Behavior Modification

Part of my work for this week was to investigate various research studies on behavior modification within the health and wellness realm. There is so much interesting research out there and the different ways in which people have attempted to be successful at leading people in the right direction! 

Behavior modification practices are a major portion of a successful program that leads someone on the right direction towards health and wellness. Generally, when working with a new client, a trainer or coach is presented with the task of trying to alter a lifetime of poor eating choices and a lack of fitness or activity. Having behavior modification tools at their disposal can assist a trainer or coach in designing a lifestyle with their client that is both successful and sustainable.

In Korea, a study looked at whether or not SMS text messages and information brochures were effective at influencing a weight loss program. 433 participants completed a 12 week program. Throughout the program they received text messages with information about diet, exercise and behavior modification techniques once a week. Following the 12 week program, the participants filled out a survey, majority of the participants indicated that the weekly informative text messages were satisfying and helpful, indicating that these types of campaigns may be helpful when implemented on a large scale. (Joo and Kim, 2007)

Researchers in Australia recently spent time looking at the effects of cognitive bias modification in order to trigger adaptive behaviors in regards to health. The study cited the general lack of concern that is sometimes seen in large populations when it comes to health risks and aimed at understanding if inciting worry may help influence people to make better health decisions. Participants were given a questionnaire to analyze situational anxiety and dispositional anxiety, along with a worry questionnaire. They were also given interpretation bias training, which aimed at triggering either positive or negative responses for ambiguous situations, followed by a filler task to try and attenuate any biased emotions following the training and then shown a video about melanoma. Behavioral assessments and another questionnaire were then used to gauge the effect of the video. The researchers found that influencing a positive interpretation bias actually led to more worry when watching the video, indicating that the positive bias may have actually led to adaptive worry and action rumination. The results went against the researchers hypothesis, and there is still plenty of research to be done on the effects of these types of campaigns. (Notebaert et al, 2014)

In summary, there are a number of ways that you can incite behavior modifications, from reminder messages, sending out information, and even trying to scare them into more positive behavior. Human behavior and psychology is a huge, always changing topic and it can be extremely difficult to try and nail down a solution that will equally affect a population. Continued research can help form a campaign that provides various methods to try and incite positive health changes!

Is there anything in particular that has helped you continue on the road towards positive changes? Do you think that something like a text messaging campaign or regular check ins via email would be helpful for you or do you need face to face interaction to remain accountable? 

References:

Joo, N., & Kim, B. (2007). Mobile phone short message service messaging for behaviour modification in a community-based weight control programme in Korea. Journal Of Telemedicine And Telecare, 13(8), 416-420.

Notebaert, L., Chrystal, J., Clarke, P. F., Holmes, E. A., & MacLeod, C. (2014). When We Should Worry More: Using Cognitive Bias Modification to Drive Adaptive Health Behaviour. Plos ONE, 9(1), 1-8. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0085092