Transtheoretical Model of Health Behavioral Change: A Systematic Review

Background: Transtheoretical model (TTM) is one of the most commonly used methods in behavioral change modeling. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review (SR) to determine research gaps with regard to this template with an emphasis on intervention for patients with chronic diseases (CDs). Materials and Methods: ISI‑WOS, Scopus, PubMed, SID, and Magiran databases were examined systematically and on the basis of defined criteria. Titles, abstracts, and full texts of articles retrieved were examined for the presence of defined criteria. Then finalized articles were analyzed in consensus meetings. After that, references of selected articles and full text of those meeting the criteria were also analyzed. Results: We screened 103 articles, excluded 27 in abstract review and 34 in full‑text review, leaving 42 articles for critical appraisal. Then the references of these 42 articles were also screened. Fifty articles were excluded on abstract review and 5 on full‑text review, leaving 15 articles. The result of the analysis of 57 final articles of this SR determined that 28 articles were about aspects of TTM and 5 stages of change were the most commonly used aspect. Eight articles used TTM in intervention about CDs. A total of 21 articles examined TTM’s pros and cons, most of which were about TTM’s pros. Conclusions: The majority of studies focused on the effectiveness of TTM on the behavioral change management. This finding supported the hypothesis that TTM can be applied in the prevention of CDs.