NEW YORK -  In an article published by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, Australian researchers have found that motivational heath advice given over the phone is surprisingly effective.

In a review of 26 studies, phone "advice" from nurses or other counselors for exercise or diet proved to be successful in 75% of the cases.  This is good news for people that either can't afford or don't want to join a formal group activity, according to the study authors.

Lead author Dr. Elizabeth Eakin, a researcher at the University of Queensland along with her colleagues reviewed 26 clinical trials from the mid-1990's to the present.  In most of these studies phone counseling was part of the overall diet or exercise program.

Overall, the review found that in three-quarters of the studies, people that used the telephone to receive "real-time" counseling and motivation were successful in making changes to their exercise or diet routine.

While it was most successful when used in long-term and in-person counseling, the phone was a significant motivator.

Eaton stated that it was unknown if these lifestyle changes continued after the phone calls stopped, but said that now is the right time for new clinical phone trials in the real world.