Evidence-based Health Promotion guides our Lifestyle Programs

Our programs are state-of-the-science for achieving meaningful, long-term change for individuals and the population. In addition, AlphaOne® programs are evaluated using University-level research methods, we currently have multiple programs undergoing evaluation for effectiveness with the University of South Australia, and Southern Cross University. Program results are reported fully in a user-friendly, timely format are also written-up for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Evidence-based health promotion (EBHP) is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about health strategies to promote the health of individuals, communities, and populations. The practice of EBHP means integrating local expertise with the best available external evidence yielded by systematic research.

EBHP requires conducting cross-disciplinary literature searches, applying rules of evidence and appraisal of study quality, and selecting the most effective programs. It requires attention to recognized health promotion concepts and socio-cultural factors.

EBHP asks the practitioner to present to the purchaser a reliable summary of the area, including its strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations.

EBHP also involves applying traditional skills of health promotion and health education, for example sensitivity to the cultural and emotional needs of particular populations, e.g. tailoring to suit the needs of different genders, age groups or socioeconomic groups.

Source

Sackett D, Rosenberg W, Gray, J, et al (1996) Evidence-based medicine: What it is and what it isn't. BMJ, 312, 71-72; Long A and Sheldon T (1992) Enhancing effective and acceptable purchaser and provider decisions: overview and methods. Quality in Health Care, 177, 74-77; Rada J, Ratima M and Howden-Chapman P (1999) Evidence-based purchasing of health promotion: methodology for reviewing evidence, Health Promotion International, Vol. 14, No. 2, 177-187

The list of references below are produced for your satisfaction, detailing our tireless efforts, but can never be considered exhaustive given the nature of science today. This research informs our program design with the best possible evidence for effectiveness. We cross a very broad body of evidence and continue to weigh up the subjective hypothesis based approaches with empirically tested research findings. We are open to debate and encourage such, through our various forums and your direct comments.

Physical Activity & Exercise

Bauman A and Craig C (2005) The place of physical activity in the WHO Global Strategy on Diet and Physical Activity. International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity 2 1-6

Bauman A, Phongsavan P, Schoeppe S and Owen N (2006) Physical activity measurement - a primer for health promotion. Promotion and Education 13(2) 92-106

Bauman A, Bellew B, Vita P, Brown W, Owen N (2002) Getting Australia Active: towards better practice for the promotion of physical activity. National Public Health Partnership. Melbourne, Australia.

Bravata D, Smith-Spangler C, Sundaram V et al (2007) Using pedometers to increase physical activity and improve health: a systematic review. JAMA 298(19) 2296-2304

Bull F, Pratt M, Shephard RJ, Lankenau B (2006) Implementing national population-based action on physical activity-challenges for action and opportunities for international collaboration. Promotion and Education 13 2 127-132

Bull FC, Bauman A, Bellew B, Brown W (2004) Getting Australia Active II: An update of evidence on physical activity for health. Melbourne, Australia. National Public Health Partnership (NPHP)

Chan CB, Ryan DA, Tudor-Locke C. Health benefits of a pedometer-based physical activity intervention in sedentary workers. Prev Med. 2004; 39: 1215-1222.

Griffin-Blake CS and DeJoy DM (2006) Evaluation of social-cognitive versus stage-matched, self-help physical activity interventions at the workplace. American Journal of Health Promotion 203 200-209

Hillsdon M, Foster C, Thorogood M. Interventions for promoting physical activity Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005 Issue 1. Art No.: CD003180. DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD003180.pub2

Kahn EB, Ramsey LT, Brownson RC, Heath GW, Howze EH, Powell KE, Stone EJ, Rajab MW, Corso P. The effectiveness of interventions to increase physical activity: a systematic review. Am J Prev Med. 2002; 22: 73-107

Marcus BH, Lewis BA, Williams DM et al (2007) A Comparison of Internet and Print-Based Physical Activity Interventions. Archives of Internal Medicine 167 (9) 944-949

