Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40158054›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of obesity (2005)2025

Automated lifestyle interventions and weight loss: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Nicholas W Carris, Krystal Bullers, Mariam McKee, Jena Schanze, Taylor Eubanks, Christa Epperson, Marilyn Stern, Brian E Bunnell

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of obesity (2005), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Trial
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Nicholas W CarrisDepartment of Pharmacotherapeutics and Clinical Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. carris@usf.edu.ORCID 0000-0001-8904-5034
Krystal BullersUSF Health Libraries, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-2199-2286
Mariam McKeeDepartment of Pharmacotherapeutics and Clinical Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
Jena SchanzeDepartment of Pharmacotherapeutics and Clinical Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
Taylor EubanksDepartment of Pharmacotherapeutics and Clinical Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
Christa EppersonDepartment of Pharmacotherapeutics and Clinical Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
Marilyn SternDepartment of Child & Family Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
Brian E BunnellDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. bbunnell@usf.edu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesOverweight and obesity drive cardiometabolic disease and high-intensity lifestyle interventions are standard. However, many health-systems cannot offer these interventions and many patients cannot participate even when available. Trials have assessed automated digital lifestyle interventions to improve accessibility. This systematic review identified automated digital lifestyle interventions and assessed their impact on weight loss. SUBJECTS/

methodsThe review (CRD42023435700) identified randomized controlled trials of at least 3-months duration assessing automated digital lifestyle interventions' impact on weight loss. Data were managed through Covidence with double-blinded screening of titles/abstracts and double-blinded full-text review to determine study inclusion. Data extraction was completed by one reviewer (NWC) and verified by a second (MM, JS, TE, CE). The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used to assess bias risk and study quality was rated as High, Moderate, Low, or Very Low.

resultsThe search identified 1817 citations. The full-text of 60 reports were assessed and 17 reports of 16 studies were included. The majority (63%) were of moderate quality. No intervention produced 5% weight loss from baseline. Intervention components with the largest impact were text message encouragement and education with a cognitive behavioral approach. No specific form of self-monitoring was most effective, though some form of self-monitoring was included in most trials.

conclusionsSome components of the automated digital lifestyle interventions showed promise. Research is needed to optimize these components (e.g., tailored messaging, cognitive-behavioral approaches) balanced with human contact. Considering the magnitude of the problem and its disproportionate impact on low socioeconomic and minority patients, interventions optimized for effect and scalability are needed to address overweight and obesity.

Indexed as

Life StyleObesityWeight LossWeight Reduction ProgramsHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Identifiers

PMID40158054

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.