Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Apr 5, 2021
Date Accepted: Mar 1, 2022
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Our Whole Lives for Hypertension and Cardiac Risk Factors (OWL-H)—Combining a Teaching Kitchen Group Visit with an Online Platform: A Feasibility Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Hypertension affects millions of Americans. OWL-H (Our Whole Lives for Hypertension and Cardiac Risk Factors) is an electronic health (eHealth) platform that teaches evidence-based lifestyle strategies such a meditation and cooking skills to improve self-management of hypertension.
Objective:
The primary goal of this pilot was to evaluate the feasibility of OWL-H combined with Teaching Kitchen Medical Group Visits (TKMGV) in a low-income population of participants with hypertension.
Methods:
We conducted a pre-post 8-week study to assess the feasibility hybrid program of an online 9-module self-management program which includes mind-body activities (body scan, mindful movement, meditation) and nutrition information, accompanied by 3 in-person TKMGVs among patients with hypertension. Data including demographics, platform usage, and satisfaction after using OWL-H for hypertension self-management were examined. Outcome data collected at baseline and 8 weeks included: Mediterranean Diet Questionnaire (MDQ); Hypertension Self Care Profile Self-Efficacy Instrument (HTN-SCP-SE), Blood Pressure Knowledge Questionnaire (BPKQ), and number of self-reported blood pressure readings. In the statistical analysis, we used descriptive statistics, paired sample t-tests, and qualitative methods.
Results:
Among the 24 enrolled participants, 22 completed the study. Participants’ average age was 57 years, and 54% reported a household income of less than $30,000/year. Among participants who logged onto OWL-H, the average number of mind body practices completed was seven and the average number of sessions accessed was four. Eighty-four percent of participants reported that they were “very satisfied” with using OWL-H to help manage their hypertension. Participants’ blood pressure knowledge significantly increased from baseline (M = 5.58 [SD = 1.44]) to follow-up (6.13 [1.23]; P=.03). Participants’ self-efficacy in applying heart-healthy habits, as measured by the HTN-SCP-SE, increased from baseline (63.67 [9.06]) to follow-up (65.54 [7.56]), (P=.14). Participants significantly increased their adherence to a Mediterranean Diet from baseline (7.65 [2.19]) to follow-up (9.00 [1.68]; P=.004). At the 8-week follow-up, 23 participants (82%) had self-reported their blood pressure in the OWL-H platform at least once during the 8 weeks.
Conclusions:
The eHealth platform for hypertension self-management, OWL-H, and accompanying in-person teaching kitchen medical group visits have the potential to effectively improve (lifestyle) management of hypertension. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04340739
Citation
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