Marshall AL, Owen N, Bauman AE (2004a) Mediated approaches for influencing physical activity: update of the evidence on mass media, print, telephone and website delivery of interventions. J Sci Med Sport.; 7 (suppl): 74-80

Napolitano MA, Marcus BH. Targeting and tailoring physical activity information using print and information technologies. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2002; 30: 122-128

Owen N, Leslie E, Salmon J, Fotheringham MJ (2000) Environmental determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews 28 153-158

Spittaels H, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Brug J, Vandelanotte C (2007) Effectiveness of an online computer-tailored physical activity intervention in a real-life setting. Health Education Research 22(3) 385-396

National Public Health Partnership (NPHP). (2001). Promoting active transport: an intervention portfolio to increase physical activity as a means of transport. August. www.nphp.gov.au/sigpah/keyactiv.htm

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Diet

Sorensen G, Stoddard AM, Dubowitz T, Barbeau EM, Bigby J, Emmons KM, Berkman LF, Peterson KE (2007) The influence of social context on changes in fruit and vegetable consumption: results of the healthy directions studies. Am J Public Health 97(7) 1216-27

Thomas J Moore, MD et al (2008). Weight, Blood Pressure, and Dietary Benefits After 12 Months of a Web-based Nutrition Education Program (DASH for Health): Longitudinal Observational Study. (J Med Internet Res 2008;10(4):e52)

Egger G, Pearson S, Seleby P. Individualising weight loss prescription - a management tool for clinicians. Australian Family Physician Vol. 35, No. 8, August 2006.

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Weight Management

Russell E Glasgow, PhD,, et al (2007). Reach, Engagement, and Retention in an Internet-Based Weight Loss Program in a Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Trial. (J Med Internet Res 2007;9(2):e11)

Victor J Stevens, PhD et al (2008) Design and Implementation of an Interactive Website to Support Long-Term Maintenance of Weight Loss. (J Med Internet Res 2008;10(1):e1)

Marieke W Verheijden, PhD et al (2007). Rates and Determinants of Repeated Participation in a Web-Based Behavior Change Program for Healthy Body Weight and Healthy Lifestyle. (J Med Internet Res 2007;9(1):e1).

Egger G, Pearson S, Seleby P. Individualising weight loss prescription - a management tool for clinicians. Australian Family Physician Vol. 35, No. 8, August 2006.

Egger G, Pearson S, Pal S, Swinburn B. Dissecting obesogenic behaviours: the development and application of a test battery for targeting prescription for weight loss. Obesity reviews 2007 8, 481-486.

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Stress, Anxiety & Depression

Annemieke van Straten, et al (2008). Effectiveness of a Web-Based Self-Help Intervention for Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res 2008;10(1):e

Björn Meyer, PhD, et al (2009). Effectiveness of a Novel Integrative Online Treatment for Depression (Deprexis): Randomized Controlled Trial. (J Med Internet Res 2009;11(2):e15)

Helen Christensen, PhD, et al (2009). Adherence in Internet Interventions for Anxiety and Depression. (J Med Internet Res 2009;11(2):e13)

Lisanne Warmerdam, MD et al (2008). Internet-Based Treatment for Adults with Depressive Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Trial. (J Med Internet Res 2008;10(4):e44)

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Smoking Cessation

Velicer WF, Prochaska JO and Redding CA (2006) Tailored communications for smoking cessation: past successes and future directions. Drug and Alcohol Review 25 49-57

Victor J Strecher, PhD, MPH et al (2008). The Role of Engagement in a Tailored Web-Based Smoking Cessation Program: Randomized Controlled Trial. (J Med Internet Res 2008;10(5):e36)

Beth C Bock, PhD et al (2008). A Review of Web-Assisted Tobacco Interventions (WATIs). (J Med Internet Res 2008;10(5):e39)

Vance Rabius, PhD et al (2008). Comparing Internet Assistance for Smoking Cessation: 13-Month Follow-Up of a Six-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial. (J Med Internet Res 2008;10(5):e45)

James Balmford, PhD et al (2008). Patterns of Use of an Automated Interactive Personalized Coaching Program for Smoking Cessation. (J Med Internet Res 2008;10(5):e54).

