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

Abstract #55043

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:

• To present a web-based life enhancement system and show its potential benefits as a public health tool.

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.