Tailored print communication and telephone motivational interviewing are equally successful in improving multiple lifestyle behaviors in a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Computer tailoring and motivational interviewing show promise in promoting lifestyle change, despite few head-to-head comparative studies.

Purpose

Vitalum is a randomized controlled trial in which the efficacy of these methods was compared in changing physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption in middle-aged Dutch adults.

Methods

Participants (n = 1,629) were recruited via 23 general practices and randomly received either four tailored print letters, four motivational telephone calls, two of each type of intervention, or no information. The primary outcomes were absolute change in self-reported physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption.

Results

All three intervention groups (i.e., the tailored letters, the motivational calls, a

SUBMITTER: van Keulen HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3030742 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature