OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis examined effects of health coaching on physical activities, dietary behaviors, health responsibility, stress management, and smoking behaviors among populations with cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: Multiple electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials utilizing health coaching for people with cardiovascular risk factors to lead behavioral changes. The included studies were pooled to estimate the effect size for health coaching interventions on each of the health behaviors. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 15 randomized trials. Motivational interviewing and education sessions were common coaching interventions with telephone calls or face-to-face contacts as the main contact methods. Health coaching for health behaviors showed small but significant effect sizes on physical activities, dietary behaviors, health responsibility, and stress management except for smoking behaviors. CONCLUSION: The study findings support that health coaching can induce positive behavioral changes among individuals with cardiovascular risk factors. Health coaching delivered by either expert or peer coaches would be easy to apply in clinical settings. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Health care professionals should be aware that health coaching could provide effective motivation strategies to improve compliance of those who need to initiate and maintain their health behaviors. Health coaching could be easily delivered via telephone calls, text messages, or short-term face-to-face coaching.
With permission from Excerpta Medica Inc.

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