Behavioral Intervention Studies Research Articles

Focus group findings on the migraine patient experience during research studies and ideas for future investigations.

We conducted focus groups in people who had participated in mobile health (mHealth) studies of behavioral interventions for migraine to better understand: (a) Participant experience in the recruitment/enrollment process; (b) participant experience during the studies themselves; (c) ideas for improving participant experience for future studies. We conducted four focus groups in people who had agreed to participate in one of three studies involving mHealth and behavioral therapy for migraine. Inclusion criteria were being age 18-80, owning a smartphone, and having four or more headache days per month. All participants met the International Classification of Headache Disorders third edition beta version criteria for migraine. Exclusion criteria were not speaking English and having had behavioral therapy for migraine in the past year. Focus groups were audio recorded, fully transcribed and coded using general thematic analysis. The 12 focus group participants had a mean age of 45 ± 15, a mean age of headache onset of 21 ± 13 and mean MIDAS disability score was 39 ± 56. Participants were women (100%), white (50%), Asian (33.3%) or members of other racial groups (16.7%). Certain themes emerged from each topic area. With regard to recruitment/enrollment (a), key themes were: (i) Participants joined their study out of an interest in research and/or a desire to try a new migraine treatment modality (behavioral therapy). (ii) Enrollment should be simple and study requirements should be carefully explained prior to enrollment. When asked about their experiences during the studies (b), the following themes emerged: (i) It is difficult to participate in study follow-up and compliance phone calls; (ii) participants prefer to choose from among various options for contact with the study team; (iii) there are barriers that limit app use related to migraine itself, as well as other barriers; (iv) completing diaries on a daily basis is challenging; (v) technical difficulties and uncertainties about app features limit use; (vi) being part of a research study promoted daily behavioral therapy use; (vii) progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is enjoyable, and has a positive impact on life; (viii) behavioral therapy was a preferred treatment to reduce migraine pain. Ideas for improving study design or patient experience (c) included: (i) Increased opportunity to interact with other people with migraine would be beneficial; (ii) navigating the app and data entry should be easier; (iii) more varied methods for viewing the data and measures of adherence are needed; (iv) more information on and more varied behavioral treatment modalities would be preferred. Though people with migraine are motivated to participate in mHealth and behavioral treatment studies, better communication up front about interventions as well as greater flexibility in interventions and follow-up methods are desired.

Mediators affecting the association between a lifestyle behavior intervention and stress in low-income overweight or obese mothers of young children.

Using data from a community-based lifestyle behavioral intervention study, this secondary data analysis investigated whether emotional coping, coping self-efficacy, and autonomous motivation mediated the association between the intervention and perceived stress in low-income overweight or obese mothers of young children. Results showed that coping self-efficacy significantly mediated the association between the intervention and perceived stress. However, emotional coping and autonomous motivation did not significantly mediate the association between intervention and perceived stress. Interventions may be more effective in helping the target audience reduce stress if they incorporate practical skills that can increase a sense of coping self-efficacy.

Effects of a Community-to-Clinic Navigation Intervention on Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Underserved People.

Colorectal cancer screening remains suboptimal among poor and underserved people. We tested the effectiveness of a community-to-clinic navigator intervention to guide multicultural, underinsured individuals into primary care clinics to complete colorectal cancer screening. This two-phase behavioral intervention study was conducted in Phoenix, Arizona (2012-2018). Community sites were randomized to group education or group education plus tailored navigation to increase attendance at primary care clinics (Phase I). Individuals who completed a clinic appointment received the tailored navigation in person or via phone (Phase II). In Phase I (N = 345), 37.9% of the intervention group scheduled a clinic appointment versus 19.4% of the comparison group. In Phase II, 26.5% of the original intervention group were screened versus only 10.4% of the original comparison group. Those in the intervention group were 3.84 times more likely to be screened than were those in the comparison group (odds ratio = 3.84; 95% confidence interval = 1.81-6.92). Translation of an efficacious tailored navigation intervention for colorectal cancer screening to a community-to-clinic context is associated with significantly increased rates of colorectal cancer screening. Navigation assistance to address barriers to screening may serve as the most important component of any educational program to increase individual adherence to colorectal cancer screening.

Attention control group activities and perceived benefit in a trial of a behavioral intervention for older adults.

