Be Health e for Your Heart: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating a Web-Based Behavioral Intervention to Improve the Cardiovascular Health of Women with a History of Preeclampsia

Melinda J. Hutchesson, Rachael Taylor, Vanessa A. Shrewsbury, Lisa Vincze, Linda E. Campbell, Robin Callister, Felicity Park, Tracy L. Schumacher and Clare E. Collins
Additional contact information
Melinda J. Hutchesson: Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Rachael Taylor: Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Vanessa A. Shrewsbury: Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Lisa Vincze: School of Allied Health Sciences & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
Linda E. Campbell: School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Robin Callister: Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Felicity Park: Department of Maternal Foetal Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
Tracy L. Schumacher: Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Clare E. Collins: Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-18

Abstract: This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to determine the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a web-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention intervention for women following preeclampsia. Australian women with a recent history (≤4 years post diagnosis) of preeclampsia were randomized into two study arms: (1) Be Health e for your Heart, a web-based behavioral intervention or; (2) Control, access to the National Heart Foundation website. Assessments were conducted at baseline, and after three months. Intervention acceptability and impact on absolute CVD 30-year risk score, CVD risk markers and health behaviors were assessed. Twenty-four of 31 (77.4%) women completed the three-month assessment. Eleven out of 13 intervention participants (84.6%) agreed/strongly agreed they were satisfied with the program, with a mean score of 4.2 ± 0.9 (maximum of five). There were no significant between or within group differences in absolute CVD risk, CVD risk markers or health behaviors from baseline to three months. Women with a history of preeclampsia were successfully recruited and retained and they reported high levels of acceptability with the Be Health e for your Heart program. Further research is therefore needed from powered trials to determine the impact of web-based lifestyle interventions on CVD risk in this at-risk group.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; preeclampsia; postpartum; health behavior; women; prevention; eHealth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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