Out of 163 behaviour change methods coded in interventions, 37 (22.7%) overlapped with the care provided to the respective control groups.
Teaching methods in educational interventions can include exercises based on simulation scenarios and role-play, group discussions and lectures focusing on adverse events and patient safety.
The analyses revealed that there was considerable overlap in the behaviour change methods delivered to intervention and control groups, which strongly increased as the 'control group capacity' increased (the total number of behaviour change methods offered to control groups; r =.68, p <.001; overlap ranged from 0%to50%0% of the behaviour change methods in the intervention manuals).
Six studies demonstrated greater reliability in their data tracking methods through built-in intervention monitoring [ 65], researcher monitoring [ 9, 66], and required activities and assignments [ 71, 72, 74].
This study exemplifies the MRC recommendation to integrate qualitative and quantitative methods in developing complex interventions.
We would like to argue for a broader, circular view that illustrates the equivalence of research methods in non-pharmacological interventions.
Strategies designed to improve the effectiveness public health campaigns in this area need to include clear communication of concepts linking health, food and the diet using appropriate language and delivery methods, in combination with interventions to improve the physical access to healthier choices in schools, supermarkets, workplaces etc. and the provision of healthier options by industry.
The goals associated with the EQUATOR initiative are many, but the overarching goal - at least, as we see it - is to prevent authors from omitting crucial information in the description of research methods and interventions, in order to avoid disappointing results in primary or secondary (post hoc) analyses.
The methods in which the intervention can be implemented include the use of a care pathway or treatment guidelines, the provision of individualized care, and/or by simply following the study protocol.
We use three psychotherapeutic methods in the group intervention: (1) psychoeducation, (2) self-monitoring between sessions and development of adequate self-control strategies, and (3) food-related cue exposure with response prevention.