Researchers trialing behavioral interventions often use attention control groups, but few publish details on attention control activities or perceived benefit. Attention control groups receive the same dose of interpersonal interaction as intervention participants but no other elements of the intervention, to control for the benefits of attention that may come from behavioral interventions. Because intervention success is analyzed compared to control conditions, it is useful to examine attention control content and outcomes. The purpose of this study is to report on attention control visit activities and their perceived benefit in a randomized control trial. The trial tested an aging-in-place intervention comprised of a series of participant goal-directed visits facilitated by an occupational therapist, nurse, and handyman. The attention control group participants received visits from a lay person. We report on the number and length of visits received, types of visit activities that participants chose, and how much visit time was spent on each activity, based on the attention visitor's records. We report on participant perceptions of benefit based on a 10-item Likert-scale survey. The attention control group participants (n = 148) were cognitively intact, at least 65 years old, with at least one Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. Attention control group participants most often chose conversation (20.1% of visit time), and playing games (18.7%), as visit activities. The majority of attention control group participants (63.4%) reported "a great deal" of perceived benefit. Attention control group visits may be an appropriate comparison in studies of behavioral interventions for community-dwelling older adults.

Functional ability is associated with higher adherence to behavioral interventions in mild cognitive impairment

Objective: Behavioral interventions during early memory decline hold promise in delaying the development of dementia. In the present study, participants in a multimodal behavioral intervention study were assessed for post-intervention adherence and predictors of adherence.Methods: Participants (N = 272, mean age = 75.04 ± 7.54) diagnosed with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) were assigned to intervention groups receiving four out of five behavioral intervention components, including yoga, memory compensation training, computerized cognitive training, support groups, and/or wellness education. Length of the intervention was 10 days, 4 h per day, with post-intervention follow-up at 6, 12, and 18 months.Results: Two-hundred and thirty-seven participants completed the 6-month post-intervention follow-up measures, 228 participants completed the 12-month measures, and 218 participants completed the 18-month measures. Participants fully adhered to a mean of 2 out of the 4 taught intervention components. Eighty-nine percent of participants were at least partially adherent to one or more taught intervention components at 6-, 12-, and 18-month post-intervention follow-up. Physical activity was the most adhered to intervention while group support was the least adhered to intervention across all three follow-up time-points. Higher educational level, higher baseline depressive symptoms, higher baseline global cognitive functioning, and better baseline and concurrent functional abilities were associated post-intervention adherence.Conclusion: Changes in functional abilities are associated with disease progression among persons with aMCI. In the present study, individuals with aMCI who have higher education, higher depressive symptoms, and better baseline functioning abilities are more likely to adhere to behavioral intervention components over time. Post-intervention adherence also associates with concurrent daily function.

The association of dietary phosphorus with blood pressure: results from a secondary analysis of the PREMIER trial.

Inconsistent findings exist for the association between dietary phosphorus intake and blood pressure (BP). We examined the longitudinal association between urinary excretion and dietary intake of phosphorus (total, plant, animal, and added) with BP.This is a secondary analysis of PREMIER, a randomized behavioral intervention study in adults (25–79y) with BP, measured at six months, as the primary outcome. We classified total phosphorus intake from dietary recalls into plant, animal, and added phosphorus. We modeled six month change of phosphorus intake (from 24h dietary recalls, N = 622) and excretion (from 24h urine collection, N = 564) on BP, using linear regression crude and adjusted for intervention, age, race, sex, income, education, study site, and change in energy intake (kcal/d), sodium intake (mg/d), fitness (heart rate, bpm), and DASH diet index.Baseline phosphorus intake was 1154 mg/d (95%CI 1126, 1182) with 38%, 53%, and 10% from plant, animal, and added phosphorus, respectively. Total phosphorus intake was not associated with significant changes in BP. Increased urinary phosphorus excretion was associated with a significant increase in DBP [0.14 mmHg/100 mg (0.01, 0.28), adjusted]. In several analyses, phosphorus type (plant, animal, or added) significantly modified the association between phosphorus intake and BP. For example, added phosphorus (but not plant or animal) was associated with increases in SBP and DBP, 1.24 mmHg/100 mg (0.36, 2.12) and 0.83 mmHg/100 mg (0.22, 1.44), respectively, crude.These findings suggest that the type of phosphorus may modify the association between phosphorus intake and BP. Trial registration (clinicaltrials.gov).

