Change lifestyle modification plan/transtheoretical model in non-alcoholic simple fatty liver disease: a pilot randomized study

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic simple fatty liver disease patients have very low compliance with almost all types of physical activities. A transtheoretical model-oriented lifestyle modification plan awakens the patient’s consciousness in the pre-intention stage. Aim to evaluate whether a management by stages of change plan based on the Transtheoretical Model and Stages of Change promoted behavior change for patients with non-alcoholic simple fatty liver disease. METHODS: Patients with simple fatty liver diagnosed from July to December 2019 were randomly divided into the transtheoretical model and non-transtheoretical model groups. Primary outcome was change in health belief and health behavior based on questionnaires. Secondary outcomes included changes in blood lipids, body mass indexes, and waist circumference 12-months after intervention. RESULTS: Of 200 enrolled patients 194 were analyzed (non-transtheoretical model group n = 98, transtheoretical model group n = 96). After intervention, total health belief scores (120.91 ± 4.94 vs. 118.82 ± 5.48) and total health behavior scores (131.71 ± 5.87 vs. 119.96 ± 7.12) were higher in the transtheoretical model group (all P < 0.05). Blood lipids, body mass index, and waist circumference more obviously improved in the transtheoretical model group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A transtheoretical model-based lifestyle modification intervention can be effectively applied to patients with non-alcoholic simple fatty liver. CLINICAL RESEARCH REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2100049354. The registration date is August 1, 2021. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-022-02506-4.