%0 Journal Article
%@ 1438-8871
%I JMIR Publications
%V 26
%N 
%P e58726
%T Deceptively Simple yet Profoundly Impactful: Text Messaging Interventions to Support Health
%A Suffoletto,Brian
%+ Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University, 3145 Porter Drive Wing B, Palo Alto, CA, 94035, United States, 1 412 901 6892, suffbp@stanford.edu
%K SMS intervention
%K behavior
%K intervention
%K review
%K text messaging
%K SMS
%K interventions
%K behaviors
%K behaviour
%K behaviours
%K effectiveness
%K development
%K impact
%K narrative review
%K physical activity
%K diet
%K weight loss
%K mental health
%K substance use
%K meta-analysis
%K chatbot
%K chatbots
%K large language model
%K LLM
%K large language models
%K mobile phone
%D 2024
%7 27.8.2024
%9 Viewpoint
%J J Med Internet Res
%G English
%X This paper examines the use of text message (SMS) interventions for health-related behavioral support. It first outlines the historical progress in SMS intervention research publications and the variety of funds from US government agencies. A narrative review follows, highlighting the effectiveness of SMS interventions in key health areas, such as physical activity, diet and weight loss, mental health, and substance use, based on published meta-analyses. It then outlines advantages of text messaging compared to other digital modalities, including the real-time capability to collect information and deliver microdoses of intervention support. Crucial design elements are proposed to optimize effectiveness and longitudinal engagement across communication strategies, psychological foundations, and behavior change tactics. We then discuss advanced functionalities, such as the potential for generative artificial intelligence to improve user interaction. Finally, major challenges to implementation are highlighted, including the absence of a dedicated commercial platform, privacy and security concerns with SMS technology, difficulties integrating SMS interventions with medical informatics systems, and concerns about user engagement. Proposed solutions aim to facilitate the broader application and effectiveness of SMS interventions. Our hope is that these insights can assist researchers and practitioners in using SMS interventions to improve health outcomes and reducing disparities.
%M 39190427
%R 10.2196/58726
%U https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e58726
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/58726
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39190427