According to Rogers (1951) MI is not founded on theory but has evolved from a client-centred counselling approach. Rather than a set of techniques, MI is a method of communication which focuses primarily on evoking the person’s instinctive motivation for change. The ‘spirit of MI’, that is the interpersonal relationship within which MI techniques are used is based on three fundamental elements. The first element is collaboration between the client and therapist as MI is a therapeutic process in which neither the client nor the therapist are always correct but rather it is based on mutual understanding of the nature of the problem and the most appropriate changes required. The second element is evoking the client’s own opinions on improvement
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The studies’ design consisted of randomised controlled treatment (RCT) which as the experimental condition used MI interventional techniques conveyed by trained professionals. Studies were also included if the intervention consisted of a dual-focused treatment in which MI was paired with another approach. Although the majority of the cases demonstrated the effectiveness of MI as a substance abuse treatment, others targeted its efficacy with regards to behavioural changes related cardiovascular disease. From the 12 conducted studies, 9 established MI as being a more effective treatment in eliciting behavioural changes than controlled conditions. Amongst these is a study conducted by Hardcastle, Taylor, Bailey and Castle (2008) in which up to 5 in-person MI sessions, 20 to 30 minutes each were found to be effective in eliciting an increase in physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake and a decrease in fat intake. Another study conducted by Beckham (2007) included 1 in-person MI session 45 to 60 minutes long and investigated alcohol intake after 6 weeks. Results showed a reduction in daily alcohol intake at 6 weeks. Emmons et al.’s study (2001) which involved 1 MI session followed by 4 telephone sessions showed that the MI group’s nicotine levels had significantly reduced compared to that of the control group. Furthermore, with regards to smoking cessation Soria, Legido, Escolano, Yeste, and Montoya’s study (2006) showed that the MI group exhibited greater chances of quitting after 12 months than the control group. In Greaves et al.’s study (2008) which included up to 11 MI in-person sessions boosted by telephone calls investigated weight loss and increased physical
The studies’ design consisted of randomised controlled treatment (RCT) which as the experimental condition used MI interventional techniques conveyed by trained professionals. Studies were also included if the intervention consisted of a dual-focused treatment in which MI was paired with another approach. Although the majority of the cases demonstrated the effectiveness of MI as a substance abuse treatment, others targeted its efficacy with regards to behavioural changes related cardiovascular disease. From the 12 conducted studies, 9 established MI as being a more effective treatment in eliciting behavioural changes than controlled conditions. Amongst these is a study conducted by Hardcastle, Taylor, Bailey and Castle (2008) in which up to 5 in-person MI sessions, 20 to 30 minutes each were found to be effective in eliciting an increase in physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake and a decrease in fat intake. Another study conducted by Beckham (2007) included 1 in-person MI session 45 to 60 minutes long and investigated alcohol intake after 6 weeks. Results showed a reduction in daily alcohol intake at 6 weeks. Emmons et al.’s study (2001) which involved 1 MI session followed by 4 telephone sessions showed that the MI group’s nicotine levels had significantly reduced compared to that of the control group. Furthermore, with regards to smoking cessation Soria, Legido, Escolano, Yeste, and Montoya’s study (2006) showed that the MI group exhibited greater chances of quitting after 12 months than the control group. In Greaves et al.’s study (2008) which included up to 11 MI in-person sessions boosted by telephone calls investigated weight loss and increased physical