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Research Papers on Health and Wellness Coaching

General Literature

Sforzo, G.A. et. al. 2019. Compendium of Health and Wellness Coaching: 2019 Addendum. In: American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine

Overview: Sforzo and colleagues assimilated and described research articles published between 2017 and 2019 that examine the relationship between Health and Wellness Coaching and lifestyle disease. Using a systematic review process, they sifted through these studies to identify 81 data-based articles (of an original 971 examined) that are rigorous, robust and specifically relevant to Health and Wellness Coaching.

Most of the research reports a positive correlation between Health and Wellness Coaching and obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, heart disease, and general wellness. This was reflected in positive changes in weight loss, A1C, blood pressure, cholesterol, stress, anxiety, self-efficacy, exercise participation, and nutritional habits.

Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia

Hackshaw, K.V. et. al. 2016. A Pilot Study of Health and Wellness Coaching for Fibromyalgia. In: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Overview: In this one-year pilot program, the Health and Wellness Program plus standard FM therapy enhanced behaviour change in the cohort. Data showed clinically significant improvements in measures of quality of life (~36% improvement) and pain, along with marked reductions in the need for health care. Such improvements do not normally occur spontaneously and this presents a case for further investigation into Health and Wellness Coaching as an intervention for Fibromyalgia.

Diabetes/Metabolic Disorders/Weight

Bhanpuri, NH, Hallberg, SJ, Williams, PT. 2018. Cardiovascular disease risk factor responses to a type 2 diabetes care model including nutritional ketosis induced by sustained carbohydrate restriction at 1 year. In: Cardiovascular Diabetology

Overview: This one-year study outlines a program in which patients were supported by a remote (phone-based) health coach and physician to achieve and sustain nutritional ketosis and manage medications, with peer support from an online community for the period of the study. The program saw positive changes in most cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type II diabetes at 1 year including reduced triglycerides, blood pressure cholesterol and many were able to stop taking anti-hypertensive medication.

Everett, E, Kane, B, Yoo, A, Dobs, A, Mathioudakis, N. 2017. A novel approach for fully automated, personalized health coaching for adults with prediabetes: pilot clinical trial. In: Journal of Medical Internet Research.

Overview: This study discusses the use of an app – the Sweetch mobile intervention program – an artificial intelligence approach, as a safe and effective method of increasing physical activity and reducing weight and HbA1c in adults with pre-diabetes.

Sweet, CMC, Chiguluri, V, Gumpina, R. 2017. Outcomes of a digital health program with human coaching for diabetes risk reduction in a Medicare population. In: Journal of Aging and Health.

Overview: A total of 501 people at risk for diabetes enrolled in a 12-month program combining digital health with human coaching. This ‘Medicare population’ maintained engagement and improved weight, health, and well-being. The findings support digital programs with human coaching for reducing chronic disease risk among older adults.

Heart Disease

Miller, KE, Martz, DC, Stoner, C. 2018 Efficacy of a telephone-based medical nutrition program on blood lipid and lipoprotein metabolism: results of our healthy heart. In Nutrition and Dietetics.

Overview: A study of 1522 individuals with mixed dyslipidaemia (age 18–99 years, body mass index (BMI) 25–40, 62.7% females examined the efficacy of telephone‐based health coaching program on improving markers of coronary heart disease (CHD). It was found that telephone‐based health coaching was linked to reduced dietary energy intake and increase physical activity, which in turn produced significant improvements in cholesterol content of atherogenic lipoproteins, and therefore, a lower risk of CHD risk.

Menopause

Fujimoto, K. 2016.Effectiveness of coaching for enhancing the health of menopausal Japanese women. In: Journal of Women and Aging.

Overview: This study evaluated a coaching intervention aimed at encouraging menopausal women to be engaged in goal-oriented actions, enhancing self-efficacy, alleviating menopausal symptoms and improving quality of life. The intervention group received leaflets and three monthly coaching sessions and used the Simplified Menopausal Index, Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, and a goal achievement scale. A 3-month coaching intervention increased the participants’ self-efficacy; this effect was not maintained 3 months post-intervention. This may allude to the benefit of coaching support for a longer/ongoing period.

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