Counselor Surveillance of Digital Self-Monitoring Data: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Behavioral science
• Health informatics
• Obesity research

Background:

• Long-term lifestyle modification (LM) remains challenging.
• Digital self-monitoring (SM) tools offer potential for weight management.
• Integrating counselor access to SM data may enhance LM outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and impact of counselor access to participants' digital self-monitoring (SM) data.
• To assess the effect of shared SM data on long-term lifestyle modification (LM) and weight loss maintenance.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study randomized 77 participants to either lifestyle modification (LM) or LM with shared self-monitoring data (LM+SHARE) for 40 weeks post-treatment.
• Participants engaged in daily digital SM of weight, eating, and exercise.
• Counselors had access to SM data only in the LM+SHARE group.

Main Results:

• Retention, engagement, and satisfaction were high in both groups.
• LM+SHARE participants showed more frequent weight and eating SM.
• While weight loss rates were similar initially, LM+SHARE participants maintained weight loss from weeks 26-52, unlike the LM group.

Conclusions:

• Counselor access to digital self-monitoring data is feasible and acceptable.
• Shared SM data may support weight loss maintenance.
• Further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of this approach for improving long-term outcomes.