the METHODS section of the ABSTRACT The abstract does not mention how the participants were recruited but does mention that assessments were carried out face-to-face. 1b-iv) RESULTS section in abstract must contain use data "Sixty-five overweight/obese adults at high risk of CVD were randomly allocated to one of two groups. Group one (n=32) were provided with the web-based component of a service called Imperative Health. Group two were asked to continue with their usual self-care (n=33). " "Retention rates for the intervention and control groups at 3 months were (78% vs 97%), at 6 months (66% vs 94%) and at 12 months (53% vs 88%), respectively. " 1b-v) CONCLUSIONS/DISCUSSION in abstract for negative trials "This study indicates that this WBP can be used to initiate and achieve clinically relevant weight loss and lower CVD risk but highlights a need for augmenting WBPs with further interventions, such as telephone, email or in-person support in the longer term to maintain these changes. " INTRODUCTION 2a-i) Problem and the type of system/solution "The prevalence of obesity has been increasing progressively throughout the world [1]. Identifying effective and cost-effective treatment and prevention strategies is a top priority for all healthcare systems. Over the past few decades the internet has increasingly been used to deliver behavioural modification programs owing to its easy accessibility and anonymity, potential for wide reach and penetration, and its ability to provide a source of continuous support to large segments of the population [2,3,4]. " "Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an interactive web-based component of a service called Imperative Health on weight loss (primary outcome) and CVD risk factors (secondary outcomes) in an overweight and obese population at high risk of CVD using a randomised controlled design and a ‘true control’ group. It was hypothesised that weight loss would be greater in the WBP intervention group compared to the usual care control group. " 2a-ii) Scientific background, rationale: What is known about the (type of) system