Participation in a patient-organized social media group during hybrid cardiometabolic rehabilitation was associated with a non-significant greater body weight reduction (-9.4 kg vs -7.6 kg, N.S.).
Observational (n=106)
Does social support improve body weight reduction in cardiometabolic patients undergoing hybrid rehabilitation?
Social support, particularly through family members or patient-organized social media groups, may positively influence weight loss outcomes in cardiometabolic patients undergoing hybrid rehabilitation.
Effect estimate: OR 1.82
Absolute Event Rate: -9.4% vs -7.6%
p-value: p=N.S.
Abstract Background The authors has accumulated two and a half years of experience in the coaching of cardiometabolic patients with considerable lifestyle problems. The efficacy of the service was influenced by spontaneous social effects experienced by several patients over the course of three months of home-based coaching. Objective The objective of this study is to analyze the effects of different social factors on the effectiveness of hybrid lifestyle programs for cardiometabolic patients. Method A total of 734 patients, with a mean age of 54.8 ± 14.4 years, were approached via SMS between March 1, 2023, and July 31, 2025, and were requested to complete a brief online Google form. The 106 patients (mean age 54.9 ± 11.8 years) who completed the survey reported the following: service date, body weight change, and availability of social support factors. The patients were asked to report whether they arrived at the department with a family member (FM), a partner not living in the same household (P), or alone (A). They were also asked to report their participation in the activity of a spontaneous patient-organized social media group (SM) after completing the in-hospital phase of hybrid rehabilitation or not participating in such an activity (NSM). Results The mean reported body weight change was –8.6 ± 6.9 kg for the entire group that was assessed. This figure was observed to be higher in patients participating in SM activity relative to the NSM group (SM: -9.4 ± 6.7 kg vs. NSM: -7.6 ± 7.2 kg, N.S.). An analysis of the subgroups revealed that the absence of pear support (A) versus family member support (FM) resulted in a less pronounced difference (8.7 ± 7.6 kg vs. 7.6 ± 7.1 kg, N.S.). A notable observation was the tendency for patients arriving for service accompanied by a partner who did not share the same living space (P) to exhibit a less pronounced reduction in body weight (-5.1 ± 4.0 kg, N.S. versus A and FM). Logistic regression analysis yielded an odds ratio of 1.82 (coefficient: 0.60) for SM and 1.40 (coefficient: 0.33) for FM. However, a negative correlation was observed for P (odds ratio: 1.72, coefficient: -0.32). Conclusion Based on our preliminary survey, it is reasonable to investigate the effect of groups formed on social media platforms from patients served in care of hybrid cardiometabolic rehabilitation. Similarly, it is worth initiating planned examinations for families where lifestyle deviations affect several family members.
Rafael et al. (Mon,) conducted a observational in metabolic syndrome (n=106). Social media group participation (SM) vs. No social media group participation (NSM) was evaluated on body weight change (OR 1.82, p=N.S.). Participation in a patient-organized social media group during hybrid cardiometabolic rehabilitation was associated with a non-significant greater body weight reduction (-9.4 kg vs -7.6 kg, N.S.).
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