JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Real-time video communication technology allows virtual face-to-face interactions between the provider and the user and could be used to modify smoking, nutrition, alcohol, physical activity and obesity (SNAPO) risk factors. No systematic reviews have examined the effectiveness of individual real-time video counselling for addressing each of the SNAPO risk factors.

Objective:

This systematic review examined the effectiveness of individually delivered real-time video counselling on smoking, nutrition, alcohol, physical activity and obesity risk factors.

Methods:

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and Scopus databases were searched for eligible studies published by 21st November 2019. Eligible studies were randomised or cluster randomised trials that tested the effectiveness of individual real-time video communication intervention on SNAPO in any population or setting; the comparator was a no-intervention control group or any other mode of support (e.g. telephone); and an English-language publication.

Results:

Thirteen studies were eligible. Four studies targeted smoking, three alcohol, three physical activity and three obesity. In two of the physical activity studies real-time video counselling was found to significantly increase physical activity when compared with usual care at week 9 and after 5 years. Two obesity studies found a significant change in body mass index between video counselling versus a documents group and significantly greater weight loss in the video counselling group than the in-person as well as the control group. One study found that those in the video counselling group were significantly more likely than those in the telephone counselling group to achieve smoking cessation. The remaining studies found no significant differences between video counselling and telephone counselling or face-to-face counselling for smoking cessation; video counselling and face-to-face treatment on alcohol use; video counselling and no counselling for physical activity; and video counselling and face-to-face treatment on body mass index. The global methodological quality rating was moderate in one physical activity study, while twelve studies had a weak global rating.

Conclusions:

Video counselling is potentially more effective than a control group or other modes of support in addressing physical inactivity and obesity and no less effective in modifying smoking and alcohol use. Further research is required to determine the relative benefits of video counselling in terms of other policy and practice decision-making factors such as costs, feasibility and acceptability.