Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40074279›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Acceptability and perceptions of a 12-week telehealth exercise programme with dietary advice to increase plant-based protein in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a programme evaluation using mixed methods.

Christine L Freer, Elena S George, Sze-Yen Tan, Gavin Abbott, Tonya Paris, Robin M Daly

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Christine L FreerInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia c.freer@research.deakin.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2026-9931
Elena S GeorgeInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1385-2371
Sze-Yen TanInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9607-202X
Gavin AbbottInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4014-0705
Tonya ParisInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-5827-1877
Robin M DalyInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9897-1598

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTelehealth may offer a cost-effective, accessible and convenient healthcare service model; however, the acceptability, safety and perceptions of telehealth delivered lifestyle interventions in those with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is unknown.

designThis was a mixed-methods evaluation of a telehealth delivered 12-week exercise, dietary support and behavioural change programme (Tele-ProEx). SETTING AND

participants12 adults receiving the intervention (47-77 years) with NAFLD living in Australia. OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were assessed postintervention via questionnaires to evaluate acceptability and satisfaction with the programme, usability (exercise app) and perceptions of safety. Semistructured interviews were also conducted, and qualitative thematic analysis was used to identify themes.

resultsParticipants reported moderate to high acceptability (overall mean±SD scores out of 5: exercise programme 3.9±0.5; dietary support to increase plant protein intake 4.0±0.7; behavioural modification 3.6±0.4). Satisfaction was high (overall mean score 3.7±0.3 out of 4), the programme was perceived as safe (overall mean score, 4.4±0.5 out of 5) and app usability was above average (mean score 75.6±5.2 out of 100). Thematic analysis revealed participants perceived telehealth as being comparable to face-to-face interactions with health professionals. Common exercise barriers were alleviated by the personalised programme, while participants with low previous exposure to plant protein foods found the dietary recommendations challenging. Social support and engagement were deemed important for supporting motivation and adherence.

conclusionsIn adults with NAFLD, a telehealth delivered multifaceted lifestyle programme was well accepted and perceived as safe, indicating telehealth offers a viable delivery model in this population. Key features important to participants were the personalised and flexible approach utilising engaging delivery methods that featured social support. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12621001706864.

Indexed as

Exercise TherapyNon-alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseasePatient Acceptance of Health CareAgedAustraliaExerciseFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient SatisfactionProgram EvaluationSurveys and QuestionnairesTelemedicineChronic DiseaseeHealthNUTRITION & DIETETICS

Identifiers

PMID40074279
PMCPMC11904327

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.