To Improve Depressive Symptoms Using a Web-App

A Web-App Based Lifestyle Physical Activity Promotion Program to Improve Depressive Symptom Experience: Midlife Korean American Women

This study is being done to answer a question on whether a Web App-based Lifestyle Physical Activity Promotion Program is effective in improving depressive symptom experience of midlife Korean American women (WPAPP-K).

This study is being done to answer a question on whether a Web App-based Lifestyle Physical Activity Promotion Program is effective in improving depressive symptom experience of midlife Korean American women (WPAPP-K). Korean American midlife women tend to suffer from depressive symptoms due to their menopausal transition, cultural background, age, and gender. The WPAPP-K program that the investigators are testing is designed to help Korean American midlife women by providing information and coaching/support to increase lifestyle physical activity and subsequently improve their depressive symptom experience during the menopausal transition. The research team wants to know if the program improves depressive symptom experience of Korean American midlife women as designed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• self-reported midlife Korean-American women
• aged 40 to 60 years
• whose parents and grandparents are of Korean descent;
• who can read and write English or Korean;
• who currently reside in the United States;
• who are sedentary (without any disabilities preventing physical activity);
• who are online through computers or mobile devices;
• have experienced depressive symptoms during the past two weeks (1 to 10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9],which is equivalent to the cut-point of minimal to moderate depression.

Exclusion Criteria:

• major signs or symptoms suggestive of pulmonary or CVD
• history of a myocardial infarction, stroke, or Type I diabetes mellitus
• blood pressure higher than 160/100 mm Hg
• Use of beta-blockers, diltiazem, or verapamil