Text messaging interventions can provide reminders, education, or self-management for health conditions. These interventions are most frequently used in health promotion efforts or to help individuals manage chronic diseases. Technology-based interventions, such as text messaging, can be combined with other approaches or delivered as part of a stepped care/progressive intervention, beginning with the least intensive treatment and moving to more intensive, and often expensive, treatments based on the needs of the individual patient.

From the article abstract: Children are 5 times more likely to be overweight at the age of 12 years if they are overweight during the preschool period. The purpose of this study was to establish the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a cognitive behavioral intervention (TEXT2COPE) synergized with tailored mobile technology (mHealth) on the healthy lifestyle behaviors of parents of overweight and obese preschoolers delivered in a primary care setting.

mFHAST Implication: Utilizing a cognitive behavioral skills intervention with SMS has great potential for supporting clinical care of overweight and obese preschool children and their families.

From the PubMed article abstract: "To determine proof of concept of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention delivering text messages (texts) to self-manage among patients prescribed oral anticancer agents (OAs) and to examine preliminary efficacy on symptoms and medication adherence. "

mFHAST Implications: Effectiveness of text messages toward increasing self-management among patients prescribed oral anticancer agents

From the JAMA Abstract: "Among patients with coronary heart disease, the use of a lifestyle-focused text messaging service compared with usual care resulted in a modest improvement in LDL-C level and greater improvement in other cardiovascular disease risk factors. The duration of these effects and hence whether they result in improved clinical outcomes remain to be determined."

mFHAST Implications: Ability of targeted text messages to improve lifestyle decisions toward cardiovascular health

From the PubMed abstract: "Participants enrolled in a 2x2 factorial RCT and were assigned to one of four semi-automated, text message-based walking interventions. Experimental components included adaptive versus static steps/day goals, and immediate versus delayed reinforcement. Principles of percentile shaping and behavioral economics were used to operationalize experimental components. A Fitbit Zip measured the main outcome: participants' daily physical activity (steps and cadence) over the 4-month duration of the study. Secondary outcomes included self-reported PA, psychosocial outcomes, aerobic fitness, and cardiorespiratory risk factors assessed pre/post in a laboratory setting. Participants were recruited through email listservs and websites affiliated with the university campus, community businesses and local government, social groups, and social media advertising."

mFHAST Implications: Opportunity for text-message based reinforcement to increase effectiveness of a behavioral intervention (encouraging increased walking habits)

From the PubMed abstract: "This article is an integrative review of the evidence for mobile health Short Message Service text messages as an innovative and emerging intervention to promote medication adherence. Authors completed this review to draw conclusions and implications towards establishing a scientific foundation for use of text messages to promote medication adherence, thus informing clinical practice."

mFHAST Implications: Methods for text messaging interventions that promote medication adherence

A study involving the use of text messages for tele-therapy found that the majority of those receiving text therapy vs no therapy at all reported doing better.

This mFHAST use case studied the use of text messaging for survey research. The study looked at the quality of responses and satisfaction with participants in using these types of survey methods.

From the article objective: "To determine the usability and acceptability of SMS4BG among adults with poorly controlled diabetes."

mFHAST Implication: Opportunity to improve diabetes education, management, lifestyle factors (healthy eating, exercise, and stress management) and blood glucose monitoring reminders using SMS.

From the PubMed Abstract:"Tobacco smoking prevalence continues to be high, particularly among adolescents and young adults with lower educational levels, and is therefore a serious public health problem. Tobacco smoking and problem drinking often co-occur and relapses after successful smoking cessation are often associated with alcohol use. This study aims at testing the efficacy of an integrated smoking cessation and alcohol intervention by comparing it to a smoking cessation only intervention for young people, delivered via the Internet and mobile phone."

mFHAST Implications: Opportunity for text messages to deter smoking and drinking habits in youth

From the Scandnavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports abstract: "The objectives of this prospective cohort study were to report the incidence, prevalence, and duration of traumatic and overuse injuries during a period of 2.5 years and to estimate the odds of injury types. In all, 1259 schoolchildren, aged 6-12, were surveyed each week with an automated mobile phone text message asking questions on the presence of any musculo-skeletal problems and participation in leisure-time sport."

mFHAST Implications: Potential for use of text messaging in health intervention surveys with youth for identification of injury.

From the article abstract:

Methods

Patients were recruited through an online type 1 diabetes support group and letters mailed to adults with type 1 diabetes throughout Australia. In a 6-month intervention, followed by a three-month follow-up, patients (n=72) were randomized to usual care (control group) or usual care and the use of a smartphone application (Glucose Buddy) with weekly text-message feedback from a Certified Diabetes Educator (intervention group). All outcome measures were collected at baseline and every three months over the study period. Patients’ glycosylated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c) were measured with a blood test and diabetes-related self-efficacy, self-care activities, and quality of life were measured with online questionnaires.

Results

The mean age of patients was 35.20 years (SD 10.43) (28 male, 44 female), 39% (28/72) were male, and patients had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for a mean of 18.94 years (SD 9.66). Of the initial 72 patients, 53 completed the study (25 intervention, 28 control group). The intervention group significantly improved glycemic control (HbA1c) from baseline (mean 9.08%, SD 1.18) to 9-month follow-up (mean 7.80%, SD 0.75), compared to the control group (baseline: mean 8.47%, SD 0.86, follow-up: mean 8.58%, SD 1.16). No significant change over time was found in either group in relation to self-efficacy, self-care activities, and quality of life.