Paper: Development of an Internet-Based Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program in Workers with Metabolic Syndrome (Sigma Theta Tau International's 21st International Nursing Research Congress)

Friday, 16 July 2010: 8:50 AM

Chun-Ja Kim, PhD, RN
Se-Won Kang, PhD, RN
Department of Nursing, Ajou University College of Nursing, Suwon, South Korea

Learning Objective 1: identify the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and stages of change for physical activity and weight control.

Learning Objective 2: figure out how to develop an Internet Based Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program among workers with metabolic syndrome.

Purpose: Despite the numerous benefits of physical activity and weight control for persons with metabolic syndrome, most Korean workers in busy worksites rarely find time to access continuous counseling for prevention of metabolic cardiovascular risk. This study was to develop an internet-based cardiovascular risk reduction program among Korean workers with metabolic syndrome.

Methods: The methodology design was conducted using stages of change for physical activity and weight control behavior. A preliminary program was developed analyzing medical records of health examination included lifestyle. This Web program was constructed with a World Wide Web site, using Window 2003 server for the Web operation system, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 for the database management system, and application service provider (ASP) for framework. An expert group evaluated the content validity of the preliminary program by Lynn. Korean workers (n=14) participated in a preliminary survey of the Web program for clinical validity.

Results: The Web program named the Best Exerciser and Super Trainer, BEST program consisted of background and goal of program, the survey tool for physical and psychological readiness for physical activity and weight control, stage-matched lifestyle modification program for cardiovascular risk reduction, and monitoring pages. The prevalence of abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, low high density level lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated triglyceride, and elevated fasting blood glucose were 50.0%, 42.9%, 35.9%, 28.6%, and 7.1%, respectively. Action and maintenance stages comprised 57.2% of regular physical activity stages, whereas 42.8% of non-regular physical activity stages were contemplation and preparation stages. Only 42.9% of weight control stage was action stage.

Conclusion: The findings of this study conclude that the BEST program may be useful for online survey and delivering stage-matched counseling on Website. Future randomized clinical trial is suggested that effectiveness of this program can be examined on metabolic cardiovascular risk among persons with metabolic syndrome including a larger sample size.

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