Effects of an Internet physical activity intervention in adults with metabolic syndrome

West J Nurs Res. 2010 Feb;32(1):5-22. doi: 10.1177/0193945909333889. Epub 2009 Apr 8.

Abstract

The Internet is a relatively new method of delivering strategies for health behavior change. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of delivering a physical activity intervention by the Internet to improve outcomes in adults with the metabolic syndrome. Twenty-two participants (16 males; 6 females) were recruited from a cardiology clinic database, age range 32-66 years. Participants were randomly assigned to the Internet intervention (n = 12) or the usual care ( n = 10) group. The mean total dose, in terms of the time the intervention Web site was accessed was 2 hours over 6 weeks, which was greater than the time spent delivering usual care. Overall, participants' evaluations of the Internet intervention were positive. The costs of development and delivery of the Internet intervention were less than that of a consultation and follow-up in the cardiology clinic for this sample. The Internet intervention appears feasible for testing in a larger study.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Actigraphy
  • Adult
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Internet / organization & administration*
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism
  • Metabolic Syndrome / prevention & control*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Evaluation Research
  • Patient Compliance* / psychology
  • Patient Compliance* / statistics & numerical data
  • Patient Education as Topic / organization & administration*
  • Physical Fitness
  • Program Evaluation
  • Self Efficacy
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Triglycerides
  • Cholesterol