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Risky Alcohol Consumption Reduction

Heleen Riper, MSc et al (2008). Predicting Successful Treatment Outcome of Web-Based Self-help for Problem Drinkers: Secondary Analysis From a Randomized Controlled Trial. (J Med Internet Res 2008;10(4):e46)

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Multiple Behaviour Change

Aldana SG, Greenlaw RL, Diehl HA, Salberg A, Merrill RM, Ohmine S, Thomas C. Effects of an intensive diet and physical activity modification program on the health risks of adults. J Am Diet Assoc. 2005; 105: 371-381

Sorensen G, Emmons K, Hunt MK, Barbeau E, Goldman R, Peterson K, Kuntz K, Stoddard A, Berkman L. (2003) Model for incorporating social context in health behavior interventions: applications for cancer prevention for working-class, multiethnic populations. Prev Med. 37(3) 188-97

Vandelanotte C, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Sallis JF, Spittaels H, Brug J. Efficacy of sequential or simultaneous interactive computer-tailored interventions for increasing physical activity and decreasing fat intake. Ann Behav Med. 2005; 29: 138-146

Emmons KM, Linnan LA, Shadel WG, Marcus B, Abrams DB. (1999) The Working Healthy Project: a worksite health-promotion trial targeting physical activity, diet, and smoking. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 41(7):545-555.

Royer F Cook, PhD; et al( 2008). A Field Test of a Web-Based Workplace Health Promotion Program to Improve Dietary Practices, Reduce Stress, and Increase Physical Activity: Randomized Controlled Trial. (J Med Internet Res 2007;9(2):e17)

Egger G, Binns A, Rossner S. The emergence of a clinical process: 'Lifestyle medicine' as a structured approach to the management of chronic disease. MJA 2009; 190: 143-145.

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Technology's Place and Health Behaviour Change

Science Panel on Interactive Communication and Health. Wired for health and well-being: the emergence of interactive health communication. Washington, DC: US Dept of Health and Human Services, US Gov Printing Office 1999

Usher, W. Gold Coast General Practitioners' Recommendations of Health Websites to the Patients. MJA 2007; 187: 82-83

Dean J Wantland, MS, RN, MSN et al (2004). The Effectiveness of Web-Based vs. Non-Web-Based Interventions: A Meta-Analysis of Behavioral Change Outcomes. (J Med Internet Res 2004;6(4):e40)

Malcolm Koo, PhD; Harvey Skinner, PhD (2005). Challenges of Internet Recruitment: A Case Study with Disappointing Results. (J Med Internet Res 2005;7(1):e6)

Gunther Eysenbach, MD, MPH (2007). The Law of Attrition. (J Med Internet Res 2005;7(1):e11)

Russell E Glasgow, PhD, et al (2004) A Practical Randomized Trial to Improve Diabetes Care. J Gen Intern Med. 2004 December; 19(12): 1167-1174.

Wendy Brouwer, MSc, et al (2007) An Exploration of Factors Related to Dissemination of and Exposure to Internet-Delivered Behavior Change Interventions Aimed at Adults: A Delphi Study Approach. Am J Prev Med. 1999 Jan;16(1):10-5.

Patricia D Franklin, MD, MBA, MPH et al (2006). Using Sequential Email Messages to Promote Health Behaviors: Evidence of Feasibility and Reach in a Worksite Sample. (J Med Internet Res 2006;8(1):e3)

Kenneth G Adler, MD, MMM et al (2006). Web Portals in Primary Care: An Evaluation of Patient Readiness and Willingness to Pay for Online Services. (J Med Internet Res 2006;8(4):e26).

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