We conclude that costs associated with diabetes prevention can be lowered without sacrificing effectiveness , using nonmedical personnel and motivating higher attendance at program sessions
Piloting a behavioral intervention delivered through interactive voice response telephone messages to promote weight loss in a pre-diabetic population.
OBJECTIVE To 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 . METHODS Participants ( N=77 ) who engaged in a 90-min diabetes prevention class were r and omly 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 . RESULTS Eighty-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 ) . CONCLUSION IVR holds promise for follow-up encounters with patients with pre-diabetes . PRACTICE IMPLICATION S IVR 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 re sources and staff time
We conclude that costs associated with diabetes prevention can be lowered without sacrificing effectiveness , using nonmedical personnel and motivating higher attendance at program sessions