An internet-based intervention with brief nurse support to manage obesity in primary care (POWeR+): a pragmatic, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial

Publication date: Available online 26 July 2016 Source:The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Author(s): Paul Little, Beth Stuart, FD Richard Hobbs, Jo Kelly, Emily R Smith, Katherine J Bradbury, Stephanie Hughes, Peter W F Smith, Michael V Moore, Mike E J Lean, Barrie M Margetts, Chris D Byrne, Simon Griffin, Mina Davoudianfar, Julie Hooper, Guiqing Yao, Shihua Zhu, James Raftery, Lucy Yardley Background The obesity epidemic has major public health consequences. Expert dietetic and behavioural counselling with intensive follow-up is effective, but resource requirements severely restrict widespread implementation in primary care, where most patients are managed. We aimed to estimate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an internet-based behavioural intervention (POWeR+) combined with brief practice nurse support in primary care. Methods We did this pragmatic, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial at 56 primary care practices in central and south England. Eligible adults aged 18 years or older with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more (or ≥28 kg/m2 with hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, or diabetes) registered online with POWeR+—a 24 session, web-based, weight management intervention lasting 6 months. After registration, the website automatically randomly assigned patients (1:1:1), via computer-generated random numbers, to receive evidence-based dietetic advice to swap foods for similar, but healthier, choices and incre...
Source: The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research