Facilitated Health Coaching Research

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Research on facilitated health coaching evolved from a foundational project called the Health Coach Study that provided opportunities for graduate students to work on creative applications to build and test interventions with activity monitors. The series of studies relied on the availability of trained health coaches so this led to the development and refinement of a health coaching training course. Programming and course development were led by 3 Ph.D. students from the Department (Katy DeShaw, Jeni Lansing and Maria Perez). Subsequent dissertation research by Katy DeShaw documented the scientific basis of the training model and helped to establish a formalized practicum course in the Department (KIN 494A/B Practicum in Motivational Interviewing) which provides students with the foundational theory of MI along with opportunities to practice and refine the skill. The course was later adapted for delivery online and is now available for broader adoption through the Learn@ISU hub. This online version is managed through the ISU Translational Research Network (See Link for details). Facilitated health coaching is now managed through the Wellness Works outreach program with research lines linked to the CYdekicks health coaching initiative managed through ExerCYse is Medicine. 

MasterS Student Projects

Validity of the Bodymedia Weight Management Software
o   Thesis study: Nettie McGuire - Handsaker

Bonsante Weight Loss Pilot Project
o   Thesis study (Clinical Outcomes): Sarah Walsh
o   Thesis study (Behavioral Outcomes): Katie Paulson
o   Thesis study(6 month follow up evaluation):  Sarah Davis

Evaluation of Bodymedia ProConnect Software and Virtual Health Coaching
o   Thesis study: Molly Webb
o   Thesis study Erin Nelson

Comparison of In-Person and Virtual Health Coaching for Behavior Change 
o   Thesis study Katie Bus

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Published Papers

  1. Ellingson, L.D, Lansing, J.E., Perez, M.L., DeShaw, K.J., Meyer, M.D. & Welk, G.J. (2021). Facilitated health coaching improves activity level and chronic low back pain symptoms. Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.
  2. Ellingson, L. D., Lansing, J. E., DeShaw, K. J., Peyer, K. L., Bai, Y., Perez, M., ... & Welk, G. J. (2019). Evaluating Motivational Interviewing and Habit Formation to Enhance the Effect of Activity Trackers on Healthy Adults’ Activity Levels: Randomized Intervention. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 7(2), e10988.
  3. Bus, K., Peyer, K. L., Bai, Y., Ellingson, L. D., & Welk, G. J. (2017). Comparison of In-Person and Online Motivational Interviewing–Based Health Coaching. Health promotion practice, , 19 (4), 513-521.
  4. Peyer, K. L., Ellingson, L. D., Bus, K., Walsh, S. A., Franke, W. D., & Welk, G. J. (2017). Comparative effectiveness of guided weight loss and physical activity monitoring for weight loss and metabolic risks: A pilot study. Preventive Medicine Reports, 6, 271-277​