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Table 1 Definitions of 'established behaviour change techniques'

From: Systematic review of reviews of intervention components associated with increased effectiveness in dietary and physical activity interventions

Source

Basis for categorisation

Avenell et al. 2004 [31]

Definitions of behaviour therapy varied by study but include self-monitoring, stimulus control, problem solving, relapse prevention management, cognitive restructuring, self-assertion, social support, goal setting, self-reinforcement.

McTigue et al. 2003 [46]

Behavioural interventions are strategies to help patients acquire the skills, motivations, and support to change diet and exercise patterns. These include barrier identification, problem solving, self-monitoring, social support, goal-setting, developing action plans, relapse prevention, stimulus control and cognitive restructuring.

Shaw et al. 2005 [54]

Behavioural therapy aims to provide the individual with coping skills to handle various cues to overeat and to manage lapses in diet and physical activity when they occur and to provide motivation essential to maintain adherence to a healthier lifestyle once the initial enthusiasm for the programme has waned. Therapeutic techniques in studies relating to the benefit of using "established behaviour change techniques" include stimulus control, self-control and therapist-controlled contingencies, self-monitoring, problem solving, goal setting, behaviour modification, reinforcement.

NICE Obesity guidance [67]

This guidance document comprises a summary (and expansion) of reviews by Shaw et al.[54], McTigue et al.[46], Avenell et al.[31] and Smith et al.[71]. Definitions vary by analysis but typically include cue avoidance, self-monitoring, stimulus control, social support, planning problem solving, cognitive restructuring, modifying thoughts, relapse prevention, reinforcement of change, coping strategies, coping imagery, goal setting, social assertion, reinforcement techniques for enhancing motivation.