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Efficacy of a Brief Intervention on Reduction of Systolic Blood Pressure

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Blood Pressure, High
Cardiovascular Risk Factor
Interventions
Behavioral: Counseling letter
Registration Number
NCT03077373
Lead Sponsor
University Medicine Greifswald
Brief Summary

This study examines the efficacy of individualized counseling letters to reduce systolic blood pressure level of ≥ 130 mmHg in individuals aged between 40 and 65 years. The computer-generated counseling letter intervention aimed to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, to reduce sedentary time, and to achieve smoking abstinence.

Detailed Description

This study examines the efficacy of individualized counseling letters to reduce systolic blood pressure level of ≥ 130 mmHg in individuals aged between 40 and 65 years. The computer-generated counseling letter intervention aimed to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, to reduce sedentary time, and to achieve smoking abstinence. Participants are recruited by nurses in routine care of primary medical practices.

Informed consent consists of: (i) participation in standardized measurement of blood pressure as well as waist and hip circumference at baseline and 12-month follow up, (ii) completion of standardized questionnaires at 4 time points (baseline, 4-month, 7-month, and 12-month follow-up). Participation in accelerometry was defined as an option. Individuals who agree to wear the accelerometer do this for 10 days at baseline and 12-month follow-up, each.

After baseline assessment, individuals are randomly allocated to a control and to an intervention group (ratio 1:1).

Intervention: The computerized intervention system includes three interactions with participants aiming to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and to reduce sedentary time. For individuals who were daily smokers at baseline, the computerized intervention system includes three more interactions with participants aiming to foster the motivation to quit smoking. Recurrent assessments are initiated by the system and provide data for scheduling the proceeding intervention steps and selection of relevant content. Physical activity, sedentary time, smoking, and motivational measures to change or maintain behaviors according to the recommendations will be monitored over time and used to provide feedback in the form of letters.

Intervention group: Individuals in this group complete a tablet PC-supported assessment at baseline and 12-month follow-up, both at the general practice. At months 4 and 7, follow-up data are collected by study team members via phone call. According to the assessments (baseline, month 4, and month 7), participants receive three counseling letters aiming to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and to reduce sedentary time. Additionally, individuals who were daily smokers at baseline, receive three counseling letters aiming to foster the motivation to quit smoking. The first letter is accompanied by a self-help manual covering specific information relevant for the particular stage of motivation to change smoking behavior according to the principles of the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change.

Control group: Individuals in this group complete a tablet PC-supported assessment at baseline and 12-month follow-up, both in the general practice. At months 4 and 7, follow-up data are collected by study team members via phone call.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
106
Inclusion Criteria
  • men and women aged between 40 and 65 years
  • mean systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg at baseline
Exclusion Criteria
  • cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, stroke)
  • vascular intervention
  • cognitive impairment
  • inadequate language skills
  • severe disease with reduced life expectancy (< 2 years)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Counseling letter (intervention group)Counseling letterIntervention group: Individuals in this group complete a tablet PC-supported assessment at baseline and 12-month follow-up, both at the general practice. At months 4 and 7, follow-up data are collected by study team members via phone call. According to the assessments (baseline, month 4, and month 7), participants receive three counseling letters aiming to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and to reduce sedentary time. Additionally, individuals who were daily smokers at baseline, receive three counseling letters aiming to foster the motivation to quit smoking. The first letter is accompanied by a self-help manual covering specific information relevant for the particular stage of motivation to change smoking behavior.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Systolic blood pressureChange from baseline mean systolic blood pressure at 12 months

Reduction of 4 mmHg mean systolic blood pressure in intervention group; Measures: standardized measurements of mean systolic blood pressure (in mmHg)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Physical activity by self-reportChange from baseline physical activity at 12 months

Measures: assessement via tablet PC or phone calls (International Physical Activity Questionnaire, IPAQ)

Physical activity by accelerometry (if data are available)Change from baseline physical activity at 12 months

Measures: objective measurement of physical activity by accelerometry

Sedentary behavior by accelerometry (if data are available)Change from baseline physical inactivity at 12 months

Measures: objective measurement of sedentary behavior by accelerometry

Waist and hip circumferenceChange from baseline waist and hip circumference at 12 months

Reduction of waist and hip circumference in intervention group; Measures: standardized measurements of waist and hip circumference (in cm)

Smoking by self-reportChange from baseline smoking at 12 months

Measures: questions regarding smoking (assessment via tablet PC or phone calls)

Sedentary time by self-reportChange from baseline sedentary time at 12 months

Measures: assessement via tablet PC or phone calls (last 7-d sedentary behavior questionnaire, SIT-Q-7d)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Institute of Social Medicine and Prevention, University Medicine Greifswald

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Greifswald, Germany

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