Stroke Warning Information and Faster Treatment (SWIFT): Cost-Effectiveness of a Stroke Preparedness Intervention

BackgroundLess than 25% of stroke patients arrive to an emergency department within the 3-hour treatment window. ObjectiveWe evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a stroke preparedness behavioral intervention study (Stroke Warning Information and Faster Treatment [SWIFT]), a stroke intervention demonstrating capacity to decrease race-ethnic disparities in ED arrival times. MethodsUsing the literature and SWIFT outcomes for 2 interventions, enhanced educational (EE) materials, and interactive intervention (II), we assess the cost-effectiveness of SWIFT in 2 ways: (1) Markov model, and (2) cost-to-outcome ratio. The Markov model primary outcome was the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained using the cost-effectiveness threshold of $100 000/QALY. The primary cost-to-outcome endpoint was cost per additional patient with ED arrival <3 hours, stroke knowledge, and preparedness capacity. We assessed the ICER of II and EE versus standard care (SC) from a health sector and societal perspective using 2015 USD, a time horizon of 5 years, and a discount rate of 3%. ResultsThe cost-effectiveness of the II and EE programs was, respectively, $227.35 and $74.63 per additional arrival <3 hours, $440.72 and $334.09 per additional person with stroke knowledge proficiency, and $655.70 and $811.77 per additional person with preparedness capacity. Using a societal perspective, the ICER for EE versus SC was $84 643 per QALY gained and the ICER for II versus EE was $59 058 per QALY gained. Incorporating fixed costs, EE and II would need to administered to 507 and 1693 or more patients, respectively, to achieve an ICER of $100 000/QALY. ConclusionII was a cost-effective strategy compared with both EE and SC. Nevertheless, high initial fixed costs associated with II may limit its cost-effectiveness in settings with smaller patient populations.

What makes a good action plan? Characteristics and enactment of fruit and vegetable plans

BackgroundOne promising intervention strategy to increase fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption is action planning. However, conditions of successful plan enactment, i.e., the translation of plans into action, have rarely been studied. Therefore, the relationship between plan characteristics and plan enactment is being examined. MethodsSecondary analyses of an existing data set were conducted, based on a larger behavioral intervention study with a baseline assessment as well as a 2-weeks and a 4-weeks follow-up. After baseline assessment, participants completed action plan calendars for the following seven days and subsequently reported on each plan's enactment. Two independent raters coded 1732 morning, noon/afternoon, and evening plans by n = 92 individuals regarding the level of specificity (unspecific vs. specific) and type of planned behavior (fruit vs. vegetable intake). To predict plan enactment, multilevel logistic regression analyses were conducted. FindingsOverall specificity of plans was unrelated to plan enactment, but interacted with time of day in predicting plan enactment. Only in the morning, specific plans were more likely being enacted than unspecific plans. Overall, plan enactment decreased during the day and throughout the seven days of the plan calendar. Furthermore, fruit plans were more likely being enacted than vegetable plans. DiscussionSpecific morning plans were found most beneficial for the enactment of FV plans. Here, possible underlying mechanisms such as stable morning routines should be further investigated. Moreover, the nutritional choice appeared to make a difference for plan enactment: Increasing one's fruit consumption may be easier than integrating more vegetables into one's daily diet.

Norm-referenced scoring system for the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire – Revised (BISQ-R)

ObjectivesTo develop an age-based norm-referenced scoring system for the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire – Revised (BISQ-R). MethodsIn sum, 33,835 submissions (data sample 1) of the expanded and revised BISQ-R by caregivers of infants and toddlers (1–36 months) were analyzed in the US via a publicly-available smartphone application, Johnson's® Bedtime®. Three subscales were created: Infant Sleep (IS; 5 items), Parent Perception (PP; 3 items), and Parent Behavior (PB; 11 items). The scoring algorithm was based on an age-based normative system, and each subscale was scored using a weighted average of items. Primary application of the scoring model was performed on a follow up set of 16,531 submissions (data sample 2). Secondary application was tested on an original web-based ecology study (data sample 3). Tertiary application was tested using previously published datasets consisting of a longitudinal study (data sample 4) and randomized control trial behavioral intervention study (data sample 5). ResultsOverall application of the scoring algorithm was confirmed across multiple samples. Each subscale (IS, PP, PB) and total score (T) is age referenced (scores range from 0 to 100). Cross-comparison between subscales across studies reveal consistent and convergent relationships. ConclusionsThe BISQ-R provides a comprehensive assessment of infant and toddler sleep patterns, as well as parent perception and parent behaviors that may contribute to sleep outcomes. The age-based norm-referenced scoring system is publicly available to be used by researchers and clinicians.

