Evaluation of an Online Physical and Mental Wellbeing Program for UST-CRS Students: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Introduction. With the recent transition to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students experience academic difficulties, which affect their wellbeing. There is a need for an online wellbeing intervention program for students to address such concerns. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a six-week online educational wellbeing program for the physical and mental wellbeing of the University of Santo Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences (UST-CRS) students. Methods. This is a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest study that recruited UST-CRS students without physical and mental conditions. Physical and mental wellbeing modules developed by experts were deployed using Wix. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) were used for wellbeing assessment, while the Website Grader Tool and survey were used for website evaluation. Descriptive and inferential statistics, like Wilcoxon Signed Rank test and effect size, were conducted using JAMOVI. Alpha was set at 0.05. Results. Seventeen students participated in the online wellbeing program. Results revealed statistically significant difference in the pre and post intervention IPAQ-SF scores on MET-minute for walking (p=0.04; 95% CI=647-1955), total MET-minute activities (p<0.01, 95% CI=259-2412), andWHO-5 scores (p=0.05; 95% CI=4.36-36.5), with effect sizes of Cohen’s d=0.43-0.71. Participants reported satisfaction with the modules, platform, and organizers despite inconsistent attendance. Discussion. The online wellbeing program is feasible and effective in increasing the physical and mental wellbeing of the students. The findings of this study may guide future experimental studies for online wellbeing programs for university students.