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Internet-based Positive Psychological Intervention for Hispanic/Latino Adult With Hypertension in a Primary Care Setting

Not Applicable
Conditions
Cardiovascular Risk Factor
Uncontrolled Hypertension
Interventions
Behavioral: Internet-based Positive Psychological Intervention
Registration Number
NCT03892057
Lead Sponsor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Brief Summary

The largest epidemiologic study of Hispanic/Latino participants thus far, i.e., the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) documented that 80% of men and 71% of women have at least one major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. The American Heart Association emphasizes that current CVD prevention efforts are sparse and ineffectual in minority populations and acknowledges the need for new and more effective disease prevention strategies. This proof-of-concept study and pilot randomized clinical trial seeks to implement and evaluate a novel internet-based 5-week Positive Psychology (PP) Intervention (compared to an attention control condition) in Hispanic/Latino adults with uncontrolled hypertension, i.e., elevated 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, with primary interest in testing efficacy for clinically meaningful improvements in cardiovascular function.

Detailed Description

The study features piloting of a randomized trial to determine whether an internet-based positive psychology (PP) intervention is associated with greater improvements in blood pressure compared to an attention control condition. The pilot trial additionally evaluates the efficacy of the internet-based PP intervention with respect to psychological well-being, hypertension-related health behaviors, autonomic cardiac control, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Serum blood assays will facilitate exploration of mechanistic indicators linking psychological well-being to cardiac functioning.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
70
Inclusion Criteria
  • Hispanics/Latinos recruited from UI Health Pilsen Family Health Center Lower West
  • Aged ≥18
  • Fluent in English or Spanish with ≥8th grade education
  • Elevated sitting blood pressure (≥140/90)
  • Ability to read and understand the informed consent
  • Ability to access internet from home or in public setting (note, tablet PCs will be made available to all enrolled participants at no charge), and
  • Self-reported comfort in with handling of a table computer and website navigation.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Cognitive impairment denoting dementia (assessed using the Short Portable Status Questionnaire-See Appendix E)
  • Severely reduced life expectancy (e.g., self-reported diagnosis of metastatic cancer, congestive heart failure, or end-stage kidney disease)
  • Self-reported diagnosis of sickle cell disease
  • Skin damage or rash in the upper arm region where ambulatory blood pressure monitor is to be placed
  • Currently enrolled in psychotherapy, and
  • Self-reported history or current diagnosis of bipolar disorder, dissociative disorder, psychosis, or substance abuse; or have severe depression.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Internet-based Positive Psychological InterventionInternet-based Positive Psychological InterventionThe investigator's culturally-tailored internet-based Positive Psychology (PP) Intervention is a non-pharmacotherapy approach aimed at increasing positive emotional experiences by teaching individuals to engage in intentional activities known to increase psychological and emotional well-being through targeting of constructs such as optimism, gratitude, mindfulness/relaxation, and resilience.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from Baseline Ambulatory Blood Pressure at 5- and 12-weeksBaseline, 5-, and 12-weeks

The ambulatory blood pressure monitor (the Spacelabs Healthcare 90217A ABPM) will capture 24-hour daytime and nighttime systolic and diastolic blood pressure reading in the natural environment and will capture heart rate variability. The ambulatory blood pressure monitor will record the subject's systolic and diastolic blood pressure periodically every 30 minutes to one hour and the data will be stored in the internal memory until uploaded to a companion application for visualization and analysis. In addition to ambulatory blood pressure the wearable device will record pulse waves on a beat to beat basis from which heart rate variability will be calculated and analyzed.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale: Change from Baseline Depressive Symptoms at 5- and 12-weeksBaseline, 5-, and 12-weeks

Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression-Scale. The total score is computed. Scores range from 0-60, with higher scores indicating greater symptoms of depression.

Life Orientation Test-Revised: Change from Baseline Dispositional Optimism at 5- and 12-weeksBaseline, 5-, and 12-weeks

Life Orientation Test-Revised. Two sub-scale scores are computed for affirming optimism and disaffirming pessimism. Scores range from 0-12 on each sub-scale and summed, with higher scores indicating greater optimism.

Medication Adherence: Change in Baseline Medication Adherence at 5- and 12-weeksBaseline, 5-, and 12-weeks

Medication Adherence

General Well-being Schedule: Change in Baseline Emotional Vitality at 5- and 12-weeksBaseline, 5-, and 12-weeks

General Well-being Schedule

Perceived Stress Scale: Change from Baseline Perceived Stress at 5- and 12-weeksBaseline, 5-, and 12-weeks

Perceived Stress Scale. The total score is computed. Scores range from 0 to 16, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress.

Positive Skills: Change in Baseline Positive Skills at 5- and 12-weeksBaseline, 5-, and 12-weeks

Positive Skills

Life Engagement Test: Change in Baseline Life engagement and Meaning at 5- and 12-weeksBaseline, 5-, and 12-weeks

Life Engagement Test

Modified Differential Emotions Scale: Change from Baseline Positive and Negative Affect at 5- and 12-weeksBaseline, 5-, and 12-weeks

Modified Differential Emotions Scale. Two sub-scale scores are computed for positive emotions and negative emotions. The sub-scales are averaged, with higher scores indicating higher positive or negative emotions.

12-Item Short Form Survey: Change in Self-Reported Mental and Physical Health at 5- and 12-weeksBaseline, 5-, and 12-weeks

12-Item Short Form Survey. The total score is computed. Scores range from 0-100, with higher scores indicating greater perceived physical and mental health.

Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey: Change in Baseline Perceived Social Support at 5- and 12-weeksBaseline, 5-, and 12-weeks

Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. Four sub-scale scores are computed for 1) emotional/informational support 2) Tangible support 3) Affectionate Support and 4)Positive Social Interaction. An additional item asks the participant to quantify the number of persons of support. Sub-scale scores range from 1-5, and they are summed for a total score for perceived social support ranging from 0-25, with higher scores indicating greater perceived support.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UI Health Pilsen Family Health Center Lower West

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

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