Smoking Cessation Behavioral Treatment Study

Smoking Cessation Behavioral Treatment Study

Dietary phosphorus intake and blood pressure in adults: a systematic review of randomized trials and prospective observational studies

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a major cause of preventable disease in the United States and around the world. It has been postulated that phosphorus intake may affect BP, with some studies suggesting a direct and others an inverse association. We systematically reviewed the literature on the association of dietary phosphorus with BP in adults and performed a qualitative synthesis. We included randomized and nonrandomized behavioral intervention and feeding studies (intervention studies) and prospective observational studies that measured dietary phosphorus intake or urinary phosphorus excretion and BP. We excluded studies of supplements, children, or individuals with major medical conditions. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Trials, and clinicaltrials.gov on 1 June, 2017 and 22 August, 2018. We assessed studies' risk of bias in their assessment of phosphorus exposure and BP. We reviewed 4759 publications and included 14 intervention studies (2497 participants), 3 prospective observational cohorts (17,795 participants), and 2 ongoing trials. No included intervention studies were designed specifically to achieve a phosphorus contrast. Two studies found a significant positive association of dietary phosphorus with systolic BP, 4 a significant inverse association, and 8 no significant association. Four studies found a significant inverse association with diastolic BP and 10 no significant associations. Two cohorts found lower risk of incident hypertension comparing the highest with the lowest quintiles of phosphorus intake and 1 found no significant difference: HR: 0.86 (95% CI: 0.75, 0.98); HR: 0.83 (95% CI: 0.68, 1.02); and HR: 0.75 (95% CI: 0.45, 1.27), respectively. We found no consistent association between total dietary phosphorus intake and BP in adults in the published literature nor any randomized trials designed to examine this association. This trial was registered at www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ as CRD42017062489.

Fidelity protocol for the Action Success Knowledge (ASK) trial: a psychosocial intervention administered by speech and language therapists to prevent depression in people with post-stroke aphasia

IntroductionTreatment fidelity is a complex, multifaceted evaluative process which refers to whether a studied intervention was delivered as intended. Monitoring and enhancing fidelity is one recommendation of the TiDIER (Template...

The Differential Role of Vitamin D in Type 2 Diabetes Management and Control in Minority Populations.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) as well as poor glycemic control among T2DM patients, yet comparative studies of its association among ethnic minority populations are scarce. Using baseline data from a behavioral intervention study of Korean Americans (KAs) with T2DM (N = 250 KAs) and the NHANES data set, we explored differential roles of vitamin D on HbA1C level or T2DM control in several racial groups. Significantly more KAs (55.2%) were vitamin D-deficient (U.S. average, 37.8%). Both common and unique correlates of vitamin D deficiency in minority populations were identified, including significant associations between Vitamin D and HbA1C in both non-diabetic and diabetic populations. Future studies are warranted to explain the causal mechanism of the effect of vitamin D and glycemic control as well as to examine contextual factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in certain minority groups.Clinical Trials Registry: Identifier NCT01264796.

Putting psychology into telerehabilitation: Coping planning as an example for how to integrate behavior change techniques into clinical practice

