This study was a pilot 3-month clinical trial that investigated the feasibility, effectiveness, and acceptability of using the Track Health function of the Veterans Health Administration's patient health record for effecting a more positive physical activity (PA) and dietary intake lifestyle in a sample of 38 overweight and obese Veterans with prediabetes. Baseline and three-month post-intervention outcomes were measured in two main domains: objective (e.g., weight) and subjective (e.g., self-efficacy).
This was a pilot clinical trial that used a single-group design to test the feasibility, effectiveness, and acceptability of using the Track Health (TH) function of My HealtheVet, the VA's patient health record (PHR), as a tool for effecting a more positive physical activity (PA) and dietary intake lifestyle in overweight and obese Veterans with prediabetes. Baseline and three-month post-intervention outcomes were measured in two main domains: objective (PA as measured by an accelerometer, diet, weight, abdominal circumference, BMI, and blood pressure) and subjective (self-efficacy, intent to adhere to lifestyle change, and patient activation). Assessments, including screening on inclusion and exclusion criteria, physiological measurements, administration of questionnaires, and training on use of two critical features of the TH function--the use of Journals to enter dietary and PA data and the use of Vitals + Readings to enter weight and track physiological measures--took place place across four visits to the study site, which was the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Miami. The investigators hypothesized that this PHR-based intervention would demonstrate improvements and increases, respectively in the objective and subjective domain measures. The investigators also hypothesized that engagement by study participants with MHV would be demonstrated through meeting target criteria regarding making entries into this PHR's TH function, and that participants would be satisfied with the intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
47
The study intervention involved the provision to study participants of targeted instruction and practice on use of two features of the Track Health (TH) function of the VA's patient health record (PHR) known as My HealthyVet (MHV) -- Journals and Vitals + Readings -- as a basis for promoting positive physical activity (PA) and dietary lifestyles. Seven interactive multimedia instructional modules were developed by the study team. These modules demonstrated on a computer screen how to enter PA and diet information into the Journals feature; how to add weight data into the Vitals + Readings feature; how to view these and other measures in tabular and graphical formats over different time frames; and the concept of possible cause-effect links between behavioral lifestyle and physiological outcome data. Participants were directed to enter food intake, PA, and weight information a specified number of times per week over the 3-month study period.
Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL
Miami, Florida, United States
Change From Baseline Weight
measured in lbs.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months
Body Mass Index
Measured in kg/m\^2
Time frame: baseline, 3 months
Change From Baseline Abdominal Circumference
measured in inches
Time frame: baseline, 3 months
Change From Baseline Energy Expenditure
measured in kcal using an accelerometer
Time frame: baseline, 3 months
Change From Baseline Dietary Intake
24-hour dietary recall; the Nutrition Data System for Research used to compute kcal
Time frame: baseline, 3 months
Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure
Time frame: baseline, 3 months
Change From Baseline Physical Activity Self-efficacy
an 18-item exercise self-efficacy questionnaire (confidence in one's ability to exercise) exercises); scale range: 0 - 100. Higher scores indicate increased self-efficacy.
Time frame: baseline, 3 months
Change From Baseline Diet Self-efficacy
a single 7-point item questionnaire (confidence in one's ability to adhere to a healthy diet). Scale range: 1 - 7. Higher numbers indicate less self-efficacy.
Time frame: baseline, 3 months
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Change in Intent to Perform Physical Activity
A single 7-point item, ranging from 1 - 7, with lower values indicating increased intent to perform physical activity
Time frame: baseline, 3 months
Change in Intent to Adhere to Diet
A single 7-point item, ranging from 1-7. Lower scores indicate an increased intent to adhere to diet
Time frame: baseline, 3 months
Change in Patient Activation
A 22-item scale that captures various domains of patient activation; scale range: 0 - 100, higher scores indicate greater activation
Time frame: baseline, 3 months