Digital lifestyle education program for managing hypertension

The Digital Version of Holistic Healthy Life Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study tests a digital program that helps older adults with high blood pressure make healthier lifestyle changes to see if it improves their weight, mental health, and heart health.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 150 (estimated)
• Ages: 50 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Hong Kong)
• Trial ID: NCT06499961 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This intervention focuses on a digital version of Holistic Healthy Life Education (e2HLE), designed to promote lifestyle modifications among older adults with hypertension. It incorporates a multi-component approach, integrating self-monitoring of health metrics and the WHO's ICOPE model to enhance self-care and overall well-being. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the e2HLE intervention or a waitlist control group to evaluate its effectiveness in improving weight, psychological health, and cardio-metabolic profiles.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 50 and above with central obesity and at least two related health conditions such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 50 or do not have central obesity and related health conditions may not benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve the management of hypertension and overall health in older adults.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using digital interventions for lifestyle modification, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* aged 50 years old or above,
* able to use internet and tablet;
* education level of primary or above;
* understand Chinese and speak Cantonese;
* have central obesity (waist circumference: male \>90 cm, female \>80 cm) and two of the following: (a) hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥130 or diastolic blood pressure ≥85 mmHg, or treatment of previously diagnosed hypertension), (b) hyperglycemia (fasting plasma glucose ≥100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or (c) previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes), (d) hyperlipidemia (triglyceride concentrations ≥150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L), or treatment for this lipid abnormality); HDL cholesterol;40 mg/dL (1.03 mmol/L) in males and 50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L) in females, or treatment for this lipid abnormality), (e) BMI over 23; and chronic pain or bad mood caused by the psychosomatic disorder for no less than six months
* have at least 2 of the following distressing symptoms due to psychosomatic or pain and stress symptoms, including physical and mental agitation, feeling tired, often crying, feeling angry/depressed, feeling isolated from family and friends, feeling great stress, insomnia, health is worse than before.

Exclusion Criteria:

* non-Chinese nationality or can't speak Cantonese;
* participating in any cancer treatment;
* will leave Hong Kong within a short period or the next three months;
* participating in another experiment; living in or planning to live in a facility-care home;
* cognitive difficulties (SPMSQ score equal to or lower than 4);
* taking medications such as estrogenic, synthetic glucocorticoids, anti-steroids, and antiepileptic drugs which may affect cortisol levels.

Where this trial is running

Hong Kong

• Yan Chai Hospital Social Services Department — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Angela Leung, PhD

Conditions Hypertension; healthy lifestyle