Background: Behavioral interventions based on psychological theory can facilitate continued recovery after discharge from cardiac or orthopedic rehabilitation. For example, health professionals can encourage patients to engage in coping planning to support the maintenance of physical activity. Telephone-based interviews or web-based interventions are two promising delivery modes to provide such after-care services from a distance (telerehabilitation). However, previous evaluations of such behavioral interventions lack a detailed description of the specific content, and its connection to psychosocial antecedents and health outcomes. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to (i) describe the content of user-specified coping plans. Second, we aimed to identify (ii) coping plan characteristics associated with health outcomes post-rehabilitation and (iii) socio-demographic and psychosocial variables associated with coping plan characteristics. Methods: This was a secondary analysis from a larger behavioral intervention study, using remote delivery modes, within orthopedic and cardiac rehabilitation. Two raters evaluated the content, quality and number of coping plans from 231 participants. Physical activity and quality of life (health outcomes) were measured via self-reports at the end of rehabilitation and six months after discharge. We used linear regression analyses to examine the relationship between plan characteristics and health outcomes. Results: Content analyses of participants’ coping plans emphasized that physical barriers such as pain or other health limitations presented major obstacles for engagement in physical activity post-rehabilitation. The most frequently identified external barriers to physical activity were workload, family obligations or bad weather. There was a statistically significant difference in quality of life and physical activity for participants who formulated highly instrumental coping plans (higher quality of life and activity) compared with participants with coping plans of lower quality (lower quality of life and activity). The number of plans (quantity) was not related with outcomes. Conclusion: Generating coping plans can be a useful theory-based approach for inclusion in telerehabilitation to facilitate the maintenance of physical activity and quality of life. It is important to encourage adults and older adults to engage in coping planning and, specifically, to formulate strategies that support tenacious plan pursuit.

Effectiveness of healthcare educational and behavioral interventions to improve gout outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background:We aimed to systematically review the effectiveness of healthcare behavioral and education interventions for gout patients on clinical outcomes.Methods:We searched multiple databases to identify trials or observational studies of educational or behavioral interventions in gout. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane tool for randomized control trials (RCTs) and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for observational studies. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) for categorical and standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous measures using a random-effects model.Results:Overall, eight (five RCTs and three observational) studies met the inclusion criteria and examined pharmacist-led interventions (n = 3), nurse-led interventions (n = 3) and primary care provider interventions (n = 2). Compared with the control intervention (usual care in most cases), a higher proportion of those in the educational/behavioral intervention arm achieved serum urate (SU) levels <6 mg/dl, 47.2% versus 23.8%, the OR was 4.86 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.48, 15.97; 4 RCTs] with moderate quality evidence. Compared with the control intervention, a higher proportion of those in the educational/behavioral intervention arm were adherent to allopurinol, achieved at least a 2 mg/dl decrease in SU, achieved an SU < 5 mg/dl, had a reduction in the presence of tophi at 2 years, had improved quality of life as assessed with SF-36 physical component scores, had a higher knowledge about gout and higher patient satisfaction (moderate-low quality evidence).Conclusion:Educational and behavioral interventions can improve gout outcomes in the short-intermediate term. Randomized trials are needed to assess its impact on long-term gout outcomes.

Older Adults and Diabetes Prevention Programs in the Veterans Health Administration.

To investigate whether older veterans enrolled in two diabetes prevention programs (DPPs) in the Veterans Health Administration will have similar weight loss as younger veterans. Post hoc analysis of data from two prospective, pragmatic, nonrandomized studies of behavioral weight management interventions that were delivered in-person (Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]-DPP) or online (Online-DPP), comparing participation and weight loss between participants aged ≥65 years (N = 120) vs. <65 years (N = 258). Over 70% of participants in both age groups completed eight or more sessions within 6 months; a higher proportion completed eight or more sessions in the Online-DPP intervention than in the VA-DPP intervention (P < 0.05). The overall weight changes at 6 and 12 months were similar across the two age groups: ∼5 kg or 5% weight loss compared with baseline (P > 0.05). DPPs delivered in person or online can be similarly effective in older and younger veterans. Online programs may be an important means to improve the reach of DPPs for older adults.

Efficacy of a Discharge Educational Strategy vs Standard Discharge Care on Reduction of Vascular Risk in Patients With Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack

