An expert consensus on the most effective components of integrated motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy for lifestyle behaviour change: protocol for an online modified Delphi study.

Introduction Behaviour change interventions are advocated as a key approach to manage behavioural risk factors such as insufficient physical activity, poor diet and smoking. Integrated motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy (MI-CBT) interventions have become increasingly popular to promote behaviour change; however, there is a lack of agreement as to what constitutes necessary components of MI-CBT interventions for lifestyle behaviour change. The primary objective of this study is to use a consensus method to develop guidelines to design and deliver MI-CBT interventions for lifestyle behaviour change.

Methods A three-round modified Delphi study will be conducted with an expert, international panel of clinicians and researchers. An online survey will be developed from assessments of key MI-CBT literature and practice guides to identify commonly used components of individually delivered MI and CBT interventions. In each round, participants will rate the extent to which they agree with each component using a Likert scale. Responses from Rounds 1 and 2 will be presented to participants in subsequent rounds. Responses will be represented using bar graphs and include the median and IQR of participants’ responses. To encourage consensus, participants will be asked to consider the group responses before finalising their opinion to the statements. If at least 80% of the experts agree to a statement in Rounds 2 or 3, it will be included in a final list of necessary statements.

Discussion This modified Delphi process will help transparency in the design and implementation of MI-CBT interventions. The consensus statement will also help reporting and comparability among effectiveness studies for MI-CBT intervention studies, and help inform research, policy and practice.