Pictou County PEP: A 6-Month, Home-Based, Personal Empowerment Program for Adults With a Chronic Medical Condition Living in Pictou County

Pictou County PEP: A Phase 2 Trial of a Six-Month Home-Based Personal Empowerment Program to Improve the Mental and Physical Health of Adults With a Chronic Medical Condition Living in Pictou County

The Pictou County Personal Empowerment Program is a comprehensive health promotion program aiming to improve the quality of life as well as both physical and mental health in Adults living with chronic medical conditions. The program includes daily email communications over 6 months that encourage a range of self-management and health promoting activities, including strength and aerobic exercise, yoga, stress reduction techniques, dietary improvements, relationship/intimacy education and more.

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

• Age >18;

• Diagnosed with one or more chronic medical conditions, as per the participant's report, including but not restricted to the following (complete list in protocol appendix):

  • Heart disease / cardiovascular disease / stroke
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes including a diagnosis of pre-diabetes
  • Chronic respiratory disease
  • Chronic neurologic disease
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Immunodeficiency
  • Overweight or Obese (BMI >25)
  • Psychiatric or mental health issue - e.g., depression and anxiety
  • Substance-related and addictive disorders (e.g alcohol, smoking, etc.);

• Resident of Pictou County, Nova Scotia;

• Existing (or willingness to create) email account and willingness to access email daily;

• Ability to follow website links to watch YouTube videos;

• Ability to understand and speak English;

• Ability to participate in low to moderate levels of physical activity and strength training;

• Ability and willingness to fill out an online survey at baseline, and 6, 12 months, and fill in a weekly compliance survey for the six months of the program.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

• Diagnosed with cancer in the last 5 years and/or received treatment for cancer in the last 5 years;
• Myocardial infarction or stroke within the last year AND without written approval from their Family Physician, Cardiologist, or Study Physician that they are safe to exercise;
• Unable to access the internet daily during the intervention;
• Lack of access to a computer or smartphone to receive emails required for study intervention.