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Introduction: The purpose of this study was to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of the Koa Family Program, a community-based telewellness weight reduction intervention for overweight and obese women aged 21–45 years with low income. The Koa Family Program resulted in an approximately 8-pound weight loss as demonstrated in an RCT published previously. Methods: Estimates for the cost-effectiveness were derived from the prospective 25-week RCT including 70 women (25 kg/m2≤BMI

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of the Koa Family Program, a community-based telewellness weight reduction intervention for overweight and obese women aged 21-45 years with low income. The Koa Family Program resulted in an approximately 8-pound weight loss as demonstrated in an RCT published previously., Methods: Estimates for the cost-effectiveness were derived from the prospective 25-week RCT including 70 women (25 kg/m 2 ≤BMI<40 kg/m 2 ). The analysis was from a program-funder perspective. Base case costs, as well as low and high scenario costs, were estimated from the services provided to intervention participants. The incremental costs were compared with the incremental effectiveness, with weight loss being the outcome of interest. Costs were in 2021 U.S. dollars. Cost-effectiveness was assessed using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and the incremental net benefit. The statistical uncertainty was characterized using an incremental net benefit by willingness-to-pay plot and a cost-effectiveness acceptability curve., Results: The base case average cost per participant was $564.39. The low and high scenario average costs per participant were $407.34 and $726.22, respectively. Over the 25-week study timeframe, participants lost an average 7.7 pounds, yielding a base case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of approximately $73 per extra pound lost. The probability that the Koa Family Program is cost-effective is 90%, assuming a willingness-to-pay of $115 for a 1-pound reduction, and is 95%, assuming a willingness-to-pay of $140., Conclusions: The Koa Family Program provides good value with cost-effectiveness in line with other weight-loss interventions. This is a striking finding given that the Koa Family Program serves a more vulnerable population than is typically engaged in weight loss research studies., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

To evaluate the effectiveness of an eight-week telewellness program, MENTOR (Mindfulness, Exercise and Nutrition to Optimize Resilience), on diet quality among people with physical disabilities. A retrospective study of people with disabilities (PWD) who participated in the MENTOR program from January to December 2021. Online telewellness program in the general community. Adults (n=86) ages 22-77 years old (Mean 52+15) had a self-reported physical/mobility disability, including stroke, Parkinson disease, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, spina bifida, amputation, and other physical disabilities. Eight-week, synchronous telewellness program (5 hrs/week) using the Healthie platform and Zoom videoconferencing software. In addition to classes in exercise and mindfulness, participants attended weekly nutrition classes and optional nutrition counseling led by a Registered Dietitian. Diet quality was assessed via the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants-Shortened Version (REAPS) questionnaire administered through the Healthie platform. Scores range from 13-39 with higher scores indicating better diet quality. Changes in pre and post scores were assessed via paired samples t-test. Mean baseline scores were 27.1 (SD 5.1) and post-program mean scores were 30.1 (SD 5.5), which indicates a statistically significant increase in diet scores after participating in the MENTOR program (p=.002). An eight-week telewellness MENTOR program resulted in significant improvements in diet scores among people with physical disabilities suggesting the program can be used to promote positive dietary behaviors while focusing on a broader set of wellness domains. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telehealth holds much potential for supporting older adults' physical and social health. In particular, telewellness interventions to support the physical and social wellness of older adults are needed to overcome participation barriers with in-person programs. This paper presents guidelines for delivering telewellness interventions to older adults, which were informed by a human factors approach to developing a Tele Tai Chi intervention for older adults with mobility disabilities, including reviewing user needs literature and conducting user-centered needs assessment research. From these findings, we developed a protocol and support materials for delivering a telewellness intervention and conducted a feasibility study. We also established an adaptation committee to provide recommendations on the intervention. The outcome of our human factors approach was the establishment of research-driven design guidelines for delivering group exercise programs to older adults using videoconferencing. The guidelines provide direction for designing a telewellness protocol, supporting remote participation, and promoting socialization and engagement. These guidelines can be used to deliver interventions that increase access to socially-engaging, physical activity programs for older adults, which can ultimately help support their physical health, mental health, and quality of life.