Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Background: Evidence on the use of digital health technologies by older adults is growing. However, the impact of these technologies in health promotion and disease prevention among older adults at risk for cardiovascular disease is not fully explored.
Aims: This study aimed to compare the effect of two digital health technology-based interventions on engagement in healthy behaviors, weight loss, and psychological well-being over time (baseline [pre-intervention] to three months [post-intervention] to six months [long-term]) and explore outcome predictors.
Methods: This randomized, longitudinal study examined the intermediate (three months) and long-term (six months) effects of two digital health technologies, Get FIT vs. Get FIT+. Over 12 weeks, Get FIT participants (n = 24) received one face-to-face counseling session on healthy food and exercise, an activity tracker (Fitbit Charge), and access to a nutrition app (MyFitnessPal app). The Get FIt+ group (n = 30) received all the same components as Get FIT, plus weekly personalized text messages to motivate and encourage them to meet their goals. General Linear Models were used for analysis.
Results: Fifty-four older adults (mean age 65.6 ± 5.8 years, 60% women, 65.5% Hispanic) were randomly assigned into the two groups. Table 1 shows the group comparisons between Get FIT vs. Get FIT+ in terms of healthy behaviors, weight loss, and psychological well-being outcomes at the three time-points. At six months, the group assignment was associated with greater weight loss, higher physical activity levels, reduced calorie intake, and lower depression scores. Being Hispanic was associated with higher weight, whereas being non-Hispanic and higher education with higher levels of depression.
Conclusion: Digital health technologies increased the adoption of healthy behaviors, weight loss, and better psychological well-being over time, with greater improvements observed in the Get FIT+ group. Likewise, Get FIT+ participants sustained these improvements in the long term. A large randomized clinical trial is needed to evaluate the efficacy of both interventions in older adults at risk for cardiovascular disease.