Changing behavior in senior housing residents: Testing of phase I of the PRAISEDD-2 intervention

PurposePrograms focused on health related behaviors implemented in senior centers, senior housing or churches have not been strongly successful in showing significant improvement in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention behaviors or important clinical outcomes such as decreasing blood pressure. The purpose of this study was to consider the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of phase I of the PRAISEDD-2 intervention. PRAISEDD-2 was implemented to increase physical activity, adherence to heart healthy diets and antihypertensive and/or lipid lowering medications.MethodThis was a single site pre post intervention trial. The 12 week phase I activities included education, motivational interventions and exercise classes two times per week implemented by a lay trainer and nurse.ResultsA total of 29 residents were recruited from a single senior housing facility. The majority was Black or African American, female and had at least a high school education. The average age of participants was 74 years of age. At the end of phase I, participants had stronger outcome expectations for exercise, decreased fat and salt intake and decreased pain. There was a non-significant improvement in time spent in physical activity and distance walked in 6 minutes.ConclusionPhase I of the PRAISEDD-2 intervention was feasible based on adherence to study design, training of the interventionists, delivery and receipt, and there was some support for efficacy across some study outcomes.