Question 1
Participants in Phase II were randomized into three subgroups: Self-Directed Intervention, Interactive Technology Intervention, and Personal Contact Intervention. The effect of specific maintenance condition was not a focus of this study, so all results were collapsed into a single group for analysis. Do you think the researchers would have found different results between the three sub-groups and which sub-group do you propose would produce the most positive results and why?
posted by Anonymous @ 1:45 PM
14 comments
14 Comments:
I do think if the results had been analyzed based on the subgroups, the results would've varied at least slightly. I believe the group that received personal contact would've achieved better results. People generally do better when someone is there to hold them accountable, especially when it comes to a weight loss program. It is extremely difficult to stick to but if someone is there helping/coaching you, it may make it easier to achieve positive results. I'm sure there would've been outliers in the other groups and that's why I think the results would only vary slightly.
I do believe that if the data had been separated that there would have been slight differences in the results. I think that the group who received personal contact would see more weight loss and weight maintenance. People often lose more weight when someone else is holding them accountable. Personal trainers often see greater results because of this. Food journals also work for the same reason.
I also think the results would vary between the different groups. I am very interested in seeing which group did the best. I am also interested in how interactive technology intervention affected the patient's progress.
Jamie-
I agree that people tend to do better with losing weight when they are held accountable. Some people might have the type of personality where they can manage themselves, but I think for the majority of people it is nice to have a professional there to guide them.
I think the researchers missed out on an opportunity to gain information on the best way to direct an intervention. I believe there would definetly have been different results between groups. I agree with Jamie that the personal contact intervention would probably have the most positive results because previous research has shown that individuals trying to lose weight who use a dietitian or nutritionist for weight loss counseling have better results. Although I am sure this personal contact intervention isn't exactly the same as a counseling session, having someone holding you accountable for what you eat and the changes you make are a big motivator.
I agree with Ali that it would be interesting to see how successful the interactive technology group was compared to the other interventions. Since using technology has become an easier way to communicate with larger groups of people, and often is easier for the participants since they can communicate through the convenience of their own homes, work, etc. it would be interesting to know how positive its effect was for this study.
I agree with Ali that it would be interesting to see the results of the interactive technology group results. I also wonder what type of interactive technology they used. It may be stated in the whole article but I haven't had a chance to read it.
I agree with Jordan and Jamie in that people do better when they are held accountable. The sub groups would have made a difference in the results, I am not sure they would be significant though. I do feel that the study should have analyzed them separate as well as together to see the difference. As Michela mentioned they missed out on a good opportunity to provided effective intervention.
It would be an interesting study to compare the three subgroups, and I would believe that a difference may be found between all three. The more accountable an individual is held, I believe the more likely that individual would be successful with weight loss. That is why I would expect the Personal Contact subgroup to adhere to their weight-loss diet more than the Interactive Technology Intervention and the Self-Directed groups.
Ali, I agree it would be an interesting study to observe the effectiveness of technology intervention group. Because technology has become so prominent in our every day lives, it could potentially be an excellent way to reach clients if it proved to be a successful method.
I am sure there may have been a difference between the three subgroups. I'm not sure which one the Self-Directed or the Contact would have been the most beneficial but I feel that the Interactive Technology would have been the least effective. I think people are held more accountable when someone is teaching them or they are teaching themselves. I believe that if a significant difference occured between the subgroups than the reseachers would have split them up. This study seemed to have looked at every angle and possiblity of this study, I don't think they would have skipped this finding if it was significant.
Since there was a big geographical difference I wonder if the most successful type of intervention would have changed depending on the location?
I think this could have made a huge change in the outcomes. Clients are generally offered several intervention strategies to work best for them, however in an intervention strategy this is not appropriate as it can lead to altered results.
I agree with ali that it would be interesting to view the results from the different groups. I would think that it would always be better to have some form of accountability.
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