Practice Q&A

Abstract

research abstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact tailored e-mail messages, based on participants' identified needs, have on intentional physical activity. A quasi-experimental design (two groups, repeated measures) in a population of manufacturing workers (73 employees from two distribution plants of a multi-national manufacturer) was used. Significant differences were found between contemplation-staged participants in the intervention and the comparison groups. In the intervention group, 53.3% of the workers moved forward, as opposed to 19.2% in the comparison group (medium effect size = 0.353). Although both the intervention group and the comparison group increased their number of steps, the comparison group's improvement was most likely attributed to a Hawthorne effect. These results are highly promising given the small sample size and limited "dose." The intervention is one most industries could feasibly implement. Such efforts have the potential to significantly impact public health.

A Web-Based Intervention to Improve and Prevent Low Back Pain Among Office Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…This is consistent with previous studies that achieved a high level of adherence to activities designed to promote healthy lifestyles in asymptomatic office workers through the use of intervention e-mails at the workplace. 44,45 Significant improvements in the endurance of the trunk (lumbar and abdominal) muscles were observed in the intervention group. These improvements were greater than the minimal real change for the lumbar endurance test and for the abdominal endurance test.…”

“…Previous studies have shown that webbased exercise-program interventions with e-mail reminders are useful for increasing fitness in the general population. 44,45 However, their effectiveness in other populations (including individuals with LBP and, consequently, lower levels of fitness) and at improving function and health-related quality of life is unknown.…”