Despite secondary prevention strategies with proven efficacy, recurrent stroke rates remain high, particularly in racial/ethnic minority populations who are disproportionately affected by stroke. To determine the efficacy of a culturally tailored skills-based educational intervention with telephone follow-up compared with standard discharge care on systolic blood pressure reduction in a multiethnic cohort of patients with mild/moderate stroke/transient ischemic attack. Randomized clinical trial with 1-year follow-up. Participants were white, black, and Hispanic patients with mild/moderate stroke/transient ischemic attack prospectively enrolled from 4 New York City, New York, medical centers during hospitalization or emergency department visit between August 2012 and May 2016. Through screening of stroke admissions and emergency department notifications, 1083 eligible patients were identified, of whom 256 declined to participate and 275 were excluded for other reasons. Analyses were intention to treat. The Discharge Educational Strategies for Reduction of Vascular Events (DESERVE) intervention is a skills-based, culturally tailored discharge program with follow-up calls delivered by a community health coordinator. This intervention was developed using a community engagement approach. The primary outcome was systolic blood pressure reduction at 12 months postdischarge. A total of 552 participants were randomized to receive intervention or usual care (281 women [51%]; mean [SD] age, 64.61 [2.9] years; 180 Hispanic [33%], 151 non-Hispanic white [27%], and 183 non-Hispanic black [33%]). At 1-year follow-up, no significant difference in systolic blood pressure reduction was observed between intervention and usual care groups (β = 2.5 mm Hg; 95% CI, -1.9 to 6.9). Although not powered for subgroup analysis, we found that among Hispanic individuals, the intervention arm had a clinically and statically significant 9.9 mm Hg-greater mean systolic blood pressure reduction compared with usual care (95% CI, 1.8-18.0). There were no significant differences between arms among non-Hispanic white (β = 3.3; 95% CI, -4.1 to 10.7) and non-Hispanic black participants (β = -1.6; 95% CI, -10.1 to 6.8). Few behavioral intervention studies in individuals who have had stroke have reported clinically meaningful reductions in blood pressure at 12 months, and fewer have focused on a skills-based approach. Results of secondary analyses suggest that culturally tailored, skills-based strategies may be an important alternative to knowledge-focused approaches in achieving sustained vascular risk reduction and addressing racial/ethnic stroke disparities; however, these findings should be tested in future studies. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01836354.

Individual-, family-, and school-level interventions targeting multiple risk behaviours in young people.

Individual-, family-, and school-level interventions targeting multiple risk behaviours in young people.

Cannabis use during alcohol treatment is associated with alcohol-related problems one-year post-treatment

BackgroundPrior research shows that cannabis use during treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) is related to fewer abstinent days from alcohol, although only among those who use cannabis 1-2x/month. Here we extend prior research by assessing the relationship between the frequency of cannabis use during AUD treatment and post-treatment alcohol-related consequences. MethodsData come from the Combined Pharmacotherapies and Behavioral Interventions (COMBINE) Study, a large US randomized control trial of treatments for AUD. The current analyses include 206 cannabis users and 999 cannabis abstainers and compare longitudinal drinking data between those who used cannabis versus those who abstained during COMBINE treatment. The primary exposure was quartiles of cannabis use (Q1: less than 1x/month during treatment, Q2: 1-2x/month, Q3: 4-8x/month, Q4: 12x/month or more), with cannabis abstainers as the reference group. Outcomes were alcohol-related problems at the end of treatment and one-year post-treatment as measured by the Drinker Inventory Consequences. ResultsCompared to cannabis abstinence, the most frequent use during treatment was related to 1.44 times as many physical consequences one-year post-treatment. Cannabis use was not related to physical consequences immediately after treatment, or to intrapersonal, interpersonal, social responsibility or impulse control problems at either post-treatment time point. ConclusionsIn a sample of individuals in treatment for AUD, using cannabis 12x/month or more during treatment is associated with increased rates of physical consequences attributed to alcohol use. Individuals in treatment for AUD who also use cannabis might benefit from reducing or stopping cannabis use to avoid alcohol-related physical problems.

Learning lessons: how to practice nudging around the world

The aim of this article is to cover three things: (1) to introduce the context behind why a report prepared by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2017 would be of such importance to researchers in various academic disciplines and public policy, (2) to present the details of a simple classification system that was applied to all 111 case studies of behavioural interventions (better known as nudges) referred to in the OECD (2017a) report, and (3) to discuss what needs to be done to help advance practitioners’ pursuit of effective behavioural interventions. This article aims to highlight the importance of accurately cataloguing the types of behavioural interventions that have been trialled/implemented across the world. By adopting an agreed classification system, researchers and practitioners can benefit from knowing what can work, and where it can work, as well as what does not work, in order to be better armed when considering the use of behavioural interventions to solve social policy issues.