title: A review of technology-based interventions to maintain weight loss.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For many decades, healthcare providers and researchers have developed weight-loss interventions to help people achieve weight loss. Unfortunately, it is typical for people to lose weight quickly during the intervention period but then slowly regain weight until they return to their approximate baseline. Technology-based maintenance interventions are among the newest approaches to long-term weight loss. Several advantages make technology helpful for maintaining weight loss. The purpose of this article was to review and critique the randomized controlled trials of technology-based weight-loss maintenance interventions (WLMIs) for adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search through electronic databases and a manual citation search were conducted. Limited numbers of controlled trials published since 2000 that included randomization, and technology-based WLMIs were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The characteristics of the eight studies were diverse. The average score of study design quality was moderate. The results of the effectiveness of technology-based WLMIs were mixed. Technology-based WLMIs are more likely to be effective than usual care but not more effective than personal contact.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the review, guidelines were established for the selection and potential success of technology-based WLMIs. The effectiveness of technology-based maintenance interventions for weight loss varied, and potential strategies and approaches are discussed to improve their effectiveness. Further studies are needed to better evaluate and refine the efficacy of technology-based WLMIs.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Sohye
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lindquist
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020811:Biomedical Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: obesity; technology-based intervention; weight loss and weight-loss maintenance