Effect of a digitally augmented general health promotion intervention on abstinence from health-risk behaviors among emergency department discharge patients: A randomized controlled trial.

TL;DR

A randomized controlled trial of digitally augmented health promotion (brief telephone AWARD intervention plus 6 months of WhatsApp/WeChat messaging) in ED-discharged patients achieved 30.1% self-reported abstinence from ≥1 health-risk behavior at 6 months versus 19.9% in controls, but benefits attenuated after messaging ceased.

Key findings

• Intervention combined structured telephone counseling (AWARD model) with weekly mobile messaging for 6 months, resulting in 51% relative risk increase for abstinence from health-risk behaviors at 6 months
• Physical inactivity showed the greatest improvement (31.7% vs 16.2% in controls), while effects were modest for tobacco/alcohol/diet behaviors
• Gains were not sustained at 12-month follow-up after messaging support ended, suggesting need for maintenance strategies
• Study limitations include self-reported outcomes, single-center design, and loss to follow-up affecting generalizability

Why this matters at the bedside

ED visits present an opportune moment for brief behavioral interventions; this trial demonstrates feasibility of digital augmentation to improve short-term abstinence from modifiable NCD risk factors, though sustained benefit requires ongoing support structures.