Mind Your Heart-A Web-Based Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet and Mindful Eating Intervention for Working Adults at Elevated Cardiovascular Risk: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Anita M Reina, Heather M Padilla, Jenay M Beer et al.
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In 30 seconds
This pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the feasibility and preliminary effects of a six-week, self-guided web-based DASH education program, with or without mindful eating instruction, among working adults at elevated cardiovascular risk. Thirty-seven participants were randomized. Engagement was high: mean curriculum completion was 85.9%, and 88.9% completed at least half of scheduled prompts. There were no significant between-group differences in DASH adherence, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, or cardiometabolic biomarkers. Compared with DASH education alone, the mindful eating group had greater improvement in cognitive restraint (mean difference in change 0.39, 95% CI 0.06-0.72; P =.02).
Key findings
- Mean curriculum completion was 85.9% (SD 21.4); 31 of 36 participants completed at least 60% of assigned content.
- The mindful eating group showed greater improvement in cognitive restraint than the Diet Only group (mean difference in change 0.39, 95% CI 0.06-0.72; Hedges g =0.81; P =.02).
- Greater improvement in controlled regulation was also observed with mindful eating (mean difference in change 3.59, 95% CI 0.01-7.16; Hedges g =0.68; P =.05).
- No significant between-group differences were observed for DASH adherence, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, or cardiometabolic biomarkers.
Why it matters
A fully asynchronous digital program may make DASH education and mindful eating instruction feasible for working adults who face barriers to in-person programs. The observed changes in eating behaviors provide a rationale for further evaluation, while the absence of detected differences in clinical and dietary outcomes means the findings do not establish health benefit.
What to keep in mind
The authors note the small sample and feasibility design; paired baseline and postintervention data were unavailable for all anthropometric measures and biomarkers.