Tag Archives: rural interventions

A Weight-Loss Intervention Augmented by a Wearable Device in Rural Older Adults with Obesity: A Feasibility Study

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The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of integrating a wearable Fitbit device into a high-touch, multicomponent weight loss intervention at a local community aging center.

Results of this pilot are the first to demonstrate the integration of a commercial wearable into a community-based weight loss program in older adults with obesity residing in rural areas. Despite misconceptions that this demographic is unable to use technology, these results not only showed effectiveness in the primary study outcomes but also showed ease of use, satisfaction, and engagement with the intervention and the technology itself. These findings suggest that wearable fitness devices have the potential to be acceptable and subsequently used in health promotion interventions in older adults.

John A. Batsis, Curtis L. Petersen, Matthew M. Clark, Summer B. Cook, Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, Rima I. Al-Nimr, Dawna Pidgeon, David Kotz, Todd A. Mackenzie, and Steven J. Bartels. A Weight-Loss Intervention Augmented by a Wearable Device in Rural Older Adults with Obesity: A Feasibility Study. Journals of Gerontology – Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, volume 76, number 1, pages 95–100. Oxford Academic, January 2021. doi:10.1093/gerona/glaa115. First published 8 May 2020.

Feasibility and acceptability of a technology-based, rural weight management intervention in older adults with obesity

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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.