We determined the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary outcomes of an integrated technology-based health promotion intervention in rural-living, older adults using remote monitoring and synchronous video-based technology.

Participants video-called with registered dietician nutritionists, were guided by a physical therapist in exercise through a tablet device, and wore a Fitbit. On average, participants lost weight, improved their 30 second sit-to-stand, and at least 41% of participants had at least a 30 meter improvement in 6-min walk. Subjective measures of Late-life function and disability instrument (LLFDI) also noted improvements in total, upper, basic lower, and advanced lower extremity function. In conclusion, this technology-based, video-monitoring and remote monitoring intervention is feasible, acceptable, and demonstrates favorable outcomes by overcoming the limitations of existing geriatric weight-loss trials, overcoming a need for proximity to medical facilities.

John A. Batsis, Curtis L. Petersen, Matthew M. Clark, Summer B. Cook, David Kotz, Tyler L. Gooding, Meredith N. Roderka, Rima I. Al-Nimr, Dawna Pidgeon, Ann Haedrich, K.C. Wright, Christina Aquila, and Todd A. Mackenzie. Feasibility and acceptability of a technology-based, rural weight management intervention in older adults with obesity. BMC Geriatrics, volume 21, article 44, 13 pages. BMC, January 2021. doi:10.1186/s12877-020-01978-x. PMID: 33435877.