title: A randomised controlled trial of providing personalised cardiovascular risk information to modify health behaviour.
abstract: We conducted a feasibility study of a web-based intervention, which provided personalized cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk information, behavioural risk reduction strategies and educational resources. Participants were block-randomized to the 3-month intervention (n = 47) or to usual care (n = 49). Participants in the intervention group were presented with their CVD risk based on the Framingham risk score, and in three subsequent online encounters could select two behavioural/lifestyle modules, giving them an opportunity to complete six modules over the course of the study. Because it was self-guided, participants had differing levels of engagement with intervention materials. Most intervention group participants (77%, n = 36) completed all modules. After 3 months there were no significant differences between the intervention and usual care groups for systolic blood pressure, body-mass index, CVD risk, smoking cessation or medication non-adherence. The study suggests that modest clinical improvements can be achieved by interventions that are entirely web-administered. However, web-based interventions do not replace the need for human interaction to communicate CVD risk and assist with decision-making.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, USA.
authors.forename: Leah L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Zullig
authors.forename: Linda L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Ryan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Felicia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McCant
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Danus
authors.forename: Hayden B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Bosworth
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003657:Decision Making; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D057211:Webcasts as Topic