Challenges of conducting a remote behavioral weight loss study: Lessons learned and a practical guide

Area of Science:

• Behavioral science
• Digital health
• Clinical research

Background:

• Remote behavioral interventions are increasingly important for weight management.
• Mobile health (mHealth) offers novel approaches to deliver these interventions.
• The Personal Diet Study investigates mHealth for weight loss and glycemic response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and describe challenges encountered during a remote behavioral weight loss trial.
• To share lessons learned for adapting behavioral counseling programs for remote delivery.
• To provide guidance for researchers and interventionists in the era of COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• A randomized clinical trial comparing two mHealth weight loss approaches.
• Participants engaged in dietitian-led group meetings via remote videoconferencing.
• Dietary intake was self-monitored using a smartphone application.

Main Results:

• Challenges included videoconferencing connectivity and engagement issues.
• Solutions involved user manuals, video tutorials, and reminders for videoconferencing.
• App-related issues, such as food database limitations, were addressed by adding "favorites" and providing app support.
• Median attendance for 14 remote sessions was 85.7% among 135 participants.

Conclusions:

• Remote delivery of behavioral weight loss programs presents unique challenges.
• Proactive strategies and technical support are crucial for successful remote interventions.
• Lessons learned can inform the design and implementation of future digital health studies.