title: DASH to wellness: emphasizing self-regulation through e-health in adults with prehypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  High prevalence rates of prehypertension require nonpharmaceutical lifestyle interventions. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and initial efficacy of a primarily electronically delivered intervention for prehypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three adults with prehypertension (M age of 54.3; systolic blood pressure [BP], 126.3 mmHg; weight, 87.8 kg; body mass index, 31.5; 6514 steps/day) were randomized to DASH 2 wellness only standard of care or to DASH 2 wellness plus. Both groups received instruction on the DASH eating plan, instructions to increase steps per day and use of a weight scale and pedometer, and information about social-cognitive theory-based self-regulation strategies. D2W plus also involved home blood pressure monitoring and monitoring steps per day, nutrition, and body weight. Through weekly newsletters, participants engaged in electronic reporting and goal setting and received feedback on progress.
  
  
  RESULTS
  D2W plus showed a larger increase in daily steps (M = 2,900) than D2W only (M = 636); a larger decrease in systolic BP (mmHg), M = 15.1 versus M = 4.6, and a larger decrease in weight (in kg), M = 4.8 versus M = 1.5.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Concentrating efforts not only toward adoption and initiation of innovative risk-reduction strategies but also toward the provision for long-term maintenance of a healthy lifestyle once initial changes have been accomplished is paramount. The D2W plus program could be adapted for such use in health care and other settings for treating prehypertension.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Health Behavior, Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech University.
authors.forename: Ashley E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Dorough
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Health Behavior, Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech University.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Winett
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Health Behavior, Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech University.
authors.forename: Eileen S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Eating Behaviors & Weight Management, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech University.
authors.forename: Brenda M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Davy
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Health Behavior, Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech University.
authors.forename: Emily C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Eating Behaviors & Weight Management, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech University.
authors.forename: Valisa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hedrick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058246:Prehypertension / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015431:Weight Loss