The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

5066.0: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 9:15 AM

Abstract #55043

Psychophysiological assessments of a web-based life enhancement system. A prospective controlled study of knowledge workers

Dan Hasson, BmedSc1, Bengt B. Arnetz, MD, PhD1, and Camilla Sundström, BSC2. (1) Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Section for Social medicine, Uppsala Science Park, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden, +46707284298, dan.hasson@pubcare.uu.se, (2) Health & Wellfare, Alecta, Regeringsgatan 109, Stockholm, 103 73, Sweden

The aim of the current study was to assess the effects on mental and physical well being and biological stress markers from a web-based life enhancement system.

227 employees from 22 departments in 4 IT and 2 media companies enrolled. The departments were randomized to either the intervention or reference group. A web-based life enhancement tool was developed. It offered participants real-time monitoring of one’s perceived current health and stress status. In addition, members of the intervention group were offered web-based exercises, aimed at decreasing unwanted stress and promote health thru life enhancement initiatives. Biological measures of stress-sensitive hormones were sampled at regular intervals.

There were no significant differences between groups in socioeconomic background or psychophysiological measures at baseline . After 6 months, the intervention group had improved significantly on all ratings of sleep quality, mental energy and ability to concentrate, compared to the reference group (2-way ANOVA, p<.01 time x group effect). Memory ratings improved in both groups. Significant predictors of improved mental energy were group (intervention), improvement in sleep quality and ability to concentrate. The model explained 20% of the variance. The anabolic hormone DHEA decreased significantly in the control group, with no changes in the intervention group (time x group, p = .025).

It is suggested that a web-based system focusing on life enhancement and health promotion has a favorable impact on psychophysiological well being.

Study funded by a grant from Alecta.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Health Promotion, Internet Tools

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Department of public health and caring sciences.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Health Education through PDA, PBS, WWW, and TWD

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA