The Worksite Heart Health Improvement Project (WHHIP): Feasibility and Efficacy

Objective Test the feasibility and efficacy of the Worksite Heart Health Improvement Project (WHHIP). Design The WHHIP was a quasi-experimental 6-month pilot performed in 2 long-term care facilities. Sample Thirty-nine female minority nursing assistants participated in this study with a mean age of 42.39 (SD = 12.79) years. Measurements Measures were collected at baseline, 3, and 6 months and included blood pressure, lipid panel, body mass index, physical activity levels, diet behaviors, depressive symptoms, and self-efficacy outcomes. Intervention The 3-month WHHIP intervention included 3 components: environmental and policy assessment; education; and on-going motivation. The control site received education only. Results Subject participation averaged 47% and 58% in exercise and diet related activities, respectively. Generalized estimating equations showed the treatment group showed significant improvements in depressive symptoms (p = .012), systolic blood pressure (p = .028), total cholesterol (p = .002) and triglycerides (p = .011) over time. The treatment group also showed trends for improvement in diet behaviors (p = .069) and diastolic blood pressure (p = .073). Conclusions This study provided feasibility evidence for the WHHIP and preliminary evidence that the WHHIP can improve heart healthy behaviors and subsequent outcomes among nursing assistants in long-term care settings.