Abstract
BackgroundAlthough effectiveness of web-based interventions on lifestyle changes are recognized, the potential of such programs on metabolic syndrome has not been explored. We describe the protocol of a randomized controlled trial that aims to determine the feasibility, acceptability, usability, and effectiveness of interactive technology on lifestyle intervention in a population with metabolic syndrome.Methods/designThis is a two-arm randomized controlled trial. The study includes 160 participants (n = 80 per arm) who will be recruited via online registration on the study website. The inclusion criteria are that they should have metabolic syndrome and have access to the Internet. All participants will receive information on dietary intake and physical activity through the study website. The intervention group will receive additional resources via the study website including interactive Healthy Heart Profile and calorie restricted diet tailored to the participants. The primary outcomes are feasibility, acceptability, usability, and the change in metabolic syndrome components. The secondary outcomes are comparing quality of life, physical activity and food intake among the study arms. The participants will be followed up to 6 months with data collection scheduled at baseline, 3 and 6 months.DiscussionThere is a need for developing and evaluating web-based interventions that target people with high risk for cardiovascular diseases. This study will therefore make an important contribution to this novel field of research and practice.Trial registrationIRCT201111198132N1
Highlights
Recent evidence indicates that individuals with metabolic syndrome are approximately twice more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and between 3.5 and 5 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes [11]
The Tehran Lipid and Glucose study (TLGS) reported that 42% of women and 24% of men were suffering from metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome has been identified by central obesity, increased triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), hypertension, and elevated fasting blood glucose concentration [12,13,14]
Summary
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide and a growing health problem among developing nations [1,2]. Traditional lifestyle interventions such as face-to-face diet and exercise programs have succeeded in treating the metabolic syndrome [18,19], clinical practice and research have shown significant difficulties with regard to availability, cost, treatment adherence and long-term efficacy of these procedures [20] Issues such as time and travel demands typically were identified as problems with traditional programs [21]. There is evidence that among the web-based interventions for lifestyle changes those that benefit from interactive technology are more effective than those that provide one-way communications [66]. Aim The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to determine the feasibility, acceptability, usability, and effectiveness of an interactive web-based lifestyle intervention focusing on dietary and physical activity for reducing metabolic syndrome indicators. It was hypothesized that developing and launching an interactive web-based educational program would be feasible, acceptable and will be used by target audiences, and that using interactive web-based educational program will produce a change in lifestyle behaviors and this will lead to reduction in metabolic syndrome
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