Table 1.
Summary of characteristics of telemedicine weight loss interventions
| Author(s) | Date | Duration | Modality | Target population | Intervention name | Study type | Theory or model program | Active components | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alencar et al | 2020 | 12 weeks | Videoconferencing+ activity tracker and scale | Adults | Telehealth Enabled Approach to Multidisciplinary care (TEAM™) | RCT with self-guided control group | None given | Weekly counseling with dietician; monthly counseling with physician; weekly weight tracking and daily activity monitoring via app | Device adherence*; rate of weight lost per week* |
| Barnason et al. | 2019 | 12 weeks + 12-month follow-up | 36 virtual Viterion sessions; handbook on portion control; 2 telephone coaching sessions | Rural cardiac rehabilitation patients | None given | RCT with cardiac-rehabilitation only control group | Social Cognitive theory/Diabetes Prevention Program | Written calorie goals; portion control; self-monitoring, self-evaluation and self-regulation | Pounds lost/BMI*; patient activation*; self-efficacy for specific eating habits; self-efficacy for situational/environmental diet management*; diet monitoring strategies*; diet planning strategies*; preparing/buying food strategies*; portion control strategies*; activity monitoring strategies*; physical activity; self-efficacy for diet management outcome expectations; cardiac exercise self-efficacy; diet social interaction strategies; diet cognitive strategies; activity social interaction strategies; activity cognitive strategies |
| Bradley et al. | 2017 | 10 weeks | Online educational modules + telephone coaching | Bariatric patients exercising post-operative weight gain | Project HELP: Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Post-surgery | Pre-post feasibility trial | Acceptance-based therapy | Online interactive “skill building” modules; online quizzes; food tracking app (MyFitnessPal); track and record weight online; 20-min coaching session every 2 weeks; online discussion board | Weight loss#; eating disinhibition#; eating cognitive restraint#; internal responsivity to food cues#; emotional eating (anxiety)#; food-related acceptance#; physical activity acceptance#; external responsivity to food cues; emotional eating (anger and depression); food cravings; mindfulness; calorie intake; energy expenditure |
| Das et al. | 2017 | 11 weeks | Videoconferencing | Worksite employees and community members | iDiet ® commercial diet program | Nonrandomized trial; virtual vs. in-person and worksite vs. community samples | None given | 60-min weekly meetings; education sessions; group discussion and support; optional website message board; optional online weight logging; 500 kcal/day reduction and increased exercise; reduce hunger and food cravings; provided self-selected reduced calorie meals | Weight loss% |
| Johnson et al. | 2019 | 12 weeks | Videoconferencing | Nondiabetic sedentary adults | None given | RCT video-conferencing vs. in-person vs. control (devices without feedback) | None given | Diet tracking (MyFitnessPal app); accelerometer watch; multidisciplinary health coaching | Steps/day*; weight loss*; insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)#; blood glucose; insulin; HbA1C |
| Marra et al. | 2019 | 12 weeks | Combination virtual + telephone sessions with RDN | Middle-aged to older men with at least one weight-related comorbidity | None given | RCT vs. usual care control group (education materials) | None given | Individualized calorie goals; diet and weight trackers; diet educational handbook; SMART goals; medical nutritional therapy sessions | Body weight#; waist circumference#; body fat percentage#; calorie intake#; dietary quality# |
| West et al. | 2019 | 6 months | Videoconferencing | Women | None given | RCT video vs. text-based group chats | None given | 60-min weekly group meetings; education al content on restricting kcal intake and increase physical activity; self-monitoring; goal setting; problem solving; relapse prevention | Weight loss; treatment engagement*; self-monitoring of weight*; self-monitoring exercise; minutes of physical activity*; attendance; self-monitoring diet; website logins; viewed weekly lessons*; accessed and submitted activities; accessed discussion board*; posts viewed, initiated, and replied to*; total discussion board interactions* |
*Greater changes compared to control
#Statistically significant pre-post changes
%Statistical significance not noted